Summers needed to calm down and collect his thoughts before he could make anymore decisions.
He looked down at Hutch as he laid there on the floor clutching his side.
"I gotta clear my head boys, I'm going for a walk!" Summers declared as he stormed out of the room.
"You got to be kidding me Tommy, we gotta get out of here before the cops find us, you can't be going out for a leisurely stroll!" One of the other two abductors exclaimed.
Summers ignored his friend and kept right on walking out the door.
Once outside, he stopped by the van and retreived a rifle from inside then continued on.
Back inside the cabin, Robbin was very concerned for the badly beaten blond.
She looked up at the other two men in the room and pleaded with them, "Please, can you help me get him back into the bedroom where he can lie down!"
The other abductor who had been keeping himself in the background nodded and walked forward and knelt down to help pick Hutch up off the floor.
When he wrapped his arms around Hutch and pulled him up, Hutch cried out in pain, almost doubling over.
The abductor pratically had to drag the injured blond across the room and into the bedroom where he carefully placed him on the bed.
Robbin quickly undid Hutch's shirt and gasped when she saw the bruises on Hutch's abdomen and back.
"I'm not a nurse but I think he may have some broken ribs!" Robbin said as she tended to Hutch while the other man in the room watched over them.
"Listen lady, none of this was suppose to happen, we were just suppose to nab Soul, then collect the money and split, Summers said nobody was gonna get hurt!" the man told her.
"Yeah well, your friend is clearly a liar and if this man dies he'll be a murderer too...and so will the both of you!" Robbin exclaimed angrily.
The abductor began to back out of the room quickly, shutting and locking the door behind him.
"She's right you know, if he dies they're gonna give us the chair man, I say we get out now while the gettings still good Ronnie!" the other abductor shouted out when his friend returned into the room.
"We can't just run out on Tommy, he's like a brother to me...to us!"the other man declared.
"Yeah some brother...look, you do what you want but I'm getting out of here!" the outspoken man said as he hurried towards the door.
"Kevin wait a second!" the other man called out as he tried to stop his friend from leaving but got shrugged off as his friend raced out the door.
The other man stood alone in the room, his hands raking through his curly, red hair.
He stood there unsure of what to do when he heard the engine in the van revving up.
"He's taking the van!" the man exclaimed to himself as he rushed to the door.
"Kevin...stop!" the man shouted out to his friend but it was too late, his friend was already gone.
...
Starsky, Dobey and Soul returned to Summer's apartment and immediately began to rummage through drawers, cabinets and closets for any clues of Hutch's and Robbin's whereabouts that they may have overlooked the last time they were there.
"I want every inch of this place searched, there's got to be something here that we missed before!" Starsky exclaimed as he opened a drawer to one of the kitchen cabinets and began his frantic search.
Dobey began leafing through papers from a drawer from the desk in the living room while Soul went into the bedroom to search through the piles and piles of cardboard boxes.
When Starsky found nothing in one drawer he continued on to the next opening and closing the drawers feverishly in his quest.
Ten minutes into the search Starsky glanced over towards the bedroom doorway just as Soul was coming out of the room.
He was carrying what looked to Starsky like a couple of photographs and he noticed that Soul's hands were shaking as he held them in his hands.
Dobey noticed as well and both men made their way over to Soul.
"You find something David?" Starsky as he walked over to Soul.
When Soul didn't answer right away, Starsky reached out and took the photographs from Soul.
In the photographs, there were two separate young and very blond boys, each in different automobiles, each with different women behind the wheel with the boys in the front seats next to them.
Starsky handed the pictures to Dobey so he could see.
"Who are they David?" Starsky asked.
"Th-Th-There my kids...that scumbag is taking pictures of my kids being picked up from school by their mothers!" Soul exclaimed in a distressed tone.
"Those kids are my life Starsky...I swear to god, if he does anything to Kristofer and Jon I'll...!" Soul started to say as tears glistened his eyes.
"It's gonna' be alright...listen to me David...Dobey's gonna make a couple of phone calls...he'll have units at the boy's home before you can blink an eye...nothing is gonna happen to them I promise you!" Starsky assured Soul as he placed a hand on the visibly shaken man.
"Cap'n," Starsky addressed his superior.
Dobey nodded then took Soul's arm and lead him over to the phone in the bedroom while Starsky continued his search.
After several more minutes, Starsky finally hit pay dirt just as Dobey and Soul walked out of the bedroom.
"Cap'n...I think I got something!" Starsky exclaimed as the two other men joined him.
Starsky handed Dobey the paper he had just found.
"This is a rental agreement for...!" Dobey started to say before Starsky interrupted.
"For a cabin leased in Logan Valley!" Starsky added with excitement in his voice.
"You think this is where they took Hutch and the girl?" Dobey asked his detective.
"I'll bet my life on it!" Starsky exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Right, I'll get a team ready and we'll head up there!" Dobey agreed as he hurried off to the phone yet again.
...
Robbin was sitting in the chair alongside the bed where Hutch laid moaning in his sleep.
She was certain Hutch's ribs were broken and the way he was breathing heavy, Summers may have even punctured his lung.
Robbin knew if help didn't come soon, the blond was going to die, not from a bullet from Summer's gun but from the cruel and inhumane beating inflicted upon him.
The woman was a firm believer in God and felt a prayer was in order as she raised her head up towards the ceiling and spoke gently out loud, "Please God, this is a good man with a kind heart who doesn't deserve the pain that's been inflicted upon him, even if you feel the need to take my life, please spare this man his!"
Robbin then bowed her head and closed her eyes which forced a tear to run down her cheek.
"Thank you," she heard the weak voice whisper next to her and she looked over at the blond laying in the bed.
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw him smiling back at her, in spite of the pain he was suffering.
Hutch coughed and winced as he squeezed his ribs.
Feeling the cloth wrapped around his torso he asked Robbin, "Is this your handy work?"
