PART ONE

Starsky and Vicky approached their new home arm in arm. For a few seconds he looked thoughtfully at both sides of the street.

In one was his recent past. A past that was full of both sweet and bitter memories. The nights spent with Hutch, eating pizza or Chinese food, and watching some ball game on the tube. Those first moments, in the safety of his own apartment, after his ordeal at the hands of the Simon Marcus cult. The long and painful recovery after Gunther´s shooting with Hutch at his side every step of the way. The unforgettable and sad night that he had shared with Hutch fifteen days after Terrys death.

But on the other side was his future. A future still unwritten, but that was looking both promising and brilliant, together with the woman who, some months ago, was just his neighbour and today was his wife. The woman he loved.

"Hey, Mr Starsky...What are you thinking?" Vicky asked looking into his eyes.

"Oh, nothing important, just how odd life can be at times...Mrs. Starsky."

"Say it again, Dave...Please. It sounds so beautiful..."

"What?"

"Oh, come on! You know what!...Please..." she asked kissing his neck

"Mrs Starsky...Vicky Starsky... Sounds great huh?"

"Yeah Dave. Sounds great" They kissed each other, long and deep. Afterward, Vicky searched in his jacket pocket to find the door key.

"Wait, wait a moment. What do you think are you doing" Starsky asked while she was opening the front door.

"Opening the door to go in...What else?"

"Oh, no. No way!" Saying this, he took Vicky in his arms raising her up.

"Tradition is tradition!" Starsky said carrying his wife into the apartment, closing the door with his foot.

"I like this Dave... What else does tradition say?" she asked mischievously. As an answer he laid her softly on to the bed, kissing her passionately and looking deep into her eyes.

"I love you Vicky...I love you in a way I never thought possible. I only want to make you happy and I promise you that I will do it."

*******

"Hey Jenny. Seems this is finished. How about a walk to the beach" Hutch asked a thoughtful Jenny, who was looking out of the window. She smiled and, without answering, entwined her arm in Hutch´s as they both headed out to the street. The night was warm and clear, and the dark sky was star-studded. They walked silently, with arms still entwined, for some minutes.

"You know something Hutch?...This is so strange. I mean beautiful, but a little sad too. I dont know how you feel, but me... I feel like a little orphan...Defenceless! I´ve spent so many years looking after Vicky, that probably, now, I won´t know what to do."

"You are talking like some kind of old maiden aunt, Jenny"

"Yeah...I´m old aunt Jenny." Joked the girl "I don´t want to seem paltry Hutch, you don´t know how happy I am because Vicky and David got married... And because she hasn´t fallen in love with some asshole for once in her life."

Hutch laughed. "You know something Jenny? You really have a way with words...But I do understand...I feel something similar...For a long while it´s just been Starsky and me...Ough! This sounds pretty paltry too...Beautiful pair we are!"

"Its getting cold out here...How about some coffee at my place?" Jenny asked.

"Yeah, sure. Why not?"

********

In the semi-darkness of the bedroom, lit only by the moon shining in through the window, Starsky slid down the zipper of Vicky´s white dress, following the garment and underwear with his hands in its fall along Vicky´s silky skin, kissing her lips, her neck, her breasts, while she groaned with the pleasure of every kiss and caress, unbuttoning his shirt to start her own route over the muscular and virile body of her husband, when suddenly, she stopped, took his face between her hands and said,

"Dave...I want to say something to you. It doesn´t matter what is written on any paper...It doesn´t matter if I´ve been married before... You are for me, my first, my only, husband. The man that I love and I will love every minute of my life, now and forever."

After these words she kised him and only their naked bodies spoke, all night long, searching for the pleasure in every inch of the other´s skin, creating a symphony with their rhythm, until they were both exhausted and fell asleep still embraced...The last sounds that Vicky heard before succumbing to sleep were Starskys breath and his heart beats...The most sweet sounds for her since the first time she heard it...

*******

Hutch drove to Jenny´s apartment. He and the blond girl were feeling the same sweet melancholy and both seemed to need the company of the only person that, this night, might understand their feelings. For Hutch, that person was Jenny. For Jenny, it was Hutch. They were becoming even closer friends in the last weeks, and Hutch had thought more than once how special Jenny was. But he felt that, with his previous failed relationships, what they had was enough, and Jenny in spite of her deep admiration towards Hutch, was afraid to spoil what began to be a beautiful friendship...But the fact was that the blond and handsome man became more attractive every day for her, and Hutch was feeling the same for the young woman

A while later, they arrived at Jenny´s place. She opened the door.

"Come in Hutch, sit down." She greeted Samson, who was spending the days in her house until the return of Vicky and Starsky from Hawaii, and then headed into the kitchen to bring a bottle and a couple of glasses.

"Coffee, or maybe you prefer this?" Jenny said, showing Hutch a whisky bottle.

"Jenny, are you trying to make me drunk tonight?" Hutch answered with a smile, scratching Samsons ear

"Oh, no. I would never do something like that, but I thought that to do a toast to our friends with coffee is not very elegant." The girl said with feigned seriousness.

"Once again you´re right, Jenny."

Jenny sat down on the couch beside Hutch and poured the whisky into the glasses, giving one to him saying. "Well, seems as if this story has had a happy ending... This toast is for them. So that they can keep alive the love that they feel now." Both lifted their glasses and drank silently.

After a while talking of their friends and drinking whisky, Hutch asked. "And you Jenny?... You´ve never thought of marrying?"

"Oh, no Marriage gives me the creeps!! The ideal wife is Vicky, not me. I wan´t other things for my life. To travel, to do every moment what I want without anybody relying on me. Basically, to be free. You know? All these years looking after Vicky, in spite of being pretty happy, at times I´ve missed some things. New York, to have more contact with my family, the other friends I left there...And now I want to get back all of it, but in spite of this, some day I´d like to have a kid...Sounds strange, uh?"

Hutch smiled. "Jenny, you don´t think that Starsky and Vicky can be happy forever?" He asked, after a brief silent pause, becoming serious.

"Oh, no. Its not that. Just I think, that I couldn´t be happy forever being a married woman. Still I´ve not found the man who wanted to love me forever. And vice versa, of course...You know what the problem is?" Jenny asked, drinking a little of her whisky and answering her own question "The problem is that forever is too much time for me." After these words, a little silly from the effects of the whisky, both burst into laughter. Then, for a brief moment, their eyes locked on each others, and Jenny approached Hutch, kissing his lips.

Without knowing why, in that moment they both opened long locked doors, and the mixture of mutual attraction with the little feeling of abandonment that they were feeling  that night, resulted in both falling down in each other arms to make love.

Both forgot for a while their thoughts, giving themselves up to the passion of one tender and intense night.

Some hours later Hutch awoke in Jenny´s bed. He rose from the bed looking for his clothes in the darkness, when Jenny spoke.

"We made done a great mistakeUh?"

"Sorry Jenny. I didn´t want to wake you."

"Yeah, sure. You wanted to leave in silence, as some kind of married man maybe?" Jenny turned on the light and looked deeply into Hutch eyes.

"Jenny...I..."

Its okay Hutch. We made love... And we are friends Really both things, they don´t make a very lucky combination.... But its what we´ve done...Look Hutch. I like you. Youre a great guy, but I want the same thing you want. To be your friend. I dont wan´t a love relationship, you dont want a love relationship, so, tell me. What is the problem?"

"Jenny...I..."

"You know? I was thinking that your vocabulary would have more words...Sorry Hutch. At times I can be pretty nasty. Is just that I hate the idea that this, what happened here this night, makes us feel angry with each other. Believe me Hutch. Right now I neither want, nor need, a man in my life. A man who besides is like some kind of brother-in-law to me...Ough! Beautiful mess that would be!!" She said waving her hand "Besides, I never would have a relationship with a cop. Know something? Though it doesn´t seem like it at times, Vicky is braver than me. She knows the risks, but she loves Dave, and continues forward in spite of them... Well. In spite of what some day could happen.... You know what I´m talking about, dont you?"

Hutch nodded slightly. Dressed he sat down on the bed looking at Jenny.

"Are we still friends?" She asked softly.

"Yeah, still friends." answered Hutch, kissing her forehead, "I´ll pick you up at 8.00 to take Starsky and Vicky to the airport" Hutch said from the room door before leaving Jenny´s apartment.

*******

Delicious breakfast smells woke Vicky the next morning.

"Dave?" Vickys voice sounded a little dozy.

"Yeah, wait a minute sweetheart...Dont move." Starsky answered, coming from the kitchen. ´

"Madam...Your breakfast." saying this Starsky, entered the bed room with a teacloth resting over his shoulder and carrying a tray filled with fresh orange juice, fried eggs, bacon, toast, butter, marmalade, coffee...and a beautiful red rose.

"Oh, my love...You didn´t have to take so much trouble." Vicky said, taking the rose and bringing it to her nose, sniffing it appreciatively.

"You are joking?...You can´t miss my famous Starsky´s special breakfast...Besides, Im hungry..." Vicky kissed him lovingly, plunging her fingers into his soft curls.

Both shared the breakfast, sitting down on the bed. Later they shared the shower, and a little more love and pleasure, but finally, they were ready when Hutch arrived with Jenny to take the newly weds to the airport.

The drive to the airport was made in silence. For the first time for a long time Starsky and Hutch sat apart. Jenny sat in Starsky´s usual seat in the front next to Hutch while Starsky sat in the back with his arm around Vicky´s shoulders. Hutch felt decidedly uncomfortable with it and he was glad when they finally pulled up in the airport car park. He and Starsky carried the suitcases as the two girls walked side by side in front of them.

"Got your tickets Starsk?"

Starsky tapped his chest on the right hand side.

"Yep! Right here. Hutch are you okay? I mean you seem a little ... I dont know, withdrawn I guess would be a good description."

"I´m fine Starsk, why wouldnt I be? My best friend just got married to a beautiful lady, the sun is shining and for once the bad guys seem to be having a weekend off." Hutch forced a smile as he looked into the face of his partner.

Starsky removed his sunglasses and Hutch knew he had lost. Starsky could see right through him and now that he could see his eyes Hutch knew his friend knew how he was feeling. Quickly he turned away.

"Hey, Hutch!" Starsky almost barked out, forcing Hutch to turn back to him. "Something doesn´t quite feel right yet, does it Blondie?" Hutch started to shake his head as though to deny the statement but Starsky cut him off. "Its okay Hutch, I feel it too. Its easier for me I guess since I´ve got Vicky but you,  well...I know how you feel Hutch. Its like things have been moved in the cupboard and not put back in quite the right place."

Hutch snorted, "you have a strange way of saying things sometimes Gordo but Yeah! I guess you´re right, thats exactly how it feels."

Starsky grinned as his partner´s shoulders lifted and the dark look seemed to leave his face. "I´ll be gone ten days Hutch and then its back to the streets for the both of us. Me and Thee partner, same as always. Seems to me that you´ll have someone to take your mind off of things while I´m gone." Starsky nodded his head over Hutch´s shoulder and he turned to see Jenny watching them.

"Dont start looking for what´s not there Starsk. Just because you and Vicky jumped in head first,  doesn´t mean Jenny and I are going to follow. We´re friends, good friends thats all!"

"Sure Hutch, friends, I believe you, even if thousands wouldn´t." Starsky laughed as he took the bag from Hutch and placed it onto the scales, checking Vicky and himself in. He turned and winked at his friend. "Just look after each other while we´re gone Hutch." Hutch began to laugh as the girls finally caught them up. " That´s better Hutch." Starsky became serious, "Watch your back while I´m gone pal." With that Starsky took his friend into his arms and hugged him. Then he did the same to Jenny. "Look after this great lug while Im gone Jenny and make sure he looks after my car!"

The four friends walked into the departure lounge to sit down and wait until the flight was called. Hutch and Jenny went for coffee leaving the newly weds together. When they returned with four steaming hot cups Vicky was almost asleep with her head on Starsky´s shoulder. The four sat quietly together watching the people around them until the tanoy announced that their flight was boarding. Together Starsky and Vicky made their way through and onto their plane as Hutch and Jenny watched.

"Hutch...Hutch!" Jenny shook his arm and Hutch slowly looked down into her eyes.

"Where were you Hutch? I was just asking if you wanted to spend the day at the beach or somewhere?...Or maybe you prefer to be alone, or at least without me?"

"Oh No... Sorry Jenny I was...I´m not sure where I was Yeah! I´d like that. Lets call by your house and collect Samson, and then we can go for a long walk and forget everything."

"You´re sure Hutch? I mean...Youll be comfortable with me, after last night?"

"Do you remember Jenny? We´re friends, right?...there´s no problem. I´d like to be with you."

"Okay, Hutch!! So come on, lets go collect Samson."

As Jenny and Hutch walked back to his car they heard the sound of an airplane flying over their heads and they both looked up.

"Take care Starsk, and both of you have a wonderful time, you deserve it!" Hutch whispered silently to himself.

The newly weds walked into the Ilikae hotel giggling. Both were adorned with colourful leis given to them at the airport when they arrived. Starsky rang the bell with a flourish and a broad Hawaiian in an Aloha shirt answered it, almost immediately.

"Good afternoon sir, madam. Can I help you?"

"Mr and Mrs Starsky, We have a reservation for ten days." Starsky replied eyeing the shirt and thinking he really would have to take one like it back for Hutch.

"Ah yes! The honeymoon suite! Welcome both of you and may I offer you both my congratulations." The man rang the bell twice and a young boy appeared from nowhere. He picked up the bags that Starsky had lay at his feet and waited expectantly.

"The honeymoon suite, please Martin." The receptionist handed over the keys to the young lad who tucked them into his pocket and turned smiling to Starsky and Vicky.

"Follow me please." And with that he proceeded towards the elevators, pressing the call button as he got there. Vicky and Starsky trailed behind, arm in arm. The ride up in the elevator was made in silence. The doors opened on the top floor and they followed Martin along a bright corridor filled with the scent of fresh flowers.

"Jenny would love this, she loves her garden." Vicky said

"So would Hutch." Starskys arm tightened around her waist. "I wonder how they´re getting on?"

Before either had time to speculate Martin stopped in front of a door at the end of the corridor and he handed Starsky the key.

"Honeymoon suite sir." He indicated the door with his head.

Starsky unlocked the door then turning to Vicky he picked her up into his arms and carried her into the room. He stood holding her in the middle of the most magnificent room he had ever seen. It was brightly lit and the scent of flowers permeated the air as it had in the corridor. At the far end of the room was a huge balcony, which looked out over the Pacific Ocean. In the middle of the room stood a table, which was literally dripping with fresh fruit and in the middle of them all was a massive bottle of champagne cooling in an ice bucket. The walls were adorned with Hawaiian artefacts and on one wall was a picture of King Kamehameha. Slowly Starsky put Vicky down and they moved together to look out at the ocean.

"Dave this is so beautiful!...Thank you." Starsky could hear the catch in Vicky´s voice and he turned to her,  kissing her tenderly.

"No Vicky, thank you. I never thought I would ever feel like this again. You´ve made a part of me come alive that I thought was long since dead, and I love you dearly." Starsky kissed her again, long and hard. The two were oblivious to anyone or anything until, finally, they heard a muffled cough coming from the room behind them.

"Enjoy your stay." Martin smiled at them before leaving the room, quietly closing the door behind him.

Starsky bent and picked Vicky up once again and, with what Hutch would have described as his 100 watt grin plastered across his face, he slowly made his way into the bedroom and laid her gently on the bed looking directly into her eyes in the way that she couldn´t resist.

"You know, Dave? Every time you are close to me looking at me in that way, I feelI...I dont know how to say it. As if you arent real. Just a dream. Too good to be real. You understand?"

"Maybe I´m not too good, but I´m real Vicky." Starsky smiled "And Im here with you, for the rest of our lives." Then he kissed her lips to start, one more time, their love´s meeting.

Forgetting the time, with the Hawaiian sunset as their only witness, and mixing the sounds of love with the sounds of the sea waves, they crossed together one more time passions magic paths, to fall finally asleep, each in the others arms.

They spent a long while sleeping until the sound of music coming from the beach woke them. There was a typical Hawaiian party, and Vicky and Starsky joined it, dancing, eating, drinking and enjoying their happiness until, hours later, they returned exhausted to their suite.

Early next morning, before anyone else was around, Vicky and Starsky stood on the beach watching the sun slowly rise. It slowly shimmered ever upwards like a red balloon as it made its way into the vivid blue of the Hawaiian morning. They stood hand in hand, their shoes thrown carelessly around their shoulders, watching it change from deepest red, to orange then yellow and finally golden until it became too bright to look at and they both turned away to walk slowly along the sand.

