Sorry for the delay posting this chapter. 'Real life' got in the way. Hopefully I'll be quicker with the rest of the story.

Starsky vs Hutch

Chapter 12

Starsky had finished his lunch what felt like ages ago and there was still no sign of Hutchinson...he was late. This change in his routine unsettled him and he felt his stomach flutter. Even though they had had no conversation until yesterday, Starsky found himself missing the blond presence in the corner. He did not like being alone with his thoughts for too long. They filled him with confusion and he became more agitated.

His conflicting feelings about the blond cop did not help his mental state. He decided to use Hutchinson's absence to try to rationalise his feelings and hopefully settle his churning emotions. Charlie had told him to kill the man...he's a cop and cops are bad.

"No," said his inner voice. "Charlie lied. This man is your friend."

He welcomed the anger he could feel smouldering within him. It helped him to ignore the annoying voice. He jumped up and began to pace the room taking angry strides, ten of them in each direction.

He spun around as the door opened. "What took you so long?" he snapped.

Hutch looked startled at the familiar greeting, although it was delivered in an unfamiliar tone. "Sorry, Starsk," he said softly. "Didn't know you were waiting for me."

Starsky glared at him. "I'm not," he said defensively. "Jus' wondered where you were, that's all."

"Nice to know you care, buddy." This earned him another hard stare to which he replied with a raised eyebrow. Inwardly Hutch was thrilled to see a more feisty Starsky but he wanted to maintain a calm exterior, recognising that if Starsky needed to vent it wouldn't help if he also blew up.

"So what are we gonna do this afternoon?"he asked. He saw the shutters begin to come down over Starsky's eyes and quickly said "Do you want to stay here again? We could just talk if you want?"

Starsky stared at him for a long moment. "I don't know what I want," he whispered.

Hutch struggled to maintain his composure. Smiling sadly he said gently "Lets stay here as usual and we'll think of something we can do tomorrow. That okay with you?"

Starsky nodded uncertainly.

"C'mon, Starsk. Come and sit down and I'll get us some coffee." Without thinking he moved to take Starsky's arm to guide him to his seat but Starsky pulled away with a growl and Hutch backed off.

Starsky stumbled to the chair where Hutch normally sat and sank into it, closing his eyes with a sigh, as though his mental struggle was draining him physically.

Hutch watched him worriedly, then left the room and went to the observation room

"What's happening?" he demanded. "Why is he like this?"

"It's hard to say..." Dr Brumley began. But Hutch cut her off angrily.

"You don't know, do you? Do you people have any idea what you are doing? You act like God..."

It was Dr Brumley's turn to interrupt. "Detective Hutchinson! If you continue in this manner I will have you removed and you will not be permitted to see David! This behaviour will not help him!"

Her sharp tone brought Hutch's tirade up short. He took a shaky breath and let it out slowly. "I'm sorry, doctor. It's just...I...I'm just finding this harder than I'd expected."

Dr Brumley smiled, her own irritation gone as though it had never been. "I know. That's understandable but David is making really good progress, Ken. Think back to how he was when he first came here and look at him now. The human mind is very complex. I think David is beginning to come back to himself but he doesn't know the way. He's frightened and confused. Just follow your instincts, Ken...you're his best shot."

Hutch sighed heavily. "I hope my best is good enough."

He made two coffees and Danny found some cookies. Hutch returned to Starsky's room only to find his friend asleep in the chair. He debated wakening him but decided against it. He perched on the edge of the bed to drink his coffee and tried to formulate a plan to end the nightmare in which they found themselves.

When Starsky awoke Hutch was discouraged to see he had reverted to silence and sideways glances. He tried to start conversations but got no response and eventually gave up, having tired of hearing his own voice. When Danny brought in Starsky's evening meal Hutch said his 'good nights' and left.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

Hutch walked slowly to his car. He decided he needed company tonight but had to force himself to concentrate as he drove to Huggy's. He felt drained both mentally and physically.

He parked in the back alley as usual and made his way with heavy steps into the bar. He ordered a beer from Diane then took it to in his regular booth which was once again free, as though an invisible reserved sign hung over it.

Huggy materialised by his side. "Hutch, my man. What'll it be?"

Hutch placed his order and in no time Huggy reappeared bearing a laden plate and another beer for his friend. He eyed Hutch with concern. "How are you, my blond brother?"

