"Well...what do you think John?" Amy asked Hutch in regards to his room at the boarding house.
"It's nice...beautiful view too!" the blond said as he looked out his bedroom window.
"I think you'll like it here...it's so very peaceful." Amy said.
"Yes...it seems to be." Hutch replied.
"Well...I have to be going...I have to check up on a mare that was bitten by a Rattler last week and see how she's doing ." Amy informed him as she headed for the door.
"Will you be coming back later on then?" Hutch asked her eagerly.
"I thought maybe you wanted some time to get use to your new surroundings." Amy answered.
"Yes...I suppose so." Hutch said reluctantly as he turned back towards the window and bowed his head.
"Unless...you want me too!" the woman added.
Hutch's face lit up instantly.
"Yes...I really would!" he said with a smile.
"Okay...maybe we could go for dinner or something...I know of a great Mexican place close by...they serve the best burritos...that is if you like burritos." Amy suggested.
"I-I don't know if I do or not...I guess we'll find out!" Hutch chuckled.
Amy laughed too.
"Shall we say...six thirty?" she asked as she looked at her watch.
"Sounds great!" Hutch replied.
Amy smiled and hurried out the door and down the hallway.
Hutch watched for her out the window when she exited the front door downstairs and watched her walk down the brick walkway, anticipating the next time he'd be with her again.
...
Starsky sat alone on the sofa in his quiet apartment.
With Hutch's death six weeks ago, he had taken an extended leave of absence, that leave ended tomorrow and he dreaded the thought of returning to work without his partner by his side.
He knew what his first priority was though, to find the person or persons responsible for Hutch's death.
"I'm gonna' find 'em Hutch...if it's the last thing I ever do...I promise ya'...I'm gonna' find 'em!" Starsky said out loud as he looked up at the ceiling.
After several more minutes of silence he spoke again.
"How you doing up there anyhow Partner?" Starsky asked with tear-filled eyes.
Starsky kept staring up at the ceiling, as if waiting for a reply.
"Oh God Hutch...when does it start getting easier Buddy? Starsky sobbed, that's when he noticed the plastic bag on the coffee table containing Hutch's things that Dobey had brought home the night he came back from Nevada, with Hutch.
He picked up the bag and began fingering the items through the plastic.
The bag contained some coins, a sterling silver money clip, the gold ring with the Tiger-Eye stone and the sterling silver chain with the odd, tooth shaped pendant Hutch always wore.
Starsky took the necklace out of the bag and held it in his palm.
He noticed when he fingered it black soot came off onto his hands.
Laying the bag aside, he got up and went over to the sink.
He then proceeded to clean the necklace with hot, soapy water.
Once the necklace was clean and shiny he dried it and placed it around his neck.
He went into the bathroom and stood in front of the mirror gazing at his reflection and the necklace.
He liked the way the pendant hung down and laid over top his heart.
"Seems fitting!" he thought to himself and smiled.
...
"This is a nice place!" Hutch said as he looked around the restaurant.
"This is one of my favorite places." Amy replied as she looked around as well.
They had already placed their order and the waitress was returning with their meals.
She placed a plate containing two burritos in front of Amy, then placed a plate containing two enchiladas in front of Hutch.
The couple thanked the woman and she nodded and walked off.
"Mmmmm...I'm starving!" Amy exclaimed as she tore into her food.
Hutch smiled at her as he watched her devour the first burrito with a vengeance as he nibbled on his food.
"So...Doc says the casts on your arm and your wrist can come off next week." Amy said.
"Yeah well...not soon enough!" Hutch said as he scratched the skin under the cast on his arm.
"You really enjoy your burritos don't you?" he asked with a chuckle as he reached over with his napkin to dab some sauce that was smudged on the corner of her mouth.
Amy smiled and replied in between bites. "I love 'em...I think when Doc does my autopsy...he's probably gonna' find one in my stomach!"
Hutch froze, his napkin resting on Amy's cheek.
Amy noticed the blond was acting slightly odd.
"What's wrong John?" she asked.
Hutch didn't reply.
"John...is everything okay?" she asked again, trying to get his attention.
"Why did her words sound so oddly familiar to me?" Hutch thought to himself.
"John...what is it?" Amy asked again.
Hutch finally came out of his stupor when he realized Amy was speaking to him.
"Uhhh...I'm sorry...it's nothing!" he replied, as he brushed his erie thoughts aside.
She noticed he had barely eaten any of his meal.
"Well...aparently enchiladas are not on your top favorite foods list!" she said with a smile.
"Yeah...I-I guess I wasn't as hungry as I originally thought!" he replied.
