Katherine

   I sat in the Emergency Room waiting to find out how my Partner was. It was getting' real old, ya know? I mean, just in the last couple of years, I sweated it out when he had the plague, and when he got knifed by Diana Harmon, not to mention the time he got shot and the time I almost didn't find him in time when he had botulism. This is really getting' old.

   He'd say the same thing. He can't stand it when I'm hurt, and I know he's spent his fair share of time in hospital lounges, waitin' to find out if I'm okay, or just bein' there for me, like when Terry was shot and on that awful day when I shot Emily.

   Anyway, here we were again. A nurse came over to me; I looked up at her hopin' for news about Hutch. She smiled, but she shook her head. I guess she saw my question in my face. She probably learned a long time ago how to read people's faces. Anyway, she just said that I had a call at the desk.

   "Starsky."

   "Any news yet?" My captain, Harold Dobey sounded angry. He sounds like that most of the time, so it didn't bother me. Besides, I know how he feels about my partner. A lot of that anger was really concern.

   "Nothin' yet. Is the scene clear?"

   He knew what I was really askin'. "We're wrapping things up here, but we haven't found any witnesses. We'll keep lookin'. I can't believe nobody saw anything."

   "Me either," I said bitterly. "And nobody wanted to help either. He could have…he could have…" I took a deep breath. Don't think about it. Just don't think about it.

   "Starsky, you hold on. He'll be fine. You let me know when you hear somethin'."

   "Okay, Cap. Thanks."

   It didn't seem fair. I got shot several months ago; for awhile no one thought I'd survive. I did die for a while, when my heart stopped. But I came back, and with Hutch's help I got well. And Hutch got James Gunther, the guy who ordered the shooting. He brought down a whole rotten empire, when all he wanted to do was take Gunther into an alley and shoot him, like his thugs shot me. I know, 'cause he told me. But he didn't. I'm real proud of my partner.

   Anyway, I went back on active duty, and things seemed to be goin' so well. I shoulda known better.

   Just a few hours ago, our shift was endin'. We'd just decided to log out and head over to Huggy's when the call came. Liquor store robbery at Ensley and Fifth. We were close, so we answered it. When we got to the liquor store, I took the front, Hutch took the back.

   There were two robbers inside. I was able to get in without them seein' me, and get the drop on them. By the time I got them handcuffed, and the black and whites showed up, I was realizin' that Hutch hadn't come in from the back.

   I turned the perps over to the uniform and went out the back door, yellin' for Hutch. I found him. He was sittin' in the alley, propped up against a wall, trying to put pressure on a wound in his thigh. It was bleedin' pretty bad, and a couple of people were just standin' there just watchin' him bleed.

   I couldn't believe it, but I didn't have time to tell them what I thought. I knelt beside my partner and moved his hands out of the way, puttin' my hands where his had been and bearin' down. I guess my angle was better or I was able to exert more pressure (since I wasn't about to pass out), 'cause the bleeding slowed down to a trickle. He was real pale, and seemed to be barely holdin' on to consciousness, but he smiled a little and whispered, "Thanks, Starsk."

   I grinned. "Anytime, Blondie."

   A uniform came out to check on us and I yelled at him to get an ambulance. While we waited, Hutch tried to give me a description of the guy who shot him. A third robber had been in the back of the store. He was coming out the back door when Hutch came down the alley, and shot my partner before he had a chance.

   It took forever for the paramedics to get there, but they finally did and soon had Hutch in good enough shape to transport him. I guess the city's emergency medical personnel are learning about Hutch and me, 'cause nobody argued when I got in the ambulance. They just kind or shrugged and told me to keep out of the way.

   That was hours ago, well one hour anyway. I paced, getting ready to go find out what was goin' on, when a guy in a white coat came out of the room where they'd taken Hutch. Actually the coat should have been white, but it had a lot of red streaks on it. I didn't want to think about it.

   "Are you with Detective Hutchinson?" he asked.

   I nodded. Suddenly my throat was so dry I couldn't talk.

   "He'll be fine. The bullet passed through his leg and didn't hit anything vital. We had a little trouble stopping the bleeding, but he's stable now. He'll be in quite a bit of pain, and he should stay off of the leg for awhile, but he should be all right in a few weeks."

   I finally found my voice. "Thank…thank you. Are you gonna keep him?"

   The doctor frowned. "I think he should stay here, at least overnight. But he is refusing. He says he want to go home, and there's really nothing I can do to keep him here."

   I nodded. "He doesn't like hospitals much," I explained.

   He grinned. "Tell me about it." He started to turn away, but he turned back. "He'll need someone with him, at least for the first few days. He'll have quite a bit of discomfort in that leg, and I think he will need something strong for the pain."

   I started to ask a question, but he didn't stop talkin'. "Your partner is very stubborn. He refused a shot, and he says I can give him a prescription, but I can't make him fill it."

   I nodded. Question answered. Hutch hadn't been given any morphine. Silently I laid that fear to rest. Would the nightmare Forrest put him through never end?

   "So we compromised. I gave him some samples of the pain reliever and the prescription for additional doses. He said he'll get it filled if he needs it, and promised to take the samples at least for tonight, if he needed it." He shook his head. Obviously, my partner's stubborn streak wasn't affected by his wound. "I also prescribed an antibiotic. He must take that, the entire dose, in order to keep the wound from getting infected. And as I said he needs to stay off of that leg. He'll be on crutches for at least a week or more likely two. And, he should see his own doctor as soon as possible so his condition can be monitored. And if the bleeding starts again, or he becomes feverish, get him medical attention as soon as possible."

   I just kept looking at him. This was not goin' to be fun, for Hutch or me. Especially me.

   The doctor smiled. I think he was relieved he wouldn't have to deal with a hard-headed policeman for much longer. "He'll be out in a few minutes. Is there someone who can stay with him?"

