CHRISTMAS BLESSINGS

Words: 6,539

It was a bright, sunny December morning. Starsky checked for approaching vehicles before pulling away from the curb in front of Venice Place, The red and white striped Torino purred as he drove bringing a smile to his face. He glanced at Hutch.

"I gotta' tell ya' Hutch, it's a beautiful day in Bay City today. I think that's a good sign that today is going to be great. After the dark, rainy week we just had, everyone is gonna' be in a good mood and the bad guys will stay low today." Said Starsky as he displayed his teeth in a goofy grin.

Hutch who had been staring out of the side window and brooding turned to Starsky and said, "I don't know what you find so wonderful about it. It's Saturday, Starsky. Our day off! I was supposed to spend the day at the zoo with Becky before Dobey pulled us in!"

"Awww, Hutch. I know. Ya' gotta' admit though it's gonna' be a nice day to cruise around in this car and catch up on things. We haven't been able to do nothin' but work and sleep the past several weeks. We can talk to each other now instead of pretending we don't know each other. That was some bust, wasn't it?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was a good bust." Hutch said on a sigh as he leaned his head back on the head rest. He handwashed his face, then slammed his hands on his thighs and said,

"I love ya' Starsk, but you're just not Becky. It's been three weeks, Starsky." Hutch's blue eyes connected with Starsky's. He raised his eyebrows and gave a quick nod of his head imploring Starsky to understand without dragging this into an all day drama.

"Okay Hutch." said Starsky with an understanding expression on his face. "I got ya" Buddy. I'll tone it down. I still enjoy workin' beside ya' today."

Hutch's face relaxed and he smiled at his friend and partner. He placed his left hand on Starsky's shoulder. "Thanks, Starsk for being such a good friend." Starsky threw Hutch another big grin.

SHSHSHSHSH

The day went as Starsky predicted. There were few calls and the ones they attended were minor. As they were cruising down the street, Starsky said,

"Hutch! I got a great idea!"

Hutch rolled his eyes and glanced at Starsky with a skeptical look on his face.

"Okay, Starsk. Tell me all about it before you bust a gut."

"It's great, Hutch!"

"You said that already. What is this great idea?' Hutch asked looking over at Starsky.

"How about, how about we rent a hall or cafeteria and dish out food to our homeless friends? They always help us out. I wanna' do something for them!" Starsky beamed at Hutch. "Whadda' ya' think, huh?"

Hutch smiled at Starsky and said, "Well, I imagine the soup kitchens will be open all over the city already, Starsk."

"No, no, Hutch. This is for all our snitches and helpers over the past few years!" Starsky earnestly said. He pulled the car over to the curb and put it in park. He grabbed Hutch by his shirt sleeve and continued, his eyebrows raised and eyes wide as he eagerly continued.

"It'll be so great Hutch! We'll have Elijah and Floyd and Eddy and, and the others. It can be a personal thank you to them all for helping us. We could have some gifts for them. Gloves and scarves and things like that! We could do it the day before I go to see Ma! Wouldn't that be a wonderful surprise for them? Don't ya' think so, huh, huh?"

Hutch put his hands up in the air. "Calm down Starsky. I agree it would be a really nice thing to do for them. I'm not sure how we can pull it off, but I'd like to do it. I'm sure Huggy and even the Cap' would like to get in on it." Hutch chuckled at the look on his friend's face.

"Thank you, Hutch. This is gonna' be fun! We will give them a Christmas to remember!" Starsky's thousand-watt smile lit his face. He slapped Hutch on the arm and turned to put the car on the street again.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Mid-afternoon the radio crackled to life. "211 at Anderson's Liquor Store. Shots fired. I repeat 211 at Andersons's Liquor store. Corner of Mayflower and Sandhill Rd."

"Zebra three responding. We will be there in..." Hutch turned to Starsky who snapped out "five" while spinning the car in a sharp u turn speeding back the direction they had just come from.

