| To Dream; Perchance to Die: Part 3 |
| The four detectives stopped at the precinct long enough to file their reports, and then went home for a well-deserved rest. For the first time since the ordeal began, both couples enjoyed a peaceful night. The next morning, they met in Captain Dobey�s office and filled him in on the arrest. �Well, I have to admit that I�m glad Carruthers is back behind bars. We�ll hold him long enough for the Feds to get here, and then he�s off to the state pen. Hopefully, this time, he�ll stay there.� Micki grinned. �You can say that again, Cap. Did you ever figure out how he managed to escape in the first place?� �It�s like we figured. It was an inside job. Somebody, we think it was DiConti, paid off one of the guards. Carruthers went down to take a shower, then when one of the inmates gathered up the dirty linen, Carruthers hid in the bottom of the laundry cart. The guard looked the other way while the cart was loaded onto the truck. He waited an hour before reporting that Carruthers was AWOL, which gave him plenty of time to disappear. You can bet that DiConti had someone waiting outside the prison for that truck, and Carruthers just jumped out and hid in another vehicle. The Feds are still investigating, and when they�re finished, I imagine a few more arrests will be made. The best part about this is Carruthers goes back to prison with a few more years tacked on to his sentence. He might be out in time to apply for social security, but it�s doubtful.� Tracy smiled sweetly. �It couldn�t happen to a nicer guy.� Dobey nodded. �I think we�re all in agreement on that one. You did a good job, all of you. You caught Carruthers before he slipped out of the city, and without anyone else getting hurt. I�m sorry that he left one victim behind, but there could have been a lot more. Now, the best thing you can do is put all of this behind you and get on with your lives.� He sat back in his chair and smiled. �So, what are you still doing in my office? Get back to work, all of you.� The four detectives laughed out loud and filed out of the office. Starsky and Micki turned at the same time and gave a mock salute. �Yes, sir,� Starsky said. �Captain, sir,� Micki said, and laughed again. Micki and Tracy followed Starsky and Hutch back to their desks. Micki looked around the office slowly. �You know, it feels really weird to be back in this room and know that we don�t have to worry about Danny any more. So, what do we do now?� Tracy smiled at her friend. �We pick up where we left off. David and Ken go back to the Honeywell case, and we go tackle all the paper work on our desk.� Micki laughed. �I never thought I�d say this, but I can�t wait. After you, my dear.� She swept her hands out, making a pretend path for Tracy to follow. Tracy stuck her nose up in the air and strutted. �Why thank-you, my dear.� Micki followed her out of the room, still giggling. Starsky and Hutch looked at each other and shook their heads. Starsky grinned. �Well, I think they�re going to be just fine. What do you say, partner, should we get back to work?� �Like Micki said, I can�t wait. Let�s go.� The four detectives settled back into their old routines, and the rest of the day passed without incident. Since the two men were out on a case, Micki drove Tracy home. She was slightly surprised to see the Torino in the driveway. �Hey, Davy�s home. I guess they knocked off early. I�d better get on home then, instead of coming in for a bit. You and Dave should have some time alone, and I know I really need to be with Ken for a while. Maybe we�ll actually get to spend an entire evening at home without getting called out on a case.� Tracy crossed her fingers. �Let�s hope so. We can definitely use it. I�ll see you in the morning, sis.� �You got it, kid. Have fun and don�t do anything I wouldn�t do.� Micki grinned wickedly. Tracy laughed out loud. �Micki, there ISN�T anything you wouldn�t do. See ya.� Tracy walked into the apartment and sniffed the air. The tantalizing aroma of tomato sauce filled the room. She called out, �Something sure smells good! Maybe I should give the chef a big kiss.� Starsky came out of the kitchen and grabbed her, swinging her around. �There ain�t no chef here, darlin�, just little ole me. So how about plantin� a big one right here?� Tracy laughed gaily and kissed him passionately. She put her arms around his waist and smiled. �Did you just decide to take off early, or did Dobey actually give you permission?" Starsky stepped back and took both her hands. �He told us to knock off early, believe it or not. Come on, I got you something while we were out.