(a one scene story)
Starsky sat at his desk and stared at the empty one in front of him. How could he do it? How could Hutch just leave like that? Starsky had done his best not to let him go, but it hadn’t helped. Hutch had left him just the same. He heard the door open behind him but he never looked up.
"I hear you went to the morgue. I told you I’d do that." The speaker was Captain Dobey. He was a big black man and a good friend to both Starsky and Hutch. Now he was concerned about the dark-haired man sitting in front of him. He of all people knew that Starsky and Hutch were a team in every sense of the word. They were so close that Dobey couldn’t see how Starsky would function alone now.
"It was our case. I had to go. Hutch would expect me to. I can’t neglect my job just because he isn’t here." Starsky turned to look at his boss. "Have you heard anything else from the Search and Rescue team?"
"No, but they said it would take time. We just have to be patient." Dobey smoothed down his tie and laid the file he was carrying down on the desk. "You know no one made him take that assignment. He wanted to do it."
"Yea, I know. My partner, Mister Adventure. And yes I know he was better qualified for the job, it doesn’t make it any easier."
"I didn’t say it was. I just said it was his choice. We all make choices and we have to live with the consequences. Besides, it’s not like you’ll never see him again."
"I know, still,.." Again Starsky turned to face the empty desk.
Dobey could see the tension in Starsky’s back. He sighed, not knowing what else to say.
"Look I need to quit moping around. That rescue team will only be gone for a month. After that..."
"After that I will have to listen to Hutch for the rest of my life telling me how great the 'Great Outdoors' is. How am I ever going to shut him up?" Starsky’s head dropped back down to his desk as Dobey pretended to hit him.
End