CHARMED
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
“WE’RE LOSING HIM!” One of the paramedics called out to the driver. He reached up to adjust the flow of the IV and pulled a syringe from his medical kit. It was filled with a large dose of medication to stimulate the heart. He removed the protective cover from the needle and squeezed out a small portion to draw out any air bubbles. To pump a bubble directly into the heart could prove deadly. He cleaned off a small patch of skin on Starsky’s now hairless chest and inserted the needle deep into the cavity…penetrating directly into his heart in an attempt to revive the now motionless organ.
Hutch felt light-headed and increasingly dizzy as he watched the action. His world was spinning out of control and his mind was drifting off into the unknown. Although he tried desperately to remain awake and focused…something was causing him to drift steadily into unconsciousness. Maybe it was the stress…he wasn’t sure…but he had never fainted in his entire life. The last thing he could remember was the humming of the machine as it charged to a very high voltage and the paramedics voice as he held the paddles against Starsky’s chest and yelled to his partner who held steady pressure on his wounds.
“CLEAR…”
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“He’s back…but he’s weak…what’s our ETA.” One of them called up to the driver.
“About 2 minutes…we’re almost there…hang on.” He called back to them.
“What happened to him?” The man who was busy inserting a tube down Starsky's throat asked his partner as he noticed Hutch slumped over on the floor.
“He was fine a minute ago…” was the reply as the other paramedic inspected him quickly for pulse and respiration. “I think he just fainted.”
“He’ll be ok…Let’s just get there.” The more experienced Paramedic replied. “I’m not about to lose this guy…not on MY shift.”
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Starsky awoke to the sweet fragrance of a pretty young nurse as she hovered above him. His pain was gone but his mind was still spinning. The room was bright and quiet and the scent of her perfume drew him like a moth to a 75-watt bulb.
“How are you feeling?” She asked him with a pleasing smile.
“Fine I guess…where am I?”
“Relax…you just fainted…you’ll be alright.” She told him in a soothing voice.
“I fainted?” He asked as he pulled himself to a sitting position suddenly. “You gotta be kiddin”
The movement caused him to feel dizzy again and the room began to spin for a moment. But the feeling didn’t last long. He placed his left hand on his forehead and tried to remember what he could. It was all so jumbled and confusing. But the one thing that stuck in his mind was the pain…it hurt so damn bad. But where had it come from? He was apparently uninjured and healthy at the moment.
Then all at once…a wave of memory washed over him as he threw his legs over the edge to climb down.
“Where’s my partner?” He demanded as he caught her by the arm forcefully.
“He’s still in surgery…I haven’t heard anything.” She told him a little frightened by his urgency.
Starsky spotted the mirror hanging above the sink on the far wall and headed over to it anxiously. What he saw made his heart sink into his chest.
“It happened…I’m back…OH GOD HUTCH!”
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Dobey paced the floor just outside the room as Starsky pushed the heavy door open and stepped through it.
“What the hell happened out there?” Dobey demanded as he approached him.
“It was Billy…you know that kid that we’ve been tailing lately.” Starsky told him. “Maybe he killed the girl because she was gonna turn him in.”
“What was he thinking?” Dobey asked him with a sadness in his voice. “It’s not like Hutch to take chances…but I guess we won’t know for sure what happened until he wakes up.”
He came in with some other punk…I never saw him before. Maybe he had some ID on him…I’ll have to call the coroner. Anyway…I didn’t expect Billy would fire on me like he did. I thought I could take him down before he had the chance.”
“What are you talking about?” His Captain confronted him with a worried expression and an angry tone. “Richards told me that it was all over by the time you arrived on the scene. How would YOU know?”
“It’s hard to explain Cap…but trust me…it was all MY fault.” Starsky told him with pain in his eyes.
“Don’t do that to yourself.” He said as he put a hand on his shoulder. “He was alone…whatever decisions he made…he made on his own.”
