Voices from the Past

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A plan for revenge puts Hutch in the middle.

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The ringing phone would not let up. The caller was persistent and showed no signs of giving up. Not able to stand it anymore, a hand reached out, blindly searching for the phone that sat on the nightstand. Finding the phone, he grabbed it and clumsily brought it to his ear. Only half awake and very groggy, he mumbled into the phone. “Hello.” Glancing through blurry eyes at the clock next to the phone, Starsky noticed that it was only 3 am.

“Detective Starsky, sorry to be calling at such an ungodly hour, but it really can’t be helped. I just wanted to ask you if you know where your partner is?” Still a bit groggy, Starsky wasn’t sure he had understood the question. “What did you say?”

“I said, do you know where your partner is?” The caller’s voice sounded a bit irritated now. “You know, your partner, Detective Hutchinson. Do you know where he is?” The last thing Starsky heard before the caller hung up the phone was an evil little laugh. Then nothing but the dead silence of his dark room.

Starsky was suddenly very much awake. Cold fear settling in the pit of his stomach. Where was Hutch? A date…Hutch had had a date tonight. Starsky reached for the lamp on the nightstand, blinking at the sudden glare. Picking up the phone once again, he quickly dialed Hutch’s number. The phone rang. Once, twice. Starsky felt himself holding his breath, waiting desperately for Hutch to pick up the phone. Three, four, five, six, no answer. Starsky let the phone ring several more times and then slammed it down in frustration. Panic was beginning to set in. As much as he wanted to believe Hutch was still out on a date, his gut feeling was that Hutch was in big trouble. Something was terribly wrong.

Not wasting any time, Starsky was dressed and racing toward Hutch’s apartment within minutes. He skidded to a halt in front of Venice Place. Starsky took the steps to Hutch’s apartment two and three at a time, hoping to find Hutch tucked safely into his bed sound asleep or safely in his bed with his date and not so sound asleep. Starsky found himself almost smiling thinking of the look Hutch would have on his face when he found Starsky standing over his bed. Reaching above the door, he found the key in its usual place. Unlocking the door, he slowly turned the knob and eased the door open. Taking his gun out of his holster, he carefully made his way into the dark, silent apartment

“Hutch…Hutch are you here?” Starsky turned on a light and looked around; everything seemed to be in place. Nearing Hutch’s bedroom, he paused slightly, took a breath and walked in, turning on the light. The bedroom was neat, the clothes Hutch had worn to work that day lay on the end of the bed. There was nothing to indicate that anything was wrong. Wrong? The only thing wrong was that he hadn’t a clue where Hutch was. Sliding his gun back into his holster, he sank down onto the bed. Feeling very lost and alone, Starsky tried desperately to put together the pieces of events that had occurred since leaving Hutch yesterday. Sadly, he realized there wasn’t much to piece together. He had dropped Hutch off at his place about 5:30. He knew Hutch had a date. All Starsky knew about the date was the lady’s first name. It was Rita. Rita was someone new; Hutch had just met her. Where? Think…had Hutch mentioned where he had met her? Starsky drew a blank. All he knew was that Hutch had a date with someone named Rita, and at around 3:00 am a mysterious caller asked if he knew where Hutch was. So basically what he had was NOTHING! He didn’t even know for sure if Hutch had kept his date.

Hutch was gone, with no clues to what had happened. Starsky reached over and picked up the shirt Hutch had apparently tossed onto the end of the bed before showering. Starsky stood up, still holding the shirt in his hand. Hutch had stood in this room, took off his shirt, and then most likely headed into the bathroom for a shower. Starsky found himself following what he thought would have been Hutch’s steps. Entering the bathroom, Starsky found wet towels hung over the shower; Hutch’s toothbrush and razor lay next to the sink. Starsky swallowed hard; a lump was forming in his throat. Oh, God, Hutch, where are you? What’s happened to you? With a last look around the bathroom, Starsky moved into the kitchen area. A half-full can of beer sat on the table. True to form, Hutch had obviously had his usual after work beer. Nothing was out of place. It was apparent that Hutch had left his apartment of his own free will. But where had he been going and, better yet, where had he ended up?

The dark silence of the apartment was interrupted by the sudden loud ringing of the telephone. Startled, Starsky stared at the phone while it rang a second time. Pulling himself together, he picked up the phone. Before he could even say hello, the person on the other end of the phone line began speaking. “Detective Starsky?” Starsky instantly recognized the voice as his mysterious caller from earlier that morning.

“Who are you? What kind of game are you playing?”

“I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that your partner’s date didn’t turn out so well.”

“What do you know about my partner’s date?…answer me.” But once again the line had gone dead. Starsky was now not only scared, but he was angry. Who the hell was this guy? What did he know about Hutch’s date? The fear and anger knotted inside him. His partner was in some serious trouble and he had no clue where to start looking for him. “Some detective you are, can’t even keep track of your own partner,” Starsky muttered to himself.

It was time to let Dobey in on what was going on. Glancing at his watch as he dialed the phone, Starsky knew that Dobey was not going to be very happy to have his sleep disturbed at this hour. It was now just after four in the morning. Over an hour had passed since he had learned Hutch was missing.

Once the phone call to Dobey was completed, things started moving. A half hour later, an anxious Dobey met Starsky at the station. An APB was put out on Hutch and every available detective was busy pulling old case files, looking for someone with both motive and opportunity. As things stood right now, they didn’t have a clue as to where they should start looking for Hutch. He had simply vanished.

If only he had some information on Rita. A last name, a phone number, address, even a place of employment. But Hutch’s date seemed to be as mysterious as Starsky’s early morning caller. Why didn’t I give Hutch the usual third degree about his date? Starsky stared glumly into a cup of cold coffee. He had never felt so helpless in his life. My partner, my best friend in the whole world, needs me and here I sit.

Five hours and stacks of files later, they didn’t have much more to go on than when they had started. Two detectives had checked on the whereabouts of several possible suspects. Suspects? Starsky almost laughed out loud. The only thing that made them suspects was the fact that Hutch had busted them and they were still alive and out of jail. What worried him most was if this was someone out for revenge, Hutch could very well already be dead. NO! Not Hutch. I can’t let myself even think it. If Hutch was dead, why would this person be playing games with me? No, this wacko didn’t want Hutch dead…at least not yet.

Grabbing another stack of files, Starsky forced himself back to the job at hand. The more he thought about it, the more he thought it unlikely that the answer was going to be found in any old file. Something told him they were looking in all the wrong places.

Myers and Burns, the two detectives who had checked some of the names on the list, arrived back at the station. Their defeated faces said it all. They had come up with nothing. Starsky sat, head in hands. He had the feeling that if he were alone he would be sitting here sobbing. He felt so frustrated.

The ringing of the phone on his desk brought him back to reality. Starsky reached for the phone, “Starsky.” Starsky’s jaw clenched, as he recognized the voice on the other end of the phone line.

“Good morning, Detective Starsky. Well, no, I guess it isn’t a very good morning for you. I would imagine what with your partner missing and you without a clue how to locate him, that it’s anything but a good morning.” The caller chuckled a bit. Starsky sighed heavily, his voice filled with anguish.

“Look, just tell me what you want. No more playing games. Where’s Hutch?” The caller seemed to take some kind of sick delight in hearing the anguish and terror in Starsky’s voice.

“Oh, but I like playing games. But I have to admit that you and your partner have not been much fun. Your blond friend doesn’t seem to want to play much either. But maybe that’s just because he’s not feeling real well right now.” Starsky shuddered at the caller’s words, knowing that this fiend had somehow hurt Hutch.

Starsky’s tone became hard and cold as he replied, “I’m warning you, this is not a game. You hurt Hutch and I’ll kill you.”

Starsky heard more laughter, then the words, “Too late,” and then the click as the caller hung up. The words ‘too late’ kept repeating themselves over and over in Starsky’s head. Too late…he had hurt Hutch… Captain Dobey had silently come to stand behind Starsky just as the caller had hung up. Starsky turned toward Dobey, his expression one of mute wretchedness. He stared at Dobey without speaking for several seconds, then stunned and sickened, he repeated what the caller had said to him. The captain’s face clearly showed his pain.

Starsky, trying to control his emotions, said, “Hutch is in real trouble, Captain. We’ve got to find him fast. This lunatic has already hurt Hutch.”

Dobey reached out and patted Starsky’s shoulder. “We’ll find him. I just got a call, some uniforms found Hutch’s car.” Starsky was on his feet in an instant. Finally, a break, maybe a lead.

His voice shook a bit as he asked, “Where?” Dobey said nothing. Not wanting to get Starsky’s hopes up too much, he silently handed him a slip of paper. The paper firmly in his hand, Starsky headed toward the door.

********

Once seated in the Torino, he studied the paper Dobey had handed him. The location where Hutch’s car had been found was way outside the city, some rarely-used, secluded road in the middle of nowhere. What the hell was Hutch doing there? Somehow Starsky doubted that Hutch had chosen this route of his own free will.

Starsky, wasting no time, arrived at the scene in record time. The uniformed officers had been joined by a team from the lab. The lab guys were going over Hutch’s car carefully. Starsky, his face grim, headed toward Hutch’s car. His eyes took in every aspect of the scene before him. Hutch’s battered car was now even more battered. He really had to talk Hutch into getting a better car. The front end rested tightly up against a large tree. It appeared that Hutch had been forced off the road in a rather violent manner. Starsky’s steps slowed a bit the closer he got to Hutch’s demolished car. He hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. He was almost afraid to look into the car, fearful of what he might find.

“Hey, Starsky.” Starsky, now standing next to the driver’s side door, looked up into the concerned face of Officer Jerry Anderson. Jerry had just finished looking over the inside of the car. Starsky, feeling a bit like a volcano on the verge of erupting, nodded somewhat briskly at the older officer.

Starsky, his voice showing signs of strain, asked, “What do we have so far?” The look on the face of the officer sent a chill down Starsky’s spine. Without saying a word, he moved past the officer and looked into the driver’s side of the car. Starsky felt the nauseating sinking of despair. Blood…Hutch’s blood? Starsky’s already low spirits sank even lower. Starsky closed his eyes tightly against the sight, letting his body slump against the car.

Officer Anderson patted Starsky’s shoulder. “The lab will let you know as soon as possible if it matches Hutch’s blood type. We’ll find him, Starsky. Don’t give up.”

His expression grim, Starsky replied, “That’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. I’ll never give up. I’ll find Hutch, and I’ll find the bastard responsible for this.”

Pulling himself together, Starsky once again looked inside the car. This time he looked it over carefully. There was blood on the back of the driver’s seat and the door. Starsky figured it had gotten on the door when Hutch had been taken from the car. He also figured Hutch had most likely suffered a blow to the head. He fought hard to fight back the tears he felt welling up in his eyes. He didn’t have time for tears now; he had to find his partner.