Amy finished the food on her plate while Hutch never took another bite of his.
Amy paid for their dinner and they walked out to her truck and climbed in.
She noticed how withdrawn the blond had suddenly become during their meal and it worried her, however, not wanting the night to end she suggested they go for a moonlight drive.
"Amy...I'm sorry but I suddenly have a huge headache...do you mind if we call it an early night?" he asked her as he massaged the bridge of his nose.
He wasn't lying, his head was pounding.
"Of course John!" she said understandingly.
"How could I be so stupid not to see he wasn't feeling well...that explains his sudden withdraw!" she said to herself.
Amy started up her truck and drove off, keeping a watchful eye on the blond as they went.
...
The first thing Starsky did when he returned to work the following morning was to stop by the evidence room.
"Morning Ed!" Starsky said to the officer at the desk.
"Dave...welcome back!" the officer replied, happy to see the detective.
"Hey...I'm so sorry about Ken...how you holding up?" the officer asked with concern.
"Everyday gets a little easier Eddie...just taken it one day at a time!" Starsky replied as he managed a smile.
"Yeah...well...what can I do for ya'?" the other man asked, attempting to change the subject.
"Hutch's stuff that was pulled out of the car...can I see it?" Starsky asked.
"Yeah sure...hang on a second!" the clerk replied as he went over to a shelf and pulled down Hutch's leather satchel and his backpack.
He walked back over to Starsky and laid them on the counter.
"That's about it...everything else was pretty well destroyed by the fire!" the clerk informed him. "Luckily this stuff was in the trunk...the fire hadn't reached it!"
With a blank stare, Starsky stood there looking down at Hutch's belongings.
After several seconds he opened the satchel and rummaged through it and found nothing unusual.
He then checked Hutch's backpack, finding his partner's watch in the bottom of the sack, he pulled it out.
Starsky noticed the glass face was smashed.
He thought back to the morning when he saw his partner off for his fishing trip. He remember the blond wearing it as he drove off.
"Must have dropped it somewhere along the way!" Starsky thought to himself as he tossed it back in the bag.
"What about Hutch's wallet?" Starsky asked, not seeing it with the rest of the blond's belongings.
"Well...what was left of it was taken off of...off of Hutch...but you don't wanta' see that Dave!" the clerk replied somberly.
Starsky looked into the officer's eyes and simply said with a sigh. "Yeah...how soon do you think I can claim Hutch's stuff?"
"You know how this works Dave...could be months...could be longer." the clerk replied with a frown.
"Yeah...thanks Eddie." Starsky said as he tossed everything back into the bag and the pack.
"Not very helpful was it?" the man said as he zipped up the satchel and the backpack.
"Naah...thanks anyways though." Starsky answered as he nodded then walked towards the door.
"Hey Dave!" the clerk called out.
"Yeah Ed?" Starsky said as he turned back around.
"I hope you get the son of a bitch!" the clerk added.
"You can count on it!" Starsky replied with confidence in his voice, then he walked out.
...
"I bet you feel like a new man John!" the doctor said to Hutch after removing the casts from his arm and wrist.
"You have no idea Doc!" Hutch replied as he wiggled his wrist and twisted his arm.
"How have you been feeling?" the doctor asked as he proceeded to check Hutch's blood pressure.
"Other than an occasional headache...I feel great!" Hutch answered.
"Good...glad to hear that...the headaches should eleviate over time." the doctor informed him.
"So does that mean I can start looking for work Doc?" Hutch asked eagerly.
"I don't see why not...your fixing to stick around then I take it?" the doctor questioned Hutch.
"Yeah...I think so." Hutch replied.
"Well I can think of one person who will be happy to hear that!" the doctor said with a smile.
Hutch smiled too as he thought of Amy.
"Amy has been so supportive...she's very special to me Doc." Hutch grinned.
"That's our Amy!" the doctor said as he finished up with Hutch. "Okay John...you're all set and good to go!"
"Thanks Doc...for everything." Hutch said gratefully as he shook the doctor's hand.
"I'll see you around then!" Hutch added with a wink and a nod before walking out of the examining room.
...
After leaving the evidence room, Starsky made his way back upstairs to the squad room.
He walked through the door then over to his desk where he stopped and stood frozen in his tracks.
The desk beside his, Hutch's desk, looked the exact same way it did the day before Hutch left for his fishing trip.
The papers on his desk were neatly stacked in a pile. The pens and pencils were all standing upright in their holder and Hutch's piggy bank sat there with it's big goofy grin on it's face.
Starsky picked up the pig and held it in his hands and while lost in thought, he never heard Dobey call out his name.
