ME AND THEE

He yawned, then stretched, scratched his fingers through his hair and immediately looked to his left. It wasn't a dream, he thought he really did spend his night with the most beautiful honey……. He smiled, contentedly, to himself and lent over and gave her the softest kiss on the top of her head. She stirred "Morning, did I wake you?" asked Starsky "No" she purred and arched her back to invite him in.

It was another forty minutes before David Starsky was in the shower. Sofia was in the kitchen humming, whilst pouring herself some coffee. She was wearing only one of his blue shirts. On him it would have looked rugged and masculine, on her, well, she just oozed sex appeal. You're a lucky man he smiled to himself. Only one night and he was so into her. He really hoped this one would last, he had a good feeling. Sofia was everything a girl should be. Leggy, yet petite with a cascade of dark curls down her back. They made a handsome couple. Starsky dried and dressed quickly, eager to set eyes upon her as soon as possible. "Hi" he said, warmly, as he came into the kitchen. "Hi, yourself, want coffee?" Sofia asked, already reaching for a cup. "I've got to dash, already late, Hutch'll be having kittens!" She knew all about Hutch. They spent most of yesterday evening, in the club, talking about Starsky's partner. Sofia was beginning to think she'd got it wrong, picking up David Starsky. It's only when they returned to his place she got a true measure of what it was like to be this mans date. She liked him. God he looks so damn good, and in the bedroom department…..she thought to herself. He gave her a long lingering kiss goodbye and exited his apartment calling "You'll be here when I get back, about seven?" "Sure" she smiled.

Hutch was sitting in his old brown ford. He saw Starsky come out with a huge grin on his face. "Morning buddy" he leant out of the car window. "Your car or mine?" Starsky did not really care for Hutch's LTD and would much rather cruise around in his Gran Torino. Candy apple red, with a white lightening stripe, it certainly summed up Starsky's personality. His car was his baby, his pride and joy, but he was in such a good mood he said "yours" Hutch was puzzled. Usually Starsky would never, willingly, travel in Hutch's car. As Starsky got in Hutch said, "Good evening huh?" "Yeah" laughed Starsky "Good evening, good night and good morning" Hutch laughed too. "Hope you've saved some energy for the job? Don't want you covering my butt, too tired to react." "Hey Blondie, no sweat. This hero's in his prime" They both continued to laugh. Hutch was happy for his partner. He had not seen Starsky this happy since Terry. Sure there had been the occasional date, even the occasional night but none had left his partner with the glow that he was radiating now. Today's a good day thought Hutch and, in the passenger seat, next to him, Starsky was thinking the same thing. Hutch reached for the radio. "I'll do it buddy" said Starsky, holding his hand out for the mike. "Ok Starsk'" replied Hutch handing it to Starsky. "Zeebra three to control" said Starsky cheerily into the mike "Log us in and rollin' at oh eight hundred hours" " ten four, zeebra three, you're logged in at oh eight hundred hours, happy hunting"

Starsky and Hutch drove along in silence, but Hutch did notice that his partner seemed to have a permanent soppy grin on his face and, every so often, he would start humming to himself. He really hoped this was the start of something good, for his buddy. It warmed him inside just thinking of Starsky's happiness. He meant the world to him. They were like two halves of one whole. One's pain was felt equally by the other, but on the same measure, that went for happiness too. The radio interrupted Hutch's thoughts "zeebra three, zeebra three, patch through from Captain Dobey." Starsky reached for the mike. "Go ahead Cap'n it's Starsky." "Starsky, Hutchinson I need you to meet me at nine and elm, just off Holland. "Ok Cap'n, what's it all about?" enquired Starsky. "You'll find out when you get here. Dobey out!" Hutch turned to Starky "He certainly seemed rattled" he said. Starsky just laughed. He knew Dobey and nothing was going to dampen his good mood, besides they would find out soon enough.