Robbin nodded then replied with a chuckle, "I'm not exactly Florence Nightingale but I did my best with what was available."
"No, you're even better, you're an angel, sweetheart," Hutch told her sincerely.
Even through her smile, Hutch could see a deep sadness in her eyes and he patted his hand on the bed where he laid.
Robbin was hesitant at first then she got up from her chair and walked over and sat down next to the blond.
Hutch took Robbin's hand in his and said softly, "No matter what happens Robbin, I just want you to know that I think you're an incredible and amazingly strong woman."
The blond's sincere words made her blush.
"If it wasn't for you I wouldn't still be here," Hutch added.
He then brushed back a tear from her cheek and raised her hand to his lips and kissed her fingers ever so gently.
Her blush and her smile widened across her face.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes longer then Hutch looked over at the locked door and commented, "It's awfully quiet out there."
"Summers got mad and went for a walk and one of the other men took off in the van after Summers walked out, I heard the man with the red hair yell out to him for him to stop but he took off anyways!" Robbin informed the blond.
"So there's only the one out there then?" Hutch questioned Robbin.
"Yes, I'm pretty sure." she answered.
Hutch thought for a moment then slowly made the attempt to rise from the bed, with Robbin's help, he finally managed to sit upright.
Holding his ribs tightly, he coughed then whispered, "If we're going to get out of here it looks like now's the best time!" and he coughed again.
"But how, you can barely move...we have no gun, we're no match for him!" Robbin exclaimed.
"Where there's a will, there's a way sweetheart...you want to see that little boy of yours again don't you?" Hutch asked with a smile.
Robbin thought of Daniel and her heart filled with a renewed hope.
She nodded to the blond.
"Okay, here's what we're going to do!" Hutch said as he slowly got to his feet still holding his ribs.
With Robbin's assistance, he took the pillows from the bed, plumped them up and laid them long ways down the middle of the bed then tucked the dusty and dirty quilt around them, giving the appearence that Hutch still laid there.
Hutch then looked around the room for some form of a weapon.
He grabbed an empty, glass bottle that sat on the stand by the bed then walked back to Robbin and instructed her to call the man who was outside the room to come into the bedroom.
Hutch then stepped behind the door so he would be out of sight when it opened.
He then took a deep, ragged breath and clutching his side, he nodded for Robbin to proceed.
Robbin paused then pounded on the locked door and shouted out to the man in the main living area of the cabin, "Please, I think he's dying, please help him!"
It only took a few seconds for the door to unlock and for the red-haired man to come inside the room.
With his gun drawn, he looked over at the bed then at Robbin who was still pleading for him to help.
The abductor slowly made his way over to the bedside and was just about to pull back the ratty, old quilt.
Hutch gathered all the strength he could muster then stumbled forward and struck the man over the head with the glass bottle, shattering it to pieces.
The red-headed man slumped forward and fell on the bed.
Robbin then sprang into action and bent down and retrieved the gun that had fallen from his hands then handed it to Hutch.
Out of breath and in obvious pain, Hutch told Robbin to look for something to tie the man up with.
She ran across the room and pulled open a dresser drawer and found a few pieces of old clothing and ripped them as best she could into strips.
Hutch handed her the gun and instructed her to keep it aimed at the abductor while he bound and gagged the man then tied him to the bed.
To exhausted to continue, Hutch collapsed down on the bed and was close to the point of passing out.
"Please Ken, we can't stop now...we have to get out of here before Summers gets back!" Robbin pleaded with the blond as she encouraged him back onto his feet again.
With the aid of Robbin, Hutch was finally able to regain enough strength to stumble out the door and into the living room.
They looked around the room then quickly headed for the front door.
Hutch slowly opened the front entrance of the cabin and poked his head out cautiously as his eyes scanned the surrounding wooded area.
Satisfied that Summers was nowhere around he motioned to Robbin that it was okay to proceed.
Robbin could clearly see that Hutch was going to need some assistance before they could go on so she wrapped her arm around the blond and allowed him to lean against her for support.
The two of them stepped out onto the small cabin's porch then Hutch motioned for them to head to the heavily wooded area that ran parallel with the path leading to and from the cabin.
Their pace was slow going and once they finally reached the secluded area Hutch had to pause and catch his breath.
After several minutes, Hutch draped his arm over Robbin's shoulder and they continued on.
They had only gone a couple hundred yards more when Hutch had to stop and catch his breath again.
"Wait...I gotta stop!" the blond gasped as he leaned against a tree with the wind knocked out of him.
"Wheezing, Hutch double over, clutching his chest.
"Ken Please, we can't stop!" Robbin cried as she tugged on Hutch's arm.
"No, it's no use, I can't go any further...you'll have to go on with out me! Hutch managed to choke out before sliding down the length of the tree onto the ground.
No Ken, I'm not leaving you!" Robbin exclaimed as she tried to get Hutch back up on his feet.
"L-Listen to me Robbin...you have to go get help...just keep following the road...but stay inside the woods...it's gotta lead...to a main road eventually!" Hutch managed to get out before a coughing fit overtook him.
Hutch's lungs felt like they were on fire and the pain in his left side was unbearable.
"But what if Summers finds you?" Robbin cried, tears running down her cheek.
"I'll be fine...just hurry...go on...go!" Hutch motioned for her to go as he forced a slight smile.
Robbin hesitated a moment then gave the blond a hug as she whispered in his ear, "You better be here when I get back!" then she was gone.
...
After getting directions from the owner of the cabin's whereabout, Starsky tore up the mountain road in the Torino with Dobey in the passenger's seat and Soul in the back.
They were followed by a black and white patrol car as they raced to there destination.
Summers was walking back to the cabin when he heard the vehicles approaching off in the distance.
He stopped in his tracks and dashed inside the cover of the surrounding trees and waited with his rifle loaded and ready.
