Roots to Grow Part Five
Part Five
Trusting
The two men heard the door opening; cold wind and snow blew into the shelter, and a shadow fell on them.
“Oh, that’s boring; both sleeping like little babies…okay, no risk no fun. I won’t make it so easy for you!” They heard the red haired man say. “So, it’s time to wake up, Curly!”
He went over to Starsky and started to kick him in his side. He expected a yelp or a groan, but what he didn’t expect was Starsky spinning around, snatching one foot with both hands and twisting it around. With a yelp, Redhead fell to the ground and in a second Starsky jumped his feet and jammed the bolt cutter over Redhead’s head. The man led out a soft groan and lay without moving.
Breathing heavily Starsky dropped down to his knees, pressing his hand against his left side, his face consumed with pain.
“I told you, nobody calls me Curly! I hope we haven’t bored you too much…”
Hutch got up slowly with a groan and looked first at Starsky and then at the unconscious man.
“That was the craziest thing I have ever seen… Somehow I’m getting used to your surprises…”
“Then this must have been one of my better days…Let’s see if there’s something useful in his pockets.”
Together they turned the man onto his back and searched his pockets.
“Well look… a gun and a flashlight, everything we need!” Starsky exclaimed enthusiastically. “Come help me, we have to tie him up. “
With the help of the flashlight they tied up the man near a shelf with the rest of the shirt. Hutch stared at the gun in Starsky's hand.
“Think he wanted to kill us…You have to let off two shots before we go.”
“Yeah, good point. So, any other ideas?”
“We only have a gun. I’ve got a busted arm, and you’ve got a hole in your side and more bumps and bruises than I can count. We’re both in no shape to fight with two kidnappers, right?”
“Told you… we have surprise on our side.” Starsky argued.” And we’ve got us…”
“Oh…Better me than nobody, huh? Glad that I’m your first choice! Sounds like we’re a team for now…”
Starsky’s eyes beamed with joy.
“The best choice I’ve ever had. Only me and thee. ”
Hutch looked at him puzzled.
“Me and thee, huh? Well that doesn’t sound so bad!” He held out Starsky his hand. “Help me up; I don’t like the idea that Jenkins’s favorite pupil will take all the credit.”
“I bet you don’t. So let’s get out of here!” He wrapped Hutch’s good arm around his shoulder and guided him to the door. Before they left, Starsky fired off two shots and shut the door behind them.
It was still snowing heavily, and the wind blew like a hurricane.
“We have to hurry… If their buddy won’t come back in time they’ll look for him." Starsky quivered with cold.
Hutch nodded in understanding, and they snuck around the shelter until they stood in front of the cottage.
Starsky went to the corner and carefully looked through the window. After a few seconds he came back.
“Now what?” Hutch whispered. “Storm into the hut, yelling ‘Freeze! Police Cadets!’?”
“Hey, that’s not so bad! Okay, there’s one behind the door and one on the left side.”
”And what about Jack and Mara?”
“They’re alive, but they don’t look so happy. We have to hurry, I’ll will kick the door open, then I go in first. You go high and I’ll go low!”
“Just that simple?”
“Any better ideas? Remember, we have the elements of surprise!”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah… I’m curious what Jenkins would think about that type of tactic!”
"He would like it! Okay Hutch…You ready?"
“As ready as I can be… But only use the gun when it’s absolutely necessary. You could hit Jack or Mara. And Starsk…”
“What?”
“Be careful!”
Hutch’s sky blue eyes looked at him, bright even in the dark, and Starsky could read so much in them, everything he couldn’t put into words. He squeezed Hutch’s shoulder and nodded.
‘Me and thee…’
“On three…one, two…”
“THREE!” They both yelled; Starsky kicked the door open, stormed in and threw himself on one of the criminals. They both fell to the ground and began to fight. Hutch saw Mayers whirling around to help his buddy. Knowing that he was in no shape to fight with him, Hutch frantically scanned the room for something to keep him back. He found a wooden stool in the corner, grabbed it and threw it at Mayers.
The stool hit him square on the head and he staggered back.
Hutch knew that this was his only chance. With two long steps, he reached Mayers and threw his whole weight on top of him. The pain that shot through his right arm when they both tumbled to the ground nearly knocked him out. Somehow he managed to stay conscious and tried to pin Mayers to the ground. Again he threw himself on Mayer’s body, but the man was faster and floored Hutch with two hard punches.
