Kathy Kellenberger

   It had been three months since Brad Yoder was put behind bars. Brad had been found guilty of raping and brutally beating four teenage girls. Starsky and Hutch were determined to capture the offender, which they did, and Hutch's testimony was enough to convict Yoder and lock him up with a sentence of nine years in prison, seven if he exhibited good behavior and attended rehabilitation therapy sessions. The judge had been way to lenient in giving what seemed like too short of a sentence to Yoder. Starsky and Hutch were disappointed, but they would have to live with that. Case closed.

   It was a Friday night. Finally a weekend off for the two hard working detectives. Hutch dropped Starsky off at his apartment before finding himself in the comfort of his own. It was only a few minutes before he realized he was not alone.

   There was only one man, a large man, who came at Hutch from behind, catching him off guard. The blow to the head put Hutch down, not realizing what had hit him. He would not see his apartment again for a long time.

   He woke to darkness, his head banging, blindfolded, hands and feet bound, a gag in his mouth. He had no idea where he was or why he was there. He was cold and could not move. Taking some time to adjust and try to think clearly, Hutch listened to any sounds he could make out, any voices. He heard nothing. Was it night or day? How long had he been here? His lips were dry and his stomach queasy. "Starsky?" It was but a whisper through the gag, he knew calling for his partner was futile. Why would he be bound and gagged if Starsky were there. He wouldn't.

   He struggled against his restraints, seeming to only make them tighter. He was too tired to fight anymore. He gave in to stillness. Waiting...biding his time until his capture returned. Would he return or did he intend on leaving him for dead? His only hope was that Starsky would somehow find out that he was missing and be looking for him.

   "So, how do you like the accommodations Hutchinson? You comfortable?"

   It was a deep voice, one unfamiliar to him. He tried to yell through the gag in his mouth, unsuccessfully, and squirmed to loosen the ropes that held his wrists behind his back and ankles tightly together. His feet were bordering on numbness. The man with the deep dark voice removed the gag roughly and pushed Hutch back against the wall.

   "Who are you? What do you want?" Hutch wanted answers and being frustrated became demanding, to demanding for the likes of the deep voiced man. He didn't see the foot coming rapidly toward his head, then into his stomach, ribs, legs, face, arms.

   "Please...stop...what do you want?" Hutch was trying to remain conscious of the mans voice. He was now reduced to begging for the beating to stop. It did when he heard a woman's voice in the distance.

   "Tony, there's a phone call for you." The woman sounded weak, tired and short of breath.

   Hearing the man leave and walk up several steps, he figured he might be in a basement. The floor felt like cement, the smell was damp and he was cold. He couldn't hear any traffic or any other signs of life. Just the man who had brutally beaten him and the soft voiced woman.

   Hutch was attempting to regain his breath. He knew that he must have suffered broken bones and possible internal injuries as well. Everything hurt and he was finding it hard to breath. He thanked God that the man had at least removed the gag because he was nauseous and felt himself getting sick. He didn't try to move, it hurt too much and there seemed to be no hopeful destination to try to reach. Starsky...please hear me calling you...I need help... He tried not to panic and focus on his breathing. He was wheezing and knew that one or more ribs were probably broken. Passing out would have been a luxury. He soon got his wish.

~~~~~~

   "Cap'n, something has happened to Hutch! He wasn't at his place when I went to pick him up this morning. It's not like him Cap'n."

   "It's Monday, he's probably taking a long weekend! He knows better. If he's not here in one hour you're both going to be on desk duty indefinitely. It's time the two of you stop playing games and learn some responsibility!"

   "Listen! I'm not kidding around! He's gone! His gun is in his apartment. His plants are dry! His bed looks like it hasn't been slept in! Ya gotta believe me Cap'n! Please."

   "Okay, I'll put out an APB on him."

   "Thanks Cap'n." Starsky bolted for the door.

   "Starsky! Find him okay?...and be careful! I don't need two missing detectives."

   "Yeah."

~~~~~~~~

   Hutch was left on the cold cement floor. The only activity, attention, sound was that of the dark voiced man who continued to beat him and that of the woman with the weak, tired voice. He begged for answers, freedom and Starsky. His requests were ignored.

   The woman gave him water, but no food. He wouldn't have been able to keep it down anyway. His head was hurting and he had become sick several times, too many times to count. The woman was at least kind to him. Her words were few. She didn't touch him, only spent enough time with him to give him a couple sips of water. He sensed fear in the woman's voice and felt the hands holding the water shaking. He jerked when the glass crashed to the floor shattering into pieces. The woman moaned and he thought he heard her fall to the floor.

   "Hey? Lady? What's wrong with you? Are you okay?"

