One Regret

by MysticWhim

(Present Day)

Starsky parked his Explorer in front of The Pits.  After all these years, it was amazing that the bar was still here, and from the looks of it, had hardly changed.  He sat back and stared at the door, soaking in the sight of the place.

Twenty years was a long time to be gone.  It surprised him that he had not ever made a single trip back.  Not that he had broken the ties with Bay City; he hadn't.  He had kept up contact with several people here, but he could never bring himself to jump on that plane and return to the people and the place that had called to his soul for these two decades.  Just sitting in the car, he had to wonder why he was hesitant to go in, but truthfully, he already knew the answer to that.  It was the same reason he had never returned.

He reached for the door handle, and rested his hand upon it; one more move in the right direction.  Curiosity hit him, and he glanced around at the other cars in the vicinity, wondering if he could spot Hutch's car.  He half expected that old jalopy of his to still be hanging in there, and Hutch still clinging to it with willful determination.  He grinned.  If Hutch was still here, then he was not driving that old clunker anymore.  It was time to accept that some things will have changed. 

With a deep breath, he opened the car door and stepped from the car.  A young man with green and purple hair, several bold tattoos and multiple body piercings neatly swept passed him on a skateboard.  Taken aback by the uncommon appearance of the lad, he reminded himself that he was not in Wisconsin anymore.

Finally reaching the front door, he paused again.  He was glad that he had phoned Parker Center to determine Hutch's whereabouts, and he was lucky enough to have reached Minnie.  Without revealing to her that he was in town, he was able to find out where Hutch was at the moment, and was able to keep this meeting a surprise.  He gripped the door and pulled it open.

Entering the darkened room unnoticed, he stood aside from the door and soaked in the vision of his two old friends at the bar. 

Huggy Bear was dressed in a shocking outfit.  Gone were the neon colors and the outlandish styles.  What was so unbelievable about his clothing at the moment was that he was adorned in a three-piece, charcoal grey, single-breasted Armani suit.  The suit was tailored to perfection, and he wore it with style and panache.  In his hand was a cane, with a long ebony shaft and a beautifully carved silver handle.  Huggy looked like he just stepped off a red carpet at some gala event.  And he didn't look a day older.

Beside Huggy sat Hutch.  Starsky took in a sharp breath at the sight of him, unprepared for the impact Hutch's presence would have on him.  He had changed a great deal.  His hair was slightly darker and considerably thinner, and a few pounds had softened his features.  Dressed in tan slacks and a white shirt, with his matching sport coat hung on the back of the bar stool, he had carelessly stuffed his tie into the pocket of the jacket.  He leaned against the bar in a weary posture.  His eyes looked very tired, but when Huggy shook his head and muttered something too quietly for Starsky to hear, Hutch had smiled broadly and chuckled.  That smile brought Starsky right back to thirty-some years ago, and their first day as partners.  He hadn't changed a bit, not really.  Not to Starsky.  Encouraged, he silently stepped forward.

"Ginger," Huggy called out.  "Lovely lass, be so kind as to fill my glass."

"Sure thing, Boss," a busty bartender replied, looking fondly at her employer.

"And get my companion here a refill as well," he added, tipping his cane in Hutch's direction.  "On the house."  Hutch nodded his thanks at his friend.

"Whadda 'bout you?" she nodded to Starsky, who was standing just behind the two men.  Hutch and Huggy hadn't even turned around to see him yet.

"I'll have a beer, and you can put that on the house, too," Starsky replied grinning, watching Hutch intently.

At the sound of his voice, Hutch whirled about.  He sat frozen for a moment, blinking.  "Starsky?" he gasped.  Starsky's face broke into a huge smile.  "STARSKY!!"  Hutch jumped up and roughly yanked his old partner into an embrace.  The two men clung to each other.

"Well I'll be..." Huggy marveled.  "Ginger, forget those drinks.  There's a special stash of my favorite champagne downstairs.  Bring that up in celebration of the rogue brother's return!"

"Rogue?" Starsky laughed, finally releasing his friend.  "Come on, Hug, I'm not a rogue.  You'll give this beautiful young lady the wrong impression about me."  He placed his hand over his heart in feigned hurt.  "I am a good person, I assure you.  I'm not the scoundrel he says I am."  His mischievous eyes twinkling, he gave her his most charming smile.  "And save the champagne.  I just want an MGD."

"You're turning down my primo bubbly for a BEER?"  Huggy was horrified.  "And a domestic one at that?  You wound me Starsky.  Wound me."