When he saw a flash of red from the Torino he aimed the rifle and fired.
His first shot missed his target but the second shot blew out the Torino's front left tire causing the car to veer off, stricking solid against a thick pine tree.
Summers fired again, this time at the police cruiser that followed behind and after several attempts he mangaged to blow out two of it's tires as well as the windshield.
Robbin, who was just off in the distance, heard the shooting and immediately tucked down.
After a moment or two, not hearing anymore noise, she cautiously stood up.
She was just about to start off again when she caught movement along the path causing her to squat down yet again.
"Oh no, it's Summers!" Robbin gasped softly to herself.
She looked back in the direction where she had just come and whispered out loud, "please God, don't let him find Ken!"
Robbin waited until Summers had passed and was out of sight then she hurried on through the woods, certain that help was not too far off.
Meanwhile, further down the in the woods, Hutch was fighting to stay awake and alive.
Shortly after Robbin had left him, a coughing spasm overtook the blond and it felt to him as if he had coughed up half a lung.
When he vomited next to the tree he brought up some blood.
"Oh that's just great!" Hutch murmered as he wiped his mouth.
The injured detective suddenly felt very cold and his teeth began to chatter as a chill ran through his battered bones.
Every inch of him ached and his medical experience told him he was going into shock.
"Starsk...if you're out there b-b-buddy...you need to hurry up partner!" Hutch's voice shivered as he wrapped his arms around his bruised and broken ribs, trying hard to stay warm.
...
After they were certain that the shooter had taken off, Starsky and Dobey checked to see that everyone was safe and unharmed.
Starsky quickly jumped back into the Torino and started the engine.
To his disappointment, the engine wouldn't turn over.
The curly-haired detective got back out of the car and pried open it's mangled and smashed-in hood.
He could tell instantly the Torino was not going anywhere with it's busted up radiator and fan belt.
Starsky slammed down the hood of his beloved car as he cursed loudly.
He then looked over at the police cruiser and his heart sank for he knew that the black and white wasn't going anywhere either in it's present condition.
"Well, now what do we do?" Dobey asked as he walked over to his detective.
"Cap'n...Hutch is right down the road...I can feel it!" Starsky exclaimed.
"I'll call for more back-up!" Dobey replied as he headed for the police radio.
"No, there isn't time!" Starsky spat as he kicked the Torino's flattened tire.
"So what's your next move?" Soul asked as he stepped closer to Starsky and Dobey.
"We pray for a miracle!"Dobey muttered.
"No, I ain't waiting for no miracle!" Starsky replied.
"According to the owner of the cabin it's about another mile down this road...it shouldn't take me too long on foot!" Starsky added as he cast his eyes down the wooded path.
"Starsky that's suicide...Summers could be waiting anywhere in those woods...just waiting to pick off anything that moves!" Dobey shouted to the dark-haired detective.
Just then Starsky's ears picked up the sound of rustling leaves not far off in the distance and he ordered everyone to take cover as he pulled his gun from it's holster.
He was just about to aim and fire when he caught sight of the moving figure.
"Robbin?" he said in a surprising tone.
Robbin could see the police cruiser setting along the open path next to the red Torino.
She paused a moment then breathed a sigh of relief when she saw Starsky standing in the middle of the road.
Robbin ran out from the cover of the woods and raced to the group of police officer and into the protection of Starsky's arms.
Starsky looked off in the direction from where Robbin had just come from in hopes of seeing a certain tall, blond individual.
His hopes were quickly dashed when he realized that Robbing was traveling alone.
Soul remembered seeing a blanket in the back seat of the Torino and hurried off to retrieve it.
"Robbin...where's Hutch?" Starsky asked the woman.
Once Robbin was able to catch her breath enough to speak she replied, "You gotta help him...he's hurt bad...we tried to make a run for it but he couldn't go far...Summers beat him really bad!"
Starsky swallowed the lump in his throat as he fought back his anger.
"Where is he Robbin?" Starsky questioned the woman again.
"He's about three quarters of a mile down in the woods...it's not too far from the cabin...he's resting against a tree...I marked the area close by with a piece of cloth that I hung in a tree along the open path...I didn't want to leave him...I swear I didn't!" Robbin exclaimed tearfully.
Just then Soul caught sight of two dark silhouettes off in the distance on horseback coming towards them.
"Dave, look!" Soul shouted as he pointed in their direction.
Both Starsky and Dobey turned their attention to the man and woman heading their way, the one atop a chesnut mare and the other was on a lightly colored gelding.
"What was that about a miracle Cap'n?" Starsky said with new found hope as he sprinted towards the two fast approaching riders, his badge held high in the air.
...
Hutch knew he was losing his battle to stay alert and awake.
The coughing fits were coming more frequent and becoming more painful to the point where he could hardly breath.
His world around him was growing darker and he wasn't sure if the sun was going down or death was overtaking him, either way, he grew too weary to care anymore as he whispered softly, "I'm sorry buddy, I tried."
The gun that was resting in his lap slid to the ground as another coughing spasm racked his broken body.
Meanwhile, Summers, who had been running at a fast pace back to the cabin had heard what sounding like someone coughing and he stopped quickly in his tracks.
He listened intently for the sound again and when he heard it a second time he was able to pin point where the noise was coming from.
He then checked the chamber in his rifle and cursed out loud when he realized it was empty.
Angry with himself for not loading up on extra ammo, he tossed the weapon into the leaves of the forest floor and abandoned it as he made his way towards the direction of the uncertain sound.
He only had to walk a short ways before he saw the figure propped up against the gnarled oak tree, it's blond head drooped forward and it's chin resting against it's chest.
A smile widened across Summer's face when he saw the present state of the man sitting there on the ground, the man he had despised since high school.
Summers slowly crept towards the injured detective and knelt down quietly beside him.
Hutch, sensing someone was there, slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see his abductor staring back at him, just inches from his face.