Several hours later, they had come up with nothing new. Nothing, except the blood type found in the car matched Hutch’s. No surprise there. Starsky kept hoping the phone would ring. The next time the bastard called, Starsky planned on demanding to speak to Hutch. He had to know if Hutch was still alive. Thinking about it, though, Starsky decided that if Hutch were dead, he would know it. They were too close for him not to know if Hutch had taken his last breath Hutch was still alive!

“Starsky!” Dobey bellowed in that famous Dobey roar.

Starsky jumped up and headed for Dobey’s office. As Starsky entered the office, Dobey could see the look of eager hopefulness on his face. “Sorry, Starsky, I haven’t heard anything. I just wanted to tell you…no make that order you, to go home and get some sleep.”

Before Starsky could open his mouth to display his usual arguing, Dobey stopped him short. “That’s an order! Go get some food in your stomach and get some sleep. If you want to help Hutch, you have to take care of yourself. Now go home.”

Realizing he was exhausted and hungry, Starsky agreed to go home for a bit. But only for a bit.

********

Once home, Starsky couldn’t decide if he wanted sleep or food first. Food finally won out, and Starsky, sandwich and soda in hand, collapsed onto his couch. As he ate, he couldn’t help thinking about Hutch and wondering if he had had anything to eat. Something told him Hutch had not been fed. He was bleeding and probably scared and feeling pretty alone. He needs me! I can’t take the time to sleep, I have to find Hutch. His depressing thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Setting his soda down on the table, he got up and found himself practically staggering to the door. Dobey was right, he needed sleep. Opening the door, he found no one there. He looked around in surprise. He knew he was tired, but he was darn sure he had heard someone knock on the door. He wasn’t imagining things! As he started to close the door, his eyes were drawn to an envelope lying just outside his door. He bent down and picked it up. Turning it over, he found no writing on the envelope. Closing the door, he stood staring at the envelope in his hand. Quickly tearing it open, he found a small note inside, folded in half, and a photo. The color drained out of Starsky’s face and he felt his knees begin to give out on him. He stumbled to the couch, the photo still in his trembling hand. Oh, God…Hutch. The photo showed a badly battered and abused Hutch. Hutch lay on the floor, arms bound tightly behind him. He was gagged and blindfolded. The blindfold was darkened with Hutch’s blood. The parts of his face that showed between the blindfold and gag were swollen and indicated signs of repeated beatings. Hutch’s fine blond hair was matted with blood. Looking at the photo, Starsky couldn’t even be sure if Hutch was alive.

Starsky lay the photo beside him on the couch. His eyes continually drawn to the gruesome sight, he opened the note that had accompanied the photo. Printed in bold red letters, the note read: “The game we are playing is called Hutchinson is missing. The object of the game is for you to find the missing Hutchinson before he dies. You have seven days and no more! Oh, and each day that passes without you finding your friend, well, let’s just say I get to practice my own special skills on him. I’m quite talented at…well, just use your imagination. I just hope your handsome friend lasts the whole seven days. Revenge is so sweet! Happy hunting.”

Starsky was numb with increasing rage and shock. It terrified him to think about what kind of lunatic had his hands on Hutch. It was apparent from both the photo and the note that this guy was capable of doing almost anything to Hutch…apparent also that he would enjoy doing it.

“I’ll find you, Hutch. I promise I’ll find you.” With a tremble in his voice, Starsky spoke the words out loud.

Starsky got to his feet; there would be no sleeping until Hutch was found. Time had become something he didn’t have enough of, and certainly none to waste sleeping. And he didn’t care what Dobey said! He had to get back to Parker Center and get to work. The note had mentioned revenge. That didn’t narrow the list of suspects down much, but at least now they did know for sure it was revenge. Just as Starsky reached for the doorknob, the ringing of the phone brought him to a halt. Staring at the phone briefly, almost afraid to answer it, he took the few steps across the room to the phone.

Grabbing the phone, he growled, “Starsky.”

“It’s me,” the voice answered. Starsky relaxed just a bit recognizing Dobey’s voice. “Starsky, you better get back here.” Dobey’s voice was grim.

“Captain what’s going on?” Starsky asked, not sure if he was ready to hear what Dobey had to say.

“I think we may have found the body of Hutch’s date.”

Starsky was silent for a few seconds, then finally finding his voice again, “I got something, too. The bastard left me a note and a photo of Hutch.”

Dobey could hear the strain and the barely controlled rage in Starsky’s voice. “Take it easy, Starsky…just get in here and let’s see what we can come up with.”

“I’m on my way.”

********

Half an hour later, Starsky sat in front of Dobey’s desk. Dobey had filled Starsky in on the discovery of the body of a blonde female found in a wooded area, several miles from where Hutch’s car had been found. There was no way to be one hundred percent sure that the body belonged to Hutch’s date, but the driver’s license had been issued to a Rita Sanders. Add that to the fact that the body had been found just a few miles from Hutch’s car, and it seemed to be a reasonable explanation. They were waiting to hear the cause of death, but it was pretty obvious she had been strangled. It seemed logical then that whoever had murdered Rita Sanders, most likely was the individual holding Hutch. But the big questions remained: WHO? and WHY?

“Well, I’m gonna get over to this Rita’s place and see if I can find anything. Then I think I’ll go check in with Huggy. Somebody has to know something.” Starsky stood to leave, the strain showing on every inch of his body. He felt drained, hollow, and totally lifeless.

“Keep me posted. And, Starsky, don’t give up hope, we’re going to find him.”

Dobey wished there was more he could do to reassure the young detective, but he knew the only thing that would accomplish this was the news that Hutch had been found…alive.

********

Hutch felt the blood running down his face. He seemed to live in constant fear now–fear of the pain and fear of dying alone. He had no idea how long this constant pain and confinement had been going on. Time had lost all meaning. All hope was slipping away from him. Hutch found himself sobbing uncontrollably. “Oh, God. Starsky, I need you. I need you to hold me. I’m so scared, Starsk…I’m not gonna make it this time. I don’t want to die alone.” Hutch found himself unable to control his pleading. “Starsky, please don’t let me die alone. Please!”

Hutch’s kidnapper was growing tired of listening to him calling for his partner. The thought crossed his mind that he should have left him gagged. But he did so enjoy hearing him beg while he was torturing him. And he did get a certain mean-spirited delight in hearing him call so frantically for his partner. But the real enjoyment would be when he told him that his partner was to blame for all of this. Yes, what will Detective Hutchinson think of his precious partner when he finds out that he’s the cause of him dying such a painful death?

No longer able to stand the racket the screaming cop was making and afraid that someone might hear him, Hutch’s tormentor headed angrily toward the small, dark and damp room where his prisoner was kept.

Hutch lay on the dirty floor, twitching and coughing, still calling frantically for Starsky. Having very little dignity left, he pleaded with the blurry figure that stood before him. “Help me…please help me.” Hutch’s breathing was becoming ragged. “I don’t want to die. I need to get to a hospital, please. My head…it’s really bad, please.”

“No hospital for you, blondie. A hospital would just ruin the plans I have for you. You’ll just die here like I planned.”

Not wanting to ruin his fun by killing off his prisoner too soon, he needed another way to keep Hutch quiet without gagging him again. Thinking for a second, he turned and left the room.

Hutch’s eyes widened as his captor returned with a bottle and a cloth in his hand.

Setting the bottle down, he grabbed Hutch by the front of his shirt, forcing him onto to his back. Placing his knee heavily on Hutch’s chest, he reached once again for the bottle. Hutch gasped at the added pressure on his already painful chest. He tried to struggle out of reach of the cloth that was advancing toward his face, but it was no use. The rag, saturated with ether, closed over his mouth and nose. Within seconds, Hutch’s struggles had ceased and his kidnapper left. Hutch was once again alone.

********

Starsky pulled up in front of the address he had hastily written on a slip of paper. He sat there staring at the house, feeling numb. Tears started to well up in his eyes. He took a deep breath and opened the car door.

Not now, Starsky. You don’t have time to fall apart. He silently lectured himself.

As he made his way up the walk to the house, he couldn’t help think of Hutch making the same walk last night. Just last night? Had it really been less than 24 hours since this ordeal had begun?

What happened, Hutch? What happened after you made this walk? Did you and Rita leave here alone or was there someone else with you? So many questions and no answers.

His walk through Rita’s house told him absolutely nothing. Everything seemed to be in place. No signs of a struggle. Nothing to give him a clue to what had happened to Hutch. Nothing here, but somehow I feel like I’m close to you, Hutch.

A quick look around the basement of the home provided nothing. The basement appeared to be used just for storage–storage boxes and crates piled all over.

“Damn it, Hutch, where are you?” Starsky kicked at a box, knocking it over. He didn’t bother to pick it up, just made his way back up the stairs.

Starsky took a last look around the neatly kept home. A dead end! A disappointed Starsky turned and walked out of the house. Just outside the door, he stopped. It was weird, but for some unknown reason he had felt so close to Hutch in that house. It was a very strange feeling. He almost hated to leave. It felt like he was leaving Hutch behind.

Starsky shook his head, trying to free himself from the unnerving reaction he had to leaving this house. “This is crazy,” he muttered to himself.

“Hey, you looking for the people who live there?”

Starsky turned to see a middle-aged woman watering flowers in the front yard of the house next to Rita’s.

“Ma’am, you know anything about her?” Starsky asked as he started toward the woman.

“Not much. The two of them pretty much kept to themselves,” she said as Starsky joined her on her lawn.

“The two of them?”

“I think they are sister and brother. Well, I guess I just assumed they were sister and brother. They look an awful lot a like.”

Starsky pulled out his badge, “I’m Detective David Starsky, and I’d appreciate any information you can give me concerning the occupants of this house.”

“Well, Detective, I really don’t know much about them. They’ve lived there maybe two or three months. I don’t think they talked to any of the neighbors. Guess you could say they kept to themselves.”

“Anyone ever come to visit them?” Starsky asked. He was still mulling over the fact that this Rita might have a brother that lived with her. Kind of funny that he hadn’t surfaced yet. There had been no answer when one of the uniformed officers that had discovered the body had called to notify the next of kin. Strange.

“No, I can’t say as I really recall seeing anyone coming to visit them,” the woman replied with a thoughtful look on her face. “Well, at least not until last night.”

“Last night? What happened last night?”

“Yeah, I think it was a little after seven. I noticed this good-looking blond guy going up their walk. He had parked in front of the house. Right where you’re parked right now.”

Starsky was beginning to feel just a bit hopeful. “Did you see him leave?”

“Yes, he walked down to the car with the young woman. Oh, and her brother was behind them.”

Starsky was beginning to have a bad feeling about this so-called brother.

“Do you know what time it was that they all left?” he asked.

“Not exactly, but I don’t think the blond was in there very long. Maybe ten minutes or so. Does any of this help you? Did something happen to them?”

“Yes, ma’am something has happened to them. The young woman was murdered and the blond…he’s my partner, he’s missing.” Starsky’s voice had a slight tremble to it.

The woman could see that the young detective was quite shaken. “I’m so sorry. If there is anything else I can do, please let me know.”

Starsky nodded, “Thanks, I’ll do that.” He handed her his card, “Call me if you think of anything else.”

