Archive of Our Own

You’re all I want

After a disturbing find in a hospital morgue, Starsky and Hutch go undercover for another precinct as all of their detectives are known at the local hospital. Unfortunately, someone has their eye on Starsky and when things go wrong, can Hutch do what he promises his partner?

Chapter 1

“Starsky and Hutch, in my office in 5 minutes.” Dobey left his office door open as he walked through to his desk.
“What’ve you done?” Hutch glared up at his partner.
“What makes you think I’ve done something?”
“Have you?”
“No…not this time. You?” Starsky hesitantly responded thinking back over the last few days as Hutch rolled his eyes at him.

Dobey was on a call when they went in but waved to tell them to sit and close his door.
“I need to speak to my men and if they go in, they stay under my command. Believe me, it’s best that way.”
Dobey hung up the telephone but stayed silent, deep in thought.
Hutch broke the silence: “Capt’n. What’s going on?”
“That was Captain Ball of Precinct Eighteen. Their local hospital has a serious problem. Suspected necrophilia.”
“Necra…a what?” Starsky looked at Hutch for an answer.
“It’s a…” Dobey paused. “Male bodies in the morgue have been interfered with, violated.” He cleared his throat uncomfortably before adding, “They need an undercover team, but their officers are all known there.”
“Are you saying…what I think you’re saying?”
“Yes Starsky…I am.”
“And you want us to go in, undercover in the hospital?” Hutch’s hand pushed his hair back and he turned to his partner whose posture had tensed up.
“I hate those places,” Starsky muttered.
Dobey had also noticed Starsky’s reaction. He always had thought they’d played down the treatment Starsky had received while undercover in the mental asylum. Hutch had hardly let him out of sight for some time after the case closed.
“I won’t order you to take the job but you’re the best chance of putting a stop to this.”
Dobey watched without interrupting their silence. He couldn’t explain it, but he knew they were making the decision together. Their partnership was unique: loyal and protective to each other - to a fault – which, whilst he greatly admired it, he feared would be their downfall.
“Okay…we’re on. But we report only to you,” Starsky hesitantly and unusually sternly responded.
Dobey filled them in on the case: The hospital chief had raised concerns when a pathologist thought a report had neglected to record a sexual assault. But after further inspection, it was confirmed it had taken place postmortem. Only three people in the hospital knew what had happened. After the pathologist carried out further checks, they had found traces of semen and unexplained marks on two other male bodies. Captain Ball had been directly informed and within hours had contacted Dobey.

Chapter 2

The final details and information of their assignment was being arranged as they left their usual division of Bay City, travelling to the apartment they would be sharing whilst undercover. Hutch was going in as an intern nurse, due to his medical knowledge, called Keith Huckman. Starsky’s role as Daniel Starcher was a porter, giving him access to the whole of the hospital. With little time to familiarise themselves with the case they tried to keep the names simple.
They arrived at the apartment which was above an empty shop and inside it was basic but surprisingly spacious. Starsky immediately headed to the kitchen checking the fridge and cupboards.
“Cheapskates, not even stocked up!”
“No, but there’s a pizza deliver leaflet,” Hutch said, waving it at his partner.
“Like, you’d allow that every night!”
“No, but if the canteen food tastes anything like hospital food, we’ll definitely need it.”

“Okay, I’ll go and get the groceries,” Starsky responded, after turning on the fridge freezer.
“No offence, buddy, we’ll both go.”
“Hey, don’t you trust me?”
“Not in your taste in food.”
As they walked out of the apartment, Starsky remarked, “Hey, Blintz, it’s a nice place to bring back a couple of nurses.”
“Er no nurses, hey?” Hutch had sworn never to date a nurse again after Diana Harmon
“Sorry, pal, we’ll steer clear of nurses,” Starsky agreed as he suddenly recalled finding Hutch collapsed and bleeding after Diana’s attack.
They’d seen a shop only a road away and so it wasn’t long until they returned finding a large envelope tucked inside the landing door. They would have missed it if it weren’t for the note slipped under the apartment door apologising for missing them. The envelope contained copies of personnel records of people they would be working with, those who had access to the morgue and documents they would need for their cover stories.
“Hutch, there’s so much to get through!” Starsky sighed, looking through all the papers and maps they needed to go through and get familiar with by the morning.
They read the files and Hutch noticed that Starsky had become unusually quiet. During their last undercover assignment in the Cabrillo Mental Institution, Starsky had been drugged several times. Hutch had hated that he hadn’t be able to prevent it, and it took the toll on them both. They only agreed to take this case in the hospital because the crime was so disturbing, they wanted to put a stop to it.

Chapter 3

They parted ways at the entrance of the hospital, and Starsky headed to meet with the head porter. He immediately whisked him off on a tour of the hospital. Starsky was glad he’d already studied the hospital plan. He was introduced to so many people, even Hutch and his department’s matron.
After the tour of the hospital, Starsky was given the job of taking patients to and from the x ray department. It wasn’t until the afternoon that Starsky assisted another porter with the sad task of taking a deceased patient from the ward to the morgue.
“You Daniel?” the porter asked. The abruptness of the question matched his stony face.
“Yeah but call me Danny. Only Ma calls me Daniel.”
“Well, I’m Andrew, not Andy. Got that!”
“Andrew it is then, nice to meet you.”
The other porter paused and looked round before entering the room. “Treat the deceased with love…as you would a loved one.”
Starsky agreed solemnly, registering that the man had said with ‘love’ rather than ‘respect’. Strangely, although Starsky was accustomed to being around the dead, this felt so different to a crime scene. He felt the heaviness of grief practically hit him from out of nowhere.
With the exception of speaking to the nurses for the paperwork, it was clear Andrew was a man of few words.
“How often do you have to come down here?” Starsky asked as they were walking through the maze of corridors to the morgue.
“Too often.”
Andrew seemed genuinely affected by the death of the patient and Starsky wondered if he had known the man. As they left the morgue, another two porters came out of another room.
“Andy, who you got with you?” It was clear the man had purposely called him Andy to rattle him.
“I’m Danny, started today.” Starsky stepped forward quickly to lighten the cutting atmosphere.
“Hi Danny, I’m Giles and this is Craig.”
The four of them headed to the main part of the hospital and talked as they went. All the time, Andrew kept quiet with only the odd grunt of agreement, joining in the conversation.
Later, Andrew explained to Starsky that some porters refused to go to the morgue, which Starsky instantly hoped would narrow the number of suspects down.
The day had been a long one and Starsky wondered why anyone ever said police officers had flat feet. He had been on his feet far more this first day as a porter than any day on the streets and he could not wait to sit down.

