Temporary

Disclaimer: The only characters in this story that I own, who are worth mentioning is Alan. He is all mine, please go easy on him, he means well.

Monday. It was the day school kids and workmen hated the most. The beginning of a new week, meaning back to work after the joys of spending time at home. It was the day everyone dreaded, unless you were Ken Hutchinson.

Monday didn't mean much to him; it was just another day spent without his partner by his side.

It had been almost three weeks since Starsky had been shot down in the police garage and hospitalised. Hutch had spent the first week by his side nearly every minute of the day, but the doctors and Dobey together got him to leave for a whole day where he crashed and slept for a full 24 hours. During the second week Hutch went home at night and spent at least a few hours everyday away from the hospital. That had been Starsky's order, not Dobey's. On the third week Hutch had to go back to work, although he refused to be given a new partner and took desk duty inside. It was boring and seemed to make the hours go by slower than he thought was possible, but he was rewarded at the end of the day when he got to return to the hospital and visit Starsky. It was the only place that brought a smile to his face and everyone at the station had noticed. His voice had developed into a monotone and the only time he showed any emotion was when the coffee was too hot and burned his mouth.

Hutch sat at his typewriter staring at the words he had typed only a second ago and realised that none of t made any sense. He read it through a few times, but it was like reading a dead language. He took the piece of paper out of the machine and threw it in the bin. Before he could select a new piece Dobey's door opened and his Captains head poked out.

"Hutchinson, in my office now" He said before disappearing back into his office.

Hutch got his feet and made his way into Dobey's office, closing the door behind him.

He didn't notice that there was another person in the room beside himself and the Captain until he took a seat.

The man appeared much younger than Hutch, but there was something in his eyes that said he was no fresh faced youngest, fresh out of the academy. He had short black hair and was rather surprisingly thin.

"Now Hutchinson, first off I'd like to introduce you to Alan Maundrell, he's just transferred here from England"

Alan smiled shyly and offered his hand to Hutch, who shook it hesitantly.

"Nice to meet you" Alan said.

"Likewise"

A moments silence pasted while Dobey rearranged a few things on his desk.

"As you know the department is extremely busy at the moment. Nearly every detective is up to their eyebrows in work, and as you know we have two policemen off sick with the damn flu and your partner's still in the hospital" He paused while he let the information sink in. Hutch merely stared impatiently at the Captain.

"I'm afraid at this time I can't have one of my best detectives on desk duty" Hutch looked at Dobey, then shifted to Alan and then back to Dobey.

"Where are you going with this?" Hutch asked, even though he had a pretty clear idea.

"I need you out on the streets Hutch, but I can't have you out there alone, so I'm assigning Alan as your temporary partner"

Hutch stared across the desk at Dobey, who just stared back. The silence remained for only a minute before Hutch turned his gaze on to Alan.

"I don't suppose you could excuse us for a moment" Hutch asked blankly. Alan nodded.

"If that's o-okay with you Captain" Dobey nodded. Hutch took note of the tiny stutter wondered briefly if it was caused by nerves or natural.

Alan picked up the briefcase by his leg and left the office. The moment the door swung shut Hutch leapt from his chair, slamming his palms on the desk.

"I thought I made it clear three weeks ago that I was NOT accepting a new partner, I already have one"

"You have a partner who is out of action. I'm upset about that almost as much as you, but it can't be helped and I need you on the streets Hutch" Dobey remained in his seat, but his voice carried the same level as anger as Hutch's.

"If that's true then I'll work alone" Hutch lowered his voice so it was low, but harsh.

"No one in this department works alone so you'll take your new partner and get out on the streets right this minute" Hutch pointed his finger in Dobey's direction and clenched his other hand into a fist.

"You can take him and you can stick him" With those last words Hutch turned and headed to the door.

"Hutchinson" Dobey barked, but his only response was the door slamming shut.

Room 284, a place he had spent many hours in and every moment was cherished, but this was the first time Hutch approached the door was a heavy feeling in his gut.

Immediately after leaving Dobey's office he had marched past his temporary partner and decided to go straight to the hospital. At the time it had felt right, but now that he stood before the door that led to his partner he felt a strong urge to turn around and leave.