The blond reached for the gun not realizing it had fallen to the ground but Summers had already picked it up.
"Just how did you get out here Solberg?" Summers asked Hutch.
Hutch closed his eyes again and muttered, "Pretty easy feat when you're dealing with a bunch of morons!
Summers glared at Hutch then chuckled.
"Where's the girl?" Summers asked as he surveyed the area.
"She's gone," Hutch mumbled, barely able to keep his eyes open.
Summers snickered, "Losing your touch there Davey boy, there use to be a time when you had to beat them off with a stick!"
There was a moment of silence as they stared at one another.
Hutch wondered what had happened between Soul and Summers that produced all the hatred he had for the man.
Still pretending to be the actor, he asked softly in a raspy voice, "Why do you hate me so much?"
Summers stared down at the blond, his eyes glaring, then he growled, "Why do I hate you so much?"
"Oh I don't know Davey...maybe it's because you were always the smart one...the valedictorian, the editor of the school paper, the captain of the debate team...the teacher's pet...or maybe it's because you always managed to snag the lead parts in all the school plays!"
Hutch started to open his mouth to speak but Summers interrupted, "Or maybe it's because you always got the girl...you and your fancy guitar...playing it in the gymnasium after class...all the girls wanted to be near you!"
Hutch's eyes were growing heavy and he fought to stay awake but the oxygen his lungs were being deprived of was making him extremely tired.
Summers mistook it as if he was uninterested in what he was saying so he reached over and grabbed a handful of the blond's hair and jerked his head up violently as he spat in his face, "You remember Paula?"
Hutch winced from the pain but he refused to cry out as another wave of nausea nearly overcame him.
When Hutch didn't reply, Summers hissed,"Paula was MY girl...and you stoled her from me...you and your honey-coated love songs!"
"I'm s-sorry, Hutch said almost incoherently.
"You're sorry...you're sorry...you make me sick!" Summers spat as he smacked Hutch's head against the tree that was keeping him upright.
Hutch instantly saw stars before his eyes as the space around him began to grow darker.
He knew his time was drawing near as he forced the words from his lips, "They're coming for you...you can kill me if you want...but they're coming f-for you."
Summers looked down at the blond who was clearly slipping away and he smiled as he patted Hutch's shoulder, "Awww Davey, I don't want to kill you...I was kind of hoping we could be friends you and I."
Even through it all, Hutch managed to chuckle through the absurdity of Summer's words.
"It's true...I didn't always hate you, you know, I always wondered what it would have been like if you and I had been the best of buddies, "Summers added as he squeezed Hutch's shoulder.
The blond wished he'd had the strength to utter a smart reply but the will just wasn't there anymore.
He just stared off with distant pain-filled eyes as he thought of his true best friend and how his death was going to devastate his partner.
"You're hurting aren't you Davey?" Summers asked the blond almost sympathetically as he gently wrapped his fingers around Hutch's throat and massaged it tenderly.
Hutch closed his eyes for he knew what was coming as Summers finger's around his neck grew tighter and more forceful.
"Don't worry Davey..I'll stop the hurting...that's what best friend's do for one another." Summers whispered as he squeezed tighter yet, cutting off what little air supply Hutch had left.
Hutch had just enough strength left in his battered body to grasp the hands wrapped around his neck and claw at them in a futile attempt.
"Shhhhh, don't fight it Davey, " Summers said softly as Hutch's face turned a bright red and his eyes began to roll back in his head.
The detective's hands dropped down to his sides and his body became slack.
After several seconds, Summers removed his death grip from around the blond's neck and Hutch slid away from the tree and onto the hard, damp ground.
Oddly enough Summers began to sob as he reached down and propped Hutch back up against the tree.
"Now why did you have to go and make me do that Davey?" Summers asked as he wiped a tear from his eye then meticulously staighten Hutch's shirt collar.
He then slowly stood up, took a quick look around, then sprinted off towards the cabin.
...
"Starsky, are you sure you know what you're doing?" Dobey asked as his detective prepared to mount the horse.
"Nope!" was his short reply.
"Have you ever ridden a horse before?" Dobey questioned Starsky.
"Nope!" another short reply.
"Then how 'bout we wait until reinforcements get here before you end up getting your neck broke!" Dobey growled.
"Can't do that Cap'n...you heard Robbin, she said Hutch was hurting pretty bad...do you really think I'm gonna wait a minute longer!" Starsky exclaimed as he placed his foot in the saddle's right stirrup.
Soul was standing next to Starsky holding the horse's reins and noticed the detective was mounting the mare incorrectly and he started to say, "Uhhhh Dave...t-that's the wrong side...!
The horse began to buck ever so slightly.
Soul began to whisper soothingly into the animal's ear as he stroked it's muzzle which seemed to calm the animal almost instantly.
Once Starsky was settled in the saddle safely David handed him the reins.
"Okay girl...you be nice to me...and I'll be nice to you!" Starsky said to the mare as he rubbed the hair between her ears.
"C'mon girl!" Starsky added then waited for the horse to move.
When the animal didn't budge Starsky coaxed her again but the horse still wouldn't move.
Dobey looked increasingly worried.
The two uniformed officers were off to the side working on the cruiser trying to get it started when all of a sudden the cars engine sputtered then backfired before stalling out again.
The sudden noise startled the horse, causing it to rear up and take off in a fast gallop while Starsky fought to stay in the saddle.
"That fool's gonna get himself killed! Dobey shouted as he watched the dark-haired detective disappear down the wooded path.
All of a sudden, without warning, Soul ran and leaped onto the second horse and tore off down the path to catch up with Starsky.
"Now just where do you think you're going?" Dobey bellowed.
"David get back here!" Dobey ordered but it was too late, the blond was already out of sight.
By the time Soul caught up with Starsky, the detective already had the horse under control and was riding the animal more handily.
The blond road up until the two horses were galloping side by side and Starsky had to do a double take.
