A/N It's Christmas! If you're a Hutch, I apologise for the blatant "euphoric sentimentalism"! If you're a Starsky, enjoy!

Chapter Seven

The three of them sat in silence as Chief Stewart read through the notes they had written down about all the instances of bullying against Evans. When he'd finished, he looked up directly at Evans – his face was unreadable.

"Cadet Evans, can you give me the names of the other cadets in the alleged incident where you broke your rib?"

In a trembling voice, Evans reeled off three names and Stewart wrote them down. He frowned as he looked at the names. Then he looked up and smiled reassuringly.

"Cadet Evans. Thank you for coming forward about this. I will not tolerate bullying in any form and I do not think bullies, or racists, make good police officers. Will you trust me to deal with this? It may take some time as I will have to interview each of these cadets, their tutors and the infirmary staff who dealt with your injury."

Evans nodded.

"In the short term, I believe we have a couple of empty rooms on campus. I will ask the accommodation secretary to look into it and let you know by the end of today. If she doesn't find you in class, I assume you will be with Cadets Starsky and Hutch in their accommodation?"

"Yes, sir."

Stewart looked thoughtful. "Cadet Evans. How much has this affected your studies? I want an honest answer. Are there any of your exams, you would wish to re-take? It would be difficult but I could make it happen."

Evans thought for a moment. "I haven't done my best but I was struggling anyway. I probably wouldn't have got the best marks."

Starsky interrupted, "That's nonsense. The amount of work you put in, you should have done much better than you did."

Evans shrugged. "Maybe…The lowest mark I got was in AOJ and I know I could have done better in that subject. If you could arrange it, sir, I would like to redo that one…just to prove to myself I can do it."

Stewart nodded. "I'll see it's organised for you. Would you be prepared to take it the day before commencement of block three?"

"Yes, sir. I'll be ready."

"Good...Regarding the demerits you have received this term, I will expunge all of them from your record. You had a good record last term. The circumstances you have outlined certainly explain all of the instances."

Evans swallowed and couldn't speak.

Hutch patted his shoulder and said to Stewart, "Thank you, sir. That's been really worrying, Rick."

Stewart nodded. "I don't think it's fair to tarnish your record when it's been caused by the stupidity of other people…May I advise you not to stay on campus in the holiday? There may be some fall-out from the investigation and I would like you well out of the way. "

Stewart looked at Starsky and Hutch. "Until the end of term, can I leave you to protect Cadet Evans between you?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. Leave everything with me. Good luck with the exams next week, all of you, and enjoy your Christmas break."

The three of them stood up. "Thank you, sir," they all said.

When they got outside of the chief's office, Evans breathed a sigh of relief.

"All right?" Starsky asked.

"Yeah, just relieved."

They started walking to classes.

Hutch said, "Rick, you're with me for Criminal Law first session, aren't you? What have you got second?"

"Criminal Evidence. Hank's in that lesson."

"Well, I'll walk you over to meet him. What's third? Get Hank to walk you to that."

Evans looked anxious. "You think I need someone with me all the time?"

Starsky reassured him: "Nah, we're probably being over careful but Stewart said look after you and we take that seriously. So one of our group will be with you at all times until the end of term. All right?"

"Yeah, okay. Thanks."

"Come on then," Hutch said. "We'd better make tracks to Criminal Law or Stubbins will have a fit."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Everyone had gathered together to study for the last exam before the Christmas break. It was on 'Patrol Procedures' and they had quizzed each other mercilessly every week since the start of the block and felt that they could recite in their sleep all the procedures and codes. Everyone was in a good mood and they all felt ready. They quit early and played some card games and chatted.

"So what are you all doing for Christmas?" Starsky asked. "Hutch is coming with me to visit my family. What about you, Hank?"

"Yep, I'm going home to see my folks. Can't wait. My little cousins will be there so we'll have a ball."

"Me too," Erica said, "Going home to see my family."

"Me too," Bee said.

Myerson spoke up: "I'm going to take Rick with me to stay with my Uncle. He lives here in Bay City. Uncle Herb's got plenty of space, including a room he likes to call his library, so I'll be able to help Rick study for his AOJ retake."

"That's great," Starsky said.

Evans said, "I'm really grateful to all of you. Thank you for everything."

