Pat Chachich

   Starsky knocked again on Hutch's door. He was starting to get annoyed. Where was that Blonde Blintz? They were going to be late and Dobey was going to kill them. Finally, he reached above the door for the key and let himself in. "Hutch? C'mon, let's go, Blondie. We're gonna be late."

   He stopped and looked around the room, frowning as he noticed the still closed blinds and the silence. His annoyance was replaced by a slightly uneasy feeling in his gut. "Hutch? Hutch, are you here?"

   He walked through the apartment to the bedroom and froze at the sight of his partner, still in bed. "Hutch! What're you still doing in bed? C'mon, Sleeping Beauty...rise and shine!"

   Receiving no response, Starsky felt his uneasy feeling grow. He reached over and put his hand on Hutch's shoulder, shaking gently. "Hutch? Hutch, come on, wake up, buddy."

   Hutch moaned and turned over onto his back. His eyes bleary, he blinked and squinted, trying to focus. "Starsk?" His voice sounded hoarse and raspy. He groaned. "Sorry, buddy, I must've overslept. I'll be ready in a minute." Hutch struggled to sit up, but fell back as he was seized by a violent coughing fit.

   "Whoa, take it easy there, buddy." Starsky sat down on the bed, helping Hutch to turn over on his side and patting his back. "OK, babe, take it easy. That's it."

   Hutch lay back, panting, as his coughing subsided. Starsky reached over to brush the blonde hair off Hutch's forehead, shocked at how warm his partner felt. "Geez, Hutch, you're burning up", he said, concerned.

   "I'm OK, Starsk", Hutch croaked. "It's just a cold." He made it into a sitting position, but had to lean back against the headboard as the room seemed to spin around him.

   Starsky put his hand on Hutch's shoulder, and tried to keep the worry out of his voice. "Yeah, right, Blintz. This is more than just a cold. You're not going anywhere, so why don't you lie back down before you pass out?"

   "Starsk..." Hutch tried to protest, but Starsky interrupted. "No arguments, partner, you're sick."

   He helped Hutch lie back down and straightened the covers. "You just stay right there. I'm gonna go call Dobey and tell him we're not coming in today."

   "Starsk, you're not sick." Hutch sounded worried. "He's gonna throw a fit." He sneezed, then sat up as he started coughing again.

   Starsky put his arm around Hutch's shoulders, supporting him until the coughing spell eased, then handed Hutch a handful of tissues from the box by the bed. "He's just gonna have to throw a fit. I'm not leaving you alone when you're this sick."

   Starsky gave Hutch's shoulder a squeeze, then went out into the living room. Hutch soon heard the low murmur of his voice on the phone. He was secretly glad Starsky had decided to stay. He really did feel terrible, and having Starsky around always made him feel better.

   Starsky came back into the bedroom carrying a basin of water and a washcloth, a thermometer, and a glass of ice water which he deposited on the nightstand.

   "Here, Hutch, stick this under your tongue", he said, holding out the thermometer. When Hutch just looked at him, he grinned and warned, "Don't make me take it the other way."

   Hutch glared at him, but soon closed his eyes in relief as Starsky gently wiped his face and neck with the wet cloth. "Mmm...feels good", Hutch mumbled around the thermometer.

   "Shhh, don't talk with that in your mouth", Starsky told him, wringing out the cloth in the basin and turning Hutch on his side to sponge his back. After a few minutes, Starsky took the thermometer out of Hutch's mouth and looked at it. His eyes widened. "102.6. Gee, Hutch, you're really sick. " He looked worriedly at his partner. "Maybe I should call the doctor."

   Hutch looked up into Starsky's concerned eyes and laid his hand on Starsky's arm. "It's not that high. It's just going to have to run it's course, Starsk. I'll be OK."