"What are you thinking about V? You´re miles away." Starsky had stopped and turned her to face him. As always she felt that she was drowning in the deepness of his ivory blue eyes.

"I was thinking about us, about our future. It seems impossible to believe that just a few months ago I didn´t think I had a future at all, and now..." Vicky paused for a second as a dark cloud seemed to pass through her memory and a shiver ran down her spine. Seeing it Starsky took her into his arms and held her tight, waiting patiently for her to continue. "Now I see happiness and real love, the kind that comes from a kind and gentle man. And I see children, two, maybe three...you´d make a wonderful father Dave, and I mean to give you the chance to prove it as soon as possible." Vicky´s eyes shimmered with unshed tears and Starsky gently wiped them away with his thumb as he cupped her face in his hands.

"And you´ll make a wonderful Mother V. Well do it together, learn as we go along and always be there for each other. I made a vow yesterday, from this day forth, and I meant every word. I love you Vicky and I promise I´ll do everything I can to love and care for you, and our children if we are  blessed with them, for always."

As he finished speaking Starsky gently bent her head forward and kissed her tenderly on the forehead. Then he took her arm and gently laid it in his own. The two continued their walk in silence, arm in arm, each lost in their own thoughts, Vicky´s were of gratitude for all that had conspired to bring such a good and loving man into her life changing it for ever. Starsky´s were a mixture of joy that at last fate had dealt the cards sweetly and worry that he could do all he had promised and keep Vicky safe from the evil he worked in and around every day. Neither knew how long they walked but when they returned to their hotel it was bustling with tourists and breakfast was in full swing in the dining room.

Later that morning found the newly weds eagerly shopping as Starsky searched for just the right shirt for Hutch. He finally settled on a light blue one with small guitars and cowboy boots running around the chest. Vicky meanwhile had brought a beautiful carved figure of a Hawaiian dancer for Jenny. They returned to the hotel to put their gifts away before once more venturing outside. The sun was even hotter now so, as one, they turned and headed back towards the beach where they managed to find a sheltered spot, up on the cliffs overlooking the sea, to relax and watch the world go by.

"Do you like volcanoes?" Vicky was surprised at the unexpected question and rose on one arm to look at Starsky.

"What kind of a question is that?"

Starsky too rose on one arm to face her. "A pretty straight forward one V. Do you or dont you?"

"Well... I cant say I´ve ever really thought about it before but I suppose they must be pretty spectacular."

"Good thats a relief I can tell Dobey he didn´t waste his money." And Starsky lay back down again.

Vicky hit Starsky with her sunhat. "Dave Starsky you can be pretty infuriating when you want to be. How the heck Hutch has put up with you for so long I´ll never know. What exactly are you going on about?"

Starsky smiled as he looked at her through one eye. "Great! we´ve only been married two days and you´re beating me up already." Starsky stopped as he saw the anguished look on Vicky´s face. Pulling himself upright he took her in his arms and held on tight. "I´m sorry Vicky, that was stupid of me. I didn´t think what I was saying, it just sort of came out. Forgive me?"

Vicky pulled away nodding her head. "On one condition. You tell me what exactly you are trying to say before. I´m completely lost."

Starsky let her go and lay back down again. "Tomorrow we´re going for a trip in a helicopter, courtesy of Captain and Mrs Dobey, to take a look at the volcanoes. It was a wedding present. Right now though I can feel my own volcano building up inside and I know just the way to handle the eruption. "

Vicky squirmed in his grasp, giggling as she did so. His firm strong mouth on hers stifled the giggling and she was lost, drowning slowly in ivory eyes that sparkled and became ever darker as they kissed. The last awareness of her surroundings that she could recall later was the gentle lapping of the surf on the rocks beneath them and the moon slowly going down over Starsky´s left shoulder as he took her in a passionate embrace.

And so the honeymoon continued in a rush of days spent sightseeing and nights spent making love. Over the ten days they had flown over all of the Hawaiian Islands, drunk in the beautiful sunsets, walked miles arm in arm, barefoot, along the beaches and managed, with the help of Martin from the hotel, to find secluded spots away from the tourists where they could both relax and learn more about each other. The nights had been spent exploring each others bodies until each knew every inch of the others and knew what the other enjoyed. Vicky learnt that to be loved by  somebody so special like her husband meant nights of passion filled with consideration of her moods and needs. Dave Starsky never took, he only gave and she savoured every second of their special time.

Their last day was spent in a blur of last minute shopping for gifts and mementos of a time they both knew would never be repeated. To go with the Aloha shirt Starsky had found a small Hawaiian guitar that he knew Hutch would treasure. For Jenny they found a beautiful hand carved necklace, the deep colours in the wood shone like polished coal and Vicky declared that it would compliment Jenny´s blond looks totally. Their last meal together in the hotel was special. Martin had arranged a quiet corner for them and they sipped on champagne courtesy of the management. It was late as they took their final walk out to the sea and the moon glimmered on the calm surf. They stood hand in hand watching the waves gently lapping up on the shore trying to remember every tiny detail. Starsky took his camera from its bag and, walking a few paces away from Vicky, he took her picture. With her hair blowing gently in the breeze and the moonlight falling lightly on her shoulders he thought she looked more beautiful in that moment than at any time he had known her.

It was midnight when they finally walked back into their room and began the task of packing everything back into their suitcases. Starsky had brought a bottle of wine and the two worked their way through it as they packed and repacked the final case trying desperately to get everything in. In a huge fit of the giggles Starsky sat on the top as Vicky tried unsuccessfully to fasten it.

"Know what Mrs Starsky?" Starsky was swaying from side to side and trying to look Vicky in the eye.

"I know you´re drunk Dave Starsky!" Vicky continued to giggle as the catch eluded her efforts. "And I know you brought too much to get back home."

"Hey! Don´t you blame me. This is your case. Its not my fault its not big enough." At this Starsky leant just a little too far forward and fell off of the case slipping slowly onto the floor. He tried to get back up but the room was spinning too much and he decided to stay were he was. "I was gonna say that you are beautiful and I love you but if you´re gonna be rude then I won´t so there!" Starsky stuck his tongue out and Vicky dissolved into laughter as she gave up with the case and joined her husband on the floor.

"I love you too David Starsky and don´t you take that tone with me or I´ll make you spend the night right where you are."

"I dont think I wanna get up anyhow. The room won´t stay still and right know I´m enjoying the ride." Starsky laughed too as his head came to rest on Vicky´s shoulder.

They stayed where they were for a while until Vicky began to get stiff from sitting in the same position.

"Hey." She gently nudged the now sleeping Starsky until he woke. "Come on Prince Charming, time to get up and go to bed. We´ve a plane to catch in a few hours and I need my sleep."

Vicky got to her feet and, bracing her feet against Starsky´s, she took both of his hands and pulled. It took her a while but finally she managed to get him standing. Positioning herself under his shoulder she half steered, half carried him to the bedroom and, standing him at the end of the bed, she let him go, giving him a gentle push as she did so. Starsky hit the bed face first,sound asleep. Too tired and influenced by the alcohol she left him where he lay and letting her clothes drop on the floor she crawled slowly up the bed and under the covers. She would tackle the case in the morning.

They were woken five hours later with the shrill ringing of the telephone. Starsky´s hand shot out to answer it and he forced his eyes to open.

"Damned alarm call!" Starsky lay on his back for a few moments hoping the hammering in his head would ease. Beside him Vicky still slept and he turned slightly to look at her. In the cool light of the morning she looked peaceful and though she wasn´t a stunning beauty she had a glow about her that had captured Starsky´s heart almost from the beginning. He loved her more than he thought possible. He leant over slowly and gently kissed the end of her nose. Vicky´s eyes slowly fluttered open and the first thing she saw was a smiling Starsky.

"Come on sleepy head,  we´ve got a plane to catch and, if I remember rightly, a case to try and close."

"Go away, I´m not going home." Vicky´s muffled voice came from somewhere beneath the covers. Starsky climbed from the bed and grasping the covers in both hands gave an almighty pull. Vicky was left curled in a ball with the covers lying on the floor.

"Come on Princess, last one to the shower is a sissy!" Starsky turned to the bathroom looking back just in time to duck as a pillow came flying past his head. "Right thats how you want to play it is it?" Starsky ran into the bathroom and turned the shower full on, then, returning to the bedside, he lifted an unsuspecting Vicky into his arms. Before she knew what was happening she was being dropped into the bath with the shower pouring over her.

"DAVE!!" Vicky screamed and grabbing at his arms she pulled. Unbalanced he landed in the bath on top of her.

"Good Morning lover." She whispered in his ear and slowly began to kiss his lips, then neck, her hands undoing the buttons of his shirt. Her mouth found his nipples and she gently nipped them as her hands continued down his firm, muscular body. It wasn´t long before Starsky began to respond to her urgings.

"Mrs Starsky you are insatiable. We´ve a plane to catch." But he quickly removed the rest of his clothes, dropping them in a wet puddle at the side of the bath. There, under the stream of warm water from the shower, he took Vicky in his arms and gently nuzzled her neck. Her hands meanwhile were reaching ever further downwards and he could feel her gently massaging his crotch. He was aware of becoming ever firm as she gently massaged. He meanwhile, rubbed his thumbs around her breasts while continuing to kiss at her weakest spot on her neck. He could feel her body beginning to arch under his and slowly, teasingly, he began manoeuvre into position. She smiled as his penis touched her vagina and she opened her legs further. Gently Starsky nudged at her, and he could feel the tremors running down her spine. Finally able to contain himself no longer he pushed forward and entered her. The rhythm he took was slow to begin but became faster as she responded with almost animal like groans of pleasure. They came together in a crescendo of emotion. After, the two lay as they were for a full ten minutes with the warm water pulsating down on them. It was only when Vicky moved very slightly to ease her back that Starsky became fully aware and lifted himself from her. Gently he leant for the soap and lovingly washed away the signs and smell of their joining. Then he reached for the warm towel and, pulling her gently to her feet, he lovingly wrapped her in it.

"Go Mrs Starsky while I can still let you. Get dressed and repack the case while I get a shower." He looked at her from beneath lowered eyelids, his voice no more than a gentle murmur in her ears.

By the time he emerged from the shower she had finally managed to persuade the errant case to lock. The two shared a last lingering look from the balcony before finally turning away and leaving the room. It didn´t take long to settle their account and the taxi sped them back to the airport. Two hours later and they were in the air on the way home. Vicky wondered how Samson had been and if he had missed her at all. Knowing Jenny the dog would have been spoilt rotten and would probably sulk for a while once she and Dave picked him up. Thinking of Jenny made her wonder how things had gone between her and Hutch. She and Dave had chatted about them , wondering if they would get together. Both hoped that maybe they would but she knew that Dave doubted it. He had no doubt that Hutch was really fond of Jenny but he also knew that Hutch had been badly hurt by one woman who he had trusted his heart with and that hurt had run deep. Now Hutch had an invisible screen that he used to shield his heart from ever getting broken again. Vicky though was a romantic and she secretly hoped that Jenny would manage to break down the shield the same way that Dave had broken through hers, though she knew too that Jenny had her own shield to break.

The flight home was uneventful and they landed on time. Clearing customs Starsky looked around for a sign of Hutch. Before they had left Hutch had double-checked on the time of their return so he knew what time to pick the both up. When he finally satisfied himself that Hutch was nowhere around a small niggle of worry began to form at the back of his mind. There was only one reason for Hutchs absence and that was work. The two seldom worked apart and Dobey would only ask Hutch in if it was something extremely urgent. Suddenly Starsky was suffering split loyalties. He knew that he should take his new wife home but he was worried about Hutch and he desperately wanted to head straight for the precinct to find him and to make sure he was safe. Heading for the taxi rank he forcibly pushed her into the nearest one while his mind worked overtime. Vicky watched as he ran around to the opposite door and climbed in. She could see the anguish on his face and read the worry in his eyes.

Leaning forward she put her hand on the drivers shoulder. "9th Precinct please. As fast as you can!"

Starsky turned open mouthed at her and she gently pushed his jaw closed with her forefinger.

"Home can wait Dave. Hutch is important to you and that makes him important to me." She smiled softly.

Starsky swallowed the lump that suddenly appeared in his throat. "Thanks princess I promise I´ll make it up to you."

"I´ll hold you to that, lover boy,  but for now lets go find where Blondie has got to."

15 minutes later the taxi stopped in front of the precinct, and Starsky jumped out the car.

"I´ll wait for you at home Dave. Take care please" Vicky said before he disappeared into the police station building.

Starsky raced up the stairs two at time, rushing into the squad room.

"HUTCH! WHERE´S HUTCH?"

"STARSKY!" A rookie named Collins rose from his chair on seeing Starsky

"Why wasn´t he at the airport? Where´s Dobey?...Whats happened?"

"Starsky, listen. A couple hours ago we received a call about a domestic violence matter. A man was holding his wife and four year old child with him in his own house. He told the officers that he would only speak with Hutch. And if he didn´t go there, he would blow up the whole apartment. Dobey´s there, trying to talk with him. He has a bomb, Starsky. A hand grenade"

*******

Vicky entered their house with an uncomfortable feeling of loneliness. This was not what she had been waiting for...Some hours before, she and Starsky were in a little piece of paradise, and now, she was alone, and Dave maybe was in danger.

"Welcome to real life." Vicky said sadly to herself carrying the baggage to the bedroom. Once there, she sat down on the bed, picking up the portrait that was resting on the nightstand, running her forefinger lovingly across the image of a smiling Starsky. She had taken that picture of him some weeks before on a funny beach day.

"Take care, my love, and bring Hutch safely home." She knew that she must get used to the life of a cops wife, but she knew also that it would not be easy. Then, Vicky picked up the phone to ring Jenny.

After three rings the soft voice of Jenny answered the call.

"Hello?"

"Hi Jenn, Its me. We´re home.

"Hey Mrs Starsky!... Im glad to hear from you! Dave and you had a good honeymoon? You have a lot of things to tell me!"

"Sure, and not only about our honeymoon. Do you know where Hutch is?"

"Hutch?...No. Do I want to know it?..."

Vicky filled Jenny with all the details about what happened when she and Starsky got to the airport. On hearing the worry in her friend´s voice Jenny took Samson and drove over there, arriving a short time later.

*******

Starsky took a patrol car from the parking lot and drove towards where Hutch was. It was in one of the most degraded and poor neighbourhoods of the city. Five minutes later he was standing in front of captain Dobey. On the scene were two other police units.

"Listen Dave." A shiver crossed down Starskys spine. DAVE...It wouldn´t be anything good. "That guy is Ricardo Torres, 42 years old. A mexican that Hutch sent to prison for robbery in a bakery during the days you were off after the Marcus kidnapping. He has his family and Hutch held there inside. He doesn´t want to speak with anybody and won´t allow us to enter. He says that he already has what he wanted and now he´s ready to blow up the building...Starsky! STARSKY! SON!" Dobey called out for him. But already Starsky was climbing the steps of the dark and ramshackle landing, heading towards the apartment.

The front door was half open. Starsky approached slowly towards the entrance, with his hand on his gun

"Torres!...Torres. Let me in. Lets talk." There in a corner of the dark and small living room was a woman, curled up and holding a little crying child in her arms, and a few steps behind, the man, aiming a gun towards them. Starsky spoke in a soft and calming tone. Then he saw the unconscious body of Hutch on the floor, with a thread of blood running down his forehead. Next to him, there were pieces of glass from a broken bottle.

"HUTCH!"

"Hey gringo! Dont move or he is a dead man!" Torres aimed his gun against Hutchs head. "Who carajo are you, uh? A cop?" The man asked Starsky, who at first didnt answer.

"ANSWER ME!!"

"Yeah. I´m a cop, and he is my partner"

"I have a bomb, cop, and all the fucking building will blow up."

"Listen Torres. You dont want to do it. Your wife and son are here. You dont want to kill them, right?" Starsky, who was already kneeling down between Hutch and Torres to protect his friend, was trying to keep the situation under control, and while speaking with the man he was searching for any more injury to Hutch´s body. While doing it Starsky saw that his partner´s gun was not there.

"Don´t tell me what I want or dont want to do gringo! Just give me your gun...NOW! Or Ill shot him!" Starsky gave his gun to the man. Then, Hutch began to wake up.

