Starsky and Gabby waited patiently while Hutch went to the airport to pick up Lila. It had been only a day and a half since the trial, but she was anxious to get back home and see for herself that her niece was fine. When they arrived, Gabby ran to the car, hugging her aunt like they had been separated for years. It was a fine reunion, everyone was smiling and Gabby had set a table full of food and goodies for her aunts’ homecoming. Starsky and Hutch had stayed at both the ladies’ insistence, but after a couple of hours, excused themselves, explaining that they had an early day the next morning, back to work and back into their routines. Hutch gathered his things and went home, and Starsky began some laundry and stretched out across his bed. The smell of Gabby was comforting.
The next morning, Starsky and Hutch were back at the precinct, enjoying congratulations from their peers and beginning working through a large stack of files that had been waiting for them on their desks. It was Friday, and they were looking forward to a nice game of cards with Lila and Gabby that evening.
“It’ll be nice to do something normal and quiet this evening.” Starsky said to his partner.
“Huh?” Hutch asked, looking up from a file.
“You know, the card game tonight.”
“That came out of the blue, didn’t it?” Hutch began, “I guess I know what you’ve been thinking about all day.” He said teasing his partner. Starsky smiled.
“Is it time to go home yet?”
he asked Hutch. Hutch smiled back at him.
Chapter Ten
Starsky arrived at Lilas’ place after Hutch, who had been home, showered, cleaned up, and arrived a few minutes earlier. Starsky had also showered and looked very nice, wearing a nice shirt and one of his newer pairs of blue jeans; even had his good cologne on. Hutch snickered at him when he came through the door.
“What!?” Starsky asked defensively.
“He is just jealous of you David.” Lila told him as she squeezed on his cheek. Hutch laughed.
“Yeah, pal, you look fine.” Hutch said, getting up from the table and going towards him, squeezing him on his other cheek, to which Starsky smacked his hand.
“Where’s Gabby?” Starsky asked Lila.
“Probably primping for you like you did for her.” Hutch answered before Lila could. They all laughed, sitting down at the table. Lila had all the usual snacks out, and beer in the refrigerator for the guys. She looked so much better than she had been, comfortable and relaxed, the stress of the past few weeks seemed to be long behind her. Things seemed to finally be back to normal. Gabby had been back to painting and back into her old routines again as well. This would be the first time they had all gathered without the stress of Chester Brown hanging over them, and it felt very nice. Hutch grabbed a beer for himself and Starsky and sat back down. Starsky popped open his beer and looked at his watch, then at Hutch, who had also opened his beer. Lila got up and dialed the phone, and after listening for a few moments, hung it back up.
“Well, she must be on her way now finally.” Lila said as she sat back down at the table.
“Lila,” Hutch began, “I wonder if I could ask you something personal.” He said, looking hopeful at the older woman.
“Why Ken, you know you are like family – you both are. What do you want to ask me?” she said.
“Well,” Starsky broke in; “We couldn’t help but notice how Gabby came here so suddenly. And, it just feels like she’s holding back something; something painful.” he said. Lila looked down for a moment, taking a deep breath.
“If it’s too personal…” Hutch said, putting his hand on hers.
“No, it’s just very, very painful. You see, Gabrielle had a very bad relationship with an abusive man. As soon as she realized what kind of so-called man he was, she tried to get away from him, and he kind of held her prisoner in her own home for a while. It was horrible. That’s when she lived in Virginia. You see, I am the only family she has left. Her parents were killed in a car accident over ten years ago, bless their souls, and our family was very small to begin with.”
“My God.” Starsky said, shaking his head.
“How did she get away from him?” Hutch asked with concern.
“She fought for her life Ken.” Lila answered quickly.
“You mean...” Starsky began his question, but did not finish.
“Oh no!” Lila began, “He beat her so badly for fighting back that she ended up in a coma. Guilt must have over taken him though, because he ended up driving her to a hospital and dropping her off there.” She said angrily, “But then the police tracked him down and put him in jail, and she got better, and moved out here.” Hutch shook his head. Starsky had a look of disgust on his face.
