CHAPTER 7

"U 'kay?" Starsky mumbled. His jaw was still tightly wired together and hurt like hell, but at least the orthopedic surgeon had loosened the wires enough that he could talk, even though his speech was slurred and hard to understand with his mouth full of wires.

Hutch smiled and reached out to brush his hand through his curls, a gesture that seemed to comfort him as much as it did Starsky. "Haven't you got that a little backwards, Gordo?" he asked "You're hurt a lot worse than I am. I'm getting out of here tomorrow. You're gonna be stuck here for a few more days at least."

" 'urt 'ause me."

"No, I'm got hurt because I wasn't paying enough attention to my damn driving." Hutch pointed out, refusing to let Starsky take the blame for his accident. Starsky's primary concern was always Hutch, just like his primary concern was always Starsky. It was just the way they were with each other and Hutch wouldn't have it any other way.

Hutch sighed and chose his next words with care as he brought up the subject they had both been avoiding. "There's still no sign of Nicky but I don't think he's left town yet. He used your credit card to rent a car. It sounds like he's going around town pretending to be you."

Starsky nodded but didn't answer. Hutch saw the pain that flickered in those deep blue eyes and knew how much Starsky was hurting emotionally at the thought of what Nicky had done to him. Instinctively, Hutch reached out and rubbed Starsky's arm to comfort and soothe him. In a quiet tender voice, he said, "It's not your fault, buddy. Nicky's been on the wrong path for a long time now. You know that."

" 'ill…'amily." Starsky forced out with effort. He had to try to make Hutch understand that no matter what Nicky had done, he was still Starsky's brother.

"Family?" Hutch snorted with disgust. "What kind of brother does what Nicky did to you? He almost killed you, Starsk! The doctor said you probably laid there for at least five or six hours before I found you!" Hutch struggled to keep the anger out of his voice, knowing it would only upset his partner. But, he was barely able to contain the cold rage he felt towards Nick Starsky. "What if I hadn't come by when I did? You would have died! And if Nicky hadn't been so careless…we might never have known who was behind this!"

Starsky turned his head to one side, avoiding Hutch's steady gaze. He could feel the burn of unshed tears in his eyes and a pain in his chest that he knew wouldn't go away anytime soon. He would never forgive Nicky for what he had done. And, when the time came, he would do the right thing and make sure that Nicky paid for his crimes. But, that didn't make it hurt any less. He would have to live with the knowledge that his own brother had betrayed him and tried to kill him.

He felt Hutch's hand settle on his shoulder and was grateful for the big blond's support. Hutch had always been more like a brother to him than Nicky ever was and he always would be. Sometimes, blood wasn't thicker than water. Forcing a small smile on his face, Starsky turned back to meet his friend's gaze. He saw the concern and the compassion reflected in those ice blue eyes.

"Why don't you get some rest, huh?" Hutch suggested his voice suspiciously husky. "I'll be right here when you wake up."

Starsky nodded and let his eyes drift shut, suddenly overwhelmed with exhaustion. He knew it was safe to let himself relax and sleep as long as Hutch had his back. He never had to worry with Hutch at his side. Hutch sat there, smiling fondly, as he watched his dark haired companion sleep. Starsky had always been the strongest, most confident man that Hutch knew. Hutch knew that deep inner strength that had seen Starsky through the rough times before would get him through this too.

He glanced up as the door opened and Huggy Bear came into the room. Pressing a finger against his lips to signal the lanky black man to be quiet so he wouldn't disturb Starsky, Hutch stood up and the two men stepped back into the hallway.

"You got anything, Hug?" Hutch asked as they made their way to a small alcove a short distance from Starsky's room.

"Well, to start with, Ole Nicky hasn't blown town yet. Word on the street is that he came into some bucks and has been flashing it around trying to impress the ladies."

"Any idea where the money came from?"

"Nothing definite but I heard that a man named Ryker back in New York has been looking for him hot and heavy…something to do with some missing bearer bonds worth a small fortune."

"Which means the little asshole probably stole 'em and brought 'em out here to try and sell 'em to the highest bidder."

"And big brother got caught right in the middle."

"Any clue where he's holed up?"

"Nada…but I'm still asking around. Somebody has to know where he's been hiding."

"Probably right out in plain sight." Hutch grumbled, "He's too dumb to lay low for long."

"How's Curly doing?"

"Hanging in there."

"Curly's tough. He'll be okay."

"He's gonna be laid up for a few weeks but the doctors don't think there will be any permanent damage."

"Thank God. He really had me worried this time."

"Me too. It was close this time, Hug. Way too close. He was lucky…damn lucky."

"Sometimes I think he's got as many lives as a cat." Huggy chuckled

"Yeah, well if he does, he's going through them too fast for me."

"I hear ya. Look, I gotta go. Tell Starsky I'm pulling for him and I'll let you know if I hear anything else about little brother."

"Thanks, Hug." Hutch told him with a grateful smile.

"I'll stop by later with some real food."

"That sounds great but Starsky can't eat anything right now that he can't drink through a straw." Hutch reminded him.

"Bet he really likes that." Huggy chuckled. "I'll bring him a nice thick chocolate milkshake. Maybe that'll make him feel better."

"Couldn't hurt." Hutch agreed with a laugh. He turned to head back to Starsky's room while Huggy left to return to his business. Starsky slept most of the afternoon, waking up that evening shortly before Huggy returned with his treat. Huggy and Hutch talked between themselves while Starsky enjoyed his milkshake. He contributed a few one word sentences to the conversation but mostly he kept silent. He knew that his jaw would have to remain wired shut for a few weeks while the shattered bones healed and he wasn't looking forward to it.

After Huggy left, Hutch helped Starsky out of bed so he could make his first trip to the bathroom by himself. As soon as he was able to, Starsky had insisted that the catheter be removed. Doctor Franklin had reluctantly agreed as long as Starsky agreed to stay in bed except for brief trips to the bathroom.

Once he was certain Starsky had his balance and wasn't going to fall on his face, Hutch stepped back outside to give him some privacy to take care of business. When he had finished, Starsky stepped up to the sink to wash his hands and caught his first glimpse of his battered face in the mirror. He stood there staring at the stranger reflected in the glass.

The entire left side of his face was heavily bruised, although the bruising was starting to fade to a sickening shade of yellowish-brown. His eyes were bloodshot and his nose was still swollen and slightly crooked. The doctors couldn't straighten it until the swelling went down some more. His lips were cracked and he could see the metal from the wires inside his mouth. A thick bandage still covered the right side of his head where his skull had been fractured. He sighed heavily and turned away from his image. Now, he understood why everyone kept looking at him with so much pity in their eyes.

He straightened his shoulders, determined not to let Hutch see how upset he was by his appearance. But, Hutch knew anyway. He knew when he saw the wounded expression in those expressive blue eyes when Starsky stepped out of the bathroom . Slipping a supportive arm around his waist, Hutch carefully guided him back to his bed and helped him to settle in for the night.

Hutch was released the next morning with strict orders to take it easy for a week or two. It felt good to be back in his own apartment but he still found himself missing Starsky and wishing that his friend was there with him. He missed hearing his laughter and listening to his non-stop chatter. Hutch sighed as he cared for his neglected jungle, watering each plant carefully and pulling off a few dead leaves here and there. Caring for his plants always soothed and calmed him.

Hutch called headquarters but there was still no news on Nick's whereabouts. There had been no more activity on any of Starsky's credit cards and, so far, the car he'd rented in Starsky's name had not been spotted by any patrol cars.

Hutch knew Nicky that couldn't stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, he would surface and Hutch would be waiting.