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PART ONE

Enemy Without - Part Two

By

TJ

   The next two days passed without incident. And without progress. No one fitting the mystery woman's description had been back to Huggy's nor had anyone been seen near Starsky's apartment. Apparently their girl was lying low.

   They tried to go back over their cases and think of who would want to hurt them like this. There were so many to choose from that without more to go on, there was no way to know. They had even gone so far as to check the descriptions of the wives and girlfriends of the worst of the lot. That had been a dead end, too.

   The only positive development had been Starsky. He seemed to be coming out of the almost fugue-like state he'd been in, the depression and shock finally easing a bit. That alone made things easier on Hutch, allowing him to spend a little time on his own feelings rather than pushing them away to see to his partner's needs.

   It all went to shit the day they got the tape in the mail.

   Hutch was leafing through the mail when he came across a small brown envelope. When he turned it over, the word RAPIST screamed out at him. He briefly considered not telling Starsky about it, but decided against that. They were in this together.

   "Starsk," Hutch called.

   "What's up?" Starsky asked, walking into the kitchen to join Hutch at the table.

   Silently, Hutch slid the envelope across the table to him. He watched helplessly as the blood drained from his friend's face and Starsky began to shake. He really was going to kill someone when he found out who was behind all this.

   "Open it," Starsky said through clenched teeth as he slid the envelope back.

   Using a handkerchief, Hutch tore the envelope open carefully and a cassette tape slid out. A label had been affixed to one side that read: HOW TO RAPE YOUR PARTNER BY D. STARSKY. Anger swelled in Hutch again. Why did they keep doing this? It seemed every time Starsky made a little headway in getting over what happened something new brought it all back. First his apartment with that horrid message on the wall and now this. Hutch knew his partner was going to insist on listening to the damn thing. Personally, he wanted nothing more than to burn it and to hell with any clues it might hold.

   "We can have Dobey listen to it if you'd rather," Starsky said. He knew his partner and knew what he was thinking. The last thing he wanted to do was to make Hutch listen to his own rape.

   "I'd have thought you'd want to listen to it yourself," Hutch said.

   "I do," Starsky admitted. "But we gotta have it checked for prints anyway."

   "All right," Hutch said. "I'll call Dobey and let him know we're coming. He can have somebody ready to dust for prints when we get there."

   "Sure, Hutch," Starsky replied, wishing this would all just go away. "Let's get it over with."

   Together they walked into their captain's office. Dobey and a lab tech were waiting for them. Hutch handed over the envelope and the tape then sat down beside Starsky. There were few prints on the envelope and none on the tape itself. The lab tech promised to have the results back by the end of the day, but they all knew the prints probably belonged to Hutch. It looked like their mystery lady was smart enough to be careful.

   Dobey waited until they were alone to pull out a small tape player. He set the machine on his desk then looked at his detectives. "Would you rather listen to this in private?" he asked. If that tape held what it said it held, he didn't know how Hutchinson was going to take it. Not to mention Starsky.

   "Just play it, Cap," Starsky said. Hutch nodded his consent and Dobey pushed play.

   A woman's voice floated out of the machine, startling all three men. "How To Rape Your Partner by D. Starsky," the voice said. "Otherwise known as The Rape Of Kenneth Hutchinson."

   The sound of rustling could be heard on the tape. Hutch frowned, not understanding what it was, but Starsky knew. This was when he was moving around to climb on top of Hutch, making sure to position himself to hold the sleeping man down. Starsky was mortified. His eyes flashed to his captain's but he had to look away. The blame he saw reflected there was more than he could take.

   "Starsk?" Hutch's sleepy voice came over the tape. "What the hell are you doing?"

   "What's it feel like, Hutchinson?" Starsky's voice shot back. The sounds of muted struggling could be heard. It sounded as if someone's mouth was being covered.

   Unable to look at the other two men, Starsky bowed his head. He laced his fingers together tightly and tried to keep from shaking. Hutch was ghost-white as the memories of that night assailed him. Dobey looked at his two detectives and felt his temper flare. How dare they be treated like this? And how dare they be forced to relive it?

   "You've been flashin' that ass in front of me long enough, partner," Starsky's voice said, dripping menace. "Time to pay up."

   "No!" They heard Hutch's voice cry out. More muted struggling could be heard as Hutch fought to free himself.

   Starsky jerked as Hutch's voice cried out on the tape. His eyes filled with tears as he heard his friend struggle. Then he felt Hutch's hand on his arm, squeezing lightly and the shaking he had been holding off began.

   "I can't wait to fuck you." Starsky's voice again.

   Starsky couldn't hold back a sob as he heard his own voice saying such a vile thing to Hutch. Hutch simply squeezed his arm tighter, crying himself now as images flashed through his mind. He had been so afraid for them both.

   Dobey watched as, through his own pain, Hutch reached out to his partner. Personally, he wanted to pick Starsky up and shake him. He knew it wasn't the man's fault, but it still didn't change the fact that David Starsky had raped Ken Hutchinson. It still didn't change the fact that Dobey wanted him to pay for it.

   "Starsk... buddy..." Hutch's pleading voice said. "You don't wanna do this."

   "Wanna bet?"

   There was silence for a moment then the sound of something hitting the floor. More struggling and heavy breathing broken by a few grunts then all was silent again. The sound of a fist hitting flesh startled everyone and both partners knew this was when Starsky had punched him.

   "You want me to beat the crap outta ya?" Starsky's voice floated out from the tape followed by the sound of a hand hitting flesh again. Hutch's gasp of surprised pain came through loud and clear and Starsky cringed, sinking deeper into the chair. His shame was magnified by Dobey's presence as he wondered what his captain must think of him now.

   More rustling and shuffling then the sound of bedsprings creaking as something heavy landed there. Silence reigned again, punctured only by the soft rustling of cloth. Hutch could see it all in his head so clearly. Starsky stripping then coming to the bed with the knife.

   The sound of flesh being struck followed by a loud grunt filled the room, then the sounds of a struggle drifted from the tape. The sound of material being cut away made Dobey flinch and he stared long and hard at Starsky's bent head. If this damn tape didn't end soon, he'd end up adding his own dents to the filing cabinet.

   A gasp, then the soft sounds of flesh being suckled made Hutch's face turn red. Hutch raised his eyes to look at his captain and the compassion he saw there eased the worst of it. Until he began to moan, that was. And beg. Humiliation rolled through him as he listened to the tape.

