"My butt has gone numb how much longer we need to stake this joker out. Haven't had a decent meal in a week not to mention it's killing my love life."

Starsky was fed up and voicing his opinion to his partner who was hunkered down in the passenger seat beside him for the fifth night in a row. They were keeping watch on the home of a suspected rapist who had been targeting young college students in Bay City over the past 6 months. Intelligence from the sex crime unit had narrowed their suspects down to Jason Knapp. As Starsky and Hutch had been involved in the case for two months they had landed the unenviable night stake out duty. It was wearing thin for both.

"Starsk, you don't currently have a love life, in fact, you and I have spent more nights together in the past 4 months than either of us has spent with a woman combined, and you're not even my type. My legs numb never mind your butt, if I had to chase this perp now, I doubt I could stand. This striped tomato has zero leg room" Hutch shifted his position as he spoke trying to get comfortable.

"My car is not a striped tomato, and it has plenty of leg room for people with normal length legs. Maybe if you weren't so gangly, you'd fit better."

"Nice. And how exactly do you suggest I shorten my legs? Maybe if the makers of striped tomatoes gave a thought to people who didn't stop growing at age 15 I'd be more comfortable"

"Are you insinuating that I stopped growing at 15!" Starsky's voice had risen to a squeak "Some of us didn't need to be orangutans before we stopped growing to get all we needed. Nothin wrong with this fine specimen sittin right here buddy!"

"Calm down. I'm just saying that most cars don't have enough leg room for anyone over the age of 15 and Orangutan. You liken me to an Orangutan? What? What does that even mean?"

"Hutch, I'm just saying, you have a lot of leg buddy. Half the reason you fall over your own feet is cause you can't control em. They are so far away from your brain, the signal to move is lost before it reaches them."

"That is the most ludicrous thing I have ever heard. How can my feet be too far from my brain."

Before either could continue their bickering there was movement from the apartment they were watching.

"Think that's him" Starsky asked Hutch who had the night binoculars up to his eyes.

"Sure looks like him"

Passing the glasses to Starsky Hutch sat more upright ready to move.

"Yeah, I'd say it's him. Where you reckon he's heading, his car is parked the other way."

They both watched as Jason moved across the street from his apartment and headed away from where they were concealed by a cedar hedge.

"Great I guess we are on foot now, if we start the engine, he'll hear us there's zero traffic. Come on let's follow him." Starsky was opening his door as he spoke, but Hutch put a stalling hand on his arm.

"Wait, I hear a car coming maybe he's got more than one vehicle."

Headlights flashed across them as a small hatchback slowly passed their concealed location and carried on down the street.

"Did you get a look, was it him?" Starsky asked Hutch who had the glasses once again up to his eyes.

"Looked like him. Come on let's follow at a distance."

Starsky started the Torino and it growled into life as they headed out to follow Jason.

Tailing without being seen they followed the hatchback for a few streets before it turned into a disused warehouse area and stopped. Jason got out of the vehicle and headed into a derelict looking building.

Having pulled in out of sight the two detectives quickly followed keeping low and quiet.

It was dark inside the building and took them a few minutes for their eyes to adjust. They listened carefully for any sound that could give them a direction to move. Hollow footsteps could be heard up ahead and they moved forward both with their guns ready.

The darkness seemed to engulf them but they both intuitively knew where the other one was as they split up. Hutch going to the left and Starsky going to the right, carefully listening and searching.

The next few minutes suddenly exploded with sound and confusion.

Hutch found himself being jumped by a large man, he had neither seen nor heard, creep up behind him. He let out a startled yell as he tried to free himself from the man's grip.

Starsky, surprised by the sudden movement and sound from where he knew Hutch to be, moved forward with his gun cocked and ready to defend his partner if necessary.

Hutch had managed to free himself from the vice grip that had been around his neck and was pushing himself back up onto his feet whilst trying to see where the perp was and get his gun ready. At the same time as Starsky ran into sight, Jason appeared behind Hutch, gun at the ready. Stasky, unaware of there being another perp, took aim just as the second perp, who had been the one to jump Hutch managed to push the blonde detective forwards into the line of fire.