"Hey, gotta support the hometown brew," he laughed.  "Some buddies of mine work for Miller.  Besides, you can't buy nothin' else to drink in that town," he joked.

"Hometown brew?" Huggy huffed.  "Surprised you didn't order milk, then."

"MGD will do fine," he nodded to Ginger.  He squeezed Huggy's shoulder.  "Sorry, Hug.  I appreciate the gesture, but it would be lost on me.  I don't know good champagne from Mad Dog."

"Whatever your heart desires, my friend," Huggy nodded happily.  "I'm just so glad to see you, my man.  Good to have you here.  How long you in town for?"

Starsky rubbed at the back of his neck.  "Well, that's kinda up in the air at this point, Hug.  Right now, I don't even have a place to stay yet..."

"You're staying with me," Hutch insisted.  "As long as you want."  Then he added awkwardly, "That is, if you want to..."

"Thought you'd never ask," Starsky piped right up, his face bright with pleasure.  "Thanks, buddy."

Ginger returned with their round of drinks, and Huggy lifted his glass in a toast to Starsky.  Starsky shook his head in wonder at his old friend.  "Huggy, I can't get over the way you're dressed."

"Ya like the new threads, Starsky?  Now that I'm a successful entrepreneur, it's important I dress the part."  He sat up straight, dusting some imaginary lint from his jacket, his distinguished cane casually hooked over his arm.  

"Huggy's business is doing incredibly well," Hutch sipped at his beer.  "Who'd have thought when he bought that computer years ago, that it would come to this?  Looks like he finally found a position where all his flashiness could be put to good use.  He's designed some of the hottest websites on the internet."

"A graphic web design artist," Starsky sighed.  "I hear every major corporation in the US is banging at your door."

"Not just the good ole USA," Huggy bragged.  "I've got sites up in Japan, Germany and Italy too; and that's just the start.  I'm in high demand!  Everyone wants a 'Bay City Bear' site.  I had to bring in some people in the know to cover the languages and cultures of my international clients.  This little enterprise has evolved into one big business for Huggy Bear!  I've got 20 people working for me now."

"How come you hang on to this place?" Starsky asked, glancing around the bar.  "Is The Pits that profitable?"

Huggy grinned.  "Sentimental reasons," he replied.  "This place was my first real successful business.  I like to remind myself where I come from.  Keeps my world in perspective."  Then he added, "Yeah, she still brings in a profit.  But I ain't closin' the doors 'til the Captain here pays up his tab."

"Never gonna happen, Huggy," Hutch claimed, shaking his head. 

"What, Metro's Captain can't afford a little bar tab?" Starsky laughed.

"Who said little?" Huggy asked indignantly.  "This tab hasn't been paid off since you were addin' to it."

"Speaking of Metro," Hutch rose.  "I'm gonna call in.  I'll be right back."  He went to the phone in the rear of the bar. 

"You know, Starsky, you look pretty good yourself.  I almost didn't recognize you without those raggedy old jeans you used to squeeze into."  Huggy took in the sight of the handsome man beside him.  Starsky's shorter hair was now salt and pepper, with the salt winning the battle, and he had laugh crinkles beside his eyes. He looked fit and healthy and happy.  He was wearing heather grey slacks, and a black dress shirt, topped off with a long, black leather coat.  Starsky was still a striking and charismatic man. 

"Thanks Hug.  I had to retire those old jeans of mine," he chuckled.  "Couldn't squeeze into 'em anymore."

Hutch returned, sliding onto his seat in a happier mood.  "I called work and told 'em I was taking off for at least few days.  They started to give me some flack, but when I told them you were in town, they said to take as long as I wanted."

"Is that so?" Starsky looked pleased.

"Yeah, but I had to promise you'd come in to say hi before you go back.  Minnie says you owe her big time for not showing your face or telling her you were here.  She expects you to take her to lunch."

He winced.  "Yeah, I shoulda said something, but I wanted to see you first.  I wanted to surprise you.  Is she mad?"

"Minnie mad at you?"  Hutch shook his head.  "You turn on that Starsky charm and she'll be putty in your hands, buddy.  Did you know she's my administrative assistant now?"

"Minnie is?"

Hutch nodded.  "Couldn't survive without her.  The girl's a wizard on the computer; an administrative angel."

The three men continued to chat and reminisce for hours.  Eventually they grew hungry, and were treated to Huggy removing his suit coat and donning an apron to personally cook their dinners. 

"Ah, Huggy, that was wonderful," Starsky praised, sitting back with his hand patting his belly. 

