Complications

Authors Note: Here is the second Chapter in a joint effort between the UK and the US. Again, Stanley wrote Chapter Two and Ollie wrote the authors note. I think everyone would agree that this is one heck of an authors note. I mean shouldn't there be an award for "Best Authors Note"?

Anyway, we hope you enjoy the chapter. As always we do not own Starsky and Hutch, just love playing with them.

Feedback is very much appreciated.

Chapter Two

Hutch eyed the Torino suspiciously as he drove slowly up to Starsky's Ridgeway apartment. It sat at a peculiar angle, half on and half off the driveway, with the passenger door wide open. It looked like it had been abandoned rather than parked. Pulling the LTD up behind it, he proceeded with caution round to the passenger side his hand resting every so lightly on his magnum. As he stuck his head around the door, he let out a heavy sigh and placed both hands on the roof as he stooped to assess the damage. He had quickly deducted by the woman's clothing, one of Starsky's blue addidas and a number of empty beer bottles that maybe, just maybe, his partner had been a little to preoccupied to put on the parking brake the previous evening. Then again maybe, he had just assumed the flat tire the Torino was now in possession of would be enough to avoid it rolling down the Ridgeway unaccompanied!

Pulling on the parking brake he paused when he heard voices and footsteps from the apartment doorway above him. Backing out of the car he rested his arms on the roof, and watched a very dishevelled Starsky and petit blonde wearing an impossibly short mini skirt descending the stairs. As they reached the bottom step, the blonde hooked her arms around his partner's neck and kissed him thoroughly. Not that Starsky was protesting, infact Hutch was beginning to wonder if there was in fact an indecency law that applied to that type of kissing this early in the morning!

Hutch cleared his throat loudly "Morning Starsk!" Remember to breathe there buddy, don't think my resuscitation certificate is up to date at the moment, he thought sarcastically.

Starsky startled and did his best to remove his lips from the blondes, who clearly wasn't finished with him. "Mornin' Hutch" he mumbled somewhat embarrassedly.

Hutch looked at his watch "Well some would call it morning, personally I would say we were closer to lunch."

Starsky arched an eyebrow but decided his aching head really wasn't up to working out a suitable reply.

"Have you seen my sweater Dave?" The petit blonde interrupted.

Hutch grabbed the varsity sweater off the front seat of the Torino and held it out towards the girl,

"That's it, how did you know?" She squealed delightedly at an octave that made Hutch wince.

"Well I am a detective." Hutch gave her a wink, and then rolled his eyes heavenwards as Starsky glared at him. Yeah you really do like them young and stupid! Geez very young, He was going to let his partner know his opinion about this when the girl was out of ear shot!

Starsky snatched the sweater and as if reading his mind snarled under his breath, "She's twenty four!" How he knew that he had no idea! Her name however was still a mystery.

"Twenty four years younger than you! Right?" Hutch snorted..

"She went to college late, not all of us can afford to go straight away you know." Starsky replied defensively.

Starsky draped the sweater a round the girls shoulders and with his hand on his back guided her towards the now waiting cab. Another passionate kiss ensued, as Starsky pushed her in and closed the door. The cab driver revved the engine and much to Starsky's relief sped away from the curb.

Sensing he had hit a bone of contention Hutch backed off and made his way back to drivers' side of the LTD. Up until six months ago Starsky had been taking classes at BCU but he had dropped out without telling Hutch the reason why. Well maybe he had and he hadn't been listening at the time, but since then anything collegiate had brought out the worst in his partner, it was just easier not to talk about it. He was surprised when Starsky climbed into the passenger seat with out a protest. He then settled back and closed his eyes.

"You forgotten something Starsk? "Hutch eyed Starsky's cotton clad foot suspiciously.

"Nah you drive, I need some beauty sleep!" he replied with a yawn.

"I wasn't referring to the Torino numbskull!"

Starsky opened his eyes unsure to what Hutch was referring and then spied his foot. Opening the passenger door, he hobbled to the Torino in search of his Addidas. When his search proved fruitless, he was about to tell Hutch to wait for him, when he spied his Addidas being dangled out of the LTD's drivers side window.

"Give me that" Starsky snatched the trainer from Hutch's grasp. Hopping on one foot whilst tying his addidas on the other, he tumbled back into the car.

"So did you even know her name?" Hutch asked suspiciously, "I mean isn't that the fourth one this week?"

"You can give me more credit than that" Starsky lied, averting his eyes to look out of the passenger window as Hutch pulled the LTD into the traffic.

I use to give you a whole lot more credit than I gave myself, Hutch thought, but now I don't know anymore."I'm surprised it hasn't curled up and dropped off from over use Starsk!"

"Just because you've turned into a hermit and live on the beach don't mean the rest of us hav' ta" Came his sullen reply.

"Starsk just be careful huh, and I'm not just talking about disease control" Come on buddy this is me you are trying to kid here, whatever you are running from the answer won't be found in the bottom of a bottle. Trust me I know.

"Ain't that stupid. So I had a few beers, I didn't know I had a curfew on work nights"

"Is that right? Yeah a few beers, a DUI and hey presto a ready made family in nine months time!"

"So?" Kinda like the idea of a kid anyhow.

"So? You are a police detective for Christ's sake. Your car looks like it went on a day trip to a brewery!"

"Don't get all high and mighty with me Hutchinson, it ain't so long ago that you liked to party a bit too much yourself!"

"Yeah and look where it got me.." I was too embarrassed to mention the stolen wallet, the missing gun, and the warning I got from Dobey to get my act together.

"You ain't doing so badly" A house, a trust fund, Lieutenant's badge pretty soon too I bet!

"I told you, that the house was meant for both of us. You could move in and save up, get your own place eventually if that's what you want? But you don't come over"

"I'm busy, I told you that!"

"Is that what you call this?"

"I have news for you Hutch not everybody lives happily ever after, not everyone's life has a fairy tale ending, I thought you knew that by now."

"Starsk, I'm only trying to help, to get you out of whatever funk you have worked yourself into."

"I don't wan't your help, and I don't need it Hutchinson!"

"Well that's just tough, cos your getting it …"

"Hutch look out!"