{"id":52,"date":"2019-12-02T05:42:33","date_gmt":"2019-12-02T05:42:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=52"},"modified":"2019-12-14T18:41:58","modified_gmt":"2019-12-14T18:41:58","slug":"december-2nd-a-fateful-meeting-by-dppatricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=52","title":{"rendered":"December 2nd- A Fateful Meeting by DP Patricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

This story was inspired by a Friday Fiction prompt on the Starsky&Hutch Fans&FanFiction FaceBook page.<\/a><\/span><\/strong> The challenge? A story on a boat. As always, thanks, Paula!<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Dave Starsky was glad he was no longer in the Army where he had access to weapons of any sort because three days of listening to patently insincere praise of painted-on beauty, overpriced gowns, and glittering jewelry was driving him crazy! And going nuts with a gun in your hand was never a good idea.<\/p>\n

Why Sol, his boss at the cab company, had stuck him with this gig, Starsky didn\u2019t know.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo on, Starsky!\u201d Sol had said. \u201cMingle with the rich and famous. This fashion magazine’s usual go-fer\u2019s sick. They just need you to hang around, take people where they have to go and bring \u2018em back, pick up stuff, shit like that! They offered good money and I\u2019m takin\u2019 it! Get outta here!\u201d Starsky had turned to go. \u201cAnd you can keep your tips!\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019d been driving Sol\u2019s cabs for six months and had never complained at being assigned late shifts or pick-up-and-delivery runs most of the other drivers hated; he\u2019d been able to use all the hours when he didn\u2019t have a passenger to come to terms with his experiences in Vietnam.<\/p>\n

Ranking right behind the month after his father had been killed, serving in ‘Nam had been the roughest period of his life. But he\u2019d lived through it. His leg injury was finally healing and his nightmares were backing off in intensity, and weren’t coming as often.<\/p>\n

Now, all he had to do was decide where he was going with the rest of his life. Because of his wound, continuing in the army hadn\u2019t been an option, so he\u2019d taken his honorable discharge without a backward glance.<\/p>\n

Three days before, Sol had sent Starsky to report to Long Beach.<\/p>\n

The Queen Mary, formerly the flagship of Cunard\u2019s luxury ocean liners, had been bought in 1967 by the city of Long Beach and permanently berthed next to the white dome that housed Howard Hughes\u2019 mammoth aircraft, the Spruce Goose. The Queen had then undergone two years of retrofitting and renovations, turning it into a resort hotel and entertainment center. As part of the pre-grand-opening advertising campaign, Vogue had agreed to do an extended photo shoot onboard the former Atlantic-crossing monarch.<\/p>\n

The ballroom was currently the setting for a lavish party, where magnificent dresses and even more elegant gemstones were displayed on the bodies of the world\u2019s top fashion models.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Drew, baby, that sequence was sublime,\u201d Gordon, a flashily-dressed, obviously gay man gushed. \u201cWe\u2019re never going to be able to choose which shots to use for the layout. You\u2019re the best, darling! Absolutely the best!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf I am, sweetie,\u201d Drew replied, with one camera Starsky knew had to have cost two thousand dollars in his hand, and two more around his neck, \u201cit\u2019s because it\u2019s impossible to take an uncomplimentary photograph of Vanessa<\/em>.\u201d Drew turned away and busied himself with a case of lenses his assistant was holding for him.<\/p>\n

Of all the models walking the runway, Vanessa was the most sought-after.<\/p>\n

Watching her, Starsky admitted to himself that she was gorgeous but, if he had to choose one word to describe her character, having watched her for three days, it would be\u2026 haughty. She seemed to look down on everyone and when she spoke, it was with too much superiority, in his opinion. Beautiful Bitch<\/em> was the nickname he had mentally given her.<\/p>\n

As his gaze wandered around the crowded room, voices buzzing and giving him a headache, he spotted someone he hadn\u2019t seen before. A lean, blond man, who looked like he\u2019d be an inch or two taller than Starsky when he stood up, was sitting as far out of everyone\u2019s way as it was possible to get. He was intently reading a large book and writing things in a notebook. Wearing tan dress slacks, expensive-looking loafers, a button-down long-sleeved light blue shirt, and a tailored leather jacket, he appeared to be a member of the fashion crowd but wasn\u2019t taking any part in the activities.<\/p>\n

