DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN ANY PART OF THE STARSKY AND HUTCH FRANCHISE. THE FOLLOWING IS FOR ENTERTAINMENT ONLY.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Starsky VS Hutch has never been a popular episode. I really like it but have long felt that there was a lot missing. I started out wanting to write a short missing scene showing what happened after Starsky and Hutch punched each other out over Kira. But that led to so many other questions, that I decided it would require a longer story. In fact, it has grown into a trilogy.
This first part EPICENTER OF THE SOUL is Hutch's POV, the second part is Starsky's POV and the third part solves the murder and follows the friends as they leave Kira at Huggy's, arm in arm. How did they get from mistrust and dissapointment back to ME and Thee?
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Debbie- Thanks for your suport and friendship. You help me see what is in my imagination.
To Ron: Thank you.
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CHAPTER 1 FAULT LINE-
EPICENTER OF THE SOUL
Hutch slid his forefinger across his mustache and grimaced. He was happy with his mustache, just not anything else in his life. Seems that the last few cases blended together and he lost his soul and his confidence somewhere along the way. He just couldn't pull himself out of the spiral he felt himself being sucked into. He should have let his badge stay afloat in the ocean and not be talked into joining the force again. When the two of them had thrown their badges into the churning water, it felt so right. At the time, all his anger and doubts went right in after his badge. After he and Starsky had been reinstated, he thought he'd be relieved to have his job back and the responsibilities he had once craved.
But now, he sat in a dark, noisy bar and nursed his beer. He wasn't in Huggy's and Starsky wasn't with him. He glanced around the crowded bar and lifted his drink in salute at the woman seated a few stools down from him. He guessed this was his entertainment for the evening as she made her way over to him. There wasn't even the thrill of anticipation. He was just too tired to bother. But he had to make the effort. He had to keep up the charade he felt his life had become. He kept pushing Starsky away and the dark haired man was just too dumb to give up. He'd have to talk with that boy one day soon. Didn't he know a lost cause when it stared him in the face? By now the woman was talking to him and he felt himself present a fake smile and he felt compelled to touch her face. It was expected behavior but he still felt numb.
Well, it would come to an end sometime and there'd be another case to loose himself in. Everything would be okay if he could just keep Starsky from getting into his head. Then he wouldn't be able to hide anymore. He almost wished that would happen sooner rather than later. For now he just gave in to what the woman,-- did she say her name was Jennifer? Janie?. Hell it really didn't matter.
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The new case presented itself a few nights later. Someone was killing girls from a dance hall. He only went after blond women. Starsky and Hutch were assigned to the case to act as club members, along with Kira. She would be one of two blond women in the place. Hutch didn't know Kira other than to see her at the precinct. Starsky mentioned that the two of them had gone out, but he never went into any details. He never even said if he'd scored or not. Hutch had also heard one or two things through the grape vine about Kira but he didn't care about that. Hell, he was pretty certain the rumor mill was busy with stuff about him lately. But he welcomed the opportunity to be with someone who wouldn't question his appearance or his attitude. As long as she didn't try to psychoanalyze him, they'd get along great. While the three of them got acquainted with the Golden Lady Dance Club, the person they were after was getting ready for his next target.
Joey prepared himself for another night of surveillance. At the present time he was in his small room sitting on the bed. The flashing neon light outside the grubby window took his mind off the grinding pain in his leg. He concentrated on the flashing pattern as he rubbed his aching hip. The hip always hurt but tonight it was like the plate that they had put in there was hot and sharp. The combat wound he received in Viet Nam had earned him a disability discharge but now he was grateful for his new assignment. He had encountered spies at the Golden Lady Dance Club who thought they could hide behind their dyed blond hair. Joey fondled the news clipping announcing the latest murder victim. The gun in his lap was heavy and cold. He put the paper aside and caressed the gun as if it were a lover. He would do the best job for them and they'd reward him for sure. He was proud of the job he was doing but now he had to get to the dance club to scope out another spy.
The dance club was shadowed in muted lighting and discreet lamps set around on tables. The tables were set up for patrons to play checkers, cards or board games. But there were also overstuffed chairs and couches arranged in groups. End tables separated a chair from a couch with a small lamp set up. The smoke from cigarettes and cigars filled the room and permeated the atmosphere giving it a very masculine smell. In the middle of all the tables and chairs was a dance floor. Even here the lighting was soft and easy on the eyes. Just soft music or if one preferred, a juke box filled with old favorites and newer thumping dance beats.
