{"id":406,"date":"2017-12-22T04:54:37","date_gmt":"2017-12-22T04:54:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=406"},"modified":"2017-12-22T04:54:37","modified_gmt":"2017-12-22T04:54:37","slug":"december-22nd-zebra-three-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/?p=406","title":{"rendered":"December 22nd- Zebra Three by DPPatricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note:<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0Mostly canon characters in a somewhat non-canonical pre-series gen story.<\/em><\/p>\n

Harold Dobey didn\u2019t think he\u2019d ever been any more nervous in his life than he was at this moment. He had been working on the chief\u2019s project for weeks and had only just that morning decided on his first recommendation. He knew his superior wouldn\u2019t be happy with it though, and his stomach was knotted.<\/p>\n

When Janice, the secretary who had served three chiefs in a row, received a buzz on her phone, she nodded to him to go ahead in. He smiled as phony a smile as he\u2019d probably ever dumped on anyone, rose to his feet, straightened his shoulders, and opened the door.<\/p>\n

Mark Sawyer stood to meet him and held out his hand. \u201cThanks for coming so quickly, Harold. I hope Janice didn\u2019t give you the impression it was an emergency.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir.\u201d Dobey took the firm, dry hand and returned the steady grip. \u201cI was about to head in this direction anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer cocked an eyebrow. \u201cMy project?\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir.\u201d Dobey studied the tall, graying-at-the-temples brown-haired, dark-eyed man in front of him. Sawyer had gone through the academy in the class behind him but they\u2019d been friends ever since Elmo Jackson\u2019s murder. It was Sawyer and his partner who had worked the case of Jackson\u2019s disappearance. Against department policy, as soon as they heard about a body at the meat plant, Sawyer had called Dobey and asked if he wanted to go. The three of them had found Elmo. Sawyer\u2019s partner had tossed his cookies in a corner and quit the force the following day. Sawyer had requested Dobey as his new partner and had gotten him.<\/p>\n

The chief sat down, his still-lean, athletic frame conforming to the high-backed chair as if it belonged there, as Dobey believed it did. Sawyer was a year younger but his career had moved faster, once they\u2019d made lieutenant and been assigned to different precincts. They\u2019d always kept in touch though, and had an admiration and respect for each other that Dobey did his best to guard and perpetuate. Trying to hide his unease, he took a seat in the nearest guest chair.<\/p>\n

\u201cEdith\u2019s either feeding you too well or you\u2019re not spending enough time in the police gym.\u201d Sawyer\u2019s discerning eye landed on Dobey\u2019s unbuttoned jacket and the belt that he\u2019d had to let out a notch only that morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cBoth,\u201d Dobey admitted and the chief laughed.<\/p>\n

Sawyer rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his long fingers. \u201cHave you made any headway?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey crossed his knees just as Janice, after a brief knock, brought in two large cups of coffee, handed one to each of the men, and left. Dobey took a sip of the strong, reviving brew and felt his nerves loosen a little. \u201cNow I know one of the reasons why none of your predecessors replaced her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer nodded agreement and drank half the contents of his cup before setting it down. \u201cEnough palaver, my friend. I know I gave you a tough assignment but if I didn\u2019t think you were up to the task, I\u2019d have found somebody else.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey lifted his cup in a gesture of appreciation. \u201cYes, sir, it\u2019s been –\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve told you about this before, Harold.\u201d Sawyer sounded slightly miffed. \u201cWhen we\u2019re in private, I need you to call me Mark. We\u2019ve been through too much to stand on ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir\u2026 uh, Mark.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe both know the only reason I\u2019m in this chair instead of you is because I\u2019m white and you\u2019re not.\u201d The chief stared at him, unblinking.<\/p>\n