   Starsky covered Hutch's hand with his own and they looked into each other's eyes for a moment. "Well, alright. But if that fever goes any higher, then all bets are off", Starsky said firmly, still looking worried. He knew how Hutch hated doctors and hospitals, but Starsky wasn't willing to take any chances with his best friend's health. He reached for the glass of ice water on the bedside table. "Here, buddy, drink this. You need fluids."

   Hutch took the glass and dutifully drank the contents while Starsky watched. "OK", Starsky said, taking the empty glass from Hutch. "Why don't you try and get some sleep? I'll be right out in the living room if you need anything."

   He started to get up, but Hutch put his hand on his arm again. "Starsk?"

   "Hmm?" Starsky raised his eyebrows.

   Hutch looked a little embarrassed. "Would you mind sticking around for a while?"

   Starsky smiled softly. "Sure, Blintz, no problem." He sat back down on the bed and took hold of Hutch's hand. "Come on now, close those baby blues." He brushed Hutch's hair back from his face and squeezed the hand he was holding. "I'll stay right here."

   Hutch squeezed his hand in return, closing his eyes. "Thanks, Starsk." He was quickly asleep. Starsky sat watching him sleep for a few minutes, then gently laid Hutch's hand back on the bed. He went out into the living room and picked up the newspaper from the coffee table, then returned to sit in a chair next to the bed to keep watch.

~~~~~~~~

   Hutch had been sleeping almost two hours when Starsky went out to the kitchen to get some coffee and stretch his legs. He came back into the bedroom to see Hutch awake and curled up into a ball, shivering. Starsky quickly crossed the room to his partner. "Hutch. You OK?"

   "I d-don't know", Hutch said with difficulty. "I c-c-can't seem to g-get w-warm."

   Starsky placed his hand on Hutch's cheek, finding it even warmer than before. "Feels like your fever is up, babe", Starsky said gently. He pulled an extra blanket from the end of the bed and wrapped it around Hutch. When the shivering continued, Starsky climbed up on the bed next to Hutch, leaned against the headboard, and wrapped his arms around his friend, pulling him close. Hutch rested his aching head gratefully on Starsky's shoulder and closed his eyes. Gradually the shivering stopped, and Hutch relaxed against Starsky, very glad to have his friend there.

   They sat together enjoying the closeness for several minutes, but then Hutch began to get uncomfortably warm. He also noticed a new symptom - he was starting to itch.

   Starsky noticed Hutch shifting uncomfortably and pulled back to look at his face. "What's wrong, Blintz?"

   Hutch sat up, throwing off the blanket. "Now I'm too hot", he said in a plaintive voice. "And I itch." He scratched his side and back.

   Starsky frowned. "You itch? Let me see." He leaned over and looked where Hutch was scratching, taking hold of his friend's hand to keep it out of the way. "You've got a coupla red spots back here, Hutch. And some more over here", he said, looking at Hutch's stomach.

   Starsky reached over to get the thermometer off the nightstand. "Here, buddy. You're really warm. Put this in your mouth." When he checked it again a few minutes later, his eyebrows shot up. "104! That's it, I'm calling the doctor." He was dialing before Hutch had a chance to protest.

   After a short conversation, Starsky came back into the room, his expression a mixture of concern and bemusement. "Well?" Hutch asked.

   "You're not going to believe this", Starsky answered. "He said it sounded like chickenpox."

   Hutch looked at him, speechless. Starsky smiled a little. "You mean you didn't have that when you were a kid?"

   Hutch shrugged. "I don't know", he said irritably. He looked so miserable that Starsky didn't have the heart to tease him.

   "I'm sorry, Hutch", he said, coming back to sit next to him. "I know you feel rotten. Doc says the fever will probably last 3 or 4 days and you're going to be getting more spots over the next few days. He told me some things to do to make you more comfortable. First thing we need to do is get that fever down a little."

   He went to refill the basin, then sat down on the bed again. "Come on, buddy. Lean back here." He settled Hutch against the headboard with some pillows and started sponging him with the tepid water.

   Hutch started to relax, then suddenly sat up. "Starsk, wait."

   "Huh? What?"

   "Did you have chickenpox when you were a kid?" Hutch asked in a worried voice.

   Starsky shrugged. "Beats me. Lean back, Blondie."

   But Hutch stayed sitting up, a frown on his face. "Starsky, I don't want you to get sick too."

   Starsky smiled at him. "Don't worry about it, Hutch. Besides, I've already been exposed by now, so there's not much we can do about it."

   Hutch reluctantly allowed Starsky to persuade him to lie back, and he eventually fell asleep.