"What do you think you're doing?" he shouted to Soul.
"I thought maybe you could use a little help!" Soul replied with a wink and a smile which produced a concerned frown from Starsky.
The two road for a while in silence until Starsky pointed to the side of the road and to the cloth that hung from a branch nearby.
Both men recognized it as being from the same material of the blouse Robbin had been wearing.
Starsky and Soul dimounted and tethered the horses to a small tree along the path then cautiously entered the woods.
The two men then sprinted in the direction that Robbin had given them as to Hutch's whereabouts.
They had only gone a few hundred feet when Starsky skidded to a sudden halt and his body froze.
Soul noticed the blond only seconds after Starsky did and he too stopped in his tracks.
Hutch's blond hair, even though it was dirty and matted, was like a beacon drawing Starsky in.
"Oh my God!" Starsky whispered under his breath as he hurried over to his injured partner.
"Hutch...Hutch!" Starsky shouted as he skidded and slid onto the forest floor next to his partner.
Starsky gingerly placed both his hands under the blond's chin and tilted it up.
He winced when he saw the cuts and bruises on Hutch face.
Starsky then placed his fingers on Hutch's neck searching for a pulse, that's when he noticed the bruises there as well.
"He's not breathing!" Starsky cried out as he carefully laid Hutch down on the ground.
Starsky was just about to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation when all of a sudden Hutch's body convulsed as he drew in a heavy breath and gasped for air.
"Thank God!" Starsky cried out as he placed his hand on Hutch's stomach and felt him draw another breath.
"Easy buddy, just breath in nice and slow!" Starsky incouraged his partner.
Within a moment or two, the blond was breathing more steadily or at least as well as his injuries would allow.
Slowly, Hutch opened his eyes, blinked once or twice, squeezed them shut, then opened them again.
At first he thought he was dreaming when he looked up and saw his curly-haired partner leaning over him.
Hutch blinked again before muttering in a raspy tone his partner's name, "S-Starsk?"
Starsky closed his eyes, smiled and nodded gratefully.
"Yeah buddy, it's me!" Starsky replied as he choked down a sob that threatened to escape from his lips.
"Where...ya' been?" the blond asked as he forced himself to smile, his voice straining.
"Shhhh...don't try to talk, just let me check you out here a second," Starsky told his partner as he lifted up his shirt.
"Robbin?" Hutch asked, needing to know if she was safe.
"She's fine Hutch, she's the one who told us where to find you pal," Starsky reassured him as he pulled back the temporary bandages that Robbin had wrapped around the blond's torso.
Neither Starsky or Soul were prepared to see the damage Summers had inflicted on the detective and both men gasped when they saw the multiple bruises and the extended abdomen.
Soul was so taken aback that he had to turn away.
Starsky took one look at Hutch's injuries and could tell almost immediately that his partner was bleeding internally.
He knew time was of the essence and he had to get medical attention for his partner right away.
As he was rewrapping his friend's ribs Hutch hissed and cried out how badly it hurt.
"I know buddy...I know," Starsky said softly.
Soul, not able to take anymore, cried out "He's gotta' pay for this!" and jumped up and ran towards the horses.
"David!" Starsky tried to call after him in a subdued voice, not wanting to sound too loud for fear that Summers was close by.
It was no use, Soul had already made up his mind to put a stop to Summer's madness and was on his horse before Starsky could stop him.
"You...you gotta stop him...before...he get's himself killed Starsk," Hutch struggled to speak.
"I don't want to leave you!" Starsky argued but he knew his duty as a police officer always came first.
"I've made it this far buddy...I'll be fine...just go!" Hutch replied.
Starsky quickly took off his leather jacket and wrapped it around Hutch the best he could.
"I'll be back before you know it!" Starsky exclaimed.
"I'm counting on it buddy," Hutch said with a slight smile.
Their eyes locked in their usual form of silent communication then Hutch nodded for Starsky to get going.
Starsky brushed his fingers lightly across Hutch's cheek then he was gone.
...
Soul reached the cabin in no time at all.
He tethered his horse then slowly began to walk down the path towards the front of the cabin.
He caught movement out in front of him and quickly squatted down and watched keenly.
When a figure came into view he recognized it almost immediately as Summers, his childhood classmate turned worst enemy.
"Ronnie...Kevin...where's the van...if you two doubled crossed me so help me God I'll...!" Summer's words trailed off as he began to walk towards the front porch of the cabin.
Soul jumped when he heard a noise behind him then was relieved to see Starsky coming up the trail on horseback.
He tied the horse he was riding next to Soul's and crept over to the blond.
Soul placed a finger to his lips as a warning to be quiet.
He then went on to inform Starsky that Summers had just gone inside.
Starsky motioned for Soul to stay put then he hurried towards the back door of the cabin with his gun drawn.
Soul, feeling responsible for Hutch and Robbin's abduction and the beating the detective endured knew he couldn't stand by while Starsky went in alone so he silently made his way up to the front door.
...
"Ronnie...Kevin!" Summers called out his friend's names again as he looked around the main living area of the cabin in search of the other two men.
Meanwhile Soul had silently opened the front door and was making his way quietly into the room.
Summers was just about to enter the bedroom when he heard a voice call out to him softly, "Hi-ya' Tommy."
Summers froze, the voice sounded strangely familiar to him.
He then turned around slowly to face the owner of the voice and his jaw dropped.
"It-It can't be!" Summers exclaimed with surprise.
"Long time no see huh Tommy?" Soul called out to the confused man before him.
"But I...I just killed you!" Summers declared, shocked to see the blond in perfect condition.
"No Tommy, I'm not dead...and neither is the police officer you left laying out there in the woods to die!" Soul said as he continued to make his way closer.
"W-What are you talking about...what are you saying Davey?" Summers stuttered.
"Don't you know old pal that they say everyone in this world has a double...well mine just happens to be a cop from the Bay City Police Department!" Soul informed the other man.
