Leaning against his car with his ankles crossed and a cup of hot coffee in his hands Hutch waited for his 'temporary partner to show up.

The previous day had been long and tiring. The crime lab had taken their time leaving Alan and Hutch to wait for over half an hour. The scene had been dusted and searched, but they found nothing that said much about the guy, only that he moved to Bay City from Boston and he used to be a chemist based on a few letters they found on his desk. All letters and photos were bagged as evidence and after a few words with the Captain; Hutch decided it was time to call it a night.

Sleep had not come to him so easily and he had spent many hours sat up in bed reading in hopes it would lull him back to sleep. After the shooting Hutch had wasted nights staying up watching late night shows or reading, anything to get away from the nightmares that plagued him nearly every night.

The nightmares had returned briefly the following night which was the main reason for Hutch staying up, but that didn't stop him from arriving at the station on time.

He had decided to wait outside his car since every time he entered the squad room people always asked him about his partner and he was getting sick of it.

A call from the other side of the street caught Hutch's attention and looked over to see Alan waving at him. Hutch pushed himself away from his car and waited for Alan to cross the road and join him.

"I'm sorry I'm l-late," Alan said with a shy smile "Just had to g-get something to eat from the shop" He took a bite from his sausage roll and took a sip from his coffee.

"Let's get going" Hutch said bluntly. He made his way round to the driver's side and got in. Alan got in the passenger side after stuffing the remains of his sausage room in his pocket.

"Where do w-we start today" He asked after slamming the door shut. Hutch started the engine.

"We need some information on this dead guy. Ever heard of The Pits?"

Alan shook his head. Hutch smiled slightly.

"Don't worry, just stick we me and you'll be fine"

The soft music welcomed Hutch when he entered the bar, along with a smile from the tall black man who stood by the bar.

The place wasn't very busy since it was took early in the morning for Huggy's usual clientele to be up. There were the odd person slumped over tables, who looked as though they hadn't left.

"Hey Hutch" Huggy said with a smile "What it is?" Hutch moved over to the bar and took a seat.

"Same as always, in need of your expertise" Huggy smiled and leaned over the bar.

"Lay it on me, but first..." He looked over at Alan who had pulled up a stool beside Hutch. "Who's your friend?"

"This is Alan," Hutch said bluntly. "He's my...temporary partner" Huggy's eyes grew so wide that for a moment Hutch wondered if they weren't about to fall out.

"Gotta say I'm surprised" Huggy said, while he shook the hand that Alan offered.

"Yeah well, I...didn't really have a choice" Hutch kept his eyes staring at the bar, his hand searching for the bar nuts even though he wasn't hungry.

"Well what can the Bear help you with today" He said while taking a glass from underneath the bar.

"Ever heard of a guy named Michael Briggs?" Hutch asked. Huggy whispered the name under his breath while pouring Hutch a beer.

"Not familiar with the name, what's he done?" Huggy asked.

"He died" Hutch replied bluntly. Huggy placed the beer on the bar and leaned over it.

"Murder?"

"That's what it looks like. The body was found washed up on Sea view point" He reached into his pocket to retrieve a photo he'd taken from the man's house. "This is what he used to look like" Huggy studied the picture.

"Can't say I've seen him before, but I'll pass it around. See if anyone might have seen the dude" Hutch nodded while taking a sip of his beer.

"I'm pretty s-sure it's against regulations to d-drink while on duty" Alan spoke up. Hutch took another sip of his beer before turning his head to face Alan.

"I'm taking my lunch break early" He said bluntly. Alan took that as the only answer he was going to get and ordered lemonade.

The two sat in silence while Huggy tended to his other customers. Hutch was more than pleased with the quiet since the car journey to The Pits had been filled with Alan's babble about the prescient he worked in back in England and the way he talked about it Hutch wasn't at all surprised Alan had moved. He talked about his old Captain as if he was a fearful God.

With one last gulp Hutch finished off his beer and climbed off his barstool.

"Look I have some where I need to be for about an hour" He said, while routing around in his pocket for his keys. "Will you be all right here for a bit?" Alan shifted his eyes on to every person who occupied the bar. It was clear by the look in his eyes that didn't want to remain in their presence, but Hutch had no idea what else to do with him.

"Well I-I do have an errand I could r-run while you're gone" Alan said while nervously playing with his empty glass. "I'll meet you back here in an h-hour, kay?" Hutch nodded and gave Alan a parting smile before leaving the bar.

Before entering room 280 Hutch stopped at the vending machine to get of coffee. It was nasty and tasted more like really bad tea, but it was a drink none the less. He carried the drink with him to Starsky's room and opened the door slowly so not to disturb his partner. Hutch poked his head through the gap and almost jumped into the room at the sight of the empty bed. He flung the door open and opened his mouth to scream for a nurse, but a quiet grunt silenced him. He spotted Starsky sitting up in a wheelchair next to the bedside table. A blanket was draped over his legs and he was wearing his old beige cardigan. The thing that surprised Hutch the most about the whole scene was that Starsky appeared to be asleep.His eyes were closed and he was making soft snoring sounds.