   "No!" the Hutch on the tape cried out. The real Hutch felt a fresh wave of shame wash over him as he listened to the sounds of his own orgasm.

   The bed creaked again and all three men knew what was happening. "Starsk, please. You don't want to do this," they heard Hutch beg.

   "Oh yes I do. I've wanted your ass for years, Hutchinson. Now I'm gonna take it." The sound of movement then Hutch's voice crying out in pain were more than Starsky could take. He sobbed openly as the horror of that night came back. They were right. He was a rapist.

   "Do you feel that? Do you feel that, Hutch? That's my cock in you. Do you like it?" The evil in that voice made Starsky's stomach roll. If Hutch didn't have a death grip on his arm, he'd have bolted from the room. Hutch, himself, wasn't in much better shape as he listened to himself beg for mercy.

   "No. Starsk, stop. Please."

   The sounds of grunting could be heard as the Starsky on the tape approached his orgasm. Hutch realized this must be where he passed out. He listened raptly, finding out for the first time what happened once he was unconscious. Any hope that Starsky hadn't completed the act were dashed as he listened to his friend's orgasm.

   "HUTCH!" they heard Starsky call out. It didn't take a genius to figure out he'd come.

   The tape cut off with an audible click. Hutch, pale and nauseous, immediately turned his attention to his partner. Starsky sat shaking in the chair beside him, his head bowed and his eyes refusing to move from their spot on the floor. Tears ran down his face unchecked and his hands were clenched together as he fought to regain his control.

   "Take him home, Hutch," Dobey snapped, unable to hold back his anger.

   "Captain?" Hutch asked, confused by the terse order.

   "Get him out of here!" Dobey said, the tension in his voice easy to hear. The last thing either of them needed was to see him lose control. "Take him home, Ken. We'll talk about this tomorrow."

   "Yes, Sir," Hutch said as he helped his friend to his feet. Starsky allowed himself to once more be led from Dobey's office. He didn't say a word all the way to the car. He was drawing in on himself, building a wall where nothing and no one could get to him. But how do you keep out your own memories? How do you keep out the soul killing knowledge that you raped your best friend?

   Somehow, the events on the tape had been even worse than he remembered, if that were actually possible. Starsky had remembered taunting his friend, but he couldn't believe his own cruelty. And how could he have just ignored Hutch's pleas? Hutch had told him no and he'd done what he wanted anyway. It wasn't supposed to be that way.

   "What, buddy?" Hutch asked as he pulled up in front of his apartment. Starsky looked at him wide-eyed and realized he must have spoken out loud.

   "It wasn't supposed to be that way," Starsky repeated.

   "What wasn't?" Hutch asked again, not understanding.

   "Our first time together," Starsky answered. "I've loved you for so long. Wanted you, too. But I never wanted to hurt you. I never wanted to force you... to rip your body apart just to shove myself inside you. Why'd they hafta do it, Hutch? Why'd they hafta take the best thing in my life and ruin it? It woulda been better if they'd've killed me."

   "Starsky, no," Hutch said. "Look, I know this isn't the right time for this, but I love you, too. I have for a long time and..."

   "It's not fair!" Starsky interrupted, unable to listen to Hutch tell him of everything that could have been. "They took it away from us."

   "Hey, they only take what we let them take," Hutch argued.

   "Get real, Hutch," Starsky shot back, his anger coming out. "There's no way you'll ever want me to touch you like that... like a lover. Not now. Not after what I did."

   "Starsk..."

   "That's okay, Hutch," Starsky went on. "I don't think I'll ever be able to make love to anyone again. I don't think I could ever... ever... penetrate... anyone."

   "Don't say that!" Hutch snapped, his voice loud in the quiet stillness of the car. "It'll take time, but we'll both get through this. And you're wrong about not wanting you. I do. I may not be ready yet, but it doesn't change the fact that I love you and I still want you. And don't forget, I own you now, pal. Lock, stock and barrel."

   Knowing his words would never be enough, Hutch leaned forward and placed a soft, closed-mouth kiss on his partner's lips. It was one of the most chaste kisses he'd ever given, but it was all he was capable of right now. He knew Starsky would understand.

   Starsky froze at the feel of those soft, dry lips on his own. He didn't know what to do so he did nothing. Better that than make a move and it be the wrong one. Never in a million years had he expected his partner to kiss him much less want him in any sort of sexual sense. It broke his heart to know what had been taken from them. They would never have a gentle and loving first time. That was gone forever. But Hutch was still here and he still loved him. Maybe, just maybe, something could be salvaged from this after all.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Dobey was waiting for them when they arrived the next day. Officially they were working undercover on a rape and possible extortion case. Their prior cases had been handed out to other detectives to finish. Dobey knew his men were in no shape to handle them right now. They were spending every bit of energy they had on healing and on finding out who was behind this whole mess. Dobey hoped, for everyone's sake, that they found the culprit soon.

   "Maybe it's not somebody from your past," Dobey suggested. "Maybe it's just a psycho who chose you at random."

   "Then how do you explain Starsky's apartment? Or the tape?" Hutch asked.

   "Sorry, Cap, but it just doesn't feel random," Starsky interjected. "It feels personal."

   "What about a woman one of you've dated?" Dobey asked. They were grasping at straws but they had little else to go on. "It wouldn't be the first time one of you've hooked up with a nut case."

   "Gee, Cap, your sensitivity is under whelming," Starsky said snidely as he cast a glance at his partner. They both knew the man had been referring to Diane Harmon. But Starsky didn't think that was the case this time. "And no, I haven't dated anyone that fits that description."

   "Sorry, Captain," Hutch said. "No short, green-eyed brunettes for me, either."

   "Great!" Dobey replied. "What about a relative? Maybe a sister of someone you've dated."

   "I can't think of anyone who'd want to do that," Starsky said. "I mean, sure, some of 'em weren't too happy with me, but none of 'em were nuts."

   "Starsky, have you ever done anything even remotely like this before?" Dobey asked. He hated himself for having to ask but knew there was no choice.

   "Are you asking me if I've ever raped anyone before?" Starsky asked incredulously.

   "You know damn well that's what I'm asking. Now answer the question!"

   "NO! No, I've never tied someone up and forced myself on them. No, I've never had sex of ANY SORT with anyone who wasn't 100% willing," Starsky shouted. Beseeching eyes met his captain's and in a quieter voice, "I swear, Cap, the most I've ever done was talk a girl inta goin' home with me. But if she didn't want to, once we got there, I never pushed it. I swear I didn't."

