Disclaimer: The Characters Starsky and Hutch and all that is associated with the show do not belong to me. Too Bad ! This story is written purely for entertainment purposes only. It is the way I see the hospital scene from Sweet Revenge. Any comments are welcome please send them to LoriM1018@aol.com The Song " Heaven can wait" is not mine either ...schucks! But it seemed to be fitting for this work.
HEAVEN CAN WAIT
by
1/2001
Heaven can wait,
and a band of angels wrapped up in my heart,
gonna take me through the lonely night ,
through the cold of the day......
And I know, I know
Heaven can wait,
And all the gods come down here just to sing for me,
And the melody`s gonna make me fly,
Without pain, without fear.....
( Meatloaf " Bat Out of Hell " 1977 )
CHAPTER 1
Wednesday Morning 10:15 am
STARSKY !!!!! Get Down ! Hutch yelled at his partner.
Bam, Bam, Bam......Burning....Stinging.....Shock.....
STARSKY !!!!! As the police car screeched around the parking lot, Hutch called one last time... STARSKY !!!
Silence......... The police car was gone and in an inkling..it was all over. Hutch yelled out to his partner "Starsky.. ! Starsk ? Where are you ? "
Chaos all over, Cops everywhere...Until Hutch ran around to the drivers side of the Torino...as soon as he reached the front, He stopped...dead in his tracks...The sight in front of him left him numb.
The lifeless body of his best friend, partner, laid as still as the night sky, right beside his beloved car.
Hutch couldn`t move "Starsk ? " He said.....Maybe I`m dreaming.....Starsky if this is one of your jokes ..." No it can`t be...All of 2 seconds had gone by and it was like his whole world had come to an abrupt halt. Somebody yelled
"Over there...he`s over there...."
All of a sudden as if being slapped in the face he became acutely aware of what was happening around him.
" Shit ! he thought to himself...Starsky`s gone! "
He ran close to his friend crying silent tears, knowing that this time could be it.....Death was so close...." Please God..not now, not now. " As he finally reached his friend, he leaned back against the torino and fell right to the ground.
Amidst all of the chaos and confusion, All he could think to himself was that he was too late...too damn late.
Chapter 2
Days seemed to go by, but looking up at the clock in the hospital waiting room only proved that it wasn`t days at all only hours...4 to be exact!
" Why hasn`t anyone come out yet ? " Sitting in that chair was making him crazy. Even though he knew that Starsky was in good hands, he wished that he could just burst through the doors and make his friend better. " Wishful thinkin` " he thought. Finally , signs of life....a young nurse, Blonde, about 28 years old was making her way down the hall towards Hutch.....And he was right there at the door waiting, hoping against all hope that he would hear that his friend was ok.....but he knew better.
" I am looking for a Detective Sargeant Ken Hutchinson ! "
" I`m Hutchinson! " he said as he backed away from the door.
" Well, I am the head nurse here. Just call me Kathy.
Okay ? You came in with Detective Sargeant David Michael Starsky ? Is this correct ? "
" Yes! "
" The Dr. has sent me out here to get you. He has to speak with you in his office. "
" How is he ? How bad is it ? "
" Your friend is still in surgery. His insides were tore up pretty bad, but he is alive, I don`t quite know how, but he is alive. Please Detective, just follow me. "
" Sure. Sure. " he said.
" Here we are! " ( she knocks on the door )
" Dr. Martin ! Det. Sgt. Ken Hutchinson to see you. "
" Yes please send him in . Thanks Kathy. "
As Hutch entered the office, what he saw before him was an acute reminder of what had happened only hours before.
Dr. Martin was a tall lanky man, in his early 40`s. His long black hair had been tied back in a ponytail. He was still wearing his green surgical scrubs, but they were stained with Blood...Starsky`s blood...and there was too much of it.
" Detective Hutchinson, I`m Dr. Martin. Please have a seat. "
' Ken! Okay ..please call me Ken !"