"Hey, Hutch, don´t move partner. It will all be okay, just dont move," Starsky whispered to Hutch, resting a hand on his shoulder

"I will tell you something gringo. Your partner arrested me and ruined my life and my family. Your partner, you, and all this damned country are the same thing...The Promised Land...Una mierda!! A big crap, that is what all of you are. All of you wanted to destroy my family and me...All right. So now, everybody will see how the Torres family left this lousy world." The man was looking at his family for a moment, and Starsky took advantage of his carelessness to rush towards him. Torres was a tall and strong man, and he and Starsky got involved in a violent fight. Suddenly the woman hit hard with a baseball bat in Starsky´s back. He fell, face down, on the floor, but Hutch, who was already again able to stand, subdued her, and finally after a brief struggle, they both brought Torres to the floor, immobilising his wrists with Hutch´s handcuffs.

"Thanks Hutch. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, sure. I´m fine, but I´m afraid I should ask that question to you. How´s your back?"

"Oh, fine..I suppose." Starsky said with a slight grimace of pain."

"Thanks Gordo. and welcome home!"

********

Meanwhile, as usual, Jenny was listening to her friend doing everything in her power to calm her restlessness. Later Vicky talked with Jenny about her happiness with Dave over these wonderful days.

"You know? Now I know it. I know the true meaning of happiness and love. Already I cant picture my life without him. I just hope nothing changes" Vicky said with a lost look. "Well, and now, tell me. Hutch and you had any dates while we were gone?"

Without answering Jenny blushed a little.

"Hey, Jenny! Whats happened? Something´s wrong between Hutch and you?"

"Oh, no. No problem. Hutch is a terrific guy"

"And?...Jenny. You know you cant lie to me. Any trouble with Hutch?"

"Well, maybe trouble is not the right word.Vicky, the night of your wedding, Hutch...Hutch and me. Well. We were in my place, having some drinks and, well, you know."

"Do you mean?..."

"Yes. I mean just what you are thinking...Ow!!" Jenny covered her face with a cushion.

"Wow! Thats great! So, you?"

"We nothing Vick. We are just friends. Only good friends. But that Blondie is a true bomb in the bed." Jenny added with a mischievous look.

"JENNY!!...Do you remember? I´m a married woman now. Married with another bomb by the way" Both girls laughed. After, Vicky breathed deeply

"Thanks Jenn...As usual, you get to make me feel better" Both friends embraced each other.

"Come on Vicky. They will be fine. I´m sure. That pair can handle anything."

Then the phone rang. Vicky picked up it quickly to hear Starskys voice telling her something of what had happened, that it was all over and Hutch and he soon would be home.

What Starsky didn´t tell Vicky is that at that moment he was calling her from the hospital, while a doctor was putting some stitches in Hutchs head, after checking Starsky´s back.

"Hutch didnt go to the airport because he had some trouble with an infuriated guy and a hand grenade, but they are okay. At least this time." Vicky said to Jenny after hanging up the receiver.

"What?...Hand grenade? Infuriated guy? Vicky. What the heck are you saying?"

"Oh, never mind Jenny...Cop´s wife things."

"Pretty hard, uh?...This being a cop´s wife."

"Yeah. Pretty hard. But I would never ask Dave to leave his work. Being a cop with Hutch is his whole life, and after his murder attempt he fought very hard to recover it. I knew it from the first day and I don´t want to have a depressed clerk returning every night to home, so, from now on I will have to get used to this kind of thing...If I can."

"And you will also have to ask his guardian angel not to move too far away from him." Jenny joked.

*******

Leaving the hospital, both men, tired and aching, headed towards Starsky´s place. He was driving his much-missed Torino.

"Well, and now tell me. How did your honeymoon go, Starsk?"

"Simply great Blondie. A wonderful place and a wonderful wife. What else can a man ask?"

"I dont know...A terrific welcome party, with a hand grenade and a maddened guy included in the plan for example?" They laughed together.

"You know Hutch? Its good to be home....Aw! My back!! That lady was a true ace with the bat!"

Finally, around a half an hour later, Jenny and Vicky heard the front door being unlocked. Starsky and Hutch came in the house. The blond one was wearing a little bandage on the top of his head, and Starsky was walking like an 80 year old man, with careful steps, and with his hand resting over the lower part of his back, while a dark bruise began to show on his face. On seeing them, both girls raised hurriedly from the couch to help them to sit down.

"What happened?? Jenny exclaimed.

"Both of you are okay?" Vicky asked scared.

"Hey, hey...Wait a minute, girls. Were okay." Starsky said. Then, Samson approached towards him "SAMSON, NO!!...I´m sorry boy, I´m glad to see you too, but today I couldn´t stand one of your greetings!...Vicky, Jenny. There is no reason to worry. We just need some rest."

"And a doctor too" Vicky answered touching carefully Starsky´s cheek.

"Oh, no! Weve already been to the hospital."

"WHAT?" Both girls asked in one voice.

"Shhht...Please... My head hurts." Hutch said with a weak voice. "We´ve been to the hospital, and according to the doctors, we will both live. We just need one night of real rest and a couple of days off...Jenny, could you take me home?"

"Of course Hutch, and I´ll stay with you tonight to take care of you, okay?"

"I dont need..."

"Uh uh. No way. I´ll spend the night with you. Its settled." Hutch looked at Jenny with a look of surrender.

"Would you prefer to stay here Blondie?You dont mind Vicky?" Starsky asked.

"Yeah Hutch, stay here." Vicky offered.

"Thanks friends, but right now I only want a little peace, a couple of aspirins and to be in my own bed. I´ll be fine,  sure." Hutch rose slowly from the couch, heading towards the door. Jenny winked an eye at Vicky and followed Hutch "I´ll call you later Vick"

Vicky accompanied the pair to the entrance then returned to the couch, sitting down next to an exhausted Starsky, her arm around his shoulders.

"Come on, sweetheart. Now your beloved wife will take a little care of you."

After a pain pill, a warm bath and a soft and careful massage on his aching back, Starsky fell deeply asleep, face down in the bed. Seeing him Vicky felt a wave of tenderness, and after caressing his curls and softly kissing his back, she wrapped him up with the covers, and left the room.

At night Vicky fixed some soup and sandwiches for him, but seeing him sleeping so peacefully she felt she couldn´t wake him, and finally, after a call to Jenny to be sure that their favourite cops were resting peacefully, and more tired than she realised she went to bed too.

Meanwhile, in Hutch´s place, Jenny took charge of everything to make sure that Hutch also had a well-deserved night of rest.

Two days later, Starsky, Hutch, and Vicky as well returned to work. Their daily life wrapped them, and the wonderful days of their honeymoon stayed as a beautiful beginning of a beautiful life together.

*******

Meanwhile, In the L.A. State Jail, a new prisoner came from the penitentiary hospital. A man who had been a rich and powerful criminal lawyer, until his life suddenly suffered an unfortunate setback, because of his own guilt. Right now William Sherman was only a man, chained the rest of his life to a wheelchair, who also had to pay with a long stay in prison for the attempted murder of a police officer.

He was a haughty, pretentious and distant man who, since the first day, never wanted to establish any kind of relationship with any other prisoner of the jail except one. An old man, with whom seemingly he did not have anything in common, except the crime which had taken them both, from a position of power and wealth, to prison. The new friend of Billy was there, for, among other crimes, the attempted murder of a police officer too, and his name was JAMES GUNTHER

Gunther and Sherman became inseparable whenever the two were out of their cells. A weak, old man, Gunther would lean on the back of the wheelchair as Sherman pushed himself around the exercise yard. No-one, not even the prison guards, came between the two. They would spend hour after hour talking quietly in the corner under the shade of a tree. No one cared much about either of them nor asked what they spent so many hours discussing. Maybe if someone had they would have been able to warn Starsky and Vicky that their happiness was soon to be interrupted, but as it was the two men were ignored and left to their own devices. As for Gunther and Sherman they were patient men, after all revenge would be even sweeter the longer they waited! So it was that, as each night Starsky and Vicky would lay in each others arms talking about their future, Billy Sherman would lie in his cell slowly planning a future of his own for them, one which didnt include happiness nor, if he could help it, a long life for either of them. Starsky and Vicky would die of that he was certain, as certain as he was that he would make Vicky watch as he slowly killed the man who had stolen her from him. In the days when he wasnt with James Gunther he was to be found in the prison gym lifting weights and the results were self satisfying as the muscles in his arms became ever stronger and his grip ever more powerful. Gunther on the other hand quietly began making contacts with his friends outside of the prison. He still had a lot of friends he could call on prepared to carry out his dirty work for him without question. Slowly but surely the plans were coming to fruition and both he and Billy Sherman would have their revenge on the people they hated most in the world Detective David Starsky and his partner Kenneth Hutchinson!

The first signs that all wasnt well began with the phone calls. For about a week at around midnight their phone would ring but whenever they answered the caller would hang up. At first Starsky thought it was because he was answering, but when he got Vicky to try the same thing happened. He was on the verge of contacting the telephone company when the calls stopped as suddenly as they had started. By the end of the week Vicky was a little unnerved by them, and a few nights without rest resulted in the girl looking pale, fatigued, and she began to feel sick, though she was trying to hide it in front of Starsky, who managed to persuade her that it was probably just kids messing around. The next morning though there was a small parcel waiting for them on their front step. Vicky found it when she went outside for the morning paper. Since it was Sunday and Starsky and Hutch both had the day free they had not risen early. Starsky had brought her breakfast in bed and then run her a hot bath, which she languished in while he took Samson for his morning walk. It was nearly midday when she came in with the strange package and gave it to Starsky. She watched over his shoulder as he carefully opened it. A small bundle of photographs fell from the wrapping and Starsky looked down at them where they fell. They were pictures of Starsky in the Torino with Hutch, others of him and Hutch in the Pits off duty, a couple of Starsky waiting outside Hutchs apartment and one of the two of them coming down the steps at the precinct, Starskys hand on Hutchs shoulder. The last piece of paper to flutter from the midst of the photos was a folded piece of notepaper. Staring back at them, in words cut from newspapers, were the words.

How well do you know your husband Vicky?

Starskys whole body began to shake in anger. Hearing a small sob he lifted his eyes away from the words to see Vicky, her hand to her mouth, looking wide eyed at him. Immediately he pulled her into his arms.

"Shh, its okay V, its okay! Its just someone with more time on his hands than is good for him trying to scare us. I´ll take it all to the lab boys and well sort it, dont worry."

"Dave. What it suggests these photos its its horrible!" Vicky allowed the tears to flow onto his shoulder.

"Yeh! I know, but Hutch and I are pretty used to it by now." He gently pulled back from her until he could look into her eyes. "You know how much Hutch means to me Vicky. I´d do almost anything for him, including take a bullet if I had to. But thats it! He´s my brother, nothing more, and I love him but not like that. Yeah, these photos are designed to look bad, but thats exactly what whoever sent them is trying to do. Dont let them put any doubts between us honey. I LOVE you, more now than when we first met." Starsky held her gaze desperately trying to see past the tears that were falling.

"I love you too Dave, so much that I never thought it possible." Vicky smiled a small smile through her tears. "Its not me that has any doubts, but what will others think?"

"Hey, I told you, Hutch and I are used to it by now and we can handle it. Besides, anyone that matters knows what happening here and knows us. Dont worry Hutch and I will handle it!" Starsky gently kissed her forehead before once more hugging her tightly. Then, releasing his grip, he turned back to the table and carefully began to collect the photographs. When he had them all plus the note and the wrapping he took them through to the kitchen and found a small plastic bag. As Vicky held it open for him he dropped the offending package into it.

"Come on honey, get your bag. Were going to the precinct to see Dobey. He can get the lab boys onto these quicker than I can."

The two headed out to the car, Starskys arm around Vicky´s shoulders. As he helped her into the passenger seat Starsky was looking all around. Whoever had taken those photos had been watching him for at least a fortnight, and it worried him that he hadn´t spotted anyone. Mentally making a note to call Huggy from the station Starsky got in the driver seat and pulled away. As he did so an innocuous looking man emerged from behind the trees outside Vicky and Daves house. He watched as the Torino sped away with a satisfied grin on his face. Heading across the road he trotted to the nearest phone box. Stepping inside he dialled the number written on the back of his hand and waited impatiently for an answer. When at last he got one he spoke quietly.

"Message for Mr Gunther. Tell him everything is going well. Im about to start increasing the pressure a little!"

Hanging up the man retraced his steps to the house and walked to the front door. Knocking loudly at the door with one hand he carefully tried the door with the other. From somewhere inside he could hear the loud and angry barking of what sounded like a large dog. Softly he swore to himself and, turning away, he walked back down the path and away from the house. If he were to carry out the next part of his plan he would have to wait until that dog was out somewhere but that wouldnt be so easy. He knew from his observations that the only time it wasnt there was when it went out for a walk with one or the other Starsky or when it went with Vicky to the surgery on the days that Starsky was on nights and trying to sleep through at least part of the day. Patience was going to have to come high on his agenda for a while and it was something John Peters was not good at, not good at all.

Vicky and Starsky were sat in Captain Dobeys office when Hutch finally got to the station. Starsky hadnt wanted to bother him but Dobey had insisted on it. If someone was trying to implicate them it was only fair that both had the chance to see what they were up against, or so he told Starsky. What he really meant was if someone had been stalking Starsky, and that along with the phone calls was what it looked like, then Hutch would want to know straight away. He had seen the Wrath of Hutchinson before where protecting his partner was concerned and he wasnt about to have it repeated.

"Starsk?" Hutch looked questioningly at his partner. "You okay?"

"Yeh Hutch were both fine. Nothing for you to worry that blond head of yours over! I asked them not to bother you on your day off but Cap insisted." Starsky looked apologetically at his partner.

"Hey!" The Hutchinson finger snapped up in front of Starsky who sighed. "Some nut case sends you photos and makes anonymous phone calls in the middle of the night and you dont think I should worry? What kind of daft talk is that Starsk? Youre my friend, damn it,  of course I´ll worry!" Hutch´s eyes were blazing as he spoke.

"Calm down Hutch. Like I said, Vicky and I are fine and you dont know that this aint just some kids playing some silly prank that theyre gonna regret when I getta hold of em." Starsky turned and filled a cup with dark brown liquid. "Here, have a coffee and sit down. The lab boys will be finished with the photos pretty soon and then you can have a look at them."

On cue there was a knock at the door, and on Dobeys command it opened.

"I was asked to bring these straight back to you Captain, the results are in the wallet underneath."

The young lab technician walked back out of the office leaving the four occupants staring at the large brown envelope she had laid on the table. Finally Dobey picked it up and tipped the contents onto the table in front of Hutch. He watched as Hutch quickly scanned thought them then slowly sat down on the edge of the table. Hutch looked at Starsky who almost imperceptively shook his head.

"Lab boys say there are no finger prints other than yours Starsky, sorry."

Starsky nodded "I guessed there wouldnt be but Guess theres not a lot we can do except wait for his next move."

"Theres something I can do Starsky, right now. I can put a watch on your house. At least that way you wont have to worry about Vicky while youre not there." Dobey picked up the phone and barked some orders into it. "There should be a black and white outside your house when you get home. I can only keep it there for a short while but at least itll give the two of you some time to try and get a handle on this."

"Thanks Cap." It was Hutch who answered as he looked at his partner and his young wife. Vicky was sitting with her hands in her lap twisting her wedding ring round and round on her finger. Starsky sat on the edge of her chair with his arms protectively around her shoulders. "Any ideas Starsk?"

Starsky looked at him, knowing what he meant.

"Come on Hutch. You know as well as I do that it could be anyone of a number of phsycos. The number of people that have made threats to the two of us would take us all day to count!"

"What about Vicky. Anyone ever threaten you?" Hutch looked at the frightened woman and his heart went out to her.

"The only person who ever threatened me was Billy and hes in jail Hutch, you know that. Besides hes in a wheelchair rememberI put him there!" Vickys voice was so quiet they could hardly hear her.

"Im taking you home sweetheart and you can lie down for a while. Hutch, do me a favour will you? Go see Huggy. I called him and asked him to start digging, see if he can find out anything for us. Let me know what he says okay?" Starsky gently lifted Vicky from her chair and with his arms around her he led her to the door. Dobey opened the door and the couple passed through without looking back.

As he closed the door Dobey swore softly to himself.

"Whats up Cap?" Hutch asked quietly.