Gun fire exploded in the confines of the warehouse, Starsky dived behind a pile of crates to his right while trying to slow his breathing and regroup his thoughts.

There were a few minutes of silence and then he heard a car engine start up and headlights invaded the darkness for a split second and then the sound of tires squealing, and a car being driven away at high speed.

Starsky held his breath straining for any sound in the room, not too sure what had just happened.

"Hutch…..Hutch you ok….Hutch where are you. Shit is so bloody dark. Hutch, speak to me" ….

He received no answer to his request and slowly he rose from his cover and moved steadily forward, gun ready and ears straining. Then he saw him.

Sprawled on his front Hutch lay motionless on the dirty floor and something wet and shiny was all around him.

"HUTCH! HUTCH! oh god no, Hutch! Hutch."

Falling on to his knees beside his prone partner he gently turned him over, not unaware of the blood that was pooling on the floor. Starsky looked at his partners face that, even in the half light of the warehouse, looked drained of colour. "Hutch, buddy where ya hit, come on Hutch speak to me" Starsky was frantically checking for where the blood was coming from as he desperately spoke to his motionless partner. "Shit!" he saw blood oozing through Hutches shirt. "No, no not a gut hit no please not a gut hit" He ripped at the blood soaked shirt as he scrambled to see the severity of the wound. It was not good, looked like a directed hit just below Hutches ribs on the left and it was gushing blood.

Pulling his jacket off and then his shirt Starsky bundled it up to pack onto the wound and applied pressure. Taking his belt off he threaded it around Hutch and over the padding of the shirt and pulled it tight to hold the makeshift bandage in place. "Hang on buddy I gotta go radio in and get help. Just hang on Hutch hang on buddy."

Pushing himself up and slipping slightly in the blood on the floor he regained his balance and ran for the Torino and the radio to get help.

Chapter 2

Hutch had not regained consciousness during the ambulance drive to the hospital and now he was in emergency surgery. Starsky was not unfamiliar with waiting and pacing, he and Hutch had always been there for each other. When one of them was hurt the other was never far away giving the support that only they could give. He looked up as a warm hand squeezed his shoulder and saw Captain Dobey looking worried and tired. At 1am he had probably been sound asleep when the call had come in to tell him one of his officers was down.

"Tell me what happened."

Starsky shook his head as he ran a hand through his curly hair. "I honestly don't know Capt. It all happened so fast. We had split up to look for Jason, it was so dark. Next thing I know is Jason is in front of me with a gun aimed right at Hutch's back and then some other guy just appears. I fire, Jason fired, not sure about the other guy, don't think Hutch fired he seemed to be stumbling. I think the other guy had pushed him. I heard a car start up and suddenly they were gone. Four shots, I remember four shots. I didn't see Hutch get hit, didn't even think he had till I saw him sprawled on the floor. He didn't move Capt. He didn't even moan when I rolled him over. They shot him in the gut, so much damage. He just lost so much blood. He didn't even move." Starsky's voice was trembling, and tears were forming in his cobalt blue eyes. "It looked bad Capt. He was so pale; I've never seen him so still." Starsky put his face in his hands and let the tears fall.

What seemed like hours passed while Starsky paced, Dobey drank coffee, and the hospital slowly woke up to it daily routine.

"What the hell is taking so long. Starsky threw a punch at the wall as he spoke. Concerned for his partner and frustrated at the lack of information was starting to get to him.

"You said yourself it was a gut shot Starsky, that he lost a lot of blood. Takes time for surgery of that kind and he's in the best place right now." Dobey tried to appease his young officer knowing how very close the two were. He had learnt patience after 6 years of being Capt. to both. He too had spent more hours than was normal in hospitals waiting for news on which ever one of them it was who needed medical attention. They had become like sons to him, and his wife and kids just adored them. He couldn't bear to think what would happen if either one of them was to die in the line of duty.