“Oh, one more thing,” Starsky asked as he turned back around. “Did you see the brother actually get into the car with them?”

“Yes…yes, he did get in the car, but not until they were both seated in the front seat.” The woman seemed thrilled that she was able to provide the dark-haired detective with more information.

“I remember thinking that she must have a date, and her brother had walked them out to the car. He stood there while they got in the car…I think he was holding something in his hands. I couldn’t see what. And then, I have to admit I was surprised when he pushed his sister’s seat forward and slid in the back seat.

Starsky suddenly felt a renewed sense of strength. “Thanks, you’ve really been a big help. And don’t forget, please call me if you remember anything else.”

The woman nodded and watched as the worried detective made his way back to his car.

Seated in his car, Starsky found his eyes drawn to once again to the house. I know something happened to you in there, Hutch. I don’t know what, but something did, I can feel it. I hope you know that I’m looking for you. I’ll find you, buddy, I promise. You just got to hang on. Don’t you dare give up!

On the way back to Parker Center, Starsky unsuccessfully tried to shake the feeling he had had while in that house. It was like he had felt Hutch’s presence.

********

James Sanders–or Jimmy as he had always been called–sat watching his prisoner. He took great satisfaction in the damage he had inflicted so far. Cops…all cops deserved this kind of treatment. This one had actually thought that he was going to take his sister away from him. He hadn’t wanted to kill his sister. It had just sort of happened. She had made him so angry trying to defend this worthless cop. He had resolved a long time ago that he would kill as many cops and their slimy partners as he could get his hands on. They’re gonna suffer long and hard, too! Tears of pain and rage filled Jimmy’s eyes, as he couldn’t help remember the way he had had to suffer.

The effect of the ether beginning to wear off, Hutch groaned and tried to roll over on his side. He didn’t get far before a wave of dizziness and nausea swept over him. Hutch stilled his movements, hoping the feeling of nausea would subside. He quickly realized this was not going to happen, as warm fluid erupted and splattered onto his now filthy shirt and the dirty floor he lay on. Hutch lay in his own vomit and urine, his only thought…this is the way I am going to die. I don’t want Starsky to find me like this.

Jimmy laughed as he watched the cop, hands still tied behind him, struggle to move away from the mess he lay in.

********

“Where’s your partner? Where’s that partner of yours? Big help he is.”

He delighted in tormenting his prisoner this way. Moving toward Hutch, he angrily kicked him, the kick landing solidly in Hutch’s stomach.

An anguished groan from Hutch only produced another firm kick. Once again, Hutch found himself vomiting, only this time the vomit included blood. Hutch was so weak he didn’t even care where he lay anymore.

“That partner of yours…he knows what I’m doing to you, he knows! And he’s doing nothing to help you. DO YOU SEE HIM HERE TRYING TO HELP YOU?” Jimmy screamed the words at Hutch.

“No, he’s not here, and you’re all on your own. See how partners just stand by and do nothing? They do nothing to help…then they decide to abuse you, too.” Jimmy stood looking down at Hutch; Jimmy trembled from anger and he was becoming confused. “But, don’t worry, I’ll kill him. I’m going to kill him for doing nothing. He let him abuse me and I’ll kill him. I’ll kill both of them.”

Even though he was suffering from extreme weakness and fatigue and at times was confused about what was happening, Hutch had still been able to determine that Jimmy was one very disturbed person. My God…he has a grudge against cops. Someone abused him…something about partners. Unable to put it all together, Hutch relinquished his fragile hold on consciousness and drifted into peaceful oblivion.

********

Once back at Parker Center, Starsky quickly got the ball rolling on a complete background check on Rita Sanders. He wanted to know everything about her and her family. Once that was done, he headed in to see Dobey.

“Any luck?” Dobey asked, as Starsky sank gratefully into a chair.

“I think we might have something. The neighbor noticed a man who she believes to be Rita’s brother get into the back seat of Hutch’s car when they left.”

“Speaking of the neighbor, she called looking for you. She wanted you to know that the brother had just recently started living there. Said she was sorry that she had forgotten to mention it earlier.” Dobey studied the exhausted and haggard appearance of the young detective seated in front of him. It was quite obvious that he was in need of some sleep.

“Starsky, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I really think you’d better take a few hours, get something to eat and a couple hours of sleep.” Dobey braced himself for the expected argument. But there was only silence. “Starsky?”

“Yeah, I hear ya. And I know you’re right, but I just…” More silence, then a deep sigh, “I just feel so damn helpless. Hutch is in trouble and I can’t seem to do anything about it. He’s hurting and he’s wondering what’s taking me so long to find him. I can’t let him down. I just can’t.” Starsky looked Dobey square in the eye. “Do you think Hutch would be taking time to eat and sleep if this creep had me?”

Now it was Dobey’s turn to let out a long sigh. “No…no, he probably wouldn’t.” Just then the phone on Dobey’s desk rang. He quickly grabbed it and barked, “Dobey. “Oh, sorry, Edith. I didn’t know it was you.” Dobey’s voice quickly calmed down.

Starsky got up and wandered out into the squadroom, hoping maybe by now the information he had requested on Rita would be there. Everyone in the squadroom was pretty quiet; the atmosphere in the last day had taken on a somber tone, none of the usual joking and kidding around.

Starsky poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at his desk. He hated looking across at where his blond partner would normally be sitting. God, he missed Hutch. He glanced up at the clock. Time was going to be running out very shortly. This creep had given him seven days, and soon they were going to be into day two. Day two, and the only thing they knew for sure, at least according to a neighbor, was that a man had gotten into Hutch’s back seat and left with him and Rita.

Starsky felt a hand gently pat his shoulder. “I’ll make a deal with you. You go home for a bit and get some rest, and I’ll have the background information on Rita delivered to you. You know, once we get this information on Rita, things should start to move and you’re going to have to be in shape for it.”

Realizing he just didn’t have the energy to argue, Starsky nodded his head, “Okay. Just don’t forget that you promised to send me Rita’s background.”

“You’ve got my word on it. Now get going.” Dobey did his best to give Starsky a half-hearted smile.

Once again, Starsky found himself leaving Parker Center without Hutch. He knew that never in a million years would he get used to not having Hutch around. Never!

********

Jimmy paced the small room where he was holding Hutch. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the images that kept forcing their way in. His father’s face would flash into his mind, then the face of his partner. The memories of the abuse he had suffered at their hands filled him with unspeakable rage. Every time he looked at Hutch, all he could see was his father and how he was going to make him suffer. In Jimmy’s mind, Hutch and his father had now become one and the same. His rage had taken over so completely, at times he had no memory of the fact that he had murdered his father and his partner right on this very spot just two years earlier.

Jimmy stopped his pacing and stood staring down at the badly injured cop. Hutch moaned softly, but remained unconscious. “Your partner sure is taking his time finding you. We’re gonna have to do something about that.”

Reaching down he grabbed hold of Hutch and dragged him across the floor to the other side of the little room that had become Hutch’s prison. Oblivious to the odors of vomit and other bodily fluids of which Hutch no longer had control, he lifted the still unconscious cop and dumped him onto an old iron bed. The movement caused Hutch to scream out in pain. But Jimmy just laughed and roughly tied first Hutch’s wrists, then his ankles, to the old bed. Hutch was so out of it, he couldn’t find the energy to fight what was happening to him.

Jimmy moved to where a shelving unit stood against the wall. He laughed excitedly as he picked up a small tape recorder that had been placed there. He checked to make sure there was still tape left, then replaced it on the shelf.

“Almost ready to send your partner a personal message from you. But I don’t think we have enough here yet to convince him just how serious I am. But this, this should do the trick.” Jimmy could hardly control his excitement at what he had planned next for the badly injured cop.

Jimmy retrieved a box from next to the door, where he had left it earlier. With much excitement and anticipation, he placed the box on a stool next to the bed. Standing, looking down at Hutch, it was almost like seeing himself lying there waiting for the next bit of abuse. He reached down and slowly ran his hands over Hutch’s body.

Hutch stirred and opened his eyes. Hands were fondling him in places that made him feel uncomfortable. “How do you like it, cop?” Hutch struggled weakly to get away from the feel of those hands.

“Why…why are you doing this? I don’t understand.” Hutch’s voice was weak and raspy. “Please stop this before it’s too late. Call my partner. Please.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t understand any of this. This is what you deserve and you know it.”

“If you’re going to kill me, just do it,” Hutch pleaded.

“Shut up!” Jimmy glared at Hutch. “I told you we have to convince your partner how serious this is. We have work to do. Just shut up!”

Jimmy now reached for the box that he had set on the stool. Hutch watched Jimmy’s every move with dread. What now? He wanted to plead and beg, but he knew it would fall on deaf ears. There was no hope. This lunatic could do whatever he wanted.

Hutch knew that sooner or later he was going to die here in this dark and dirty little room. Humiliation flooded over him as he pictured Starsky finding him here, beaten and bleeding and lying in his own filth. Having no dignity left, Hutch began to sob uncontrollably. “I’m so sorry, Starsky.”

Jimmy ignored Hutch’s sobbing and continued on with the task at hand. He had unbuttoned Hutch’s shirt and pushed the shirt sleeves up and out of the way. With that task finished, he moved his attention to taping the thin wires that were attached to the box to Hutch’s bare arms and torso.

Hutch’s sobbing had ceased. He had resigned himself to whatever torture was about to be inflicted on him. But the horror of realizing what those wires were connected to paralyzed him with fear.

“Please…” was all Hutch could get out before the first jolt of electricity hit him. He screamed out, the pain was excruciating. As Jimmy set the current for a higher voltage, Hutch’s whole body arched in pain and his body tried to move away from the source. Hutch’s body was drenched in sweat, his breathing becoming more and more ragged as he struggled for each breath.

Jimmy, so caught up in his enjoyment of Hutch’s pain, kept on increasing the voltage higher and higher. Hutch’s non-stop screaming echoed in the room until he slipped into the sanctuary of unconsciousness.

Minutes later, Jimmy finally realized his victim was no longer screaming. A smile of satisfaction spread across his face as he reached for the tape recorder. “I think this will impress your partner.”

********

Even a hot shower and a meal didn’t make Starsky feel any better. Standing in the bathroom looking in the mirror, he couldn’t help notice how really awful he looked. Awful? He didn’t want to think about how awful Hutch must look by now. Starsky’s stomach twisted in knots at the thought of Hutch tied up and bleeding. That picture was burned into Starsky’s memory and would probably stay there forever. Chances were good that by now Hutch was in even worse condition. And here I stand in front of the mirror thinking about how awful I look. The anger and frustration he was feeling had reached a point where he could no longer control it. Picking up a glass that sat near the sink, he slammed it into the mirror. Glass shattered and flew, a few pieces hitting Starsky, but he barely noticed.