“No wonder she moved in so quickly and never wanted to talk about herself.” Hutch said.
“Yeah,” Starsky began, “she probably carries some shame for what he did.” “Yes, she does. It’s a very painful part of her life that she doesn’t even discuss with me, and she would probably be very angry with me for telling you two about it. But you are like family to us, in so many ways.” Lila said.
All three of them turned around at the sound of something dropping. There in the doorway stood Gabby, her purse had fallen from her hands to the floor. Tears were streaming down her face, and she had a look that was a cross between anger and fear.
“How could you?!” she sneered at Lila, then turned swiftly, slamming the door behind her. Lila gasped, holding her hand to her mouth, and Starsky got up and ran out the door to catch Gabby. Hutch looked at Lila.
“Don’t worry, Lila. What she needs right now is David. She has been holding in all these bad things for a long time now. It’s time for them to come out, and I think he is the key.” He put his arms around the lady, and Lila began crying.
“What if she doesn’t forgive me for this?” she sobbed.
“She will, she will.
Let’s just give them a little time together.” Hutch told her assuringly.
Chapter Eleven
Starsky chased Gabby to her door, which she promptly locked behind her as she ran in.
“Gabby!” he yelled at the door. Gabby!!”
“Go away from me!” she yelled through the door, sobbing.
“I’m not going anywhere! Now open this door!” he hollered.
“Leave me the hell alone!” she hollered, “If I had wanted everyone to know my business I’d have stayed in Virginia!”
“Gabby, open this door dammit!” Starsky yelled. Fear took Gabrielle over, hearing the tone in his voice, and she backed into the corner of the living room, knocking over one of her paintings that sat on an easel. Starsky heard something fall over.
”Gabby? Are you alright in there? Gabby? I don’t want to break the door in, but I’m gonna if you don’t answer me.” She was almost hysterical, and he heard her sobbing. With one swift move, he pushed his body against the door and it collapsed open from his force. Gabby was in total hysterics, and Starsky ran over to her, holding her, and she fought him, screaming and clawing at him to get out from his grip. At this point, he was sure she wasn’t fighting him any more, but someone else. They scuffled for close to five minutes until Gabby fainted. He layed her down across her bed. Bringing in a cool damp washcloth from the bathroom, he gently wiped her face with it, and she began coming around. It took her only a moment to realize what had happened, and she sat up, looking almost hateful to Starsky, then began crying. She was sobbing uncontrollably, and Starsky held her tight, trying to comfort her; not letting go of her. She held him tightly. Hutch walked in through the broken door and went back towards her bedroom. Starsky was facing him, and shook his head to let Hutch know that they were okay. Hutch left the apartment to go back and reassure Lila.
Gabby fell into a deep sleep, totally exhausted from all the emotions that had unleashed themselves that evening. Starsky stayed in there for a while, then left her on the bed to go fix the door he had broken in, walking in the living room just in time to see Hutch already working on the broken hinges.
“How is she, buddy?” Hutch asked.
“Man, I don’t know. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It hurt me to watch her.” Starsky said, opening a beer that Hutch had brought him. With Starskys’ help, they got Gabbys’ door back in place and in working order. They went inside, and Hutch sat on the sofa while Starsky straightened up the mess he and Gabby had made during their struggle.
“I’m staying here tonight.” Starsky stated.
“I know.” Hutch told him, drinking his beer.
“How about calling Lila?”
“Yeah,” Starsky answered, picking up the phone. Once he promised to Lila that Gabby was all right and he was going to make sure of it, he hung up the phone, letting out a deep sigh. Hutch looked at his watch. It was 10pm.
“Do you want me to stay here with you two?” he asked his friend.
“Naw, we’ll be fine. You go home and get some sleep. Thanks, pal.” Starsky said. Hutch stood up and stretched.
“If you need anything, call me.” He said.
“I will.” With that,
Hutch left, and Starsky locked the door behind him. He walked back
into the bedroom and found Gabby lying peacefully across the top of the
bedspread. He stretched out beside her, putting his arm around her,
and after a few moments, fell asleep himself.
