The Flood
Hutch contemplated the face in the mirror hanging from his locker door and then looked away from his own eyes. He reached for his comb in order to ease his hair into place, something he must have done a thousand times, only to see his hand was shaking. Adrenalin. Or the aftermath of it. He took a deep breath and tried to steady his hand before quickly tidying his hair and glancing again in the mirror. All back to normal. Sort of.
Just how was he supposed to get back to normal after the morning he'd had? Should he celebrate the lives he'd saved or mourn the one he couldn't? Should he allow people to call him a hero or pretend like nothing had transpired? He sighed. He didn't know the answers and he didn't know if he had the strength to deal with other people until he did.
The locker room was quiet: its silence a balm. Suddenly, he wondered at the fact that no-one had entered all the time he had been in here; changing out of soaked clothes, showering, and redressing had all been done in blissful solitude. He began to wonder where everyone else was. It was time to face his colleagues then possibly the media and then the world at large.
He shrugged into his jacket. Closed his locker and headed towards the entrance of the locker room and opened the door.
Mystery solved.
The sight of a solidly muscled back, clothed in a dark blue shirt and brown leather jacket, met his eyes. His partner had stood guard, had been a literal wall preventing anyone from disturbing the solitude he needed to recover himself.
He placed a hand on Starsky's shoulder in lieu of attempting to speak. Starsky turned towards him, eyeing him carefully then nodding.
"Shall we?"
Hutch waved his hand, indicating his partner should lead and he would follow. Starsky walked ahead, but only one step in front of his partner.
"Press is set up outside. It's your moment, Hutch," Starsky said quietly, "but if you don't want to say anything, Dobey's got a statement from PR he can read. He said it's up to you. You can just stand next to him...and, after the conference, I'll be ready to drive you home or to Huggy's. Wherever you want to go to unwind."
They were almost at the end of the corridor. Dobey appeared and looked at Hutch enquiringly.
"I'd prefer it if you read a statement, sir," Hutch said earnestly. "And...my partner stands with me or I don't stand at all."
"That's what you want?"
"That's what I want."
Dobey nodded, approving the decision - and honestly he had expected nothing less.
Starsky slapped his partner's shoulder. His only remark: "Means I won't have the car running for a quick getaway."
"That's all right. We'll just have to run," Hutch suggested.
Starsky grinned. "Last one to the car buys the drinks, partner. Hero or no hero."
And Hutch laughed because no matter what happened, Starsky would always be the same and Starsky would always do what was best for his partner and that was the way for him to find his way back to 'normal'.
/\/\/\/\/\
Previously…
There were flood alerts in place, but no-one could have predicted how quickly the wall of water pouring off the Santa Susanna and San Gabriel mountains would hit first Los Angeles and then Bay City. The storm drains couldn't cope with the torrent of water that arrived and soon streets around the basin were swamped with fast rushing, debris filled water. It was high enough to move cars great distances, along with their trapped passengers.
Everyone had been called in to assist in diverting traffic from dangerous areas and rescuing those who had become trapped. Starsky and Hutch found themselves working near the Third Street bridge, the scene of an earlier rescue and incident that they would both rather regret. Hutch because he had nearly drowned and had ended up in hospital with a severely strained ankle. Starsky because his partner had nearly drowned and he had had to injure Hutch's ankle to get him free from the mesh that had trapped his partner but had also kept him from being pushed out to sea.
"Hey," Starsky said quietly. "No going in the water this time. Okay?"
Hutch nodded agreement. Going in the broiling river was the last thing on his mind. He vowed he would leave all water based rescues to the fire department and army this time.
Three hours later, the fire rescue team that was working alongside them came across four cars that were crashed into each other near the fourth street bridge. The car at the front of the pile up was resting against a huge hole in the barrier between the bridge's edge and the steep slope down into the storm drain channels. The fire crew quickly took stock, finding just one trapped passenger, alive but injured. He must have been swept away by the flood waters and become by other empty cars that had been turned into flotsam by the flood. As the rescue team worked out how to get him out so that the paramedics that were on their way could work on him, Starsky and Hutch looked at the broken barrier and then each other. A sixth sense told them both to look over the parapet.
