1978
Hutch sat beside Starsky's hospital bed, he refused to leave his side. Captain Dobey walked in with two coffees, it was going to be a long night.
The big Captain handed Hutch a coffee, then stared into his detectives eyes. They were like two blue glass marbles.
The stress had worn on Hutch, the detective felt backed in a corner. Hutch eyed his partner. He felt like time had stood still.
"If we catch the son of bitch that hit Starsky. " Hutch stood up held his hand toward Starsky. "That's not going to bring him back."
Hutch felt his arms fall to his side, as if defeated. "I wasn't there when Starsky needed me."
Hutch held his hands in tight fists by his side. "We were going to drive to the station in Starsky's car, together. I made an excuse. I wanted to pick up a record for his birthday."
Captain Dobey stated. "Then we're all guilty Hutchinson, me, you, and Huggy. We all planned this party."
Hutch put his hand to his forehead. "I feel so helpless."
Hutch walked over to the glass enclosure he ran his hand across it, remembering --Starsk-- written in red.
X. Xxx
Meanwhile
Starsky heard echoes in his head, a far away sound, a very familiar voice. There was a soft, but firm touch on his arm, yet it seemed so far. A warmth filled Starsky's heart. It was dark but wait, a light shined in the darkness... Hutch.
Starsk, I don't know what to do, you have to come back. I can't make it alone Buddy. What am I alone...Talk to me Starsk.
The room was a dark empty mass of black, and Hutch felt like it was going to swallow him.
Hutch heard a tap on the glass, there stood Minnie at the window. He stepped out to greet her.
Minnie reached up and hugged him. "How is Starsky?"
Hutch rubbed his neck, his hand moved toward the room where Starsky lay. "He may be, well... Starsk took a hard blow to the head, three breaks in his leg, and a dislocated shoulder."
Concerned covered Minnies face. Hutch put his hand on her small shoulder. "The surgery went well, now we're just waiting for sleeping beauty to wake up."
Minnie grabbed Hutch's hand. "We all know how stubborn Starsky is. He will not let this get him down."
Minnie handed him a bag. "Donuts for Captain Dobey and a bagel with guacamole for you."
Hutch took the bag. "Your a doll. " He bent down and kissed her on the cheek.
She stared through the glass enclosure. Captain Dobey was in a chair asleep.
Hutch smirked. "Well coffee didn't help."
The small brunette woman breathed in. "Your both exhausted...Tear did great, with my dad's dogs. She ran and played."
A sorrow overcame Hutch's features. "Our place in the mountains is gone. I can't keep her."
She squeeze Hutch's hand. "It will work out Hutch."
She sadly turned and walked away.
Hutch walked back into Starsky's room. He stood on the balcony, that over looked Bay City.
He thought, when I became a cop, I wanted to...make a difference.
Hutch slammed his fist on the rail, he didn't even feel any pain. There was a numbness that seemed to consume him, even his brain. Huggy Bear stood and stared at Hutch. His big brown eyes, were downcast toward the floor. Huggy handed his blond friend a small wash cloth. Hutch held it to his knuckles, blood ran down his fingers.
Hutch wrapped his hand tight. In a low tired voice, that had lost all hope. "Starsky may not wake-up, and even if he does he may never be the same."
He stared at the blood on his hand. "There's nothing--damn it--nothing I can do about it!"
Huggy grabbed Hutch's shoulder. "There's always hope, Hutch."
"When I saw him laying there on the street Huggy, I thought he was already...Gone."
Huggy ask. "Is there no word on the guy that hit Starsky?"
Hutch eyed Bay City and waved his hand. "It's like trying to catch a ghost in the night."
Hutch's held the washcloth tight. "We know the paint from the car is the exact color of red as Starsky car." He hesitated, "It's like it came out of the same damn bucket."
Hutch's eyes widened, he walked quickly to the phone on the table. A voice said, "Bay City Metro."