" Alright Ken. There is no easy way for me to say this ...so I`ll just have to say it.....Your Partner....Well , he is dying. "
" What? Dying ? " Even though he tried to keep a calm demeanor, there was something about the word dying ...It just makes your whole body shake. Through the tears dripping down his face he said " Are you sure? Can`t you do anything ? "
" We are doing all we can for him now....the rest is up to him."
" Why aren`t you in there ? Working on him ?
Helping him ? "
"
Det..Ken, we have the best team of surgeons in the state working on him. He
has lost alot of blood. The bullets shattered when they hit him and did so
much damage. "
" So What are you telling me ?
" Only what I can. That he is still in Surgery , but he is dying. All I can tell you is that you should pray ... pray that he has some fight left in him."
" I`ll have to call his mom, In New York you know. "
" Ken, He could use all the support he can get. But if you are his friend, pray...and Pray hard."
" Yeah..... sure.....What else can I do ? " Hutch thought to himself.
Turning around and opening the door Hutch stopped, stared back at Doc Martin and said " What else can I do ? You just get back in there and work like hell to save him! He`s not only my partner you know, he`s my best friend. Irreplaceable. Can you do that for me? "
Doc Martin just looked at the emotionally drained man standing before him and said " Sure Ken . Sure. But I can`t promise you anything. "
Chapter 3
Inside the operating room the scene was very different. Action was everywhere, there were four surgeons in the room, each one doing his or her part. Dr. Matthew King was in charge of this operation, overseeing every detail. Dr. Barry Wells , Dr. Katherine Cartwright, & Dr. Joseph Keirnan were assisting.
The percision with which this team was working was like that of a well oiled machine. Their only task was to stabalize the officer that laid in front of them.
" My God Katherine, Have you ever seen so much damage?"
" No Joseph and I hope I never do again. Whoever did this certainly knew what he or she was doing. "
" Yes they did. I wish I knew what this guy did too piss them off ! Katherine , Please take charge here while I go and get Seth? Okay ?"
"Sure Joseph. I got it . "
"Barry ? How much more did he lose ?" Katherine asked.
" Too much! He`s lucky he`s still with us. I`ve switched the bag. Keep massaging his heart."
" I`m on it ."
Beep.....Beep.....Beep....Beep
As Katherine was massaging his heart she looked down at him and said " Hang in there Detective.....
Keep on fighting ."
On his way out of the OR. , Joseph almost ran head on into Seth. " Jesus Seth! I was just coming out to get you. He`s flatlined and we need you in there! Anyone here for him ? "
" Yes Detective Hutchinson! His partner."
"Great! David will need his support. Let`s get back in there and try to get him stabalized! "
" Okay Joseph , I`m right behind you."
" Katherine and Barry are in there with him now. I don`t know how much more blood he can stand to lose."
" Where the hell is Matt? "
" He`s in there too! Just trying to take care of the other wounds. "
Just then they entered the Operating room.
" Okay Matt ! " Seth said " Bring us up to speed ! "
" He`s okay. Back with us. Katherine massaged his heart, and that worked...Thank God! We drained his lungs again and we managed to get the bullets out....what was left of them. The stitching...that`s what`s gonna take time. The damn bullets tore him up. like a shredder. It`ll be a miracle if we can pull this one off."
" Hang in there guys! You`re doin` just fine."
Chapter 4
Well, four hours had turned into six and then almost seven, Outside Hutch couldn`t take it anymore. He kept pacing at the door, looking for Kathy....or anybody who could tell him something about his partner. He hated being alone. He didn`t realize that Dobey and Huggy were right there. And Dobey and Huggy could see that trying to calm this man down was completely out of the question. Turning around, the blonde detective., realizing that he was not alone , said " Cap! If someone doesn`t come out here soon, I`m going in there ! It`s been almost
seven hours! I need to know what the heck is goin` on."
Dobey looked at Hutch as if he was his own son...
"No way son! Leave them be ...they know what`s best."