   "My head, its been hurting real bad and I've been real sick. My neck is real stiff and I can't get rid of this fever. Tony won't take me to a doctor and...."

   "Melissa! What the hell are you doing? I told you not to talk to him! Get up here now!"

   "I'm coming Tony..."

   The woman ran her shaking hand through Hutch's hair and quietly whispered, "I'm sorry..." before leaving. This would be the last time he heard from Melissa. Hutch did not know if Tony hurt her too, he was a wild man, evil, with a horrid temper. Before leaving Hutch, she took the necklace from his neck. His moon and star necklace.

   Hutch was left alone once more. The water was desperately needed as he felt himself becoming dehydrated, but he could not keep it down. He too was sick, his head hurting worse than ever and he felt he had a fever too. He knew he could not last much longer and prayed for his partner to find him. Starsky had to know he was missing by now. Hutch gave in and cried. His hope of living was slipping away. He couldn't feel his hands or feet, they were totally numb now and he was trembling uncontrollably. He would have prayed for death, but held on knowing somehow Starsky would find him. Crying turning into sobbing. Shortness of breath turning into gasping.  Oh God....please help me...let Starsky find me before it's too late...please....

   Starsky sank into the chair in front of his Captain's desk. Dobey knew his dark detective was on the edge. Hutch had been missing for six days. One did not do well without the other. Not well at all. Starsky was frantic, angry and desperate.

   "Starsky, I wish I could promise you that we'd find Hutch alive and well, but I can't. I'm worried about you Dave."

   "Please don't call me Dave. You only call me that when you know there's not much hope." Starsky's tone was calm and monotone.

   "Did you check..."

   "Of course I did! I checked every damn place I could think of and even those I couldn't! I followed every lead. He couldn't have just disappeared into thin air! Someone has to know something damn it!"

   Dobey picked up the ringing phone on his desk, screaming at the recipient on the other end. "What the hell is it?"

   Starsky sat staring absentmindedly at the chair that his partner should have been sitting in, not listening to the one sided conversation that Dobey was absorbed in.

   "Starsky? Starsky! Hey, we might have something. It's a long shot, but it's worth checking into. That was Harrison. He was in the emergency room filling out a report on a drunk driver he brought in when a woman was brought in. The woman was telling the doctor that her step-father brought her to the emergency room, laid her on the pavement outside of the door and drove away. Harrison turned when he heard the woman mumbling "Hutchinson". She was holding onto a necklace. One with a sun and a star on it. Hutch wears one like that doesn't he?"

   "Yeah...yeah Cap'n, he does. I'm on my way."

   "Starsky...Harrison said she lost consciousness right after handing him the necklace. The doctor's are saying she's in a coma."

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky burst into the emergency room demanding to see the woman with the necklace. Hutch's necklace. He was stopped immediately by security and the woman's doctor.

   "Listen, that woman knows something about my partner. I have to talk to her. My partner is missing and she knows something....I know she does."

   The doctor saw the agony in Starsky's eyes and heard the despair in his voice.

   "I'm sorry Mr..."

   "Starsky...Detective Sergeant Starsky."

   "I'm sorry Mr. Starsky. The woman...Melissa Yoder, is in a coma. She never regained consciousness. We have her in isolation now. She's highly contagious."

   "What's wrong with her?" Starsky demanded.

   "She has meningitis. She's a very sick woman. I don't think she's going to make it Sergeant. I'm sorry."

   "Oh God, how infectious is meningitis? How long would she have to be around someone before they got infected?"

   "Meningitis is highly infectious. It would not take long at all for anyone near her to become infected and without treatment it is fatal."

   Starsky took the baggie that held the necklace from the doctor. He would know that necklace anywhere. Hutch never took it off. It was special to him. Starsky sat on one of the small hard chairs in the hall of the emergency room taking the necklace out of the plastic bag and holding onto it as though it were a million dollars. It was worth more than a million dollars to him. It belonged to Hutch and Hutch was more important than life itself to David Michael Starsky.

   Tears began to well in his eyes as he noticed the dried blood on the necklace. He fought to keep his tears at bay as he demanded that the dried blood be analyzed. He knew it would match his partner's, but he had to be absolutely sure.

~~~~~~~

   It had been a day and a half now since Tony visited his prisoner. Hutch still did not know why he was being held against his will and did not have any idea who was holding him. He was becoming too weak and disoriented to care. He was dying. He was in severe pain, especially in his head. He knew it was not just from the beatings and being kept so immobile. He was sick, feverish, his neck was stiff, breathing was difficult and his speech had become slurred. He called for Starsky over and over, but the word did not come out right. His face was numb and felt paralyzed. The pain was excruciating and he was now severely dehydrated. It had now been eight days since he saw his apartment, his partner. He wondered if the sky was still blue and if he would ever see it again. He wanted to hold onto his head to ease the pain, but the ropes would not allow any movement and he could not feel his hands. He now did want death to claim him. He knew Starsky was looking for him, but felt life leaving him. He really didn't want Starsky to find him like this anyway. He could only imagine the scene Starsky would have walked into. Vomit everywhere among other bodily functions. He hoped that death would soon call him home.