At first, they could see nothing. The driving rain hampering their vision and the fact that the only sign initially that anything was amiss was a pair of torn up, muddy tyre tracks on the once grassy, now turned muddy, slope. Two cars had gone through the barrier and slid down to the water's edge and then had been pushed out into the channel and towards the underneath of the bridge. One car's fender was caught against the bridge pontoon; the other car (a station wagon) was caught against the first car. It seemed that the joint fenders were the only thing stopping the station wagon from drifting away. Starsky quickly alerted the fire crew while Hutch contemplated how to get down to the cars. Half the fire crew was still working on getting the trapped man out and couldn't stop, fearing for his condition because of his age and the discovery of a medic alert bracelet, which added urgency to the situation. The paramedics had just arrived and were doing what they could through a gap between the wreckage.
Realising that there were now possibly more casualties, the fire crew called for reinforcements, which would be with them in a matter of minutes, but all the men knew that even a few minutes might be too late. Hutch suggested that he and Starsky go down to the cars to assess the situation, using the rope and winch on the back of the fire truck. After some discussion, it was agreed and Starsky found himself alongside his partner being clipped into a harness and given stern instructions on what they should and shouldn't do.
As they started down the slope, Starsky asked, "Whose idea was this anyway?"
Hutch shrugged.
"We'd better not end up in the river or my tennis shoes will be wrecked."
"I hate to tell you, partner, but they're already wrecked," Hutch said.
Starsky looked down at his blue (or rather now brown) shoes and groaned.
"Next time it floods, remind me to wear waders!"
Hutch would have chuckled, but he suddenly found he was sliding down the slope along with a ton of mud that had decided at the moment to follow the laws of gravity and head towards the river.
"Huuutch!"
Starsky watched as his partner and a sheet of oozing mud slipped down the hillside. Somehow his partner managed to stay upright but he grew shorter as his boots, ankles and then lower legs disappeared into the thick mud. Eventually, Hutch and most of the mud came to a stop at the edge of the river bank. A large section only stopped when it hit the first car and the edge of the pontoon, creating a small islet of mud.
Starsky was trying to work out the best way to approach to help his partner and the people in the cars when a voice called down to him via a loud speaker: "Sergeant Starsky, don't go any further. You could cause more soil to displace. We're going to winch you back up."
Starsky went to protest but saw his partner giving him a reassuring thumbs-up and making signs for him to return to the roadside. Reluctantly, Starsky allowed himself to be reeled backwards, keeping his eyes on Hutch's bedraggled figure the entire way. It went against the grain to leave his partner in such a dangerous situation. At least the rain had now stopped and the sky seemed to be lightening. This was one small source of hope that the river would soon return to its normal boundaries. He sincerely hoped that no more mountain water was on its way downstream.
As soon as he was level with the road, Starsky unclipped himself and ran back to the team at the bridge, leaning precariously over the barricade to see what was going on. He could see that the water lapping at the edge of the mud flow was causing lumps of it to drop off into the river, which was also loosening the hold the sticky stuff had on his partner.
Hutch eased his legs out of the gloopy mass and looked upwards, seeking and finding his partner's face amongst the steadily growing crowd of onlookers. He gave him a thumbs-up and then looked across towards the cars.
"Oh no, you don't," Starsky muttered. "Don't even think about it!"
He looked around for the officer with the bullhorn, intent on using it to stop his partner from doing anything foolish. A man, the Fire Chief from his insignia, appeared at his side and lifted the loudspeaker to his lips.
"Proceed with caution, Sergeant Hutchinson. Just assess the situation."
Starsky's eyes widened and he got ready to roar his disapproval, but the Fire Chief looked him square in the eye.
"Your partner's down there. He may as well see how many casualties there are. Don't forget he's still attached to the winch. We've taken up the slack. He can't go too far."
Starsky gave a tight nod in response. He didn't like it but he had to admit Hutch was in good hands and not much harm could come to him. He leaned back over the parapet edge to keep an eye on his partner, fully aware that there was now a lot of activity around him as new teams arrived to help set up for a rescue, the first paramedic finally left with their now freed casualty and another unit arrived in preparation for the next group.
As Starsky watched, Hutch crept towards the trapped station wagon and started shouting to the occupants. After a moment, he looked up and sought for his partner. He motioned with his hands. Starsky nodded.
"There are four in the first car," Starsky reported to the man beside him. "Three are children."
The Fire Chief relayed the information and swiftly equipment was moved into place so that a rescue basket could be lowered at the appropriate time. Hutch moved along the bank, trying to peer into the first car. Starsky saw him shouting again and looking as if he was straining to hear a response. Then Hutch indicated that there was one person on board.
