They talked to him, but he didn't hear them. They tried to get through to him, but there was no part of him that wanted to listen. Their words were hollow, their soft touches and gentle smiles invoked no feelings. They could not give him back what he had lost; they could not see the hole in his heart that would never be filled.

Time had no meaning where he was. Day and night were defined by whether his body was sitting up or lying down. The space in between was a dark void filled with silence and old painful memories. He refused to let himself lose them, even though the pain they brought was so strong his eyes would fill with tears, the only sign to the outside world that he was still alive.

A touch, light and gentle on Hutch's shoulder. He felt it but did nothing to show that he registered it. The grip tightened briefly and something inside his mind told him that this was not one of the others.

Soft, but unsteady breathing brushed past his ear." Hey" The whispered word came in his ear. That voice, he knew it but his mind dismissed it. That voice was gone, silenced forever. It was just his mind playing tricks on him.

The hand was remove from his shoulder, but replaced by a flicker of movement beside him. All he saw was a blur of brown and blue, it moved directly into his line of vision. The brown blur focused into a brown leather jacket, one he had seen so many times in his mind, even when his eyes were open.

There was further movement before him; a face, the same one that haunted his mind ever since that day, replaced the jacket. He closed his eyes, his only way of escaping the image. It was a dream, just another dream, another piece of the nightmare he was trapped in.

The hand was back, but this time is cupped his cheek, the thumb caressing the corner of his eye. That simple movement brought a flash of old memories. Lying shivering, aching on a bed while that hand held the side of his face, forcing him to swallow a mouthful of hot coffee.

A tear ran down his cheek, but it was quickly wiped away.

"Hey Blonde, please don't cry" The old familiar voice said.

Hutch opened his eyes only to find them locking onto the man before him. The sight of seeing those sparkling blue eyes peeking out under those heavy eyelids brought another tear to his eye.

"Gee, if you keep this up you'll get me going" Ignoring the words, but listening to the voice Hutch slowly reached out a trembling hand towards the face. He needed to touch it with his own hand, the contact that would anchor him to the reality. His fingers brushed against lips that curled up at his touch. They moved up to run down the side of the face, snagging a few curls on it's way down.

Hutch opened his mouth and attempted to get one word out, but it was in vain. He tried again and managed to get out one whispered word.

"Starsk"

"You know it"

Hutch wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. It was too much. His friend was dead, that he thought he knew, but here he was sitting right in front of him. He could touch him, he could talk to him, his voice was as clear as his own. Every part of him was screaming that this was not another dream. His mind, his heart and soul, told him that his friend was really alive, standing right before him.

"Starsky" He said a little louder. He closed his eyes briefly and wiped a hand across

his eyes. When he opened them he half expected his friend to have vanished, but he was still there, although now Hutch could see him more clearly. His face was almost completely black and there were a few streaks of blood on the side of his head. His curls were drenched in a combination of sweat and something that smelled like gasoline.

"You look terrible" Hutch whispered with his first real attempt at a smile. Starsky made a better attempt, his smile taking over his entire face.

"You always know how to compliment a guy"

Hutch couldn't help it anymore he started to laugh, but at the same time he felt tears run down his face. He tried wiping them away, but there was so many of them. In a second he was no longer laughing, but crying his eyes out.

Starsky's arms wrapped around him and pulled him close to his chest. Hutch returned the embrace, squeezing his body so close to his friend that he could feel his friends heart beat in time with his own. There was no doubt now, his friend was alive.


The hospital kept Starsky in over night to monitor his breathing to make certain the smoke inhalation didn't cause any problems. Hutch stayed with his partner during the night, only letting him out of his sight while Starsky took a shower. He was still visibly shaken up by the whole experience and suffered from a few nightmares while he slept, but every time he woke Starsky woke too and helped him to go back to sleep.

When Starsky was released with his injured shoulder in a sling he insisted that Hutch stay with him until he found a new place, an offer Hutch couldn't turn down.

Finding a new place to live however was not an easy task. There were a number of places that Hutch liked the look of, but was not pleased with the location. Unfortunately the places that were in good locations Hutch didn't like.

Starsky remained helpful and supportive at first, but was getting frustrated fast.

"This one sounds nice" Starsky said while he sat on the floor, his head on a chair, his feet resting on the table. "It has a nice view of the lake" Hutch was sat on the sofa; taking sips from a bottle of beer.

"I've looked at most of the places along the lake, can't say I'm impressed with any of them" Starsky sighed and continued to flick through the paper.

"You're getting way too picky" Starsky mumbled.

"Hey, I'm looking for a place that I can live in for a while, maybe until I retire and that my friend is a long while so I need a place that I'm going to be happy with, I don't want any old rubbish tip"

"I guess living in your car is out then" Hutch threw his partner a scowl.

"Is this how you treat all your house guest, if so I pity them" Starsky ignored Hutch's grumbling and turned back to the paper.

"Well how about this, there's a nice apartment not far from your old place" Hutch visibly shuddered.

"I'd rather get away from that area if you don't mind," Hutch said solemnly. Starsky noted Hutches tense face and decided not to push. Hutch had not been very verbal on the whole burning of his old apartment and Starsky had not pushed him, hoping that he would talk about it when he was ready.

"All right" He turned his head back to the paper, but kept his eyes on his friend.

"Here's something, there's a one room sofa apartment with a kitchen, living room and oh look a housemate, quite a good looking guy too and here's the best part, it's free for as long as you want" Hutch smiled, his tense muscles relaxing.

"Thanks pal" He said sincerely. Starsky smiled too, but it turned a little bitter sweet as he looked back at the paper.

"Ah, there's one condition though" Hutch raised an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah what's that?"

"You don't get to cook"

The End

Thanks to everyone whom has either read the story and reviewed or just read it. I'd be surprised if there is anybody who reviewed it without reading it. That would be mighty strange.

Thanks to Sel for being my proofreader, it was greatly appreciated. Love you.n