Chapter 4

Hutch had a list as long as his arm of patient stats to do, when Starsky was shown round. Hutch really would have preferred them both to be in the same department and couldn’t help worrying whether the assignment was bringing back any bad memories for his partner.
A voice interrupted his thoughts: “You okay there, Keith? Mondays and Fridays are always the busiest.”
Mary, the senior nurse, knew everyone and seemed to be a good judge of character. She had read Starsky like a book, playfully teasing him, which of course he lapped up and encouraged. When he left, she told Hutch to keep the porters happy. She advised him half-heartedly that the porters were as important, if not more, than the Doctors. Hutch could almost hear Starsky saying, ‘many a thing said in jest.’
In the afternoon, Mary made time to take Hutch on a tour of the wards. She explained which staff to keep sweet and those to stay clear of. Hutch mentally tried to recall all her comments and wished he could have taken notes.
As the tour was ending, they passed Starsky in the corridor. He was with another porter.
“The porter with Danny was Andrew,” Mary informed Hutch. “Don’t call him Andy. He’s a loner but good, does what’s asked of him but be specific.”
Hutch couldn’t help but think Mary had missed her calling to be a police officer. She seemed to know everyone, how to handle them, and everything going on in the hospital. Well, nearly everything.
When Hutch returned to his desk, there was a large envelope marked confidential waiting for him. Inside was a copy of the staff’s past and upcoming shift patterns. Hutch quickly put it in his locker to study later after work.

Chapter 5

They met back at the apartment. The information they had been provided on Necrophiliacs was that their motive was predominately driven by the need of possession of an unresisting, and un-rejecting partner. Cases were rare and the perpetrators tended to choose jobs which had access to the deceased, although some had committed murder to meet their needs.
They worked through the rotas, checking for male staff on duty around the dates the bodies had been violated.
Andrew was the only person on duty on all the three estimated dates, but they knew the dates might not be exact.
“Andrew’s quite a loner, but that doesn’t make it him.” Starsky dropped the list on the table.
“We know the perp is likely to be a loner who fears rejection.” Hutch knew there were four names they had identified by the rotas. “I met Jonathan, he’s a family man but that doesn’t rule him out. How about Giles or Craig?”
“Met then both briefly. They purposely called Andrew, Andy. Seemed to just want to annoy him.”
“Mary mentioned to me not to shorten his name to Andy.”
“No, he made that clear as soon as we met.”
The evening had flown by, only interrupted by the delivery of their pizza. They were both tired and had done all they could for the day.

Early the next morning, Starsky called Dobey at home with the list of names for a background check. Andrew, Craig, Giles and Jonathan all had access to the morgue area and had been on duty around the dates they were checking.
“I’ll be visiting Captain Ball tomorrow. I’ll see you there about 6.”
“Do we have to? I don’t like him,” Starsky said, without thinking.
“Starsky…may I tell you he speaks highly of you.”
“He’s only met me once, how’d he know anything about me!”
“Exactly! Tomorrow, 6 pm at the precinct. You’re both on earlies, so I expect you both to be there.”
“Yes Capt’n,” Starsky said, reluctantly looking at Hutch.

Chapter 6

He glanced round checking that no-one could see him as he watched the new porter, Danny, from inside the cubicle. Danny was helping an elderly gentleman with his wife’s hospital bag getting ready to leave. As Danny pushed the wife’s wheelchair out of the ward, he followed them down the corridor smiling, listening to Danny joking with the couple. He bit down on his lips as Danny leaned over to say something to her. The elderly lady chuckled at whatever he’d said. He’d noticed the new porter had a way to make people feel good, and he’d been feeling pretty damn good himself since meeting him.
When the couple got in their taxi, he turned away feeling his desire for the man grow in his groin before Danny turned to come back into the lobby of the hospital.
He’d noticed Danny flirting playfully with many of the female older patients and nurses but never with the younger ones. The nurses’ talk was that he was taken, much to their dismay and his. For the first time, he had a want for something different, someone enigmatic, vibrant and full of life. This new porter had an energy that he was compelled to pursue at any cost.
Still watching from the side, he noticed Danny’s eyes almost light up as the new blond male nurse approached him. After a brief conversation they parted ways but not before he’d noticed the blond male nurse patted Danny’s stomach with a familiarity and tenderness. That simple touch almost enraged him.
‘How dare he! He’s mine!’

Chapter 7

“Keith, would you give Andrew or Danny a call to help you sort and clear the storeroom,” Mary said, checking the appointment list.
“How about Giles or Craig?” Hutch asked.
“Not Giles. He’ll think it’s beneath him, and Craig would take too long,” Mary responded, as Hutch wondered if Starsky had managed to find out any more about them than he had.
“Hi Mary, I hear you need me,” Starsky said with a wink.
“Always…Dan, my man!” Mary teased. “I need you to help clear the old storeroom out. Keith will help, he knows what needs to be kept.”
Safe from listening ears in the storeroom, they discussed the various staff members they were investigating, but they still didn’t feel any closer to narrowing down their suspects.

After an hour, Starsky went to get a couple of coffees from the canteen.
“Hi guys.” Starsky said, as he passed the table of his colleagues.
“You joining us for lunch?” Andrew asked hopefully.
“Not today, Mary has me clearing out a storeroom.”
“Two coffees! That bad, is it?” Giles joked.
“Nah, one of her staff is sorting through what to keep, but it’s as dusty as hell in there,” Starsky said, brushing off dust from his trousers. “Gonna need one of the big trollies to clear the rubbish.”
“Hey, take your time, there’s no rush,” Craig said, as Starsky started to leave. “Sounds like an easy job, whilst the rest of us are running round the hospital.”
With a grin, Starsky left the group having their break.
‘Hope he’s not with that blond guy. I’d like to get rid of him and get Danny to myself,’ one of them thought, as he watched Starsky walk away.

Hutch reached out and took the coffee from his partner. “At least the coffee is slightly better than at the precinct.”
It took another hour to sort and reorganise the storage room before they separated back to their own jobs.
Hutch got caught up with work and ended up leaving later than expected. He was surprised that Starsky wasn’t at the apartment when he got in. He was starting to worry when the phone rang. It was Starsky and he was less than happy. He was having to cover two extra hours and advised Hutch that he would go straight to the police precinct for the meeting and surprise Dobey by being early for a change. They agreed to get there early, hoping to get away quickly. Working a full day at the hospital and working a few hours every evening was catching up on them.