"Are you the officers waiting to hear on Kenneth Hutchinson?" a soft female voice broke the silence in the hallway.

Starsky jumped up from the uncomfortable chair he was slouched on and grabbed the white coated ladies' arms. Panic written all over his face.

"Hutch yes Hutch how is he, he going to be ok. Is he?"

Slowly releasing her arms from Starsky's grip she looked up at his worried eyes and hated that she was often the bearer of bad news, even though it was part of the job.

"I'm Dr. Phillips why don't we sit down" she motioned the chairs in the waiting area as she spoke. Dobey sat but Starsky kept standing and looking at the Dr. "Can I see him, how is he, where is he" there was a slight panic in his voice as Starsky questioned her, but the Dr remained calm.

"Officer Hutchinson has lost a lot of blood and the bullet didn't exit, it ricochet when it entered and has done considerable damage to several organs. The next 24 to 48 hrs will be very crucial. He is in a medical coma at the moment and that's the way we need him to stay. Your friend is a very sick man, I can't give you a prognosis as to his recovery at this time."

Running his hands through his thick curly hair Starsky was pacing all the time she was talking trying to come to terms with the situation. "I need to see him Dr. I need to see him."

He's in ICU he can't hear you. There is …"

Her sentence was cut short when Starsky grabbed her arm. "Now Dr I need to see him. I know he's unconscious, but I need to see him." He looked so desperate as he spoke the Dr didn't have the heart to refuse him. "Ok but you will need to be suited up to go in the ICU. Follow me"

Hutch lay so motionless and pale. Tubes coming out his throat, wires coming from pads on his chest and a constant beeping of machines surrounded him. Starsky took a deep breath and choked back the tears as he took in the scene. This was his best friend, his pal, the only person in the whole world he would lay his life on the line for, and he felt he had failed. How did it come to this; how did he not realize there were two people in the warehouse? What had happened that he had missed such a vital piece of information that led to Hutch getting shot. This should never have happened. He had failed to keep his partner safe. Stepping towards the bed he took in the still form. The rhythmic movement of Hutches chest as the machines helped him breath. The readings on the monitors showed a steady heart beat but how much of that was Hutch and how much was it the machine keeping him alive. He gently took hold of Hutches left hand were and IV was attached and rubbed the fingers. "Hutch, shit man I'm so so sorry this should never have happened. I don't know how it did, but I promise you buddy I will find those two and I will make sure they pay for this. I let you down buddy I didn't see it fast enough I don't know what happened but you gotta know this is not the way it ends. You need to fight. You need to wake up and show me those baby blues. I need you Hutch. Hang in there buddy I know we got this."

Dobey watched as his young detective slowly walked towards him looking very shaken. He was aware of how very close they both were to each other, and he knew that Starsky would be blaming himself for Hutches situation. They always took 100% responsibility for each other.

"Dave how's Hutch doing."

Starsky wiped his hands across his face and looked exhausted." Whenever you call me Dave, I know it's not good. Did the Dr tell you something more that she didn't tell me?"

"No, you know I wouldn't hold out on you. You boys are like my own kids. I love Hutch as much as you do."

"He looks so sick Capt. Just laying there with tubes and machines so still and so not Hutch. I let him down Capt. This should never have happened I was off my game he should never have gotten shot. I didn't see that second guy I didn't realize the danger till it was too late. It's my fault my partner is lying there fighting for his life."

"Stop that right there Starsky. Its not your fault you didn't see that other guy. Everything happens in the blink of an eye and its nobodies' fault but the guy who shot him. On that note I have some good news. Matthews and Robson picked up both of those guys on a routine traffic stop. They are both under lock and key and looking at some serious jail time. Now you need to get some rest, you're no good to anyone

"I need to be here for Hutch, I can't leave him I already let him down today."

