CHAPTER 20

During the drive home she kept her eyes on the images through the window as they passed. He glanced at her a few times but didn’t attempt to begin a conversation with her. She seemed distant and lost in her thoughts and he understood her mood. They pulled into the familiar driveway next to the Torino and Hutch turned off the engine. Cassie’s Rodeo was parked on
the other side. Starsky’s car had been sitting for almost two days as if it had been patiently waiting for his return. For some reason it sent a slight chill up his back when he spotted it.

She stared out the window towards the apartment still engulfed in her own thoughts as he cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Just tell me what you’ll need and I’ll go get it.”

At that moment a thought suddenly occurred to her.

“My Keys!” She said suddenly. “They were in my pocket. I don’t have them anymore.”

“I have a key…but it would be a good idea if we got the locks changed.” He told her.

“I just need a couple pairs of jeans…some shirts…and…”

“And…what else?” He asked her.

“You know…bras and stuff.” She said shyly.

“Oh Yeah…” Hutch replied as his face turned a bright shade of pink. “I’ll…I'll grab you’re toothbrush from the bathroom too.”

Oh…and my hairbrush…and my blow drier…and my deodorant…and my…”

“Ok…Ok…I got it.” Hutch said quickly. “What ever else you need we can pick up at the store. I have to get these prescriptions filled anyway.”

He opened the car door and proceeded to step out when she called to him.

“Oh…and one more thing.”

“What now?”

“Grab Ollie for me.”

“Sure.” He said with a warm smile. It would be nice to have Ollie back at his place for awhile. He had missed seeing his fuzzy white mug lately.

It took him about ten minutes to find everything she had requested and two trips to get it all into the car.

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The preliminary hearing for the boys involved in the rape was scheduled for the very next day. The girl and all the rest were released into their parent’s custody, but Tony was held without bail. Hutch had made sure of that. He didn’t want him on the loose and with all the charges he was facing now…he had managed to get the DA to agree to his request.

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As darkness fell Starsky watched the sunset through the window of his room. It was only around 7 PM but during this time of year…nightfall had always come early. The nurse had brought him a tray of food but he hadn’t felt much like eating. It looked like something Hutch would have served him during one of his overnight stays and quite frankly…a pizza would have held his
interest a little longer.

Restless and bored he crawled out of his bed dragging the IV pole that he was forced to remain attached to. Doctor Ross had laid into him about the many times he had yanked it from his arm lately and with a threat to one of his most prized body parts…he reluctantly agreed to keep it in place.

His thoughts wandered as he stared out into the night. She had always been such a sweet girl. Why did this have to happen to her? It just wasn’t right. Something was out of balance with the whole world…as if whoever was supposed to be minding the store had taken an extended hiatus…leaving them to fend for themselves and the evils of the world on the rampage. She had been just another casualty in what seemed to be a war without end. For some reason he couldn’t shake the feelings of guilt he had where she was concerned. It just seemed that every time he allowed himself to open up to anybody…they were punished for accepting his love.

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After a brief trip to the drug store to fill her prescriptions and a stop at the grocery store to grab a few items for dinner…Hutch headed for home. She had waited in the car for him with the doors locked as he made the purchases. He wanted to drop her by the apartment first but she had insisted on going with him. When they arrived at his place it was already dark. He helped her to the door and into the house and then proceeded to unload the car. As soon as he sat the last of it on the kitchen table she spoke to him.

“Can I take a quick shower?” She asked politely.

“Can you stand up in there by yourself?”

“I have to…I feel so dirty.” She told him.

“How about I run you a nice bath.” He suggested. “You can lay down in it and stay as long as you want to.”

“That sounds like heaven.” She said with a smile. “You always know how to make me feel better.”

“I know what women like to do…that’s all.” Hutch told her with a grin. “Chalk it up to experience.”

Hutch walked into the bathroom and plugged the tub to fill it for her. She waited on the couch for him to return…going through some of the clothes he had placed near her to change into.

He reentered the living room and lifted her carefully into his arms as she grabbed him around the neck.

“You ready?” He asked softly as he positioned her weight in his arms.

“You gonna put me in the tub with my gown on?”

“Well…I figured you could remove it after I’m gone.” He told her. “Unless…”

“No…that’s fine…let’s go.”

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Hutch whistled to himself as he worked in the kitchen, happy to have her safe in his care. He was the perfect mother hen and always found joy in taking care of others…but when the tables were turned…he found it hard to allow his friends to pamper him. It was the feeling of being the one in control that somehow gave him a sense of security.

The phone rang as he was draining the pasta. With both hands occupied he hurried to free himself enough to reach for it. It took four rings before he was finally able to make the attempt.

“Yeah…” He answered as he placed the phone under his chin and wiped his wet hands with a dishcloth.

“Hutch…how is she?” Starsky’s voice asked on the other end.

“Hey…she’s fine…how you doin’?” He said asking a question of his own.

“I’m bored.” He said sadly. “Hutch I can’t sit around here for another two days…I’ll go crazy.”

“Look…I know it stinks…but you better stay put or I’ll come up there and tie you down.” He said kidding him.

“Ok…Mom.” He answered him sarcastically. “Can I at least talk to her?”

“She’s in the tub.” Hutch told him. “I’ll tell her to call you as soon as she gets out.”

“Take good care of her Hutch.”

“You know I will…don’t worry.”

“Thanks buddy…”

“It’ll only cost you lunch for a week.” Hutch said teasing him.

“I’m serious Hutch.” Starsky said softly. “I really appreciate what you’re doing.”

“Yeah…I know…I was just kidding.”

“Hutch.”

“What.”

“Nothin’…”

“Ok…what’s buggin’ you?” Hutch prompted. He knew him all to well and nothing usually meant something.

“She’s gonna have to talk about it sooner or later ya know.”

“If she wants to talk…I’m here.” Hutch told him. “I can handle it.”

“I sure wish I was there.”

“Yeah me too buddy…” Hutch replied. “Me too.”

“So you’ll tell her to call?”

“Yeah…now will ya let me finish dinner?”

“What are you makin’…”

“You really don’t want to know.”

“Granola and water crest sandwiches with the ends cut off?” He kidded him.

“No actually I was making spaghetti.”

“How come you never made it for me?” He questioned him.

“Because you’re so much fun to torture.” Hutch told him with a chuckle.

“You really know how to hurt a guy.” Starsky said glancing over at the tray of healthy food the nurse had left for him.

“I try.”

“See ya…”

“Yeah…” Hutch said as he hung up the phone with a smile on his face. Starsky was gonna be just fine. A little ill tempered and depressed at the  moment but that was to be expected. He did his best to cheer him up with his usual telephone humor but he knew his partner felt like a caged animal. By the time two more days passed he would be ready to climb the walls.
 
  chapter 21
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