There was nothing more to say. Hutch agreed to let Dylan remain with Rosie. He had been and seen the child. Told him that Starsky was injured but fine and resting. He did not want to lie to the child, but felt that withholding some information would protect him. He barely acknowledged Michael. The little boy was supposed to be Starsky's flesh and blood and yet Hutch felt closer to Dylan. Or is it that your Venn's son? Hutch thought as he hugged the child goodbye. He returned to the hospital.
On arrival, he was surprised, but pleased to see his friend sitting up in bed. "Hutch!" His eyes lit up at the site of his partner. "Hey Starsk'. How ya doin' buddy?" Hutch approached the bed and sat down. Starsky reached out for Hutch's hand. "I'm okay, I guess. Did you get Dylan?" "Ah no, Rosie's gonna keep him. You okay with that?" Hutch asked. "Sure. Why wouldn't I be? Hutch we need to talk. There's some things I need to tell you." "Starsk' they'll be time for that, when you get outta here." Hutch soothed. He was not sure he wanted to hear what Starsky had to say. What's happened to us buddy? Where do we go from here? Starsky could see doubt in Hutch's face. He continued, "Hutch you gotta listen to me..." He looked at Hutch, pleadingly. "It's important." "Okay partner." he replied quietly." Hutch me and Rosie.." Starsky began. Hutch interrupted, "Starsky, there is no you and Rosie. What about Venna?" he challenged. "Hutch, listen to me. I know it's hard. You loved her too. I understand that. You think I'm being disloyal, hell I wondered that myself, but with Rosie, it feels...God I don't know Hutch, but it feels so right." Starsky tried to explain. "Was that before or after you found out about Michael, Starsky?" Hutch asked, coldly. "Hutch I'm sorry I didn't talk to you before, but we...well you know, we're not exactly connecting at the moment, are we?" "Starsky we've never had secrets from each other. Me and Thand Starsky was sorry, but determined that, this time, he was going to put his need's before his partner's. "Hutch I'm doing what's right for me." he tried to explain. "And Dylan? Where does Dylan fit into all this?" asked Hutch, still angry. "Hutch I'll have a better chance of keeping Dylan, if I'm settled. He'll have a brother, a mom." "He had a brother and a mom Starsky. What makes you think he wants, or is even ready for another?" Hutch was getting angrier. He was not trying to understand how Starsky felt. All he could think of was Venna. How could his partner even be thinking this way so soon after her death? "I don't understand you, Starsky. I thought you loved her?" he asked. "Hutch I still love her. I haven't forgotten her." He sighed. "I'll never forget her. What we had, what we were, together. But she's gone. I love Rosie." Starsky tried to explain, but Hutch wasn't listening. "I've gotta go buddy. Look I'll be back in the morning. Got things to do. You know?" Hutch was trying to dismiss Starsky and Starsky heard it. He was sorry. He was confused. They both were. Starsky was scared. He did not understand what this meant for them. What if they could not get over this? "Hutch?" "Yeah Starsk?" "I love you buddy." Hutch's face softened, his anger partially subsided. "I love you too buddy. Now get some sleep. I'll be back in the morning." "Okay Hutch." Starsky knew he would not sleep that night.
Early the next morning, Rosie arrived at the hospital with Michael and Dylan. Starsky was ecstatic to see them, "Hey guys!" he grinned and then smiling warmly at Rosie, "You came. How's he been?" he nodded towards Dylan. "He's been fine. David, the boys have had a wonderful time together, haven't you guys?" she asked the children. "Sure have Starsky!" grinned Dylan. "I got a new brother!" he continued. Starsky looked at Rosie, "What's going on Rosie?" "David don't be angry. I sat down with the children last night. They know everything." She seemed pleased but Starsky was angry. "What gave you the right? Who said you could talk to Dylan without me?","David please..." "Please what? Rosie Dylan is Venna's son. Not yours! You had no right to make that decision, without me!" "David I was only tryin'..." she pleaded. "Tryin' what? Hutch was right about you. This isn't love. You're not Venna. Rosie go!" "David..." Her face searched his, all the love she had seen there before was gone. Starsky was angry. "Rosie just go." He closed his eyes, softly he said "Please"
Rosie went to leave. She took Dylan and Michael's hands and went to leave. "Dylan stays with me" Starsky instructed coldly. "David, he's a little boy. Let me take him to school. What ever is going on, he's nothing to do with this." "He stays" Starsky said firmly. Rosie bent and gave Dylan a kiss. "I'll see you soon sweet heart. You stay here with Starsky okay?" "Aw. I wanna go with Michael." The little boy begged. He liked this lady. She was not his mommy but she was a kind lady. He liked being at her house. But he loved Starsky too. He nodded and went and sat on the chair next to Starsky's bed. "Michael go and say goodbye to your daddy." she instructed their son. "Michael hesitated. He did not know this strange man. He also knew he was angry and that had frightened him. Starsky, seeing the hesitation in the child, said to him, gently, "It's okay Mickey. You go to school. I'll see you soon. Go on now. Go with mommy." This was all moving to fast for Starsky. He was tired. He knew he needed to get to know his son but his priority was Dylan. He needed Hutch. Hutch would know what to do. I'm gonna make it up to you buddy. He buzzed for a nurse. "Nurse can you call my partner. Ken Hutchinson? 9th Precinct. I need him to come and take my boy." Please come Hutch, we gotta work this out. I need you.
Hutch was in the squad room when he got the call, from the hospital. When he was told that his partner needed him, he was afraid that Starsky had taken a turn for the worse. We gotta work this out Starsky. If I lose you, I need you to know how I feel. He got into his car and made his way to the hospital.
When he arrived he cautiously made his way into Starsky's room. Dylan was sitting, with some colouring books on Starsky's bed. They were both colouring a picture of a house. "Hey guys!" Hutch said, cheerfully, as he walked in. "Hutch!" Dylan hopped off the bed and ran to him. Hutch scooped him up and carried him back to the bed. He sat down, with Dylan on his lap. Starsky sat, in bed, looking at them both. "Starsk'" "Hutch" they both said in unison and laughed. Hutch touched Starsky's arm. "I'm sorry buddy. I've been selfish and horrid and confused and..." Hutch began, but Starsky interrupted him. "Hutch, it's okay. It's been hard for both of us. In this room..."Starsky looked at Hutch, then Dylan," In this room, is all I need." He smiled tenderly at Hutch. "What about Michael and Rosie?" asked Hutch. "You were right partner, there is no Rosie and me. I guess I wanted there to be. I wanted to create that dream again, you know the one with the happy family, kids, house. I don't love her Hutch. I love Venna. I guess Rosie came along at a time when I was venerable. We weren't connecting. I had Dylan, I was lonely. Lost. Scared. I want to know Michael, but I don't know if I can be a father to him. I don't know. There's a lot still to figure out." Starsky was beat. "We'll figure it out together, partner. Maybe there is no fairy tale ending? Maybe this is as good as it gets? but I tell ya buddy, from where I'm sitting this looks pretty good" Both Hutch and Starsky laughed.
They were going to make it. Things would be different. Starsky had two children to consider now, but both detectives were together again, their friendship intact, and they knew that what ever happens, they would never be alone. Never alone.