This is dedicated to Nikki for her kind encouragement. Comments about this story can be sent to: nofrag@webtv.net

A Halloween Story
by
AlleyCat

As soon as they had settled in the Torino, Starsky turned to Hutch and grinned. "That was fun, wasn't it, babe?"

"Yeah, it was," Hutch replied. "But what were you trying to do -- get us arrested for contributing to the delinquency of minors?"

"Huh? What're you talkin' `bout?" Starsky asked his partner.

"Did you have to bite my neck like that?" Hutch stifled a laugh.

"I was just doin' my job. That's what Bela Lugoosi did -- he bit people's necks," Starsky said, in a defensive tone.

"It's Lugosi, Drac, and I know he bit people's necks, but you were practically suckling on mine! Big Brother/Big Sister will probably ban us from all their future Halloween parties. In fact, they may ban us from all their future functions!" Hutch said with a chuckle.

"See, I really wanted to kiss you, and I knew I couldn't do that at the party, so nibbling your neck was the next best thing. And besides, no one could see the mark because of the electrodes on your neck, Frankenstein," Starsky said with a self-satisfied smile.

"Well aren't you clever?" Hutch laughed, as he reached over to stroke the back of Starsky's neck.

"Yeah, sometimes I am," Starsky smirked, giving Hutch's thigh a quick squeeze.

"Just watch the road, turkey," Hutch said, turning to look out the window. Starsky knew Hutch was trying to hide the smile on his face, but Starsky didn't have to see it to know it was there.

~~~

When they arrived at the house they shared, Starsky grew excited. "Let's get out of these costumes. The movie'll be comin' on in less than an hour," he said.

"Calm down. We've got plenty of time," Hutch said, as he pulled his Frankenstein fright wig off. "Do you want to shower first, or should I?"

"I'll go," Starsky answered. "I can't wait to wash this grease out of my hair."

"Okay. Hungry? Why don't I fix us a salad while you're in there?" Hutch asked, after quickly stealing a kiss from his lover. They had loved each other as friends for years, and could hardly keep their hands and eyes off each other during that time. Once they finally discovered a sexual dimension to their love, their need for the touches grew more intense. They had only made love for the first time last New Year's Eve, so they were still in the "newlywed" stage. It was all they could do sometimes to keep from ravaging one another in the men's room at work or in the Torino in a back alley.

"I'm not that hungry. I had all that candy at the party and I'm gonna make Jiffy Pop for the movie," Starsky answered, then playfully planted a series of small kisses all over Hutch's face.

"Starsk, you're impossible!" Hutch shook his head, gave Starsky a quick kiss on the nose, then turned to go into the kitchen. "I'll make the salad. You need some real food to balance all that junk."

"'Kay" Starsky shrugged, then proceeded to undress and go into the bathroom.

~~~

A little while later and they had each showered and shampooed, eaten the salad Hutch had prepared, made the popcorn, and were now ensconced on the sofa in front of the TV, seated as close together as conjoined twins. They wore only their briefs and light cotton robes.

"I love `The Haunting,'" Starsky said as he munched on some popcorn. "It's really scary."

"The only movie that's ever scared me is `The Exorcist,'" Hutch said, reaching his right hand for his soda on the end table,. In the process, he nearly upset the bowl of popcorn which was sitting atop his left and Starsky's right thighs. His left arm was around Starsky's shoulders, and Starsky was pressed against his left side. There was almost complete body contact from calf to shoulder.

Starsky stopped munching for a moment and looked up at his partner. "No foolin'? That one scared you?"

"Yeah. I guess I didn't mention it to you at the time. I had trouble sleeping for a few days after I saw that" Hutch answered bashfully between swigs of soda.

"So did I. I had nightmares for days. Wish I coulda slept with you then," Starsky said, grinning.

"Well, I'm here now, if you need me, ya big baby." Hutch kissed Starsky's lips gently to take any sting out of the tease.

"Good. `The Haunting' scares me, too," Starsky said. "Here...it's comin' on now." He shifted a little, to lean his head against Hutch's shoulder, and they both settled down to watch the movie.

~~~

When the movie ended Starsky was curled up on the sofa with his head resting on his folded arm in Hutch's lap. Hutch rested his left hand lightly on Starsky's left shoulder.

"Did you like it?" Starsky asked, as he twisted around to lie flat on his back and look up at Hutch.

"As a matter of fact, I did" Hutch answered "It wasn't cheesy like most of the horror films you like. It had some psychological depth to it."

"And it was scary," Starsky giggled, sitting upright.

"Well, it was kind of creepy, anyway," Hutch said, collecting the empty soda bottles and popcorn container.

"Hutch? Do you think a house could really be haunted like that?" Starsky asked with a slight frown.

"Not like that, I don't," Hutch replied. "But I think maybe a house could be `haunted', if you want to call it that. I think ghosts might exist."

"Yeah? Wish you hadna told me that," Starsky said with a slight shudder, as he stood up and followed Hutch to the kitchen where he threw the napkins and stuff he was carrying into the trash.

Hutch laughed softly. "Let's hit the sack, babe. I'll protect you from any ghosts that may come during the night." Hutch took Starsky into his arms and pressed him close. Their robes were open, since they had never tied them, and flesh rubbed against flesh.

"`S'at a promise?" Starsky asked, reaching inside Hutch's robe to slowly stroke up and down his bare back.

"You bet it is" Hutch answered and tilted his head down to kiss Starsky's lips firmly. "C'mon," he said, releasing his hold and just keeping an arm around Starsky's shoulders.

They went into the bathroom, taking turns using the toilet and the brushing their teeth and washing up. Then they went into the bedroom, discarded their robes and climbed into bed. Hutch lay on his back, and Starsky lay on his right side, facing Hutch.

"You sure you'll protect me?" Starsky asked seriously, as he started pinching Hutch's left nipple with his left hand.

"Starsk? What's the matter, babe? You're not really scared, are you?" Hutch asked, grabbing Starsky's hand and squeezing it.

"No, `course not. But I just got a kinda creepy feelin'," He shrugged sheepishly. Then he leaned over and licked that left nipple as his hand slid down the smooth chest and into Hutch's briefs.

All thoughts of ghosts vanished as they turned their full attention to making love.

