CHAPTER 8

The celebratory barbecue was under way at Starsky's. He was overjoyed that Captain Dobey and Edith could join in the festivities and was happy that the Chief showed up and was not holding too much of a grudge. He tended the grill and watched his friends and family, thinking how blessed he was to share in the company of his loved ones.

Biggs interrupted his musings. "Hey Cap, could you bring me another beer?"

Starsky looked over his sun glasses at the man. "They're right in the cooler Biggs," he replied.

Biggs pursed his lips and rose from the picnic table. He limped his way to the cooler and made a show of being unsteady and dropping his cane when he got over to it. He hugged the tree and then steadied himself, while he rummaged for a drink. Hutch came to the rescue and pulled a cold beer from the ice. He handed it to Biggs.

"Thanks Captain Hutchinson. You should give your friend over there some lessons."

Hutch looked at Biggs and then over at Starsky. "Who have you been taking lessons from Biggs? You are NOT that bad off."

Starsky rolled his eyes. "Don't look at me." He stuck his nose in the air. "I'm a much better performer."

Joan walked over to her husband. "That's for sure," she agreed. She looked over at Biggs. "You're going to have to work harder than that Biggs. You're not even close to the show this one puts on at the sight of a hangnail."

Starsky's stuck out his lips. "Hey, who said it was pick on Starsky day?"

Joan shoved him with her hip. "See what I mean?"

Joyce walked up behind Starsky. "You know we love you David."

Huggy moved from the table and over to Starsky. "Speak for yourself. After the stunt he pulled, he should be glad anyone's speaking to him."

"Hey, Hug, that wasn't all my idea, ya know." Starsky looked over at Hutch for backup.

Hutch stood there with a smirk on his face and Starsky's eyes lit with fire.

Hutch laughed, but finally came to his friends defense. "Hug, it was my idea, basically. We just couldn't afford to have anyone else in on it."

"Yeah well." Huggy waved his hand at Hutch and stole one of the burgers from the grill. "You could have let a brother in on it, just the same."

"Well, I think they did a great job," Luke intervened. "They really had everyone fooled. My acting teacher would have been proud."

Chief Kalowitz wasn't as forgiving. "I on the other hand think a year of traffic duty isn't out of the question--for keeping me out of the loop. He looked over at Dobey. "What do you think Captain?"

"Well, it was nice to be on the other side of their hi-jinks for a change…" The Captain said.

Starsky and Hutch smiled.

"…but as the former boss of these to yahoo's, I know how vital it is too keep discipline within the ranks."

Starsky and Hutch's smiles both faded.

"Hey, whose side are you on?" Starsky grumbled.

"Yeah Cap. You were the one who said…" Hutch tried to plead.

"Never mind that," Dobey said gruffly. He turned to the Chief. "Maybe two years."

"Chief, you wouldn't?" Starsky asked.

"Well, if I.A. hadn't terminated it's investigation of you…" the Chief started.

Hutch interrupted him. "Chief remember what the FBI said. It was one of the biggest trafficking rings in the country."

The Chief put up his hands. "…I guess, since they've recommend you two for medals, it would be pretty embarrassing for the department to have you show up in traffic uniforms." He crossed his arms. "But there better not be any further infractions."

Starsky looked at Hutch and they both gulped their relief. "Thanks Chief," they said in unison.

XX

Joyce and Joan moved to the grill and just saved the darkening burgers, which Starsky left unattended, while trying to wheedle his way out of punishment.

Doc's over-protective mode wasn't quite shut down yet. He rushed over and helped his mother.

"I got it Ma."

"Thanks baby," she said.

Doc placed the burgers on the table and everyone dug in as if they'd been starving.

"That's enough shop talk," Joan said. "It's over and done with."

"That's right," Joyce agreed. She sat next to Huggy and smiled. "There are so much more interesting things to talk about."

Her gaze was not lost on Huggy Bear. He smiled back as if just seeing her for the first time. "Hello mama."

XX

Joan took her place by Starsky. "I love you," she said.

"Me too, good looking," he replied. It was good to see her finally feeling herself again.

They shared a knowing glance.

Starsky leaned back and took in the sight of all of his family-- blood related or not. He felt so blessed, even with all that they had suffered through. He wiped at a tear that started to form and then cleared his throat and stood with a glass in his hand. "Okay guys. You know I'm not one for mushy stuff, so just let me get this out." He looked at each one of them and then smiled and lowered his eyes. "I, um, just wanted to say…I'm glad you guys are around. You stuck with us through thick and thin, rain or shine and we're not about to forget that. I love ya." He raised his glass higher. "To Family."

Everyone followed suit. "To Family."

Hutch grabbed his friend before the moment passed and gave him a hug. They smiled at each other. Rachel interrupted the moment when she jumped up on her fathers lap and put her arms around his neck.

"Daddy, remember you promised we could go for a ride.

"Oh the ride. Tonight honey?"

"Daddy you promised."

"Okay."

Hutch had returned to conversation with his wife, but Starsky pulled him away. "She wants to go for a ride Blondie. You're coming too."

"Come on Uncle Ken," Rachel said as she pulled him up.

"Okay sweetheart," Hutch said.

The rest of the adults looked on as they walked to the garage.

"Kids. To me, they'll always be my boys, " Dobey said.

Starsky, Hutch and the kids started for Starsky's playroom. Starsky looked back at Biggs.

"Come on Sarge. You're in for a treat."

XX

Starsky's garage resembled no other garage in the city. He had collected so may toys, there was no room for them in the house. There was shelf after shelf of railroad trains, racecar sets, army men, G.I. Joe's, baseball equipment, fire engines, bows and arrows, cowboy gear and more. He even had an authentic Indian headdress.

In the middle of it all was his prize possession--a red Torino with the stripe down its sides and across the roof. It sat on cinder blocks, but was in excellent condition.

"Whew," Biggs said. "This is some machine."

Starsky ran his hand over the shiny hood. "Best there'll ever be."

Hutch smirked and scratched his head. "If you like shiny tomatoes."

"I love shiny tomatoes," Biggs said. His eyes glistened. He stopped short of touching it.

"May I.?" he asked.

Starsky stuck out his chest. "You may," he replied. He looked at Hutch. "Finally, someone with taste."

Hutch rolled his eyes and shook his head back and forth.

Starsky lifted the hood. "Come here Biggs, let me show ya. It use to run on gas." His grin grew. "Me and Doc fixed it. Now it's electric."

"Wow, so it still runs?" Biggs asked.

"Finally runs is more like it," Hutch teased.

"It's in perfect running condition." He turned to Hutch. "As always."

"Well let's go," Biggs said and piled into the car without being asked.

Hutch took his place in the passenger seat and Starsky sat in the driver's seat, with Rachel on his lap. Michael, Luke and Biggs sat in the back.

"Everybody ready," Starsky yelled.

The kids yelled in unison. "Let's roll Zebra-3"

Starsky turned the ignition and Hutch turned on the siren and through the mars light on top. Hutch put his arm on Starsky's shoulder and Starsky winked at him. Then Hutch picked up the mike. "Zebra-3 responding."

Rachel squealed with excitement and the whole group reveled in the ride of their lives.

THE END