Chapter2

It was almost ten o'clock that morning when they found themselves heading towards the mountains. It had taken some time to find appropriate shoes for Starsky to walk in the mountains with because, as Hutch had stated "sneakers won't do there."

Starsky had disagreed but the blond stood his ground and reluctantly Starsky had bought himself real hiking shoes.

"This trip is going to be a real money snatcher." he'd grumbled but Hutch had laughed "It's not going to cost you much more than this buddy. I have everything we need and we'll eat what we catch and can find."

That hadn't made the brunet feel much better "What, are we going on a hunting trip? I'm not gonna shoot some innocent animal you know. What are you, a cannibal?"

Hutch had wiped the tears from his eyes "You're a real comedian Starsk. But no, we're not on a hunting trip, but we could try to catch some fish though and I know what's edible out there. So don't worry, you won't starve."

Still not satisfied with the idea of finding his own food Starsky had started to bargain with Hutch "What if you catch a fish and I buy some food before we go, huh? Then we're both happy and I won't starve…….."

"Nope! Back to nature means just that. No cans, no convenience food and you're going to love it. I promise Starsk, really."

"You're not the bossy type are ya Hutch? 'Cause let me tell ya right now, I'm not a pushover."

"Nah, I'm as kind as a kitten."

"Good, 'cos if you weren't I'd have to do something about it"

Hutch had chuckled and suggested "What do you think about you buying something for lunch and the rest of the week we'll eat what we find?"

"Don't ya think I'm on the losing side with this deal? Food for one meal and some crap we find for the rest of the time; I don't know Hutch, but it don't seem right to me."

After arguing for several minutes they decided that Starsky would buy supplies for a few days and Hutch would take care of the fishing and food hunting. It seemed to mollify the curly haired man and so they'd set out.

With the sun shining and the radio playing country and western music Hutch felt pretty good and relaxed. He was driving his old Ford and he whistled along with the song. 'It's good that I brought my guitar with me. I can't wait to sit by the fire and play something for Starsky.' That thought shook him up 'Where does that come from' he wondered 'Why would I want to play guitar for Starsky? He's a guy for Pete's sake not my new girlfriend' He stopped whistling and looked out of the corner of his eye at his passenger. Starsky had fallen asleep five minutes after they'd finally left for the mountains and Hutch had left him in peace knowing the man wasn't an early riser and getting up early that morning must have been a real achievement.

Starsky chose that moment to wake up and when he saw Hutch watching him he growled "Eyes on the road Hutchinson. Don't wanna end up in the hospital; I've seen enough of them"

The last words made Hutch curious and he couldn't resist asking, "What do you mean Starsk? You've been in the hospital a lot?"

Starsky shrugged "Never mind, it's not important."He sat up straighter and looked around the car "Ya call this a car? It's more like a garbage can to me."

Grinning Hutch answered "What do I care about a car? It's running isn't it? And it takes me where I wanna go. Right now it's taking you and me to the mountains and the lakes."

"Hm, if that's good enough for you who am I to say it isn't? But let me tell ya this buddy, when I got my new car you're not gonna treat her as lousy as this one."

Enjoying the friendly banter immensely Hutch laughed out loud "It sounds as if that car will be your new girlfriend Starsk. It's just transportation you know, something to drive in, that takes you home"

"That's what you think, but there's a lot more to a car than just being transportation. If you treat her gently she'll never fail you, she'll be faithful to you and…"

"You're joking Starsk. You must be."Hutch almost cried with laughter "you can't be serious."

A hurt expression on his face Starsky looked at Hutch "Of course I'm serious! Cars have feelings too ya know." Not able to suppress a smile he turned his face away from the still hiccupping driver. Funny, he thought, I don't care if he's laughing. Anybody else and I'd probably slugged 'em but not him. It's nice to talk to him and laugh with him. Never had somebody to do that with.

"I'm hungry" he said "It must be time to eat somethin'."

"Yeah" Hutch agreed tears from laughter still running down his cheeks "I could eat something too but if you can wait a little longer we're where we'll start our trip. We can eat something first then. Okay?"

Starsky nodded "Okay but don't make me wait too long. I'm grouchy when I don't eat in time" A blinding smile followed those words and Hutch smiled back a just as blinding smile.

Ten minutes later Hutch drove the old car off the main road and parked near what turned out to be a narrow dirt road where they would start their hiking trip.

Starsky left the car and looked around. A bit disappointed he wanted to know "Is this all; a dirt road and some trees?"

Hutch grinned leaving the car also and answered "No, don't worry. The real beauty of nature we'll see when we're on our way and a little further from civilization."

"No civilization huh? I wonder if I didn't make a huge mistake coming with you. What if something happens when we're out there? Oh," he shivered at the thought, "and what about snakes? I hate snakes! You're sure there are no snakes?"

"Snakes are more afraid of you than you would be of them buddy. They will be no problem. Believe me, I know."

"Well" Starsky hesitated "I'm gonna need persuadin'. But let's eat first, I can't think with an empty stomach"

A little later they ate their lunch from a can, as Starsky proudly pointed out, and after that they prepared to go further walking and exploring the beautiful mountains that waited for them.

Ken Hutchinson was feeling great walking and enjoying the beautiful nature that surrounded them.

David Starsky did not share those happy feelings; walking and nature did not have the same effect on him as on his friend who walked in front of him.

"Hey Hutch," he asked after they'd walked for about two hours, "don't ya think it's time for a break?"

Hutch stopped and turned towards Starsky "Why, are you tired?"