He spoke into the phone. "This is Detective Sergeant Hutchinson. I want an APB out on a candy apple red Torino, with a white stripe from the top running down the sides."
The voice replied. "That's Starsky's car."
Hutch stated. "Just do it."
Captain Dobey became fully awake now.
Hutch sounded tired. "Its a shot in the dark Captain, I know... It's all we have.
Suddenly! Hutch felt a hand weakly grab his. He stared toward Starsky. beautiful midnight blue eyes stared back at him.
The blond grinned In disbelief. "He's awake!" Hutch dropped the phone to the floor. "Starsky, it's me Hutch."
The brunet had a weak dry voice. "I know it's you, you big lummox. How could I forget that beautiful blond face." Starsky barely whispered...water."
Hutch's tired faced became overwhelmed, the blond stood still. Hutch wouldnt take his wide blue eyes off his brunet companion. He was so excited, Starsky remembered him.
Hutch finally grabbed the water, but spilled it all over Starsky.
Huggy and Dobey stood by Hutch. Their faces alive with laughter.
They had buzzed for a nurse, she entered the room, to take Starsky's vitals.
Starsky mumbled, "I already had a bath, blondie here took care of that."
Starsky still very groggy. " Its good to be back Hutch"...
X. Xxx
Two weeks later
Captain Dobey sat at his desk, as Hutch came in his office.
"How does a car that matches the custom red paint job as Starsky's car, just disappear into the night Captain?"
Captain Dobey pulled the pencil from behind his ear. "How's Starsky doing?"
Hutch hesitated. "They said, he needs therapy for his motor skills." Hutch stopped. "He's not all together there in his brain Captain."
The Captain eyed Hutch. "Give it time son."
Hutch put his hands on his Captain's desk, and stared down.
Captain Dobey picked up a paper off his desk. "I have a new partner for you, his name is"...
Hutch pointed his finger at his Captain. "I already have a partner, I don't need another one!"
Captain Dobey eyed Hutch. "Hutchinson you need a partner...if Starsky."
Hutch's blue eyes meet his Captain. "Starsky-- no one-- but Starsky. Other wise I work alone!"
The Captain decided this was not the best time, so he let it go.
Hutch paced back and forth. "That nut who claimed to be a doctor, what do we know?"
Captain Dobey handed Hutch the paper. "You have an appointment to talk to him tomorrow at 10:00 am sharp."
Captain Dobey scratched his head. He's a war veteran, who thinks he's still in world war two. His real name is Dr. Broomswell.
Hutch sat down. He goes by two names. Do we know why?
Captain Dobey continued. The hospital told me Dr. Murray and Dr. Broomswell are the same man. They think Dr. Murray is another personality. The hospital also stated that you must be mistaken. Dr. Murray/Dr. Broomswell never escaped from the hospital, in fact no one has ever escaped."
Hutch stated. "Well I guess we'll find out when I see him. If its the same man or not.
Dobey remarked. "Look at this report Hutchinson. Some small chips of white paint were mixed in with the red also." The Captain looked at his detective. "You might be right."
Hutch scanned the report. "The skid marks show the exact tires. Right down to the make of Starsky's. The paint job on one of the cars is older, and the other car newer."
Hutch sat down, his eyes are a storm of ocean blue. "Merle," he stood up. "Captain that's a custom paint job on Starsky's car."
He put his hand to his head, as if he tried to remember. "if I'm not mistaken Starsky had his repainted a year ago."
Hutch eyed his Captain. "Maybe Starsky's car is not as custom as he thinks. If Merle did custom another car identical to Starsky's."
Captain Dobey pointed his finger at Hutch. "He would have the paperwork, the name of the owner."
The Captain remarked. "Well don't just stand there, go talk to this Merle."
Hutch stepped out, and closed the door.
The door opened again, the blond detective stood, as he stared at his Captain. "My car is still at the hospital, Captain."