"He's in a medical coma for the next 24 hrs at least, there is nothing you can do right now and you didn't let him down. You gotta stop blaming yourself, it won't help him get better. Now go home and get some food and some sleep and come back later. I'll keep in touch "

CHAPTER 3

Starsky headed straight to the ICU the following morning and was allowed to enter Hutches room once he was suited up. He stood looking at his partner who still looked so pale and still. He gently moved a strand of blond hair from Hutches forehead. "Hey buddy how you feeling today. Capt. says he got the goons that did this, and we will throw the book at them. Need you out of here fit and healthy for witness statement, you know what a stickler the Capt. is for reports. Need to know what happened Hutch cause for the life of me I don't know. I'm sorry buddy. I let you down. Starsky rubbed Hutches hand as he spoke, desperate for some movement, some sign that Hutch could hear him. All he could hear was the constant beeping of the machines and his own soft breathing. Angry at himself and the situation Hutch was in he marched out of the ward and headed to the station.

As he entered the squad room, he could hear loud voices coming from Dobey's office. He knocked but didn't wait for a response before he opened the door and entered.

Capt. Dobey looked frustrated and was sitting at his desk while a short, rotund man was standing by the window looking smug.

"Starsky, what are you doing here I thought you'd be at the hospital" Dobey wiped his face with his handkerchief as he spoke.

"Who is this" Starsky asked as he stood in front of the Captains desk.

Capt. Dobey looked uncomfortable "This is Pritchard from IA"

"I.A., You know you guys always stick your nose in after an officer gets hurt. How come none of you guys are ever out on the street where the real work gets done. If you want to help, then throw the book at those guys for shooting my partner instead of being in the way here doing whatever it is you are doing."

"Starsky, that's enough. Everyone has their job to do." Dobey continued to wipe his sweating face as he spoke trying to keep his young officer from getting a reprimand.

Pritchard turned towards the Capt. "You haven't told him have you Dobey" his voice held a laugh as he spoke. "Oh, that's perfect, absolutely perfect. You really should tell him"

Starsky looked at his Capt. "Tell me what?"

Dobey looked uncomfortable. "Pritchard, I don't need you to tell me what to do in my office and I think you need to leave. I'll deal with this."

"Well so long as you do Capt. You can't sweep this under the carpet there has to be a proper investigation" Pritchard slowly opened the door and looked towards Starsky. "You need to come and see me in my office today, preferable sooner rather than later" he slammed the door as he left.

Starsky looked enquiringly at his Capt. "What is it that you haven't told me yet. What does he mean we can't sweep this under the carpet?"

Dobey looked like he wished he was anywhere but in his office. "It concerns Hutches shooting."

"What about it? Capt. you said you had the two guys in the cells so what's IA concerned about. We just throw the book at them for those rapes and for attempted murder of a police officer. What's the problem"

"They are already bailed and back on the street. We have no proof on the rapes and had nothing to hold them on."

Starsky was incredulous. Slamming his fist on the table his voice raised "Nothing to hold them! Even if there is no hard evidence on the rapes one of them shot Hutch. That's attempted murder of a police officer and what if Hutch dies Capt. That's murder of a police officer. How is that not enough to hold them on!"

"Don't yell at me Starsky I don't like it anymore than you do but without hard evidence on the rapes there is nothing else. They did a ballistics check on the bullet from Hutch." Dobey looked down at the floor as he spoke, his voice suddenly soft.

Starsky looked confused. "What do you mean there is nothing else, what did ballistics tell you?"

Dobey looked at his officer, his own heart was breaking at the information he had. He didn't dare think what it would do to Starsky but better it came from him than anyone else.

"The bullet they got from Hutch wasn't from one of their guns Starsky. It came from your gun"

Starsky was speechless. He looked at his Captain confusion written all over his face. His voice barely above a whisper "My gun? The bullet in Hutch came from my gun? How, how is that possible. I couldn't hurt Hutch; I'd never hurt him. Capt. there must be a mistake. How, how could I ..I don't understand"

Standing now the Capt. put a supporting hand on Starsky's shoulder. "You said yourself it was too dark to really see what was happening. Hutch seemed to stumble, that's what you said. He must have stumbled towards you when you fired. It was an accident Dave. Nobody, for a moment, thinks you shot him on purpose. Just a terrible accident. IA just must cross their Ts and dot there Is there is no blame it's just protocol."

