It had started out to be a lively banter. Starsky had read Hutch the new "Trust Instincts Test" he had read about in the Reader's Digest.

"So after they blindfold you, they see if you can fall backwards without being scared that your partner won't drop you." He read aloud.

"That's ridiculous." Hutch shook his head as he dried the dishes.

"No it isn't," Starsky defended, "It's the best type of test doctors have come up with for a healthy relationship."

"Seems like a big waste of time to me," Hutch sighed, "I mean we've taken a bullet for each other so many times, doesn't that prove trust enough?"

"Yeah but that's in the line of duty," Starsky explained, "Would you do the same thing for me off duty?"

"Of course I would." Hutch replied.

"Good," The brunet smiled, "So would I. So what's the big deal in trusting me to catch you while you're blindfolded?'

"I didn't say I didn't trust you to catch me," Hutch corrected, "I just said it was a waste of time. I mean what's the point?"

"I trust you to catch me." Starsky looked proudly at his partner.

Hutch stopped his task as he eyed the brunet.

"Really?"

Starsky nodded with that childlike smile shining on his face.

"Just like that?" Hutch crossed his arms.

"Sure," Starsky shrugged, "I do trust you, just like that."

Hutch wasn't sure why he wanted to ask this, but he felt the need to know, "How do you know I'd catch you?"

"Would you ever let me fall?" Starsky questioned.

"Never." Starsky couldn't help but smile at how quick Hutch had answered.

"Come mere," He led the blond to the living room, "Here." He handed Hutch a blindfold.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" Hutch couldn't hide the uneasiness from his voice.

"Tie it around my eyes," Starsky instructed, "Come on."

"This better be a good idea." Hutch sighed.

"Just don't let me fall," Starsky grinned as Hutch covered his eyes. He could see nothing now, "Ok, take five or six steps away from me."

Hutch did so.

"Don't let him fall." He couldn't stop the thought.

"Ready?" Starsky asked.

"Are you?" Hutch smirked.

Starsky let himself fall back without a moment's hesitation. Hutch caught him not letting the brunet hit the floor. He held him to his chest for a moment breathing a sigh of relief that he had not failed.

Starsky slipped off the blindfold and look up at his brother like a child.

"Told ya you'd catch me." He couldn't stop the smile.

"Hey, I'd never let you fall." Hutch ruffled the dark brown curls fondly.

"Ok," Starsky jumped up and switched places with the tall blond, "Your turn."

"Huh?" Hutch frowned hoping he had heard wrong.

"Fall back and I'll catch you." Starsky informed.

Hutch felt the uneasiness in his stomach grow, "Why?"

"To see how much you trust me, dummy," Starsky nudged his friend trying to speed him up, "Come on."

"Starsk," Hutch shook his head, "This is stupid. I do trust you."

"I know," Starsky spoke gently, "But, let's just do it anyway."

There was such sincerity in Starsky's voice; Hutch knew he couldn't reject his best friend's simple request. He leaned back and let his partner tie the blindfold on him. He heard the squeak of Starsky's Adidas as the brunet backed up a few steps.

"Ok," He heard Starsky's reassuring voice, his accent thick and heavy, "Fall back, buddy."

Hutch took a deep breath. He tried to control his shaking hands.

You can't trust each other. His mind spoke. He can't trust you after what you did to him. You betrayed him.

Hutch tried to shut off the voice. It simply wasn't true. Starsky would never let him fall, would he? Maybe he would. Perhaps Starsky was still hurt about Kira. However, he had every right to be angry. After all, he had broken their beautiful bond of brotherhood.

You don't deserve him as your friend. The voice taunted. He should let you fall.

Hutch began thinking of all the love Starsky had shown him through the years. Starsky had trusted him, even after he betrayed him. Yet the question still lingered in his mind.

Did he trust Starsky when he didn't even trust himself?

"Hutch!" Starsky's voice broke his thoughts. It sounded like the brunet had been calling his name for a while.

"Yeah?" Hutch stayed where he was, not even bothering to take the blindfold off.

"Babe?" He felt the warm hand on his shoulder.

Starsky slipped off the blindfold. The uneasiness in the sky blue eyes tore at his heart. He had never seen Hutch so uncomfortable with him in his life.

Is this where our relationship's come to?

"I uh…" Hutch stammered trying to think of a way to keep his cover.

He walked to the kitchen and started back at his task of drying the dishes again. He was irritated with himself for not being able to be so trusting like Starsky.

"What kind of partner are you?" He thought to himself, "What kind of brother are you?'

"Hutch?" Starsky was shocked. This same man who had saved his life uncountable times, held him every time he cried, supported him when he needed it, and even took a bullet for him wouldn't trust him to catch him blindfolded.

"You want some coffee?" Hutch tried to ignore his partner. He couldn't forget the look the hurt look in the indigo eyes.

Nice work, Hutchinson. Why do you keep hurting him? God Starsk, the last thing I want to do is hurt you anymore than I've already done.

He started making the coffee. He suddenly felt a familiar hand on his back.

"Blintz?" Hutch's eyes filled with tears at the familiar name. Yet he wouldn't meet Starsky's eyes.

"Hey," Starsky spun him around and forced the blond to meet his gaze, "Hutch, listen to me," He cupped Hutch's chin in his hand, "I'd never let you fall, babe. Never I…don't you trust me?"

That was enough break Hutch's heart. He couldn't look any longer into those hurt eyes.

"I got some work to catch up on; I'll talk to you later, huh?" He made the excuse, grabbed his jacket and left the house.

Starsky stood there hurt and confused. Hutch had answered his question without saying anything. His heart told him.

He doesn't trust you.

To Be Continued….