"Glad you liked it," Huggy grinned, getting up to clear the table.  Ginger stopped him and took the plates from his hands. 

"You go back and sit down, Mr. Brown.  I got these.  You don't need to be workin' when you've got old friends here visitin'," she chided.

Huggy gladly surrendered the dishes and returned to his seat.  Starsky watched him quizzically.  "Hey Hug, how come you've got a cane?  You don't seem to have any trouble walkin' without it."

Huggy gave a sly grin.  "I had knee surgery a few years back.  I did need a cane then, and my wife gave me this one.  I liked it so much that I never gave it up, even when my knee was fine.  I think it gives me an air of sophistication."  He lifted his chin to emphasize his point.

"It's great, Hug.  Suits you." Starsky agreed.  "It all suits you.  You seem very happy."

"Gotta admit," Huggy sighed contentedly, "I've been very lucky."

"I think I cornered the market on luck, Hug," Starsky laughed.  "Cheated that grim reaper more times than I care to count."

"I think we both have," Hutch nodded, eyebrows raised. 

"It's more than that though," Starsky said softly.  His voice was serious, his mood philosophical.  "I really feel that we've all been lucky to have lived the kind of lives we have.  We're all happy, healthy, content with our lives.  Not too many people can say that.  No regrets.  I mean, there are things that I wish hadn't happened, or that I wish coulda gone a different way, but deep down, I don't regret anything."

"That's true," Huggy nodded.  "I could say that too.  No regrets."  He looked over at Starsky, his eyes shining.

Starsky glanced up at Hutch.  Alarmed, he realized there was a flash of pain crossing his friend's eyes.  In an instant, the look had vanished, replaced by a sad resignation.  Hutch felt Starsky's eyes upon him, and looked to his friend and smiled.  There was no happiness in that smile, and Starsky could see that. 

"We're all lucky bastards!" Hutch announced gaily, raising his glass, and the three drank to their luck. 

They continued to drink and socialize for a while longer, until Starsky suggested calling it a night, road-weary from his long drive in, and feeling tired from the beer.  The other friends didn't argue, but insisted on meeting again the following weekend.  Starsky agreed to follow Hutch to his condo, since he had never been there.

Hutch happily fell into his couch, stretching his long legs before him.  Starsky unbuttoned his shirt a few buttons and rolled up his sleeves against the warmth of the condo.  He slid one of the windows open slightly to let in some of the cool night air, returning to join his friend.  He plopped down beside him, but turned to stretch his legs out lengthwise on the couch, settling his head in Hutch's lap.  Hutch smiled down at his friend, affectionately toying with the soft silver and brown curls.  

"It's good to have you here, Starsk," Hutch stated simply.  "I've missed you."

Starsky looked up at him, grinning.  "Kinda feels like I never left, don't it?"

Hutch looked away with a warm contentment, dropping his right hand down gently onto Starsky's chest, patting his friend.  Starsky grasped the hand, giving it a squeeze, then held it lightly in his own.  He continued to do so as they chatted about their evening, eventually moving the hand slightly so that it was over the opening of his shirt where it fell against his bare chest.  Automatically, Hutch flattened his hand against the warmth of his skin, his fingers tracing along the scar closest to his heart.  Starsky closed his eyes and peacefully sighed.

Hutch had been saying something about Huggy, when an image of the man dressed in his professional finery came to Starsky's mind.  "I still can't believe the way Huggy was dressed," he chuckled. 

"Yeah, Huggy has really come a long way," Hutch mused.  "He's finally had a lucky break.  I'm real happy for him."

The mention of luck brought back to mind the look on Hutch's face earlier, and Starsky's eyes flew open.  "Hutch?  Can I ask you somethin'?"

"Sure."

"When Huggy and I were talkin' 'bout bein' lucky, and havin' no regrets, you had this look on your face.  Made me think you had regrets."

Hutch tensed slightly, then looked down at his friend.  "One regret, Starsk.  Just one." 

There was such sadness in those soulful eyes that Starsky felt his heart constrict.  After a few long moments, he finally asked, "Ya gonna tell me what it is?"

Hutch looked away, unable to keep the eye contact.  Starsky grabbed at the hand against  his chest and firmly squeezed it.  Hutch did not respond.  "Hutch?  What the hell can't you tell me?"  Still no response.  "Dammit Hutch, I call or write you every week, and we email and chat in between that.  I talk to you more than I talk to anybody.  Just 'cause we don't see each other don't mean I'm not here for you."

