CHAPTER 1

It was Monday morning and Starsky had just gotten out of the shower…..trying to hurry up and get dressed so he wouldn’t make Cassie late for school.  He was putting on his shirt when he thought maybe he would call Hutch to see if he would pick him up some donuts or maybe a cinnamon roll from the little shop across the street from the station…then maybe he wouldn’t be too late himself…

As he picked up the receiver of the phone in his room and reached to dial the number…he was stopped by the sound of voices on the other extension…”I thought he said his name was Mark?” came a voice on the line…not Cassie….

”No…it’s Mike…he goes to our school…we’ve been goin’ out now for almost a month….Hey …are you still grounded?” Cassie’s voice came back….

“Yeah….until this weekend…..and even then I can’t use the car.” Stacey told her…”Mom was pretty mad at me for letting him take you home…. if she knew we just met him that night …I’d probably never see the light of day.”

“He’s cute don’t ya think.” Cassie said..”The only problem is ..I’ve got to keep prying his hands offa’ me…….” It was there that Starsky had heard enough…he put the receiver down gently and yelled in the direction of the living room….

“Cassie…hang up the phone will ya …I gotta call Hutch.”

“Gotta go…see ya at school.” Cassie said in a hurry….she hung up the phone and yelled back towards the bedroom…..”It’s all yours.”

Starsky grabbed the phone once again and dialed Hutch…but got no answer…struggling with the thought of facing the day without his usual breakfast and dealing with the phone conversation he had accidentally overheard…..his morning was already starting out bad.  He walked into the living room and picked up his holster from it’s usual resting place…and slid it over his shoulders….then he grabbed his jacket from behind the door and called to Cassie…”Let’s go.”

Cassie  walked out of her bedroom wearing a short skirt and a low cut light pink button up shirt…..long tan legs and flowing blonde hair that bounced as she strolled up to him….”I’m ready.” She told him.

“No you’re not….. not like that….” He protested….”You got two minutes….”
To show me a little less skin young lady……MOVE!”

“Alright…alright…..I’m going..” She said as she turned around…..”Gee maybe I should throw away all these clothes…you won’t let me wear any of them to school.”

“From now on….I wanna see what you buy before the price tag comes off.”

He paced the floor as he waited for her…looking at his watch and getting anxious….”Come on already..”

“Satisfied..” Cassie said smugly as she came back out wearing jeans and a round necked T-shirt….”I’d cover my face too…but ski masks are out of season.”

“Very funny….get in the car.” He told her as he waited to lock the door behind her….”I’m already late.”

When Starsky finally arrived at work….Hutch was already on his second cup of coffee and had given up on looking at his watch….”I don’t wanna hear it….so don’t even start.” He huffed as Starsky walked through the door.

“Sorry Hutch…..You wouldn’t believe it anyway.” He told him….”You ready.”

“Since eight thirty…ya know just once I’d like to see you get to work on time.” Hutch said as he got up and threw his jacket over his shoulder….scolding his partner as he walked out the door…

“I said I was sorry…”

During their morning routine equipment check and the quick stop by the local convenience store before hitting the street…thoughts of Cassie and the phone conversation he had overheard earlier that morning ..were playing with his mind….. What did this guy see in Cassie…Starsky could only think of one thing…she was too blind to see it and if he brought it up she’d just brush him off.

“Hey Hutch…….what do ya think I should do about Cassie….I mean her datin’ this Mike kid ……football jock…..All American…red blooded….I’m worried about her…I mean what happens when he stops playing around with her and decides he’s not gonna let her tell him no.”

“Sounds familiar….” Hutch joked with him….”Don’t tell me that you never dated a cute girl like Cassie at his age without thinking the same way……ya know what your problem is Starsk…….You don’t like him because he reminds you too much of yourself…..But I gotta tell ya…that’s probably the same reason why Cassie likes him.”

“No Way ……” Starsky thought about it for a minute…he was allot like him at that age…and he probably would have liked a girl like Cassie…..He knew he would…he couldn’t really blame the guy….”OK….maybe he is a little bit like I used to be.”

“Try exactly….right down to the flashy car and bad boy reputation.” Hutch added….”Or so you told me a few years back….unless all those stories were just stories.”

“Your allot of help you know that…I feel much better now.” Starsky said with a hint of sarcasm

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NEAR DEATHS DOOR

BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 2


(Monday night…early Tuesday morning.)
He was standing in a dimly lit room full of strangers...soft music playing and the sound of so many voices speaking all at once that it was hard to make out what was being said.  Elaborate furnishings and tables with candles and flowers…a party of some sort.  He glanced around the room ... to see if he could recognize anyone…a familiar face.  That’s when he saw her…a vision of sheer beauty…in a lily white dress…her hair shimmering under the glow of candlelight.  He approached her slowly and the crowd seemed to disappear…the voices began to fade in the distance. He took her by the hand and they began to dance…alone now…their bodies moved as one as he held her closer…her blonde hair soft and fragrant…her deep brown eyes staring into his. He felt as if she could see into the depths of his very Soul.  The music was louder now but still slow and melodic…The scent of her perfume all too familiar…The warmth of her body and the way his arms felt around her…something about it …something he recognized.  He slowly leaned toward her …to taste her tender lips…


He was awakened suddenly by disturbing sounds coming from behind his bedroom wall…he remained in bed only long enough to clear the cloud of a dream that had been interrupted by the disturbance. Wearing only a pair of pajama bottoms, he rose to his feet and made his way to the door slowly…opened it and followed what he now recognized as distinct moans…uncontrollable retching…and then the moaning again. 

“Cassie?” He called out from behind the bathroom door…”You alright?”

“No…” she called back in a very weak voice.

He was rubbing his eyes with one hand and leaning against the wall with the other…thinking of going through the door…locked or not….“You need some help?” He asked her.

“I’ll be out in a second.” She assured him.
The door opened slowly and a very pale Cassie emerged …holding her arm around her stomach and leaning against the doorframe…”I don’t know what’s wrong with me …my belly hurts…and I feel dizzy.” She told him.

Starsky put his hand on her forehead…”You’re a little warm…let’s take your temperature.” He said as he went into the bathroom and took the thermometer out of the medicine cabinet and shook it with his left hand…”How long have you felt like this.”

“Since late yesterday afternoon…only it wasn’t as bad as it is now.” She added.

He gently placed the thermometer under her tongue and escorted her over to sit on the edge of her bed…He noted the time on her bedside clock radio…figuring he would leave the thermometer in her mouth for at least two minutes…it was 4:15AM.  


He waited for two and a half minutes and slowly pulled the thermometer from her mouth…from what he could tell it read almost 100 degrees.  Cassie laid back down on her bed…pulling her knee length nightgown down as she slid back under her covers…one arm still clutching her stomach.

He left her for a moment and came back with a glass of water and two tylenol to bring down her slightly elevated temperature.  She sat up long enough to swallow the pills with two gulps of water and handed the glass back to him…then she rolled herself up in a ball and released a small moan as she tried to position herself comfortably in bed.  He decided to stay with her for awhile…till the tylenol had time to take affect…leaving only long enough to grab a washcloth from the bathroom and run the cold water over it so he could wipe her face and forehead.  She tossed and turned for about a half an hour…then finally drifted off to sleep again.  Starsky felt her head again and after deciding the fever had lessened…he went back to his room…leaving the door to her room open slightly.


It seemed as if he had just laid his head back down when the bedside alarm informed him that it was 7:00AM and time for him to get up for work.  He walked out of his bedroom yawning and stretching to peek into Cassie’s
room and see if she was alright…her alarm had went off at 6:30 and she had been lying awake in her bed…waiting for him to get up.  Still in pain and feeling sick to her stomach she called to him as he looked in…”Dave…do you think I can stay home…I don’t think I can make it through the day at school.” She told him.

“Alright Cassie…” He agreed “I’ll be back at lunch to check on you…sure you’ll be alright here by yourself?”

“Yeah…I’ll just stay in bed…if I feel hot...I’ll take my own temperature.” She told him….”It’s just the pain in my belly…when I lay down its not as bad.”

He walked over to her and felt her head…she was warm but the tylenol was still in her system…”Try and get some rest…I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
He said as he put his hand gently on her face and kissed her on the cheek.

He went through his normal routine before heading out the door for work…then took one last look in her room. She was asleep.


He parked in his usual spot inside the garage and hurried in to meet Hutch…a bag of donuts in one hand and a hot cup of coffee in the other.

Hutch was rifling through some files that he had pulled to research a case that they were about to have to testify in within the next two weeks…He looked up from them only to flash a momentary half smile at his partner.
“Morning Blondie…8:30 right on the nose” Starky grinned at him.

“I’m impressed” Hutch answered…not bothering to take his eyes off the files.


“Come on…you can go through those later…the trial isn’t for another two weeks…let’s go.” Starsky urged him…”Gotta’ serve and protect…ya know…hit the streets…keep the peace and all that jazz…”

“Alright…alright…I’m coming..” Hutch mumbled…he read for just a moment longer and then stuffed the papers nice and neatly back into their folders.
”You really need to take these home with you and go over them sometime before the trial…Simons is representing the piece of scum and you don’t want him to be able to trip you up on the stand.” Hutch told him.

“I can hold my own…He’s guilty and that’s all there is to it…I’m gonna enjoy watching him take the fall.” Starsky said…”You know what your problem is Hutch…you worry too much.”

“Somebody has to.” He added as he grabbed his jacket and held the door open…”After you.”

Once in the car…Starsky told Hutch about Cassie throwing up last night and her fever…

“I don’t know what could be wrong with her…what could make her sick like that all of a sudden?” Starsky asked.

“Could be allot of things…has she been nervous lately…big test coming up at school…maybe boyfriend problems.” Hutch was trying to be helpful.

“HEY…” Starsky had a revelation …”You don’t think she could be…..Pregnant do ya.”

“Don’t look at me buddy…how the hell would I know…I thought she was still a virgin.” Hutch said.

“So did I …but it would explain allot…I mean don’t women get sick in the morning when they’re expecting?” He asked.

“I don’t know Starsky…I guess…I don’t have any kids …so what if she is…what’re you gonna do?” Hutch was curious.

“I’ll introduce a certain dark haired little punk to the pavement..” He said…”After that…I don’t know what I would do.” He sighed.

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 NEAR DEATHS DOOR

BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 3

It was 12:15 in the afternoon when Starsky walked in the door…carrying a brown paper bag.  He yelled in the direction of her bedroom as he put the bag down for a moment to remove his heavy jacket…”Cass…I’m here…you awake?”

Cassie called to him in a weak voice “Dave…Come here…I can’t get up.”

It was more they way she spoke than the words that made him rush to her side…a sense of panic swept through him.

“Hey…” he said softly as he knelt beside her “I’m here…” Starsky put his hand around her back and lifted her halfway up so he could hold her in his arms. She held onto him for a minute…then she looked at him and said…”Can you help me to the bathroom?”

“C’mon..” He said as he lifted her to her feet…”Do you think you can walk?”

“AAAAAA….” Cassie cried out as he stood her up…she grabbed her side and bent over for a second…then as she got used to standing “Yeah…just let me hold onto you.”

 They walked slowly together all the way and he let her go in alone…closing the door behind her.  After he was fairly sure she would be alright for a minute he went back into the living room and picked up the paper bag…then into the kitchen to get a spoon. 

After about five minutes…Cassie came out of the bathroom and began to make her way slowly back to bed…holding onto her belly and taking small steps…he walked towards her and grabbed hold of her arm to steady her.  Then he sat her down in her bed and pulled the blanket up over her legs.

“Let me feel your head.” He said as he lifted his hand…”You’re pretty hot...have you taken any more medicine?”

“No…I’ve just been resting…I haven’t even noticed if I had a fever.” She answered him.

He picked up the thermometer and shook it before putting it into her mouth…”Hold still for a minute.”

After waiting for about three minutes he removed it…”You need some more Tylenol…hold on.” He said as he got up and left the room…back in a moment with a glass of water…he put two more pills in her hand and gave her the glass.

Cassie took them and put the glass on her nightstand…then she asked curiously “What’s that?”
Starsky pulled a plastic cup out of the paper bag and opened the lid. “Eat this...” He said as he held out a spoonful of chicken soup…”It’ll make you feel better.”

“I don’t want anything…I don’t think I could keep it down.” She told him.

“Try anyway…my grandmother swore by this stuff.” He said…”and Moma Geanellie’s is the best in town…”

“Alright…I’ll try it …but ya don’t have to feed it to me…I think I can manage on my own.” She said as she smiled at him.

“I’ll be right back…just stay there and eat your soup…” He said as he leaned forward and kissed her on her head.

Starsky’s landlady, Mrs. Mari Cotton, lived in the house next door and he knew that she would be home…she liked Cassie and he hoped she wouldn’t mind looking in on her while he went back to work.  After a short conversation with her he was assured that she would be happy to do him this small favor. 


He came back into the room to find Cassie had only eaten about half the soup and was lying back down with her eyes closed…he walked over and pulled the blanket over her…then starred at her for a minute before turning around to head back to work.

Hutch had been waiting for him at Huggy’s…Starsky had dropped him off there while he went home to check on Cassie.  As he walked into Huggy’s Hutch slid off the barstool to greet him.

“How is she?” Hutch asked.

“She’s still sick…I don’t think she’s pregnant Hutch…I think she’s just got the flu or something.” He told him.

“Just keep fluids in her and keep her fever down…’bout all you can do for the flu.”

“Mrs. Cotton said she’d check on her while I was gone…Maybe she’ll feel a little better by tonight.” Starsky said as he held the door for Hutch and they walked out to the curb to get into the car.

Another five hours passed quickly and their shift ended…Starsky dropped Hutch off at the station and hurried home to Cassie…stopping only to pick up some more chicken soup.  His grandmother used to make him eat it even if he threw it up a couple of times until he felt better…it was a tradition.

As he walked through the door of his apartment he took off his jacket and holster and put them both away.  Cassie must have heard him come in because she immediately asked him…”Dave…can you bring me something to drink?”

“Sure...what do you want?”