Everyone patted him or told him he was welcome. After another hour, the group decided they'd better call it a night so they would be ready for the exam the next morning. Starsky asked Bee if she'd stay behind for a minute. Hutch offered to walk Evans back to Block C so that Starsky and Bee could have some privacy.

When everyone had left, Bee looked at Starsky enquiringly.

"I got something for ya. Wait there."

Starsky went into his room and came out with a little box. Bee looked at him and chewed her lip.

"Dave?"

"It's Christmas. I just wanted to get you a little something to say Merry Christmas."

Bee carefully opened the box and her face broke out into a smile as she saw a pair of silver earrings shaped like snowflakes.

"Thank you. They're perfect."

She closed the box and put it on top of her books. Then she wrapped her arms around Starsky's neck and kissed him tenderly.

"You're very sweet. I shall wear them for Christmas Day."

Starsky beamed at her. "Glad you like them. Merry Christmas, Bee."

"Merry Christmas."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Hutch's worst fears were confirmed when Starsky asked the cab driver to take them past the Christmas lights at Macy's before dropping them outside his Mom's house. It cost a fortune for the detour, a fortune Starsky would usually be loath to part with, but when it came to Christmas, Starsky didn't seem to care what he spent. Hutch couldn't help smiling though as his friend oohed and aahed over the lights on the street and the decorations in the windows of Macy's.

As the cab pulled up outside and waited for them to grab their luggage, Hutch felt nerves erupt in his stomach. As they walked up the steep steps to the small terraced house, the red door (smothered with a huge wreath) was opened by a dark, curly haired young man who looked very like Starsky.

"Nicky!"

Starsky gave his brother a hug and introduced him to Hutch. The two of them shook hands and Hutch smiled nervously. Nicky smiled at him but Hutch wasn't sure the smile reached his eyes. However, the young man offered to take one of his bags and seemed welcoming enough.

Starsky dumped his bags just inside the door and jogged on ahead, calling out: "Ma?"

"In the kitchen, darling!" came the reply.

Hutch swallowed as Nicky beckoned him to follow him through the living room and on into the kitchen. Hutch noted the large Christmas tree and the dangling decorations festooning the walls of the room. There were Christmas cards on every surface and some hung up on strings on the back of the kitchen door.

When he looked in the kitchen, he saw Starsky was still hugging his mother. Her eyes twinkled at Hutch as he entered. She gently extracted herself from Starsky's arms and walked over to Hutch, who held out his hand. She ignored the outstretched hand and pulled him into a hug.

"My dear boy, I am so pleased to finally meet you in person."

"I'm pleased to meet you, too," Hutch said.

"Come and sit down. We'll have some cookies and you can tell me all about your exams and how that poor boy, Ricky, is getting on."

Starsky sniffed the air appreciatively as his mother went and collected a tray of freshly baked cookies from the side of the kitchen.

"Your special Christmas cookies! Hutch, you gotta try these, they're delicious." He shoved one in his mouth and started chewing.

Mrs Starsky shook her head and smiled. She offered the cookies to Hutch and Nicky. "Take two or Davey will have eaten them all by the time you've finished your first one!"

"Ma!" Starsky protested.

"I keep telling him he has to stop inhaling his food," Hutch joked.

Mrs Starsky smiled at him. "I suppose he's told you I think he has multiple stomachs?"

"Yes, ma'am, it was one of the first things I learnt about him."

Mrs Starsky smiled and came and sat down between her oldest son and Hutch. She reached over and took Hutch's hand.

"Call me, Ma. You're part of the family and should call me Ma."

Hutch swallowed the lump in his throat and squeezed her hand. "All right, Ma."

Starsky grinned at both of them and grabbed another cookie.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The next day, Hutch came downstairs to find Starsky had gone to huge trouble over breakfast – there were bagels of different flavours, a bowl of fruit salad, syrup, chocolate sauce, peanut butter and every other topping imaginable for both the bagels and the pancakes Starsky was in the middle of making. Mrs Starsky was watching her son with fond amusement.

Nicky staggered into the kitchen, looking the worse for wear from his late night on the town. He kissed his mother then went and poured himself a black coffee.

"Why the huge breakfast, big brother?" Nicky asked, as Starsky piled a plate high with pancakes and brought it over to the table.