"What is it with you two Hutch? When Dave and Vicky got married I thought things would maybe calm down a little but it seems like bad fortune always seems to pick on you two. Damn it that boy deserves a little happiness, why cant misfortune choose someone else to pick on!"

Hutch shook his head. "Wish I knew Cap, I really do." Hutch rose and picking up the photos he handed them back to Dobey. "Put these away safe for us will you, Ive got a man to see." With that Hutch left the office leaving an irate Dobey shaking his head behind him.

Two hours later Hutch was knocking on Starskys front door.

"Was the matter, forget your key Hutch?"

"No! It just doesnt seem right Starsk. Walking into yours and Vickys home without knocking."

"Hey! Thats why we gave you and Jenny a key Hutch. So you could do exactly that. When will you get used to the idea that youre both always welcome here, same as before?" Starsky shook his head smiling softly at his partner. "What did Huggy have to say?"

"Wheres Vicky?" Hutch looked around.

"In the bedroom asleep. Shes not been feeling too well these last days, you know, worried over the phone calls I guess. She was a little sick. I called the doc and he gave her something to make her feel better, and sleep for a while." Reaching in to the refrigerator Starsky handed Hutch a beer before motioning him towards the couch.

"Well you gonna tell me or do I have to drag it out of you?"

"According to Huggy, word on the street is that someones out for a little revenge Starsk. What he doesnt know is who or what for." Hutch watched as Starsky digested his information.

"Okay, so we start looking through our old files, man what a way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Anything else?"

"No, Huggy said hed get back to us as soon as anything turns but its all a little tense out there."

Starsky lay his head back on the couch and closed his eyes for a few moments. "It never stops does it Hutch? Man it was bad enough when it was just us, but now Ive got Vicky to protect too. If anything happens to her"

"HEY!" Hutchs voice broke in sharp and loud and Starsky turned to look at him. "Nothing is gonna happen to Vicky Starsk. Were not gonna let it! You hear me pal!"

For a few seconds Starsky just looked at Hutch then he slowly nodded his head once.

"Good. Now weve got work to do. Ill give Jenny ring and get her over here to sit with Vicky while we go look at the files."

John Peters watched quietly as Starsky and Hutch left for the precinct. He had seen Vicky and Starsky come home to be followed a little while later by the doctor. He had seen the black and white arrive and take up position across the street from the house and he had seen Jenny arrive. Peters smiled to himself.

Things are going nicely Mr Gunther. You and your friend would be well pleased! Turning the ignition of his small car Peters slipped the car into drive and pulled away down the street in the opposite direction to Starsky and Hutch. Tomorrow we start again Starsky, enjoy your night while you can because tomorrow your worst nightmares start to come true.

Next morning Vicky, feeling better after a good night of rest, insisted on going in to work. She had told Starsky that she wasnt about to give whoever was doing this the pleasure of seeing it get to her. Along with Samson she was the first to arrive at her surgery. Opening the door she flicked on the light switch too late smelling the faint waft of gas as it slowly reached her nostrils. The explosion threw her and the dog backwards onto the driveway as the whole building lit up with flames. The last thing she saw was the sun piercing through the acrid smoke.

While Starsky was in the precinct his mind was far from there trying to think how to put an end to the worrying situation they were in, when suddenly, on taking a folder from the pile in front of him, he saw over his desk table a white envelope with his name written on the front, made one more time with newspapers and letters cut from magazines.

"HUTCH!!" Starsky took the envelope, tearing it to read the succinct note, while Hutch was reading too, putting a soothing hand on his friends shoulder.

"HOW DO YOU FEEL BEING A WIDOWER ALREADY?"

Then the phone on Starsky´s desk rang, frightening both men. A police officer was calling from the place where the veterinary surgery had been, telling Starsky that there was a dreadful fire. The next moments happened in a blur. Hutch, without knowing what to say to ease Starskys fear, drove the Torino with lights and siren towards the veterinary surgery, to find a nightmarish scene. A dense smoke invading the street, the building being consumed by fire, the firemen trying to extinguish the flames, some police officers moving onlookers from the scene, and two paramedics putting Vicky into an ambulance

Starsky jumped out the car, running towards the ambulance, with Hutch some steps behind him. "VICKY!!" Vickys face and her clothes were stained with blood, smoke and debris, and some bandages were covering her right arm, her hands and her eyes.

"Sorry, officer. If you arent relative of this woman" One of the paramedics began to say.

"SHES MY WIFE!!" Vicky was trembling scared, and then she removed the bandage from her face so rapidly that the paramedics couldnt prevent it

"My eyes!! II cant seeI CAN'T SEE ANYTHINGWho are you?" Vickys eyes were very red, almost closed by her swollen eyelids and seemed seriously injured. Starsky glanced for a second at Hutch, his eyes filled with fear before answering Vicky. "Im here sweetheart, take it easy."

"WhoWho are you? WHY CAN'T I SEE?"

"Shh. Calm down, Vicky. It's me, Dave. Im not going anywhere." A paramedic was placing another bandage over her eyes and another one was injecting a sedative into her IV. Starsky caressed her hair, as she seized, sobbing and terrified, the front of his shirt.

When minutes later the ambulance got to the hospital, Vicky was already dozing due to the sedatives effect.

Hutch drove following the ambulance, and all the time the ER doctors were working on Vicky, he tried to calm his friend so much as possible. Starsky was looking defeated and scared, and Hutch knew that there was not much that he could do to ease his distress during the endless wait.

"Why Hutch? Why we can't be happy?.. And what will happen if she cant see again?"

"I don't know Starsk, but I´m totally sure about one thing. You would continue loving her. Right?Listen partner. Now, we just can waitWithout thinking the worst. Okay?"

"I shouldnt have married her Hutch..."

"Starsk!"

"No Hutch. Its the truthAnd you know it. I loved my father. And my father diedI loved Terry, and she died too."

"Okay, so according to this stupid idea of yours, why arent I dead?"

"I don't knowBut, you know something Hutch? Many times in these last years Ive thought that Im some kind of jinx...And that you would be better off without me. You still have time."

"What? And lose all the emotions I get having a jinx as a partner? You must be joking"

Hutch got a tired smile from Starsky, who becoming serious again said, "I made some vows to Vicky, Hutch. The day of our wedding, I promised to take care of her, to protect her... And I havent done it."

"Thats enough Starsk! You cant blame yourself for thisYoure a good husband, and Im sure" Hutch's words were interrupted with the arrival of the doctor

"Detective Starsky?" Starsky rose from his chair. The doctor could see the fear in his eyes.

"Your wife is resting, and in a few minutes you can be with her, but before that we need to have a talk. Sit down please Mrs Starsky suffered some physical injuries, but she will recover. She has some superficial burns to her face and hands, and a deep cut in her right arm. We had to give her thirteen stitches, but she will recover nicely and it will scarcely leave a scar. As for her eyes," the doctor paused for a second before continuing, "Her corneas are very irritated from the heat and the debris particles. Right now she cant see, but this injury will heal up too. The worse problem though isnt her physical condition."

"What do you mean?" Starsky asked looking fixedly into the doctors eyes.

"When the ambulance arrived your wife was unconscious, though she woke up a few minutes later. But shes suffering from amnesia due to concussion. According to the tests, she got a hit to her head, and this is the probable cause."

"AMNESIA??...Do you mean she can't remember anything?"

"Im sorry detective. Well do more tests in the next few days, and tomorrow Doctor Roberts, the chief of the psychiatric department will see her, but for now, we cant do much more to help her. I will tell you that, most of the time, the amnesia is just a temporary situation that can last hours, days, maybe weeks, but with a little time, and with the right treatment, her memory should come back."

"SHOULD? So, you arent sure?"

Listen to me detective. Every patient is differentbut this hospital has some of the best neuro-psychiatric staff in the whole country, and soon they will start to work on your wifes case. On the other hand, her pregnancy hasnt suffered any damage."

"HERWHAT?...Pregnancy?" Starsky felt his legs turn to jelly, and if he didnt fall down to the floor it was because Hutch held him firmly.

"Oh, Im sorry. Wait a second." The doctor glanced at Vickys notes.

"I understand. Mrs Starsky doesnt know it yet, and of course you neither...She is pregnant, roughly three weeks...Now we just have to find the right moment to speak with her about itWell. Calm down detective. Leave it in our hands." After congratulating Starsky on his future paternity. and saying some more polite words that he didnt even hear, the doctor left the waiting room. In fact, he scarcely noticed the doctor leave. He plopped in the nearest chair, his gaze on the floor.

"PregnantVicky is pregnantNow I understandShe wasnt feeling too well the last few days... I was trying to persuade her to see a doctor, but she kept telling me that it was just the worryIm going to be a fatherHUTCH!!" He got up sharply

"Yeah, partner. Youre going to be a father!"

Starsky didnt say anything more, just hugged Hutch fiercely as laughter and tears were mixed on his face. Suddenly, he separated from Hutch.

"ButIf she can't remember anything. She won't know who I am" Starsky sat down again in the chair, covering his eyes with his hands.

"StarskPartner. Listen to me. Right now she cant remember anything, but given time, and with treatment and our help"

"And if her memory doesnt return... Ever" Hutch felt for his best friend, but there was not much he could say to help him.

Suddenly, Starsky remembered something.

"THE DOG!! Samson, HutchWhere is Samson? We forget him completely. Maybe Vicky will be able remember something seeing the dogHutch. We must put an APB on him. Call the precinct, please!"

"Starsk! An APB on a dog...Partner really you are crazy. Dobey will put us directing traffic for years for this."

"Please, Hutch. This is very important" Then a nurse approached Starsky to tell him that he could be with Vicky.

"Okay, okay Gordo. Go, be with your wife, and leave the dog to me. Ill find Samson."

"Oh. And call Jenny too!" Starsky said following the nurse to Vickys room.

Hutch drove again to the surgery to ask people about the dog. He also called Huggy, and after filling him with all that had happened, without telling him about Vickys pregnancy, he asked for his help to find the dog."

"Look Hug. Finding that dog is important. He might help Vicky to remember. Shes very fond of him; besides, hes an expensive dog. We dont want him to end up in the wrong hands, if you get my drift"

"Sure bro. Leave it in Huggys hands."

Hanging up the receiver, Hutch headed towards the High school where Jenny was doing her work as a teacher. He didnt want to tell the girl what happened by phone. There, he waited for Jenny some minutes, while a troublesome headache began to hammer inside his head.

Meanwhile in the hospital room, Vicky was peacefully sleeping, with Starsky by her side, his hand over her arm. He felt a kind of strange anguish. The scene was much too similar to another scene lived some years before, beside Terrys hospital bed. Oh, come on Starsky. No more silliness! This is very different. Vicky will not die. She will live; her memory will come back, and she will be the most wonderful mum in the world. Starsky thought smiling silently, softly caressing her curled hair. Vickys hands were bandaged as were her eyes and arm, and her red face was covered by a thin film of cream to treat her burns. Starsky was very worried but happy as well. He and Hutch had to find the people who had done this. And fast. He had to protect Vicky... And the baby. He spent a long time thinking of his future son or daughter, beginning to do things for this little person who would come in to their lives in nine months. Vicky began to wake up, trying to remove the bandage from her eyes.

"Vicky, sweetheart, its okay, Im here. Don't do it. Your eyes must be bandaged for a few days, but soon they will heal up. Don't touch it." Starsky gently removed her bandaged hands from her face.

"Where am I?...Who are you?" The girl was confused and scared.

"You are in the hospital honeyAnd Im Dave." Starskys heart contracted painfully.

"Dave?"

"Dave StarskyYour husbandTake it easy sweetheart, right now you don't remember me, but the doctors say that your memory will come back."

"HuHusband?...You are my husband?...Oh, My God. I dont know who you areNot even who I amI DON'T REMEMBER ANYTHING!!" Vicky, extremely upset, began to cry and Starsky tried to ease her anguish without success. Finally he called the doctor who put a sedative into her IV.

Once in the High School and in a little teachers room, Hutch was explaining to Jenny the happenings of the last few hours.

"My GodAmnesia? And shes pregnant too David will be so distressed! What will happen now Hutch?" Jennys eyes began to fill with tears, but quickly the brave girl recovered her self-control.

"Well. Now we must be with themGive me a couple of minutes Hutch. You can take to me to the hospital? My car, its dead today."

"Sure Jenny, but first we must to go to Vicky and Starskys place to collect the medical insurance documents for Vicky. Im afraid that Starsky is much too worried to think about this, and hell need it."

Hutch spent some minutes thinking how loyal and brave Jenny was. He didnt want to admit it, but he liked the girl a little more every day

Some minutes later, Jenny got in the Torino to go to the hospital, stopping first at their friends house, to collect the documents.

When they got there they were surprised to see Samson lying on the entrance steps. Hutch and Jenny quickly checked out the dog verifying that, except for a deep cut in one of his legs, and some superficial cuts to his body, Samson was perfectly okay. Suddenly Hutch saw a little envelope tied to his collar. Tearing it, he read a paragraph, made with the now familiar cut up newspaper letters.

"WHAT A SHAME!... SOON THIS DOG WILL NOT HAVE OWNERS."

Five minutes later Hutch hung up the phone as Jenny finished bathing Samsons injuries. His fingers went to his temples and he rubbed at them as the hammering in his head continued unceasingly. Seeing him Jenny went to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water and some aspirin.

"Here, take these and sit down for a moment." She handed Hutch the pills and held out the glass. Hutch swallowed them both in one go then downed the water. Slowly he sank into the chair behind him and closed his eyes.

"Huggys coming over. Hell take Samson home with him for a while. Hes pushing all of his contacts as hard as he can but so far nothing. Everyones too scared to talk! Captain Dobey has put a guard on Vickys door and Ill stick to Starsky like glue. I dont see what else we can do at the moment. DAMN!" Hutch hit the arm of the chair hard. "Why? Why cant bad luck go somewhere else for a change?"

Jenny took Hutch in her arms, comforting as a Mother would a lonely child. "Itll be okay Hutch. Well help them together and Ill be here for you if you need me."

For a moment Hutch just held on needing a few moments of contact. Then he pulled back and, nodding his head slightly, got up from the seat.

"Come on. Wed better be getting back to the hospital."

"Okaybut Ill drive. You try and rest. Dave will need you to be strong for him."

Hutch agreed and once again he realised just how much this young woman in front of him was beginning to mean to him. Pushing the realisations to the back of his priorities he made for the door as Huggy pulled up outside. Calling Samson he took the big dog out to meet him.

"Thanks Hug. We really appreciate this. Look after him for us."

"Hey bro. No problem! Tell Starsky Im working on it."

Will do Hug, and thanks again."

The big dog sat across the back seat of Huggys small sedan and the two pulled away. Hutch got into the Torino and waited for Jenny to join him. By the time she had locked the doors and double-checked that all was safe Hutch had fallen into a light sleep. Jenny opened the door as quietly as she could so as not to wake him. Her heart went out to this sensitive man at her side and again she felt the small flutter of a strong emotion beginning to pull at her heart.

When they arrived back at the hospital Starsky was sat in the waiting room. He was on the floor curled in a tight ball, his head on his knees. Despair seemed to emanate from his whole being and the nurses watched him with sympathetic eyes. Hutch knelt down in front of him and placed his hands on Starskys shoulders.

"Hey Gordo! Come on, youll stiffen up if you stay like that too long. Come on lets sit in the chair huh!"

Gently Hutch pulled Starsky to his feet and looked directly onto his eyes. The despair shone from them and Hutch could see the tracks made by dried tears down his cheeks. Putting his arm around Starskys waist he half guided, half carried him to the chair, letting him gently fall into it. A nurse quietly came up behind to ask if she could help.

"Any chance you could get him some coffee? Strong and sweet would be good. Thanks."

The nurse scurried away and returned a few minutes later with a large steaming cup, which she handed to Hutch who nodded his thanks.

"Heredrink this. Itll help a little. You need to keep your strength up partner." Hutch helped Starsky to raise the cup to his mouth. Taking a few sips Starsky turned his head away from the hot, sweet liquid.

"She doesnt know me Hutch! She doesnt remember a thing!" Starskys voice was quiet and shaky and Hutch felt the pain coming from it.

"What did the doctor say Starsk? Anything more since I was here?"

Starsky shook his head. "They sedated her so she would rest. Shell be asleep for most of the night now. Theyve arranged for specialist help in the morning. Until then all we can do is waitand pray I guess. The baby is fine but she doesnt even know about it yet. Oh GOD HUTCH!" Starskys voice broke. "This should be the happiest time of our lives. But right now I dont know what to do."

