Attention

"Starsky you gotta try and stand upright. That cast comes off in two days and if you're not walking with crutches by then the doc'l have you in physio for weeks. You'll never get back on duty."

"I know it Hutch. You don't have to remind me, if I can't stand to attention in two days I'm done for, right?"

"Well I wouldn't quite put it like that"

But Hutch had a point and Starsky knew it. It wasn't that he didn't want to get better, heck he'd had enough of lying around for the past six weeks it's was that his foot just didn't want to respond. He had sat there night after night staring at his toes, willing them to move and nothing. Not a blimp or a flicker. Now he felt that Hutch thought he was faking it too and that was adding to his anxiety.

"Hutch I'll do it. I will." he confirmed.

Hutch patted him on the shoulder, "How'bout giving it one more go, just for me eh buddy?" he said gently.

Starsky sighed. If he hadn't had gone up that drain pipe after that stupid cat, and who calls a cat Stella anyway? "What kind of stupid name is Stella for a cat?" He asked, looking up at Hutch.

"Huh?" Asked Hutch, absently. Shaking his head he said "Starsky sometimes I wonder if your head didn't take a knock after all."

Starsky inhaled and with all his will he stood up resting heavily on both crutches.

"Good, good." praised Hutch, "Now give one to me Starsk'" he said reaching out for one of them.

"I, ah, I, Hutch I'm not ready, not yet. Can't we do this tomorrow?" Starsky pleaded.

"Starsky." Hutch said sternly and then, seeing his partner's face, more softly added, "Look I know you're scared, but I'm here with you. I wont let you fall. Trust me." Hutch smiled and Starsky did begin to feel reassured. What is it about that Hutchinson smile? Starsky thought. So, taking another deep breath he handed one of the crutches to Hutch, whilst still keeping a tight grip on it.

"Okay buddy, that's good, good. Now you gotta let go of it" added Hutch, whilst trying to gently pry it from his partner's grip.

Starsky looked up at Hutch and for moment he looked like a small, frightened child. "Hutch….."

"Shhhhh it's okay, you can do this." Hutch urged. Taking another deep breath Starsky let go.

"Phew!" he exhaled, and as he did he wobbled. "Huuuutch!"

"Starsky it's okay, I'm here I wont let you fall. Okay now try the other one."

"The other one?" queried Starsky, still amazed that he had managed to give up one. It felt odd to be standing upright again, and his head was spinning.

"Hutch I don't feel so good. I think I'm gonna be sick."

Starsky did indeed look green but Hutch was determined that Starsky could overcome this.

"Starsky you're fine, come on. It just feels a little strange, that's all. You can do this. Now come on."

"Hutch I really do feel sick" Starsky repeated, more urgently.

"Starsky you're just scared. It's a big step, but you've done one, and you can do the other. Hey pretty soon you'll be jumping over the hood of your tomato again like nothing happened." Hutch smiled.

"Hutch I…." but Starsky didn't finish the sentence before he was sick all over Hutch. As soon as he did he slumped back down on the bed, with a really sorry look on his face.

"Starsky I..." Hutch didn't know what to say.

"Hutch I told you I was gonna be sick" Starsky whined.

Hutch shook his head as he left the room to make his way to the bathroom to clean up.

"I'm gonna have to borrow a pair of your sweatpants Starsk'!" he called, "And a shirt too." God knows I'd never get into his jeans he thought to himself. I doubt that guy wants babies one day. "Hey Starsk'….How do you get into your jeans?" he asked as he walked back into the bedroom.

"My jeans?" queried Starsky.

"Never mind." smiled Hutch "Come on let's get you cleaned up. What you say we leave the standing to attention until tomorrow?"

And Starsky grinned the biggest grin that Hutch had seen in a long time.