   "It's okay, Dave," Dobey said softly, trying to reassure the distraught man. "I believe you, son. I had to ask. You understand, right?"

   "I understand, Cap'n," Starsky replied. He was about to say more when Hutch's voice cut in.

   "If you ever do that to him again, I'll take you apart myself," Hutch snarled, enraged that their captain would treat Starsky like that. "Do YOU understand THAT?"

   "Hutch, don't," Starsky implored.

   "It's all right, Dave," Dobey said. "And yes, Hutchinson, I understand."

   "Good," Hutch said. He stood to leave then and Starsky followed. "If you need us, we'll be in the car or at my place."

~~~~~~~~~~

   They spent the rest of the day running down leads. By the time they got back to Hutch's they were thoroughly discouraged. Every time they turned around they were running into another dead end. To make matters worse, all the prints on the envelope had belonged to Hutch. They were back at square one.

   The sound of glass crashing against the wall in the bedroom brought Starsky off the couch, gun in hand. Rushing into the room, he stopped short at the sight of his partner standing alone in the center of the room. He could see a mess against the far wall where Hutch had hurled his beer. He was about to ask his partner what the problem was when he saw the bed.

   There, neatly laid out, were Hutch's missing jeans. Whoever was doing this had gotten in here as well. And if fear was their goal, they succeeded. Starsky heard the message loud and clear. They weren't safe in their own homes.

   "They're watching us," Hutch said once the initial shock wore off. "They have to be. How else would they know when we'd be gone."

   "Yeah," Starsky agreed. "So now what? They got in at my place. They got in here. There was no sign of forced entry. And they know I'm was stayin' with you. They wouldn'ta sent the tape here if they didn't. They wanted me to hear it."

   "They wanted us both to," Hutch said. "But I agree with you. They wouldn't have sent the tape here if they didn't know you were staying with me."

   "Maybe I should go," Starsky said.

   "What are you talking about?" Hutch demanded.

   "If I go, maybe whoever's doing this will leave you alone," Starsky reasoned.

   "No way, partner," Hutch said, shaking his head. "Together, remember?"

   "Hutch, I'm scared," Starsky said as he sat down on the side of the bed. "I couldn't take it if they made me hurt you again."

   "They won't, buddy," Hutch reassured him as he sat down beside him. "And even if they did don't you think I'd rather take a chance on that then you getting hurt. I'd go through that a hundred times over if I thought it would keep you safe."

   "Sometimes... sometimes I wish it had been the other way around, you know," Starsky said. "That I was the one that got raped."

   "You think this would be any easier for me if I was in your place?" Hutch asked. "Trust me, Starsk. I know I got the better deal. I was raped. I have to live with that. But I wasn't the one that was forced to... to defile... our friendship. That's what it was. It was a defilement. But we're gonna get through this. We have to."

   "It hurts, Hutch," Starsky said. "It's hurts so bad. Like my heart's dyin' or somethin'. It feels like they took everything good in me and made it bad somehow."

   "I know, buddy," Hutch said. "And maybe, for a few minutes, they did. But I'm still here and I'm gonna make it all good again. You've just got to let me. You gave yourself to me, now trust me to take care of you."

~~~~~~~~~~

   Hutch awoke to the feel of cold metal pressing against his temple. Opening his eyes brought the shotgun into sharp focus. As well as the woman smiling down at him. "Twitch and I'll blow your brains out, then I'll start on Starsky," she said.

   "Not if he gets you first, Lauren," Hutch replied calmly as he recognized his cleaning lady. She had replaced Fifi three months ago. No wonder she had such an easy time getting into the apartment. She had a damn key!

   "Not a chance," she snorted. "Root beer was drugged. That's happening to him a lot lately. He couldn't wake up right now if his partner's life depended on it."

   "Bitch!" Hutch snarled.

   "Temper, temper," Lauren replied. "I wouldn't piss off the person with the shotgun if I were you. Who knows what I might do. Or who I might do it to. Now I want you to get up nice and slow and get dressed. We're going on a little trip."

   "And if I say no?" Hutch asked.

   "Then my friend starts breaking things on your partner. Or cutting them off. Like I said, he won't wake up no matter what we do. Now, get up and get dressed."

   With little choice, Hutch did as he was told. Lauren made sure to keep him far away from his gun, but he wouldn't have gone for it anyway. She had said there was another one somewhere and Starsky was in danger. He would just have to trust his partner to find him before it was too late.

   Hutch stopped in his tracks when they walked into the living room. There, holding a shotgun to Starsky's sleeping head, was another woman. A short brunette. Would the mystery guest please sign in?

   "Hutch, meet Megan," Lauren said. "Meg, this is Hutch."

   "A pleasure," Megan replied.

   Hutch's eyes flashed between the two women, then over to the coffee table where Starsky's gun lay. It was always trickier with women. With men, you could usually tell what they would and would not do. With women, all bets were off.

   "Well, it seems Hutch here is having delusions of grandeur," Lauren said when she saw him eyeing the gun. "Meg, why don't you show him that we're serious?"

   "I'd love to," the woman responded. Hutch could only watch as the butt of the shotgun was brought down hard on Starsky's face. Even if he hadn't have been drugged, the blow would have knocked him out.

   "I didn't do anything!" Hutch shouted, forcing himself not to lunge at the woman. Blood ran from Starsky's nose and Hutch had to stifle the rage that swept through him.

   "But you thought about it," Lauren replied. "Now let's go. And just so we understand each other, Megan will stay here until I call her and tell her it's okay to leave. If, however, I don't call her within the next thirty minutes, she gets to kill your partner any way she chooses. And trust me, she's even crazier than I am."

   Lauren motioned toward the door and Hutch had no choice but to go. He hated leaving Starsky defenseless, but there was no way around it. He was pretty sure they weren't going to kill him. If that had been the plan they'd have done it already. No, what they had in mind was probably much worse.

   Hutch did as he was directed, and found himself sitting inside a non-descript sedan. "I'm sure you could easily overpower me and get this shotgun away, but just remember, Megan's upstairs with Starsky," Lauren said as she set the gun down on the floor and started the car.

   "What's to stop me from using that shotgun to force you to call Megan?" Hutch asked, weighing his odds.

