December 14th: Mixed Up Doubles Part 2 by LilyK

Part 1 is here

Captain Dobey’s door was closed. Starsky didn’t stop but barged into Dobey’s office, rage filling him. He could feel the blood in his veins humming with anger and outrage. Dobey was behind his desk.

“Finally!” Starsky shouted. “’bout fucking time!”

Dobey jumped, clearly startled. “Starsky, what in God’s name are you screaming about?” he demanded.

“I have proof!” Starsky cried.

“Proof?” Dobey looked confused. “Sit down, Starsky.”

“No! I ain’t sitting down until you tell me what happened to Hutch!”

Dobey rose. “Close the door,” he ordered.

“What?”

“The door. Close it.” Dobey pointed.

Huffing out an angry breath, Starsky kicked it shut.

“Are you finished having a tantrum?” Dobey demanded.

“Me? Having a tantrum? Are you nuts? My partner goes missing. Everybody in this place is acting wacky, like nothin’ has happened,” Starsky waved his arms wildly, “and you tell me I’m pitching a fit? Well, damned right I am!” He stomped over to Dobey’s desk and slapped the file folder down.

Starsky opened the folder and pointed, tapping his finger. “Look. Look! Fingerprint evidence. That– person is not Hutch! But in case that isn’t enough, I have more.” He waved a paper in front of Dobey’s face. “Dental impression.” Reaching into his pocket, he flung Not-Hutch’s dental mold down on Dobey’s desk. “Look! These are not Hutch’s teeth. Even an amateur can tell.”

“Starsky–”

“What have you done with Hutch?” Starsky shouted.

“Stop shouting at me and sit down.” Dobey raised himself to his full height and glared. “Now. That’s an order.”

Starsky threw himself into the chair, crossed his arms and put his feet on Dobey’s desk. He glared, lips tight.

“I’m sorry. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go down.” Dobey sighed loudly and sat down.

“What was supposed to go down? Or not go down?” Starsky snapped.

“I wanted to speak with you the moment you came into the squad room this morning, but I had to handle that hostage situation. Lives were at stake, and I thought you could handle yourself for a few hours.” Dobey rubbed his eyes. “I know that isn’t Hutchinson. Do you think I’m that stupid?” Now it was Dobey’s turn to be annoyed.

“But-but where’s Hutch?” Starsky whined.

“Listen to me.” Dobey leaned across the desk.

Starsky dropped his feet and moved closer until their foreheads were inches apart. Something in Dobey’s demeanor called for secrecy.

“I’m listening. Stop tap-dancing and spit it out,” Starsky snarled.

“Hutch is…” Dobey looked left and right. “He’s deep under cover. It’s a special op. The FBI asked me for an officer whom I felt could go undercover for a short time, and someone who had no connections to this certain organization.”

“So you picked Hutch.” Starsky kept his gaze riveted on Dobey.

“They needed someone on short notice. You were on vacation. One big thing to keep Hutch safe and to keep any whispers of where he was from circulating is that they insisted that someone take his place. They didn’t want the slightest hint of anything happening out of the ordinary, hence–”

“Hence, the fake Hutch. But do they think there’s a chance there’s somebody in the police department is passing on information? ”

“Yes,” Dobey agreed. “I hate to think that about anybody I work with. I can’t dismiss the idea that it’s possible. It makes me want to help bring down this organization even more.”

“Okay,” Starsky nodded, biting his lip. “Okay, but who or what is this certain organization?”

“I don’t have that information.”

Starsky raised an eyebrow. “Wow. It’s that sensitive?”

“Yes, and top secret. The only thing I overheard, and keep this under your hat, is that the organization might have something to do with JG Holdings, Limited. No clue who runs the thing, but apparently it’s one of the biggest legal and illegal operations in the world.” Dobey looked around once more as if he expected to be overheard. “I’ve never heard of it and I certainly can’t go around asking questions about it, or checking the computer. I know you’ll play along with…” Dobey waved a hand in the air, “…all of this until Hutch returns.”