Hutch put the red light on the top of the car while affirming five minutes to Mildred. He threw the mike down and pulled his gun out as they approached the scene.

Starsky threw the car in park before coming to a complete stop causing the vehicle to rock back and forth violently. As they exited the car, Hutch turned to Starsky and when their eyes connected, they both nodded before Hutch took off for the back of the store. Starsky sidled up to the front and quickly looked inside before pulling back. His gun held high in both hands. What he had seen did not look good.

There were three armed, masked men. One, tall and skinny, was holding a young man with his arm around the boy's neck forcing him to empty the cash register. The other two were about 5' 11" and beefy. Each held a gun pointed towards the cashier. A woman's bloody body was on the floor behind the two perps.

Starsky decided he was going to have to pretend to be a customer. He holstered his gun hoping Hutch was in position. Taking a deep breath, he moved to the door and stumbled through the opening.

Hutch found the back door standing wide open and cautiously moved inside, his gun held in front of him. He moved slowly forward between cases of wine and champagne on one side and cases and barrels of beer on his left. There was a door ahead with a canvas covering hanging down. He approached and very slightly moved the canvas to peer into the store.

Ahead of him he saw a tipped over dolly and broken bottles of beer. The yellow beer blending in with the blood of a middle-aged black man sprawled across the floor. He crouched down and carefully stepped around the man and moved behind an aisle to appraise the situation. He could see the man with the cashier and one other man with his gun pointing towards them.

Things changed rapidly as Starsky stumbled in the door calling out for whiskey. The perp holding the cashier didn't move, but his friend swung his gun at Starksy.

Starsky staggered a little and stopped. "Hey, hey I just want some more whiskey. Wha, what's the matta?"

"Get the hell out of here you drunk. It's none of your business!" growled the burley thief.

Starsky noted instantly that one of the masked men was missing. He looked for Hutch but couldn't see him. He stepped forward another shaky step.

"I want more whiskey before I go. Tha', that's why I came in, ya' know? Hey, hey is that a gun?" He bent over and belched.

He then rushed the big man ramming his head into his belly and reaching for the gun in his hand. The man went down with a loud grunt and Starsky quickly rolled the man over him just as the thief at the counter fired his gun hitting his friend. Starsky grabbed his gun and pointed it at the skinny thief holding the cashier.

"Drop it, Police!"

The thief at the front pointed to the back, grabbed the bag of money from the cashier and began moving out from behind the counter.

Starsky, still on his back, looked down the aisle to see a man sneaking up behind Hutch with a gun pointed at his friend's head.

He screamed, " H!" as he rolled from under the injured criminal to his stomach and fired hitting the third thief in the neck and dropping him instantly.

Another shot rang out and Hutch shouted Starsky's name as he watched his partner jolt and then was still. He checked that the man at his feet was dead and then he looked up the aisle to see the man about to shoot Starsky again.

"Stop! Police!" shouted Hutch holding his gun out in front of him. The man just shrugged and took aim at Starsky. Hutch pulled the trigger, the bullet causing the thief to fly through the entrance door and fall still. A sheet of glass extending through his torso.

Hutch rushed up the aisle. Several squad cars pulled up outside and Hutch yelled at the men leaving the cars to call an ambulance. "Officer down damn it! Call now!" He heard one the officers call an affirmation to him as he turned to see Starsky lying curled on his left side in his own blood next to the big perp.

He hollered for someone to come in and take care of the robbers. Kneeling down beside Starsky, he felt warm blood soaking into his pants. He placed his hand gently on his best friend's shoulder.

Starsky shuddered. He looked up at his friend, his eyes and face begging for help.

"God, Hutch. It hurts." He clutched his right side and abdomen.

"Let me look, Starsk." Hutch said gently. He slowly moved Starsky's arms and lifted the jacket, making Starsky hiss in pain. He was alarmed to see that the blood was spurting.

Oh, dear God! He thought. He ripped off his jacket and pressed down hard on the wound eliciting a weak cry of pain from Starsky.