   "I won't do it," Lauren answered. "You can shoot me if you want to, but I won't call her." Somehow, Hutch believed her. She would die before she'd make that call. And Starsky would die, too.

   Twenty minutes later they pulled up at an abandoned warehouse. Taking the shotgun, she motioned for Hutch to precede her inside. He did so quickly, very aware of how much time had passed since they'd left.

   "Take off your clothes," she directed once they were inside. "And I suggest you hurry. You only have eight minutes left."

   She watched as Hutch stripped, blushing slightly under her gaze. He felt vulnerable and exposed, keenly aware that this was the woman responsible for his rape. He started to cover himself with his hands, then forced them back down at his sides. He would not give her the satisfaction.

   "Six minutes left," she said casually.

   "Make the call," Hutch snapped, worried about his partner.

   "See that post over there?" she asked, ignoring his comment. She waited for him to nod then continued. "Walk over there and cuff yourself to it. Make sure to keep your back to me. You'll find the cuffs nailed into the top."

   Hutch hesitated for a second then briskly moved across the room. It took him a minute to get his hands cuffed over his head. His earlier feelings of vulnerability surged through him and he had to fight to push them away.

   "I'm cuffed," he called out. Lauren walked over and checked to make sure he was secure. He was. He wasn't taking any chances with Starsky's life.

   "Guess I'll go make my phone call," she said, walking over to a nearby table and picking up the phone there. "Don't worry, Hutch, you've still got three minutes."

   Hutch waited on pins and needles as Lauren placed the call.

   "We're here," she said into the phone.

   "What!" she exclaimed. "No way. I've still got two minutes on my watch."

   "Well get the hell out of there. Somebody had to have heard that 12 gauge go off." Lauren hung up the phone and turned her attention back to her guest.

   "No!" Hutch cried out, tugging ineffectually at the cuffs.

   "Sorry," she said as she walked over to him. "Guess we didn't have our watches synchronized. I'm sure he never felt it, though."

   "You BITCH!" Hutch snarled as he tried to lunge for her. "WHY are you doing this?"

   "Revenge," Lauren laughed. "For what you and your partner did to my brother. And to Megan's."

   "Your brother?" Hutch repeated.

   "Yes. My brother. George Prudholm. You do remember George Prudholm, don't you?" she asked, her face changing as hate marred her features.

   "And what about Megan?" he asked. "Who's sister is she?"

   "Ben Forest's," Lauren replied. "I'm sure you remember Ben. He sends his regards. And since we all know how much you love horses, we're going to make sure you get to ride all you want."

   "No," Hutch gasped. It couldn't be. Not that. He couldn't go through that again. Not without Starsky. Without Starsky. Starsky was dead. He was going to kill this bitch if it was the last thing he did.

   "Oh, come on now," Lauren taunted as she came up behind him and ran her hands over his body. "You know you want it. Megan and I will make sure you get all you want, too. No nasty withdrawal to go through. All you have to do is keep us happy."

   Hutch cringed at the word. From the way she said it and the way her hands were moving over his body, he knew exactly what she meant. He couldn't believe that she expected him to willingly have sex with the people who murdered his partner.

   "And if I refuse?" Hutch asked, his skin crawling where she touched him.

   "Oh, please!" Lauren laughed. "You gave up Jeanie for it. An innocent victim, someone you were supposed to protect. Do you really think you won't sell yourself for a little help?"

   "You killed Starsky," Hutch tried to argue. He was terrified that she was right, that he wouldn't be able to fight it.

   "Technically Megan did that," she replied. "And I'm not real happy about it either. I wanted to make him rape you again. The first time nearly shattered him. I figured a repeat would push him right over the edge."

   "Why don't you just kill me?" Hutch asked. His mind was reeling. They'd planned on making Starsky rape him again. It would have destroyed him. Maybe... maybe Starsky was lucky after all.

   "Because that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?"

   They were interrupted as a car pulled up outside. Picking up the shotgun, Lauren waited but it was only Megan. "How'd it go?" Lauren asked as she set the gun back down.

   "Fine," Megan said. "But I gotta change. I got some on me when I wasted him."

   "So where'd you shoot him?" Lauren asked, laughing.

   "In the face," Megan replied. "Made a mess, too. Splattered all over the place."

   "Go get changed," Lauren said. "I'll keep our guest company."

   As Megan walked away she called back over her shoulder, "I hope brains don't leave a stain."

   Hutch tried not to be sick as his best friend's murder was discussed like the weather. Shot in the face. With a shotgun. At close range. Splattered. His mind conjured up the image to go with the gruesome words and he nearly vomited.

   "No, please," he whispered as the reality sank in. Starsky was dead.

   "This is for what you did to my brother," Lauren said.

   Hutch heard the crack a split second before he felt the pain. He couldn't help but scream as a line of fire spread across his back. Turning his head, he could just make out Lauren's arm and the whip it wielded. He braced himself when he saw the arm pull back. A moment later, he felt the whip cut into him and screamed again.

   "How does it feel to know he's dead?" Lauren taunted. "How does it feel to know you couldn't protect him? That he died because of you? Then again, maybe you're glad. I mean, he did rape you, after all."

   Over and over Lauren lashed him with the whip until his back was covered in bloody welts. Only when her arm grew tired did she throw the whip down and approach him. Hutch tried not to scream as she ran her hands over his mutilated back. He could feel her running her hands through his blood and almost gagged.

   "That was fun," Lauren whispered before turning her attention to Megan. "Did you get the heroin?"

   "Right here," she said.

   "Get it ready for him," Lauren instructed.

   As Megan prepared the heroin for injection, Lauren continued to let her hands wander. She enjoyed the feel of his trembling body. Her brother would be pleased to know how low she had managed to bring his enemies.

   Coating her hands in his blood, she brought them down to his buttocks. Hutch flinched when she pried his cheeks apart and thrust a finger roughly inside. He felt his shame and humiliation return as she touched his body against his will.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Starsky woke up groaning. His head felt like it had been used for a baseball and his whole face throbbed painfully. He reached up to investigate the unexpected pain and his hand came away sticky and red. Something was very wrong. Where was Hutch? Forcing himself to sit up, he spied the envelope propped up on the coffee table.

   RAPIST, the envelope read.