Hutch glanced up from his meal. "I'm fine, Hug."

"Ya don't look fine from this side of the table," Huggy said candidly, taking in Hutch's careworn appearance.

"Just leave it, Huggy. I'm not in the mood," Hutch said sharply around a mouthful of pasta. He put down his fork and swallowed. "Sorry, Hug."

Huggy put a hand on Hutch's arm and sank onto the seat beside him. "'S okay, man. How is our curly friend?"

Hutch took a large gulp of his beer then resumed eating while he pondered the question.

"I dunno, Hug," Hutch said eventually. "I thought we were getting somewhere but now it feels like we're back where we started. And now they want me to take the lead...after pushing me into the background all this time."

"Hey that's good, man. No one knows Starsky like you do."

"Yeah," Hutch said slowly, uncertainty clouding his words. "But what if I say or do the wrong thing?"

"Not gonna happen. I know you guys and there's no way you won't work this out."

Hutch smiled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Hug. I'm going to his apartment later to pick up some of his stuff...you know, familiar things to jog his memory. Hey! Can you do me a couple of specials tomorrow lunch time? I'll pick them up on my way to see Starsky."

"You got it, Hutch. Anything else I can do?"

"I'll let you know." Hutch heaved himself up wearily and got ready to leave.

"Take care, Blondie."

"I will, Hug." Hutch rested a hand lightly on Huggy's shoulder, then gave it a quick squeeze. "And thank you."

Hutch drove to Starsky's apartment and used his key to let himself in. He watered the plants then looked around for something to take with him to the secure unit. He didn't want to bombard Starsky with stimuli yet wanted to choose something significant. He scooped up a photograph album and added the Monopoly set then, with a last look round, locked up and made his way home.

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The following day Hutch drove to work where he spent the morning on desk duty, as he had done for the bulk of the time since Starsky's disappearance. He, White and Hogan had worked hard and built up a good case against Charlotte, who remained in jail despite her lawyer's best efforts and her own vociferous claims of innocence. The DA was hopeful that they would soon be able to set a date for her trial. He was also able to tell Hutch that charges would not be brought against Starsky. Although he had attacked and killed Charlotte's victims, the evidence showed that he was also a victim and a statement from Dr Brumley confirmed that Starsky had had no control over his actions and was therefore not responsible.

It was with a lighter heart that Hutch headed for Huggy's where he picked up the lunch bag his friend had prepared for him. He turned the radio dial to a music station and found himself singing along as he drove to the secure unit.

After parking up, he grabbed the bag of food, the album and the game and strode down the long corridor to Starsky's room.

"Hi, Danny. How is Starsky today?"

Danny looked up with a smile. "Hello, Ken. Much the same as yesterday...and he's all yours."

Hutch grinned. "Gee thanks, Danny. Hear that, Starsk? You're all mine...you lucky guy."

Starsky did not look up, seeming to find fascination in his finger nails. Hutch smothered a sigh, and briefly closed his eyes, hoping he had the patience to get through the afternoon without losing his temper.

"You hungry, Starsk? I've got you a surprise."

Starsky pretended he was not interested but his eyes flicked to Hutch, to the bag and then back to his hands. Hutch caught the small movement and smiled to himself.

"I called round at Huggy's on my way here and picked up some lunch for you." Hutch rooted through the bag to find Huggy had added fries, pots of sauce, mustard and dressing, and a container of salad plus a pack of root beer. "Hey, good ol' Huggy. He's put in both our favourites."

He glanced at Starsky, noticing how he was carefully watching Hutch's movements as he set his offerings on the table. "Huggy keeps asking after you. He wants to know when he's gonna see your ugly mug again."

Starsky sidled over to the table. Although he had already eaten, the food Hutch had brought did look very tempting and he was sure it would taste a whole lot better than the food on offer at the centre. Hutch smiled and pushed a drink across the table.

"There ya go, Starsk. Enjoy."

And Starsky did enjoy. It seemed to him it was the best meal he'd had in a long time.

He looked at his companion feeling ridiculously shy. "Thank you, Mr...uh...Hutchinson."

Hutch could feel the colour draining from his face and was glad he was sitting down. "K..Ken. C...c...call me Ken," he stuttered. For some reason he couldn't explain to himself, he didn't want this strange Starsky calling him 'Hutch'.

"Ken," Starsky repeated. That didn't feel right somehow, but if it was what the man wanted...

TBC