� He pulled her into the living room and turned her toward the couch. On the coffee table sat a large, white, stuffed teddy bear. �Oh, Dave, he�s precious! I love him.� She moved around and sat on the couch. The stuffed bear had a black nose, huge button eyes, and wore a gold ribbon around his neck. Tracy looked closer at the ribbon and gasped. The ribbon was tied with a large bow, and hanging from the bow was a diamond ring. Speechless, Tracy looked at Starsky. He sat down beside her and untied the bow, letting the ring drop into his palm. He got down on one knee beside her. �I love you, Tracy. I�ve spent my life wishing for that house with the white picket fence, and never thought I�d find it. I was wrong. I don�t need storybook endings, because my fairy tale is right here with you. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?� Tracy put her right hand to her lips as he placed the ring on her left. She smiled through her tears. �Yes! I love you, David Starsky, and I�d be proud to be your wife.� Micki pulled her car up behind Hutch�s and trotted up the stairs. She let herself into the apartment and smiled at the scene in the kitchen. The table was set once again, with candles glowing softly in the center. Hutch pulled her close to him. �I figured it was my turn to cook. Dobey gave us the afternoon off, so I thought I�d put it to good use. You�ve got time to freshen up if you want to.� �Sounds good to me. I�ll be back in a flash.� Dinner was waiting for her when she returned to the kitchen. Micki laughed, delighted, when she saw what he had prepared. �Hey, pot roast! How did you know it was one of my favorites?� Hutch smiled fondly at her. �Oh, it was just a wild guess. Dig in before it gets cold.� They enjoyed a quiet meal, then moved into the living room. Micki rested her head on Hutch�s shoulder. �It�s so nice to be able to sit back and relax a little. And it�s so good to be home. Everything I want is right here.� �Do you really mean that, Mick?� She caressed his cheek. �Yes, I do. I have you, and Tracy has David. I don�t think I�ve ever been happier.� �I�m glad you said that.� Hutch reached into his pocket and drew out the small black jewelry box. He took her left hand in his. He smiled. �You�re one of a kind, Micki Ellis. It�s been a rough couple of years for me. I stopped believing in myself, my job, and started wondering why I even bothered to go on any more. Then I met you. You made me laugh, and made me appreciate what I have. For the first time in a very long time, you made me feel alive. I love you, Micki. Will you marry me?� She gasped as he opened the box. Inside lay an exquisite diamond solitaire ring. Hutch slipped it on her finger. She smiled, her eyes bright with tears. �I love you so much, Ken Hutchinson. Yes, I�ll marry you!� |
| After a romantic night, Hutch woke up to the sound of the alarm clock. He sighed with regret. He didn�t want to go to work. What he wanted was to spend the day with Micki, and call Starsky and Tracy over for a celebration. However, with a wedding in their future, any time off would be saved for a honeymoon. Hutch smiled to himself. After his disastrous marriage to Vanessa, he never thought he�d be walking down the aisle again. His life had certainly changed over the past few months. The despair that had culminated after Gunther had turned to happiness after he met Micki. The joy he felt was doubled when he saw how happy Starsky was. He knew how devastated Starsky had been when Terry died, and it was heartening to see him with Tracy. He glanced at the clock again and shook himself out of his reverie. He slipped out of bed without waking Micki and padded into the kitchen to make coffee. Once the coffee was brewed, he poured two cups and carried them into the bedroom. He sat his cup down on the bedside table and waved the other cup under Micki�s nose. A few seconds later, her nose twitched and her eyes opened. �Ummm, coffee!� She reached for the cup. �Oh, no you don�t. Time to rise and shine, sleepy head. You want this coffee, you get up and come into the kitchen.� He picked up his cup and left the room, laughing as her pillow hit him in the back. He heard her mumble as she got out of bed. Micki walked past him and into the bathroom. She splashed some water on her face and ran a brush through her long hair. Then she walked back into the kitchen and claimed her cup of coffee. Hutch grinned at her. �Good morning, sunshine. Are you ready for another busy day?� �You mean a busy, NORMAL day. I�d almost forgotten what that felt like. I feel like I�ve been living a nightmare ever since I met Danny.