Chapter 8

“Hutch, where’s that partner of yours?” Dobey said, in the gruff tone Hutch was accustomed to when his partner was running late.
“He’s coming straight from work, had to do some extra hours.”
“Hmmm, well Jameson will be here shortly if you’re covering for him.”
“Capt’n believe me, he’d rather be here than at the hospital. He’s had a long day.”
Captain Ball entered the room with Jameson, the hospital executive. “Where’s your partner, Starsky?”
“I’m Hutchinson. Starsky will be here shortly.” Hutch was used to people getting their names mixed up, but something wasn’t feeling right. His response was more abrupt than he had intended, earning him a stern look from Dobey.
“My detectives have identified four potential suspects. We’ve run reports on each of them and they are all clean.”
Hutch kept glancing up at the clock as they discussed Andrew, Craig, Jonathan and Giles. Andrew had been widowed only a year ago after his wife was in a fatal car accident, leaving him and their son. Craig was counting down time before retirement. Jonathan was an aspiring doctor and Giles had given up being a doctor after three years on the job at a different hospital before moving and taking a less pressured role. They went on to talk about who was on shift when the incidents took place.
“That can’t be right,” Jameson suddenly said, “Craig was away most of June. His mother had passed away, he went home to sort out the house. Giles and he are always swapping shifts and not completing the appropriate forms. I’ve told them time and time again.”
Hutch was surprised that Jameson knew his staff so well but the alarm bells in his head were going off. The information they had gone by was incorrect. He recalled Starsky saying he felt Giles watching him at work, but he hadn’t been high on their list of suspects as they had thought he was off shift on two of the dates they were looking at.
“Is that why Starsky’s having to cover the extra hours tonight?” Dobey asked slightly concerned.
“No, there are no staffing issues today,” Jameson said. “I’m always advised, especially where extra hours are required.”
Even before Jameson had finished speaking, Hutch was up out his chair, rushing to leave.
“Hutch, it’s probably a misunderstanding,” Dobey said, although also feeling a wave of concern.
“No, something’s wrong. He was gonna get here early, now he’s late.”
“HUTCH, calm down!” Captain Ball stood up, practically shouting at Hutch and blocking his way out of the room.
“I’m going back there, finding my partner and you aren’t gonna stop me.”
Hutch stood face to face with Captain Ball.
“Go, we’ll arrange back up,” Dobey said, immediately breaking the tension in the room before Captain Ball had a chance to respond.
Hutch was out the door in three quick strides.
“Dobey, do all your men...” Ball started to speak.
But Dobey interrupted, turning straight on to Captain Ball, “That’s right, my men, not yours. If he thinks Starsky’s in danger, he is! Don’t just stand there. Get your back-up out there now!”
Dobey’s voice echoed down the corridor as he left for the hospital.
Captain Ball was left in his office, looking shocked at how Dobey had spoken to him and how quickly things had escalated.

Chapter 9

Starsky felt shattering pain in the darkness as he stirred, then a voice in the distance which he didn’t recognise. His whole body felt heavy, as if a tonne of weight had crashed down on him. He couldn’t move. Had he got shot and been left paralysed?
‘Hutch where are you? Tell me what’s going on.’ Panic started to set in. He couldn’t remember anything, but he knew by the damp and dusty smell he wasn’t in hospital. He was trying to think, what was the last thing he could remember. Gradually and painfully, he opened his eyes to see where he was. ‘Hospital, we’re undercover.’
The bright light hurt his eyes as they opened, and he realised he was in one of the old disused rooms in the basement. He then remembered he had been called back in to help Giles. Unable to move his head, out the corner of his eyes, he saw Giles. Why was he wearing a white lab coat? Starsky tried to speak but seemed trapped in his own body, his naked body from what he could see!
Why was he naked? Why couldn’t he move? His fear increased as Giles turn round and saw his eyes open.
“Glad you joined me Danny, scared me for a minute. I thought I got the drug dosage wrong.”
‘Hutch, God, Hutch where are you?’ His eyes darted round the room, fear deepening desperately to fight the impact of the drugs. ‘Hutch, I need you buddy!’ He realised that Giles was going to kill him and then abuse his dead body for Hutch to find.
“You’re wondering what you’re doing here. I need you and I am gonna have you.”
Starsky watched as Giles hand snaked up his arm, across his collar bone and down to his chest.
“Don’t be scared, you won’t feel a thing.”
Starsky was helpless, couldn’t move, and couldn’t feel the touch. Yet he felt sick watching Giles hands on him, pinching him, stroking him. He closed his eyes knowing he wouldn’t feel any of the unwelcomed touches.
“Open your eyes!” Giles demanded, but Starsky held them tightly closed. Then he felt his eye being prized open. “Keep them open or I will do worse.”
He watched as Giles’ hand moved down his face.
“Oh…you have the softest lips, I’ve longed to kiss them.”
Fingers were thrust into his mouth, the movement made the solid jaw feel like it was shattering into pieces. He tried to bite down on the fingers, but he couldn’t. He couldn’t feel the fingers but could see the hand making him feel sick as he closed his eyes.
“Oh yes, love it! Wet and warm. I’ll cum in there later.”
‘No! Hutch.’ How long had he been out of it? Did Hutch even know he was missing? ‘Hutch help, Hutch!’ Starsky silently screamed in his head. Sickened, he watched Giles’ tongue and hands trace over his skin, seeing him moving lower down his body, unable to fight him off.
“You’ll get a choice later, you understand? Do not look at me like that!” Giles shouted, as he pulled away and stepped back. “You won’t feel a thing, so don’t look at me like that!” Giles hand slapped Starsky’s face and his head rocketed back-and-forth with the force. His head felt like glass shattering into painful pieces.
“I’m not hurting anyone!” Another slap, Starsky headed rocketed harder and for a split second he felt pain in the back of his eyes. “I’m going to give you my body and soul and you! You look at me like that!”
Starsky attacked Giles the only way he could, a look of pure hatred.
“Shut your eyes, damn you! Shut them! Shut them or I will shut them for you!” The hand rolled into a fist, and he watched the punches coming, repeatedly one after another. “I’ll take you dead or alive!”

Each time Starsky’s eyes were able to focus he resumed a stare of defiance and hatred. But his vision was becoming blurred as the punches kept sending his head rocking forcefully against his will. Giles continued hitting him, which was what Starsky wanted as that was the only thing preventing Giles from carrying out the other plans he had for him.

