A Fairy Tale

By M. Willow

Part Four

The evening of the Ball and Hutch had a surprise.  He’d taken a chance and spoke with Fenton after Starsky told him how the man had helped Evelyn in the past.  He wanted this to be a magical day for the couple and needed help.  Now he waited to see his friend’s face when he saw what he had done.

 “Starsky, stand still, Let me get this tie on right,” Hutch was trying to tie his very nervous partners tie who had suddenly become all thumbs.  Finally Hutch smiled approvingly.  The tie perfect, his friend dressed in a tux.  The look suited his normally casual partner.

“Lookin’ good, Hutch,” Starsky said, clearly admiring the similar tux Hutch wore.  Both men were striking—Hutch with his blond hair, and piercing sky-blue eyes, against the black tux.  And Starsky, evenly muscled, his soft curls, brushing the collar of his tux.

“Come, on.  We’re gonna be late,” Hutch said as he hurried for the door.

“Hey, what’s up with you anyhow, Blondie,” Starsky said.  And Hutch knew it was nearly impossible to keep a secret from his partner who could read him the way some people read the Wall Street Journal.  Still, the surprise was only minutes away.

“You’ll see,” he said teasingly.

Starsky followed close behind.

“I was hoping to meet her sister, but she won’t get in till after we’re gone,” He heard the brunet say.  Hutch knew the Baron was coming as well which was another reason he was glad his curly-haired partner would not be home to welcome them.  He didn’t trust Starsky’s temper.  He remembered the melt down in the car.  It had taken every ounce of strength he had to pull his friend through.  

Hutch stopped before Evelyn’s door and stood back waiting for the reaction he knew was coming.  Starsky gave him a puzzled look and knocked on the door. 

In seconds Evelyn appeared.  She wore a spectacular, off the shoulder dress of purple, mixed in with deep tones of blue.  The dress emphasized every curve of her body without being overtly sexy.  Her hair was artfully pulled into a chignon with lose strains that framed her face.  She wore makeup, subtly applied, that gave her skin a soft glow.  She was beautiful, and Starsky was mesmerized.  Hutch had arranged the dress, buying it with his own money so the king would never be aware of the purchase.  Fenton had done the rest, making sure the king was not at home for the evening.  They were safe and as Starsky took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, he knew it was worth every effort to see his friend happy.

Hutch cleared his throat when the kiss lingered a bit too long.

“Come on, guys.  Won’t do to have someone catch you two.”

The couple pulled back. 

Evelyn came over to Hutch and kissed him on the cheek.  “Thanks for everything,” she said.  “You’re the best friend a girl can have,”

Then Starsky took her hand and all three sat off for the ball.   

The dance was held at a grand ballroom in Bay City.  At one time, the club had been a second home for the famous celebrities of the past.  Men like Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra had graced its stage.  Now it stood, once again restored to its past glory.  

The club had a ballroom that Starsky would have been excited about had it not been for his full attention on the beautiful Evelyn. 

Hutch didn’t have a date, not because he couldn’t have asked a dozen willing women, but because he simply never got around to it.  Now he sought Dobey, who also came alone because Edith was visiting her mother.

“So captain, how is it going?” he asked conversationally as he approached the big man.

Dobey had his eyes peeled on the dance floor, watching Starsky and Evelyn as they danced yet another waltz. 

“They fit, don’t they?” Dobey asked to the perplexed Hutch. 

“What?” he asked, following his captains eyes to the lovers.  Now the floor was all there’s as they danced a tango.  Their love for each other laid bare for anyone to see.

“Yes, they do.” Hutch answered.

“This is not good,” Dobey said.  Hutch spared a glance as the big man took a sip from his glass.  He was half expecting his captain to be angry.  What he saw instead was a look of concern on his face.

“How bad is it?” Dobey asked, looking into his sky-blue eyes.  Hutch knew he had to be honest with the man.  Dobey was gruff, threatening sometimes, but underneath it all, he really cared for Starsky.  So Hutch answered the man and not the captain.

“He’s in deep.  He wants her to give everything up to be with him.  He really loves her.”

“I know, son, but we know that can ever be.”

Hutch was astounded by his insight. 

“He knows, Captain.  He knows.”

“Then all we can do is be there for him, son.”

