The little girl stared at her mother from the backseat as they drove home from the airport. "Are you sure it's going to be safe there?"

"Sweetheart, we'll be fine. Just because Grandma and Grandpa won't be at the house doesn't mean the boogeyman will suddenly move in. You knew they were only going to stay for a couple of weeks, just long enough to help us settle in. Everything will be fine; you'll see. Oh, do you know what? We need to stop by the supermarket before heading home. I thought we'd have spaghetti for dinner tonight. How does that sound?"

The little girl nodded as she twirled her red hair. Her mother carefully reached one hand back and patted her on the knee. "We'll be okay, Ashley. I promise."

xxxxx

"Hutch, how long are you gonna be gone?"

"Only a week. My god, Starsk, you're acting like we've never been apart before. What's the matter with you?"

Starsky shrugged as they exited his car.

The blond stared at his partner. "Are you worried that Dobey's still mad about that exploding chicken you had in the refrigerator?"

"How was I s'posed to know he'd be the one to open the fridge? I just don't see why you have to go home now."

"Scott and I have been friends since high school. He wanted me to be his best man; how could I say no?"

"You want me to come in and wait with ya 'til it's time for you to board your plane?"

Hutch had to smile. "You can if you want, but you don't have to. You have a full day of paperwork tomorrow. Go home and rest up for it, buddy."

"No chance of that. I've got grocery shopping to do."

"All right, well, I'll see you in a week. Don't forget to water my plants while I'm gone-and try not to drown them, okay?"

Starsky couldn't help but laugh. "I'll see what I can do. Now get outta here. And tell your folks I said hey."

He waved goodbye as he watched his best friend walk into the airport, then returned to his car, ready to begin his week without Hutch.

xxxxx

"All right, missy, can you think of anything else we might need while we're here?"

Ashley shook her head. She wasn't anxious to go home, but she felt safer there than in town. Dragging her feet and looking at the ground as she walked, she followed the aisle to the end and turned a corner, bumping into a shopping cart. She looked at the man pushing it and mumbled, "I'm sorry."

xxxxx

Starsky's heart went out to the child; she looked as if she didn't have a friend in the world.

"Ashley, are you all right? Sweetheart, you've got to watch where you're going."

"It's fine," Starsky told the woman, whom he assumed to be the mother. "It was just an accident." He extended his hand. "Dave Starsky."

The woman placed her hand in his. "Melissa Griffin, and this is Ashley."

Starsky smiled as he returned his gaze to the little girl. He had always felt nervous around children, but there was something about Ashley's deep blue eyes that pierced his soul.

"Ashley, it's nice to meet you." He raised his hand to offer her a high-five, but she shied away from him, hiding behind her mother.

She looks absolutely heartbroken. she's seen some things; she's been hurt...terribly.

He couldn't help but be attracted to Melissa. Glancing at her left hand, he noticed that she wasn't wearing a wedding band. Wanting to get better acquainted, the detective began making small talk.

"You know, I'm in here all the time, but I don't think I've ever seen you."

"You probably haven't. We just moved to the area two weeks ago. My parents helped us move in, and Mom did most of the shopping."

xxxxx

Melissa was struggling not to stare into the stranger's blue eyes. She had been sure she'd never feel this way again, but there was a part of her that didn't want him to leave.

She felt Ashley tap her arm. "Mom, can we go home now?"

Her daughter's voice snapped Melissa out of her trance. "Yes, we do need to go." She turned her cart in the direction of the cash registers, then looked back. "By any chance would you like to come to dinner tonight?"

"Dinner would be nice," Starsky replied. "Where do you live, and what time should I be there?"

Melissa gave him their address and said to arrive about six-thirty.

xxxxx

Starsky repeated the address over and over on his way home. He'd gotten some sort of date with Melissa without even trying, but he had to admit, he was curious about where Ashley's father was. He was interested in finding out why the girl had looked at him as though she didn't trust him.