Dobey felt himself flush. Neither of them had ever spoken about race but it was there none the less, always a card someone was willing to play. Yes, Captain Sawyer had been selected to fill the vacant chair instead of Dobey and Dobey knew his skin color had been part of the reason. Dobey also knew it had been the right decision. He raised his cup again in a silent salute. \u201cMaybe when you\u2019re ready to retire, they\u2019ll be ready for me.\u201d He shrugged. \u201cIf I haven\u2019t already retired, myself.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey will if I have anything to say about it.\u201d Sawyer picked up his cup again. \u201cBut you\u2019re dodging the question.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey finished his coffee and put the mug on the edge of the desk before settling back. \u201cI\u2019ve studied the file of every detective in the department.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo simple chore.\u201d Sawyer finished his own coffee and without putting the cup down lifted the phone. \u201cMore coffee, please, Janice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moments later, Janice came in and, again silently, refilled each of their cups from a half-full pot. Dropping a hot pad on the desk, she placed a fresh, full carafe on top of it. Smiling this time, she retreated and closed the door softly behind her.<\/p>\n

Sawyer sipped, sighed, and finally put the mug down. \u201cI swear that woman\u2019s a treasure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey took another swallow himself. \u201cNo argument.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn, we keep getting sidetracked.\u201d Sawyer laced his fingers. \u201cTalk to me. Are you even close to finding your Zebra One unit?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey shook his head. \u201cI\u2019ve decided not to use Zebra One or Zebra Two as designations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief sat back, clearly surprised. \u201cMay I ask why?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cZebra One sounds too much like a top dog and I don\u2019t want a single team thinking they outrank, or are more important than any of the others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat makes sense. But Zebra Two?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like the also-ran. The second string.\u201d Dobey gave the next sentence his full resolve. \u201cMy first team will be Zebra Three.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer considered for a few seconds. \u201cSo be it. And I can tell you have specific officers in mind.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, sir, I do.\u201d Dobey paused, already knowing he was going to get flak. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSpit it out, Harold. You know I trust your judgment.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDave Starsky and Ken Hutchinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer nearly choked on the mouthful of coffee he was swallowing. \u201cAre you outta your mind<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey actually relaxed a little more; the worst was over, hopefully. \u201cTell me what your objections are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky\u2019s a loose cannon! Sure, he\u2019s got an arrest and conviction record any officer\u2019d covet but he can\u2019t hold onto a partner! I think he\u2019s had twelve or something like that. He works alone now, helps out with other teams\u2019 cases in any precinct. He patrols most of the entire city even though, officially, he\u2019s supposed to stay in the Third.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you know his father was a cop in New York?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I don\u2019t think I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGunned down when Starsky was twelve.\u201d Dobey drank more nerve-strengthening coffee. \u201cThere was confusion and quite a few rumors after a crime figure named Joe Durniak paid for the funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cInteresting.\u201d The chief\u2019s tone was non-judgmental. \u201cAnd you think Starsky\u2019s trying to erase that\u2026 smudge by being a supercop? Make anyone who\u2019s heard the rumor question it? Or, better yet, forget it completely?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWouldn\u2019t you?\u201d Dobey finished his coffee, got up and topped off the chief\u2019s cup from the fresh pot, re-filled his own, and sat back down.<\/p>\n