"You...you're a liar...this is some kind of trick!" Summers cried out.
"No, it's no trick Tommy...and let me tell you something else...Hutch, the cop you nearly beat to death, he and his partner are pretty tight and well...let's just say I'd hate to be in your shoes right about now! Soul spoke his words cool and calculated.
All of a sudden, Summers remembered the gun he had tucked in his waistband, the one that had fallen from Hutch's lap and he drew it out and aimed it at the blond in front of him.
Just then, Summers felt the touch of something cold and metal against his temple.
"You've already given me a reason when you busted up my partner...so I suggest you drop the gun before I blow that empty head of yours clean off!" Starsky growled.
Part of him prayed that Summers would try to make a move just so he could end his miserable, useless life for what he had done to Hutch but like the coward Summers was, he slowly lowered his gun and let it drop to the floor.
Soul bent down and picked it up and held it on Summers while Starsky threw him against the kitchen table and cuffed him.
Once Summers was out of commission, Soul checked the rest of the cabin for Summer's remaining associate.
"There's another one tied up in the bedroom!" Soul informed Starsky when he returned to the living area.
"We'll send a unit to pick him up...but this one...this one comes with us!" Starsky hissed as he dragged Summers out the door by the scruff of his neck.
Once they returned to the horses, Soul retrieved a rope from one of the saddles and tied it around Summer's legs, then with Starsky help, they flung Summers over the back of the gelding, stomach first, then tied him to the saddle.
"Hey c'mon...I-I can't breath!" Summers whined.
"Yeah well...now you know how my partner feels right about now so just suck it up dirtbag!" Starsky hissed as he grabbed a handful of Summer's hair and tugged at it.
Then both Starsky and Soul climbed up onto their horses and galloped off to help their fallen comrade.
...
When they returned to where they left Hutch, Starsky's heart lurched when he saw that the blond had slid off the tree where he was propped and was now laying face down on the ground.
"Please God!" Starsky exclaimed as he jumped off the horse he was riding then grabbed it's reins and hurried it through the wooded area to his partner.
Soul followed behind him then took the reins of Starsky's horse and attached them to a nearby tree limb along with his horse's.
Summers, still laying across the horse's back, twisted around so he could see what was going on.
"Hutch...please Hutch!" Starsky cried as he knelt down and carefully gathered his partner in his arms.
Starsky rubbed and patted Hutch's face gently trying to get him to come to.
He was grateful when the blond opened his eyes and mumbled, "Can't you see that...I'm trying...to take a nap?"
Starsky chuckled as he pulled a dried up leaf from Hutch's matted hair and replied, "Plenty of time for that partner, we gotta get you outta here!"
"Did you get him?" Hutch's voice slurred.
"Yeah we got him buddy!" Starsky replied as he held Hutch in his arms.
Hutch made every attempt to smile.
"I was gonna come and help but...I...got caught up in watching...a couple of squirrels." Hutch joked, trying to lighten the heavy mood he knew his worried partner was in.
Yeah, well, maybe next time...so, are you ready for a little horsie ride pal?" Starsky asked his injured friend.
"What...w-what are you talking about?" Hutch asked out of breath.
Starsky motioned over to Soul and the two horses and added, "Your ticket to ride partner!"
Hutch squeezed his eyes shut, not believing what he was seeing then uttered, "You gotta be kidding me...Starsk, you actually...road a horse!"
"How about that blondie...turns out I'm a natural at it too!" Starsky proclaimed proudly.
Hutch's blood turned cold when he saw Summers spread across the back of the other horse.
Their eyes locked for a moment and Summers was the first to look away.
"C'mon Hutch let's get you someplace warm and comfy!" Starsky said as he began to gently lift Hutch up.
"Starsk, I don't think I can do this!" he muttered, the pain in his side and chest unbearable.
"Sure you can buddy, we're gonna take it nice and slow," Starsky replied as he managed to get Hutch up on his feet with Soul's assistance.
A wave of dizziness and nausea overcame Hutch as he clutched Starsky's arm, digging into his friend's skin unknowingly.
Starsky winced as he waited for Hutch to loosen his grip.
After several minutes Starsky asked, "You ready...huh?"
Hutch tried to take a deep breath but only ended up coughing.
He wiped his hand across his mouth and it came away covered in blood.
Starsky cast a worried look at Soul then rubbed Hutch's back to comfort him.
Once his coughing spasm was over Hutch nodded to Starsky that it was now or never.
With Soul's help they were able to get Hutch up on the back of the mare but not without a good degree of discomfort to the wounded blond.
Starsky then climbed up in the saddle in front of his partner and took the reins from Soul.
"How we doing?" Starsky asked as he looked back at his extremely pale friend.
"Great...just promise me...you won't be performing...any unnecessary stunt tricks!" Hutch replied as he leaned against Starsky's back for extra support.
"No need to worry partner, I got all that out of my system on the way down here!" Starsky said with a smile as he patted Hutch's thigh then left his hand resting there as they began their ride.
...
Soul followed close behind the horse carrying the two detectives and noticed that the further along they went the worse the ride was becoming for Hutch.
They were only a few minutes into their ride when Hutch moaned, "Starsk...we gotta stop a second!"
"We're almost there buddy, I promise!" Starsky replied as he squeezed Hutch right leg.
"Starsky please...I can't take it anymore!" Hutch cried out.
"Dave!" Soul called out to Starsky.
Soul could see that Hutch was sagging and was about to fall off the horse so he tugged on his horse's reins to get it to stop then swung his legs over the gelding.
He was off his horse and over to Starsky's just as Hutch was sliding off the mare, even with Starsky's attempt to pull his friend upright.
Hutch practically fell into Soul's arms and as carefully as he could, Soul laid the wounded man gently on the ground.
Starsky leaped off his horse and sat Hutch up slightly so he could cradle the blond against him supportively.