Mayers jumped on him, pinned him with one knee to the ground and began to strangle him with his hands.
“I told you not to interrupt me, Blondie!” He whispered into Hutch’s ear.
Hutch gasped for air; his vision became blurred and foggy as Mayers pressed harder and harder.
‘Starsk…I need one of your surprises here!’
That was when he heard the sound of two shots.
Starsky’s surprise attack was short lived. Rickie, his combatant, was a few inches taller and much heavier than he was and even his attempt to compensate for it with speed failed. Because the man knew exactly how to hit him effectively, some hard punches to Starsky’s midsection and injured side caused him to buckle to his knees. The gun fell out of his hand and skidded across the ground.
The dark-haired man lay on the ground and lifted his arms protectively over his head to ward off more blows. In a last, desperate attempt, he rammed both feet into the man’s body. But the man only briefly went to ground and was back on his feet seconds later, and all of a sudden he had a gun in his hand. He aimed the gun but instead of one shot, two rang out; Starsky felt a bullet graze his left ear and heard a muffled cry. Rickie abruptly stopped in the middle of his movement. Total astonishment was written in his face. Slowly he turned sideways, grabbing his chest with his hands. Blood gushed out between his fingers, and without a single sound he fell on his knees and then on his side. Completely confused Starsky looked up and saw Jack standing directly in front of him, a gun in his hand.
He swayed dangerously.
“You’ll never hurt anybody again…” He mumbled. He looked at Starsky, his face white as a sheet. Starsky jumped to his feet, his legs soft like jelly. He took the gun out of Jake’s hand, and then he grabbed him by his shoulders and shook him fiercely.
"Jack, Jack, it’s over…hey, can you hear me, you’re okay?”
Jack nodded weakly.
"Take care of Mara, okay? I have to look after Hutch ...”
He stumbled around the bed and watched in horror as Mayers nearly strangled Hutch to death. At once he aimed his gun, but lowered it again immediately. No, one mindless movement and Hutch suddenly would be the target. Wildly he looked around and found the frying pan still sitting on the range. Without thinking he seized it, ran to the two fighting men and slammed the pan on Mayers’ head as hard as he could.
Later Starsky couldn’t remember how many times he hit the man, but it seemed to be half an eternity before Mayers loosened his grip around Hutch's throat. He slumped and broke down over Hutch.
Starsky used the last of his strength to shove Mayers aside; panting heavily he slumped down beside Hutch and gathered the slack body in his lap. Anxiously he took Hutch’s head into his hands, staring at the man’s deathly pale face. In panic, he shook Hutch fiercely, hoping to get a reaction.
“Hutch, damn it! Wake up; don’t do this now…You have to wake up! Hutch!” He gasped out in shock. There was no response and Starsky let out a cry of despair.
‘Come on, Davy, think straight…the pulse, search for a pulse and then the breathing, what about his breathing…’
Long forgotten First Aid Knowledge kicked in and his trembling fingers actually found a soft but steady pulse. Hutch’s breathing was present if slow. Starsky sent a quiet prayer heavenward and calmed down a bit. Carefully he patted Hutch’s cheeks and shook him gently.
“Hey Hutch…it’s over. You let me do all the work, now it’s time to wake up. Come on… Hey, I remember you didn’t want me to get all the credit, so open your eyes! Now!”
A shiver ran over Hutch’s body and he started to cough violently. He tried to push Starsky’s hand away but he was too weak, and his hand fell back on his chest. His eyes fluttered open, his gaze wandering unfocused through the room.
“Hey Hutch! Hey look at me!” Starsky led out a deep sigh of relief and glided his hand gently over his face. “You scared me to death! Now relax and breathe, just breathe! Everything is fine!”
Again a coughing fit took Hutch’s breath and Starsky helped him to sit up. After a few minutes Hutch was able to catch his breath and looked into Starsky’s eyes. A small smile appeared on his face.
“W-what took you s-so long?”
Starsky led out a laugh.
“Hey, that’s my line! Nice of you decided to join me again! How do you feel?”
“Don’t know…you tell me…”
“Oh, you look terrific!”
“So we got t-the bad g-guys?”
“”Yeah…we got them. How’s the arm doing?”
“You don’t wanna know…” Hutch moaned quietly; he felt for his hurting arm and closed his eyes for a brief moment. Starsky could see that Hutch was riding out the pain. “S-so you’re okay? I-I heard a shot…”
“Well, I’m glad that you trusted Jack…”
Hutch wrinkled his brows.