Hmmmm<\/em>, Starsky thought, very studious<\/em>. Looks like he belongs here but wishes he weren\u2019t.<\/em> Not knowing exactly why, Starsky approached and waited until the blond looked up. \u201cIf you\u2019re the bookish type, you\u2019re about as out-of-place on this boat as a\u2026 a tree in Brooklyn.\u201d<\/p>\n

The shy smile that lit the handsome face made Starsky wish he\u2019d thought of something friendlier to say.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a ship, actually.\u201d The man’s voice was soft, with what sounded like a mid-west accent to Starsky\u2019s untrained ear. \u201cAnd a tree does <\/em>grow in Brooklyn, you know.\u201d His long-fingered right hand — one that looked like it should belong to a piano player — gestured around. \u201cAnd you? It would appear that you\u2019re no more comfortable in these surroundings than I am.\u201d He nodded toward the tiny straight-backed chair next to the equally tiny table he was sitting at. \u201cHave a seat. If they need you, I\u2019m sure someone will call you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky sat, suddenly aware that his sneakers, ragged jeans, t-shirt, and worn bomber jacket were more disreputable among the well-dressed crowd than he\u2019d realized. It made him slightly uncomfortable but there was nothing he could do about it. \u201cDidn\u2019t mean to interrupt your reading — studying — whatever you\u2019re doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

The blond closed the book. \u201cNot a problem. I\u2019m only reviewing what I think I already know. I have an exam tomorrow.\u201d He placed the notebook on top and pushed them as far away as the table allowed. \u201cHad one yesterday and the day before, too. Which is why you haven\u2019t seen me here until now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky was intrigued. The sky-blue eyes had obvious intelligence behind them and something else\u2026 maybe compassion. It was a gaze he didn\u2019t want to look away from. \u201cWhat\u2019s your major?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPre-med.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoin\u2019 for the money, huh?\u201d Starsky didn\u2019t know why he\u2019d said that and the way those intense eyes instantly clouded made him sorry. \u201cListen, that was uncalled for. My apologies.\u201d<\/p>\n

As quickly as they had dulled, the man’s eyes brightened. \u201cNo need. It\u2019s what my classmates are after. But I want to help people, make them well, relieve their suffering. Van scoffs at that. She\u2019s decided I need to specialize in plastic surgery so we can be filthy rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVan?\u201d Starsky was having trouble believing what he\u2019s just heard.<\/p>\n

The blond colored slightly, plainly embarrassed. \u201cVanessa\u2019s my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Starsky didn\u2019t know what else to say.<\/p>\n

The man extended his hand. \u201cKen Hutchinson.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky took it. \u201cDave Starsky.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re the cab driver?\u201d Hutchinson asked. \u201cVan told me their regular go-fer got sick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s me,\u201d Starsky said, his sarcasm leaking through. \u201cErrand Boy to this overblown extravaganza.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson laughed. \u201cYou and I must be the only two people aboard who feel that way.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky wanted to know much more about the unassuming man who was married to the extremely assuming model. \u201cSo, what are you –?\u201d His next words were drowned out by shrieks and shouts.<\/p>\n

Jumping to his feet, Starsky tried to get a picture of what had suddenly become a chaotic scene in the ballroom. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Hutchinson was on his feet, too, seeming to study the goings-on with equal intensity.<\/p>\n

Two young men, dressed as cabin boys, were running through the crowd, tearing necklaces off women, earrings from their ears, and bracelets and watches off their wrists and generally making a shambles of the room.<\/p>\n

Screams of pain and surprise were overridden by Drew’s shout. \u201cStop! Don\u2019t do this! Nothing\u2019s real! It\u2019s all fake!\u201d But his words had no effect on the thieves.<\/p>\n

As one of them stuffed the last of his stolen objects in a cloth bag and ran toward the doors, Starsky yanked what he had learned was called a \u2018flag\u2019 out of the cameraman\u2019s accessories box. It was a large piece of heavy white cardboard mounted in a metal frame and attached to a long steel shaft, used for reflecting light onto whatever surface the photographer wanted. Starsky took a solid hold on the rod and swung.<\/p>\n

The flat side of the flag struck one of the cabin boys in the face and tumbled him backward.<\/p>\n

At the same moment, Hutchinson ran past Starsky and tackled the other thief. Starsky kept part of his attention on the kid he had sent skidding across the polished floor on his back, the bag still clutched in his fist, and part on Hutchinson.<\/p>\n