Starsky was standing stunned and silent trying to understand what was being said. "I shot him. Me. I shot my best friend. Is that what you're saying Capt. I shot Hutch. I shot my partner, the best friend I've ever had. I shot him" his voice trembling and tears freely falling Starsky sat heavily down. He wiped his hands across face. His shoulders shook as he cried.

CHAPTER 4

When Starsky had first found out he was the shooter of his best friend and partner he had not known how to deal with the information. Logic told him it was not his fault, they even had a name for it, "Friendly Fire". But that didn't mean it didn't have consequences to the officer who fired and the officer who was hit. His mind was in turmoil, he just couldn't grasp how he had shot Hutch and while Hutch was still making positive progress, he had nearly died and Starsky was the reason. How could he even face him, how could he tell him. This was Hutch, hell he'd die for Hutch and here he was almost killing him. How would Hutch ever forgive him, trust him, want to work the streets with him again. Why would he even want to be Starsky's friend once he found out. He had struggled with going to see Hutch as he lay in the coma, so still and pale. He had caused this pain; it was his fault. Hutch had always trusted him 100% with his life, his inner thoughts, his dreams and fears. For two days he had sat silently beside his best friend without speaking, just watching him fight to stay alive. He had no words; his heart was breaking.

Once he had told his curly haired officer that it was his bullet that had hit Hutch, he had witnessed the change come over the young man. He withdrew into himself. He answered questions with as few words as possible, mostly yes or no. He didn't smile, he didn't really speak to anyone unless spoken to. Dobey had tired to talk to him to help him come to terms with the accident. He ensured him that it was not his fault, but Starsky just sat silently, listened to what he had to say and then politely excused himself from the Capt.'s office and returned to his desk in the squad room. In the end Dobey gave him a weeks leave and told him to go home and get some RNR.

Dobey had called Huggy Bear, proprietor of the Pits bar and close friend and informant for both Starsky and Hutch. He had asked him to keep an eye on Starsky, he was worried he was becoming depressed and blamed himself for the shooting.

When Starsky had not shown at The Pits for a couple of nights Huggy went around to his apartment and found him drunk and sullen. "Starsky you are not helping Hutch like this. He needs your support. You both half of a whole and right now he needs your strength to help him get better. Getting drunk helps no one."

"Helps me Hug."

"Really? You want to explain that to me cause from where I'm sitting, I just don't see it"

"It numbs me from thinking about the fact that I shot my best friend, very nearly killed him, and may have. There are no guarantees he will survive and even if he does what's to say he will recovery completely. What if that bullet damaged organs that wont' ever fully recover. Maybe he will be disabled in some way. What about my very best friend in the whole world going on the rest of his life knowing that I shot him. Hutch, the outdoors guy who loves trees and lakes and the mountains and snow. The guy who always,always had my back and this is how I repay him. That is what I need the beer for Hug, I need to stop thinking. I need him to be ok, I want to turn the clock back to before. God Huggy what kind of friend am I" Starsky had been standing almost shouting at Huggy but now had sat at his kitchen table and let the tears fall. "I can't bear this pain Hug, I just need it to stop, I miss my best friend."

Sitting beside him and in a soft caring voice Huggy offered a cup of coffee to Starsky." Friend, I know both of you guys and trust me, you are the only one who is thinking like that. I know you feel guilty I'm sure anyone would, that's natural, but you have to get past that. There is no way Hutch would blame you for a mega second. You both have worked those streets for years together and there are dangers every time you head out. He knows that. If he had shot you, would you blame him, would you never trust him again or want to hit the streets with him as the guy covering your back. Would you?"

Starsky sniffed. "No, I trust him, I love him, he's my pal."

"So…..Are you not his pal, does he not love you the same? Don't go selling that lanky blond short. He's just as invested in your relationship as you are. Now sober up, wash up and go and see him. He needs your support and love more that ever right now."