Huggy said " Yeah Hutch ! Starsky`s strong man! He`ll pull through it. "
" Oh ...you know that Huh?" Through tears that only came from out of his frustration he said " You don`t know diddly squat Hug! He`s....He`s dying man! And ain`t no way anyone of us can stop that !"
Tears are a wonderful thing. Hutch knew that more than all of them.....He used alot of them over the past 7 hours or so.
Just then he saw Kathy.....looking exhausted but coming towards him just the same. It was now 6 pm.
He ran towards her and almost knocked her down. Grabbing her by the shoulders so she wouldn`t fall she said
" Hutch...He`s out of surgery! "
"Oh good. Can I .....I mean we see him now?"
" Who are these gentlemen? "
" Oh... Captain Dobey, Huggy Bear, This is Kathy. Head Nurse you know! "
The two gentlemen stepped forward to shake her hand and she said " nice to meet you. "
She turned and looked at Hutch, " We have to talk. Right now the Dr`s. are cleanin` up and the orderlies are taking him to recovery. As soon as he gets through recovery they will move him to a private ICU room. Okay?"
Hutch says optimistically " that means we are out of the woods.. Right ?"
" Let`s wait for the Doctors...See what they have to say."
Chapter 5
Well , as soon as those words came from Kathy`s mouth , The team of five Dr`s. came down the hall.
With great anticipation, Hutch, Dobey and Huggy were all standing....waiting to hear about how their friend was doing.
Dr. Seth Martin extended his hand towards Hutch first, since he already knew him. Then he looked at Dobey and Huggy and said " Gentlemen, let me introduce myself and the members of the "TEAM" . I am Dr. Seth Martin, & this, starting from the far left is Dr.Matthew King, Dr. Barry Wells, Dr. Katherine Cartwright, and Dr. Joseph Keirnan."
"I`m Captain Harold Dobey and this is Huggy Bear. When can we see him ? "
After the usual introduction ritual it was all business.
Katherine said looking at the three men," Well first of all let`s sit down. I don`t know gentlemen , what David looked like before the shooting , but I wanted to prepare you for what you will see when you do go in there to see him.........
Well no amount of talking could have prepared the three men for what they were about to see.Walking towards the elevator, Dr. Keirnan reminded the boys that what they were going to see up on the 7th floor was good. With that they entered the elevator. Once inside, Dr. Keirnan said
" Remember, He is in a coma, and Heavily sedated. He probably won`t be coming out of the coma anytime soon so, I don`t want you guys in there with him long!
You got that ?"
"Got it!" all three said seriously.
Finally floor 7. Out the door they went. Down the Hall, which seemed to go on forever, & to the left . Room 7218. Starskys room. Approaching the room, Dr. Barry Wells repeated Dr. Keirnans statement "remember guys, this is good! It`s the next 24 Hours we have to worry about!" With that he opened the door. As the door opened, Hutch`s heart skipped a beat. As he looked at his friend and partner he said " Oh my God Starsk! I didn`t realize....."
Chapter 6
There he was. Detective Sargeant David Michael Starsky, in a coma and sedated all right. But to Hutch , he looked dead. You couldn`t see his face, he had so many wires, tubes...A trach!
Hutch thought to himself " Not like this! God please...not like this! "
Hutch just stood there frozen, not knowing what to do or say!
Just then nurse Kathy went up to Hutch and whispered softly into his ear " Just talk to him Hutch. He needs you. Dobey stepped forward to put his hand on Hutch`s shoulder as a gesture of comfort but Hutch still stood there, frozen, like a statue, he was lost and he didn`t know how to find his way back.
Kathy was his guiding light , so to speak, She gently touched Hutchs hand and led the blonde detective over to his partners bedside.
" Starsky. He spoke quietly, Starsky, I`m here friend. "
Kathy had stopped and went to let go of his hand when she felt a tightening squeeze on it. She looked up at Hutch into his pleading eyes...." Kathy " he said " Please don`t go."
