SOP Disclaimer: I do not own Starsky and Hutch and do not intend to infringe on the rights of those that do. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Feedback is appreciated.

Blood, Sweat, and Tears

by dnjlwilson

Chapter 7

Mama Jade sat in the chair beside the detective's bed drifting in and out of sleep. She was exhausted. Only the thought of finally settling the score kept her going. In her fitful dreams, she saw Calvin's smiling face. He was such a beautiful child. He had problems, like any other teenage boy, but he was good to her. Her next vision was of Calvin's still, lifeless body lying in the morgue. She had been called to identify the body. They said he had been involved in a liquor store robbery and was shot by a police officer. They were wrong. Her Calvin could not have been involved. He wouldn't do that. Not her Calvin.

She was awakened by the unmistakable sound of wretching. Startled into action, she helped the man roll over to his side as far as the handcuffed arm would allow. The violent, dry heaves racked his body, causing him to curl into a ball with one arm behind him. Her conscious told her to release him but her hatred willed against it. Finally, his struggle stopped, his body still except for the exhausted breathing, shallow and rapid.

Gently, she rolled him to his back and settled him back in the bed. His fever was very high. She must do something or he wouldn't make it much longer.

His voice startled her. "Why are you doin' this?"

"You can ask your partner." she hissed.

"What's Hutch got to do with this?" he asked, his strength fading.

Mama Jade walked over to him and bent down to within inches of his face. "You'll find out very soon. He'll come for you."

"You mean I'm bait?" Starsky was horrified. He pulled at the cuff to no avail, using the last of his energy. "No!" he cried as the darkness claimed him.

"Moses." Mama Jade called, trying not to be too loud. "Come in here, please."

Ma'am?" Moses answered quietly as he tiptoed into the room.

"I need to get something for his fever." Mama Jade said, as if talking to a small child. "Stay with him and keep him as still as you can."

"I can do that, Mama Jade." Moses smiled.

"I know you can." she returned his smile. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Yes ma'am." Moses answered as he sat down in the chair beside his new friend. "You're so hot." Moses said softly to him, wiping his face with a cool rag.

Intense blue eyes slowly opened. "Where am I?" Starsky asked, barely audible.

Leaning close to hear the weak voice, Moses patted his chest. "Why is he tied up, Mama Jade?" Moses asked her, noticing for the first time the shackled arm.

Thinking quickly, Mama Jade replied, "I'm trying to keep him still. He wants to get up and I'm worried he might fall and hurt himself even more."

Apparently satisfied with her answer, Moses smiled. "I'll keep him still. Don't worry."

ooooooo

Hutch and Huggy arrived at a small bar near Mandalay Heights. Seedy didn't begin to describe it, but right now, Hutch didn't care.

"Where is he?" Hutch snapped at Huggy.

"Hold your horses!" Huggy answered. "He'll be here any minute. We're a little early."

Hutch plopped down on a rickety stool. "God Huggy, I'm losin' it."

Huggy squeezed his friend's tense shoulder. "You gotta think positive, Hutch. We're gonna find him. I just know it."

The entrance of a small, bald, black man interrupted whatever response Hutch was about to make.

"This is our man." Huggy smiled nervously at Hutch.

Trying to keep calm, Hutch put his hands in his pockets. He was afraid he would reach out and grab the man, demanding information.

"Did you tell him?" the little man asked Huggy.

"Tell me what?" Hutch said with a bite in his voice.

Huggy responded quickly, "He wants to be sure the person he saw won't get in any trouble."

"If he helps me, he won't. All I want is Starsky!" Hutch yelled.

"Okay, okay." the man said. "There's a place down by the tracks. A woman lives there who helps people out when they can't get to a doctor. I saw her nephew throwin' out some bloody rags."

Hutch grabbed the man before he could stop himself. "Where?"

Trembling, the man answered, "I'll show you."

"Let's go!" Hutch said loudly.

ooooooo

Moses was worried about his friend. He didn't look so good. "David?"

Tortured blue eyes slowly opened, trying to focus. "I'm here."

"Do you want some cool water?" Moses asked him.

"That'd be great." Starsky tried to smile. Nausea was threatening again as his vision swam. "Moses, get me loose."

"Mama Jade would be mad at me." Moses said fearfully. "She don't want you hurtin' yourself."

"Moses." Starsky gasped, his breath failing him. "Please. I've gotta warn Hutch."

"I wish I could. Here's your water." Moses said as he gently picked up Starsky's head.

Sipping slowly, Starsky felt the cool water go down his parched throat. He had to get loose and warn Hutch.

"Who's Hutch?" Moses asked.

"He's my friend." Starsky whispered weakly. "I'm afraid Mama Jade wants to hurt him. Do you understand?"

Moses shook his head. "Mama Jade wouldn't hurt anybody!"

Trying to calm the giant of a man, Starsky said, "Moses, it's okay. Just get me loose."

"I can't!" Moses yelled.

Starsky was too weak to argue. He knew he was in great trouble. The last thing he remembered was the coolness of the rag Moses place on his forehead.

"Don't die, David." Moses pleaded. He tenderly held Starsky's hand as he cried. "You're my only friend. Please, don't die."

Moses was startled by someone knocking loudly on the door. Running to answer it, he was nearly knocked down by the force of the door being kicked in.