Sawyer nodded his thanks. \u201cOkay. You\u2019ve given me cause to revise my thinking about why Starsky behaves the way he does. But why would you pair him with Hutchinson? He\u2019s a loser.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey found himself slightly offended, even though he wasn\u2019t sure why. \u201cThat\u2019s a little harsh, isn\u2019t it? He may not have the arrest record Starsky has but I wouldn\u2019t use that term.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer put his cup down and reconsidered. \u201cYou\u2019re right. It\u2019s just that, from everything I\u2019ve heard, or read, he won\u2019t ever amount to anything. He takes no initiative, never does more than absolutely necessary. He was lackluster at the academy, managed to avoid any desperate screw-ups in uniform, and was invited to take the detective\u2019s exam only because we needed to fill the ranks after that rash of serious injuries and early retirements.\u201d The chief narrowed his eyes. \u201cHe can\u2019t keep a partner, either, you know. Not before he got his shield, or after.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey was prepared for that one. \u201cI\u2019ve read all the transfer requests and they fall into the same category: damned for his looks. \u2018Too pretty,\u2019 some say, \u2018no backbone.\u2019 I read one comment that claimed, \u2018Everybody on the street eats him alive because they think he\u2019s a three-dollar bill. And he won\u2019t even stand up for himself!\u2019\u201d Dobey shrugged and bore down on his next words. \u201cI have found no evidence whatsoever to substantiate that veiled innuendo, Mark. And if my personal investigation is correct, none of his partners has ever given him the benefit of the doubt. They believe he\u2019s weak, so they treat him like a weakling.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief did what Dobey knew he would: considered what he\u2019d been told. \u201cI hadn\u2019t heard the rumor that he\u2019s gay. Isn\u2019t he married?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Dobey took another swallow of coffee before continuing, not sure if he should address the issue. Another gulp. Oh well, in for a penny\u2026 \u201cAnd, in my opinion, she\u2019s part of the problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExplain that one, please.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEdith and I attended one of the social functions she apparently enjoys helping to organize, on an evening when I knew Hutchinson wouldn\u2019t be there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDid you manage to arrange that?\u201d The chief\u2019s tone was sarcastic.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, sir. That was pure happenstance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me about her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey tried to think of how to phrase his conclusions without sounding too judgmental. \u201cAfter we got home, Edith and I talked about everything we\u2019d seen and heard, and her opinion of the woman is, if possible, worse than mine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen can usually tell about other women.\u201d Sawyer kept a straight face.<\/p>\n

Dobey was greatly relieved that the chief seemed willing to listen with an open mind. \u201cMrs. Hutchinson didn\u2019t once, in our hearing, mention her husband voluntarily. And when she was asked about him, she used the most derogatory, demeaning terms you can imagine, none of which will I repeat. The gist though, was that he\u2019d given up a promising career in medicine to be a cop<\/em>!\u201d Dobey stared straight at his superior. \u201cBelieve me, the venom dripped from that single word. Vanessa Hutchinson is an emasculator. Her husband gets no support, understanding, or encouragement from that quarter when it comes to his job.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHis own wife and all his former partners believe he\u2019s the word I used before. But you have a different opinion, I take it?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLet me tell you a story.\u201d Dobey hitched forward to the front edge of his chair, his elbows on his knees, his cup in his hands. \u201cRemember, three years ago, when I took the \u2018housemother\u2019 assignment at the academy rather than disability after that TA?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn jackass!\u201d Sawyer exclaimed. \u201cThe guy should be doing time right now instead of the final year of his community service.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI agree, but he had a great lawyer. My leg was shattered, my driver ended up with early retirement and I was offered the pleasure of babysitting that fall\u2019s class of recruits. Wouldn\u2019t give me a teaching gig either because they thought I couldn\u2019t get around well enough to handle that bunch of rowdies.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou got a raw deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey shrugged. \u201cBetter than a desk in R an\u2019 I for the rest of my career. At least being at the academy allowed me to get my leg back in shape.\u201d He sipped more coffee. \u201cOrientation Day, as you know, is always pretty crazy but that morning I saw something I\u2019d never seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is gonna be good, I can tell.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey sat back, realizing that his friend was listening without being pressured. \u201cI was standing at the top of the steps, trying not to lean too heavily on my cane, greeting each of the recruits as he or she went through the front door.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer smiled. \u201cI remember the role and duties of \u2018Ma Hen.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey grimaced and mentally brushed the comment aside, not wanting to be distracted. \u201cA hopeful cadet with dark, curly hair was in the middle of a bunch of guys coming up the stairs. They were laughing and punching each other, probably trying to cover any outward nervousness.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief\u2019s eyes lost focus for a moment as he was plainly remembering something. \u201cI think I was in the same kind of group on my first day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTrying to watch everybody, I noticed a tall, lanky blond hurrying up the stairs behind Laughing Guys. This kid looked like he\u2019d just stepped off the plane from Sweden. Or Norway. One of those northern European countries, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI get the picture.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, he tripped. And, faster than I would have thought possible, Curly spun, shoved between two guys, reached out both hands, and caught the tall blond. It couldn\u2019t have been easy, steadying that much forward-momentum weight without losing his own balance. Might have been a serious spill for both of them; those are unforgiving steps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are talking about Starsky and Hutchinson, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Starsky had his back to Hutchinson, laughing with his friends, how did he even know he\u2019d stumbled?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGood question.\u201d Dobey shook his head. \u201cBut one I can\u2019t answer. Corner of his eye? Instinct? Superlative hearing? To this day, I have no idea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you saw it. Starsky saved Hutchinson from a potentially serious fall.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d Dobey drank more coffee before continuing. \u201cThat wasn\u2019t the important part though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on.\u201d Sawyer was definitely interested now.<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky helped this man he\u2019d almost certainly never seen before over to the staircase wall and sat him down. Most of the other recruits had filed inside, leaving only a few stragglers. No one seemed interested in a Good Samaritan and the subject of his rescue. I moved down to where I was close enough to listen. I didn\u2019t want to interfere but I was fascinated to hear what these two strangers would say to each other after that kind of introduction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky crouched in front of Hutchinson and said something like, \u2018You okay, buddy?\u2019 Then he put his hand on the blond\u2019s forehead, even though Hutchinson had weakly tried to wave it away. \u2018Hey!\u2019 Starsky said. \u2018You\u2019re burning up! You should be in a hospital!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI could see that Hutchinson\u2019s face was flushed, he was sweating and all hunched over as if he was in pain but he shook his head violently. \u2018No! I have to register. I need to get to Orientation! Let me go!\u2019 He tried to get up but Starsky held him down easily, his hands on Hutchinson\u2019s forearms.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Answer a question!\u2019 Starsky held Hutchinson\u2019s gaze like a magnet holds iron filings. \u2018Are you in pain? Lower right quadrant of your belly?\u2019 I could see that Hutchinson wanted to deny it but any fool could tell that Starsky had hit the nail on the head. Maybe not about the exact location but, for sure, about the pain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wondered why he didn\u2019t come through the academy with Starsky. I know they\u2019re the same age.\u201d A look of sudden understanding crossed the chief\u2019s face. \u201cIt was appendicitis?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSure was.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut how did Starsky know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m getting to that.\u201d Dobey drank more coffee and gathered his thoughts. \u201cStarsky let go of Hutchinson\u2019s right arm and lightly pressed his knuckles into the blond\u2019s stomach on the right side. Hutchinson let out a strangled cry before he slumped off the wall. And Starsky caught him again, this time in his arms.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re killin\u2019 me here, Harold! How come I\u2019ve never heard about any of this?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey shrugged. \u201cTo my knowledge, it never made it into anyone\u2019s report because Hutchinson didn\u2019t register that day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what happened?\u201d The chief had forgotten about his cooling coffee; he didn\u2019t take his eyes off Dobey.<\/p>\n