Starsky felt Hutch squeeze his hand back, but his eyes still kept averted.  "I can't talk to you about this, Starsk.  It's not something you'd be open to discuss."

Not open to discuss? Starsky's eyebrows rose.  "Geez Hutch!  How the hell did you ever become a detective, huh?  I mean, who the hell trained you?!  You show no..."

Amused now, Hutch looked down at Starsky.  "As I recall, Starsk, YOU were the one who trained..."

"Oh no, don't go blamin' this on me!" Starsky shot back.  "I taught you better than this!  For cryin' out loud, Hutchinson, use your detective skills, will ya?"

Chuckling at his ranting, Hutch asked, "What are you talking about?  Use my detective skills on what?"

"Hutch, I'm layin' here with my head in your lap, you're playin' with my hair, you got your other hand inside my shirt rubbin' my chest, and your sittin' there thinkin' that I wouldn't be OPEN to ANYTHING you said?!  Whatsa matter with you?!"

Hutch let his head fall back against the couch, laughing out loud.  "Starsk, I gotta tell you.  Dealing with you in an instant message, and dealing with you in person, is not the same at all.  I miss out on the full effect of your lunacy."   His eyes twinkled.

"So I'm a loon, huh?  What the hell can't you talk to me about?"

The merriment faded from Hutch's face.  He swallowed.  "The only regret I have is regarding you."

"Me?"

"I regret that I ever made that suggestion."

Starsky sat up instantly.  He pulled his backside closer to his friend, then reached his arm out to the armrest close to Hutch, gripping it firmly.  His other arm grabbed Hutch's right shoulder.  Hutch was effectively pinned into the corner of the couch, Starsky right in his face.  "How can you say that?" he demanded, the hurt evident on his face. 

Looking straight into Starsky's intense blue eyes, Hutch said quietly, "It was because of my suggestion that you left...and never came back."

"Dammit Hutch!  We talked about this!  You know that's not why I left town.  The night before I left I held you and we both cried on each other's shoulders.  I told you I loved you.  Does that sound like someone who was running from you?"

Hutch dropped his eyes.  In a soft voice, he admitted, "The next morning, while you were loading the car, Sandy and I had a little talk."

Starsky tried to move into his line of vision, but Hutch would not meet his eyes.  Hutch continued, "She told me how excited and happy she was to be going back home, and how much it meant to her that you never once suggested staying.  You never tried to talk her out of it.  She said she thought you were as happy about leaving Bay City as she was." 

Starsky dropped his head.  Letting go of Hutch's shoulder, he moved the hand to the back of Hutch's neck, pulling the blond forward until their foreheads met.  "Aw, Hutch.  There's a lot you didn't know.  I wasn't happy about leavin' Bay City.  I sure as hell wasn't happy about leavin' you."

"You're right.  There's a lot I didn't know.  I didn't know you were living with Sandy when I suggested something sexual between us.  I didn't know you two were engaged.  You had been together nearly a year and had never discussed anything like that, at least not that you told me.  I thought maybe things weren't going well.  Sandy seemed to be dropping out of the picture.  All I do know is that I make this suggestion, and a couple weeks later you're leaving on the first flight you can catch, and married soon after that.  For twenty years you never came back.  What am I supposed to think?"

Starsky turned around to sit normally on the couch.  He rested his elbows on his knees, and dropped his face into his hands.  "I shoulda told you everything," he moaned.  "I didn't know you thought this way."  He dropped his hands.  It was still so hard to talk about his late wife.  Staring at the floor he began to explain.  "Sandy was pregnant."

"Pregnant!" Hutch's eyes widened.  "But Kenny wasn't born for two years after that."

"Not with Kenny," he shook his head.  "Our first baby.  She was having a hard time, right from the beginning.  The doctors called it a 'high risk' pregnancy.  They put her on bed rest, right away.  Her hormone levels were really low, and they weren't sure if she was losing the baby.  She would bleed.  She begged me not to tell anyone she was pregnant, not even you.  If somethin' happened to the baby, she said she couldn't face that look in your eyes, in anyone's eyes."  He paused for a moment, running a hand through his hair.  "She didn't have much money, and bein' unable to work, she thought she would lose her apartment.  I didn't want her worried 'bout anything like that, so I had her move in with me, quit her job.  That's why you didn't see much of her.  We decided right off to get married."

He looked up with sadness.  "It was just before she lost the baby when you suggested something between us.  I never had a problem with what you suggested.  I only had a problem with your timing.  Hell, I'd thought about it myself.  I wasn't rejecting you.  I was already committed to Sandy."