His new friend took the second cabin boy down and quickly locked him in a wrestling hold.<\/p>\n

Starsky put a foot on the chest of his half of the criminal pair, and took the sack of valuables from the kid\u2019s hand. \u201cSomebody call the police,\u201d he shouted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re on their way,\u201d Drew replied.<\/p>\n

Starsky dragged his captive to his feet and led him toward Hutchinson.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson also stood, bringing the sullen young man with him.<\/p>\n

The surrounding chaos was beginning to settle and Drew approached, with half a dozen hefty-looking crew members. \u201cMy men will take charge of these thieves until the police arrive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky and Hutchinson handed them over as sirens sounded outside and uniformed officers swarmed the ballroom.<\/p>\n

Starsky and Hutchinson withdrew from the crowd and sat back at their table.<\/p>\n

As officers took the men into custody, others began to take statements from everyone. Medics arrived, tending to anyone injured.<\/p>\n

Starsky really didn\u2019t want to break the companionable silence but remembered what Drew had shouted during the melee. \u201cDo you really think everything was fake?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson nodded. \u201cVan said the insurance that would have been required was prohibitive. So they brought in the best paste they could find.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky shook his head. \u201cFooled me. Fooled those stupid kids, too, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eventually, a man in a suit approached. \u201cI’m Detective Anderson,” he said. “It\u2019s my understanding that you two foiled the robbery. Is that correct?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky and Hutchinson both stood. Starsky nodded. \u201cI swatted the one who has the broken nose. Hutchinson tackled the other one.\u201d<\/p>\n

The detective held out his hand and first Starsky, then Hutchinson shook it. \u201cThe Long Beach Police Department is grateful, gentlemen. If you\u2019ll kindly come to the Bursar\u2019s Office with me, I\u2019ll take your statements.\u201d<\/p>\n

An hour later, Starsky found himself back at the tiny table in the ballroom. Scanning the remains of what had been an elegant location, Starsky sat in his uncomfortable chair. \u201cFun\u2019s over for today, I guess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson sat in the other chair. \u201cThat\u2019s it for the shoot, too. Van said they had to wrap by this afternoon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky glanced around at all the people he still considered phony and probably over-paid. \u201cInteresting while it lasted.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson gathered up his study materials. \u201cI should probably go see how Van\u2019s doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll bet she\u2019s in her glory,\u201d Starsky said, without thinking. \u201cCenter of attention and all that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson chuckled. \u201cAfter only three days, you know her perfectly, Mr. Starsky.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky shook his head. \u201cShouldn\u2019t have said that. Sorry. Sometimes my mouth gets ahead of my brain.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAgain, no apology necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n

A uniformed Long Beach officer approached, dragged up a nearby chair, and sat down. \u201cI understand that one of you is a med student and the other one drives a cab. Is that right?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky pointed at Hutchinson. \u201cHe\u2019s the college boy.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer smiled. \u201cWell, it\u2019s none of my business, of course, but the way you both handled yourselves is impressive. Have either of you ever thought about becoming a police officer?\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky was stunned. His father had been a cop, and it was an idea that had been kicking around in the back of his head ever since he\u2019d returned to the States. He\u2019d never brought it to the forefront before, though. He looked at Hutchinson and saw what might be a spark of interest in those blue eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like a plan to me, Hutch, but you\u2019re gonna be a doctor, remember? You said you want to help people.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson appeared startled to hear his shortened surname but recovered quickly. \u201cCops help people, too, Starsk.\u201d Hutch looked down at the book on his lap. \u201cI shouldn\u2019t admit this, but I really hate medical school. Almost as much as I hated law school.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky had a sudden mental image. \u201cVanessa might not be happy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch drew in a breath. \u201cThat\u2019s the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The officer laughed. \u201cWell, if either of you is interested, I can tell you the Long Beach Police Department is under a hiring freeze right now but the Bay City Police Academy is taking applicants for its Fall class.\u201d He stood up and put the chair back where it came from. \u201cThink about it.\u201d He walked away.<\/p>\n