Hutch was forever grateful for this man in their lives who meant more to him than his own father.  If he could have said it now, said it without it being uncomfortable for the both of them, he would have told him that—told him how much his caring really meant.  That he was the father he’d never had.  Instead, he watched as the room resounded in applause as the talented lovers left the floor.  Yes, he’d be there for Starsky as he always had.

“You have never looked so beautiful,” he whispered as he held her in his arms.  She melted into him as the soft strains of the orchestra played.  They’d danced for hours.  Listened to the applause that followed each time they danced, but Starsky only had eyes for Evelyn.

“How did you learn to dance like that,” he whispered as they swirled around the empty dance floor. The floor was empty because people now regarded them as a couple to watch, not compete with.  Starsky didn’t care.

”It is expected that women of my class know how to dance.  Father spent a great deal of money seeing to my training.”

Starsky thought of her dancing with the baron, making love with the baron, completely unsatisfied with her life, him missing her always. 

“Well it was worth it.” Starsky said, not wanting to talk about his dark thoughts.  This was their last night together and he wanted it to be special.  She was going to marry the baron tomorrow and there was nothing he could do to change that.  

“I want to be with you tonight,” she whispered in his ear. “I’ll come to you.”

“No,” Starsky said.  “Too dangerous.  The baron is probably there now.  So is your sister.”

“I don’t care.  This is the last night.  The last night.  I won’t see this evening end like a damn fairy tale where I run home at midnight.  I won’t see it.”

Starsky was startled by her use of words.  He’d never know her to curse. 

He placed a kiss on her head, pulling her just a little tighter.  “Okay, my love, you know I want you.  Just be careful, okay.  Promise me that.”

“I will.  You’ll see.  No one will ever know.”

The night ended too quickly.   At precisely midnight, they’d left the party.  Hutch stayed, dancing with one of the female cops who also came alone.  Now, Starsky waited in his room. As if by magic, Evelyn appeared, her beautiful red hair shining in the moonlight.  He reached for her immediately, drowning in her kisses.  Their clothes fell to the floor, his kisses exploring her body.  He picked her up and carried her to the bed, his mouth never leaving her lips.  Starsky felt like he was on fire his need for her was so great.  How could he live without her, he thought, as the satin sheets caressed their bodies. 

Starsky felt himself nearing the edge, fighting it at the same time.  He wanted to make love to her all night long.   It would have to last the rest of their lives.  They were devouring each other, now with a need that went beyond desire.  And then he saw a flash of light and the guards entered the room, guns drawn.

“Get away from the princess,” the tall guard ordered. 

Starsky pulled Evelyn behind him, covering her from the scrutiny of the guards.  It was a bad idea, now she would pay.  How could he possibly protect her now?

“Listen, it’s not what you think,” he pleaded. But he knew it was a feeble attempt.  How could he possibly explain the presence of a nude princess in his bed at three o’clock in the morning? 

One guard stepped forward, reaching to the floor and grabbing her robe.  He threw it on the bed, all without making eye contact.  Starsky’s eyes darted around the room looking for a weapon.  He didn’t know what the penalty for sleeping with him was, but he wasn’t about to wait and find out.  Seeing nothing, he waited for his opportunity. 

Starsky handed the robe to Evelyn who quickly put it on.  She was trembling and Starsky wanted to take her in his arms, but now wasn’t the time.  They were in trouble and it was going to take a miracle to get them out of it.

A tall man of about seventy, with slate-grey hair, and close-set grey eyes, entered the room.

“I believe you have my fiancée, sir.  I will see that you’re both punished to the full extent of our law,”

Starsky had a mental image of the beautiful Evelyn languishing away in some prison.  Or did they stone women for what they were doing.

“You don’t understand,” she said.

“I quite understand as will you.  Now remove yourself from that bed.” He commanded, his grey eyes becoming dark with rage.

Starsky was about to make his move, when he was startled by an unlikely woman.  She had red hair, the same upturned nose, the same everything, identical even to a practiced eye.  It was Lori. 

Lori charged into the room, pushing one of the guards aside.

“Oh, there you are,” she said.    I told you to stay away from him.”

She charged to the bed and spared her sister a withering glance.  “Just because you’re the second daughter doesn’t mean you can take liberties with this poor defenseless man,” 

She shot the baron a glance.  “And what are you doing here?” she asked, clearly in command of the situation as Starsky watched the man visibly cringe.

