Disclaimer: S&H do not belong to me and no profit is being made.
Warnings: possibly some bad language and slight violence but nothing extreme.
This is the first of a series of Nick Starsky stories I wrote many years ago. I don't like Nick, so if you're a fan of Nick, then you probably won't enjoy these stories.
CHAPTER 1 – FAMILY
Hutch drove home slowly after his unsuccessful dinner date. He wasn't quite sure why it hadn't worked, but there was no doubt that it hadn't. Although Tina was a beautiful girl, he'd known very quickly that nothing was going to happen. There had just been no connection and he didn't have the energy to continue. Pleading an early stake-out, there had been no mistaking the relief in Tina's eyes as he'd said goodnight. Shrugging off the uncomfortable feeling, he parked his car at his apartment. As he got out, he was surprised to see a dark, curly-haired man standing at his front door. There was no sign of the Torino and he was puzzled as to why Starsky hadn't let himself in with his own keys. They both had keys to each other's homes and although they respected each other's privacy, they generally did let themselves in when the other wasn't home. Wondering what was up, Hutch walked slowly towards him.
"Hey, buddy, forget your keys?" He froze when the man turned around, for it wasn't his partner, but rather the younger Starsky standing there.
"Hello, Ken. How are ya?" Nick forced a smile. He didn't like Ken Hutchinson at all, but he was painfully aware that he needed his help. He found Hutch to be cold and forbidding and could never understand the friendship which existed between him and his brother. It was just another example of how different they were.
"Fine thanks, Nick, and you?" The intense dislike between the two men was mutual and Hutch was already wondering what this visit would do to his partner and best friend. He found Nick Starsky to be completely dishonest, sneaky and if not downright criminal, he certainly skated close to the boundaries of the law at times. But for Hutch, Nick's worst fault was the havoc he brought to his brother's life, havoc and heartbreak. He stared at Nick, hoping against hope he was wrong, but knowing in his heart this visit was going to be trouble.
"Can I come in?" Nick was uneasy under the intense glare of his brother's partner.
"Of course. I'm sorry." Hutch wished he could tell Nick to get lost, but he knew he owed it to the older Starsky to find out what was going on. He also suspected Nick wouldn't leave until he dumped his problems on someone else. In this case, himself. He grimaced at the thought, even as he realized that it may give him the opportunity to protect the older Starsky.
"Would you like a drink?" Hutch could barely contain his impatience as Nick took his time in looking around his apartment. He tensed as Nick picked up a photo of both he and Starsky, but Nick simply replaced it, without a word.
"No, thanks." Nick took a good look around Hutch's apartment. He seemed to be in no particular hurry to reveal himself.
"Nice place." He looked up to see Hutch watching him warily.
"Starsk.., er Dave, not home ?"
"Dunno, didn't go there." Nick shrugged.
Uh oh, thought Hutch, this means trouble. But why me, not his brother? Nick was watching him and read his thoughts easily. .
"Maybe I will have that drink and then we can talk." Nick grinned slowly. He was very aware of Hutch's discomfort but it didn't worry him. He knew Hutch would do anything and everything possible to protect his brother. He was counting on it.
---
Hutch went to the fridge to get a couple of beers, watching the younger Starsky
very carefully. There was a definite family resemblance, both Starskys had dark curly hair, and blue eyes. In fact, until he had gotten close to Nick, he had thought it was Starsky waiting for him. However, the resemblance was skin deep only and closer observation revealed the differences very clearly.
David Starsky was warm and generous and very open. His face revealed these characteristics, and his emotions all too easily, and at times Hutch wondered how Starsky could be such a good undercover cop. He was, there was no question, but he often worried about his volatile partner falling into difficult situations by revealing his real emotions although it never seemed to be a problem when he was working.
Nick Starsky was a completely different personality. Furtive, and sly, he tended to show only what he wanted you to see. The smile never quite reached his eyes and he was a very slick and cool customer. Hutch had never taken a liking to him, believing him to be totally untrustworthy and someone who was heading towards big trouble. His ability to take advantage of his older brother's good nature was something that didn't sit well with Hutch at all. Nick completely lacked the warmth and friendliness his older brother had in abundance and definitely didn't possess his sense of decency or honor. Nick Starsky looked out for one person and one person only, himself.
It amazed Hutch that two brothers could be so different in outlook and character. Sometimes he wondered whether it was the fact his partner had moved to LA and away from the bad influences which had surrounded Nick. However, he came to the conclusion that although this could be a factor, it was undoubtedly their own character differences that had made them end up on different sides of the law. Starsky was a good and honorable man; his brother was not.
Starsky always tried to give Nick the benefit of the doubt but Hutch never could see why, except the fact they were brothers. He simply didn't think Nick was worth the effort. However, he knew how fragile the sibling relationship was, so he kept silent on the subject out of respect for his partner. He was very aware of Starsky's deep loyalty and would never do anything to cause him pain, even if it meant keeping quiet about his true feelings towards his brother. He preferred to ignore Nick's existence and did just that--until Nick came back in his brother's life to create more chaos. He would not, and could not, ignore him then, just as he would never ignore anyone who tried to hurt Starsky. Being a family member did not mean they were exempt from Hutch's anger when it came to hurting his partner.
Nick was well aware of Hutch's hostility towards him, but didn't allow it to bother him. He couldn't understand the deep friendship his brother had found with this seemingly haughty detective. He'd been the recipient of the Hutchinson glare many times and he secretly found him to be very intimidating. Nick resented how Hutch treated him at times, but he knew it was next to useless to appeal to his brother. As far as Dave was concerned, Hutch could do no wrong and he knew the fastest way to fall into an argument with his brother was to criticize his partner. He was also vaguely resentful of the part Hutch played in his brother's life, knowing all too well Hutch was more his brother in ways that counted, than he was himself. Although this didn't particularly bother him, except when it threatened to get in his way. On this particular occasion, he fully intended to use the closeness to his benefit. It was the belief that Hutch would do anything to protect Dave which had brought him here. He was counting on this, as he needed some leverage to get himself out of the trouble he was in. If he had to bargain with his brother's life, then so be it. He knew Dave would only lecture him and wouldn't provide the help he required but he was hopeful Hutch would--for Dave. Whatever Hutch felt about Nick himself, he was fairly sure that he wouldn't stand back and watch Dave be killed. He just had to play this right.