\u201cInstead of shoving Hutchinson away, Starsky cradled him and yelled over his shoulder, \u2018Call an ambulance! Acute appendicitis here! This man needs to get to a hospital now<\/em>!\u2019 I grabbed the arm of a recruit who was standing beside me and shook him out of whatever fugue state he was in. \u2018You heard the man,\u2019 I said, \u2018get inside and make the call. That ambulance needs to be here ten minutes ago!\u2019 I don\u2019t even remember which one of the cadets I shouted at but he ran, presumably to follow my order.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that?\u201d Sawyer appeared mesmerized.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ignored my screaming leg and squatted down next to Starsky. \u2018Help\u2019s on the way, fellas.\u2019 I didn\u2019t know what else to say but Hutchinson was shaking his head, trying to move away from Starsky\u2019s support, attempting to sit up. \u2018No! I can\u2019t go to the hospital! I need to get registered. I quit pre-med so I could be a cop! My family will probably disinherit me and my wife\u2019ll divorce me but I have to do <\/em>this!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky forcibly drew Hutchinson back against his chest and gently brushed the hair out of his eyes. \u2018Not today, Blondie. You were in med school and you don\u2019t recognize the symptoms of what you\u2019ve got?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey stared into the intense eyes of his friend and chief. \u201cI\u2019ll tell you, Mark, I couldn\u2019t have left those two guys at that point if my life had depended on it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hear you.\u201d Sawyer swallowed cold coffee and didn\u2019t even blink.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sat on the step beside them and stretched out my aching leg while Hutchinson forced words out from between his clenched teeth. \u2018I\u2019ve been telling myself since yesterday that it\u2019s only a stomach ache. Guess I knew better but, for some reason, I felt like I just had to be here today. Had to register for this session<\/em>! It\u2019s important somehow!\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cI reached across Starsky and put a hand lightly on Hutchinson\u2019s shoulder. \u2018Nothing\u2019s more important than your life and health, son.\u2019 He looked at me and reluctantly nodded his understanding.<\/p>\n

