| I'll Come Back for You: Chapter 4 |
| After that, the street was alive with people running in every direction. The little girl was returned safely to her mother, and the sniper was handcuffed and put into a car. Hutch's men gathered around him. Dobey kneeled down beside his former detective. "Hang on, Hutch. The ambulance is on it's way." "It's OK, Cap. They don't have to hurry. Is the kid all right?" "She's fine, Hutch. You just lay quiet. We've got everything under control." "I know, Cap. Everything's going to be all right now." His blue eyes twinkled as he watched the beloved face form beside him. He whispered the name. "Starsky." "It's me, partner. I told you I'd come back." Hutch reached out his hand and caressed the other's cheek. He smiled for the first time in months. "I can touch you." "Yes. It's time, Hutch. You can relax now. We'll be together again, forever this time." His hand dropped to his chest, and the ice-blue eyes closed for the last time. The men that were gathered around their fallen leader stepped back, sensing the presence beside him. Hutch stood beside his partner and watched the still form on the ground. He could feel the sadness of his men. He turned to his friend. "They're a good bunch of men, Starsk. I'll miss them." "I know. I miss Dobey and Huggy, too, but they'll be OK. Life goes on, Hutch. That's just the way it is." Starsky started walking and Hutch followed a step behind. "Where are we going?" Starsky grinned back over his shoulder. "Where do you think? Don't worry, you won't need an air conditioned suit, if that's what you're thinkin'." Hutch breathed a sigh of relief. "OK, I'm glad that's settled. How far do we have to go?" "Not far." He reached out and touched the blonde's shoulder. "Don't be afraid, Hutch." You're here, there's nothing I fear. We'll stay forever this way. Hutch smiled. "I'm not afraid, Starsk." You're safe in my heart and my heart will go on and on. They walked in companiable silence for a while, then Hutch noticed something about his friend. "Hey, Starsk, you look different. Not really younger, but different. I don't know how to explain it." "It's easy, Blintz. There's no more pain, no more fear, no more sadness. It's peaceful here. You'll see. It's like being set free." Hutch walked a little farther, then stopped and looked down again. "What's wrong, Hutch?" The blonde man shook his head. "It's just so sudden. I mean, there's still so much to be done." "I know, but it's time for someone else to carry on the fight. We've done our job. We can rest now." "But who will take over, Starsk?" "Look down and you'll see." |
| Hutch did as he was told. At first, the scene was blurred, but then the mists cleared away. He could see a young girl sitting on her bed, crying. He looked closer and saw that it was Rosie Dobey. She was holding a picture and talking to it. "Rosie?" Starsky smiled and nodded. "She's her father's daughter. She'll make him proud." "Funny, I would have thought it would be Cal." "Cal has another destiny. Don't worry, he'll make his dad proud, too." "She's crying, Starsky. It's hard to see her hurting like that." "I know. Come on, we can help her, but watch what you say. We can't tell her what the future holds. It has to be her own decision." Rosie was holding the picture of her two "uncles" and remembering all the times they had spent together. "It's not fair! Why did you have to die? You didn't get to see me graduate from High School, or get married, or have a baby. I wish I could see you just one more time." Starsky smiled gently and said, "Don't worry Rosie, we'll still see you do those things, and more." "Uncle David? Uncle Ken? How can this be? Am I dreaming?" "That's right, sweetheart. Remember that old line? A dream is a wish your heart makes?" Hutch grinned at his friend. "Good one, Starsk." "Shhh," Starsky grinned back. "We'll always be here for you, Rosie. All you have to do is think of us, and we'll be right by your side." "I like that, Uncle Dave. That makes it easier. I wish I could have said good-bye, though." "You don't have to say good-bye, honey. Just say, I'll see you later." Rosie smiled through her tears. Then she straightened her shoulders. "I know what I want to be now. I want to be a detective, just like you two were. But, what if my dad won't let me?" Hutch smiled at her. "Oh, I think if you talk to your dad, he'll listen. If it's really what you want, he'll understand. I'm sure he'll be proud of you and Cal, no matter what you do." "Do you really think so? I'll make him proud, I promise. I'll be the best detective he's ever known. Just like you." Starsky smiled again. "We know you will, honey. We'll always be there for you. All you have to do is think about us." "I will, Uncle Dave. I'll never forget you. I promise." Rosie lay back on her bed, cradling their picture. Starsky turned to Hutch and asked, "So, buddy, what do you want to do now?" Hutch thought about it for a moment, then shook his head. There weren't any murders to solve, no drug dealers to bust, and no robberies to stop. Finally, they were out of a job. "I don't know, Starsk. This is going to take some getting used to." Starsky nodded understandingly. "It's OK, you have an eternity to get used to it." They started walking and suddenly Starsky turned around to face his friend. Still walking backwards, he said, "Hey, you want to go camping?" Hutch looked at Starsky, astonished. "I never thought I'd hear you say THAT, buddy." Starsky grinned that thousand watt grin. "Take a look around you, Blintz. Ain't nothin' to be afraid of here." Hutch took in the tranquil scene around them, and nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right, partner." Starsky threw his arm around Hutch's shoulder. "Be careful of the snakes, though. They can be pretty sneaky." Acknowledgements: Wind Beneath My Wings- sang by Bette Midler from "Beaches" Because You Loved Me- sang by Celine Dion My Heart Will Go On- sang by Celine Dion from "Titanic" "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death..." Psalms 23:4 |
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