Hutch finished preparing his fishing pole and cast the line expertly. "You see Starsk, just cast it and wait." Starsky still looked dubiously but cast his line nevertheless. It landed in the water next to Hutch's line. Hutch looked worried at the two lines too close together and suggested, "Why don't you try your luck on the other side. Our lines might get entangled this way."

"Okay. I'll take a chair and wait till nothing happens. Boring stuff, fishing."

Starsky pulled his line in and went to the other side of the boat. He sat down in a chair and cast his line again. With his elbow on his knee and his head in his hand he stared at the floater. "Nothing here," he said, "How are things at your side?"

" Patience Starsk, it's all a matter of patience."

"I guess I'm not the patient kind."

"I know you're not the most patient person on this earth, but you'll see it's worth the wait."

"Are you sure there's fish here?"

"Yes I'm sure. And now shut up, you're scaring the fish."

"Boring." Starsky muttered and finished his beer.

They sat in silence for five minutes and Hutch was enjoying himself even though not the tiniest twitch had called his attention. He could wait, just sitting there and watching the floater on the water made his nerves relax and his thoughts wander off. He was daydreaming about a future without violence and crime when Starsky's excited voice called him back to the presence.

"I got one Hutch, I got one. Man, it must be huge."

Damn, he caught a fish. I'll be hearing about that for the rest of the trip. He's the first to catch something.

"Reel it in Starsk, but be careful. Easy does it partner."

"Look at this one. Isn't it a beauty?"

"Yeah, and tasty I bet."

"You want me to kill it right now?"

"First you got to unhook it. You need help?"

"Yes, I'm afraid it's gonna bite me."

"Okay, wait a sec."

Hutch secured his fishing pole to the steering wheel, turned to look at Starsky's catch and started to laugh. "Wow Starsk," he hiccupped, "that's a real monster you got there."

"Don't laugh! It's more than you caught so far."

"Just wait and see pal. I was the fishing champion in High School remember?"

"So you said."

"You catching the first one is beginners luck."

"You think so?"

"Yep, must be."

"You got the fish unhooked yet?"

"Yeah, but this scrawny thing is not worth frying. It's more bones than meat."

"It is tiny isn't it? Throw it back. Don't wanna kill a baby."

Hutch agreed and returned the fish into the sea. "Give it another try Starsk; who knows what you'll catch next."

"An old shoe probably. I told you that fishing is boring."

"And I told you it's not!"

Starsky picked up his fishing pole again and cast the line for the second time. He sat down and started watching the floater. Hutch grinned, "You wanna make it more interesting Starsk?"

"Sure."

"Let's see who catches the most fish."

"You wanna bet?"

'Why not? It sure would make it more interesting to you."

Starsky liked the idea. "What's the bet?"

"The one who catches most fish in the next hour doesn't have to cook or wash the dishes."

"Deal!"

Hutch smiled and returned to his own spot. The floater was still floating and he sighed. Don't do this to me little fish out there, don't make me lose to a beginner, huh?"

He cursed inwardly when Starsky cheered, "Got another one and this is a real big one."

"You need help again partner?" Hutch asked, defeated.

"Nah, I watched you a few minutes ago. I think I can do it myself now."

With remarkable nimble fingers Starsky unhooked the fish. "This one will taste great I bet," he grinned and with one chop of the knife he cut off the head. Hutch's mouth fell open when he watched his friend in action. "I thought you didn't know anything about fishing."

"I said it was boring but I do know how to catch fish."

"You suckered me into a bet, you bastard."

Starsky chuckled, "You're such an easy target sometimes. The moment you think you can beat me you go for it."

"You lied to me!"

"No, I didn't. I said I never caught something when I was a kid and that's true. But I learned things when I got older and fishing is one of them."

"Where did you learn how to fish?"

""Nam."

"Damn," Hutch muttered.

"Yep, I can catch them with my bare hands if I have to."

"And you said it's boring."

"It is, but I still can catch fish."

Starsky cast his line again. "Now it's an honest bet. We both know what to do, so let's see who catches most uh?"

Hutch's face turned determined. "Okay, let's see who the real champion is."

They both sat silently watching their floaters, waiting for their next catch. Hutch's relaxed feeling had gone now the game turned out to be a real one. He knew he was acting ridiculously but couldn't stop himself taking the fishing contest too seriously. It's just Starsk and me. Why do I care who's going to win?

Deep inside he knew why: he still needed to prove to everybody that he was the best. A remnant of his past, when he always had to prove himself and never succeeded in his father's eyes.

