December 22nd- A Hallmark Christmas for Starsky and Hutch Part 3 by M Vernet

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The morning of December twenty-fourth, Christmas Eve, brought clear sunny skies and pleasantly warm temperatures to Bay City. Despite the weather, shops and homes were festively dressed with lights on the palm trees, wreaths on the doors, and Santa smiling down from the windows. Like hundreds of other excited tots, the Babcock girls opened the last door of the Advent calendar. They enjoyed the added thrill of anticipation since they were participating in Cops On Ice; its opening performance was at six that night.

Hank Babcock, his very pregnant wife, Becca, and his daughters, arrived at the Bay City Ice Palace at four. The place had been turned into a Winter Wonderland, with evergreen boughs and twinkling lights everywhere. A large decorated tree was lit in the lobby and Christmas carols spilled from the overhead speakers.

Simmons came up to them and was soon smothered by the excited hugs and kisses of his honorary nieces. Becca beamed at Jake and Hank patted his back fondly.

“You nervous, Jake?” asked Hank.

“Naaa. Piece of cake. But Starsky, he’s shittin’ bricks. Whoops, sorry, Becca. I’ll watch my mouth around the kids and little Henry Jacob.” Becca smiled indulgently as Jake addressed her baby bump. “How you doin’ in there, little Jake?”

“He’s been kickin’ up a storm,” said the proud father.

“My doctor says another week,” added Becca, “but I think it could be any time now, Jake.”

“Listen up, kid,” Jake addressed the bump again. “Don’t try to upstage me. You stay right where you are and enjoy the show.” Becca laughed and Jake took the girls by their hands. “Come on, Babcocks. I’ll let you use my dressing room to get changed and to do the girl’s hair and makeup.”

Captain Nolan dressed as Santa on skates was engaged in an animated conversation with Starsky.

“This is brilliant, Starsky! You captured my dream exactly. I knew you could do it! And you learned to skate! You really gave it your all.”

“Thanks, Captain. I gotta admit, it was sorta fun, after I stopped falling on my ass every two minutes.” Starsky executed a short one footed spin and Captain Nolan clapped enthusiastically.

“Wonderful!”

Starsky chuckled. “Davis taught me that. It’s really easy after you find your balance.”

Starsky sighed, thinking about Hutch. Hutch had reached out to him, but it was apparently too soon for a new relationship. Starsky decided to bide his time. He was hoping Hutch might sneak into the performance. Hank said he had turned down dinner at the Babcocks, but promised Simmons and Hank’s daughters that he would watch them perform if he wasn’t covering for someone at work. Starsky was hoping Hutch couldn’t bear disappointing those little angels, or that big, obnoxious goof of a detective, Jake.

If Hutch did show up tonight, Starsky would drag him to his favorite Italian restaurant, not taking no for an answer, and finally take him for a romantic walk on the beach. He shook away his wandering thoughts and focused on his captain.

“Captain Dobey gave me a heads up. He’s considering you and some other class twos for a position in homicide. You do well tonight and you might have a chance. I’ll miss you, my boy, but I know it’s something you want.”

“Wow! Really, Cap? That’s terrific!”

“Yeah. He’s looking for a partner for Hutchinson. Too bad you two didn’t hit it off. I got the feeling Dobey is letting Hutchinson have final say in the matter.”

Starsky’s heart sank. Hutch must have known about this for quite a while. He felt his body shiver at the thought of Hutch picking someone else to be his partner. He couldn’t let that happen. Hutch was his to watch out for, even if he didn’t know it yet. Starsky was more determined than ever to win his Detective First Class badge. He’d walk right into Captain Dobey’s office, lay it on his desk, and demand his prize.

“Thanks, Captain. Listen, enjoy yourself. There are some refreshments backstage. Help yourself. The Hockey team’s families out did themselves with Christmas goodies. I have a million things to do and I better get to them.”

Hutch handed in his ticket at the door to the Ice Palace. Captain Dobey gave him the ticket tonight before he went home to his own family dinner. Dobey had insisted that Hutch go to the performance as his representative to show support for Simmons and Babcock. The Ice Palace was packed with cops and their extended families, filling the air with anticipation and bright laughter. Hutch found an aisle seat so he could stretch out his long legs a little bit without tripping anyone. He encouraged himself to bask in the holiday atmosphere and enjoy the show. Then he intended to go backstage and congratulate his friends and see Starsky again. He hoped he could make it to the end.

If he was lucky, he’d steal Starsky away for dinner somewhere nice and ask him to be his partner with Dobey’s blessing. It would make a nice present for both of them if he said yes. A way to start fresh in the New Year.

Hutch sat back as the lights dimmed. The show was about to start. Hutch snickered as a spotlight hit the huge gold badge shimmering under the ice. The blue lights came on and he waited for Simmons to take his starting mark. This time he vowed he would enjoy Simmons’ campy performance as Elvis on ice and not get caught up in the sad lyrics.