\u201cI moved my hand to Starsky\u2019s arm then and got his attention. \u2018How do you know so much?\u2019 He shrugged, rubbing Hutchinson\u2019s shoulder in a comforting gesture and damned if the blond didn\u2019t seem to relax a little! \u2018My Uncle Al nearly died,\u2019 Starsky explained, \u2018because he wouldn\u2019t believe me and Aunt Rose when we told him what was wrong with him. He put off going to the E.R. until his appendix burst and we damn near lost him.\u2019 I saw Hutchinson shudder and Starsky held him closer. His voice took on an almost crooning quality. \u2018Help\u2019s comin\u2019, buddy, just hang on.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey refilled his cup from the cooling pot but when he lifted it in Sawyer\u2019s direction, the chief shook his head. Dobey put the pot down and sat back. \u201cI could hear the siren by that time and started moving everyone who had gathered around out of the way. Not paying any attention to me, Starsky kept up his soothing assurances. \u2018You\u2019re gonna be okay. Just relax. You can learn to be a cop next term. Don\u2019t worry, the academy\u2019ll still be here. It ain\u2019t goin\u2019 nowhere.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Dobey took a deep breath; relating the story had brought all the intense memories back. \u201cThe ambulance attendants arrived and loaded Hutchinson onto the gurney. As they lifted him, he raised his hand and caught Starsky\u2019s. Rather than shake it off, Starsky walked down the stairs beside him. \u2018I don\u2019t know your name,\u2019 Hutchinson said. I saw Starsky squeeze the hand he held when he answered, \u2018Dave Starsky.\u2019 \u2018Ken Hutchinson,\u2019 the blond responded. They had to let go of each other when they got to the ambulance but Starsky called after the stretcher as it was loaded inside, \u2018I\u2019ll wait for ya. Once we\u2019re detectives, we\u2019ll be partners.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Sawyer\u2019s eyes widened. \u201cYou heard Starsky say that? They\u2019d be partners?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI did.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief shook his head. \u201cBut it didn\u2019t happen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot yet.\u201d Dobey crossed his knees again, all his nervousness behind him. \u201cStarsky and John Colby were best pals and pains in everyone\u2019s ass, but then Colby bailed out and Starsky\u2019s had no one to reel him in since. Could never find a partner that suited him, always pushed the regs, tested how far outside the lines he could go before being dragged back. Hutchinson, on the other hand, has been spinning his wheels, looking for direction but not finding it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd you think they\u2019ll be able to work together.\u201d The chief did not sound convinced.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou weren\u2019t there that day, Mark. You didn\u2019t see them. There was an\u2026 a connection. I don\u2019t know how else to describe it.\u201d He knew his confidence was spilling over into Sawyer\u2019s space. \u201cYes, sir, I\u2019m sure. You asked me to put together a unit of teams who can work every kind of case and I want to begin with Starsky and Hutchinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

The chief sat back. \u201cOkay. You don\u2019t need my permission, I gave you carte blanche. But I am going to be interested to watch the fireworks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think there\u2019ll be too many of those, sir. Starsky\u2019s going to give Hutchinson the support, encouragement and trust none of his other partners, or his wife, have been able or willing to give. And Hutchinson\u2019s going to keep Starsky\u2019s feet on the ground. You watch; theirs will be the best partnership this department\u2019s ever seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Dobey opened his door a crack so that he could see and hear what went on in the small two-chair waiting area he\u2019d had set up outside his office. Starsky and Hutchinson had been summoned for their initial meeting with him and he wanted to eavesdrop on what he believed would be their first encounter since that day on the academy steps, before he called them in.<\/p>\n