Hutch bolted through the door and slightly hesitated at the sight of the huge man in front of him. "Where is he?" Hutch screamed.

"Who?" Moses answered, very confused.

"Starsky!" Hutch grabbed Moses' arms.

It finally came to Moses that this wild man was talking about David.

Hutch ran past Moses. "Starsky!" he called.

He halted in his tracks when he entered the small bedroom. The smell of blood and sweat was very strong. "Starsky." he cried as he slowly approached the bed. He nearly collapsed when he saw Starsky's condition.

"Oh, God." Hutch whispered. He barely heard Huggy explaining to the big man what was going on.

Starsky was unconscious, breathing rapid and shallow. Blood was seeping from two wounds. Without taking his eyes off of Starsky, Hutch said calmly, "Huggy."

"I'm on it!" Huggy replied as he went back to the car to call for help.

"Is he gonna be okay?" Moses asked shyly.

Hutch snapped his head toward Moses. His harsh reply was cut short by the look on the man's face. Hutch immediately realized he didn't really understand the situation.

"I'm Moses." he grinned. "David's my friend and I've been helpin' take care of him."

Looking away from Moses, Hutch seethed when he saw the handcuffed arm. "What's this for?" he asked harshly.

"It's so he won't hurt himself." Moses replied.

Shaking his head, Hutch reached into his pocket for his cuff key. He unlocked the cuff from Starsky's raw wrist and gently moved the arm to Starsky's side.

"Starsk." Hutch said tenderly, touching his face. "Can you hear me?"

Hutch was greatly relieved when blue eyes locked onto his. "Starsky, hold on. We're getting you some help."

"utch?" a weak voice asked.

"Yeah, it's me." Hutch said gently, hiding the panic that threatened to explode.

Starsky reached out, pushing Hutch away. "Get outta here! I think she's after you."

Not understanding, Hutch grabbed Starsky's hands to still them. "Easy, easy. What did you say?"

Hutch was answered by a voice dripping with contempt. "He said, 'I think she's after you'! And he's right."

Hutch looked up to see Huggy walk in with his hands in the air, followed by a woman holding Starsky's gun in his back. "Just back away from him and put your hands up!" she snarled.

Quickly raising his hands, Hutch said, "Lady, he needs help."

"It won't matter. He'll be outta his misery very soon." she said.

"Run, Hutch!" Starsky cried.

"You stay right where you are." Mama Jade pointed the gun at Hutch.

"Lady, whatever problem you have with me, leave him out." Hutch said.

"Unfortunately, he is a pawn, a very important piece." She smiled at Hutch, making his blood run cold.

"Mama Jade, what are you doing?" Moses asked, confused by her actions.

"This is the man that killed Calvin!" she screamed not taking her eyes off of Hutch. "And now you're gonna know what I've felt like for the last six years." Pointing the gun as Starsky, she pulled the trigger.

Hutch lunged for her but was too late. He was knocked aside by Moses.

"No, Mama Jade!" Moses yelled as he dove between Starsky and the gun. He landed heavily on top of Starsky and was still.

Mama Jade watched in horror as the bullet meant for Starsky slammed into her beloved Moses. Stunned, she dropped the gun and fell to the floor. "Oh God, no!"

Huggy quickly picked up the gun and held it on the distraught woman.

Hutch pulled Moses off of Starsky. "Starsky!"

"Nooo!" Starsky cried. "Moses!"

Hutch gently cradled Starsky trying to console him. He was greatly relieved when he heard the sirens in the distance. "Hold on, Buddy. Help's coming." he whispered in Starsky's ear just before his friend's body went limp.

ooooooo

Starsky's recovery was slow. Even though his wounds were healing nicely, the infection had taken hold of his entire body. Even one week later, he was still in and out of consciousness. A weary Hutch stood vigil, as usual, by his bed, the hospital staff having long since given up trying to make the man observe visiting hours. Hutch was going to make sure he was here when Starsky woke up, let him know he was safe. He could only guess the hell Starsky had gone through.

On the eighth day, Hutch was rewarded with the sweetest sound in the world. "Hush? You there?"

Smiling, Hutch answered, "Where else would I be?" He fondly ruffled Starsky's sweaty curls.

"Was it all just a nightmare?" Starsky asked.

"I'm sorry to say it wasn't, Starsk." Hutch answered quietly.

Holding back tears, Starsky said, "Moses was a very special person."

Hutch nodded. "Yes, he was. I owe him alot."

"Mama Jade?" Starsky asked.

"Cabrillo." Hutch replied shortly, still having trouble with the memory of Starsky's close call.

"Did you ever find out what was going on?" Starsky asked weakly. The simple tasks of thinking and talking were nearly too much for him.

"All these years, she thought I shot her son." Hutch replied.

"Did you?" Starsky asked.

"Funny thing is, I didn't." Hutch answered, shaking his head. "I wasn't even involved with that case."

"I feel sorry for her." Starsky said.

"You're unbelievable, Starsk." Hutch laughed.

"This was close, Hutch." Starsky said seriously.

"Too close." Hutch agreed.

"Hutch?"

"Yeah."

"I'm hungry."

And they all lived happily ever after. (Until I come up with another story! LOL)