NS: David and His Jonathan-Part 2

The next morning, Hutch met Starsky at the precinct door with a fresh cup of coffee. “Sorry about last night. I really wasn’t feeling well yesterday.” He offered the steaming mug to his partner as a way of apologizing.

Warily accepting the peace offering, Starsky asked Hutch, “What the hell was your problem last night? And don’t tell me that crap about – you know – the name thing.”

“Let’s talk about it later, okay?” His partner tilted his head toward the nearly full room of cops.

They didn’t get settled for long before Captain Dobey came out of his office asking to speak with them. He indicated that they should have a seat, then closed the door behind them.

Once seated, Dobey went straight to the point. “Have you guys discussed your future careers with the Department, like I suggested the other day?”

The two detectives before him just looked at each other without saying anything, which Dobey took as a ‘no’.

“You two are possibly the best investigators this department has. Your intuition and instincts could be better served elsewhere.” He paused, gathering his next ammunition. “Isn’t it better to move on now, rather than take a chance that next time – and there will be one – will be the last time. You both deserve better than becoming a statistic.”

“We’re good at what we do.” Starsky began to protest.

Dobey looked hard at him. “You’ve been shot, what? Four times in the last six years? And you almost died several years ago during the Gunther investigation. You’re both almost 40. How much more do you think your bodies can take? Do you want to take that chance?”

“I don’t want to lose Hutch as a partner.”

“You’re taking a bigger chance of losing him on the streets now, if you don’t listen to what I’m saying. It would hurt others in this department if something happened to either of you.”

“Aw, Captain. We didn’t know you cared.”

He ignored Starsky. “Listen you two, I’ve been where you are. I can say without being too immodest that I was a damn good investigator, too. But I knew when it was my time to scale back, to take a less dangerous position. You can still do good work, help others in different capacities than as street cops.”

Hutch was absently tapping his forefinger into the arm of the chair. “We understood all this when you first addressed it, sir. We just haven’t had time to discuss it.”

“I suggest you do so as soon as possible, then. There are various openings coming up in the next few months due to retirements, and some of those should appeal to both of you.” Dobey finished with a warning. “If you don’t, Dave especially with his medical history, could be taken off the street roster and placed somewhere safer, somewhere he doesn’t want to go. The Department has occasionally pulled cops off the street when they feel health and safety can be a deterrent.”

“We’ll discuss it.” Hutch promised, as both detectives rose from their chairs, effectively finishing their conversation.

Pulling their ongoing case files their brief meeting with Dobey, they headed out to Starsky’s car to run down a few snitches. They pushed their conversation with their superior from their minds. Driving through the streets as they kept an eye out for recent parolees and their informants, they chatted briefly about pending cases.

Looking out the passenger window, Hutch finished the apology he started back in the squad room. “I really didn’t mean to hurt you last night, Starsk. Well, one thing just led to another.” He shrugged his shoulders and glanced sideways at his partner to see how the apology was going over.

Without taking his eyes from the road, Starsky kept his left hand on the wheel, and grabbed his partner’s knee with his right and squeezed. “Just don’t make a habit of it, babe.” Putting his hand back on the wheel to make a turn, he flashed a grin at his contrite partner. “I don’t like sleeping alone when I don’t have to.”

“If it makes you feel any better, I had a problem sleeping without you, too.” Light blue eyes softened in love and understanding, as they tried to convey to Starsky’s darker ones that he, too, had had a miserable night.

Too close to a soapy scene for Starsky, he quickly turned Hutch’s words to playfulness. “Then I guess you’ll have to make it up to me.”

Wide grins and twinkling eyes met across the interior of the car and they continued on in companionable ease. Nothing more was said of the previous night, but after reporting back to the precinct after snagging a mugger and following up on some leads, they logged out for the rest of the day and headed for Starsky’s without question or discussion.

Eating dinner while sitting on the couch, Hutch brought up the subject of the mysterious dreams again. “These dreams, Starsk. Do you think they might have something to do with Dobey suggesting we move on? Take the Lieutenant’s exam or other, less dangerous positions? That’s a big change for us, job-wise.”

“I don’t know, Hutch! I keep telling you that I don’t remember them.” Starsky threw his hands up in the air, frustrated with himself; unable to remember the whys or wherefores of his strange dreams.

“Maybe you don’t want to break up the partnership, move to other departments.”

“Hell, no. I don’t want to work with anyone else. No one knows me the way you do, and visa versa. We might get different shifts, different buildings; barely see each other. What if you get sent out on a case and trouble happens? I don’t want to take the chance of you out there without me to watch your back.”

Hutch looked at him affectionately, “We’ll have to eventually, you know. Leave the more physical stuff to the younger guys. Especially if they discover our relationship. Wouldn’t it be better to make those choices ourselves than to have them thrust upon us.”

Starsky wanted to drop the subject. “Let’s talk about something else.” Leaning over, Starsky took Hutch’s face in his hands and kissed him passionately. “Like how I’d rather do my own thrusting.” He added wickedly while giving a little thrust of his groin into Hutch’s side.

Their lovemaking that night was an intense affirmation of all the feelings they had for one another. Even before becoming lovers, they were unable to hide the depth of their emotions; unashamed to show their feelings by touch and language. It wasn’t any different once that last intimate step was taken, only with more levels and layers.

And Starsky’s dreams that night were just as intense….


~*~


And Saul became afraid of David because the Lord was with him, and was departed from Saul. There was tension in the palace of Saul, as he who previously was in the Lord’s graces became vicious and angry. The servants also loved David for his outgoing nature and his honor; they feared their master who held life or death over them, but did not love him.