"No more Starsk, I can't take anymore, it hurts...it hurts!" Hutch cried out as he clutched his chest.
"Okay Hutch, okay buddy...shhhh!" Starsky sobbed as he rocked his partner gently.
"Starsk, I think I'm gonna be sick!" Hutch exclaimed as he tried to turn onto his side.
With Starsky's help he was able to do so just as Hutch began to gag.
Dry heaves nearly choked out what little air was coming from the injured detective's lungs.
Starsky massaged Hutch back and neck until the gagging subsided.
When Starsky turned Hutch back over he saw the spittle on the ground mixed with the dark, almost brown blood.
Starsky winced as he wiped the blood from Hutch's lips then pulled him close as he rested his chin on the top of Hutch's head while whispering words of comfort.
"Starsk, I can't...breath...soooo c-c-cold!" Hutch gasped.
Starsky looked over at Soul as if the other man could provide some kind of a miracle.
"Dave, we're almost there, I know he's in a lot of pain but he's just gonna have to...!" Soul started to say regrettably.
Hutch grabbed Starsky arm while shaking his head and pleaded no.
Starsky contemplated what to do next and as he looked into Hutch's pain-filled eyes he knew he could not put his partner up on the horse again.
"I can't David, it's too much for him...it'll kill him!" Starsky exclaimed.
"If we don't, he gonna die anyways!" Soul argued.
"I said no!" Starsky spat back as he gathered Hutch in his arms.
"What about me, I'm hurting too, how about letting me down!" Summers butted in to the conversation.
Soul hollered out, "Shut up Summers!"
Just then Starsky thought he heard a noise off in the distance.
"Listen!" Starsky shouted as he grabbed the front of Soul's shirt to silence him.
The two men strained their ears and listened again.
Suddenly they heard it again, the sound of a car's engine coming up the narrow path.
Starsky was about to pull Hutch's body protectively off to the side when he saw the flash of light atop the police cruiser.
"Oh thank God!" Starsky cried as he rested his cheek on Hutch's head.
"You hear that partner, your ride's here!" Starsky exclaimed as he looked down at his partner.
"Starsk...please tell me it's not an elephant," Hutch slurred.
...
Starsky was pacing the hallway in the hospital while Dobey sat next to Robbin in the waiting area.
Soul had just returned with a tray full of coffees for everyone and was distributing them out when the attending physician entered the waiting area.
Starsky and Soul hurried over to him as Dobey and Robbin got to their feet.
"How is he Doc?" Starsky asked with a deep concern.
"Your friend was in pretty bad shaped when he was brought in. On top of a hair-line skull fracture, he has several broken ribs, one of which punctured his left lung," the doctor told them as they all listened intently.
"We've managed to repair and inflate the collapsed lung, now are main concern is the fear of pneumonia setting in, we're treating him with antibiotics in hopes that the problem doesn't arise," the doctor added.
"So, he's gonna be okay right?" Starsky asked as he swallowed hard.
"Well, barring no unforeseen circumstances...and given his injuries, he seems to be in pretty fit...I'd say he should come out of this alright," the doctor informed them.
Everyone sighed in relief.
"He'll definitely be hurting for a while and we'll need to keep him here until he's out of danger...he's asking for you Detective Starsky and someone named Robbin," the doctor said as he looked over at Robbin.
"So we can see him?" Starsky asked anxiously.
"Sure, just don't tire him out, he needs as much rest as he can get right now," the doctor advised.
"He's in room 214, just take the elevator to the second floor, his room is the third one on the right," the doctor directed them.
"Thanks Doc!" Starsky said with a smile as he shook the doctors hand then placed his arm around Robbin's and led her to the elevator.
Dobey and Soul stayed behind and spent more time talking to the doctor while Starsky and Robbin went to check up on the blond.
...
Starsky and Robbin entered the hospital room quietly.
Hutch's head was turned and was facing them but he appeared to be asleep.
Robbin lingered behind slightly while Starsky approached Hutch's bedside and sat down.
Starsky winced at how all the bruises on the blond's handsome face looked more predominant now that he was all cleaned up.
Hutch was bare from the waist up except for the bandages that binded his damaged ribs and chest.
Even his arms were covered in black and blue marks where he tried to fend off Summer's savage blows.
Starsky had this uncontrollable urge to take Hutch's hand in his but he was afraid to touch him for fear that it was cause the blond more physical pain.
The dark-haired detective settled for resting his chin on the cold, metal rail that ran the length of his partner's bed then he closed his weary eyes and said a thankful, silent prayer.
Hutch awoke and softly brushed his index finger down the tip of Starsky's nose.
"Hey, you're awake!" Starsky said quietly with a look of surprise.
Hutch nodded and returned a smile.
"How you feeling buddy?" Starsky asked as he huddled closer.
"Like I've just been through the desert on a horse with no name," Hutch gave a raspy reply.
Starsky snickered and said, "No, you're wrong, she has a name, her name is Calamity!"
"Naturally," Hutch replied with a smile.
Hutch was silent for a moment then asked, "Starsk, how's Robbin?"
"Dying to see you partner," Starsky told him as he turned and looked back at the woman who stood off to the side of the room.
The blond turned his head and when he saw Robbin his entire face lit up.
"Hey, what are you doing all the way over there, c'mere," he motioned for her to come closer.
Robbin smiled and walked over to Hutch's bedside and took the hand he held out to her.
"How are you sweetheart?" he asked hoarsely.
"Better, now that I know you're okay," she said softly.
Hutch smiled at her again and squeezed her hand gently then added, "Thanks to you."
"How's Daniel?" Hutch added.
"He's back at the hotel with my father...we're catching a flight back home tomorrow," she informed him.
"I'm sure gonna hate to see you go...I'll miss you," Hutch answered back in a raspy voice.
Robbin gazed back at the blond fondly then replied, "Me too."
