From the 'Getting Even Series'.
Comments about this story can be sent to: fjerrye@aol.com

Starsky's Plan Stuck

By

Jerrye

   "Starsky, I'm bored. I miss my bed and you have to miss yours."

   "What's wrong with my bed?" You sure snore fine in it.

   "The couch is comfy and you know I don't mind it. Anyway, it must have been providence that your apartment needed all that plumbing and painting and bombing."

   "Providence, I don't think so, You're breaking codes here, Mr. Ortega. No one should have to live with bugs. Mr. Ortega, bad plumbing is a health hazard. Oh, and Mr... ,"

   "Well, all those things were true. Geeze, you've been griping forever. Just figured this was a good time, your arm being bumbed up."

   "And you can help button my shirt for me."

   "Yeah, something like that," Starsky mumbled as he remembered the heightened respiration the nurses were concerned with after one of the worse of the nightmares.

   That was certainly a nice technical term for the sweat and terror in his eyes. Well, it was over now. Starsky just didn't want him alone until his arm had healed better. Images of Stockard and his sicko goons in both their dreams would take a little longer. Hutch would be able to deal with it all when more healed. There was much more they both had to come to terms with, but not tonight.

   "You know I'm okay now," Hutch told him as he rolled the dice over and over.

   "Well, tomorrow, let's walk. The beach awaits and I want to see some of the new cottages going up. Looks like some place on a post card."

   Moving his teeny hat four spaces, "Well it's a lot better than beating you for the hundredth time in Monopoly. Starsk, you now owe me, a lot more than you have."

   "Okay, we can start again later. Hey, I gotta idea."

   Hutch rolled his eyes in anticipation, "You're going to sort your jeans according to degrees of days worn unwashed."

   "You're so cute," Hutch did give a really beguiling smile. "I really would like some help with my boat."

   "You want me to help?" Starsky always said model ships were one pair of hands operation. Kinda like being with a lovely lady.

   "Sure, well, with your arm in that sling, I know it can't be much, but it would help if you'd hold the string."

   "Kay," Anything was better than another round of Monopoly.

   Dobey called as Starsky set the boat up. "Hutch here. An hour, yeah Capt'n. Chinese would be great."

   Starsky, looking up, delicate ship in hand, guessed, "Dobey coming by?"

   "Yeah, and Edith and Rosey. Guess they want to make sure you're being a good nursemaid. Said they can't stay, just gone to eat."

   Starsky's eyes brightened, "Chinese? He's bringing Chinese?"

   "Yes, Starsk, you won't starve tonight."

   "Hey, I was looking forward to soup or salad or..."

   "Starsky, be careful with that glue. It bonds you know."

   "Blondie, you better be careful with that chair, looks like the seat's coming off."

   "See if that glue works on this leg, Starsk. Look how it keeps wobbling."

   Starsky sat in the floor and began gluing the chair back together. He noticed the strange little expression Hutch now had. It scared him. He'd seen it before. "Hutch, Dobey coming by, that was just a last minute thing, wasn't it?"

   "Sure," Hutch leaned over the table and looked closely, very closely, at the amazing intricate work Starsky had done on his ship. He'd like to study it more, but it was hard not to glance at Starsky who had moved into his line of vision. Made his head look like something out of a 3 D movie.

   Moving his head slightly, Starsky saw to it Hutch could only see his face. Starsky gazed into those blue eyes and found a disturbing answer. No words were needed. Hutch was keeping something from him. Something he would not like. This was serious.

   "Huuutch, are you okay? I mean, you would tell me if..."

   Peering deeply into a dark set of blue eyes, very close now to his own, "Yes, Starsky, I promise there's nothing wrong that you don't know about. Except..."

   Starsky's eyes grew wide with fear. Barely breathing and even closer in his face, nose to nose, "Hutch, what's wrong?"

   "It's just, well, the doc said I needed to get away for a while. Some place where I could relax and feel safe. Maybe some fresh air, scenery."

   "NO, no, Hutch, tell me you're not thinking about..."