Muffled sounds were slowing pushing their way into Hutches muddled head. His eye lids felt heavy as he tried to open his eyes and figure out where he was. The room had muted lighting and his vision didn't seem clear. He could hear a constant beeping to his right and his mouth felt dry, his throat sore. As he lay there thinking, he got a vague memory of a warehouse. The lights in the room suddenly became brighter and he squeezed his eyes closed to shut out the glare.

"Well Mr. Hutchinson I see you are back with us. Would you like some ice chips, I bet you're feeling a little sore." The nurse who spoke gently spooned some ice chips into his parched mouth. "Don't try to talk too much just yet, you've had a breathing tube recently removed and your throat will be sore. I'll go and get your doctor and let her know you are awake."

She left as quickly as she had appeared, and Hutch was left with his thoughts. He carefully and slowly moved his head to look around. Starsky was who he had hoped to see but as he had no idea of how long he had been in the hospital or what time it was he thought it was also reasonable for Starsky to be a thousand other places. He must have fallen asleep as the next thing he knew he was being woken up. "Hello Mr. Hutchinson, I'm Dr Phillips, it's good to see you awake. How are you feeling?"

"Not sure really. Groggy, confused, not sure how long I've been here. Don't really remember much to be honest. What happened. Is my partner around, Starsky?"

"You had us worried for a few days as the bullet did a lot of damage to various organs and you lost a lot of blood. You still are quite sick and not out of the woods yet, but things are looking good. You have been here a week and most of that time in a medical induced coma, so I'm not surprised you are groggy and confused. You partners been here most days I'll call him to let him know you are awake. You can have something light to eat, some crackers, peanut butter, orange juice, does that sound good? Can't give you anything too substantial just yet." She smiled at him as she finished writing something on a chart. "I'll call your friend; he will be keen to see you."

Starsky quietly opened the door to Hutches room. The nurse had told him that Hutch had been awake but was still very tired and that he shouldn't stay for too long. Hutch appeared to be sleeping, his breathing was regular, he actually looked quite restful, like a young boy with that tousled sun kissed hair softly falling across his forehead. He stood looking down at him before pulling up the usual, uncomfortable, hospital chair and sitting down. He sat in silence taking in Hutches peaceful look, so much better without so many tubes.

"I know I look irresistible when you haven't had a decent girl friend in months, but I keep telling ya, you're just not my type" Hutches voice was slightly horse as he opened his eyes and smiled at his best friend. "I wondered what happened to you, Dobey got you busy keeping Bay City free from crime?"

Hutches voice took Starsky by surprise, he'd thought his friend was asleep. He smiled "Sorry partner I was busy keeping the streets safe, thought you were still sleeping, or I'd have been here sooner. Dr seems happy with your progress. How you feel, you look like shit."

"Thanks for that, I didn't have time to do my hair today." Hutch gave a weak smile, his voice raspy. "You'd think after nearly a week of sleeping I wouldn't be tired but just feel exhausted."

"Well maybe I should leave you and let you get some rest, don't want to get you tired out the first day you wake up." Starsky started to stand as he spoke. He had caused this. He was the reason Hutch was in this situation. He had shot him, and he suddenly couldn't look into those blue eyes without feeling a huge guilt. "I'll let you sleep buddy I'll check back tomorrow."

Despite feeling groggy and sore Hutch knew his partner and best friend, could read him like a book. His whole mannerism was off. He seemed uncomfortable talking to him and he wouldn't make eye contact.

"Hey, I know I don't look great but been alone with my thoughts pretty much all day. Was hoping for some conversation. I'm not too tired to listen to your day. Some reason you don't enjoy my company?"

Starsky had been heading for the door when Hutch started speaking. He'd thought he would be able to just explain things to Hutch and it would be easy but that was not the case. Guilt just coursed thorough his body. He could taste it, feel it, and he needed to get away from those innocent blue eyes that looked out from Hutches pale face. "Dr. said not to tire you out, we need you up and running after those criminals, can't have you lazing about in bed for weeks on end. Get some sleep buddy, I'll be back tomorrow."