Hutch sat forward, side by side with Starsky.  "Then what happened?  What made you leave?"

"She lost the baby.  It broke her heart.  Kinda broke my heart too," he admitted.  "She got really depressed.  I hated to see her like that, Hutch.  I tried to reassure her, told her we'd still get married, we'd have more kids.  I tried to cheer her up, bring her flowers and stuff, but she just kept crying..." 

He stood up and began pacing.  "One night I come home and she's smiling.  It was a couple weeks later.  She tells me she wants to go back home.  Move to Milwaukee.  Be with her family.  She needed her family, Hutch.  Needed her mom.  She gives me this big sales pitch on how great it is there, how happy we'd be there, how easy it'd be to find a job there.  She'd arranged for us to stay with her folks until we got jobs and an apartment.  After all she'd been through, I didn't have the heart to say no.  I loved her, Hutch."

"I know you did, pal," Hutch soothed.  "She knew too."

Starsky stopped pacing and faced him.  "Almost as much as I loved you.  I always loved you, Hutch.  Never loved anyone like you."

Hutch gave him a weak smile. 

Starsky walked to the patio door and looked out with his hands on the glass.  He pressed his forehead to the window.  "After Gunther, I thought a lot about what I wanted in my life, what was important to me.  I knew I wanted a wife, kids, house...  I had a chance at that with Sandy.  I didn't really understand what I felt for you, Hutch.  I only knew I loved you."

"She could give you your dream," Hutch said with understanding.  "I couldn't give you what she could."

Starsky turned around and sagged back against the cool glass.  "Maybe you coulda given me more."

Hutch was speechless. 

"I was a coward, Hutch.  I had love and I walked away from it because it was easier to go the safe route."

Hutch thought for a moment before responding, his voice hoarse.  "You've never been a coward, Starsky," he insisted.  "You did what you thought was right.  You kept your commitment.  You stuck by the choices you made.  You were never a coward."

"I was afraid if I stayed here and kept being your partner, I would never have given my wife and family a hundred percent.  You'd always come first with me; I'm not sure I could've ever put anyone ahead of you.  If I'd stayed, it wouldn't have been fair to Sandy, or to any kids we had.  I let her talk me into leaving."

"You were honest.  You were a devoted husband, and father."

"I was afraid if I came back here, I wouldn't be able to leave."

"Starsky, please..." Hutch pleaded.  He dragged a hand roughly over his face.  "You're tearing me apart here!  Don't say any more.  I believe you.  I know now you weren't repulsed by my suggestion.  I know you loved me.  But don't keep talking like this.  I never stopped loving you.  I never stopped wanting you.  I want to be your friend, but you're making it hurt like hell!"

Starsky pushed himself away from the glass, rushing to kneel at Hutch's feet.  "I want to be your friend, Hutch...and more.  I've never stopped loving you."

"What are you saying?" 

Starsky gently touched Hutch's face in a tender caress, gliding his hand into his hair.  "Be my friend... and my love."

The touch and words of his friend wrapped around his heart and anchored there.  Hutch's pain melted, replaced with the warmth and passion that he had always known for this man.  "I love you," he whispered.  The words were unneeded, for the love shone in his eyes and gentled his movements, his entire being glowing with the tender devotion he offered.

Starsky watched the change come over Hutch as he let go of the hurt and allowed himself to love.  He broke out in an enormous and mischievous smile.  "Let's get physical, Hutchinson."

Hutch laughed.  "How romantic, Starsk.  You sound like an Olivia Newton John song."  He rolled his eyes.

"Sure, I finally give you what you want and you're full of criticism.  Shut up and kiss me, Hutch."

Hutch sat back against the couch, shaking his head.  "Unh uh.  You kiss me."

Disappointed that he was no longer able to reach Hutch's face, Starsky dropped his empty hand.  "No way.  I drove halfway across this country just to woo you, the least you can do is kiss me first."

Hutch shook his head again.  "Nope.  I suggested this twenty years ago and you made me wait all this time.  I deserve to be kissed first."

Starsky smiled.  "You have a point."  He very slowly climbed up Hutch's body until their faces were inches apart.  "I'm not afraid to love you, Hutch."

Hutch had never felt Starsky's ardor before, and was completely submerged.  Their bodies were barely touching, Starsky hovering over him with an unabashed sexuality.  He watched Starsky breathe in deeply, inhaling his scent like a predator.  Hutch had to remind himself to breathe.  Starsky nosed a lock of hair near Hutch's ear, so lightly it sent shivers down his skin.  His lips pressed against his ear softly in a kiss.  "Are you sure you want this Hutch?" his hot breath whispered.