   "Starsky, I promise things will be different. I mean you're certainly not a virgin there anymore."

   "Hutch, I'd take a bullet for you, I'd jump in front of a car, I'd, I'd even go on a blind date, but not that."

   Hutch gave his most needful, innocent, you're supposed to be my best friend look, and whimpered, "You know I feel safer with you there."

   "Of all the nerve, after the last two times in 'the Woods' you want me to go back?"

   "I'd like you for you to."

   Throwing his hands up, still holding the glue with the top off, Starsky ranted, "You're crazy, you know it, crazy!"

   "Calm down, and be careful with that glue."

   Starsky looked at his hand and the glue pushed nearly over the top of the tube, thought how that was how he felt about 'the Woods' and knowing he would have to go if Hutch did. Especially after all he'd been through, and nearly losing him.

   He'd never really got back at him, not really. Hutch had been mean and he never got even with him. And look at him, leaning there, eyes huge with bewildered innocence. Oh man, Hutch sure knew how to act.

   You would think as many times as it had happened to Hutch, Hutch would have recognized the light bulb above his beloved, caring, kind partner's head. He didn't though. Nor did he notice the new tube of glue now nearly empty as Starsky finished gluing the little indentions for the legs of the chair.

   "Well, I hope Dobey isn't on your side this time," Starsky whined knowing all the while he would be. Dobey thought mountain air was the best medicine for nearly anything.

   "Are you through with that chair? I'm ready to help here. Dobey'll be here soon, I'm hungry."

   "Yeah, just let it dry. I'll move it and put this away till later. I'm starved too."

   "Hey, Starsk, bring me a beer, will ya."

   "Sure Hutch, just sit at the table. Rest your arm."

   Hutch moved the newspapers over. Man, he was hungry. He'd needed to go to the market today. Still felt a bit woozie when he was up for a long time. He'd never admit that to Starsky, although he knew Starsky knew. Starsky would go the the woods with him too.

   They both got bored, but it was not near as bad as the whining indicated. Starsky bounced around like a toy. Although at times that could be tiring, it was rarely boring. Hutch would have to admit that he, too, sometimes had more energy than he knew what to do with. Playing tricks was an outlet for his energy and frustrations.

   He remembered the last big trick in the woods. He had tried to make that up to Starsky many times, so he sure all the threats, although he looked mighty mad when he gave them, had been pretty much forgotten by now. Guess Hutch felt safer that way.

   Handing Hutch a beer, Starsky pulled the chair left at the table out for him, "Here buddy, have a seat. Arm bothering you?"

   "No, really I feel fine. Just hungry."

   Hutch sit and Starsky stood leaning on the table, both drinking for a couple of minutes.

   "Well, I'm glad the plumbing here is in good shape," Hutch said as he started to get out of the chair. He seemed to be having some problems. Leaning still, and looking at the ship, Starsky didn't seem to notice.

   Hutch tried again, and again couldn't quite make it up. Now reading a very interesting magazine on the newest line of watches, Starsky still didn't seem to notice. "Starsk, Starsky!"

   Starsky slowly put the magazine down, and, indigo eyes gleaming, looked at Hutch.

   Anger, frustration, fear, embarrassment, guess that nearly covers the emotions flashing across Hutch's face. Then, his eyes became bright, deep, and so blue the ocean was ashamed and the sky hid. He tried to stand and the back legs of the chair stood with him.

   "Why Hutch, what in the world are you doing?" Minus the laughing eyes, Starsky kept a straight face. Well, not for long.

   "Get me out of this chair. My arm's in a sling. how could you? Of all the crazy, I forgot just what a moron you are...GET ME OUT OF...," the knocking at the door cut the sound of fury off.

   With one quick gleeful glance into the 'just wait till I get my good hand on you' eyes Starsky answered the door.

   "Capt'n, Edith, come in," Starsky was all smiles as he scooped Rosie up and squeezed, "Hey sweetie, want some ice cream?"

   "Starsky, she just ate enough to last her for days," Edith laughed.

   So did Starsky, Hutch attempted a smile.