Chapter Twelve
The morning sunlight shined through the curtains in Gabrielles’ room, and the light woke Starsky. After moments’ daze, he looked around, not seeing Gabby. Jumping up, he rushed through the apartment, coming to a sudden stop in the kitchen. Gabby sat there at the table, sketching on an art pad, drinking from her coffee cup, with a cigarette smoking in the ashtray. She looked up at Starsky and said nothing. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down beside her.
“Whatcha drawing?” he asked.
“I don’t know.” She answered.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Fine.” She answered, not allowing eye contact. Starsky looked around the room, noticing where she had painted vines going up her cabinet doors, and other little personal touches she had made; wondering what to say next. Gabby sat there quietly, making no effort towards conversation with him. He looked at her. Her eyes were swollen, and she had some scratches on her arm, no doubt coming from their struggle last night. His arms were equally scratched and he wondered how disheveled he must look. The silence was very awkward.
“Look.” Starsky began, “I cant imagine the pain you went through, and I’m sorry we pushed Lila into telling us about it, but I want to be a part of your life, and I want to know the things that trouble you.” Gabby stared down at her paper, playing with the pencil, saying nothing. She showed no emotion on her face. After a few moments, Starsky reached gently for her chin, and lifted it up so that she was facing him and looking at him.
“I cant take away the pain that animal caused you, but I can promise you that you’ll never have to go through that kind of abuse again.” He said, looking deeply into her eyes, touching her heart. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to reach out to him and hold him tight and feel comforted by his assurances, but she couldn’t. She just looked at him. His eyes were sincere. He got up and knelt down beside her chair, putting his arm across her lap, hugging her and looking at her, his eyes pleading for a response, any response. She put her arms around him and hugged him back.
“Thank you for being here for me.” She said as she tried to hold back the tears. “Let it go.” He said quietly.
“No, I’m fine, really.” Gabby said, wiping her face.
“You will be.” Starsky said,
leaning back and giving her one of his infamous grins. Still holding
her hand, he got up from the floor and sat across her at the table.
She pulled his hand to her lips and kissed it, then rubbed it along her
cheek. “How about some more coffee?” she asked.
Chapter Thirteen
Hutch walked into the precinct alone. It was a brisk Saturday morning, but the sun was shining, leading all to believe it would be a beautiful day. He wondered how things had gone with Starsky and Gabby, and wondered how Lila was managing through all this. She had calmed down and taken comfort in the fact that Starsky was staying there with her niece, and he felt he had reassured her in the knowledge that Gabby was fine, just a little unsettled. He wondered when and if his partner would be in today. He prayed today would be calm and quiet.
Starsky came strolling in about ten minutes behind Hutch, whistling as he walked towards the coffeepot.
“Good morning.” Hutch said, a surprised expression on his face. Starsky turned towards him, smiling.
“And good morning to you.” He quipped.
“How’s Gabby doing?” Hutch asked.
“Better. I think we’ve come to an understanding about things. She’s opening up to me, I think.”
“That’s good.” Hutch said, “And how about Lila?” he asked.
“They had kissed and made up before I left.” Starsky said with a proud look on his face. “She just took Lila over to the Holiday Inn for her Saturday morning bridge club. Things are finally getting back to normal.” He said happily.
“That’s great Starsk. You two make a pretty cute couple.” Hutch said teasingly. “Cute?! Did you just say cute??” Starsky asked with a sideways grin.
Captain Dobey came bursting into the office, almost out of breath.
“Good morning, Cap.” Starsky said.
“No it’s not.” Dobey began. “Your guy Chester Brown just broke out of jail!” he shouted. Hutch stood up.
“Say what?!”
“That’s right,” Dobey began, “he apparently overtook one of the guards that was getting him ready to transfer. He’s got someone helping him on the outside. He killed that guard with his own gun and injured two others! Where’s Gabrielle?” he demanded.