   Grabbing his gun, he jumped up from the couch and ran to Hutch's bedroom. When he found Hutch's Magnum but no Hutch, he searched the apartment room by room until he knew for certain Hutch wasn't there. He looked out the window and saw Hutch's car still parked out front. His partner hadn't left voluntarily, that much he knew. He wouldn't have left his gun and he wouldn't have left Starsky alone and sleeping. Going back to the living room, Starsky sat down on the couch and picked up the envelope.

   He thought about dusting for prints, but something told him he didn't have time for that. Tearing the end off as carefully as he could, he pulled out a single sheet of paper. What he read made his breath stop.

   "God damn it!" Starsky yelled as he threw the note down. She had Hutch. Whoever she was, she had taken Hutch. Well, he was just going to have to take him back.

   Starsky dressed quickly and cleaned his battered and bloody face. He took the Magnum from the bedroom and put it on in place of his Beretta. His own gun, he tucked down into the back of his pants. His next stop was his place to pick up the Torino. He couldn't outrun an old lady on a walker with Hutch's car.

   He squealed to a stop in front of Huggy's and raced inside. If anyone could find out who might have taken Hutch and where, it was Huggy.

   "Starsky, my man, what's up?" Huggy asked. "And what happened to your face?"

   "That crazy bitch has got Hutch," Starsky explained. "Took him right out of the apartment, I think."

   "I thought you were stayin' there?" Huggy asked, not understanding how anyone could have gotten past Starsky.

   "I was," Starsky said. "I'm pretty sure they drugged me again somehow. All I know is that bitch has Hutch and I've got to find him before she kills him."

   "Be cool, my man," Huggy said, hurrying to the phone. "Let me make a few calls and see what I can turn up."

   "Hurry, Hug," Starsky said. "I don't think we have much time."

   Twenty minutes later and Huggy had run into a dead end. Either no one saw anything, something highly unlikely, or no one was talking. Either way, it wasn't good news for the worried brunette at the bar.

   "Nothing," Huggy said as he turned around. "Nobody seen nothin'."

   "Keep tryin', Huggy," Starsky said as he headed for the door. "I gotta find him."

   "Yeah," Huggy replied to the now empty bar. "I just hope there's still somethin' left to find."

~~~~~~~~~~

   "Hey, Hutchinson, I brought you a little present. I thought you might like something to remember your partner by." As she talked Megan pulled two small rings from her pocket and held them up to Hutch. Reaching up, she placed them on his little finger. "I took them off him right after I splashed his brains all over your couch."

   Hutch had to choke back a sob at the image those words conveyed. He closed his hand tightly. They wouldn't get those rings off him without cutting off his finger. Oh, Starsk. Guess I didn't do such a good job of looking after your life after all. I'm so sorry, buddy. But don't worry, we'll be together again soon.

   "I've got some friends that are gonna love fucking you, Hutchinson," Megan continued as she stood in front of him. Lauren remained at his back, effectively sandwiching him between them. "Big guys, who can't wait to shove their dicks into a cop's hot little hole."

   As she spoke, Megan reached out and grabbed his flaccid penis while Lauren once more thrust her finger inside him. She began to stroke him and Hutch shuddered at the touch. She touched and fondled him, hoping to make him hard, but he remained unresponsive to her touch.

   "Get off me," he cried out as he tried to move away from their hands, but there was nowhere to go.

   "I tell ya what," Lauren said, shoving her finger in hard. "You can choose. This or the heroin."

   "No," Hutch said, shaking his head while he shuddered at the horrid invasion.

   "Your choice," she continued. "Now which would you rather have? Us touching you or a ride on a pretty white horse?"

   "No," Hutch said again, refusing to play along. He wouldn't do it. He wouldn't.

   "Either you choose or you get both," Megan warned. "Now which is it going to be?"

   Long moments passed before Hutch's fear forced the words from his throat. "Th-th-this," Hutch stammered in shame.

   The two women laughed as they renewed their assault. Lauren shoved another finger inside him and Megan continued to try and coax a response from him. She rolled his balls and stroked his cock, but still his body refused to comply. Leaving his genitals for a bit, she moved her hands up and began to pinch his nipples. She smiled when Hutch groaned at the stimulation. Maybe they could make him cum like this after all.

   "Watch this," Lauren said. She shoved her fingers in as far as she could and stroked the small protrusion she found deep inside his body. Hutch jerked in his bonds, trying to pull away from the fingers inside him. Megan quickly pushed him back so Lauren could repeat what she'd done.

   Hutch's shame grew as his body began to respond. Megan once more began to stroke his cock while Lauren assaulted him from behind. She touched his prostate again and again until he couldn't fight it anymore and he came, spilling his seed onto Megan's hands and the warehouse floor.

   They left him alone then. Megan wiped her hand on his body before walking away, leaving the semen as a reminder of what had happened. Hutch was too out of it to care, though. He hung in his bonds, limp and defeated, as sobs tore their way out of him.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Starsky drove aimlessly, searching for something he had no idea how to find. He'd called Dobey from the car, filling the captain in on what little he knew. Dobey assured him that he'd get every available man out looking for Hutch. Somehow, Starsky didn't think they'd find him. No, Starsky would be the one. Whatever was being done to his partner was meant for him to see first.

   He searched for hours, rousted every snitch he could find. Some, he knew, would never trust him again. Not after the way he acted. He was fury searching desperately for the one calming influence in his life. And willing to do anything to find him.

   The call from dispatch startled him and he froze for a moment. Meet the man named Huggy Bear at The Pits. Says he might have news on something he'd lost. Starsky broke every speed limit there was as he raced to the bar. Hutch was running out of time.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Hutch's sobs had stopped by the time the women returned. Picking up a bucket of ocean water, Lauren splashed it over Hutch's mangled back, ripping a shriek from the tortured man. Hutch writhed in his bonds, trying to get away from the horrible burning as the salt seeped into the raw wounds. It was all he could do to get his legs back under him as the pain began to ebb.

   "Just cleaning your wounds a bit," Lauren said. "We wouldn't want you to get an infection, now would we?"

   "Fuck you," Hutch spat weakly. He was rewarded with a vicious kick to the groin that left him unable to stand.

   "No, I think it's more like fuck you," Megan said sweetly. "And that's what we're gonna do. Fuck you over and over again. Us and anyone else we wanna let have a go at you. So I suggest you watch that smart mouth of yours."

   "Go to hell, lady. You think I want to live through this?" Hutch's defiance made Megan smile. It would be such fun breaking this man.

   "Oh, we know you don't. And that's why we plan on making sure you live a long, long time," Lauren said as they turned to leave. "Let's get the stuff unloaded. Then we can come back and give Hutch here a nice horsy ride."