~~~~~~~~

   The blood on the necklace did match that of Detective Kenneth Hutchinson. Melissa remained comatose and died that night. Starsky investigated the woman's life, history and background, finding that she was the step daughter of Anthony Yoder, Brad Yoder's step father. Recalling that he and Hutch had put Brad Yoder away over three months ago, he obtained the address of Mr. Yoder and called for backup and an ambulance to meet him there.

   The Yoder house was way out in the country, it stood alone. Starsky barely stopped his car before he was running toward the house. He kicked in the front door, standing to the side not knowing what to expect. He knew he should wait for backup but the only thing in his mind was finding Hutch. Hearing nothing, he slowly made his way in and through the house. Tony Yoder was nowhere to be found. The house was eerie quiet. Starsky felt that Hutch had to be there somewhere. He searched the first floor, then the second, then the attic and finally the basement where he found his partner's unmoving body lying on the hard cold cement floor, vomit and other bodily fluids all around him.

   "Hutch!!!!" Starsky ran to his partner's side hoping to find some sign of life. He felt for a pulse, elated to find one, slow and weak, but it was a pulse.

   "Oh God Hutch. What did he do to you? I'm here buddy. I'm here."

   Starsky quickly removed the ropes that held his partner and cradled the unconscious man in his arms.

   "Hutch, stay with me...don't leave me...please...."

   Several black and whites and an ambulance soon arrived. Dobey was the first to reach Starsky and his blond, almost unrecognizable, detective. Starsky was holding Hutch tight, rocking him back and forth, begging for him to hold on and not to die.

   "Starsky, you have to let him go son. The paramedics are here to take him and he's probably highly contagious."

   "Do you think I give a damn! I don't care if he's contagious or not. I'm not leaving him."

   "It's okay Starsky. We need to get him to the hospital. You can go with him."

   The paramedics knew they were looking at a very sick man, a dying man. Hutch's pulse was now erratic and the medics could not hear a blood pressure. They wasted no time lifting Hutch onto the stretcher and taking off for the hospital. Starsky held his partner's limp cold hand and stroked at the matted sticky blond hair. He talked to Hutch and prayed like never before.

   GET ANOTHER IV STARTED STAT! WE'RE GONNA NEED CHEST TUBES! GET A CATHETER IN HIM NOW! OXYGEN 6 LITERS VIA MASK. GET THE CRASH CART READY. CALL ANESTHESIA, WE MIGHT NEED TO INTUBATE! GET X-RAY IN HERE, LOOKS LIKE HE HAS SOME BROKEN BONES! GET HIS TEMPERATURE, HE'S BURNING UP!

   The ER staff worked hastily, stripping Hutch of his soiled clothing and cleaning only the area's that demanded immediate attention. IV's were started, orders were fulfilled. The nurses barely got the hospital gown on Hutch when he began to vomit and went into a full blown grandmal seizure.

   STAT STICK! 10 MG VALIUM IV NOW! WATCH HIS HEAD! I'M SURE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST SEIZURE HE HAS HAD. SUCTION NOW! WE DON'T WANT HIM CHOKING! HE'S LUCKY TO HAVE MADE IT THIS LONG. HE MUST HAVE A STRONG WILL TO LIVE. I'M SURPRISED HE'S STILL WITH US. GET THE LAB IN HERE NOW!

   The doctor's gave Starsky little hope of his friend surviving the night. Starsky was also put in isolation as a precaution, having had Hutch's secretions on him and having been so close to him. Starsky's only comfort was that he could see Hutch through the glass window that separated him from his friend. A few strings had to be pulled, but there was no keeping Starsky away from his partner. Absolutely no way. He would stand at that glass window for as long as it took, willing Hutch to live and to fight and not to give up.