"Starsky?" Dobey repeated as he shook his detective's shoulder.
Starsky's body jerked as his train of thought came back to the present.
He looked up at his superior.
"Sorry Cap'n!" Starsky apologized.
"Welcome back...can I see you in my office for a moment?" Dobey asked politely.
"Sure Cap'n." Starsky said as he placed the pig back on Hutch's desk and followed Dobey into his office.
Dobey closed the door behind them and motioned for him to have a seat.
"How have you been Son?" Dobey asked with concern.
"I think you know the answer to that Cap'n." Starsky said somberly.
"Dave...you know I'm not going to rush you into getting back out on the street...I figure when you're ready...you'll let me know." Dobey told his detective.
Starsky nodded then replied. "I stopped down at evidence before coming in...I looked through Hutch's things they got out of his car."
"And..." Dobey asked.
"And I didn't find nothin' out of the ordinary." Starsky added.
"So where do you wanna' go from here?" Dobey inquired.
"I wanna' head to Nevada Cap'n...see if I can dig something up...maybe somebody saw something that might be of help." Starsky said.
"Okay...when do you want to leave?" Dobey asked.
"The sooner the better." Starsky replied.
"Alright...I'll make the arrangements...you can leave tomorrow if you like." Dobey iformed him.
"Thanks Cap'n." Starsky said with a half-hearted smile as he got up to leave the room.
He stopped at the door and turned around.
"I'm gonna' find Hutch's killer Cap'n...I owe Hutch that much!" Starsky said with a lump in his throat.
"I know you will Son." Dobey said with a sense of pride in his voice.
...
Hutch was lying on his bed looking up at the ceiling when there was a knock on his door.
He quickly got up to answer it and was pleased to see Amy standing on the other side.
"Well...Hello there!" the blond said with a smile.
"Hi John...I was wondering what your plans were for the afternoon?" she asked as she stepped inside his room.
"Nothing really...what did you have in mind?" Hutch asked the woman.
"Well...I thought maybe if you weren't doing anything...you'd maybe like to ride along with me on my rounds today." she suggested.
"Sure...that'd be great...I was starting to go a little stir-crazy anyhow!" he said eagerly as he grabbed a jacket and walked out the door with the blonde, closing the door behind them.
They hurried down the steps and out the front door to Amy's red pickup that was sitting along the curb.
Hutch started to get into the passenger's seat when Amy called out. "You wanna drive?"
"I-I don't have a license!" he told her.
"Well...maybe it's time we worked on that!" she replied as she tossed him the keys.
Hutch caught them in mid-air.
"Isn't that kind of illegal Miss Saxton?" he asked jokingly.
"I won't tell if you don't...tomorrow we can stop by the DMV and you can take your driver's test...you do know how to drive don't you?" she asked with a smile.
"Guess will find out won't we!" Hutch chuckled, causing Amy to laugh too.
They both climbed into the truck and Hutch started the engine.
"So...where we heading?" Hutch asked.
"Just up the road a piece...Farmer McNulley has a goat he needs castrated...I could maybe use your help!" she said with a smirk.
"Ouch...Amy...don't you know us guys gotta' stick together!" he answered jokingly as they drove off.
...
Starsky had been in Nevada for six days and still hadn't turned up any new leads on Hutch's case.
He found a waitress at the diner Hutch had eaten at that remember seeing him as well as the gas station attendant but other than that the trail quickly grew cold.
With Dobey on him about returning to Bay City to help with a special case he had been involved in previously before Hutch's death, he reluctantly gave in for the time being and returned home, vowing to return as soon as possible.
As he was driving back towards California he saw a small roadside stand where someone was selling homegrown fruits and vegetables.
"McNulley's Farm...hmmmm...I could go for some fresh peaches!" Starsky said to himself and he pulled off to the side of the road and got out of the Torino.
He smiled politely to the young woman who was tending the stand.
"Afternoon...ya' have any peaches?" Starsky asked.
"Yes we do...just picked them fresh this morning!" the woman told him as she motioned to the fruit.
Starsky looked over the baskets of peaches then picked out the ones he wanted.
The woman placed them in a paper bag and handed them to Starsky who in turn, gave her the money as payment and she thanked him.
"Beautiful place you have here...nice looking cattle up there on the hill...are they yours?" Starsky asked as he surveyed the farm.
"Yes they are." she answered politely.
"Bet they keep you busy huh?" Starsky added.
"They sure do...course we also have a few hogs...some chickens and some goats too!" the woman said.
"Is that right?" Starsky said with a smile.
