Starsky carefully carried the bag of groceries up the stairs to Hutch's apartment and let himself in. He saw Hutch was up and busy in the kitchen. Any pleasure at the sight of Hutch doing normal things was quickly diminished. Hutch was holding a cloth to his hand while a few small drops of blood escaped and dripped onto the floor.

"What happened?" Starsky asked with concern.

Hutch shook his head with annoyance.

"Can't even chop a carrot without hurting myself. Pathetic!"

Starsky placed the grocery bag on the table and gently reached for Hutch's hand.

"Let me see."

Hutch peeled the cloth back, wincing slightly as he did so.

"It's not too bad. Looks like the bleeding is stopping," Starsky said.

He replaced the cloth and Hutch put pressure on the wound again.

"Where's the first aid kit, Blintz? Still in the bathroom?"

"Yeah."

Starsky pulled out a chair and guided his partner to the table.

"Sit."

Hutch did as he was told, but emitted a heavy sigh that spoke volumes to Starsky's practiced ears and heart. Noting the continued pallor of his friend's skin and the dark shadows under his eyes made Starsky's soul sigh in sympathy. He brushed a light hand across Hutch's neck, offering reassurance, before quickly going towards the bathroom. He retrieved the first aid kit and with swift, well-rehearsed moves dealt with the injury and cleaned up the few visible droplets of blood. He washed the knife and threw the stained carrot in the bin.

"Why were you chopping carrots anyway? I thought we agreed chips and dips tonight to go with the baseball game."

"I just thought some carrot would be nice too...and healthy."

"You don't trust my culinary skills," Starsky teased.

Hutch half-smiled as he said, "That too."

Starsky pulled items out of the brown paper bag.

"Look," he said, "I got salsa and blue cheese for me. The tasty stuff. But for you, I got some organic hummus and guacamole. Can't get any healthier than that."

Hutch gave a genuine smile.

"Thanks pal."

Starsky looked at his watch and made a tsk-tsk noise.

"Only fifteen minutes till the game. We gotta get organised. Could you put the chips in bowls?"

"I can do that."

"Good. Look lively, Blintz. Time's ticking away."

Starsky busied himself with chopping up the rest of the carrots. Then a cucumber appeared from the bottom of the bag and he chopped that up as well.

Hutch paused in pouring chips into bowls and asked, "Two lots of veggies? Who are you and what have you done with my partner?"

"Ha ha!"

Starsky gave Hutch his best glare but inside he was glad to see the twinkle was back in his partner's eye. He gathered almost everything onto a tray and carried it over to the coffee table.

Hutch carried the two bowls that couldn't be fitted on. He settled down on the couch while Starsky turned the TV on and found the correct channel. Starsky went to get plates and napkins and then sat down beside his friend.

"You want to talk about it?"

Hutch sighed. "I-I got that creepy crawly sensation again. Like I needed something, something sweet, something... I was worried it was going to turn into an urge I couldn't fight. I thought chopping carrots would distract me till you got back."

"Well, it sort of worked, didn't it?" Starsky said. "Maybe just whisk some pancake mixture next time. No sharp objects for a couple more days."

Hutch held out his hands and stared at them. They were steady.

"The shakes are unpredictable. Think they'll go on much longer?"

"Nope. Every day is getting easier, isn't it? You're nearly back to your normal self, Hutch."

Hutch turned slightly shiny eyes towards his friend.

"I wouldn't be here without you and everything you did, everything you're still doing. Thank you."

Starsky shifted uncomfortably. He couldn't say, "It was nothing," because it had been something. Something that had nearly broken him. Seeing what had been done to Hutch and then watching the torture his best friend went through by going cold turkey had wounded him deeply. He settled on giving a nod to acknowledge Hutch's gratitude.

"It doesn't seem enough - just saying thanks. I don't know how else to-"

Starsky put a hand up to signal Hutch should stop speaking and Hutch did. He raised an eyebrow and waited, sensing Starsky had something he wanted to say.

Starsky gathered his thoughts and then said quietly, "What you went through, what WE went through together. Well, I'm not gonna lie, it's gonna haunt me for a long time...but it's deepened our friendship, I think."

Starsky looked at Hutch for confirmation and his partner nodded.

"If we got through that, we can get through anything. And you don't need to thank me anymore or feel you owe me anything, all right. It's just what me and thee do for each other. This time I had to lend you my strength. Another time, it will be the other way around."

Again, Starsky looked to his partner for confirmation.

Hutch placed his hand on Starsky's arm and said, "Yes. Me and thee. And you know I'll be there for you whenever you need me."

Starsky patted Hutch's hand and nodded. "Yeah, I know that."

Both satisfied with the affirmation of their friendship through words and gestures, they relaxed and turned to watch the TV. Soon, they were digging into their snacks and getting involved with the commentary on the game. After a little while, Hutch offered Starsky some carrot, which he accepted.

However, when Hutch proffered the hummus, he refused.

"Urgh. No thanks."

"What's wrong with hummus?"

"I just don't like it."

"It's good for you. Comes from chickpeas. They're also good for you."

"Can't stand them either."

Hutch rolled his eyes and said, "I suppose I should expect that from a man who thinks blue cheese tastes good!"

"Hey, the stinkier the cheese, the better. And don't start lecturing me on healthy eating. I ate the carrot, didn't I?!"

"That tiny bit of carrot isn't going to stand a chance against all the rubbish you eat," Hutch felt he had to point out.

Starsky leapt up and Hutch wondered if he'd teased him too much. He was still finding his way back to status quo and uncertain of the route at times. But then he saw Starsky grinning and slapping his head.

"Forgot the drinks! Root beer or real beer?"

"I'd better stick to root."

Starsky quickly returned carrying two bottles, one root beer and one Coors. In a way he couldn't explain, the knowledge that Starsky was going to drink what he wanted rather than carry on aligning with whatever Hutch needed, brought Hutch reassurance that his friend believed he was back to normal. As he took the cap off his bottle, his eyes filled with grateful tears. He turned to find Starsky holding out his bottle ready to tap against his friend's, an understanding look on his face.

"Thanks, Gordo."

"You're welcome, Blintz."