Feedback: Always shamefully solicited, but please remember, none of us are professionals so when critiquing, be lenient.

Disclaimer: I own no one, and nothing. The OC's are ours and the idea is loosely based on a movie called 'The hitcher', no infringement on the copyright is intended. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, namely, me!

Author's Note: This story is being written with the help of a couple of very important people to me. Thank you Eli for your contributions and encouragement, also written with the constant help of Brook, (she is, and always will be my sounding board.)

Red

Chapter One

Starsky walked into the station whistling as he practically skipped down the hall. He was in one of the greatest moods of his life! He had a wonderful night with Helen, a fellow detective, and he couldn't wait to see her at work today. Most people would think that dating a fellow officer was doomed from the start, and although he and Helen fought like cats and dogs at times, they made up in the best ways. And last night….was one of the best!

He bounced into the squad room as Hutch looked up from the desk, his sky blue eyes locking with Starsky's indigo ones. Hutch read his partner like a book, instantly smiling.

"You're late!" Hutch noted sharply, lowering his head, trying to hide his smile.

"Yeah? What's it to ya'?" Starsky shot back, curling up one corner of his mouth in a crooked smile.

"So I take it you and Helen made up?" Hutch again averted his partner's gaze.

Both Helen and Starsky had been fighting a lot more lately, ever since she had made detective. Starsky was content when she was a uniformed officer, his Lady Blue, but once she made detective, he worried more, thought about the possibility of losing her more often, and tried to protect her constantly, causing her to pull away. Truth was, that scared him even more than her making detective.

"I always told Dobey you were a smart boy!" Starsky teased as he grabbed his chair and swung it around, straddling the back side, crossing his arms over the back, staring at Hutch. "Good ta see your college degrees payin' off!" Starsky winked at his partner as Hutch tilted his head to the side in animated disgust.

Truth was, he was happy for Starsky, the man he had come to feel more like a brother to was finally happy, content. He was with a woman he loved, a woman that could very well become, Mrs. David Starsky, therefore also becoming a very important part of Hutch's life as well. What was important to Starsky automatically became important to Hutch…and vice versa. Hutch liked Helen, and more importantly, Helen liked Hutch. All appeared in sync with this harmonious triangle.

"So you guys goin' out again tonight?" Hutch asked, hoping that maybe she would be busy and he and Hutch could catch a beer at Huggy's. As much as Hutch liked Helen, it was hard to share his brunet partner with anyone.

"Nah, not tonight, she's workin' late…" Starsky stated as Hutch perked up. "Wanna catch a bite to eat?" Starsky asked reading his partner's mind. It was hard trying to keep two people happy at the same time, but both of these people were a very important part of his life!

"Love to." Hutch said with a certain amount of warmth welling inside of him. Tonight he had a date, a date with his best friend. He'd get down this whole sharing thing…eventually.

The phone rang on the desk in front of them as Starsky was quick to reach for it, "Starsky…" he answered, and then pulled the phone away from his ear as even Hutch could hear Captain Dobey bellowing.

"I want you and Hutchinson in my office, now!"

Starsky looked up at Hutch who was already rising from his chair, "Yes Sir Cap'." The brunet returned the phone its cradle.

"Sounds a little cranky." Hutch observed as he rounded the table. "Edith must have put him on another diet."

"I thought you talked to her about that Blondie?" Starsky retorted as they pulled open the wooden door that separated Dobey's office and the squad room.

"Have a seat." Dobey said as more of an order that a pleasantry.

Both detectives obediently obeyed. "What's up Cap? Did Hutch do something wrong again?" Starsky asked earning him a glaring stare from his partner.

"Looks like we got ourselves a serial killer on our hands, making his way to Bay City," Dobey began his oration. "He's or she's been making their way up the coast, from San Diego, into Orange County, Santa Monica, next stop should be in or near Bay City. There have been a total of nine murders; best we got to go on is the killer may be posing as a possible hitchhiker. Witnesses have spotted the victims on three occasions, picking up hitchhikers on the side of the road. Next time they are seen…well let's just say, it ain't pretty."

