Don't look now Buddy but those two lovelies we saw when we first came in are coming this way!" Hutch whispered to his partner as they sat at the bar.
Starsky took a quick sip of his beer then spun his stool around towards the two women as they made their way over to them.
Both Hutch and Starsky flashed their dazzling smiles as they approached.
The one woman was tall, blonde haired and blue eyed and her eyes were instantly drawn towards Hutch. The other woman was just slightly shorter, a redhead also with blue eyes and she had her sights set on Starsky.
"Hi guys!" the blonde spoke first as she smiled at Hutch then Starsky.
Hutch politely stood up from his stool and smiled back as did Starsky.
"Hello ladies!" Hutch replied.
"Ladies!" Starsky added.
"My friend and I couldn't help noticing the two of you from across the room and we were wondering if the two of you would like to join us for a drink?" the blonde asked them.
"Well now…that has to be the best offer we've had a day….what do you think Starsk…care to join these two lovely ladies for a drink and some pleasant conversation?" Hutch asked his friend as if he didn't already know the answer to his question.
"That is a terrific idea Hutch!" Starsky replied.
"Great…I'm Hanna Mitchell!" she said as she held out her hand to Hutch then Starsky.
"Hello….I'm Miranda Newton!" the redhead said as she extended her hand to the guys as well.
"Ken Hutchinson!" Hutch said as he shook their hands
"David Starsky!" Starsky said introducing himself.
"Shall we grab a table?" Hutch asked as he motioned to one of the nearby tables.
"Hug…two more beers please and another round of whatever these two lovely ladies are having!" Hutch said to his friend behind the bar.
"You got it!" Huggy said as he went to work to fetch their drinks.
The two women both nodded as they allowed Hutch and Starsky to lead them to the table.
The guys both pulled out chairs for the women then sat down themselves.
"Do you guys come here often?" Miranda directed her question to Starsky then looked over at Hutch.
"Yeah…all the time…Huggy's a friend of ours…he owns the place!" Starsky replied.
Huggy came over to the foursome with their drinks and placed them on the table.
"Will there be anything else gentlemen?" Huggy asked as he admired the two women.
"Not right now…thanks Hug!" Starsky said as he turned his attention to the women.
"How's come we've never seen the two of you in here before?" Starsky asked the ladies.
"Well we're sorta' new in town…Hanna and I just recently moved out here from the east coast!" Miranda replied.
"Ahhhh….lucky us!" Hutch said with a smile.
"Oh I don't know…I'd say Miranda and I are the lucky ones!" Hanna said as she leaned in closer to Hutch.
"Have you two known each other long?" Hutch asked Hanna.
"Practically all our lives…ever since kindergarten…we're inseparable…when I got a job offer out here I begged Randy…that's my pet name for her…I begged her to come out here with me and she did!" Hanna exclaimed.
"That's great….what line of work are you in if you don't mind me asking?" Hutch inquired.
"I'm a fashion designer and Randy is in graphic arts…she actually has a job interview lined up for the same company I'm working for so hopefully we'll be working together!" Hanna said excitedly.
"Well that's great!" Starsky chimed in as he smiled at both the women.
"What about you guys…what do the two of you do for a living?" Miranda asked as her attention was drawn towards Starsky.
"Hutch and I are police officers!" Starsky replied.
"Really….that must be very exciting!" Miranda said suddenly very interested.
"Never a dull moment!" Starsky informed her.
"It must get a little scary at time too though?" Hanna asked Hutch.
"Well you know….we're pretty tough!" Hutch replied as he pumped his fist.
"I bet you are!" Hanna purred.
Hutch liked how the conversation was going and he quickly eyed his partner and nodded with a smile.
"Have you two known each other very long?" Hanna asked Hutch and Starsky.
"Well not near as long as you and Miranda but yeah…what is it now Starsk…seven years…we went through the academy together…after nine months in uniform with different partners we finally got paired up together and we've been partner's ever since!" Hutch said proudly as he smiled over at his best friend.