The elder man tried to trick David into doing that which went against his duty to his God. But still David never defied Saul directly or showed disrespect to his king. All which made King Saul angrier, prone to mistakes and harsher with his people. Even Saul’s advisers began to defer to David, rather than to Saul’s sons.

And Saul spake to his servants that David shouldst be slain. Because David was loved and held up in their eyes, one of the servants spake to his Prince of Saul’s desire. Jonathan was in fear for his friend and beloved. He loved much in David, so Jonathan warned him, saying “Saul, my father, seeketh to kill thee; now therefore, I pray thee, take heed of thyself and abide in a secret place in the field. And I will commune with my father and what I see, that I will tell thee.” He trembled in fear for David’s life as he laid hands upon David.

But David knew what Saul’s decision wouldst be, and he was not afraid. “Thy father certainly knoweth that I have found love and grace in thine eyes. He knoweth that I am beloved of thee.” He had no fear of Saul, only for Jonathan. David wanted no consequence to fall upon Jonathan. He would give up everything – walk away from it all. His wife, wealth, family, status; yes, even his beloved. He put his trust in God that He would provide and see that His will be done. But he told Jonathan not be too hasty and draw attention to himself, and he convinced his Prince to let David hide himself in town.

So David escaped his king and family, and hid himself in a nearby field. The reeds were tall and the field large. All the while concerned that King Saul would use his considerable power to cause harm to Jonathan or his family.


“Jonathan, beloved. My Grace,” Starsky mumbled as he tossed his head on the pillows.

His voice woke Hutch, whose eyes focused on the troubled face of his lover.

“There is but a step between me and death.” The blue eyes were moving behind closed lids, and the pouting mouth spoke the words with clarity.

Those words frightened Hutch, as he wondered what kind of a dream Starsky was having now. Leaning over, he gathered the stirring head in his large hands and gently kissed his lover to bring him from his troubled dreams.

Hutch was planting whispers of kisses on Starsky’s face when the latter’s eyes startled open. “Hutch? What’s wrong?”

“I should be asking you the same. You were having a nightmare I think, and talking about death.”

Rubbing his face harshly, Starsky got up to make a bathroom run and splash cold water on his face without responding. Walking back nude into the bedroom, he glanced over at the clock on the bedside stand and grinned slyly. He waggled his eyebrows at the long form in his bed. “Since we’re both wide awake, how about we use it wisely?”

Hutch knew he didn’t have anything to worry about in regards to Starsky’s faithfulness. When, for crying out loud, would Starsky have time for another lover. It just hurt being left out. There had to be some reason for these dreams.

This time their loving was gentle and slow, as each grasped onto different feelings. Hutch, worried over his partner’s words and dream; guilty that he couldn’t do anything about them to ease Starsky’s pain. Starsky was left with feelings of apprehension from those same dreams, and frustration that they were upsetting Hutch.


When the moon had come over, the king sat down to eat. Jonathan and all the people arose, yet David’s place was empty. Nevertheless Saul spake nothing of it, for he thought something hath befallen David. And after the second day came to pass that David’s place was empty, Saul said unto Jonathan “wherefore cometh not the son of Jesse to eat neither yesterday nor today?”

And Jonathan answered in earnest, “David asked leave of me to go to Shechem.”

Then Saul’s anger was kindled against Jonathan as he kneweth he spake not the truth, and he said unto him, “Thou perverse son of a rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own shame and unto the shame of your nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die.” And in anger Saul cast a javelin at Jonathan to smite him; whereby Jonathan knew that it was determined of his father to slay David.

So Jonathan arose from the table and excused himself from his father’s presence for the night, keeping his anguish hid from his angry sire. Couldn’t his father see how righteous and good David was? If God had chosen David as Saul’s successor, who were they to argue His will?

And it came to pass in the morning that Jonathan went into the field to tell David of all he had learned, his heart heavy with sorrow. Returning with a little lad, Jonathan said to him, “Run, find the arrows which I shoot.” And as the lad ran, Jonathan shot an arrow far behind the lad, amongst the tall grown weeds, far from sight. And Jonathan cried after him, “Make speed, haste, stay not.” But the lad knew not anything, only Jonathan and David knew the matter. And whence the lad came back, Jonathan gave his artillery unto him and told him to carry them to the palace in his place.

As soon as the lad was gone, David arose from his place amongst the flowering weeds, and fell on his knees to the ground. Jonathan lifted him and they kissed one another and wept. Their sadness apparent as the wind echoed through the reeds along the banks of the nearby river.

And Jonathan said unto David, “Come and let us go further out into the field.” They left for further a field to mask themselves from Saul’s emissaries, lest they be discovered and killed for their passions. Then Jonathan made another covenant with David saying he did not fear death. “If the Lord requires it, even at the hand of David’s enemies.” Threat of death would not stay their love. And Jonathan caused David to swear again because he loved him as he loved his own soul.

And Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the Lord, my seed and thy seed will be together for ever.” And David arose and took leave from his wife, family, lover, and status in Saul’s court, looking behind not once, weeping “Jonathan, mine own! For ever I vow.” Sorrow and pain resounding through each word, as they were carried on the winds across the field to Jonathan watching his retreat.


Hutch stood over his dreaming lover. He had gotten up a short while ago to take an early morning run, deciding to let Starsky sleep a little longer after the previous night’s marathon of amorous activities.

As he ran, Hutch’s mind filled with contemplation. Who was this Jonathan that Starsky spoke of in his sleep? A past lover from his service in Vietnam? A boy he loved in New York or when he first moved out here? Had Starsky even had another male lover in his past? Hutch didn’t know for sure; they never really discussed it before. He didn’t even let his mind wander to the thought that Starsky could be in love with another or cheating on him. He knew Starsky; at least he thought he did…