After two minutes of silence, Hutch leaned forward in his seat. His gut told him something was wrong. He didn’t hesitate as he headed backstage.

Hutch’s eyes grew wide as he watched the chaos happening around him. The food table was overturned and holiday treats littered the floor. Becca Babcock was sitting outside the dressing room on an old trunk. She had a blanket around her shoulders, her oldest girl clinging to her. Wallace was holding the youngest Babcock and rocking her back and forth. Davis stood near the dressing room door looking everywhere at once like a sentry on guard. The Hockey team surrounded a handcuffed Moose Mulligan, strong arms keeping him from moving. Mulligan was bleeding from a split lip and his right eye was rapidly swelling and turning black. Hutch heard sirens in the distance.

He ran up to Davis and grabbed his arm. “What happened here?”

“Mulligan came after Simmons with a baseball bat. Broke his leg before Starsky subdued him. Babcock and Starsky are in the dressing room with him. I’ve got an ambulance and a couple of cruisers on the way.”

“Becca and the girls?”

“Luckily they were in the ladies down the hall. They are just upset that Jake got hurt. What should we do, Detective? You want me and Wallace to skate out there and cancel the show?”

Hutch thought a moment and patted Davis on the arm.

“Maybe we can salvage this. Let me ask Starsky. In the meantime go out there and bring up the house lights. Just say there is a delay and… umm… hand out free popcorn. I’ll cover the cost.”

Hutch entered the dressing room and witnessed a gut wrenching tableau that had his heart twisting in his chest. Hank was on the floor with Jake leaning against his chest, his legs straight out in front of him. Jake was covered by a blanket. One leg was lying at a strange angle that made Hutch swallow hard. But at least it looked like a clean break. Hank’s arms were across Jake’s chest and Jake was holding on for dear life, squeezing Hank’s rigid forearms with every wave of pain. Hank kept up a continuous litany of soothing words and sounds.

Hutch looked up at Starsky and their eyes met. Hutch took in the bruising on Starsky’s chin and the distraught look on his face. Hutch took a step towards Starsky and opened his arms. Starsky fell into those caring arms and held on tight.

“Hey, buddy. You okay? At least Mulligan looks worse than you, the bastard.”

“Motherfucker broke Jake’s leg. I shoulda broke his. Why would he do that, Hutch?”

“Prejudice prick like that? Who knows how a fucker like that thinks? Good man like you can’t even fathom it and I’m glad of that. Sit down for a minute, babe.”

Hutch gently turned up Starsky’s chin to examine the bruises. They seemed to be minor, but Starsky was still a bit dazed. Hutch looked down at Jake. He had never seen him so quiet.

“I heard the sirens when I came in, Jake, they are just a few minutes out. You hang on, pal.”

Simmons nodded. “Hutch. The show…”

“Jake, don’t worry about that now, partner, just take it easy,“ said Hank.

Simmons reached out for Hutch. “You could do it, Hutch. Save the show.” Simmons groaned at a spike of pain and went limp in Hank’s arms.

“Jake? Jake? Shit! Where is that ambulance?”

As if summoned, the paramedics appeared at the door. Starsky stood and wavered a little, but Hutch grabbed his arm and led him out to the hall.

“Damn, Hutch. This is a disaster. What should I do? Cancel?”

They watched as a subdued Moose Mulligan was taken away by uniforms.

“No, don’t cancel. Simmons wants us to go on without him. We can do that.”

Hutch watched with concern as Starsky ran a slightly trembling hand through his curly hair.

“I… I guess we could just do the parts Simmons is not in. I’ll explain that Jake hurt his leg. It won’t be near as good, but that will work.”

“No, Starsk. No need to explain anything. I’ll just skate in Jake’s place. You can fill me in between acts. The music is mostly Christmas classics I’ve skated to before. I can do some old routines of Joon’s. He won the Duluth figure skating championship three times. I can do this, Starsk. I can do this for Simmons… and you.”

Becca and the girls came over and Starsky picked up Barbara while Hutch lifted little Beth.

Becca smiled softly. “I sent Hank on with Jake. I told him I couldn’t be safer surrounded by his friends. The girls would like to perform, Starsky. They want to be able to tell their Uncle Jake all about it.”

Starsky looked at Hutch. “You sure, Hutch?”

“I’m sure.”

Starsky’s face broke out into a grin. He jostled little Beth, making her giggle before putting her down. “Okay, Hutch. Let’s get you into costume. Hey! Everybody hustle!” Starsky bellowed. “We got a show to do!”