"So you two must be pretty close then?" Miranda asked.
"He's my best friend…even if he does tend to get on my nerves every now and then!" Starsky said jokingly.
"Hmmm…I can't imagine you getting on anyone's nerves!" Hanna said to Hutch with a smile.
Hutch smiled back at her.
"Well…ya' see he has these weird eating habits…he eats a lot of rabbit food and tofu…I don't even know what tofu is!" Starsky said as he shook his head.
"You're kidding…Hanna is exactly the same way…she's always trying to get me to eat the crazy stuff she eats…I say no way…give me a great big fat greasy cheeseburger any day of the week!" Miranda exclaimed.
"Oh my Hutch…I think I'm in love!" Starsky swooned and they all chuckled.
"So what do you two ladies like to do for fun in your free time?" Hutch asked the two women.
"We both love the outdoors…hiking...camping…being one with nature…it's so invigorating!" Hanna replied.
Hutch's eyes got big and wide as he discovered they had similar interest.
"What about you two…do you enjoy the outdoors?" Miranda asked them.
Hutch was just about to respond when Starsky interrupted him.
"Enjoy the outdoors…sweetheart I spend more time in the forest then Pete Bunyan!" Starsky replied.
Hutch rolled his eyes and shook his head.
"It's Paul Starsk!" Hutch replied.
"Huh?" Starsky said.
"It's Paul Bunyan…not Pete...Mr. Great Outdoors!" Hutch informed his friend.
"Pete…Paul…Mary…when it comes to the woods they have nothing on me!" Starsky said trying to sound convincing.
"Yeah…he's a regular Jeremiah Johnson!" Hutch said jokingly.
Miranda leaned over and whispered in her friend's ear as Hutch eyed Starsky.
Hanna shook her head approvingly at her friend then responded.
"Since you guys love the outdoors so much…Miranda and I were wondering if you'd be interested in joining us next weekend…we're planning on hiking up Big Pine Mountain…pitching a tent…building a fire…it's only an eight mile hike back in to where we camp…what do you say?" Hanna asked them.
"Only eight miles huh?" Starsky said halfheartedly.
"Ladies…my partner and I would love to join the two of you next weekend but you see my friend here he…" Hutch started to say with disappointment in his voice.
"He thinks it's a terrific idea!" Starsky finished Hutch's sentence.
"Yeah…and it's only eight miles to the camp Starsk!" Hutch said to his partner with a smile.
"I know…how 'bout that…a mere walk in the park!" Starsky added laughingly.
"Oh darn…wait a minute…I forgot Randy…we haven't had our hiking gear and tent sent from back east yet…we probably won't get it in time!" Hanna said sounding very disappointed.
Hutch looked over at his friend and smiled sheepishly.
"Well now ladies…not to worry…we can use my gear…and it just so happens I have a spare tent too!" Hutch replied enthusiastically.
"And you wouldn't mind sharing your sleeping bag with me?" Hanna asked devilishly.
"Uhhhh…noooo…uhhhh…not at all!" Hutch stuttered somewhat surprised at her boldness.
"And you wouldn't mind sharing yours with me?" Miranda asked Starsky as she touched his knee.
Starsky shot Hutch a look then turned his attention back to the redhead.
"No…not at all…it's the least I can do…I'm only too happy to share!" Starsky replied with a boyish grin.
"And wait till you see how fast I can get a fire going…you know by rubbing two sticks together…when I was a kid with the Boy Scouts I was top scout in my pack!" Starsky informed her as Hutch rolled his eyes yet again.
Miranda smiled appreciatively.
"Okay…sounds great...oh my Randy…look at the time…sorry guys we've got to get up early tomorrow so here's my number…call me later on in the week and we'll set up a time and a place to meet!" Hanna said as she scribbled her number on a napkin and handed it to Hutch.
"I sure hope this week flies by fast because I can't wait to rub your stick with mine and get that fire going!" Miranda said brazenly to Starsky.