"You're an odd one buddy"

Without trying to make any noise Hutch made his way over to the chair beside the bed, but before he could even touch it Starsky's eyes opened a crack.

"Hey" He croaked. He coughed, cleared his throat and then smiled.

"Nice to see you up for a change" Hutch commented, while taking a seat.

"Yeah, got a date with a beautiful blonde, she should be arriving any minute" Hutch chuckled lightly.

"Really"

Starsky nodded. "How do I look?"

Hutch took note of the pale skin, tired eyes and slightly messed up curls.

"You look terrific" Hutch responded with a reassuring smile.

"I hope so"

The door opened and a beautiful blond nurse entered holding a cup of juice.

"Sorry that took so long" She said while running a hand through the stray bits of hair that fell from under her cap. "I'm afraid we were out of orange so I got you apple instead I hope that's all right" She handed the cup to Starsky.

"Apples fine"

The nurse didn't notice Hutch was in the room until she heard a creaking sound and looked over at the chair.

"Oh, sorry Kenny didn't see you there" Hutch forced a smile, but swung his arms behind the chair and clenched his fists.

"That's okay....um" He tried to get a look at her name tag, but she had her back to him, while tucking the blanket snugly round Starsky's waist.

"I'm rather insulted that you can't remember my name," She said with an over dramatic sniff. "I've just decided that you can't come with us on our date" Hutch wiped a hand over his face. He remembered her now. She was the same nurse who used to tease him about sleeping in chairs just after Starsky got out of ICU. She had an odd sense of humor, whish Starsky loved, but Hutch found annoying.

"I'm sorry Linda" He said with the best sweet smile he could pull off. Linda stood up and made her way to the back of the wheelchair.

"All's forgiven, now are you coming or not?"

Hutch got wearily to his feet. Any other day he would have smiled and stayed civil, but today was not one of them.

"Come on Blondie; let's bust out this place together. Burgers are on me"

Hutch sighed, but smiled slightly. It was good to see his partner happy, especially with everything that was going on.

"All right, where to?"

"The garden," Linda suggested. "It's beautiful this time of year" Starsky nodded,

"The garden it is, giddy up" Linda ruffled his hair playfully.

"Much more of that and someone won't be getting there dessert tonight"

Hutch felt the sudden urge to throw them both in the cupboard and lock the door. He had popped by to see his partner and maybe cheer himself up, not watch Starsky flirt. He kept his fake smile all the same.

Linda bent down, unlocked the brake and pushed the wheelchair towards the door.

The garden was out the back of the hospital, right next to a small river. There were very few patients around despite the warm weather. It was something Hutch was thankful for when he stepped out. He took a pair of sunglasses from his top pocket and put them on.

He looked down at this partner and smiled.

Starsky had his head back as far as it would go, basking in the warm sun for the first time in weeks. In the sunlight he looked twice as pale as when he was in doors, but he was smiling and that's all that mattered to Hutch.

"Nice day, huh?" Hutch said

"I heard it was going to rain later, but I don't see a cloud in the sky" Linda said while pushed the wheelchair along the path. Hutch gritted his teeth. "Then again I never trust the weather man, the other day he said..."

"Um...Linda" Hutch interrupted with a forced smile. "Would it be all right if I push the wheelchair, I need to speak to my partner in private? Police business" He hoped that last bit would make Linda less rejected, but she still frowned.

"Well...I guess it's all right, but I'll have to return in about fifteen minutes. He's not suppose to be out for long"

"Hey, if you're not comfortable with Hutch's driving, give me the keys and I'll drive" Linda playfully swatted Starsky round the head.

"If I even sense your hands going near those wheels I'll force a pint of code liver oil down your throat" Starsky cringed at the thought, but smiled like a six year old planning something naughty.

Linda turned back to Hutch and with a reluctant sigh moved away to allow Hutch to gripe the handles.

"I'll be back in fifteen minutes. Don't let him out of your sight and make sure he doesn't get too cold, if you need any help, there's a nurses station just inside the door" Hutch nodded, while Starsky just groaned.

"Why not give him a rocket flare he can shoot off when I get a tickle in my throat" He grumbled. It was Hutch's turn to swat him round the head.

"Hmmm, what should I do if the huge wound under his nose doesn't clear up" Hutch said in a serious tone. Linda giggled.

"We have some heavy gauze in the supply cupboard"

"Hey, are we going for a walk or not" Starsky whined. Linda patted him on the arm.

"All right, have a nice time" She gave Hutch a parting smile and left. Hutch pushed the chair down the path a little and glanced over his shoulder.

"You really should look into getting a different day nurse," He said, while still looking over his shoulder.

"I like her. Did you know she's worked at the hospital for over three years and never once had anyone throw up on her?" Hutch looked down at his partner.