"Me and Hutch need fortifying," Starsky informed him.

Hutch looked surprised. "We do?"

"Yep, we're going Christmas shopping and it can't be done on an empty stomach."

Hutch groaned. "Really?"

"Yes, really, so eat up and then we'll get going."

Hutch found himself being handed a plate with a pancake on it and then the bowl of fruit salad.

"Figured you'd want to eat healthy but you need some carbs to prepare you for the mad crush out there," Starsky said through a mouthful of pancake.

Hutch sighed and spooned fruit over his pancake before he dug in. As soon as he finished the first, Starsky was plying him with another.

"Really, Starsk, one's plenty."

"Ah-ah-ah. Two at least or you won't have the stamina for the department stores."

Hutch looked at him in horror but Starsky didn't seem to notice. He wolfed down a third pancake while Hutch struggled through his second one then leapt up from the table.

"Right, come one, buddy, let's get going. Shopping to do and then we got to come back and make more cookies and string popcorn for the tree."

"Davey!" Mrs Starsky remonstrated. "For goodness sake, let the poor man finish his coffee! Calm down."

Starsky looked sheepish. "Sorry, Ma, I'm just excited. It's Christmas Eve tomorrow. I'm here with you and Nicky." He wrapped an arm around Hutch and hugged him from behind. "And my best friend is here, too. I can't help it. I'm so happy I could bust."

Hutch had to smile at that. He took one last swig of coffee and said, "All right. Lead me to the shops, but promise me you won't let me get lost amongst the crazy Christmas shoppers."

"I got your back, buddy."

Starsky kissed his Mom, shoved his jacket on and his thick, red woollen hat and scarf and headed out of the door. Mrs Starsky rushed after them, grabbing a blue scarf from the coat rack by the door.

"Ken, you can borrow my scarf. I know you forgot yours and it's too cold not to wear one!"

"Thanks, Ma." Hutch kissed her cheek and took the proffered scarf before hurriedly following Starsky out and down the front steps and onto the cold sidewalk.

"We'll get there as the department store opens and then we can get away before it gets too bad," Starsky said as they marched along. "I gotta get something for my Mom and Nicky and you."

"Hey, Starsky, you don't need to get me a present. That's unnecessary. You've invited me for Christmas. That's enough."

Starsky glanced at Hutch and wrinkled his nose. "I don't need to get you a present. I want to get you a present."

Hutch sighed. He hadn't really thought about getting presents for anyone except Starsky's mother to say thank you for having him. Now, it looked like he'd better get something for Nicky and Starsky as well. He started thinking hard about what he could possibly get Starsky that would live up to his friend's Christmas expectations.

The two of them went down into the subway and took the train for three stops then they emerged back out into the grey day and walked the last few yards to the store. There was already a queue of people outside but it wasn't as bad as Hutch had feared.

When the doors opened, he said to Starsky, "Where are we headed first? I must get your Mom something. Any ideas?"

Starsky led them to the escalators. "She likes the colour blue, she likes the smell of roses and jasmine, and she loves dark chocolate. That enough to help?"

"Yeah, I guess. What about Nicky? Should I just get him a bottle of something?"

"Maybe. He likes beer and whiskey...although Ma won't like him drinking too much. He's a sucker for Turkish Delight. Why don't we look for some of that? Here, we are - the jewellery department. Come and help me choose a necklace for Ma," Starsky said, "Then we can split up and meet at the coffee shop on the third floor later."

Hutch helped Starsky choose his present for his Mom then Starsky helped him choose a blue and purple silk scarf and some perfume to give her. Then they split up. Starsky went off to the basement to look at the Christmas decorations so he could choose a new one for his Mom. Hutch went to look around the novelties department, trying to find something for Starsky. He couldn't find a single thing he liked. He didn't really know what he was looking for and then, suddenly, it became obvious – Christmas decorations.

Hutch hurried down to the basement, hoping that by now Starsky was gone from that floor. He looked around carefully to make sure his friend wasn't around and then began scouring the shelves for something to leap out at him and say "buy me for Starsky".

