Time Rolls On

102

There is a turn in the tide of the guys’ lives. Will the days remain good or will they roll out with the sea?

 

Author’s Notes: Thank you to Lapfordlass for being my beta for this story.

This is considered a sequel to “You’re Mine, Not His!” – minus the dark graphic violence and abuses. It can be read independently, if one chooses. The story picks up 5 years down the road from Hutch’s life changing injury.

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It was three a.m. when he trudged up the stairs and knocked on his buddy’s door. There was no answer. He opened the door and walked over to bed and bent down and said, “Hutch can you wake up for me?” and jostled his friend’s shoulder. After a couple of tries, Hutch’s eyes flew open, instantly awake. Starsky saw the panic in his partner’s eyes and said, “Hutch everything’s alright, I just gotta talk to you.”

Hutch calmed readily at hearing this. He was still plagued with nightmares of the events of five years ago, when he was wrongly imprisoned and injured in a riot. Those events had changed their lives drastically.

Sleepily, Hutch glanced at the clock noting it was 3:00 in the morning. “I’m awake now, well sorta. Help me get in my chair, so I don’t fall and break anything, will ya?”

“Sure.”

After Hutch was in his chair, he and Starsky were making the way to the balcony when Starsky said, “Let’s go down to the beach for a while.”

Hutch knew by that comment alone that Starsky was deeply struggling with something. They took the lift down to the beach and then transferred Hutch into his beach chair (an electric one with huge tires to push through the sand). They didn’t go too far and stopped at the water’s edge. Starsky sat down in the sand next to his partner’s chair and inhaled deeply.

Hutch knew something was really weighing on Starsky’s mind. After a few moments of silence, Hutch said, “Gordo, ya wanna talk or stare at the waves until the sun comes up?”

Starsky looked up at his best friend and said, “I don’t know how.”

Hutch said, “Well start at the beginning, Gordo.”

Starsky looked into his partner’s light blue eyes with his indigo ones, brimming with tears that were about to overflow and meekly said, “Terry.”

Hutch hitched a breath and swallowed the lump in his throat. Although Terry had been Starsky’s girl, Hutch had loved her too. Her death and the circumstances around it were still very painful for both detectives, but more so Starsky.

After a couple of minutes went by Starsky still had not offered up more insight.

Hutch gently said, “What about Terry?”

Starsky shuddered then said, “I feel like I’m letting her down.”

“Why?” came the response.

Starsky said with a quivering voice, “I have real feelings for Mel but it feels like I’m betraying Terry and what coulda been.”

Hutch said vehemently, “No way partner!”

“Huh!”

“Look, buddy, Terry left me to look out for your welfare.” Hutch then recited Terry’s last words. “Dearest Ken, To you I entrust Ollie and Dave. ‘Love them both and don’t let either of them change…’ See, Terry didn’t want you to change from who you are. She knew you were a loving and caring person. So the way I see it by loving Mel, you are upholding her request. To love wholeheartedly.”

It was quiet for a few moments.

Then Starsky said, “Maybe you’re right, Blintz.”

“So you’re wanting to get serious then?” Hutch asked.

“Yeah,” came the reply. “I’ve already bought a ring, but just couldn’t pop the question, because I felt like I was cheating on Terry.”

“Well, I think you need to follow your heart then, buddy.” Hutch reached down and gently squeezed Starsky’s shoulder.

“Ya think?”

“Yeah Starsk, I do.”

They sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the new day begin.

*****

On the trek back to the beach house, Hutch said, “Hey Starsk.”

“Yeah Blondie.”

“Umm….I’ve been having similar thoughts about Jess.”

Starsky whirled around in front of the chair, looking with astonishment at his partner and said, “Seriously.”

“Hey buddy, you aren’t the only one the love bug is biting,” said Hutch.

“Oh man, this is crazy. Those two are about as close as we are,” Starsky stated.

“I know, but I guess I’m fighting my own demons,” Hutch said.

“Whadda mean?”

“LOOK AT ME, Starsk!!! Wh-who would want me, this kinda life,” Hutch almost shouted, motioning to his wheelchair, “when they could have someone like you!”

With an impish grin, Starsky said, “Well buddy, you do have a point there.”

“St—“

“—I know, I know, you didn’t mean me specifically,” Starsky said.  “But look Hutch, that chair isn’t you. It’s just your mode of transportation.  Jess loves you because of your heart, intelligence, compassion towards others and most likely your looks. None of which has to do with – the chair.”

“Ya think so?” Hutch queried.

“I know so.”

