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

Disclaimer: I own the rights to no one, even myself sometimes as I allow Starsky and Hutch to take control and make me write. The OC's are mine, and the story belongs to yours truly.

Author's Notes: I don't think I have one this time…Imagine that??? But if you want to give me a minute, I'll try to think of something…

Warning: Adult Language…

Prisoners

Chapter Four

Hutch looked down at the injured girl, "You hangin' in there?" He asked earning him a nod from Sara. "Atta girl."

He stood and walked towards two of the boys that were holding them at bay with their weapons pointed at him, raising his hands in the air, next to his shoulders, proving his lack of threat.

"We need to get her outta here." He informed them. "Why don't you let her and the other kids go…"

"No!" The taller of the two shouted in protest. "No one goes anywhere…Now sit down." He raised his gun, taking aim at the blonde's head.

"Ricky, maybe he's right, maybe we should throw in the towel…this isn't the way it was supposed to go down…" The other stammered.

"The way what was supposed to go down?" Hutch asked as he could see Ricky's irritation grow.

"Shut the fuck up Eric! We are going through with this no matter what!" He snapped as Eric sighed in disgust. "Look mister, we didn't mean to hurt anyone, but there's nothin' I can do about that now, so why don't you go back over there and take care of her as best you can, until I figure something else out?"

It was obvious to Hutch now, who was in charge of the group, he did as he was told and moved back to Sara's side. Her hand reached up, searching for his, as he grabbed it and squeezed gently.

"It's okay, we're gonna have you outta here in no time, I promise." He lied as he winked at the young girl.

Jimmy rushed back to their side with towels and a first aide kit like Hutch had requested. He placed the items on the ground, next to the blond detective and backed away, pulling his weapon up in front of him.

Hutch grabbed a handful of towels and thrust them at Brinks, "Put these over her wound, keep pressure on them." He instructed as he opened the metal box, containing a minimal amount of first aide items as he scavenged through them.

"What are we gonna do?" Brinks whispered to him as Hutch concentrated on presenting a calm persona for Sara.

"My partner's out there," He flipped his head towards the door. "He had to of heard the shots…" He pulled out a bottle of hydrogen peroxide as he shook it, and then removed the lid, pouring some of the fluid over Sara's wound, "He'll get us out of here, I know he will." He added some of the solution on a clean towel as he leaned over Sara and Brinks moved backwards. "Trust me; he's not going to let us down." Hutch said confidently as he placed the clean towel soaked with peroxide on Sara's side causing her to yell out.

"Nooooo!" She cried out, her body arching, making Hutch's face contort in sympathy as his eyes locked with hers.

"I'm sorry honey…hang in there, I have to clean it out…shhhhh, its okay…" His calm voice and pale blue eyes soothing her as her body began to relax. "You're doin' great." He assured her as his other hand stroked her cheek.

"It hurts…." She stated as her eyes closed briefly, squeezing hard as the pain slowly subsided.

"I know it does…shhhh, you're fine…" He turned his attention back to her wound as he placed the soaked cloth against the entrance wound.

From the looks of things, the bullet was still inside her, Hutch checked for an exit wound, but found none. He looked up at Brinks who was watching him intently.

"We need to get her out of here. " He said, looking through his brow at the guard.

"How?" the large man asked, his eyes filled with fear too.

"I dunno yet, I'm thinking…" Hutch proclaimed as he looked to the ceiling. Hurry up Starsk…He thought to himself.

XXXX

"Get the fuck up!" Dawn commanded as Starsky groaned and slowly made his way to the upright position.

Krista stood behind him, her gun focused on the brunet's leather jacket. Dawn switched positions as she joined Krista, looking affectionately into her eyes as she leaned forward and kissed her. "You okay, babe?" She asked.

Krista nodded silently, her face flushing. Starsky realized at that moment that these two girls were more than just friends as Dawn took the weapon from Krista, having her stand behind the petite girl protectively.