"Utch', don't. Hurts so bad." Starsky whispered. His eyes squeezed tightly shut and his teeth clenched in pain. "I'm s, so c, c cold." He rasped.

"I'm sorry. I have to Starsk. You're bleeding out." Anger twisting his face, Hutch yelled again for the ambulance.

Hutch was panicking. The blood flow wasn't slowing down and glancing at Starsky's face he could see how white it was becoming, He felt something touch him. Starsky was trying to grab his arm. Hutch clasped his buddy's hand in his.

"Hang in there, Buddy." Hutch said.

"Hu,' utch. Ya' know I love ya', right?".

"Starsk, no…"

"No, no Hutch. You need to know…"

"No! Don't you talk like that to me!" Hutch snarled as he heard the ambulance squealing to a stop. "You are going to make it! You hear me?" Hutch's eyes were brimming with tears. Starsky sighed and closed his eyes.

"Starsky!" Hutch shouted as the emergency personnel pushed him aside.

The man, a former medic in the Vietnam war, accessed the situation and realized an artery had been hit. He immediately pushed two fingers into the wound and moved them about.

"Got it! Dan I clamped the artery. We need to move him now!"

The driver, Dan, enlisted Hutch's help in lifting Starsky onto the gurney while the first man, Nate, continued to pinch the artery between his two fingers and move along with the other two to the ambulance.

Just as Hutch was going to get in Nate looked to him and said, "No way. No room or time to argue." As Dan slammed the rear doors shut and ran to the front of the vehicle, Hutch stood with shoulders hunched and head down before suddenly looking up and running to a squad car. Throwing himself inside, he put the car in gear and sped after the ambulance. He arrived as they were unloading Starsky from the back. Hutch heard Nate shout out, "Hurry! I lost my grip!"

Hutch rushed after them in time to see the doors to the room swing shut behind the gurney and a crowd of medical personnel. He stopped and seemed to wilt. He slowly made his way to a chair along the wall and dropped into the hard plastic. Burying his face in his hands he sighed.

"Oh God," he mumbled. "Please don't take him from me. I need him."

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Hutch was in the same position when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Bleary eyed, he looked up to see Captain Dobey at his side, wearing a brown suit, his face expressing concern.

"How are you, Hutch? Have you heard anything yet?"

Hutch wiped his face and looked at the clock on the wall. He frowned and stood up.

"No. And I've been here three hours!" He marched to the waiting room doors and back again.

"The bullet hit an artery," Hutch said with an increasingly loud voice. "The medic had to shove his fingers in the wound and clamp it off. He was bleeding out Captain!" His eyes bored intensely into those of his captain. "He…he even thought he was dying." Hutch said quietly.

"Son," Dobey began speaking while pressing Hutch back down onto a chair. "You know how tough David is. If anyone can pull through this, he sure will."

"Damn right!" Said Huggy from the doorway where he unashamedly overheard the conversation.

"Starsky is one cussed, mean dude when he wants to be. He'll pull through this." Huggy declared and strode towards the two men in his navy blue, blazer and bell-bottomed pants. He had a bright, red, silk shirt on and a yellow bow tie to finish off the ensemble.

"Thanks Huggy, Cap. It's just so hard. Seeing him lying there losing all that blood…"

"We understand Hutch." Said Huggy as he sat next to his friend and put his right arm around his shoulders.

Dobey cleared his throat and said, "I've got to get back now. The prisoner that is still alive is on the prison unit here for a few days then he will be moved to the jail. His name is Morgan Sternwell. The other two were Billy Rockseth and Michael Hammond. Billy was wanted for rape and murder. The other two had been in prison for murder as well."

Dobey once again put his hand on Hutch's shoulder. "You both did a fine job. I'm proud of you. Keep me updated, okay?"

"Sure Cap. I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. Thank you." Hutch said with a grateful look on his face.

He then looked at Huggy and smiled. "Thank you as well, Huggy. You are always here when we need you."

Huggy snorted. "If Huggy Bear not be there, then he be square."