They pulled up outside an old run down shack. There was nothing to suggest any police activity there at all. Hutch turned to Starsky "Sure we got the right place?" "Yeah nine and Elm" replied Starsky. Hutch parked up in front and, with a glance to his partner, both detectives cautiously exited the car. Instinct made them check their guns and each had their hand on theirs when Dobey opened the front door. "come on, come on" he motioned impatiently. Feeling relieved both men went inside to meet their captain. Inside there was little, except for an old bed, desk, chair and a small kitchenette. A petite brunette was standing near the stove. On hearing the men enter she suddenly turned and flung herself at Starsky "Oh Dave, Dave" she was crying, but the relief ,on her face, was obvious for all to see unlike Starsky who just stared in disbelief. He stammered "Sofia, what the…?" He looked at Hutch, then to his captain. Composing himself, slightly, holding Sofia in his embrace, he asked "Ok Cap'n what's goin' on, Sofia what are you doin' here?" Sofia could only continue to cry, softly, in Starsky's arms. Captain Dobey spoke "I take it you know this young woman, Starsky?" Starsky merely nodded. Hutch , feeling like a bystander spoke gently, would you like a glass of water miss, Starsk?" Starsky nodded, for both of them and Hutch went to the kitchenette. On his return, Dobey motioned for them all to sit. Sofia and Starsky took the bed. Hutch handed them their glasses and then sat in the chair. Dobey continued to stand. "Detective Starsky, I don't need to introduce you, however Hutchinson, I understand you two have never met?" nodded Dobey towards Sofia. "No Captain, we've never met but Starsky has told me all about her." replied Hutch "Nice to meet you" Hutch said, to the still crying young woman "although I'm not sure about the circumstances" Hutch smiled, warmly. Sofia forced a small smile Hutch's way. She'd heard so much about this young blond man. She also knew how much he loved his partner. Something about her made Hutch's blood run cold, he couldn't work it out. She certainly makes my partner happy, so why am I feeling like this thought Hutch. His thoughts were again interrupted by Captain Dobey. "Starsky, Hutchinson, this is Sofia Helstrom Her father is….. Hutch finished for him "Calvern Helstrom, the international jewellery collector. One of the richest men in the country." "Correct Hutchinson" answered Dobey. Starsky was stunned. He turned to Sofia "what's going on?" he questioned her. At last she began to speak "Dave, I, I, my father," she had to choke back a sob "they have kidnapped my father" "Who's they?" asked Hutch. "They are a gang of foreign hoodlums, you know one of them, Eldridge Swanston" interrupted their Captain. Starsky shook his head in confusion, "Eldridge Swanston, this aint his bag. No way Cap'n" "Starsky listen to me" pleaded Captain Dobey. Starsky looked up, still confused. Captain Dobey continued "Do you remember Swanston had a brother?" " Yes, yes" realized Hutch "Harry, no, no Harley Swanston, you remember Starsk' you blew him away in that jewellery heist two months ago." "Right!" replied Dobey, he continued "well it seems like he wants to trade." "What do you mean trade?" asked Hutch, worried. Sofia interrupted "Dave it was no accident that I met you last night. I was being watched. I was supposed to pick you up, get involved, then deliver you to them. Then I get my father back." "What went wrong?" asked Starsky. "You" smiled Sofia "I fell for you, big time. You were nothing like they said. They made you sound cold, heartless but I found out that you are warm and loving." Hutch rolled his eyes, Starsky threw him a some of us have got it look. "Ok, so what are we gonna do?" asked Hutch. "I want you two to hit the streets and find these turkeys, and you…." Dobey pointed to Starsky, "I want you to stay as close to Miss Helstrom as you can!" Starsky smiled at the thought. That was one order that his superior had given him that he had EVERY intention of carrying out. Sofia smiled too, but Hutch felt uneasy. Something about her made Hutch very wary. I can't let on to Starsky he thought I'll get Huggy to check it out later. Sofia felt equally uneasy about Hutchinson. He could just blow this for her. He wasn't blinded by lust and loyalty, like his curly haired friend. She'd have to be careful, all sweetness and light around him, she decided. Soon she'd have both detectives just where she wanted them.