~~~~~~~~~~

   Starsky found the warehouse easily enough. He spotted two cars sitting side by side in back of the building. This was definitely it. He could feel it. Parking the Torino down the street, he steeled himself for what he might find and made his way toward his goal.

   The first thing he heard was the sound of Hutch pleading with someone. It was like a dagger in his heart, but at the same time it assured him that his partner was still alive. Moving cautiously, he entered the warehouse. He wouldn't do Hutch any good if he got killed. He just hoped Huggy got through to Dobey. He had no idea how many there were and they just might need the cavalry before this was done.

   As he got farther into the building, he could make out a figure on the other side of the room. A little closer and he could tell it was Hutch. His partner was tied up and naked, his hands bound over his head to a large post. Keeping his eyes peeled for Hutch's abductor, he made his way over to his partner as quietly as he could. Whatever they had done to Hutch had been bad. He could now make out traces of blood on Hutch's back and buttocks along with deep lacerations. The discarded whip on the floor told him all he needed to know about how they had gotten there. He didn't want to think about how the blood could have gotten on his buttocks.

   Finally, Starsky made it to his partner. His stomach clenched at the sight of him. He knew right away what the white substance on his chest was. The fuckers had forced him to orgasm. He also saw the heroin set up on the table. His heart almost stopped as the implication became clear. Not that. Please, God, not that.

   "Hutch," Starsky whispered, trying to draw his partner's attention. "Hutch, look at me."

   "St-St-Starsky?" Hutch stammered, not believing it could be true.

   "Yeah, it's me, partner," Starsky replied. Hutch was looking like he'd seen a ghost.

   "Oh, God," he moaned. "They told me you were dead. They said she'd shot you."

   "I ain't dead, partner," Starsky said quietly. He drew closer to look at the bonds holding Hutch prisoner.

   "Get me out of here, Starsky. Please," Hutch pleaded.

   "I'm working on it," Starsky replied. "Just give me a second." He dug out his handcuff keys and released Hutch as fast as he could. He caught him before he could fall and steadied him until Hutch could stand on his own.

   "We have to get out of here," Hutch said. Neither of them were in any condition to take on two psychos armed with shotguns.

   "Where are your clothes?" Starsky asked. Hutch pointed across the room and Starsky handed him his gun while he went to retrieve them. "Put these on. Huggy should have called in the troops by now."

   "Then let's go," Hutch said once he was dressed. He needed to get out of there.

   "Hutch, they ain't gettin' away with this," Starsky said. "If you can't back me up then go wait in the Torino. But I gotta do this."

   "Well, well. Look who's come to play," Lauren said as she and Megan walked out of the back office.

   Starsky pulled his Beretta and fired. He didn't give a warning and he didn't ask them to surrender. He shot. When the two women dived for cover he upended the table and grabbed Hutch, pulling the other man behind it with him.

   "Guess he wasn't as dead as we said," Megan called out.

   Starsky looked over at his partner and could see the shock setting in. "Just stay here, partner," he said. "I'll take care of this." Hutch's hand on his arm stopped him and he looked at the other man.

   "Together, remember?" Hutch said shakily. He took a deep breath and cocked the Magnum. Starsky merely nodded then turned his full attention to the situation at hand.

   Moving in sync, they popped up from their cover and laid down fire where the two women had hidden, pinning them down. The roar of a shotgun forced them back behind the table as the women returned fire. They were making it quite clear that no one was leaving until someone was dead. For the first time in his life, Starsky didn't mind that at all.

   The sound of cars outside alerted the men that the cavalry had finally arrived. Starsky almost cursed, a big part of him wishing he could have the pleasure of killing these two. Hutch was relieved. He knew what his partner wanted. He wanted it, too. But he was afraid of what it would do to his gentle, loving partner if he killed them.

   By the time the smoke cleared, Lauren Prudholm and Megan Forest lay dead. From the position of the bodies, it was clear that Hutch had gotten Lauren while one of the other officers had taken Megan down. Either way, it didn't matter. It was over.

   Dobey tried to call an ambulance for Hutch but neither partner would go for it. Starsky assured his captain that he would take Hutch there personally then report back. Dobey decided not to push it.

   At the hospital, the emergency room doctor wanted to keep Hutch, but the blond refused. His back was a mess, but only a couple of the welts required stitches. The doctor gave Hutch a prescription for antibiotics and painkillers and sent the detectives on their way.

   Dobey was waiting for them when they arrived at the station. He was not looking forward to this. It was time to figure out what they were going to say and what they were going to cover up.

   "What did the doctor say?" Dobey asked once they were seated.

   "Wants me to take it easy for a few days," Hutch replied. "I only needed a few stitches. The rest were superficial. Gave me a couple of prescriptions."

   "Starsky, you make sure he takes them," Dobey ordered, well aware of Hutch's tendency to disregard doctor's advice.

   "Yes, Sir," Starsky replied.

   "Once we're done here, I'm putting the both of you on extended leave," Dobey told them. "I don't want to hear any arguments. A lot went on. You need time to get over it."

   "No argument here, Captain," Hutch said. Starsky nodded, not speaking.

   "So, what are we doing to say?" Dobey asked, jumping right in.

   This time Starsky did speak up. He'd been running this through his head since they left the hospital. He was not going to allow Hutch to be talked about. He didn't care what happened to him, but he was not going to let anyone else hurt Hutch.

   "That Hutch was abducted and... beaten... by two whackos out for revenge against the two of us. I found him. A gunfight ensued. The whackos in question were killed." Starsky's look dared anyone to protest his version of things. As far as Dobey was concerned, this was fine with him.

   "I take it you know who those two were," Dobey said.

   "Yeah," Hutch replied. "Lauren Prudholm and Megan Forest. I filled Starsky in on the way to the ER."

   "Are you sure that's how you want it to go down?" Dobey asked, directing his question to Hutch.

   "Yes, Sir," Hutch replied. "I think Starsky's got the right idea. There's nothing to gain by letting all the gory details get out. It'd only end up hurting the both of us. And I'm not willing to let anyone hurt him again."

   Hutch's soft words defrosted a little bit of the ice that had wrapped itself around Starsky's heart. At least his partner still cared for him... worried about him. Even if he had let him down. Again.