   Starsky was given a shot of Rifampin, an antibiotic, as a precaution to prevent him from acquiring the meningitis himself. He didn't even feel the needle. He was so focused on his friend. That was all that mattered now. If Hutch didn't make it...he knew he would welcome death too.

~~~~~~~~

   The doctors suspected and were almost certain that Hutch had contracted meningitis, although they still had some tests to run. Most importantly, they needed to get Hutch stabilized, stop the seizures and get his temperature down. He remained unconscious.

   Starsky did not leave the window where he could see his partner. When he saw Hutch stir and begin to cry out, he demanded to see the doctor.

   "Listen, I need to be with my partner, please let me go to him."

   "Mr. Starsky, your friend is very sick and very contagious and...."

   "I know that damn it! We don't leave each other alone when we're sick or hurting, or dying damn it!"

   Starsky broke down, sliding against the window down onto the floor. He had reached his breaking point. The thought of losing his best friend was too much for him to endure.

   "Mr. Starsky? Listen, you've already been exposed. I'll allow it, but you'll have to wear a mask."

   "You can make me wear anything you want, I don't care. I just need to be with Hutch."

   "Okay, come on, follow me."

   Starsky was afraid to touch his partner, seeing all of the bruises, but also afraid not to touch him. Hutch needed him and he needed Hutch. They would gain strength from somewhere.

   "Hey buddy." Starsky stood beside Hutch's bed, in between the machines, IV's and other paraphenalia, and gently took his hand. "You're in the hospital babe. There takin real good care of ya. You're gonna get better...I know it hurts now, but your gonna get better...you hear me?"

   Hutch's eyes flickered open slowly and he mumbled something Starsky could not understand.

   "It's okay Hutch, you don't have to talk now."

   "Sarsk...Sar...Sarsk."

   Hutch's speech was still slurred and he was becoming agitated."

   "Hey, take it easy, you're gonna get me thrown out of here."

   Starsky saw the agitation building in his friend and wanted to help, but how? He stroked blond hair off of the bruised forehead and kept up a continuous encouraging conversation with Hutch. He knew that Hutch could hear him and that he was getting through. Hutch did seem to calm and looked at Starsky, silent tears rolling from his eyes.

   "It hurs....Sarssss. It hursss... mm hea...head....."

   "I know buddy, I know your head hurts. The doctors are gonna help you with that." Starsky continued to run his fingers through the blond hair he was so familiar with.

   A nurse entered the room carrying a tray full of supplies and told Starsky that he would have to leave, that Hutch needed to have a spinal tap done to confirm the diagnosis. Starsky told Hutch he would be back, but was stopped as Hutch found the strength to hold onto Starsky's hand tightly and started to yell, crying harder as he did.

   "Nooo....nooo....Sarsk...no leave....nooo."

   The doctor arrived shortly after the nurse and asked Starsky if he would mind staying with his patient, seeing the calming effect that he had on Hutch. Starsky was not about to leave his partner at this point anyway and the doctor just made things easier.

   The doctor explained the procedure to both men, not knowing if the blond fully understood, but reinforced the importance of the test and explained why it needed to be done. He told Hutch that it would be uncomfortable and that he could not move when the needle was inserted into his back.

   Hutch was turned onto his side, toward Starsky, and the area at his lower back was prepped for the test. Hutch moaned and held on tighter to Starsky's hand when they got him into the awkward position he would need to remain in for the procedure. His knees were brought up toward his head, kind of like a fetal position, and he was instructed to bend his stiff neck forward a bit. He was scared and trembling at the thought of a needle going into his back and of the pain it might cause. To his surprise the doctor told him he was going to numb the area before inserting the needle. Starsky and Hutch seemed a bit more relieved. It was hard for Hutch to remain in the awkward position and he was hurting. He tried not to move, but it was hard. Starsky bent over the bed, holding his partner secure for the doctor and to comfort a very scared and agitated Hutch.

   The doctor obtained the spinal fluid needed for testing and the procedure was over within fifteen minutes. He ordered pain medicine for Hutch and informed them that he would be back as soon as the results were in.

   "You did great buddy. You okay now?"

   "uh huh. Whats wronnnn wih me?"

   Starsky sat on the chair that had been brought in for him and began to tell Hutch what 'might' be wrong with him. Leaving out the negative and reinforcing the positive aspects of him getting well. He knew that if Hutch did have meningitis, it was serious and possibly fatal, but Starsky would not believe for one minute that Hutch would not get better.

   "Sarsss...will I die?"

   "No...no Hutch, you're gonna be all right, I promise."

   "Promisss?"

   "Hey, you think I'd let you get off that easy? No way buddy, you're stayin right here with me....got that?"

   "Uh huh..."

   Hutch drifted into a more relaxed sleep as did Starsky, neither releasing the hold on each other's hand.

   The doctor arrived a couple hours later with the results of the spinal tap.

   "The test results came back positive. Kenneth does have meningitis. We're gonna treat it very aggressively. I'm sorry."

