"Piece of Cake" - Their First Case

By Monika

Chapter one

Vanessa had made her choice. She took a last glance at her sleeping husband, unable to hide her admiration for his lean body, blond hair and fine features that now seemed so relaxed in his sleep. Why did it all go wrong? She wanted to understand. They had loved each other, had promised to stay together and now her suitcase was packed. Oh well, she knew what it was about.

When they met she was sure the tall blond guy she had fallen in love with would introduce her to the upper class. He had just started his medical studies, his father was a well known lawyer and she hoped to be accepted by the wealthy families of Duluth, Minnesota. One day her Ken would become a famous doctor and she could represent him in society…

Ken stirred in his sleep and Van was brought back to reality. Her smile faded and anger surged. It was all Starsky's fault! Okay, Ken had decided to stop with his medical studies – to become a cop! They had had endless arguments about his decision, but she had never given up the hope that she could bring him to terms.

Why had this underdog from New York shown up, exerting such a bad influence over her Ken? Starsky! Alone the name couldn't mean anything good! He wanted to become a cop, come hell or high water. Somehow he had invaded Ken's private sphere, had even started to call him "Hutch". Ridiculous! She couldn't stand him, especially when he was laughing and joking with her husband. Had she been jealous when she realized the strong bond that had grown between the two men?

Anyway, when they had finished the academy and were sent to different stations, there had been hope for Van. Out of sight out of mind, that was her chance to convince Ken of quitting his dangerous job and forgetting that weird insane loudmouth from New York. Ken had to return where he belonged to - as a doctor he would find his place in the right ambience.

Van sighed and retreated to the door. It had been all in vain. Quite to the contrary Ken had just requested to be partnered with Starsky. Van had lost her influence on her husband; she couldn't stand it any longer.

Quietly she left the room, took her suitcase and left the apartment. Later Ken would find the note wherein she told him about the divorce. Now she had to plan her future…The guy who worked alongside her wasn't too bad either. She had heard that he had inherited a great deal of money recently…Maybe he could offer her the life she was longing for.

David Michael Starsky was swaggering along the hall, whistling a little tune. Today it would be decided if he was partnered with Ken Hutchinson, his best friend. He was announced to Lieutenant Parker who had all the papers and documents that were necessary.

"Come in. Well, you are David Michael…," the man was rifling through the folders and seemed to be relieved when he finally found the right one.

"Here we go," He put on his glasses and said: "You are partnered with Sergeant Thomas Lowell, congratulations!"

"Pardon?" Starsky could only stare. Had he heard right? His request being partnered with Hutch was rejected? He sat down on a nearby chair and had to take a breath. The disappointment was so immense, he had to choke.

"If there aren't any questions left…" The man on the other side of the desk was looking at Starsky and motioned him to leave.

"Sir," Starsky cleared his throat," I wanted to be partnered with a certain Kenneth Hutchinson, can you check it again, please?"

"Here it says," the man put on his glasses again, "that David Michael is partnered with Sergeant Thomas Lowell, as I said."

Starsky jumped up. "Sir, I am David Michael Starsky, S-T-A-R-S-K-Y."

Now the Lieutenant looked irritated. "Can you prove your identity?"

"Sure." After Starsky had shown his ID, it was only a matter of minutes to find out that indeed Starsky was partnered with the man he had come to appreciate as his best friend.

The swagger was back when he strolled along the hall. He had to tell Hutch the good news.

It was Hutch's free day and Starsky decided to drive over to his friend's place. If he was lucky Van had already left for work. He had never become familiar with Hutch's wife. She was a cold, unfeeling person, just the opposite to Hutch.

Hutch's car, an old Chevy, was standing in the parking lot and Starsky hurried up the stairs. Impatiently he waited for the door to be opened. When it took too long he let himself in with the spare key on the doorframe. Hutch was standing against the sink in the kitchen, probably preparing one of his health drinks. Starsky chuckled as an idea formed in his head.

"Buddy, I have to tell you something." He tried to sound serious "Our request for being partnered was refused…" Expectantly he waited for Hutch's reaction.

When Hutch turned around Starsky was affected by his friend's stricken appearance. He looked miserable, a sadness on his face that Starsky had only seen before when Hutch had fought with Vanessa.