Chapter 10

Hutch sprinted down to the hospital morgue where Giles and Starsky had last been seen going, he heard a muffled shout from the other end of the corridor. The enraged shouts fuelled him as he sped towards the noise, terrified that he hadn’t heard Starsky’s voice.
‘Don’t let it be too late, shout, scream, anything, Starsky, but let me know you’re still alive.’
Hutch kicked the door in, immediately seeing Starsky’s naked, lifeless body on the gurney. Giles upturned the gurney knocking Hutch to the floor. Hutch’s bullet went wide, hitting Giles in the shoulder. His gun was knocked out of his hand, sliding across the floor. Starsky lay silent and motionless out of Hutch’s reach under the upturned gurney.
“He’s mine!” Giles screamed, waving a scalpel in Hutch’s direction.
Dobey ran towards the direction of the shouting. He approached the door quietly.
“Don’t do this Giles, we’re Police.”
“Cops hey?!” Giles paused as he stood leaning over the gurney, holding a knife poised to strike Hutch when he could. “You don’t get it. I need him, he’s mine.”
“Police! Drop it!” Dobey tone was dangerous, and his gun was aimed at Giles.
“He’s mine!” Giles screamed, raising the scalpel and leaping towards Hutch.
The force of Dobey’s bullet hitting him threw him back. Dobey kicked the scalpel out of the way and felt for a pulse.
At the same time, Hutch’s hand had managed to reach his partner’s neck, which he was desperately checking for a pulse. Starsky’s head was bleeding from where he’d hit the floor. With utmost relief, Hutch found a pulse and with Dobey’s help carefully lifted the gurney off him.
Hutch gently lifted his partner onto the gurney as Dobey grabbed a blanket from the chair in the room, covering Starsky to try to avert shock and provide cover for dignity.
They heard a flurry of noise further down the maze of corridors.
“Officer down! Get help here NOW!” Dobey shouted, stepping out of the room momentarily, relieved the backup had arrived, albeit too late.
“Starsk, come on…Starsky, wake up, buddy.” Hutch’s hands were covered in his partner’s blood.
At that moment, Dobey noticed the metal dish on the floor with a syringe and two empty vial bottles. He knew once again one of his boys had been drugged against their will.
The medical team rushed in and saw Giles shot dead on the floor. Starsky was unconscious on the gurney, his face had been severely beaten and he had a gash to his head that was bleeding profusely.
Hutch moved slightly to give the medics access to his partner but didn’t leave his side. They immediately dressed the large gash on Starsky’s head that Hutch had been holding to stem the bleeding.
“Thanks, Capt’n.” Hutch gestured at Giles body.
Dobey nodded acknowledgement then gave the empty vials to one of the medics. Within minutes they were in the ICU corridor where a doctor and team had been informed of the situation.
“Was he given…both of these?” The concern was clear, as the doctor read the two medical vial bottles.
“I…I don’t know, what are they?” Hutch stammered as his fear increased.
“Keith,” the doctor asked, “did you see Danny awake or moving?”
“No. Starsk didn’t move, and I don’t think he was conscious.”
Hutch automatically went to follow the doctor, but the doctor stopped in front of him preventing him from going any further and saying, “Keith you can’t come in here.”
“He’s my Partner, I need to be with him.”
“I know. But you need to get your arm looked at,” the doctor said looking at Hutch’s arm which was bleeding from a cut.
Hutch hadn’t even realised his arm was bleeding or that people were still calling him Keith.
“Come on Hutch, let’s get that sorted. We’ll be back in no time,” Dobey said, stepping in.
I’ll get the gash to his head cleaned and stitched. It’s not as bad as it looks.” Hutch sighed with relief until the doctor continued with: “However, the combination of the drugs he may have been given is a concern.”
A nurse led them away to a side room. Dobey watched Hutch silently sitting while having his arm treated. He knew each of these partners always blamed themselves if the other got injured, but it seemed as if there was more than that on Hutch’s mind.
“We shouldn’t have taken this case,” Hutch said aloud, without meaning to.
“Hutch, you alone didn’t make the decision.”
“I couldn’t protect him from being drugged in the asylum and now it’s happened again!”
It was the first time Dobey knew Starsky had been drugged in the asylum. He had known Hutch had been given something to make him drowsy. No wonder he had been overly protective over his partner after that case for a while.
“We hated the thought of what was happening,” Hutch went on, “but I should have refused to take it.”
“Hutch, you couldn’t have known any of this would happen.” Dobey’s tone was gentle and reassuring although now he regretted asking his boys to take the case.
The nurse spoke breaking the silence. “All done, keep this covered and dry for the next few days. I will take you to the waiting room now.” The nurse had seen Hutch at the hospital and wonder if he really did have a girlfriend or if it was just part of his cover. Word was now getting round the hospital what had taken place, and who Keith and Daniel really were.

Chapter 11

The doctor entered the waiting room.
“Captain, Detective. He’s going to be fine,” he said reassuringly. “He’s on fluids due to the drugs, but when he wakes, he’ll be in pain until they are completely out of his system. I can’t give him anything until there are only traces of the drugs left in him. His face has been significantly beaten, his cheek is fractured but we’ve manipulated it back in place. The drugs prevented him from being able to defend himself from the attack, and he wouldn’t have felt the beating when it took place.”
“Doc was there any sign of…” Hutch hesitated and was thankful the doctor answered before he had to voice his concerns.
“No signs of any other types of assault.”
“Thank you, I need to be with him now.”
“He won’t wake up for a good few hours yet, why don’t you...”
“I’m staying!” Hutch interrupted sharply, leaving no room for discussion.
Dobey gave a nod as Hutch open the door for the doctor to lead the way.

As they entered the room, they could see the extent of the beating Starsky had taken. Hutch immediately pulled up a chair and gently run his fingers around the cannula and tube, knowing yet again his partner would complain they put it in his left hand.
The doctor explained the mix of drugs would have paralysed him, so although he wouldn’t have felt it, if he had been conscious at the time, he would have known what was happening. Hutch tried not to think of how helpless Starsky would have felt if he had been conscious, taking blow after blow to his face and being able to see exactly what Giles was doing to him. Trapped - seeing, hearing, smelling, and tasting his own blood in his mouth. In every aspect being alive, yet paralysed and desperate to stop Giles undressing him and God only knows what else he had done to him.