Starsky had slid down to the floor, arms clenched tightly across his chest. Giving in to the tension that had been building for a day and a half, he sat sobbing. This whole situation was so unfair. What had Hutch done to deserve this? Doubts had begun creeping in. What if we don’t find him in time? Starsky knew if they didn’t find Hutch in time, he himself would shatter in as many pieces as the mirror he had just broken.

Starsky sat on the floor for several minutes. Finally, he pulled himself to his feet. He couldn’t let the panic he was feeling take over. He couldn’t give up, not as long as there was any chance at all left to find Hutch alive.

Starsky headed to the phone to give Dobey a call and see what was taking so long with the background information that he had requested on Rita Sanders. Before he had a chance to pick up the phone, it rang.

“Yeah?” Starsky said into the phone.

“Starsky, you’d better get over to Rita’s house fast!”

“What’s happened?” Starsky felt a renewed sense of panic starting to take over.

“The neighbor lady called for you, said she heard some God-awful screaming coming from Rita’s house.” Before Dobey could say any more he heard a sharp intake of breath on the other end of the phone line.

“Starsky?”

“I’m on my way.”

“I’ll meet you there,” Dobey said as he heard the click of the phone.

********

In his mad dash to the Torino, Starsky never noticed the figure lurking in the shadows, just down from where the Torino was parked. Neither did he notice the cassette tape lying on the seat next to him. His attention was focused on getting to Rita Sanders’ house, where he hoped with all his heart to find his best friend. Most importantly, he hoped to find him alive.

He practically flew through traffic. Cursing anyone who got in his way. Didn’t people pay any attention to flashing lights and sirens anymore? Weaving around a pick-up truck and horns blaring behind him, he managed to cut in front of the truck and make a wild turn on to Rita’s street. He came to an abrupt halt in front of the house. He could hear the sirens of his back-up.

Not waiting for back-up, Starsky headed toward the house at a full run. Drawing his gun, he quickly kicked in the front door. The house was silent. As he started to go from room to room, four uniforms joined him in the house.

“You two come downstairs with me; you two take the rest of the house,” Starsky said as he headed toward the basement stairs. The two officers selected to go downstairs followed Starsky; the other two started on their search of the upstairs. The basement also seemed quiet. The place was just too damn quiet. Starting to feel that the neighbor must have been hearing things–maybe someone’s TV– Starsky angrily kicked at some boxes. Not content to settle for just the boxes, Starsky took his anger out at anything and everything he could. The two officers looked on, but knew better than to interrupt him. Everyone knew how close Starsky and Hutch were. When one of them was in danger, the other could turn into a real madman.

“Hey, look,” one of the officers yelled, as a large carton that Starsky had just angrily shoved, fell to the floor and revealed a door behind it.

Starsky and the other officers quickly started removing the few remaining items in front of the doorway. Once all the items were out of the way, Starsky and the other officers, guns drawn, slowly entered the little room. As Starsky’s eyes adjusted to the dim light in the room, one of the other officers found a light switch. Glancing quickly around the room to see if their suspect was there, their eyes immediately found the iron bed with Hutch securely tied to it. Starsky stared in horror, the color draining from his face. A chilled black silence enveloped the room.

With no suspect in sight, one officer left to notify the officers upstairs and call an ambulance, knowing he would never forget that sight.

“Hutch?” Starsky was almost afraid to move any closer, terrified he would find that Hutch was not alive. Forcing himself over to the bed, hands shaking, he reached out for Hutch–half in anticipation, half in dread. Feeling a pulse, he breathed a very small sigh of relief. He was alive. Hutch’s breathing was shallow and interrupted, almost making choking sounds, but he was alive.

“We need an ambulance now!” Starsky yelled.

The uniformed officer, who had remained downstairs, touched Starsky’s shoulder softly.

“We already took of care it, an ambulance will be here any minute.”

“Get me a towel and wet it with some cold water,” Starsky said to the uniform as he began to untie Hutch.

The sight of his partner lying there tied up, battered and bloodied was almost more than Starsky could take. He quickly had Hutch untied, noticing the bruised wrists and ankles. He could feel his rage mounting.

“Here you go, Detective.” The officer held out the cold, wet towel to Starsky.

Starsky began gently wiping the blood and vomit off Hutch’s face. Hutch felt cold and clammy to Starsky’s touch. He knew Hutch was in severe shock. “I’ll get him, Hutch. He’s gonna pay for this.”

Hutch’s eyes were open slightly, but he seemed unaware of what was going on around him. He moaned, gasping for breath. As the choking sounds worsened, Starsky slid his hand under Hutch’s head to lift it, hoping he could make breathing a bit easier for his partner. He rubbed Hutch’s bruised face and assured him over and over that everything would be all right. Realizing that the hand holding his partner’s head was covered in blood, Starsky felt panic start to well up inside of him.

Starsky eased Hutch’s head down slowly. Running his hands over his partner’s exhausted and frail body, he checked for other injuries. Finding burn marks on Hutch’s body, fury almost choked Starsky. How could one person do this to another?

“Starsky?”

Dobey had arrived and stood behind Starsky. His eyes took in the horrific scene before him. Glancing around Hutch’s prison, Dobey’s eyes fell on the black box and the loose wires on the floor by the bed.

Starsky turned to look at Dobey. When he did, his eyes followed to see what Dobey’s eyes were drawn to.

“Oh, God, Captain.”

Starsky couldn’t believe the hell Hutch had been through. “He’s gonna pay for what he did to Hutch. And so help me God, if Hutch doesn’t recover from all of this, I’ll kill the bastard.”

Starsky’s eyes conveyed the fury within him, and no one in that room doubted that he would do just as he had vowed.

A low moan from Hutch brought Starsky quickly back to what was important right now–his partner.

“Where’s that damn ambulance?” Starsky angrily shouted.

“Easy, Starsky. It’s here now, ” Dobey said, as the paramedics came down the stairs.

“Hutch, help is here now. Everything is going to be okay.” Starsky sat on the edge of the old bed, tears in his eyes, gently wiping Hutch’s face with the damp cloth. As he wiped Hutch’s face, his other hand found Hutch’s and squeezed it gently. He wanted Hutch to know he wasn’t alone. Starsky felt a slight tremble in Hutch’s fingers, a feeble attempt by Hutch to return the pressure. “You know it’s me, don’t you, buddy?”

Dobey reached over and took Starsky by the elbow.

“Come on, Dave, let them help Hutch.”

Starsky reluctantly released his hold on Hutch’s hand.

“They’re gonna take good care of you, Hutch. And I’m gonna be right with you, too. Promise, I’m not gonna leave you.”

Once Starsky had stepped back, the paramedics quickly went to work to determine Hutch’s overall condition.

Starsky didn’t like the looks the paramedics were exchanging with each other. He stood at the foot of the bed and watched their every move.

Part Two

The paramedics worked quickly. After listening to Hutch’s heart and assessing his respiratory state, they started IVs immediately. An oxygen mask was placed over Hutch’s mouth and nose.

Just as they were ready to move Hutch from the bed and onto the gurney, the choking sounds ceased and Hutch was silent.

“He’s out!” one of the paramedics said loudly to the other. They quickly gathered more equipment out of their supply case.

“He’s not breathing, no pulse.” The paramedics immediately began CPR. No air was reaching Hutch’s lungs. The paramedics realized Hutch may very well have aspirated on his own vomit or even that his throat may have closed up from the trauma he had been through. One paramedic performed the compressions, while the other gave Hutch oxygen via an ambu bag.

“We are going to have to intubate him now,” yelled one of the paramedics. Remaining calm, the paramedic slid the endotracheal tube into Hutch’s throat.

Starsky still stood frozen in place at the foot of the bed. Dobey had come to stand next to him and had a firm grip on his arm. Starsky looked as if he might stop breathing at any moment. Truth be told, Dobey had the feeling if Hutch had taken his last breath, Starsky very well might soon follow him.

The paramedics, still working furiously, reattached the ambu bad with additional tubing and began to bag the lifeless form. This time, air found its way into Hutch’s lungs. Sodium bicarbonate was given through the IV in Hutch’s arm. A portable heart monitor was attached to Hutch’s chest to monitor his heart rhythm…or the absence of it.

Starsky heard the words, “Still no pulse or respiration, and he’s now down three minutes.” His knees began to tremble and he felt as if he might crumble and fall to the floor any second.

“Hutch, don’t die on me. Please don’t die on me. Please…please…please.” Starsky didn’t even realize he was saying the words out loud.

“Dave, we may have to face the fact that Hutch has been through much more than he can handle,” Dobey said as tears flowed down his own face.

Dobey wasn’t even sure Starsky had heard him. His eyes never left Hutch.

The only chance now was the defibrillator. Sliding the already unbuttoned shirt out of the way, the paramedics placed the paddles on Hutch’s chest. “CLEAR!” A jolt of electricity was sent through the lifeless man. Nothing. The voltage was increased and another jolt was delivered as Hutch’s body arched violently.

Starsky began to move closer to Hutch, but Dobey kept a firm grip on him.

“He’s back!” one of the paramedics announced as the monitor began to show movement. The heartbeats were weak and far apart, but Hutch’s heart was once again beating. Wasting no time, the paramedics started up the stairs.

Dobey released his grip on Starsky, and watched as the dark-haired detective followed them up the stairs.

Jimmy stood down the street watching as the ambulance pulled away. How had things gone so wrong? He had been so careful–always quietly sneaking out when he needed to leave. He was sure that no one had known he was there. It just wasn’t fair. Watching the police officers coming and going from the house, he knew he couldn’t go back there. What now?

As Hutch was brought into the ER, doctors and nurses seemed to come from everywhere. The paramedics were still bagging him to keep him ventilated. Soon a nurse was busy cutting off Hutch’s clothing. Another nurse was quickly taking his vital signs and hooking him up to all sort of monitors. A third nurse was cleaning dried secretions off him.

Starsky stood watching everything. He seemed frozen in place. No one had paid any attention to the defeated looking detective, and so he watched. All he could think was, “This can’t be happening. Not to Hutch.”

Two doctors worked together doing a neurological exam and assessing Hutch’s respiratory status. Never looking up from their patient, they barked orders to the nurses. “We need to keep the endo tube in him…let’s get him on a ventilator stat!”

“Turn the IV up to 500 cc an hour…we need to hydrate him…he is severely dehydrated. Get a Number 16 French foley catheter inserted now!” The nurses quickly followed each of the doctors’ instructions.

The doctors were shocked at what had been inflicted on Hutch. They knew it was going to be touch-and-go for this patient.

The severe blow to the back of Hutch’s head explained his semi-comatose state. Hutch only mildly responded when Dr. Hughes pricked the bottom of his foot with a needle. Other than that, there was no response from the blond. His eyes were open, but he reacted to nothing around him. He seemed to be somewhere else.

The laceration on the back of his Hutch’s head was stitched, and the multiple other wounds he had were cleaned. It was also noted that he was running a fever.

Hutch suddenly began to vomit. “Let’s get an NG tube into him stat! I don’t want him choking.” The nurses rushed to do as ordered, and in a short time, they had a nasogastric tube inserted into Hutch’s nostril and down into his stomach. The tube was hooked up to a suction machine to empty the contents of Hutch’s stomach.