� Hutch gently cupped her chin. �The nightmare�s over, Mick. It�s smooth sailing from now on.� Micki looked down at her ring and smiled. �I know. Danny�s back in prison where he belongs. The bad times are behind us and the good times are just beginning.� He drew her close and kissed her, losing himself in the moment. A knock on the door brought him back to the present. He sighed. �That�s Starsky and Tracy. I guess we�d better let them in.� He looked at her, expectantly. Micki was puzzled for a moment, then looked down at herself. She was still wearing the shirt she had slept in that night. She gasped. �David!� She ran to the bedroom, snatched some clothes and rushed into the bathroom. Hutch laughed as he walked to the door. Before he could open it, Micki rushed back out and held up a finger. �Not yet! Wait a minute!� She ran back into the bedroom and returned, clutching an article of clothing. She raised it up for Hutch to see. �I forgot my pants!� Hutch shook his head and answered the door. Starsky and Tracy both looked at him. Starsky asked, �What�s so funny? Did we miss something?� Hutch laughed again. �Barely.� Tracy looked around. �Where�s Micki?� �She�s in the bathroom, getting dressed.� Tracy grinned mischievously and banged on the door. �Hey, hurry up in there! We don�t have all day, you know!� The bathroom door opened a bit and a wet towel came flying out, hitting Tracy in the face. She laughed and moved back. Micki came out a moment later. She grinned at her partner. �At least it doesn�t take me two hours to primp, like it does you. Maybe David needs to add another bathroom on to his apartment so he can get ready in the mornings.� Tracy stuck her tongue out. �Smart ass.� The two men shook their heads. Starsky took Tracy�s hand. �Come on, girls, it�s time to go. You can finish this later.� Micki replied, �Do we have a choice?� �Nope. Duty calls.� Hutch locked up the apartment and followed Micki down the stairs. He stopped in front of the Torino. �Wait a minute. We�re going to need both cars today. We have to check out those witnesses, and there�s no telling how long that will take. You and Tracy go on to the station and we�ll follow you in Micki�s car.� Starsky nodded. �Sounds good to me.� They met at the station. Starsky pulled his Torino beside Micki�s and got out. The two couples stood in front of the car. Hutch turned to Micki. �So, what are we doing after work?� �I need to go over to the house and finish closing it up. Now that Danny�s been caught, I can turn it over to the real estate agent. Tracy�s going over to her mom�s, so I�ll drop her off on the way.� �OK. How long do you think it will take you at the house?� �It shouldn�t take too long. We were just about finished when Danny called the other day.� �So, why don�t we pick Tracy up after we interview the rest of the witnesses, and we�ll meet you at the house? We can help you finish up and then we can go out for dinner.� �Sounds good to me.� Hutch put his arms around Micki and kissed her. Starsky kissed Tracy good-bye and stepped back. He headed for the driver�s side of his car, then stopped when he realized Hutch wasn�t behind him. He grinned when he saw them still embraced. He shook his head and walked back to them. After giving Tracy another kiss, he crossed to where Hutch and Micki stood. He pulled at Hutch�s sleeve. �Come on, Romeo, time to get to work.� Hutch ignored his partner and held Micki tighter. Starsky broke them apart and towed Hutch to the Torino. He opened the passenger side door and put Hutch in the car. Starsky waved as he started the car and pulled out of the lot. Micki waved back as the car drove out of sight. Then she turned and walked toward the building. Tracy looked at her friend. �Hey, Mick, get your feet back on the ground. You�re walking on air.� Micki laughed with her. �You should talk, and you�re tall enough as it is.� |
| Later that afternoon, Micki dropped Tracy off at her mother�s house and drove to the house she had shared with Danny. She stopped at the front door and pulled out her keys. �OK, house, this is it. This is the last time you�ll see me. Nothing personal, you understand, but you hold too many bad memories for me. I�m sure whoever buys you will be happy to have you.� She laughed at herself for talking to an inanimate object, then went inside. The moldy smell was apparent even in the front room. �Oh, shit, I forgot about the stuff that was in the refrigerator!