Through the Years

Chapter One

Best Friend

David Starsky looked at his reflection thinking about how much he hated being in a tuxedo. It just did not feel like him. Then he thought about why and could not help the smile that came to him. He had come so close to losing Terry, he was even told by Dr. Quo that she would not survive. He could not help but be thankful the doctor had been wrong. Instead of the bullet shifting to kill Terry, it actually shifted in such a way to make it accessible for removal. That was three months ago. Today, his best friend was about to become his wife.

Starsky turned towards the door when it opened to see Hutch come in. Hutch looked much more comfortable than he was. The only difference between their suits was the shirt, Starsky's was white to match Terry's dress, and Hutch was wearing a royal blue to match the dress of the maid of honor. All the other bridesmaids were wearing a lighter blue, and the ushers had shirts to match. "Well Starsk, it's about time. Are you ready?"

Starsky chuckled, "You know, I thought I would be nervous, but I'm not. I could not be more ready for this!"

Hutch smiled. Thinking back on how hard Prudholm had tried to destroy his partner, he was thrilled to be part of his special day.

The partners went out to the front of the hall, which was filled to capacity. It was amazing how many people were there to celebrate their day. Everyone was seated, and there was a quiet murmur going through the crowd. The first notes of music brought a hush, and every one stood and turned towards the back of the room. As Terry started towards him, Starsky felt like the whole world had just disappeared. There was only the two of them. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever laid eyes on. The ceremony went off without a hitch, and they were now husband and wife.

A week later, early Monday morning, Hutch was waiting for his partner to come out of his apartment. He thought about going up and in as usual, then he considered that Starsky and Terry might not appreciate it. He was surprised to see Terry following Starsky out to the car. "Hey Hutch, Terry's car would not start this morning. We need to drop her off at the school on our way in."

Hutch was confused, "Why not just let her take your car?" They both looked at Hutch like he had lost his mind.

"Hutch, you know that my car is very recognizable, I am not sure it is safe for her to drive. I already almost lost her once because someone was trying to get to me. I refuse to make her a target."

Terry added her own statement. "Besides that, the kids at the school all know that car means you and Dave are there. It would just be too hard to explain to them."

"Okay, I know when I am beat. Let's get going or we will all be late." Terry got into the middle of the front seat. This was her favorite mode of transportation, between her two favorite guys.

After dropping Terry off, the partners made their way to the office. They would get there just in time. Then again, maybe not. As they drove past an alley, they heard a woman screaming. Hutch threw the car in reverse. Starsky quickly radioed in that they were stopping to investigate a disturbance. The alley was not wide enough for the car so the partners jumped out and started cautiously, but quickly, towards the sound they heard. Starsky and Hutch made their way down the alley close to the walls, on opposite sides, taking advantage of any cover they found until they knew the situation. They found the woman standing against the wall screaming. In front of her was a man on the ground being stabbed by the man bending over him. When they saw what was happening, they both stepped out and moved towards the scene with guns out and ready. Hutch yelled "Police, drop the knife right now!" The man with the knife looked at Hutch, and then Starsky. Hutch was trying to get into a position to see what condition the man on the ground was in, so he took his eyes off the suspect for just a moment. Starsky saw the man look off to the side. Starsky followed the man's gaze, and saw another guy behind some boxes. Fear shot through him when he realized this guy was behind Hutch, and pointing a gun at him.

"Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutch! Down!" Starsky yelled at his partner at the same time he dove for him. He reached Hutch just as he heard a shot fired. He felt the impact in his shoulder, and then the fire, his head hit the ground and then the blackness took him. Hutch managed to roll from where Starsky had pushed him, and come up in the right position to shoot the second suspect before he could shoot Starsky again. The first suspect tried to run down the alley when the shooting started, and ran right into the patrol officers running towards the scene.

"Get an ambulance!" Hutch yelled at the cops just arriving. He then went to his partner and gently rolled him over to check him out. He found where the bullet entered, but no exit. "Come on Starsk, wake up buddy." Hutch was starting to get worried. His first day back on the job after getting married and he gets shot. How was he going to make THAT phone call? Hutch could hear the siren of the ambulance coming, just as Starsky started to stir. "Hey Buddy, you back with me yet?"

Starsky let out a groan, "Did you get them Blondie? Is the guy going to be make it?"

Hutch sighed, leave it to his partner to worry about everyone else first. "Yeah Starsk, we got them. Seems when dispatch didn't hear from us, they decided to send a unit. Good thing too, they grabbed the guy with the knife trying to get away. The shooter didn't make it. The guy they were attacking is in bad shape, but still alive. Now, you just be still. We are going to get you to the hospital, then I have to make a phone call."

"No Hutch, don't call. Go get her. She doesn't have a car, remember. This is the first time, I don't want it to be on the phone."

"Sure Buddy, as soon as we get you to the hospital, I will go get her."

Terry looked up and saw Hutch standing in her doorway without Dave. She checked to make sure none of the kids saw him, then started towards the door. Hutch stepped back as she headed his way. "Something happened to Dave, didn't it?"

"Yeah Terry, he is at the hospital. He was shot, but it isn't serious. He was talking and alert when I left. He asked me to come get you and not call."