~~~~~~~~

   The days were long and the nights even longer, but the good news was that Hutch was improving slowly. Starsky stayed by his friend's side night and day, being there with Hutch to ride out the high fevers, chills, nausea and vomiting and the ever painful headaches. Starsky was there to hold Hutch when he cried, to calm his fears when he was scared and to hold his hand as he waited for the pain medicine's to take effect. Each day more monitors were discontinued and Hutch was responding well to the massive amounts of IV antibiotics that he was being pumped full of.

   Hutch was eventually moved to a private room on a regular floor as he no longer needed the constant observation that the ICU provided. Both men were relieved when the doctor informed them that Hutch was going to recover from the meningitis. It was only after this that Starsky would consider leaving Hutch for short periods of time to look for one Anthony Yoder.

   Anthony Yoder was a very angry man. He held Hutch responsible for putting his step-son Brad behind bars. He did not intend to stop pursuing Kenneth Hutchinson until he felt that the detective had been punished enough for what he felt was a great injustice to his son. Hurting Detective Hutchinson was not good enough for the crazed man, but his death would be. Finding out that the detective was going to survive infuriated Yoder. His intent was to see the detective's obituary in the paper. When this did not happen as soon as Yoder wanted, he decided he would have to take matters into his own hands once again.

   Starsky tried to get some liquids into his partner.

   "Come on Hutch, you want to get rid of those IV's don't you?"

   "Starsky, please....I can't drink that stuff, I'll get sick...don't force it on me okay?"

   "You know, you can be a stubborn one. My dad used to do just about anything to get me to eat when I was sick."

   Starsky took a spoonful of Jell-O and pretended it was an airplane, zooming the Jell-O up and around Hutch's face, making airplane sounds....

   "And here we go! Coming in for the landing...Oh wait...it might be a rough one...stewardess Sexy Sally just informed pilot Hutchinson that the wheels are stuck...we're gonna have to land without wheels....The air crew covered the ground with Jell-O to smooth out the landing....and here it comes....."

   The Jell-O went right into Hutch's mouth. Not because he opened it for the Jell-O, but because his mouth was hanging open watching his crazy partner's antics.

   "Good job Hutch...you landed the plane really well. Lets land it again."

   "Starsky, has anyone told you you are crazy? Professional assistance might be helpful for whatever you are suffering from."

   "Now thats the Hutch I know." Starsky became serious. "Hutch, I'm just so glad you're getting better. Had me scared there for a while."

   "Don't count me out so easy partner. Who'd be here to harass you if not me huh? Can't get rid of me that easy buddy."

   Starsky landed all of the Jell-O into his partner and even most of the juice. Knowing Hutch would soon be asleep from the pain medication, Starsky told Hutch he was going to go home and get cleaned up and stop in at the station, reassuring him that he would be back later.

   This was the moment that Yoder had waited for for days. Acting as one of the hospital maintenance crew, mopping floors and emptying trash cans, the time had come for him to act upon his revenge.

   Hutch was asleep when Yoder slipped into the room unnoticed by the hospital staff. It was a busy floor and nurses were scarce. Yoder though of how easy his plan would carry out. He looked over his victim as he slept peacefully preparing his retribution. It would be easy.

   Hutch was totally out as the pain medicine was strong. He didn't hear the maintenance man enter his room and did not feel the cold black eyes inspecting him.

   Yoder grabbed an extra pillow that was on the chair next to the bed and placed it securely over Hutch's face, preventing Hutch from getting any oxygen.

   Hutch was weak and did not know what was happening, but he knew he could not breathe and began to struggle.

   He was weak and his struggle was futile. He was soon still, unmoving, not breathing. Yoder left the room and quickly disappeared into the stairwell just before he saw a nurse entering Hutch's room.

   "CODE BLUE! CODE BLUE! I NEED HELP IN HERE NOW! HE'S NOT BREATHING! HE WAS FINE WHEN I CHECKED ON HIM 30 MINUTES AGO TO GIVE HIM HIS PAIN MEDICINE!"