“He didn’t decide ANYTHING!” Starsky yelled as he shrugged off the comforting gesture. “I did it…I put him in there.”
“Jameson said you were talking out of your head. You better pull yourself together…fast! I don’t need you going crazy on me. Hutch needs you right now.”
“The last thing Hutch needs is me…If it wasn’t for me this whole thing never would’ve happened.”
“Knock it OFF!” Dobey demanded as he grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. “You’re a cop…and so is Hutch! He knew what the risks were going in and so did you…I don’t want to hear any more of this…Am I making myself clear?”
Starsky hung his head and tried to hold back the tears…but it was useless. Hutch could be dying because of his own overzealous behavior and the need to prove something to himself. He always had to be the risk taker…he seldom took the time to weigh the outcome until the smoke cleared and it was all over. Everyone called him crazy…even Hutch had warned him about his impulses and how he worried about them. More times than he could remember he had gotten Hutch into situations that tested his abilities…but this was different…this time he had taken the risk and lost. Now…Hutch might have to pay the price with his own life.
His body felt limp and his strength left him as he felt his emotions rise to the surface. His shoulders began to quiver, as the lump in his throat grew large. He glanced up at Dobey with the innocence of a child as the tears dripped onto both of his cheeks.
“Take it easy Davey.” Dobey said softly as he pulled his arms around him gently and drew him into a fatherly embrace. “He’s gonna make it…You gotta believe…You just gotta hang in there.”
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CHAPTER 22
Jameson had driven the Torino to the station and locked it up. He knew as did every other cop on the force just how precious that car was to Starsky. But when it came to his partner…it paled in comparison. Still Jameson felt it was his duty to take care of it for him. Starsky had left it with the engine running in a very bad part of town. By morning…if it had remained there…It probably would have been stripped to the chassis. Not that he was in any way close to the guy…on the contrary…he ribbed him almost as much as all the others. But… there was…for Jameson…an inner sense of loyalty…maybe even a little underlying admiration. No way would he want to have Starsky for a partner…but he had to respect the relationship that he shared with Hutch. Never before had he witnessed anything like it. On the surface he would never let it show…but deep down…he was in awe of the pair that they so playfully referred to around the precinct …as the odd couple.
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It was around 7:30 when the first rays of sunlight crept through the opening between the curtains as Starsky began to rub his tired eyes and adjust the weight of his body in the chair he had fallen asleep in just three hours before. It all seemed like a bad dream as the memory of the events that lead up to the moment came back to him. He stood up to release the tension in his sore muscles as he gave them a good stretch and his Captain reentered the room.
Harold Dobey had spent many a sleepless night providing moral support for his men at times like this. But when it came to Starsky or Hutch…it seemed more out of a need to be there…than a sense of obligation.
“Coffee?” He asked with a gentle expression on his face that extended into his voice.
“Yeah…Thanks Cap.” Starsky replied as he reached for the small styrofoam cup. “Heard anything yet?”
“No…but they should be in to tell us something soon.” He decided. “I’m sure he’s gotta be out of surgery by now…you hungry?”
“I can’t Cap…But thanks just the same.” Starsky told him as he placed a hand on his stomach. He was such a bundle of nerves that the mere thought of food was enough to cause the muscles in his abdomen to tighten.
“Well…I think I’ll grab a danish. Maybe get a few extra…just in case you change your mind.” Dobey offered as he gave him a light pat on the shoulder. “Be right back.”
“Yeah…” Starsky acknowledged as he shook his head slightly. “I’ll be here.”
After Dobey disappeared from view…Starsky did what he had been doing for most of the night. He paced the floor…back and forth…stopping only to glance at his watch every five minutes or so to check the time. He was so caught up in the ceremony that he didn’t notice when the tall dark figure approached the doorway…and stood for a few moments to watch him in silence.
“Hey…How’s he doing?” Jameson asked after observing him for almost two minutes.
