Mary and Tom Talbot were sitting by a large hospital bed, with a small child in it. Tom rose, on seeing Starsky enter. He shook his hand. No words were said but Tom nodded and Starsky could see that Tom was trying to be strong for his wife. Mary continued to sit, dabbing her eyes with a tissue. Starsky bent and lightly kissed her. "Oh David" she wept "It's so good that you're here"
The child, in the bed, suddenly sprang up and, as if to prove he wasn't injured lunged at Starsky, "Uncle Dave, Uncle Dave!" he yelped gleefully. Starsky could see it was Dylan who had survived. That meant Venna and Ray were gone. He had to blink back tears as the realization hit him, "Hiya Champ" he said trying to smile, "How'ya doin'?" "I'm okay" he answered "But grandma sure is sad. Uncle Dave is mommy coming soon? I thought she was with you. Is she coming soon?" Starsky looked at the Talbots. Tom shook his head. Starsky realized that Dylan did not know about his mother and his brother. Mary spoke, "David we weren't able to tell him. We were hoping, you being a policeman and all..." Starsky understood that he was meant to tell Dylan. He didn't know how. "Dylan will you be okay if ma and Grandma and Grandpa go outside for a while?" Starsky asked the small boy, who responded by nodding and saying, "Are you going to get mommy?" "No champ, but I need to talk to your grandparents. I'll be right back, I promise." "Okay Uncle Dave" Starsky left the room. Tom and Mary kissed Dylan and joined Starsky outside. "Are you two all right?" he asked the Talbots. "We're fine David. We've got each other. How about you son?" Tom asked. "I'm not sure. I don't really think it's sunk in yet. I still keep thinking I'll see her again. I'm not really sure how I feel. What about Dylan?" Starsky asked. Mary took Starsky's hand, "David, Venna loved you very much. After Dylan and Ray's father died we thought we'd never see her happy again. You gave our daughter so much love and happiness. I want to thank you for that. David we want you to take Dylan. He loves you. He needs you and we think it's what Venna would have wanted." Starsky was stunned, "Mary, Tom, I can't take Dylan. I'm a cop. My job..." Mary continued, "David, he loves you. We're too old to raise a four year old. He hasn't got anyone else." Tom interrupted "David we have given this lots of thought. Ever since we heard we immediately had to think of our grandson. We're asking you to raise Venna's son" Starsky didn't know what to say. "I need to think. I need to see Dylan. Firstly he's got to be told about his brother and his mom. The rest, I don't know. I need time." inside he was thinking I need Venna. I need Hutch. Slowly, he walked back into room119.
He smiled at the small blond child, eagerly waiting for him, "Did you get mommy?" asked the boy. Starsky sat on Dylan's bed and pulled him onto his lap. "Dylan do you remember you were in an accident?" asked Starsky, gently. "In mommy's car" responded Dylan. "That's right buddy. In mommy's car" Starsky was finding this really hard. The reality of explaining to Dylan was forcing him to face that Venna was gone. He closed his eyes and sighed, "Uncle Dave, are you okay?" He was feeling confused and frightened. He had a feeling something bad was happening. His Grandma and Uncle Dave were acting really strange and he had not seen his mom or Ray. "Uncle Dave, where's Ray?" he asked. Starsky hugged the little boy close. He was an orphan now and Starsky had to tell him. "Dylan your mommy and Ray were hurt in the accident. They were hurt very badly and the doctors couldn't make them better" Starsky looked at Dylan. His face only showed confusion. "Dylan, Ray and Mommy died sweetheart. Do you understand?" He asked gently. Tears began to well in Dylan's eyes "Like daddy?" "Yes Dylan, like daddy" "It means we wont see them no more" "No Dylan we wont" "Uncle Dave?" "Yes sweetheart?" "Who'll take care of me now?" and in that moment Starsky made his decision. He was Venna's son. He was going to be their son. "I am Dylan. I'm gonna take care of you now" Starsky held the child and, together, they cried.