"Is that all you got to go on Cap, a hitchhiker?" Hutch asked, leaning forward in his chair.

"Pretty much, MO is the same, the victims have been found on the side of the road, throats sliced, left to bleed to death…then usually the car is found a short time later, not far from the bodies. R&I is working with witnesses trying to come up with a positive ID on this person, but all we have is quick glimpses, they can't even tell us for sure if it is a man or a woman."

"You mean to tell me, nine murders and we don't have shit to go on? Zip? Nada? Zilch? This guy is good, but he's bound to slip up soon!" Starsky noted.

"Well when he does, I want both of you there to pick his ass up. This is now your case, your only case! I don't want you two working or thinking about anything else." Dobey commanded his best detective team.

"Yes sir Captain!" Hutch agreed as he rose and took the folder from his Captain's pudgy hand.

He thumbed through the file briefly, cringing as he saw the photos of the mutilated bodies, most of them covered in blood. He sighed as he handed the folder to his partner the folder for examination.

"Cap? What about jurisdiction? I mean what if he never comes to Bay City? The case is out of our jurisdiction isn't it?" Hutch asked his superior officer.

"I have contacted both the counties that the murders have already taken place in, and all the surrounding counties, they have all pledged full cooperation and have opted to waive all jurisdiction limitations to our department. What you boys need to do is get out there and spread the word. I would love nothing more than for this man to avoid Bay City, but the experts seem to think that we are his next target, just by the path he has already taken. We have already alerted the media; they will put a warning out for people to refrain from picking up any hitchhikers." Dobey concluded his meeting with his two officers and dismissed them quickly so they could start working their new assignment.

Starsky and Hutch moved towards the door and quickly left the room, Starsky using his foot to kick the door shut with a slam behind him as Dobey's head shot up in anger at the impish man.

As soon as Starsky lifted his head, his face lit up to see Helen sitting her pretty little rear on his desk.

He looked up as his face immediately lit. "Hey, whatya doin' here? I thought you worked tonight?" He said as he moved closer to her, kissing her cheek and touching her elbow with his hand.

"I am working tonight, but I was hoping to talk to you." She said, her dark brown eyes staring into his dark blue ones. "You gotta minute?" She asked as she tipped her head to the side.

Starsky saw the look in her eyes, he glanced at Hutch, "Hey I'll be right back." He informed his partner as Helen stood up and Starsky placed his hand at the small of her back and led her out of the crowded squad room into the hall.

They both walked to a still public, yet more secluded area of the hallway before Helen stopped and leaned against the wall. Starsky could see that what ever was on Helen's mind was weighing heavily on her shoulders; he tried in his best Starsky fashion to lighten the moment, turning her around and pressing up against the front of her.

"You little wild thing you. What, you just want to get me all to yourself?" He teased as he kissed her neck.

"Dave not now, I need to tell you something and I don't want you freaking out on me, okay?" She said as she lifted her hand and gently stroked his cheek.

"What is it? What's wrong?" He asked, his concern growing.

"I got a new assignment." She began to explain, feeling his body tense up in front of her.

"And?" He said shortly. "That's what you wanted isn't it?"

They had this argument several times before; she didn't want to have it again, not here, not now, and truthfully, neither did he.

"Well of course it is, but I need you to want it for me." She pled.

Starsky sighed heavily, he had a hard time accepting the fact that she was putting her life on the line…that was his job. He came to realize that he was more chauvinistic than he thought he was, he couldn't allow the woman he loved to endanger herself, and pretend to be okay about it. When David Starsky cared about someone, he did it with his whole heart, and he didn't hold back, this was no exception.

"Tell me what kind of assignment is it?" He knew by her body language he was going to have to hold himself back on this one, it would be a tough one, but he knew he could do it.

