Title: Once Upon a Time
Author: Karen B
Type: Gen
Summary: Hutch tells Starsky a bedtime story to help him fall asleep as he struggles with a bout of insomnia.
Notes: Once upon a time someone named Karen Leigh E-mailed me and offered to help me with my stories. And we both lived happily ever after. I thank her much!
Format: Story
Category: AU
Rating: PG
Size: 17K
Date Added: 2002-10-01
Once Upon a Time
by Karen B
A fourteenth century stone castle appeared in their sights, as they emerged from the cool shade of the forest into the brilliant sunlight. The castle's English style walls were lavished in red and white fragrant roses that twined and rambled upward toward the spiraling towers. The cavernous, dark waters of the moat lay listless and still around the outskirts of the mysterious and stately stone. Fall leaves of orange and yellow lofted slowly in the breeze coming to float upon the glassy waters; sending gentle ripples outward toward the edges of its banks. The jungle of foliage surrounding the castle was mirrored in the satin liquid, as a lone, pearl-white swan bowed its head to its reflection.
A stealthy, solid black stallion emerged from the forest, its hooves lifting high and thumping heavily upon the wet marshy ground. Its long, thick mane rustled softly against its muscular shoulder blades and its thick tail veiling to the ground. Upon its back, a man with brown ringlets around his face and eyes darker and deeper than the Mediterranean rode tall upon the steed. Sitting in front of him, a young lady in a white frock nobly rode sidesaddle upon the magnificent, sleek, gleaming, black animal.
Starsky sat bolt upright on the couch letting his blanket slip off his shoulders and staring with childlike wonder at his blond partner. "What's her name Hutch? What's she look like huh? You think.."
"Gordo, lie back down will you? Let me tell the story partner. It might just do the trick. Always worked like a charm for me when I couldn't sleep. My grandpa would always tell me a story." Hutch tried to keep his voice smooth and quiet but his partner's insomnia was wearing him thin.
It had been a week of hellish doom trying to keep his overtired and exhausted partner out of harm's way. He could hardly function. Not being able to sleep a wink in over a week had made the curly haired detective grouchy and unpredictable and yes clumsy. The man could hardly walk straight. But it was today, when Starsky dropped his loaded gun in the middle of a 2-11 in progress, that scared Hutch the most. He had to do something to get his friend to sleep. Jogging for miles before bed failed. Warm milk and cookies failed. All night chess games failed. Hutch was definitely on the verge of exhaustion himself. This was his final attempt to get his partner some sleep before he brought in the heavy artillery. "Look Starsk. You going to let me try this or not? Told you if this doesn't work you're going to the doctor in the morning got that Pal?"
Starsky inhaled deeply. He wasn't about to go to the needle happy guy. "Okay Blintz, give it your best shot." Hutch pressed his partner back down onto his pillow and covered him back up to his chin with the blanket.
"Let's see where was..oh yeah. Once upon a time." Hutch stated with a smirk.
"Hutch, skip the intro. Come on, I feel ridiculous." Starsky rolled his eyes as Hutch took on his soothing lulling tone once more.
The soft thumping of hooves turned to sharp clips, as they crossed the stone bridge that lead to the castle. The sound beating in time to their hearts. They headed straight to the stables. The dark, curly haired man known as Ramon slipped down off the stallion and eased the lady off the back of the mount. Her long, hazelnut hair nearly touched the stable floor. Eyes of evergreen peered at him. "Thank you sir, for bringing me here. I didn't know what I was going to do. My horse wandered off and it is miles back to my home."
Ramon smiled. "It's been my pleasure uh.. your name my lady, I don't seem to remember it."
"Katerin." Her smile held a devious curve. This was too easy she thought. The man fell into her lap like rain falling from a dark cloud.
Katerin turned unexpectedly toward the soft voice she heard coming from around a stall. "You back already Ramon?" CJ was a tall, square shouldered man with thick, honeysuckle-gold hair. He stuttered when he saw the shapely form. "Uh oh I-I didn't know you had company." His words were apologetic and his light blue eyes hid nothing, as you could see into his soul.
"CJ? Ramon?" Starsky questioned with a chuff of laughter.
Hutch waved a hand at his partner shutting him up. He searched the air with his eyes trying to pull from it the rest of his story.
"It's okay CJ just helping out a damsel in distress." Ramon handed the blond stable hand the reins to his steed. CJ nodded slightly and lead the black stallion to its stall. All the while he eyed the lady in white.
The two men were from opposite sides of the moat but the best of friends. Ramon was the son of a rich and powerful Baron. CJ was the son of a blacksmith. He had worked for the Baron now for seven years. He and Ramon had become closer than brothers. Their status in life didn't keep the two from bridging the gap and becoming brothers in spirit.