“Just some water…” she said…”I’m thirsty.”

“Be right there.” He answered her as he took down a glass from the cabinet and filled it with tap water…then reached into the fridge for a couple of ice cubes.

As he stepped into her room he noticed right away that she looked worse than she did earlier that day…her face was pale and she was shivering.

“Hey…” He said, his voice calm and tender…”Feel like another round of soup?”
“No….” she said through her shivering teeth…I’m just so cold…besides the last time it didn’t stay down long…I don’t want to go through that again.”

Starsky walked over and felt her head…he didn’t need a thermometer to tell him that she had a high fever.  “You’re cold because your temperature is so high…we have to get it down…stay there and I’ll run a bath…then you can take some more medicine.” He told her.

“I’m not gonna let you put me in the bathtub!” she said as loudly as her weakened state would allow.

“Cassie you have to cool down…it’s the only way…you can keep your nightgown on.” He said firmly…”I’m sure you have another one to wear.”

Cassie didn’t have a choice but to agree with him…although she had her doubts as to if he really knew what he was doing…she was too weak to argue.

After he ran the water he went back to her room and picked her up in his arms…”It’s gonna be cold…just hang in there…you’ll feel better in a little while.” He said calmly.

As he lowered her into the cold bath water she clung to him and screamed…then she shivered uncontrollably as he poured the water over her head and shoulders again and again using a large plastic bowl…wetting her entire body down and most of his too.

Cassie began to clutch her belly harder and was feeling sick to her stomach again…she shoved him aside and came out of the tub and over to the toilet to throw up again…Starsky could only grab her around the waist from behind and hold her hair back. He dropped his head down and rested his chin on her shoulder…he was running out of ideas.

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NEAR DEATHS DOOR

BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 4

Starsky waited for her to finish and carefully picked up her up in his arms to put her back in the tub.

“No…not the water again…” Cassie pleaded with him…”Please.”

“Alright…lets take your temperature then.” He said as he turned around and walked back to her bedroom and sat her down on her bed…then he plundered through her dresser drawers and came up with another nightgown and a pair of her panties…”Here…put these on and I’ll be right back.”

“Cassie was shaking from the cold water bath he had just given her and in her weakened state she barley found the energy to get her wet clothes off and put on the ones he had laid on her bed. She did however notice a distinct drop in her temperature, or so it seemed.

After a few minutes, he knocked on her door…”You descent?” he called to her. 

“Come in…” She answered him ”I think it worked…I feel a little better.”

He walked closer to her holding a tray with more soup and a glass of water and sat it down in front of her. “Eat some more soup…you have to try to keep your strength up.” He told her…”But first…let me take your temperature again.”

Cassie opened her mouth and he put the thermometer in and looked down at his watch…waited for three minutes and removed it. “Well…it’s at 101
Degrees…but a little more medicine will take care of that…if you can keep it down…here take these.” He said as he handed her two more pills. “Then you can eat your soup.”

She did as she was told and tried to force her self to eat as much as she could the pain in her belly had become more and more distinct and was causing her allot of discomfort.  Starsky sat with her for most of the rest of the night, helping her to the bathroom to throw up the soup that refused to stay in her stomach and brush her teeth before heading her back to bed. Her fever seemed to be a bit better but still higher than he would like.  He wiped her face neck and forehead with a cold washcloth for awhile until she finally was able to drift back to sleep.

He walked into the kitchen and made himself a sandwich, poured him self something to drink and reached for the phone to call Hutch.  After three rings he came on the line.

“Yeah.” Hutch’s soft voice answered.

“Hey …watch ya doing?” He asked.

“Well I was asleep…how’s Cas?” He said as he sat up in bed and reached for the small alarm clock beside his bed to check the time.

“I just got her to sleep…she’s still not any better…we’ve been fighting her fever for the past few hours…Hutch I don’t know what else to do…I had to put her in the tub just to get it down.” Starsky didn’t have anyone else to turn to and he knew that Hutch had had some medical training before joining the force.

“She can’t keep the pills down huh…well if you got it to break then you did alright. Maybe you should take her to a doctor in the morning…they have prescriptions they can give her to take care of the nausea and once you can get her over that…she should be alright.” He told him.

“Yeah…I’ll take her in the morning…hey tell Dobey for me will ya.” He added. “I may not be in at all.”

“Sure…kiss Cassie for me…call if you need me.” Hutch offered. “Goodnight partner.”

“Yeah thanks Hutch…goodnight.”

Starsky finished his sandwich and cleaned up the kitchen a little before turning in…It was around 11:30 when he turned out the lights.
Tossing and turning he found it hard to rest…but finally sleep came and he let himself fall deeply into it

Another Dream, the same vision as the night before…she came to him…held him close and kissed him.  He was so drawn to her…like nothing he had ever experienced before…but he still didn’t know who she was.  Clouds of pale blue…the scent of her perfume…same as before.

POUND…..Pound….Pound…steady but getting weaker…the noise woke him and the fuzziness over came him as he opened his eyes and tried to focus in the dark..  Struggling to get to his feet and open the door as he had just come to realize that it could be Cassie on the other side.

“Cas…” He said as he opened the door and found her kneeling on the floor with tears rolling down her face. “Oh…God.”

She was dellerious with pain and crying uncontrollably…”Dave…Uhhh.”
She cried and tightened her grip around her belly. “It hurts.”

He went to his knees and grabbed her in his arms…holding her tightly as she cried. She buried her face in his neck and he could feel the warmth of her breath and the wetness of the tears on her face…then she opened her mouth and began to kiss him on the neck. He took it as a sign that she was completely out of her head and so… he allowed it. She needed to be comforted and he wasn’t about to push her away…and…he really didn’t mind it…he knew he should, but he didn’t.

As she kissed him…crying and breathing irregularly she began to move up his neck to his face…to his check and then…to his lips.  He was taken by the moment, it wasn’t passion, but desperation that led her to do this…and somehow …he understood it.  He was at a complete loss…should he push her away…he couldn’t… it was what she needed right now and he loved her …but, how did he love her?  Not like this…this was wrong.
  It wasn’t by decision but by lack of it that he allowed her to continue.  
Without realizing it was happening…he found himself moving his lips on hers…it was sweet …full of love and pain…he could taste the salt of her tears as they rolled down her face…the most emotional experience of his life.

She released her lips from his and held him tightly crying out in pain and moaning.  He lifted her up in his arms and carried her to her bed…still reeling from the realization of what had just happened to him.  His mind was cloudy and his thoughts were so jumbled that he couldn’t think at all.  He just held her for a few moments longer.  Then he reached for her bedside phone to call Hutch…he needed him…to help him with her…this was more than just the flu…that much he was sure of.

He dialed the number and let it ring…four times before he answered.

“This better be good…” Hutch’s voice came finally.

“Hey Hutch it’s Starsk…I need your help partner…Can you come over?” He asked him.

“It’s three in the morning…Alright…I’m on my way.” He knew that Starsky wouldn’t ask unless it was serious.

Cassie was still clinging to him and crying out…”It hurts…Oh God it hurts…Dave…help me.”

“I’m here…Cas…I won’t leave you …I promise.” He told her as he rocked her back and forth and prayed for Hutch to hurry.


NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 5




As Starsky was rocking her gently...he felt her body start to spasm, and knew she was about to throw up again.  He reached over and grabbed the bedside garbage can, and held her over it when she began to vomit.
As he watched in horror…Cassie began to throw up blood.

Cassie and Starsky both realized it at the same time…"Help me Dave", Cassie said in a scared voice. 

Starsky could see how weak she was, and that she was burning up.  While holding up her limp body, Starsky reached for the thermometer…after another three minutes he realized that her temperature had reached 104…He was scared to death…he knew that she was too weak to stand another trip to the tub. There was nothing he could do but hold her tighter to him, and pray that Hutch will get there soon.

When Hutch arrived at Starsky’s place he let himself in with his own key. 
Starsky heard Hutch come in and yelled out “We’re in Cassie’s room.  Hurry Hutch!”

Hutch quickly walked into Cassie’s room…and the first thing he saw was a very panicked and frightened Starsky, and a very very limp and pale
Cassie.  Then Starsky looked up at Hutch…he could see the fear in his eyes.

“What’s going on?” Hutch asked, “How long has she been this way.”

“Her fever is 104 Hutch…I can’t put her back in the tub…she’s too weak.”
Starsky said in a trembling voice. “She just threw up some blood…I don’t know what to do…Hutch…I need help.”

Hutch quickly walked over to her and grabbed hold of her hand…”Cassie can you hear me?” he said in a soft voice…”I’m just gonna take your pulse and check you out…ok?”

Cassie was crying and clutching her belly…streams of pain and panic running through her body…but the soothing sound of Hutch’s voice allowed her attention to rest on his face. “Oh Hutch…it hurts so bad…”

“I know…take it easy…I’m not gonna let anything happen to you…but I have to touch you…to see what’s the matter…Ok?” he stroked her hair as he spoke to her…”Trust me.”

“Alright.” She said through her tears.

Hutch put his hand on her chest…to feel her heart and respiration…her breathing was fast and shallow…her heart was beating wildly.  Then he felt her arms and grabbed her wrist to take her pulse…her entire body was hot…and her pulse was as he expected…very rapid.  “I’m gonna to touch your stomach…let me know where it hurts …Ok.” He told her.

“Ok…Uuhhh…” she moaned as the pain shot through her body.

“Move your arm Cassie…it’s alright” he gently lifted her arm off her belly and put his hand under her nightgown to touch her stomach.”Does it hurt here?” he asked as he palpatated around the area of her stomach…under her ribs on the left.

“No..lower..” she told him.

Starsky watched as Hutch touched her. He looked like he knew what he was doing and it gave him a sense of relief…

“How about here…” he asked as he moved his hand lower on the left.

“No…over.” She said as she squirmed a little…she knew he was trying to help but the pain was causing her so much uncomfort that his touch was not a welcome feeling.

He moved his hand over on her belly…to the right side…he was getting a bad feeling. He knew what organs he was near and if it was what he now suspected…she was in big trouble. “Here” he asked her.

“Lower” she said and as his probing hand went down a little more she screamed in pain…”AAAAAAAAHhhhhhhhhhhhh.”
Cassie doubled over and grabbed her stomach again…moaning in agony at his touch.

Hutch had felt a lump in the area…where there shouldn’t be one…he stood up…grabbed the bedside phone and dialed.  “I’m sorry I hurt you Cassie”
he told her…then turned his attention to the phone. “This is Detective Hutchinson…we’re in route to the hospital…inform them to have a team standing by…we’re bringing in a patient.” He said quickly and then hung up the phone.

Starsky stared at him like a little boy...helpless and waited for Hutch to tell him something.  “What’s the matter with her?” he asked him.

“We have to get her to the Hospital NOW” He said as he lifted her up in his arms…”Start the car.” Hutch told him.

Starsky just stood there with a scared look in his eyes as Hutch adjusted her weight in his arms…then Hutch looked over at him and saw his partner…for the first time…frozen in place like a statue.  “MOVE!!” he yelled at him.


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NEAR DEATHS DOOR

BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 6

Starsky ran to throw on his jeans and a shirt…his hands trembling and his mind racing.  He grabbed his jacket and pulled his keys out of the pocket…slipped on his shoes without socks and ran outside to the car.  Hutch held Cassie in his arms as she cried…yelling at his partner to hurry the whole time.  As Starsky ran outside Hutch followed, he shut the front door with his foot and jumped into the passenger side of the Torino.  Starsky had opened the door for him so all he had to do was sit down with her on his lap.  The Torino sped off as Hutch shut the door…leaving a trail of smoke as he gunned the engine… once he had cleared the driveway.

Starsky flipped on the siren and Hutch placed the light on top of the car…flying through the traffic lights as if he were chasing a criminal.
Starsky hoped there wouldn’t be too much traffic that late at night and anyone who may be in his path better have the good sense to get the hell out of his way.


Cassie was crying out in pain and hung onto Hutch as tight as she could.  Her mind was so filled with anguish that she wasn’t real aware of what was happening anymore.  “You’re gonna be alright Cassie…” Hutch said softly to her…”Almost there.”

“It Hurts Hutch….AAAhhhhh…God it hurts so much.” She said and then he noticed her eyes…rolling back and her eyelids closing.  She dropped weightless in his arms.

“SHE’S OUT” Hutch yelled to Starsky…who had the gas pedal almost to the floor and tears streaming down his face.  He wiped his cheek and looked over at Cassie who was limp and lifeless.  Hutch slapped her lightly on the face to try and wake her but got no response.

“What’s wrong with her Hutch?” Starsky asked. “You know something your not telling me…what did you feel when you touched her?”

“I think her appendix may be ruptured or on the verge of it.” He told him…”It’s not your fault Starsk…you couldn’t have known.”

"Oh God…Hutch…she could die from that couldn't she?" He asked as he rounded a corner, ran through a red light, swerved to avoid hitting a car that was just crossing, and scared the hell out of Hutch in the process.

 “Watch what you’re doing will ya…we want to get there in one piece ok.” Hutch preached to him. “People have died from it but the doctors know how to treat her…she’ll be alright.” Hutch was trying to calm him a little…he could hear the panic in his voice.

Hutch put his attention back on Cassie…he was worried that the worst had already happened but couldn’t tell Starsky.  Every minute that she was unconscious made him more tense…He knew that time at this point was not on their side.

The Torino squealed to a stop in front of the emergency room doors and Starsky jumped out turning the engine off quickly…he opened the passenger door and took Cassie from Hutch.  Holdong her seemingly lifeless body in his arms he ran inside yelling for attention.  A gurney was wheeled over to him and the doctor came running to meet him.

 “Lay her down so I can look her over…” Doctor Sonja Van Schalm was on call and had received word that they were in route. “Detective Hutchinson I presume.” She said as she gave Cassie the once over…checking her eye response…feeling her midsection…taking her pulse and noted her high temperature.

“I’m Starsky…He’s Hutch…I mean Hutchinson…” He had pointed over to Hutch who was standing on the other side of the gurney watching as the doctor examined her.