It was mid-morning when Starsky started to become restless, flinching in pain. Hutch knew the longer Starsky was able to sleep the better. Yet he longed for his partner to wake up and complain about the cannula in his left hand.
An hour later Starsky’s hand suddenly jerked away from Hutch’s even before his eyes opened.
“Hey Starsk, it’s me. You’re safe.”
Starsky’s face was so swollen he could barely see his eyes, but when he did, all he saw was fear.
“Hey Babe, it’s okay,” Hutch said softly, “You’re safe now. It’s over, you’re safe.”
“Uuuutch.”
“I’m here, you’re gonna be okay.” Hutch went to brush the hair away from Starsky’s face but stopped when his partner flinched. “Starsk?”
Hutch called the nurse, concerned about his partner’s reaction.
“Danny, sorry, Detective Starsky?” the young redhead nurse said looking at his charts. “I need to take your stats.” But as she approached Starsky, his whole body tensed up and he recoiled as close to Hutch as he could in the bed. Hutch automatically put his hand on Starsky’s hand which only made things worse, with Starsky reacting as if his hand had given him a painful electric shock.
“Hey Starsk, it’s me, it’s okay. She’s only going to do your stats.” Hutch controlled his voice to be as calm and comforting as he could.
“Nnn NO!” Starsky seemed to recoil even tighter.
“Starsky, ssshhh, it’s okay...I can take your stats.”
“Nnnno… don’t touch me!”
“It’s okay, they can wait.”
Hutch hated seeing his strong partner’s reaction but knew between the drugs he had been given and the ordeal he had gone through, it was only to be expected. Hutch nodded at the door and the nurse left.
“You can relax now. I’ll stay here, relax and rest up.” As Hutch sat back in the chair Starsky turned to face him. “I’m not going anywhere, and no-one’s gonna touch you if you don’t want them to.”
Hutch gently kept telling Starsky he was safe and gradually saw the tension leave his partner.

As soon as the doctor entered the room a little while later, Starsky immediately tensed back up and the fear was deep set in his eyes again.
“Hey, it’s okay…this is Dr Lettsom, you remember him?” Hutch asked calmly, hoping that the recognition might help his partner.
“Hussh, keep ‘im away.”
“It’s okay, buddy, Doc needed to see if you were awake.”
Hutch gave the doc a gentle nod and started to repeat the process of calming Starsky down, desperate to comfort his partner.
Doctor Lettsom assessed the situation and stood back from the bed. “Nice to see you awake Detective Starsky, are you in any pain?”
Starsky shook his head in response but didn’t speak.
“Good, I’ll leave you to rest then.” As he left, he gave a concerned look to Hutch.

Hutch repeated the process, talking to Starsky until he was relaxed and drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t long before his partner was in a deep sleep and Hutch slipped out the room and found the Doctor.
“From what the nurse and I witnessed, your partner’s reaction is caused by sexual assault trauma. I’m not surprised, his suffering from haphephobia, the fear of being touched.”
“You said he hadn’t been sexually assaulted!”
“I said there were no signs of sexual assault. We don’t know what was done to him. He was found naked, drugged and we don’t know what was done against his will.”
Hutch’s emotions went into a frenzy of anger, fear and concern for what his partner had been through and the only thing he knew for certain was he desperately needed to be back by his side.
“So how do we help him?”
“Whilst he’s not in pain, we give him time, gain his trust and don’t touch him.”
“And what if that doesn’t work?”
“Let’s hope it does. He will be in pain soon and I won’t be able to give him anything until we’ve checked his bloods.” The doctor looked at the report from the blood test taken when he was unconscious. “He’s been given a dangerous combination of drugs.”
“Doc, would you call Capt’n Dobey and update him on Starsky’s condition? I’ll be with Starsky.”
“Of course, he seems calmer with you. I suggest you call anyone that may be able to help. Has he got a wife, girlfriend or family that could come here?”
“No, his mother’s in New York. I’m his family.”
“Yes, your Captain said you have a strong bond. I’ll get a nurse to bring you a drink and something to eat.”

Chapter 12

Hutch sat watching Starsky’s sleep peacefully and felt his own tiredness sweep over him. Not wishing to wake or cause Starsky any distress, he laid his hand as close to Starsky’s as he dared and drifted off into a light sleep.
Hutch was woken by a gentle current, the current he only felt with his partner’s connection. Without moving, he looked down at his hand and saw Starsky’s little finger stretch out barely touching the tip of his thumb. He soaked up the feeling almost frightened to move and lose the connection. Hutch had sat like that for nearly an hour when Starsky opened his eyes.
“Hutch?”
“Hey, I’m here.” Hutch avoided moving his hand and was relieved as Starsky’s fingers stretched out and curled round his thumb. It felt like their partnership relied on that physical touch.
“How you doing, buddy?”
“Lik’ I got pins n’s needles, yet numb?”
Starsky shuffled slightly and his hand grasped Hutch’s as he had a flashback to the last thing he could remember.
“Hutch?” Starsky paused momentarily loosening the grip on his partner’s hand. For the first time Starsky looked at Hutch in the face. Hutch could see the horror in the deep blue eyes that he loved so much. “It was Giles…I tried…tried but…”
“He drugged you. But he is never going to hurt anyone ever again.” Hutch’s reassuring tone was so gentle and Starsky knew that Giles was dead.
Hutch watched his partner for his reaction but there was none, and his eyes were still full of fear.
“Hutch, I’m sorry you had to.” Like most cops they both struggled with the emotions of killing anyone.
“Wasn’t me, it was Dobey.”
“Oh.” There was a heavy silence, but Hutch didn’t want to push his partner. “He told me, what he was gonna…” Starsky’s breath caught as fear washed over his face. “I need to know.” Starsky turned his face away, needing to know but not wanting to face being told the ugly truth by his partner. He was about to remove his hand when Hutch’s fingers quickly and gently caught his hand stroking it softly.
“He didn’t, I promise you he didn’t.” Hutch curled his hand clasping his partner’s hand firmly knowing Starsky couldn’t recall everything that had happened. “You’re gonna be okay.”
“You’ll stay.”
Hutch felt Starsky trembling through his hand. “I’m not going anywhere,” he stated firmly.