He picked up a snow globe and put it back, a dancing Santa that instantly made him grimace, boxes of brightly coloured baubles, angels for the top of the tree and inflatable reindeer. All of it was wrong. He had just about given up hope when he saw them – a set of carved, wooden ornaments in a velvet lined box. There were eight of them – a shooting star, a star in the style of the Star of David, a four-pointed star (the sort shown hanging over the stable in nativity depictions), a Victorian lantern, a piece of holly, a snowflake, a Christmas tree and an angel. Hutch knew they were just what he wanted.

He took them over to the counter to get them gift-wrapped and pay for them. As he waited in line at the counter, he saw a stand of hand-painted Christmas baubles. One caught his eye. It was quite expensive but the more he looked at it, the more he was sure that Starsky would love it so when it was his turn at the register, he pointed to the bauble and asked for that to be gift-wrapped as well. A few minutes later, he was carrying a bag filled with all his purchases and making his way to the coffee shop. Starsky was waiting for him.

"You done?" Starsky asked.

"Just need to get some Turkish Delight for Nicky then I'm done," Hutch replied.

"Let's have a hot chocolate then we'll head to the second floor – they got a confectionary department there."

Hutch nodded.

When they were settled at a table with their hot chocolates, Starsky said, "So you going to give me a clue as to what you got me?"

Hutch rolled his eyes. "No…and no peeking!"

"You're no fun," Starsky grumbled.

"You'll enjoy the surprise more if you wait for it," Hutch said.

This time Starsky rolled his eyes at him. "Now you sound like Ma."

Hutch grinned. "She's a wise lady. There are worse people I could sound like."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

It was Christmas Eve, Hutch had just woken up from taking a nap in the bedroom. Starsky had made him go ice-skating this morning and he was tired and sore...but it had been fun. He headed downstairs to see what everyone was up to and to get himself a coffee. As he walked down the stairs, he became aware of two voices talking. He recognised Starsky's voice and his brother's. Nicky sounded confrontational. Hutch paused, not sure whether to disturb them or go back to his room for a few minutes.

"Well, I don't get it," Nicky said.

"If you don't get it, I can't explain it to you," Starsky said patiently.

"But Pop died doing that job. I hardly remember him 'cause of that. Why'd you want to do a job that could kill ya?"

"I guess it's in my blood. I want to help people."

"Cops don't help. They're just a nuisance."

"Nicky!" Starsky sounded shocked. "Ya can't really mean that."

"Well, that's how my friends feel about it. I daren't tell them my own brother's training to be one."

"Well, I'm sorry ya feel that way but it's what I want to do. Ma's got over her initial shock and she's supporting me, can't you?"

There was silence.

"How 'bout we change the subject? Got a special girl?"

"One or two I like but not ready to settle down yet, bro. What about ya?...Or has Hutch been cramping your style?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Starsky's tone was sharp.

"Well, I don't know, the guy moved in and you seem to spend all your time together. Now you and him are training to be cops…He's got some influence over ya, bro. I don't get it. Ma said he tried to kill himself and you saved him. That makes him weak-minded in my book, a coward. Didn't think you'd let a guy like that tell ya what to-"

The sentence was interrupted by movement and Hutch got the impression that Starsky had probably grabbed his brother. "Nicky, I love ya, little brother, but don't ya ever say nothing bad about Hutch. Ya hear me. Ya don't know what you're talking about. Ya ain't seen nothing of the world or what troubles people really have. Hutch is the strongest person I know and he's my best friend. You don't like him – tough. Get over yourself and your own little self-absorbed bubble you live in and wake up to the fact people are complicated. Hutch don't tell me what to do but I'd listen to anything he gave me advice on. I may have saved him but he's saved me too. You got no idea what I went through in 'Nam – no reason why you should at your age – but it made me cautious about making friends. Hutch is my friend and more than that he's my brother, just as much as you are. Ma's accepted him…I hope you'll do the same. If not…keep your opinions to yourself. Capiche?"

"Yeah, yeah, all right…I'm sorry. I didn't mean nothing…I just didn't understand…You won't tell Ma what I said, will ya?"

Starsky sighed. "Nah, 's okay little brother. You and me, we're good…as long as you understand what I said…Come on, let's go see if there's any cookies left in Ma's tin."

Hutch heard them move off towards the kitchen. He swallowed and waited a few seconds before slowly walking the rest of the way downstairs and through the living room.

"Hey, Hutch, you're just in time for cookies!" Starsky said, as soon as he spotted him.