Starsky was finishing off his beer and almost choked at her comment.
Hanna and Miranda rose from the table and the guys stood up as well.
"See you gentlemen next weekend then!" Hanna said as she held out her hand to Hutch.
Hutch clasped her hand in his and raised it to his lips and kissed it softly.
"I'll be counting the hours!" Hutch said sweetly.
"There's a lake right by the campsite…so be sure to bring your swimming trunks…or not!" Miranda said to the both of them as she squeezed Starsky's forearm before walking away with her friend.
Starsky and Hutch enjoyed the view they gave as they walked away from them and out the door.
"Well Partner…you can thank me now or later!" Starsky said to Hutch.
"Thank you now or later for what?" Hutch asked his friend.
"Well if it wouldn't have been for my irresistible charm and good looks those two gals probably wouldn't have even come over to talk to us!" Starsky said smugly.
"Oh brother!" Hutch exclaimed.
"Not to mention the load of BS you gave them…Pete Bunyan…and you know damn well you were never a Boy Scout let alone top scout in your pack…please!" Hutch added slightly annoyed.
"Well it worked didn't it?" Starsky replied.
"Yeah…now all you have to worry about is hiking eight miles up that mountain next weekend Partner!" Hutch reminded him.
"Piece of cake!" Starsky said confidently.
Uh-Huh…wait until Miranda sees the true woodsman you really are…you'll be sleeping outside the tent…under the stars…then you'll really be one with nature…Pete!" Hutch said jokingly as he ribbed his friend.
Starsky was starting to get slightly irritated.
"Ya' know what…I'm gonna prove to you that I can be one with nature!" Starsky exclaimed as he got up out of his chair.
Huggy heard Starsky's raised voice and came over to the table to see what they were talking about.
"We've got the weekend off and we don't have to be in until Monday…" Starsky started to say.
"And you want us to go on a camping trip!" Hutch said eagerly.
"No…not us…me!" Starsky proclaimed.
"You…by yourself?" Hutch said surprisingly.
"Yeah by myself!" Starsky replied.
Hutch and Huggy could only laugh.
"What's so funny?" Starsky asked as he looked at his friends.
"Starsk you wouldn't last five minutes in the woods alone!" Hutch exclaimed.
"Care to put your money where your mouth is Blondie?" Starsky argued back.
"How 'bout a week's salary…I spend the whole weekend in the woods…by myself!" Starsky said adamantly.
"Oh man…I gotta' get in on this one…it's a sure thing!" Huggy chimed in.
"Huggy don't encourage him!" Hutch said to the other man.
"You and I both know he would never be able to do it!" Hutch added.
"Alright that's it…I'm doing it!" Starsky said loudly as he shoved his chair under the table.
"Starsky this is ridiculous…you are not doing it!" Hutch replied.
"Afraid of losing the bet huh?" Starsky stated.
"The bet...fat chance…my best friend…more than likely!" Hutch said sincerely.
"You gotta' map for Big Pine Forest?" Starsky asked him.
"Yeah I gotta' map!" Hutch answered.
"Good…I'll be over at your place tomorrow morning early…you can drive me there…then you can drop me off at the base of the mountain and pick me back up Sunday evening!" Starsky exclaimed as they started to walk out of the bar.
Hutch just shook his head.
"See ya' Sunday Hug!" Starsky called out as he walked out of the bar.
"I sure hope so Brother!" Huggy replied.
"You don't think he's really gonna' do it do you?" Huggy asked Hutch.
"Of course not Hug…come tomorrow morning he will have forgotten all about this crazy idea…you can count on it!" Hutch answered back.
"See ya' Hug!" Hutch said as he hurried off after his partner and his ride home.
The next morning Hutch rose early at six just as he always did, even on the weekends when they had off.
He had just started to perk a pot of coffee when he heard the roar of the Torino's engine pulling up out front of the apartment building.
