The funeral director had called Hutch two weeks after Starsky's funeral to let him know that Starsky's headstone had been finished and was placed on his grave.
Strangely, Hutch felt a calming sense of closure and made plans to visit his best friend's grave later that morning.
When the time came, Hutch made his way up the cemetery's long drive and parked his car along the winding path close to where Starsky's final resting place was located.
From where he sat in his car, he could look over and see his partner's plot.
He noticed that the ground still looked freshly turned, however, the thing that drew his attention the most was the tall, stately, majestic oak with it gnarled branches swooping down over the burial site.
It was as if it the tree was shielding and protecting the remain's of the man who laid beneath the sod.
Hutch wondered to himself, "How did I not notice that at the graveside service?"
Hutch heaved a heavy sigh then got out of his car and slowly made his way over to the newly engraved stone.
STARSKY, was spelled out in bold, dark letters.
Hutch stopped and knelt down in front of the stone and rubbed his hand across the words that where etched at the bottom, beloved son and friend.
"Hey buddy," Hutch said softly with tears in his eyes.
The blond then sat down on the manicured grass beside the turned-up sod, not caring that the morning dew would more than likely stain his jeans.
He looked up at the tree and smiled as he said, "You sure picked a beautiful spot here partner."
Hutch looked back at the gravestone then bowed his head as he spoke, "I-I have something to tell ya' Starsk...you may not want to hear but...I've decided to quit the force...I-I just don't wanna' do it anymore buddy...not without you anyhow."
"I thought maybe I'd do a little traveling...go to some of those places you and I always talked about," Hutch choked on his words.
"Who knows...if I get low on cash...maybe I'll fly down to Boliva and knock off a couple of banks!" Hutch joked as the tears spilled from his eyes.
Hutch's body shook as he sobbed, "God Starsk...this is so hard for me pal...if I only knew that you were happy where you're at now...it would make it a hell of a lot easier."
Just then the wind stirred, then a brightly colored orb appeared in front of Hutch, while at the same time, one of the huge oak tree's branches, swept down in the breeze and brushed gently against the blond's shoulder.
Hutch turned and saw the gnarled branch and thought how strangely it resembled that of an outstretched hand.
The blond smiled then raised his face up to the sky and let the warmth around him fill his being.
Then just like that, the wind died down, the bright orb disappeared and a sense of peace came over Hutch.
Hutch let out a soothing sigh then smiled as he rose up from where he sat.
"I'll see ya' later buddy...try not to give the big guy upstairs to much grief...I'm sure he's not as forgiving as Dobey!" Hutch chuckled then walked away, pausing to look back once to glance up at the graceful oak.
...
"Well...I think that's the last of it!" Starsky's mother said as Hutch placed the last of Starsky's things in the back of the moving van.
"Yes it is," Hutch said somberly as his hand rested on the cardboard box.
Hutch had taken a lot of Starsky's personal things, some photo albums, some of his friend's favorite clothing items, even a few small pieces of Starsky's furniture, the rest was going home to New York with Starsky's mother.
"It's funny Kenneth...part of me feels as if I'm losing two sons," Mrs. Starsky said gloomily.
Hutch looked at her with a confused look on his face.
"Why is that Rachelle?" he asked.
"Well now that David's gone they'll be no need for you to stay in contact with this crazy, old lady!" Starsky's mother replied.
"Oh Rachelle!" Hutch said as he wrapped his arms around the woman.
As she and Hutch stood there, his chin resting on the top of her head, he asked, "Would it be alright...that is if you don't mind...for me to call you Friday evenings...you know...like David use to do?"
Mrs. Starsky sobbed as she looked up at the blonde.
Just then Nicholas, who had been waiting in the cab that was to take his mother and him to the airport, began shouting out the window, "C'mon Ma...we're gonna' miss our flight!"
"Of course you can...I'll look forward to it!" Mrs. Starsky said all teary-eyed.
Hutch smiled then kissed her tear-stained cheek as he walked her over to the cab and helped her in.
Hutch then reached inside and held out his hand to Nick as a peace offering.
Nick just glared at him then turned to look out his side of the cab window.
"Take care of yourself dear," Mrs. Starsky said as she took Hutch's hand and squeezed it tight.
Hutch smiled and nodded then stepped back from the cab as it pulled away out onto the street.
He watched it until it completely disappeared from sight then with a heavy sigh he motioned for the moving van driver to follow him to Venice Place.
...
Three weeks had passed since Starsky's death and a difficult decision laid heavy on Hutch's mind as he walked into the squad room that morning.
It was the first the blond had been back to the precinct since the fatal shooting of his partner.
Several fellow officer's expressed their sympathy as he walked into the room.
Hutch thanked them sincerely then headed for Dobey's office.
He paused a moment before rapping lightly on his superior's office door.
"Come in!" the burly man replied from the other side.
Hutch grabbed the doorknob and took a deep breath before entering.
Dobey rose from his chair quickly when he saw it was his blond detective.
"Hutch...I didn't expect to see you back so soon!" the captain said with a smile as he waited for Hutch to take a seat.
"Hi-yah' captain...y-you got a minute?" Hutch asked.