Around the walls were several pool tables and even pin ball machines. Almost anything a man could want to take his mind off the outside world he'd find here. That is, legally. This was not a brothel or a strip club. It was just an unassuming, cozy club catering to men. The girls were there to dance with, play cards with or just sit and chat with.
But there was an undercurrent of tension only noticable by a few of the occupants. The blond woman on the dance floor and the curly haired detective who was dancing with her were two of the 5 people who knew the source of the uneasiness. The proprieter of the establimshment was at her money cage keeping track of the comings and goings of her girls and of the men with them. Chenille loved providing such a service but with the crazy guy around, she couldn't relax and only wanted this whole thing to come to a swift conclusion.
Back on the dance floor, Starsky was extremely distracted by the other informed couple over at one of the tables. The couple involved was the other blond woman who was fliriting with Hutch. Kira had beautiful blond hair. At that moment Starsky had an incredible urge to run his hands through the blond mass of curls. Even from this distance he could hear her smoky laugh. He made a face and exused himself from his dance partner. He made his way over to the pair of detectives with every intention of reminding them of their duty there.
Not for the first time, Starsky really examined Hutch. His appearance had changed so much over the last months that Starsky still had to look at him twice to be sure it was his same old partner. His hair had grown long and straggly. He insisted on keeping that stupid mustache that looked more like a shaving brush than facial hair. Tonight he wore a long black trenchcoat with a french style cap which hung over his eyes. His attitude was loose and loud.
As Starsky got closer, he heard the two of them laughing at some private joke. Kira was doing a great job at pretending to be fascinated with her paying customer. Hutch cackled at his own joke and Kira just kept watching him and laughing at him.
Starsky changed his opinion about who was doing all the flirting. Hutch had all the body language going to suggest his involvement. His smile was wide and his laugh was throaty and loud. He kept touching, reaching out for Kira.
Hutch hung on Kira like he was a necklace around her throat. We were protecting two women there and keeping watch for the nut who was killing blond women. Hutch couldn't do that if he only had eyes for Kira. He didn't give her a chance to ignore him. She was only doing her job. She was under as one of the party girls so she had to pretend that Hutch was her customer. She had to make it look realistic so our covers weren't blown.
But for the first time in months, Hutch was actually enjoying himself. Kira was a beautiful woman. She didn't know him well, so Hutch was pretty sure she wouldn't be looking at him for signs of strange behavior or moodiness. He was looking forward to getting to know Kira better.
"Ya wanna share the joke?" Starsky stared hard at Hutch but doubted Hutch caught his look since the room was hazy and Hutch still had his sunglasses on.
"You just had to be here Starsk. So, no action tonight. No obvious men trolling for his next victim." Hutch continued staring in Kira's direction, effectively cutting Starsky out of his line of vision.
"Don't know how you can be sure of that Hutch. You sticking with Kira the whole time doesn't give you much of a chance to observe anything else that might be going on,---- buddy."
Hutch caught the sarcastic tone in Starsky's voice. He raised his sunglasses to acknowledge his partner. Kira had the grace to duck her head and look embarrased. But a small laugh escaped her as she tried to get serious.
"Umm- why don't you guys decide on what to do next. I'm going to punch out of your time Hutch. I'll be back." Kira got up slowly, flashing that perfect smile at Starsky. He watched as she walked to the proprietor's cage to punch out.
"You've done your time tonight Hutch. I'll stay and like we agreed on, I'll go home with her tonight. You watch Susan."
Hutch stood up and pulled his wallet out. "I've gotta go and punch out too and pay for Kira's time. I'll see ya tomorrow." All of the sudden Hutch seemed so serious.
'Good', Starsky thought, ' Now we can do our job.' He went over by the juke box to pick out a good dance tune. He couldn't wait to have Kira in his arms.
Hutch made his way over and payed for his 'date's' time. After the money was exchanged, he went up to Kira and whispered in her ear. The music had suddenly gotten loud and obnoxious so if Starsky had looked over, he would never have guessed what the two could be talking about so close together.
"Hey, Starsk and I changed plans. I'm going home with you." Hutch circled her waist with his arm and pulled her closer.
"Well, aren't I the lucky girl! I look forward to seeing you later, handsome" Kira's tongue darted in Hutch's ear so fast that he wasn't even sure it had really happened. He pulled away from her and her eyes just sparkled.
"Well, uhh- I'll be on my way then." Hutch cleared his throat and he smiled at her and waved good bye to Starsky who was still by the juke box.