~~~~~~~~

   Over the next few days, Hutch was miserable. His fever went up and down. His head hurt and his throat hurt. And he ITCHED. New spots had continued to appear each day until they covered every part of his body. Starsky stayed with him since Hutch felt so bad he hardly felt like getting out of bed.

~~~~~~~~

   Starsky awakened with a start. It was dark in the apartment and the clock on the nightstand read 2:30 am. He had fallen asleep in the chair next to Hutch's bed, leaning back with his feet propped up on the bed. Starsky frowned and rubbed the back of his neck, trying to get the kinks out. What had awakened him? Everything seemed quiet.

   Just then Hutch sighed and shifted restlessly in the bed, turning to face where Starsky sat, and Starsky saw that he was awake. "Hey, buddy", Starsky whispered. "Can't sleep?"

   Hutch sighed again. "I'm sorry, Starsk", he said quietly. "I didn't mean to wake you up. It's nothing, go back to sleep."

   Starsky dropped his feet to the floor and leaned forward in his chair. "Come on, babe. You don't wake up at 2:30 am for nothing. What's wrong? Itching worse?"

   Hutch nodded. "Yeah", he said dejectedly. "I itch, and I'm hot, then I'm cold, I ache all over, and I'm so tired I can't see straight." He laid back and put his arm over his eyes. "I just wish I could get some sleep."

   Starsky's heart went out to him. Hutch looked pale and exhausted, his pallor and the calamine lotion Starsky had applied earlier making the spots stand out even more. Starsky came and sat next to Hutch on the bed and gently laid his hand on Hutch's cheek. "Hey", he said softly. "I'm sorry you're feeling so bad. I wish there was something I could do to help."

   Hutch removed his arm from his eyes and placed his hand on Starsky's shoulder. Their eyes met. "Just you being here helps, Starsk."

   Starsky gave him one of his crooked grins and patted his cheek. "OK, Blondie. I know just what you need. Wait right here." He jumped up and went out of the room and soon Hutch heard the sound of water running. In a few minutes it stopped and Starsky bounced back into the room, grinning. "Your bath awaits, sir", he said with a dramatic bow.

   Hutch stared at him. "Starsky, what are you talking about?"

   "Come on, Hutch. A nice soak'll make you feel better."

   Hutch looked doubtful. "I don't know, Starsk. I'm so tired..." he trailed off.

   "I know, Hutch, but a bath will help ya relax, and it'll help the itching too." Starsky pulled gently on Hutch's arm.

   Hutch sighed. "Alright, Starsk. I guess it's worth a try." He let Starsky lead him into the bathroom. but then pushed his partner back out into the hall. "I think I can take it from here, Starsk."

   Starsky grinned. "Holler if you need something."

   Starsky put fresh sheets on the bed, then knocked on the bathroom door and peeked in. Hutch was leaning back against the end of the tub, his eyes closed. Starsky spoke softly. "Feels pretty good, huh?"

   Hutch kept his eyes closed. "Mmm...yeah..." he sighed.

   He looked so peaceful Starsky really hated to disturb him. "Hey, buddy, you don't wanna fall asleep in there. How 'bout getting back to bed before you crash?"

   Hutch sighed and reluctantly got to his feet, taking the towel Starsky offered him. Back in the bedroom, Hutch, now clad in pajama bottoms, sat on the bed while Starsky applied calamine lotion to Hutch's spots.

   By the time Starsky was finished, Hutch was feeling very relaxed and very sleepy. He lay down under the covers. "Thanks, Starsk. That was really a great idea."

   Starsky sat on the edge of the bed and smiled. "Feel like you could sleep now, babe?" He pulled the covers up over Hutch's shoulder, then gently stroked Hutch's head, pushing the blonde hair back from his face.

   Hutch mumbled, almost asleep, "Mmm-hmm...yeah...'night, Starsk..."

   Starsky smiled softly. "'Night, partner", he whispered.

