Feedback: Always welcome, but remember to do unto others as you would like them to do unto you…This is a learning and growing process, no one here claims to be perfect, or a professional, so don't treat us like one…

Disclaimer: I do not own Starsky and Hutch ('cause if I did, I would find better things for them to do.)

Author's Notes: This one is a trio of collaboration, between me and two other extremely amazing people! They are very close to me, (not to mention extremely talented!), and I hope they are close to all of you too… (And the crowd goes wild as the scene begins…)

Head Games

Chapter One

Starsky and Hutch sat in Dobey's office joined by a pair of detectives, Lyons, a Detective Sergeant 3rd class who had been on the force for 4 years, a good enough officer to warrant a certain amount of respect from both Starsky and Hutch, and Novak, a Sergeant 2nd class, and the proverbial thorn in Starsky's side. Those two never did see eye to eye, if Starsky saw something as being white, Novak would call it black and then spend the next 30 minutes trying to prove him wrong. Hutch always sided with his partner, but still enjoyed the irritation the other detective always brought to his friend.

They were discussing their current case, one of arms shipments. It had been transferred to homicide after the last investigating detective wound up a paraplegic after a suspicious accident. There were many suspicions, but nothing substantial. Dobey agreed to put his finest officers on the case, and that was Starsky and Hutch, followed closely by Novak and Lyons, much to Starsky's chagrin. Novak was right on their heels, he couldn't wait to pass them and beat them at absolutely everything, to tell you the truth, Starsky welcomed the challenge with open arms. Lyons and Hutch were more alike, laid back and easy going, they never did care who was in first, as long as they got the job done.

This group of dealers they were up against were a bad bunch of men, they had feelers out on the streets, and word was that anyone that came between them and their business would end up with the same fate as the disabled officer, making it even more important to both Starsky and Hutch that they find these guys and take them down. No one messes with a fellow officer and gets away with it.

Dobey eyed his men, listening patiently as tempers flared between Starsky and Novak, noticing how Hutch sat on the arm of his partner's chair. Though the blond remained quiet, his body language indicated that he totally supported the hot-headed brunet, who was obviously upset, gesturing wildly with his hands to get his point across.

"Look Cap, Hutch and me don't need Novak tailin' us around. He's more liable to blow everything we set up. All these months of surveillance will have been for nothin'!" Starsky snapped, his dark blue eyes, stormy and flashing with this ire. "We almost had one of Sander's men yesterday . . ."

"Yeah, until Starsky blew the deal and let him get away . . ." Novak replied snidely. Although his voice remained calm, there was no denying the taunting tone that he used and the challenge in his eyes, as he addressed the curly haired detective.

"What?" Starsky snapped, turning to look Novak in the eye, "If you had used your walkie the way you were supposed to and relayed the information that he was comin' we would have been ready for him. The trouble with you Novak, is that you want to be "The Man". You have no idea what it means to work as a team." Starsky turned to look at his captain, "Cap, Hutch and me can handle this. We're up against bad guys who ain't afraid of blowing cops away. Look what he did to Cano . . . he's paralyzed from the waist down for life. I trust Hutch with my life, you know that, but I ain't workin' with no hot-headed, credit lovin', sorry excuse for a detective . . . and that's him!" Starsky hiked his thumb over his shoulder, refusing to even look at his nemesis.

"Settle down Starsky," Dobey growled, "I don't need you to come in here telling me what I can or can't do. As far as I remember, I'm still the captain around here."

"But Cap'n . . ."

"No buts, you listen here Starsky," Dobey snapped, "There is no room in this police force for hot dogging or private parties . . . especially on a case as volatile and as dangerous as this. You four are my best men and we need every one of you to crack Sanders and his organization. Whatever personality conflict is going on between you and Novak ends here. You are first, and above all, officers of the law and you will stay partnered together as a team and that's an order! Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal!" Starsky snarled, eyes flashing angrily, as he stood abruptly and made his way to the door followed by Hutch. He was stopped by Novak who cordially opened the door for him, a sneer barely concealed on his face, as his arm barred the doorway.

"Don't go away mad Starsky . . . just go away!" the older detective snickered.

"Yeah? Well you better just stay the hell outta my way!" Starsky growled, slapping Novak's arm out of his path, throwing him off balance, as the brunet stormed angrily down the hallway.

"I would take those words of advice," Hutch said softly, as Novak straightened and leaned his body against the file cabinet.