They had barely finished with that emergency, when Hutch began to have a seizure. There was no time to waste. A surgical team was summoned immediately to the ER and a craniotomy was performed to relieve some of the pressure that was causing the seizure and vomiting. A nurse made sure Hutch’s head did not hit the siderails, and tried to keep him from injuring himself in any other way due to the violent movements that had taken control of his body.

The doctors continued working on Hutch, as Starsky stood watching in total horror at what was being done to his partner. Now, they were inserting chest tubes into Hutch’s right lung. His lung had been punctured by one of his broken ribs.

Finally, Hutch’s convulsing had settled. The ER team still worked furiously to stabilize their critical patient, retaking vital signs, checking the catheter output, checking the IVs and the ventilator. There was still no response from Hutch, whose eyes were now closed as he was totally unresponsive. The doctor noted on Hutch’s chart the he was in a comatose state.

Finally, one of the nurses noticed Starsky looking like his legs might soon give way on him. Taking him gently by the arm, she guided him to a chair in the waiting room.

“We’ll take real good care of him.,” she assured him, and headed back to where Hutch was being worked on.

As Dobey came through the doors of the emergency room, he quickly spotted his detective. Starsky was sitting very still in one of the chairs, his head back against the wall. His fingers tightly clenched the arms of the chair. His jaw was clamped tight and his eyes stared straight ahead. It was obvious to Dobey that Starsky was close to the edge.

Dobey wedged himself into the chair next to Starsky. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

Finally, Dobey cleared his throat. “Dave, how about I get us a cup of coffee?”

Starsky turned to look at Dobey, almost surprised to see that he was there.

“No.”

“Is there anything I can get you?” Dobey asked.

“No.”

Dobey sighed deeply. He really was at a loss for words in this situation. He didn’t think he should try to convince Starsky that everything was going to be okay. He knew things didn’t look good for Hutch. It wouldn’t be fair to tell Starsky that Hutch was going to be just fine.

“He died. He died down in that dark basement.” Starsky was now looking at his captain, a look of pure anguish on his face. “He’s not going to make it this time, is he?”

Dobey struggled to find the right words to say. “Dave, Hutch is strong and he fought hard to stay alive. He gave up for a few minutes down there, but he came back to us. I think he’s gonna fight just as hard as he possibly can.”

“I just don’t know if he has the strength this time. Did you see what that bastard did to him?” Starsky shook his head sadly. “The bastard’s gonna pay, too.”

“Captain. The doctors, they…they’ve been really working on Hutch in there. They did things to him, things I never want to see again.” Starsky looked like he might be sick to his stomach just thinking about it.

Suddenly the doors to the examining room opened. Starsky stood, holding his breath. Please, God. Dobey felt Starsky take hold of his arm, as if he knew he might have trouble staying firmly on his feet.

Dr. Hughes walked over to where Dobey and Starsky stood. “Hello, I’m Dr. Hughes. I understand that you are here with Detective Hutchinson.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m Captain Harold Dobey and this is Detective David Starsky. David is Detective Hutchinson’s partner.”

“How is he?” Dobey asked. Starsky just stood quietly, his eyes intent on the doctor.

“He’s in critical condition. He’s not stable yet, but we are doing everything we possibly can for him. He has a lot of complications. The doctor, knowing Starsky had been in the ER when they were working on his partner, explained all they had done. “We have also found that Detective Hutchinson’s spleen has been badly ruptured, most likely as a result of repeated blows or kicks to the area. We need to get him into surgery right away. Does he have any family that we should notify? Also, we will need someone to sign the necessary forms giving us permission for the surgery.”

“We’ll notify his family. They live out of state,” Dobey replied.

“I can sign for his surgery. We had papers drawn up years ago allowing us to sign for each other in case it was needed.” Starsky paused. “He’s not going to make it, is he?” The tone of his voice showed his despair. It was as if he were already grieving for the loss of his friend.

“Detective Starsky, we are doing everything we can for your partner, and we have no intention of giving up on him. You shouldn’t give up on him either.”

“He’s right, Starsky, we can’t expect Hutch to put up a good fight if we’re not willing to do the same.” Dobey patted Starsky’s arm as the doctor handed Starsky the paperwork.

Not saying a word, Starsky scribbled a shaky signature on the forms and handed them back.

“I’ll let you know as soon as he is out of surgery, ” Dr. Hughes said.

Inside the ICU unit, the nurses were busy double checking their patient, making sure he was getting proper ventilation and the NG tube was working properly, also checking the chest tubes, the IVs and the catheter. Hutch’s temperature had risen, most likely due to an infection from the ruptured spleen.

They redressed his wounds and applied a special ointment to the burns he had sustained from the shock treatment he had received at the hands of Jimmy. They used ice packs and cool washcloths to help reduce his fever. Hutch had suffered another seizure on his way to the ICU. He remained unresponsive and pale.

Dr. Hughes, knowing that comatose patients were capable of hearing, talked to Hutch. “Mr. Hutchinson? Ken? We’re going to be moving you around a bit and we’re doing our best to make you feel better. You just need to hang on for us okay?” The doctor had great sympathy for this patient. It was obvious he had been through quite an ordeal the last couple of days. He sincerely hoped they could pull this patient through.

A pint of whole blood was hung and left to transfuse into Hutch. His blood count was nearing a dangerously low level. After the transfusion was started, they moved Hutch to the litter and headed for surgery.

Starsky, who had been anxiously pacing outside, quickly took his place at his partner’s side. “Hey, Hutch, they’re gonna get you all fixed up.” Starsky gently stroked the side of Hutch’s face. “You show them how tough you are. You hear me? I’m gonna be waiting right here for you to get back.” Starsky closed his eyes, keeping his hands on Hutch, almost as if in prayer. “I love you, buddy, ” Starsky whispered quietly into Hutch’s ear. Then, just as they started to move Hutch away, Starsky leaned down, touching his lips softly on Hutch’s forehead. “I love you.”

Starsky stood and watched as Hutch was rolled into the elevator. Tears streamed down his face. He couldn’t help wonder if that had been the last time he would see his best friend alive.

********

For quite some time now, Jimmy had been sitting on the curb a block away from the house he had shared with his sister when they were just children. The same house where he had killed his father and his father’s partner. The same place where he had tried to kill that other damn cop. As he sat on the curb, Jimmy worked himself up into a rage. That damn cop…if only he hadn’t come into Rita’s life, Rita would still be alive. Now I’m all alone. It’s all your fault Hutchinson, and that damn partner of yours. You ruined everything.

********

Starsky paced the waiting room. Hutch had been in surgery for over an hour and a half. The waiting was about to drive him crazy. Dobey had left to check on things down at the station.

“Hey, you trying to wear out the floor?”

Starsky turned at the sound of Huggy’s voice. “Hey, Huggy.”

“Starsky, why don’t you sit down and let me get you some coffee? Take a rest from all this pacing.”

“Take a rest? Hutch didn’t have no rest from what he was going through. There was no one there to get Hutch coffee.” Starsky was getting all choked up with emotion.

“Starsky, take it easy.”

“No, I should have gotten to him a lot sooner. What kind of a cop am I?”

After trying repeatedly to make Starsky understand that none of what had happened to Hutch was his fault, Huggy finally just sat quietly. When Starsky was like this, only Hutch could calm him. He could only hope that Hutch would be around to take care of this forlorn looking creature that now sat next to him. A Starsky without a Hutch was not something Huggy even wanted to contemplate.

Several hours had passed, and Starsky had been notified that Hutch had made it through surgery with no more complications. Starsky had then sent Huggy back to the Pits with orders not to return unless he brought one of Huggy’s famous burgers back with him. Huggy had taken that as a sign that Starsky might just be thinking a little more positively about his blond partner.

Starsky, now on his third cup of coffee, sat staring off into space. He had to admit he was feeling a bit more hopeful that his partner would make it. He’d held on this long… Please, God…let him keep holding on. Life without Hutch just wouldn’t be living. He remembered Hutch once remarking that the reason they were such good friends was because there really wasn’t anyone else willing to put up with the crap they each dished out. Starsky smiled just thinking about it. He knew it was the truth. Yeah, Hutch could be a pain sometimes, but no matter what, Hutch had always been there for him. And if he was going to be totally honest, there were just as many times he had been a major pain to Hutch. But he always tried to be there for Hutch, too. That’s what friends were for, after all. Hutch, buddy, you can’t die on me, I don’t have anyone else.

“Starsky?” Starsky looked up to see that Dobey had returned. “How’s Hutch doing? Any change?”

“No, no change really, but he did make it through surgery with no more complications.”

“Thank God for that,” Dobey said as he eased himself into a chair.

Starsky looked questioningly at the armload of papers Dobey seemed to be struggling with. “What have you got there?”

Well, I thought you might want to look over the background information you had requested on Rita Sanders. I think you’ll find it very interesting, especially everything on her brother.”

“Jeez, I’d forgotten all about it,” Starsky said as he reached for the papers.

Starsky quickly skimmed through the pages of the report.

“I think that next file will be much more interesting” Dobey said, indicating the folder on the bottom of the stack.

Starsky pulled the bottom folder out and began to look through it. “Captain?”

********

“Yeah, it’s pretty bad.,” Dobey replied, knowing the reason Starsky was so shocked at what the file contained.

Starsky turned the page and stared in shock. There before him was a photo of Jimmy Sanders. “Has anyone had the neighbor look at this photo for a positive identification?” Starsky asked, never taking his eyes off the face in the photo.

“I sent Myers and Burns over there. We should hear something from them shortly. I don’t think there is much doubt that this is our guy, though.”

Starsky shifted his eyes from the photo back to reading the file. “Says he has spent the last 14 years in the state mental hospital. Am I supposed to feel sorry for him?” Starsky asked with a bitterness in his voice.

“No one expects you to feel sorry for him, especially under the circumstances,” Dobey replied. “But the guy did have it extremely rough as a child. I think it all makes some sense…well, at least to him. His dad was a cop and abused him in more ways than we even want to think about. His dad’s partner apparently knew it was happening and maybe participated, too. Then many years later, the only family member he has left starts dating a cop.”

“If someone had been doing their job, this guy would still be in that hospital.” There was no mistaking the anger in Starsky’s voice.

“I spoke to the doctor who had been treating Jimmy Sanders. It seems Jimmy became very upset when his sister told him he she was dating a cop. A few days later, he up and walked away from the hospital.” Dobey watched Starsky intently.

“And, what? Nobody thought that might be important?” Starsky asked.

“This guy has already murdered two people, and he just walks away from the hospital?”

“Starsky, the hospital followed all the necessary steps. The police were notified, his sister was notified. No one had any way of knowing that Hutch was his intended victim.”

“Detective Starsky, you can see Detective Hutchinson now.” A young blonde nurse stood nearby, waiting to show Starsky the way. Starsky was quickly on his feet and following the nurse, the only thought on his mind…He’s still alive, he’s still alive.