“How long has she been complaining of pain?” She asked them.

“Since Monday night.” Starsky spoke up.

“How long has she had this fever?”

“It didn’t get this high untill around five or six o’clock last night.” He answered again.

“Why in Gods name didn’t you bring her in sooner…Take her up to surgery and prep her…I’ll perform the operation myself…” She called over her shoulder and the orderly quickly wheeled the gurney away. “Her appendix has ruptured gentlemen…you just may have waited too long.” She told them and turned around to follow the gurney through the doorway.


Starsky watched as the doctor vanished…then he walked slowly towards the nearby bathroom with his head down without saying a word to Hutch..
He looked around for a moment and went over to the sink…sure of the fact that he was alone…he ran the water over his hands and splashed some on his face…then he began to cry.  

Hutch walked into the bathroom after a minute to find him…leaning over the sink sobbing as quietly as he could. He hadn’t noticed Hutch until he looked into the mirror.  Hutch just walked quietly up to him and touched him on the shoulder. He turned to face his partner and broke down…”It’s my fault Hutch…It’s all my fault.”

_____________________________________________________________

  NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 7

Hutch put his arms around him and held him for a few moments…until he pulled himself away and wiped the tears from his face.  He walked with his partner back out into the emergency room waiting area and sat him down in a chair…near the lobby phone. “I have to call Dobey and let him know what’s going on.” Hutch told him. “Want some coffee?”

“No…” Starsky said as he put his hands over his face and sat there…thoughts of the last time he spent the night in that room…the night that Jim was shot…ran through his mind.  He had prayed at the time that he wouldn’t have to take care of Cassie…that Jim would pull through.  Now all he wanted was to take her home with him…although he had only had her in his life for less than a year…he didn’t want to imagine life without her.

Hutch picked up the phone and called Captain Dobey at home…Mrs. Dobey answered the phone and took a second to wake up her husband.  She was used to the late night phone calls after being married to a cop for so many years.  In just a moment…Dobey’s voice came on the line.
 “Dobey here…”
He answered expecting to hear the dispatcher’s voice and not Hutch’s.

“Capn’ it’s Hutch…We had to rush Cassie to the hospital and she’s in surgery…Starsky and I are waiting for some news.” Hutch told him.

“What happened to her?” Dobey asked as he stood up and looked over at his wife…who was waiting to find out what was going on.

“It’s her appendix” Hutch told him. “They suspect that it’s ruptured and they’re removing it now.”

“Poor kid…keep me informed…tell Starsky our prayer’s are with him…I’m giving you both the day off tomorrow, I mean today…but I want you in my office
tomorrow.” Dobey said to Hutch. “I can’t afford to be without the both of you right now.”

Hutch hung up the phone after saying goodbye to Dobey and went over to the vending machine…returning after a couple minutes with two small cups of coffee. “Drink this.” He said to Starsky. “It’s gonna be a long night.”

“I said I didn’t want any..” Starsky spoke harshly to him...then he stood up and began to pace the floor, rubbing his left hand on the back of his neck.
Hutch had seen him do this before…when he was worried or upset.

“Starsk…you can’t beat yourself up over this…It wasn’t your fault!” Hutch told him.

“Oh yeah…well than who’s fault was it Hutch…Huh…who’s?” Starsky turned to face him.
“Anybody else would have seen it…maybe got her here in time…I was putting her in a tub of cold water for Gods Sake...I could of killed her…maybe I already have!” He blurted out…as if he were talking out loud to himself and not Hutch.

“You did what you thought was right…You think other people with kids have all the answers?”

“I’m all she’s got Hutch…I’m responsible and no one else…I don’t know…maybe she’d be better off…..” He left the sentence incomplete…he really didn’t want to see her with anyone else…but he was kicking himself for not doing the right thing.

“With someone else…is that what you were gonna say?” Hutch finished it for him. “Starsky she loves you and I know you don’t admit it but you love her too…you honestly think she’d be better off with strangers?”

“I DON”T KNOW!” He yelled at him. “All I know is…I don’t wanna loose her…Hutch….damnit…I just don’t wanna loose her.”


The waiting room was unusually empty that night…no one around to hear the conversation except the occasional Nurse passing by. Hutch put a comforting hand on his shoulder and gave him an understanding half -smile.
“Want that cup of coffee now?” He asked.

A Nurse came out to the waiting room and walked up to the two officers holding a clipboard with some blank forms.
“We need these forms filled out so we can treat her…She’s upstairs with no name tag…nothing…do you know how to get a-hold of her parents?” She asked them.

“I’m her legal Guardian.” Starsky told her. “I’ll fill them out.”

She handed him the clipboard and a pencil and disappeared.  Starsky took the forms and sat down to fill them out…Hutch walked over and sat next to him.

Starsky knew the answers to some of the questions…full name and Birthdate …but medical history…allergies…other questions on the form. Starsky didn’t have a clue. Hutch helped him fill it out as best they could along with the name of his medical insurance company…he was glad now that Hutch had suggested to him to put Cassie on his insurance a few months back.

When they were finished…Starsky took the forms back up to the Nurses station.  “Did you sign the consent form for surgery?” She asked him.

“If it was in there…I signed it.” He told her.

“She’s in surgery now…It’ll be a while before we know anything.” She told him. “We had to pack her in ice for a few minutes to get her fever down along with some medication in her IV…The Doctor will speak to you when it’s over.”

“I’ll be right here.” He told her and then made his way back to sit with Hutch…”You were right…It’s gonna be a long night.’ He said as he reached into his pocket for some change.  “Want some more coffee?”

___________________________________________________________


NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 8

Doctor Sonja Van Schalm entered the waiting room to find both Starsky and Hutch half- asleep in the hard plastic chairs near the Nurses Station.
She reached her hand towards Starsky’s shoulder to wake him.  As she touched him his eyes popped open and he squinted as they adjusted to the bright light of the room. 

“She’s out of surgery.” The Doctor told him. “But she isn’t awake…She has slipped into a coma because her system was so weak. Between the stress of surgery and the high fever which we are still trying to keep under control…
I’m afraid her body has shut down…except for her instinctive responses. She is breathing on her own…but… the longer she stays in the coma the more chance that she may never come out of it.”

Hutch had been awakened by the Doctors voice and was now leaning forward in his chair…listening to her words.

“What about her appendix…was it ruptured like you suspected?” Hutch asked her.

“Yes…the poison that spread through her system is the reason for her high temperature right now…we have placed a drain in to drain of the fluid but she has Peritonitis… which is an infection in the Peritoneal cavity.” Doctor Van Schalm went on.
“We are flushing out the cavity with a 4.25 ratio Dialysis fluid…but the infection is like a gangrene…very dangerous.”

“Can I see her?” Starsky asked.

“Yes…for a while and then I have someone for you to talk to…an expert in comatose patients…She’ll answer all your questions.” She told them.


Starsky and Hutch followed the Doctor to the elevator and up to the third floor…Oh God…Starsky was thinking…the same floor as her father…then as they got off the elevator and made their way down the hallway.
As the doctor stopped in front of the door to her room…Starsky and Hutch both noticed at the same time…NO…Not the same room…the same room that Jim died in…315.

“Starsky had a thing about numbers and wasn’t gonna stand for this…

“You have to move her out of this damn room.” He said as he grabbed the Doctor by the arm. “For Gods sake…Her father died in this room just a few months ago.”

“We can’t move her Detective…this is the only room available on this floor and she needs to stay in this area of the hospital where she will get the most attention.”  The Doctor explained. “This is the floor for critical patients…the Nurses on staff are the best we have.” Then she turned and went inside.

“It’s just a room Starsk…I know it seems spooky but …it’s just a room.” Hutch was trying to calm him. “Maybe it makes sense for her to be here.”

“How’s that…you wanna run that one by me?” Starsky asked him.

“Maybe …I don’t know somehow…she needed to be here…ya know.”

“I don’t like it…but I guess we don’t have too much of a choice.” He said as he opened the door to follow the Doctor inside.

Cassie was lying motionless with a few machines around her…a tube in her nose…a tube running off the side of her bed…obviously the drain tube the Doctor had spoke of.  Lumps under the covers around her.

“What are those large lumps under the blanket?” Starsky spoke up.

“We have ice packs under her arms…under her legs and a small one around her neck…to keep her fever down for now. The machine above her head holds the fluid that is being pumped into her cavity and the bag on the floor is for her drainage.” She explained to them. “We have antibiotic IV’s running into both her arms…supplemented with nutrients to keep her strength up.”

“But she’s in a coma…that means you don’t know when she’ll wake up?” Hutch asked her.
 “Doctor Young will be able to answer that question for you…I can tell you this much…Cassie is gonna need your help to wake up…I doubt she’ll be able to do it on her own.” Doctor Van Schalm told them.

“When can we see Doctor Young?” Starsky asked.

“I’ll send her in around 8:00 to talk with you” She said.

“I’ll stay with her…” Starsky added.

“I have to go now…I was hoping at least one of you could stay…there should be someone in the room with her at all times.” She told them as she left.

Hutch watched Starsky as he moved closer to her bed. Her face was pale and her breathing was slow and deep.  Starsky picked up her hand and held it…then he took his finger and gently pulled her hair away from her face.  Hutch could tell that she was somewhere else…not aware at all of their presence.
She usually looked like an angel as she slept…now she looked so different.
Starsky stared at her face for a long time…as if he were trying to memorize it.  Then he reached for a chair in the room and pulled it closer to her bed. 
 
“I’ll stay too if you want …Dobey said I don’t have to be in today.” Hutch offered. 

“It’s alright if you want to leave Hutch…I’m not going anywhere.” He told him.

“I’m worried about her too partner…we’re in this together.” He said as he pulled up another chair and sat down beside him…and put his hand on top  of his shoulder. “Me and Thee remember.”

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 9

As he waited by her bedside for Doctor Young to meet him…Starsky just sat there and stared at Cassie’s pale face…thinking…going over ever step in his mind.  The events that led up to this moment…what he could have done differently...what he should have done.  Every second of her illness playing over and over…as if it where running on a movie projector.  Even the kiss…the kiss that she gave him in desperation…a cry for help…maybe she was pleading with him in the only way she could think of…to ease her pain.  Why didn’t he see it…why couldn’t he see what was really wrong with her.  He knew that if she …if she didn’t make it…his world would fall apart.

Hutch sat next to Starsky and watched him as he stared at her…he hadn’t said a word for the past thirty minutes…he was lost in thought and Hutch wondered if he was even aware of his presence anymore.  He knew that Cassie was up against some very tough odds…she was gonna need both of them to pull through this…and Starsky was gonna need him more than ever.  He could deal with it better if he could only get over the guilt.  Hutch didn’t blame him…no one blamed him…but it didn’t matter…he blamed himself and if God forbid…she didn’t make it. Hutch wouldn’t be able to pick up the pieces… it would push him over the edge.

Suddenly a light knock on the door and Doctor Van Schalm entered the room.  They both turned to look at her at the same time.  Following close behind was another woman in a white coat…Doctor Nancy Young.

“Gentlemen I’d like to introduce you to Doctor Young…” Sonja said. “She is the Hospital’s specialist in comatose patient care that I told you about…Nancy…this is Detective Starsky and Detective Hutchinson.”

They both rose to their feet and extended their hands to greet her.

“David Starsky” he said as shook her hand.

“Ken” Hutch said as he took his turn next.

“You can call me Nancy.” She said after she greeted them both. “Since we’ll be working so closely from here on in…we can forgo the formalities.” She told them.
“Cassie is at a very crucial stage of her coma right now…she can hear you…so talk to her as much as you can. Read to her…ask her questions…try to get her to respond to your voice…think of it as if she is in a bubble and she can’t get out…that’s exactly what she’s experiencing.” Nancy told them.

“I’ve read something about it.” Hutch added. “People have come out of coma’s and remembered things…you’re saying that we need to try to coax her out…make her want to wake up.”

“Precisely…” she said. “The longer she remains like this…the harder it will be on her…you should start right away. She will be struggling to find a way out so you also have to give her a break in between…let her mind rest…  then start again.  Other people in her life…people she knows should try too…the more voices that she can recognize the better.”

“What if we can’t wake her?” Starsky asked.

“She will become weaker…most comatose patients end up on a respirator if they can’t find the strength to come out” She continued. “ You have to watch her breathing carefully…if she has trouble and we have to put her on a respirator...Her chances of recovery won’t be good.”

“You mean she is getting weaker by the minute?” Starsky asked.

“Cassie is very lucky…given her age and the fact that she is breathing very well on her own right now…she has a good chance…we have that on our side at least.” Nancy said to them.

“How do we begin?” Starsky asked.

“I’ll show you” Nancy said as she walked over to Cassie’s bed and leaned close to her face. “Cassie…I’m Doctor Young…how are you feeling?”

No response from Cassie at all…Starsky and Hutch looked at each other…then back at Nancy.

“Try to answer me Cassie…how are you feeling?” Nancy tried. “David and Ken are here…they’re worried about you Cassie…try to answer me.”

“She calls me Dave and she calls him Hutch…she doesn’t know who you’re talking about.” Starsky told her.

“Now you understand…talk to her the way you always have…calmly. Don’t try to pressure her too much…your voice may be all it takes when she’s ready.” Nancy told them. “I have to go now…you will be able to do this a lot easier alone…keep trying…let her rest…then try some more.”

“Thank you…Nancy.” Hutch said as he touched her hand. “Will you be back later today?” He asked.

“I’ll check on her progress three times a day and help in anyway that I can.” She said as she turned to go. “Good luck to you both.”

Doctor Van Schalm led Nancy out of the room…leaving the two of them alone with her.

Starsky sighed and then looked over at Hutch who was now rubbing his hand down his face…then he let out a breath of air and looked at Starsky.

“Guess I’ll go first” Starsky said. “Then you can try.”

“Sure” Hutch agreed. “Let’s get to it.”

Starsky walked over to the bed and leaned down close to her ear. “Cassie…
I’m here…I told you I wouldn’t leave you remember? I’ll be right here…I promise.” His eyes were filling with tears…his voice was cracking. “I’m sorry Cassie…I’m so sorry….”