The woman motioned over her shoulder at one of the goats that was munching on some hay in a small fenced in area. "That's Benny over their...he doesn't know it yet but...he's getting an adjustment today...if you know what I mean!"
"Ohhh...poor Benny!" Starsky grimaced when he caught her meaning.
"Well...thanks for the peaches...you have a good afternoon...good luck Benny!" he yelled over to the goat before turning and heading back to the Torino and climbing inside.
He placed his peaches on the front seat, then waved and started to drive off just as Amy's red pickup was pulling into the lane from the opposite direction.
"Wow...will you look at that!" Amy said when she noticed the red car with the white pin stripe pulling away from them.
When Hutch spotted the car he felt a sense of deja vu, much like he did the night at the Mexican restaraunt and he slowed the pickup truck down as he watched the Trino drive away.
"What is it John?" Amy asked, noticing the far away look on the blond's face.
Hutch, lost in thought, did not answer her.
Amy's eyes followed Hutch's eyes to the red car.
John what's wrong?" Amy asked again trying to get his attention.
"What...oh...it's nothing!" he replied as he shook off the weird vibe with a half-hearted smile and pulled into the long lane leading up to the McNulley's farmhouse.
...
"Starsky...I'm really sorry I had to bring you back home from Nevada before you had the chance to find anything out about Hutch...you know I wouldn't have done it if I didn't really need you on this one!" Dobey said regrettably.
"'So'kay Cap'n...I was hitting a brick wall anyhow." Starsky said with melancholy in his voice.
"There's something else too Starsky." Dobey said apprehensively.
"What is it?" Starsky asked as he raised his right eyebrow.
"I'm assigning you a partner on this case." Dobey informed him as he waited for the retaliation.
"I was wondering when the subject would come up." Starsky said somberly.
Just then there was a knock on the door.
"That'll be your partner now." Dobey said as he called out for the person knocking to enter the room.
Starsky let out a huge sigh as he closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Hello Gentlemen!" the voice said softly.
Starsky thought the voice sounded vaguely familiar.
"How are you Starsky?" the female voice asked the curly-headed man.
Starsky looked up and a smile crept across his face.
"Joan Meridith!" He exclaimed as he stood up.
His first thought was to hug the woman but he settled for a gentle handshake instead.
"Wow...it's been along time!" Starsky added.
"Yes...it has been...I'm so sorry about Hutch Dave...he was a good man." the woman said with much sincerity.
"Yeah." was all Starsky could say as a veil of sadness covered his expression.
"Captain Dobey!" she said as she greeted Starsky's superior.
"Inspector Meridith...thank you for accepting the assignment." Dobey said with gratitude.
"No thanks is needed Captain...I'm honored that you requested me." Meridith said with a smile.
"Why don't you have a seat and I'll fill you both in on the latest developments in the case." Dobey added as he motioned to the empty chair.
...
"Thanks for coming along with me today John...you were a big help!" Amy said appreciatively to the blond as they pulled up to the front of the boarding house.
"It was...interesting...aside from poor Benny's misfortune...I actually enjoyed it!" Hutch said with a chuckle.
"I have the weekend off...did you maybe want to do something tomorrow?" she asked.
"Sure I'd like that!" Hutch said with a grin.
"Great...how about we stop at the DMV first thing in the morning and see about getting you licensed before we do anything else!" Amy suggested.
"Sounds like a plan!" Hutch replied as they said goodnight and he climbed out of the truck.
Amy slid back over into the driver's seat and waved as she pulled away.
...
"So...how have you been Starsky...I mean really?" Meridith asked with concern for the dark-haired man as they sat in the front seat of the Torino.
"You mean aside from the fact that Hutch's death turned my whole life upside down...that losing him has changed my life completely!" Starsky muttered while shaking his head.
The woman placed a comforting hand on his forearm.
"I can only imagine what you've been going through." she said softly.
"Ya know what really stinks Mer is the fact that I never got the chance to say goodbye...I mean not really anyway...it's like one minute he was here and the next...he was gone!" Starsky said as he smacked the sterring wheel of his car.
"Everybody keeps telling me that it's gonna' get easier...that time's gonna' heal all wounds...that's just a load of bullshit!" Starsky cursed angrily.
"No...as close as you two were...I don't suppose those wounds will ever heal completely...but I think there are ways you can channel these feelings you're feeling right now into somethinga lot more positive...and eventually your grief will learn to walk along side of you rather than consume you. " the female detective said on a positive note.
Starsky looked at the woman and sighed. "It's just not fair...I mean why Hutch...why couldn't it have been me instead?"
"Oh so now you're blaming yourself for Hutch's death?" she asked.
