A Family New Year

By

Katherine Atkins

Note: This story is set after the events of "A Family Christmas".

It was Christmas night.

"So what do you want to do while you're here, Ma?" Starsky asked. He and his mother were sitting with Hutch on the sofa, watching the lights on the Christmas tree. "You didn't get to do much last time, you were here."

"You were still recuperating, Son. I understood why we couldn't go sight seeing." She looked over at Hutch. "Just being here and seeing you alive and getting well was enough." She patted the blond's arm.

"I know , but I'm all well now. Hutch and me have been back on the streets for awhile, and everything's goin' great. So what do ya wanna do?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, Son." She looked at her son's partner. "Do you have any ideas, Ken?"

"Well, uh, I thought maybe you might like to see the precinct. We could go there so Starsk could show you his desk and you could meet some of our friends."

She nodded. "That's a wonderful idea, Ken. I'd love that."

"Yeah, and I thought we might go to the beach one day. Hutch and me know this great spot, real quiet and out of the way. We can get Huggy to make us a picnic lunch."

"A beach? In December?" Starsky's mother couldn't believe her ears.

"We're in California, Ma. It'll be 80 degrees tomorrow."

She smiled. "I forgot." Both men grinned at her.

Hutch turned to her, his blue eyes serious. "What about you? Isn't there anything you'd like to do, something you've always thought you'd do if you came out here?"

She looked from her son to his partner, her face growing a little pink. "There is one thing." Hutch nodded at her encouragingly. "I've always wanted to see Disneyland."

Starsky beamed. "That's my Ma. We'll do that, for sure, then"

Hutch just shook his head. "Must run in the family," he muttered.

"What did you say, Ken?" Rachel Starsk asked, grinning mischievously.

"Never mind." He stood. "I'd better get home. I'm glad you made it here safely, Mrs. Starsky."

"Ken, please call me Rachel."

He just shrugged.

Rachel looked over at her son. "Dave, I never did see what you gave Ken for Christmas."

Starsky flushed. "That's because I forgot to give it to him," he admitted. "Sorry, Buddy. Too much excitement, I guess what with Ma being here and all."

The blond grinned. "No problem, Gordo. I already got my present."

"Ya did?" Starsky looked puzzled.

"I think he means that having you here, alive and well, is his present," Rachel explained. Hutch nodded, unable to say anything.

"Well, then I guess ya got two presents this year," Starsky said. He went into his bedroom and retrieved a brightly wrapped package. "Here ya go, Partner. Merry Christmas."

Hutch smiled, as he carefully began unwrapping the present. His grinned broadened as Starsky shifted from foot to foot, watching him impatiently. "Patience, Starsk. Patience."

Starsky snorted and rolled his eyes.

Eventually, the wrappings were folded and laid aside, and Hutch was carefully opening the box and lifting out a large snow globe. The globe contained a large white frame farmhouse with a red barn behind it. The scene was a winter wonderland of snow and evergreen trees. Hutch just sat looking, his mouth slightly open.

"It's beautiful, Ken," Rachel whispered.

"It…it looks like my grandfather's house. We went there for Christmas every year. Starsk? How did…where did…" He looked up at this partner, his blue eyes bright with unshed tears.

"I remembered what you said about your granddad's place. I saw this in a store one day, and I thought you might like it."

Hutch carefully put his treasure down and pulled Starsky into a hug. "It's beautiful, Buddy. Thanks." He released his partner, and quickly wiped at his eyes. "Merry Christmas."

Starsky quickly changed the subject. "We'll go to the precinct tomorrow. You're gonna come, aren't ya Blintz?"

Hutch started shaking his head, but Rachel took his arm. "Please, come with us, Ken. It would make me happy. I want to see your desk, too."

He grinned down at her. "Okay. I'll see you in the morning."

"Not too early," Starsky chimed in.

"Is six okay?" Hutch asked, unable to repress a smile.