By now the fire crew was ready to lower the basket down and an officer was suited up ready to go down and assess the casualties and start to accompany them up. Suddenly, a shout went up as onlookers noticed that some of the temporary mud bank was slipping into the quickly moving river. The place Hutch was standing would soon be gone.
Instead of heading away from the river's edge, Hutch took a running jump and landed precariously on the small mud island.
"If he doesn't die, I'm going to kill him," Starsky said to no-one in particular.
As if he could hear his partner's displeasure, Hutch looked up and shrugged with open hands outstretched.
"Yeah, I know, seemed like a good idea at the time," Starsky said on his partner's behalf. He turned to the Fire Chief to ask: "Now what?"
"We still send our man Gregson down to communicate with Sergeant Hutchinson and maybe he can find a way to swap places with him."
"Take him a radio, will ya? Hold on."
Starsky hurried to the Torino and grabbed the two radios from the compartment within. After checking the open channel was the same on each, he handed one to the officer about to be lowered. The man nodded and then his crew started lowering the basket foot by foot towards the river, the cars and Hutch.
Starsky saw Gregson converse with Hutch and then throw him the radio, which he caught without slipping too much.
"Hey partner, how ya doing?"
"Good. Well, apart from being cold, wet and muddy."
Starsky heard Gregson relaying to the Fire Chief the ages and condition of the occupants of the cars. The two small kids and a baby appeared uninjured. The mother had bruising to her chest but otherwise appeared to be okay. The man in the other car had a laceration to his head but was conscious and had assured Hutch he was feeling fine.
"Kids, huh?" Starsky said into the radio.
"Yep."
The simple exchange meant little to anyone listening in but to Hutch it meant Starsky understood why he was putting his life at risk and, although not happy about it, accepted it.
"Thanks partner. Out for now," Hutch said, as he stuffed the radio into his jacket pocket for safe keeping.
He started talking animatedly to Gregson and then the family in the station wagon. As Starsky watched, Hutch leaned into the open car window and eased a small boy out and into his arms. He slipped slightly as he turned towards the waiting fire officer but managed to keep on his feet. He passed the lightly built child towards the officer and turned around to reach for his sister. The child clung onto his neck, crying and not wanting to let go once she was in his arms. It took some persuading to get her to release her stranglehold but eventually she did. Once both children were safely in the basket, Gregson gave a signal and the officers above started steadily winching the basket to safety.
While others watched it ascend, Starsky watched his partner. He crept as far as he could towards the edge of his rapidly diminishing mud island so that he could speak to the man and check in on him. Hutch pulled out his radio and depressed the call button.
"Starsky, Jimmy here isn't looking such a good colour. Can you tell the Fire Chief I think we need to get him out next? Over."
"Sure, partner. Over."
Starsky turned to his left to see the Fire Chief had heard the message and was nodding. As soon as Gregson was ready again, the basket was gently lowered again. Hutch peered in at Jimmy and Starsky could tell that his partner was worried. Hutch leaned precariously across to the car and opened its rear door then he placed one foot on the inner edge of the doorway, testing its ability to hold his weight. Satisfied, he climbed into the car.
Starsky waited as the basket drew level with the cars. There was little movement detectable from this distance. He saw Gregson calling to his partner.
He raised the radio to his lips and said softly, "Hey pal, you all right there? What's going on? Over."
There was a long silence before the answer came back: "Jimmy just passed…Over."
"Damn."
Starsky watched as Gregson consulted Hutch and indicated to the station wagon. He knew Hutch would be torn between duty and standing vigil.
"Hey pal, get the Mom and that baby out of there. That's the priority okay? Over."
He saw Hutch slowly climb out of the car and pass a hand over his face. Then he made his way back towards the station wagon.
"Thatta boy," Starsky whispered under his breath.
Hutch struggled to help the injured woman out of the open window, but after a few dangerous moments of slipping and sliding, he achieved it and handed her over to Gregson. Then he reached in very gently drew the baby from his carrycot and then carried it over to his anxiously waiting mother. Gregson signalled and the basket was raised heavenwards once more.
"Your turn next, Hutch. Over."
Hutch was staring at Jimmy's car but he raised the radio to his mouth and asked, "What about Jimmy? Over."
Starsky looked at the Fire Chief. They exchanged looks and then Starsky handed him the radio.
"Sergeant Hutchinson. Chief Reynolds here. You've done a great job, but now our priority is to get you to safety. Then I promise my men will retrieve Jimmy. They've been trained in how to move deceased casualties. Over."