A part of him kept telling him he needed to talk to Starsky about Dobey decision to give him a new partner, but a big part of wanted him to keep his mouth shut and just enjoy his visit with his friend. It was this part of him that controlled the hand that opened the door.

It was a familiar scene, in fact there was barely a single time over the past few weeks when Hutch entered the room to find Starsky awake. During the first few weeks he was usually found in a drug induced sleep, but now he was just dozing naturally.

Hutch approached the chair he had spent many hours sitting and sleeping on and sat down.

Unlike most times Hutch had nothing to read with him. Normally he would bring a newspaper or a book to read, but since this was an unscheduled visit he had not brought a thing.

Fortunately he didn't have to wait long, he saw heard a faint moan coming from the bed and he smiled.

Starsky raised a hand to wipe over his tired, pale face before he opened his eyes. The look of surprise that passed over his face was enough to make Hutch's smile grow.

"Hey," Hutch said softly.

"What are you doing here?" Starsky asked sleepily. Hutch pretended to look hurt.

"That's a lovely way to greet a friend" Starsky smiled and wiped a speck of sleep from his left eye.

"Sorry, just didn't realise it was so late in the day" He looked over at the clock by his bed and frowned. "And apparently it ain't"

Hutch clasped his hands together and clamped them between his knees.

"Yeah I guess I am a little early" His eyes fell from his friends face and found the floor instead.

"What's up, Dobey giving you a hard time or something" Starsky said, a look of concern forcing itself upon his face. Hutch didn't look up.

"Yeah something like that" He looked back up and smiled slightly. Starsky frowned.

"What's going on?" He asked. Hutch avoided looking his friend in the eyes as he replied.

"Nothing worth mentioning, um...are you okay, do you want to sit up?" Starsky didn't respond he just stared at Hutch hoping his gaze would some how get Hutch to confess whatever he was clearly hiding.

""Maybe a drink," Hutch suggested.

"How about an answer, a straight one if you can handle it" Hutch busied himself in pouring a glass of water from a pitch that sat on the beside table.

"I told you it's not important" Hutch handed Starsky the glass, but when his partner didn't take it he took a sip of it himself.

"You know throughout my years as a cop I like to think I've gotten pretty good at reading when someone's lying or hiding something, especially you, so kindly dispense with the bullshit and tell me what's going on"

Hutch sighed. He knew he couldn't hide the truth forever, especially from Starsky, but he was still unwilling to speak.

"You certainly woke up in a good mood today" Hutch said quietly, stalling for time.

"Yeah it comes from lying in this stupid bed all day in constant pain, now spill it"

Hutch knew is time had run out so he sucked in a deep breath and let it out,

"Dobey can't afford to keep me on desk duty any longer and I can't take any more time off since I've booked a load when you get out of here so he's...forcing me to hit the streets, with a temporary partner"

It was hard for Hutch to describe the look on Starsky's face. He appeared to be frowning, but judging by the look in his eyes the confession hit hard.

"I told Dobey I wasn't taking a new partner, but he was persistent" He wiped a hand across his face "I don't know what to do"

There was a moment of silence, neither man knowing what else to say. Hutch lowered his head once again and prepared himself for anything Starsky had to say.

"Well" Starsky finally said "First off, could give me a hand sitting up" Hutch practically leapt from his chair to help. He placed his hands under Starsky's armpits and with a little effort and a lot of grunting from both men Hutch managed to get Starsky sitting up.

"Right, now open that draw" Hutch did what he was told, but all he found inside the draw was a book, a few pieces of paper with doodles on and a light blue llama plushie.

"What do you want?" Hutch asked.

"Hand me the Llama" Hutch picked up the blue plush and handed it to his partner.

"Now, this is Deli...What's so funny?" A small chuckle had emanated from Hutch.

"Nothing" Starsky frowned, but continued.

"Anyway, his name is Deli; he likes Burritos, the blond cashier at the bank and the Torino" He handed the Llama to Hutch, who took it a little hesitantly.

"What do you want me to do with him?" He asked. Starsky rolled his eyes.

"Take him with you, look after him. When I get out of here I'll be having him back, but until him he's your new partner behind your temporary partner"

Without a word Hutch placed the Llama in his coat pocket and allowed himself to smile genuinely.

"He'll be safe with me," Hutch said. Starsky closed his eyes and smiled.

"He better or you owe me a new pet"