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

It was eight in the evening when a weary woman in blood spattered, blue scrubs walked into the room and asked for family of David Starsky. Dark brown ringlets of hair were plastered to her forehead extending below her surgical cap.

Hutch sprang up and crossed the room with Huggy beside him.

"I'm his partner. We're cops. How is he?" His concerned blue eyes searched her bright green eyes and face for any clue.

"I'm Dr. Jo McNeal," she said, "And what is your name?"

"It's Hutch, K, Ken Hutchinson. Just tell me how he is."

"Okay, Ken. The suprarenal aorta was nicked by the bullet that entered his right side. It was a very complicated surgery and Mr. Starsky had already lost too much of his blood volume."

Hutch's Adams apple bobbed and his eyes rimmed with tears.

"I,I,Is h, he…"

Dr. McNeal raised her right hand, palm forward and said, "He is still alive. We did lose him once but were able to bring him back. However, because of the loss of blood there is a twenty to sixty percent chance of organ failure that we need to watch for. After recovery he will be moved to an ICU bed. You and your friend should go home and get some rest. We have him in a coma right now to keep him still."

"I'm not going anywhere." Snapped Hutch, his brows pulled down in a deep frown.

"That's okay then. I will have a nurse show you to the ICU waiting area." Dr. McNeal said as she patted Hutch's arm and walked away.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

It was four in the morning. Hutch sat near Starsky's bed, elbows on his knees, his face in his hands. After receiving the distressing news on Starsky's condition, he had called Captain Dobey and filled him in on the situation. Dobey told Hutch he would be there soon and then had talked to someone in hospital administration and was able to get permission for Hutch to be at Starsky's side.

Hutch rubbed his eyes and looked at Starsky lying so still in the hospital bed. His face was gray despite the continued transfusion of blood he was receiving. He also had an IV of saline solution dripping its contents slowly into his vein. Hutch reached out and placed his left hand over Starsky's right as he slowly sighed.

"You've really done it this time, Buddy. You always manage to get into one fix or another. You win the prize on this one. A nicked artery. I thought I was going to lose you pal. You have to stop doing this to me. I'm scared, Starsky. I need your friendship. So, you fight and fight hard you hear me?" Hutch wiped tears away as he once again hung his head.

Dobey and Huggy both sat in the ICU waiting room. Both held a cup of coffee in their hands. Dobey also had a sandwich he was slowly eating.

"I'm going to have to go home and change soon and get back to the office." Dobey said after swallowing the last bite of his sandwich. "I can't do anything here, you should go home and rest as well. Hutch isn't going to leave Starsky's side, and he is going to need your help over the coming days "

"You be right on that. I got me a bar to run as well. I should go see if the girls left me any money in the till." Huggy said as he winked at the captain.

Captain Dobey knocked lightly on the ICU window. Hutch looked over to see his captain miming that he and Huggy were leaving. Hutch nodded wearily and waved his hand at them. He then continued his vigil at Starsky's bedside.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

It had been five days since the event that landed Starsky in ICU at the hospital.

Hutch returned from the bathroom where he had freshened up. Huggy, ever helpful, had brought him another change of clothes and a sandwich, soup, and salad from The Pits to make sure Hutch was getting the nutrition he needed.

Feeling better, Hutch sank into the chair by Starsky's bed. He looked at his partner's face which was still pale. He was no longer receiving blood but still had an IV in to keep his veins open. Dr. McNeal had told Hutch that she was bringing Starsky out of his coma and he should be waking up sometime today.

It was approaching six pm when Hutch thought he heard something. He looked at his partner, but Starsky wasn't moving.

"Uuutcch?"

Hutch heard that loud and clear. He stood by the bed and grabbed Starsky's right hand with both of his.

"Starsky! You in there? Come on, open those baby blues and look at me."

Starsky's eyes quivered and then slowly opened. Everything was a blur for a moment and then his eyesight cleared, and he focused on Hutch's anxious, but smiling face.

"Hey." He rasped.