"Go home, Blondie. Don't call us, we'll call you."

The visit to the precinct was a big success. Captain Dobey invited them to his house for dinner that night, after (wisely) conferring with his wife. Minnie Kaplan promised to take Starsky's mother to lunch so she could give her the "real lowdown" on Starsky. Starsky made a mental note not to let Minnie get near his mother. And Mrs. Starsky felt that she understood her son's job a little better after seeing the office where he spent his time.

After lunch they drove through some of the area that the two detectives regularly patrolled. Starsky was careful not to go into the seediest areas, but she was still able to get an idea of some of the things her son and his partner faced on a daily basis. She didn't say anything. She was sitting in the front passenger seat, and kept her hand on Starsky's arm throughout the tour.

"We got one more place to go, then we'll go get ready to go to the Dobeys," Starsky announced.

Hutch's eyes widened when he realized where they were heading. "Starsk," he muttered.

Starsky paid him no attention as he pulled into the parking lot, parking near the sign that said "Welcome to West Side Park."

"Starsk." The blond's cheeks were pink when he emerged from the back seat, but his partner ignored him.

"Come on over here, Ma. It's over here by the horseshoe pit."

"What is it, Davey?" she asked eagerly.

Hutch lagged behind, seeming mesmerized by the competitors in the horseshoe game.

Starsky grinned. He spoke more loudly than normal, wanting to be sure that Hutch heard. "It's a tree, Ma." He patted the plant gently.

"I can see that, Davey." She nodded, but looked more than a little confused. She looked to Hutch for help, but he had his back turned to them. She could see the tension in his back and shoulders, but she couldn't figure out what was causing it.

"Ma. It's my tree," Starsky explained. "Hutch gave it to me for Christmas a few years ago."

She smiled. "What a wonderful idea." She glanced at Hutch, seeing the tension ease a bit. "It's lovely."

Starsky laughed. He squatted by the trunk, putting his hand on the rough bark. He stroked gently as he talked. "I think so too." He glanced at Hutch, who had turned and was looking at the Starskys uncertainly.

"Of course. Why wouldn't you?"

The dark head shook. "I didn't always. I thought it was kind of a bad joke, to tell ya the truth. But now I realize how special it is. I have my own tree, with my name on it." He pointed to a small wooden plaque near the tree's roots. The plaque read "David Starsky". "After what happened to me this year, I got to thinkin'. No matter what, as long as this tree is here, there's something of me around, giving shade and protection to people who come here. I like that idea." He grinned.

"So do I, Son," his mother whispered, gently running her fingers through his curls. "So do I."

"And I owe it all to the Blintz," Starsky added. He stood up and went to sling an arm around the blond's neck. "Did I ever say thanks for my tree?" he asked with a grin.

Hutch just looked at him. "Uh…I…uh…I don't remember." His cheeks were even pinker.

"Well then, thanks Partner."

Hutch managed an embarrassed smile. "You're welcome."

"I want to thank you, too, Ken."

He smiled down at her, still looking uncertain. "Really?"

She gave him a genuine 1000 watt Starsky grin. Hutch's own smile widened as he noted a resemblance between mother and son that he'd never really noticed before.

"Hey, Ma? How about a snow cone?" Starsky asked, guiding Hutch toward the concession stand with the arm he still had around the blond's shoulders.

"A snow cone in December!" Mrs. Starsky followed, marveling at the wonders of California in winter. "Wait until I tell Sarah."

The next days were a whirlwind of activity. They explored Hollywood, including taking the tour of Universal Studios and a bus tour of movie stars' homes. Intense examination of several souvenir stores yielded gifts to be taken back for "every one back home."

Rachel insisted upon visiting Hutch's apartment. He offered to fix dinner for them, and spent the afternoon before their visit cleaning and cooking. Starsky's mother was impressed with his 'jungle' as her son called his greenhouse, and complimented his cooking until his face was bright red with embarrassment.