"That's great," Hutch said.

He poured himself a coffee and went and sat at the kitchen table. Nicky offered him the tin of cookies and Hutch took one.

"Thanks, Nicky…Thanks for letting me come and share Christmas with you and your family. It must be a bit strange having an extra person here at a family time."

Nicky's hard look softened a bit. "Ma always says there's room for one more…Guess she's right."

"Well, thanks. I really appreciate it."

Nicky stood up and said, "I'm going to pop out and see Freddie, wish him a Merry Christmas. Tell Ma I'll be back in time for dinner."

"All right."

Nicky headed out of the back door. Hutch watched him go. Then he became aware of Starsky's eyes boring into the back of his head. He turned to face him.

"How much d'ya hear?"

"Enough to know that I'm lucky to have such a loyal friend…Thanks for everything you said."

Starsky moved towards the table and ruffled Hutch's hair before he sat down. "I meant every word of it. Now, pass the cookies."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

"Hutch? You awake?"

"Mmm."

"Hutch?...Hutch? You awake, buddy?"

"I am now. What time is it?"

"Seven."

"Why are you awake so early when we've got the chance for a lie-in?" Hutch asked with a yawn.

"It's Christmas day, dummy. I want to see what presents I got."

"You can't be serious!"

He heard Starsky get out of bed.

"I'll get the coffee going. Come down in a few minutes. All right. I can't wait much longer."

Hutch hid his head under a pillow as Starsky turned on the light and headed out of the door. Hutch sighed. No chance of getting back to sleep now. He rubbed his eyes and struggled out of bed, pulling a thick jumper on over his pyjamas, before heading downstairs. Starsky was making lots of noise in the kitchen. He poured Hutch a coffee and then made a tea in a mug.

"I'll just take this to Ma and then I'll make breakfast for everybody."

Hutch nodded sleepily. Starsky was soon back and started cooking up bacon and pancakes. After a while, Mrs Starsky joined them in the kitchen and then a very sleepy Nicky appeared. Starsky waited impatiently for them all to finish their breakfasts and then dumped all the dirty plates in the sink.

"I'll wash up later, Ma. Present time!"

The other three chuckled to each other as Starsky bounded off into the living room. They followed and settled themselves around the tree on the sofa and chairs. Starsky sat on the floor so he could pass round the presents.

Mrs Starsky thanked Hutch for his gifts and Nicky gave him a genuine smile when he unwrapped his Turkish Delight. Hutch found he'd been given a bottle of whiskey by Nicky, which he thanked him for. He opened the present from Starsky's mother next and, inside, found a very smart book of folk tunes for guitar.

"Thank you, that's wonderful," Hutch said.

"Next time, you come visit, I want you to bring your guitar," Mrs Starsky said.

Hutch noticed Starsky was undoing one of the boxes from him. "Oh, buddy, these are t'rrific. Thank you."

"Well, I'm glad you like 'em. It's a start on building up your collection again."

"I love 'em."

Starsky handed around the last of the presents. He came to an unlabelled one. "Who's this one for?"

"That's from me for you," Hutch said.

"Two presents!" Starsky grinned and ripped the paper off the box.

"Careful, it's delicate," Hutch warned.

Starsky opened the lid carefully and pushed the tissue paper aside. "Oh."

He gently pulled the glass ornament from the box and held it up for everyone to see. The top and bottom of the round bauble were painted with red and white stripes and around the middle was a scene showing a red breasted robin in the branches of a tree, watching as reindeer pranced through the snow.

Hutch waited nervously for a reaction. He was never sure if he really understood what people liked when it came to decorations, and especially Christmas decorations. What he considered gaudy, other people adored. What he liked, other people thought boring. "Like it?" he asked hopefully.

Starsky looked at him. "I absolutely love it, buddy. It's the most beautiful bauble I've ever seen. Thanks."

Hutch couldn't have smiled any wider.

Starsky pointed at the last present on Hutch's lap. "Hope you like yours."

Hutch opened the box and saw a framed photograph of him and Starsky with the word 'family' etched into the wooden frame. He'd forgotten Starsky had got Bee to take a photo of them together several weeks ago. He looked at his friend.

"I love it…and I believe it," he said.

Starsky's grin radiated enough light to illuminate the whole of Manhattan.