Starsky glanced up with a surprised look on his face. He didn’t know what to make of it at first. What the hell was Jameson doing here? He never really seemed to care one way or the other before. As a matter of fact…he got the feeling that he didn’t care for Hutch and he at all.
He hesitated for a moment and then decided to approach him with a civil attitude. There was just something about the way he was leaning against the doorway with his hat dangling between his hands that made him seem concerned…even friendly.
“They haven’t told me anything yet.” Starsky said a little guarded.
“I have something for you…I figured you might want em’…” The younger Officer told him as he pulled a hand from behind his hat and tossed something in the air towards Starsky.
He caught the object and examined it for half a second… it was his keys. The spare set that belonged to Hutch. His apartment key and his mailbox key were attached along with the key to his locker. They were on a beaded chain with a white rabbit’s foot to make them easier to identify. He had given them to Hutch a few years back as a token of his trust and friendship…and he still remembered the comment Hutch made about the good luck charm. Something to the effect of…(It can’t be too damn lucky…look what happened to the rabbit!)
The memory brought a smile to his face that was visible from a few feet away as Jameson watched him. Then with a curious look he glanced up to ask his question.
“Where’d you get these?”
“You left the Torino running outside the store last night…I took it to the station for you. Don’t worry…I didn’t put a scratch on it.” He told him with a half smile.
“You drove it?” Starsky asked a little stunned by the idea.
“Yeah…Hey look…somebody had to.” He replied nervously. “What did you want me to do? Have it towed?”
“NO…” He said suddenly and then in a calmer voice. “No…that’s ok…really…thanks…I guess I owe ya one.”
“Naw…I just didn’t want to see it get trashed.” He admitted a little uneasy as the moment grew increasingly awkward for him. “If it was my car…I’d want you to do the same.”
“Sure…I understand.” Starsky said calmly. “You wanna hang out for awhile?”
“No…I really have to go…my shift just ended and you know how my wife gets if I don’t come home right away.” He said as he stroked the brim of his hat nervously.
“Yeah…She’s a nice lady…I remember her from the picnic last year.” Starsky told him.
“I don’t think she’ll ever forget you.” Jameson said with a laugh. “She was combing potato salad out of her hair for a week.”
Starsky smiled at the memory and thought about how both he and Jameson had been teased over the episode. It was just an accident…but the guys love to find any excuse to rib each other. Especially when it came to Starsky. But then again…for some reason…Starsky seemed to be caught in the center of it most of the time anyway.
“Well…I have to run. Give Hutch my best.” Jameson told him as he turned to head out the door.
“Hey…” Starsky called to him.
“Yeah…” He answered with a backwards glance.
“Thanks for stopping by.”
“No problem…take it easy.” He said with a smile and then he was gone.
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Through blurred vision…Hutch opened one eye in the bright light of the recovery room. His chest felt like it was on fire and the pain caused him to moan in agony as he tried to move his head to get a better look at his surroundings. He could hear the sound of the heart monitor and he could feel the pressure of the large plastic tube in his throat that was forcing oxygen into his lungs.
“Don’t try to talk.” Came the soft voice of the Nurse as she stood over him…adjusting the flow of liquid in his IV line.
He was so weak…and so tired. But he was also very doped up. They had him on a strong dose of pain medication…but he still felt like hell. He didn’t know how he got there and he didn’t know what had happened to him. The last thing he could remember was watching Starsky’s life slip away in his hands…his partner…in his body. Somehow it almost began to make sense to him…even in his disoriented state of mind. Somehow he knew that his partner was safe. The thought began to comfort him…enough to allow him to drift back to sleep.
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Starsky stood staring out the window as Dobey entered the room carrying a bag full of danish in one hand…and a half eaten one in the other. Now with a mouthful of breakfast…he called to him.
“Any news?”
“No…not yet.” He answered without turning around.
“I passed Jameson downstairs. He said he was here to see you.”
“Yeah…” He responded in a soft voice. “I guess he’s really not such a bad guy after all.”
“Officer Starsky?” A voice came from behind them.