And the trip to the beach was a great success. Huggy outdid himself with the picnic lunch he provided, including plenty of 'junk food' for Starsky as well as healthier fare for Hutch and Rachel. Hutch couldn't help but smile when Rachel chose tacos over a tuna sandwich, and laughed out loud when Starsky complained that his mother was eating "his food."

After lunch, and waiting a reasonable time (as determined by his mother), Starsky decided to go for a swim. Hutch changed into his swimming trunks, but he didn't swim. He did walk on the beach with Rachel, letting the waves lap over his feet. Rachel had noted that he didn't eat much at lunch, and that he periodically put his hand to his back and stretched, as if he were trying to ease cramping muscles. He did this often, but only when Starsky's attention was elsewhere, like when he was watching some pretty girls who were sunning themselves nearby.

The next day was set aside for the visit to Disneyland. Hutch tried to beg off, but neither Starsky would hear of it. His assertion that they should have some time to be together without having him around was totally dismissed. "Come on, Blintz. It won't be the same without ya."

"Please, Ken. I won't enjoy myself if you aren't with us," Rachel pleaded.

Hutch sighed and gave in. "See you tomorrow, then," he told Rachel as he kissed her on the cheek. "You, too, Gordo."

Disneyland was everything Rachel Starsky thought it would be, and more. Hutch was delighted to learn that she loved the rides as much as her son did, which meant that he would not have to accompany his thrill-seeking partner on them. And Starsky was able to give his "inner child" free rein in on one of his favorite places.

They spent the entire day there, the Starsky's riding every ride at least twice, and Hutch watching from the ground. Rachel was getting a little concerned about the blond. He hardly touched his lunch, instead starting a good-natured argument with Starsky over the merits of various brands of beer. As she watched and listened, she realized that he had skillfully distracted her son from noticing his lack of appetite. During the afternoon, she noticed that he was walking slower, and often put his hand to his back when he thought Starsky wasn't looking. And he had started coughing some.

She and Starsky were riding the teacup ride, the one fashioned after the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland. Hutch was on the ground, watching, but as his eyes followed the madly circling, swooping teacups, he was looking greener and greener. Abruptly he left the ride and walked quickly away, disappearing into the nearest men's room.

Starsky wanted to stay longer, but Rachel told him that she was tired, so he reluctantly agreed to go home, not noticing the look of gratitude Hutch gave his mother.

Hutch fell asleep in the back seat of the Torino before the red car left the huge parking lot. He was still out when they reached Starsky's place. The dark-haired man turned and reached out to shake his partner's shoulder. "Hutch, we're home. Wake up, Buddy." His fingers touched a flushed cheek, and he looked at his mother. "He's burning up."

"Huh?" Hutch opened glazed blue eyes, and looked around groggily. "What? Oh sorry."

"Are you okay?" Starsky asked, unable to keep the worry out of his voice.

"Sure. Just a little tired. I'll go home and go to bed…"

"Oh no you won't, Blondie. You're stayin' here tonight." Starsky's tone wouldn't allow for arguments.

"Come on Starsk," he muttered. His voice sounded raspy and hoarse. "There's no place for me to sleep. I'll go home…"

"Only if I go with you, Blintz," Starsky protested determinedly.

"Starsk, your mother… Can't leave her alone." His voice was sounding rougher with every word, and he absently rubbed his throat as he tried to stare his partner down.

"Then I guess you'll just have to stay here." Starsky took his arm and pulled him up the stairs, ignoring the blond's mumbled protests.

Before he quite knew what was happening, Hutch found himself sitting on Starsky's bed with a thermometer in his mouth. He really didn't feel so good, but he wasn't about to say so. He didn't want his partner to worry.

Rachel took the thermometer and examined it, while Starsky watched over her shoulder. "You have a fever, Ken," she told the blond, kindly. "102."