“I can’t call the other guy Hutch, Cap, but…” Starsky said, before he sighed deeply and rubbed his hands down his face. “You can count on me. Hutch can count on me. I’ll watch my current partner’s back. I’ll do whatever I have ta to keep my partner safe because I want him home, in one piece.”

“Me, too, Starsky,” Dobey agreed. “He’s half of my top team and I want my best boys back together.”

“Thanks, and thank you for finally, finally explaining this fucking — sorry, Captain — ridiculous damned day!” Starsky raised his hands in exasperation.

“Go home, Detective, and get a good night’s sleep.” Dobey leaned back in his chair.

“Right.” Starsky rose. “You’re a good man.”

“Tell that to my wife when I miss dinner five nights in a row. Now get out of here,” Dobey said, his smile wide.

Opening the door, Starsky glanced back. Dobey was busy with some file or another, but he was still smiling. Starsky was proud to be in this department, and it pleased him he had a competent captain like Dobey. Feeling much better, he went home to shower, eat and sleep.

For Starsky, the next three weeks seemed to creep by. Not-Hutch was a half-decent partner, but he wasn’t Hutch. He wanted his partner, his lover, back. Now. Dobey had no more intel about Hutch’s involvement in the undercover operation, so Starsky’s imagination ran wild.

What if Hutch were– dead? Would anybody know? Who would tell him? He stomped on the negative thoughts and went home without his partner for another empty night.

In his house, he stood in the kitchen, staring at nothing. He was tired and hungry, but the idea of fixing anything to eat was too much work. A shower. That might clear his head and bring life back into his brain. He stripped as he walked through his bedroom, letting the clothes fall from his fingers. Starsky tossed his holster and weapon onto the bed before he toed off his Adidas without untying them. He peeled off socks, jeans, and briefs. Pausing for a moment, he practiced that Zen shit Hutch raved about, breathing in and out slowly several times before he headed into the john.

Starsky urinated while the water heated in the shower. Once it was hot, he stood under the spray for several minutes before he roused himself enough to shampoo his hair and soap up his body. Squeaky clean, he turned off the water. Starsky snagged one of two towels off the shower rod and dropped it over his wet head. The second he wrapped around his waist. Pushing back the curtain, he stepped out.

Rubbing his hair with both hands, he wrapped the towel around his neck. It was getting dark outside and he’d neglected to turn on the light. The bathroom was full of shadows; the only illumination was a streetlight through the small high window. A figure loomed in the doorway. When it moved, Starsky let out a cry of surprise, reaching for the gun that wasn’t there.

“Sorry I startled you, Starsk,” the shadow said.

Starsky held his breath before he blurted out, “Hutch?”

“Yeah. Sorry.” Hutch hit the light switch.

Momentarily blinded, Starsky rubbed his eyes before looking across the small space. “Holy shit. Hutch!” He launched himself into the waiting arms. “Oh, my God,” he whispered, wrapping himself around his lover. “Why didn’t you call me? Tell me you were coming home?”

“Couldn’t,” Hutch said against Starsky’s neck. He kissed where his lips touched.

Starsky sighed before he pulled back, both hands wrapped around Hutch’s upper arms. Hutch’s hands cupped Starsky’s elbows.

“It’s so good to see you,” Hutch said, tugging on Starsky’s arms. “You have no idea.”

Starsky held back. His gaze searched Hutch’s face. “Are you okay? You look exhausted.” He studied his lover for a moment. “And thinner. What the hell?”

“Yes, I’m fine now. Nothing broken,” Hutch said, giving Starsky a wan smile. Even his mustache drooped. “But I need a shower. Then I need you.”

Stepping closer, Starsky hugged Hutch once more. “You got it. Go on, clean up and I’ll put coffee on.” Moving back, he looked at his lover. “Ya need something stronger?”

