Eight perfumed candles
Hutch tried to keep the bracelet hidden under the cuff of his sleeve but Huggy noticed it anyway. He whistled. “I knew you guys were close – but I didn't know Curly had staked his claim.”
Hutch looked up and hoped he wasn't blushing again. Huggy knew all about their relationship but all the same – was this bracelet so obvious a signal?
“What do you mean?”
“Well Hutch only those in the know can know what it means. You being a cop and all most people will just think it's another of your fads – like that thing round your neck. If I didn't know better I'd think it was a coke horn.”
“A what?!”
Huggy rolled his eyes. “Don't tell me you didn't know what it was when you bought it.”
“Well no, I didn't. I just liked it and it makes a change from the moon and star.”
“Well Hutch, if you didn't know it doesn't matter.”
Hutch made a mental note to go back to the moon and stars.
Huggy hadn't finished. “Of course some people might think that the bracelet meant something else.” Hutch held his breath. Did he dare ask? He asked.
“Handcuffs – a little tying down and getting on – if you see what I mean.”
Hutch shook his head.
Starsky chuckled behind him. Hutch hadn't heard his partner coming into the bar as quietly as a cat – and Huggy must have seen him. Huggy was having fun.
“Huggy is talking about S&M” Starsky said softly. He turned his dark blue gaze onto the proud owner of The Pits and grinned. “We haven't tried that…. yet !”
Hutch swallowed hard. He wasn't so sure about that last remark – Starsky could string him along in such a way that it was positively cruel – and he had to admit he enjoyed it all the same. He turned to Starsky. “I've been waiting for you for an hour.” He sounded peevish. Starsky touched his cheek. “Absence makes the heart grow fonder.” He grinned. “Sorry, but I had to put the finishing touches to Dobey's gift.”
“I don't even want to know.” Huggy said and the three of them giggled at the memory of the toilet pan with a big red ribbon round it carefully displayed on Dobey's desk.
Hutch was still figuring out a way of getting Starsky over to Venice Place – or escaping from the brunet long enough to pick up the package. He settled on the stool and ordered another beer; Starsky sat beside him and ordered a coke “with plenty of ice Huggy please.” He stroked Hutch's wrist letting his fingers linger for a second on the bracelet. “How about seeing what games we can play tonight,” he whispered while Huggy fetched clean glasses.
They drank in silence – each man thinking about what plans he had in store for his partner. The ‘phone broke the silence. Huggy answered it. “Yes. Yes they're here. Ok I'll tell them.”
He came back to the bar. “That was Mildred – she's been trying to get you on the radio; there's a hold-up going down over on ninth.”
Hutch stared at the front of the Torino for a second then shook his head. Starsky had already attached a large red nose to the grille and adorned the rearview with fake mistletoe.
“I'm surprised you haven't put tinsel round the steering wheel.” He said grumpily.
“Hey that's not a bad idea…gold do think or maybe I can find some red.”
“Starsky!”
“I think Doctor Seuss must have met you sometime – the original Grinch.”
“Can it Starsk!”
Starsky swallowed and fell silent for a few minutes. Finally he couldn't stand it any longer. “OK what's the matter; did you fall out of bed on the wrong side or what?”
Starsky pulled over to the curb and parked. The two cops crossed the road and Starsky walked into the bank. Hutch stayed outside checking his gun.
Starsky walked quietly into the bank. The robbers were already at work; a man and a woman dressed in Santa outfits.
While the woman was stuffing a bag of money into a false pregnancy hidden under her costume her accomplice was raking money into a duffel bag. They hadn't heard the cop who was capable of moving as stealthily as a cat.
Starsky didn't miss a beat. He put his finger to his lips to warn the others in the bank not to react and drew his gun. He slip-stepped up to Mrs. Claus and pushed the barrel of his Smith and Wesson into the small of her back. “Oh dear, it looks like baby came prematurely.” He whispered in her ear. “Go over to the door.”
She walked carefully towards the door and Hutch stepped into the bank to grab her arm. Starsky was now right up close behind the other robber.
“Funny,” he said flatly, “I thought that donations were supposed to be voluntary. Drop the sack and put your hands where I can see them.” For a split second there was total silence in the bank, but suddenly the Santa turned and Starsky saw too late that he was holding a pistol. ‘Santa' turned and lunged at Starsky taking him off-balance. There was a brief struggle and at one point Starsky felt his arm twist underneath him. He managed to get the better of the situation and finally had his man under control. He pushed him out of the bank, reciting Miranda as he did so, and handed him over Mr. Claus over to join Mrs. Claus in the back of the waiting black and white.
Hutch was already handing Mrs.Claus over to the cops who had arrived in a Black and White. “Book them; we're supposed to be at a stake-out. I guess we'll deal with the report later.”
Starsky pushed his prisoner into the back of the car and said ‘Ho ho ho!”
The two cops stood and watched the Black and White as it disappeared round the block.
“I guess we'd better go in and finish it off.” Starsky said reluctantly.
Hutch watched the patrol car disappear round the block. “I guess we should go in and finish it up.”
“Yeah.” Starsky didn't seem convinced. Hutch touched his arm. “Hey, are you ok?”
“I dunno; I guess I kind of twisted my arm when I was fighting Santa off.”
Hutch saw his chance. . “Let's stay at my place tonight, OK?” Starsky looked at him carefully. Hutch continued. “Yes, I mean it's nearer, I'm thinking of your arm. I mean I could drive.”
“Hutch, it hurts, ….but it doesn't hurt enough to let you drive my car. And staying over at your place sounds good – I could maybe soak in a hot bath.” That was somewhere towards what Hutch had in mind.
Starsky parked in front of Venice Place and the two men climbed the stairs to Hutch's apartment. Hutch opened a bottle of wine and handed a glass to Starsky. “Drink that – I'll go run you a bath.” Starsky started to take off his jacket but winced and rubbed his shoulder ruefully. Hutch helped him to get out of jacket and holster and then led him to the couch.
“I'll be back to help you take the rest off in a minute.”
“Yes mom.”
Hutch slipped into the bedroom and retrieved the still un-wrapped box from under his bed. Starsky seemed to be engrossed in the movie…Judy Garland was singing and Starsky had kicked off his trainers and curled up on the couch with a big grin on his face.
Hutch undressed and slipped his robe on. He checked that everything was in place and tested the bath water.
“Come on Starsky – your bath is ready.”
Starsky stood up and winced again. “I may need a little help getting out of my T-shirt.”
“I think I can arrange that.” Hutch smiled at him. He eased Starsky's T-shirt up his chest and over his good arm, he slipped it down over the sore shoulder. “Stand up.”
Starsky obeyed. Hutch unzipped the tight jeans and slid his fingers into the waistband of Starsky's already straining underpants. He lowered both garments to the floor. As he did so he kissed Starsky on the lips. Starsky stepped out of his pants and allowed Hutch to guide him into the bathroom.
He stopped and stared at the scene in front of him. The bathroom was lit by the golden glow of eight candles burning in frosted glasses; they had been arranged around the tub and on the edge of the sink. The soft smell of sandalwood mixed with the heady perfume of patchouli. He turned to Hutch who was shucking off his robe.
“Happy Christmas Starsk.”