"No partners then…" Hutch's voice was very quiet; it seemed that he had lost all self confidence.

"No, it was only a joke, but the Lieutenant really wanted to partner me with another guy. I can tell you that was a little shock at first."

Starsky was standing in front of his friend now. "What's wrong, buddy? Look, Van has already gone to work, no time for arguments, it's only you and me. Let's…"

"She's left. She wants a divorce." Hutch's voice sounded despondent.

"Can't believe it," Starsky mumbled though he couldn't feel very sorry. That bitch Van had caused so much trouble so far, it would be the best for Hutch if it came to an end.

But Starsky couldn't tell that to his best friend. Obviously Hutch was suffering from her leaving.

"What can I do for you? Let's sit down and talk it over." And Starsky led his friend over to the couch. Hutch slumped onto it and covered his eyes, grown red with emotion and creeping fatigue.

"You want something to drink? A tea?" Hutch nodded and Starsky went to the little kitchen to put the kettle on.

He was looking out of the window, saw the cars passing by, watched some children playing hide and seek. And the sun was shining. What a day! Could have been a wonderful one with the great news. Working as partners, it had been their goal, and now Hutch was abandoned by his wife and had to cope with it.

"Here we go," and Starsky put two mugs on the coffee table in front of them. He sat down next to Hutch and sipped from his tea. After a while of silence Hutch put down his hands, gripped the mug and drank the tea.

"Feeling a little better?" Starsky wanted to know and Hutch smiled tentatively.

"Thanks for being here," he said and continued, "You know, when I woke up , I saw her note. I couldn't believe it at first. Then I checked her closet and saw that her suitcase was missing. She's really left me, Starsky. Was it my fault that our marriage failed? Sure, we had arguments…" Hutch's voice trailed off.

"Yeah, arguments about your job!" Starsky underlined. "She never allowed you to have a career as a cop. Once she told me she was sure that you'd go back to Minnesota to become a doctor. She was gloating over the victory. She couldn't stand me, and honestly said, it was the same with me. It was as if she begrudged us our … friendship."

Hutch looked at his friend. "Maybe you're right. I remember one evening when I got home late after a stake out that she accused me of spending all my time with you. She didn't know anything about my job and wasn't interested in it. She ran you down and I was getting pissed. I told her nobody should mess with my friend. That enraged her even more and I think it was the first night I ended up sleeping on the couch.

Starsky couldn't avoid a little smile. He nudged his partner with his elbow and noticed that Hutch relaxed a bit.

"Well, maybe you should take it easy, pal. At least we're partners from now on. Imagine, Starsky and Hutch against all the evil in the world. Our appearance will make all the scum vanish into thin air. We'll be invincible and…!" Hutch couldn't hide his smile any longer. He put his hand over Starsky's mouth to hush him.

"You really know how to cheer someone up, you know that?" he said. Starsky stopped and locked glances with his friend. Hutch saw the affection for him in Starsky's face. Never before he had met a person that had cared for him the way Starsky did. Even now despite being abandoned by his wife, Hutch was already feeling better with his friend by his side. Hutch leaned back into the cushions and Starsky relaxed with him. Both men followed their own thoughts. It was a familiar silence. Starsky marvelled there were times like now when they didn't need any words to understand each other and to know what the other was thinking.

"You know…," both men started to talk at the same time, laughed and Hutch motioned Starsky to go on.

"What do you think about introducing ourselves to our new captain? I think his name is Dobey. Rumors say he's rough."

"Good idea," Hutch said. "But there's one thing that's bothering me. Vanessa said in her note that she's going to take some more of her belongings out of our apartment this evening. I really don't want to see her, so I'd like to ask..."

"… If you can stay with me for tonight? Only if you keep your health ingredients far away from me," Starsky joked.

"Whatever you want."

"Then come on," and Starsky pulled his friend up. Hutch disappeared in the bathroom to wash up while Starsky had a look at Hutch's closet to pack some clothes for his friend. Who knew how long Van's moving would take …. Starsky was about to leave the room when he saw Hutch's guitar. He took it with him and later when Hutch joined him, Starsky saw his astonishment followed by a small grin. It was going to be better.

TBC