Celebration
It was a warm day. Of course, that was not unusual for Bay City, even in January. Starsky and Hutch had the day off. Normally, they spent their days off together, but Hutch had some errands to run. Starsky was fine with strolling the beach by himself. There were only a few people around. Even though it was warm, the water was still pretty chilly. He had some very special plans to make. Kristy's birthday was just over a week away and he always wanted to make it memorable. He had already arranged with Huggy for a birthday party next Friday. Hutch was going to meet with him later that afternoon to help him get the decorations. She knew he was taking her to Huggy's for dinner, but didn't know about the party. He planned to let Kristy decide what they would do the rest of the weekend. He had enough money saved up that he thought he would be able to cover whatever she came up with. He also had Saturday through Monday off. Her birthday was on Monday and he planned a big finish on that day. He was really looking forward to it. Time spent with Kristy was always enjoyable.
He was just walking through the sand thinking about the upcoming weekend when he heard shouts. He looked up and saw a group of about six or seven children close to the water's edge. They were yelling and he thought a couple of them were going to run into the water. He started running.
"Hey you kids! Get back from the water!"
When the kids saw him running towards them, a couple of them ran to meet him while the rest kept yelling and pointing out towards the water. Starsky could not understand what they were yelling, so many at once, but he was afraid he knew why they were pointing towards the water. He stopped and looked towards where they were pointing. Sure enough, there was a little head bobbing around out there. He yelled at the kids to get back once more and changed direction. He pointed at the two running toward him.
"You two, run to that hamburger joint up the beach and call for help!"
Seeing them do what he told them to, he shifted his attention to the kid in the water. He was glad he didn't have his gun with him as he shed his shoes before jumping in.
He reached the kid just as he was going under again. He realized too late that there was a serious rip current. It pulled his feet out from under him. That was probably how the kid got in trouble in the first place. He grabbed the kid and concentrated on keeping both their heads above water. He needed to get away from this rip quickly. It was tumbling both of them around a lot more than he liked.
He started working his way parallel to the shoreline to try to get away from the rip. He knew he would not be able to get back to shore by fighting against the current. He was worried about the kid but couldn't stop to check him. He was completely limp. He looked towards the beach hoping none of the other kids were going to try to swim out to help. He spent about ten minutes trying to get away from the rip. He could not believe how tired he was from that little bit of time. It felt like forever. He looked towards the beach again and could not believe it. Hutch was running toward the water.
Hutch was almost done with the running around he needed to do. He didn't think Starsky would be interested in his banking and visit to the Nursery to get supplies for his plants. He was trying to get finished quickly so he and Starsky could get the decorations for Kristy's party. They had decided on a surprise party because she always tried so hard to make every one else feel special. He decided to call Starsky to see how they were going. He was sure his partner would want to go in the Striped Tomato. He was only a little puzzled when there was no answer. It was a beautiful day. He may have decided to take a walk. He got back in his car and headed to his partner's place. The call for a possible drowning came over the radio just as he was passing that part of the beach. He decided to see if he could help. He parked and hurried on to the beach. He saw something in the sand that caused him to break into a run with a cold, hard rock in the pit of his stomach. The unmistakable blue with white stripes of Starsky's Adidas.
Starsky felt like he was not going to make it back to the beach. He could not understand why his arms and legs felt like lead. He didn't think he had been in the water that long. Just as he thought he couldn't keep going he felt two strong hands dragging him and the boy onto the beach.
"I got you partner, just relax. Let go of the boy so I can check him out."
Starsky just nodded and let Hutch take the boy from him. He wanted to help, but all he could do was lay there and watch. Hutch was trying to get a response from the kid. He had a pulse, but did not seem to be breathing. He had just started trying to push the water out of the boy when he heard sirens. He looked up and saw medics headed his way. Just then, the boy started to cough up water. He thankfully turned the child over to them and turned to his partner.
"What happened Buddy?"
Starsky looked up at the blond, "I was just walking on the beach when I heard those kids yelling. I don't know how that boy got so far out there, but he was sure in trouble. I sent two of them to call for help. There is a wicked rip current out there. I didn't think we were gonna make it back."
