A Small Gift
Starsky breezed into the squad room, singing "Deck the Halls" in a loud voice. Hutch sat up.
Starsky had a square package wrapped in red, with a bow on top, carried in the middle of his palm, as if he were a waiter, presenting it. There was a bounce in his step. He approached Hutch's desk. Hutch put down his pen, stretched a little, grinning in spite of himself, and sat back, watching Starsky's approach, trying not to smile.
Starsky gave him a big grin—and walked right past him, up to Dobey's office. He opened the door. "Oh Cap!" he called merrily. He turned around and walked in backwards, sticking his tongue out at Hutch. "Next time, don't count your chickens, buddy."
Hutch slouched in his chair and put his head down to hide the heat on his cheeks. The whole squad room laughed at him.
When the laughter died down, Hutch heard Dobey from the next room clear his throat and say, sounding as though he were trying to hide how pleased he was, "Why, thank you, Starsky. That's a very nice tie."
"You're welcome, Cap. I'm glad you like it," said Starsky, very polite.
He emerged. Hutch didn't look at him, holding some papers up studiously before his face.
Starsky gave him a swat on the shoulder. "You always say I shouldn't buy you anything, Hutch. Maybe this year I didn't."
"That's fine, Starsk," Hutch mumbled from behind the papers. "That's…great."
"Hutch." The table creaked as Starsky sat down on the edge of it, near Hutch. He hooked his fingers over the top of the papers and pulled them gently down. "It's in my pocket," Starsky said, giving Hutch a gentle, teasing smile.
"Y-your pocket?"
"Left one."
Hutch's brows rose. "You got me a present—and it's in your left p-pocket?"
Starsky gave a nod. He crossed his arms over his chest. "Go ahead. It's yours."
"I—okay." He hesitated an instant, and then reached forward, fished in Starsky's pocket. His fingers found nothing but a key. He drew it out. "This is it, Starsk. You sure you didn't forget…?" He looked up to see Starsky grinning at him, eyes alive with merriment.
"You're looking at it."
"This is a key," said Hutch slowly. He turned it over. "To a car." His head jerked up. He stared at Starsky.
Starsky nodded, holding back most of a grin.
Hutch's eyes widened, and he jumped up (almost tripping over his own feet), and bolted from the room.
Starsky ran after him. "Wait till ya see it, Hutch!" he crowed. "I got it for a steal and it's so ugly you're bound to love it!"
..end..
((Author's Note: I think Starsky had to trick Hutch to make him realize he did want a
gift. That's the only way he'll accept the car. It's such a big
present...))