“I’m Starsky…” He said anxiously as he spun around and caught sight of the white jacket.
“Your partner is going to be ok…The bullets missed all the vital organs. Just collapsed one of his lungs and caused a great deal of blood loss but all in all I’d say he’s one lucky guy.” The old man told him with a smile. “He’s weak and in a lot of pain right now…so I think he should rest for awhile.”
“I wanna see him.” Starsky told him sternly. “Just for a minute…I gotta talk to him.”
“He can’t talk to you…he probably won’t even know your there.” The Doctor warned him. “Why don’t you go home and come back tomorrow.”
“Oh he’ll know…trust me.” Starsky said with confidence. “I’m going in there…with your permission…or without it…doesn’t really matter to me.”
“Alright…alright…five minutes…but no more.” He replied as he gave in. “Try not to cause him any undue stress.”
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CHAPTER 23
The Nurse was just gathering her things to make her way out of the room when Starsky approached the doorway. The sound of the heart monitor kept time with the rhythmic sound of the breathing tube in Hutch’s throat as it forced the oxygen in and out of his lungs. The atmosphere was cold and damp and the motionless body of his partner lay in the center of the bed looking like hell. He stepped a little closer as she brushed past him with a nervous smile on her face.
“He’s
been drifting in and out…so I wouldn’t expect much.” She said as she drew
closer. “I’ll be in to check on him again in a few minutes.”
“Thank
you.” He told her as she slipped out of the room.
Now
alone with him for the first time since they had switched back…Starsky got a
good look at the damage that he had caused. He knew that it should be him lying
there in pain instead of his less impulsive partner. What was he thinking?
Whenever Hutch borrowed anything of his he always made sure to take extra good
care of it…so it could be returned without damage. Of course…the idea of
borrowing his body had never come up before now.
Ok
so to anyone who hadn’t been through it…his thoughts might seem a bit on the
strange side. But isn’t that what they had just done? Borrowing a body is like
borrowing a car…or a boat…or anything else of value. Hutch had left his
perfectly healthy and intact…while he on the other hand had gotten shot full of
holes and left Hutch to suffer the consequences.
He
moved in a little closer almost as if he were being careful not to wake him
when all he really wanted was for him to open his eyes. From across the room he
looked pretty bad…and up close…he looked even worse. He had stood beside
Hutch’s hospital bed more times than he could count in the past five years…but
this time it was different. This time he had no one to blame for his partner’s
pain but himself.
He
took his hand in his own gently as he called out to him with a tender voice.
“Hutch…I’m here.”
Almost
immediately he felt his fingers tighten around his own. It was as if Hutch
could sense how he was feeling. It was his way of comforting him…letting him
know that he was forgiven…and that he understood.
He
felt his tongue grow large and his throat go dry as he hung his head and tried
to form his words. “I’m so sorry Hutch…I really did it this time didn’t I? You
were right about me all along…I am too damned careless. I don’t think…I just
do. Up until now I never realized how dangerous it was. Now look what I’ve done
to you…”
His
hand was squeezed a little tighter and the gesture caused him to move his eyes
in the direction of Hutch’s face. Light blue eyes…open to mere slits met his
own…and they were speaking volumes to him.
(It’s
ok Starsk…I’m fine…You did what you had to do.)
(I’m
glad you’re alright. We made it. That’s all that matters.)
Starsky
took in all that Hutch had to say telepathically before responding to it. With
a grin that came from somewhere deep in his soul he let him know that he got
the message loud and clear.
“You
know…” He began. “I could lie but I know you wouldn’t believe me…so let me just
put it to you this way…you look like hell…but you’re gonna be ok. Doc says
you’re lucky…I say I’m lucky. But that’s just a matter of opinion.”
Hutch’s
eyes seemed to smile at his words as he drifted back to sleep. It had taken all
of his strength to hold up his end of the silent conversation and he felt
completely drained.