"Hey yourself. It's about time you woke up and quit goofing off. How do you feel?"

"How, how do I Look?" Starsky said weakly and smiled slightly.

"You look like crap, Starsk. But, you're awake and talking and I'll take that any day." Hutch said as he ruffled Starsky's hair.

Starsky licked his lips and looked around. "Hospital again, huh?"

"Yes. Do you remember what happened?" questioned Hutch.

Starsky closed his eyes and thought a bit. Then his eyes flashed open, and he looked Hutch up and down as far as he could see with an agonized look on his face.

"Ya' okay? Did that jerk hurt you? Ya' okay, Hutch?"

"Calm down, Buddy. I'm fine. You took care of that crook. You saved my life, Starsk. Thank you." Hutch sat down again and leaned forward to rest his hand on Starsky's arm. "I killed the one that shot you and the one you were rolling around with is in the county jail right now."

Starsky blinked and ran his tongue over his lips again. "Hutch? Could I get some water?"

'You can have some ice chips that I just brought in. You need to take it slow." Hutch reached for the Styrofoam cup and spooned up some ice and fed it to Starsky, who closed his eyes in bliss as he sucked on the cubes.

"What day is it?" Starsky asked before he accepted another spoonful of ice.

"It's Thursday, the 14th. The Doctor kept you in a coma until today so you could heal. The bullet nicked a…" Hutch stopped speaking as Dr. McNeal walked briskly through the door and up to the bedside.

"Well, it's good to see you awake Mr. Starsky. "I'm your doctor. Dr. Jo McNeal. As Ken was starting to tell you the bullet entered your side and struck an artery. Thanks to the ambulance personnel and extensive surgery we were able to repair the artery. I kept you in a coma because of the pain you would be in, but mainly to keep you still."

The doctor laid her hand on Starsky's left forearm and continued, "You are going to have to stay mainly on bedrest for the next month, except to go to the bathroom. You can lay on a couch if it isn't too low or difficult to get out of." Seeing the frown on her patient's face she paused.

"Two weeks? Two weeks? Christmas is coming up! I fly out to see Ma on Christmas Eve!"

"Mr. Starsky," Dr. McNeal pulled herself up straight. "This is not an option. It's an order, one that you must follow. Because of the shock and blood loss from this injury, your organs could still fail. Twenty to sixty percent of patients with this injury do die of organ failure."

She frowned and sternly continued, "And you will not be allowed on a plane. Not for two months. If you value your life you will adhere to my rules. Do you understand?"

Starsky looked from the doctor to Hutch, his brows deeply furrowed. Turning back to the doctor he said," I understand. But I don't like it."

Dr. McNeal smiled. "You don't have to like it just so long as you do what I say. I don't let my patients die on me. Got it?"

"Yeah, I got it. I don't feel like checking out too soon either." Starsky smiled and yawned.

"Now, I will order a liquid diet for you and then you should get more rest. Your body is going to need a lot of rest." Dr. McNeal said as she left the room.

"She's one touch cookie." Said Starsky as he yawned again. Hutch chuckled.

"I heard that, and I resemble that remark." Both Starsky and Hutch grinned widely at the doctor's retort.

Starsky suddenly turned to Hutch. "Hutch! How am I going to do the Christmas for our street friends?" His voice was distressed and there was an anxious look on his face.

Hutch put his hand on Starsky's shoulder and leaned forward, speaking softly. "Starsky, calm down. We will just have to do it next year. You absolutely can't do it this year. Your health depends on it "

"But Hutch…Hutch! Ma is going to be so disappointed! Nicky is on the lamb somewhere. She'll be all alone for Christmas! Damn it, Hutch I wanted this to be the best Christmas ever." Starsky's voice was fading and his eyes were heavy as he sat pouting.

"I know, Starsk. I know. I wish I could change things and make it right, but I can't. You need to rest now." Hutch noted that Starsky's eyes were closed and his pale face was slack. Relieved that his buddy was now asleep, he sat up and pinched his thumb and forefinger over the bridge of his nose.