“Huh?”
“Without him I would be dead meat…”
He gestured with his head to the man lying beside the bed. "He wanted to kill me ...”
“Oh…well I’m also glad that I didn’t throw you out. Uninvited guests are sometimes the best thing that can happen to you!”
“Tell me something…Hey, what do you think you’re doing? Lay still!”
Hutch struggled to get up. “Please…need to check on Mara…”
“She’s doing fine…lay still and relax, you’re pretty banged up. I’ll…”
A piercing cry interrupted Starsky.
“Dave…Ken…there’s something wrong.” Jack shouted out worriedly.
“Oh no…please not.” Hutch whispered worriedly. “Help me up Starsk…It’s not over…”
Both men struggled to their feet and staggered to the bed. Hutch sat down beside Mara and one look at her eyes told him that Jack was right; something was wrong.
“I…” In pain Mara doubled over and pressed both hands onto her belly. “It hurts…it hurts!” She cried out.
Hutch changed concerned looks with Starsky. He pulled the blankets aside, saw the small amount of blood on the sheets and placed a hand on her belly. He swallowed hard then pulled himself together and bent over Mara with a weak smile.
“Okay, Mara I hoped we would make it to the hospital, but your baby doesn’t want to wait any longer. It’s coming and we’ll all help you. But you have to help us too. You have any idea if the baby’s coming head first?”
Mara nodded.
“That’s very good…So Jack, you sit behind her and hold her. Mara, bend your knees so I can help you. Starsky…I need your help here!”
“You don’t want me to get you hot water and towels...”
Hutch looked at him irritated.
“What? No, not hot water, but I need a knife and a cord to cut the umbilical cord and yes, some towels would be good.”
“You…you don’t want her to have the baby here…” Starsky stuttered nervously and bent down next to him. “You’re no doctor, you can’t do that!”
“But we have no other choice…Remember, I’ve had some practice…”
”Some practice?! You’re kidding?!”
“Do I look like I’m kidding? We don’t have time to discuss it now!”
“But…but I can’t do that…I…”
“You can and you will Starsk.” Hutch whispered, grabbinng his hand. “I know you’re afraid, I’m afraid too. But listen to me and listen very carefully…you can do this… don’t allow the fear to control you. I need you, I need you to be at my side! So please… don’t leave me alone…this…this Me and Thee thing again, okay?” Hutch implored; his sky-blue eyes so full of pleading and determination that a shudder went down Starsky’s back.
‘Please, you have to trust me, as well as I have trusted you. I really need you here.’
Starsky swallowed back an argument and slowly nodded his head. As if he was in a trance he got up, searched in the kitchen cupboard for a knife, towels and a cord and gave Hutch everything.
“Me and Thee…we’ll get through this, okay?” He said, hardly audible.
Hutch thanked him with a wordless nod and turned back to Mara to give her his full attention.
“It won’t be easy, but I know you’ll make it. It won’t last long, so if you think you have to push then you have to do it even if it hurts. Cry if you need, but don’t forget to breathe okay?”
For the next one and a half hours Starsky thought he was in the ‘Dr. Marcus Welby’ show, and he was sure he would never forget Mara’s terrible screams. It was as if he observed everything through a deep fog; his body was there but his mind was somewhere else. He needed all his willpower not to run away from the scene and was astonished by Hutch’s strength and coolness. Somehow he managed to calm down the excited Mara only by mumbling encouraging words to her, holding her hand and wiping away her tears and sweat.
‘How could your father think you’re a Loser?’
Then all of a sudden Hutch grabbed Starsky’s hands and laid them on Mara’s belly.
“You have to help her now, Starsk…she’s too weak to push, so push now Starsk…push!” He yelled out.
Mara screamed out one more time and then, exhausted, she fell back on the bed and breathed heavily.
“Starsk…need some help here.” Hutch whispered toneless. He didn’t need to say anything more, in a second Starsky was at his side. With wide eyes he stared at the small bloody body that Hutch was holding in his good arm.
“What shall I do?”
“Just hold it….” Hutch laid the baby into his arms, then opened the tiny mouth with his pinky and cleaned it with a corner of a towel, afterward cleaning the baby’s eyes and nose. Then he shook it gently.
“Come on now…come on…”
First Starsky heard a small wail and then a strong cry.
He heard Hutch letting out a loud sigh of relief; looking up, and Starsky saw tears swimming in his eyes.
