Disclaimer: I own nothing!

Lonestar

Ch.3

Hutch moved Starsky into the front seat of his truck and threw the wheelchair and duffle bag into the bed of the truck. He climbed into the cab and looked at Starsky.

"Time to go home, babe." Hutch said leaning over and buckling Starsky into the seat. Starsky had his eyes open staring at nothing making no movement to Hutch's voice.

Starting the engine Hutch took a big breath and held it.

Everything's okay.

I'll make everything okay.

Damn it.

Why him?

Hutch slammed his fists against the steering wheel his breath coming out in a whoosh. He looked at Starsky and nodded.

"I'll make it all better." Hutch promised and started the engine. He smiled then, they were going home.

Starsky closed his eyes falling asleep within a couple minutes on the road. Hutch found himself looking over at Starsky every couple minutes to make sure he was really there.

His mind began to wonder to that phone call two months ago that changed everything in his present world.

"Hello this is Sheriff Hutchison. How can I help you?"

"Hutch this is Captain Dobey."

"Captain Dobey. How did you find me.....?"

"A lot of phone calls and promises to a lot of people." Captain Dobey replied

"Uh.... How's your family?"

"Great...Great... Cal is playing Varsity Football and Rosie is getting straight A's. How about you? A Sheriff now?"

"About two years now." Hutch said.

Captain Dobey decided he better get to the point of this phone call.

"Hutch have you heard about Starsky?"

"No. Why? Is he okay?" Hutch asked his heart skipping a beat.

"Hutch there was a hostage situation."

"Is he OKAY?" Hutch yelled.

"Hutch, a Father was holding his step children hostage and you know Starsky. He had to be the hero and went in without waiting for backup. Hutch....." Captain Dobey quit talking.

"Is he okay?"

"Hutch....the Father went crazy when Starsky came in he shot him and then shot himself."

"Is he all right?" Hutch was barely able to ask by then. Fear was gripping a hand around his heart and squeezing.

"He was shot three times, Hutch. Twice in the chest and once in his leg."

"Is he alive?" Hutch's voice was breaking in the pain. The hand on his heart was getting tighter.

"Yes, but not by much. Hutch it happened five months ago."

"Five months.........why didn't you call me?" he demanded.

"Starsky's mother didn't want us to call you? She didn't want you back in his life." Captain Dobey hated not being able to call Hutch but she made him promise not to. It was the hardest promise he ever made.

"Why now?" Hutch whispered.

"She gave up on him, left town yesterday to take care of his younger brother. Hutch, I made the decision to call you."

"Where is he now?"

"In a long term faculty about three hours from here."

"I want him here...With me."

Hutch glanced over at Starsky. It had taken another two months before he could convince Starsky's mother and his doctors to give him a chance. The doctors didn't think Starsky would recover from his wounds. They thought that Starsky would stay in an unresponsive state the rest of his life. That he would never be able to think or act again.

No one understood why Hutch wanted to do this. Hutch would be responsible for feeding him, cleaning him and anything else that might need to be done. He told them that he had to and left it at that. No one could understand.

Three hours later he was passing the city limits sign for Cooper town.

He smiled.

Home

"Hey Starsky. We're home." Hutch said glancing over at his friend. Starsky's eyes were still closed his head leaning against the window.

"Only fifteen minutes now." Hutch said as he drove down Main Street. His eyes glanced over the streets, not many people were out in the middle of the day. The heat kept most people inside their homes trying to stay cool.

Copper town is a small town. Only one street goes through it. There are only a few shops in town. A small grocery store, hardware/feed/gasoline store and a barber shop. Anything else people needed they drove the three hours to Laredo.

Hutch left the small town and drove toward his ranch. As he drove underneath the ranch sign he turned to Starsky and smiled.

"Starsky your home."

"Welcome to the Dynamic Duo ranch." Hutch said. His truck leaving a dust cloud behind it as Hutch steered it into their new lives.

TBC....Please Comment