A new neighbor moves in next to Hutch and his family. After a less-than-friendly encounter, Hutch has an uneasy feeling about him. Are his feelings justified?

Chapter 1

"They're eighteen now. You know we really can't stop them. Even if…" Hutch took a sip of his coffee. He looked across the kitchen table at Debbie and set the cup down.

"We wanted to, right?" Hutch nodded. "But they're so young. What if…" Debbie stared at a spot on the floor.

Hutch didn't let Debbie finish. "It's what they've chosen and they're going to do it whether we approve or not. They've been looking forward to this since they were six. It's all they've ever wanted to do." He reached his hand out and held Debbie's hand. She looked up into his baby blue eyes. "They'll be all right. It's only four hours."

"I know, Honey. I just worry. I saw what you and Starsky went through and what you're still going through because of your jobs and I worry." She put her head down. "I'm sorry."

Never letting go of her hand, Hutch moved to a chair that was right next to Debbie. He gently kissed her hand. "They'll be fine. Chief Sterling knows better than to let anything happen to either of them."

Debbie let go of Hutch's hand. "I wonder how Jeanne's taking this." She took a bite of her pancakes.

"She's had a few more years to get used to the idea than you have."

"I guess she has." Debbie leaned toward Hutch who met her half way and kissed her. "I always wanted a son and now I have one. I guess I was hoping to keep him young a little longer."

"You are kind of new to this parenting game." Hutch smiled at her and stared into her green eyes.

Davey came in the kitchen with a big grin on his face. It was apparent that he was excited. "Today's the day, guys. I get to on my first ride-a-long! I'm glad Kenny waited until I turned eighteen so we go the first time on the same day."

"You be careful, Son. I don't need to tell you how dangerous it could be."

"I will, Dad. When are you taking me to the station? Do you know who we get to ride with? I wish Kenny and I could ride together but as long as we go on the same day, it's okay. How long do I get ride?" Davey was talking so fast his parents had a hard time keeping up with his questions.

Debbie and Hutch couldn't help but laugh at Davey's excitement. Hutch held his hand up, palm out. "Wait a minute, Son, one question at a time. I'll take you in a couple of minutes. We're going to pick Starsky and Kenny up and the four of us will ride in together. Yes, I do know who you are riding with and I know who Kenny will be with." He grinned at Davey. "No, I won't tell you. And you'll be out on the streets about four hours."

"Am I dressed okay?" Davey asked. He was wearing dark blue pants, blue tennis shoes with white stripes and a plain dark blue polo shirt.

"Did your Uncle Dave tell you to wear those shoes?" Hutch shook his head and closed his eyes.

Davey nodded and smiled. "He said you'd like them."

"You know he was kidding with you, right?"

"Yeah, I know. He gave them to me a couple of days ago and said to put them on and see if you noticed." Davey laughed. "I'll go change into the black ones you bought me."

Davey turned around and headed to his basement room. "What's the deal with the blue shoes?" Debbie asked as Hutch shook his head again.

"Oh, that. Years ago, Starsky had those exact same shoes. I think he only wore them because he knew I hated them. Now, he's got Davey in on the act."

"The two of you will never grow up, will you?"

"I hope not," Hutch said as he stood up and put his gun holster on. Even though he was retired, he still took his gun with him when he left the house. Starsky did too. "I'd better get him to the station before he explodes." He put a light jacket on and zipped it up half way, just enough to conceal his gun. "Are you sure you don't want to go with us to drop the boys off?"

"I'm sure. I think this is more of a father-son thing. Besides, Jeanne and I are going to meet Sandy and do some shopping."

Hutch kissed her gently on the cheek. "Have fun. Starsk and I are coming back here and wait for the boys."

Davey came back into the kitchen. "How do I look now?"

"You look good, Son."

Davey and Hutch turned and started to walk out of the kitchen when they heard Debbie call, "Davey?"

"Yeah, Mom?"

She stood up and walked toward him. "I just wanted to say that I'm so very proud of you and what you want to do with your life. It scares the hell out of me, but I'm proud of you." She gave Davey a hug and kissed him on his cheek.

"I love you too, Mom. Don't worry I'll be okay. Whoever I ride with knows what Dad will do to them if they let anything happen to me."