Starsky said nothing.  The whole damned place was in his bedroom.  He felt like a deer in the headlights waiting for what would happen next.  As if on cue, Hutch entered. 

The blond looked around the room, assessing the situation in seconds, cast a you’re in big trouble look in his friends direction before speaking.

“What’s going on here,” he said, charging past the guards, the baron, and Lori who still glared at the baron.

“Precisely what I want to know,” the baron said, casting a withering glance at Starsky.  “I was on my way to my room when I observed my fiancée coming to this…this…”

Lori came over and slapped the baron so hard that Starsky was sure they could hear it all the way down at the precinct. 

“How dare you insinuate something like that?  I am a decent woman.  Your fiancée.  How dare you think I would sleep with this… this…man?”

The baron looked down.  “I’m sorry, love.  I just thought… well you two look so much alike.  I guess I will need to learn the difference.”

“Well, see that you do,” Lori said haughtily.

Just then the king entered.  “What goes on here,” he demanded. 

Starsky knew he was without hope now.  The baron might fall for the twin thing, but no way was the king going to be happy to find his daughter in bed with him.

Hutch made eye contact, and Starsky eye’s widened in shock.  He got what his friend intended.

Hutch stepped forward.  “Unhand my man you brazen, Hussy.” He said to Evelyn, who instantly went along with it.

“I know,” Evelyn said, quickly settling into the role.  “I just couldn’t help myself.  He is so cute.”

“Well, he’s mine,” Hutch countered to the more than shocked room.   “Get your own man,” Hutch continued, sitting down and pulling Starsky close to him. 

Starsky pretended to tremble as if he had just been through a horrible ordeal.  Evelyn continued. “I’m sorry.  I couldn’t help myself.  The poor dear fought with all his might.  But I insisted.” She said in a little girl voice.

Starsky spoke up.  He couldn’t believe this was actually happening.  It was like something out of an old movie.

“It was just terrible Hutch.  But nothing happened.”

Hutch patted him on the shoulder, pulling him into a hug.  Starsky pretended to tremble, nestling his head on Hutch’s shoulder. 

”There, there.  It’s okay now.  Hutch is here.”

The king visibly relaxed.  “Lori, get out of that bed, now,” the king ordered.  Evelyn stood, pulling the robe tighter as she walked toward the door, Lori, the guards, and the baron following.  Hutch sat on the bed, still holding his partner.  Starsky couldn’t believe he was actually doing this, but he’d do anything to protect Evelyn.  Anything.   

“I must apologize for my daughter’s behavior.  This is the reason I prefer gay men to guard my daughters.  I’m afraid a second daughter has far too much freedom, you see.  Not much I can do about it, customs being what they are.”

Starsky was still afraid for Evelyn.  Would she still be punished, or her sister Lori for that matter?

“Please, don’t punish Lori for what she did.  No harm was done.” Starsky said with a shaky voice, still playing the victim.

The king cast the two men a glance, his distaste for their manner of living showing for just an instant.

“Of course not.  Now if it had been Evelyn, it would have been up to the baron, but Lori, well she is only a second daughter.  Still, she must be discrete.  Maybe a vacation is in order.  I simply can’t have her running amok in Simbay.  With her sister getting married, well you see the problem.”  The king headed for the door.  “At any rate,” he yelled back.  “please don’t let what happened spoil the rest of your time here.  You are, of course, expected at the wedding and reception.”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Hutch said, as Starsky gave a sigh of relief.  It had been close.  Too close.

The wedding was held at the embassy in a small chapel.  Starsky sat next to Hutch, barely able to move, barely able to breath.  He felt his partner give him a comforting pat on the knee, the touch almost healing, but not quite.

Evelyn was beautiful in her white dress and flowers that were placed throughout her hair.  She took his breath away.  It was torture sitting there, but he needed to give her strength, let her know that she wasn’t alone, but just maybe, he hoped she would change her mind. 

He played the fantasy in his mind.  She would tell the baron, thanks, but no thanks.  She would turn to him and profess her love in front of everyone.  Then they’d be married.  But it wasn’t to be.  That type of thing was for the late show.