“Oh my God.” Starsky began,
“she’s gone home to clean her apartment!” With that he and Hutch
flew out the door, practically knocking over Millie, but Hutch caught her
before she hit the floor and stood her back on her feet. They
both ran down the stairs and out the front door. The car was started
before they had closed the doors on it, and Starsky put it in gear and
the doors slammed shut. Starskys’ car mowed down the road with incredible
speed. The two detectives were silent through the drive to the apartments.
Chapter Fourteen
Starsky eased his vehicle quietly into the drive beside his own apartment, and he and Hutch got out, guns drawn, not closing the doors of the car to avoid making any noise. Swiftly they went around the garage apartment towards Gabbys’ place. Hutch went to the right side of the door and Starsky flanked the left, trying the door handle. It was unlocked and not latched, and he easily pushed it open.
“Gabby!” Starsky hollered, but got no response. They both went in. The place was in complete upheaval; a definite struggle had taken place.
“Gabrielle!” Hutch hollered as he walked into the empty bedroom.
“In here.” A weak voice said from the kitchen. They both ran towards her. There was blood everywhere. Gabby lay in the floor, half-leaning up against a counter. She was bloody. Her hair was a mess, her face was terribly bruised, and her whole body looked as if it had been used for a punching bag.
“Oh God, Gabby!” Starsky said, running to her, falling on his knees beside her. She looked at him, then Hutch, who looked shocked at her appearance.
“I, I think I killed him.” She mumbled, then pointed behind them. Starsky turned to look and Hutch swung around, seeing Chester Browns’ body. He checked for a pulse, but knew there wouldn’t be one, considering the kitchen knife that stuck out from his chest. Starsky looked back at Gabby, who was fading in and out of consciousness. Hutch called headquarters, requesting an ambulance and coroner.
“Gabby?” Starsky said, trying to bring her back around. He started to put his arm around her waist, and drew his hand back. It was covered in blood.
“Hutch!” he yelled, “We better take her in my car! She’s been shot!” Dobey came through the door as Starsky was picking up Gabrielle and carrying her towards the door. Hutch had run down to bring the car around.
“How is she?” he asked.
“Dunno. She’s shot and she’s beaten. We’re taking her to the hospital right now. Chester Brown is dead in the kitchen.” Hutch pulled the torino up to the door.
“Don’t worry about anything,
I’ll handle it until the forensic guys get here.” Dobey told him
as Starsky took her out the door. Hutch got out and helped
Starsky put her in the back seat, and Starsky settled in, laying her head
on his lap. They raced down the street towards the hospital.
Part Fifteen
Starsky stayed with her in the emergency room as the doctors and nurses worked around him, trying to get Gabby stabilized. She regained consciousness briefly, and Starsky was right there, begging her to keep her eyes open, to keep looking at him; telling her she would be alright. The doctor on call was Doug; the only reason Starsky was allowed to stay in there with her. Once he had her stabilized, they took her up for surgery. Starsky came out of the ER room with her as they were wheeling her upstairs, but painfully, let go of her hand so the elevator doors could close. He turned around, looking helplessly at his partner and Dobey, who had been waiting for him. He was covered in Gabrielles’ blood.
A patrolman came towards
them, bringing Lila to where they were waiting. Visibly shaken, she
listened as Hutch explained all that had happened. And they waited.
Chapter Sixteen
After four and a half hours, Doug came out from the elevator and headed towards them. All four stood up. He took off his surgical cap and looked at them with a very stern face.
“How is she, Doctor Goodale?” Dobey asked gently. Doug looked at them all, one by one.
“I think she’s going to be just fine.” he said, smiling from ear to ear.
“Alright!” Hutch exclaimed. Starsky let out a “Yee-haw!” and grabbed Lila, picking her up and twirling her off the ground. He set her down, then leaned towards Dobey as if he were ready to pick him up as well. “Don’t you dare, Starsky!” he said, pointing his index finger at him.
“Can we see her now?” Lila asked Doug.