Captain Dobey grabbed his jacket. "Come on let's go talk to this Merle."
Hutch pointed. "right there, Captain take a left."
The Captain pulled into Merle's, the two men got out of Captain Dobey's Cadillac, they heard a voice. "I'm Merle the Earl the customizing peal."
A black man walked toward them, he appeared to be 5'7" with a beard and mustache. The mechanic had a sassy walk.
Merle eyed Hutch, a unsatisfied look covered the Merle's features. "I remember, you are that blond friend of Starsky's who does not know a fine piece of machinery when you see it."
Merle stared at Captain Dobey's Cadillac. "Now that is a fine car."
His eyes met Captain Dobey's. "Now with a tune up, and a good paint job."
The Captain remarked. "I like my car just the way it is."
Hutch ask the mechanic. "Merle do you remember painting any other car, the same candy apple red with a white stripe?
Merle seem insulated by Hutch's words. "That is a custom paint job on Starsky's car, one- of- a- kind. I-am-a-artist." Merle walked off, his head held high.
Hutch pinched his nose and walked toward Merle, "Someone may have an identical car, Merle.
The mechanic turned. "Identical to my piece of art, well I may check into this." He cleared his throat, then held out his hand.
Hutch put a five in his hand. Merle seemed disgruntled. "I am a artist, not a detective." Hutch added another five.
Merle seemed satisfyed. "I will check this out."
"You tell Starsky, he is late for his tune up, the car that is." Merle laughed.
Hutch smirked. "Merle can you get a tow truck to pick up Starsky's car at the precinct."
Merle ask. "How are they both?"
Hutch remarked, "Starsky is getting out of the hospital today.
Hutch pulled his sunglasses down, handed the keys to the Torino to Merle. "She's a mess, I'll pay for the damages."
Hutch and his Captain walked to car. "Another dead end Captain."
Hutch sounded upset, as they drove off. "That's just to...I mean what are the odds Captain a car that look's exactly like Starskys. Hit him and drove off."
Dobey appeared puzzled, as they drove toward the hospital.
X. Xxx
Starsky sat in a wheelchair on the balcony of his room, as Hutch and Captain Dobey walked in.
Hutch smiled "Hey Buddy, getting some sun for that pale skin of yours.
Starsky was drinking a milk shake. "The nurse, was kind enough to wheel me out here and gave me this shake."
Captain Dobey ask. "How do you feel son?"
Starsky laughed. "Im in no pain. I feel great, but I want to go home."
Hutch smirked. "Well, you look like your filling no pain. How many pain pills, Starsk."
Starsky tried to focus. "Oh I don't know, my nurse gave me four, maybe five, six. By the way her name is Rose."
He motioned for Hutch to come closer. "She gave me a shot." Starsky pointed to his butt and laughed.
A nurse walked in, she had wavy red hair, around fortyish. She spoke with an Irish accent. "Detective Hutchinson, I gave Detective Starsky two of these pain pills." She handed the bottle to Hutch.
Starsky reached up and grabbed the bottle. "These are incredible partner."
Hutch smiled, as he took the bottle from Starsky. "I have a feeling your not going to need anymore today Starsk.
The nurse commented. "I also gave him a shot for pain, so no pain pills until tomorrow morning."
Captain Dobey smiled at the nurse. "We'll be sure Sergeant Starsky is in no pain nurse."
The Captain laughed and shook his head, as he walked toward the door.
She remarked. "Please do, he has been such a good little patient, a joy to be around."
Starsky held her hand and kissed it. "You my lady, are my Wild Irish Rose."
Hutch pushed Starsky out of the room. "Come on Romeo."
They got off the elevator, and walked into the basement garage. They made there way to Hutch's car.
Starsky sounded upset. "Where's my car?"
Hutch remarked. "She's with Merle, he's taking good care of her."
Starsky became heartbroken. "She's not to banged up, is she Hutch?"