   Rosie had climbed out of Starsky's arms and into Hutch's lap. He sat, of course. "Hutch, I ate my rice with chop sticks. They tied them together just for me. You want to see me eat with them? Daddy brought plenty of rice."

   Putting the food on the table, Edith laughed, "We brought enough for an army, but you two are growing boys."

   "I agree with that," Dobey growled, "I've been waiting for them to grow up for years."

   Smiling, as Rosie was giving Hutch her most adorable smile, Edith said, "Come on sweetie, Hutch looks a little pale tonight." He was trying not to squirm.

   "Son, are you okay?" Dobey asked Hutch. He was glad Hutch had asked about the cabin. He looked like he could really use the fresh mountain air. "You know, the cabin is empty all next month. Mountain air is the best cure for nearly anything."

   "Well, we will surely let you know when, Capt'n," Hutch said as he slid his eyes Starsky's way. Watching his partner chow down on chow mien or something, he answered as sweetly as he could, "Just a little tired tonight."

   "Come on Rosie, we'll see Hutch and Starsky Sunday for dinner," Dobey said as Hutch gave her a good-bye kiss.

   Starsky pulled the napkin from his neck, scooped her up for a bye kiss, and walked to the door. "Thanks, the food is great."

   From the doorway, Edith whispered, "He is all right?"

   With great sincerity, Starsky answered, "Yes mam, he's just been stuck in that chair too long."

   "Well, you take care of him."

   "I will," He waved good-bye hoping he could keep Hutch from taking care of him.

   He would not laugh. He'd now take care of his partner. Anyway, if Hutch had an,ah, accident, guess who would get to clean it up? But come on, there was that tall, muscular, blond taking baby steps, leaning over, with a chair stuck to his butt.

   Starsky, nearly choking trying not to laugh, pulled at Hutch as best he could without hurting his arm. Not a budge.

   "I'm going to kill you, Starsky. I'm hungry, my arm's in a sling, you're supposed to be caring for me, and I've got to pee."

   "Hey, why you complaining? They're my sweat pants."

   "It's my butt and I've gotta..." Hutch with the chair on his butt fell on Starsky cutting off the gottas, but he sure had a needa.

   Climbing out from under the situation, Starsky sat the chair upright. "You've got to come out of those pants."

   "No," Hutch was pretty clear.

   "What? Come on, Hutch, the fun is over."

   "Fun!"

   "Hutch, you've got to take your pants off. What is your problem? Want me to turn my head?"

   "Yeah,"

   "What, Hutch, I hate to burst your bubble, but I really don't get impressed with your..."

   "Starsky, I've got to get out of this chair. I've got to go."

   "Shut up then and get out of those pants. They're stuck to the chair, not your butt."

   Hutch struggled to stand and with one hand work at the problem. He finally managed to get them down to his ankles by leaning against Starsky's shoulder. Starsky, sitting on his heels, helped Hutch step out of the stuck like glue pants. Quickly kicking them off of the leg Starsky was helping with and making haste to the potty, Hutch took no time to strangle or put an eternal curse on his partner,

   Starsky called out, through the laughter, "You'd better hurry or you'll drown. Oh, Hutch, that's the prettiest shade of red undies I ever saw. Please, please model them when you come out. I really was impressed."

   In the bathroom at last, relief at last, Hutch had no real coherent thought for a couple of minutes. When he did, all he thought of was, 'we're going to the woods next month.'

   Hutch came out in the lovely rosy undies and all Starsky could see for a minute was rosy red and bright, flaming blue. Hutch's eyes pierced through him, but he said nothing. Just began rummaging for something to wear.

   Starsky didn't mention the pretty blue ones Hutch now had, after Starsky's new blue shirt had been washed in the hot water with Hutch's unmentionables. One of his new T-shirts came out tie-dyed. Hutch would love that, yeah.

   Starsky was laughing and playing drums with his chopsticks. Revenge was best, he decided, maybe served with rice and orange chicken. Hutch didn't mention the trip to 'the Woods' coming up.

THE END