How could she resist those eyes...He looked like a lost little boy, trickling tears were coming down the sides of his face...." okay Hutch
I`ll stay. "
" How do I talk to him? I can`t get the words! "
" Hutch, you can talk to him...just like you are talking to me right now.. Tell him you have no words.....anything . He CAN hear you. "
"Yeah I know he can hear me but look at him ! Kathy ? Cap?
Captain Dobey said " I know.....I got eyes Hutchinson! "
Hutch held his head down. Looking towards the floor he said
" That`s not him lying there. "
Just then, as if heaven had sent an angel to help, Kathy found herself rubbing the detctives back. like the waves during a storm, a flood of emotions overtook Hutch and in an instant, he realized that he wasn`t looking at some stranger lying in that bed but his Best Friend! Probably in the most vulnerable position that he had ever seen him in.
Suddenly his heart melted...and he felt the unbridled compassion , that he had worked so hard to supress over the last 7 or 8 hours burst through the damn that he called his defense.
He fell at his friends bedside and the tears flowed forever it seemed.
" Starsky! Oh God Starsky! I`m here."
He took his friends hand in his and held on as if he was rescueing him from a cliff.
What Hutch didn`t realize was that - at that moment, Even though his friend couldn`t physically speak it to him, in his mind he was thinking " Thank You Hutch! My friend! My Brother! For being here. It`s me and thee Hutch... me and thee! "
Chapter 7
Ken Hutchinson was a damn good partner and David Starsky knew it. Even laying there in his comatose, sedated state.
Something inside him wanted to jump out of that bed and tell Hutch that it would be okay. But everytime he tried to speak, he couldn`t.
" God, I`m locked in this place and I can`t get out. What the hell happened?......I have to find out! "
Thursday 6:15 am
Well , now that morning was on the horizon, Kathy knew that she should check on the guys, after all, watching what transpired last night between them gave her a glimmer of hope for David.
When she opened the door there was David in bed. She went over to check his vitals...nothing unusual for a man in his condition. As she came around to check the IV`s there was Hutch..." He`s gonna have one hell of a headache....sleeping like that! "
After all Hutch`s position hadn`t really changed much since last night except that now he was sitting in a chair next to the bed, with his arms folded on the side of the bed and his head slumped over in them.
" He looks like a kid " she thought to herself.
It had been about 20 hours or so since the shooting but only about 12 or so since David was taken from the OR.
As she fixed the blanket around him and briefly touched his arm
" Only 12 more hours to go kiddo! " she whispered to herself "Only 12 more hours to go."
With that Hutch started to move.... " oooohhh! aaaahhhh! God why do I hurt ? "
" Don`t worry Ken. It`s Kathy...You are still in the Hospital."
" Oh ...I kinda thought so. "
" Ken, Why don`t you go home, David is halfway there. I`ll be here. You need good sleep Hutch..You should go home and I`ll call you if anything happens. Okay ? "
Hutch wasn`t even paying attention, Something startled him and he looked down at Starsky....." Never mind Gordo, I thought you were gone. "
But ... It was just a dream....Just a lousy dream.
Kathy looked at Hutch and said " you must have had a rough night! "
Hutch just stood there and said" Yeah you can call it that! "
She looked at him again and saw that he had been crying..." all night? " She thought to herself. Both of his eyes were red and swollen..Tear marks were still all over his cheeks.But still he was only half awake.
" Hey Blondie? ( a voice whispered ) Didn`t know you cared that much! "
Hutch jumped back and now being fully awake he grabbed his partners arm....." Starsky? Starsk? Is that you? "
But as he looked at his still comatose partner, all he could see were all those tubes and the trach! It cc-- ould--n`t be...he can`t talk.. He didn`t care...Kathy said he could hear ...so he reached his head down towards his partners pillow and said " Yeah.....I do! "
Chapter 8
Thursday 7:00 am Morning Rounds.
Well, now that Kathy had gotten Hutch a real good cup of coffee, He noticed this " Team " of Doctors heading straight towards him.