"You know the 'Prostitution Murders'?" She started, her voice already cracking slightly as she referred to them by the dubbed name they had been given.

"Yeah?" He growled as he tipped his head down and looked up through his brow at her, making her feel like a child about to be scolded.

"I'm going undercover, I won't be around for the next few days…" She blurted out as he stood straight up in adamant defense.

"Like hell you are!" He shouted causing heads up and down the hallway to turn as he thrust his arm out to his side and pointed to the left of him. "You need to go back in there an' tell them, no way, it's too dangerous, you won't do it! Hell, tell 'em I won't let you! I don't give a damn what you tell 'em just get outta it!"

"Dave, stop it. You're causing a scene." Helen tried to hide her embarrassment.

"Causing a scene? Me? I'm causing a scene? Honey, you ain't seen a scene yet!" The veins in his neck bulged as he looked down at Helen, seeing her looking around nervously.

"I can't do this anymore honey?" She said her upper lip quivering.

"Good, I'm glad you see it my way, no go back in there and tell 'em to find another assignment for you…a safe one." He demanded as he watched the look on her face change from fear to anger.

"That is not what I can't do, David! I can't do this anymore." She said wagging her finger between him and herself. "I mean you…us…"

Uh-oh, he thought, she called him David, he was in trouble now.

"I'm tired of fighting with you about this. We fight about our work all the time…" She said placing a hand on his chest, "I'm tired, I'm done…" Her chocolate colored eyes were filled with pain.

"Look Helen, I can't do this, not here…we need to talk about this, but not right now, I'm late and Hutch is waiting…" Starsky said as Helen's body tensed up under his touch.

"See Dave, that's exactly what I'm talking about…you feel your job is more important than mine…" She said as he tilted his head to the side. "I can't sit back and watch your career take off and watch mine go down the drain simply because you can't handle it." She said as she started to walk away.

"Helen, come back here!" He said reaching his arm out towards her. She continued to storm down the hall. "I'm sorry okay…" He shouted to her, but she didn't turn around. "Okay, well can we still talk about it?" His eyebrows furrowed as he pled with her as she continued to walked away.

"Later Dave, later." She said as she passed through two swinging glass doors, not looking back.

'Way to go asshole.' Starsky chastised himself for handling that whole scene in the most inappropriate way. He made himself a mental note to make sure he sent her a dozen long stem red roses along with a hand written apology.

He felt several eyes boring in on him as he passed other officers in the hall on his way back to the squad room, back to Hutch.

XXXX

Starsky hung up the phone after ordering the flowers for Helen and dictating the note that was to accompany them. He knew that she would be working all night, so he arranged to have them delivered tomorrow to her apartment.

He finished getting ready, showering and dressing in a nicer pair of blue jeans, a buttoned down red long sleeve shirt. After applying a generous amount of after shave he looked approvingly at himself in the mirror and then wondered who he was dressing to impress…Hutch?

His doorbell rang and he curiously looked towards the front door. He bounced into his living room and grabbed the door knob pulling it open, wondering who he would be greeting.

His eyes opened wide as he looked at the caller's face, the expression of shock washing over his entire face as it flushed bright red. Standing before him was the woman he loved, the woman he had considered marrying on more than one occasion, and hopefully the future mother of his children, only now, she was dressed like a street walker, a two bit hooker from the streets. Her red corset was cinched tightly around her rib cage thrusting her breasts up and nearly out of their confinement. Her black leather shorts were enhanced by black fish net stockings and equally dark knee high leather boots with four inch spiked heels. Truth was, if she wasn't going out looking this, he may really enjoy this get up, but she was on her way out into the streets to try and attract the attention of a murderer. His blood boiled once again, not in anger, but in fear. Her beautiful blond hair was teased four inches high, she had large, red hoop earrings framing her face and enough make up to be a side show for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus. He thought about not only the murderer seeing her, but every other slime ball out there that would immediately start to imagine having sex with her. He couldn't take it.