"Of course Hutch!" Dobey exclaimed as he sat on the corner of his desk so he could be closer to where Hutch had sat down.
"How are you son?" Dobey asked affectionately as he placed a large hand on Hutch's shoulder.
"Well Captain...that's sorta' why I'm here sir," Hutch replied as he reached inside the breast pocket of his blazer and pulled out a piece of paper.
"I-I've thought long and hard about this Captain...and...well sir," Hutch stumbled with his words as he unfolded the paper.
"I'd like to submit my resignation!" the blond added as he handed the official document to his superior.
Dobey hesitated then took the paper as he let Hutch's words sink in.
The captain collected his thoughts then asked, "Are you really sure you want to do this?"
"Yes sir...I'm quite sure!" Hutch replied positively.
Dobey studied the paper then wiped a hand across his face, stopping to pinch the bridge of his nose.
"Hutch...it's only been a few weeks...why don't you wait and give it just a little more time," Dobey started to suggest.
Hutch got up from his chair and walked over to the only window in the office and looked out.
"It's no good Captain...without Starsky...being a cop just doesn't seem to have the same meaning as it did before!" Hutch replied somberly.
"But Hutch there are other avenues we can look into...why I was just speaking to the chief this morning about recommending you to...!" Dobey started to exclaim.
He stopped when he saw the look in Hutch's eyes, he knew the blond had made up his mind and there was nothing he was going to do or say that would change it.
Dobey sighed then tossed Hutch's resignation on his desk in defeat.
Hutch frowned when he saw how visibly upset his superior was.
The blond walked over to his captain and placed his hand around the big man's elbow and said, "Captain...I will always be grateful to you for everything you've done for me...and I know I can speak for Starsky as well...anyone else would have kicked our cans to the curb a long time ago...and for that...I thank you."
Hutch extended his hand to Dobey.
"It's been a real honor...sir," Hutch said sincerely.
Dobey paused then replied proudly, "The honor is mine Hutchinson...and that goes for Starsky as well!"
"I'll just go and clean out my desk while you put the papers through Captain," Hutch said with a smile as the tears clouded his vision.
Dobey nodded silently as he watched the blond exit the room.
...
Starsky and Terry were watching from above.
"I still can't believe he's quitting," Starsky said in a melancholy tone.
"I'm not a bit surprised Dave...he never would have let Captain Dobey pair him with anyone else," Terri replied as she placed her hand in the crook of Starsky's arm.
"Yeah but he's such a damn good cop Terry...he has his whole career ahead of him...you heard Dobey...he said he was talking to the chief...he was probably gonna' get some kind of a promotion!" Starsky replied back.
"Well look on the bright side Dave...you won't have to worry about him as much anymore if he's not working the streets," Terry said with a smile as she placed her chin on Starsky's arm.
Starsky thought of her words then smiled back half-heartedly, "Yeah...there's always a bright side isn't there...maybe he can get a job as a hairdresser...he was pretty good at that!"
Just then Starsky's father appeared.
"Excuse me Davey...I-I gotta talk to you son!" his father interupted the couple.
Starsky could see his father was very distraught.
"What is it Pop?" Starsky asked with concern.
"It's your Ma...Davey she's gotten her self so worked up over your brother she's made herself sick!" Mr. Starsky replied.
"Ma's sick Pop?" Starsky exclaimed with worry.
"Yes son...your brother has been going out every night since they returned from Bay City...he's been drinking a lot and his gambling is the worst it's ever been...and that's not the worst of it Davey...he's back to dealin' again...your Ma found a satchel with a few small packs of heroin in it and a huge wad of money when she was cleaning his room!" Starsky's father informed.
"Heroin...but he was only messin' with marijuana before!" Starsky exclaimed with outrage.
"Now you can see why your mother is getting herself so worked up...I'm going there now to be with her...would you want to come with me?" Mr. Starsky asked.
Starsky looked down below at the blond as he was cleaning out his desk, thankful that Hutch was out of harm's way.
"Yeah of course!" Starsky replied instantly.
"I'll be back later Terry!" Starsky said as he kissed her on the cheek and hurried off with his father.
...
While Hutch continued to clean off the personal effects from his and Starsky's desks Dobey came storming out of the office with his jacket in his hand.
"Simons...get Davies and Walters on the radio...I need them at the First National Bank on Linkhurst asap...then find your partner and get there on the double too!" Dobey ordered as he headed for the door.
Hutch rushed over and grabbed Dobey's arm before he exited the room.
"Captain...what's going on?" Hutch asked.
"The Bank was just robbed...there are three gunman held up inside...with eleven hostages...two of which are already dead!" Dobey bellowed.
"I'm coming with you!" Hutch exclaimed as he tossed his cardboard box of belongings on the empty desk .
"In case you forgot Hutchinson...you're officially retired!" Dobey informed the blond.
"Yeah well...I'll retire tomorrow..let's go save the world Captain!" Hutch declared as he raced out the door.
Dobey shook his head and smiled fondly at the blond then quickly followed after him.
...