"Well, not exactly but I could use somethin' to eat. And a bit of rest wouldn't be bad either." he confessed reluctantly, not wanting to sound fussy.

"What do you say if we go on for a little while and then look for a place to camp?"

Starsky shrugged "Okay but not too long, I'm starving ya know."

"Ah come on Starsk! Look around you, isn't it beautiful here? Don't you feel fantastic just seeing the beauty nature shows us?"

"What are ya, a walking commercial? Or do ya read too many books with too many fancy words and expressions?"

"No, but can't you see it?" Hutch didn't understand how somebody could walk here and not see the impressive beauty that nature displayed.

"No I don't, but if you see it it should be enough for the both of us. I told ya before I'm not really into the nature stuff."

Hutch chuckled "Ah yes, the city guy. But still can't ya see it's really beautiful here."

While talking they'd walked on and after some time Hutch spotted the perfect camping place right before them.

"I think this is a great place to camp Starsk." he pointed at the little lake in front of them "Water enough so I can try to catch some fish and we could swim if you'd like."

"Don't like water" Starsky mumbled "I'd rather have a beer."

"Well, we don't have beer with us but maybe you'd settle for coffee? Fresh and strong."

With a deep sigh Starsky agreed "Coffee it is then. And I'm hungry; don't know if I can wait till you catch the fish… if you ever manage to catch some."

They arrived at the spot Hutch had discovered and with a relieved sigh Starsky dropped his backpack on the ground and stretched his arms and back.

"Never thought I'd be walking with a thing like that on my back ever again." he said and looked disgusted at the innocent item.

That comment woke Hutch's curiosity "You've been doing hiking trips before? When and where?"

Starsky shrugged, cursing himself for saying things he didn't want to talk about. "Nothing interesting." He tried to avoid further conversation "It's been a while and I don't want to remember it anyhow. Not now anyway, we're having too much fun aren't we?" The last words were said with a hint of sarcasm that Hutch didn't understand but he decided to drop the matter for the moment.

Working together as a team they finished pitching the small tent in ten minutes and although Hutch had the lead he noticed that Starsky was handy enough to do it on his own. If he wanted to, he thought and wondered what secrets were hidden behind the easy going attitude.

Starsky almost worked without thinking pitching the tent. He'd done it a hundred times in the army and could do it with his eyes closed if he had to; but it brought back memories he'd like to forget and it was one of the reasons he never went camping. And here I am, he thought, doing just that. He wondered what powers were hidden behind the sky blue eyes of the blond to make him doing this despite his aversion to it.

"I'm gonna try to get us some fish for dinner" Hutch had his fishing gear in his hands already "you wanna join me?"

"Nah, I don't think so. I'm going to lie down and take a nap" Starsky answered and took off his shoes as if to prove he'd do what he just said "I'm kinda tired from all the walkin' we did I guess"

"Okay" Hutch shrugged and turned to find a good fishing spot but he was held back by the brunet who wanted to know "Ain't you hungry? I could eat something ya know! Can't we just eat first?"

"Well, we could eat something you bought I guess and when I come back with a pile of fish we could eat those later" Hutch hesitated a moment, eager to go fishing but not wanting to sound pushy "Maybe you're right. Let's eat something, just not too much, and have a real dinner when I come back"

The thought about food lit up Starsky's face and he was on his feet before Hutch could say another word. He opened his backpack and picked out the first edible thing he saw. "Oh yeah. This is what I need right now" he showed Hutch what he'd found "ain't ya glad I bought some real food?"

"That's not food" the blond looked disgusted "Starsk, that's candy. What were you thinking when you bought that?"

Disappointed Starsky looked at the candy bar in his hand "I thought I like this and I bought it" he said "Don't you like it? I thought everybody liked candy bars."

"What else did you buy?"Hutch wanted to know "You did buy some real food I hope?"

"Hey! What kinda guy do ya think I am? I didn't just buy candy. I… uh…I bought some canned soup too."

"Oh… well that's okay then. Let's eat the soup and then I'll go fishing for the main course." He started to make a fire with the twigs he found around their tent and it didn't take long before a small fire spread its warmth and the smell of tomato soup filled the air. Hutch stirred the soup in a pan he'd brought with him and suddenly felt very content. It was nice making something to eat for more than one person and he realized he'd missed that since his wife had left him. He felt his anger rise but pushed it away. Now was not the time to think of ugly things like his wife's betrayal and determinedly he pushed the thoughts and his anger to the back of his mind to deal with later.

Starsky saw the emotions on his new friend's face and wondered what secrets the blond could have. Thinking of his own hidden feelings he shrugged mentally and put the last piece of candy in his mouth. "Soup ready?" he asked chewing "I'm almost fainting from hunger."

"Hard to believe that Starsk, since you're stuffing yourself with candy."

"Yeah well, I had to eat somethin'; it took too long to wait for the soup"

"Hm, if you say so. Soup is hot now."

"Great! Give it to me Blondie."

Hutch filled the mugs with the hot soup and said "What did you call me?"

"Blondie"

"Blondie?"

"Yeah, Blondie! You're blond ain't ya?"

"You can't call me Blondie. I'm not one of your girls!"

"I don't have any blond girls. I like brunettes better"

Hutch shook his head "I'm going to catch our dinner"

Starsky grinned and watched the blond taking his fishing gear and walk to the lake. Maybe this trip could be fun after all, he thought, Hutch was fun to be with and if he really would catch some fish a nice dinner and a bit teasing could make it a comfortable evening.

TBC

TBC