Part IX

Between the surgery and recovery, it was several days before Hutch was released from the hospital with a lengthy list of things not to do for the next couple of weeks. A list promptly commandeered by Starsky with the guarantee back to the doctor that it would be followed.

Hutch just gave a sigh followed by a chuckle and didn't argue. It just felt too good to be going out of the hospital doors, even if the doctor had insisted it be in a wheelchair - preferably being pushed by someone else rather than him pushing it along himself. Starsky had, of course, taken the job and fussed a bit with getting Hutch settled into the passenger seat and said a few choice words to the wheelchair before he could finally get it folded and loaded as well.

As he climbed behind the wheel, Starsky flashed a smile over at Hutch. He was still on the pale side, but it felt really good to see his partner sitting in that seat again. Hutch just gave him a smile back and spoke as if Starsky had said that thought out loud.

"Good to be back."

"Good to have you back, pard. Hey - I promised Hug that we'd drop by and see him after you got sprung. Guy's been worried about you - I think he even lost weight and you know Huggy. He doesn't have much to spare. Think you're up for that?"

"Sure, I can handle that. Seems like weeks since I was there instead of just days."

After they parked, Hutch watched in amusement as Starsky had another wrestling match with the wheelchair. About five minutes later, Hutch was finally settled into it and Starsky wheeled him toward the door, reversing so that he went through first, pulling the chair behind him. Then he turned Hutch around with a flourish.

Hutch's expression went from shocked to a grin. The Pits was full of people he knew - including Captain Dobey and several other guys from the precinct. Huggy had a huge smile on his face as he headed over.

"I promised you we'd take up the party again when you got back here with our boy Starsky. The Bear always keeps his word, m' man. We even kept the cake Starsk brought back in the freezer for you. Got a fresher one as well."

Reaching out, Hutch clasped Huggy's hand firmly, smiling almost as much as he was. A quick glance down showed Huggy the marks still healing around Hutch's wrists. He didn't know how these guys did it. Kept fighting, surviving and going back for more. He was just glad that they did do it. City would've been a lot uglier place without them.

"This is great, Hug. Thanks, man... really."

"Least I can do for my blonde twin, right? Come on, folks - let the party begin! No jostling Hutch here - everybody be cool and takes turns. Don't crowd the man."

It took a good half hour before things settled down enough for Captain Dobey to pull up a chair near Starsky and Hutch so that they could talk for a minute.

"Thought you guys would like to know that Bambrick agree to sign himself up for observation. Starsky, those guys you recommended from the Vet Center are going to be working with him. They've been working with some treatments on veterans that they think will help him out."

"I hope so, Captain. At first, it was like he wasn't there emotionally at all."

"Sounds about right, Hutchinson. Guys at the center said that they're starting to get together lists of symptoms to help out other places dealing with this sort of thing. One of them was emotional numbness. They also tell me that it might be a condition we see come up more often as more veterans settle back into society."

"That's something I wanted to talk to you two about. Hutch can't return to full duty yet, but the doctor said he'd be alright releasing you to the kind of duty I have in mind."

He had both of their full attention, but Starsky spoke first.

"What kind of duty is that, Captain?"

"I'd like for you both to get together with the men at the Vet Center and put together a briefing. Go around to the other precincts and tell them about your experiences. What to watch out for. We have men in situations every day that might affect someone like Bambrick was. If we can keep an eye out for each other, maybe the next guy can get help before something happens instead of after."

They didn't even have to exchange glances. Hutch just leaned back in the wheelchair.

"When do we start?"

Dobey just smiled.

"Monday. Vet Center's already expecting you. You're both off-duty until then. I think I can trust your mother hen to take care of you in the meantime."

Dobey got back up.

"Now - I think I'm going to grab a piece of that cake to go and head back to the station. Enjoy your party. And happy birthday."

"Thanks, Captain."

Alone again with Starsky for a minute, Hutch just gave a tired, but contented sounding sigh.

"Just nice to be able to think about making it to the next birthday."

Huggy dropped by their table just then, delivering slices of cake and two cups of coffee.

"Can't miss out on your own cake, Hutch. You okay?"

"I'm fine, Hug. Just a little tired. Hey, thanks for all this again."

"Anytime, m' man. Anytime. You need to cut out and catch some zz's, everybody will understand. All just glad to see you back."

"Cake first, then maybe a day or two long nap."

Huggy chuckled and went back to looking after the other guests as Starsky picked up his cup of coffee.

"Let's try to keep next year's festivities more low-key, Blondie."

Reaching over and picking up his own coffee, Hutch nodded.

"Sounds like a plan to me, buddy."