Part I

It wasn't that Hutch dreaded getting another year older. No, he really didn't mind that part of a birthday at all. It was more that slight tinge of dread that rolled around along with every birthday. Starsky either forgot (then tried to 'make-up' for forgetting by doing something on the crazy side) or he would remember (and end up doing something on the crazy side). Part of him really hoped Starsky remembered today, because quite frankly? Waiting on him to remember and 'make-up' could be really nerve-wracking. Like waiting for the other shoe to drop.

At least this year, his birthday had fallen on one of their days off. He had just arrived at The Pits to meet up with Starsky before heading out to catch part of a Humphrey Bogart film festival, namely the showing of Casablanca. He'd agreed before finding out what day of the festival the film fell on, but he didn't mind. As films went, that was one he didn't mind rewatching. As he headed inside, Huggy spotted him from behind the bar and called over in a loud greeting.

"My blonde twin! Get over here - the Bear has a birthday beer for the birthday boy."

Extremely glad that it was early enough that only Huggy and a couple of the waitresses were up front, Hutch still blushed a bit. Even more so when the two ladies flanked him and gave him a kiss in perfect unison before starting to croon their best imitations of Marilyn Monroe singing 'Happy Birthday' to President Kennedy.

Huggy was snickering as he settled the beer down on the counter.

"Get over here and have a cold drink. That blush gets any hotter, you're gonna be setting off my sprinkler system."

The waitresses were pleased that their dual assault worked so well and compounded the blushing by giving him hugs when he managed to stammer out his thanks before he finally escaped to the bar.

"Did you put them up to that, Hug?"

"Me?"

Huggy affected his combination wounded/innocent look. The one that really only worked on those that didn't know him very well.

"Nah. Just a spontaneous display of affection from the staff for our favorite blonde Centurion. So, where's your other half?"

"He should be here eventually. Said something about needing some polish for his tomato. I'm likely due paybacks for suggesting he try Thousand Island. And quit with the 'other half' stuff. You make us sound like a married couple."

"Don't be ridiculous m'man. I don't even know any married couples that have been together as long as you two."

"Harhar. I join the police force and end up surrounded by comedians."

Picking up his beer, Hutch was in the process of taking his first drink when a uniformed officer came in and looked around before calling over to the bar.

"Is there a Dectective Sergeant Hutchinson in here?"

Glancing in the mirror, Hutch raised his free hand while setting down his beer and swallowing before turning around.

"That would be me. Anything wrong?"

"Yessir. Captain Dobey sent me here to find you. There's been a traffic accident involving your partner. The Captain said you shouldn't be driving and told me to take you to the hospital."

Huggy had always joked about how pale Hutch was, but he wasn't aware just how much coloration Hutch actually had until he lost it all at that moment. Not that the reaction surprised him - he knew as well as Hutch did that Dobey wouldn't have sent for him to be rushed to the hospital over a fender-bender or even a broken limb. It had to have been bad as in severe injury bad. Reaching over, he laid his hand on the plaid shirt, giving the shoulder underneath it a squeeze.

"Get going, Hutch. We'll celebrate again when you get back here with our boy Starsky."

Hutch briefly laid his hand on top of Huggy's as he nodded numbly and got up. His pace got faster as he got closer to the door.