Starsky watched the two converse and almost felt as if he was intruding for he could tell there was a mutual attraction between the two.
He was about to get up and excuse himself when Robbin looked at her watch and exclaimed, "Oh my, I promised my father I'd be back at the hotel by seven!"
Hutch, still holding her hand asked, "You'll be sure to look me up if you're ever in Bay City again won't you?
"Just try and keep me away!" Robbin chuckled.
Hutch motioned for her to come closer and she bent down so the blond could place a delicate kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you for everything," he whispered in her ear.
Robbin stood upright and gazed into the blond's amazing blue eyes and she thought to herself how wonderful it would be to get lost in them forever.
"See ya," she whispered to him.
"See ya," Hutch whispered back.
"Goodbye David," she said to Starsky, then he too kissed her cheek then walked her over to the doorway.
"Thanks for taking care of him Robbin, if it wouldn't have been for you, Hutch would be...," Starsky started to choke on his own words.
"Take care of him David, he's one of a kind and so very special...you both are," she said tearfully as she looked over at Hutch before exiting the hospital room.
...
It was almost two months before Hutch was able to return to active duty.
His first day back, he and Starsky were walking down the precinct steps and were preparing to climb into the Torino when a long, white limousine pulled up in the parking space in front of them.
They smiled at one another when they saw Hutch's long legged look alike exit the vehicle and walk over to them.
Both Hutch and Starsky extended their hands to the blond.
"It's nice to see you looking so well Ken!" Soul exclaimed, pleased to see the detective up and around, his cuts and bruises almost completely faded.
"Well, thank you David, it feels good to be back to work again!" Hutch replied happily.
"I see you've grown your hair longer and sprouted a 'stache...it looks good on you...maybe I should give that look a try too!" Soul said of Hutch's new look.
"Uhhh, no offence David but Hutch may be a little safer not looking quite so much like you!" Starsky interjected.
"Starsk!" Hutch said as he slapped Starsky's arm.
"No, no, he's right...listen Ken...I can't tell you how sorry I am for...," Soul started to apologize but Hutch wouldn't hear it.
"Well anyways...I just wanted to stop by and see you guys before I take off for England...I'm promoting my new album and I'll be touring over there for the next month," Soul told them.
"Well, I'm sure the tour will be a huge success David, best of luck to you!" Starsky said as he patted Soul on the back and Hutch nodded in agreement.
"Thanks fellows...hey listen Hutch, if you ever get tired of being a cop, I could use a good stunt double!" Soul joked to the blond.
Hutch chuckled the replied, "No, if it's alright with you, I think I'll take my chances on the street!"
Soul laughed along with him then shook their hands again before saying goodbye.
He then climbed back into the limousine and waved as it drove off.
"He sure is a nice guy isn't he?" Starsky said as the limousine drove out of sight.
"Yeah, heck of a nice guy...and handsome too, probably one of the best looking guys you've ever seen, wouldn't you say?" Hutch replied about his almost identical double.
Starsky just rolled his eyes.
Suddenly the two detectives heard a commotion and they turned to see three young women hurrying towards them, two of them squealing frantically, the third a bit more subdued.
"Oh my gosh, I told you it was him!" the one woman said to her friends.
The three young ladies giggled as they approached Starsky and Hutch shyly.
Hutch looked at his partner with a look of confusion on his face and Starsky just shrugged his shoulders.
As the girls continued with their high pitched squeals the one asked Hutch, "David could I please have your autograph!" as she held out her copy of a fan magazine that featured Soul on the cover.
"I-I-I'm not who you think...," Hutch started to say when Starsky nudged his arm.
"Oh c'mon David...give the girls a thrill...sign your John Handcock!"
Hutch shot his partner an evil look then turned back to the girls and smiled.
It was hard for the blond to resist the young girl's pleading eyes so he reluctantly took the magazine then asked, "Uhhhh...w-what's your name honey?"
"It's Linda...just sign it to My sweet Linda, with all my undying love, Dearest David," she instructed him as she looked at him googly-eyed.
Hutch could hear his partner snicker alongside of him as he started to write.
When he finished, he handed the magazine back to the woman.
He blushed when she looked at it quickly then sighed heavily as she held it to her breast.
Hutch thanked the women and motioned for Starsky that it was time to go when another of the ladies held out her magazine for him to sign as well.
"Just right the same thing on mine David...only don't put Linda because my name is Gail," she informed the nervous blond.
Hutch smiled and nodded as he took the magazine and began to scribble.
"Don't forget to dot your I with a little heart above it," Starsky teased.
The third woman looked Starsky up and down and really liked what she saw as she said, "The name's Sandy...I don't have a magazine or anything but I wouldn't mind it if you wrote your number on the palm of my hand...are you somebody famous too?"
Starsky was about to reply when Hutch butted in, "He's my personal assistant...you know, my gopher...he goes for my coffee...he picks up my dry cleaning, stuff like that."
"I pick up your dry cleaning!" Starsky said defensively.
Yeah, my dry cleaning...oh and by the way...the next time, tell them not to add so much starch to my shirts, you know how much I hate that!" Hutch ribbed his partner as he handed Gail back her magazine.
"It was a pleasure ladies!" Hutch said as he showed the women his dashing smile.
"Shall we go?" the blond said to his partner but instead of going around to the passenger's seat Hutch surprised Starsky when he opened the back door of the Torino and climbed inside.
Starsky just stood there with a huge frown on his face.
Hutch rolled down the back window and stuck his hand out then snapped his fingers as he said smuggly, "Could we hurry please, I'd hate to miss my two o'clock!"
Starsky took a deep breath then reluctantly climbed into the driver's seat a bit annoyed.
Both men waved to the women as they drove off.
The ladies watched until they could no longer see the Torino, then as they began to walk away looking longingly at their fan magazines, both Linda and Gail said out loud and simultaniously, "Dearest Ken?"