Hutch powered through Blue Christmas on pure adrenaline. The ice felt fantastic under his feet and his jumps had never been so high or powerful before. He even managed to shake his hips Elvis style at one point that had the audience whistling and cat-calling. He left the ice propelled by a wave of applause. And ran right into Starsky’s arms. Starsky immediately took a towel and wiped Hutch’s face and neck as he tried to catch his breath.

“Beautiful. Beautiful, Beautiful. You were amazing Hutch. The White Christmas medley is next. You come on at the end to do White Christmas in a General’s uniform and the guys sing and skate behind you in army costumes.”

“Okay, Starsk. I’ll keep my spins more contained. Sort of like the Nutcracker, a little stiff, military style. Maybe march in the introduction. I’ll take a minute to think about it while I change.”

“Sounds good. Babe? You okay? I mean…”

Hutch looked down at his skates and nodded slowly. “I am. You might not understand this but I feel like Joon is proud of me. He’s looking down on me with a shit-eatin’ grin on his face, keeping me grounded. I think I could hang his picture on my wall now, and move on.”

Starsky understood enough to reach out to caress Hutch’s cheek and plant a chaste kiss on his brow as a promise.

The cheers at the end of the medley were deafening. Wallace and Davis had wowed them with a duet of Blue Skies. Then Hutch, the General, stood stock still and saluted his “troops” and then did a full minute spin. When he finally halted and stood, proud and panting, saluting the audience, the crowd went wild.

Hutch’s next number was from Fiddler on the Roof. A large menorah took center stage. Hutch, dressed in a Russian-style gold tunic and black tights, helped Babcock’s two little ones in blue and silver winter fairy costumes, light the faux candles with a wave of their star wands. The lighting director of the Palace had gone all out and the effect was elegant and enchanting.

Hutch started with his head bent and his hands covering his eyes as if in prayer. He began a series of slow camel spins as the music played.

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May He always shield you from shame.
May you come to be in Israel a shining name

Hutch looked to his right and extended his arm elegantly. Barbara came on the ice first with tiny little running steps, ending with a two footed spin. Hutch gave the audience time to react, before he turned to the left and beckoned Bethany. She entered the same as her sister, nearly falling in her haste, but quickly recovered when Hutch gave her a big smile. Hutch gently helped her do her spin, gathering more appreciative noises from the crowd.

Hutch didn’t expect to see Starsky dressed in a black tunic and gold tights come onto the ice. Starsky glided in with a perfect skaters pose, head held high. He did his own one legged spin and the audience loved it. Hutch’s eyes went wide at his spinning companion, then softened with a chuckle as he smiled at him.

It was time to light the menorah that was rigged to flicker as the girls touched each candle with their wands. Hutch took Barbara and Starsky took Bethany as they took turns lighting the candles and the beautiful song continued.

May the Lord protect and defend you.
May the Lord preserve you from pain.
Favor them, oh Lord, with happiness and peace.
Oh, hear our Sabbath prayer, amen.

The four skaters held hands as the applause swelled. Starsky squeezed Hutch’s hand and smiled as Hutch returned the gesture.

There was a flurry of activity as the menorah was moved and the entire ensemble took to the ice for the finale, a free skate to Nat King Cole’s, The Christmas Song. There was a lot of comedy and some excellent skating as the group had some fun on the ice.

The standing ovation at the end of the performance lasted a full five minutes.

It was once again chaos backstage, but this time the area was filled with skating cops hugging loved ones and noisily making plans for dinner and the arrival of Santa Claus in Bay City. Becca Babcock met up with Starsky and Hutch to collect her girls. They reluctantly let go of each other’s hands to hug the excited girls and wish them a Merry Christmas.

Starsky was dragged off by Wallace and Davis for an interview with the local news station.

“I’ll only be a minute, Hutch. Don’t wander off.”

“Don’t worry, Starsky. I’m not going anywhere.”

Hutch turned to Becca, who had her hand on her tummy absently rubbing circles across it as if to give comfort to her baby.

“Let’s go to the dressing room and get the girls changed, Becca. I think you better sit down.”

She nodded and the little Babcocks ran ahead. Hutch took Becca’s arm.

“You were so good, Ken. It brought a tear to my eye when you skated so beautifully with my girls. I’ll never forget it.”

“Thank you. I surprised myself tonight. I didn’t think I could ever enjoy skating again.”

“Sometimes we just need to give ourselves time. A turbulent storm never lasts all night. Eventually the dawn comes.”

“That’s beautiful, Becca. You’re a real philosopher.”

Becca laughed. “Comes along with being a cop’s wife and a mother.”

They reached the dressing room and Hutch helped Becca sit down on the couch. The girls had managed to take their skates off, but were struggling with their fairy wings. Hutch sat at the dressing table and gently pulled Bethany towards him to unhook her wings.

Hutch looked up with concern when Becca moaned.

“Becca?”