When Starsky and his father reached the Starsky home, a frail Mrs. Starsky was pleading with Nick not to leave for the night as he carried the satchel of heroin and money in his left hand towards the front door.
"Please Nicholas...I know what you have in the bag...please don't go out tonight dear...please son!" Mrs. Starsky cried.
"You don't understand Ma...if I don't deliver this tonight they're gonna' come here and rip this place apart!" Nick exclaimed angrily.
Mr. Starsky looked at his eldest son and shook his head with worry.
Starsky then looked over at his mother and was taken aback by her appearance.
In a matter of only a few short weeks she had changed her looks completely.
She had lost weight, she had huge, dark circles under her eyes and there was considerably more gray in her hair.
"Let me call Kenneth...you never let me say anything to him when he calls...he can help you Nichloas...he'll get you out of this mess I know he will!" Mrs. Starsky pleaded with her son.
"It's not that simple anymore Ma...you're not listening to me...they are gonna' come here...and they're gonna' kill me...and when they're finished with me...they're gonna' kill you!" Nick struggled to get his last words out.
"Don't ya' see Ma...I-I got no choice!" Nick sobbed as he pulled himself away from his mother and fled out the front door.
"Nicholas noooooo...I can't lose you too!" Mrs. Starsky cried.
Both Starsky and his father could see that the woman was about to collasp so they hurried over to her to provide support.
Mrs. Starsky just barely managed to make it into her chair.
Starsky knelt at her feet while his father sat on the arm of the chair and comforted her.
"Davey...I can't leave her like this...I need you to go look after your brother...please son...can ya' do that for me?" Mr. Starsky begged.
Starsky hated the idea of leaving his distraught mother's side but knew if he didn't watch over his brother it wasn't going to end well.
"Yeah Pop...don't worry about Nicky...you just take care of Ma!" Starsky replied as he squeezed his mother's hand then took off after his brother.
Mr. Starsky brushed back the tears on his wife's face and whispered words of comfort, "Everything is gonna' be alright my love...Davey will see to it...he'll bring Nicholas back safe and sound."
...
The hold-up men's demands were as such, they wanted an additional five hundred thousand dollars on top of what they were taking from the bank, in unmarked bills, a doctor to take care of injuries that one of the gunmen suffered during the robbery, a car to get them to the airport and a piloted plane to get them to their destination point.
They also stated that they were taking two hostages with them, the bank president and a pregnant woman, that were to be released once they were on board the plane.
If their demands were not met within a thirty minutes time span they would begin to eliminate the hostages, one every five minutes until their demands were satisfied.
"Hutch...there's no way in hell we can make their demands in that short of time!" Dobey declared.
"Not only that Captain...but something tells me we can kiss those two hostages goodbye too once they get them on that plane!" Hutch replied back.
Just then a uniformed officer ran over to Dobey and Hutch.
"Captain...the S.W.A.T team has been notified...they should be here in less then fifteen sir!" he informed them.
Dobey looked at his watch and shook his head, "They'll never be able to get into place in time before the thirty minutes is up!"
Hutch looked at Dobey then over across the street to the bank then made a decision.
"Give me your gun Captain!" Hutch said as he held out his hand.
"What!" Dobey exclaimed as he looked at the blond.
"I'm not wearing mine Captain...and you don't expect me to go in there unarmed do you?" Hutch asked.
"I don't expect you to go in there period Hutchinson!" Dobey bellowed.
"Listen Captain...you said yourself...there was no way the S.W.A.T. team would get here in time!" Hutch stated.
"Yeah so?" Dobey questioned his detective.
"Soooo...maybe I can buy us some time until they can get in there and get in place!" Hutch answered back.
"Hutchinson...are you out of your mind...there is no way in hell I'm gonna' let you go in there alone!" Dobey argued.
"Captain...the way I see it...we don't have much of a choice!" Hutch said.
Suddenly a loud voice rang out from the bank across the street.
"Just thought you'd coppers would like to see the next one to go!" one of the gunmen shouted as he stood there at the door to the bank with a small boy shielded in front of him.
"Sweet Jesus...he's just a kid!" Dobey cried out.
"You got twenty minutes pigs...after that you'll be scraping this kid's brains off the sidewalk!" the hold-up man snarled.
Hutch sighed heavily as he looked up into the sky.
He then looked over at Dobey and said as he continued to hold out his hand, "Captain...your gun...please."
Dobey sighed as he shook his head and unholsted his gun then handed it to Hutch as he exclaimed, "of all the most rediculous and craziest of ideas you've ever had...the man retires this morning and the next thing I know he's walking into a bank full of armed gunmen to negotiate!"
"Look at it this way Captain...just think of the story you can tell my kids when we get older!" Hutch said with a chuckle as he pulled up the leg of his jeans and tucked Dobey's gun safely inside his boot before walking off to the bank across the street.
...
Terry was sitting by the waterfall that was close to the gate's entrance when she heard a woman's voice call out to her, "please...please help me!"
Terry looked over at the gate and saw a woman standing outside of it.
She got up from her place near the waterfall and hurried over to the other woman.
Terry looked aprehensively at the woman who stood in front of her, the gate's railing separating the two of them. .
