Starsky sat on the sofa in deep shock. All that was running through his head was //She's gone... She's really gone...//. Hutch was trying to comfort him, but he was too far in shock for it to have any effect. He could vaguely hear Hutch's voice in his ear, but he couldn't make out the words. It still hurt too much.

Strong arms wrapped around him and the familiar feeling finally caused the tears to flow. Starsky sobbed in his partner's arms, letting out his grief.
"Let it go Starsk. I am here for you Babe." He rocked the devastated man in his arms, and patted the unruly curls.

After a while the sobbing lessened, and Starsky looked up at Hutch with red-rimmed eyes.
"I loved her so much Hutch," he whispered.
"I know Babe... I know." Hutch hugged Starsky harder and continued rocking gently. He kissed the raised forehead and continued running his fingers through the curls.
"I'm going to miss her so much," Starsky continued. "She was always there for me. She never complained about my job and its hours. She never made snide comments about you and the amount of time that we spent together. In fact, she loved you too and was happy to spend time with you because you made me so happy. I always could depend on her no matter what happened. I won't find that kind of loyalty again. It hurts so bad Hutch!"
Hutch wished he could take away all the pain Starsky was feeling. He knew he couldn't, but he would be there for him to help him through his grief.
"I'll miss her too Babe." At Starsky's disbelieving look he continued. "I know I teased you about her all of the time, but I really did like her. How could I not love something that was a part of you? I loved the time we spent together, and I will miss that."
"You really mean that, don't you?" Starsky asked in wonder.
"Yeah Babe I do." Hutch answered honestly. He really would miss their time together. It was the time spent with her that had helped to cement their already strong friendship. He owed her a lot. In fact if it hadn't been for her, they might never have admitted how much they loved each other, and they wouldn't have moved to the next level. She had protected them from the world, allowing them to show more of their feelings than they could without her.
"I know it hurts Babe, but as long as we remember her, and keep her in our hearts, she will live on." Hutch spoke softly while caressing Starsky's cheek.
"I know that in my head, but my heart..." Starsky trailed off unable to finish, but Hutch understood exactly what he meant.
"I understand love. I am here for you any time you need me."
"I'll always need you Babe." Starsky leaned forward and kissed Hutch gently.

When they broke apart, they both remembered their last view of her. They had been having lunch when a large truck came hurtling down the hill with no brakes. They had both watched, horrified, as the truck was unable to make the corner. It had crossed the dividing line and continued on to where she had stood. They couldn't see the impact, but they heard everything, and when they ran to the scene, it was obvious that it was too late. She was crushed beyond recognition, and even though they had both seen it, it was still hard to believe she was really gone. She had been such a big part of their lives for so long, that losing her left a big hole.

There would never be anything like her ever again. There would never be another Candy-Apple red Torino with a white stripe!

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