"Yeah...maybe I am!" he exclaimed.
"He practically begged me to go along with him...if I woulda' just went...maybe he'd still be alive and sitting right there where you're sitting!" Starsky added.
"And maybe you'd both be dead!" Meridith stated.
"Yeah well...at least we would have gone together...Hutch always said it was always toughest on the one left behind...and you know something...he sure as hell was right!" Starsky hissed as he started up the Torino and sped off.
...
Hutch had past his driver's test that morning and received his license under his new identity given to him by the Social Security office the morning before.
"Soooo...what would you like to do today?" he asked the blonde woman in the seat next to him.
"I have a couple of friends I'd like you to meet...that is if you don't mind!" Amy said.
"Sure...where to?" Hutch asked.
Amy gave him directions and they set out on their destination.
Within ten minutes they were pulling up into a long driveway that lead to a beautiful mountain stone home.
Hutch parked the truck and they both got out.
"This is where your friends live?" he asked.
"You could say that!" she replied just as two very friendly dogs came running out from the back of the house to greet them.
"John...I'd like you to meet Scooter and Millie!" Amy said as she bent down and petted the two excited canines.
"These the friends you were referring to?" Hutch said with a smile as he knelt down and scratched the dog's heads while they each took turns licking his face.
"Yep...these are my buddies!" Amy replied, laughing as she watched the dogs cozying up to the blond.
"So this is your place?" he asked as he admired her home.
"This is the old homestead...it's been in my family for close to a hundred and fifty years...my great grandfather built this place when he and my great grandmother were first married." Amy said as she explained the home's history.
"I can't imagine ever living anywhere else...I just love it here!" she exclaimed with pride in her voice.
"I can see why...It's beautiful! Hutch replied as he looked around.
"C'mon...I have a couple more friends I'd like you to meet!" she said with a smile as he followed her to the barn.
When Amy opened the barn doors and they stepped inside Hutch's eyes fell upon two horses, a handsome black stallion and a beautiful honey-colored mare.
Both horses were pleased to see their owner and both let out a loud whinney when she walked up to them.
"Hello my babies!" she exclaimed as she stroked the nose of the mare then did the same to the stallion.
"This is Max!" she said as she continued to pet the stallion.
"And this beautiful creature is Lilly!" she said as she nuzzled noses with the mare.
"She is indeed beautiful! Hutch exclaimed as he stroked the mare's coat.
"And look at this handsome fella'" Hutch added as he gave the stallion equal attention.
Amy opened up the back barn door gate and the horses immediately raced out and began gallopping around in a fenced in area before heading out to pasture.
Hutch and Amy stood there watching the horses frolicking together for several minutes before Amy said. "How about some lunch?"
"I do believe you just said the magic word!" Hutch replied as he patted his stomach.
Within minutes they found themselves sitting on a blanket in the shade under an old oak tree.
In preparation for their lunch together, Amy had made a meal of fried chicken, potato salad and a fresh baked apple pie.
Hutch ate the food eagerly and they washed it all down with a glass of iced cold lemonade.
"Would you like another piece of chicken John? she asked Hutch.
"Uhhh...Amy if I eat another bite I'm going to burst!" Hutch told her as he rubbed his belly.
"Everything was delicious!" he added as he wiped his mouth with a linen napkin.
Amy smiled with delight.
Hutch then stretched out on the blanket and laid back and closed his eyes.
"It's so peaceful here!" he sighed.
"Now you can see why I love it here so much!" Amy said as she packed up the leftovers into a picnic basket before stretching out along side Hutch.
With one hand propped under her chin, her gaze fell upon the man beside her.
Hutch, sensing he was being watched, opened his one eye and looked over at the blonde woman.
He chuckled when she quickly looked away and began to blush.
He then, unexpectedly reached over and brushed a strand of hair out of her eyes.
"You know...you have the most beautiful blue eyes!" he whispered softly as he caressed her cheek.
Hutch then turned onto his side so that he was facing her, their noses just inches away from one another.
He tilted her chin up so that their eyes met and he leaned in and kissed her long and hard taking her breath away.
Amy was the first to pull away.
"I'm sorry Amy...I guess I was out of line wasn't I?" Hutch muttered apologetically somewhat embarrassed by his sudden actions.
"No...it's not that...it's just...!" she started to say.
"It's Rory isn't it?" Hutch asked, referring to her late fiance.
"No...it's not that...not really!" she stuttered nervously.
"Amy what is it?" he asked again.
She looked into Hutch's eyes then slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position.
After several long agonizing seconds Amy muttered. "I'm pregnant!"
"You're pregnant?" he repeated, surprised by her statement.