"You're Starsky's friend aren't you?" the woman asked.
Terry paused then shook her head yes then it dawned on her who the other woman was.
Starsky had spoken to her earlier about the woman outside the gate.
"You're Gillian?" Terry asked.
"Yes...but nevermind that...where's Starsky?" Gillian cried out.
"Dave just left with his father...there's been some trouble with his brother and his mother," Terry informed her.
"You have to find him...it's Ken...there's a bank hold-up...he's...he's...oh please you have to find him!" Gillian pleaded with Terry.
"Alright...you go to Hutch...I'll find Dave!" Terry informed her.
"But what do I do...I don't know how I can help?" Gilian sobbed.
"Just go and be with him...don't worry...everything will be alright!" Terry exclaimed as she placed a reassuring hand on Gillian's arm before they both ran off in opposite directions.
...
Starsky followed his brother as Nick pulled into a dark alley and parked his car.
Nick tapped his fingers nervously on the steering wheel as they waited.
It was only a matter of minutes before two men appeared from the shadows and glanced over at Nick and nodded.
Nick hesitated for a moment than grabbed the satchel that contained the dope and the money then climbed out of the car.
Starsky quickly fell into place by his brother's side as Nick slowly made his way over to the two men.
Without a word Nick tossed the bag in their direction.
One of the men caught it and opened it, checking it's contents thoroughly.
The man smiled at Nick and said, "Very good Nicky!"
"Listen Sal...that drop I did tonight...it's gonna' be my last...I don't wanna' do it anymore!" Nick told the man holding the bag.
The man looked up from the bag and glared at Nick.
"What did you say?" the man growled.
"Please Sal...I-I want out...I can't do this anymore...Ma...she's real sick...and I know it's all 'cause of me...so please...y-you just keep the money you owe me and we'll call it even!" Nick pleaded with the other man.
The man with the bag looked at his associate standing beside him and laughed, "You hear that Lenny...he wants out!"
The man handed the bag to his friend then quickly grabbed Nick by his shirt collar.
Starsky moved in closer as he watched the man take ahold of his brother.
"You listen to me Nicky boy...I tell you when you're out...you think your Ma's sick now...you ain't seen nothing yet...in fact...maybe Lenny and I should go pay your Ma a visit tonight!" the man spat in Nick's face.
Just then Nick spotted the gun tucked in the belt of the man's trowsers.
Starsky saw it too and his eyes were instantly drawn to his little brother's.
"No Nicky...don't do it!" Starsky warned.
Starsky barely had time to get his words of warning out when Nick grabbed for the man's gun.
Starsky watched as the two men struggled for control of the weapon.
In their struggle the gun went off and struck the man in the foot.
"You son of a bitch!" the man yelled as he began hopping around in pain.
"Get that little punk Lenny!" the man yelled to his friend.
The other man started to reach for his own weapon when Nick called out, "Don't Lenny...I didn't want it to happen like this...I just wanted out!" Nick shouted.
The whole time, the man with the injured foot moaned and carried on in the background while Starsky kept an eye on his associate.
"Just let me get in my car and go...nobody else has to get hurt!" Nick warned as his hands trembled while holding the gun.
Nick began to back away.
When he finally reached his car he fired a warning shot then quickly jumped into his car.
As Nick was fumbling with his keys the other man pulled his gun and fired a shot into Nick's windshield, just barely missing his head.
Nick started the engine and quickly put the car into reverse and laid his foot on the brake as he drove backwards out of the alley, tires squealing.
The other man fired off a few more shots then jumped into his own car and took off after Nick.
As he passed Starsky, Starsky did the only thing he could think of and jumped through the open window and climbed into the back seat.
...
"You in there...this is Captain Dobey again...I have one of my men coming over...he wants to talk!" Dobey shouted into the bullhorn as Hutch made his way over to the bank.
"No way...time for talkin' is over copper!" the hold-up man yelled back through the partially opened front door.
"We're in the process of fulfilling your demands...but the only way you're going to see any of them is if we can be certain the rest of the hostages are still alive!" Dobey shouted back.
"You're just gonna' have to take my word for it pig!" the gunman replied loudly causing Hutch to stop in his tracks.
"No deal...you let my man inside or the deal is off!" Dobey shouted back into the bullhorn.
There was a short pause then the gunman came back, "Alright...but the pig stays inside with us until we get what we want!" the hold-up man yelled out.
Dobey cursed out loud, he knew all along that his detective was bound to become another hostage.
Dobey looked over at Hutch who was looking back at him.
Hutch nodded to his captain.
Dobey shook his head then replied back "Alright...you allow my man in unharmed and you got yourself a deal!"
Both Dobey and Hutch could hear the man snicker as he called out, "C'mon in blondie and join the fun!"
Hutch hesitated only a moment before he continued his slow walk over to the bank.
With his hands in the air, Hutch reached the bank's front door and stopped.
The gunman at the door kept his gun on him as he opened the door and motioned for him to enter the building.
Hutch glanced back at his superior, saw the worried look on his face, then slowly walked inside.
...
Nick sped down the street, dodging cars left and right as he got to the freeway.