Starsky took the radio back. "I'm waiting for ya, partner. Time to go get dried out and warmed up. Over."
"Sounds good. Over and out."
Starsky could tell from the tone of his partner's voice that he was blaming himself for not getting Jimmy out first. He sighed. This job was never easy; fortunately, they didn't often have to make life or death decisions of this nature during the course of their day. When they did, it was hard not to second guess those decisions after the fact. Starsky knew his partner and he realised that Hutch was going to need gentle handling after this incident and a lot of time to unwind and process the mixture of emotions that had been churned up. He vowed to make sure that his partner got the space to do just that. He heard the sound of a chopper overhead and realised that a News team was in the area.
"Great. Now this will become a media circus," he growled.
He looked around the scene and spotted two sets of black and whites. Quickly, he crossed over to them and asked them to do what they should have been doing anyway; that of securing the perimeter of the scene and keeping the gawkers and the press both out of the way of the emergency personnel's so they could do their jobs and clear of danger. Now, added to that priority was keeping them away from Hutch and asking him stupid questions that might well get a short reply or worse if Hutch wasn't in the mood to talk. Before he returned to the bridge edge, he reported in to Dobey so that he would be prepared for what might be coming his way.
AS Starsky dropped the radio mic back on the car seat, he became aware of frenzied activity and a sudden fearful hush descending before everyone started talking at once. He dashed back to the parapet and saw to his horror that, not only had the mud islet completely gone, the station wagon was working its way free of its fender and Hutch was trying to climb on the back of the other vehicle in an attempt to stop himself from being dragged away with it.
Starsky heard the winch creaking as the braking mechanism struggled to maintain a grip on the slippery rope and his partner. Hutch made it to the roof of the car and pulled himself onto his knees. The rescue basket was swinging close to Hutch but not quite close enough for his partner to reach. Starsky held his breath as the station wagon was wrenched free by the force of the water, leaving its fender behind. The other vehicle shifted a little further off the pontoon it had been balanced on and listed to one side.
Hutch was going to have to jump the gap between basket and the car in the next few seconds and trust that Gregson was ready for him; or run the risk of being carried off downstream. Even with the harness securing his partner, Starsky wasn't sure the winch would stand up to the sudden shift in weight should the car and his partner slide any further towards the river.
He saw Hutch look up at him. He nodded a reassurance that he didn't feel.
Hutch carefully and slowly climbed onto his feet, took a deep breath and jumped. Several people gasped, Starsky felt he could have been one of them if he hadn't been holding his breath, as Hutch's hands scrabbled for purchase on the edge of the basket. Quick as lightning, Gregson dove forwards and grabbed Hutch's jacket and then belt, manhandling him into the basket beside him and safety.
Starsky let out his breath but kept his eyes on his partner every inch of the journey back to terra firma. When the basket was just a few feet from the parapet, there was an ominous creaking sound and Jimmy's vehicle slipped off the stone pontoon and into the river. Starsky knew that it would only go a few hundred yards before it smashed into the huge mesh covered storm drains that stopped debris going out to sea but allowed water to pass through. Jimmy's body would be recovered but it would take a while.
Starsky was just glad that his partner had escaped when he had and that he'd manged to rescue the children and their mother before their car had disappeared.
He hurried over to assist in pulling Hutch and Gregson to safety and then helped his partner stand back on the road on wobbly legs. Starsky patted Gregson on the back and thanked him.
"Good partners are hard to come by. This one took a long time to train. I don't want to break in a new one."
Gregson grinned and nodded. Hutch was too cold and too weary to look affronted.
"Officer Hutchinson! Could we have a word, please?"
"Oh great! The press know his name," Starsky thought to himself.
Hutch looked around, only just now noticing just how many people were around him and that some of them were clapping. He turned a bewildered look towards Starsky, who took that as his cue.
"Let's head back to Metro and get out of these wet clothes, huh?"
Hutch nodded and followed Starsky closely as his partner beat a path through the emergency personnel towards the Torino. Starsky opened the passenger door and helped his weary partner inside before dashing around to the driver's side, sliding into his seat and starting the engine.
As they moved away as quickly as the debris filled and emergency service filled streets would allow, Starsky said quietly, "Partner, you got no idea how proud I am of you…But you ever pull a stunt like that again, I'll have your hide."
The only answer was a hand on his shoulder and a soft chuckle from the weary man sitting beside him.