Comments about this story can be sent to t6166@aol.com 

Disco Fever - Part Six

by

Abigail Crabtree

Looks like once again I'm waiting to talk to Hutch.  Starsky was still staring at the door where Hutch had so abruptly taken his leave.  If he'd just stuck around a few more minutes, he would've found out that it seems we're feeling the same things.  Not that that's unusual or anything.  Guess I really gave him the wrong idea of what I was thinking.  I must've scared the hell out of him.  God, I can only imagine how he must be feeling right now. 

Knowing that Hutch would have to come home sooner or later, Starsky vowed to stay and see that things got worked out between them.  Hutch had had his say, now it would be his turn.  I still can't believe we're both feeling the same way.

Grabbing a soda out of the refrigerator, he flopped down on the sofa to wait, nervously tapping his foot on the floor as he drank his soda.  Lately, all I seem to be doing is waiting.  Needing something to take his mind off his wait, he reached for the neatly stacked pile of magazines on the table next to him.  Looking through the pile, he passed on the "National Geographic," "Newsweek," and the latest copy of "Readers Digest."  Boring.  Tossing the magazines back onto the table, Starsky stood and stretched.  Food, I need food. 

After making himself a sandwich and getting another soda, Starsky turned on the TV.  It's useless; I can't concentrate on anything right now.  Shutting off the TV, Starsky just sat looking around Hutch's apartment and waiting.

Hearing the sounds of someone coming up the stairs, Starsky quickly got to his feet.  Now it was his turn to spill his guts to his partner.  There couldn't be any mistakes this time.  It had to be made clear that he had the same feelings his partner did.

"Hey, welcome home, buddy," Starsky cheerfully announced, as Hutch came through the door.

Hutch looked anything but cheerful as he asked, "What are you still doing here?"

"Waiting for you.  Where've you been?"

"Why are you waiting for me?"

"Better question is why wouldn't I be waiting for you?  We always work out any problems we have--together."

"So, I have a problem?" 

"I didn't say you had a problem.  We have a problem.  But it's nothing we can't fix.  We just need to talk through a few things."

"I don't see where there's anything for us to talk about.  I think we both made ourselves pretty clear."  Hutch's expression was one of complete and utter pain.

"That's where you're totally wrong, partner.  Somehow, we managed to have a complete lack of communication earlier."  

"Lack of communication?"  Hutch gave a short, bitter laugh.  I think we communicated just fine. 

"I disagree."  Starsky moved toward Hutch, stopping when he stood directly in front of him.  "We would've communicated just fine if you hadn't let your fear get the better of you."

"My fear?"  Hutch's mouth tightened, as he met his friend's gaze. 

"I think you were so afraid of what my reaction would be that you just assumed the worse.  Think about it.  You didn't even wait to hear what I had to say once your words had sunk in."

"I heard you say, 'I don't believe this.  Are you serious?'"  Hutch hesitated a second then replied in a low, tormented voice.  "I can't deny that I was scared to admit my feelings for you out loud.  Hell, I'm still scared.  There's so much at stake here.  I don't want to lose what we already have."

"Hutch, you're not going to lose anything."  Starsky reached out for his partner.

Before Hutch knew what was happening, Starsky's lips pressed against his, and then gently covered his mouth.

A startled Hutch, still feeling the shock wave that had flowed through his entire body when Starsky's lips met his, jerked away from his partner.

"What the hell was that?"  Hutch stared at Starsky in astonishment, almost expecting to see a wide grin on Starsky's face.  "Are you making fun of me?  Is this all a joke to you?"

"What the hell was that?  Hutch, you've been way too long without a date if you don't remember what a kiss is."  Starsky wanted to lighten the mood just a bit.  He could tell Hutch was ready to bolt again.

"I remember what a kiss is.  I just don't understand what's going on here."  Hutch was caught off guard by the look on Starsky's face.  No grin, just the most heart-rending look of tenderness Hutch had ever seen.  The blond awkwardly cleared his throat, "What's going on, Starsky?" Hutch asked, half in dread and half in anticipation.  The feel of Starsky's lips on his stayed with him, causing a shiver of longing to run through him.

"I can assure you, Hutch, that I would never make fun of your feelings for me.  I love you too much to do that."

"You love me?  But you're not in love with me, right?  So why the kiss?"  A tumble of confused thoughts and feelings assailed Hutch.  Everything around him was suddenly unbalanced.

"Hutch, sit down here."  Starsky took a seat on the sofa and patted the space next to him.

Hutch silently took the offered seat and waited expectantly. 

"Okay, well, here's the way it is.  Yes, I love you.  And, yes, I'm in love with you.  Got that?"  Starsky searched Hutch's face, looking for some sign that Hutch was understanding and following what he was trying to say.