"And that means you're staying right here, Buddy." Starsky fussed around for several minutes, handing Hutch a tee shirt and cotton drawstring pants to put on and giving the blond some aspirin and a glass of orange juice. "Now, get into bed, and get some rest. If you're good, I won't have to take you to the doctor tomorrow."

"Starsky, I don't need a doctor," Hutch objected. "I'm fine." Unfortunately, his voice quit just as he was trying to say the last words and they came out in a weak whisper, followed by a coughing spell that left him gasping.

"Sure you are. Now lay down, before ya fall down," Starsky ordered, putting more pillows behind the blond head so the long body could recline instead of lying flat.

Hutch gratefully did so, closing his eyes in relief as Rachel pulled the sheet and blanket over him, smoothing them around his shoulders. "Thanks," he rasped as he sank into sleep.

"He'll be all right, Son," Rachel encouraged, watching Starsky pace in his living room. "It's probably just a cold."

Starsky shook his head. "Since he had the plague, he's been real susceptible to chest colds. Usually they end up as bronchitis or pneumonia. That's why I don't want him to be alone. He's already had pneumonia this year. I think he wore himself out takin' care of me."

"David."

He stopped pacing in front of her. "I know, I worry too much, just like he worries about me. I can't help it, Ma. I almost lost him a couple of times. I don't think I could handle it. Ma, you saw when you were here after I was shot. You saw what good care he took of me."

"So you owe him something, is that it?" she asked quietly.

"Of course not." He started pacing again. "We're friends. Friends help each other. We don't keep score, who did what and when. We're just there for each other. And that's what scares me. What if he isn't there anymore?"

"He'll be fine, David. We'll both make sure of it."

"Ma, would you stay with him for a little while? I need to go to his place and get his shaving stuff and some clothes."

"All right, Son, if you'll promise me something."

"What's that?"

"Don't worry so much."

He grinned, and kissed her cheek. "I'll try."

She grinned back. "Do or not do. There is no try."

He laughed. "Thanks, Yoda. I'll remember that."

The Starskys spent a long night caring for the blond. His temperature rose, and he grew weaker with every trip to the bathroom, even when all could do was dry heave. His breathing grew harsh as his chest grew more congested.

Hutch had the flu, as Starsky learned when he dragged his protesting partner to the doctor the next morning. A bad strain was going around, and unfortunately the doctor couldn't help much. "Just keep him comfortable until he rides it out," was the best advice he could give. "He'll probably feel pretty awful for the next few days."

"At least it isn't pneumonia or bronchitis," Starsky told Rachel as they were getting Hutch back to bed. "We just have to keep him warm and make sure he gets fluids and keep his temperature down."

"Piece of cake," Rachel commented, smiling in response to her son's worried grin. "He'll be fine, David. We'll take good care of him."

"He wants to go home," Starsky said.

"What?"

"He doesn't want us to catch it too. He told me to take him home, said he'd be all right alone."

"I'm glad you didn't listen to him."

"Yeah. He went to sleep before I could tell him what a stupid idea that was," the dark-haired detective responded.

Hutch was very ill for the day or two, but on New Year's Eve morning, he showed some improvement. He still had a temperature, but it was not nearly as high as it had been. He was resting better, and Starsky had calmed down a little, although he still fussed over his partner.

Hutch had fallen asleep with Starsky sitting next to him, wiping his face with a cool cloth. He woke, as the cool cloth touched his face again. He smiled but didn't open his eyes. "Thanks, Mom."

"You're welcome."

His eyes flew open. His flushed face grew redder. "Oh. Mrs. Starsky. I'm sorry. I thought…it was…"

She continued to stroke his forehead. "No need to be sorry, Ken."

"I'm…I thought you were Starsk…I'm sorry," he mumbled.

"It's all right," she soothed. "I don't mind." She grinned and Hutch again saw the resemblance to his partner in her expression. "I liked it."

He narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Liked it?"