� She immediately went around the ground floor of the house, opening the windows, then went into the kitchen. The black trash bag was where she had left it. The smell was definitely emanating from the bag. Micki carried the bag outside and put it in the large receptacle in the alley. Then she went back inside and started putting the kitchen in order. She turned on the radio for company as she worked. The song that came on was perfect for her. Micki sang along as she wiped the counters down. �Goin� to the chapel And we�re gonna get ma-a-arried Goin� to the chapel And we�re gonna get ma-a-arried Gee, I really love you And we�re gonna get ma-a-arried Goin� to the chapel of love Micki was washing out the sink when she heard the front door open. She called out without turning around. �Hey, you guys are early! I�m just about finished and then we can go.� �Hello, baby-cakes.� Micki gasped and swung around. �Danny! How did you get in here?� �I have a key, remember? This is my house, after all.� �I meant, how did you get here, period? You�re supposed to be on your way back to the pen. How did you escape?� �By the oldest trick in the book.� Danny clutched his chest. �Oh, God, I�m having chest pains. I�m having a heart attack!� He laughed. �I can�t make up my mind whether those guards watch too much TV, or not enough. Anyway, I�m out, and we have some unfinished business to take care of.� �You know, that�s not too smart, Danny. It won�t take them long to figure out where you�ve gone. They�ll have this place surrounded before you can blink your eyes.� �That doesn�t matter, baby-cakes. I�ll be gone by then. And if they get me, I�ll still take care of you first. It�s a win-win situation. Where�s your piece, Micki?� �I�m off duty. I don�t have it with me.� Danny pointed his weapon at her. �Don�t bullshit me, Micki! I know you better than that. I can shoot you right now, and get it over with, but that�s not what I have in mind. Now, where is it?!� Micki motioned with her head. �It�s in the desk drawer, over there.� She waited until his back was turned then flung her hand out, flexing her wrist as she aimed the stiletto at him. It hit him high on the shoulder. Danny roared in pain. Micki rushed past him and toward the front door. Before she could open it, a hand grabbed her long hair and swung her around. Danny seized her wrists and held her against the door. �You bitch! You�re just like a rattlesnake! I should know better than to turn my back on you.� Micki sneered at him. �You never were very smart, Danny. I guess that�s the mob mentality coming out.� Danny cursed again and back-handed her across the face. �And you�re still on that high-horse, I see. You always thought you were better than me. Well, when I�m finished with you, even your own mother won�t want nothing to do with you. Let�s see how high and mighty you are then.� Micki shifted her weight to her left side and brought her right foot down on his instep as hard as she could. Danny bent over and clutched his foot. Micki pushed him, hard, and ran toward the kitchen and the back door. Danny covered the distance in a few long strides and grabbed her before she could escape. �Look who�s being dumb now, pig. Go on, keep it up. You�re just making it harder on yourself.� �You�re crazy, Danny. I�m sorry that I ever got mixed up with you.� �You ain�t half as sorry as you�re gonna be, baby-cakes.� Danny forced her back against the refrigerator, and kissed her. Micki�s lips parted, as if inviting his tongue, then when she felt him respond, she bit down on his mouth with all her strength. Danny howled and punched her in the stomach in an effort to make her let go. Micki gasped involuntarily, and released her hold on him. �You�re gonna pay for that one, bitch.� Danny shifted his weight and forced her arms up, bent at her elbows, and pressed them against the refrigerator. For the first time, he noticed the ring on her finger. �Wait a minute. What�s this? Why baby-cakes, I thought you were saving yourself for me.� Micki snorted. �In your dreams, punk.� Danny grabbed her left hand in his and forced it backwards. �Who is he, Micki?� �None of your business.� Danny scowled as a thought occurred to him. �It�s that blonde cop that arrested me, isn�t it? I said, isn�t it?!� Micki winced as he increased the pressure on her hand. �Yes, and you�re not fit to be the dirt under his feet.� �Did you give him a little, Mick? Huh? Did you give him a taste?� The pain roared in her ears as he forced her hand back farther. �Yes, damn it! And he�s twice the man you�ll ever be.� The fury in Danny�s eyes glowed. �Wait a damn minute! He was always hanging around you before you busted me. Were you banging him then, too? ANSWER ME!!� �Yes! I had to do something to take the bad taste out of my mouth whenever you touched me. You made me sick when you forced yourself on me. He makes me happy. You just made me want to throw up.