It's my birthday today so here is my present to you. I hope you enjoy it. Thank you very, very much for your lovely reviews.
Starsky vs Hutch
Chapter 8
Hutch endured a night disturbed by regular checks from the nursing staff, as well as nightmares when he was allowed to sleep. This was followed by a day of pointless, to his way of thinking, tests.
He had fallen asleep after breakfast on the second day and was surprised to see Huggy dozing in a chair beside his bed when he awoke an hour or so later. He attempted to stretch but immediately regretted it when his battered body protested. His groan alerted Huggy who sat up and smiled. "Good morning, amigo."
"Huggy! What are you doing here?"
"Waitin' to blow you outa this joint."
Hutch smiled. "That sounds good, Hug. Let's go."
"Not so fast, my blond brother. I promised the pretty nurse I would tell her when you woke up."
"Aw, Hug..." Hutch began, but Huggy had already pressed the call button.
Soon after, a nurse bustled in and proceeded to silently check Hutch's vital signs. "I'll tell the doctor you're awake," she said as she hurried back out again.
Huggy looked on in amusement. "You're losing your touch, Blondie...although you're not looking your best just now."
"Just help me up, will ya?" Hutch hissed in a breath as Huggy helped him to a sitting position. He rested his hands on his knees, shoulders slumped and head hanging. Huggy eyed him worriedly.
"Are you sure you're ready to go home?"
Hutch shot him a glare. Huggy held up his hands. "Just askin'."
Hutch slowly pulled himself into a more upright position. Every part of his body ached and he longed for a hot shower or maybe even a soak in the bath tub to ease the pain and tension that permeated his whole being. He wasn't sure how he was going to relieve the ache in his heart however.
It was inconceivable to him that Starsky would willingly attack him, and certainly there had been no flicker of recognition in his eyes, but Starsky had attacked him. He needed to find him, then he was sure everything would be right again.
A tall, thin, bespectacled doctor entered the room followed by the nurse. "Good morning, Detective Hutchinson. Let me examine you and we'll see if you're ready to go home."
"I'll wait outside," Huggy excused himself.
The doctor took his time checking Hutch's injuries and reading his medical notes. Hutch felt himself becoming increasingly impatient but knew better than to antagonise the man so he kept quiet.
At last the doctor spoke. "Well, you've been very lucky, detective. No broken bones but you have extensive bruising and you will be sore for several days. Your kidneys appear undamaged and our tests bear that out, but again that area is going to be tender for some time. I'll prescribe some painkillers for you and you're free to go."
"Thanks, doctor."
"But if you have any problems you must come back immediately."
"Yessir," Hutch replied, grateful that escape was imminent.
"Nurse, will you deal with Detective Hutchinson's discharge papers please."
"Thank you, doctor." Hutch shook his hand.
The process of being discharged seemed to take forever but at last Hutch was safely installed in Huggy's car and en route for Venice Place. Mounting the stairs to his apartment felt like climbing Everest but he managed. He felt Huggy watching him and was determined to do it on his own, although sweat was beading on his forehead and his legs were trembling with exertion.
Huggy knew better than to say anything. He saw Hutch settled on the couch and then hustled into the kitchen. He came back with a sandwich and a glass of juice.
"Here ya go. I'll go get your painkillers while you enjoy that."
"I don't need 'em," Hutch growled.
Huggy stared at him for a moment with narrowed eyes then said "I'll go get them anyway. Eat up and enjoy."
Hutch watched him go then, realising he was hungry, he picked up the sandwich and took a bite.
He was half asleep when Huggy returned but soon roused himself when he realised White and Hogan were accompanying him.
"Any news, guys?" he asked eagerly.
"Sorry, Hutch. Nothing yet," said Hogan.
"They'll have gone underground," added White. "Don't worry, Hutch. We'll find them."
Hutch made to get up. "I shouldn't be here. I should be at headquarters." He subsided back onto the couch, biting back a groan of pain.
Hogan dropped down on his haunches to look into Hutch's face. "Stay here today, Hutch...Dobey's orders. Start to heal and come in fresh tomorrow. We won't do anything without telling you first."
Hutch stared at him for a long moment then looked at Huggy who gave a small nod. He was filled with frustration but could see the futility of going against Dobey's orders. Also he recognised the limitations of his own body just then.
"We've got to get him out of there," he whispered. "I'm sure he doesn't know what he's doing."
White rested a hand on his shoulder. "We will find him, Hutch. We're going on duty now and we'll be talking to everyone and looking everywhere. We'll see you in the morning."
Hutch spent the rest of the day dozing fitfully. Each time he awoke Huggy was there, silently supportive and plying him with food.