Why does this always have to happen to him? He is such a big-hearted person always thinking of others first. Thought Hutch. His heart ached for his best friend. Starsky was a bundle of energy. Always on the move. How hard was this convalescence going to be for this man?

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

It was the weekend before Christmas weekend. Starsky sat slumped in a wheelchair barely listening to the nurse reading the discharge instructions to him and Hutch.

"Mr. Starsky, do you understand? Should I go over anything?" asked the nurse. She had light brown hair cut in a pixie and an hourglass figure. Normally Starsky would be trying to charm the pants off the nurse, not today though. He only grunted.

Starsky was truly depressed. He had no energy and felt like crap. Having Christmas off this year and knowing the plans he had had were trashed left him feeling blue.

Hutch reached for the paperwork and said, "I've got it. I will be his caretaker. Let's go Starsk. It's time to blow this joint." After folding and tucking the paperwork into his jacket pocket he pushed the wheelchair forward and out of the room,

When they arrived at Starsky's place, Hutch helped Starsky up the stairs. He had to take the steps one at a time as his right abdomen and side remained very sore. As he sank onto his couch, he cursed his weakness.

Hutch went to the bedroom and returned with two pillows and a comforter. He proceeded to lift Starsky's legs up onto the couch. He then adjusted the pillows behind Starsky until he was comfortable.

"Thanks, Hutch." Starsky muttered looking up at his friend. His lower lip protruded.

"Awwww, Starsk, you're welcome. Please don't let this keep you so down. We can make next Christmas the best for our friends. You need to know everyone is more concerned about you getting better than they are about Christmas plans."

"Yeah?" said Starsky skeptically. "How do you know that?"

"Because, while you were sleeping and before we knew about your restrictions, Huggy was getting the word out to our friends."

Starsky perked up a bit. "Yeah? What did they think?" He looked eagerly at Hutch.

"They said they loved the idea but were more worried about you. They want you to recover and get back on the streets." Hutch didn't tell him that a lot of them said they were too uncomfortable or embarrassed to come.

Starsky smiled and laid his head back on the pillows.

"Why don't you rest while I work on dinner? Are you thirsty? Hutch asked.

Starsky nodded as Hutch was moving into the kitchen. "A nice cold beer would be good."

Hutch stopped and put his hand to his ear. "What's that? A nice cold glass of water? Coming right up." He got a glass of ice water ready and walked in to find Starsky asleep. Smiling, he left the glass on the coffee table and returned to the kitchen.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

The week passed slowly for both Hutch and Starsky.

Hutch because he had to return to work and was saddled with paperwork.

Starsky because he was forced to rest.

He was so frustrated with his weakness, He couldn't do anything even if he wanted to. He felt useless. He had no desire to put up a tree or any decorations. He had only lit one of the seven Chanukah candles before he was shot. He hadn't bothered to light the last two. Hutch had asked if he wanted him to light them after he had returned home. Starsky told him not to bother.

Friday evening, the twenty second, Starsky excited the bathroom in a navy-blue terry cloth robe, rubbing his hair with a towel. He walked to the fridge, opened the door, and reached for a beer. At the last second, he grabbed a root beer instead. He was still on pain meds and didn't want a lecture from Hutch. He walked to the chair by the window, sat down and took a swig of the beverage. He reached up to the phone grabbing the handset,putting it to his right ear and dialed his Mom.

"Hi Ma. Yes, yes, I'm getting better. Stronger every day" He had to force himself to sound upbeat. "I'm still sorry I can't make it back there to see you." He listened and then said, "I know you are okay with it, but I'm not. I…Ma…Ma…Ma! I know, I know. Yes, we will still have dinner here. Hutch has something all planned out. He isn't telling me much." He listened awhile and then told his mother he had to go, and he hung up the handset.

He had just sat down on the couch when the door opened and in walked Hutch, Huggy and Captain Dobey all holding boxes. The boxes Hutch had were set on the coffee table. They contained pizza.