Hutch reached over and put a firm hand on his shoulder. “Take it easy Starsk
…we’ll do it…we’ll do it together.” He told him.

NEAR DEATHS DOOR

BY P&C PRODUCTIONS
CHAPTER 10

Cassie woke up in a strange place…or at least she thought she was awake…dark and cold…damp floor and a chilling breeze that cut through her body making her shiver.  There were no windows…no walls…just darkness…a very frightening place.  She felt around and fanned at the air desperately…nothing…then…in the distance, voices.  They were faint murmurs…far away…jumbled and overlapping with echoes.  She tried to follow them but she couldn’t tell where they were coming from…what direction.  She was so cold…she had no idea where she was and she was alone.  ‘Dave…where are you?’ she called to him.  She could hear him…calling to her…why couldn’t he find her?  ‘Hutch…I can hear you…where are you?’  The voices…mixed together Dave and Hutch…echoing…all around her…everywhere and nowhere at the same time.  She tried to make out the words…she could hear her name…over and over and then …jumbled phrases.  ‘Talk slower…I can’t understand you.’

Starsky was leaning over her holding her hand and stroking her hair..

“Cassie…if you can hear me …open your eyes…I’ll let ya drive my car!”  Starsky said to her  “Cassie…I know you want to drive my car…it’s parked downstairs…waiting for you…all you have to do is open your eyes.”

 “You better take him up on it while you can..” Hutch told her. “You don’t know how long it took him to let me behind the wheel.”

Cassie listened carefully…to the sound of their voices…”I know you want to drive my car…it’s parked downstairs…waiting for you.” She could finally understand something. ‘Dave…I’m here…what are you talking about’ Now she wasn’t sure if she was really awake or dreaming…Starsky would never let her drive his car. Then Hutch’s voice ‘Hutch…I can hear you …why can’t you hear me.”


“I still have my doubts about you” Starsky kidded him.  “Cassie…I’ll let you drive it to the beach…and you can play the radio as loud as you want.”

“I gotta see this…Cassie your in for a treat…driving Starsky’s car…and seeing him in those funny looking swim shorts.” Hutch laughed.

“And just what is wrong with my swim shorts.” Starsky looked over at him.

“Starsk…you look so ridiculous in those old things” Hutch told him. “Cassie your gonna have to take this guy shopping.”

“Well maybe we just won’t take you along…I mean if your gonna make fun of me…you can just stay home.” Starsky teased him.

“I’ve got a much better idea.” Hutch said as he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. Starsky watched curiously.

“What are ya gonna do…bribe her?” He asked.

“In a manner of speaking.” Hutch told him as he pulled out three pieces of small paper from one of the folds. He picked up her hand and put them in her palm…wrapping her fingers around them.  “Cassie…do you know what these are?” Hutch asked her.  “Bee Gee’s tickets...hear me Cas…Bee Gee’s tickets…I had to stand in line for two hours to get them. I was gonna surprise you.”

“Hey…I went up to get those and they were sold out…How’d you…?”

“Early bird.” Hutch said with a smile. “Hey Cas…” He said as he bent closer to her ear. “I was thinking…If you want…Starsky and I can flash our badges and make them let us in the back…would you like that Cassie?” Hutch tried to coax a response…a nod of her head…something.

“Hey…Cas…I’ll bet if ya play your cards right…little ole Andy boy just might give ya a big wet one…right on the face.” Starsky kidded her…then he watched her carefully…for a hint of something…she had to think that was funny…she had to be laughing…God…he just wanted to hear her laugh again.

Cassie tried to make out the words…her name…that’s what she kept hearing…Cassie…Cas…then she heard Hutch’s voice. “Know what these are?…Bee Gee’s tickets.”  Cassie was confused…why is he talking about the Bee Gee’s?


“Let her rest for a while and then we can try again.” Hutch said as he tugged on Starsky’s arm.  Starsky wasn’t ready to stop…he had to keep trying.  He pulled away from Hutch’s grasp and leaned closer to her face. “Cassie you have to try…Fight Cassie…open your eyes and look at me Damnit.”

Hutch pulled him away from her…grabbing him by both his arms and pulling him backwards.  Then he spun him around so he could talk to him.  “Starsky…let her rest now…you’ll just get yourself all worked up…it won’t do any good to yell at her.”  Hutch told him.  “We’ll give her about fifteen minutes and then we’ll try again.”

Cassie was listening…the tone of his voice was demanding…as if he might be mad at her.  It reminded her of the morning that she woke him up…the morning after the storm…he had frightened her then but…there was something different about this.  ‘Open my eyes?’ She thought that it was a strange request.  ‘Am I asleep?’


It was around 6:00PM when Doctor Young came back to check on them…she opened the door to Cassie’s room slowly and found them staring out of her hospital window…talking quietly to each other.  “Any progress?”
She asked them.


“Hello Nancy…we’ve been trying…she’s taking a break…we were just about to try again.” Hutch told her as he turned around. 

Starsky just kept staring out the window.  He was thinking about the night of the storm…and the morning after.  He shouldn’t have yelled at her…yes he was angry, but he knew why…not so much at her, but at himself. 


“Just keep trying…tell her that she is asleep…she may not realize it.  Put yourself in her place…she can hear you…even if she doesn’t seem to respond.” Nancy told them. “it’s easy to get discouraged…don’t…I’ve seen patients just open their eyes after a couple of days and sit straight up in bed demanding candy…cookies…even spaghetti…their usually hungry.” She said with a smile.



Starsky turned around. “I won’t give up…don’t worry.” He walked slowly away from the window and stopped at her bedside. “I just want to shake her…scream at her…anything.” He said without turning around.

“It would only confuse her…or make her draw deeper into herself…she may be able to feel it…but she’s not able to make her muscles respond…a temporary break in communication.” Nancy explained “What has happened to her is a result of physical and emotional stress…a built in instinctive response.”

 A light knock on the door drew Starsky’s attention.  A young pretty brunette in a nurses uniform stepped into the room.  “We have to take some more blood and change her bags…take some vitals…it will take about 20 minutes…you can wait in the cafeteria or down the hall if you like.” She informed them.

Hutch walked over to Starsky and left Nancy standing by the window alone.  “Hey…lets go get a cup of coffee…maybe a sandwich…the nurses will be with her…and you and I could use the break.”  He said as he placed a familiar hand on his shoulder.

“Alright…I guess she’ll be ok for a few minutes.” He agreed and Hutch motioned for Nancy to join them…

“You hungry?” He asked her

“Sure…why not.” She said as she walked over and gave Hutch a pat on the back. “I’ve been going since eight this morning…I could use the break myself.”

They all went down to the cafeteria and spent the next thirty minutes talking and eating…Hutch and Nancy carried most of the conversation and Starsky answered what few questions that were thrown at him with vague remarks or brief responses.  His mind was still upstairs.

Hutch had to go to work in the morning and knew he’d better go home and get some sleep.  He really didn’t want to leave his partner there alone but consoled himself in the fact that he would see him at lunch and again as soon as his shift was over…
Hutch walked with Starsky back to the elevator and then all the way back to Cassie’s room.  “I’ll stay if you want…I can leave early enough to take a shower and …”

“No Hutch…go home…you won’t be able to sleep up here.” Starsky told him.  “Besides…I’d like to be alone with her for awhile.”

Hutch walked over to talk to Cassie one more time before leaving.  The nurses had moved her…her head was turned in the opposite direction and her arms were lying back under the covers.  He pulled the blanket down enough to pull her arm free and then he put her hand in his…cupping it with the other  “Cas…I have to go now…I’ll be back tomorrow…Goodnight honey.” He said and then he lifted his hands higher…and slid the one he had rested on top…down her arm…so he could kiss hers softly.  He then rested her arm gently on top of the blanket and threw Starsky a concerned half-smile.  “Goodnight partner…see ya tomorrow.” As he headed out the door.

 ‘He touched me…I could feel it.’ Cassie said in her seemingly semi-conscious state.  She couldn’t see the rest of her body but if she tried…she could feel it.  She was beginning to have a sense of her surroundings.”I can hear and I can feel…but I can’t talk…except to myself and I can’t move.”
 It was very frustrating and it took a lot of her energy to concentrate just so she could do these small things.  It also made her very tired.

Starsky stood there staring at her for a minute…wondering what it will take…wondering if it was even possible.  He thought about Terri. About the last time he saw her.  The doctor told him she was going to die but he didn’t believe it…now the doctor tells him that Cassie can wake up with his help…he didn’t believe that either…and he was fresh out of magic wands.
 
He crept up to her slowly and picked up the lifeless hand that Hutch had placed on top of the blanket.  As he held it gently he began to move his fingers softly on the back of her hand….turned it over and rubbed her palm.  Then he had an idea…rubbing her palm a little harder.  He remembered what the doctor said…that she may be able to feel even if she can’t respond.
He tried to stimulate the nerves in her hand, as he did, he spoke to her softly.

“Cassie…if you can hear me…squeeze my hand…C’mon Cassie…you can do it….try really hard now…just move your fingers…just a little for me Cas…try…Please”  His voice started to get louder…more insistant.
“You can do this Cassie…just a little…show me that your in there somewhere…show me you want to try…damnit Cassie….try!”

Cassie could hear him…she was so desperate…she tried and in her mind she could feel her hand moving…wrapping around his fingers tightly…squeezing as hard as she could…but his voice kept telling her that she wasn’t moving…it was so frustrating.  ‘I’m squeezing your hand as hard as I can…why can’t you feel that?’

 CHAPTER 11

Thursday morning came and Starsky hadn’t been able to get much sleep, although the nurses had been kind enough to bring in a spare cot, a pillow and a blanket.  Every two hours he was disturbed through the night with their presence as they checked on her…took her temperature and other vitals and changed her bags …he knew these things had to be done so he pretended not to mind.

At around 7:00AM two Nurses entered the room…they weren’t the same ones that had been disturbing him through the night so he assumed the shift change must’ve taken place.

“Hello, you must be Detective Starsky.” One of them spoke up as she leaned towards him to introduce herself.  “I’m Judith Hoffman and this is Susan Staton…we will be on duty today until 6:00PM if you need anything…just push the button marked Nurse.” She told him.

“Nice to meet you,” He said in a groggy voice. “Please excuse the way I look…I’m not used to company so early in the morning.” He said as he offered up his hand to her.

She shook his hand with a smile, “you look just fine to me.” She said. “We need to take some more blood so they can run some new tests today.  The doctor will be in with the results after awhile.”

“Sure…do whatever you gotta do…want me to leave.” He said as he stood up and stretched his muscles as obscurely as he could.

“No…you can stay if you want to.  Would you like me to bring you a cup of coffee?” Susan spoke up  “We have some fresh at the nurses station and you look like you could use some.”

“Terrific…a woman after my own heart.” He kidded her.

The two of them worked quickly taking blood, temperature readings, and speaking softly in whispers to each other.  Starsky walked over to the window to look at the sunrise…He thought about Hutch who was probably at this moment in the shower…getting ready for work.  He had had to work alone before and knew how it seemed to make the day drag on forever.  The kind of work they did was dangerous and he hoped Hutch wouldn’t run into any trouble today without a partner to back him up.

Susan and Judith finished with Cassie and Susan called over to Starsky. “I’ll be right back with that coffee.” She told him and they both held back a giggle as they exited the room.  

Starsky walked over to Cassie’s bed and just happened to glance down as he walked…His fly was open…it must’ve fallen down while he was asleep.  “Geeeeesss..” He said as he pulled it back up and then he realized that the nurses had to have noticed it…he felt like a real idiot.

Hutch made it to the station around 8:00AM and began to go over the same set of files he had been reading the day before…The trial was in 10 days and he hoped that Cassie would wake up before then. Starsky’s testimony along with his own would be the prosecutors’ entire case.  Without the two of them to back each other up…the piece of scum could walk and Hutch knew it.


Starsky had been trying to wake Cassie all morning…keeping in mind what the doctor had told him the night before…rubbing her feet and hands trying to coax some kind of response…talking to her the whole time.

Hutch walked in the room promptly at 12:00PM with a few books in his hands.  Starsky looked at him curiously but with a smile that let Hutch know that his partner was glad to see him.

“What are those for?” Starsky asked him.

“The doctor said we should read to her…the sound of our voices would be good for her.” He told him as he walked over to the small table that would normally be home to a telephone…but, there where no phones in ICU.
He placed the books on the table and then handed the one on top to Starsky.

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn…I used to like this when I was a kid.” Starsky was surprised. “How did you know”

“I called your mother to tell her that Cassie was in the hospital…she told me to pick it up for you.” He said as he took a seat in a nearby chair and lifted another book from the stack.  “Don’t worry…I didn’t tell her about the coma…wouldn’t want her to worry.” He added.

“She hasn’t met Cassie yet but she still worries…always tries to give me advice…she never had any girls.” Starsky told him. “They speak to each other on the phone now and then…Mom really likes her.”

“Dobey called the school which is something I hadn’t thought of …told them about Cassie…then he called Child Services…they have to know about these things.” Hutch explained to him. “She is still their responsibility.”

Starsky hadn’t thought about them until now.  He wondered if they blamed him for her condition…maybe they where reconsidering the arrangement.
“Hutch you don’t think they blame me do you?” His voice had a hint of fear in it…Hutch sensed it right away.

“No…of course not…relax partner.  Hutch assured him. “Dobey told them about her sudden appendicitis…they also know that you haven’t left her side…Capn’ took care of them for you.”

“He’s a great guy…ya know that Hutch…he always comes through when it counts…tell him I said thanks…will ya.” Starsky said with a sound of relief.

“You can tell him yourself…he said he’d be by to see you today…and to check on Cas.” Hutch told him.  “I picked this up for myself…figured I could relieve you for a while and read this one to her.” He said as he showed him the book he’d been holding in his hand.

Starsky took it from him and read the cover.  “Romeo and Juliet…how appropriate it’ll probably make her think about…Romeo…I mean Mike.”
He said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“C’mon…still playing that jealous routine.” Hutch lectured him. “She’s gonna have boyfriends Starsk…she’s at that age…hormones going crazy,  body developing…you can’t stop it from happening.”

