Feedback: Always shamefully solicited, but please remember, none of us are professionals so when critiquing, be lenient.

Disclaimer: I own no one, and nothing. The OC's are ours and the idea is loosely based on a movie called 'The hitcher', no infringement on the copyright is intended. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, namely, me!

Author's Note: This is the end of a long and fun journey. I have enjoyed this story immensely and I thank all of you that have read it and/or taken the time to comment on it. It has been a hell of a ride… Thank you Eli for your contributions and encouragement, also written with the constant help of Brook, (she is, and always will be my sounding board.)

Epilogue

Starsky sat by her bed watching her sleep, listening to every breath, moan and sigh that she made. He held her hand and stroked her arm, wanting her to know that he was there. God, she was beautiful, he loved just about everything about her, except the fact that he almost lost her, if she wasn't a cop, she'd be perfect. Helen blinked her eyes wearily as Starsky straightened his posture in anticipation of her waking up.

She opened her eyes as he allowed her a few seconds for her to adjust to the light in the room. Flashing her a crooked smile kissing the back of the hand he was holding.

"Hey beautiful…" He said gently as she smiled back at him.

"Hey yourself…" Her voice was rough and her mouth dry.

"How ya' feeling?"

"M'okay…you?" She asked noticing that he was sitting in a wheelchair.

"I'm good, doc says I should be ready to go dancing in no time…" He chuckled. "Care ta' join me?"

She sighed heavily, "I don't think I'll be up to that anytime soon." She said as she turned her head to the side.

"You in pain? I can call the nurse and getcha somethin'…" He offered as she turned back to face him.

"No Dave, I'm fine, really…" She said hesitantly.

Starsky could feel the heavy aura as it blanketed the room, the tension between them so thick you could slice it with a knife. He decided to try and lighten the mood.

"Wanna check out my scar?" He winked at her, causing her to allow a smile to wash over her face unintentionally. He was cute, there was no denying that.

"Dave…we need to talk…" There they were, the words he knew were coming but wanted to avoid.

He knew what she wanted to say, and he knew it was going to hurt.

"I know we do Helen, no matter what, I want you to know that I will always care about you…but I was thinking about us…and I just don't see how…" His voice started to waiver, "…it's ever gonna work between us…I mean, you're great at your job, but I really don't want the woman I love, chasing after bad guys, risking her life day in an' day out…" He turned his wheelchair around as he used his hands on the large wheels to move him back and forth around the room, Helen laid there and let him speak; she knew exactly what he was doing. "…Now don't get me wrong…I love you with all my heart…but I want to have kids someday…an' I don't want their mother to be puttin' herself in danger…I mean the kids are gonna need their Ma around…at home when the get outta school…that sort of stuff..." His back was to her, he inhaled deeply trying to keep his composure as he drew his hand down the entire length of his face and then turned around placing both hands on the wheels once again, looking into her dark brown eyes that were filling with moisture as he broke up with her, saving her the pain of having to do it. "I really hope you understand, honey…" He said as he wheeled himself towars her bed.

Helen nodded deeply as she bit her bottom lip, trying to keep from allowing the pain she felt to release itself through her full blown tears…both emotional and physical. She knew why he was doing this, not because he wanted to break up, but because he didn't want her to have to. Even at a time like this, he was still putting her first and that tore her apart. Truth was, she did love him, loved him with everything she had, that is why it made this even more painful. He wheeled up closer to her bedside as he reached out and took her hand in his.

"Dave, I'm sorry…" She sobbed.

"It's okay, I understand…and you know what?" He said as he fought to keep his own emotions in check, his Adam 's apple bobbing up and down as he nearly lost it. "You're probably right…we're making the right decision here…" He winked at her as one single tear broke free and trailed down his cheek and he quickly wiped it away, "I'll be seeing you around." He said as he turned the chair around to face Hutch coming through the door.

"Hold the door would you Blondie." Starsky asked as he hurried through it and down the hall as Hutch watched him pass.

The Nordic looked back at Helen as he held a bouquet of flowers in one hand and the door in the other. "Am I interrupting?" He asked as Helen broke into a full fledge cry and Hutch approached her bedside, the door slowly coming to a close behind him.

XXXX

Starsky and Hutch were back at the brunet's apartment, Starsky having his leg propped up on the coffee table as Hutch took care of his partner, setting a glass of water with in reaching distance of his friend, strategically placing the bottles of pain pills next to it.

"Ya' know, you really don't need to hover over me like a mother hen, Hutch." Starsky grumbled as his mood appeared somber and conflicted.

"I know that, but I promised both Dobey and the docs at the hospital, that I take care of you. That's the only way they agreed to release you today, an' you know it." Hutch rebutted.

Starsky paused for a moment and then sighed heavily as he thumbed his nose, "Is that the only people you promised?" He asked.

Hutch stopped running about and came over to the couch and sat next to his best friend, "No it isn't the only people I promised," he mocked Starsky's words, "I promised Helen too that I would look out for you, make sure you're okay…" He said as Starsky could hear the sadness in Hutch's voice. "Besides, I kinda like it being 'Me and Thee' again, don't you?"

Starsky snorted in a forced laughter as he nodded his head. After a long uncomfortable silence, he finally spoke.

"I loved her Hutch, I still do." He let his head fall back to rest on the edge of the couch as he stared at the ceiling.

"I know you do Buddy, but sometimes…it just isn't enough." Hutch told his partner as his hand reached up and grabbed his shoulder supportively, squeezing gently.

"So when is it supposed to stop hurting?" Starsky swallowed hard.

"I'm not sure it ever does." The blond replied honestly. "But if it'll make you feel any better…" Hutch began as Starsky held on to his every word, waiting for his wisdom and advice, "I'll let you drive my car…" Hutch said as he burst out laughing, remembering the time that his friend used that line on him, trying to ease his pain after losing someone he cared about deeply.

Starsky too, joined in with a fit of laughter of his own that were mixed with gentle, undetectable sobs as his Adam's apple pounced up and down and he bit his bottom lip. He was thankful to have such a wonderful friend in his life that was there through thick and thin, no matter what. He just hoped that Helen would be satisfied and okay with the decision she made. He truly wished for her happiness in everything she did, and that maybe one day they could get past the initial pain and remain lifelong friends, even if she was a cop…

Kevin was found not guilty by reason of insanity and institutionalized at Cabrillo State until the professionals there deemed him fit to re-enter society, if ever. At first Hutch was upset by the verdict until, at further research, he had found out that criminals found not guilty by reason of insanity, often spent more time in a mental hospital, then they would have spent in prison if found guilty. For this reason, both Starsky and Hutch doubted that Kevin would ever see freedom again.

The End