Huggy ran back out and returned with a fresh cut pine tree already in a stand and set it in the living room. Then turned and clapped his hands. He was dressed in a brown plaid jacket and pants and a yellow silk shirt. He wore a purple tie.

"Now, let's eat some of that pizza. I'm hungry and this cat needs nourishment before decorating that tree." Huggy had a big smile on his face. He looked at Starsky who's mouth was hanging open,

"Starsky, you had better close that mouth or you be catching flies any time now."

Starsky snapped his mouth shut. The others laughed as they helped themselves to pieces of the pie.

"I don't know what to say. I sure wasn't expecting this. Kinda' figured Hutch would have told you what a bear I've been. Thank you." He spoke hesitantly. Looking at them apologetically.

"Awww, Starsk…" Hutch started.

"The official bear here says you can be a bear if you want, but you can also still enjoy being with your three closest friends who all want you, Starsky, to feel better and have a great Christmas. And that's a fact." Hutch nodded his head.

"Here, here. I agree." Mumbled Dobey while chewing on his pizza.

Starsky reached for the pizza. "Thank you again. I don't know what I would do without ya' all." He leaned back with a big grin on his face and took a bite.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSH

Christmas morning was bright and sunny when Starsky awoke. God knows he had tried but he just couldn't shake the melancholy he felt. He had been faking it with Hutch and the others. There was just something about this Christmas that had him wanting to do special things. He knew he could do it next year. But he had so wanted to do it this Christmas. How long would Elijah and the others around anyway? He cursed his body as he made his way to the bathroom. The scar on his right side was healing but he still got so tired out.

He shaved and showered, then dressed in blue jeans and a royal blue shirt. He made his way to the kitchen and started a pot of coffee. After it brewed, he carried a mug with him to the couch and sat down stretching his legs out onto the coffee table. He wasn't sure how soon Hutch would be over.

He looked at the tree that the guys had decorated and smiled. It was beautiful to look at. He got up and turned the TV on. After flipping through the channels, he turned it back off and returned to the couch and stretched out. To his dismay he felt drowsy. He fought the feeling but soon succumbed to the pull and fell asleep.

Hutch walked in shortly after ten a.m. He strode over and smiled down at Starsky. Reaching down he shook Starsky's shoulder. "Hey, wake up sleepyhead."

Starsky startled and would have sat up except that Hutch was gently holding him down.

"It's okay Starsk. It's just me."

Starsky squinted up at Hutch. "Just you? With that mug you could scare the dead."

"Very funny mush brain." Hutch straightened up and stood looking down at his partner.

Starsky sat up and looked around with a puzzled expression. Looking back to Hutch he said, "Well, where are all the goodies you are going to cook up? I'm hungry. Didn't ya' bring anything good to snack on. Before dinna'?" Huh? Well, did ya'?"

Starsky, there is going to be so much food you won't want to spoil your appetite with snacks."

"Since when have snacks ever spoiled my appetite, Hutch?" Starsky demanded.

"Since we are going to Huggy's and having the works there thanks to the Bear."

Starsky's mouth dropped open briefly and then snapped shut. He smiled then frowned, looking down before raising pleading eyes to Hutch's.

"Hutch, I don't know. I'm really sorry, but I don't think I would be the best company today."

Hutch straightened up. His face tight with tension. He raised his right arm and pointed his index finger at Starsky's face.

"I've had it with your attitude. All you have done the past two weeks is mope around and whine about everything. Especially that your plans didn't work out. There are bigger things to worry about than ruined Christmas plans. You should be grateful that you're alive! My God, we didn't know if you were going to pull through or not. I didn't know! I was terrified of losing you. You are my best friend Starsk. A brother to me. I need you here with me. I'm so thankful you are here in front of me alive and well. And you should be just as grateful. What if I had been the one shot? What then? Would you want me to give up and mope around and avoid you and our friends? Well?"

Hutch sagged as he searched Starsky's red eyes. Starsky then lowered his head, his shoulders sagging and rounded.