Starsky just shook his head. “Yeah…I know.” He knew…He knew that the jealousy he felt everytime Romeo (as he refereed to him) came by to see her
was more than anyone could understand…especially Hutch.  God…he didn’t even understand it himself.


Hutch stayed for a little while longer…spoke to Cassie and held her hand…he was trying but somehow he knew that he was just putting on a show for Starsky.  He didn’t want it to be his voice that woke her but his partners…Starsky needed to be the one,  he was just there for support.

“I have to go now…I’ll be back in a little while.” Hutch’s soft voice called to him from Cassies’ bedside. “Read to her for awhile…then try for a response…then read some more…I’ll take over in a few hours so you can rest.” Hutch told him. “See ya later…Bye Cas.” He winked at him and then disappeared through the door.

“Thanks Hutch.” Starsky called out to him just before the door closed.

Starsky read to her for a few hours…drinking water to keep his voice clear.
All the while wondering if he was just entertaining himself or if she was actually paying any attention.  In any case…it was all he knew to do at the moment. He was following doctors’ orders…even if he did think it a waste of time. He held her hand as he read…moving his fingers under her palm…still trying to stimulate a response.

Then it happened…he felt something…a slight movement.  He looked up from the book and continued to move his fingers as before…but this time paying close attention to hers.

“Cassie…sweetheart you just moved your finger!  C’mon baby…do it again for me…Please…move your finger again.” Starsky was full of adrenaline and his heart was racing. He stood up and leaned closer to her face. “C’mon honey…you can do it…move it again.”  Nothing else happened…he waited and coaxed her for twenty minutes with no response.  He sat back down in his chair…held her hand and let a few more tears fall from his eyes.  He thought of Terri again for some strange reason…she had been on his mind a lot lately.  He wasn’t gonna let Cassie slip through his hands…even if he had to fight off the Grim Reaper himself.

“Terri…help me.” He called to her…it was the first time he had spoken to her out loud in a long time.  He needed her.
Captain Dobey entered the room around 3:30PM and found Starsky holding her lifeless hand and reading…not looking up right away but acknowledging his presence with a wave of his hand.

“How is she?” He asked as he walked to her bedside and touched her on the cheek.  “Poor kid.” He added.

Starsky came to the end of the chapter he was on and finally looked up at Dobey.  “Hi ya Capn’…glad you could make it.” Starsky said. “Oh…by the way…thanks for making the phone calls for me…Hutch told me what you did.”

“I’m your Superior…it’s my job to…” He was interrupted.

“It’s not part of your job to cover my ass like that Cap…I appreciate it.” Starsky didn’t give him a chance to make light of his good deed.


“You know how much you mean to me…and Cassie…I was just.” Dobey stopped short.

“You were just taking care of us…I know…means a lot.” Starsky finished.

“Go on downstairs and get something to eat…stretch your legs…get some air…Cassie and I will read the next chapter.” He said with a smile. “Get outta here.”

“Ok…but hold her hand…she likes that.” He told him as he walked out slowly.  “Bye Cas…I’ll be right back…I promise.” Then he shut the door behind him.

Dobey got himself as comfortable as he could in the bedside chair and then picked up the book that Starsky had left flipped upside down so as not to loose his place.  Dobey began to read the next chapter and after the first five words…he stopped. “Sorry Cassie…forgot to hold your hand.” He said as he reached for her. “Now then where were we…”


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 12

Cassie had been in out of her semi-conscious state all day…each time feeling his fingers against her hand and concentrating on moving her own.  It was so difficult and she grew more tired with each new attempt.  She was aware of his presence and the fact that he was reading to her.  She also knew that her finger had moved slightly…she had heard him tell her.  It seemed that the times when she was aware were growing fewer and farther between…and her strength was diminishing with each new attempt.

Nurse Judith Hoffman entered the room for the fifth or sixth time that day…she had lost count.  Captain Dobey was still reading to Cassie and she had to ask him to leave for a few minutes so she could take her readings and change her bags one more time before the end of her shift.  Dobey walked out and down to the waiting area…where he bumped into Starsky and Hutch.

Hutch had just arrived and had seen his partner in the waiting room as he was getting off the elevator.  They were sitting close together drinking coffee and talking quietly to each other…but when they saw Dobey enter the room they rose to their feet. It was almost 5:00PM

“We were just about to head back to the room.” Starsky said to him. “I just got back from the cafeteria…thanks for the break Cap’n”

Dobey found a chair and all three sat back down.  “You can’t go in right now…the Nurse is with her.”

“They said the Doctor would be up to talk to me soon…I guess to give me an update on her condition.” Starsky told them. “Maybe she’ll have good news.”

“Glad to see you’re optimistic for a change partner.” Hutch kidded him.  “I’m usually the one who has to try to get you to look on the bright side of things.”

“She’s getting better…I know it.” Starsky was trying to put on a little show…he had felt her finger move only once and it had given him a little ray of hope.  But inside he was still scared to death.

Doctor Sonja Van Schalm walked quietly up to the entrance of the waiting area…Hutch was the first to see her figure in the doorway and gave his partner a quick glance and a sideways nod of his head…to let him know to look to his left.  Starsky and Dobey stood up a second after Hutch and Dobey was the first to extend his hand.

“Hello I’m Doctor Sonja Van Schalm and you are…” She spoke as she saw Harold Dobey walking towards her…his hand extended.

“Harold Dobey…I’m their Superior officer and a friend of Cassie.” He said to her.  “It’s a pleasure to meet you…though I wish it were under better circumstances.”

“Yes I agree.” She said and then turned her attention back to Starsky.  “David I’m going to be honest with you…Cassie’s vitals seem to be deteriorating.”  She walked closer towards him as she spoke.  “I’m afraid if things keep going the way they are…we may have to put her on the respirator soon.”

“That can’t be true.” He told her…not wanting to believe her words. “She moved her finger earlier…not much, but she did move it…that means she should be getting better not worse.”


“It was probably a muscle spasm…I know you want to believe it was more but I can tell you from experience and from her recent test results that it wasn’t voluntary…I’m sorry.” She said softly to him. “I wish I had better news…she still has a chance…if the antibiotics kick in enough to make things turn around…her temperature is stabilized and we’ve removed the ice packs.  That at least is a good sign…the poison is still in her system and her body has to fight it off…but we still have a little to hope for.”

“Thank you … for being honest with me.” He said softly as he turned away from her to face the wall. “Should we just keep on doing what we’ve been doing…is there anything else we can try?” He asked as he squeezed the bridge of his nose with two fingers… to ease the pain of eye strain that he’d been experiencing all day…and rested the other hand against the wall
 

“There’s nothing else we can do but wait and watch her…for sign of respiratory problems…or signs that the antibiotics are taking a positive effect…right now gentlemen it could go either way.” Doctor Van Schalm told them.  “Don’t give up hope…just watch her carefully for any changes…I’ll keep an eye on her test results and check in with you tomorrow.” She said as she walked slowly out the door. “Take care.”

“Thank you Doctor.” Dobey called to her as she left the room…Hutch was already standing beside his partner…his hand on his back…waiting for him to turn around.

“I’ll be here…as much as I can.” Hutch told him.

“You’ll be here as long as you’re needed…I’m giving you a leave of absence until she’s better.” Dobey told Hutch. “Your place is here for the next few days…and don’t argue about it.” He kidded …he knew he wouldn’t hear any…and he knew that Hutch would be of no use to him while his thoughts where here with Starsky.


Dobey said his good byes leaving the two detectives alone in the waiting room.  After a couple of minutes they made their way back to Cassie’s room.
Starsky walked with his hands in his back pockets and Hutch with his in the pockets of his jacket.  The Nurses looked up at them as they walked by and then went back to what they were doing…they had seen Cassie’s test results and were growing accustomed to the sad faces on the two young detectives…who were fast becoming the talk of the Hospital.
 
They sat with Cassie for another few hours and Hutch told Starsky to go on home…It was his turn to stay with her and his partner needed to get a good nights sleep. Starsky protested but finally gave in and as he made his way down stairs in the elevator and then across the parking lot to his car…he kept feeling the urge to turn around.  But he knew that Hutch would only insist that he leave…for his own good.  

As he turned the key in the lock of his apartment…he realized that he didn’t even remember driving home…as if he had done it purely by instinct.  He walked inside slowly and removed his jacket.  As he reached to hang it up he noticed his gun and holster hanging in the same place he had left it two nights ago.  His thoughts drifted back to that night…reliving it all again.  Then he shook himself back to reality. It wouldn’t do anyone any good to wonder about the what- ifs…what if things where different…and he would have taken her to the Hospital sooner.  He turned and began to make his way slowly towards his bedroom…he was so tired…a nice hot shower and a night in his own bed would do him good.  If he could bring himself to close his eyes…and get it off of his mind for awhile.

He reached for a towel from the shelf and began to get undressed as he walked out of his room and…then he stopped…the door to her room was open and her light was still on.  Stripped down to his waist he made his way inside…following the memories that flooded his mind.  He sat down on her bed and stared at her surroundings…the posters…the stuffed animals…and the picture of her father that still sat on the little nightstand beside her bed.
He picked it up and looked at it for a moment…then he touched his face and spoke softly.  “Sure wish you were here buddy.” Then he placed it back down and stood up slowly…releasing a heavy sigh as he walked out and turned off the light.

News of Cassie’s illness spread through the school like wildfire…she was a popular girl and most of the kids either knew her or knew of her. Stacey had spent some of the day Thursday and most of Friday at school collecting cards and letters from all of Cassie’s friends.  Mrs. Taylor promised to take her to the Hospital after school to see her.

Hutch kept an all night vigil…reading and talking to her…more to keep himself awake than anything so he could pay close attention to her breathing.  He told her about some of the things he remembered from his childhood, about his failed marriage and how he and Starsky met.  It gave him a chance to release some of his feelings…suspecting that she wouldn’t remember much of it anyway. He was able to speak freely and during the long discussion with himself…he found the words to describe how he felt about Starsky.  It was a very private thing…Love more than a friend…more than a brother…Starsky was a part of him like no one he’d ever known before.  “His pain is mine and mine is his…sometimes I think he can read my mind…and vise versa.” Hutch was saying out loud as he stood by the window and gazed out at the morning sky.  “I’d take a bullet for him without a second thought…and I know he’d do the same for me.”

It was Friday morning and Starsky had finally found a few hours to sleep.  Pacing the floor around 3:00AM…trying to make himself tired enough to sleep.  But every attempt to lay down brought him back to his feet…he had gotten more rest in her room on that lumpy cot…at least there, he was close to her.

Hutch had Susan bring him a cup of her famous coffee when she and Judith came back on duty…she asked about his partner and was glad to hear that he had been sent home to get a good nights sleep.  Although she noticed that Hutch could use a break himself.

Starsky arrived around 8:00AM and found Hutch reading from what looked to be the end of his book…holding her hand and dropping his head as if he would callapse from lack of sleep any second.


 “Hey…you look beat…been up all night?” He asked as he walked closer, realizing that hutch hadn’t noticed him until he spoke.

“Yeah.” He said as he looked up at him. “We have to watch her breathing…can’t do that asleep?”
 
“Thanks Hutch…I really appreciate it…Hey…why don’t ya go home yourself…I’ll take over now.” He told him. “Your shift is over.”

Hutch laughed a little at the remark…as if they were guarding a witness or on a stake out…taking turns in shifts.  A sense of normality in an other wise unfamiliar situation.

Hutch said his good byes to Cassie and to his partner after a few minutes and as he walked down the corridor and into the elevator,  he thought about all the talking he had done through the night…then he laughed a little at himself and he hoped she  wouldn’t remember any of it.


Starsky spent the rest of the day keeping a close watch over her and reading.  He paced the floor…spoke to her…rubbed her hands…and cried a little more.  Trying everything he could think of to try…doing all that the doctor had told him to do and still…no response.

The Nurses drifted in and out of the room all day…happy to see him looking a little more rested.  They went about their business quickly and left him alone with her…He really wasn’t sure what he was doing…and he wished to God that she would just wake up…by now it seemed impossible.

Around 4:00PM that afternoon…a light tapping on the door got Starsky’s attention.  It couldn’t be Hutch…he wouldn’t knock like that.

He walked over to open the door wider and as he did a familiar face met his.
“Hello Mrs. Taylor.”  He said as he continued to pull on the door. “Stacey…good to see you.” He welcomed the company.

Stacey was carrying a large box in her hands and Starsky could see that it was heavy for her…so he took it and placed it at the foot of Cassie’s bed.
“What is this?” He asked her.

“Cards and letters from the kids at school.” She told him. “They really like her.”

“How are you David?” Mrs. Taylor said as she shook his hand. It was the first time that she called him by his first name.

“Doin’ alright…glad to see you here.” He told her.

Stacey walked closer to Cassie and looked at her for a few minutes…then she looked up at Starsky.

“When is she coming home?” Stacey asked him.

“I don’t know honey…soon I hope.” He said as he touched her face…she looked so sweet…and he could tell she was concerned about her.  He tried to hide the truth from her behind his smile.

“Have you eaten anything today?” Mrs. Taylor asked him.

“I’m fine.”

“Stacey brought some tape to put up all the cards and letters…it may take awhile…why don’t you go get something down at the cafeteria…I’ll be here till you get back..” She told him.

Stacey had already begun the task and he could use the break.

“Alright…if you’re sure you don’t mind.” He said. “Thank you Mrs….”

“It’s Kaylene.”

“Kaylene…I’ll be back soon.” He said and he winked at her before dissapearing behind the door.

He went down the elevator to the cafeteria and got himself a tray with a couple sandwiches and a soda…about all he’d been eating lately. At any rate he needed to get out of that room for a little while even if it was just to sit alone in the cafeteria.  After a few minutes he threw away the empty containers and began to make his way back to the elevator….that’s when it happened.  A call over the loud speaker that set his heart racing…Cassie’s room….He didn’t wait for the elevator but pushed open the door to the stairwell.  Running up the stairs as fast as he could…only three floors but it seemed like a lot more.  What the hell was going on?………..