He glanced up in the rearview mirror just as his foe appeared behind him with Starsky unseen in the back seat.
Starsky knew if the man reached his brother's car, Nick was as good as dead so he had to think fast.
Both vehicles turned off the freeway and onto a side road.
The dust and gravel flew everywhere as they decended up the steep grade.
Nick could see his enemy inching closer so at the last second he took a sharp right at the first available side road.
The man behind him had to slam on his brakes and put his car in reverse to catch the road as well.
Nick had his foot all the way down on the gas pedal in an attempt to put more distance between him and the other car.
Just then Nick's car started to sputter and blow a dark grey smoke.
Starsky heard the man who was trailing Nick let out a loud laugh as he said, "I got you now Nicky!"
"Oh no you don't!" Starsky replied as he reached up and grabbed the steering wheel and gave it a sharp jerk to the right.
Surprised and unable to turn the wheel to get back on course, the car veered off the road and struck a tree head-on.
Both Starsky and the other man flew forward and the other man's head smacked against the windshield, knocking him unconscious.
Starsky got himself upright then crawled out of the car.
He watched as Nick climbed out of his car and slowly walked over, unsure if he was safe.
Nick reached inside the man's car and took his revolver just as a car was coming up the road.
"What happened?" the driver asked as he stopped along side Nick and the car with the unconscious man.
"Do you think you can run back into town and call the police...and maybe an ambulance?" Nick asked the man.
The man didn't hesitate as he swung his car around and took off back towards town.
Nick looked around and spotted a sawed off log laying along the road and walked over and sat down to wait for the police as Starsky stood off to the side shaking his head.
...
The hold-up man patted Hutch down for any concealed weapons then shoved him inside towards the rest of the hostages.
Hutch scanned the area and noticed there were two bodies laying off to the side, the blond assumed they were the bodies of the two hostages Dobey mentioned earlier.
He did a quick head count and was glad to see the nine remaining hostages were all accounted for, one of which included the bank's security guard.
Hutch glanced at the three gunmen and saw that one of them was injured and all three were heavily armed with rifles.
"Whose giving the orders around here?" the blond asked the gunmen.
"I am!" the man by the door growled back.
Hutch slowly walked closer to the man only to stop when the other two hold-up men pointed their rifles in his direction.
"Listen...you're gonna' get you money...why don't you let these people go!" Hutch tried to negotiate with the gunman in charge.
"Nothin' doin' pig!" the gunman replied with a snarl.
The man then looked at his watch and added, "You coppers have three minutes...if we don't get our money that kid there gets it!" as he pointed his rifle at the small boy who was clinging to his mother.
Hutch looked over at the boy who was sobbing, his head buried against his mother's chest.
Hutch knew he had to come up with a plan and quick.
"Please...you don't have to do this!" Hutch pleaded with the gunman in charge.
"Shut-up blondie and get over here...you tell that man on the horn out there that the rest of these people are alive...for now...but he's only got two minutes before I start shooting!" the gunman warned.
Hutch slowly walked over to the door as the hold-up man grabbed him by his jacket collar and pulled him closer.
With the gunman's arm wrapped around the blond's neck, he shoved Hutch out the door, using him as a shield.
"You tell them copper!" the man ordered Hutch.
"C-Captain...the rest of the hostages are okay!" Hutch shouted over to Dobey acrossed the street.
Dobey was distraught to see his detective being used as a human shield.
"You tell him the rest...you tell him he's got two minutes!" the gunman snarled angrily.
"Captain...their serious about shooting the little boy...y-you've only got about two minutes!" Hutch added nervously as the man's arm choked his neck tighter.
"Hutchinson...the money is on the way...we just need a couple more minutes!" Dobey exclaimed loudly.
"Two minutes is all you get!" the gunman hollered back.
"C'mon pig...back inside!" the hold-up man growled as he walked backwards with Hutch out in front of him back into the building.
The gunman then shoved Hutch into the crowd of hostages causing him to stumble over some of them.
The security guard tried to break the blond's fall as Hutch nearly fell on top of him.
"Do what you can to help!" Hutch mumbled to the security guard as he quickly pulled his gun he had secretly tucked away in his boot.
When the security guard saw the revolver he nodded to Hutch and prepared himself for whatever was about to happen.
Hutch noticed the one wounded gunman was sweating profusely from his injuries and knew he would be slow to react.
He waited until the middle gunman had his head turned and wasn't paying attention, that's when he sprang into action.
Hutch quickly got up on one knee and aimed his revolver at the head gunman and fired, hitting him square in the chest.
As the gunman fell to the floor dead, Hutch tossed the dead man's rifle to the security guard then summersaulted across the floor.
Before the second gunman had time to react, Hutch fired in his direction stricking him in the left arm just as the security guard struck the third man in the stomach.
The second gunman that Hutch injured began to stumbled forward, but before falling completely, he managed to get a shot off that hit Hutch on the left side of his chest which caused him to spin around and fall to the floor.
The security guard wasted no time firing at the second gunman who fell to the floor mortally wounded.
...
"Dave!" a voice yelled out to Starsky from behind him.