“Ok…get
some rest now.” Starsky told him as he placed his palm on his forehead. “I
think I’ll go grab a quick shower…at least one of us should look good for all
these pretty nurses.”
Hutch
was asleep before his last comment and he knew it. He stood there for a moment
or two longer and watched to make sure he was still ok and then turned to walk
away. He felt a lot better as he stepped through the door and followed the long
hallway back to the room where his Captain had been waiting. Dobey watched him
for a reaction the moment he stepped through the doorway. The smile on his face
said it all…Hutch was ok. Everything was gonna be fine.
It
was one more battle won as far as Dobey was concerned …and he pulled out his
handkerchief to wipe away the droplets of worry from his brow.
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Starsky
emerged from the steam filled bathroom wearing only a terrycloth towel around
his mid-section. He was whistling to himself happily as he danced into his
bedroom and began his search for just the right pair of ratty old jeans to
match the shirt he had already chosen. The tan one that looked so good with his
brown leather jacket. Jeans just seemed to go with everything…but the ones he
was looking for had the round pockets and the silver button at the top. Hutch
had no idea just how versatile his jean collection actually was. After all…there’s
so many different shades of blue to choose from.
Armed
with a good deodorant and his favorite sent of Sandalwood…Starsky was ready to
begin his night. He stopped to take a quick look in the mirror for one last
quality check…inspecting his teeth with his tongue just as the doorbell rang.
“What’s
the magic word?” He kidded as he stepped closer to the door.
“Hocus
Pocus…” Hutch replied figuring he would actually provide him with a realistic
answer.
He
pulled the door open and gave him a devious grin. “You win the prize.” He said
as he handed him an object wrapped in a familiar silk scarf.
“I
hope you don’t expect ME to carry that thing.” Hutch told him with assurance.
“I
have to drive…besides you won’t have to hold onto it for long.”
“It
gives me the creeps.” He remarked as he took it from him and made an
uncomfortable face.
“One
quick stop to get rid of it like we agreed…and then it’s on to a night to
remember with Rachel and Roxanne.” Starsky teased as he grabbed his jacket and
headed out the door behind his partner.
They
drove into the center of town and onto the largest bridge in the city. During
the ride Hutch had done as Starsky instructed…tying the two heavy cinder blocks
securely around the base of it.
“Is
it tight enough?” Starsky asked as he pulled the Torino over to park in the
emergency lane in the center of the structure.
“It’s
not coming loose…trust me.” Hutch told him. “Ready?”
“Let’s
do it.” Was the response as the driver’s door was pushed open.
They
stepped together over the first set of safety rails and stood near the edge
overlooking the water. Then they placed their hands around the base…intertwined
their fingers and proceeded to put an end to the cursed statue for all time.
Starsky
went first:
“What
we wish tonight…we wish as one.”
“No
more to rise from the pits of hell.”
“Forever
we banish you into this watery jail.”
“What?”
Hutch asked curiously and with a grin.
“Well…it
rhymes…besides…I never arrested a demon before. I don’t think the Miranda will
work on it.” Starsky concluded.
“Well…I
guess it’ll have to do…One.”
“Two…”
Starsky said as he helped Hutch to swing it over the edge.
“Three!”
They yelled together as they released it and watched as it fell a few hundred
feet into the icy water below with a loud splash.
They
waited and watched for a minute or two to make sure it didn’t float back up to
the surface. Of Course Logically it wasn’t very likely…but they didn’t trust
logic where this thing was concerned. After what they felt was a reasonable
amount of time…they started back to the Torino. Starsky fired up its massive
engine and they weaved their way back into the bridge traffic without another
word until they were safely on the other side.
“So…”
Hutch began. “It’s Rachel and Roxanne…twins I take it.”
“Identical.”
Starsky replied as he gave him a glancing grin.
“How
do you tell them apart?” he asked eagerly.
“I
get Roxanne…You get Rachel.” Starsky told him. “You can tell who’s who because
Roxanne will be the one having a good time.”
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END