The blond replied. "Nothing Merle can't handle."
Starsky slurred his,words. "I, l , Iuv Merle, Hutch."
Hutch tried to get Starsky out of the wheelchair, without hurting him. "Hutch, I luv you hmmmm, t t the most"
Hutch stopped. "Starsk, you have to help me partner."
Starsky grinned at Hutch. "Anything for my pal, your my pal Hutch."
Hutch smiled. "I'm going to lower this bar. Can you try to slid into my car?"
Starsky laughed. "I luv your car Hutch, even if it is a junk heap. Hey, Hutch let's go see Merle."
Hutch was finally able to get Starsky in his car. "I don't think that's a very good idea Buddy. Once Merle gets a look at that car of yours, well."
Starsky ask. "Hutch, is Merle mad at me for banging my car up?" The brunet tried to keep his eyes open.
Hutch ran his hand through his blond hair, then to his eyes down to his mouth. Hutch eyed Starsky, his sky blues wide.
X. Xxx
Hutch pulled up at Venice Place he had gotten an apartment for them both. Their home in the mountains had been destroyed.
He had been fortunate to get his old apartment back. Hutch had Starsky back in the wheelchair and inside, in a short time.
Hutch put Starsky in bed, and pulled off his blue Adidas.
Starsky grabbed Hutch's wrist. "It's time for my pills."
Hutch laughed. "No Starsk you already took your pills."
Starsky laughed. "Oh yea, let's have a beer Hutch, like old times"
He tucked the blanket around Starsky. "When you get better Starsk, I will take you to Huggy's to celebrate. Then you can have all the beer you want."
The brunet groggily mumbled. "Your my pal Hutch."
Hutch heard the phone ring. It was Captain Dobey. "Hutch, Merle ask that you call him, he doesn't sound to happy... How's Starsky?"
Hutch yawned. "I finally got him to sleep Captain."
Captain Dobey stated. "Get some sleep Hutch, you sound terrible."
Hutch hung up then dialed Merle's. The mechanic picked up the phone. "This is Merle the Earl the customizing pearl."
The detective sounded groggy . "Hey Merle, this is Hutch."
Merle talked into the phone. "I have what was once Starskys beautiful piece of art, that I created myself." There was a silence for a moment. "Not this piece of twisted metal, that I see right before my own eyes."
Hutch knew he had to play this strategically. "Ah come on Merle, when I saw Starsky's car. Do you know what I thought?"
Merle answered. "Yea, garbage belongs with garbage."
Hutch remarked. "No sir., "There's only one man who can fix Starsky's car, and turn it back into a fine running piece of art, Merle."
Hutch pause, as he listened. He heard Merle clear his throat. The mechanic proudly said, "His car will be as good as new, in fact better. Merle the Earl is on the job."
Hutch remarked. "I knew I could count on you Merle." as he hung up.
Hutch went to the refrigerator grabbed a beer and sat on the balcony. It seemed so bare without all his plants. He had many of them for years, some were rare, they would be hard to replace.
Hutch slowly fell asleep from fatigue. Thirty minutes passed, as a knock on the door, woke him.
Hutch thought, what now, as he stumbled his way to the living room, and opened the door.
There stood, Minnie, Huggy, and Captain Dobey, with a wheelbarrow full of plants...
X. Xxx
Authors Note...
Thank u to everyone following my story, and thank u for the reviews. It's a joy to write, and bring these characters to life.
Starsky and Hutch lasted four seasons. It should have gone on for many more, but it was still at the top when it came to an end. :) ...
Anyone who knows Starsky and Hutch, will recognize some of the saying from other episodes I tossed in the mix.
When Hutch remembered the glass enclosure, Starsky had written --Starsk-- in red lipstick That was the episode, when Hutch was dying from the plague. Hence, the name of the episode... The Plague. Starsky wanted Hutch to know that he had been there, and he is there in spirit...