"You gotta' be kidding me!" Hutch exclaimed as he went to the window and looked down on the street below.
Starsky had just hopped out of his car and was walking up the apartment steps.
He tapped on the door lightly then walked in.
"Okay let's get this show on the road Blondie…I'm burning daylight…I wanna' get up to the top of that mountain and make camp before it gets dark!" Starsky exclaimed as he walked into the room.
Hutch just looked at his friend with amazement.
"You're really serious about this aren't you?" Hutch said astounded.
"Yeah I'm serious…now come on let's go!" Starsky said as he motioned for Hutch to get moving.
"I've got all my gear loaded in the car…I just need you to drive me there now hurry it up will ya'" Starsky said eagerly.
Hutch just stood there shaking his head.
"This is crazy Starsk…you do know that right?" Hutch replied.
"Are ya' gonna take me or not…'cause if ya' ain't I…" Starsky started to say.
"Okay…okay!" Hutch said as he grabbed his jacket and the map.
"Let's go ya' Nut Job!" Hutch exclaimed as he slapped the map across Starsky's chest letting it go as he headed out the front door with Starsky in tow.
When they got down to the car Hutch looked into the back seat and saw all of Starsky's camping gear he packed.
"Starsk how in the hell are you gonna' carry all that stuff?" Hutch asked his friend.
"Don't worry about it…just get in and drive will ya!" Starsky remarked as he opened the passenger's side door and crawled in.
Hutch rolled his eyes and climbed in as well.
He started the engine and pulled away.
The drive up to the base of the mountain was a good fifty minutes and they were silent for the first twenty five until Hutch finally spoke.
"Ya' know Buddy…it's not too late to change your mind!" Hutch said as he looked over at his friend.
Starsky remained silent.
A few more minute went by.
"Starsk…you don't have to impress anybody…Miranda is already gaga over you…mountain man or no mountain man!" Hutch added.
"Did it ever occur to you that maybe I have to prove it to myself that I can do this?" Starsky said angrily.
"Okay…alright!" Hutch replied as he held up his right hand in defense.
They were silent for the remainder of the drive and Starsky was growing a bit nervous as they kept driving further and further away from civilization but he tried not to let it show.
Finally Hutch slowed the car down and pulled off to the side of the road.
"Okay Grizzly Adams…we're here!" Hutch proclaimed as he parked the car and looked over at Starsky.
Starsky looked around at his desolate surroundings and forced a smile.
"It's…..nice!" Starsky said as his voice cracked.
"Yeah…it's beautiful…it always is!" Hutch said as he too looked around admiring the scenery.
They just sat there for several more minutes as Starsky contemplated his next move.
"Okay….here I go!" Starsky said trying to sound eager as he climbed out of the Torino and opened the back seat.
"No Starsk…you're already gone!" Hutch said jokingly as he too climbed out of the car.
He watched in disbelief as Starsky strapped on his backpack then struggled to gather the rest of his gear while attempting to stay upright.
Hutch could only shake his head.
"Alright…I think I have everything!" Starsky exclaimed as he rechecked his load.
"Yeah Starsk…I think you do!" Hutch ribbed his friend.
"Okay…I'll be back…say around three o'clock Sunday…you just make sure you're here to pick me up!" Starsky informed his friend.
"I'll be here…I only hope you'll be here!" Hutch said only half joking.
"You got your gun right?" Hutch asked his friend.
"Yeah…I got my gun!" Starsky answered.
"Good!" Hutch said.
"Well…see ya' Sunday!" Starsky said with a half-hearted smile as he turned and started to head up the mountain.
"Watch out for those rabid wolves!" Hutch called out hoping to scare Starsky into changing his mind.
Starsky froze in his tracks then turned around.
"Rabbit wolves?" Starsky said as he swallowed the lump in his throat.
"They only eat rabbits right?" Starsky asked nervously.
"Not rabbits you big dummy…rabid…you know rabies…foaming at the mouth crazed man eating killers!" Hutch added wide eyed.