"It's whomever." Hutch corrected.

"Whom, who, whatever. They'll still have to answer to you if anything happens to me or Starsky." Davey laughed as he walked out of the door.

"That they will." Hutch said as he followed Davey out of the door.

Davey drove Hutch to Starsky's to pick up Kenny and Starsky. On the way, Hutch turned to face Davey. He looked at Davey and his eyes were glistening with pride. He had a smile on his face and said, "You know, Davey. I just want to tell you that I'm very proud of you. You've been through a lot in your life. A lot of others would have thrown in the towel a long time ago and given up."

"A lot of people don't have you and Mom for parents or Uncle Dave and Aunt Jeanne to look after them."

"I mean it, Davey. I'm proud of you and I just wanted you to know that. You and Kenny both."

"Thanks, Dad. I've always been proud to have you as my Dad too. I know it was hard keeping me after Mom died."

"Keeping you was never hard, Son. I never gave it a second thought."

"I know you didn't, I also know a lot of guys would have. I know it wasn't easy to raise me by yourself, especially in your line of work."

"I did have help. But even if I didn't, I would never have given you up."

"Dad, you and Uncle Dave have always been and will always be my heroes. Kenny feels the same way."

Hutch stretched out his arm and patted Davey's shoulder with his hand. "Just be careful out there on the streets. I'm not done with you yet."

Davey smiled, "I'm not done with you either, Dad."

When Davey pulled up to Starsky's house he couldn't help but laugh. "Look, Dad, Uncle Dave pulled 'the tomato' out of the garage. I bet he wants to take us to the station in it!"

"Oh, goody," Hutch said. He raised his eyebrows and rubbed his forehead with his hand as if he didn't want to see the old car.

Kenny came running out of the front door just as Davey closed his car door. Hutch opened his car door and got out. "Hi, Kenny."

"Hi, Uncle Ken. Guess what?" At the same time Kenny said, "Dad wants to drive us in the Torino."

Hutch mumbled, "Your dad wants to drive you in the Tomato."

Davey laughed at his Dad's lack of enthusiasm for the old Torino. That car had been his Uncle Dave's pride-and-joy for so many years when his dad and uncle were on the streets.

Starsky followed Kenny out of the house laughing. He knew Hutch would pretend to be less-than-thrilled to ride in the 'ole gal' once again. "Great idea, huh, Hutch, taking the boys to the station in her." Starsky walked to the Torino and tapped the hood. He had a big grin on his face.

"Yeah, wonderful," Hutch said as he opened the door then pulled the back of the seat forward so the boys could climb in the back.

Starsky pulled up to the station and parked right in front. Hutch opened the door and got out. He pulled the back of his seat forward to let the boys out.

Starsky and Hutch took the boys to Chief Sterling's office. His secretary told them to go in that the chief was waiting for them. Davey and Kenny were excited, but a little nervous too. Starsky was standing next to Kenny and he put his hand on his son's shoulder and gave him a reassuring smile. Kenny took a deep breath and followed his dad into the chief's office.

Hutch looked at Davey and whispered, "You'll be fine."

"Thanks, Dad." Hutch put his hand on Davey's shoulder and followed Starsky into the office.

Chief Sterling was sitting behind the desk he had a file in his hands but set it on his desk when they entered. "Starsky, Hutch, come on in." He nodded at the boys, "Kenny, Davey, have a seat, please."

Davey looked at Kenny and sat in the chair that was on the right side of the desk. Kenny sat on the arm of the same chair. Starsky and Hutch glanced at each other and shook their heads. Chief Sterling chuckled at the sight.

"What's so funny?" The boys said at the same time.

Kenny looked at his dad and said, "Did we do something wrong?" He turned his head to look at Hutch then at the chief.

"No, you didn't do anything wrong," Starsky said.

"Your dad and I used to sit just like that."

"I have some papers that you need to sign before you will be allowed to ride along with an officer," Chief Sterling said as he opened a drawer and pulled out two pieces of papers that had been stapled. He handed one to Starsky and one to Hutch. Starsky and Hutch glanced over them before handing them to the boys.