“She’s in recovery now, and won’t be awake for a while, and for safety’s sake, I’m putting her in intensive care. That means one visitor at a time. One of you can go up there now if you like, she should be in her room in about ten minutes.” Lila looked at Starsky.
“You go on up there David.” She told him.
“No, Lila, you go first.” Starsky said, touched by her gesture. “Come on, Ms. Dowdy, I’ll take you up.” Doug said, putting his arm on her shoulder and leading her towards the elevator.
An officer walked up to Dobey and began talking to him, and Starsky and Hutch walked over to them. When they got there, the officer nodded his head towards them and left.
“Well?” Hutch asked the captain.
“Well, it’s an open and shut case of self defense. She shouldn’t have to suffer through a trial or anything else. The district attorney has already made a decision.”
“Good.” Hutch began, “Now all she has to do is recover from all this added trauma.” He said, shaking his head.
“Cap, I’m gonna need some time off.” Starsky stated.
“I knew that.” Dobey said,
patting him on the back. “Well, I’m going to head back to the station.
If you guys need anything, just call me.” he said.
“Come on Buddy, let’s go upstairs and see the lady.” Hutch said, smiling at his friend. They walked to the elevator and got in.
Once upstairs, they saw Doug Goodale standing by the nurses’ station. “Hey there.” Starsky said, looking tired. Doug looked at him.
“Man, let’s get you into some scrubs, those clothes are awful.” He said. Starsky looked down at himself, almost shocked at the amount of blood that was covering him.
“That would be great.” He began, looking at Doug, then Hutch.
“I’m not going home any time
soon.” He said.
“Okay, come on then. I’ll tell you what all happened.” Doug said as he walked Starsky into the doctors’ lounge. Hutch watched the monitors that hung over Gabrielle through the window. Lila was sitting there, patting her hand, and it looked like Gabby had come to and was talking with her. A nurse was coming down the hall with a big bouquet of flowers, and walked into Gabbys’ room with them. Hutch could see the card; it was from Dobey and his family. That was very nice, he thought. Starsky and Doug came out from the lounge, and Starsky was dressed in scrubs, looking like he was ready for surgery. He was cleaned up and had brushed his hair, and Doug was explaining to him that he would be allowed to shower in there and rest in there if he wanted to.
“Doctor Doug and Doctor Dave, I presume.” Hutch said teasingly. Starsky smiled. He looked into the room, as did Doug, and both noticed that Gabby was awake. Starsky immediately headed towards the door, to which Doug stopped him.
“Let me take a look at her first, then she’s all yours my friend.” He said smiling. Starsky looked disappointed, but backed away from the door to let Doug through.
“What did he say about her wounds?” Hutch asked.
“He said that the bullet hit her spleen, but they got the internal bleeding under control, she’s got a small fracture on her lower leg, and even though she was beaten up pretty bad, she would eventually be fine.” Starsky paused for a moment, and took a deep breath. “Ya know, if I had just stayed with her, maybe…”
“Now you stop that, Starsk.” Hutch interjected, “You can’t be with her twenty-four hours a day, and you had no way of knowing. It’s not your fault.” He said, putting a hand on his friends’ tired shoulder.
“I know, but…”
“No buts about it. You can’t
go blaming yourself for something that was out of your control.” Hutch
told him. Starsky looked up at Hutch and saw his friend smiling at
him, and smiled back.
Chapter Seventeen
Lila and Doug came out from Gabbys’ room and Lila smiled at the two men standing there.
“How is she, Doug?” Starsky asked.
“Well enough to be asking for you.” Lila answered. Starsky smiled.
“She will be here for maybe a week. She is very strong-willed. She wants to go home now.” Doug told them. Hutch laughed,
“Sounds familiar, doesn’t it Starsk? Just like when you were in here the last time.” He said, teasing his partner. He looked at Lila.
“How about we go get something to eat?” he asked her.
“Why Ken,” she began, “Are you asking a sixty-two year old out on a date?” she teased. Hutch held out his arm.
“Why yes ma’am, I believe I am.” He said smiling.
“Take care of her David.” Lila said, patting Starsky on his back.