"There's not really wild wolves up in them woods….is there?" Starsky said worriedly.
"Oh yeah….big ones!" Hutch said as he spread his arms out indicating the size of a huge wolf.
"You're just saying that!" Starsky exclaimed as he shot Hutch an angry look then turned and started off again.
Hutch stood by the Torino and watched his friend make his way up the mountain path and continued to watch even after he was long out of sight.
He then climbed on the hood of the car and sat and waited another half hour convinced his partner would change his mind and come back, that didn't happen.
"Why in the hell am I sitting here waiting on that lunatic…I've got the whole weekend off…I should be enjoying it!" Hutch said to himself out loud as he slid off the hood of the car and opened the driver's side door.
"Crazy flippin' psycho!" Hutch shouted to the wind.
"Why should I ruin my entire weekend worrying about that mushbrain?" Hutch said loudly as he climbed into Starsky's car and slammed the car door.
Hutch took one more look up the mountain path and then shaking his head started up the car's engine and pulled out onto the gravel road turning the car back in the direction they came from.
Starsky was surprised how dark the woods quickly got as he made his way further and further into the forest.
The silence was unnerving as well.
The only sounds he heard were his two feet kicking up the dried leaves on the forest floor and the occasional scurrying of small wildlife and yet as soon as he reached the deepest part of the woods he had a strange feeling that someone or something was watching him.
As he progressed further he stopped several times along the way to listen but all he heard was silence, not even the twittering of a bird.
Then he heard it, a faint noise off to the side, a rustling of leaves causes the hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end.
"It's probably one of those rabbit wolves Hutch was talking about!" Starsky said softly to himself.
He checked his holster to make certain his gun was where it needed to be then he scanned the area around him.
Not hearing anything more he continued on listening intently for any further noises.
Just then he heard the sound of twigs snapping and he froze in his tracks.
"Whose there?" Starsky shouted out only to be answered by silence.
He listened for several more minutes before shaking his head and moving onward.
"Damn you Hutchinson for putting crazy ideas into my head…you just didn't want to lose the bet that's all!" Starsky cursed his absent partner.
"There aren't any crazed man-eating wolves in these parts anyhow…I'm not worried…you're the one that needs to worry 'cause when I get back on Sunday you are gonna' be dishes out a pile of dough Buddy Boy..HaHa!" Starsky shouted out into thin air, trying to convince himself more than anything.
The day progressed on and Starsky finally made it to the top of the mountain.
By now it was starting to get dark so Starsky found a suitable spot to pitch his tent for the evening and then set off to gather firewood for the campfire.
He was approximately fifty yards from the campsite close to an outcropping of huge rocks that dropped off rapidly down several hundred feet below when he heard a low growl from behind him.
Starsky slowly turned in the direction of the growl and his heart leaped out of his chest, for standing not thirty feet away was the biggest cat he'd ever seen in his life.
It was a female mountain lion and Starsky just happened to be between her and her cave of small cubs on the side of the outcroppings.
Starsky slowly reached for his Beretta forgetting he had taking it off when he set the tent up because it was getting in the way.
"Shit!" he whispered to himself cursing his stupidity.
He then slowly started backing away from the wild cat.
"Nice kitty…good kitty!" he called out softly as he cautiously walked backwards.
The huge cat did not want to play nice and sprang towards Starsky.
"Ohhhh shit!" Starsky exclaimed as he turned and ran forgetting that the drop-off was directly in front of him.
He reached the cliff's edge and was unable to stop in time.
The last thing he remembered was hearing what sounded like a gunshot before he tumbled down over the steep side.
Thinking Hutch had come to his rescue he called out his partner's name.
"Hutch!" Starsky yelled before landing solidly on a huge boulder that jutted out from the side of the cliff below.
Luckily the boulder broke his fall, preventing him from falling any further down the side of the mountain.
Unluckily his head hit the rock hard surface knocking him out cold.