“Coffee’s fine. Then you and me in that bed.” Hutch nodded towards the bedroom. “Please.”

Starsky laughed. “You don’t have to ask twice.” He lightly kissed Hutch’s lips and then hurried off before he couldn’t stop himself from ravishing his partner on the spot. Hutch needed some time to gather himself, get used to being back in the real world. Starsky could tell from looking at him it hadn’t been a fun time, wherever Hutch had been.

Hutch came out of the bathroom ten minutes later, dressed in Starsky’s loose fitting sweat pants, sans shirt and socks. He looked much better, with his hair long and wet, framing his face. Coffee poured, they drank it standing up, leaning on the counter.

“That warmed me right up,” Hutch said. “Thanks, buddy.”

“I know you’re exhausted, but I have to ask.”

“About my double?” Hutch guessed.

“Yeah. What the hell?” Starsky demanded.

Hutch smiled. “I love you too, Starsk. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you but I knew you’d trust me. Me and thee.”

“Like you said on the phone,” Starsky agreed. “Me and thee. Always. It was hard that first day, ’cause Dobey got called out of the office and didn’t tell me until late that evening.”

Hutch’s eyes widened. “Oh, God, babe. You were supposed to be told first thing! I couldn’t say over the phone– I’m so sorry.”

Starsky touched Hutch’s arm. “I’m okay. I worked it out.”

“You’re a good detective,” Hutch said proudly. “Listen, it was covert. Dobey doesn’t know the guy’s true identity and neither do I. It’s better that way. All he could tell me was that my stand-in is a special agent, FBI apparently, and affectionately known as ‘The Chameleon’. One of their top men but his identify is a national secret.”

“Wow. A real James Bond.” Starsky sipped his coffee.

“It’s not glamorous, you know. He probably doesn’t have a wife, or a partner.” Hutch took a drink. “Like you, somebody to love. Not even a dog, I’ll bet. But I admire the guy and anybody like him, dedicating their lives to keep you and me and the entire country as safe as possible.”

Starsky waved a finger in Hutch’s face. “Don’t you dare discount what contribution you made. It went above and beyond.”

Hutch blushed. “Thanks. It was rough, but if it helps, I’m glad I did it. I can’t say much because I honestly don’t know much, but I can give you the highlights. Tomorrow. Okay?”

“So you spoke to Dobey? He knows you’re back? More coffee?”

Hutch put a hand over his cup. “No, thanks, although I doubt the caffeine will keep me awake. And yes, Dobey knows I’m back. You and I are forty-eight hours leave, then back to the old grind bright and early Friday morning.” Hutch yawned widely.

“As if nothing’s wonky, I suppose.” Starsky drained his drink and put both of their cups into the sink. “Come on.” He held out his hand, giving Hutch his most comforting smile. Together, they made their way into the bedroom and crawled under the covers.

“This feels so good,” Hutch whispered, closing his eyes. “So good.”

“I’m glad you’re home,” Starsky said, leaning over to kiss Hutch’s lips.

“Hmmm,” Hutch mumbled.

Starsky listened to Hutch’s breathing as it slowed into a steady rhythm. He was asleep, and more than likely needed every second. He lay next to his partner, thanking whatever gods who were listening for Hutch’s safe return.

Morning brought a well-rested Hutch. It also brought a horny Hutch. He kissed Starsky’s nose first before giving it a lick.

“Hutch,” Starsky whispered, waking with a smile that he couldn’t contain if he’d wanted to. “I love you.”

“You too, Starsk.” Hutch smiled before covering Starsky’s mouth with his own.

They kissed, holding each other tightly until cocks demanded attention. Starsky wrapped his hand around Hutch’s weeping prick, stroking it the way he knew Hutch loved. Hutch gasped, reaching for Starsky’s own cock.

“Let me first,” Starsky said. Hutch nodded.

Starsky pushed Hutch to his back, kissing his way down to lap at the moisture gathered at his lover’s slit. He flicked his tongue in and out, making Hutch writhe with pleasure.