Part of him was also happy to have ended the conversation he had been having with Dobey. He really didn’t want to hear about the miserable life of the person responsible for hurting Hutch, or the fact that all the necessary steps had been taken. This should not have happened!

Hutch was so pale and still against the white sheets. Starsky’s eyes took in the IVs and monitors that seemed to be everywhere. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself of the all-important fact that Hutch was still alive. That was all that mattered.

Starsky sat down in the chair next to the bed. “Hey, buddy, I’m here. You did good. Surgery is all over now.” Starsky reached out and placed his hand over the pale hand of his partner. It felt good being able to have some physical contact with Hutch. It confirmed that he really was alive.

“Hutch, we’re real close to getting the guy who hurt you. I think I’m supposed to feel sorry for him, but I can’t. Part of me just wants to hurt him the way he hurt you. So you better wake up soon, you’re much better at forgiving than I am. I really can’t promise that I won’t hurt him. Oh, God, Hutch, I really need you.”

It hurts so much to see Hutch like this—hooked up to all this crap. It just isn’t fair.

A nurse stood nearby, motioning to Starsky that his time was almost up.

“I guess they want me out of here, buddy.” Starsky wiped away the tears that were filling his eyes. “You know if it was up to me, I wouldn’t leave you, not for a second.” Starsky carefully pushed the fine strands of blond hair off Hutch’s forehead. “Please wake up soon, Hutch.” Starsky stood and slowly left, turning once to take a parting look at the motionless figure lying on the bed. “Hang in there, Hutch, you can do it.”

********

Captain Dobey was still sitting in the waiting room when Starsky returned. He looked anxiously at Starsky.

“Nothing’s changed.” Starsky was quiet as he sat down in the chair next to Dobey.

“Here, Huggy brought you something to eat,” Dobey said as he held out a brown paper bag. “Oh, and here’re your car keys; I had your car brought over.”

“Thanks.” As he reached for the bag, Starsky realized how hungry he really was.

“Did you hear anything from Burns and Myers?” Starsky asked.

“Yeah, Rita’s neighbor confirmed that it was Jimmy Sanders who got into the car with Hutch and Rita. There’s an APB out on him, and I’ve got every available officer looking for him.”

Starsky sighed deeply. “We’ve got to get him.”

“We will,” Dobey assured him.

“I just feel so damn helpless,” Starsky said, as he stood and began pacing. “I should be doing something.”

“Starsky, you are doing exactly what you should be doing. You’re here for Hutch. When Hutch wakes up, he’ll need you. We have a lot of officers looking for this guy. What’s more important? That you join the officers already looking for Jimmy Sanders or that you’re here for Hutch when he wakes up? What do you think Hutch would want?”

“Yeah, deep down I know you’re right. I just wish there was more that I could do for Hutch.” Starsky stopped his pacing and looked down the corridor where there appeared to be a lot of activity going on.

“Something’s wrong!” Starsky started running toward the ICU and Hutch.

Once again Starsky stood and watched as his friend struggled through another seizure, Hutch’s body jerking convulsively.

“Nothing I can do but watch.” Starsky’s voice quivered as he struggled to hold back the tears.

Dobey stood with Starsky, watching as nurses quickly went into action. One nurse gently held Hutch’s head to keep it from hitting the siderails. Once the doctor arrived and the order was given to administer ten milligrams of Valium, the seizure soon ended.

Dobey handed Starsky a cup of coffee and guided him back toward the waiting area. They sat in silence, drinking their coffee. Starsky was unable to get the picture of his partner’s flailing body out of his mind.

“Starsky.”

Starsky looked up at the sound of Dobey’s voice to see Dr. Hughes coming toward them. After witnessing that frightening seizure, Starsky couldn’t believe the doctor would have any good news for them.

Starsky couldn’t even find the words to ask about his partner’s condition. He didn’t think he wanted to hear what the doctor was about to tell them.

Dr. Hughes, seeing the stricken look on Starsky’s face, wanted to reassure the young detective.

********

“Detective, I know after witnessing that last seizure you’re probably very concerned about your friend’s condition, but I want to assure you that he has made some improvements.”

Starsky stared at the doctor, a stunned look on his face. “Improvements? You call what we just watched an improvement?”

“Despite the fact that he just had a seizure, yes, he is making some improvements. His vital signs are better, the chest tubes have done their job, and we are taking him off the oxygen.”

“But he’s still in a coma, right?” Starsky asked, still unable to fully understand that Hutch was really improving.

“Yes, that’s true. That’s where we’re going to need your help.”

“You know I’ll do anything, just tell me what.” Starsky was on his feet and ready.

“You’ll do exactly as I say?” the doctor asked.

“I’ll do anything to help Hutch.”

“All right, the first thing you need to do is to get a couple of hours of sleep.”

Starsky interrupted before the doctor could say any more.

“How the hell is my getting some sleep going to help Hutch?”

“Detective, you’re going to have a lot of work ahead of you, and you’re going to need to be rested. After you have had a few hours of sleep, I want you with Detective Hutchinson as much as possible. I want you talking to him. He can hear you, and there is a good chance that you’ll be the one to bring him back. And when he does come out of the coma, he’s going to need your help. You won’t be up to any of this if you don’t get some rest. Well, what do you say?”

Hating the thought of leaving the hospital even for a second, Starsky reluctantly agreed. “But you call me if there is any change at all.”

“Absolutely. You just leave your number at the nurses’ station.” Dr. Hughes patted Starsky’s shoulder. “Believe me, your friend has a real good chance. Things are looking better for him.”

“Could I see him for a few minutes before I leave? You said he could hear me. I want to let him know that I won’t be gone long.”

“Sure, go on in and sit with him for a few minutes. I’ll be in to check on him in just a bit.” Dr. Hughes said goodbye to Captain Dobey as Starsky headed off to say goodbye to Hutch.

Starsky stood, looking down at his best friend, relieved to see that he looked so peaceful. Those seizures scared the hell out of him.

“Hey, buddy, enough with those seizures, huh? You scare the hell out me when you do that. Guess, it’s no picnic for you either, though.” Starsky patted Hutch’s hand that lay on top of the covers.

Starsky sat down in the chair. “The doctor says your doing better. You just have to come out of this coma, Hutch.” It felt so weird to be talking to Hutch and getting no response.

“I’m gonna go home for a bit, and then I’ll be back to spend some time with you. I’m gonna talk to you so much you’ll want to wake up just to tell me to shut up.”

Starsky stood up. “Well, the sooner I get out of here, the sooner I can get back. They promised to call if you need me.” Starsky couldn’t leave until once again he felt the physical contact that was so important to the two of them. He reached out and squeezed Hutch’s hand lightly. “Bye, partner, I’ll be back in a bit.”

After a brief goodbye to Dobey, Starsky headed out to his car. After opening the car door, he slid the files on Rita and Jimmy onto the passenger seat. He planned to look through them again. Maybe he could find a clue to where Jimmy might go, now that his plans had failed.

********

Back at his place, Starsky took a few minutes to take a hot shower. Once dried off, he didn’t bother with clothing. Setting his alarm, he then slid between the sheets. Within minutes his tired body drifted off to sleep.

The alarm went off much too soon. Starsky lay there for a while, hating the thought of having to get up. But then everything came rushing back to him and he remembered that he had to get back to Hutch.

Quickly pulling on a pair of clean jeans and a T-shirt, the next order of business was to make a pot of coffee. Once the coffee was on, he remembered the files he had left in his car. Figuring he could look them over while drinking his coffee, he located his blue Adidas and made the trip to his car for the files.

Reaching through the driver’s side door, he pulled the files toward him. As he picked up the files, he heard something clatter to the ground. He looked down to see what he had dropped. A cassette tape lay by his feet. Puzzled, he picked it up. It didn’t appear to be one of his. Placing the tape on top of the files, he made his way back inside.

He dropped the pile of files onto the kitchen table and poured himself a cup of coffee. Setting the coffee down on the table, he reached for the phone. He wanted to check on Hutch before he started going through the files. He felt sort of guilty about taking the time to read the files again.

A nurse answered and once Starsky had identified himself, he was assured that his partner was resting comfortably, and no, he had not had any more seizures. Breathing a sigh of relief, Starsky pulled the files toward him, and once again the tape landed with a clatter. Getting irritated now, Starsky picked up the tape and looked to see what exactly it was that kept getting in his way.

The label on the tape read: “To Starsky From Hutchinson.” What the hell? Suddenly Starsky felt a chill run down his spine. Jimmy!

“Oh, God. Starsky, I need you. I need you to hold me. I’m so scared, Starsk…I’m not gonna make it this time. I don’t want to die alone.” Starsky, please don’t let me die alone. Please!”

“Help me…please help me.”

Starsky could hear how ragged Hutch’s breathing was. He could almost feel the pain Hutch was feeling.

“I don’t want to die. I need to get to a hospital, please. My head…it’s really bad, please.”

“If you’re going to kill me, just do it,” Hutch pleaded.

“I’m so sorry, Starsky.”

********

And then suddenly, all that could be heard was Hutch’s nonstop screaming. Screams that seemed to rip right through Starsky’s body. “Oh, God, Hutch.” Starsky knew these had to be the screams that had prompted the neighbor to call the police. And Starsky knew what had caused those pain and fear-filled screams. At first Starsky felt just overwhelming shock at what he had just listened to, but the shock had turned to fury.

“I’ll kill him. I swear to God, I’ll kill him.”

Starsky didn’t think he had ever felt such rage in his life, as he listened to his best friend begging for help…calling out for him…not wanting to die alone. Listening to the tape, Starsky felt as if his insides were being ripped apart. God, it hurts to hear Hutch in so much pain. “I’ll make it up to you, I promise, Hutch. Somehow I’ll make it up to you.” Starsky practically sobbed as he shouted the words out loud.

Unable to stand any more, Starsky yanked the tape out and flung it across the room. Anger seemed to control him now. He moved around the room, knocking things off tables, kicking anything that was in his way. Making his way back to the kitchen, with one single sweep of his arm he cleared the table. His coffee cup smashed onto the floor, coffee splattering onto the files that lay scattered across the floor. In one last attempt to rid himself of the anger he felt, his foot connected with the mess on the floor and loose papers flew across the room.

Starsky knew he was losing it. Struggling to calm himself, he took a deep breath. Stepping over the mess on the floor, he moved to the sink. He splashed cold water on his face, still trying his best to pull himself together. He had to get himself under control before he went back to the hospital. He was afraid with the mood he was in, Hutch might just decide to stay in a coma.

The need to get back to Hutch was uppermost in Starsky’s mind now. He had to do everything he could for Hutch. Hutch was the important thing. Starsky figured he could always get Jimmy once Hutch was on his way to a full recovery.

********

Starsky hurried quickly down the hallway toward the ICU. The late hour meant there were few people around. Visiting hours had been over for a while now. Still feeling very rattled as a result of listening to the tape, he had an almost overwhelming need to be close to Hutch.