~~~

They had been sleeping soundly for a few hours and each was lying on his side at opposite ends of the bed, facing away from each other. Suddenly, Starsky became aware of a cold hand on his arm. "Hutch?" he asked groggily. No reply. "Geez, Hutch, your hands are like ice," he mumbled, still half asleep.

One eye squinted open. The room was still dark, except for a whitish glow emanating from an entity standing next to the bed, right in front of Starsky.

"Omigod," Starsky gasped, as his eyes flew open wide. He turned slowly to regard the figure better.

As he did so, the specter spoke. "Dave," it said urgently.

The ghost backed away from the bed a few feet, giving Starsky room to sit up on the edge of the bed.

"Dad?" Starsky asked, with both fear and hope.

"Yeah Dave, it's me," the senior Starsky said.

"Dad, why...why are you here?" Starsky asked with trepidation.

"Oh, Dave. Remember when Gunther's thugs shot you and you almost died...remember you saw me then? I thought you were comin' to join me then, but you suddenly stopped comin' towards me, hesitated, and then turned around and went back to the world of the living. Do you remember that happenin'?" the ghostly Starsky asked.

"Yeah, I do now. I remember I said `Hutch needs me. I gotta go back'. You looked so disappointed."

"I thought I was gonna have my son with me again. We had so few years together."

"I know, Dad. I missed you so much after you were killed."

"I know. I know you did, Dave. It was hard on you, losing your father so young." The ghost approached Starsky and patted his head, sending a chill down his spine.

"Did ya come to take me with you? Am I dyin', Dad?" Starsky asked anxiously. He wasn't afraid for himself, but he hated the thought of Hutch waking up to find his partner dead in bed beside him. He knew Hutch would blame himself, even though it wasn't his fault.

"No, no. You have a long life ahead of you, I hope. Ghosts can't predict the future, you know," he said with a sheepish grin, shrugging his shoulders.

"Then why...?" Starsky started to ask.

"Ya know, some of your relatives back in New York, and some of your fellow officers here in Bay City, they say awful things about you and Hutch. They say I'd be rollin' in my grave, if I knew about the two of you. Ya know they say this stuff, don't ya?"

"Yeah" Starsky answered, turning to look back at Hutch, who was apparently blissfully sleeping, unaware of this visit.

"Well, I came to tell you that I do know about you and Hutch, and I wholeheartedly approve. I came to give you my blessing, son."

"You mean, you don't mind us ... us being..." Starsky blushed, hesitating to discuss his sex life with his father.

"No, of course not. The love you two have for each other is a beautiful thing. Few married couples are as well suited for each other as you two are, and few love each other even half as much. I think it's wonderful, what you and Hutch share, and I wanted you to know that. Don't you ever believe people who say I wouldn't approve."

"Oh, Dad!" Starsky said quietly, struggling to get his words out. "Do you know what this means to me?"

" `Course I do. That's why I came," the specter said, as it leaned down and kissed Starsky's forehead.

"Ah, Dad, I wish you..." Starsky began, then stopped, deciding it would be foolish to tell his father that he wished he weren't dead.

"I know, son. But some bad things are just meant to happen. Life can be too short. Just try to appreciate the good things while you can. Be glad you and Hutch have each other," the ghostly father said.

"I am" Starsky quickly responded. "He's the reason I'm alive."

"It's good you feel that way. I'm proud of you, son. You're a good man and a good cop. And you chose another good man and good cop to spend your life with. It's like I have two sons now that are cops. I couldn't be happier."

"I'm sure you could. Wouldn't you like grandchildren?" Starsky asked, his voice a little strained.

"Sure, but maybe Nicky will take care of that. Not everybody should have children. Do what's right for you."

"Thanks, Dad." Starsky reached to hug his father, but all he felt was cold air.

"Gotta go now, Dave," the ghost said wistfully. "Remember I love you."

"I love you, too," Starsky replied, and watched as the figure vanished before his eyes.

Starsky sat back against the headboard. He contemplated waking up Hutch and telling him what had happened, but decided against it. Why wake him up? He needs his sleep. He'll think I was just dreamin', anyway. But I know it was real. He smiled to himself as he lay back down in bed, snuggling against Hutch, kissing him on the bare shoulder that peeked out from under the covers.

"I always knew Dad would love you, too, Blondie" he whispered in Hutch's ear.

"Hmmm?" Hutch murmured, stirring a little.

"Nothin', babe," Starsky said, placing a soft kiss on Hutch's neck, then laying his head on the pillow next to Hutch's. He drifted back to sleep, happily thinking that Halloween would be a very special holiday for him from now on.