" Officer Hutchinson ? " Dr Martin said
" Ken please Okay? Just Ken. How`s he doin`?
" You know all of us right ?"
" Sure Sure...My partner? What`s goin` on? "
" Well we don`t know yet... Give us a minute with him Ok?"
" The hell I will...I`m stayin` you got that ? "
" Sure Ken. Okay. Let`s go then."
As they entered the room the very sight of Starsky laying there on the bed caused everyone to feel his pain.
Stiches, Tubes, The Trach....by now Hutch didn`t even care, he just wanted his partner back.
Just after they had examined Starsky, they went back to Hutch.
Dr. Martin looked at Hutch and said
" Okay Ken...Here it is...Obviously he is still in a coma...But he`s alive. At this point I`ld say he`s a miracle.
" I know " Hutch said "But you gotta understand...He`s as close to my own flesh and blood as anyones gonna get. Dobey gave me a few days...cause we`re not quite through that CRITICAL STAGE yet? Right ?"
With that Dr. Martin laid a hand on Hutch`s shoulder and said
" Right! But he`s strong...and Young. With that the Drs. started to leave. " We`ll be back later to check in on him. "
Dr. Martin knew what the two men meant to each other and as he left, he hoped that David would pull through.....For Hutch`s sake.
Hutch stood there alone...looking down at Starsky`s body yet again,
He struggled to find hope ... not just for himself ... but for his partner too. He leaned down towards Starsky and said " Okay Buddy.....time to put those boots on.....But just remember ...I`m not ready to give up on you yet! "
" I know partner...I know! " thought Starsky to himself.
Even though he was still comatose and sedated, He could still think.
And it SUCKED...To be here in this state.
" I know something is very wrong but I can`t remember a thing. I hear my partner but I can`t speak to him or move. Whatever this is ...Please bring an end to it God. Please! My partner sounds as if he is suffering and I can`t help him. But Why? That is the Key! What Happened ? "
Chapter 9
Thursday 4:15 pm
Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!
Hutch lept to his feet and went to the door
" KKKAAATTTHHHYYY !!! " he yelled.
Kathy had already seen the warning light go on from Davids room at the desk, but it was Hutch`s cry for help that jolted her from her seat. As she jumped up and started running down the hallway she told the other nurse on duty " Kelly damnit ! Get Dr. Martin! Get Dr. Martin !"
As she ran down that hall all she could say was "Hang in there David...Hang in there. "
Kathy ran into the room like a bolt of lightning. Right past Hutch and over to David. Hutch was sitting in his chair thinking that this couldn`t be good, and he didn`t want to get in their way." hang in there Starsk! Come on! Don`t just give up. " Hutch knew that they were just shy of the 24 hour mark. " Damnit! why now!
Kathy on the other hand, even though it was pretty chaotic in the room, was pretty level headed. She stood next to the bed and checked his vitals and checked for any signs of breath. As she looked up for one second she caught a glimpse of Hutch....sitting in the chair with a look of panic in his face...." Doc Martin`s on his way babe. Don`t give up on David ! " She reached down and started to rip off the bandages that were across his chest. she knew he was in trouble!
Dr. Martin got there just as Kathy was calling for a crash cart.....this of course was routine in situations such as these.
Dr. Martin looked at her " he didn`t flatline did he? "
" no doc but he is damn clo--- Forget it ! He`s flatlined ....c`mon doc!"
Hutch just sat there watching his friend dying feeling like shit because he knew that there was not a damn thing he could do for him...No ... this fight was his ... and his alone....
The crash cart was moved right alongside the bed. Kathy was on the other side of the bed doing compressions! Dr. Martin picked up the paddles and readied them for what he hoped would jolt
David back ---- " CLEAR ! " As he touched the paddles to Davids chest Hutch watched in silence as his partners body jolted upright and then fell flat on the bed. Once again. Silence.......Beeeeeeeeppp.
The steady hum of the heart monitor indicated that they would have to hit him again..." CLEAR !