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 13

Starsky ran up the stairs as fast as he could…his thoughts racing and his heart pounding.  Mrs. Taylor and Stacey were with her…what could have happened?  As he barreled through the stairwell door on the third floor he found the Nurses station deserted…and the red light above Cassie’s room flashing…He ran as fast as he could down the hall but was stopped at the door by Doctor Van Schalm. She was making her rounds in the Hospital when she heard the call…

“I’m sorry…you can’t go in right now.” She told him.

“What’s going on?” He asked…the undeniable panic in his voice showing on his face as well.

“She’s being hooked up to the respirator…I’m sorry…Mrs. Taylor and her daughter are in the waiting room down the hall.  She was in the room when Cassie stopped breathing…She saved her life.” Sonja told him.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here…Damnit!” He said as he punched the door with his fist…and then put his hand over his eyes.”

“Why don’t you go down to the waiting area with Mrs Taylor…she’s worried about you.” She said as she opened the door and went back inside.  “I’ll let you know when you can come back in.”

He stood there for a moment …mad at himself for leaving her…thankful that Kaylene was there…terrified of the thought of the respirator…

“What’s going on?” …a familiar voice came from behind him.

“Hutch….” Starsky spun around quickly and looked into his partners eyes…so happy to see him…But the sight of Hutch made the pain in his chest grow more intense.

“How is she?” Hutch asked.  “Is she alright.”

Starsky swallowed hard and tried to speak through the huge lump in his throat.  “Their putting her on the respirator …she stopped breathing…God I just don’t  know if she’s gonna make it Hutch.” He had his hand on top of Hutch’s shoulder…Hutch grabbed him by the other arm and looked into his deep blue eyes.

“Don’t give up on her…she’s a fighter…she has a lot of Jim in her.” Hutch told him.

“Jim gave up …remember.” Starsky said desperately

“She won’t…Not if we don’t…Ok.” Hutch told him and then he put his arm around him and walked him back to the waiting area

A Starsky and Hutch enter the room…they are greeted by Mrs. Taylor who puts a concerned hand on Starsky’s arm

“She stopped breathing…I tried a little CPR before the Nurses arrived…I hit the button as soon as it happened. Oh David I’m so sorry.” She  said somehow apologizing for what had happened.

“I’m glad you were there…The Doctor says you saved her life. Thank you.” He said as he took her hand and squeezed it.

“Stacey is so upset…I better take her home…Call me and let me know…”

“Sure…I’ll call.” Starsky told her and then he watched as they disappeared through the elevator doors.

“What am I gonna do Hutch?” he said without looking at him.

“Be here for her…keep trying…and pray.” He said.



 Saturday Morning Came…both Starsky and Hutch had decided to spend the night…taking turns sleeping and reading…talking to her…watching her.  She looked so terribly near death with the tube in her throat and the sound of the large machine breathing for her.  It seemed hopeless.
Hutch read the cards and letters from all of her friends at school that lined the walls of her room.  He couldn’t believe how many there were…Cassie was so pretty and so sweet…guess they must think she’s special too.  He thought as he read each one.

Starsky sat beside her and stroked her hand gently as Hutch read from the wall.  They were both so tired from staying up most of the night…what little sleep they caught was in between the Nurses visits and their own alternating shifts.  

A knock on the door and then it started to move…they glanced up to see an old familiar face…

“Huggy…how did you know we were here?” Starsky said as he stood up to greet him.

“I’m the cat with the scoop on everything and everyone…besides…Dobey called me.” He admitted to them. “Told me about the kid….Sorry man.” He added.

“Good to see you…Hug.” Hutch said with a smile.

“You guys look like Hell…hey why don’t we all go get something to eat.” Huggy asked.

“Someone has to stay with her…gotta watch her close for any changes.”  Starsky told him as he sat back down.

“Well then I’ll stay with her and you two go downstairs for a few minutes.” He offered…trying to give them a break…he could tell they needed one.

“I can’t leave for long…maybe we can go grab something and bring it back up with us.” Starsky said as he looked over at Hutch.

“Alright…Hug you can read this to her.” He said as he and Starsky got up to leave.  “Be right back.”

They walked out and Huggy looked at the cover of the book Hutch had given him…then he opened it to the first page and read a little to himself…making a pained expression before setting it back down.  Then he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the latest edition of Teen Beat Magazine…and layed the book on the table.

“ Let’s see what David Cassidy is up to.” He began…..

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 14

(Warning…bad word in text…)


As they walked through the door to Cassie’s room they found Huggy reading from the magazine and laughing at something he thought was funny as he read.  

“Whatcha got there?” Starsky grinned at him. “The latest in Teeny-boper literature.” He said as he walked over and bent his head to the side to get a better look at the cover.

“Might as well keep her abreast to all the goings on in Hunksville.” Huggy said with a smile.  “This is the kind of stuff that dreams are made of.”

“Or teenage fantasies..” Hutch replied.  “We picked you up something from the cafeteria…you hungry?”

“Thanks man…” Huggy replied as he took the sandwich from Hutch’s hand and slowly unwrapped it.

“So what were you reading about?” Starsky asked as he sat down and took a sip of his drink.

“David Cassidy…what an idiot…money to burn and chicks at his feet…and he wants out of his contract…says he’s bored.” Huggy made a disgusted face.  “Man…sounds like heaven to me…like I said …the guys an idiot.”

 “You know there’s more to life than money and beautiful women.” Hutch told them.

Both Starsky and Huggy looked over at Hutch at the same time…not believing what he just said…Hutch caught the looks from the two of them
and smiled.

“What the hell else is there?” Starsky asked him.  “Wheat germ and granola bars?”

“You know you guys look at the world as one big playground…money and sex are just temporary pleasures…what about companionship…trust…self respect…family values…”

“You can have all that stuff.” Starsky said as he pealed open the wrapper on his sandwich.  “Just give me a condo on the beach and all the pussy I can handle.”

“Your pathetic you know that.” Hutch said with disgust.

Huggy rolled with laughter at Starsky’s latest comment and almost choked on his sandwich.

Starsky smiled at Huggy and took a man sized bite out of his…then smiled again with a mouth full of it.

They spent about an hour and a half…just talking and laughing…Huggy always made for interesting conversation and somehow he managed to bring out the playful side of them.  They needed something to lighten the dreary mood they had been in for the past few days…Huggy was a Godsend.

Hutch was keeping an eye on Cassie…standing near her bed…holding up his end of the conversation.  

“You know…you better hope Cassie dosen’t remember any of this when she wakes up…it’s starting to sound like a room full of sailors in here.” Hutch kidded them.

At that moment…Cassie’s body jumped…her arms and legs shaking…her whole body….Hutch grabbed the buzzer beside her bed and hit the button..again and again.  Then he and Starsky grabbed hold of her on either side to try and hold her still…Hutch was afraid the respirator was choking her...she was gagging.

Starsky began to panic…he grabbed her and pulled her up to rest on his arm…elevating her head.  He was trembling and breathing heavy…as Huggy watched in horror.

“CASSIE…CASSIE..” Starsky cried out in desperation.

The Nurses rushed through the door…realized what was going on and told the men to leave…Doctor Van Schalm had to be paged because she was home and it took about 15 minutes for her to arrive…by the time she did…the seizure was over.

Hutch, Huggy, and Starsky were in the waiting room pacing back and forth…every minute more tense than the first…the air was heavy again…the laughter of the past couple of hours …long forgotten.

Doctor Van Schalm met them in the waiting area after another 20 minutes.  She walked over to Starsky and quietly took him by the arm…without a word…the two of them left the room.  Hutch glanced over at Huggy who just shrugged his shoulders and let out a deep breath.

They walked down the hallway and into Cassie’s room…still without a word.  Starsky waited for her to speak…he knew by now that it wasn’t good news.  She asked him to sit down and then she began…

“The recent test results aren’t good…the toxics in her body have been taking their toll…I want to try something…it’s dangerous and still in the experimental stages…it’s not yet an approved drug…but their has been a great deal of success with it.”  She told him.

“She’s gonna die…that’s what you’re telling me…you wouldn’t be pushing this other drug otherwise.” Starsky was devastated…he held back the tears as he spoke…the hard lump in his throat choking him.  “Do what you think is best…try it…try anything.” He said as he stood up and walked slowly over to her bed…letting the tears fall with his back to Sonja.

“The drug could kill her too…but in several cases it’s been successful in desolving the poison in the system…it attacks it and dilutes it…allowing it to be absorbed by the kidneys…it also causes convulsions…that’s what I’m afraid of.  Some people have had heart attacks…but Cassie is young and her heart is strong…it’s worth the risk.” She explained to him. “We can begin the doses today…I’ll send up the consent form.”

“It’s her only hope…go ahead…I’ll sign anything…just do it.” He said as he held her hand and put his other hand on her head...brushing her hair away from her face…she was so pale…and he hated to look at the tube in her mouth…so morbid.

The Doctor left the room as he stood there…letting the tears fall on her arm.  He let the bedrail down and leaned in close to her face…very close…then he spoke to her…from his heart…from his soul.

“Cassie…I’m here baby…you have to try…you can’t leave me…you can’t just walk into my life and turn it upside down and …and then leave me alone.  I..Love..you…I…I’m in …love with you.”  He stopped…he knew what he had just said…it was wrong…but it was how he felt.  He knew he would never be anything more to her than what he already was…but he had these feelings for her…it was like he wished things were different…he was younger…she was older…the dreams that he had been having…they were Cassie…he knew it.  He didn’t turn away from her kiss…he knew why…because it was what he wanted too.  He enjoyed it…so tender…so full of love…if only.  
He layed his head on her shoulder and cried…for Cassie…for him…for the love that he hid inside himself…the love that he knew could never be revealed to anyone…even if she pulled through. He just wanted to see her happy…even if it meant she had to end up with somebody else.

Hutch pulled the door closed…he had been in the hallway…listening…waiting for a sign that his partner needed him.  But, he overheard something that he wished he never had…now he knew the truth…now he knew what Starsky was hiding.  The jealousy was genuine…not a like a father at all…more like a lover…why didn’t he see it.
He could always read Starsky like a book…maybe he did see a hint of it…but shrugged it off.  Now he understood. “Damn.” He whispered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 15

Cassie found herself moving further and further away from their voices…away from the pain and darkness.  There was a bright light up ahead…full of warmth and love…so pretty.  She found herself drawn to it as if it were calling to her.  She was so tired…she just wanted to escape from her prison…she was ready to go.

At the end of the tunnel was a magnificent field of flowers…as far as she could see.  So warm and inviting…there were people in the distance…she couldn’t make them out clearly…but she decided to walk towards them.

She stopped to pick one of the flowers when a voice called out to her…

“Let them grow…we don’t pick them here.” A sweet sounding voice…a woman.

As she looked up she saw her…so pretty…young with short brown hair and brown eyes like her own…dressed in white and holding out her hand.

“Come with me…Someone is waiting for you.” She said with a voice so warm and tender that Cassie found it easy to trust her.  She took her hand and led her through the flowers…careful not to crush them.  A tall figure began to come into focus…clearer and clearer with every step she took…

“DADDY” she cried out as she ran the rest of the way and threw her arms around him…hugging him tightly

“Cassie …my baby…I’ve missed you so.” He said as he held her and stroked her hair.  I’m sorry I had to leave you alone.

“Dave takes good care of me…I love him daddy…he’s been so kind to me…but I’ve missed you so much…I want to stay with you now.” She said this to him…still not realizing where she was and what it would mean to stay there.

“You shouldn’t be here…not yet…you have to go back.” He told her as he looked into her eyes.

“Don’t you want me to stay?” She asked him.  “Don’t you still love me?

“Of course I love you…but, you have to go back now…I can’t keep you …you still have so much to do.” He tried to explain to her.

“But I don’t wanna go back…it’s so dark and it hurts.  Why can’t I stay?”

“Because Cassie..” The pretty lady told her. “Dave needs you…and you need him…you can’t leave him like this.  I left him because I had to…I didn’t have a choice…but you do.” She told her as she touched her hair.  “It would hurt him to lose you…you don’t want to hurt him do you Cassie.”

“Of course not…I love him…but I don’t want to leave daddy either.” She told her.  “What should I do?”

“You’re father will be here watching over you…if you need him.” She said softly to her.  “Go back Cassie…live the rest of your life…do this for me.”

“How do I get back?”

“I’ll take you most of the way…then you’ll be on your own…the rest will be up to you.” She said.  “You have to try…for Dave ok.”

“You know Dave?” she finally realized…she spoke of him as if she did.

“I knew Dave…a long time ago…I love him too.” She confessed.  “Walk with me and I’ll show you.”

“Wait!” she said …and then she hugged and kissed her father goodbye…for the last time.  “I’ll see you again…someday.”

“I’ll be waiting.” He told her…then he turned and walked away from her.

“I’m ready now.” She said as she took the lady’s hand again.  “Let’s go.”


As  Cassie walked with the pretty lady…she found their souls flowing together…mixing…she saw things…memories…A Basketball court and Dave and Hutch.  A small carnival…Hutch riding the bumper cars…
(Is this the same girl that wants to ride a giant slide…no time for feeling sorry for yourself.)  Pictures flashing through her mind…so many memories…(make it 4:30…promise…I thought best friends didn’t have to promise…they don’t…now get outta here.) She was lost in them…like reliving another life…a life with Dave…as his lover…and his friend.

Cassie received the first dose of the new drug an hour after Starsky signed the consent form.  He was told to watch her for seizures or any other side affects.   Since the drug was experimental…they weren’t sure what kind of reaction it would produce in her.
 
Hutch stayed but after a while Huggy had to leave…to open his bar.  He would check on them tomorrow.  Starsky looked like hell…Hutch was there but all he could do was be there…he couldn’t comfort him.  No one could…he was preparing himself for the loss…for her death…Hutch knew.