� Danny snarled as he snapped the bones in her wrist. The room darkened as the pain washed over her. She slumped down against the side of the refrigerator. Dimly, she felt Danny adjust his hold on her. Summoning her waning strength, Micki straightened herself and came up sharply under his chin. Danny rocked back and she broke away, and raced upstairs. She could hear him chasing her as she ran for the bedroom. She flung open the door and ran to the window. Micki tried to open the window with her right hand, but it refused to budge. She cried out in frustration. �Damn it!� Danny pounded on the door from the other side. �Let me in, you bitch! You can�t get away from me, so you might as well give it up. Open this door, now!� Micki grabbed the lamp from the night table and hid behind the door. She could hear Danny ramming his shoulder against it. She raised the lamp above her head and waited. Finally, the door gave under Danny�s weight. Micki brought the lamp crashing down on his head. He staggered back into the room, shaking his head. Micki shoved him against the bed and raced out of the room. She flew down the stairs, taking two at a time. As she reached the bottom, Danny tackled her from behind and landed on the floor, on top of her. The room faded as the wind was knocked out of her lungs. Danny turned her over and straddled her with his legs. He tore at her blouse. �I�ll teach you, you little slut! I�ll show you what a real man is.� He straightened up and grasped his belt buckle, and pulled it loose. At the same time, Micki opened her eyes and brought her knee up sharply between his legs. Danny made a strangled sound and collapsed beside her. Micki�s purse lay on the chair where she had put it earlier. She struggled to her feet and started toward it. Before she could reach it, a hand came from behind and seized her ankle. She crashed to the ground once more. She gave a determined cry. �Nooo!!� Micki twisted her body around and yanked at the phone cord that dangled from the small table beside her. The phone slid off the table and landed on Danny�s head. He let go of her foot and she crawled toward her purse. Her hand closed over the strap and she pulled it down to her, dumping its contents onto the carpet. Micki clutched the gun in her right hand and stood up, leaning against the wall for support. Danny shook his head to clear it, then stood up. He snarled when he saw her. Micki thumbed the safety off and aimed the gun at Danny. �Hold it right there, Danny.� He growled deep in his throat and moved toward her. �Stop! I mean it, Danny. Stay where you are!� He simply bared his teeth at her and moved closer. �Don�t do it, Danny! I�ll shoot you. I swear to God, I�ll shoot!� He reached toward her and kept walking. �Danny, NOOO!!� The sound of the gunshot exploded in the room. |
| Starsky and Hutch finished interviewing the last witness on their list late that afternoon. Starsky sighed with relief. �Thank God that�s over. Do you think we did any good, or were we just wasting our time?� Hutch shrugged. �We won�t know until we get back to the station and compare notes. I don�t know about you, but I�m beat. Why don�t we log out and pick up Tracy? Micki should be almost finished at the house by now. A nice, relaxing dinner sounds good right about now.� �You won�t get any argument from me. Let�s go. We can go over our notes in the morning.� When they arrived at Tracy�s mother�s house, Starsky got out of the car. Hutch stayed where he was, until Starsky shook his head. �Oh, no you don�t. You ain�t getting off that easy. We might as well get used to meeting the family now. Come on, let�s go.� Hutch sighed and got out of the car. The two men walked up the driveway and knocked on the door. They just missed the message that came over the radio. �Dispatch to Zebra 3. Come in, Zebra 3. Emergency transmission from Captain Dobey.� Twenty minutes later, Starsky, Hutch and Tracy came out of the house. Tracy kissed her mother once more, then the three detectives walked back to the car. They heard the radio as they got in. �Dispatch to Zebra 3. Come in, Zebra 3� Hutch grabbed the microphone. �This is Zebra 3. Go ahead, Dispatch.� �Stand by, Zebra 3. Emergency transmission from Captain Dobey.� �Hutch, where the Hell have you been? Tommy Carruthers escaped from jail an hour ago. We just got the call. Let me talk to Micki.� Hutch looked stricken. �She�s not here, Captain. She�s at the house.� �What the Hell is she doing there? That�s where we think Carruthers is heading!