CJ un-harnessed the stallion, that tossed its head up and down neighing with nervousness, all the while keeping a close eye on his friend. He watched the two as they left the carriage house walking arm in arm. There was something not right about this lovely flower of a lady. Her exterior was as sweet and luxurious as a rose, yet CJ could see the thorns hidden behind the facade.
Latching the stall door, CJ stalked out of the stables into the sun's rays. He looked around a moment till he located his friend and the mysterious lady. They had walked to the far entrance of the bridge and now stood looking out over the moat. CJ's inner awareness was flowing through his blood faster than fermented cider. Something was not right. He walked stiffly eyeing the two as well as searching the tree line for any foul play. He stood just outside the stable doors and watched his brother lean in to kiss the sumptuous lady.
Katerin smiled under the lips of the dark man. It really was a shame he wouldn't live much longer. The plan to kidnap the Baron's son for ransom was all too alluring. She and her group of bandits would collect the jewels and the Baron would never see his son alive again. Bringing Ramon out into the open by the bridge and giving him false security was all too simple. Katerin kissed the man deeper yet; but her eyes watched for movement to come from the woods. Where were they any way? She thought to herself, slowly breaking the kiss she was entangled in. "What time is it?" Katerin asked Ramon.
Ramon looked at his Yamamoto Reflex watch with the platinum band. "Going on..."
"Hutch!" Starsky sat up with a look of disdain on his face. "They didn't have watches in the fourteenth century, dummy."
Hutch laughed heartily. "Oh, so you're paying attention. Who's telling this story any way Gordo?" Starsky glared at his friend. "Okay, okay partner lie back." Hutch let out another small chuff before he continued noting his partner seemed more relaxed and his eyes looked a bit heavy.
Where were they anyway? She thought to herself, slowly breaking the kiss she was entangled in. Out of the corner of her eye she saw movement from the tree line and quickly took Ramon's lips with hers once more.
The tides were turning, as rustling came from the woods. Two men upon dapple-gray horses thundered toward the all-to-involved Ramon. CJ spun around and headed back for the stable. Retrieving his gun...( Hutch shook his head}.. his sword he unlatched the stall door and leapt atop the black steed grabbing only a fist full of the thick mane and embedding his heels deep into the massive animal's sides. "Yaw, yaw he exhorted, clicking his tongue. They left the stable at a full out gallop heading to aid his friend.
Katerin whirled Ramon around catching the man off guard and off balance just as the two bandits reached him. One of the bandits dismounted his horse and landed a punch to his face disabling him just enough to tie his hands behind his back with a leather strap. Ramon shook away the haziness before his eyes; only to find Katerin before him laughing and grinning with satisfaction. "You're going to make us very rich." She boasted. "The Baron is going to pay dearly to get you back." She paused a moment debating whether she should let this lovely specimen of a man know his fate. "He will never see you alive again." In that one breath she let Ramon know he was treading high seas.
The three bandits turned at the sound of heavy fast clopping coming over the moat's bridge. The black blur sped toward them. The square shouldered blond riding fast and hard bare- back upon the stallion. One hand ensnared in its flowing mane, the other clutching his sword held high over his head. Katerin fled to the forest in a white blur leaving her two accomplices to tend to this unforeseen disruption. One of the bandits pushed Ramon down to his knees and held him in place with one large hand. The other still upon his mount lifted his sword and headed into battle. Clanking of metal hitting metal sparked the air, as CJ met the challenge with all his might. CJ pulled the steed up hard and wheeled him around to head back toward the bandit upon the gray horse. Swords raised in combat once more glancing blows were exchanged as metal splintered and spit into the air. Using the black mane he tugged the stallion around once more driving his feet into its sides and heading back to square off with the enemy. His blade fully extended now he lurched forward once more coming upon the bandit with the wrath of all the gods. He plunged his blade deep into the chest of the rider letting loose and leaving it were it stuck. The rider slumped forward and awkwardly fell from his horse splashing over the stonewall into the moat spreading his blood over the still waters.
Leaping from the black stallion CJ reached into his high boot withdrawing his dagger. He pounded with fury toward the second bandit, who was struggling to lift a tied up fighting Ramon upon the gray mount. He realized it was futile and gave a quick blow to the back of Ramon's neck sending the man down on one knee. The brute of a man turned heels to face his attacker just in time to feel the tip of the dagger slice at his outstretched palm. A thin line of blood trickled down his arm but didn't slow his pace. He dropped his blade back over his right shoulder low and swung it forward with immense power just missing CJ's head as the tall blond ducked to the stone bridge. He came up with his dagger held tight and slammed it into the abdomen of his attacker twisting it once as the man doubled over gurgling and dropping his lance to the ground with the jangled ring of steel.