She nodded with tears in her eyes.
"Wow...that was one hell of a kiss!" Hutch said jokingly, trying to eleviate the suddenly serious mood.
Amy just looked at Hutch and started to crack up with laughter and he quickly joined in.
"Oh John...how do you always manage to make me laugh the second I start feeling low?" she asked with a smile.
Hutch placed his hand on her cheek again without saying a word.
"Does Hutch thought for a second then replied. "No...I think it's wonderful...and I think you're beautiful."
This time it was Amy who leaned in and kissed Hutch tenderly on the lips.
...
"Care to come in for a night cap?" Meridith asked as they pulled up in front of her apartment.
"I thought you'd never ask!" was Starsky's reply.
Starsky followed the female detective up the walk and took her keys and opened the door.
She smiled and thanked him as they both stepped inside.
Once inside, she kicked off her shoes.
"Why don't you make yourself comfortable." she suggested as she motioned to the sofa.
Starsky nodded with a smile as he sank down into the deep cushioned sofa and laid his head back.
"You drinking a beer or has your taste become a bit more sophisticated?" she asked as she made her way over to the liquor cabinet.
"Beers fine by me!" Starsky replied.
The woman grabbed a beer from the refrigerator and popped off the top then walked over and handed the bottle to Starsky.
She then went back to the cabinet and made herself a Rum and Coke, then sat down next to the curly-headed detective.
"Here's to another fun-filled and hopefully successful caper!" she said as she tapped her glass against Starsky's beer bottle then took a sip of her drink.
Starsky took a swig of his beer then sat the bottle on the coffee table, he then turned and proceeded to stare at the woman next to him.
"So...Joan...what you been up to since the last time I saw you?" Starsky asked.
"Oh you know...work work work...it's pretty much consuming all my free time!" Meridith replied as she sucked on an ice cube from her glass.
"You know what they say about all work and no play!" Starsky said suggestively as he leaned over and placed his mouth on top of hers, sucking the ice cube right out of her mouth and catching it in his teeth.
He then took the ice cube from his mouth and while he held it in his fingers he slowly traced the outline of her cheek, trailing down to her jawline then her neckline.
She leaned back and closed her eyes enjoying the sensation.
Starsky, seeing the moisture trail left by the ice, leaned down and nuzzled her exposed neck.
His experienced fingers slowly undid the top three buttons of her blouse and traced her bare skin further on down with the ice causing her to moan with pleasure.
"Wouldn't we be more comfortable in the bedroom?" he whispered in her ear.
"I was just about to suggest that." the woman uttered breathlessly.
Starsky smiled mischieviously and got to his feet.
He then pulled her up off the sofa and lead her into the bedroom.
Starsky walked her over to the bed until her thighs were pressed up against the bed frame.
He then unbuttoned the rest of the buttons on her blouse and pulled it away from her body, kissing her bare arms and shoulders.
Starsky continued on, removing her bra then her skirt and panties until she was totally nude.
Meridith then climbed onto the bed with her knees on the matress and helped Starsky remove his tee-shirt, kissing his hairy chest all the way down to his stomach.
She then unbuckled his belt, undid the snap on his jeans and pulled them down to the floor.
Starsky raised each leg and stepped out of his jeans then slowly shed his black briefs and kicked them aside.
He then joined Meridith on the bed and slowly lowered her down on the pillows behind her.
Starsky then explored every inch of her smooth, dark skin as she moaned uncontrollably.
He trailed hot, sensual kisses up her stomach, then her chest, then neck until he reached her full, red lips which he devoured passionately, bruising her lips as he forced her mouth open.
He then looked deep into her eyes and that's when she saw his pain, the pain that had been building up inside of him for weeks and weeks since Hutch's death, a pain that needed a release.
"Starsky!" she whispered softly, slightly frightened by his lost, far away expression.
Starsky ignored her as he climbed on top of her and forced her legs apart.
"David!" she called out his name, trying to get him to reconnect with her.
"Starsky...no...please!" Meridith cried out with fear.
"I just wanna' forget him for one night...get him out of my head!" Starsky moaned in frustration as he prepared to force himself upon her.
"No...not like this!" she cried out as she tried to push him off of her to no avail.
"For godsake Starsky stop!" the woman screamed out in one last attempt to stop him.
All of a sudden, realizing what he was about to do, Starsky's body froze.
He raised his head and looked into her eyes, eyes filled with worry and fear.
"Oh God! Starsky called out, horrified at what he had almost done.
He quickly climbed off of her and stumbled into the bathroom.
Meridith heard Starsky throw up the lid on the toliet seat and begin to vomit into the bowl.
