"Ok, so I'm getting married. What's that gonna change?" asked Starsky. "What d'ya mean? It's gonna change everything." smiled Hutch "Your Torino will be exchanged for an MPV, guns for pens. You wont be working the streets Starsk'. She'll have you behind a desk. Safe." Hutch was teasing and Starsky knew it, although he had actually been thinking along those lines himself. Now he had Venna to consider he wasn't sure he wanted to be on the street anymore. He just had to break the news to Hutch. "Hey Hutch," Starsky looked at his partner, "You wanna go out tonight? I'll ask Venna to get a sitter and we all three could go out. Catch a movie maybe?" asked Starsky. "Starsky, if that lady, of yours, ever manages to get a sitter for those boys of hers, I think you'd better grab the chance to be alone with her. You aint gonna want me tagging along." replied Hutch. "Aw come on Hutch, they'll be plenty of time for that, after we're married" Hutch doubted that very much, but he knew Starsky was happy with his instant family. Four year old twin boys would frighten most men, but not Starsky. For him it was like having two new playmates. Had had never seen Starsky as happy as when he is on the floor, with Dylan and Ray, playing with their train set. Both boys clearly doted on Starsky, climbing on him, wrestling him and going for rides in his Torino. Hutch had already taught them to wind Starsky up by calling it a tomato. Yeah they were terrific kids all right and both they, and their mother were crazy about Starsky.

In the squad room Starsky was on the phone, "Venna, hi babe" "Oh Dave sweetheart, anything the matter?" "No. Listen Hutch and I want to take you out tonight. Any chance your folks can have the boys?" "Sure Dave. Oh, I forgot, their car's in the shop. I'll have to take Dylan and Ray to their place." "Will they be okay with that?" asked Starsky. Venna laughed "Oh Dave, are you kidding? You know my pop he'll have them swimming in their pool all evening. They probably wont get to bed at all!" Starsky laughed too. He liked Venna's parents. Tom and Mary Talbot doted on their grandsons and, since Venna's first husband had died, Tom had been more like a father, than grandfather to both boys. "Okay Venna, I'll collect Hutch and come get you" "Dave collect me at my parents. I can leave them my car and they can bring the boys home in the morning. That way we get all night together. Alone" Venna smiled. "All night huh, what did you have in mind?" Starsky's eyes lit up at the thought. Hutch caught what Starsky had said and smiled. It was good to see his friend happy. He also realised they probably wouldn't be out late, as Venna and his partner would want to get home.

Starsky pulled up outside Hutch's apartment at 7pm. He sounded the horn. Inside, on hearing the Torino, Hutch grabbed his jacket. He was just about to leave, when the telephone rang. Enroute to the front door he snatched up the phone, "Yeah, make it quick," he snapped into the handset. "Hutchinson?" Boomed the voice of his superior. "Oh Cap'n sorry, yeah it's Hutch, I was on my way out." Hutch was surprised that Captain Dobey would be calling him at home. "Where's that partner of yours?" Dobey asked. "Actually Cap he's outside waiting for me" Hutch replied, cheerfully. "Hutchinson you need to get him over to memorial hospital." Dobey continued. "What Captain, what?" Hutch had not really been listening and was now, suddenly, concerned. "what's going on?" queried Hutch. "There's been an accident. Miss Talbot..." "Venna?" interrupted Hutch, "Captain what happened?" "Hutchinson just get Starsky there. I don't know all the details. Traffic just called it in"

Outside, in the Torino, Starsky was getting impatient. "Come on Hutch" he moaned to himself and sounded the horn again. Hutch hearing the car horn snapped out of the shock, he was feeling and said softly "Sure Captain, I'll get him there."

By the time Hutch had left the building Starsky was drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. On seeing his partner he yelled through the window "Come on Hutch, we're gonna be late for the movie!" Hutch did not quicken his pace. Starsky responded "Hutch, will you come on" Hutch got into the car. "What's going on? You know we gotta meet Venna" Starsky wasn't looking at his partner, and was getting ready to pull away when Hutch put his hand on Starsky's arm. "Starsk' there's been an accident..." Hutch began. "What? Who? My mother?" Starsky asked, confused.

On seeing Hutch shake his head Starsky realised. "Venna. Where?" Hutch responded gently, "Memorial hospital"

On arrival, at the hospital Starsky and Hutch made straight for the nurses station. Hutch showed his badge and introduced them. "Detectives Hutchinson and Starsky, regarding the Venna Talbot automobile accident." A young nurse told them to wait whilst she fetched the doctor, who could answer their questions. Hutch turned to Starsky, "You okay buddy?" he asked. "I, I don't know. Hutch I need to see Venna, need to know how she is." Starsky looked lost and afraid, "I'm scared Hutch" "I know buddy, I know" soothed Hutch nodding.

A very tired looking doctor approached them, "Detectives, I don't know what I can tell you that I haven't already reported..." He began. Starsky interrupted "Doctor, I'm Miss Talbot's fiancé. I'm Detective Starsky." "Oh I see. Well Mr Starsky, I'm sorry to tell you Miss Talbot died twenty minutes ago." The doctor looked sorry. Starsky looked numb. Hutch touched his arm. Starsky snapped out of it, "Uh Doc' her sons, she had her sons with her. How are they?" Starsky asked. The doctor continued "One child died instantly, at the scene. The other escaped with barely a scratch." "Can I see her?" asked Starsky "Yes. You might want to take your partner with you. It may be better if you have a friend with you" said the doctor. "Where?" asked Hutch. "Room 167" replied the doctor. "Come on Starsk'. I'll be with you, all the way." urged Hutch. "No Hutch. It's okay. I need to do this alone. I need to say goodbye" As Starsky walked away the doctor called after him, "The surviving child is in room 119. Miss Talbot's parents are with him"

After Starsky left Hutch proceeded to ask the doctor what happened. "Police, at the scene, think that the child climbed out of his car seat and Miss Talbot was trying to re-settle him and lost control of the vehicle. She ploughed into the concrete barrier at the side of the highway. It's a miracle one child survived. It's such a waste. Do you think your friend will be all right?" asked the doctor, with concern. "I don't know Doc'. He's been through something like this before." Hutch was remembering Terri, "He's tough but I really don't know how he'll be this time" Hutch was worried. Starsky had barely survived losing Terri but to lose Venna also. He was waiting for his partner when he came out of Venna's room. He'd obviously been crying but smiled, a small reassuring smile, when he saw Hutch. "Hiya buddy. How ya doin'?" Asked Hutch. "I'm okay, I guess. I need to see Venna's parents and her son. God, I forgot to ask, did the doc' tell you which child survived?" asked Starsky. "No Starsk', sorry." replied Hutch. "It's okay. 119 right?" "Yeah. Hey Starsk', you want me to come?" "No Hutch. I'll be fine. You'll be here when I get out?" asked Starsky. "Sure I aint going no where." said Hutch. Starsky was grateful. He knew he could count on Hutch. He made his way to room 119.