Arriving at the ICU, Starsky noticed someone was in with Hutch. Not wanting to interrupt, he waited outside. Then deciding he could use a quick cup of coffee, he moved down the hallway toward a coffee machine. Walking away, he glanced once more through the window into where Hutch lay. Wondering briefly what God-awful thing they were now doing to his partner. Deciding it was probably better for him not to know, he moved on toward the coffee machine.

Leaning against the wall drinking his coffee, he couldn’t shake the idea that something had not been right down at the ICU. Not really knowing exactly what made him think that, he hastened back down the hall. Starsky looked through the glass to where Hutch lay. He watched as the male nurse rearranged Hutch’s pillows, then watched in horror as one of the pillows was placed over Hutch’s face.

“Jimmy!” Starsky screamed the name as he bolted through the doorway. Starsky reached out and grabbed hold of Jimmy’s arm, pulling him away from Hutch. But Jimmy was not going to give up so easily. He lunged toward the bed, just as Starsky flung the pillow that had been laid over Hutch’s face on the floor.

“He’s going to pay!” Jimmy shrieked as his hands reached for Hutch, but Starsky was too quick for him. Starsky spun Jimmy around and away from Hutch as fingers found their way to Jimmy’s throat. Starsky’s fingers tightened their hold. The urge to squeeze harder was almost more than Starsky could resist. The feeling built until it overcame him. He felt his fingers tighten and watched as Jimmy’s face began to turn red.

********

Jimmy struggled, but Starsky’s grip never wavered. Hutch’s voice on that tape kept replaying over and over in Starsky’s mind. That and the sight of this man whose life he now held in his hands, holding a pillow over Hutch’s face. Starsky was beyond logical thinking. The only thought in his head was that this person had hurt Hutch, and hurt him badly.

“Starsky. Starsky, let him go. Dave, you don’t want to do this.” Dobey took hold of Starsky’s shoulders. “Come on, Dave, let him go. Think of Hutch. What will happen to Hutch if you do this, Dave?”

As the words began to sink in, Starsky slowly eased his death grip on Jimmy’s neck. A uniformed officer took hold of Jimmy and removed him from Starsky’s grasp.

“Get him out of here,” Dobey motioned at Jimmy. The officer quickly cuffed Jimmy. Jimmy was still struggling for air as he was led out of the room.

Dobey still had hold of him as Starsky slid down to the floor. The young detective seemed to have reached his breaking point. All his pent-up anxiety and rage seemed to come flooding out of him, and he sobbed uncontrollably. Dobey held him tightly.

“It’s okay, Dave. Everything is going to be okay.” Dobey couldn’t help be concerned about the state he now found his detective in.

“Oh, God, what have I done? Hutch… Is Hutch okay?” Remembering that his partner lay just inches away from him, Starsky pulled free of Dobey’s arms and began to crawl toward the bed where his partner lay.

“Nurse.” Dobey spoke to the young nurse who had quickly rushed to Hutch’s side when the commotion had broken out.

“See if you can find the doctor. I think Detective Starsky could use something to calm him down.”

“Yes, sir.”

Dobey pulled Starsky to his feet as the nurse left to find the doctor.

“Come on, Dave, let’s get you into a chair.”

But Starsky was not about to be led away from his partner.

“No, I have to see Hutch.” Starsky stumbled, but made his way to Hutch.

“Hutch…everything’s gonna be okay.” Starsky spoke very softly as he lovingly patted the fine blond hair. “I’m sorry I left you. I promise I’m not leaving you anymore. Nobody can make me leave you.” Starsky directed those last words toward Dobey and the hospital staff that stood quietly nearby.

Starsky put up no fight as his worn leather jacket was removed. And he never even noticed the needle that slid quickly into his arm. Moments later, Starsky had been safely tucked into a bed next to Hutch.

Dobey stood and looked at his detectives. His face was lined with worry. The black man appeared to have aged noticeably in the last few days. He refused to think anything but good thoughts, though. These boys were strong and as long as they had each other, they could and would survive this, too.

********

Starsky slowly opened his eyes. It took him several seconds to realize he was in a hospital bed. What the hell? Then the events of a few hours ago came back to him. He remembered listening to the tape, then finding Jimmy placing a pillow over Hutch’s face, and then the vivid memory of his hands around Jimmy’s throat. After that, he really didn’t remember much. He didn’t have a clue how he had ended up in a hospital bed.

Looking around, he found himself in the same ICU room as Hutch. Thank God, Hutch was okay. Wanting to be closer to his partner, Starsky swung his legs off the side of the bed and put his feet on the floor. He wondered just how long he had been asleep.

Making his way to Hutch’s bedside, Starsky pulled the chair up next to Hutch’s bed and sat down. Starsky sat silently for a while. Hutch looked so pale and fragile. Starsky put his hand out and gently took hold of Hutch’s hand.

“Sorry, about all the ruckus in here earlier. I guess you could say I kind of lost it there for a bit.” Starsky sighed deeply. “You know, partner, I really don’t think I’m much good without you. No, I know I’m not much good without you.”

Remembering how the doctor had said Hutch could hear him and that he should talk to him, Starsky kept up his one-sided conversation. He talked about the weather, he talked about his prized Torino, but most importantly he talked about his feelings for Hutch.

“You’re closer to me than my own brother. You know there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you. Heck, I’ll even go camping with you, and you know that’s not exactly my idea of fun. And I wouldn’t go off into the wilderness with just anyone. Just you, partner. Damn it, Hutch, what I’m trying to say is that I love you and I need you in my life. I wish I was better with words, Hutch. But we’ve never needed words before, have we? You know I love you, and I know you love me. Me and thee.”

Starsky stood and paced for a bit. It was so weird carrying on this one-sided conversation with Hutch. Coming to stand once again at Hutch’s bedside, Starsky continued talking. “Hey, Hutch, did I ever tell you my real feelings on that…that thing above your lip? Yeah, I know the ladies love it. And that hair? Tell you what, you get better, and the haircut and shave are on me.” Starsky couldn’t help smile just a bit at the thought of actually having this conversation with a Hutch that could answer back. Taking up his pacing again, Starsky moved away from the bed.

As he paced the room, his eyes never left his partner. “Hutch?” To his amazement, suddenly Starsky realized that Hutch’s eyes had been following him around the room. Starsky moved forward, closer to Hutch. They stared at each other in waiting silence. “Hutch? Talk to me, buddy.”

Hearing Starsky’s voice, Hutch’s eyes frantically darted around the room. His face clearly showing alarm.

“Hutch, it’s me.” Starsky reached out toward his partner in an attempt to reassure him. Starsky watched in disbelief, as Hutch seemed to cringe away from him.

“No, please. No more. Stay away from me.” Hutch became hysterical. Wanting only to get away, he ripped the IV out of his hand. Struggling to sit up, the pain was evident in his face.

Starsky quickly moved to restrain his partner, while at the same time tried to push nurse’s bell. Keeping his voice low, Starsky tried to get through the confusion that Hutch seemed to be caught up in. “Hutch, easy. It’s me, Starsky. You’re safe now.”

Several nurses had arrived and Hutch had been quickly restrained. It broke Starsky’s heart to see Hutch once again fastened to a bed like some prisoner. The IV had been put back in place, and Hutch had been given something to calm him down.

Looking into Hutch’s blue eyes, Starsky could still see terror there. The blue eyes searched the room as if looking for someone. Someone who obviously frightened him. Hutch was clearly still very agitated.

“Hutch, Jimmy’s gone. We got him, Hutch. It’s all over. You’re in the hospital now.” Starsky once again reached out to his friend. “It’s all over now.”

Hutch didn’t pull away from him this time. He stared intently at Starsky for a second, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Hutch tried to reach out to Starsky. He uttered a small sob, as he realized he was unable to move his hands. He looked at the restraints in shock. He gave Starsky a questioning look. Then, as if unable to believe his eyes, he looked down again. “Why?” His voice sounded so weak. Hutch repeated himself, his eyes never leaving Starsky’s face. “Why? I don’t understand.”

Starsky, not able to stand the anguish his partner was in, wanted nothing more than to release him. “Hutch, it’s okay. See, I’m taking them off.” Sitting on the edge of the bed, Starsky worked to quickly free his partner. A nurse looked on, but didn’t say a word.

Once free, Hutch again reached for his partner, and this time soon had a tight grasp on his arm. “Starsky. Oh, God, it’s really you.” The strain of all he had been through could be heard in his voice.

Starsky tightened his hold on the trembling body he now held in his arms. “Yep, it’s really me. You’re safe now, buddy.”

“Starsky, I never thought I’d see you again.” Hutch’s face had tears streaming down it as he looked up. He tried to fight the tears, but it was a fight he could not win. Sobs now racked the already exhausted body. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, nothing to be sorry about. Don’t even try to talk now. Just rest.” Starsky was trying his best to soothe and comfort his distraught partner.

“Stay with me,” Hutch said, as the injection the nurses had given him began to take effect. He could feel himself drifting off, but he didn’t want to be alone.

“Not going anywhere, and I dare anyone to try and make me,” Starsky replied with a firm tone to his voice. Starsky eased his partner back against the pillow.

“Starsk?”

“Not going anywhere. Just trying to get you more comfortable.”

Starsky took his seat in the chair next to the bed once again. But he made sure he never let go of the hand that held so tightly to his. Starsky found himself with tears in his eyes as he watched his best friend drift off to sleep.

Starsky felt great relief that Hutch had awakened, but he knew they still had a long way to go before he would be himself again. The physical injuries were only a small part of the healing that would need to be done. Starsky felt more confident now that things would be okay. Together, as usual, they would get through this.

Several hours had passed, and Starsky still remained at Hutch’s side. Doctors and nurses came and went, but no one ever suggested that Starsky leave.

The door opened once again, and Starsky looked up this time to see Captain Dobey enter.

“How is he?” Dobey asked as he stood looking down at the blond half of the duo.

“Better, lots better,” Starsky said as he stood and stretched. “He was awake for a bit. He was pretty confused and upset, but he calmed down.”

“That’s really good news, Starsky. Why don’t you go get some coffee or something to eat while I’m here? I’ll stay with him so he won’t be alone.”

As much as he felt the need to use the men’s room, and he had to admit that he was kind of hungry, he remembered the promise he had made to Hutch. “Well, Cap’n, I sort of promised not to leave him. You think maybe I could just make a quick trip to the men’s room, and then maybe you could get me something to eat and bring it back?”

Knowing there was not much chance that Starsky would do anything to break a promise to Hutch, Dobey agreed, and Starsky left for the men’s room.

Within minutes Starsky was back, coffee in hand. Hutch had not stirred.

“Thanks, Cap’n.”

“No problem, Starsky. I’ll go get you some hot food, and then I better head for home.”

Starsky sat down once again at Hutch’s bedside. Sipping the hot coffee, he kept his eyes on Hutch. Other than an occasional low moan, Hutch seemed to be sleeping somewhat peacefully.

Half an hour later, Dobey arrived back with one of Huggy’s dinner specials and a pile of assorted magazines and newspapers.

