Sorry this has taken so long guys. Hope you like it.

Friends like you

Chapter 2

In no time at all, Starsky, Hutch and their unwilling passenger arrived at the station. They pulled the man, who they had discovered was called Tony, into the building and handed him over to two uniforms to book him. They had also arranged for a coroner wagon to pick up Tony's friend, Jerry. It had certainly been one of their more exciting mornings. And there was still the mystery of whom Jerry and Tony's bad of stolen goodies belonged too to solve.

The two cops walked into the squad room and, to Hutch's dismay, they were sill arguing about a certain record of Starsky's.

"I just don't believe you, Hutch", Starsky was moaning for the hundredth time, "my Fats Domino!"

Hutch muttered under his breath. Starsky stopped walking and glared at him. "What was that, partner?"

Hutch eyed Starsky. "You know, Starsk--how many times do I have to say I'm Godamned sorry?! Next time, I'll put your stupid record in my oven. What do ya say?"

Starsky thought about retorting to this, but eventually decided against it. Hutch smiled to himself. Peace at last!

Just as Starsky and Hutch settled themselves down to begin their reports for that mornings bust, Captain Dobey's door swung open and he barked at the two detectives, "You two, get in here, now!" He turned and walked back into his office without waiting for them to reply and slammed the door behind him.

Starsky frowned and glanced over at Hutch. "You think the Cap´s in a good mood, buddy?"

Hutch grinned. "About the same mood as normal!"

Starsky nodded and they both slowly got to their feet, wondering what they had done THIS time. Just as they got to the Captain's door, the big man shouted again, making them both start. "I said now! Get your butts in here!"

Starsky and Hutch exchanged looks and then apprehensively opened the door. Their Captain glowered at them from behind his desk.

"Close the door behind you!" he snapped.

Hutch gave his Captain another enquiring look and then shut the door. Starsky grinned at his Captain.

"Hey Cap, you know patience is a virtue, don't ya?"

Dobey glared at the cheeky brunette. "Shut up and sit down Starsky, you too Hutchinson."

Starsky shrugged and then sat himself down, Hutch doing the same beside him. The Captain eyed them both for a moment and then opened his mouth to speak.

"There are many more virtues which seem to have passed you by, Starsky," came a sudden voice from the corner of the room.

Starsky and Hutch both whirled round, startled. A man stepped closerto them, a smug smile on his face. Commissioner Walters was a short man with a nasty air of superiority about him. He had a round face

with small, piggy eyes. Starsky and Hutch had both known him for a few years though that had had little to do with him, which was how they preferred it. The man had taken an instant dislike to Starsky,

when they had first met and the feeling was quite mutual. Walters was now looking at Starsky with distaste.

"I can name a couple of virtues for you, Detective. Cleanliness and respect for your superiors are a good two to remember." He then let out a little, high-pitched giggle. Starsky felt his blood begin to

boil.

Hutch put a hand on his partner´s shoulder, knowing Starsky was close to losing his temper, smiled at the Commissioner and then told him. "Surely that depends on which superior you are talking about

though, doesn't it, Sir?"

Starsky let out a small chuckle and Walters glared at Hutch for a moment. He then smiled. "Yes, Hutchinson, I can understand why you would make a comment like that. After all, you spend so much time with your partner, his attitude is bound to rub off on you'." He laughed.

Hutch stayed quiet for a beat and then replied coolly, "I hope so." Starsky gave him an appreciative smile. Walters glared at them.

Dobey coughed, breaking the tension. "Commissioner, I understand you have something you want to tell my men."

Walters smiled at the Captain. "Yes, of course, Captain Dobey." He turned again to the Detectives, the fixed smile back on his face.

"The first thing I need to tell you is that a new face will be starting at this precinct soon. A sergeant who comes with the best recommendations. He has had a rough time recently, but I intend to

give him every opportunity to make a career here." The Commissioner paused.

Starsky and Hutch glanced at each other and then Hutch turned to Walters. "This is a nice story, Commissioner, but we don't see what is has to do with us." Walters smiled at Hutch. Something about the smile made Hutch's insides freeze.

