A
Missing Scene from: Murder at Sea
Written
by: Lin P and Linda H
Starsky and Hutch were in hiding - at least for the time
being. Their cover had been blown and the mob seemed to be in control of the
cruise liner.
The two detectives had just found the Captain of the ship,
murdered and stuffed in his closet. To
top it all off, Starsky had taken a hard blow to the head earlier in the
day. Though he'd brushed off any
inquiries, he hadn't looked right since he'd rejoined Hutch at the talent show.
Thankfully, they had found a place to stay for the night.
Two beds and three people.
The blonde, who now said her name was Helen and was a reporter, had
already claimed one of them. Starsky
was trying to persuade Hutch to take the other.
"No." Hutch answered as he went to the small port
window and peered out. "Someone should stay up and keep an eye out. I'll
take the first shift."
About to argue, Starsky changed his mind and eased himself
down onto the mattress. Helen was already under the covers in the other twin
bed.
"'Night, guys." She said as she rolled over to
face the wall.
Hutch sat down in a chair and looked over at Starsky. His
friend was laying on his back, looking up at the ceiling with pinched eyes.
"Head still hurt, Starsk?" Hutch asked quietly in
the dim light.
"Nah." Came the soft reply.
But a few minutes later, Hutch heard a light groan. Starsky
was holding his head in his hands. With a quick glance at Helen who appeared to
be asleep, Hutch went to the side of Starsky's bed and sat down. Starsky lowered
his arms.
"Hey, buddy," Hutch whispered. "You're still
feeling it, aren't you?"
"Just a little headache, Hutch," Starsky replied
in a hoarse voice. Though the light was low, Hutch could see Starsky's
expression was drawn.
"A big headache, I'd say," Hutch said.
Eyes narrowed in discomfort, Starsky looked at Hutch then
away, as he turned over onto his side. Hutch put a hand on his shoulder.
"Try to sleep a little, buddy."
"Yeah."
After a moment, Hutch let his hand slide off his friends
shoulder and went back to his
chair. His eyes never left his partner
for long, and just a few minutes later he watched as Starsky again grabbed his
head with his hands.
"Ohhhh..." Starsky mumbled as he writhed slowly on
the bed.
Hutch crossed the room quickly.
"Starsk? Hey....you okay?"
"Aw, Hutch... my head's splitting. And this damn boat is rockin' so much...
I feel like throwin up." Starsky moaned in reply.
Hutch turned the overhead light on to get a better look at
his ailing
friend. Starsky was perspiring and his face had taken on a
sickly green
tinge.
"Hutch, I just want to get off this ship." Starsky
said miserably.
"Buddy, I wish I *could* get you off this ship, I
really do," replied Hutch in sympathy.
Hutch propped another pillow under his partners head. If only the ships doctor could come and
examine his friend. Too risky, Hutch
decided.
"Starsk, maybe Helen has some aspirin, think that would
help? Could you keep them down?"
Starsky was slow to reply.
"Starsk, you with me?" Asked Hutch with concern.
"Yeah, still here... didya say somethin'?"
"Be right back, buddy," said Hutch as he proceeded
to the cabin's bathroom in search of aspirin and a wet cloth. Spying Helen's floral carry-on bag, Hutch
quickly picked it up.
Feeling a little guilty, but deciding it was better than
waking Helen up, Hutch dug his hand in and soon found a small white bottle.
Aspirin. He got a glass of water and went back to Starsky who was now sitting
up, slumped over the edge of the bed. Hutch sat down beside him and offered his
partner the glass and pills.
"Here...take these." He was careful to keep his
voice low.
Starsky quietly obeyed. Hutch took the glass from his hand,
and put it on the nightstand.
"Alright, just give them some time." He said.
Starsky was nodding when suddenly his stomach lurched.
Reaching out an arm blindly, he started to rise off the bed. Hutch grabbed his
arm and led him into the washroom. Starsky dropped weakly to his knees in front
of the toilet.