Kenny and Davey were reading the papers that explained that they would be allowed to ride along with an officer and that they agreed to follow the officer's orders at all times. Chief Sterling said, "I know you know about the dangers involved, but legally I'm required to tell you that anything could happen on the streets and what you are signing is a waiver stating that the department will not be responsible if anything happens to either of you."

"Yes, Sir," Kenny said as he looked up from reading.

"The department might not be responsible, but someone will have to answer to Dad and Uncle Dave if anything happens to either of us," Davey said with a smile. He signed the paper and handed it back to Chief Sterling who looked it over making sure it had been properly signed.

Starsky leaned toward Hutch and whispered, "He's right about that." Hutch was standing with his left arm across his waist and his right elbow resting on it and his chin in the palm of his hand. He moved his hand over his mouth to cover up the grin he was trying to hide from Chief Sterling.

Kenny finished signing his paper and handed it to the chief who glanced at it making sure it, too, had been properly signed.

"Can I ask a question, Chief?" Davey said.

"You can me anything, Davey," the chief said as he put the signed papers in the top tray of a silver three-tiered tray.

"Who do we get to ride with?"

The Chief didn't say anything at first. He looked at Starsky and Hutch who nodded at him. Chief Sterling pushed a button on the phone and his secretary replied, "Yes, Sir?"

"Send them in now, please."

A moment later the door opened and Kenny and Davey saw Seth and Austin walk through with their partners, Thompson and Martin. Seth closed the door behind them. Kenny and Davey stood up, "You mean we get to ride with you guys. Awesome!" Kenny said as he shook Seth's and Martin's hands.

Davey shook Austin's and Thompson's hands. "I never expected we'd get to ride with you guys." He shook Seth's and Martin's hands next at the same time Kenny was shaking Austin's and Thompson's hands.

Starsky and Hutch shook their hands when the boys were finished. "Dad, you knew, didn't you?" Davey asked Starsky.

"Of course we knew. You didn't think we'd let the two of you go off with just anyone did you?" Starsky said.

"I should have guessed," Kenny said as he looked at his dad smiling.

"Okay." Chief Sterling looked at Seth and Austin, "The four of you need to get back on the streets. And as I was just reminded, if anything happens to these young men, you'll have to answer to Starsky and Hutch."

"We'll take good care of them Chief," Thompson said.

"Davey, you're with me and Thompson and Kenny you'll be with Austin and Martin."

"All right, let's get this show on the road," Austin said as he opened the door.

"Davey, Kenny, I'd like you to report back here when you get back, please."

"Sure thing, Chief," was the simultaneous reply he received.

"Call me when you're ready and I'll pick you guys up," Hutch said to Davey.

"Okay, Dad."

"I'll bring them home later, Hutch. You don't have to worry about picking them up."

"Thanks."

Starsky looked at Seth and in a playful tone said, "Remember, he's my only child."

Hutch looked at Austin, pointed at himself and said, "That goes for me too."

"Don't worry, we won't let anything happen to either of them," Seth said as he patted Kenny on shoulder, "Let's go, shall we?" Kenny followed Seth and Thompson out of the office followed by Davey, Austin and Martin.

Starsky closed the door to the office and sat in the same chair the boys had just vacated. Hutch, naturally, sat on the arm of the chair. Chief Sterling stared at them.

"Chief, all jokes aside; we just wanted to say thanks for doing this for them," Starsky said.

"They've been looking forward to it ever since you said they could ride with someone one day," Hutch said.

"It's my pleasure, guys. They're good boys and I," he took a deep breath. "I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but I'm looking forward to having a Starsky and Hutch team back in the department." He said with just enough of a hint of sarcasm, to make Starsky wonder if he was serious or not.

Starsky and Hutch shared a laugh. "Come on, Chief, we weren't that bad were we?" Starsky said as he stood up followed by Hutch.

"Did you see them? Did you notice how they said the same things at the same time? Geez, it's like having the two of you back."

"I repeat. Were we that bad?

"Not really. I've actually missed having you around here. Look, it's my pleasure to let the boys ride with Seth and Austin a couple of times."

Starsky and Hutch talked with the chief a few more minutes before heading home. They made arrangements to have the chief over for dinner next Saturday night.