"Fine, Hutch, let me get someone to watch my class and we will go."

Hutch and Terry arrived at the hospital to find Captain Dobey and Huggy already there. Terry went right to the captain, "Any word yet?"

Dobey shook his head, "Nothing yet, try not to worry. It did not seem serious."

Terry gave him a small smile. "Anytime my husband is hurt is serious, but don't worry, I won't lose it on you."

Huggy had slipped away when Hutch and Terry arrived. He returned with four cups of coffee. "Thought we could use some go juice while we wait for word on Curly."

The four sat quietly, waiting for word from the doctor. Hutch kept his arm around Terry's shoulders. He was trying to keep in mind that his partner had another partner who was, quite possibly, even more worried than he was. He had been here before, as Starsky had been for him. This was Terry's first time. He was thinking about going to the nurse's station to ask for information when he saw the doctor walking towards them. He stood up, and the other three followed when they saw why. Doctor Franklin reached his hand out, "Detective Hutchinson, I thought I would find you out here."

Hutch shook his hand, "Doctor, this is Terry, Starsky's wife. How is he?"

"Well, hello Mrs. Starsky,' he shook her hand, "your husband has been fortunate. The bullet almost seemed to go out of its way to avoid any serious damage. It lodged in his shoulder, just short of the bone. We were able to remove the bullet and repair the damage done to the muscle. He will need to stay here for a couple of days, then off work for about four weeks. We will see how he heals after a week or so and decide if he needs physical therapy. He also seems to have a slight concussion. Did he hit his head?"

Hutch thought about it, "It is possible he hit his head when he was shot. He hit the ground pretty hard."

"Can I go see him doctor?" Terry was glad Dave was going to be OK, but she wanted to see him for herself.

"Of course, he is in room 438. I am sure Detective Hutchinson knows the way. I would tell you not to stay long, because he needs his rest, but I know from experience that would do me no good.

Terry quietly opened the door and went in. He was sitting up in the bed and smiled as soon as he saw her. She made her way quickly to his side. "Dave, are you going to be alright? The doctor said you will be fine."

"Don't worry Terry, everything is going to be good. This was not bad at all. Is Hutch hurt? Do you know what happened to the guy in the alley?"

Terry just shook her head. "Hutch is not hurt, he is right outside. I don't know about the guy, but, Hutch might. I will get him."

"Wait a minute." Starsky reached his hand out to her. "How are you doing? I know this must have been scary for you."

Terry sat on the edge of his bed. "You know, I really thought I would be more scared than I was. I think it helped that Hutch came and told me in person. I knew that he would not have left you, even for me, if it was too serious. I will admit that I was worried. When we got here, and the captain and Huggy were already here, I think I finally understand your family. I'll bet no one has called your mother."

Starsky was startled, "No one would call Mom unless I was hurt really bad. She is too far away to worry her over anything less. You are right about my family though. I bet Edith Dobey is already cooking food to send to our place. Your family now too, you know." He gave her a kiss, "Now, go get my partner. He is probably pacing a hole in the corridor."

This was a whole new feeling for Hutch. He wanted, no, needed, to see his partner. Needed to see for himself that Starsky was good. Yet, here he stood. Outside the room. Waiting for Terry to have a chance for a few minutes with her husband. The entire dynamic had changed and he was going to have to figure out how to deal with it. He knew with absolute certainty that Terry and Starsky had the real thing. He loved Terry almost as much as he loved his partner. He also knew that she would not do anything to come between the partners. Just then the door opened.

"He is asking for you. I told him you were fine, but he won't believe it until he sees you."

Hutch chuckled, "That is a fairly normal statement for either of us in this type of situation." He gave Terry a little hug as he stepped into the room. With a sigh of relief, he found his partner awake, alert, and sitting up in the bed. "Hey Buddy, how are you doing?"

"I'm gonna be fine, Hutch. How is the guy they attacked? Did you find out what we walked in to?

"The man being stabbed is in serious condition, but they expect him to make a full recovery. The woman that was screaming is his wife. They are visiting from Illinois. They had been to a nearby café and were told the alley was a shortcut to their hotel. I am going to have to visit that café, I think it was a set up. Someone there sends the tourists through the alley, the guy with the knife mugs them, the guy with the gun is there in case something goes wrong."

Starsky was shaking his head. "Seems to me something went very wrong. I wonder how many times this has happened. We need to get R & I looking at muggings in that area."

"Slow down, partner! There is no we here. I am going to get this thing figured out. YOU are going to take the time off you need to heal right. There is nothing but putting the pieces together now, we got the violent ones already."

"Come on Hutch, I can still help you on this while I rest."

"Nothing doing pal, did you forget that there is someone else you have to answer to on this?" Hutch looked over his shoulder at his partner's wife.

Starsky glanced over at Terry, who had been quietly tapping her foot by the door. "Oh, um, I really feel fine, Terry. It wont hurt anything for me to help Hutch with this investigation."

Terry gave a big sigh, "You are going to do exactly what the doctor tells you to do. If you won't do it because I say, how about I get Captain Dobey? He is right down the hall."

Starsky raised his good arm, "Okay, I give. You know you don't need back-up, Babe, I will do what I need to because I love you."