Starsky turned to see Terry.
"Terry what are you doing here?" Starsky asked, surprised to see her.
"Dave it's Hutch!" Terry said out of breath.
No sooner did Terry get her words out when Starsky was struck in the chest by an invisible force that spun him around hard and threw him on the ground.
Dazed and confused, Starsky got up and felt around his chest.
Terry and Starsky looked at each other then simultaneously shouted, "Hutch!"
"Terry...you stay with Nick...I'm going to Hutch!" Starsky exclaimed.
Terry nodded as she watched Starsky take off in a cloud of dust.
...
Gillian had managed to make it to the inside of the bank just as Hutch was being fired upon.
"Noooo!" she screamed but she was too late as Hutch laid on the floor, his blood and his life slowly oozing out of him.
Gillian ran over to the blond and knelt down beside him sobbing hysterically, "Please...no...dear God please!"
"Your God can't help him now!" an evil voice called out as the whole room darkened.
Gillian looked up to see the man in black towering over her and Hutch.
"You stay away from him do you hear me...you stay away!" Gillian shouted protectively as she covered Hutch's body with her.
The man in black let out a low guttural laugh that echoed throughout the bank lobby.
The man in black looked down at the injured blond and spat, "Why do you waste your time on such a loathsome creature Gillian...surely he wouldn't waste an ounce of his time on you...not anymore...not with him knowing now what you truly are!"
"No!" Gillian cried out as she got to her feet.
"Oh sweet Gillian...my beautiful sweet Gillian," the man in black whispered softly.
The evil man tried to carress her cheek but she only batted it away.
"How much do you love him Gillian?" the dark entity asked.
"More than anything!" Gillian sobbed as she looked down at the dying man.
"Would you do anything to save him?" the man in black asked, his dark eyes boring into her.
Gillian hesitated then exclaimed, "Yes...I'd do anything!"
"What if I told you I had the power to save him!" the man in black added.
Gillian glared at the evil force in front of her.
The man in black hovered closer as he placed his cold hand under Gillian's chin and hissed, "My beautiful Gillian...come with me...together we can rule the underworld...with you by my side there would be nothing I couldn't do!"
"Noooo...never!" she replied adamantly as she stepped back.
The man in black looked at her with distain.
"Very well then...say goodbye to your lover!" the man in black snarled as he raised his hands above Hutch, ready to snuff out his life.
"No please!" Gillian cried out, "Please...I'll go with you...just please...promise me you'll spare his life!"
The man in black smiled mischieviously as he lowered his hands.
Gillian looked down at Hutch and sobbed, "Just give me chance to say goodbye!"
"Of course my dear!" the dark man agreed as he stepped back, his shadow no longer looming over Hutch.
Gillian knelt down beside Hutch and with tears in her eyes she placed her hand on Hutch's cheek.
Her soft, gentle touched made Hutch open his eyes as he gazed upon her.
"Gillian?" Hutch mumbled in disbelief.
"Yes Ken...it's me," Gillian wept.
"You're so beautiful...a beautiful angel," Hutch speached slurred as he looked lovingly into her eyes.
Gillian smiled as she placed a tender kiss on Hutch's lips then replied, "I love you Ken...no matter what happens...I love you!"
Hutch smiled before drifting off in unconsciousness.
"Awwww..that's all so very touching my dear...but it's time for us to go!" the man in black said snidely.
Gillian gazed upon the blond one last time then nodded and stood up.
She allowed the man in black to take her hand and escort her across the room as the room grew darker and darker.
Suddenly the bank looby was bathed in a flash of bright light, so bright that Gillian and the man in black had to shield their eyes.
"You will not be taking anyone anywhere!" the voice echoed out across the room as the man in white appeared before them.
"He tried to trick you Gillian...Kenneth's soul is far too decent for this man to have any power to take his life!" the man in white exclaimed.
"Come with me child!" the man in white said as he held his hand out to Gillian.
"Why don't you ever mind your own business!" the man in black hissed as he raised his fist in defiance.
The man in white reached out and covered the dark man's fist with his own hand and squeezed it tight,crushing it beneath his fingers.
At contact the man in black let out a deafening growl that shook the entire room as huge bolts of brightly colored lights shot back and forth across the room.
"Go back from where you came...you are not welcomed here!" the man in white proclaimed loudly over the earth shattering noise.
The man in black continued to snarl as the man in white applied more pressure to his hand causing him to drop to his knees.
Just then Starsky entered the bank lobby.
The light was so blinding and the noise so loud that both he and Gillian had to shield their eyes and cover their ears.
"Quickly my child...run into the light!" the man in white shouted to Gillian as he motioned to the long white tunnel behind him from where he came.
Gillian looked back at Hutch as he laid on the floor.
Starsky followed the woman's gaze over to the injured blond and cried out, "Hutch!"
"Hurry Gillian!" the man in white exclaimed.
"You'll stay with him won't you Starsky?" Gillian asked the curly-haired man whose eyes were upon his friend.
"Yes...just do what he says...run to the light!" Starsky shouted over the noise and mayhem.
When Gillian crossed over into the bright shaft of light the man in black roared even louder, so loud that the windows and walls began to crack.