As Hutch sat down on the side of the tub, he put a hand on
Starsky's back. Starsky was breathing quickly, the nausea seemingly passed,
when suddenly he threw his head forward and retched violently. There had been
little in his stomach and soon his retching turned to painful dry heaves.
As Hutch sat helplessly beside him, he felt the perspiration
break out under Starsky's shirt.
Finally, it appeared to be over. Hutch reached up for the
glass on the sink. After rinsing his
mouth a few times, Starsky started to stand then sagged back against the wall.
He moaned quietly to himself. His eyes were watery and beads of sweat shone on
his ghostly face. Hutch quickly ran cold water on a
facecloth and dabbed it on his friends face.
"Hutch..." Starsky mumbled, "...my
head."
"It's worse, huh?" Hutch asked worriedly. He knew
it would be useless to try and give him some more aspirin.
Squinting with the pain, Starsky answered in a low, strained
voice. "It's killin' me, Hutch."
Hutch's head shot up at the sound of a female voice.
"Is there anything I can do?" Asked Helen from the
doorway.
"Oh geez... " moaned Starsky, obviously
embarrassed by the scene Helen had walked in on.
Squatting down next to the two policemen, Helen was quick to
note Starsky's condition.
"Hutch, you should have the ship's doctor look at
him."
"Helen... or Molly, or whatever your name is, there's a
very real possibility that the *ship's doctor* is not really a doctor at
all."
Replied Hutch with weary exasperation.
"That's a chance you have to take." Helen glanced
at Starsky again. "Listen, how about if I go myself... see if he'll come
to the cabin. How's that sound?" She offered.
"Well, buddy, what do you say?" asked Hutch,
peering down at his friend.
"I feel miserable, Hutch." Starsky sighed.
"Do what you have to do."
"Okay, Helen, go and get the doctor. And try to not to
be obvious, please?" requested Hutch.
"I know what to do." Answered Helen in a clipped
voice. She swiftly exited the bathroom
and then headed out the cabin door.
"Help's on the way, buddy."
---------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Monroe appeared to be on the level. After he helped Hutch guide a wobbly Starsky
over to the bed, he gave him a quick examination then a shot for the pain in
his head and another for the nausea.
"Well," he said as he straightened up again, it
seems to be a case of extreme seasickness. But I would really feel better if he
came back with me so I can observe him overnight. There's a slight possibility
of a concussion."
"I appreciate your advice, and I understand what you're
saying. But like I explained it's really not possible." Hutch answered.
"Just tell me what I can do for him."
He looked back down at Starsky, who had lain silent and
detached the whole time.
"Well, he should be feeling much more comfortable very
shortly so just stay close to him. If the nausea or headache flares up again
come and get me." Replied the doctor as he headed for the door.
"Can he sleep, Doc?"
"I see no harm in that. Wake him every hour, though, to
be on the safe side. I'll check on him in the morning." And he quietly
slipped out the door.
Hutch turned and looked at the mysterious Helen.
"Go back to bed, Helen." Hutch said quietly as he turned out the light and took his place
in the chair again. "And...thanks."
Helen replied with a light smile before she lay back down,
covering herself with the blankets.
The room was quiet and dark again. Though laying perfectly still, Starsky’s eyes were slightly open,
gazing into the darkness. His hand clutched at the blankets edge, waiting for
the pain to go away.
Hutch made his way over to his friend.
"Hey....buddy, let me in here." Hutch whispered as
laid down on the bed beside Starsky.
Without a word, Starsky turned towards him, and Hutchs arms
pulled him into a warm embrace.
Starsky felt as though he could melt into his partners
body. Soon, the throbbing in his head
was replaced by the steady sound of Hutch's heartbeat.
Hutch whispered into his ear. "Go to sleep, its okay
now....I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere.....go to sleep."
It was all Starsky had to hear. Once again his partner would take care of him, make the pain go
away. It was always safe in Hutch's arms.
The End
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