Starsky arrived early, swaggering up the hallway as if he owned the place. The curly hair was longer than Dobey remembered, in direct violation of department regulations, as Dobey knew Starsky was aware. The jeans were rattier and tighter and, combined with the red t-shirt and worn bomber jacket, it was an outfit suitable only for certain kinds of undercover work. Dobey was pretty sure Starsky was aware of that, too. Casually checking the number on the wall next to Dobey\u2019s door, Starsky plopped down in one of the chairs. He was projecting an air of unconcern but Dobey sensed bridled tension.<\/p>\n

Not more than a minute later, Hutchinson walked around the corner. His hair was regulation-short and he was neat and very trim in tan cords, light blue long-sleeved shirt, and brown hip-length leather coat. He was a fine figure of a Metro detective but his step was tentative until he caught sight of Starsky slumped in the chair. When their eyes locked onto each other, an amazing transformation took place in both sets of features: Hutchinson\u2019s face brightened and Starsky\u2019s softened. It was as if each had been waiting years for this moment. Dobey sucked in a breath he hoped hadn\u2019t been audible as he realized that\u2019s exactly what he was seeing.<\/p>\n

Starsky stood up and, with no hesitation on either man\u2019s part, they threw their arms around each other in the middle of the hallway. Uniformed and plain clothes officers walked around them, a few casting disapproving looks, some smiling, others ignoring them, until the pair broke apart.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson dropped his hands from Starsky\u2019s arms and stepped back, glancing around as if suddenly embarrassed. He nodded toward Dobey\u2019s slightly open door. \u201cYou, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah.\u201d Starsky sat in one of the chairs and patted the seat next to him.<\/p>\n

Hutch sat and Dobey had to strain to catch his next words. \u201cYou saved my life that day.\u201d He glanced sideways at Starsky. \u201cYou know that, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky considered for a few seconds. \u201cThe way I see it, I may have saved both of our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me?\u201d Hutchinson was definitely surprised. \u201cAfter the surgery, the doc told me if I\u2019d been an hour later showing up in the E.R., I might not have made it. And you\u2019re solely responsible for my ending up there when I did.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky shrugged. \u201cOkay, maybe I got you there three years ago so that you could show up here today. And today you\u2019ll be saving my <\/em>life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson shook his head. \u201cYou\u2019ve lost me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey say I\u2019m a loose cannon, Hutch. I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve heard the stories. My call sign\u2019s \u2018Wild Card.\u2019 I go off half-cocked all the time, get myself and anyone who\u2019s with me into all kinds of trouble. Nobody\u2019ll partner with me and I think the brass wouldn\u2019t mind giving me the boot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow is my being here going to help, Starsky? I\u2019m a loser as far as the department\u2019s concerned. I know you\u2019ve heard those stories.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky\u2019s nod was unmistakably reluctant.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson clasped his hands in his lap. \u201cMy so-called colleagues are convinced I\u2019m a wimp, that I don\u2019t have the stones to be on the street. And for some reason I can\u2019t work up the energy to refute the allegations. My wife\u2019s about ready to divorce me and I can\u2019t keep a partner, either.\u201d His shoulders slumped.<\/p>\n

Starsky put a hand on the blond\u2019s arm and when Hutchinson looked at him, Starsky drilled him with intensity. \u201cI\u2019ll bet you remember that day as clearly as I do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet I do, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI told you we\u2019d be partners and, consciously or otherwise, I believe we\u2019ve each been waiting for that to happen. You\u2019ve been waiting for a kick in the slats from me and I\u2019ve been waiting for you to settle me down.\u201d He smiled around his dead serious gaze. \u201cWe\u2019re meant for each other, buddy. I\u2019ve got the street smarts, you\u2019ve got the intelligence, the pers\u2026 persp\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerspective?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMore. Longer, a real twenty-five cent word.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerspicacity?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky beamed. \u201cSee?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch glanced up and down the hall. \u201cYou think that\u2019s what this is about? Captain Dobey\u2019s going to let us be partners?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky\u2019s nod was emphatic. \u201cIt\u2019s gotta be about the new Zebra Units.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat new Zebra Units?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere ya been, Blondie?\u201d Starsky punched Hutchinson\u2019s arm lightly. \u201cWord\u2019s gotten around that Chief Sawyer asked Dobey to put together some special teams to investigate high-profile cases.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHigh profile?\u201d Hutchinson jumped up, appearing ready to bolt.<\/p>\n