   "All right, you two, get out of here," Dobey ordered. "I'll need you to come in and sign an official statement, but other than that, I don't want to see either of you. Understood?"

   "Understood," they both replied.

~~~~~~~~~~

   They ended up throwing out everything edible in Hutch's apartment. Spices... teas... if it could be ingested, it was gone. They weren't taking any chances on anything else being drugged. Even the toothpaste and mouthwash went into the trash. By the time they were finished, they were exhausted and they dropped wearily onto the couch wishing they had some beer.

   "What did they do to you?" Starsky asked when he couldn't hold it in any longer.

   In fits and starts Hutch told the story. Starsky sat listening, his rage growing when Hutch told of the choice he had been given. And the choice he'd made.

   "You did the right thing," Starsky said. "You did the only thing you could to survive. If they'd've drugged you we'd have never gotten out of there alive."

   "Yeah," Hutch said. "But what kind of man does that make me that I'd rather be raped than doped?"

   "The alive kind," Starsky spat.

   "But at what cost?" Hutch pressed. It was then that Starsky knew what was bothering him, what he was hunting for.

   "No cost, babe," Starsky said. "You lived through it. We both did. And maybe your dignity took a pretty good hit, but... but I still love you. It doesn't change how I feel about you one bit."

   "I wanted to run away," Hutch admitted.

   "I remember a time when I wanted nothing more than to curl up and die," Starsky countered. "When I was ready to blow my own brains out rather than live with what I'd done one minute more. I suppose that makes me less of man in your eyes."

   "What? No! Never," Hutch vowed vehemently, then realized he'd been outmaneuvered.

   "We're still together, Hutch," Starsky said. "And we're gonna stay that way. You told me they could only take what we let them take. Well, I'm not letting them have this. This is the best, most right thing in my life and nobody's taking it away from me."

   "I love you, Starsk," Hutch said, blinking back the wetness in his eyes. "I know it'll be awhile before I can show you..."

   "Don't worry about that," Starsky said. "Just knowing you're safe and alive and... and mine is enough. Now come on, let's get you in bed. We've both been through hell and I, for one, could use some sleep."

   "All right," Hutch said. He allowed Starsky to help him from the couch and lead him into the bedroom. Hutch even let him undress him without a word. Only when Starsky moved to leave did Hutch speak again.

   "Stay," Hutch whispered.

   "Are you sure?" Starsky asked.

   "I need you close."

   "Always," came the soft promise.

   Hutch signed as a pair of strong arms wrapped themselves around him and held on. He laid his head on his partner's shoulder and wrapped his own arms around Starsky's waist. It felt like coming home.

~~~~~~~~~~

6 Months Later

   "That's the last of it," Hutch said as he carried the box into the apartment.

   In the end, Starsky couldn't bring himself to go back to his old place. Too many painful memories that he never wanted to relive were lurking there. He had insisted on burning the bed, but had agreed to sell the couch and the rest of the furniture. Hutch had offered to get rid of some of his own stuff, but Starsky said no. Hutch's place was home now and he didn't want to change that.

   Taking the box out of Hutch's hands, Starsky set it aside then turned back to his partner. Pushing the door closed, he backed Hutch against it and kissed his blond. He felt Hutch start to harden against him and pulled back, smiling.

   They had been lovers for a month now. Or as close to it as they could be. They slept in the same bed, kissed and cuddled, and used their hands and mouths on one another. But for all that, Starsky had yet to get an erection. Hutch was capable of it and Starsky brought his lover off with great joy, but he, himself, was still frustratingly impotent.

   "What was that for?" Hutch asked.

   "Just cause I love ya," Starsky replied.

   "Just cause you love me, huh?" Hutch grinned.

   "Yeah," Starsky said. "Hey, what say we leave the rest of this for now and I show ya just how much?"

   "Now that's an offer I can't refuse," Hutch said as he leaned forward to kiss his lover again.

   They made their way to the bedroom with relative ease. They were getting pretty good at navigating the furniture without stopping their kisses. The first time they'd tried it, they had ended up in a heap on the floor laughing until their sides hurt. Now, skirting the couch and the end table was second nature.

   Once in the bedroom, they collapsed on the bed. They took turns stealing each other's breath until they were both dizzy. They parted then, flopping back on their backs to catch their breath so they could start again.

   Starsky rolled over first, lying on his side to look at Hutch. This was the lover he'd spend the rest of his life with. He smiled at the thought and began to unbutton Hutch's shirt. Just because his body wasn't co-operating didn't mean he couldn't make Hutch feel good. And, truth be told, he loved it when Hutch touched him and kissed him and loved him, even if he didn't have an orgasm.

   Hutch lay on his back, content to let Starsky do what he wanted for the time being. Starsky always made him feel so good, so loved. It was a nice change. In all his past relationships, he was the one who always worked hard at making his lover feel appreciated. He wished that there was some way to break through Starsky's self-imposed impotence, though. He knew the problem, whatever it was, was all in Starsky's head. The doctors had assured them of that. But that didn't make it any easier to deal with.

   Hutch moaned when Starsky bent his head and licked his nipple. Starsky flicked his tongue back and forth, teasing the little bud, and Hutch arched his back, trying to bring more of his flesh into contact. He closed his eyes, knowing better than to watch Starsky tonguing him. He'd never last if he watched that sweet mouth suckle his nipple. The feel of that hot mouth sucking gently at his flesh sent bolts of pleasure through his groin. The sharp nip of teeth made him hiss, but that hot agile tongue soothed the momentary sting.

   Starsky nipped and sucked until Hutch's nipple grew swollen and throbbing in his mouth. Pulling his mouth away, he quickly set to work on the other one until it, too, stood out red and aching. He loved doing this. Touching Hutch this way. His lover tasted like no lover ever had before. Strong and spicy and delicious. He could never seem to get enough.

   Leaving Hutch's chest, Starsky stopped long enough to get them both naked then began to kiss his way down Hutch's body. He nipped here and there until he reached his lover's naval. Once there, he drove his tongue in deeply causing Hutch to groan and grip the sheets tightly.

   Starsky's own body flushed with pleasure as he made love to his partner. He felt his own testicles tingle as he kissed his way down Hutch's flat stomach. He nuzzled Hutch's groin hungrily, ignoring his erection for now. He'd get to that soon enough. Right now, he wanted to breathe in the scent of his lover.