But damn, this is Starsky! I don't have to prove anything to him.

"Got another one."

"Shit," he mumbled and aloud he asked, "A big one?"

"Not as big as the first but big enough."

He heard the knife chop again and winced as if he'd been cut himself.

"Enough for lunch you think?"

"Maybe, but let's give it another try. We got a good spot here; maybe we can catch dinner as well."

"Okay."

What happened to the three days of fun? Come on Kenny; enjoy this for once without getting frustrated because your best friend knows how to fish. Besides, you should have known; Starsky always seems to have another card up his sleeve. It's time you learned that Hutchie boy.

His floater suddenly disappeared and he almost let go of the fishing pole. "Starsk, I need your help here!"

"What?"

"I got a huge one and I don't think I can reel it in by myself."

"You're kidding me."

"No, come on now."

He was fighting to not lose his entire fishing gear but whatever was on the hook was stronger than he was. Starsky was beside him in a second and grabbed the pole with both hands.

"Dammit Hutch, what the hell did you find down there?"

"Beats me." Hutch was panting. "Must be enough food for three days."

"Yeah, if we get it into the boat."

They struggled and fought with what Hutch thought was a small shark. He didn't mention it to Starsky knowing too well how his friend would react. With this one I've beaten you buddy.

Sweating and cursing they continued their fight to get the creature on board and finally, after at least half an hour, the catch of the day gave in and they hauled it on board.

"Christ," Starsky whispered watching the fish with big eyes, "what on earth did we bring in?"

Hutch fell back in a chair, trying to catch his breath. He looked at Starsky and couldn't help the feeling of pride that rushed through him. "It's a shark, a Lemon Shark."

"A shark? You're lying Hutchinson. That's no shark, it can't be a shark."

"It is a shark. It's a small one but it sure is a shark."

"Damn, we caught a shark." Starsky couldn't believe it. "What are we gonna do with it?"

"Throw it back of course."

"I wanna take a picture of him or nobody's gonna believe we really caught a shark."

"Hurry up or he'll be a dead shark."

"Back in a sec."

Starsky rushed inside to get his camera and Hutch watched his prize catch. The shark was rather small, not more than about four foot long and Hutch knew it was a relatively young animal. Damn, I caught a shark! I caught a shark.

"Is he still here?" Starsky came back with his camera, excited like a kid in a toy store.

"Yes, he's still here. But you got to hurry or he'll die."

Starsky looked at the shark. "He isn't dead already is he? He's not moving. Hey shark, are you all right?"

He crouched down close to the shark and watched it intently. "He looks dead to me Hutch. Look at his eyes, no life in it."

"Get away from him Starsk. He might be small but he can bite."

"I think he's dead. Look, he doesn't even move when I touch him."

"Don't touch him idiot!"

"Why not? He's dead isn't he?"

"I don't think he's dead. He's scared and pretends to be dead."

Starsky turned around to face Hutch, still in a crouched position. "It's not a dog, he aahhhhhhhhhhh! He bit me!"

"I told you to get away from him! Now help me to throw him back."

"But he bit me, he bit me."

"I'll have a look at it when this poor thing is back in the sea. Now gimme a hand."

"Hey, I'm bleeding. My butt is bleeding!"

"Later Starsk. We gotta save the shark."

Hutch tried to lift the shark but only managed to lift it a little from the deck. Starsky was still holding his butt and Hutch noticed the blood running through his fingers.

"He really bit you didn't he?"

"You think I was kidding?"

"No, but you gotta help me with the shark. You won't bleed to death immediately."

"I'm wounded! I can't give you a hand."

"You got to or he is one dead shark."

"Dammit Hutch. It hurts."

"I know it does but this little guy is dying."

Starsky looked at his bloodied hand, then at the shark and wiped his hand clean at his bloodied shorts.

"Let's get him out of here," he said, wincing with every move he made, "We should arrest him for assaulting a police officer."

"You wanna read him his rights?"

"Throw him overboard, that's enough punishment."

"Sounds more like a reward to me."

"Let's reward him for his courage then."

It wasn't easy but finally they managed to return the shark to the ocean. It didn't move for a few seconds but then swam away and disappeared under water.

Hutch sighed. 'He's saved, now let me have a look at you."

"Um, I don't think I need your help Hutch."

"Hey, you're bleeding. Let me see how bad it is."

"No! I mean, I'm gonna take a look myself first." Starsky turned to walk away from Hutch's prying eyes but was held back by his partner's hand on his arm.

"Starsk don't be an ass. Let me take a look."

