Kathy Kellenberger

   "Hutch, do we really have to go and take care of the old Kravitz place this weekend?"

   "Starsky, we can't let her down now, she's been a good neighbor to me, always making sure I'm eating right, your eating right." Hutch chuckled, "Always getting my mail in and watering my plants when we're away. She's really a sweet old lady, like a grandmother. We really can't let that little sweetheart of a lady down. It was your offer anyway Starsk."

   Mrs. Emily Kravitz lived in the apartment next to Hutch. She was your typical grandmother type lady, especially fond of "her boys" as she called them, always looking out for both of them. She loved them like her own grandsons, had she had any. She was pretty much alone in the world. Both Starsky & Hutch had taken a strong liking to her, being strong and protective, yet appreciating her goodness toward them by accepting her need to mother them. They loved her too.

   Emily's nephew was coming out west for a new job and she graciously offered him an old house she owned which had been vacant for some time now. It needed 'some' work and Starsky was the first to offer to help fix the place up. He offered Hutch's services as well.

   Friday night came quickly. They gathered some tools they thought they might need, packed a couple things and got ready for the two hour drive to the old house. They were borrowing an old truck from Merl so they could transport a lawnmower, tree trimmer and other tools. They went over the directions and headed toward their project. They didn't have to be back at work till Tuesday...Starsky was really hoping to be back by Sunday night.

   "Starsky, you sure this 'thing' is going to get us there?"

   "Hutch, this 'truck' will be fine. Has Merl ever let us down before?"

   "Yeah, every time he is able to resuscitate that car of yours he lets me down."

   "Hey, he's done wonders bringing yours back from the dead...gotta give him credit for that, or sympathy for trying."

   "Ok, ok, ok... Starsk, but if this heap lets us sit, your doing the pushing."

   Both were half laughing at the abuse they put each other through about their cars...each trying not to let the other see."

   "Ok Hutch, enough about your helpless car. How about we stop for breakfast. I know a great new place that serves a breakfast burrito."

   "Oh Starsk..." Hutch smiled and rolled his eyes. "I thought I raised you better than that, where did I go wrong?"

   The two were on their way. There was only a slight back fire here and there from the truck and not too much smoke coming from the exhaust pipe.

   Two hours later they were in the area of the house. They had the address but it was a heavily wooded and secluded area.

   "Hey Starsk look....over there. I think that might be it." Hutch pointed through some trees.

   "Hutch...don't even tell me that's the house. Heck, I wouldn't even call it a house. A shack maybe. You didn't tell me we'd need to bring windows! We only have till Tuesday Hutch. This place could take months to rehabilitate. It needs life support, not us. Heck, the grass....its a field...and ..."

   "Starsky! Will you quit your complaining. Think of this as a challenge, an adventure, like something you've never done before."

   "Hutch...I've never done this before."