“You got it Lila.” He answered, then went into Gabbys’ room.
The flowers that Dobey had sent smelled lightly sweet, taking away from the normal hospital smell that Starsky despised so much. Gabby was resting and looked comfortable, considering the tubes and IVs that surrounded her. Starsky looked at her, watching her every breath. “I love you.” He said gently. Her eyes opened and she looked at him. “I love you, too.” She whispered, then fell back asleep.
Starsky sat back in the chair and smiled. For the first time in a long time, he felt content. Happy. He fell into a light sleep. He didn’t hear Hutch and Lila when they came back in. Hutch gently shook his arm, and Starsky woke up immediately, a little disoriented, and then quickly regained himself.
“They’re letting you stay in here with her, huh?” Hutch asked him quietly. Starsky looked around.
“Yeah, I guess so.” He answered.
“I’m going to take Lila home, then I’ll bring you a change of clothes.” Hutch told him. Lila hugged him, and they left. He got up and pulled the sheets up around Gabby, who woke up and smiled at him. Pain was evident in her face.
“You in a lot of pain?” he asked her.
“Yeah.” She answered, which told Starsky she had to be hurting pretty bad to actually admit it to him. He held her hand.
Within two days Gabrielle was moved into a regular private room. Starsky was told that she would be able to go home within a couple of days. He was with her constantly, and she was loving the attention. They talked about everything, never seeming to run out of conversation. Hutch came by after work each day, enjoying their company, talking about light caseloads and easy work. Lila came by twice a day and looked refreshed and happy. Starsky rarely left Gabby’s side, except at her insistence to go home and shower and take care of his plants, which surely were feeling neglected by now, according to her.
Doctor Goodale had
told her that she could go home the following morning, and she was ecstatic.
Finally she had found happiness. Starsky felt the same way.
Like a void had been filled in his life, he was actually happy with himself
and his surroundings. His feelings for her grew stronger with each
minute. And he wanted more.
Chapter Eighteen
The night before her discharge had Gabby a little on edge.
“I just want to go home, eat some real food, do my own thing, you know?” she told Lila.
“I know. And see what life will be like with David, I suspect.” Lila said with a grin. Gabby smiled and blushed a little.
“Yes, you’re right.” She answered. As if on cue, Starsky came in the door, bringing her roses that he placed in her arms.
“They are so beautiful!” Gabby gushed.
“So are you.” He told her, kissing her gently on the lips. He went to back away from her and she grabbed his jacket and pulled him back to her, kissing him enough to make Lila look the other way.
“Well, I guess I’d better get home now and get things ready for you to come home tomorrow.” She told Gabby. Gabby smiled.
“Okay, Love you.” She told her aunt. Lila gave Starsky a hug and left them. “Alone at last.” Starsky said, jumping up on the side of the bed and stretching himself beside her. Hutch came in, bringing some fresh flowers in a vase. He looked at the couple and smiled.
“I figured I’d better bring these in to you tonight. I hear you’re getting discharged tomorrow and I’m wondering when I’ll see you again.” He said to Gabby, setting them on the bedside table and giving her a smooch.
“I’ll be around” Gabby said sweetly.
“Oh,” Hutch began, “I guess you didn’t hear that Starsky put in for another one of his weeks’ vacation next week.” Gabby raised her eyebrows.
“And what are you up to my fine friend?” she asked Starsky sweetly.
“I ain’t telling!” He replied, trying to give an air of mystery.
“This will be interesting.” She said with a giggle.
“You better believe it will, shweetheart.” He replied with his best Bogey impersonation to date.
As Hutch was getting ready to leave, Starsky got up and went over to him. “I’ll be back in a minute, okay?” he asked Gabby, to which she nodded, coughing a little. Starsky kissed Gabby on the forehead and then led Hutch outside the room and pulled out something from his pocket. It was a red velvet box, and he opened it, revealing a beautiful heart shaped diamond engagement ring. Hutch smiled.
“You’re not doing that tonight are you?” he asked as he nudged his partner.