� Starsky started the car and slammed it into gear. Hutch put the Mars light on the roof and held on as the Torino careened around the corner. Hutch groaned, frustrated, as the suburban traffic increased, slowing them down. �Damn it, Starsky, hurry up!� Starsky�s voice was steady. �I�m going as fast as I can, Hutch. We ain�t gonna do her any good if we get in an accident.� The Torino weaved in and out of traffic as they hurried to Tommy Carruthers� house. Hutch turned off the siren and brought the light in as they neared the house. Starsky pulled the Torino behind Micki�s car and killed the engine. Hutch was out of the car and running before the sound of the motor died. The sound of the gun shot split the air. Hutch raised his leg and kicked the door in with one fluid movement. He came to a halt as the scene unfolded. Micki was leaning against the wall, holding her gun in an outstretched hand. She was bloodied and bruised, her clothing torn. Tommy Carruthers lay on the floor, moaning and clutching his shoulder. Hutch ignored him as he walked slowly toward Micki. Her eyes were blank and she stared straight ahead. �Micki, it�s me, Ken. It�s all right now. Give me the gun.� Micki tightened her grip on the handle. She shook her head slightly. �Micki, give me the gun. It�s OK, sweetheart. We�re here. Danny won�t hurt you anymore.� Micki�s eyes slowly focused as she recognized his voice. Her arm dropped to her side and she let the gun fall. Her voice was weak. �I told you that I wouldn�t let him hurt anybody else.� Hutch caught her as she lost consciousness. He carried her over to the couch and lay her down, gently. The sounds of sirens wailing drew closer. Hutch turned as several officers ran through the door, followed by Captain Dobey. Starsky finished putting the handcuffs on Carruthers and jerked him upright. �Here ya go, Ricky. Take him back down to the station and book him. We�ll be there as soon as we can." Tracy sat down on the couch beside Micki and gently washed the blood from her face. She examined her partner closely, then turned to Hutch. "I don't think she's seriously hurt, Ken. Her wrist is broken and she has some cracked ribs, but that isn't life threatening." Hutch turned to one of the officers. "Stan, call an ambulance, will you?" "I already did, Hutch. It should be here in a few minutes." Hutch stood up and glared at Carruthers. He crossed to where Ricky was holding him. "You're real good at beating up women, aren't you, Carruthers? Why don't you try picking on a man for a change?" Carruthers sneered. "Anytime you feel froggy, cop, just bring it on." Hutch cursed and struck out at the felon. Ricky pulled Carruthers out of the way before the blow landed. At the same time, Starsky grabbed his partner's arm, bringing it down. Two pairs of blue eyes met. "Don't do it, Hutch. We've got him cold. Don't blow it now." Hutch exhaled slowly, then nodded. He let his arm drop and turned away from Carruthers. Dobey turned to Ricky, "Get him out of here!" Then he turned to Hutch. "Calm down, Hutchinson. He's already added a few more years on to his sentence. Don't give his lawyer any ammunition." Before Hutch could answer him, Tracy called from across the room. "Ken, she's awake." Hutch turned his back on the felon and walked back to the couch. He kneeled down next to Micki. She looked over at him. "Where's Danny? Is he all right?" "He's fine, Mick. You knicked him in the shoulder. He'll be fine." She smiled at Tracy. "I got him, kid. We stopped him, and I didn't have to kill him." Starsky leaned over the couch and touched her hair. "No, you didn't have to kill him, Mick. You did good. Annie Oakley would have been proud." She laughed, then winced at the pain in her side. Hutch gently touched her shoulder. "Easy, Mick. The ambulance is on it's way." "Ambulance? Man, not the hospital again." Hutch grinned at her. "Well, that's what you get for brawling. Didn't your mother ever tell you that it's not lady like to fight?" "Yeah, and it didn't work then, either. But I'll make a deal with you. I'll hang up my boxing gloves if you promise me something." "Name it." "Try to keep hold of him this time, OK? Don't let him get away again. This is getting kind of old." "You got it, Mick." He bent over and kissed her tenderly on her lips. Tommy Carruthers jeered at the scene. "So, you got her now, right, cop? That's a pretty good piece of ass, isn't it?" Hutch roared and went for Carruthers' throat. It took three officers to pull the two men apart. Starsky wedged himself between them. Dobey grabbed Hutch by the shoulder and forced him back. Starsky caught his arm. "Hutch, stop it! He's just pushing