*****

It was Friday night and the foursome inexplicably all had the weekend off. The girls were old college roommates that became super close, as they both had dealt with the loss of a parent during their undergraduate days, and continued to be roommates long after. Mel was a criminal photographer at precinct 8, who met Starsky while they covering a joint precinct operation, comparing photos of a crime scenes. Jess was a forensic scientist and she had met Hutch while doing a guest lecture for the academy for the cadets.

Hutch had asked if Starsky and Mel would join he and Jess for a nice dinner this particular Friday. Of course, it was a sure thing that they would as Hutch had told Starsky he wanted him to present the ring in proper fashion when the time came. Starsky had plans of his own as well.

As their dinner was coming to a scrumptious end, Hutch asked Starsky if he could help him to the bathroom as he feigned needing assistance, stating the men’s room lacked the accommodations he needed

As the guys went to take care of business, allegedly, Mel leaned over to Jess and asked her friend, “Does the chair ever bother you?”

Jess replied, “I never really even notice it most of the time.”

“I mean, I know you have never expressed concerns to me,” said Mel, “but I just wondered if there are times you find it difficult.”

“Well, yeah, the only time I guess it comes into play is if there is a time I can’t help him, like now. But honestly,” Jess said, “between the two of us, there has to be at least one brain cell functioning, we’ll figure something out.”

Mel said, “That’s truly the way it seems to me too.”

“David’s a sweetheart too,” Jess said, poorly imitating his Bogey impression.

They both laughed out loud as the guys were returning to the table.

At the grave look on the guys’ faces, their laughter died instantly.

“Ken, what’s wrong?” asked Jess.

Hutch had returned to the table, but something was off, he looked so pale. Then Starsky dropped beside him.

Hutch stammered, “J-J-Jess will you marry me?” as Starsky, on bent knee produced the ring.

Jess’s eyes became huge as she looked from the ring to Hutch and a couple of moments passed, before she said, “YES” vehemently. Her eyes welled up with emotion.

Hutch took the ring and slid it on her finger. They hugged and kissed tenderly.

Rising Starsky announced he boisterously, “She said yes, she said yes.” He clapped his best friend on the back while Mel squealed in delight for her friend.

Those around them applauded and cheered for the happy couple. As Starsky was sliding into his seat, he ordered a bottle of champagne to celebrate the happy engagement.

Before the Maître D had returned with the champagne, Hutch dropped his napkin and strained to pick it up, Starsky slid out of the his chair to assist. Reaching under the chair, he dropped to one knee. Instead of picking up the napkin, he turned towards Mel and asked for her hand in marriage, all the while presenting her with a ring.

Jess was in his arms, before he knew it, saying “YES!! Yes, Dave, yes, I’ll marry you!”

The quaint restaurant erupted a second time with applause and good wishes for both couples.

After a glorious night of dinner then dancing, the happy couples returned to the beach house. Once Hutch and Jess were inside Starsky and Mel went on their way to Mel’s place.

*****

It was about 3 AM. Starsky and Mel were cuddled on the couch. Starsky looked at her and said, “You wanna talk to Jess, don’t you?”

Mel replied shyly, “Yes. Ya know we share everything, like you and Hutch do and this is monumental for us all.”

“Agreed,” said Starsky. “Come on, let’s see what the other part of our hearts are doing.”

As a Torino pulled into the beach house, Hutch and Jess were on the lift to take them down to the car as they were on their way Mel’s for the very same reasons.

They laughed and headed for the kitchen. Hutch began to make coffee as Jess raided the fridge to make an early feast for them all.

*****

Several months later with the beach house modifications finished, and the joint wedding behind them, both couples were counting down the days until the birth of their first children.

Kenneth Michael Starsky (soon to be known as Kenny) was the first baby to make an appearance. He was quickly followed by the twins, Jacqueline Marie and David Oliver (Ollie) Hutchinson two days later.

Some months later, while the guys were doting on the babies, Hutch said, “Ya know, Starsk, it doesn’t surprise me a bit that Kenny came into the world first, he’s as full of energy, impatience, and as hungry as you are all the time.”

Even with all the changes in their lives, the guys never had lost the banter.

Starsky replied, “Well, Blondie, you just have to always have the upper hand. Twins huh?”

They laughed heartily as they cared for the nine month old babies.

The families grew at a fast rate over the next few years and they were soon joined by Rachel, Mikey, and Allen Starsky and Harrison and Sara Hutchinson.

*****

One summer day Hutch had the little ones down at the beach enjoying the summer morning. Suddenly, Hutch heard a child calling for help. He spotted the child and could tell he was being swept out in the riptide.

He quickly turned to Mikey and said, “Go tell Starsky, ‘Hutch needs help.’ Got it?”