"That's funny since you've been here three weeks and thrown up on every nurse but her" Hutch was unsure of the joke the moment it came out of his mouth, but he was reassured by the soft chuckle that came from Starsky.

"She told me the first week I was here. Didn't want to spoil her record" He leaned his head back so he was staring up at Hutch "Anyway, you said you wanted to discuss police business or was that just a rouse to get rid of my date"

"No rouse. I thought you might want to hear about the case I'm working on" Starsky's eyes sparkled with a long suffocated glee.

"Fill me in. You know I'm a fan of police work"

"A body washed up on Sea view Point the other day. We identified him as Michael Briggs and discovered from going by his house that he's an ex-chemist from Boston. Huggy hasn't heard anything about the guy, but he's doing what he can to find out" Starsky's little smile faded a little at the edges. It was great that Hutch was trying to include him in the case, but every time he said 'we' Starsky couldn't help feeling a pang of envy.

"I'm thinking of talking to Big Benny Short" Hutch continued "He usually knows a thing a thing or two"

"You want to try Fidgeting Phil?" Starsky asked a little too eagerly. Hutch raised an eyebrow,

"Who's he?"

"He's a snitch, well sort of. He's more of a nosy neighbor type, but he lives around Sea view Point and one of his hobbies is to stalk his neighbors and collect information for some weird little fetish he has" Hutch stopped the wheelchair, next to a tree and stared down at his friend.

"How come I've never heard of him?" Hutch asked.

"I've only asked for his help twice, plus he's not called fidgeting Phil for nothing. He can't stand being in the same room or the same building with more than one cop. The first time I talked to him was..." He paused to avert his eyes "When Forest had you"

Hutch nodded. That was the last subject Hutch wanted to approach at that particular moment.

"Where does he live, I might have to pop by if you think he could help" Starsky nodded and let his smile return to his face.

"Sure, when I have access to some paper" He paused, the smile sagging once again.

"How's it working out with the new guy?" He asked as causally as he could manage.

"Can't say I've ever meet a cop like him" Hutch said with a sigh. Starsky was unsure who to take that and waited for more. "I sometimes wonder how he made it to sergeant. The guys nervous, twitchy and he's got this stutter that didn't both me at first, but every now and again I swear he's...what?" Starsky was chuckling, but by the distant look in his eyes it appeared he was laughing to himself. "What's so funny?"

Starsky snapped himself out of his little world in order to look up at Hutch.

"Nothing really, just glad this guys irritating you" Hutch frowned.

"Oh, you like seeing me annoyed, huh?"

"I'd rather that than you raving about the guy" He said more seriously. Hutch wiped away his frown.

"No I do that when you're asleep" He teased, hoping Starsky didn't take offence.

Starsky gave an amused snort.

"Well that's all right then"

Hutch bent down by the wheelchair and locked the wheels securely. He stayed in his crouched position. He had picked a nice spot to stop. The tree shaded the hot sun rays, but didn't stop them from bouncing off the water that flowed through the river. There were barely any people around to spoil the sweet bird song that filled the air.

Hutch sat down on the grass, his arms resting on his bent knees and smiled.

Starsky watched his partner with a smile of his own. The sun was doing wonders for them both, but there was one thing it couldn't help. Pain rippled through Starsky's abdomen and he bit his lip in a futile attempt to stifle the on coming groan. Hutch heard it and whipped his head round just in time to see his partner wince.

"Hey buddy, you all right" He was on his feet before Starsky answered.

"Yeah, I'm fine" Starsky voice was slightly strained. Hutch kneeled beside the wheelchair and looked closely as his partner. He saw the sweat starting to trickle and the look of pain in those blue eyes, no matter how hard he tried to hide it,

"Should I get the nurse?" He asked, even though he had an idea what the answer would be.

"I said I'm fine, terrific even"

"You're in pain" Hutch stated as he rose to his full height. "I'm getting the nurse" He turned around, but was stopped from taking a step by a hand snagging his arm.

"No" Hutch looked down at the hand and followed it back to the owner. "I just want to stay out a little longer. I'm tired of being cooped up in doors all day like a sick child"

"Starsk, you are a sick child" Hutch said a little louder than he meant. Starsky withdrew his hand and sagged heavily in the chair.

"If you get the nurse she'll send me straight back to my room and I don't want that, please Hutch" He stared up at his partner with a look that almost broke Hutch's heart. There was still pain there, but also a look or pure desperation. Hutch sighed.

"What am I going to do with you?" He sat back on the grass, keeping his eyes on Starsky, who smiled slightly.

"Sit with me for starters, and then later maybe we can go dancing" Hutch chuckled, while leaning his shoulder against a wheel.

"Five minutes, that's the best you're going to get"

Starsky reached down and ruffled the fine blond hair earning him a grunt, but no further comment. He sat back in his chair and watched the sunlight dance on the water, a hand on his partners shoulder and smile on his face.

TBC