Finally at about nine o'clock Hutch said "Go home, Huggy. I'm gonna have a shower and go to bed."
"'S okay, Hutch. I wanna stay. His curliness would never forgive me if I left you alone in this state."
Hutch smiled gently. "I'm not in a state, Huggy," he said softly. "But thank you. I appreciate it."
"No problemo, amigo."
Once again Hutch's sleep was disturbed by nightmares which he tried to keep quiet, but judging by Huggy's concerned glances the following morning, he had not been successful.
Physically he felt a little better but when he looked in the mirror, he could see that his face was a mess, his nose swollen and both eyes blackened as well as a cut on his cheekbone and various bruises. "I wonder if Starsky looks this bad?" he thought, then hoped that he didn't.
A hot shower soothed his aching muscles and Huggy had prepared him a good breakfast. "Thanks, Huggy. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this."
"Hey, that's what friends are for."
Hutch arrived at headquarters a little later and was nearly bowled over by Minnie when she saw him. He grunted as she flung her arms around his waist. "Hutch! Are you okay? I was so worried when the call came in." She looked up at him. "Oh, Hutch. Your poor face."
"Don't worry, Minnie. I'll live."
"I hope the other guy looks as bad as you...or worse."
A cloud passed over Hutch's face and he drew Minnie to one side. Looking around to make sure no one could overhear he said quietly "It was Starsky." Minnie gaped at him. Hutch nodded. "Starsky did this."
"No," Minnie gasped. "Starsky wouldn't do this to you. He couldn't."
"I know, Minnie. I know. I don't think he knew what he was doing. He certainly didn't seem to recognise me. I tried to get through to him...I really tried. I c...c...couldn't...I...I...I just couldn't hit him back. I couldn't hurt him."
Minnie put her hand to his face gently. "Hutch, sweetie. You'll find him and sort this out...I know you will."
Hutch smiled sadly. "Thanks, Minnie. I hope so."
Hutch went into the squad room, fielding comments from the other detectives. He felt a bit embarrassed as he had obviously come off second best, but the ribbing was good-natured.
"Hutchinson! Hogan! White!" came Dobey's voice.
White and Hogan picked up their cups and files. Hutch got a cup, checked inside then poured some coffee and followed the others into Dobey's office, closing the door behind him.
Dobey looked at Hutch in concern. "How are you, Hutch? Are you sure you're up to this?"
Hutch's eyes flashed and he unconsciously pulled himself straighter. "Yes, Captain. I'm fine."
Dobey eyed him with suspicion. "You don't look fine."
"I just want to find Starsky and get back to normal."
"We all do," said Dobey, apparently satisfied that Hutch was capable of functioning as a competent police officer. "So let's get down to business."
After reviewing all the statements they felt no closer to solving the case.
"I think they think we are close," said White.
"Yeah. That's why they targeted you, Hutch," agreed Hogan.
"And that makes you targets too," said Hutch.
"So lets help them," said White.
"You are not setting yourselves up! Dobey barked.
"I think it's a good idea, Captain. We go about our business as conspicuously as possible and draw them to us," said Hutch. "We know that we are targets so we'll be ready."
"I don't like it," Dobey grumbled.
Hogan chimed in. "Yeah but we know the score, Captain. White and I can watch each other's backs like always and you'll have no shortage of volunteers to cover Hutch."
Hutch quickly hid his annoyance behind a mask of equanimity, knowing that the captain would not agree to him cruising the streets alone. "Look, Cap, I'll stay here today and work with Minnie, see if we can find out any more. Then tonight I'll go to Huggy's and follow my normal routine."
Dobey groused a little more but knew his officers needed to go out on patrol as normal and at least they were prepared for trouble.
Hutch sought out Minnie, taking all the files with him and they started the painstaking business of toiling through all the records one more time to try and find a clue that would help them track down Starsky and his abductors.
They took a break in the canteen. "This isn't quite what I had in mind when I promised you a meal," Hutch smiled.
Minnie returned his smile. "And I said you don't need to..."
"Yes I do. We wouldn't be so far on with the investigation without you and I'm sure Starsky will want to thank you himself when he's back."
Minnie was about to reply when Captain Dobey approached their table.
"Hutchinson, I need you to come with me. Someone hit White and Hogan." He put up a hand to stop them before either could speak. "They're both okay, thank God. Their back-up did a good job. And although they got away we have a make on their car and an address. I thought you'd want to be in on this one."
Hutch was out of his seat like a jack-rabbit. Minnie touched his hand. "Take care, honey. Come back safe, both of you." He squeezed her hand then followed Dobey.
TBC