"You have to be strong Dave. Thats what you do. Vicky may have lost her memory but shes no fool. Shell see you mean something special to her by the way you act, the way you care. Be there for her and I KNOW it will all come back. No two people could have what you two had and it not leave some kind of mark she can latch on to." Jenny had knelt on the other side to Hutch and was looking earnestly at Starsky. "Besides, youre going to be a dad hang on to that thought and be strong!"

Starsky looked from one to the other and for the first time in a while the ghost of a grin appeared on his face. "Damn it Hutch, shes almost as good as you at the Mother Hen routine."

All three laughed softly and Starsky took the cup of coffee back to finish. "What about Samson Hutch. Did you find him?"

"Yeh, we found him on the door step of your house when we went to collect Vickys medical insurance documents Starsk. Whoever did this must have taken him there, though how he got past the guys watching I dont know. He had a message on his collarnothing for you to worry about now its at the lab. Huggy Bear has taken him in until your ready to have him back."

"Huggy managed to dig anything up yet?" Starsky asked glad to have something else to set his mind on.

"No, not yet. But hes still pushing Starsk. Its proving a little difficult though, people are scared."

"Which means this is someone big and pretty powerful Hutch. That should narrow down our search a little. Who do you know that could hold a grudge so bad that theyd do something like this to uscorrection to me. It has to be someone who has money and good contactsplus one hell of a reason. If we could figure out what I did to get someone so riled maybe we could figure out who"

Starsky stopped as he saw Hutchs face change from sympathetic to realisation in slow motion.

"Oh GOD NO! It cant becould it?" Hutch jumped to his feet and raced to the nurses station demanding a telephone. "This is Hutchinson get me Captain Dobey. NO! Ill hold."

Starsky was on his feet and at Hutchs side within seconds. He started to ask Hutch what was going on but he held his hand up stopping him.

"Cap, its Hutch. I need you to do me a favour. Put out a call to L.A. County Jail. Find out if James Gunther is still their guest. Ill wait."

"James Gunther!" The colour had drained from Starsky´s face. "Hutch you dont think..?"

"Think about it Starsk. You said it yourself, this has to be someone rich, powerful and with the right contacts, who has one hell of a grudge against you. Well, who else can you think of that fits the bill? Youre alive, Starsk when by all accounts you should be dead." Hutch turned back to the phone. "When? Thanks Cap. Well be in to see you as soon as we can."

Starsky was standing staring out of the window. Hutch moved to his side.

"James Gunther applied for and got parole a week ago Starsk. It has to be him! Dobeys waiting for us."

Starsky looked at Jenny. "Stay with Vicky for me Jenn. Look after her. Ill be back as soon as I can."

Jenny nodded and the two men ran from the room, along the corridors and out of the hospital.

John Peters hung up the phone. He had just finished talking to Mr Gunther and now he was making final plans. First the capture of Detective David Starsky, that would be difficult but slightly easier than part two, the escape of Billy Sherman from prison. That would have to be thought through carefully. Hard enough to help an able bodied man escape but a paraplegic was a different matter. The two things would have to be in close sequence. Billy Sherman was eager to deal with the man who he blamed for his position and for stealing his wife away. Part three of his plan involved getting Vicky Starsky from the hospital to where he would hold her husband. Sherman had insisted that she be there to watch the man die slowly and painfully.

The woman in question was slowly waking up from the drugs given to her earlier. She expected to hear the voice of the man who said he was her husband. Instead, she heard a womans voice coming from her side of the bed.

"Hi Vicky. Glad you decided to wake up." Jenny kept her voice low and soft.

"Do I know you?" Vickys voice was tremulous.

"Im Jenny... your best friend. Dave had to go for a while. He asked me to stay with you." Jenny stopped for a moment unsure of what to say. "How do you feel?"

"Confused, scared, and blind!... How should I feel? I cant remember who I am, who you are, who anybody is. I cant even see you!You say that man who was here earlier is my husband but I dont know him!" Vicky was feeling scared and furious against the whole world.

"Hey its okay. The doctors said it may take a little time. You had a pretty bad accident. You cant expect it to be simple. Your name is Vicky Starsky, before that it was Vicky Walsh. Dave is your husband and you havent been married that long but he loves you and you love him. For now thats all you need to know. The rest will come back, given time." Jenny held Vickys hand gently and it gave the other woman comfort.

"What happened to me?" Vicky asked in a soft voice.

"There was an explosion at the surgery where you work."

"Surgery? Am I a doctor?

"No Youre a vet Vicky, a good one. There was a gas leak and when you turned on the light well you ended up here. Thankfully Samson was okay."

"Samson?"

"Your dog A white and brown English BulldogStrong, big and stubborn like no other dog" Vicky smiled "Youve had that dog since" Jenny stopped for a second thinking that that wasnt the right moment to tell Vicky much more than she might take. "Since four years ago. I have a lot of pictures of him, and when the doctors remove the bandages from your eyes, Ill show them to you.

Vicky turned her head, sobbing silently into the pillow.

"Hey, hey VickDon't cry. Everything will be okay. I promise"

"That is very easy for you to sayBut I think I will go mad. Somebody has to explain to me what my work is, that I have a husband, a dogA NAME!!...because my mind its absolutely empty!"

"Vicky. Listen to me. I wont say that I know how youre feeling; the truth is that I havent the least idea, but one thing is sure. You are surrounded by a lot of love to help you. Don't forget thatOw! Sorry...Once again, I have a great way with words!!" In spite of her sadness, Vicky laughed weakly at Jennys joke.

Both women spent a while talking until Vicky, very tired, fell asleep again. She couldnt remember this woman who was telling her she was her best friend, but seemingly, her heart did, because with Jenny, she was feeling safe and comfortable, in the middle of the chaos that her life was in that moment.

Hutch drove to the precinct. He and Starsky were trying to think, about all the possible suspects besides Gunther.

"THE PICTURES HUTCH!!...Do you remember that damned detectiveWhat was his name?" Starsky was thinking scratching his head. "Andrews, Peter Andrewshe took loads of pictures of Vicky and me on Shermans say so Ill ask Dobey for those as well." Starsky said, taking the radio.

Already there, the two turned as Captain Dobey walked into his office and sat down behind his table.

"Starsky, Hutch. Lets seeWilliam Sherman is in prison. This man, Peter Andrews died, stabbed during a fight in prison some weeks ago, nevertheless, around his death there are some strange circumstances. That guy never had any problems insideUntil one dayHe got involved in a fight and was killed.as simple as thatWell, as for James Gunther, seems he was paroled a week ago. Good conduct and they took account of his age and state of health. Hes ill. Cancer. Incurable According to his parole officer he keeps the appointments set for him and has settled in to a normal life as much as is possible considering the down turn of his circumstances. Hes living in a small apartment across town. Heres the address."

"Thanks Cap were on our way." Hutch got to the door and held it open for his partner.

"Starsky." Starsky turned to look at the older man. "Just so you know were all praying for you on this one. Give Vicky our love when you see her."

Starsky nodded faintly. "Thanks Cap. I will." And he left the room with Hutch on his heels.

The address was a quiet suburb across town and the duo made their journey in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Starskys concentrated wholly on Vicky, on her recovery and on all the things they had to look forward to. A ghost of a smile flitted across his face as he thought of them cuddling their baby by the fire on a cold night. He knew though that they still had a long, long way to go and he hoped that fate would make it easy on his lovely wife.

Hutch on the other hand was worried for Starsky. Although he knew they had to talk to Gunther, if only to eliminate him as a suspect, he was well aware of the implications for his partner. The memories of that day in the police garage were still, after all this time, way to clear to be ignored and he wished with all his heart that they didnt have to stir the waters again. Pulling up outside of the address they looked for a moment at the small, unobtrusive house with its tiny garden.

"Starskyyou dont have to do this. Let me go." Hutch threw a concerned look at his partner who met it full on.

"Uh uh, Hutch. Sorry pal but this I DO have to do." Starskys voice was firm and determined.

"Why? I can tell you everything that he says. Theres no need" Starskys eyes shut him off.

"You dont get it do you Hutch? Theres every need. My Father always taught me the best way to handle your nightmares was to face up to them, look them square in the face and they couldnt hurt you any longer. Wellin there is my worst nightmare Hutch. The one person who almost destroyed US, what we had. I have to put that nightmare to bed once and for all and this is my chance. Do you understand Hutch?" For once Starsky wasnt using any tricks to get his way with his partner. He had simply been honest and was asking for his support.

Hutch nodded. "Okay Starsk. If it means that much to you, okay. I guess weve both got nightmares that need putting to bed over this so lets do it together. But promise me if it gets too hard you walk out of the door and wait for me in the car. Deal?"

"Deal! Come on lets get it over with." Starsky was out of the car and on his way to the door before Hutch could move. He hurried to catch him up and managed to put himself in front by the time they reached the door, an unconscious barrier for his partner. At the door Hutch paused for a second and raised a questioning eyebrow to his partner.

"Last chance to change your mind Starsk."

"Hey, Whats the worst he could do? Kill me? He already did that once pal and Im still here aint I?" Starsky grinned, his head on one side as he looked at his friend with understanding, knowing full well Hutch was only trying to protect him.

"Yes. Thank God." Hutch smiled back. "Okay buddy, here goes." And he knocked firmly on the door.

An elderly man, bent over and with thin greying hair, opened it. Hutch held his badge open for him to see.

"Well, well. Detective Hutchinson. Its been a long time though I cant say that its a pleasure. What do you want?"

"To talk Gunther. Thats all." Hutch kept his voice calm.

The door was opened fully and the two watched as their reluctant host walked slowly down the hall, disappearing into a room at the end.

"Come into my parlour said the spider to the fly!" Starsky whispered in Hutchs ear and the two slowly followed Gunther inside.

"Well Gentlemen. To what do I owe this unwelcome visit?" Gunthers eyes fixed firmly on to Starsky and the hatred radiated from him. Starsky held the gaze firm and returned it in full. Hutch had the fleeting impression of two male lions standing up to one another before launching into a full-blown fight. Once again he manoeuvred himself in front of his friend breaking the contact. Placing his hand very quickly on Starskys arm his eyebrows questioned and Starskys eyes answered. Letting his hand drop Hutch turned to face their foe.

"My partner and his wife have been subjected to hate mail. Im sure you know its an offence to send such mail through the postal service Mr Gunther?"

"Yes Detective Hutchinson. I do. I also know its against the law to jay walk and I dont do that either!"

"Yesterday morning there was an explosion at the surgery where Mrs Starsky works. She was badly injured and is currently in the hospital. I suppose you dont know anything about that either?" Hutchs voice was hard, cold and clipped.

"Yesterday morning Detective Hutchinson I was with my parole officer. Something Im quite sure that you will check. Besides. Look at me gentlemen, Im old and Im dying. Why would I want to waste what little time I have left on some hate campaign?" Gunther played his part well Hutch thought.

"Simple Gunther I lived You failed! And you dont like failure from what I hear." Starskys voice came, softly and quietly, from behind Hutch as he once again moved into full view. They watched as a rush of emotions ran themselves across Gunthers face and they knew that Starsky had hit the nail on the head. They had there man of that they were both sure. What they didnt have was the proof.

"I dont like failure Detective Starsky. I despise it." Gunther spat at them. "Failure is a waste of time and energy."

Suddenly, they were interrupted by someone walking in.

"Mr Gunther. Are you alright?" A womans voice broke through the tension in the room. A blue nurses uniform gave her an air of a quiet authority.

"Yes Sally, Im fine thank you. These gentlemen were just leaving."

Together Starsky and Hutch retraced their steps to the front door and out into the fresh air. Starsky leant against the side of the Torino all is energy spent.

"You okay Starsk?" He could feel Hutchs hand on his shoulder and was grateful for the contact and comfort it provided.

"That guy is evil Hutch. Pure evil. What the hell did I ever do to him to deserve that?"

"We did our job. Starsk. No more and no less. Come on lets get out of here and tell Dobey what we found. Besides youve got a wife to visit." Hutch was sympathetic.

The duo climbed wearily into the car and Starsky roared away eager to put as much distance between himself and Gunther as possible in as short a time as possible.

The next days happened fast. The physical injuries of Vicky healed up nicely. The doctors removed the bandages from her eyes and finally, with her room in semidarkness, she could see Starsky, Jenny and Hutch. But her memory was as yet a deep and dark hole, filled only with questions. Starsky spent as much time as possible at her side, showing her all his love, and taking care of her tenderly, but Vickys demeanour towards him was very strange. The girl seemed afraid of him, and in spite all his efforts to win her trust again, a wall seemed to rise between them. Starsky became more sad and worried with every passing moment.

"What happening to her doctor? We got married one month ago, and we love each other deeply. Since we met weve never had problems between us... But now, she...I dont know whats happening. Its as if she doesnt want to be with me. My own wife is scared of me. Most of the time Im close to her, she pretends to be sleeping. When I take her hand or caress her all of her body becomes tense Ive even heard a relieved sigh when I leave the room." A very upset Starsky explained to Doctor Roberts, Vickys psychiatrist.

"Look. Detective Starsky. The human mind is a place still half-explored. Your wife has suffered a big trauma. To lose all of her memories suddenly is something pretty hard, and we can't hurry in giving all the steps of her treatmentBesides, according to what I have in my notes about her, your wife had pretty serious problems in her previous marriage. Undoubtedly, this could add too her confusion...At the moment she is very upset, and soon we will have to tell her about her pregnancy. She will probably feel yet more fear and distress with this new situation. But right now its important that you are with her"

Some hours later Starsky was again in the precinct, while Jenny was with Vicky in her room, trying to help her best friend to recover some of her memories.

"Look Vicky. I brought something for you. Its in here, wait a minute, Ive got a photo somewhere in here." Jenny scrabbled through her bag to find the photo Dave had taken of her, Vicky and Samson on the beach. She held it out for the other woman to see. "Dave took this just before you two got married."

Vicky took the photo and looked at it for a few minutes. "Hes a good photographer. Does he do it for a living?"

"Nohes a cop!"

"Im married to a cop!"

"Yeh fraid so Vicky." Jenny smiled. "A good one too." But under her smile, the girl was worried, wondering why Vicky hadnt asked Starsky yet anything as simple as what his work was.

"The dog Theres something about this picture.., the collar I brought it for him didnt I?"

Jenny smiled, hope beginning to rise in her heart. "Yes. You brought it for him a couple of years ago."

Vicky clung to the photo as though her life depended on it. "Can I keep this...please?"

"Sure thing." Jenny nodded smiling at the frightened woman lying in the bed. "Rest now, get some sleep. Im going to phone Dave to let him know your okay. Hell be back as soon as he can but he and Hutch are trying to get a lead on who did this to you. Ill be back in a few minutes and Ill stay here all night so you can rest easy."

"WaitWait a minute Jenny." Vicky asked, seizing Jennys hand.

"Whats the matter Vicky? I talk to you about Dave, and you became pale."

After a deep breath, Vicky said looking directly into Jennys eyes.

"JennyI don't know how to say it, butIm scared of Dave... I dont know why. He seems a really kind man, and he takes care of me but when he told me that he was my husband... I began to feel scared of himYet at the same time, I only want to take him in my arms and love himOh, God. Im going mad Jenny!!"

"Hey Vicky! Thats great...Your memory is coming back."

"So Dave?..."

"No. Oh No, NO! He loves you and would never hurt you. Dave is the best man you could ever meet...But he is your second husband Vick. You were married previously"

Not sure if this was the right moment, Jenny explained to Vicky, with the least detail as possible, something about her past life with Billy. She didnt mention her escape from NY, or what happened some months before in Mrs. Johnsons cabin. Only that she was married to an evil man and that her marriage was a nightmare that had fortunately already ended.

"GodAnd I was thinking that Dave"

"Hey don't worry Vicky. He would understand. Dave is a special man, and he loves you dearlyWell. Now Im going to call him out, so you will be able to get some sleep, Okay?"

Vicky nodded slightly, beginning to fall asleep.

Quietly Jenny left the room and headed for the phones. It didnt take her long to get through to Starsky.

"Dave, she remembered Samson, just like you knew she wouldAnd she... Well. Its not that she has remembered anything more Just the dog But her memory is coming back I know it. Well speak later." She could hear the sigh of relief as she spoke. Shes asleep now but Im staying all night if I need to so you and Hutch can concentrate on your job." She paused for a moment before adding. "Get him Dave, whoever he is that did this to Vicky. Get him!" With that Jenny hung up the phone and returned to take up her vigil over her sleeping friend.