“Ummm. Hutch? Hank’s parents are here tonight. They should be around somewhere. They are coming to our house for dinner. I think maybe you should send one of the guys to find them. They can take the girls home while I go to the hospital.”

“Ahhh, Mommy,” said Barbara. “I wanted to visit Uncle Jake. Can’t I come?”

“Me too. Me too!” cried Bethany.

Hutch wasn’t a detective for nothing. He picked up on Becca’s clues, and observed her pale, pained expression. Looked like Henry Jacob wanted to make an appearance.

Hutch called out the door. “Hey! Bob?”

The huge guardsman of the hockey team blocked out the doorway. “Yeah, buddy?”

“Can you find Hank Babcock’s parents? Maybe get the manager to make an announcement? Mrs. Babcock here needs to go to the hospital as soon as possible and we need them to take the kids.”

Bob took one look at Becca and went into action. “Oh, sure. Sure. I’ll find them.”

“Oh, and Bob, if you see Starsky, tell him I’ll meet him at the hospital.”

Hutch stood alone in the hall outside Bay City General’s maternity ward gazing down at baby boy Babcock asleep in his tiny crib. Hutch might have looked strange in his costume and boots, but he was so elated he was far from caring. Becca had been as calm as only a third time mother could be on the ride over. She puffed out her Lamaze breathing and held on tightly to Hutch’s leg, while Hutch maneuvered through Christmas Eve traffic with lights blazing and sirens blaring.

She was taken to emergency rather than maternity, since the baby was already making an appearance. The delivery was happening quickly and Hutch barely had enough time to find Hank and guide him from his partner’s side to his wife’s. Hutch decided to stay until he knew everyone was alright. New father included.

While he waited, Hutch checked on Jake, who was being kept overnight for observation since he had taken several blows from Mulligan’s bat. His leg was in a simple cast and he was sleeping the sleep of the heavily drugged. Jake would be long recovered and back to work before a disgraced Mulligan would see the light of day. Then Hutch had wandered to maternity to keep an eye on Henry Jacob Babcock. And wait for Starsky to arrive.

Hutch heard Starsky’s breathless voice making inquiries at the nurses’ station. Hutch smiled at Starsky’s heartfelt, “Terrific,” when he was informed that mother and baby were doing fine and they hadn’t lost a father yet.

“Starsky,” Hutch called out softly and suddenly his arms were filled with sequins and tights topped with wild curls that tickled Hutch’s nose. Hutch held on tightly, delighting in the feel of a strong firm body pressed against his own.

Starsky pulled away only slightly to look at Hutch. “Is everybody okay, really?”

“Sure, Starsk. Becca didn’t have any complications other than being in a hurry to give birth. The baby is cute and perfect. Look. They just brought him in after visiting with his mom and dad for a while.”

Starsky glanced down at the tightly wrapped blue bundle labeled Babcock. “Looks like a little Babcock burrito, doesn’t he?”

Hutch chuckled. “I guess he does. Jake is doing okay, no complications there either, although Hank said he was really worried for a while. Jake’s on heavy painkillers right now. Mulligan hit him several times. The asshole’s being charged with harassment and attempted murder, not just assault.”

“Glad to hear it. Jake will be happy about that and to know his namesake made an appearance. Babies really are miracles, aren’t they?”

“Yeah,” Hutch said wistfully. “Makes me think of new life and new beginnings. They are like hope you can hold in your arms. Like you, Starsk.”

Starsky began to slowly stroke Hutch’s arms. “Life and love always finds a way, Hutch.”

Hutch was silent for a moment.

“I’m sorry I was late,” Starsky explained. “After the reporters, the commissioner pulled me aside. He told me he liked my attitude and how I handled the whole Mulligan disaster. He gave me my Detective First Class badge. My captain actually brought it along and pinned it on. He cried all over my tunic, which was embarrassing. The commissioner shook my hand. I got the pictures to prove it!”

Hutch ran his hand over the shiny badge pinned to Starsky’s costume. “That is fantastic, babe! Ummm… Captain Dobey wants me to pick a partner. How would you like to… you know… move to Homicide and be mine?”

“Oh, yeah, Blondie. I’m onboard with that.”

Hutch slowly lifted his eyes and gazed into Starsky’s clear, bright, unwavering stare. Hutch felt like he was being drawn into a calm sea of hope, determination and love. Hutch hesitated only a moment before diving in. He pulled Starsky closer and lightly touched his lips with his own. Hutch felt like he was holding passion itself in his arms when Starsky moaned and deepened the kiss. This was life. This was love. Hutch finally let go of his past and fell into the future.

“I love you, Starsky,” Hutch whispered against Starsky’s ear.

“I love you too, partner,” Starsky breathlessly replied.

Hutch smiled at his new partner in all things. He tilted his head to the side then shook himself. He could have sworn he saw snowflakes melting on Starsky’s lashes.

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