   Breathing deeply through his nose, Starsky mouthed the area at the base of Hutch's penis. He trailed his tongue down until he was licking Hutch's scrotum. His lover shivered as Starsky ran his tongue over his balls. Hutch really loved having his balls licked. He loved it almost as much as Starsky loved doing it. Taking one of the orbs into his mouth, Starsky gently sucked. Hutch moaned out loud again and Starsky smiled around his mouthful.

   "Starsk, please," Hutch moaned, his cock throbbing and aching to be touched.

   "Please what, lover?" Starsky asked, releasing his prize.

   "Suck me," Hutch said, the need evident in his voice.

   "Not this time," Starsky replied. "I want to try somethin' different."

   "What'd you have in mind?" Hutch asked. He'd try anything Starsky wanted. Maybe they'd even find something that would excite him enough to break through his walls.

   "I want you inside me," Starsky whispered, his deep blue eyes dark with lust.

   "Are you sure, Starsk?" Hutch's cock throbbed at the very thought of sheathing itself in his partner's body. They'd talked about this act before, but neither man had been in any hurry. And Starsky was still physically incapable of it.

   "I'm sure." And he was. He wanted nothing more than to feel Hutch inside him, moving and thrusting and loving him so good.

   "I love you, Starsk," Hutch said, reaching down and pulling his lover up over him.

   "I love you, too, Blintz," Starsky replied.

   "We'll need something," Hutch said, kissing him passionately, grinding their bodies together, both of them ignoring Starsky's lack of arousal.

   "There's oil in the nightstand." Starsky ground back against him, loving the feel of Hutch's strong, hard body against him. They kissed again and then Hutch was rolling him onto his side, then turning back to fumble in the nightstand.

   Hutch found the small bottle of oil and turned back to his partner. Starsky was lying on his back, one arm under his head and the other lazily stroking his penis. Coating his hand with oil, Hutch pushed his partner's hand away and replaced it with his own.

   Starsky groaned at the feel of Hutch's slick hand on his penis. His balls tightened as Hutch stroked him. Hutch's hands always felt so good. Reluctantly, Hutch's hand left him to gently nudge his legs apart. Starsky readily complied, eager to give himself to this man.

   Hutch's own cock twitched when Starsky spread his legs as far apart as he could. Slipping his hand underneath, Hutch quickly found what he was looking for. Tenderly he circled the opening to his partner's body until Starsky was pushing down trying to get him inside. Slowly, Hutch granted his request and slipped his oil-slick finger inside.

   Starsky groaned at the feel of that long, blunt finger piercing his body. Reaching down, he began to stroke his cock again as Hutch thrust his finger in and out. He could feel his partner's finger inside him, reaching as deep as possible only to pull back and do it again. And for the first time in six months, Starsky felt his body start to respond.

   When Starsky's body relaxed, Hutch added a second finger to the first. He thrust them in slowly, scissoring them to stretch his lover. Starsky's near constant moaning was wreaking havoc on his self-control and Hutch fought not to rush.

   Starsky's cock stiffened even more when Hutch added a second finger. He couldn't stop the sounds from escaping as his partner played his body. Those fine musician's hands stroking and rubbing and caressing as if he were the finest of instruments. Finally his body allowed his arousal to show as he submitted to his partner. This was what had been missing. This giving of himself. This giving the very thing he had taken so violently from Hutch.

   As a third finger entered him, Starsky cried out loudly, his entire body shuddering. Hutch looked up and saw the hard cock in Starsky's hand and was lost. He sank his fingers in deeply, careful not to cause pain, and stretched his lover.

   At last, Hutch withdrew his hand. He knew if he waited any longer he'd end up coming on the sheets. He certainly didn't want to do that. Not with Starsky hard and aching for him. Pouring more oil into his hand, Hutch spread it over his cock. The feel of his own slick hand was almost enough to set him off and he forced himself to take several deep breaths as he urged his lover over onto his hands and knees.

   Starsky complied quickly, eager for the joining. He took his hand away from his cock, not wanting to come too soon. Crossing his forearms, he laid his head down and thrust his ass in the air. A moment later, he felt slick hands pulling him back and then the head of Hutch's penis was pressing into him.

   "Oh God, Hutch, yes," Starsky groaned as his lover sank into him for the first time.

   "Yessss..." Hutch moaned as the head of his cock slid past the tight ring of muscle. Even after the stretching, Starsky was still virgin tight and Hutch had to still himself to give his lover time to adjust. Soon, though, Starsky was pushing back, begging for more and Hutch was only too happy to oblige. Taking hold of Starsky's hips, Hutch pushed forward, impaling his lover fully.

   "I can feel you," Starsky said. "I can feel you inside me."

   Hutch held still again until, once more, Starsky began to move. Pulling back slowly, he thrust forward pulling a groan from his lover. In no time, Hutch managed to set a rhythm and both men moved with it. When he got close, Hutch reached around and grasped his lover's shaft. He could have wept at the feel of that silky hardness in his hand. He had begun to despair of ever knowing the feel of Starsky's sex.

   "So close, Hutch," Starsky murmured. "So close. Feels so good. Don't stop."

   "Won't," Hutch managed, quickening the pace of both his hand and his body.

   Starsky was in heaven. They were making love. Finally. Completely. Hutch was loving him so good. His cock was so hard he thought it would burst and Hutch's hand felt wonderful. Nothing had ever felt like this before. Nothing had ever been this right.

   When Hutch stiffened and came, spilling his seed deep inside Starsky's body, it was enough to push him over the edge as well. With his lover's name on his lips, Starsky came, offering up his essence to the bedding beneath him.

   As reality returned, Hutch found himself draped over his lover, panting hard. Starsky was holding them both up, though Hutch had no idea how he was managing it. Weakly, he pulled his spent cock from Starsky's body then collapsed beside him. When Starsky still didn't move, Hutch gave him a gentle shove and toppled him onto his side.

   "I am so wasted," Starsky mumbled as he scooted closer, doing his best to avoid the wet spot.

   "I think the top of my head came off." Hutch moved closer, too, until Starsky was laying half on top of him again. He covered the damp spots on the sheet with his own body, more than willing to spare his lover the discomfort.

   "That... that... I don't have the words," Starsky said.

   "Me neither," Hutch responded softly.

   "I came," Starsky said, feeling an absurd need to state the obvious.

   "I noticed." Hutch smiled and pulled him closer. Maybe now the last of the healing could begin.

THE END