Starsky wasn\u2019t sure what the suddenly-wary look on Hutch’s face meant. \u201cWhat\u2019s wrong? Was it my crack about your wife? I didn\u2019t mean –\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson shook his head, cutting him off. \u201cWhy did you call me that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCall you what? Hutch?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know.\u201d Starsky shrugged. \u201cJust seemed right. Hutchinson\u2019s too long and I got the feeling you don\u2019t like your first name.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA few people called my grandfather that, but never me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky smiled at the shyness he heard in Hutch’s cultured voice. \u201cWell, they should have. It suits you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou think so?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPretty sure. And I like the way you called me Starsk. Nobody ever has.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile that lit Hutch’s face brightened the room. \u201cMaybe we\u2019ll both be different people after this.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe.\u201d Remembering what the officer had suggested, Starsky tried to tamp down the excitement that was beginning to pump through him. \u201cDid you mean what you said, before?\u201d he asked. \u201cCops help people, too?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch made eye contact and didn\u2019t look away. \u201cYes. I did.\u201d But sudden uncertainty pushed resolve aside. \u201cHowever, it was a thought I can\u2019t afford to pursue, I\u2019m afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky was stunned. He was sure he\u2019d read him correctly. \u201cWhy not?\u201d<\/p>\n

Another flush worked its way up Hutchinson\u2019s face. \u201cI\u2019ve already been too scattered with my choices in life. Van, my folks, and her folks aren\u2019t going to put up with much more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky gestured toward the books in Hutchinson\u2019s lap. \u201cDon\u2019t try and tell me you really want to take that exam tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but –\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Hutchinson could finish his answer, a shrill voice sliced through the background noise. \u201cKenneth! Where are you? Why aren\u2019t you here<\/em> with me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch visibly smothered whatever feelings he was about to express and stood up, tucking his book and notebook under his arm. \u201cDuty calls.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky caught his arm, dug in his jacket pocket and came up with a small pad of paper and pencil. Quickly, he scribbled a name and address, tore off the sheet and handed it to Hutch. \u201cIf you can get away for a little while later, meet me here, okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson glanced at the page. \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cA friend of mine, Huggy Bear — long story — runs the place,\u201d Starsky answered. \u201cBest burgers in So Cal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutchinson slipped the paper into his book. \u201cIt\u2019s somewhere I\u2019ve certainly never been.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky stood up next to him. \u201cGood! It can be part of the new person you\u2019re going to be. We can talk about our future as Bay City\u2019s finest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch looked doubtful. \u201cI don\u2019t know. It sounded enticing for a minute. I\u2019m just not at liberty\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

The unhappy vulnerability in those blue eyes nearly broke Starsky\u2019s heart. \u201cListen, Hutch, I don\u2019t usually put any faith in things like fate and destiny but maybe you and I were both here today for a reason. Maybe we were meant to meet, meant to foil those stupid kids, meant to apply to the Bay City Police Academy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou really think we –\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah!\u201d Starsky interrupted, putting a hand lightly on Hutch\u2019s arm. \u201cI really do! My father was a cop and I guess I\u2019ve just been waiting for something to nudge me in that direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch still looked uncertain. \u201cI haven\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou hate med school; you hated law school,\u201d Starsky said, his voice harsher than he intended. \u201cWhat have you got to lose?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cKenneth<\/em>!\u201d cut the air like a knife.<\/p>\n

Hutchinson winced. \u201cI can\u2019t promise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Starsky patted Hutch’s arm and withdrew his hand, grinning like a fool. \u201cSure you can. Give some excuse to Van and meet me tonight. We don\u2019t have to make any decisions; we\u2019ll just talk about possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like the sun coming out from behind a cloud, Hutch smiled for the second time since the attempted robbery. \u201cOkay. I will. What time?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhenever you can get there,\u201d Starsky replied. \u201cI\u2019ll wait for ya!\u201d<\/p>\n

Hutch nodded. \u201cAll right then. Later.\u201d With that, he turned away, still smiling.<\/p>\n

Starsky watched him walk across the room and knew, instinctively, he\u2019d met the man who was going to be his best friend in the whole world.<\/p>\n

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

This story was inspired by a Friday Fiction prompt on the Starsky&Hutch Fans&FanFiction FaceBook page. The challenge? A story on a boat. As always, thanks, Paula! Dave Starsky was glad he was no longer in the Army where he had … 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":[4,5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-52","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=52"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":344,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/52\/revisions\/344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=52"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=52"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=52"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}