"I'm certain that will become clear to you, Hutchinson. But I must make you understand, if anything happens in this station to make my sergeant feel at all uncomfortable, I will be speaking to you two

again. Is that understood?"

Hutch nodded and Starsky shrugged. But the looks they exchanged showed that neither of them had a clue what this had to do with them. And it made them feel uncomfortable.

The Commissioner seemed satisfied. "Good, I'm pleased that's sorted. I hope you can both be", the man looked straight at Starsky, "adult about this."

Starsky forced himself to smile, but Hutch could see that it was taking every bit of strength his partner had not to lunge at the sneering man. He tightened his hold on his friend´s shoulder.

Dobey was also struggling to control himself. "Is that all, Commissioner?"

Walters shot Dobey a frosty look. "No, Captain, not quite. This next request comes from the very top and you are expected to accept, obviously."

Hutch frowned at Starsky. Now what?

"There is a ball tonight, for high police ranks only really but your presence there is requested. It seems you are both to receive commendations for your recent efforts, including the Gunther and Monty arrests."

Hutch muttered under his breath and Starsky rolled his eyes. An evening in suits and ties with only Walters' sort for company was not what they had planned for their evening.

Walters caught their reactions. "I am also to tell you that if you do not put in an appearance, it will not look good on you, your precinct or your Captain. Is any of this unclear?"

Hutch sighed. Starsky glanced at Dobey and then snapped at the Commissioner, "Its perfectly clear." Then, after a moment, added "Sir."

"Excellent," exclaimed Walters. "Well, that's all for now. Other than, I don't need to tell you that it will be a highbrow affair, with lots of important, high ranking officials. If you could all be on your best behaviour and for once," he glanced again at Starsky, "show some manners."

Starsky made a mock bow to the commissioner. Hutch chortled and then tried to turn it into a cough.

Walters marched towards the door. "Until tonight then gentlemen," he said pleasantly and then swept out of the door.

As soon as the door was shut, both Starsky and Hutch turned on their Captain, yelling questions and demanding explanations at the same time.

Dobey leapt to his feet. "THAT'S ENOUGH!" he bellowed and the detectives fell silent. "Don't ask me any questions as I'm not allowed to answer them. I wish to God that I could".

Hutch mumbled "great," and turned away. Starsky gave Dobey a pleading look.

"C'mon, Cap, a policeman's ball? It's not really our scene, you know?"

"You think it's mine, Starsky?" Dobey retorted. "I had a nice evening with Edith planned. I gotta go and so do you!"

"Cap, this Sergeant--" Hutch began, but Dobey spoke across him.

"I told you, Hutchinson, I can't tell you anymore than what Walters did." His tone softened. "I'm sorry, you don't know how much. Just promise me one thing, tonight, whatever you hear, whoever you see,

don't start anything." Dobey paused, worried he had said more than he should as his boys eyed him enquiringly. "Look," Dobey snapped with a sigh. "Get out on the streets you two but be back here tonight for eight o clock, sharp!"

Hutch shook his head. "The party is here?"

"I didn't plan it, Hutch!" Dobey snapped, almost losing it. "Now, get the hell out of here. You got work to do. And make sure you two finish that report!"

Starsky and Hutch got to their feet, walked across the room and left the room. Dobey watched them go, a look of apprehension on his face.

The two detectives walked through the precinct, heading back to the car park.

"Great," Starsky was complaining. "Just great!"

Hutch frowned at him. "I don't know what you're moaning about, Starsk. I had a date tonight."

Starsky shrugged. "Take her."

Hutch gave Starsky an "are you mad" look. "Yeah, right. She'd just love the company!"

Starsky laughed. "True, not exactly a crazy crowd, are they?"

This banter continued as the Detectives left the station and moved towards the Torino. The partners were unaware that their every moves were being watched.

Peters stood to one side of the car park, being careful to keep himself out of sight. He frowned as he saw the cops laughing as they got into their car, obviously sharing a joke.

A nasty smile spread across the man's face. You enjoy yourselves whilst you can fellas,' Peters thought, I'll see you tonight."

TBC