   Both started laughing at the sad looking house. Hutch knew his partner was just giving him a hard time. Wouldn't be Starsky without some complaining. Gotta love him... Hutch thought.

~~~~~~~~

   Night soon fell upon them. This was when Starsky made the discovery that there was no electricity. He was very thankful for the lanterns and oil he found on the kitchen counter earlier. At least there was water and a gas stove that miraculously seemed to work. There were two bedrooms upstairs, each with a full bed.

   "Lets just get some sleep Starsk, I'm beat and we have a lot of work ahead of us tomorrow. G'night buddy." Hutch was asleep almost immediately after hitting the bed.

   Starsky had a more difficult time getting to sleep. He heard every noise, felt every breeze and saw every shadow that the moon cast through the swaying trees. There was no way he was getting to sleep in this "creepy room".

   Hutch woke as the sun hit his eyes the next morning. He turned onto his left side a bit startled at first, then just smiled. Starsky was asleep right next to him, close as he could get. He didn't have the heart to wake his partner, he looked so peaceful. Hutch got out of bed, pulled the covers up over Starsky's shoulders and left him to wake when he was ready.

   It wasn't long before Starsky woke to the smell of freshly brewed coffee.

   "Good Morning sleepyhead. You get scared last night buddy?" Hutch was smiling again.

   "No." Starsky said is his best pouting voice. "That bed must have been papa bears, the mattress was really hard."

   "How about some bacon and eggs?"

   "Thanks, coffee smells good too."

   They discussed where to start over breakfast. Hutch decided to mow the grass. Starsky decided to work on the falling down kitchen cabinets.

   "Come on Starsk, the sooner we start, the sooner we'll be finished."

   Starsky grabbed some tools out of the back of the truck and helped Hutch get the lawnmower down. Starsky disappeared inside as Hutch fueled the lawnmower.

   An hour later both were still busy working on their first project. Starsky felt good at the progress he was making. His concentration was broken abruptly as he heard blood curdling screams coming from outside, from his PARTNER!

   Starsky dropped everything and rushed to the back yard of the house. He was horrified at what he saw.

   "Oh God! Hutch! Cover your face! Cover your eyes buddy!"

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky was frantic. He had to get to his partner. His own fear took a back seat.

   "Hutch, I'm comin to get ya...hang on."

   Starsky ran through what seemed like a thousand or more bees to get to his partner who was covered with them. Hutch was screaming, trying to run, but he couldn't get away from them.

   The pain was excruciating, he felt every sting. He could only run so far before falling to his knees out of weakness, pain and panic. The world was going black. He was leaving the yard as he felt himself being scooped up. He was carried and moved quickly. He tried to move and to see what was going on but he was too weak. His head just hung backwards. His entire body was limp in the arms of the strong being who was helping him. He felt it must be God himself....who else would have the courage and guts to risk their own life, their own pain for him. "Starsky..."

   Starsky was running as fast as he could with Hutch in his arms. The bees were stinging him as well, but he pushed the pain aside. It was most important that he get his partner to safety and the bees that still clung to him off.

   It seemed like hours, but within a few minutes he found what he was looking for. He held on tightly to his partner and jumped into a pond in the meadow just down from the house. He scraped away at the residual bees that clung to his partner and told Hutch to hold his breath while he dunked his body entirely below the water. He repeated this until he was sure the bees were off of his friend. It was only then that he saw the huge welts on Hutch's face and neck and that his eyes were almost swollen shut. Hutch was not responding to his call.

   "Oh God. Please Hutch talk to me! Come on buddy!"

   Starsky was relieved when he heard his partner whimper. He knew the pain must have been excruciating and the damage looked devastating. In a shaky voice he tried to comfort his partner....and himself.

   "You're gonna be ok Hutch. We need to get you to a hospital. Oh God! Where is the nearest hospital around here?"

   Hutch tried to open his eyes but the swelling prevented his attempt. He wanted to talk to Starsky but his speech didn't seem to want to cooperate with his intentions. He still couldn't lift his head. His only comfort was in knowing he was being held by Starsky. Things had to be ok...Starsky always makes things ok...Oh God, this hurts so bad...please make it stop. He was feeling sick.

   Starsky held on tighter, trying to comfort his agonizing partner as best as he could. He felt so helpless as he heard Hutch crying with what strength he had.

~~~~~~~~

   They were in the water for at least fifteen minutes. The bees were still swarming.

   "Hutch...Hutch, come on can you hear me? We need to get you out of here."

   The only response he was getting from his partner was the weak grip he had around Starsky's neck and the constant crying mixed with intermittent screams of pain. Starsky began to get scared when he heard his partner begin to wheeze. Oh God I hope he's not allergic. What the hell does it matter, anyone stung this many times is gonna have a reaction. I gotta get him some help fast. Starsky was feeling panicky himself. He knew he had to think quick.

   "Hey buddy, I'm gonna take ya to the truck. The house, not having any windows, is probably full of um."

   Hutch seemed just a little more coherent. He started itching real bad. Starsky got a better grip under his partner and lifted him out of the water. He ran as fast as he could. Hutch was dead weight in his arms. Starsky opened the passenger door of the truck, moved Hutch in as fast as he was able and shut the door trying to prevent the bees from getting into the truck. He ran around to the other side and jumped in.

   "Hutch, I know its hot, but you gotta keep the windows closed. This is our only safe place right now."

   Starsky grabbed the map from the floor and killed the couple of bees that got in, unfortunately not before they got their revenge on his partner once more. Hutch was weak, he just moaned and tried to get away from them. He went to open the door to get away but Starsky quickly grabbed his hands and pulled him back.

   "No Hutch, ya can't go out there." He noticed that Hutch was becoming short of breath and the wheezing was louder. Hutch was shaking as though he had terrible chills and scratching himself almost raw in places.

   "Oh buddy, come here." Starsky gently pulled his partner over toward him and talked to him soothingly. Hutch was severely weak. His head fell onto Starsky's shoulder, his arms just fell at his sides. He gradually slid down, his head finally resting in Starsky's lap. Starsky stroked at the fine hair on Hutch's forehead and held his shaking partner.

   "It's gonna be ok Hutch. I gotta get the keys to the truck, there on the counter in the kitchen."