Hutch noticed Starsky was having trouble talking because he couldn't seem to catch his breath.
"Are you alright Starsk? Are you having trouble breathing?"
Starsky nodded, "My chest does feel a little tight. I think I took in some ocean."
Hutch put his hand out, "That's it Gordo, you are going to the hospital to get checked."
Hutch helped his partner to his feet, and steadied him when he swayed.
"Should I have the medics check you out? You seem to be a bit unsteady."
Starsky gingerly shook his head, "No, I will just go with you. They need to concentrate on that kid. I sure hope he is going to be alright. He really scared me when he went limp."
They made their way to Hutch's car. Hutch didn't know whether to be grateful or concerned that his partner did not even give token resistance to going to the hospital.
The trip to the hospital was quick, but Starsky still dozed off in the passenger seat. Hutch came around to help him out of the car. He kept a hand on his arm for the short walk into the ER. He sat Starsky down in the waiting area and went to the desk.
The nurse at the desk looked up, "Can I help you?"
Hutch pointed toward the waiting room. "My buddy needs to see a doctor. He just pulled a kid out of the ocean and is having a little trouble breathing now."
She looked over at Starsky, "He's the guy that saved that boy? I will get an exam room ready. Please let him know the boy is going to recover. He took in quite a bit of water, but your friend got to him just in time."
Hutch thanked her and gave her a smile. He then headed back to where he had left Starsky. He was concerned to see him dozing again. He touched his friend's shoulder.
"Hey Starsk, the nurse is going to get you into an exam room. She wanted me to tell you the kid is going to be fine. You got to him just in time."
Starsky looked up and gave a tired smile, "I am glad he is OK. I don't know why I am so tired. I wasn't out there very long."
Hutch saw the nurse motioning for him, "Well, we will find out. The nurse has your room. Let me help you."
Hutch got his partner on his feet and steadied him as they followed the nurse. They were almost there when Starsky suddenly stopped and sagged against him. Hutch held him up and the nurse seemed to come out of no where with a wheelchair. They got him into the room and transferred him to the bed fairly quickly.
Starsky gave a deep sigh, "I don't understand. I have been in the water longer than that just swimming. I never felt like this before."
Hutch kept his hand on Starsky's shoulder. "Don't worry pal, we will find out what is going on."
Just then the doctor walked in. Hutch reached out to shake his hand.
"Dr. Franklin, I am glad to see you. Seems Starsky took an unplanned swim today."
The doctor shook his hand, "Good afternoon Detective. I was just with the boy you and your partner saved. He has a lot to be thankful for. Now, let's see what is going on here."
"Starsky saved the boy doctor, all I did was help them out of the water. He has been struggling a little to breathe, dozing off a lot, and zero energy."
They looked at Starsky to find he had dozed off again. The doctor very gently woke him and then did a thorough examination. After about twenty minutes he stepped back.
"Once again you have astonished me. You will be just fine Detective. I did not hear anything amiss in your lungs. You say you have not eaten anything today. You had a burst of extreme activity with elevated adrenaline. This is just your body trying to recover. Rest the remainder of the day and all of tomorrow. You should be ready to resume normal activities on Sunday."
Both men looked very relieved. Hutch shook the doctor's hand again. "Thanks Doc, that is such a relief. I will just get him back to his apartment and make sure he takes it easy today and tomorrow."
Once that got to Starsky's place, Hutch got his friend comfortable in bed and found him sound asleep almost instantly. He left the room quietly and went to make a couple of phone calls. First to Dobey and then to Huggy.
"Hey Captain, Starsky wont be in tomorrow, but I will be there. He was on the beach and saw a kid drowning so went out to get him. Doc says he will be fine by Sunday but wants him to rest until then."
"Hutch, I just saw that on the news. That was Starsky? The news said he was in the hospital."
Hutch sighed, he really did not like reporters. "I took him in to get checked because he was exhausted and his chest was tight. He is home now, but needs to rest through tomorrow. He is going to be fine, and I am told the boy will be too."