   I nodded. "Yeah, me."

   He looked a little surprised, the shrugged. "Well, uh…good luck." He smiled at me, like he felt sorry for me, and went on down the hall.

   When they let me into the treatment room, Hutch was sitting in a wheelchair, looking pale and tired. I could tell by the way his jaw was clenched that he was in pain, but I knew he wouldn't admit it. Not in front of the doctors and nurses, anyway.

   So, I just gathered up his stuff and pushed him out to the car, with the help of a very pretty nurse. Unfortunately, she was sportin' a gold band on her left hand. But she was pretty, and very relieved to get rid of her stubborn blond patient.

   After I got him settled in the passenger seat of the Torino, I went around to the driver's side and got in. I just sat and looked at him for a minute. He was slumped in the seat, his head leaning against the window. "Okay, Partner?"

   "Yeah," he mumbled. "Let's go home, Starsk."

   "Sure, but I got one stop to make on the way. Won't take a minute."

   "Okay." He didn't even ask where we were stopping or make some remark about me shirkin' my nursin' duties. That's when I knew for sure he was hurtin'.

   He seemed to be dozin' when I pulled into the parkin' lot at Huggy's. I got out of the car as quietly as I could. Maybe I could get out of this unscathed after all.

   I forgot to mention that today is Hutch's birthday. He doesn't like big parties, but I agreed to let Huggy throw a little surprise party for him at The Pits. Just a few people, nothin' fancy. I just wanted him to be with some friends and enjoy his birthday. It's been a rough year for both of us. We deserve some fun.

   Anyway, Huggy said he'd arrange the whole thing, so Hutch wouldn't get suspicious. That's where we were goin' when we got the call about the liquor store. Hutch thought we were goin' to have a drink; he hadn't said a word about it bein' his birthday. I think he hoped I'd forget. Like I said, he isn't much for parties, especially parties where he's the guest of honor.

   I walked in to tell Huggy I was sorry about the party and let him know how Hutch was doin'. I called him while Hutch was bein' treated, just to let know why we didn't show up, and he said to be sure and let him know. I, also, wanted him to get Hutch's prescriptions filled. I wanted to get Hutch to his place as soon as possible, and I figured once he was settled, I wouldn't be able to leave him alone, at least for a couple of days.

   Huggy was there all right. Huggy and a lot of other people. The small party I had agreed to had grown to include most of the precinct and even some of our street friends. I was shocked to walk in and see all those people, standin' around or sittin' at tables, just drinkin' and talkin. There was no loud music or loud conversation. The just seemed to be there, waitin' for somethin'.

   It turns out, they were waitin' for me. They all wanted to know how Hutch was, and were waitin' until Huggy heard from me. Even Dobey was there. He came over after crime scene was cleared, and waited around with everybody else.

   He stood up when I came in and yelled, "Starsky! How's Hutch?"

   After I gave Huggy the evil eye, which he ignored, I said, "Hutch is okay. He was hit in the leg, but he'll be fine. The doctor says he needs to stay off the leg for a few days, and he'll be on crutches for awhile. He'll be as good as new in a few weeks."

   I heard several sighs of relief, and a few expressions of thankfulness as the crowd relaxed. I turned to Huggy, ready to find out how Hutch's little party had gotten so out of hand when I heard, "Starsk? What's going on here?"

   It was Hutch. I went to him and helped him to a chair, fussin' about him bein' on his feet. He was tryin' to use the crutches, but he was a little awkward with them. It takes awhile to get to used to using crutches, even if you've used them before. Trust me, I know. Besides, he was hurtin' and I could see how glazed his eyes were.

   When he sat down and looked at me, I realized I hadn't answered his question. He looked around at the people watchin' him. He started blushin' and I said, "Happy Birthday, Partner."

   Then everybody had to join in, and it was 30 minutes before I could get him out of there. Dobey and everybody else had to tell him 'Happy Birthday' and tell him they were glad he was gonna be okay. Huggy offered him a beer, but I took it away from him. I intended to give him the pain pills and I didn't think they'd mix with alcohol. He told me I couldn't have a beer either 'cause I needed to be in good shape when I drove him home. I didn't mind. Really.

   Hutch seemed pleased that so many people cared enough to hang around to find out how he was doing. He spoke to everyone, shaking hands or accepting kisses and telling them how much he appreciated them for being there.

   Then I got him into the Torino and took him home. Getting' him upstairs to his apartment was an ordeal in itself, but eventually I settled him in his bed with his leg propped up on a pillow. I didn't even have to fight with him about the painkillers. He was hurtin' so bad that he took the glass of water and the pills without any argument.

   I sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for him to go to sleep. "It was a good party, Starsk. I'm sorry I missed it," he mumbled.

   "We'll get you next time, Blondie," I promised. "A lot of people care about you, Buddy. It's about time you realize that."

   "Yeah," he agreed. "Thanks. Need…to thank…Huggy…"

   "He's comin' by tomorrow to bring your prescriptions. You can thank him, then."

   "'Kay…" His eyes closed.

   I got up, thinkin' he was asleep, and went out to the living room to make up the couch.

   "Starsk?"

   "Yeah, Buddy?" I went to stand where I could look into the sleeping area.

   "Did you get me a present?"

   I couldn't help smilin' at the big lug. "Sure. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

   "Thanks, Starsk. 'Night" His eyes closed as he relaxed, sprawled on the bed like a big rag doll.

   "Good night, Partner." I walked back to the couch, thinkin' about birthdays and birthday presents. I knew that, although it was my partner's birthday, I was the one who got the present today. My partner was still here, ready to celebrate another birthday. "Me and Thee" had come through again.

   "Happy Birthday, Buddy. And many more."

THE END