Mikey, who was a high functioning Downs Syndrome kiddo said, “Daddy help Uncle Ken.”

“No, son, say Starsky help Hutch, emergency. Go now, like the wind.”

Despite Mikey’s Downs Syndrome, he was an exceptional runner.

Hutch hastily told Rachel to watch the littles and stay out of the water as he plunged out of his chair and started after the struggling child.

Despite the fact his legs were useless, Hutch was still a strong swimmer, primarily because he had built so much upper body strength.

In record time, Mikey made it up to the house screaming repeatedly, “Starsky help Hutch!”

Upon hearing Mikey using the distress code, (calling them by Starsky and Hutch) he and the older kids took off running to the house. As Starsky had been in the back yard helping Kenny, Jackie, and Ollie with their combined science fair project.

Upon entering the house Starsky picked up a frantic Mikey and asked what was going on. All Mikey could do was point at the beach. Starsky followed and saw the little kids and empty wheelchair on the beach.

“Oh no! Ya did good Mikey.”

As Starsky and Mikey ran down the stairs to the beach just as the older kids were getting to the house. Starsky hollered over his shoulder for Kenny to call for emergency services.

Starsky put Mikey down at the water’s edge and told all the kids to stay put. Kenny joined the other kids a few moments later after EMS was called.

Initially Starsky had thought it was Hutch that was in trouble, but as he approached the beach, he saw that Hutch was actually swimming after a small child. He ran into the water and started after his partner, knowing that the riptide was occurring.

As Hutch neared the child, he could tell the little boy was succumbing to the water’s pull and he went under. Hutch took a couple stokes before frantically plunging under the water and feeling for the child. He quickly found the boy and rose to the surface, both of them were coughing and sputtering. They were violently thrown into the reef wall by tide and surf. Hutch’s back took the brunt of the impact many times before Starsky could reach them and pull them to relative safety.

On shore Mel and Jess had returned from the store. When Jess dropped her groceries at the sight that came into focus as she glanced out the window and saw the empty wheelchair in the water and her husband far out in the water with Starsky in pursuit.

Mel said, “What’s up?”

Jess said, “Oh my God, Ken!” And took off for the shore.

Melanie instantly followed after her. When the women reached the children, Mikey was frantic and repeating the mantra, while crying: “Mikey, not fast, no help Hutch.”

The other kids were also crying. Melanie took a distraught Mikey into her arms. Jess started out after the guys.

As Kenny approached his mom and the other kids, he said, “I’ve already called for help and they are sending beach rescue and ambulances.”

Melanie nodded while trying to console Mikey.

*****

Starsky was swimming intently to reach Hutch and the boy. He thought to himself, “Dammit, always the White Knight, why blondie?”

Catching  glimpses of the two crashing into reef wall time and time again, he swam faster. It was obvious that Hutch was tiring.

Starsky grabbed the pair as they were rising from the last crash and dunking. Both were sputtering and appeared half drowned.  He quickly got an arm around Hutch and said, “I got ya, blondie.”

Then he started for shore with his burdens.

“Hey kiddo, what’s your name?” Starsky asked, once they were out of danger of being slammed into the treacherous reef.

“Scotty,” came the weak reply, just as Jess came level with them.

“Well, I’m Dave and this here is Jess. She will help you back to shore, while I get this big lug here, okay?”

He passed the little boy over to Jess.

“You okay, partner? Starsky asked.

His reply was the sound of Hutch’s vomiting. It was all Starsky could do to keep from sympathy puking as they swam through the newly emesis tainted waters.

Eventually, Hutch croaked out, “Dizzy, hard to breathe, Starsk.”

“What were you thinking, Hutch? Never mind, White Knight, I know the answer.”

The medics raced into the water to relieve the swimmers of their burdens. Scotty was scared, but otherwise uninjured, except for a couple abrasions on his leg and the large amount of water he had swallowed. On the other hand, Hutch was losing consciousness and having a difficult time breathing. His back was torn up from the repeated hits to the reef.

Medic Seth noted multiple jellyfish stings on his back and right leg.

Seth said, “It looks he has jellyfish stings and may be experiencing Irukandji Syndrome, I saw this a lot while surfing in Australia.”

Hutch was intubated before constriction became a significant issue and intravenous fluids were started. Both patients were then transferred to the hospital for further care.

Mel said, “I got the kids, Dave. You and Jess go to the hospital, give us an update as soon as you can.”

*****

After reaching the hospital and being relegated to the waiting room, Starsky’s first call was to Huggy to update their long-time friend and enlist his assistance once again.