She slowly rose, her body still trembling and wrapped the bed sheet around her nakedness before walking over to the bathroom door.
After he had emptied the contents of his stomach, Starsky sat on the floor holding his head in anguish.
Meridith walked into the bathroom and placed her hand on top of his dark head, then ran her fingers through his damp curls.
"It's okay Starsky." she said softly as she rubbed the back of his neck.
When she looked at his face she saw tears streaming from his eyes.
"Oh David!" her heart ached for him as she knelt down and wrapped her arms around him.
He immediately fell into her arms and wept freely.
"I'm so sorry Joan...oh God I'm so sorry!" he cried.
"Shhhh...it's gonna' be okay!" she cried along with him.
"i just wanted to forget him just for a little while...it's just so hard!" Starsky wept as she held him against her chest.
"I know." she said softly as she kissed the side of his wet cheek.
The two of them sat there on the cold, tiled floor for several more minutes until the sobbing subsided.
Meridith then got to her feet and held out her hand.
"Come with me David...maybe I can help you forget for at least a little while." she said soothingly as she lead him to her bed.
...
"Well Amy...everything seems to be just fine!" the doctor told her after her physical examination the following Monday morning.
"Do you have any questions for me?" Doctor Bentley asked the blonde.
"Well...now that you mentioned it...yes I do." she told him.
"What is it?' he asked.
"I-I-I was wondering...I was wondering if it was safe for the baby if I were to..." she started to blush.
"You're thinking about having sexual intercourse?" he said matter-of-factly.
"The thought has crossed my mind." she told him, avoiding his gaze.
The doctor chuckled then replied. "That shouldn't be a problem Amy...it's still fairly early into your pregnancy...just exercise precaution." he informed her.
"Thanks Doc!" she said with a smile as she hopped off the examing table.
"Why don't you go ahead and get dressed...I'll have your vitamin perscription waiting for you at the front desk when you're ready to go." the doctor said as he squeezed her hand before walking out of the room.
After she had dressed, Amy made her way to the receptionist, paid her bill, retrieved her perscription and left.
She had dropped Hutch off at the diner before heading to her appointment and had agreed to pick him up when her appointment was through.
With a spring in her step Amy climbed into her pickup and drove off to the diner.
...
Starsky and Meridith were busy going over case files when Dobey walked out from his office and said somberly. "We have another dead body...same MO as the others...looks like our killer has struck again!"
"Where?" Starsky asked.
"Adams and North Fifth!" Dobey informed them. "I want you two over there to check it out!"
"We're on our way Cap'n!" Starsky replied holding the door for Inspector Meridith as they walked out of the squad room.
The two detectives arrived at the victim's residence within minutes and were greeted by the crime lab team.
"Talk to me Charlie!" Starsky said as they entered the crime scene.
"Well...no sign of a forced entry...so I'm guessing she knew her attacker!" the forensic guru stated.
"Same MO as the previous victims...a blow to the back of the head with a blunt instrument...her wrist were tied up with packing tape...and she was gagged so she couldn't scream...then raped...and eventually...after beating her...he put her out of her misery by suffocating her." the man from forensics added.
Starsky and Meridith walked over to the victim's body and pulled back the sheet.
Meridith took one look at the body and rushed out the front door.
Starsky, still having a few more questions to ask, lingered.
He took a look around the vicitm's residence, picking up a paper bag that laid on the kitchen counter making a mental note that it came from Hartman's Pharmacy then once he was through he made his way outside.
Meridith was seated in the front seat of the Torino with her eyes closed and head back on the seat.
Starsky leaned his head into the opened window and said. "You okay?"
"I will be." she replied solemly.
Starsky climbed into the Torino and looked over at the woman.
"Who ever did that Starsky is one very sick man!" she added.
"Yeah." was all Starsky said in reply as he started up the car's engine and drove back to the station.
...
While Hutch was enjoying his breakfast at the diner he became engrossed in a conversation with one of the locals and found out the man ran a guide service that involved taking clients out on fly fishing expositions on the Ruby Lake's Wildlife Preserve.
The man took an instant liking to Hutch and offered him a job as a guide trainee and Hutch eagerly accepted.
"I like to give all my new guides a sign on bonus to start...that way they can buy supplies and whatever they need to start off right." the man said as reached into his wallet and pulled out three fifty dollar bills and handed them to Hutch.
"Well thank you...that's very generous of you!" Hutch said with a smile of graditude.
"So John...I'll see you tomorrow morning then at my office...say around eleven...we can discuss more in detail about the position?" The man said as he held out his hand.