   The nurse pushed the emergency call button and checked for a pulse...finding none. She began CPR immediately and was soon accompanied by the Code Blue team, crash cart and other nurses on the floor as they awaited the doctor, who soon arrived.

~~~~~~

   "Zebra three....Zebra three...come in please....it's an emergency!"

   "Zebra three here, what is it Mildred?"

   "Starsky, you have to get to the hospital immediately. It's Hutch... just get there Starsky..."

   "I'm on my way!"

   Starsky broke all traffic rules getting to the hospital in record time. He was breathing heavy as he reached Hutch's room, now filled with several hospital personnel. He saw that Hutch was now intubated and air was being bagged into his lungs. The CPR was continuing and he heard orders being called out right and left.

   "What the hell is going on here? What happened to Hutch? He was fine an hour ago! What the fuck happened! I want some answers now!"

   Starsky tried to move his way through the crowded room and succeeded in reaching his partner's bedside.

   "Hutch! Hutch you listen to me you hear! You start breathing right now damn it! You gotta fight...please Hutch. You listen to me...that's an order! Breathe! Breathe! Please please breathe."

   As if on queue, the heart monitor that had been applied began to show spikes of a heartbeat. Hutch's heart continued to beat at a regular rhythm, but he was kept on a respirator. He was very weak and his condition was once again touch and go. He did not wake up...did not open his eyes...did not move at all, but he was alive.

   Starsky thanked God. He took Hutch's limp hand into his own and held it against his cheek, feeling for the pulse in Hutch's wrist as reassurance of Hutch's alive body. This was not the time for questions, just thankfulness and shock. He followed the nurses as they wheeled Hutch's bed back to the intensive care unit.

   "You just hang on Hutch, I'm not leaving ya again. I'm right here...God, I love you buddy. I don't know what happened, but you hang on for me you hear? We got lots of plans and lots of things to do....you don't go anywhere on me....I need you here."

   Starsky sat by Hutch's side, not loosening his grip on Hutch's hand. The nurses returned the more comfortable chair that was put away that afternoon thinking it would no longer be needed.

   The doctor arrived soon after Hutch was settled in the ICU to tell Starsky that Hutch stopped breathing because of suffocation. No one noticed anything out of the ordinary, but somehow someone got into Hutch's room and covered his face with a pillow.

   Starsky was now in the "kill" mode. He knew he had to calm down and was not about to leave his partner. Whoever did this would pay and if Hutch didn't make it because of this man, because of Yoder, Starsky was prepared to get his revenge, if it was the last thing he did in his life here on earth. There would be no life without his partner anyway. Hutch was his life.

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky sat by his friends bedside all night, hoping, praying and begging for him to live. Hutch had fought so hard to overcome a disease that nearly destroyed him and now lay in the depths of nothingness awaiting a fate which he now had no control over.

   The nurses came in to check on their patient frequently and a police officer had been stationed outside of Hutch's ICU room. The nurses were visiting Hutch's room much too frequently for comfort. Starsky felt a sense of dread and knew that Hutch's life now lay in the balance, but would not believe that his friend would not come back to him.

   "Hutch...Hutch, I don't know if you can hear me babe, but you gotta know how much I love you and I need you. You've overcome so much in the past... Life's not always been so good to you partner has it? I couldn't stand it when they told me you weren't gonna live through the plague, but you made it. I couldn't stand it seeing you suffer after Forrest got his hands on you. God, how much is one man supposed to have to go through? Then there was Gillian...God Hutch, I know you loved her, she didn't deserve you, but I know how bad you hurt just the same. I know you always wanted your dad's approval, but you never got it...and Vanessa, well what can I say partner? She put you through hell and used you. I wish we could turn back the hands of time and that I would have been there to protect you, to love you. But you kept on going, smiling, joking...you put on a pretty good act buddy, but you didn't fool me. You've never fooled me. I know you Hutch. Sometimes I think I know you better than I know myself, and I know that you know me better than I know myself.  Please hear me Hutch. Please fight. I don't know where I'd be without you. I don't know where I'd go, where I'd fit in. Yes I do buddy, I wouldn't be anywhere, wouldn't fit in with anyone else. God, it hurts to love you so much Hutch. You can make it through this...just don't give up...please don't give up."

   The doctor came into the room to check on Hutch for the third time in four hours. Starsky watched every move he made and tried to read his expressions and what was in his mind. He followed the doctor into the hall to get some answers.

   "Detective Starsky, we've done all we can do. It's up to Detective Hutchinson to decide if he wants to come back now. His blood pressure is falling and we're not sure just how long he went without oxygen. We'll run some tests in the morning if he.... "

   "If he what doc! Please tell me what you're thinking. What do you mean you'll run some tests IF? What the hell are you trying to tell me?"

   "Detective, you're partner is dying. He was already in a severely weakened state, I am surprised he is hanging on this long. We've done everything we can do. If he has family or close friends, you might want to call them now. He may not make it til morning. I'm sorry."

   The doctor put a reassuring hand on Starsky's shoulder before walking away, leaving Starsky standing in the middle of the hall, finding it hard to swallow and difficult to turn himself around and go back into the room with Hutch. He was afraid that he might find him not...alive. He felt so helpless and so alone and consumed with grief. As if in a dream, he made his way back to his partner's side. If it weren't for the IV's, respirator and other monitors and tubes, it would have looked like Hutch was just sleeping peacefully. But the IV's, respirator and other equipment were there and Hutch was not just sleeping peacefully.

