DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY PART OF THE STARSKY AND HUTCH FRANCHISE. THE FOLLOWING IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.

Author's Note: Sitting in traffic created by road construction, my imagination took over as I contemplated what kind of trouble Starsky and Hutch could get into because of construction delays. Real Life provided the idea for the story, Starsky and Hutch provided the entertainment!

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ROAD WORK AHEAD:EXPECT DELAYS

CHAPTER 1

Huggy was not having a good day. His delivery of beer was already two days late. The company said their drivers were on strike and didn't know when they'd be back to work. So like all the other bar owners in the area, Huggy scrambled to find a company that was working and had enough delivery personnel to handle the over flow of business. He didn't mind that the working guys were looking out for themselves but damn, it sure made his life difficult.

Then as if in support of their brother union, the linen supply company suddenly discovered that their trucks all needed breaks at the same time. Well, Huggy would rather that the trucks be safe but this was getting pretty tough. He supposed he could go without tablecloths, but he liked his tables to look well put together.

Taking a break from his endless phone calls, the bar owner sat at an empty table; his long legs spread out in front of him and his arms crossed over his chest. The cap he wore was pulled low over his forehead, shielding the fact that his eyes were closed. The bar wasn't yet open but when he heard the door behind him open and then bang shut, he knew who it would be. Without changing position, he let out an unwelcome greeting.

"Starsky, if you've come for a favor, I'm all out of granting wishes. Beat it!"

Starsky slouched against the door jam, letting his eyes adjust to the dark interior of the bar. Outside it was a typical Bay City kind of day; hot and sticky, without the promise of rain.

The dark haired man removed his sunglasses and popped them into his shirt pocket. Pushing himself away from the door, he sauntered over to join his friend. He kicked the outstretched legs, causing Huggy to groan and shoot his middle finger in response.

"Man, you sure know how to make a crappy day worse. What the hell do you want?" Huggy's mood suddenly got darker. As much as he loved his detective friends, there were times when it wasn't fellowship they wanted but information which made their relationship seem one sided. Today, Huggy wasn't capable of being his usual upbeat and funky self.

Starsky snagged a chair and parked his butt on the back of it, with his feet on the padded seat.

"Huggy, is that anyway to talk to me? What's up with you?"

Huggy straightened up and pulled his cap off and threw it on the table. His eyes were a dark pool of frustration and his mouth, a challenging line of dislike.

"It's not a good day to want anything from me. I can't get what I need, and, I don't want to even know what your problem is. I'm not in the mood." Huggy got up from the table and stalked off to the bar. He turned his back on his friend. He didn't mean to be so grouchy, but he had no time for manners.

"Jeeze Hug, I just came by…" Starsky was interrupted when Huggy turned back around to face his visitor.

"Just get out of here. The streets are closed up tight and frankly, I don't give a damn about any of it right now. I'm about to lose my shirt 'cause I can't stock my bar with booze. This is my livelihood and if ya aren't here to help, then… you know where the exit is!"

Starsky stood up to join his friend. Huggy sat on a stool, hunched over the bar, resting his head in his hands.

He put his hand out and rested it on the lanky man's shoulder.

The two men stared at each other, until Huggy sagged back against the bar. He smiled at his friend and reciprocated the gesture.

"Can we start this conversation over? What do you need, my friend?" Yes,Starsky admitted to himself, he needed Huggy's help but not at the expense of causing trouble between them. Usually, Huggy was more than happy to nose around and pass on information that would be useful to the two detectives. But sometimes, Huggy just wanted a friend without any strings attached. This time, maybe Starsky could help him.

"Well, ya know there's a union strike of drivers. Nobody in the area has been able to get their deliveries. I'm down to my emergency stock of beer and even that is runnin' low. Now I'm lucky because I serve food as well as beer and liquor. But next weekend is the big game and I need that delivery!" Huggy sat forward, resting his head in his hands.

"Maybe you and the other bar owners can get together and share what you got till the strike is over?" Starsky went back over to the table and sat. Huggy let out a sigh while he joined his friend.

"I suggested that, but nobody wants to share. That's what gets me. I'm workin my ass off to come up with a solution and the other owners are just pig headed."

Starsky shook his head. He glanced at his watch which he realized too late, was a mistake. That action just agitated the bar owner.

"There, ya see. You don't give a damn about my problem; you just want help with yours. Yeah, I know I called you to give ya some news but, well, what have ya got for me in return?"

"That's it!" The dark haired man snapped his fingers at the idea. "My uncle Al lives up near Pine Lake. He knows people who can get your order filled despite the strike."

At this piece of news, Huggy sat up straighter. The tip he had for Starsky was actually in that same area. They could help each other.

"As a matter of fact, my brother, you're in luck! Not only can you and your blond friend help me for a change but you won't have to go out of your way to do it. What I wanted to tell you… Hey, where is that blue eyed boy wonder, anyway?"

Starsky chuckled. At that very moment, Hutch would be at Merle's body emporium. Starsky convinced Hutch, yet again, that he needed to take the rust bucket of a car that only Hutch could love, to Merle's for major engine work. Hutch refused to replace the LTD, so in order to keep it running, he'd agreed to let the junk yard wizard do his magic. The two of them had argued until Starsky pointed out that Hutch simply needed a reliable, dependable car. If he wasn't going to put out the money for a new one, then he needed to invest in major work only Merle could expertly provide.