CJ didn't hesitate. The bandits were dead, their blood pouring out like wine. He knelt to his friend who still seemed to be in a bit of shock from the blow to the back of his neck. Untying Ramon quickly he turned to peer into the deep dark eyes assessing his awareness. "You okay my friend?" CJ asked with concern.
Ramon looked dazed but lifted his hand to pat at CJ's shoulder letting him know he was fine. Katerin was exasperated. She had failed and that meant only one thing her life was worth little more than a handful of pebbles. She ran to her hidden mount and retrieved her long bow and one arrow from her quiver. If she was to die because of her failure she would at least take the rich son with her. Maybe it would buy her a few months of life to redeem herself. Aiming with a steady, skilled hand she pulled back on the string and let the arrow fly. It sailed through the air whistling and spinning the point slamming hard in its target. Ramon's body flung forward to land against CJ with a grunting breath of pain. CJ looked in shock at the protruding bolt that had pierced high in his friend's left shoulder and came out the other side nearly piercing him as well by only a mere thumbnail.
CJ followed Ramon's lax body down to the stone coming to rest upon their knees. Their eyes searched one another and slight nods were exchanged. CJ grasped the protruding arrow snapping off the fletch, and with a quick fast steady motion slid the bolt out slicing through muscle as he did so. Ramon gasped and fell forward onto his friend's shoulder, blood pouring forth from the wound. CJ pulled a scarf from his pocket and wrapped it tight to stop the bleeding. The wound was clean and not life threatening but he knew his friend was in pain and weak from the seeping blood. "I'm going after her my friend. She won't escape."
CJ helped Ramon to his feet. "Not g-going without me, get the horses." Ramon cringed as a sharp stabbing pain ripped through his shoulder.
Hutch leaned forward hands on his knees eyes intensely staring at Starsky. Who sat on the couch eyes heavier still but open and staring back with interest. Hutch chuckled, as Ramon as Starsky gripped at his left shoulder in mock pain.
Their mounts saddled, Ramon on his black stallion and CJ upon his white Arabian rode in the direction the lady assassin had fled. They stopped their steeds a moment searching the clearing before them. CJ reached over and held the forearm of his friend steadying him as he wobbled upon his horse. "You okay?" He asked in concern and looking at the bloody wrapped cloth on Ramon's shoulder.
"S' okay I'll be fine. Let's find that..." Ramon's words were interrupted
"I have an arrow pointed at his back. You move and I'll finish the job, got that my blond Trojan?" Katerin smiled maliciously. Her redemption was at hand. If she could make it away with Ramon the plan would be executed with even greater benefit to her, now that the two heathens with her were dead.
Ramon wavered in his saddle and CJ looked worriedly over at him. "Hold fast my friend, hold fast. We'll get out of this." With a voice full of rage CJ spoke to the wench. "You would heed my warning, lady, and stand down." The assassin's laughter swept along the forest. "One last time, lady, I said stand down." Their backs still to her.
Ramon's wavering slid him off his horse to the leaf laden ground before CJ could grasp him. The crest of the mid day sun flew behind a cloud and a cool dark shadow fell over the earth. Katerin's bow followed the fallen man to the ground with a balanced hand. In deathly still silence Hutch... uh-uh... CJ unblinkingly whirled his mount around and dove from its leather saddle tumbling the lady assassin to the earth. "You failed lady." CJ's withering look at her could melt the frozen tundra, as he cuffed.... as he tied her hands with woven rope around a tree. "I will send someone for you later." Were the last words he spoke to her as he tended to his friend.
The blond walked through the forest leading both stallions, with his injured friend upon the black one, his head lolling about. He would be fine. CJ would take him back to the castle and tend to his wound.
Hutch peered at his friend his black lashes brushed repeatedly against his skin and his head lolled toward his chest. Hutch's voice lowered to a softer whisper.
CJ walked along, taking in the musky smell of autumn and the calico leaves that fell around him in solitude. England's heartland beneath his feet and his brother safe caught his heart off guard, as his eyes misted over. He let his mind wander to their friendship, comfortably worn with the age of time. Never in his humble life had a friend or family member meant so much to him, as the dark, curly haired man he now led home. Like a fine vintage wine, their friendship aged and the bridge connecting the two only became more valued with time. Bequeathed to one another, the friendship they owned together was a place of beauty and refuge. The warm spice of the sun returned from its trip behind the billowy, white cloud and poured forth upon the two men. Within its beauty it caused CJ's heart to take magical wings of flight. They neared the shelter of the castle, safe home together, as friends should always be.
Hutch hung low over his partner's face. Starsky's dark lashes fluttered no more, his breathing light and peacefully rising and falling upon his chest. CJ-Hutch whispered to his best friend in the whole wide world. "Sweet dreams my friend."
The End
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