Hutch could hear Dobey snort on the phone. "Used to be, you could trust the news. Tell your partner I said good job and I will see you both Sunday. Since all of your paperwork is caught up for a change, you might as well take the day off too."
"Thanks Captain. I will see you Sunday."
Hutch made another phone call. "Hey Hug, we were going to get decorations for the party today. Starsky ran into some trouble on the beach. We talked about what we wanted, do you think you could take care of it? I know you are already doing a lot, and I hate to ask, but I need to stay at his place and won't have another chance."
"Oh man, that was Starsky? News said he was in bad shape."
Hutch sighed again, "I really hate reporters. Yes, that was Starsky. He is not hurt, just exhausted. Apparently, not eating and having an adrenaline rush is not a good combination."
Huggy chuckled, "Who would have thought Curly would ever go without food long enough to be a problem. Never fear my blond brother, I got you. I love Kristy too. Everything will be ready when you get here Friday."
Hutch hung the phone up with a smile on his face. They could always count on Huggy. He busied himself in the kitchen. He would fix a nice lunch for Starsky so he could eat as soon as he woke up. He was surprised his friend had slept this long without eating. He went in to check on him and found him awake, just staring at the ceiling.
"Hey Buddy, how are you feeling?"
Starsky looked over at him, "I am good. My chest isn't tight anymore and I am breathing fine. Just so tired, and hungry."
Hutch laughed, "I fixed lunch so we can take care of hungry now. Resting today and tomorrow should take care of tired."
While they ate Hutch explained that Huggy was going to take care of the decorations.
Starsky shook his head, "I sure wish we were doing that. I'm sorry I messed everything up."
"Starsky, you didn't mess anything up. If you had not been on that beach at that time, not only would the boy have drowned, but some of his friends might have too. As much as it took out of you, a grown man and strong swimmer, none of those other kids could have done it."
"I guess you're right. You sure showed up just in time."
After they ate Starsky laid down again. He spent the rest of that day and all the next mostly sleeping. He was able to return to work on Sunday with the only ill affect being a little fatigue. Sunday after work they went to Huggy's to check out what he had picked up for the party. It was perfect. Kristy was going to be so happy.
By Wednesday Starsky was feeling back to normal. They had a very quiet week so far, so nothing to strenuous. He was sure that helped him get back to normal. They went to the bakery after work on Wednesday to order the cake.
Thankfully, the rest of the week was just as quiet. At five o'clock they were ready to go. Starsky popped his head in Dobey's office to double check that his family was going to be at the party. He then dropped Hutch off and went home to shower and change.
He pulled up outside Kristy's place. Just as he was about to knock the door opened. They both laughed.
Starsky gave her a quick kiss, "Looks like you are as excited for this weekend as I am."
Kristy smiled, "Yes, I will be glad to see Huggy again. What are we doing the rest of the weekend?"
He put his arm around her waist as they started for the car. "Lady's choice. I have plans for Monday, but we will do whatever you want Saturday and Sunday."
She snuggled up to him for the short ride to The Pits. When they got there he opened the door for her. She walked in to a big shout of SURPRISE.
She looked at Starsky. "I thought it was going to be dinner for two?"
He hugged her to him, "You always go out of your way to make everyone feel special. They just wanted to make you feel special, because you are very special."
She looked around at the decorations. Red and purple steamers and balloons seemed to be everywhere. There was a chair in the middle of room with a bunch of balloons tied to it and a huge bouquet of red roses and purple lilies in front of it. So many of her friends were here. Starsky gave her a little push towards the people waiting to greet her. She went around and got hugs from everyone. They all then went to the tables Huggy had set up in the back with many buffet style offerings. When they were all seated, Kristy had Starsky on one side of her and Hutch on the other. It was a glorious start to her birthday weekend.
They spent the weekend going to the zoo and an amusement park. Kristy thought about a trip to the beach, but after hearing what happened to Starsky the week before she changed her mind. They went to the movies and had a picnic in the park. It was a great weekend.
On Monday, they met Hutch at a nice restaurant for dinner. Kristy was so happy. These special men always made her feel like she was on top of the world. It was a wonderful birthday weekend!