Hutch watched and listened...panic was filling his mind...
" Come on Starsk! Damnit ...Come on ! " Once again Starsky`s body jolted upright... then fell back onto the bed..... everyone in the room held their breath......
The wait seemed to go on forever, but within a few seconds there it was a beautiful rythmic line going across the heart monitor!
" He`s back ! Kathy.. He`s back ! " Dr. Martin relinquished the paddles putting them back in their place on the cart just as Kathy was coming around. Her gentle touch to his shoulder was just what he needed. " Thanks Doc. "
" No. Thank you Kathy... for your quick action. He`s going to owe you alot when he comes to! "
Kathy turned around to get more bandages for David and spotted Hutch...A single tear falling and a big sign of relief flashed across his face.
" Hey Doc? " he said " He`s okay right? "
" Okay? No way."
" Doc! Remember --- This is Hutch you`re talkin` too! "
" I`m aware of that Kathy ! " He turned to Hutch...
" I`m sorry. just a little tense. "
As he turned to leave the room he looked at Kathy and said
"Keep an eye on him Kathy, If there is any change in him ...what-so-ever I want to know IMMEDIATELY . you got that ? "
" Sure doc. "
" Hey Doc? "
" Yeah? "
" Thanks...and you too Kathy."
" Oh it`s okay Hutch really. "
Chapter 10
With that Dr. Martin left and headed back to his office.
Kathy, standing next to Hutch, smiled and said
" Hey. If I were in Davids place I`ld want to have a friend
like you! You must be an angel Hutch, sent here to watch
over him. I really respect the way you care for him. "
" Aw Kath - you don`t know the half of it. This man,
He`s the angel...It`s his devotion and childlike innocence that keeps this hard-hearted cop from going....you know....crazy! I mean he`s just so damn loyal...ya know? "
"Yeah I do! " Grabbin` his arm she said " Listen Ken... it`s lunch time. Why don`t you go down to the cafeteria and get yourself somethin` to eat ? Huh? You`re lookin` kinda weak. "
" No can do. "
" Not even if I promise to stay right here? "
" I can`t Kathy...I just can`t."
" Ken, David is in a private ICU room...I am HIS assigned nurse. I have NO other patients. Okay? "
" Well ? "
" Go Hutch! Before I call your Captain..."
" What if he wakes up? ...and I`m not here? "
" Trust me Hutch...He KNOWS when you`re here. He`ll wait. "
" Yeah...you`re right ... He`ll wait. "
With that Hutch went downstairs but only to buy his lunch...not to sit and eat it!
Chapter 11
All of 10 minutes went by. In the elevator , all he could think about was Starsky...he thought how lucky Starsky was to be loved by so many people. Starsk had this way about him...maybe that grin of his...maybe that curly hair...who knows ...all Hutch knew was that he was glad someone was up there looking out for his buddy.
Floor 7 , finally. Kathy was right. Hutch was looking forward to sitting down and eating...maybe this is what I need.
Even if it is " Hospital food "
As he stepped off the elevator and headed for Starsky`s room he started to hear this wonderful sound.....
Just as he reached the door, he realized what he was hearing.... singing ... the most beautiful singing....
Hutch just stood at the entryway and there before him sitting at his friends bedside was Starsky`s "other" angel .
There Kathy sat holding onto his hands ever so gently. Looking down at David she sang:
Heaven can wait,
and a band of angels wrapped up in my heart
gonna take me through the lonely night
through the cold of the day
And I know, I know
Heaven can wait
and the gods come down here just to sing for me
and the melody`s gonna make me fly
without pain, without fear
give me all of your dreams and
let me go along on your way
give me all of your prayers to sing
and I`ll turn the night into the skylight of day
I`ve got a taste of paradise
I`m never gonna let it slip away
I got a taste of paradise
it`s all I really need to make me stay....