Starsky stayed with Dylan until he had fallen asleep. He then went to meet Hutch. He was sitting waiting and rose when he saw Starsky approach. His partner looked tired and Hutch could see that he was all cried out. Hutch smiled warmly to him. "Tough day, huh partner? You okay?" He asked, with concern. Starsky sighed "Oh Hutch, this is so god-damned hard. I never thought...I never imagined losing her. After Terri I didn't dare hope to love again but then Venna...Oh God..." Starsky broke down and sobbed in Hutch's arms. "It's okay Starsk'. It's gonna be okay. I'm here. I'm here buddy." Hutch soothed. Starsky eventually gathered himself enough to sit down. "Starsk', you wanna coffee?" Starsky shook his head. "They want me to take Dylan" he began. "Who?" asked Hutch confused. "The Talbots. Venna's parents. Dylan's okay. He wasn't hurt. They want me to raise him." Starsky looked beat. "What you gonna do?" asked Hutch. "He's Venna's child. He's all I got left of her. I love her so much. I want him Hutch. I really do. I wasn't sure, I didn't know it at first but I need him as much as he needs me" Hutch could see Starsky was emotional but determined, "Whatever you decide buddy. You know you got my support. Hey I loved her too." "Thanks partner. I gotta sort things out. I can't take Dylan to my place it's too small." Starsky said, thinking. "Hutch I'm gonna take him home. His room is there, his toys, his things. It might help him. Poor little guy. He's gonna be coping with a lot." "What about you buddy?" Hutch asked, "Dylan's a terrific kid, hell they both were, but raising him. Starsky he's only a baby. Your talking about a lifetimes commitment." "Hutch I'm sure. I owe it to Venna to make this work. You know if we were already married, and Dylan was ours, there'd be no question. I know it's gonna be hard, really hard but I loved her." Starsky sighed "So much"
Starsky decided to spend the night at the hospital. Hutch, reluctantly, went home, promising to return in the morning.
Next day, when Hutch arrived at the hospital, he could hear Starsky arguing, in the doctors office. He asked to go in but was told to wait. Showing his badge he went in, anyway. He looked at his partner and then at the others, in the room. There was the doctor, whom they had spoken to yesterday, a hospital security guard and a young woman. "Starsk?" questioned Hutch. "And you are?" asked the young woman. "Sergeant Hutchinson, I'm Sergeant Starsky's partner" he replied.
Well Sergeant, I am Meredith Chambers. I am from children's welfare services. Your partner is attempting to remove a patient from this hospital." she informed Hutch, with an air of contempt. Starsky interrupted "Look Lady, I am not trying to remove anyone. Doc says Dylan can go home, I'm taking him home." "Mr Starsky I have told you before, you have no authority to take him home. Only his next of kin can sign his release papers." Hutch could see tears of frustration welling in Starsky's eyes. He answered, "Miss Chambers my partner has just lost his fiancée, and her son. Mr and Mrs Talbot, Miss Talbot's parents, Dylan's next of kin have asked my partner to take Dylan. Surely that's release enough?" "We at welfare services have to keep the child's best interests as paramount." she began. "For Christ sake lady!" shouted Starsky, "What the hell do you think I am trying to do?" "Mr Starsky shouting is not getting us anywhere" "I'm sorry, I just want to get Dylan home. He's just lost his mom and his brother. I need to get him outta here." Starsky said beat," I need to take him home". Meredith Chambers looked at the dark haired detective. She doubted if, emotionally, he could cope with a four year old child. She also knew that he was probably focusing on Dylan's needs, so as not to have to face his own grief. Then she looked at his blond partner and something in the way he supported his friend made her feel that maybe what Dylan needed, rather than a foster home, was a little love. She did not doubt that David Starsky loved this little boy, very much. "All right Mr Starsky. You can take Dylan home, for now. I'll come by, in a few days and check on you both. You'll need to apply to the court to become Dylan's legal guardian. If you do this and I am able to ensure Dylan's welfare, then I will be able to recommend he stays with you. Can you do that?" she asked. "He'll do it!" answered Hutch, "Come on buddy let's get out of here."