Starsky hung up the phone and turned to see a smiling Hutch.

"I guess from the way you gave such a relieved sigh just then that Jenny had a little good news." Hutchs eyebrows rose and he waited.

"Yeh, A little bit. She remembered Samson. Dumb dog means so much to her." Starsky hit the table in frustration. "Thought I meant more to her than some dumb dog!"

"Hey!" Hutch was around the table in an instant. "You do Starsk, you know you do. Its just thatwell... youre her recent past. Samson has been in her life a lot longer than you have buddy. Hes had time to make a lot more memories for her to dredge up from wherever it is theyre buried."

"Guess youre right Blintz. Jenny also said something about her memory coming back, and the doctor said I would have to be patient but patience was never one of my better subjects, you know?"

"Yeh! I know! But right now the best thing you can do is to keep busy. For a moment Hutch let his hand rest on Starskys shoulder offering comfort and Starsky was grateful for the contact..

In L.A. County Jail a fight had just broken out between two inmates. It was, to many eyes, an unfair fight since one of the combatants was in a wheelchair but he seemed to be holding his own as, with the great strength in his arms, he had managed to force his assailant into a corner and now had his hands firmly locked around the others throat. As the guards rushed to separate the two a sharp jagged edge flashed in the hands of the one whose life was slowly being throttled out of him. In an instant it smashed across the face of the other man who yelled and released his strangle hold, falling down from his wheelchair complaining of intense pain in his back and face as blood gushed from a gaping wound just above his eye. A dozen guards and the prison doctor later Billy Sherman was on his way to the County hospital for treatment.

Half way across town the ambulance swerved into a back alley throwing the paramedic in the rear across the floor. Pulling to an abrupt halt the driver leapt from his seat locking the door behind him. As the interior filled with gas the driver nonchalantly stood and watched the traffic pass the end of the alley. When he was sure the gas had done its job he unlocked the doors and pulled the unconscious man from the top of his patient who smiled a cold smile at him from behind the oxygen mask he was wearing. Reaching inside John Peters pulled the innocent paramedic from the ambulance, across the road and in to a battered, rusting LTD at the very rear of the alley. Without blinking an eyelid he pushed the man into it and poured petrol over the offending vehicle. Casually he lit a cigarette and paused for a moment before dropping the match onto the car. Turning and running now he just made it to the ambulance before the car exploded and was engulfed in a white ball of flame. As the ambulance pulled away from the scene thick, black smoke could be seen emanating from the alley.

"Gunther said you were good. He didnt say how good though. I like it." Sherman still had the same cold smile fixed to his face. "Is everything else ready?"

"Almost Mr Sherman, almost. Tomorrow morning I get the cop, and meanwhile Mr Gunther will take Mrs Starsky from the hospital, and soon they will both be exactly where you want them. Dont worry, by tomorrow night they will both be exactly where you want them."

When Starsky returned to the hospital, he did so resigned to finding the same distant and scared Vicky of the last days. Instead of this, when he entered her room, Vicky smiled.

"Dave Im sorry." Vicky said shyly.

"Why? Vicky. You have nothing to be sorry about"

"Yes Dave, Im giving you so many troubles."

"No sweetheart. Soon you will be fine. Thats the only important thing." Starsky answered softly kissing her forehead.

"DaveJenny explained some things to me...Things about my previous husband. A husband that I dont remember. But... Somehow I remember all the hurt that he did me... And I...Dave, forgive me! I was scared of you!! I was thinking that you"

He sat down in the edge of Vickys bed, embracing her.

"Shh. It's okay VickyIt's okay." Vicky spent some silent minutes in the comfort of Starskys arms until she pulled back.

"Dave, please, talk to me about us, our time togetherI need to know so many things!"

Starsky spent a while explaining to Vicky things about her recent past and their life together, He told her about the day they met each other, the months of their engagement, their wedding day, and their honeymoon in Hawaii getting round all those things he knew about her hard relationship with Billy.

"I feel as if someone has stolen all these things from me. All these memories that I would have kept as a treasure, suddenly, are not mine... AND I WANT SO MUCH TO HAVE THEM DAVE!! I want to remember!"

"Shh. Take it easy, sweetheart. Youll do it. You will remember them eventually. It make take a little time, but youll do it"

Then, doctor Roberts, entered the room. Starsky got up wondering why the doctor had come in.

"Mrs StarskyHow are you feeling?" Roberts asked with a friendly smile

"In the middle of people that I don't know who they are and trying to recover some of my life.... Other than that everything else is fine, I suppose."

"I know how distressing this is for you, believe me, but give it timeMrs. Starsky, we need to have a talk."

Whats happened, doctor? Something wrong?" Vicky reached out for Starsky´s hand with worry reflected in her eyes.

"No, nothing like that. You are okay, in fact tomorrow youll be discharged from the hospital, but you are pregnant. Roughly three weeks." The doctors voice was calm and confident.

"Oh my GodPregnant?" Vicky spoke with a quiet voice, as her eyes began to fill with tears. "But II can'tRight now, I just can't!" The girl said tearfully looking to Starsky and the doctor.

"Listen Mrs Starsky. Your reaction over news like this is totally normal under the circumstances, but"

"NO!!... Nobody can possibly understand it, I can't have a baby right now"

"Vicky"

"No Dave! What kind of mother I would be?DAMN IT!..I DON'T WANNA BE A MOTHER NOWI CAN´T!!...if I cant even remember you, or anybody or anything! The only thing I can remember in this lousy world is one dogs collar!!" Vicky burst into tears. The psychiatrist remained silently watching his patient and her husband. Starsky was trying to calm Vicky, but his efforts were useless.

"VickyVicky, honey. Listen..."

"Leave me alone Dave!... Please, only I want to be alone!!" Doctor Roberts signalled for Starsky to leave the room. "VickyIll be back later." The girl didnt answer and, kissing her forehead, he and the doctor left the room.

"Doctor?" Roberts could see the pain in Starsky´s eyes, and putting a compassionate hand on his shoulder, began to speak with his usual calm tone.

"I know, I knowLook, detective Starsky. I know how distressed you are feeling right now. But let me say something. Though it may seem strange, your wifes reaction is absolutely normal. She just needs some time to get used to the idea of being a mother, time to put some order in her mind, but despite if her memory comes back or not, soon she will begin to love her babyBelieve me. I know what Im talking aboutAnd now if you will excuse me, Ill ask a nurse to look after your wife for a while"

When the doctor moved away across the corridor, Starsky spent some minutes staring out of the window as the tears began to fall, unstoppable, down his cheeks. Then he began to run, leaving the hospital without knowing where was going.

Hutch had gone home that night a little worried, because Jenny and he expected that Starsky would be going to his place to have dinner but he hadnt appeared.

"Dont worry Hutch. Dave is exhausted, forgot it, let him sleep." Jenny told Hutch, who secretly agreed with the girl. Wiping the worry from his mind after she had left, a very tired Hutch went to bed also, falling asleep in a matter of seconds.

A couple of hours later, his phone rang. He was fast asleep, but on hearing the phone, he awoke completely.

"Hello?"

"It's Huggy, Hutch. You should come over here bro. Our mutual curly friend is here, totally drunk, and getting involved in some trouble with a couple of customers."

Hutch was dressed and out of his house in less time than it had taken Huggy to phone him.

Hang on Starsk, dont get yourself into anything your in no condition to handle. Hutch headed towards the pits with lights blazing and siren blaring out in the quiet of the night. Screeching to a halt he leapt form the car and hurried inside worried at what he would find. He knew something serious must have happened for Starsky to allow himself to get into the kind of a state that Huggy was calling for reinforcements. He glanced quickly at the lean black man behind the bar who indicated the pool table with a swift nod of his head. Hutch moved across the room in time to hear his partners extremely slurred voice ring out.

"Thats twenty bucks you owe me pal and Ill take it right now." Starskys eyes were coal black, anger flashing from them at the larger man in front of him.

"What say we go for double or quits?" Hutch heard the other man suggest.

He was setting Starsky up for a fall, something he would have spotted it within seconds had he been sober. But Hutch could see that Starsky was a long way from that. He knew though that when Starsky got drunk all his street skills came flying back with consummate ease. If he didnt do something fast then this situation was about to get very nasty indeed. He could see Starskys grip on the pool cue tighten and his body become tense.

"Hey Starsk." Hutch stepped forward quickly his eyes directly on his partners. "Wondered where youd got to. Jenny and I were expecting you for dinner nearly two hours ago."

"But out pal! Your curly haired friend here and me are enjoying a quiet game of pool. We dont need no outside interference from the likes of you." Starskys opponent pushed Hutch in the back causing him to stumble into his partner. Hutch saw Starskys eyes flash ever darker and quickly turned to face his attacker.

"Believe me pal, you really dont want to be doing that again." His voice was clipped, his mouth set. From the corner of his vision he could see a younger version of the guy he was staring at move quietly in to position.

"Wanna tell me why not blondie?" This time Hutch sidestepped the arm that rose to push him and he grabbed the hand twisting it round. Holding on with one hand he used the other to pull his I D badge from his pocket. What he had lost track off as he had swung around was the position of gorilla junior. He quickly became aware of it when Starsky threw himself across the pool table and took him out just as he was about to hit Hutch with a discarded pool cue. Horrified Hutch hurried to cuff his opponent as Starsky used every ounce of spent up anger and torment on the youth. Hurrying across the floor he pulled Starsky from his unfortunate victim and held on.

"Easy buddy, take it easy. Im okay." Hutch whispered softly for Starskys ears only. Slowly, painfully slowly, Hutch could see the fire beginning to die in his partners eyes. "Thats better, come on, sit down a minute." Pulling a stool out from one of the small tables he gently lowered Starsky onto it. Striding across to the man he had handcuffed he spun him around and released him. "Twenty Bucks he said you owed him I guess you could say youre about even. Now I strongly suggest you pick your friend there up and leave before I change my mind and charge you both."

"Charge us with what?"

"Anyone of a number of offences beginning with out of hours drinking and finishing with assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer!" Hutch glared at the man his face inches from the others.

Turning round the gorilla, who earlier had been so confident, now quietly picked up his friend and helped him towards the door. As he got there he was stopped by a shout from behind.

"Hey Pal! Lesson for you. Dont ever pick on a mans partner!" Starskys smile was cold and nowhere reached his eyes, which were once again dark as coal. He watched as the two left before collapsing in a heap on the floor.

Huggy and Hutch picked him up and together they managed to get him safely into the back of Hutchs sedan.

"Thanks Hug. Let me know what the damage is and Ill see its paid for."

"No problem Hutch. Starskys hurting real bad to ever let this happen. Lets just say its one you both owe me."

Hutch nodded before getting into the driving seat and gently heading home. Once back at Venice place he half carried Starsky inside and left him on the couch while he made some hot, strong coffee.

An hour and three pots of coffee later Starsky was at last beginning to shake the effects of the alcohol and was nursing a bad headache. Hutch turned off the main light leaving the side lights to send a soft glow around the room. Turning on the last one he came to a stop in front of his friend.

"Feeling a little better now partner?" Hutch smiled gently as Starsky nodded then winced. "Then mind telling just exactly what was worth almost getting yourself killed over?"

"She doesnt want the baby Hutch and theres nothing I can say or do to make her change her mind." Starskys voice was almost a whisper and Hutch could feel the pain so intense was it.

"What makes you say that Starsk?" Hutch matched the level of his voice to that of his friend.

"She said so. Her exact words were, I dont want to be a Mother. I dont get it. Hutch. I honestly thought that when they told her she would be pleased, shed realise just how much we meant to each other but instead" Starskys voice petered out as silent tears began to fall once more.

"But instead she was terrified right?" Hutch looked at Starsky and his heart wept. He had seen his friend suffer many emotions in their time together but he never thought to see him so totally despondent as he did right now. It was as if all of the fight had gone with the pummelling he had given the youth back at Huggys and now all that was left was an empty shell. "Answer me something Starsk and be honest. If the positions were reversed and it was you lying in that hospital bed how would you feel if someone who was as good as a complete stranger to you told you she were your wife and you were about to become a Father. I know how Id feel, scared out of my mind thats how. You told me yourself that she was still getting images of how Sherman treated her and mistaking it for you. Until her memory comes back, at least a little, she only has our word for whats the truth and whats not. Thats an awful lot to ask anyone just to accept Starsk."

"Yeh I guess but to say what she did. I never thought Id ever hear her say something like that. Its not as if we hadnt discussed kids."

"Think back Starsk and tell me again what exactly it was that she said." Hutch was sitting next to Starsky now, his hand on his friends knee trying to convey a sense of calm.

"I told you damn it, you want for me to spell it out for you." Starskys voice rose and Hutch could feel him tense up under his touch.

"Humour me Starsky, tell me again and exactly what she said, not just what you think she said." Starsky looked hard at Hutch before getting up and going to gaze out of the window at the stars. He thought back to everything that had happened over the last hours at the hospital. He remembered how everything seemed to be going so well until the doctor had arrived to tell her about the baby. Thats when his world had shattered once again. "She said, I cant. I dont want to be a Mother now when I cant remember anyone or anything. I cant do it. Then she told me to leave." Starsky turned from the window to look at Hutch. Whoever is behind all of this Hutch, hes won. Hes got exactly what he wanted. I dont care about the force, me or anything right now except for Vicky and our baby. I dont think I could handle it if she did something to get rid of it."

"She wont Gordo. Listen to what she said rationally instead of emotionally. She said I dont want to be a Mother when I CANT REMEMBER ANYONE. You have to give her time Starsk, let her think this through by herself. Ill bet you next months salary that she sees things differently when shes got over the shock. When she knows that youre not going to go away and abandon her, when she finally realises that shes not alone shell start to get used to the idea. Nine months is a long time to learn to love someone Starsk and we both know that shell make a fabulous mum. All you have to do is convince her of that. But right now she just needs a little time thats all." Hutch had quietly closed the gap between himself and his friend and they now stood face to face. "Trust me Starsk."

"Thats below the belt Hutch, asking that. You know I cant refuse." A faint glimmer of a smile appeared on Starskys face. "God Im so tired."

"Couch is waiting for you pal. You know where the blankets are. Help yourself. Ill see you in the morning." Hutch stepped back knowing he had played his ace and won. He headed for his bedroom but stopped at the door as he heard a soft voice calling.

"Hutch, thanks. For everythingyou know."

"Youre welcome Starsk. Anytime." And Hutch closed the bedroom door.

Starsky settled himself onto the couch and was soon fast asleep.

That night Vicky felt more lonely and helpless than ever, wondering if the man that supposedly was her husband would return. A nurse gave her a sleeping pill that she refused firmly. She didnt want to sleep, didnt want to be drugged. She needed to think clearly, though all her thoughts were in turmoil. She was pregnant when she didnt know if she could be a good motherand her husband, Dave. He was undoubtedly a gentle and caring manBut she didn't have any memory of himthe father of her baby was a true stranger to her.

That was the longest, sleepless night of her life, and the dawn caught her crying silently on the pillow

Starsky awoke early in the morning and when he opened his eyes Hutchs living room seemed to spin incessantly and a furious headache beat in his temples. He remembered all that had happened the evening before. Later he would go to the hospital to take Vicky home, but before that he wanted to go with Hutch to the precinct.

Hutch and Starsky arrived there early just in case there was any fall out from the events of the night before, but there were none. It was a very relieved Starsky who sat at his desk working through all the notes they had put together so far. Hutch came in with a coffee and held it out for Starsky who accepted it readily. His head throbbed and the need for dark glasses wasnt just from the sunlight.

"Just how many did you have last night Starsk?" A slightly amused Hutch asked. He was rewarded with a glare from above the glasses. "Come on partner. Weve got work to do. Seems a body had been found in a burnt out car down a back alley. Lovely way to start the day huh!"

Starsky gulped down the coffee and together the two headed for the garage. Just as they reached the outside office the desk officer told Hutch there was a call for him. Hutch headed for the phones as Starsky carried on down to the garage. He reached ground floor level when a uniformed officer called for him to stop.

"Detective Starsky. Ive a message for you from Detective Hutchinson. Youre to meet him out front. Seems someone has some information for you regarding your wifes accident."

"Okay thanks." Starsky took off for the front entrance as fast as he could. Tearing through the door he looked quickly around expecting to see Hutch but there was no-one around. Suddenly the hair on the back of his neck began to prickle and Starsky knew hed been suckered. Spinning on his heels he just had time to take in the tall figure of the uniformed officer as he felt a sharp stabbing pain in his neck and the world slowly closed in around him.