   'No, don't go out there, they'll get you....please." His voice was so weak and hoarse. He reached up for Starsky's arm but didn't have the energy to find it. Starsky finished his partner's attempt and grabbed onto his hand, holding it tight.

   "Hutch, we have not other choice. We gotta get away from here. I'll be right back. I'll be ok, I promise."

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky made his way into the house and back to the truck quickly. Hutch was laying across the seat, he hadn't moved. He noticed that the wheezing was worse and it seemed that Hutch was struggling harder to breath. He couldn't tell if his partner was awake or if he had passed out, his eyes were still so swollen. He knew it wasn't the safest way to drive, but he left Hutch rest back down on his lap. It would have been less safe trying to hold him up and drive at the same time. Besides, he didn't know what to expect next and wanted his partner as close to him as possible.

   The truck started to Starsky's amazement. Thank God he thought. He took off down the dirt road, getting away from the bees and his partner closer to help. They eventually reached a paved road. Starsky was driving at a high rate of speed, he was afraid his partner's throat would close up at any moment.

   "Starsky, stop the truck...I'm gonna be sick." Hutch grabbed for his stomach.

   Starsky pulled over to the side of the road and ran around to the passengers side of the truck to help his partner get out. As soon as he was out of the truck he fell to his knees and began vomiting profusely. He heaved till there was nothing left. Starsky supported him, not letting him fall completely to the ground.

   "Come on buddy...you think you can make it now?"

   "Starsky...I'm so dizzy and I'm having trouble swallowing...can't catch my breath. Starsk, am I gonna die?"

   "No Hutch, your gonna be ok...I promise. We just need to get you some help. Come on buddy, we're almost there." It broke Starsky's heart to see tears caught in the swelling of Hutch's eyes. He knew he was scared.

   Starsky was panicked on the inside, but knew that he had to be calm for Hutch's sake. He couldn't show how scared he was, thinking Hutch could die from this. He knew as long as he gave his partner hope, he would do his damnedest to hang on.

   Once Starsky had Hutch back in the truck he took off again. He had the pedal to the floor of the old truck. He almost pushed it through the floor when Hutch began to cough and started sounding like he was choking.

~~~~~~~~

   "Hutch! Hutch...can you hear me?"

   Hutch just squeezed tighter onto Starsky's leg. He was not able to answer verbally. The tightness of the grip told Starsky he was scared. Starsky knew that Hutch knew what was happening here. He glanced down at his partner to see silent tears staining his swollen face.

   Oh God, please help him hang on...please...I'm askin' ya for a miracle God...please come through for him. Starsky was feeling short of breath himself as his mind raced in prayer, fear, panic and great concern for his partner. He so feared losing his best friend.

   "Shit! Hutch we're being pulled over." Starsky thought of trying to outrun the State Police car that was gaining on them but quickly came to his senses. Starsky brought the truck to a screeching halt, holding onto his partner so he wouldn't crash onto the floor of the truck.

   Starsky jumped out of the truck and ran to the officer. "Boy am I glad to see you!" Not the reaction that the trooper was expecting.

   "Ya gotta help me. My partner... he was stung by a swarm of bees. He's not breathing too good and he's having trouble swallowing. Can you get us to a hospital fast?"

   The officer took one look at Hutch and realized the urgency of the situation. He helped Starsky get him into the back seat of the car, then Starsky got in and rested Hutch's head back onto his lap. By now Hutch was in the beginning stages of severe shock. The officer grabbed the first aid kit from the glove compartment and began his work immediately. He leaned over the seat with a syringe and began to move Hutch's shirt sleeve up.

   "Hey, what are you doing? Just drive and get us to a hospital!" Starsky pleaded.

   "Mister...its a shot of Epinephrine. It will help your friend, trust me. Turn him onto his side too, he might be able to breath better. He's not gonna make it to a hospital without some help in the condition he's in. We always carry a bee sting kit in our first aid supplies."

   Hutch tried to move his arm away after the needle pierced his skin. Probably thought it was another bee.

   "Hey buddy, it's ok...that was a shot to help you...should help you to breath better. Just try to relax now. I'm right here and your gonna be ok. I'm gonna turn you on your side a bit."

   Starsky was wearing down as well. He wasn't able to stop a few tears from escaping his eyes. He desperately didn't want to lose his partner...his friend who he loved so much.

   "Starsky...I'm gonna be sick again...please....my stomach really hurts." Hutch used all his strength to plead with his partner.

   "Hey, stop the car, he's gonna be sick."

   "There's no time. We need to get him to the hospital now! Here, have him use this bag." The trooper handed a bad to Starsky.

   "Here buddy, your gonna have to use this. We can't stop now."

   Starsky held the bag as his partner retched into it. He rubbed his partner's back and supported his forehead so he wouldn't slip onto the floor of the car. Hutch grabbed onto his stomach with his left hand and reached for his partner with the other. Starsky's hand joined Hutch's searching one with a reassuring grip. He brought their joined hands together and held them next to his cheek. Hutch felt his partner's convulsing and knew that he was crying. He tightened his grip on his partner's hand and with their two hands still joined together he found Starsky's eye's and wiped at the tears.

   "Hey Starsk. It'll be ok. I'm breathing...a little...better now and my stomach's...not as sick. Don't worry Starsk, we'll make it...don't cry ok?"

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky couldn't believe that his partner was worrying about him when he knew he was in a life threatening situation, sick, weak and hurting.

   The shot of epinephrine was wearing off and Hutch was wheezing harder again. Starsky knew Hutch was trying to be strong for him, but he noticed his strained and labored breathing. He was going crazy with the itching but was too weak to give himself any relief.

   "Hey, can you hurry, he's not doing to well." Starsky pleaded with the trooper.

   "We're almost there Mister."

   "Its Dave and my partner here is Ken. We're detectives for the LAPD." Starsky grabbed his badge and ID and threw it onto the front seat.

   "I'm Sergeant Starsky and my partner is Sergeant Hutchinson. We were helping a neighbor renovate an old house....he was mowing the lawn when the bees got him. I swear...there were thousands of um."

   Starsky wanted to be strong but broke down despite himself.

   "I'm sorry, some strong cop huh?"

   "It's ok man, your human. Someone you love is hurting real bad and your scared. I lost a partner five years ago. I know your pain...so its ok...really. You don't have to be strong."

   "Thanks...um."

   "Mike...my name is Mike."

   "Thanks Mike... I'm sorry for your loss...I can't imagine."

   Their conversation was interrupted as Hutch started gasping for breath loudly.

   "Oh God! His throat is closing up! Hutch...hold on...please hold on...we're almost there buddy."