Rachel Starsky bent over him, placing a soft kiss on his warm forehead. "You called me, 'Mom'. I liked it."

He shook his head. "But, you're not…I'm not…"

She was stroking his head again. "It takes a lot to make a family. It takes love and trust and strength and caring and loyalty. I think you and my son have those things. You and he are more family to each other than the members of many real families I know. And if you're family to my boy, then you're family to me," she told him softly.

"Thank you, Mrs…" he began, but she held up her hand. He sighed, but he was smiling. "Thanks, Mom," he whispered. She continued the gentle stroking until he drifted back into sleep.

She stood up, seeing her son standing at the end of the bed. He'd watched the whole thing, and now stood there grinning. "Thanks, Ma," he whispered, pulling her into a warm hug.

"You're welcome," she replied. "Both of you."

Hutch woke up in the early afternoon, and was able to eat and keep down some chicken soup. Starsky sat on the edge of the bed, watching him eat.

"What time are you leaving for Huggy's New Year's party?" Hutch asked between spoonfuls of soup.

"Uh, Ma and I decided not to go," Starsky admitted.

"Because of me? You don't have to do that, Starsk. I'm getting better all the time," the blond protested. "You don't have to babysit me."

"I'd rather stay here," Starsky said, lamely.

"Go on to the party, Starsk. I'll be okay. You know we never miss Huggy's party."

Starsky shrugged. "Maybe. But I'm not staying here to babysit you. I'd just rather be here than at Huggy's."

"Starsk."

"I mean it, Hutch. I've been lookin' forward to spendin' New Year's Eve with you and Ma. It don't matter where we are, as long as we're together."

Hutch sighed. "Okay." He was too tired to argue. He handed the soup bowl toward Starsky. "Tell Mom thanks, will you? That was good." His eyes were already closing.

"You get some more rest, Blondie. If you cooperate, I might let you watch the new year come in." When he was sure Hutch was asleep, Starsky went to the telephone to call Huggy.

Hutch slept away the rest of the evening, but as promised, Starsky woke him at 11:30 so he could welcome 1980. He put on his favorite robe, which Starsky had brought him from Venice Place, and allowed himself to be escorted to the sofa to watch the festivities on television.

Shortly before midnight, the doorbell rang. Starsky opened it to Captain Dobey and his wife, Edith.

"What are you doing here, Captain?" Starsky asked.

"We heard that there was a great party going on here, and we wanted to join in," Dobey said.

"Oh yeah, great party. It'll be in all the papers tomorrow," Starsky said.

"Well we're here now, might as well stick around," Dobey replied. He and Edith were just sitting down when the doorbell rang again.

Starsk threw up his hands. "Now what?"

This time the visitor was Huggy, loaded down with snacks and two bottles of champagne, and "ginger ale for the blond invalid."

"Huggy, what happened to your party?" Hutch asked, his lips twitching to keep from smiling.

"It's still goin' on. It's such a success, the guests probably don't even know I'm gone. Diane is keepin' an eye on things."

"So why are you here?" Starsky asked.

Huggy tried unsuccessfully to look innocent. "I ordered too much champagne. I was afraid it would go to waste if I didn't find someone to help me drink it. Naturally, I thought of you guys first, so here I am."

Starsky and Hutch grinned at each other.

Huggy poured ginger ale for Hutch and champagne for the rest of the group. Starsky settled on the sofa, next to Hutch.

At the stroke of midnight, the curly haired detective looked at his mother and his friends and smiled. "I had a real family Christmas this year, thanks to the Blintz, and all of you. It's been quite a year, but we made it. All of us. I'm very glad all of you are here and, I'm happy to be able to say that I'm looking forward to a great new year with my family. Happy New Year, everyone."

"And many more," Hutch added, lifting his glass.

Rachel Starsky raised her glass and added. "To family."

"Amen," Captain Dobey agreed as glasses clinked.

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