John Peters caught him before he hit the ground and, throwing him over his shoulder he quickly carried him to a delivery van waiting around the corner.

Two down, one to go! You disappointed me a little though Detective. I expected a little bit of resistance at least.

Meanwhile a frustrated Hutch was arguing with the desk officer over his call.

"No detective Hutchinson I dont have a name, he refused to give it. Said he wanted to talk to you and only you."

Hutch ran down the steps to the garage expecting to see an irate Starsky waiting for him. Instead all he could see was an empty car. Thinking Starsky must have decided to wait for him Hutch slowly made his way back up the stairs to the ground floor.

"Hey, any of you guys see Starsky?" Hutch called to a group of uniformed officers talking in the corridor. All but one shook their heads.

"Yeh, I saw him Hutch. He flew out the front door like the devil himself was chasing him."

Hutch frowned. "You sure Minnie."

"Hutch Id know Starskys behind if I were blindfolded if you get my drift. It was him alright."

You better not let his wife hear you saying things like that Minnie she might just get the wrong idea." Hutch called laughing to the departing figure.

Trotting to the front door Hutch looked around for some sign of his partner. Going down the steps he looked up and down before, frustrated, he climbed slowly back up.

"Starsky where the hell are you buddy?" As he reached the top step Hutchs blood ran cold. There, lying open on the step, was Starskys wallet, his badge glistening in the sunlight and lying next to it a used syringe.

That same morning Jenny arrived at her friends hospital room, to find her out of bed, already dressed and with her little bag ready to go home. She was staring out of the window.

"Morning Vick!" The blond girl called out. Vicky turned towards her with a nod of her head as a reply. "I was expecting to see Dave here."

"Yeah?...Well, probably Dave will be a long while in coming back hereIn fact some years maybe. And I can't blame him for it." Vicky answered bitterly sitting down on the bed.

"Hey, hey, Vicky. What happened?" Jenny sat down beside her friend surrounding her shoulders with her arm.

"JennyIm pregnant And yesterday, when Doctor Roberts told me, I I said to Dave that I dont want to have the babyAnd I asked him to leave me aloneHe hasnt returned. Jenny!... Im so scared!I didnt want do hurt Dave...But I did itOh JENNY!! A baby.Right nowI dont think I can handle all this, I JUST CAN'T !" A victim of her fragile emotional condition, Vicky grasped Jenny bursting again into tears.

"Shh Vick, Come on. Dave knows that you are confused and pretty scared. Hes not angry with you Vick, Im sure. Dave will come back in a while"

But more than an hour later Starsky still had not gone to the hospital. Vicky was more upset with every passing moment, and Jenny more furious.

"I told you Jenny...Dave wont return. I cant ask him for his pardon... I hurt him too much."

"Oh, Vicky! For God sake! Pick up the phone and call him! That way youll see that hes not angry with you! Hell have been delayed for some reason"

"NO! I wont call him!.... II can't. Not yetIll wait a little longer"

"Okay, okay so well wait awhile more. Listen to me Vicky. Why dont you lie down a while until Dave gets here, Okay? You seem pretty tired." Vicky was too much tired to argue after her long sleepless night, and obeying her friend, lay on the bed falling asleep quickly. Then Jenny headed towards the phones plunged in her own angry thoughts. If Dave is not here cos hes angry with Vick, then the guy has less brains than a gnat But if this is the matter, that damned stubborn mule will have to hear what I think about him!! Jenny was much too furious to notice that the usual police officer wasnt at the door of Vickys room.

When the girl called the precinct asking for Starsky they passed the call on to Hutch, who was out driving the Torino, searching frantically for some clue on his partners whereabouts.

"HUTCHI want to talk with Starsky NOW!!! And dont tell me that hes not there or something like that...Right now I don't want hear any silliness."

"JennyJenny, listens. Starsk isnt here." A desperate Hutch was saying in low voice.

"HUTCH!" After a deep breath Jenny added in a more calm tone. "Look, Hutch. Vicky and Dave had some trouble yesterday... I just hoped he wasnt stupid enough to be angry with her because of itBesides, today he can take her home"

"No JennyII cant find StarskyThese people kidnapped himGOD JENNY!! I DONT KNOW WHERE STARSKY IS!!

Jenny's brain was trying to find a way to tell Vicky what had happened How can I tell her...HOW? Before going back to her friends room, she headed towards the hospital bathroom. There, she refreshed her face with water, resting her forehead against the mirror for some seconds trying to think clearly, without noticing that somebody was quietly locking the bathroom door

While Jenny was shut in, a man entered Vickys room, touching her arm softly to wake her.

"Come on child, wake up."

"Uh?" Vicky awoke seeing by her bedside an elderly man, with beard, moustache glasses and thin greying hair.

"Vicky, child. Right now David cant come here to take you home. He and his partner are very busy with a case, and he asked me to do it but hell see to you there later. Come on honey. Are you ready?"

"ButJenny?"

"Oh, don't worry Vicky. Ive told her that I would take you home... Shes going to work. She told me that shell see you tonight.

"Excuse me, but I can't rememberWhowho are you?"

"Oh. Im sorry darlingI know, I know, your amnesiaI´m your Uncle JAMES"

Gunther remained silent in front of the lifts, keeping his back to the nurses and Vicky as some minutes later she was saying her good byes to them, before leaving the hospital. Finally a nurse wheeled Vicky in a wheelchair up the entrance, and after helping her to get up, headed again to the hospital building, leaving Vicky alone with Gunther

"Here darling. This is my car"

"DAMN IT! HURRY UP!! Open this fucking door!!" Jenny was shouting out, extremely angry, to an orderly who finally unlocked the door of the bathroom where she had spent almost ten minutes shut in.

"Im sorry Miss. I don't understand how this could happen. This door is always open.Someone would have to close it on purpose" The young man said shyly when Jenny was released from her confinement.

"Thanks. Look boy. Tell me your excuses another day. Right now I havent too much time for this" And saying so the girl raced towards her friends room, stopping sharply in the middle of the corridor.

GOD! I can't tell this to Vicky I cant say to her that Dave is missing....I just cant. Not now...PLEASE!!...Someone can stop this nightmare? Jenny didnt know what to do, what she could say to Vicky. She just hoped that she was still sleeping, to give her some more minutes to think.

Breathing deeply, she entered the room, only to find that the bed was empty and Vickys bag was not there.

"Vicky?...Vicky are you okay?" The girl knocked the bathroom door without answer. Then Jenny went in to look, but there was nobody.

"Where is Vicky?" Jenny sharply asked a nurse in the corridor.

"Sorry?"

"VickyMrs Starsky. Room 207Damn it! I can't find her anywhere!"

"Im sorryI don't know."

"Mrs Starsky left the hospital some minutes ago.With her uncle, I think" Answered another nurse.

"HERWHAT??"

"She left the hospital with a man who she said was her Uncle James." Jenny slid her back down against the wall, finishing in a ball on the floor with her head resting on both hands. Without looking at the nurses she said in a whisper "She doesnt have any Uncle James!"

Starsky slowly began to wake and tried unsuccessfully to move. He was lying on a hard, cold floor, his hands held securely behind his back with his own cuffs and his legs tied firmly at the knees and ankles. He became aware of feet moving slowly towards him.

"Well, well. Glad to see youve finally decided to join me Detective Starsky." The owner of the voice roughly grabbed the back of Starskys jacket and pulled him to a sitting position facing the door. "Just so you can see who else comes to join us."

Starsky turned his head to get a good look at his captor. "Youre at an advantage... Mind telling me who the hell you are and what this is all about?" Starskys head snapped backwards as a handful of hair was grabbed viciously and he was forced to look directly into cold, evil eyes. The man bent close and the foul breath repulsed Starsky as he spoke. "Youll know soon enough Pig." John Peters slammed Starskys head backwards and he saw stars as it rebounded off of the wall.

"THATS ENOUGH!" Starsky, dazed, became aware of someone else entering the room. Two sets of footprints, one male one female. The females were unsteady as though she were being forced forward, the males firmer and with something Starsky couldnt quite make out properly sounding in between them.

"Dave! Oh my God Dave, what have they done to you?" Starskys eyes forced themselves to snap open as he heard the very familiar and very scared voice of his wife.

"Vicky? How did?" Starskys voice died in his throat as he looked past Vicky at the man standing behind her. "Gunther!" The word was spat out.

"MR. Gunther Detective Starsky, MR Gunther." He poked Starsky hard in the shoulder with the cane that assisted him to walk. "Well now, our reunion is almost complete, we have just one more guest to welcome but in the meantimePETERS!" Gunther indicated the wall behind Starsky.

The man walked to a pulley system and let down a huge hook hanging from the ceiling. Grabbing Starsky roughly by the arms he quickly swung him face down on the floor and sat astride him before releasing one of the handcuffs. Pulling Starsky´s arms around and upwards he refastened them above his head. Grabbing the hook Starsky was forced to watch helplessly as it was pulled under the cuffs. Starsky heared the mechanism start up again and he tried to brace himself for the pain he knew was about to come. As the pulley went into reverse the hook rose back upwards to the ceiling taking the hapless Starsky with it until he was suspended some six inches from the ceiling. The pain in his shoulders was bad enough but the cuffs were so tight as to cut into his flesh and he thought his wrists would break. The blood slowly dripped from his wrists and down his arms. A thin sheen of sweat broke out on his forehead and Starsky bit back the groan of pain that was aching to come from his lips.

From the corner of the room Peters pulled a chair and roughly grabbing the distraught Vicky he forced her down into, tying her arms behind her back.

"Gunther, let Vicky go. This is between you and me, right. Im the one you want not her!" Starsky tried hard to sound in control but his body was screaming out in pain and it was all he could do to stay conscious.

"Im sorry but youre wrong Detective! This isnt just between you and me, though I wish maybe that it were since I would have killed you by now." The old mans voice came firm and cruelly to Starskys ears.

"You tried, and failed, once Gunther. What makes you think this time will be any different?"

"Because this time its not just me cop." Gunther gently pushed Starsky with his stick and the movement sent wracks of pain down his arms and through his hands. "This time I have a friend who hates you almost as much as I do, something I never thought possible."

As Gunther finished speaking the door opened once again and Starsky glanced down the room at the new occupant. Billy Sherman wheeled himself towards them stopping in front of Vicky.

"We meet again my sweetheart." And he smiled a cold hard smile at the woman shaking before him.

" I dont understand any of this. What have we ever done to any of you? Please... Dont do this. Dont hurt Dave anymore. Let him down from there, youre breaking his arms." Vickys voice trembled as she spoke.

Shermans hand shot out and he grabbed Vicky by the chin forcing her to look at him. "Im disappointed my darling that you dont remember me just a little bit. We had such wonderful times together until he came along and stole you from me!"

"Leave her alone Sherman!" Starsky shouted as his body twisted and turned on the handcuffs causing the blood to flow ever faster.

"I make the rules in this game Detective and my rules say you need to learn some manners!"

Sherman nodded to Peters who turned and picked something from off the wall at the back of Starsky. A loud crack filled the air and Starskys body twisted and arched as the whip struck home across his back. This time he was unable to stop the cry of pain from escaping his lips. Vickys head dropped to her chest as she tried desperately to block out the scream that filled the room. Sherman again forced her head upwards making her look at him and as he did so this time a wave of revulsion washed over Vicky. Pulling backwards she spat, with as much force as she could muster, into his face. For a moment she thought he was going to hit her, the look of hate in his eyes burned so strongly. Then suddenly, he burst out laughing.

"Well, well, the mouse finally turns. After all this time you at last have a little spirit inside of you." Sherman paused and stopped laughing. Well, we shall have to see about that sweetheart. We shall see!" He wheeled away from the girl towards the door. "Lets leave them alone for a while to think shall we gentlemen. Well come back in one hour and the fun can begin properly." The three left the room leaving a trembling Vicky staring helplessly at her husband who hung from the roof like a piece of meat, the blood running down his body and dripping into a pool under his feet.

Hutch was tearing the streets apart, calling every favour, leaning had on every snitch they had but nothing was forthcoming. It was as if Starsky had been spirited from the very face of the earth. Calling in at The Pits he desperately hoped that Huggy would have something to tell him. Walking in the front door he was met half way across the floor by Huggy and together they turned to a booth in the far corner, far out of earshot.

"Whatcha got Hug?" Hutch tried to keep the desperation from his voice but he was physically and emotionally drained.

"No much Hutch but the Bear finally growled in the right place, I think. You ever some across the name John Peters?" Hutch thought for a moment before shaking his head. "Didnt think so. Peters is a mechanic Hutch, but not your usual kind. The guy takes delight in torturing his victims before finally dispatching them if you get my drift. His last victim was found minus a few fingers and with severe burns to his person. They said he was electrocuted. Hes wanted in most states you can think of and probably a few you cant."

"Wait a minute Hug! Are you trying to tell me you think this guy is the one responsible for whats happened to Starsk!" Hutch was incredulous.

"Word out is that James Gunther is paying the bill for something special bro. Last time I counted two and two made four." Huggy paused before adding, "Hutch if it is this guy Peters then you better find our curly haired friend sooner rather than later, you dig?"

"I dig Huggy thanks." Hutch raced from the building and into the car. Pulling out his mike he put a call through to dispatch. "This is Detective Hutchinson. I need an APB on a John Peters, check the records for a description. Very dangerous and possibly armed. I want him in one piece hes wanted in connection with the disappearance of Detective Starsky."

"10 4 Detective Hutchinson. Please stand by for a patch with Captain Dobey."

"Hutch."

"Yeh Cap what ya got?"

"I think you better get back here Hutch. Id rather tell you to our face and theres someone here needs you."

Hutch raced the Torino back to the precinct and within ten minutes was making his way to Dobeys office with a sense of foreboding. Not stopping to knock he strode though the door, aware of the sympathetic glances of the officers around him.

"Hutch!" Jenny threw herself at him sobbing. "Hutch theyve got Vicky!"

His arms automatically closed around the girls shoulders as he looked questioningly at his Captain.

"How? I thought we had a guard with her."

"We did Hutch but I had to take him off to help look for your partner. Were too damn short staffed. Im sorry." Dobey was perched on the end of his desk, mopping his brow with his handkerchief.

"Well do we know who took her?" Hutchs voice was quiet.

""I do Hutch," Jenny spoke her hand on his arm. "It was James Gunther!" Before Hutch had time to react she quickly added, "He told Vicky he was her uncle and she could hardly say he wasnt. According to the nurses he told her that Dave had sent him to take her home as he was caught up with a case. She just walked out with him Hutch!"

"Where were you while all this was going on? I thought

"He locked me in the bathroom. By the time I got out it was too late Theyd gone!"

"Before you say anything else Hutch Ive already sent a couple of cars to his place. Theres no one there. According to the neighbours he hasnt been around for the last couple of days. Theres something else you should know. The body you and Starsky were investigating... the one found in the burnt out car from the alley" Hutch waited for the next bombshell, which he knew was about to drop. "We got identification from dental records this morning. Turns out that he was a paramedic whos been missing for the last couple of days. He was last seen on a run to the hospital with a prisoner from LA County. They never got there. Ill give you one guess at who the prisoner was?"

Hutch waited Here it comes.

"William Sherman!" Dobey watched Hutch and Jenny anxiously as the news hit them.

"Billy! Oh my God Hutch, you dont think"

"That Gunther and Sherman are in this together?" Hutch finished the sentence for her." Yeh! I do! Right at the start of this Starsky said it had to be someone with one hell of a grudge well I cant think of two people who must hate Starsky more than those two." Hutch thumped the table. "Damn it Gunther on his own was bad enough but Sherman that guys a certifiable nutcase! Add that with what I just got from Huggy and wed better find them both quick or well be looking for bodies and it wont be an easy ending either."