He listened to the translators words as they were pronounced man and wife.  He watched the baron claim her lips in a kiss.  He watched them walk out of the chapel.  His life left empty now.  But there was the reception to attend. 

He saw Hutch raise a questioning eye toward him. 

“Yeah, I can handle it.  I want to go to the reception,” he said and meant it.  It was the last time they’d ever have.

The reception was spectacular.  The best food, the best wine, no expense held back.  Starsky tasted the food with no flavor, and drank more that a little wine.  It was Hutch who anchored him to this earth now.  Hutch he lived for.  He watched the concerned blond and once again gave him an I’m okay look.  He was far from that. 

He planed to get drunk later, later when Evelyn had left, when his life was over, when it was just he and Hutch.  He’d get drunk and try to forget.  At least try.

Now Evelyn was about to leave.  People were still dancing in the ballroom, still laughing and talking.  Life went on for them.   He watched her as she headed for the door, he moved forward.  Just as quickly Hutch had his arm, pulling him back.

“No,” Hutch said.  “You can’t Starsk.  She’s married now.”

The words stung—married now.  But not to him.  Never to him.  

“I’ve got to say goodbye,” he said.

“No, Starsk,” Hutch insisted.  So he just stood there and watched her walk out of his life.  Did nothing as he saw the baron reach for her coat, open the door, and leave him standing there with nothing to hold on to.  Just as quickly, he felt his partner’s touch on his back, felt the warmth of that touch and felt some amount of grounding. 

He sat down at the half empty table, listened to the clatter of dishes as waiter removed them, the orchestra playing yet another waltz.  And then the voice of Evelyn cutting through his depression. 

“Care to dance?” she said. 

He looked into her honey-brown eyes.  So much like Honey, but not.  This was Lori, a replica of Honey, a spitting image, yet not his Evelyn.

He shook his head, standing quickly, brushing his friend’s

 hand’s away.  “I can’t do this,”

He headed for the veranda.  He needed air.  Hell, he needed Evelyn.

He was standing there shaking, trying to keep himself from falling apart when he felt Hutch arrive.

“Babe, let’s go home.”

“Oh, god, oh god, oh god,” was all he could say, as he stood on the veranda, the crisp air blowing through his hair. 

Hutch grabbed him, hugging him.  Starsky held on desperately.  No words were spoken.  What could he say now after she’d gone?

“David,” a soft voice said.

Starsky broke from Hutch when he recognized Lori’s voice.  Couldn’t she see that her presence wasn’t wanted?  Couldn’t she see the pain she was causing by her remarkable resemblance to her sister?

“What do you want?” he said gruffly then immediately regretted it.  She had saved her sister and him from a horrible fate just the night before.  She had suffered a loss as well.  How could he be so cruel?

“Sorry,” he said, and meant it.

Hutch stepped forward.  “Listen, Lori.  Now is not a good time.”

She smiled at them—a smile so much like Evelyn that it hurt.

“It’s okay, Hutch,” he said.

She walked forward, the wind making her look like an angel the way it blew her hair creating soft waves.

“Okay, but I’m not going anywhere,” he said, the protective instinct of his partner almost melting him.

She took his hands.  “I would prefer to do this in private, but…” and then she claimed his lips in a kiss.  He kissed her with all the passion and love he had.  He didn’t care about anything just now, but then reality sat in.  She tasted like Evelyn, but she was Lori.

“How could you…” he asked.

“Listen, lady.  I don’t know what you’re pulling here, but…” Hutch started, playing the mother hen.

Starsky locked eyes with the lovely red-head who looked so much like Evelyn that it hurt.

“Did he ever tell you the pet name I gave him,” she said, never taking her eyes from his.

Hutch shook his head, his eyebrow raised.  Starsky looked at her with confusion.

“I called him Lover Buns.  That was my pet name for him.”

Hutch startled as Starsky looked at her, really looked at her.  The smile, the eyes, identical, no difference between the sisters.  But the soul connection they had was only shared with Evelyn.  He could feel it now, once he got past the pain, the shock, the fear.  

He raised a hand to her face and kissed her with everything he had, feeling their oneness as they became lost in the kiss.

“Evelyn, dear God, Evelyn.” he murmured.  He had everything he ever wanted.

And they  lived happily ever after.

The End