A few minutes later, a nurse entered the room carrying a kidney shaped metal dish. Starsky immediately tensed up and tightened his hold on his partner.
“David, it’s okay. I only need to take your stats and get a blood sample,” she gently said, hoping to reassure him.
“N…NO!”
“David, it won’t hurt, I promise you. We need to check your blood so we can help you.”
“Starsky, it’s okay I’m here.”
“No…don’t touch me.”
Starsky suddenly flinched away from her, almost falling off the edge of the bed as he tightened up against Hutch. Hutch immediately jumped up to comfort his partner whilst providing the protective support his partner so desperately needed.
“Starsk, it’s okay.” Hutch was concerned that Starsky’s reaction was still so extreme although he knew it was an after effect of the drugs.
“No...NO!” Starsky almost shouted and the nurse stepped away, not wishing to distress him any further.
She left the room, but Hutch knew the importance of the blood test. Hutch also noticed that the drip his partner was connected to was nearly empty. Starsky calmed down quicker this time, Hutch sat close to the bed protectively.
Starsky whispered, “You do it. Don’t want anyone else…”
“Starsk, I’ve not taken blood since med school. I might hurt you.”
Starsky turned to face him.
“You wouldn’t…please,” Starsky pleaded with his eyes more than words.
“Come on, Starsk, let the nurse do it.”
“No, you or no-one!”
Starsky turned his head away as he curled himself up in the bed not letting go of Hutch’s hand. Hutch knew how stubborn his partner could be at the best of times, but this was different. This was drug and trauma induced. By refusing the blood test, it could lead to prolonging the drugs being in his system undetected.

Chapter 13

Hutch had left the conversation as long as he could but could hear the silent pleas from his partner. That worried Hutch even further, he knew if his partner shut down it would only get worse.
“Starsk, you need to let the nurse do her job.” There was no response. “Starsk?”
“I trust you, you can do it.” It was barely a whisper.
“I don’t know, you know I’d do anything for you.” Hutch leaned in as close as he could, not wishing to startle his partner.
“Then you’ll do it?” Starsky’s response was left hanging as Hutch was torn in his thoughts. “Please?”
“Starsk…it’s not as easy as that?”
“Please?”
The plea was too much for Hutch to refuse but he didn’t even know if the doctor would allow him to do it.
“I’ll check if they will allow it,” Hutch said reluctantly. “But you need to relax.”
“You’ll make them allow it.” So sure of his partner’s persuasiveness with the doctor, his tone immediately seemed a little calmer.
“I’ll need someone to help me.”
“No, just you.”
“Starsk!” Hutch immediately regretted his tone, as Starsky recoiled from him, the tension and fear in his eyes returning instantly.
Starsky’s whole body tightened as he was hit by a spasm of pain, this time lasting a little bit longer.
“Take it easy, let it pass.” Hutch knew they couldn’t give his partner painkillers until they were able to check his partner’s blood.
“I’ll do it. I promise. It’s gonna be okay.” Hutch couldn’t even see his partner’s face but knew, between the effects of the drugs, the ordeal he had gone through and the pain, his partner was really suffering. “Take it easy, I’m here.” Hutch waited for another spasm of pain to ease for his partner. “Try to relax.”
The doctor peered through the door without saying anything. Starsky hadn’t even realised the doctor had looked in on them, but it didn’t matter. Hutch had promised him he would do the blood test, and that was all that mattered.
Between the look Hutch gave him and the condition of his patient, the doctor knew he had no choice but to allow Hutch to take the blood.
Hutch talked softly to his partner until Starsky was asleep. He needed him to be relaxed. Starsky was still curled up protectively on himself when Hutch quietly left the room to speak to the doctor.

Chapter 14

“Keith, I mean detective.”
Hutch turned round. “Mary, oh am I glad to see you. Call me Hutch, please.”
“Hutch,” Mary responded slightly puzzled by the name. “How is he? I heard what happened to Daniel.”
“Starsky, he’s not so good. It’s like he’s scared of everyone, to be touched, or let anyone near him and they need to take a blood test.”
“I’ve seen this with sexual assault victims. Has he got someone special in his life?”
“Not at the moment.”
“He has. He has you. You two have each other, a special partnership.”
“I trust him with my life.”
“And he trusts you that way?”
“Yes. He wants me to draw his blood but…”
“You’ll be fine,” Mary reassured him.
“Will I?”
“You will, I’ll help and talk you through it.”
“Thanks, but.”
“No buts. He trusts you can do it and so do I. Now you must believe in yourself. Go back in with him, I’ll get everything you need.”

Hutch sat back in his rightful place as Starsky jolted awake in pain. “Arrhh…Hutch!”
“It’s ok, I’m here.”
“Hurts, god it hurts.”
Hutch hoped the pain might force Starsky to let a nurse draw blood instead of him.
“I can get a nurse.”
“No! You promised…” Starsky rolled over and stared at Hutch. “Promised me.”
“Yeah, I promised.” Hutch put his hand on the bed and Starsky’s hand hesitantly joined it. “Starsk, you liked Mary. She offered to help.” Feeling Starsky tense a bit, Hutch continued. “I’ll do the blood test, but she’ll watch me…I don’t want to hurt you. Please.”
Starsky’s hand relaxed slightly. “Mary, to help you?”
“Yes, she came to see how you were. I’d feel better if she were here.”
For the first time since Starsky had come to, Hutch saw a look from his partner he recognised, his reluctant acceptance look, which he suddenly loved even more than usual.
There was a knock on the door and Mary opened the door very slightly. “Can I come in?”
Starsky gave a slight nod to her.
“You’re a leftie, Danny…David?” Mary said, as she put a tray down on the table.
“Yeh.” Hesitantly he added, “Call me Starsky.”
Mary stayed at the end of the bed. Hutch walked round the bed and picked up the tourniquet and put it round Starsky’s arm. He felt Starsky’s fear and tension rising. He softly explained to Starsky everything he was doing as he started to tighten the tourniquet slowly, trying his best not to distress his partner. He could see his partner’s veins clearly, a benefit of the fluids that Starsky had been given. Tentatively he stepped forward, cautiously putting his hand out to Starsky’s arm which immediately flinched back. Hutch knew his partner didn’t mean to, but the fear of hurting him instantly increased.
“Starsky. Look at Hutch’s face, your friend,” Mary said gently, bringing both back from their own thoughts. “Remember, you want him to do this for you, we need to check your blood.”
“No…I can’t.” Starsky pulled his arm back so quickly the tourniquet moved on his arm.
“It’s okay we’ll take it slow. Lay your arm down when you’re ready, there’s no rush.”
“Hutccch?” Starsky kept turning to look from Mary to Hutch.
“It’s ok buddy, you trust me?”
“Always.”
Hutch continued to cajole his partner and eventually Starsky’s arm hovered slightly above the bed towards Hutch. Hutch stood there staring at the veins.
“Starsky…Hutch is going to check the tourniquet. It won’t hurt but it needs to be tight.”
“No…Don’t.” Starsky was tensing and pulled his arm back tight up against his chest.
“Starsky…you wanted Hutch to do this for you,” Mary reminded him.
“It’s me or a nurse. Let me do this for you.” There was a pause of silence before Starsky nervously put his arm out on the pillow Hutch had laid beside him. “That’s it buddy…” Hutch stopped speaking, frozen in thought.
“Hutch…Hutch?” Mary tried to get his attention. “Do as I say. Tighten the tourniquet…Hutch?” Hutch trembled as he hesitated to tighten the tourniquet. “Hutch, make sure it’s tight.”
Hutch stood looking down at Starsky’s arm, his vein was pumping harder and harder, his muscles were tensed up and his hand had formed a fist. The veins were raised and high, pumping blood, but Hutch knew he didn’t want this. Starsky didn’t want the needle to go in his arm. What was he about to do to his partner, his best friend?
‘I’ll be no better than Monk!…I won’t, I can’t, not against his will!
Starsky’s arm was there, as he said, ‘Hutch do it.’
But Hutch was now lost in his own thoughts, his own nightmare.
Even through his swollen eyes, Starsky could see Hutch’s fear getting hold of him. Mary also sensed Hutch’s anxiety rising.
“Hutch, you just need to find the vein and...”
“No! I won’t, I can’t. I won’t force you…I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I won’t do it, I can’t!” Hutch kept repeating himself as he backed away from the bed. Suddenly Hutch shouted, “I won’t force it on you!” He kept backing away from the bed until his back hit the wall, then slowly he crumpled to the floor.
Mary watched his reaction in shock, and noticed he seemed fixated on looking at his own sleeve.
In his mind, Hutch could see his arm, see the tracks from Monk pushing in drugs against his will. He’d be no better than Monk, sticking a needle into his partner’s arm against his will.
“Hutch? Hutch!” Anxiously, Starsky called out to his partner but Hutch wasn’t responding to Starsky. It was like he wasn’t hearing him. “God, Hutch, I’m sorry, Babe, I’m sorry.” Starsky practically fell as he rolled off his bed and hurried to cradle Hutch in his arms. “I’m sorry…I should ‘ave thought … what I was asking of you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
“Cccant, I can’t do it, I can’t be like that!”
“It’s okay, I’m sorry.”
“I know I promised…but I just can’t.”