"Go back to hell and be done with you!" the man in white exclaimed as the ceiling began to crumble above them.
"You haven't seen the last of me...I'll be back...and you my friend...you will be sorry!" the man in black growled as the bright light around them grew even brighter until he burst into a ball of flames and disappeared into thin air.
The lobby was then blanketed in sunlight as the cracks in the walls and windows repaired themselves along with the crumbled ceiling above them.
A peacefulness enveloped the room and all was quiet.
Starsky uncovered his eyes and stood there as he looked around the room.
Suddenly he heard a moan over to the side.
"Hutch!" Starsky exclaimed as he ran to his friend.
The man in white walked over to the other two men and gazed down upon them.
Starsky could see that the front of Hutch's shirt was saturated in blood and his skin was drained of color.
Starsky looked up at the man in white with pleading eyes.
"Have faith David...your love for this man will conquer all!" the man in white proclaimed then he slowly disappeard from sight.
"Wait a second...you gotta' help him!" Starsky cried out.
Starsky looked down at is beloved friend and gathered him in his arms and whispered soothing words in his ear.
...
"C'mon buddy...open your eyes...it's time Hutch!" Starsky whispered softly to his best friend.
Not getting any response, Starsky spoke louder, "C'mon Hutch...please just open your eyes!"
Just then Hutch opened his eyes and gazed upon his partner's face.
"Starsk?" Hutch mumbled softly in a raspy voice.
"Yeah buddy it's me!" Starsky replied with a huge, radiant smile.
Hutch moaned and squinted his eyes as he scanned his bright surroundings.
"I made it!" he said softly as a peaceful smile crossed his lips.
"Yeah partner...you made it!" Starsky replied with a chuckle.
Hutch reached out tentatively and touched Starsky cheek.
"I-I can feel you!" Hutch said with surprise.
"That's good buddy!" Starsky said with a laugh.
Hutch could feel something or someone tugging on his arm and he looked over and saw a figure in white.
The blond's vision was still a bit blurry as he asked the figure, "You're an angel too?"
"No honey...I'm no angel!" the woman in white replied as she removed the blood pressure cuff from around Hutch's arm.
"You had us worried there darlin'...your partner there wouldn't even leave your bedside from the time they brought you in here three days ago...if you ask me...he's the angel!" she added with a smile as she winked at Starsky before leaving the room.
With a confused look, Hutch looked over at his partner and asked, "She can see you?"
"Yeah and with any luck, later tonight, I'll be seeing more of her!" Starsky said as he wiggled his eyebrows.
Hutch raised his hands to his face and wiped them across his eyes and exclaimed, "I-I don't understand Starsk!"
"Well it's like this Hutch...when a man and a woman really like each other," Starsky started to say.
"No no...that's not what I'm talking about!" Hutch said as he held his head.
Suddenly he lowered his hands and said, "Gillian!"
Starsky stared at his partner before replying, "What about Gillian?"
"I saw her Starsk...she...she went with him!" Hutch mumbled.
"She went with who Hutch?" Starsky questioned the blond as he leaned in closer.
"The man in black...she went with him to save me!" Hutch replied back loudly as the heart monitor that was attached to him started beeping louder.
"Okay buddy...just relax Hutch...you were out for a long time pal...you must have been dreaming!" Starsky said as he placed a comforting hand on Hutch's stomach.
"No...it wasn't a dream Starsk...I saw her...and you...you were shot when we ran into the convience store!" Hutch told his friend.
"Hutch...I wasn't shot in the convience store...you were...you've been unconscious since they brought you in here three days ago!" Starsky informed him as the nurse returned to check the monitor.
Hutch looked at the nurse then back at Starsky.
"S-So then you're not dead?" Hutch asked as he reached out and grabbed Starsky's arm.
"No Hutch...I'm not dead!" Starsky said.
"And...we're not in heaven?" Hutch asked.
"Well... Kristy here is a little slice of heaven," Starsky said as he winked at the attractive nurse, "But no partner...you're in a hospital!"
Hutch tried to shake the confusion out of his head as he replied, "It just seemed so real Starsk...I held you in my arms when you died...and Gillian...she was so beautiful Starsk!" Hutch sobbed.
"Shhhh buddy...it's okay...it was all just a bad dream!" Starsky whispered soothingly as he ran his fingers through Hutch's hair.
Starsky could see the blond's eyes beginning to droop.
"Why don't you get some sleep partner...you can tell me all about it later," Starsky said softly as he massaged Hutch's neck.
"I don't wanna Starsk...I'm afraid you won't be here when I wake up...what if I'm only dreaming that it was only a dream and it really isn't?" Hutch mumbled wearily as he faught to keep his eyes open.
Starsky chuckled again at his best friend's confusing frame of sentence.
"Hey...I promise you...I'll be here when you wake up you big lummox...now go to sleep!" Starsky said lovingly as he squeezed Hutch's arm.
"You'll stay with me?" Hutch slurred his speech as he reached out for Starsky hand.
"I ain't going anywhere partner!" Starsky said with a smile as he held his friend's hand in his until he drifted off to sleep.