~~~~~~~~

   Fortunately Mike was pulling up to the emergency room entrance. He had called ahead and the hospital personnel were ready to treat their patient immediately.

   Starsky followed close as Hutch was rushed into the trauma room. He could only watch and pray for his partner to be ok. The doctors and nurses were too busy to notice that Starsky did not leave the trauma room. He stood frozen and watched as they quickly inserted an endotracheal tube into his partner and hooked him quickly up to a ventilator. IV's were started, epinephrine was called for and injected rapidly along with other drugs he never heard of before. Vital signs were taken and monitors were attached. He leaned against the wall, feeling himself collapsing as he watched his friend go into convulsions. Immediate measures were taken to control the seizures which ceased in a matter of minutes.

   The last thing Starsky remembered was the nurses cutting Hutch's clothing off of him and seeing the huge welts that covered his entire body, and the many dead bees that fell to the floor.

   He woke hours later, finding himself in a hospital bed. He didn't understand.

   "Hutch! Where's Hutch? Please...tell me where my partner is." He was so tired and couldn't seem to wake up.

   A nearby nurse came to his side. She explained how he passed out in the trauma room and when they came to attend to him they found how badly he had been stung too. She went on to explain that he was so tired because of the large doses of antihistamines he was given.

   "How's my partner? Please give me some good news."

   The nurse took his hand and was glad she could tell him that his partner was going to be ok, that he was resting comfortably and breathing on his own.

   "When can I see him? I want to see him as soon as possible."

   "That shouldn't be too hard." The nurse pushed back the curtain. "You won't have to go too far, just look to your left."

   "Hutch...Oh Hutch...your looking much better buddy. You just rest for now, we'll have a good talk later." Starsky thanked God aloud before drifting back to sleep.

   Later that night he spent sitting at his partner's bedside, holding his hand, talking to him and waiting for him to wake up. He began to doze again himself, awakening at once when he heard that familiar voice calling his name.

   "Starsky...it's so good to see you. Are we ok?"

   Starsky stood, still holding onto Hutch's hand with his right hand and began to stroke his partner's hair back from his temples.

   "We're ok buddy. You had me really scared for a while blondie...but yes, we're ok. Someone up there's really watching out for us and I couldn't be more grateful. I love you buddy."

   Hutch gave his partner a tired smile and gripped his hand tighter.

   "Let's tell Mrs. Kravitz to condemn the house, ok Starsk? I never want to mow a lawn again."

THE END