"Don't know how you can stand to be partnered with that hot-head, his temper might get you blown away one day Hutchinson." Novak smiled, as the tall blond gave him the once over.

"I'll take my chances with him any day," Hutch said calmly, as he walked to the door.

"And you need to wake up boy and see that stinkin' Jew for what he is . . ." Novak mumbled under his breath, just as Hutch passed him by.

The tall blond turned to look at Novak, who leaned nonchalantly against the file cabinet, one arm draped casually across the top, "What did you say Novak?" Hutch demanded, his icy, blue gaze flashed angrily and froze the older detective in his spot. Although he was sure he heard the racist remark from the older detective, Hutch couldn't swear to it and it instantly filled the blonde's heart with frustration and dislike for the cocky cop. For a minute the two men glared at one another before Novak turned his gaze away.

"Nuthin'" Novak said, "You better hurry and catch up with your pig-headed friend before he hits someone and they press charges." Novak chuckled.

"Yeah? And you better think twice before opening your filthy mouth again with comments about my partner, or you're gonna be pressing charges against me. You got that?" Hutch snapped. At the older man's continued silence, the blond walked calmly from the room in search of his partner who he later found by candy machine.

"You okay buddy?" Hutch said gently, laying his large, warm hand on his partner's shoulder.

"Yeah, sorry about the shit back there. Don' know why I let him get to me like that." Starsky said sheepishly, a grin breaking out on his face.

Hutch smiled, restraining himself from tousling his partner's dark, unruly curls. "Novak's a jerk. Ignore him . . . whether we want him here or not, he's along for the ride." Hutch said sagely.

"Yeah," Starsky said, his face falling slightly only to lift his eyes again with uncontained excitement, "Hey . . . you gotta quarter on ya Hutch . . . huh . . . I'm kinda hungry."

Hutch snorted softly, "Tell you what pal, let's call it a day and go to Huggy's for some beer and burgers . . . it'll be your treat!" The tall blond chuckled and he slapped his partner lightly on the back as he walked by, making his way to the parking garage.

For a moment, the brunet stood rooted where he was, and incredulous look on his face as he watched his partner saunter away. "Hey . . . hey Hutch . . . wait up . . . " the brunet ran calling after his friend, "Did anyone ever tell ya that you really suck at cheering a guy up . . . huh?"

oooOOOooo

Mr. Gary Sanders was a very wealthy, very powerful man. He knew what he wanted and he knew just how to get it. He sat in the high back leather chair at the head of the long mahogany table in his darkly wood paneled conference room. There were three other men in the room, Jenkins, his right hand man. Slingsby, another highly respected and highly trusted member of the organization, and Jericho, the man that a few hours earlier was being chased by Starsky, able to give him the slip, a lucky escape to say the least.

"These two are good, they're said to be Bay City's finest." Jenkins described the duo as he slid an 8 x 10 black and white photo across the table to his boss, "Their names, Dave Starsky and Ken Hutchinson. Word has it Jericho was very lucky indeed to have gotten away, that doesn't happen often where these two are concerned." He informed the group.

"If they're the best, then that makes them important to me, why'd it take you so long to tell me about them? I want them and I want them now…" Sanders growled his orders, obviously frustrated with his employee's accomplishments. "See that's the difference between you and me, I shouldn't have to explain their importance to the organization, but here we are, having this discussion…and as for you Jericho," he looked at the small but effective man, "I wouldn't call it luck that you got away from them, don't go being too proud of yourself, because in order to remain in good standings with me, you should have never had been chased. That was careless and inexcusable as far as I am concerned." He finished as he picked up the picture of the table in front of him, staring at the picture of Starsky and Hutch, studying their features, imagining what fun it was going to be to use them and make them pay for causing him the inconvenience that they had already managed to inflict on him.

"Mr. Sanders, forgive me sir, but are you sure you want us to bring them in? I don't know if that is such a good idea." Slingsby interjected as he earned himself an irritated scowl from his boss.

"Are you questioning me Slingsby?" His brow furrowed, "Last time I checked, I ran this operation, and I did it just fine without any of your help!" He looked back at Jenkins, "We need them in before the next shipment, and I expect you to take care of it post haste! We don't have a lot of time to work with and I need to make sure all my men are in place before it arrives." He looked around the room at the three men that sat there silent, "Now move!" He ordered as the trio hopped to and scurried out of the room bringing a smile to Sanders face.

To Be Continued…