This story is Brook's through and through. She developed the plot, the story and how it should look. I merely put words to her ideas. All credit goes to her and all reviews will be passed on to her. She has helped so many writers with their stories, plots and ideas that she should have all the credit. Please let her know how much she means to all readers and writers alike. Thanks.

Brook - love ya girl!

Chapter 1

'Good evening KMART Shoppers. Sunscreen is on offer at a dollar thirty in aisle C and orange juice on two for one offers in aisle J' the synthetic voice sounded over the tannoy system in the large store as the shoppers milled around the store in their own little worlds.

The curly headed man perused the shelves, dodging pushchairs and trolleys driven by large, overpadded women, adding various items to the trolley he pushed around the store, ticking off his grocery shopping against the mental list he had with one part of his mind. The other was elsewhere and troubled him greatly. His emerald green eyes swept the aisle. Cereal, cereal bars, white bread, wholegrain bread, pitta bread and Bria!

There she was, standing at the end of the aisle looking ravishingly gorgeous in her tight, faded blue jeans and her white lacy top, her bronzed arms and midriff showing dark against the pale material. Her long auburn hair hung in a thick curtain down her back, reaching past her waist, and she was pretending to look at the cereal selection. But her eyes kept darting down the aisle as she watched out for her man. Their eyes met and she gave an imperceptible nod before walking slinkily away towards the bathrooms.

Tom (Traff) Trafford waited a moment, his hand hovering over the "Harvest Gold" loaf before he pushed his trolley up the aisle and casually followed her tight butt towards the washrooms. Cautiously he looked over his shoulder, parked the trolley by the mouth of the corridor and ducked inside the ladies bathroom, closing the door behind him. He checked there was no-one else in the room and took a wadded up piece of paper out of his pocket, wedging it under the door. It wouldn't stop a kick to the door, but to the casual KMART shopper needing a comfort break, it formed a barrier sufficient to stop them coming in. He tested the door and felt the resistance to it opening, smiling grimly before turning back to the girl.

As he turned she rushed into his arms, wrapping hers around his neck and dotting his handsome rugged face with kisses. Gently he returned the kisses then pushed her away.

'Were you followed?

'I don't think so. My girlfriends were busy getting ready to go out on the town. I'm not sure they even registered that I'd gone. I didn't see anyone looking at me or following me. I was careful'. She took his face in her hands and kissed him again. 'What are we going to do?'

Traff sighed. 'I don't think they suspect me yet, but it won't be long now, I don't think. I just get the feeling they're gonna start questioning me – why I'm there. What my background is. They wouldn't be too impressed with the truth. I need to keep up appearances, but they watch me too closely for me to get the information out'.

'Tell me. I can do it' Bria urged.

He smiled at the brave, beautiful woman. 'I can't expose you to that. It's too dangerous. You've seen what they're like. It's taking me all my time to keep my cover up'

'But I hate seeing you like this. You haven't relaxed in weeks and we haven't……you know, for days. I miss you! Something's got to give Tom, and if you're not careful that something will be you. Look at you. You must have lost ten pounds, although on you its looks damned good!'

'You worry too much. But there is something you can do for me'.

Her eyes sparkled excitedly. 'Anything. Tell me. I love you so much. I'll do anything' she replied.

'I need help, from outside. I need to be able to get this information out. But they're bugging the rooms. I found a bug on my phone and in my bathroom. I don't know anywhere I can relax. I need backup and there's only one or possibly two guys I can think of who can help. I need someone I can trust, who can alert the right people in the right way. Someone who's used to working undercover. And I need you to get to them'.

'Who is it? Is it someone I know?'

'No, you've never met them. And if you did, I don't think you'd forget' Traff chuckled.

'If I get to them what are the odds that they'll believe me?' she asked, never once asking about the danger or the details.

Traff looked at the gorgeous, leggy brunette and smiled. 'Oh believe me. One look at you and he'd follow you to the ends of the earth!'

'Is he a womanizer then?' she asked playfully. 'Maybe I might like him more than you!'

'There isn't much not to like about him. And yes, he likes women. But I'd trust him with my life. Hell I have trusted him with my life. We served in 'Nam together. His name is Dave Starsky. He's a cop in Bay City. Works with a good looking blond guy called Ken Hutchinson. They're the most honest, trustworthy guys I've ever met and used to working undercover'.

'They sound interesting' Bria murmured, playing with the collar of Traff's collar. He longed to take her, right there and then, in the bathroom of the store, but this was too important. He dragged his mind out of his pants and back to the job in hand.

