Same Dislaimers: S&H do not belong to me and no profit is being made.
Warnings: still some violence and deals with bigotry.
Thank you for your kind support of this story.
CHAPTER 12
Hutch was horrified as he saw the gun being pointed at his unconscious partner and, in total disregard for his own safety, and with a scream of pure rage, he leaped towards Rayner. The force of his weight propelled Rayner forward as the gun fired, and they both landed heavily on the ground, somehow managing to avoid landing on Starsky. Rayner had dropped the gun after it fired, and Hutch continued his desperate struggle to keep the weapon and the madman apart. Hutch had been slightly winded in his fall but his concern about his partner overrode all other feelings, and he concentrated on trying to control Rayner, and avoiding striking Starsky. Rayner had a slight advantage when he realized Hutch's predicament and determination to avoid hitting Starsky. He also had the strength of the insane. He twisted violently away, pushing the blond detective off him forcefully. But he underestimated Hutch's determination and as he felt the gun grabbed again, he found himself in a struggle for life. Hutch gripped Rayner's wrist firmly as the gun was waved wildly around and with a final spurt of adrenaline rush, he forced the hand holding the gun away from himself. Rayner struggled hard and kept fighting, refusing to release the gun when it suddenly fired again and all movement ceased.
The SWAT team had rushed the apartment at the sound of the first gun shot and they rapidly entered the room at the sound of the second. Although it had seemed like an eternity to Hutch, the fight was over within a couple of minutes. He had rolled onto his side trying to catch his breath as the SWAT team swarmed in. Rayner lay dead on the floor, for the bullet hadn't missed him this time.
Concern for his partner soon overtook his weariness and Hutch crawled over to where Starsky lay. Sickened by the fight and by the entire ugly incident, Hutch focussed his attention on his injured partner. Sadly he knew there was nothing he could do for Ben but he couldn't deal with those thoughts as he quickly examined Starsky. Starsky he could and would help. Thankfully there was no sign of any bullet wounds, but Starsky had remained ominously still and the cuts and bruises were extensive. Hardly aware of the others in the apartment, he gathered Starsky into his arms and held him. Under normal circumstances he wouldn't have risked moving him but he felt the intense need to provide comfort and to feel Starsky breathing and this need overtook his usual common sense. After a quick check for broken bones, he was unable to resist the need to hold his friend close.
"Call an ambulance, please. He's still alive." he shakily asked the officers who were milling around. He could only watch helplessly as officers carefully checked Ben's body. Shivering with reaction from the intense incident, Hutch remained where he was, holding Starsky and trying not to give in to the despair he was feeling.
Starsky started to regain consciousness but panicked slightly when felt himself being held. He started to protest and wriggle slowly, until he realized that these hands were holding him gently, not seeking to hurt him anymore. "Hutch…" he murmured. It must be Hutch and he allowed himself to relax, trying to absorb the comfort he so badly needed. "Hutch" he whispered again.
"It's okay, Starsk, it's okay, babe." Hutch was praying that it would be as he looked at the curly head and bruised face, feeling emotional and devastated at the all too clear evidence of blind hatred.
The entire scene sickened Hutch to his heart. He simply couldn't understand how someone could be victimized due to such stupidity and irrationality. Unfortunately he was used to facing hatred which came from them being cops. He didn't like it, but he could accept it as part of the downside of their job. He had to really, had to come to terms with the fact that people wanted to hurt or kill them. Memories of Forrest coming after him with such vengeance and spite; memories of Marcus and his cult of nuts terrorizing Starsky; Bellamy's attempt on Starsky's life…all unfortunately part and parcel of their jobs. Forrest's attack had been more personally motivated but the rest of it was just the ugly side of their lives. Their job was to stop criminals and naturally this caused ill feelings at times.
This attack on Ben and Starsky was so much harder to comprehend. It was truly senseless and Hutch couldn't get his mind around it. Starsky didn't deserve it, no one did. Starsky was such a kind and gentle man, the best friend he could ever wish for. Hutch had never understood bigotry, but since befriending the volatile brunet, it made even less sense. It was just so ridiculous and more than stupid.
Hutch sighed, knowing that he'd never be able to understand how people could hold such beliefs, and it saddened him deeply that his best friend was a victim of such a horrible crime. For it was horrible, truly horrible. Starsky's background and culture was very different to his own but it made no difference to their friendship. Starsky himself was one of the least judgemental people he'd ever known and for Starsky to be victimized by such blind stupidity was insane. A deep sadness entered Hutch as he sat in Starsky's destroyed home, holding him, and trying to come to terms with what had happened. He hoped he had the strength to help Starsky deal with the events but for the first time in their partnership he wasn't sure what to do. How could he help Starsky deal with something he had no understanding of? He couldn't explain the inexplicable. But despite this, he knew he would do everything in his power to help and they would get through this. They all had to – the Dobeys, Anna Steiner, and the me and thee team, somehow.