~~~~~~~~

   As the days went on, Starsky continued to do everything he could to help Hutch feel better. But the most important thing to Hutch was that Starsky was always there for him, a supportive and comforting presence.

~~~~~~~~

   On the morning of the fourth day, Hutch awakened early. As he stretched and sat up, he noticed that the headache that had been present since the first day of his illness was gone, and he felt a lot better. Most of his rash was starting to crust over, and he hadn't had any new spots since yesterday.

   Hutch smiled when he caught sight of Starsky sleeping, still in his jeans and T-shirt, on top of the blankets on the other side of the bed. "Poor guy", Hutch thought. "I've really put him through the wringer the last few days." Hutch got up, wrapped his robe around him, and made his way into the kitchen, deciding he wanted to do something special for his partner.

   Starsky was awakened by the smell of coffee. As he stretched, he realized he also smelled bacon. Startled, he turned to look where Hutch had been sleeping. The bed was empty.

   Starsky got up and followed the smells to the kitchen, where he saw his partner sliding an omelet onto a plate and adding two strips of bacon from a plate on the counter.

   "Hutch? What're you doing up?" Starsky asked, rubbing his face and trying to wake up. "You don't have to do that. Come on and sit down, you need your rest." He walked across the kitchen and attempted to lead Hutch toward the living room.

   "Morning, Starsk." Hutch evaded his partner and instead went to the table to set down the plate he held. "I'm feeling a lot better today. I figured the least I could do was make you a decent breakfast after all you've done."

   Starsky put his hand on Hutch's forehead. "Hey, feels like your fever is gone." He looked carefully at Hutch. "And you do look a little better."

   "I think I'll live, Starsk", Hutch smiled. "Now sit down and eat your breakfast."

   Starsky looked down at the plate and suddenly realized he was starving. He sat down and picked up his fork, then paused and looked at Hutch sitting across from him with just a coffee cup in front of him. "You're not joining me?"

   Hutch shook his head, looking at Starsky's plate a little sickly. "No, thanks. I don't think I'm quite up to that yet."

   Starsky gave him a worried frown. "You oughta eat something."

   "I'll have something later. I just don't have much of an appetite." Hutch stood up. "I think I'll grab a shower."

   Starsky was finished eating by the time Hutch came back, but was still sitting at the table with his coffee. Hutch sat down across from him and leaned his chin on his hand.

   "What's the matter?" Starsky asked, noticing his partner's expression.

   Hutch shook his head. "I made the mistake of looking in the mirror when I was in there. I look terrible." He gave a rueful smile. "I even scared myself."

   Starsky grinned. "Yeah, looks like I'll be getting all the girls for a while", he teased.

   Hutch rolled his eyes, then grinned. "Enjoy it while you can, Gordo."

   They both laughed, then Hutch suddenly looked serious. He reached out and took Starsky's hand, thinking about the way Starsky had been there for him over the last four days: sponging him when his fever got too high, sitting up with him when he couldn't sleep, and generally going out of his way to make Hutch more comfortable. "Hey, Starsk", he said, looking into his partner's eyes. "Thanks for sticking with me through this. I don't know what I would've done without you."

   Starsky smiled and squeezed Hutch's hand. "No problem, Blondie. That's what partners are for."

THE END