"No!"

"Why not?"

"Because um…well…it's embarrassing that's why."

"What's embarrassing about being bitten by a shark?"

"Maybe the part of my anatomy that's been attacked?"

"What do you mean? He bit you in the hand didn't he?"

"Not exactly."

"Damn, you're bleeding from behind. He bit you in your back?"

"Not exactly."

"Then where?"

"Um…you know…okay then…he bit me in the ass."

Hutch started laughing. He looked at Starsky's backside and bit his lip to constrain his laughter. He is bleeding after all, shouldn't make fun of where he got bitten. But I'll be damned if that shark didn't hit the jackpot.

"Don't laugh," Starsky snarled, "It's not funny and it hurts like hell."

"I'm sorry," Hutch sniggered, "I know it isn't and I know it does. Now let me take a look."

"Not here. Somebody might see us."

"You think so? We're all alone in a bay; nobody is gonna see us."

"We need bandages and they are inside. It's a good thing I brought them with me."

Starsky limped towards the cabin door. Hutch followed him his eyes fixed on Starsky's shorts that were fairly wet with his friend's blood. "Maybe I should take you to the hospital. I don't know if you need any shots after a shark bite."

"My tetanus shots are up to date. You think I need other ones?"

"I'm not sure Starsk. Lie down and let me look at that bite. It sure is bleeding."

They had reached the sleeping cabin and Starsky lay down on the bed on his stomach. Hutch sat down beside him and carefully pulled his friend's shorts down until he could see the shark bite.

"I'll have to clean it first. Wait a second, I'll be right back."

"Oh take your time and leave me here alone with a bleeding ass. My dignity is gone anyhow."

"Don't worry about your dignity Starsk, I won't tell anybody." Hutch returned with a basin of water, towels and gauze bandages he'd found in one of Starsky's bags.

Starsky looked over his shoulder. "I feel rather stupid lying here like this."

"Nothing stupid about that pal. After all you got bitten by a shark and lived to tell everybody about it."

That thought cheered Starsky up a little. Being bitten by a shark and surviving it without too much damage was something to brag about. Later, when his butt was healed and not hurting anymore.

"That's true," he said, "I bet the chicks are gonna love this story."

"Yeah and I'm sure they all wanna kiss it better."

Starsky grinned, "And who am I to deny them that healing act."

"Hang on, I'm gonna clean it."

"Ouch! Can't you be a little more considerate? That hurts!"

"Sorry but I've got to clean it. Can't see a thing with all the blood."

"Am I still bleeding?"

"Yeah and I think you'll need a doctor Starsk. I'll put gauzes on it and tape it with band-aids. I'm sorry buddy but our little vacation is over."

"Hey, he didn't bite a chunk out of my butt did he?"

"No, you're still intact but you need stitches and probably penicillin."

"Shit, shit, shit!"

"Yeah well, that could be difficult for a while too."

"Not funny Hutch and it's all your fault."

"Be glad it was just a small shark and that he didn't bite you hard. I think he just grazed you. And…that you turned away from him the moment he bit you. I wouldn't want to see the damage he would have caused if he'd bitten you while you'd have still faced him."

"Oh damn, don't say that. Please, don't say that."

"That would have made a total difference."

"Don't even think it Hutchinson!"

"Okay, I won't. Here, it's all done for now. You stay here and don't move; I'll take you back to shore and call an ambulance."

"No ambulance. You can take me to the hospital."

"We'll see. First I got to take us back. Be a good boy and try not to move too much. I'll leave the doors open so I can hear you if you need me."

"Can you bring me a beer before we take off?"

"We're not on a plane and no, no beer before I know what they're going to do with you."

"Come on Hutch, they're not gonna perform surgery on my butt. They won't do that will they?"

"I don't think so but it's better to be safe than sorry."

"Damn you're mean."

"Only for your own good."

"Yes mom."

"Good boy." Hutch grinned and left the cabin after covering Starsky up with a sheet. Muttering, Starsky heard him start the engine and then he felt the boat turn to leave the bay. The gentle rocking of the boat made him sleepy despite the pain in his butt and he drifted off to sleep.

Hutch was sailing as hard as he dared with Starsky bleeding in the cabin. Why can't we even go away for a few days without any accidents happening? What did we do to deserve any of this? Damn Starsky, why didn't you listen when I said to leave the shark alone? You never do as I say…shit, I sound like my father and Starsk isn't even my son!

He couldn't help laughing at the idea of his partner being his son. Damn, I'd teach you, partner.

TBC