“It’s a boy, Starsk…he’s alive! Mara, Jack, you have a beautiful little boy!” He laughed and cried at the same time. With Starsky’s help he cut the cord, wrapped the baby in a towel and laid the squirming bundle into Mara’s arms. Hutch bent over Mara and ran his fingers over her cheeks wiping away some tears.
“You were wonderful Mara…and you too Jack! You can relax now; your son is fine, just keep him warm, okay?” He said with a quivering voice. “You have a name for the young man?”
Mara and Jack exchanged a look and then Jack said in a quavering voice.
“Matthew…I think we’ll call him Matthew…”
Starsky saw Hutch wince, then he stared at Jack and slightly shook his head in obvious surprise. Then he glanced over to Starsky.
“That’s a wonderful name, Jack…” A broad smile flittered across his face. “You know…that was my grandpa’s name…” He croaked out, and tears began to stream freely down his face.
Starsky needed no more words to understand him. And for the first time since he’d met Hutch, he saw him happy.
He saw the little baby in Mara’s arms and all of a sudden he was overwhelmed by his feelings. He needed some time to be alone, wanted to escape and get his feeling under control.
Moaning slightly Starsky stood up and walked to the door. But the sudden movement made him dizzy, and the sharp pain in his side made him wince in pain. He leaned one hand against the nearest wall and, exhausted, laid his head in the crook of his arm. He began to shiver, and Hutch was surprised to hear him sob.
Not sure whether he was in pain or simply wanted some privacy but unable to see him so exhausted and do nothing, Hutch also jumped to his feet and walked over to Starsky.
“Hey Starsk…” He whispered in a comforting tone. He placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it tightly. “How are you doing, buddy? You look like you better sit down…”
“I…I’m okay Hutch…just a bit dizzy.” Starsky croaked out, still shivering.
Hutch saw the bloodstain on Starsky's shirt had become a little bit bigger.
"You’re bleeding again, sit down. I have to look at this.”
“It ‘s nothing…it’s just…”
“You better sit down before you fall down.” Gently Hutch pushed the trembling man to the ground and knelt next to him.
“But you said it’s only a flesh wound! It doesn’t even hurt any more…"
“Yeah, I can see that. But I don’t want you to bleed all over me, so let me do my work!”
In a hurry he examined Starsky’s wound, then he pressed another cloth against the wound.
“I need your belt to fix the cloth in place. The pressure will stop the bleeding immediately.”
Starsky unbuckled his belt and tied it around his hip.
“Satisfied?"
“I’ll be satisfied if you don’t get an infection, but for now…yes.”
Hutch saw the deep furrows on Starsky’s forehead and the tears still streaming down his ghost white face.
‘Oh boy…don’t play the tough guy here.’
Hutch dropped down beside him and wrapped his good arm around Starsky’s shoulder. His friend closed his eyes and his head lolled to the side.
“Relax Starsk…it’s over.” He soothed. “Just let it out…just let it out…”
It was like redemption for Starsky’s soul; he started to cry.
Hutch held him even closer and whispered comforting words into his ear. Calmed and comforted him like a frightened child.
After a while the crying ebbed away and Starsky wiped away some tears.
“Oh boy…That was…that was…I never…” Starsky suppressed a sob, and a small smile spread over his face. “I still can’t believe what we did!”
“Yeah… Thanks to you I did something right…” Hutch mumbled wearily and looked at Starsky. “You were great!”
“Yes…but you did it Hutch! You…”
“No, Starsk, we did it!” Hutch interrupted with force.
Starsky grinned. “Okay, we made it, and I wouldn’t have missed it for anything! Do you think I also have the talent to become a doctor?”
“Oh please!”
“Hey, you said….”
“Yeah, yeah, so what about that beer you offered me a few hours ago? I really could take one now!”
Starsky looked at him with indignation.
“You don’t want me to go out in that blizzard, do you? So what about some coffee?”
“Anything you want Starsk…And one for our newly-wed Christmas Family! I think they can use one too. Hey, wait…” He held onto Starsky’s sleeve
“What?”
Hutch stared at him without saying a word; his eyes seemed to scan every inch of his face
‘Oh Blondie…stop that, will you…’
“Huh?”
“So what? What do you want?? You said ‘wait’!”
“Uh…nothing…” He smiled sheepishly. “Ah…I want my coffee black, no sugar…”
End Part Five
Part Six is here
http://muckel1470.livejournal.com/2161.html