Hutch was right. All this time he had been feeling sorry for himself. He had let the frustration and disappointment drag him down. That wasn't who he was. He felt ashamed pf the way he had been treating everyone, especially Hutch who had been at his side all the time. Tears now sliding down his face, a repentant Starsky looked up into Hutch's eyes and begged forgiveness.

"Oh God, Hutch. I've been a real ass. I'm so sorry. Can you forgive me? Please?"

Hutch straightened up and flashed a toothy smile. "Starsky I can and will forgive you always. I couldn't function in this world without you. You are the only one who understands me. You're there when I need you. I couldn't have a closer friend." Tears brimmed Hutch's eyes.

"I feel the same way, Hutch." He paused, looking down then up again with a big grin on his face. "This is getting way too mushy, Blondie. We'd better stop before it gets any worse."

"Right. Go wash your face. We're leaving now."

"Wait, Hutch, I should call Ma before I leave and wish her a happy Christmas!"

No, Starsk. You can do it later. Huggy's waiting for us." Hutch said forcefully.

Starsky frowned but nodded his head in confirmation.

SHSHSHSHSHSHSHSHSH

At The Pits, Hutch was able to park close to the entrance. He and Starsky slowly went down the steps to the door. A sign was posted stating that the bar was closed for Christmas. The door was locked. Hutch knocked.

Huggy swung the door open. "It's about time you cats got here." He wore a bright red blazer with matching pants. A green shirt and a tie covered with Santa faces. He backed up and swung his arm out to gesture the two amused men inside.

Starsky entered, then stopped. The inside of the pits was brightly decorated and the most enticing smells of food reached his nose. His belly immediately growled. His eyes widened in shocked surprise as he then noticed that Elijah, Floyd and Eddy were sitting at a table beaming at him. He saw Dobey and his family at another long table and sitting with them was his mother. Tears sprung into his eyes and chased each other down his cheek.

He quickly walked to his mother and as she stood up, he embraced her tightly.

After a few minutes he released her, and she sat back down. Swiping the tears from his face, he backed up and looked at all his friends and co-workers.

"Ya' guys. I can't believe what I am seeing here. It's a dream come true for me. I don't know how to thank you."

"You can pay your tab, my brother." Said Huggy, his arms folded over his chest.

Everyone laughed except Starsky. He was red-faced and wore a sheepish grin.

Hutch moved to him and put his arm around Starsky's shoulders and led him over to the table seating him next to his mother.

"It's all in fun, Starsk" Hutch patted his back and then sat next to him.

The evening was a huge success. Starsky made several toasts to his friends. He had visited with each of them. This Christmas was everything he had wanted it to be. Having all his friends, no, family, with him made his heart swell with love.

As the evening wore on, Hutch noted Starsky was slowing down and held his arm close to his side. He approached Starsky and grasped his arm while getting everyone's attention.

"Everyone! Listen up! Starsky has had a big night and now he needs to get back home and rest. So, we will be leaving now. Mrs. Starsky, are you sure you want to stay in a hotel tonight?"

"Oh, yes dear. If I came there my son would be making me take his bed. You boys go along. I will see you tomorrow."

"But, Ma…" started Starsky.

"No buts my Davey. You go home and rest. I will be fine." Mrs. Starsky said with a firm nod of her head.

"Yes, Ma." He looked all around at everyone.

"Thank you all again for making this a Christmas I will treasure. I feel very blessed to have ya' all in my life." He said as he turned around and made his way to the entrance with Hutch at his side.

Once outside, he clutched his side and sagged slightly against Hutch. "I think I over did it a little."

"You think?" Hutch replied as he helped his weary friend into the passenger seat. He rounded the car and got inside. As he started the Torino he said, "So, everything turned out right in the end, Starsk. You made a lot of people happy today."

He glanced over to find Starsky asleep, his head tipped back on the head rest. A smile lifting the corners of his lips.

Hutch smiled and turned back to the road.

END