'Find Starsky and give him this message. Traff needs him to deliver this' he held up a microchip 'to Ed Kosielski in the NCS Californian office as soon as he can'. He gave her the chip and watched as she stowed it away in her cleavage, grinning up at him.

'Does he get to find it himself?' she asked coyly.

'Bria, honey. It's dangerous. Don't take this lightly. I love you and I want you in one piece at the end of this. Don't joke huh? And don't be taken in by Starsky's winning charms. He's capable, serious and he can be mean when he needs to be. He's a stubborn son of a bitch and the kind of guy you want on your side when times get bad. I could do with Hutchinson too. He's a tenacious guy also. Starsky and the rest of the guys call him Hutch. Where one goes, the other follows. They're kinda like salt an' pepper. Ya can't have one without the other'. He chuckled at the memory of the last time he'd seen them, Starsky in the hospital bed with Hutch asleep at his side. Inseparable!

Bria's face clouded. 'You know I'd do anything for you. And I wouldn't put you, or your friends in any danger if I could help it'.

Traff pulled her to him and kissed the top of her head. 'I know my love, but just by contacting them you're putting them in danger. If this wasn't a matter of national security I wouldn't dream of getting them, or you involved'.

She smiled up at him, the light twinkling in her beautiful moss green eyes. 'I know. So. Where do I find him?'

oOo

'Oh, its been such a long long time,

Looks like I can't get you off my mind, But I can't.

Just the thought of you, my love

And my whole word turns misty blue'

The two voices in the car, one mellow and sweet, the other more raucous and enthusiastic sang the Dorothy Moore number loudly along with the radio.

Hutch carried on with the second verse while Starsky's fingers drummed the slow, sexy accompaniment on the dashboard of the battered LTD as they drove. It had been another long and hot day, but they'd managed to track down and arrest Teddy Sumner, a serial rapist who'd been threatening the hookers around Bay City for the past 5 months. He'd led them a merry dance around the streets, culminating in a high speed chase across town and a tense face off on a derelict fairground site on the West side. But they'd achieved the arrest without anyone getting hurt. Now, with Sumner safely behind bars, and the paperwork neatly done, they were in buoyant moods and looking forward to a night out to celebrate.

'What time are you gonna pick me up?' Hutch asked nonchalantly, his eyes fixed on the road.

'About Ei…..oh hey, its your turn to drive, unless we get a cab. I need to celebrate and I mean cel..ee.brate. No two pints and that's it! It aint every night we get to celebrate putting Sumner behind bars. Your turn, or a cab. Which is it?' the brunet said decisively.

'Starsk, looking at the cabs in this town, I'd prefer to ease off on the booze and take my nice safe car. Have ya seen the state of those things? They're dirty, they have garbage all over the seats….'

Starsky cast a look behind him at the ocean of used Styrofoam, last weeks newspapers and a back copy of "Plants for your Patio". He grinned.

'Yeah, we'd be much better off in your car' he said with a straight face. 'So, pick me up at eight?'

The blond grunted. 'Where are we going to hold this celebration bash?'

'The Pits. Its ladies night an' I'm feelin' lucky' the curly haired cop answered without a second thought.

'Starsk that's not a celebration. That's what we do every Thursday night! And every Thursday night you say "It's ladies night an' I'm feelin' lucky"' he made a passable imitation of his partner's New York accent.

'Well tonight I am. An' if you wash and brush up real careful, I'm sure I can find a cute girl with a dog and a white stick for you too'. He grinned at his own joke, looking self satisfied.

'Cute. Real cute. Ya wanna get out and walk the 16 blocks to your house, or take that last sentence back and ride in comfort?'

'Why have ya got another car?' Starsky asked innocently.

'I'll have you know my car is reliable, affordable and doesn't need a trip to Merle's every three weeks for a tweak' Hutch ground out good naturedly.

'No, an' it don't accelerate like my girl and it dies at a minutes notice. And it's the colour of mud'.

'Yeah and it stands out so much more than your candy apple red parade float when we're on stakeout. Fine. Whatever. Eight it is'.

Hutch deposited his partner at his apartment and set off to his own to get tea, washed and dressed. Despite his recalcitrance, he too was please at their arrest, not just because it looked good on their monthly arrest figures, but because he was heartily sick of turning up at a murder sight to find the horribly mutilated corpse of one of the women from their patch. Yes. They deserved a good night out and as he let himself into his apartment, got a beer from the fridge and turned the shower on, he decided that he was going to enjoy himself, no matter what.

---------to be continued----------