"Thanks again Lloyd...I'm awful grateful for the oppurtunity!" Hutch replied with a handshake to seal the deal.
After the man left, Hutch stayed at the counter sipping on coffee while he waited for Amy to show.
As he sat there, he noticed a young girl seated off to the side in a booth and his eyes were instantly drawn to her.
He noticed that she appeared to have a nervous tick and her hands trembled badly as she tried to drink a glass of water.
There was something about her actions that seemed vaguely familiar to Hutch but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Hutch watched the young girl for a few minutes more then said to the waitress behind the counter. "How 'bout a piece of that cherry pie there Mary."
The waitress cut a slice of the pie and placed it on a plate and sat it in front of the blond.
She was surprised when Hutch got up and carried the plate over to the young girl and sat it down on her table.
"Thought you'd might like a piece of homemade pie...you like cherry don't you?" he asked the young girl with the discheveled appearence.
The young girl eyed Hutch suspiciously at first then nodded as she looked at the pie.
"May I?" Hutch asked as he motioned to the chair.
The young girl thought for a second then nodded again.
Hutch smiled and took the seat opposite her.
"You live around here?" he asked her.
"Sorta." the girl replied as she began to gulp down the pie.
"Do you have family close by?" he questioned her.
"What...are you writing a book or somethin'!" she said defensively.
"No...just curious that's all." Hutch replied.
As Hutch sat there watching the girl devour her pie she eventually spoke up. "My Mom and Dad live back in Los Angeles."
"So what brought you here?" he probed as he watched the girl continue to tremble uncontrollably.
"I came out here with my boyfriend...he had a gig with a band...but it didn't work out." she told Hutch.
"So where's your boyfriend now?" Hutch asked.
"I don't know...we were staying at a friend's place and he left to take care of some stuff one day and he never came back!" the girl informed Hutch as she scraped the crumbs from her plate and licked the spoon clean.
"He was sorta messin' with the wrong kinda' crowd if you know what I mean." the girl said as she rung her hands together and began to rock back and forth.
"I-I-I told him not to go that day...I told him it didn't feel right...but Billie just went anyway...said he was gonna' make enough money for us to get away and make a fresh start." she added.
"You gotta' cigarette Mister?" she asked Hutch.
"No...I don't smoke...sorry." Hutch replied.
The girl started to shake and twitch more rapidly as their conversation progressed.
After several seconds lapsed without either one of them speaking, the girl then nervously asked. "You wanna go out back...for twenty bucks I can make you feel real good."
Hutch was taken aback by her comment.
"Oh sweetheart...why would you want to do something like that?" he asked her softly.
"I-I-I really need the money...I can't take it anymore!" the girl sobbed as she scratched her right arm.
"Honey...there are places here that can help you with those kind of problems." Hutch whispered as he placed his hand gently on her arm.
"What do you know about my problems!" the girl spat as she pulled back her arm.
Not wanting the girl to get angry and feel the need to get up and leave, Hutch quickly changed the subject.
"When was the last time you saw your folks?" he asked.
"I don't know...a year maybe." she replied as her eyes pooled with tears.
"I bet they miss you." Hutch added with a smile.
"They probably hate me...I ran away with Billie and never even said goodbye!" the girl sobbed.
"Oh Sweetie...I'm sure they don't hate you...my guess is they're probably sitting at home right now wondering and worrying about you." Hutch said.
The girl wiped a tear from her cheek.
"I have been thinking about them a lot lately." the girl admitted tearfully.
Hutch leaned over and brushed the hair from the young girl's eyes.
"What if I was to help you find a way to get back home to your parents...do you think you'd like to do that Sweetheart?" Hutch asked soothingly.
"Why would you want to help me Mister...I'm a nobody to you?" she sobbed.
"That's not true...a little lost maybe...but definitely not a nobody...and with a little help...I bet you could find your way back." Hutch said as he dabbed her tears with a napkin from the table.
"Whata' ya' say?"Hutch asked as he smiled at the girl and was delighted when she smiled back.
Just then Hutch saw Amy's red pickup pull up out front.
He then reached into his pocket and retrieved one of the fifty dollar bills his new employer had just given him.
He reached over and opened the girl's hand and placed the bill in the palm of her hand and gently closed it.
"I know you'll do the right thing." Hutch said with a smile before touching the girl's cheek and standing up to leave.
The girl was completely surprised by the blond's generosity when she looked at the money in her hand.
As Hutch started to walk away the girl called out to him. "Hey Mister...what's your name?"
Hutch turned back around and replied. "It's John!"
"Mine's Holly...thank you John." she said with a sincere smile.