   Starsky did not want to see his friend suffering and could not imagine life without his best friend, but he loved him enough to let him go. He smoothed the familiar blond hair back off of Hutch's forehead, wanting to say one more thing to Hutch. Then he would wait.

   "Hutch, I don't know if you can hear me buddy, or if you know I'm even here, but somehow I think you do know. I want you to know that I don't want you suffering. You don't have to hang on for me Hutch. If you want to go...If you have to go...I'll understand. You'll always be in my heart Hutch...heck, you are my heart. Please watch over me always okay? I'm sure I'll soon join you. We're partner's...always. I'm right here, you do what you need to do. Just know I love you, always have blintz."

   Starsky could not go on. He continued to hold onto Hutch's hand and settled in to wait...to wait... The rest of the world seemed to have disappeared. All that existed now was the little dimly lit room, full of machinery, Starsky and Hutch.

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky was wearing down, physically and mentally as he sat at his partner's side, waiting for him to live... or to die. He only moved when the nurses came in to care for their patient, clean him up and change the sheets that had become soaked due to Hutch's high temperature. Hutch did not move at all on his own. The doctor had visited around midnight, telling Starsky that Hutch had slipped into a coma. Starsky exchanged no words with the doctor, only nodded, accepting the reality of the harsh truth.

   "Detective Starsky?" A nurse came into the room as Starsky was dozing, never letting go of Hutch's hand.

   Starsky jumped and went pale. Closing his eyes and swallowing hard to gain the strength to ask the question he might not want the answer to.

   "Is he....Oh God...Is Hutch de...is he still alive?"

   "Oh Detective I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you and yes, your friend is still with us. There's a phone call for you at the nurses station."

   "Thanks." It was all he could manage to say. He took a deep breath and tried to collect himself, looking at his partner, noting that he looked even worse now than a couple hours ago. Hutch was extremely pale, almost a gray color, cheeks sunken in with dark circles under his closed eyes and his hands were so cold.

   "Aw Hutch, I'll be right back... you hang on for me okay?" Starsky smoothed the moist hair back from his forehead.

   Starsky ran to the desk to answer the phone. It was now three am.

   "Well, Detective Starsky, how does it feel to be losing someone you love? It shouldn't be long now. You can bury your friend and I will have my revenge. Looks like you lost."

   "Yoder! If my partner doesn't make it because of what you did to him I'll kill you...I swear!"

   "You want your chance? I can tell you all about how Hutchinson suffered, how he called and begged for you but you weren't there and I'll make sure you join him in hell real soon."

   "WHERE YODER?"

   "The old mill warehouse on 9th and Front streets. It's abandoned, We'll have a few words before you join your partner. Come alone. I even smell another cop and you won't see me. I'll still have my revenge. Either way you lose! Hope you made funeral arrangements for that pig partner of yours."

   With that the phone line went dead. Starsky ran back into Hutch's room, telling him to hold on until he got back. He desperately did not want to leave Hutch but he was determined to make Yoder pay for what he had done. Starsky left the room reluctantly, crying as he did, fearing that he might not see his partner alive again, but knowing that he had to do this for Hutch, even if it was the last thing he could do for him.

   The warehouse was dark, musty and a rat trap. Starsky did as he was told and did not call for backup. He knew it was wrong, but Yoder was his and he was determined. His only thoughts were of Hutch and making Yoder pay. "YODER!"

   "Starsky...how nice of you to come."

   "Yoder, give it up! You're done! Show yourself why don't ya! Or aren't you man enough?"

   Captain Dobey called to inquire on Hutch's condition and asked to speak with Starsky. No one was getting sleep on this night as they all knew it could be Hutch's last. He was surprised when the nurse told him that Detective Starsky was not there.

   "Where the hell is he?"

   "I'm sorry, but he got a phone call about 30 minutes ago and left. He seemed pretty upset."

   "Did he say anything? Please try to remember...anything? "

   'Well, I did overhear him say a name. Someone named Yoder. Does that ring a bell Captain?"

   "Yes, did Starsky say anything else? You could be saving his life, but I need more information."

   "I heard him say something about an abandoned warehouse on 9th and Front Streets. Sounded like he was confirming an address."

   "Thank you miss. You've been more helpful than you can imagine."

   Dobey called for backup immediately, kissed Edith and left to join Starsky, hoping it was not too late.

   Starsky carefully crept through the dark warehouse, following the deep evil voice that seemed to keep one step ahead of him. His thoughts were constantly on Hutch, wondering and hoping for a miracle, knowing he had to be there if 'anything' happened. Oh God Hutch...what am I gonna do without ya huh?...please God help him... Starsky was unaware of the pair of evil eyes staring at him, aiming and then pulling the trigger.

   Starsky fell against a tall stack of crates, causing them to tumble onto him, at the same time feeling a searing pain in his left shoulder. He was still, buried under the crates, feeling the hot liquid drenching his shirt. He was trapped as the crates were heavy and the blood loss was taking its toll. His gun was lost when he was hit. He now lay helpless, no weapon, bleeding and hurting. His last thought before losing consciousness was of Hutch.