your buttons. Don't let him get to you." Dobey bellowed. "I said, get him out of here! Now!" He glared at his two detectives. "Starsky, control your partner, or take him outside." Hutch dropped his eyes and nodded slightly. He crossed the room again. As he passed the door, two uniformed officers quietly moved in front of it. He ignored them and knelt down beside Micki once more. As he did, the ambulance finally arrived. The medics entered the room quickly, rolling a stretcher in front of them. Hutch helped them transfer Micki to the stretcher and followed them out of the room. Starsky nodded at his Captain and he and Tracy followed Hutch. They jumped into the Torino as the ambulance raced to the hospital. |
| A few days later, the red and white Torino pulled up in front of Venice Place. Tracy sat in the front seat with Starsky and Hutch and Micki sat in the back. Tracy got out first and ran up the stairs to open the door. Starsky held the seat up while Hutch helped Micki out of the car. He picked her up and carried her to the door. "Ken, you don't have to do this. My legs aren't broken." He kissed her. "They're the only bones that aren't. Hush." Starsky held the apartment door open for them while Tracy pulled the covers down on the bed. Micki pointed to the couch as they passed. "Couch?" "Bed." Hutch's voice was firm. Micki shrugged philosophically as he settled her into their bed. Tracy slipped Micki's shoes off and covered her friend. Starsky stood at the head of the bed. Hutch kissed her and held up his finger. "Now, behave yourself and get some rest. I'll be back in a minute." "Wait! You guys aren't going, are you? Come on, why don't you stay for a while? We can watch TV, or play Monopoly." Starsky leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. "Nah, you need your rest right now. Tell ya what, though. You mind Hutch and get back on your feet, and we'll go a couple of rounds in the boxing ring. I'll show you a couple of tricks." "Hey, that sounds great! I didn't know you knew how to box, Davy?" Starsky grinned that 1000 watt smile. "I got my own moves. I'll show you the Starsky style." Micki grinned, but Hutch looked sternly at his partner. "Don't encourage her, Starsk. She's hanging her boxing gloves up, remember?" "Hey, I promised I wouldn't fight any more, but this is for fun. Please, Ken?" "Yeah, Hutch, it's just for fun. What harm would it do?" Hutch looked at the two brunettes and shook his head sadly. "What am I going to do with the two of you? OK, we'll talk about it. LATER. For now, young lady, go to sleep. You're not ready for the ring yet." He walked Tracy and Starsky to the door. Tracy kissed him on the cheek. "Call if you need anything, OK? And don't forget to eat something. You have to take care of yourself, too." "Don't worry, I won't forget. I'll call you tomorrow. Good night, you two." Starsky winked at his partner and followed Tracy out the door. Hutch went back inside and fixed himself something to eat. He checked on Micki every few minutes, to make sure she was comfortable. As he was turning the lights off in the apartment, he heard her curse softly. He hurried into the bedroom. Micki was standing by the bed, holding on to the night table for support. "Micki, what the Hell are you doing out of bed? Where were you going?" Micki glared at him. "Think real hard, Ken." Hutch looked toward the bathroom and grinned. "Oh, OK. Why didn't you say something? Here, I'll help you." He half-carried her to the bathroom door and let her down. He started to follow her inside, but she stopped him with another withering glance. "Don't even THINK about it!" He laughed out loud. "OK, but don't lock that door if you don't want company." She was out again in a few minutes. He helped her back to bed, moving slowly. "OK, who's bright idea was it to move the bed? It wasn't that far away a few minutes ago." Hutch helped her into the bed and shook his head. "This is ridiculous. I should never have let you come home so soon. You belong in a hospital." Micki shook her head. "I don't want to be in a hospital. I want to be with you. That's where I belong." "All right, it's against my better judgement, but I won't say anything more about it. But I want you to do everything the doctor ordered." "Well, it's against MY better judgement, but OK. I'll just lie here and vegetate." "Promise?" Micki grinned slyly. "No, but I'll try." Hutch sighed and grinned back. "I guess that's the best I can hope for." "You know it is." Hutch turned out the light and slid into bed with her. "Go to sleep, silly." The End |
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