“Oh no. I got special plans. Tomorrow night.” Starsky said, smiling ear to ear. Gabbys’ coughing was getting progressively worse, and Starsky and Hutch went in the room to see how she was and found her gasping for air. Hutch offered her a glass of water as Starsky ran out and hollered over towards the nurses’ station to get someone to come to the room. Doug Goodale was at the nurses’ station, and quickly came in there. Two nurses followed him in. Her color was turning a deep pink, and Doug lowered the bed down flat.
“Pulse is 120 and thready.” The nurse shouted. “Respirations are labored.” She said acutely.
“What the hell’s going on, Doug?” Starsky shouted. Gabby looked at him and grabbed his hand.
“I love you.” She mouthed the words. She kept looking at him until her eyes closed.
“Upstairs, Now!” Doug hollered to one of the nurses. “Call up there and let them know we’re coming!” he shouted to another nurse.
“What’s happening?” Starsky asked Doug as he pushed Gabbys’ stretcher out from the room.
“We’ll find out shortly. Right now I’d just be guessing.” He said as he rushed her to the elevator. Starsky and Hutch went up with them and Starsky was panicked. Hutch held onto him as they exited the elevator, and Doug rushed her into an operating room, telling the two detectives that they couldn’t follow any further.
“Oh my God. Oh my God!” Starsky exclaimed, holding Hutches’ arm. Hutch just stood there, trying to be strong for his best friend, yet absolutely dumbfounded by what had just happened before his very eyes. Starsky regained his composure and asked Hutch to go call Lila. Hutch grabbed his partner by his shoulders.
“I’ll be right back.” He told him, and he quickly left to go to the nearest nurses’ station.
Hutch had been gone maybe two minutes, and Doug came out from the operating room. His look was somber and cold. Starsky ran over to him, his eyes pleading for answers. Doug looked at him for a moment.
“She had a brain aneurysm. It must have dislodged from her leg fracture where a lot of clogging had formed. I’m so sorry David. We did everything we could. I’m sorry.” Starsky just stared at him, then slowly slumped down in the floor. He was sobbing when Hutch returned. Hutch looked at Doctor Goodale, who just shook his head. He knelt down beside his partner.
“What the hell happened?” Hutch yelled to the doctor. Starsky told him what he said. Numb from receiving the news. Hutch just looked at Starsky and hugged him, crying with his friend, crying for his friend. Doug walked over to a chair and sat down. Holding his head in his hands, slouched over in the chair. Starsky was sobbing, and Hutch held his friend, knowing there was no amount of comfort he could offer.
Starsky got up and started into the room where Gabby was. Doug told him he shouldn’t go in there, but Starsky just turned around, looking at him, pleading with his eyes. Doug just nodded his head in an affirmative motion, letting him go.
“You want me to come with you?” Hutch asked, wiping his face.
"No, please.” Starsky said.
He went inside, seeing
nothing but Gabby’s body lying there, and a nurse standing beside her.
“Leave us.” He told her bluntly. The nurse went outside and waited
with Doug and Hutch. He leaned over her, kissing her on her forehead.
“I love you too.” He said, tears falling down from his eyes. He took the ring out from his pocket and placed it on her finger.
“I’ll love you forever.”
He whispered, then put his head down near hers and began to sob.
Chapter Nineteen
The rain felt appropriate
for the funeral. Starsky held Lila while they stood and the reverend
tried to offer comforting words. Hutch held Starsky. Captain
Dobey and his family were also there, as well as Huggy Bear. There
were a few other people, most likely from the department, and Doug Goodale.
Lilas’ friend from L.A., Maggie, was also there. As everyone threw
dirt onto the coffin that was lowered, an eerie silence fell upon them.
The rain became harder, and it hid the tears well. The drive home
was a somber one. Life would never be the same. Sometimes,
no matter how far you come along, you still never truly recover.
But you do go on. They would go on, scars and all. It’s all
in the timing of life. Everything for a reason. Starsky began
to cry again.
THE END
(But what if she didn’t die??? The sequel is next in the Gabrielle
Series…)