By Jatona

The lovers lay together on the antique brass bed -- the blond with his back braced against the front railings, his legs slightly spread; between them sprawled the brunette. The only sound in the room was the radio:

"This is K-ERTH 101 with an all-dedication night, and this next song goes out to two legends among law enforcement officers on this their 25th Anniversary, from all their many friends and admiriers. Pleasant memories, guys!"

The men smiled as the famliar opening chords began to play, and a deep, sultry female voice began to sing: "The first time ever I saw your face....."

For both men Time seemed to melt away----

S/H25THS/H25THS/H25THS/H25TH

"Hi!"

Ken Hutchinson started at the voice so close to his left ear. Whirling he found himself encompassed in a sapphire blue gaze. The man before him was a vision: the face - beautiful seemed a poor word to describe the perfect features; the body was trim and fit; a mop of dark curls which crowned the intelligent forehead the muscular chest, moderately dusted with hair, ended in a tabered waist; the swimming briefs enhanced the sufficient bulge at the groin and the trim buttocks; the legs were those of a human thoroughbred, fashioned to run.

"I thought the sun rose in your eyes...."

Yes, those eyes! The purest sapphires paled in comparasion. They mesmerized him, looking into his very soul. "Hello", he replied, finally finding his voice.

The vision smiled and held out his hand. "I'm Dave Starsky", he announced, pride evident in his voice.

Not one to trust easily, and though he recognized the man as a fellow cadet,

the blond was overwhelmed by his instant liking for this man. "Kenneth Hutchinson."

"I didn't mean to bother you."

"Nah. I was just catching some sun. You're quiet a runner."

Starsky blushed. "Thanks. Practicing for the Games." Suddenly inspiration struck. "Hey, you got a partner for the Games?"

"No."

Starsky's smile widened. "I gotta great idea!", he enthused. "Why don't you n' me team up. We could kick butt!"

"Let's do it!", Hutch agreed.

As one they began to run down the beach, their bodies moving in perfect synch.....

"And the moon and stars were the gifts you gave

"To the dark, and the empty skies, my love."

"The first time ever I kissed your mouth....."

Huggy Bear giggled like a two year old as he handed Hutch the box.

"Remember, Hutch, you gotta do whatever the paper says."

Hutch eyed the box suspiciously. They were playing 'Truth or Dare'.

Sighing, he opened the box, took out the slip of paper, and read it. His fac paled.

"Hutch? You okay?", Starsky asked, reaching out to touch his friend's arm in deep concern.

The touch snapped the blond back to reality. "Yeah", he whispered.

"Well, what's it say?"

Instead of answering, Hutch passed the paper to his partner, then tensed, waiting for the laughter.

There was silence for several minutes.

"Hutch. Look at me?"

The command tone was unmistakable and Hutch obeyed. Once again, as they had when he and his incredible man had met - what? a lifetime again - those eyes ensnared him.

Then, to his further amazement, Starsky leaned toward him. Those perfect lips claimed his.

"I felt the earth move in my hands.

Lke the trembling heart of a captive bird.

That is there at my command...my love."

Closing his eyes he gave himself up to the kiss, parting his own lips to allow the now questing tongue easy access...

"And the first time ever I lay with you.

I felt your heart so close to mine.

And I knew our love would last.

Until the end of Time....my love.

Until the end of Time."

They stood, naked, by the huge brass bed; their bodies fitted together as if made for that purpose.

"Starsk?"

"Yeah, Hutch?"

"You sure about this?"

"As sure as I know my name, babe. 'sides, we promised her."

"I promised her", Hutch corrected. "She entrusted both you, and Ollie, to me."

"Yep; but she knew."

"Knew what?"

"How I felt about cha."

Hutch nodded. One of the things he'd liked about Terri was the way she not only understood Starsky, but understood him as well. "Well, in that case, let's get started."

Not waiting for a reply, he sweeped the larger man into his arms and laid him on the bed. Sensing no resistence, he began a slow exploration of that magnificient bodie with lips and togue......

"The first time ever I saw...your face....your face.....your face.

Your face."

"That was Roberta Flack with that special dedication. And now....."

Starsky reached over and turned the radio off, then turned in his lover's arms. "And you thought they'd forgotten us", he chided.

Hutch chuckled. "Who? Me?", he replied, feigning innocence. "You were the one...."

Lips silenced him with a kiss. "Ya know what I want for an anniversary present?"

"What, Starsk?", Hutch asked when he could finally breathe.

"To relive that last verse. The one about 'laying with you'."

Hutch smiled, his heart nearly bursting with love. "To paraphrase one of the lines 'I am here at your command, my love'.