Mary stood watching the two men cradling each other on the floor in the corner of the room, confused by what she was witnessing.
“I…I promised you, you need it.”
“I shouldn’t have asked, I don’t want you to…Mary, can take it, won’t you…Please Mary, do it!”
Starsky held his arm out in front of his partner and Mary jumped into action, not hesitating for a second.
“See all done now, Babe, all done,” Starsky said, as his arm curled back round Hutch the very instant the needle was withdrawn.
“I’m sorry, sorry. I couldn’t, I tried. I couldn’t.” Hutch looked at Starsky’s battered face and had to look down, mortified that he’d let his partner down.
“Hey, stop that. I didn’t feel a thing.” As Starsky said it, he knew it had been the wrong thing to say. His partner’s eyes immediately filled with horror. Quickly, Starsky said, “I should never have asked you...” Hutch immediately put a finger up to his partner’s swollen lips to stop him talking.
“You can ask me anything, any time.” The unsaid commitment which they had always shared was still there.
“It’s okay, now.” Starsky glanced, turning to see that Mary had already left the room. “But I do need to ask you something.”
“Anything.”
“Can we get up off the floor now, I have quite a chill hitting my…you know this gown barely covers my arse.”
Hutch knew this game, when one was in a bad way, they would use banter to ease the situation. “Give me a bit longer.”
“Really? You want me to have to stay in here because of a cold arse,” Starsky retorted, as he helped his partner up. “How cruel!”

Chapter 15

Over an hour later, Mary entered the room to find Hutch asleep on the bed and Starsky sat up in the chair beside him.
“He needed the rest.”
“So do you,” Mary responded, smiling warmly. “I’m sure you know what caused his reaction, but I know it wasn’t the needle.”
“No, I need to keep his demons away.”
“You two been partners a long time?”
“Yeah, he’s closer to me than my own brother.” Hutch stirred slightly. “Sshh, I’m here.”
Mary lowered her voice. “You’re keen to get out of here.”
“You got that right!”
Starsky asked her to stay for a while. Hutch had been right he had taken a liking to Mary, and she understood what they meant to each other.
“I’ll do what I can to convince them to discharge you as soon as possible. But only if you really are okay?”
“I’m fine…no, I’m more than fine,” he responded, as he glanced down at his sleeping partner. “Bit of a wake-up call, seeing what I put him through. I should’ve known better.” Deciding he could trust Mary, Starsky briefly explained what Monk had done to Hutch to cause him to react the way he did.
“You got him through that with no medical help?” Mary was astonished at what they had both gone through.
“No, he got himself through it. I was just a bystander.”
Mary doubted that was true as she made the offer, “You two ever need help on the quiet, you call me.” She rose from the chair and gave Starsky a kiss on his head. “Look after each other. My husband, he’s a cop and I know it’s not easy out there. I’ll tell them you’re resting and to leave you at least an hour.”
“Mary, thanks for everything.”

Chapter 16

Dobey arranged for them to stay temporarily in the apartment ensuring Starsky was near to the hospital for his full recovery period. Captain Ball was more than happy to extend their stay, secretly hoping to poach them to join his precinct.

Mary had also called him on behalf of Starsky’s doctor and explained how the last day Starsky was in hospital had been quite traumatic for them both, explaining a little of what had happened. It was like she knew what Hutch had previously been put through, but he was sure she couldn’t have known.