~~~~~~~~

   Yoder stood over Starsky laughing and priding himself on having killed not just Hutchinson, but now Starsky too. He laughed and kicked at part of Starsky's back that was not buried in under the boxes. Getting no response from the assault, he turned to leave the dead body behind and enjoy his accomplishment.

   "One more move and you're dead" A strong voice came from behind as Yoder felt the barrel of a gun in the back of his head.

   Yoder slowly put his hands up offering a surrender. Captain Dobey told the man to lay on the floor on his stomach so he could cuff him. Yoder seemed to be cooperating, but quickly turned on the hefty man, overpowering him at once. Yoder began his attack on Dobey before retrieving Dobey's gun, resting it on the side of his head. Yoder asked Dobey if he had any last words and cocked the gun for use. Dobey closed his eyes awaiting his fate. A fate that would not come, not now.

   Yoder fell to the ground, never having a chance to pull the trigger. Dobey opened his eyes to realize he was not in heaven, but still in the dark warehouse. As his eyes opened he saw his dark, curly haired detective lying on the hard floor, bleeding profusely, holding onto his found weapon...the weapon and the man had saved Dobey's life. There eyes met momentarily before Starsky slipped back into unconsciousness.

   "What the hell took you so long?!!!" The very alive Dobey yelled at the backup which did not arrive in a timely enough manor for the captain. "Take care of the scum there on the floor. He's dead."

   "Hutch...." a whisper and a hope. Starsky cried, feeling he would not see his partner again and feeling his own life slipping away.

   "Starsky! Hey, stay with me...an ambulance is on the way. Don't you dare leave me you hear? You need to stick around...I need time to thank you for saving my life and ....Hutch...he's gonna need you."

   Starsky whimpered and moaned in pain, physical and emotional. "Is Hutch...is he...? Oh Cap'n....thank God you're okay...and Hutch...he has to make it...he has to...."

   "Relax, it's gonna be okay." Dobey cradled Starsky in his arms until the paramedics could take over and save is dark haired detective. He was now praying desperately for both of his boys lives. Somehow...just somehow this has to be a nightmare....

~~~~~~~~

   One week later:

   Starsky was operated on to remove the bullet from his shoulder and Hutch was not only hanging on to life, but was improving. His condition was upgraded from critical to fair. The doctor's and nurses could not keep Starsky away from his partner's side, so they gave in and decided to put them in the same room.

   "Starsk?" Hutch was still weak, but was awake, talking and getting stronger. He was going to live. One more time both men were getting one more chance...one more miracle to be thankful for.

   "Hey buddy, I'm right here. We're gonna be okay now. Doc even talked about cutting us lose from this joint soon."

   "Starsk, you sure you're okay?"

   "Hey, I'm okay, I promise....as long as you're okay, I'm okay. Cut it kind of close this time buddy, but I don't think the big guy upstairs is ready to handle the two of us yet. We'll be back on the streets before you know it."

   "Starsk, we need a vacation, think Dobey will let us have some time off?"

   Neither noticed that their soft hearted captain entered the room.

   "Well, Dobey might....and he might not...whats it worth to the both of you? Of course, you're both taking some time off. I don't think I'm ready to let two of you lose on those streets yet. You both need some time to...to do whatever it is the two of you do." You're taking two weeks off after they get rid of you in here. I don't think their gonna put up with you too much longer."

   "Thanks Cap'n!" said once again in unison. Think we could get a raise out of this one?"

   "I'll give you a raise! Not a chance! Not that you both don't deserve it though. I'm just glad to have both of you back where you belong, together, partners...."

   "We love you to Cap'n. Hey, you think Edith could make some of her famous vegetable lasagna for us?"

   "Food! Always food Starsky! Where do you put it all?"

   "Hey, I'm a growing boy and we need to fatten blondie up a bit..."

   "I'm sure I can talk Edith into something...for the two of you...anything. Now that doesn't leave this room. If it does I'll deny it...."

   "Did anyone ever tell you you're just a big teddy bear?"

   "That's enough Starsky, now get back to getting well, both of you!"

   "We will Cap'n...we will."

THE END