About ninety minutes later Huggy strolled into the emergency room and spied Starsky and Jess hunched over in the unforgiving plastic chairs shivering.

“Hey, my man. How’s our blond brother doing?” Huggy asked as he handed Starsky a bag of clothes for he and Jess. Both of which were sitting in the waiting room soaked, cold with blankets over them.

“Don’t know nothing yet,” Starsky replied.

Huggy stated, “I dropped Diane and little bear off at the Starskinson household to provide enforcements for Mel.”

Jess took her belongings out and went to change.

Starsky sighed deeply.

As Huggy sat down beside Starsky, he asked, “What are you not telling me, Curly?”

“I’m not, it’s not…damn, Huggy, I just thought these days were behind us, ya know.”

“I get it bro, just relax, huh. Remember, Hutch is a strong dude, if anyone can prevail he can, especially now that he has so much to live for,” Huggy said, hiking a thumb towards the returning Jess.

“Now wait a minute, you’re saying I’m not enough?” asked Starsky.

“No, my curly headed friend, you’ve always been enough, it’s just now there’s more.”

“The banter worked at relieving some of Starsky’s tension,” thought Huggy.

They settled in for the long wait.

*****

Four long days later, Hutch was waking up and in his groggy, state mumbled, “Damn my leg is killing me.”

Starsky and Jess shot up out of their chairs, and asked Hutch what he had said.

He looked at them with the upmost confusion and said, “My leg is killing me. What happened?”

Both noticed the movement under the sheet as his toes moved.

“Hutch, your moving your toes,” exclaimed Starsky.

The whooping and hollering that came from Hutch’s room was enough to bring half the staff in. The charge nurse was demanding answers for the ruckus and stating that this was a hospital and there were other people trying to recover.  But Starsky, Jess and Hutch didn’t take notice. They were too excited by the possibility of what was happening.

*****

Almost 10 year old Kenny Barnes saw on the news that a paralyzed man, Ken Hutchinson had saved the life of 5 year old Scott Naples, who was drowning.

Kenny said to his father “Someday I want to be like him.”

His father chuckled and said, “Where do you think your name came from?

“You mean that’s him! The guy who saved you during the riot that ended your career?”

“Yep,” came the reply, and in his mind Barnes heard  Hutchinson’s  words from so long ago.” No one left behind, if it could be helped.”

*****

Some days later, the physicians had determined after many tests and oodles of bloodwork that the antibodies in Hutch’s system from the plague and combined with the toxins from the jellyfish, actually had a positive effect for Hutch. They even thought that with an intense physical therapy program, he might regain the use of his legs, but were cautiously optimistic.

At hearing this bit of news, Starsky said, “Hey partner, did ya hear that?

Jess sat stunned and squeezed her husband’s hand as this revelation sank in. “Ken might be able to walk in the future, mustn’t get my hopes up, but wow.”

Later that night, it was Starsky’s turn to stay with Hutch. He noticed a restlessness about him and said, “A penny for your thoughts?”

“Starsk, this is almost too good to be true, what if I can’t regain the use of my legs enough to walk? I’m worried I‘ll let Jess and the kids down.”

“Never happen, blondie. The only direction from here is up. You survived The Plague, numerous injuries, beatings and the stings and you’re still with us. Anything else, how much or how little, is a bonus.”

“Thanks Gordo.”

Jess stayed the first several days at the intensive rehabilitation center with Ken, where she enthusiastically learned how to assist her husband with the grueling, but necessary strengthening exercises.

After ten days of intensive and very painful rehabilitation, Hutch was discharged home to continue outpatient therapy regime with a therapist coming in three days a week for the first month. There was an endless supply of cheerleaders in the Starskinson household, who in their own way could motivate and encourage Hutch to continue to work hard on his low and difficult days. The adults were direct and firm but it was the kids that had the highest impact on the blond.

Mikey’s tactic was by far the most motivating, as he would say, “Uncle Ken, put in the work, so you can run like the wind, like me.” Little Sara would say, “Come on, Daddy, you wanna dance with me at my wedding, so get moving.” Ollie and Kenny enlisted Hutch’s help with endless baseball questions about technique or stances. Jackie and Rachel would wait at the end of the parallel bars with Hutch’s favorite health food.

Harrison and Alan had endless questions about police work, saying they were going to be detectives and partners someday, like their dads. They often inquired about physical attributes of being police officer. Again the adults just encouraged Hutch and endured his grumpy days when he was hurting or in pain, with Jess and Starsky being Hutch’s primary therapy providers.

*****

Fifteen months later Hutch was able to walk slowly down the aisle at Calvin Dobey’s wedding, with Jess on his arm.

 

End