“You’re tormenting me,” Hutch blurted out.

“Think of it as repayment for the past days and weeks I’ve dreamed about you never coming home.”

Hutch ran the backs of his fingers down Starsky’s cheek and touched his lips with one fingertip. “Ahh, Starsk. I’m so sorry. I had to.”

“I know, babe.” Starsky smiled before returning to suck, lick and nibble Hutch’s prick until Hutch was screaming his name and coming in thick spurts into Starsky’s mouth.

“Liked that, huh?” Starsky said satisfactorily, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

“You…” Hutch was up and on Starsky so quickly that Starsky let out a squeak of surprise.

With his hand around Starsky’s hard-on, he sucked the head in and began his assault. He returned the favor by stroking with his one hand, rolling Starsky’s balls with the other, never letting up until it was Starsky’s turn to cry out his lover’s name as he emptied himself totally.

Hutch grinned with amused satisfaction before flopping down on the mattress beside his partner. He took Starsky’s hand and kissed it.

“Tell me,” Starsky said. “Please. Whatever you can. I gotta know.”

“Yeah, I understand. It’s over now so…” Hutch sighed. “There was important intel about a new player. At least two people had to be moved into witness protection before the feds set all of this,” he waved a hand into the air, “up. So this new player has apparently been around for many years; careful, under the radar, like most of these rats. I’d never heard of him before,” he explained, “but then these creeps sneak around in the shadows for eons before somebody finally figures out they’re game.”

“This JG Corporation that Dobey mentioned? He had hardly any info.”

“That’s the one. Nobody knew much. We know more now. We took down a huge supplier in San Diego who worked for this conglomerate. Gunther is the name that keeps coming up,” Hutch said.

Starsky considered the name. “Gunther? Never heard of him. So what did you do?”

“Infiltrated his operation. It wasn’t pleasant, Starsk. These people–” Hutch sighed. “They don’t care who they hurt, adults, kids. They take out a dog if it got in their way.”

“Wonderful. And you went in?” Starsky glared. “Are you nuts?”

“Somebody had to.”

“Why you? Couldn’t The Chameleon guy do it?”

Hutch looked grim. “Probably, but it seems that Southern Cal is part of their network now and they wanted somebody who could keep an eye on his operation. I know Bay City inside and out, and I plan on staying.” He took Starsky’s hand. “With you, of course. So now I know how their operation works, we can use our network. I’m keeping a lookout and between you and me, we’ll help take down this Gunther empire. He’s a big player. Seems he wants to corner the global market.”

“Drugs?” Starsky squeezed Hutch’s hand.

Hutch raised Starsky’s hand to his lips to kiss his knuckles. “Among other things. From what the feds said, he has no morals or qualms. Drugs, human trafficking, confiscating the inventory of museums in countries under siege, graft, bribery. And murder.”

“What a piece’a work. This guy needs to go down, that’s for sure. He’d better hope we never run into him. All he’ll get from me is a damp, cold, moldy cell in Alcatraz if I have anything to say about it,” Starsky said adamantly.

Hutch laughed. “They don’t use Alcatraz any more, Gordo.”

Starsky joined Hutch, laughing along with him. “Too bad. Some assholes deserve Alcatraz. Do they know you were there? These soldiers of this Gunther?”

“I don’t think so. The feds didn’t think so, but we’ll be vigilant. Like always.”

Starsky nodded firmly. “You never can tell. These criminals always screw up, sooner or later. We’ll be there to clamp on the cuffs. In the meantime, we watch each other’s backs.” After planting a kiss on Hutch’s lips, he grinned. “Hey, I’m starving. Let’s go to Huggy’s for breakfast. My treat.”

With a big smile and a noisy wet kiss to Starsky’s hand, Hutch said, “It’s a date. Shower first. With you, and then onto Huggy’s. It’s so good to be home!”

“I love ya, blintz.”

“Love you, Starsk. So damned much.”