Back in the warehouse a young girl watched as the three men left through the small side door. She had been sleeping here for three weeks and knew every nook and cranny in which to hide. When the taller of the three had turned up at the beginning of the week she had managed to stay out of sight and watch with idle curiosity his movements in the back room. She had watched with idle boredom as he had oiled the pulley system, making sure it worked over and over again. She had been fascinated and a little frightened when she had seen him fix the huge whip on to the wall. What had frightened her a little was when she had watched him spend the day fixing the electrics and had tested them by wiring a stray cat to the circuit he had just made and switching it on. She still had nightmares at the way he had laughed as the poor cat had burnt to a crisp in front of him. Then the older man appeared a couple of days later and she could overhear them talking about being ready for their guests and only needing someone to join them. The next day the third man had appeared, the one in the wheelchair, and she had watched as the tall man had bandaged the wounds on his forehead. From then on she had to be really careful in her movements in and out of the warehouse since the wheelchair man never went out. A room had been set up for him complete with a bed and a cooker and the older man would bring food in for him to cook. She had been asleep when she heard the van arrive and she had crawled from her hidey-hole just in time to see the tall man pull something roughly from the back. As it had landed with an almighty thump on the floor she had had to stifle a gasp of shock when she saw that it was a young man, hands and feet tied tightly behind him. She had watched in horror as Starsky had been dragged across the floor and into the room where the man had been working all week. From her hiding place she had seen the older man arrive, pushing a young woman in front of him. The woman also had her hands tied and she looked terrified. It wasnt until the third man arrived and disappeared in to the room as well that she had finally picked up the courage to leave her hiding place and creep quietly to the door. She had heard the pulley begin to work and, pressing her eye to the keyhole, had seen Starsky being suspended from the floor as the blood slowly trickled down his arms. She had heard the interchange between them and understood the danger the young couple were in. Lastly she had run terrified, her hands pressed tightly over her ears as Peters had used the huge whip on Starskys back. Hiding once again she watched and waited as the three left the warehouse laughing.

Shaking herself into action the child moved across to the door of the room and gingerly tried the handle. Much to her surprise it turned and opened. Inside the young man hung unconscious from the ceiling. Blood poured from the wound to his back where the whip had landed. His hands looked almost black to the child as the handcuffs bit viciously into his wrists. The young woman sat pulling frantically at the ropes that bound her and the child ran to her side. Vicky stopped her useless struggle with the ropes to stare incredulously at the child.

"Where did you come from?" But the child gave no answer. She went instead to the table where a jug of water sat. Looking once again at Starsky she dragged a chair across the room and gently lifted his feet placing them on it. Racing across to the switch she dragged the fourth chair with her and stood on to it trying desperately to reach but she was too short. Dragging the chair behind her once again she placed it in front of Starsky before hurrying to the table for the water. Carefully she carried it, and climbing onto the chair, she dipped her fingers into the water and gently dabbed them on Starskys lips. The eyes slowly opened and she could see nothing but kindness and pain in them.

"Hi" Even to Starsky his voice sounded feeble. The girl smiled a shy smile and held the water jug so that he could drink. "Thanks." Starsky gulped at the water. When he had finished she dipped her hankie into it and gently she wiped his brow. "Who are you?" Starskys voice though a little stronger was still quiet. Right now he needed this little girl to trust him if he and Vicky were to have any chance of getting away.

"Kathy." The little girl smiled again.

Thank you Kathy, for helping me. Will you help my wife please? She could do with some of that water too." Kathy looked back at Vicky, then got down from her chair and walked slowly over to her. Gently she held the jug so that the woman could drink then, putting it back down on the table, she walked behind her and tried, in vain, to undo the ropes that were holding her.

She looked apologetically at Starsky. "Sorry."

"Thats ok. You tried. Listen can you get out of here without anyone seeing you?" The girl nodded and long brown curls jumped up and down. "Okay then I need you to help me before those bad men get back. Will you do that?" Again a nod and Starsky felt his heart lift a little. He silently vowed that if he ever got out of here he would do everything in his power to repay this child who, right now, was his only hope. "I need you to find someone. His name is Detective Hutchinson and hes at 9th precinct. Think you can remember that?"

"Tective Hutchinson Ill remember. The girl nodded furiously.

"Good girl. I need you to tell him where we are."

"Dave, what if they dont believe her." Vickys voice broke in and Starsky thought for a moment. Glancing up at his hands he struggled with swollen fingers that had no feeling.

"Come here Kathy." The girl moved to stand in front of him. "Catch this sweetheart and dont loose it. When you find Detective Hutchinson give it to him. Promise me." Starsky dropped a silver ring into her hands.

"I promise Dave." And she tucked the ring into her top pocket.

Vicky glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. "Its almost an hour, she has to go! Theyll be back any minute."

Kathy looked at Starsky one more time then back t Vicky. "Ill find himI promise." And with that she was gone back out of the room quietly closing the door behind her.

For a few moments here was silence then Vicky spoke.

"Do you think shell make it?"

"She has to sweetheart She has to!" They could hear footsteps coming towards the door. As much as Starky was grateful for the chair beneath his feet he knew that it would instantly give away the fact that someone had found them. Bracing himself he eased his feet upwards. Locking his feet around the bar of the chair he picked it up and threw it across the room, the force of it causing his body to jerk and send agonising bolts of pain across his shoulders. He bit down hard on his lips as he heard his wrist crack under the force and a cold sweat broke out over is whole body. Refusing to let himself pass out he looked across at Vicky.

"Hold on darling. Hutch is coming. Hell find us and everything will be okay." Vicky though was concentrating on hooking her foot underneath the chair Starsky had just thrown. It took an enormous effort but somehow she managed to right it and push it back in place under the table just in time as the door opened and Sherman wheeled himself inside, followed by Peters.

Sherman wheeled himself once more in front of Vicky. "Now for a little fun!" and his hand shot out grabbing Vicky by the throat.

"Damn you to hell Sherman!" Starsky screamed across the room.

"Ill see you there cop." Sherman laughed as he gently applied pressure to Vickys neck. "You and your precious friend thought youd got away from me. I told you Id find you and I swore youd pay. I found you to didnt I Vicky, hiding behind some broken down copper. You should have listened to me then my sweetheart and come back with me but instead you did this to me!" Shermans voice rose as he used his other hand to smack down hard on the wheelchair. Well now you both payYou and that precious husband of yours."

"Let her be Sherman. She cant hurt you. Dammit she doesnt even know who you are thanks to your friend over here. Theres a turn up for you, your hired hand here did such a good job with his gas explosion she cant remember anything, not you, not me, anything.!" Starsky kept his voice normal, willing for the maniac to let Vicky go and concentrate on him. "You blew it where shes concerned Sherman, even if you kill me it wont mean a thing to her. Im the one you and Gunther really want. Admit it. Both of you are failures in my eyes. I won with Vicky over you and I survived Gunthers attempt to kill me once before. I can do it again!"

Finally the words hit home and Sherman released his hold on Vicky allowing her to gulp in huge mouthfuls of air.

"Brave words for a man in your position Starsky!" Sherman spun the chair round and wheeled it to face Starsky. "Lets see brave you really are shall we?" This time Starsky saw the nod to Peters and was able to prepare for the blow to come. Even so it still took his breath away as the whip once more bit hard into his back and side as it wrapped itself around him. The second blow was less of a shock but still as painful and by the fourth Starsky was struggling to remain conscious. His pride refused to let him cry out but inside his head he was screaming.

From across the room as she watched Vicky continued to struggle with her bonds. Every time the whip struck she would close her eyes and every time she did so she could see Starskys face. Starsky holding her, Starsky kissing her, Starsky whispering in her ear and making love to her. Slowly and surely her memories of the man being beaten within an inch of his life were returning to her and it made the pain even harder to bear. Somehow she had to let him know!

"Dave!" Vicky s voice reached him through the pain and he opened his eyes to look at her. For a brief moment their eyes locked then Starsky jerked once more as the whip bit into his skin one last time and he lost the battle to stay fully conscious.

At the same time across town Kathy went into the precinct building and made her way, unnoticed by those around her, up to the first floor. Standing before the front desk on her tiptoes her nose just came above the level of the desk.

"Excuse me." The quiet voice was lost in the general noise and hubbub that surrounded her. She tried again this time a little louder and the young female officer peered at her over her glasses. "I have to see someone. He said only to talk to him."

"Who did sweetie?" The officer asked softly, matching the girls voice. She took in the young urchin standing in front of her. Thin as a rake she had probably not eaten for a few days, nor had she washed. The officer hated juvenile about as much as the other officers in the building but this was one child who looked like she needed them.

"The nice man with the curly hair He said only to talk to Tective Hutch." Kathy was beginning to feel uneasy in the presence of so many police and her voice wavered a little. "Is he here?"

"Well, tell you what honey. You go sit down over there and Ill see if I can find him for you." The officer indicated a row of chairs against the far wall and Kathy ran to them sitting down in the corner as though trying to hide. Picking up the phone the woman called for someone from Juvenile to come to the front desk immediately. Five minutes later Sergeant Mitchell arrived from juvenile division. The female officer pointed to where the girl was sitting and watched as he walked slowly over.

"Hi honey. Mind if I sit down?" Kathy shook her head and continued to play with the ring she held in her hand. "Whats your name?"

"Kathy"." The girl answered wary of the huge man in front of her.

"Kathy what?" Sergeant Mitchell got up form the chair and knelt in front of her trying hard not to frighten her anymore than she already was.

"Dont know." Kathy replied honestly.

"Wheres your mum and dad Kathy?"

Again the same honest reply, "Dont know. Are you Tective Hutchinson?"

"No Kathy Im not. My name is Sergeant Mitchell. Do you know Detective Hutchinson?"

Kathy shook her head. "No but he said to only talk to Tective Hutchinson."

"Who did Kathy?" Jim Mitchell leant closer.

"The nice curly man and the lady! He gave me something for him." Kathy held the ring out for the man to see and he looked at it sitting on her tiny hand.

Jim Mitchell turned slightly white and he leapt from his position as fast as he could.

"Jennie call Hutch! Get him down here fast!" The female officer looked astonished at him but seeing his face she did as she was asked. The phone rang in Dobeys office but it was Hutch who answered. He listened for a few seconds then told the woman he would be right down. As he hung up the receiver Jenny and Dobey looked quizzically at him.

"Hutch, whats wrong?" Jenny placed her hand on his arm.

"Jim Mitchell says theres a ten year old kid downstairs with Starskys ring in her hand!"

"WHAT?" Dobey exploded to his feet. "Then what the hell are you still doing here?"

"I dont now Cap." And with that Hutch was out of the door and on his way down the stairs before Jenny could react. She finally caught him up just as he reached the bottom. Together they ran the last few yards to the front desk where Jim Mitchell was waiting.

"I could be wrong Hutch but it sure as hell looks like Starskys and she keeps saying she has to talk to you."

"Thanks Jim. Where is she?" Hutch followed the direction Mitchell pointed and saw the tiny child hiding in the corner blissfully playing with something shiny in her hand. Slowly he and Jenny walked towards her.

"Hello Kathy." Hutch kept his voice quiet, forcing himself to be calm.

"Hello." Kathy looked him over for a few seconds before asking him, "are you Tective Hutchinson?"

"Yes honey. Im Detective Hutchinson. The officer over there said you wanted to talk to me."

Kathy took his hand and dropped the ring she had been playing with into it. "He said I had to give this to you. That way you would believe me."

Hutch turned the ring over and over in his hand, tears welling at the back of his eyes. Jenny looked questioningly at him and he nodded his head. "Its Starskys." Turning back to the child he gently pulled her onto his knee. "Where did you get this Kathy?"

"I told you. He gave it to me, the nice man with the curly hair. He said I was to give it only to you and you would believe me."

Pulling Starskys wallet from his back pocket Hutch held it for Kathy to see. "Is this the nice man with the curly hair?" He watched as Kathy squinted at the picture, holding his breath as she did so.

"He looks nicer in real life than he does in that picture but yes. Thats him. The lady called him Dave."

Hurriedly Jenny scrabbled through her bag pulling out another photograph for the girl to look at. It was one of Vicky and Dave taken just after they had got married. "Is this the lady Kathy?" Again they held their breath.

"Yes thats her. She looks pretty there. Not like she does know. Shes been crying and the other man hurt her."

"Kathy. What did Dave say to you?"

"He said I was to come and get you. Tell you where he was. Thats why he gave me the ring sos youd believe me."

Captain Dobey, who up until now had been standing quietly listening, suddenly thought. "Kathy, if you could get out why couldnt Dave and the lady?"

"Theyre tied up. The lady is tied to a chair. I tried to undo her but I couldnt, the knots were too tight. Dave hes." Kathy stopped and closed her eyes not wanting to remember.

"Hutchs heart sank. "Daves what honey?"

Kathy opened her eyes and looked straight at him. "Daves hurt. They hung him from the ceiling and I couldnt get him down. Then they hit him with a whip." Kathys bottom lip began to tremble and Hutch pulled her close. His eyes met Dobeys over the top of her head.

" Were gonna need some help Cap."

"You got it son. As soon as youre ready." Dobey strode to the phone and within minutes a half a dozen cars were on standby.

"Kathy.." Hutch gently eased her away from his shoulder. "I want you to help me now honey. I want you to be very brave and take me where the bad men are holding my friend. Will you do that?"

The girl sniffed a couple of times and wiped her eyes with the back of her sleeve. Then finally, as though she had made her decision, she nodded her head.

Ten minutes later the rescue party was underway. As they pulled away from the precinct Hutch allowed a mantra to softly play through his head. Please dont let us be too late. Hang on Starsk, Im coming as fast as I can.

Gunther and Sherman were sat at the table quietly admiring the work of their colleague.

Vicky watched in horror as Peters began to attach small electric wires to Starskys body. He had ripped off what was left of the shirt and the bloody remnants lay on the ground beneath him.

"BillyPlease. This is madness. Stop it now before its too late. Im begging of you PLEASE STOP IT!" Vicky pleaded with the man in front of her, but to no avail.

"Ive waited so long for this. You have no idea." Gunthers voice reached her ears and she turned to look at him.

"Why? If youre going to kill my husband then at least tell me what he did to you?"

"He destroyed me child. Thats what he did. Him and his partner took away my business and my friends, took away my life. Then your husband took away the only thing I had left.. He took away my pride."

"HOW? Vicky screamed at him.

"HE LIVED. He had so many bullets in him that he should have died. But somehow he lived. Id failedand I cant take failure. I despise it!" Gunther sat back in his chair and watched as Peters finished his work. Walking towards the table Peters placed a small black box in front of them.

"All set gentlemen. All you have to do is press this button." Peters touched a tiny red button on the box and a horrified Vicky saw Starkys body convulse, leaving it spinning slowly around from the hook. Fresh blood began to fall and it dripped down his arms and chest to be soaked up in the waistband of his jeans.

"Billy. Ill go with you. Anywhere you want me too. Ill do whatever you tell me too and Ill never speak back to you if youll only stop this please!" Tears fell freely down Vicky´s face as she spoke.

"Sheman laughed." Sorry Vicky. You had your chance once before remember? You did this to me." He thumped his legs hard to emphasise the point. "Because of you Im in this damn wheelchair while you and your wonderful cop husband walk around enjoying what we should have had. Sorry Vicky. The time for deals is over. The time for revenge is here. Peters wake him up."

Peters picked up the water jug and threw it directly over Starsky. From the safe place where he had lost himself Starsky was dragged back to reality. The pain was increased a hundred fold and he wanted to be sick. Glancing upwards at his hands he could see they were both purple and had no feeling in at all. The right one was swollen and a small bone stuck out from it confirming what his ears had told him earlier. Looking around the room he could see all three of is tormentors watching him and he knew that the time had arrived. Hutch hadnt made it! Vicky looked up at him tears falling freely down her cheeks. She mouthed the words I love you and he smiled softly at her.

Suddenly everything happened in a total blur. As if in slow motion Starsky registered the wires attached to his body and watched as both Sherman and Gunther reached for the red button pushing it down together. He felt the burning pain as the shock went pulsing through his body and the last thing he saw on this earth was Vickys face. Vicky screamed as the door broke down and Hutch, Dobey and a dozen officers poured into the room. Both Dobey and Hutch fired and Peters and Sherman lay dead. Gunther kept his finger on the button until Hutch grabbed it, twisting it up behind his back, hearing the tell tale click which told him he had gone too far and the arm had broken. Jenny raced in and knelt by Vickys side. Someone managed to make a knife appear and her ropes were quickly cut. Sobbing she fell into her best friends arms. Hutch and Dobey rushed to the now still form of Starsky in disbelief. One of the uniformed officers found the button for the pulley and he pressed it gently lowering Starsky to the floor. From somewhere they both heard the shout for a paramedic and suddenly the room was quiet as all eyes focused on Starsky.

All Hutch could recall whenever he was asked later on, was hearing the words. NO HEARTBEAT, NO PULSE! I THINK WE´VE LOST HIM!!

continued in Part II

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