Sadly, Starsky felt that Hutch was still lost.  "Hutch, what I'm trying to say is that the only reason I seemed shocked by what you said earlier was because I wasn't expecting it.  Not that I didn't like it.  I just wasn't expecting you to feel the same way I've been feeling."

"What?"  Hutch was almost afraid to even consider the fact that Starsky was actually in love with him.

"Hey, you're supposed to the smart one.  So listen up here.  I said I feel the way the same way you do.  Yes, I love you and I'm in love with you."  Starsky reached out and stroked Hutch's face.  "Are we communicating now?" 

Starsky's touch and the look of longing on his face reassured Hutch that they were indeed communicating.  "Do you think we could try that kiss again?"  Hutch's tone held a trace of a challenge in it.

"I don't see why not."  Starsky leaned in and covered Hutch's mouth hungrily.  This time, Hutch was ready, and the kiss was returned with equal fervor.  Tongues slid through parted lips, and both men groaned as their thrusting tongues met and explored.   

Breathing in short, harsh gasps, Hutch pulled back just slightly and found himself gazing into the almost glowing eyes of his partner.  "That was some kiss, buddy."  Hutch flushed slightly at the stammer in his voice.  

Struggling to catch his breath, Starsky could only nod in agreement.  Still craving the feel of Hutch, Starsky pressed his mouth gently to Hutch's, then trailed soft kisses along his jaw and down his neck. 

"Starsky, you're killing me," Hutch murmured softly against Starsky's face.

"Tell me about it.  You're having the same effect on me.  You know, it's been a long time since a kiss has felt like that.  I feel like a teenager.  Damn, I'm shaking."  Starsky gave an embarrassed laugh.

"It's kind of nice though…in a scary kind of way."  Hutch was nervously rubbing his hand on the arm of the sofa.  "It makes no sense, Starsk.  No sense at all."

"When did love ever make sense?" Starsky asked. 

"I know, but damn, Starsky.  Until a few minutes ago, I don't think either of us has ever kissed a man like that before."

"So?"  Starsky looked questioningly at the blond.

"So, why…why now?"  Hutch was on his feet now, looking down at Starsky.  "I just want to understand what the hell is happening."

"Love is happening, babe.  Is there something wrong with that?" 

"No, there's nothing wrong with love.  Hell, Starsky, I've loved you for years, but not like this.  This urge…this need to…"  Hutch turned and moved away. 

"This urge to what?  Talk to me, Hutch."  Starsky had gotten to his feet and was standing behind his partner.  When Hutch didn't say anything, Starsky put his arms around him and pulled him against him.  "Tell me about those urges of yours, partner."  The words were whispered almost seductively in the blond's ear.

"Damn it, Starsky, in all the years I've known you, I've never had the urge to…to rip your clothes off and drag you into my bedroom."  Hutch pulled out of Starsky's arms and turned to face him.

"Hey, I think we're finally communicating," Starsky announced with a grin.

"Starsky, how can you be so calm about this?"  Despite his confusion, Hutch couldn't help but laugh.  "Communicating, huh?  Is that what it's called now?"

Pulling Hutch over to the sofa once again, Starsky pushed him down and then sat next to him.

"Okay, really, I'm not calm.  I realize there's a lot to consider here.  But what are we supposed to do about these feelings?  Think we can just make them go away?"

Hutch shook his head.  "No."

"So do we give up our partnership and friendship?"

Hutch shook his head again.  "No."

"So then we take it one day at a time.  One problem at a time."  Starsky waited for a response from his quiet partner.

The still nervous Hutch ran his hands through his tangled hair.  "So, where do we start?" 

"I guess the first question would be what do we want from this new relationship of ours?" 

"You mean like, do we give up women and commit to just each other?"  Hutch found himself thinking out loud.

"Yeah, I guess we'll need to answer that one.  And what about our friends and family, do we tell them?" 

"You know what?  I think I like your idea of one day at a time.  One problem at a time..."  Hutch's voice trailed off.  "'Lots of things to consider' is right."

"Probably more than we can even imagine."  Starsky planted a soft kiss on Hutch's check.  "But you know what?  I'm sure it's gonna be worth it."

"I just don't want to screw it up.  Face it, Starsky, I'm not very good at relationships." 

"Hey, maybe not with women, but I'd say we have a pretty good track record together."

"Yeah, we have.  I guess I never realized it before, but you've always been everything to me.  Everything but a lover."

"Well, we can change that right now if you'd like to."

"You feel like communicating, huh?"  Hutch grinned uneasily. 

"Yeah, I think I do.  Are you scared?"

"Terrified," Hutch replied, wishing he could shake the case of nerves that had taken over his body.

"So let's take things slow.  What do you think?" 

"Okay.  But maybe you could hang around in case, you know, I get that urge again."  Hutch's grin was more relaxed this time.

"Partner, you know I'm here if you need me."  Starsky laughed feeling as if everything was going to be okay.  "See, Hutch, we just need to communicate."

THE END