“Hey, Cap’n, this is great. Thanks.” Starsky smiled his first real smile in a long time. And the captain knew it wasn’t just the food and magazines that had brought out that smile.

“Call me if there is any change or if you need anything. Understand?”

“Yeah, Cap’n, I understand. Thanks!”

Starsky made short work of the Huggy special, and was soon engrossed in the sports section of the newspaper.

“Starsk?”

Starsky was quickly sitting on the edge of Hutch’s bed. “Right here, buddy.”

Starsky heard a small sigh of relief as Hutch reached for his hand.

“I was afraid that maybe I had only dreamt you were here.” Hutch could hear the quiver in his voice and knew he sounded a bit needy. But there was no getting around the fact that he felt very needy. Needy and scared.

“Nope, it was no dream. I’m right here.” Starsky knew exactly how Hutch felt. He had been through similar terrifying situations, and it wasn’t something you could quickly get over. Hutch would feel the fear and anxiety long after this was all over, and Starsky intended to be there for him very step of the way.

“Rita?” Hutch found himself almost holding his breath, as he waited for Starsky’s reply.

Starsky reached out and patted Hutch’s shoulder. He really hated to have to tell him about Rita’s death.

“He killed her, didn’t he? He killed his own sister.”

Starsky could once again hear the sounds of his partner silently crying. “Hutch, please, please don’t do this. Jimmy was really sick. We don’t need to go into this right now, huh? We can wait to talk about this when you’re stronger.” Starsky gently rubbed Hutch’s shoulder, trying his best to give a little comfort and ease the pain.

“Try to put it out of your mind for now.” Starsky knew how stupid those words sounded. They both knew that something like this couldn’t just be pushed to the back of your mind until you were ready to deal with it. It just didn’t work like that.

Hutch continued to cry softly for several more minutes. Then his breathing evened out a bit, and he became quiet. Starsky realized his friend had fallen back to sleep. Pulling the sheet up around Hutch’s shoulders, Starsky sat down to once again continue his bedside vigil.

********

Starsky had been keeping watch by Hutch’s bedside for two days. When Hutch slept, Starsky slept in the bed next to his. When Hutch was awake, they talked, Starsky always doing his best to keep the conversation light and away from the events of the last week. Sometimes he wondered if it was Hutch he was trying to protect or himself. He knew just thinking about it twisted his insides into knots. Hutch didn’t need any more pain right now.

“Starsk?”

“Yeah.” Starsky put down the newspaper surprised to see that Hutch was awake.

“What happened to him?” Hutch’s voice sounded almost like a whisper. Like maybe he was afraid to even ask the question.

Starsky didn’t have to ask who he was talking about. He didn’t think it was a good idea for Hutch to be talking about Jimmy. He didn’t want him getting upset. But he had to answer him. “He’s back in the state mental hospital.”

Starsky could see no reason to mention the fact that Jimmy had been caught right here while trying to kill Hutch. He knew they would have to talk about everything that had happened sooner or later. But he preferred much later, when Hutch would be stronger and better able to deal with everything.

Starsky looked at Hutch, who had not said a word. “You okay?” Still nothing but silence from Hutch. Starsky slid his chair closer to the bed. Just as he brought his hand out to touch him, Hutch’s hands began twitching. “Oh, no. Hutch, please, no.”

Hutch’s body began to convulse. Starsky was quickly on his feet, pushing the nurse’s call button as he moved behind his partner to protect his head. By now, Hutch’s body was entirely consumed by the seizure. Starsky could only watch in horror as Hutch’s body seemed out of control. He pushed the nurse’s call button again. What in the hell was taking so long? Now Hutch was making choking sounds and foaming at the mouth. “Hutch? Hutch, can you hear me?”

After what seemed like hours to Starsky, but was really only seconds, two nurses arrived. He was moved quickly out of the way, as one nurse placed a stat stick into Hutch’s mouth to prevent him from choking. The other nurse administered Valium into the IV.

Watching the scene before him, Starsky had to fight back tears. This was just so unfair. It had been several days since Hutch had had a seizure, and everything had been looking so much better.

It took several minutes, but the convulsing began to slow. The doctor had arrived, and was giving instructions to the nurses. Starsky heard the words CAT scan, and heard the doctor order something called Dilantin to be given three times a day. Hutch’s body had now ceased convulsing. He lay there, eyes open, but seemed unaware of his surroundings.

Before the nurses left, Hutch was put back on oxygen and they checked his vitals signs again. As they left, they tried their best to reassure Starsky, and promised to check on Hutch every few minutes.

Starsky sank down into the chair. The sight of Hutch’s vacant eyes ripped at Starsky’s heart. Hutch had suffered enough already. More than enough. It was time for the healing to start, time for the old Hutch to return. Picking up his partner’s limp hand, Starsky pressed it to his cheek. “It’s just a little setback, partner, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.”

The next morning, Hutch was alert and listened as the doctor explained to him what had happened. He also explained the drug they had started Hutch on, and that a CAT scan had been scheduled for later that morning. Hutch listened, but didn’t have much to say.

Starsky had talked to Dobey the night before and informed him of what had happened. Dobey arrived in time to see Hutch briefly, just before he left for the CAT scan. Once again, the older black man found himself sitting and waiting with an anxious Starsky.

“Cap’n, I’ve been meaning to thank you for stopping me from making the biggest mistake of my life.”

Dobey looked at the young detective. “No thanks necessary, I know how you feel.”

“Yeah, I guess you do,” Starsky said, remembering that Dobey had lost a partner many years ago. A partner whom he’d been very close to.

Starsky reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved the tape that had started his rage just a few days ago. He held it out to Dobey.

“What this?” Dobey asked he took the tape.

“It was a present from Jimmy. After you listen to that, I think you’ll understand where I was coming from the other day.” Starsky paused a second. “Then get rid of it. I never want to hear it again.”

Dobey nodded. “I’ll take care of it.”

Starsky sat silently, lost in his own thoughts of Hutch for a while. Dobey watched his young friend and kept his own silence out of respect. He had never in his whole life come across a relationship like that of Starsky and Hutch’s. Close didn’t even begin to describe the two young men. It was like they were one. At times like this, Dobey found himself truly wondering if the heart of one stopped, would the other follow suit and stop also? He suspected that Starsky’s heart was just waiting…when Hutch’s heart had stopped in that dark dirty basement.

Once Hutch was back from his CAT scan, Dobey headed back to the station. Starsky was to call and let him know as soon as they heard anything.

Starsky chatted along, trying to keep Hutch’s spirits up. “What do you think of all the good lookin’ nurses you’ve got taking care of you? Not bad, huh?”

Hutch gave Starsky a small grin, “How many phone numbers have you collected?”

“Me?” Starsky turned his most innocent look on Hutch. “But now that you’re on your way back to good health, I might just start collecting a few.”

Hutch managed a small chuckle. “I’m sure you will.”

Starsky and Hutch exchanged amused glances when a young nurse entered.

“Time for you to get some rest now, Ken.” The young woman said, as she prepared to give him a shot.

Hutch groaned a little as the nurse gave him his shot. “Is this part of your plan, Starsky, while I’m sleeping, you collect the phone numbers?”

“Hey, would I do that to you?” Starsky winked at the young nurse as she made her exit, a slight blush on her face.

“Starsky, why don’t you go on home for a while? You’ve been here for days. No point in you sitting here watching me sleep, when you could be home sleeping in your own bed.”

“I’ve got my own bed right over there. Huggy brought me everything I need.” Starsky was determined to stay by Hutch’s side. What if, God forbid, he had another seizure, or what if the doctor came in with bad news once they had the results of the CAT scan?

Hutch knew exactly what Starsky was thinking. Hutch was thinking along the same lines himself. Just like he’s trying to protect me, I want to protect him. I don’t want to put him through any more.

“So, blondie, just close those blue eyes and go to sleep; you’re not getting rid of me.” Starsky patted Hutch’s arm and sat back with a grin on his face.

Hutch closed his eyes, feeling very lucky to have such a friend. As much as he wanted to protect Starsky, he was relieved that he wouldn’t be left alone. He wasn’t sure if he could face being alone right now.

********

Several hours later, Dobey got the good news. The CAT scan showed the swelling was going down. The chances of another seizure were only slight. Hutch was on his way to a full recovery.

“How long before you think they will let me out of here?” Relief showed in Hutch’s face and in his voice. He had been terrified that the results of the CAT scan would not be good news.

“I think you’re gonna be here a bit longer, buddy. They haven’t even let you out of bed yet, and I don’t think that will be happening for a day or two.”

Starsky looked over at Hutch, trying to meet the downcast eyes. “Hutch, look at me.” Starsky reached out and took Hutch’s head in his hands, and slowly and gently turned Hutch’s head until they were face-to-face, eye-to-eye.

“Starsky, I can’t take much more of this. I just can’t deal with this mess anymore. I want to get out of here. I don’t know…how to deal with all that has happened.” Hutch had a defeated tone in his voice.

“Hey, I know this hasn’t been easy for you. But things can only get better now. The CAT scan was good, the doctor says that the seizures will stop. Starsky hated to hear Hutch sounding so down.

“It’s just all so confusing and scary. I don’t understand why any of this happened. Why did Rita have to die? What I went through…why?” Hutch’s voice shook with emotion.

Starsky wanted so much to comfort his friend. “I know you’re scared and frustrated with everything right now. But things will get better. I’m gonna be right with you every step of the way. When you’re feeling better, we can talk about all of it. Hey, and I already cleared it with Dobey, that when you’re strong enough, we’re taking some time and going camping.” Starsky even sounded like that was something he was looking forward to.

Suddenly Hutch’s defeated look changed. His face now held a trace of a grin. “Yeah, I seem to remember you talking about camping. That sounds good, but I’m gonna pass on the shave and the haircut if you don’t mind. Like you said, the ladies like it.”

Starsky stared open-mouthed at his partner. “You really did hear me!”

“Well, why do you think I came out of the coma? I couldn’t take any more of your constant chatter.” Hutch couldn’t help himself, he just had to laugh at the outraged look on his partner’s face.

Hutch’s laughter quickly turned to tears, his emotions suddenly overloaded. Starsky pulled his partner close. “It’s gonna be okay. I know there were things that went on in that basement that you’re gonna need to talk out. I’ll be here to listen, buddy. We can get through this together.”

Until Hutch reached up and wiped the tears from his eyes, Starsky hadn’t even realized that he, too, was crying.

“Sorry,” Starsky mumbled as he reached for some Kleenex, handing several to Hutch.

“You don’t have anything to be sorry for. We always feel each other’s pain, but we’re also each other’s strength and confidence. We’ll be okay.” Hutch smiled and Starsky quickly returned the smile.

********

With no more seizures and Hutch’s wounds healing nicely, the detectives soon left the hospital together. They both knew that the psychological ramifications still had to be dealt with, but together they would get through it.

Starsky moved into Hutch’s apartment to take care of him. But as always, they would be taking care of each other.

THE END