Starsky stood up and put a hand on his arm. \u201cEasy, partner. I\u2019ve been hoping for this. You and me, together, finally. It\u2019s meant, Hutch, I\u2019m sure of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson appeared to fall into Starsky\u2019s eyes, needing to believe so badly it was almost palpable. Dobey felt like a voyeur.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson tore himself away from the hand and gaze and moved across the hall to the alcove that housed a vending machine. Digging coins out of his pocket, he plugged them into the slot, bent and pulled a handle. What dropped into the tray though, was clearly not what he\u2019d wanted. He reached down, picked up the offending item and looked at Starsky, speechless.<\/p>\n

Starsky sauntered over to him, a smug smile on his expressive face. \u201cBet you wanted that new granola thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDamn right I did! And look what I got! A Milky Way! If I\u2019d wanted unadulterated calories with zero food value –\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky grabbed the confection. \u201cThere\u2019s actually quite a lot of nutrition in one of these. There\u2019s peanuts for protein, caramel and chocolate for –\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson grabbed it back. \u201cLike I said, zero food value.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky dug what Dobey thought were probably two quarters out of his pocket and handed them to Hutchinson, gently taking the candy bar. \u201cI\u2019ll trade ya. And, being as I\u2019m such a nice guy, and soon to be your partner, I\u2019ll give you a little hint.\u201d He stood back and appraised the candy dispenser that was taller than he was. \u201cThe guy who services the machines here in the Ninth is evidently the same one that does ours in the Third. And he\u2019s a wiseass. When he thinks no one\u2019s looking, he fills the shelves that are supposed to deliver the new granola bars with Milky Ways. If someone actually wants one of those, they\u2019d have to pull the handle for Almond Joy. Now,\u201d he turned to Hutchinson, \u201csince you want a healthy snack, I\u2019d suggest you try the Baby Ruth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky wandered back to the chairs and sat down, beginning to open the dark brown wrapper. He stared across the hall at Hutchinson, who hadn\u2019t moved. \u201cGo on, Hutch. Pull the knob for the Baby Ruth.\u201d When the blond still didn\u2019t move, Starsky dropped everything but sincerity from his voice. \u201cTrust me.\u201d<\/p>\n

With those two words, Hutchinson visibly relaxed. He turned to the vending machine, inserted the coins and without hesitating, pulled the lever below the window displaying the red-and-white wrapper. Into the tray dropped a granola bar.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson bent and retrieved it. Turning to Starsky, his face broke into the most room-lighting smile Dobey had ever seen. \u201cThanks, Starsk.\u201d<\/p>\n

Having witnessed more than enough to confirm his thoughts and feelings, Dobey pulled his door fully open. Starsky stood up and turned. Hutchinson moved forward and, shoulder to shoulder, they waited.<\/p>\n

Dobey had a difficult time keeping satisfaction off his face as he put on a deliberately gruff tone. \u201cStarsky! Hutchinson! My office!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Where does love begin?
\nWith instinct, connection, trust,
\nAnd full partnership<\/p>\n

End Note:<\/span> <\/strong>I\u2019m a bit anachronistic with granola bars in 1972 but I hope it\u2019s an acceptable \u2018mistake.\u2019<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note:\u00a0Mostly canon characters in a somewhat non-canonical pre-series gen story. Harold Dobey didn\u2019t think he\u2019d ever been any more nervous in his life than he was at this moment. He had been working on the chief\u2019s project for weeks … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,7,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-406","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-safe-for-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=406"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":470,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/406\/revisions\/470"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2017\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}