It was just like Terri…all over again.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 16

They sat with her for the rest of the night.watching her carefully .taking
turns in shifts again. The Nurses came in and out.taking blood and changing
her bags. They also hooked up a new machine.to keep an eye on her heart
rate.now along with the sound of the respirator.was a constant
beep.beep.from the new machine. The Nurse that hooked it up told them to
watch it especially during a seizure.in case her heart should stop. One
more thing to worry about.

Morning came and Hutch was watching Cassie as Starsky slept. The morning
sun had just begun to shine through her curtains.He walked over to them and
spread them open.flooding the room with a bliding light and waking his
partner. Starsky squinted and rubbed his eyes as he slowly rose to his
feet.

"Mornin' partner." Starsky said in a groggy voice. "Hey.why don't you go
on home and take a shower.then you can come back and I'll go.we both need a
break." He said as he streched his arms up and then behind his back.
Starsky was up till 3:00am while Hutch slept between 11:00pm and 3:00am.that
was the shift.both were tired.and both were in need of a shower.

"Alright.I'll be back in about an hour and a half.then you can go.I'll pick
us up some breakfast.ok." Hutch told him. "Sure you'll be alright here by
yourself?"

"Ya.I'll be ok.if she has a seizure, I just hit the button and watch the
monitor.but she hasn't had one all night.I think we'll be fine." He said.
"Now get outta here will ya."


Hutch gave Starsky a light pat on the back and a half smile before leaving
the room. On the way down the elevator.and all the way to his car.he
thought about Starsky. He didn't know how much more of this his partner
could take.it had been almost a week barley eating.barley sleeping. Starsky
looked like hell.and Hutch was concerned about his health. He opened the
door to his car and slid in behind the wheel. The trial was one week
away.He still had to testify.but if he had to do it alone.he might as well
not even show up. They won't convict without Starsky to back him up.and it
looked like that wasn't gonna happen.


Starsky persuaded Susan to get him a cup of coffee when she came on
duty.Susan was getting used to having him around and was more than happy to
do this for him. She and the rest of the Nurses were taken by the two
detectives and by their commitment to Cassie.


When Hutch got back to the Hospital he found Starsky staring out of her
window.lost in thought. He crept up to him slowly and tapped him on the
shoulder.scaring the hell out of him.apparently he hadn't heard him enter
the room.

"You shouldn't sneak up on people like that.you almost gave me a heart
attack." Starsky told him.

"You need to be more alert.what we're you thinking about just now?" Hutch
wanted to kmow.

"Jim.she watched him die in this room.for all I know.in the same bed .now
here she is.not even a year later." Starsky looked up at Hutch.
"Sometimes I feel like I'm being punished for somethin'.I mean.every time I
get to feeling good about my life.somethin' happens.I prayed that I wouldn't
have to take care of her that night.now I might loose her.do I deserve this
Hutch? First Terri.now this.what's next?"
He was feeling guilty.maybe a punishment for his thoughts.for the way he
felt about her. For the way he loved her.he knew it was wrong.

"You haven't done anything wrong.things happen.that's all.everyone has pain
to deal with.you think your being punished.for what.for being a cop.for
being a friend.for opening your heart to her. You just gotta hang in there
buddy. I brought you something to eat.then I want you to go home and get
cleaned up.clear the cobwebs out of your head and come back...I'll be here."
He told him. "We're gonna get through this."
Just then they heard the monitor beeping faster and as they turned around
they saw her body shaking.a seizure. They both ran over to her and Hutch
hit the button as Starsky held onto her


The Nurses came and the seizure ended.her heart monitor began to beep steady
and slow again.she had made it through. Hutch looked at Starsky with a look
of relief and Susan walked over to them and smiled.

"She did just fine.the medication is working.she handled this one well."
Then she turned and walked away.leaving them alone again.

As they sat down to open the contents of the brown paper bags that Hutch had
brought back with him.Starsky saw something else in the corner of the room.

"You brought your guitar.that's a great idea.she's never heard you sing."
Starsky said to him as he opened his coffee container.

"I brought something else too." He told him. "I didn't know how you would
react to it, but I was hoping you wouldn't mind."

"What is it?" He asked.and Hutch got up and walked over to the guitar.lifted
it up to reveal what he had hidden behind it.

"Ollie.why did you bring Ollie?" Starsky said with a confused look.

"I figured it wouldn't hurt to put him on her bed.for some reason when I got
home.I saw him looking at me and I thought about Terri.maybe she would want
Cassie to have him. I thought I'd ask you if it would be alright." Hutch
explained as he held Ollie in his hands.

"Terri would like that.she'd probably give him to her if she were still
here.sure go ahead." Starsky thought it was sweet of Hutch to do it.but
Hutch has always been so sensitive.It was a typical Hutch move.

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 17

(Do not open attached file until instructed to do so)

Starsky ate his breakfast and then left Hutch with Cassie so he could go home and grab a shower.  All he could think about lately was Cassie until Hutch brought Ollie to the Hospital…it was such a thoughtful thing to do.  He thought about all the times that Hutch had been there for him…too many to count…he realized that he had at least one thing in his life to be thankful for.  No matter what the hell was thrown at him…Hutch would always be there…as long as he had Hutch…everything would be all right.

As he slid behind the wheel of the Torino and turned the key in the ignition…the familiar roar of the massive engine gave him a sense of normality. It reminded him of an old western…his fateful steed waiting patiently for him…ready for action with the turn of a key.  He laughed a little at himself as he turned the corner of the parking lot onto the street…gunned the engine and headed for home.

******************

Hutch strummed his guitar improvising different melodies…letting his mind wander.  The sound of his guitar always soothed him whenever he was under a lot of stress…it was his friend when Starsky wasn’t around or when he just wanted to lose himself in his own thoughts.  Nurse Judith Hoffman entered the room and Hutch’s hand silenced the strings abruptly…embarrassed for her to hear him.

“Don’t stop…it sounds lovely.” She told him as she began the task of taking Cassie vitals.  “I’m sure She likes it…what young girl wouldn’t love to be serenaded.” She said.

“Thank you.” Hutch said …as he put his hands back in place and began to lightly touch the strings again…sending soft sweet tones through the air and Causing Judith to hum to herself as she went about her routine with Cassie.

He played around with different melodies…most of which he had invented himself…others he borrowed.  The Nurses listened at the door for a little while…thinking how very sweet it was that he would do this for her.


Starsky pulled into the parking area of the hospital…clean-shaven and showered.  It felt good to be clean again…he hated to smell.  As he headed up the elevator…carrying Cassie’s eight track tape player and a few of her tapes…he was in a much better mood than when he left.  He stepped off the elevator and walked slowly up to her door…cracking it open…he stopped in the doorway…and listened.

(Open attached file)

**************

He closed the door…walked down the hallway and into the nearest Mens room. He had heard the song before but at this moment it took on a different meaning…for Cassie and for him. He had to compose himself so Hutch wouldn’t see his tears…as he threw some water on his face he thought about something that he hadn’t before. Wonder where the hell Romeo was? If he liked her so much…why hadn’t he even bothered to check on her once?


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 18

Starsky walked slowly back to Cassie’s room still carrying her eight track tape player.  He pushed the door open and found Hutch softly strumming his guitar…the same music he had just been singing to.  Hutch looked up from his guitar and smiled at his partner who rested his arm against Cassie’s bed and smiled back at him.  

“That brings back allot of old memories.” Starsky told him as he laid the tape player on the end of Cassie’s bed…still leaning on his right arm.  I haven’t heard you play that song since…” He was interrupted.

“I know…I picked up the guitar and it just started to come out…guess I was reminiscing.”  Hutch told him and then he laid the instrument gently against the wall.

“Did she have another one…while I was gone?” Starsky asked concerned.  “God I really hate to see her like that.”

“No…she’s been pretty quite…not a peep out of her.” Hutch smiled…if you didn’t count the sound of the respirator or the constant beeping of the heart monitor…He just wanted her to wake up and yell for pizza…even just to open her eyes and smile at him would be enough.  Hutch wondered if it would ever happen.

*******************

Cassie drifted through the memories that she knew weren’t her own for a long time…but even while she drifted, she could hear them…talking in the distance…she even thought she heard Mike at one point…though she wasn’t sure.  (Will you take me on that slide?…Do you love me that much?) every moment playing before her eyes.  Cassie wondered who this lady was…and how she knew so much about him.  All she knew was that she liked her…and she knew that Dave loved her.

Doctor Sonja Van Schalm opened the door to Cassie’s room after knocking lightly.  Both Starsky and Hutch stood up as she entered the room.  They looked at her curiously and then back at eachother…she was smiling…it was the first time they had seen her smile since they had known her.  Starsky  looked eagerly into her eyes and swallowed hard…he hoped by the expression on her face…it was good news.

“Cassie’s latest test results are back…the toxic levels in her blood have begun to decrease…I think by tomorrow morning we will be able to remove the respirator …she should be strong enough to wake up soon after.” She told them.

“Whooooaaah ….Starsky shouted as he headed straight for Sonja…lifted her up in his arms and spun her around and around.

Hutch just let out a long awaited deep sigh and cried out.  “Thank God.”  

Sonja laughed at Starsky as he spun her around…she was so happy to see him smiling.  

Starsky sat her back down and then ran over and threw his arms around Hutch…Hugging him and laughing…Hutch patted him on the back and laughed with him.

“She is still on the drug…so she may have a few more seizures…but we should be able to stop the doses tomorrow….you still have to watch her and help her through them…but I think she’ll make it.” Sonja told them.

With a smile on her face Doctor Van Schalm left them and shut the door to her room.  Starsky and Hutch both approached Cassie’s bed…and looked at her…she still looked so weak and pale.  But it didn’t matter…the thought that she would soon wake up made them smile at her…and then at each other.

“Your gonna be alright honey…your gonna be ok now…Cassie can you hear me.”  Starsky said to her.  “I’m here…I’m gonna stay right here till you open those big beautiful brown eyes of yours …and then I’m gonna take you out for the biggest pizza you ever laid your eyes on.” He said with a grin.  Hutch smiled through tears at the sight of his partner…filled with a new sense of hope.

“Hey Starsk…I’m gonna go downstairs and call Dobey, Huggy, and everybody else I can think of…we’re gonna have one hell of a party.”
Hutch said as he began to dig through his pockets for some change.  

Starsky reached into his and pulled out all the change he had on him…and then he pulled out his wallet and handed a small piece of paper to Hutch.

“Be sure to call Mrs. Taylor…I mean Kaylene…she and Stacey  will want to know.”  Starsky told him. “And bring me back a sandwich will ya.”

“Sure thing.” Hutch grinned and then he winked at his partner and left the room.  As Hutch walked quickly past the Nurses station…he was stopped…by six Nurses…all of whom he had seen inside Cassie’s room at one time or another.  They were cheering and clapping…He had to stop and give them one of his irresistible smiles…and a friendly wave as he continued on his way to the elevator.

********************

Cassie had another seizure during the night but,  it didn’t last long…they helped her through it together until they felt her body relax again.  Neither one of them could sleep…it felt like the night before Christmas.  They expected tomorrow that she would wake up…and that to Starsky would be better than Christmas.

They borrowed a deck of cards from the Nurses Station and stayed up all night together playing poker, rummy, whatever they could think of…even go fish at one point.  Until the soft glow of the sun began to make it’s way through the folds in her curtain…and shone a pale yellow throughout the room.

 
The Nurses came in around 7:00AM to unhook and remove the respirator…as soon as they pulled it from her throat…she started to gag and both Starsky and Hutch were afraid that she wouldn’t be able to breathe on her own.  But soon she settled down into slow easy and deep breaths.  Starsky leaned over her…a hand on either side of her waist and looked into her face.  The color had begun to come back into her cheeks and she looked just like an angel again…so much better.

Nurse Susan Staton entered the room to take some more vitals and to change her bags again.  She smiled at the two detectives as she entered the room.

“I’ll only be a few minutes.”  She told them.  “I sure hope the sight where the tube is won’t leave too much of a scare after they remove it.”

The sound of her words took them both by surprise…they hadn’t thought about the tube at all.

“You mean she still has more surgery before this is all over?” Hutch asked her.

“Of course…they’ll have to remove the drainage tube…but that won’t take very long…couple of hours at the most.” She said as she went about her routine.

“When will they do it?” Starsky asked.

“Soon after she wakes up…I would imagine.” Susan told them.

“You think she’ll be strong enough?” Hutch questioned her.

“The doctors know what they’re doing…relax…it’s got to come out you know.  We won’t need it anymore once the toxics drop to a safe level.”

Susan smiled at them as she left the room.  Starsky went back to the task of stroking her hand and talking softly to her…with Hutch on the other side. They both knew that she could wake up at any time now…and they were gonna be there to witness it together.  

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P & C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 19

They waited for a few more hours…talking to her…trying as hard as they could but still nothing.  Completely exhausted from having stayed up all night together,  Starsky laid his head down on the side of her bed…and still holding onto her hand…he drifted off to sleep.  Hutch decided to lie down on the cot to catch a few winks himself…if she started to spasm again…Starsky would be able to feel it.  The Nurses had just come in and removed one of the IV’s that Cassie had had in her arms for the past week.  Another good sign…they wouldn’t be back for another couple hours.   

*******

The pretty young lady had brought Cassie back in her dream…as far as she could take her.

“You’ll be alright.” She told her.  “I have to go now…Tell Dave I said I would always be there if he needed me…and that I still love him.”

“WAIT!”  Cassie called after her…but she was gone.  “What do I do?”

“Just open your eyes Cassie.” She heard her say in a whisper…and then she was alone again.  

********

Slowly…she began to move her fingers…lightly wrapping them  around his.   Starsky felt it…and woke suddenly.

“Cassie?” He called her name softly.  “Do it again baby…c’mon do it again.”

Hutch rose to his feet at the words…she had done something…he heard it in Starsky’s voice.

Her fingers moved again…in an unmistakable attempt to respond to his voice…Starsky looked over at Hutch who was by this time standing closely behind him.

“Did you see that Hutch…did you see that? Starsky wanted to hear Hutch confirm it for him…to know that he saw it too.