"Hutch and Merle are having a face to face regarding his car. I'm sure their argument will be louder than any riveter in that garage! I'm pickin' him up after I leave here." Starsky hesitated a moment. He was truly interested in helping Huggy and he was sure that his uncle could come through with beer, a truck and a driver to help out.

"Why don't that partner of yours just spring for a new car? He's sure tight with his wallet!" Huggy's disposition suddenly improved. The thought of Hutch alone with Merle, well that was funny. "Anyway, it just so happens that I wanted to tell you guys about Harry Hawkins. He has some information for you but you know Harry; he wants to meet with only you and Hutch and only on his terms. He called me yesterday but said that I had to wait till today to tell you about it."

Starsky understood the odd directions. Harry was a good snitch but he was rather eccentric. He always wanted to make sure that only the two detectives be present. Therefore, he would set up elaborate meetings with instructions that he insisted be followed. At the end of the meeting, he required two beers to seal the deal.

"Did he say what this is all about?" Starsky knew the answer before he'd even finished the sentence. "I know, the freak didn't tell ya anything." The cop let out a long sigh.

They couldn't risk ignoring the meet. There were several perplexing cases in their hands at the moment and Captain Dobey had already threatened to hand them over to another pair of detectives if Starsky and Hutch couldn't solve them soon.

"Nada, brother. Wouldn't tell me squat. I don't have a guess myself. Do you think it's about the new drugs showin' up on the streets lately? Or is it about that murder on the news the other day?"

"With Harry, who knows. Maybe he can solve our problems but then again, maybe he just wants to report a sighting of Big Foot!" Starsky stood up and dug his car keys out of his pants pocket. The outline remained on the stretched, well worn fabric. He jangled them in his left hand.

"Oh, one more thing." Huggy remembered the rest of Harry's orders. He stood up and joined Starsky at the bar.

"You're gonna love this one. He wants you guys to take Hutch's car and..." Huggy paused to make sure Starsky was really paying attention. …"He wants you to drive Hutch's car!" He giggled at the visible shudder that went through the dark haired man at the news.

"So, we'll just switch drivers right before we get to the bar. That way I only have to steer that battleship for a limited amount of time. How's he gonna know the difference!" Starsky seemed pleased with that idea until Huggy's face changed. The bar owner had that smug look on his face and waited till his friend was done talking before laying out the rest.

"No such luck. He said he'd have spotters along the route, which he's already picked out and he'll make sure the directions get to me tomorrow.'

"He means it too," Starsky breathed out. They'd dealt with Harry enough to know that even if the plans seemed crazy, the man was crazy like a fox. "Hutch'll love this one."

"Where do we meet him this time?" Starsky thought about the last time Harry had news. The tip was fresh and led to an arrest, but the snitch would only meet with them in a massage parlor. He had required that both men have full body massages by two women only he trusted. That way, they'd be naked without any place to hide their guns or be fixed with any sort of listening device. Sure, the guys enjoyed the attention, but it was a bit embarrassing that Harry hung around the doorway while he gave out his information.

"You think your uncle will help get my order filled, without any hassles? I don't know as if I want to piss my suppliers off by goin' with somebody else, but I gotta get my delivery soon. Ya'll be goin' in the same direction, since your uncle lives near Pine Lake. But you gotta take the main highway, through the construction. So I hope Hutch gets that tub fixed soon 'cause Harry wants you up there day after tomorrow at noon."

Just then, the phone rang, cutting off any reply Starsky was about to make. Huggy grabbed the receiver and was instantly involved in the conversation. Obviously it was about the strike, but judging from Huggy's string of swear words, it wasn't good news.

Starsky sat back, thinking about his friend. Huggy was more than a friend. Their association with the bar owner had started out being one of convenience. A few years ago they'd entered the bar, looking for a suspect. They'd chased him down a couple of alleys but they lost him somewhere around the area of The Pits. The detectives knew most of the shop keepers in that part of town but this bar was new, as was the owner. The men walked in, alert as they walked toward the bar. After a few questions and getting the bar tender's name, the police detectives went out the back door. As luck would have it, the man they were chasing had made it to the back of the building but lost his footing and was wedged between some boxes and the dumpster. Their job done and the man handed over to a black and white cruiser, Starsky and Hutch went back into the bar. They spent some time with the man called Huggy. After that, the partners made it a habit of frequenting the bar in order to get to know Huggy better and the people who hung out there. It turned out that not only did they pick up a few good tips while there, but after their shift, they'd spend time playing pool and drinking a few beers and generally just relaxing after a stressful day.

Starsky often felt guilty when it came to asking Huggy for help. He didn't ever want the man to think they were just using his knowledge of the streets. Since early on, the three of them formed a bond and the closeness was a real one. The three trusted each other even though often Huggy got in trouble because of the relationship. It was known on the street that the fastest way to get to Starsky and Hutch was through Huggy. Sometimes that meant Huggy got beat up.

But Huggy accepted the situation particularly when he could really help his friends. He would do anything for either one of them. What really made the relationship work was whatever one told the other, it was in confidence. He'd gone out on a limb many times when either Starsky or Hutch was in trouble. He offered what ever he could to help them cope. In return Huggy understood that at times his life may be on the line because of them, but the detectives would never sell him out.

Now, Starsky realized he had an opportunity to give back some to his lanky friend. If they could help the bar owner, that might make the trip worth while even if Harry's news wasn't useful.