"Always," Hutch answered.

Starsky trailed his kisses along Hutch's jawbone, and under his chin, as the man closed his eyes in pleasure.  Hutch tilted his head back, relishing the sensations.  Then the kisses stopped, and Hutch opened his eyes to see Starsky watching him, a pleased grin on his face, the back of his finger gently stroking under Hutch's chin.  They watched each other for a moment, then Starsky lowered his face and placed a light kiss on Hutch's lips. 

Both men felt the surge of passion rush through them, as the kiss slowly and determinedly deepened.  Hutch instinctively thrust his hips forward, finally connecting their bodies.  Starsky gave up hovering and let his body melt into Hutch's as Hutch tightly wrapped his arms around him.

The kiss was long, and intense.  When finally their lips parted, Hutch did not open his eyes.  He spoke his love's name in a whispering sigh, "David." 

Moved by the tranquil and loving way his name was spoken, Starsky kissed him again, this time with delicate care, each touch of his lips and hands adoring the man beneath him.

Starsky had his left hand cupping Hutch's face.  He felt Hutch's hand cover his and press down.  He reluctantly broke away from kissing, and blissfully looked to Hutch.  "I could kiss you like that all night," he murmured.

"Starsk, did you say you drove halfway across the country just to woo me?"

Starsky proceeded to kiss and nuzzle Hutch's neck.  "Uh huh."  He pulled back and looked down at him grinning.  "I'm pretty good at it, huh?"

Hutch laughed.  "Yeah, you are.  And you're a fantastic kisser.  But what did you mean you came here to woo me?  You planned this?"

He was grinning from ear to ear.  "I am, huh?  Good to hear.  Sure I planned this!  Didn't intend to take no for an answer."

Hutch smiled at him lovingly.  "You planning on a long distance romance, buddy?"  He didn't bother to disguise the hope in his voice.  "Or are you gonna stay?"

Starsky shook his head.  "Nope.  I quit my job.  Took an early retirement.  I'm here for good.  Well, almost here for good.  I still have to go back for my little girl, and move my stuff...  I wanted to get her signed up for school while I'm here and see about finding us all a house."

He looked to Starsky and marveled, "You've got this all figured out, huh?  Pretty sure of yourself."

"You hate it when I take charge, don't you," Starsky teased.

"I'm not arguing, pal.  Not this time."

"Think you can handle having the pitter patter of a little six-year-old running around your home?  You gonna help me raise my girl?"

"Aw Starsky, you know I love kids," he smiled.  "Not used to people wanting me to raise their kids.  I'm more used to custody battles after my last two divorces."

"We'll have to figure out what she's gonna call you," he mused.  "'Dad' is taken."

"What about your son?"

"I dropped Kenny off at freshman orientation before coming here.  He's a college man now."  His pride was obvious.

"Starsky, aren't you worried at all about how this will affect them?"

Starsky smiled.  "What's to worry about?  So my daughter knows her dad's involved in a relationship with another man.  She'll grow up in a happy home where love is more important than anythin' else.  Scootch will have two parents who love her.  I mean, if you wanna make an honest man outta me and marry me, and adopt my little girl, we can do that.  It'd probably be a good idea - give you legal rights where she's concerned.  I'm not sure what the laws are here.  I'll have to talk to a lawyer while I'm in town."

Amazed, Hutch repeated, "You want me to adopt your daughter?  Jesus, Starsky."  Then he added, "And I'm not calling her Scootch.  I love the name Rachel."  Wondering, he asked, "What about Kenny?"

Kenny already knows why I'm here, Hutch.  He's really supportive.  He was hoping we could work this out."

"Your son knows?" Hutch exclaimed.  "Wow.  Pretty accepting kid." 

"Yeah," Starsky beamed.  "Takes after his namesake."  He added, "He has a best friend who is bisexual.  That had a lot to do with how well he took it."

"I can't believe you.  You're talking marriage and adoption, and you've never even slept with me."  He cocked an eyebrow at his friend.

Starsky shook his head.  "I've loved you for more than half my life.  I don't want anybody else.  This is it, Hutch. I don't care about the sex – we can figure that out as we go along.  I have to have you."

"You've got me, partner.  Kiss me again, Starsky."

Starsky kissed him, then pulled back slightly, grinning.  "You know, if we had done this years ago, those boring stakeouts coulda been a lot more interesting..."

The End