“I saw it…tell her to do it again.” He coaxed.

“Cassie baby…wiggle your fingers for me…C’mon now…show me you can do it.” He told her as he rubbed her arm gently and held her hand in his.

Again she moved them…just barley…but she did it.  Starsky hit the button for the Nurse.  He wanted to show someone else…someone who could tell him why she was still asleep…why hadn’t she opened her eyes yet?

A Nurse entered the room followed by Doctor Nancy Young…who had been making her rounds.

“Sorry I’ve been away for a while…I was called out of town for a few days.” She told them.  “Sonja tells me that she’s getting better…I’m so glad.”

“She moved her fingers…I think I can get her to do it again….watch this.” Starsky told her…with the enthusiasm of a little boy showing everyone how he can ride a bike with no hands.

Cassie…hold my hand…hold my hand as tight as you can…try honey.” He said and then he waited…holding his breath…along with everyone else in the room.  After a few seconds…her fingers moved again…weakly wrapping around his.

“A very good sign…she’ll be waking up soon.” Nancy told them. “Let’s try something else.” She said as she gently pulled the blanket from her feet and reached into her top coat pocket for a pen.  “Cassie can you feel this?”  She said as she rubbed the bottom of her foot with the end of her pen.

Cassie responded with a slight movement of her foot.  Nancy looked up and smiled.  “She’s coming back…she’ll probably wake up tonight.”

Starsky smiled and bit his bottom lip…his adams apple noticeably moving up and down.  “I knew it…I just wanted to hear you say it.” He managed to get the words out and keep the tears inside.

It was around 6:00PM when Doctor Van Schalm came for a visit and found both men in good spirits…laughing and talking to her as if she were wide awake.  

“I heard the good news…have you gotton anything else out of her yet?” She asked them.

“She’s been moving her fingers and toes when you ask her to…Nancy said she should wake up tonight.” Hutch told her.

“I’m surprised she hasn’t already…her test results look real good…levels are well below the toxic range…let me know when she comes around…I’ll be here in the Hospital for awhile tonight.” She told them. “Then we can schedule her surgery…and move her to a room with a phone where she can have more visitors.” She said with a smile and then turned around and walked out of the room.  “See you later.”


A few more hours went by and Hutch had made another trip to get something for them to eat…but this time it was fron the chinese restaurant down the street.  They were tired of eating sandwiches from the cafeteria…it was time for some real food.

They sat in her room talking and eating and trying to say things that might stimulate a response from Cassie…they expected her to come back any moment with one of her little sarcastic remarks…so they were trying to coax one from her.  Talking again as if she could hear every word.

As time went by and nightfall came. They were so tired that neither one of them could stay awake any longer.  Starsky rested his head on her bed again holding her hand…and Hutch decided to pull up a chair next to him and scoot way down in it to get comfortable…propping his feet on the end of her bed.

*********

1:00AM :

Cassie looked through very small slits in her eyes as she tried to focus in the bright light of the room.  As her eyes grew more accustomed to her surroundings she turned her head slightly…to see what was on her right side.  She felt something there.  She was very groggy as if she might be drunk…(though she had never actually experienced the feeling before) it took her a moment before she realized that it was Dave…asleep beside her.  She could see his hand in hers…so she gently wrapped her fingers around his…and smiled.

Starsky tightened his grip around her fingers in his sleep…not yet realizing the fact that she was awake…he was so tired.  She wanted to wake him up…so she pulled her hand away from his and began to touch his hair.  Gently putting her hand near the back of his neck.

This was enough to generate a response…he lifted his head quickly and looked straight into her eyes.   Then he grabbed her with both hands on either side of her face and smiled at her through his tears.  

“Hello Princess” He said in a whisper

“Hello…Best Friend” She answered…not really sure why she chose those particular words at the moment.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NEAR DEATHS DOOR
BY P&C PRODUCTIONS

CHAPTER 20…FINAL

Starsky just stood over her for a few seconds…looking into her eyes…smiling at her.  She touched his face…laying the palm of her hand on his cheek…as she smiled back at him.   Then he began to laugh.  Hutch woke to the sound of his laughter and sprang to his feet…rounding the foot of her bed to the other side.  He lifted her hand slowly…careful of the IV tube in that arm…and smiled down at her.  Then he reached for the white teddy bear that he had brought her…who had been resting on the bed rail since his arrival.  Cassie looked over at Hutch…

“Hutch…were you singing to me?” She asked him.  “It sounded so beautiful.”

“You remember?” Hutch asked her.  “What else do you remember?”

“I heard you talking…both of you.” She said weakly

“I have something for you.” Hutch told her…then he put the bear closer…so she could see him.  “His name is…”

“Ollie….” Cassie said as she pulled him closer…and hugged him.  “It’s Ollie.”

Starsky looked at Hutch…who was looking at him…both with the same puzzled expression…then they turned their attention back to her…but she had already drifted off to sleep again.

“How did she know…” Starsky questioned him.

“Beats the hell out of me.”  Hutch replied.

 They watched her for a few minutes…both of them so grateful that the ordeal was finally over.  Now as she rested peacefully…the tension of the past week and a half seemed to all fade away.  It was like a bad dream…that suddenly came to an end the moment she opened her eyes.  

“I guess I better tell the Nurses.” Hutch finally spoke up.  “The Doctor will want to schedule her surgery.”

“Not yet.” Starsky told him.  “It can wait…Go on home and get some sleep…I’ll tell them in the morning.”

“You sure?” Hutch asked.  “I’ll stay if you want.”

“She’ll be ok…come back in the morning…I’ll be here.”  Starsky assured him.  “You need some sleep…I’ll catch a few hours myself.”

“Alright…I’ll be back early.” Hutch promised.  “See ya .”

Hutch walked over to the chair he had fallen asleep in earlier and grabbed his jacket…then he headed for the door.

“Hey..” Starsky called to him as he pulled it open.

Hutch stopped to look back at him.

“Yeah.”

 “You’re my Pal Hutch…thanks for hanging around.”  Starsky said softly.

Hutch just smiled and said.  “Anytime…Partner.”

Starsky slept a total of 5 hours that night…the Nurses came in and out through the night…Cassie didn’t wake up as they changed her bags…there was no need to take blood…her last test results were normal.

The next morning…Nurse Susan Staton entered the room and began to take her blood pressure.  Cassie startled her when she opened her eyes and spoke to her.

“Where’s Dave?” Cassie asked in a groggy voice…disoriented but more aware of her surroundings than the night before.

Susan smiled at her and answered. “He’s right here…how do you feel?”

“Tired…How long have I been here?” She asked.
“Almost two weeks…I’m Susan…we’ve been waiting for you to wake up.”  She told her.  “You sure had these two guys worried…they’ve been watching over you the whole time.”

“They’re my friends.” Cassie told her.  

“You’re a very lucky girl.” Susan said with a smile.

“Yeah…they are kinda cute.” She whispered.

Susan laughed a little…then she squeezed her hand and turned around to wake Starsky…who was sleeping on the cot near her bed.  She touched his arm and shook him gently.

“She’s awake.” Susan told him.

Starsky rubbed his eyes and sat halfway up.  “She woke up last night…I was gonna tell you this morning.” He said.

“The doctor will want to get her to surgery…the tube has to come out…then she’ll probably be released in a day or two.” Susan told him.  “I’ll call her right away.”

“Thanks for everything…really.” He said as he rose to his feet…and extended his hand.

She returned the gesture and held his hand for a moment.  “It’s my job.”

Hutch arrived shortly after 7:30AM and discovered that they had her surgery scheduled for 9:00AM…not wasting anytime…they wanted her side to begin to heal…so the scar wouldn’t be too noticeable.  Both Starsky and Hutch waited down the hall from her on the second floor while she was in surgery…they wanted to be close…just in case.  After two and a half hours went by…the Doctor walked out and told them that they would be moving Cassie to a room on the fourth floor…a regular room with a television and a phone.  She would be allowed to have flowers…and as many visitors as she wanted.  

The next two days passed quickly. A fully awake Cassie…no restrictions on her diet…and everyone came to visit…Dobey, Huggy, Stacey and her mom…other kids from school…and of course Starsky and Hutch…who between the two of them continued to keep watch over her.

Flowers filled the room along with cards and candy boxes…Cassie was getting around well enough to remove her folli catheter and finally…on the last day…her IV.  She hadn’t really had time to talk to Dave alone…too many distractions.  She wanted to tell him about her dreams…but there just didn’t seem to be a good time to bring it up…so she decided to wait.  Going to the bathroom for the first time on her own was a painful experience…after having the catheter for so long.  They wouldn’t allow her to go home until she could do it.  She finally got a good look at the two noticeable scars on her belly…while in the bathroom.  Dave noticed a definite change in her mood when she finally opened the door and walked out.  She didn’t speak to him at all…but went straight back to the bed…with a sad expression on her face.

Starsky walked over to her slowly and tucked her in.  “What’s wrong?”

“They’re so ugly.” She said…her mood apparent in her voice.

“You mean the scars…so what…after a while you won’t even notice them anymore.”  Starsky told her.  “You want to see scars…look at this.”

He removed his shirt and began to point out to her every bullet wound…knife wound…and explained them all in detail.  Hutch walked in as his back was turned…and Cassie was touching a large scar on his shoulder.

“What’s going on here?” He said with a smile.  “Strip search?”

“I was just showing Cas some of my old battle scars.” Starsky explained.

“Wanna see some scars?” Hutch said as he removed his shirt.  “Look at these.” And began to tell her the story behind each one of his own.

Just about that time…Dobey came strolling in…and snickered at his two half-naked detectives.  “Giving her an anatomy lesson?” He joked.

“Just showing her some of our scars.” Hutch told him.

Dobey began to remove his shirt.  “I didn’t spend close to thirty years on the force without my share…take a look at these.” He said as he showed them his chest and back…giving them a detailed description of his brushes with death.

Huggy came in next…and had to lean against the wall to keep from falling down as he laughed at them…all three stripped to the waist…and Cassie enjoying the show.

“Ha…Ha…Ha…If you where going to have this kind of party…you shoulda told me…I coulda brought some more women.” He said between his chuckles.

“We were showing her our scars…you know…bullet holes…surgery…knife wounds.” Dobey explained to him.

“I got some of those…wanna see?” Huggy asked as he removed his shirt.

The sight of Huggy’s skinny bare chest had the whole room laughing hysterically, even Cassie who decided that her scars wouldn’t really be so bad after all.

On the day she was released…Hutch excused himself and let Starsky take her home alone.  Hutch had to get everything ready for her big surprise.

The place seemed quite as they pulled into the driveway…(Cars concealed around back) Starsky helped her step out of the car and up to the door…she was still stiff from her surgery.  As the door opened…lights were flipped on and “SURPRISE” was yelled out loud by about twenty or so people.  A large cake and balloons…disco music and all her closest friends from school…Dobey and his wife…Huggy and Hutch…Stacey and her mom…Tracy…Robin…Lisa…Ann…Deb…and Valerie.  The landlady Mrs. Cotton and a few other people she didn’t really recognize…Cops off duty.

“Hey…where’s Mike?” Cassie asked Stacey as she cut the cake.

“Mike…what a creep…He found out that you were sick and started dating Cathy Blair…you know…the cheerleader with the big…” Stacey stopped when she saw that Cassie had walked away from her…. she followed…walking up from behind.  “Sorry Cas.”
“But it doesn’t make any sense…he came to visit me in the hospital.” Cassie remembered the words that were spoken to her.  Mike was the only one who could of said it.  Who else…unless it was just a dream.

Starsky noticed Cassie standing by the counter…leaning on it with Stacey behind her…a hand on her shoulder.  He walked over to see if she was all right.

“Hey…you ok?” He asked her…and Stacey decided to back away…to let him talk to her.

Cassie put on a fake smile and turned around.  “I’m fine.” She told him.

He knew she was lying…she wasn’t good at it...he let it go for now.

After the party died down and Hutch and Huggy finished helping him clean up…Starsky told them he wanted her to rest…and they took it as a sign that they should leave a little earlier than they had planned…Hutch understood.

Cassie slowly got ready for bed…though it was only around 6:30PM…she was really tired…and still depressed over the latest bombshell that was dropped on her.  How could Mike do this to her?

Starsky knocked on her bedroom door and was invited in…he slowly crept up to her bed and sat down next to her.  

“Had a big day today…Now you ready to tell me what’s bothering you?” He asked her.

“What are you talking about?” She pretended.

“C’mon Cas…it’s me…I know something’s bugging you…now give.” He persisted.

“Stacey told me that Mike started dating Cathy Blair as soon as he found out that I was sick…she’s the one with the big…”

“I get the picture…no wonder the little punk never showed.” He said out loud.

“But I remember him there…he told me he was in love with me…I heard him.” Cassie told him.  “I know I did…do you think I could of dreamed it?”

Starsky knew what she heard…but he couldn’t tell her…maybe it was best to leave it alone.  “You must’ve dreamed it…cause he never came by…not even once.”

“But I remember Hutch singing to me…and you telling me I could drive your car…the Bee Gee’s tickets…why would that have been a dream…maybe it’s just like the lady.” She said.

“What Lady…a Nurse?” He asked her.

“No…the lady in my dream…she brought me back…I saw Daddy too…Dave…I saw daddy…and this lady with short brown hair and brown eyes…she told me to tell you that she said she would always be there.” She told him as she scooted down under the covers…and he tucked her in.  She was so tired.

“What else did she say.” He asked as he strooked her hair and watched her eyes grow heavier.

“She said she would always be there if you needed her…and tell Dave I still love him.” She said as her eyes closed and a yawn escaped her.

HE watched as she drifted off to sleep …glanced over at Ollie…and thought about her words…could it have been?  Terri…it would explain how she knew about Oliie…and the words she spoke when she woke from the coma…hello best friend…Terri’s words…it would explain everything.  Could it have been?  He leaned over to kiss her on the cheek…and then he looked up at the ceiling of her room…turned out her bedside lamp and…said in a whisper.

“Thanks Terri…for giving her back to me.”

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