“Hutch, I can walk, you know,” Starsky griped as Hutch pushed him in the wheelchair down the corridor.
“I know but Mary made me promise to make sure you take it easy, save your energy.”
“Oh yeah…then what?” Starsky replied.
“What do you think? We have reports to write up and...”
“Oh yeah, but I need to take it easy, doctor’s orders.”
“I don’t recall any doctor’s orders preventing you for completing police reports.”
“Yeah well, don’t want to over- do it.”
Starsky may have been good at putting a show on, but Hutch knew better. The doctor had forced him to stay in hospital at least one extra night in case of complications with the drugs. Mary had convinced the doctor that Hutch was more than capable of looking after his partner if there were any concerns.
Now in the car Starsky was strangely quiet; it was more than physical healing he was dealing with even though he’d never admit it.
“Ask a silly question, but are you hungry?”
“I could eat. Boy, have I missed Huggy!”
“Oh, thanks partner!” Hutch playfully said, as if hurt by his partner’s comment. “I know a nice little place.”
“It won’t match Huggy’s culinary skills,” Starsky grumbled.
“I know, but you’ll like it,” Hutch reassured him, as he parked the car.
They sat down in the café and a colourful middle-aged woman came over.
“Lookzi like you’re in need of a raw steak for that handsome face.”
Starsky slowly leaned forward to stand and leave.
“Roz the boss and you must be the infamous dynamic duo. Starsky! Hugzy definitely named his tasty dish after one tasty…erm hmm.”
Starsky immediately sat back down.
“Hutch, I know your palate is…less developed as I would say, but my Hugzy gave me my orders.”
“Huggy said he’d call you,” Hutch said looking up at Roz.
“How’za my little shy Hugzy Bear doing, all on his lonesome?”
Starsky made no attempt in stopping the loud cry of laughter that escaped him. “Little Hugzy Bear.” He couldn’t wait to call him that! And as for shy and lonesome, were they talking about the same person? If her culinary cooking skills were anywhere near Huggy’s, this would do as a temporary Pits substitute.
After composing themselves, albeit only a little, Hutch apologised and explained they’d never considered their friend shy or lonely.
“Said ya family, gave strict instructions how to prepare the Starsky special!”
Starsky immediately stopped still and looked up into her eyes, like an excited child about to burst.
“He also warned me about you flirting for extra portions, but Roz here knows how to please her men.”
“I’m sure you do sweetheart,” Starsky said in his best Bogart voice.
“Err, Starsky special and beers with all the trimmings and a little extra on the side. So to speak, handsome. You can flirt with me as much as you like,” Roz said with a smile from ear to ear.
Hutch cleared his throat to gain their attention. “Sounds exactly what we both need.”
When Roz left them, Hutch explained he had called Huggy with an update, who then called him back telling him to visit his cousin’s café while at this end of town.
As Roz put the plate down Starsky looked in awe.
Hey Curly, don’t just look at it, it’s na’da bit’a art.”
“That is where you’re wrong, it’s a masterpiece. But I’d deny saying that if you tell Huggy! He’s tha’ man!” And with no further delay Starsky tucked into his food.
When they went to pay, she refused their money as the recipe from Huggy was worth more than its weight in gold. She also gave them a large bag of food, including a freshly baked cherry pie.
As they walked back to the car Hutch knew his partner was now on the path of recovery.
“Blondie, that was great!”
“Glad it got your seal of approval.”

Chapter 17

As Hutch drove to the apartment, Starsky reached over and turned the radio off.

“I’m sorry I’ve been skittish.”
“It’s okay.” Hutch could hear Starsky’s emotional pain in his voice.
“He’d undressed me when I was out of it…told me how warm I…” He hesitated, not sure if he was ready to talk about it. “Told me exactly what he was gonna do to me, dead or alive.” Starsky paused and briefly looked at Hutch as if asking if he should continue. “I couldn’t move, couldn’t feel it, but I could see his hands, his mouth…so I felt what I saw.”
“It’s okay.” Hutch knew his partner would often start difficult conversations in the car. His way of hiding a little.
“I closed my eyes, to shut it out…told myself it wasn’t happening.”
Hutch slowed the car right down, ready to stop Starsky’s pain, but he needed to let it go.
“I made him do it. I kept them shut. He got mad, forced them open…saw my hatred and terror and hit me. So I kept them open, and he kept hitting me. It was all I could do. While he was hitting me, he wasn’t doing what he said he was gonna. It was my fault.”
“Starsky, don’t you dare. Don’t you dare blame yourself for any of this.” Hutch had now parked up although Starsky hadn’t realised. He could hear the silent, ‘that was the only thing I could do.’
“You don’t understand…I didn’t feel a thing. Then hated feeling…feeling any touch.”
“What you went through, you felt. You were unable to fight back, fear of the unknown and the emotional torment they’re all different types of pain. We can get you help.”
“No. No more doctors.”
“Hey, we’ve both learnt the hard way, we have to acknowledge things before we can move on.”
They put the conversation on hold while they made their way up to the apartment. Once inside, Starsky relaxed down on the settee as Hutch put the food and the hospital bag away. Hutch took a sly look at his partner’s swollen and bruised face.
“Don’t, I’m alright,” Starsky said, not even turning to see his partner’s concern.
“What?”
Hutch turned the television on and joined his partner on the settee thinking more of their conversation in the car.
“Anything good on?” Starsky shifted on the settee, resting his feet on his partner’s legs.
“I don’t know,” Hutch wasn’t interested in the television. He was content knowing his partner was on the road to recovery and he would be there every step. “I can change the channel?”
“No, I’m comfortable,” Starsky said, relaxing.

Chapter 18

The next day they went to the precinct, keen to get the reports out the way for Captain Ball. He had asked that when they were completed, they brought the report directly to him in his office.
“Please, take a seat.” He noticed that Hutch pulled the chair up tight to his partner’s chair before he sat.
“I wanted to personally thank both of you for the way you both conducted this investigation. I appreciate that it was a disturbing case and what nearly happened. Your discretion and professionalism were greatly appreciated. I know one of my detectives’ wives works at the hospital and your cover was maintained throughout.”
“Mary? Sir,” Starsky responded, still not quiet himself yet.
“Yes, I believed you worked with her Hutchinson?”
“Yes, she mentioned her husband was a police officer. I should have guessed.”
“I’ve met her, I know exactly what you mean. The fact is, I would like to offer you both permanent positions at my precinct. You would stay partners, but you don’t need to answer me now.”
“No thanks,” Starsky immediately responded.
“Sorry, my partner is still recovering,” Hutch said politely. “We would like to thank you for the offer however Metro Precinct is our home.”
“I appreciate that, but we would help you make this your home. You would be welcomed at the precinct.”
“Thanks, but what you don’t understand is that Captain Dobey…” Hutch paused, and Starsky continued to finish his sentence, “He’s more than a captain to us. Him, his family and everyone in that precinct are our family.”
“I see. Is that your final decision?” Captain Ball was disappointed, and wished his own men felt the same way about him.
“Yes, captain,” they both responded in unity, getting up to leave.

In the car, Starsky asked if they should have asked Captain Ball not to tell Dobey what had been said. But they both knew that Dobey already knew how they felt, so it wouldn’t make any difference.

“Hey Hutch, lets go back home earlier than agreed.”
“You sure you feel okay, partner,” Hutch asked concerned.
“Yeah, I’m just missing the family.”

In the apartment Hutch made the coffees while Starsky dished up the remaining cherry pie. At the table they made two important pacts. Firstly, never to go undercover in a hospital ever again, and secondly to go back to Roz’s café, for some more cherry pie.

THE END