Disclaimer: For entertainment purposes only.

Wasted Time

Chapter 6

Hutch tentatively opened his eyes, and then shut them tight again quickly. The bright light had sent arrows reeling into his already aching brain. He let out a small moan despite of himself, and decided to let his other senses take over for a while. The room was quiet, and there was no mistaking the smell of antiseptic, as his mind began o realign itself he felt a sudden surge of panic followed quickly by one of anger. Where the hell was he? And how the hell did he get here?

"Open those baby blues now Blondie, there is no use pretending to the bear"

Huggy's familiar drawl permeated his brain. Did he have to be so loud? He carefully opened one eye and then the other, doing his best to focus on the familiar face beside him. He groaned again, as his stomach started to churn.

"Huggy" he gasped "I think you need to change your wardrobe?"

"Huh?"

"Cos I'm going to be sick!" Hutch promptly dumped a putrid smelling liquid on his friends lime green ensemble, before passing out cold again.

With his hands tied behind his back, and with the sound of Jack crying in another room Starsky did the only thing he could, he took the beating stoically. The only thing on his mind was getting back to Jack in one piece his son needed him to get out of this mess and hacking off his captors by fighting back was not going to help either of them. His cheek smarted and his head ached, one of his ribs had made a definite snapping sound and he could feel a burning pain in the side of his lung. He panted trying to control the pain doing his best to focus on his surroundings for a possible escape.

"That's enough! Now get the Polaroid, and make sure there ain't anything in the shots other than him!" A distant voice commanded.

Relieved that his current torture was over, he tried to figure out what was going on. So they had roughed him up, to what end? Kidnap? Ransom? Well BCPD didn't negotiate with criminals, so why was he here? They certainly hadn't known about Jack. Before he had the chance to ponder any longer, he was grabbed by the wrists and forced towards the room where Jack was waiting for him.

"Get the him and thekid to Cambino pronto! He's waiting for them!"

Cambino! Damn and blast it everything suddenly started to make sense.

Hutch sat on the edge of the gurney inspecting the nearly finished IV bag. He had been given aspirin for his headache and a shot of antibiotics in his rear for an infection. What he really wanted was a drink.

"Ok the Doc said, once the IV has finished I could take you home."

Huggy had taken been puked over considerably well, and now seemed to be in mother hen mode. "Are you listening? The doc said that I could take you home!"

Hutch snorted. Home, now that was a concept. He hadn't had a real home for a long time, a room here, a bed there, but not a home.

"You need to rest and you also need to eat, some of my extra special chicken soup would be just the thing. We will have you back on your feet in no time." Huggy wasn't quite sure who he was going to convince, Hutch or himself.

"Who says I want to get back on my feet?" Hutch replied irritably.

"You heard what the doc said. You got infected lungs and that your current lifestyle ain't going ter do the rest of your organs much good either." Huggy replied patiently.

"My current life style suits me just fine thanks, and when the IV is out I'll be on my way!" Hutch retorted snappily.

"And exactly where do you think you're going?" Huggy asked indignantly.

"To the nearest bar!" Hutch started picking at the IV canula, to have his hands slapped away by Huggy.

"Well that just happens to be The Pits!" Huggy declared two good play at this game. Hopefully with a bit more time and persuasion he could talk Hutch around.