Just like a child again
Heaven can wait
and all I got is time until the end of time
I won`t look back
I won`t look back
Let the alters shine
And I know that I`ve been released
but I don`t know to where
and Nobody`s gonna tell me now
and I don`t really care
no no no
I got a taste of paradise
That`s all I really need to make me stay
I got a taste of paradise
If I had it any sooner you know
you know I never would have run away
from my home
Heaven can wait
and all I got is time until the end of time
oh I won`t look back
I won`t look back
let the alters shine
Heaven can wait
ah Heaven can wait
I won`t look back
Iwon`t look back
let the alters shine
let the alters shine
Hutch just stood there in the doorway silently watching as his best friends other "ANGEL" just poured out her heart to him. Tears began to well up as he listened...
" David. " Kathy said through her tears " I know you heard that.
I know that`s how you feel. I can`t explain it but I just know.
You see ... you are not alone David. Your angel is here with you, constantly watching over you. He`s wonderful, but I am sure you already know that. Somehow I just know that you are going to come back to us. You have things to do David, and I know from what your partner says about you that you can`t leave things undone. And with all of the other stuff that`s happened to you well...let`s just say you are what God would call a living Miracle. "
With that, she brushed back the curly black locks with her hand being ever so gentle." Oh David ...you are warm. " she said.
Hutch stepped back from the door...Being the gentleman that he was .......He didn`t want to intrude on their " MOMENT "
" Let me get you a cold cloth. " Kathy said and with that she got up and walked towards the bathroom...she picked up a cloth and moistened it under the tap with warm water then she put it in a cool alchohol solution. Wringing it out, she said " there you go David."
She
just rubbed his brow...." I know this feels better. "
Now she got to thinkin`...I wonder what color his eyes are?
What does his voice sound like?
His smile...What does his smile look like?
As she finished rubbing his face, she put the cloth down and reached over to his hand. As her hand touched his, she got this big lump in her throat and her eyes began to fill with tears..." Oh David , Please don`t give up. I know there`s some fight left in you...I feel it.....
Chapter 12
Hutch, once again silent in the doorway, was thinking that his partner certainly was lucky......" ah-hem? "
Kathy moved and spoke " Hutch? How long have you....."
" Long enough " he interrupted, " To know that David`s in good hands. "
" Oh God Hutch ! " Kathy said crying... He just can`t die.
" I know Kathy, I know. " Hutch pulled her into a soft embrace of comfort.
" Hey, Thanks Kathy...for sitting with him. Your kind words and thoughts well...they`re just what he needed. "
" You know what? " Kathy said
" What? "
" I think I`m in love - you know? "
" Yeah I do! Hey ...we got us a long night here, let`s settle in Okay? "
" Okay Hutch...you`re the boss. "
" Oh ...and Kathy..."
" Yes? "
" Thanks for the break. "
Chapter 13
Friday 6:20 am
Hutch was beginning to stir in the chair in his partners room.
Kathy had put in a Double shift during Starsky`s stay...and she wasn`t about to quit now. David Starsky was a friend now. No way was she going home...She was going to be there when he woke up.
She glanced down at her watch...6:20 am... " maybe I should look in on him again? " She last checked on him at 5:30 am and even then there was no change.
" Jesus! This can`t be a good sign. 36 hours had gone by and still no change. " she thought to herself..." I can`t think bad thoughts..Hutch and David still need me. I gotta be strong. "
As she got up and was walking down the hall to her patients room, she couldn`t help noticing that it was setting up to be a really sunny and warm day.The sky was crystal clear blue and there wasn`t a cloud in it. " Please God. Bring relief for my friends today. They have been through so much already. "
As she opened the door to Davids room, She noticed Hutch first. Sleeping just as he had on and off over the past 36 hours all curled up in that chair, But he was stirring just the same. She went over to him and fixed the blanket that had worked it`s way down towards the floor. " There. " she said " that should be better. " and with that she ran her hand over his blonde hair and then turned towards David.
Lying still in that bed...going over to the moniters she noticed that there still was no change. David was still comatose, & sedated.