"Nice to see you have no problem getting into your work." He snapped and immediately regretted the words that flew past his lips before he could stop them. "Look, I'm sorry." He tried to take his hurtful words back, but it was too late.

"Dave, I had to stop by, I can't stay long, but I have to tell you something." She blurted out as she strode past him, and he even found himself admiring her assets. "I can't work like this; you're stressing me out too much. I have to have a clear mind out there; you of all people should understand that." She finished as she turned around to face him as he was following her across the living room.

"I said I was sorry," he said as he flashed her a crooked smile and held out both his arms, "now c'mere."

"No Dave, it's not that easy…" She averted her eyes from his, "I'm sorry…but it's over." The squeak in her voice making it evident that she was emotional.

"Whatya mean over?" He asked, his heart skipping a beat, praying that she wasn't saying what he thought she was saying.

"Just that…over…I can't keep doing this everyday, every case. I find myself out there in the streets thinking about you, that's dangerous."

"Helen, you don't mean this…you're angry and you have every reason to be." He tried to head off this conversation. "Just tell me what I can do to make this better, I'm willing to do whatever you say to make this right."

"I'm not just angry, I'm tired…I'm sorry but this just isn't worth it anymore, I can't fight with you anymore."

Starsky felt his chest tightening, he felt a piece of his heart slowly crack and break off as the realization was beginning to hit him. "Helen, honey…please…I'm beggin' you," He moved closer to her, swallowing hard, his Adam's apple bouncing up and down his throat, "don't do this to me…to us…"

"Dave, don't get me wrong, you're a terrific guy, and I love you, but you and I will never make it, not if I keep doing what I love to do, and you keep being the stubborn hot headed man I first fell in love with." Her eyes were filling with tears, he could see how hard she was trying to be strong, he wanted her to cave to give in, for just a moment, be weak. "I know you only want to protect me, keep me safe, and I love you for that, but you can't do that in our jobs."

Starsky's pleading eyes also filled with moisture, "Honey, I promise, I'll do better…I won't interfere with your job…"

She smiled and let out a small snort, "Yes you will, and you know that as much as I do…It's over Dave, I'm sorry, but it is."

Starsky rushed over to her, "You don't mean it! Tell me you don't love me; tell me you really want to do this!" He said abruptly as he grabbed her by both of the upper arms and kissed her hard. His spirit lifted as he felt her kissing him back, her guard lowering for a brief second, letting herself get lost in his touch, his kiss. His arm dropped to around the small of her back, pulling her closer to him, their lips dancing, intertwined with the each others.

She abruptly pulled back, realizing that he was trying to confuse her, toy with her emotions. Reflexively she drew back and slapped him hard across the cheek causing him to release her immediately.

"Dammit Dave, stop it! Please…just let it go! Let me go!" She said as she rushed to the front door, turning back one more time looking at a stunned brunet, standing there, his hand rubbing his reddened cheek. "Don't call me, don't try an' see me! I really need to move on, we need to…Just leave me alone!"

"Please don't do this Helen…" Starsky pled, his eyes looking deeply into hers. "You know I love you, an' I know you love me…the rest we can figure out…"

"Sometimes, loving each other just isn't enough." She blurted out making him stand straight.

"But I thought love was everything?" He tried to force a fake smile, trying desperately to get inside her heart. She shook her head dropping her gaze to the floor in front of her.

"You're not going to do this to me again," She responded, recognizing his attempt at frivolity trying to get her to drop her guard, in the past this tactic had worked on more than one occasion. "Not this time."

"So help me Helen, if you walk out that door…" He pointed to the front of his apartment, switching modes, trying the threatening approach.

"I'm sorry Dave!" She sobbed as she flew out of his apartment, slamming the door behind her.

"HELEN!" He screamed out as he heard her footsteps running down his stairs. He ran to the door and ripped it opened just to see her jump into the passenger side of her partner's car and they sped away.

To Be Continued…