The door closed behind Starsky's retreating figure before Hutch could respond.

CHAPTER 5

Starsky stopped outside Hutches door and slumped to the floor. Tears were threatening to fall as he battled with his thoughts. He owed Hutch an explanation, he had never left him alone in a hospital room before. What the hell was he doing. He had imagined seeing Hutch and telling him what had happened so many times in his head and none of the scenarios were this. How could he see the physical pain in Hutches eyes and tell him he was the reason for that. That would add mental pain and who knows what that would do. He had hurt him enough already.

"Something wrong with the chairs or you just like to sit on the floor?" Huggy Bear softly asked as he stood looking down at Starsky slumped against the wall and obviously mentally hurting.

"What you doing here Hug?"

"Well, I thought I'd come see how blonde was doing, had to call the hospital to hear how he was doing mind you. Had thought you might call me with an update but then I thought that maybe be you might be having a hard time yourself. Have you seen him or is this as far as you got?"

"Starsky ran his hands across his face, trying to keep the tears at bay. "I saw him, he's awake."

"So let me guess. He looked at you with those baby blues and that was enough for you to think you are the worst friend a person could have, and you couldn't tell him that you'd shot him. Did you just walk out on him, left him hanging, wondering what the hell was going on?"

"Hug since when did you start to know so much."

"I know you two, I know how you click with each other, and I know that you are underestimating your blond friend. You need to go back in there and tell him what happened. You know he's not going to blame you we talked about this already, but he does need to know, and it needs to come from you. You owe him that, you owe your friendship that. He's probably in there wondering what the hell is happening and why has his best friend walked out on him when he needs him. Starsky, you can't keep blaming yourself. Yes, he in some physical pain, he's got some healing to do and he's going to need his best friend to be there for him, just like you two are always there for each other. Physically he is going to recover but if you walk away from him now, how do you think he's going to cope mentally. You two need each other, that's the only way you have survived on the streets this long. Don't do this to him or yourself."

Huggy offered a hand to pull Starsky up from the floor and gave him a hug. "Go in there and talk to him"

Starsky took the offered hand. "Thanks Hug". Taking a deep breath Starsky opened Hutches door.

Hutch had laid deep in thought after Starsky had left so suddenly. He had no idea what the problem could possibly be, but he knew his partner and he knew something was wrong. Starsky couldn't even look at him and clearly didn't want to talk to him. What had happened while he had been in the hospital. He suddenly felt very alone.

He must have succumbed to sleep as he was suddenly aware of a warm hand touching his and he could hear someone sniffing. He slowly opened his eyes "Stask, what's up. Thought you'd gone home. You ok, what's wrong?"

Starsky rubbed the back of Hutches hand looking at the attached IV feeding saline into Hutches vein. "Hutch, you know you are my best friend, my pal. You are the most important person in my world, and I would never deliberately hurt you. I would rather rip my left arm off than hurt you, you know that right."

Hutch looked confused. "Starsky, tell me. Whatever it is just tell me cause you're scaring the hell out of me right now. Me and Thee remember. I don't know what the hell has happened but there is nothing we can't deal with." He looked desperately at Starsky, fear written on his face. He had no idea what was wrong. " Am I dying or something and nobody wants to tell me. Is that it?"

Taking a deep breath Starsky looked into the blue eyes of his best friend in the whole world and began to explain.

When the nurse checked in on her patient close to midnight, she was surprised to see not just her patient but also his friend both sleeping soundly on the one bed. It was a tight fit, but they seemed comfortable. She didn't have the heart to wake either one, so she tip toed out of the room and quietly closed the door. Hutch opened his eyes briefly, having sensed the nurse, and saw his friend sound asleep on half his bed. He smiled. Starsky had been carrying the feeling of guilt around with him since the shooting and he doubted he'd had a decent sleep for days. As he had said to his best friend after hearing what had happened. If you're going to get shot there's nobody he'd rather be shot by. Friendly Fire happens to the very best of friends.