"Kathy? Is that you? "
" Yes Ken. Just checking David."
" Again? Is he okay ? "
" The same sweetie...the same. I just...well somrthing told me that I should come in. you know? "
" Yeah I know. "
Hutch got up and went over to his partners bed, and just like he had done so many times during the past 36 hours, He put his hand down
picked up Starsky`s hand in his.
" He`ll be okay Hutch. "
" Yeah Kathy...Hey, Thanks I needed that."
" Huh? "
" Didn`t you just rub my hand? "
" Ah....No? No Ken I didn`t. "
With that they both looked at each other ...and then at David...............
Chapter 14
Well...Kathy`s been an ICU nurse long enough to know when someone was coming out of a coma! They watched Davids hand with anticipation.....
There! There it was... a very slight movement from his thumb!
" Oh God Kath---He`s waking up ! " Hutch said
With that Kathy went out of the room, and ran down the hall. She grabbed the phone on the desk and dialed...
" This is Kathy up on 7 ... The patient in room 7218 is waking up! "
Then she hung up the phone and told Kelly to page Dr. Martin. She would need help to remove the trach.
When she got back to the room, she found Hutch leaning down over his partner.
" It`ll be okay buddy! Don`t move! "
Kathy came over and told Hutch that it was going to get crowded in there very soon so he should stay out of the way. He could be close but they would have to get the trach out.
Kathy moved right in to stand next to David. Then she took his hand. Holding tightly she thought..." Where the hell is Martin? "
As the both of them, Kathy and Hutch, stood there looking down towards Starsky, He slowly began to open his eyes.
Kathy let go of his hand and leaned down towards him.....
" David! Please try to take it easy. Hutch is here too. and Don`t try to talk. You have a trach. " The tears were streamin` down her face. " We have to get it out . Doc Martin`s on his way. If you understood that please blink your eyes once for me. Okay? "
With that He blinked. Kathy`s whole body shook....." Great sweetheart! great ! " she bent down and laid a kiss on his forehead and ran her hand through his dark curls.
With that Doc Martin rushed in. " How is our boy ? "
Kathy read his vitals and said " Good to go . Doc ! "
" Okay Kathy, Let`s do it. "
" David. I`m Dr. Martin. We have to take the trach out. Do you understand? "
He blinked. " I guess that means yes! "
He blinked again.
Kathy came close to her new friend and said "Promise me David..
You won`t try to talk right?"
He blinked yet again.
She knew that it would hurt, but she knew her friend too.
Kathy stood behind David holding his neck , while Dr. Martin reached for the trach. " Ken, please hold his arms? "
" Sure! Don`t move buddy! "
Dr. Martin looked at David and said " When I count to 3 I want you to push like you were coughing okay? "
He blinked.
" Okay guys on three...Ready? One..Two.. Three!
David did what he was told but it still hurt like a son-of-a-gun. It felt like bristles of a brush being brushed all the way down his throat!"
" God! He thought It`s gotta end soon. "
There it was finally out !
Hutch looked at his partner who now had tears running down his face.
"Welcome back Buddy! We missed ya! Ah Ah Ah ! " was all he said as David tried to open his mouth to speak..." Don`t talk yet gordo. Kathy`s gone to get you some ice chips."
No sooner said did Kathy come back to the room. At Davids bedside she began to give him the Ice chips. " There isn`t that better? " He blinked.
Starsky looked up at Hutch..." What a beautiful sight. Man! "and then he looked at Kathy again...She too was looking at David...Deep into those dark indigo eyes of his.
Kathy thought for a moment then moved to speak.." David? I`m Kathy...It`s nice to finally meet you."
Hours seemed to go by, but it was only minutes...David Michael Starsky had his life back. And with his first breath, with everything in him, he looked at his two angels and said
" Hey ...you were right! "
" Huh? " Hutch and Kathy stood there wondering about what he said.
" Heaven Can Wait! "
Hutch and Kathy looked at each other smiling and then turned to him...
" Yeah! We know! "
The End