...
Hutch made his way across the lawn, passing numerous tombstones until he got to the one he was searching for.
"Hey babe!" the blond said softly as he knelt down in front of the headstone and placed the roses on the grave.
"It's so pretty here!" Hutch said as he looked around at his surroundings, "and so peaceful!"
"Oh Gillian...I-I miss you so much!" Hutch said as he fussed with the bouquet of roses making sure they were placed just right.
"Ken," a delicate voice whispered behind the blond and he turned around quickly.
"Gillian?" Hutch exclaimed as he got to his feet.
"How are you?" the woman asked as she gazed lovingly into Hutch's eyes.
Hutch inched closer and slowly reached out and was surprised when his fingers could feel the soft porcelain-like skin of Gillian's cheek.
Hutch took a sharp intake of breath then said, "You're really here!"
Gillian melted into his touch and smiled as she shook her head yes.
"How can that be?" Hutch asked her.
Before she had time to answer Hutch added, "I had a dream about you...am I still dreaming?"
"No Ken...this isn't a dream...and it wasn't a dream before...at least not all of it!" she told him.
Hutch gave her a confusing look then asked, "Then I really was in the bank...and you really were there with me?
"No Ken...there was no bank hold-up," she said, trying to explain.
Hutch shook his head, "Then there was no man in black?"
Gillian bowed her head then replied, "Yes...he was there."
"At the convience store hold-up?" Hutch asked.
"Yes," Gillian answered.
"You went with him didn't you...to spare my life?" Hutch asked somberly.
"Almost...until the man in white casted him out," Gillian said.
"The man in white?" Hutch questioned her.
"Yes," she replied.
There was a pause in the conversation then Hutch spoke again, "Gillian...are you happy where you are now?"
Gillian smiled, for she knew it was Hutch's delicate way of asking if she was in heaven or hell.
"Yes Ken...it's beautiful...and someday...many...many years from now I'd love to share it with you...but not now...you have your whole life ahead of you...and there will be so many people who you'll share your life with...wait till you see your children...ohhh Ken...they will be gorgeous children...how could they not be!" Gillian proclaimed.
Hutch smiled as he gazed adoringly into her eyes.
"I love you!" Gillian said as her eyes filled with tears.
Hutch thought back to when they were together, before Grossman came between them.
He thought back to all the times Gillian told him that she loved him and how he never once told her that he loved her back and how much he regretted it.
This time he wasn't about to let the oppurtunity pass as he placed his hand on her cheek and whispered softly, "I love you too...I've always loved you!"
Hutch leaned in and kissed Gillian on the lips as she beamed with delight then suddenly, in an instant, she was gone and he was left standing there all alone.
The blond brushed his fingers across his lips and he could still feel the moisture from the delicate kiss.
Hutch breathed a sigh and looked up at the sky just as a fluffy, white feather came whirling down and landed at his feet.
Hutch bent down, picked it up and twirled it between his fingers, then smiled happily as he placed it in the breast pocket of his jacket, close to his heart.
With his mind at ease, he turned and started back to where he had parked his car only to stop sudden when he saw the huge oak tree that hung over the empty plot.
"Starsky's tree," Hutch thought to himself as he made his way closer to the tall tree.
As he looked up through it's branches a familiar voice called out to him, "She sure is something ain't she?"
"Starsk...what are you doing here?" Hutch asked, surprised to see his partner.
"Well ya' know Hutch...with all your talking about dying and everything...it got me to thinking about a lot of important stuff!" Starsky told him.
"You mean like burial plots...c'mon Starsk...you're kidding right?" Hutch asked his friend as a chill ran up his spine at the mere thought of it.
"Yeah Hutch...I'm serious...I don't want you to have to worry about all that stuff when my time comes!" Starsky replied.
"Who said anything about you going first?" Hutch argued back.
"C'mon Hutch...you know what I mean," Starsky said as they talked openly about the uncomfortable subject.
"So you're telling me that you bought this plot...this plot right here under this very tree?" Hutch asked as he thought back to his dream and the uncanniness of it all.
"Yeah...under that very tree...got a good deal on it too!" Starsky exclaimed.
Hutch chuckled then replied, "Starsk...that's just like you to barter over your own burial plot!"
"No!" Starsky argued back, "That's not why I got such a good deal!"
"Oh...it isn't?" Hutch asked.
"No...it was a two for one deal...that is if you don't think you'll mind being planted in the ground next to me when the time comes!" Starsky said apprehensively.
Hutch, astonished with his partner's words, walked over to his dark-haired friend and wrapped his arms around him in a tight embrace then whispered softly, "Don't take this the wrong way buddy...I'm not getting fresh with you by any means...but I think your nurse friend Kristy was right...you really are an angel."
Starsky blushed as he smiled at his partner.
"C'mon Starsk...how 'bout some lunch...my treat!" Hutch said happily as he slapped Starsky on the back.
"Oh...and just so you know...I get the right side of the plot!" Hutch said as they walked away, his hand resting on Starsky's shoulder.
"Awww...c'mon Hutch...you know I can never sleep on the left side!" Starsky whined.