Dawn flipped the barrel of the weapon towards the bathroom door. "Move!" She commanded as Starsky obeyed, both girls following him out the door and down the corridor towards the cafeteria.

XXXX

The entire population of the cafeteria had been herded towards the back of the room with the exception of Hutch, Brinks and Sara. Both men worked to make the girl as comfortable as possible.

"So you sure 'bout that partner of yours?" Brinks asked, obviously needing reassurance. "You really think he'll be able to save our butts?"

Hutch snorted, "If only you knew him, you'd know how funny that statement of yours, is." The blond placed the back of his hand on Sara's forehead, checking for a cool clammy feeling or one of wet, heated perspiration. "He's the best damn cop on the force, I trust him with my life…" He paused and thought about what he had just said, "I even trust him with your life."

The doors to the cafeteria opened as all heads whipped around, guns coming up from several directions, poised and ready to act if commanded.

The first person through the door was the best damn cop Bay City had, his hands were restrained in front of him as he walked, no limped, into the room, a pained expression shown across his face.

Hutch rose up on his knees, a concern washing across his face, "Starsk." He gasped as the brunet locked eyes with him, blushing profusely even making itself evident through his already bruising cheek.

Hutch fully expected to see many men walking behind his partner, proving how the slick officer was able to be taken hostage so easily. Even with the limp and the swelling cheek, Hutch knew Starsky better than anyone, and knew that he would have fought with everything he had, to remain free, and save the blonde's life. Hutch was shocked to see two particularly small girls following him, one holding a rather large gun, pointed at his back as they moved him towards the front of the room. Concern and relief washed over the brunet's face as he saw that Hutch was okay, but that he was tending to an injured girl who was lying on the floor near him, writhing in pain.

Both men locked eyes, speaking to each other, glad to see each was okay, but now trying to figure out how they were going to get out of this. Without realizing it, Starsky must have slowed down his gait as he received a jab to his back, prompting him forward. He was ushered to the small stage and instructed to sit on its edge and behave himself.

Krista ran to the group in the center of the room, where the injured female lay. She approached Jimmy and Eric, "What the hell happened here? No one was supposed to get hurt!" She spewed frantically as she watched Hutch tend the girl on the floor.

"It...it was an accident, I didn't mean to, he was shooting at us," Jimmy stammered, pointing at Brinks, "I was tryin' to scare him, she ran in the way…I'm sorry…oh God, I'm so sorry!"

Krista dropped to her knees beside Sara as she nervously eyed the tall blond detective. "She gonna be alright?" She asked, earnestly concerned.

Hutch looked up at the frightened girl, "I don't know. What I do know is that we need to get her to a hospital, think you can help me out with that?"

Krista looked around at her cohorts in crime as Hutch could see her mind racing, "I'll try. Let me see what I can do." She said as she rose and hurried off, rushing to Dawn's side.

" 'scuse me…" Sara whispered to the blond.

"What is it?" Hutch asked.

"Thank you…" She smiled feebly. "I mean for helping me an' all."

Hutch blushed as he dipped his head, feeling unworthy of her thanks at least just yet. Once he got her out and safe, then she could thank him. "M'names, Ken, Ken Hutchinson. My friends call me Hutch." He realized that he hadn't even introduced himself, he was so worried about her condition that he forgot to make sure she was comfortable with him touching and examining her wound. She needed a friend, now more than ever, one that she felt relaxed with.

"Can I call you Hutch?" She said quietly as her body once again tensed up and it rode the cresting wave of pain that surged through it, until it slowly ebbed and flowed back into the deep recesses of her soul.

Hutch made sure to increase his pressure around her hand as she fought against the pain, letting her know that he was there to go through it with her. "It's okay…I'm here…I've got you…Good girl, you're doing great."

She squeezed her eyes shut tightly as several tears were wrung free, escaping from the corners of her eyes and down the sides of her face, disappearing into her hair.

"Son of a bitch." She exclaimed, causing Hutch to snort.

"I know how you feel."

"You been shot…before?" All she wanted to do was keep talking, keep contact with this man next to her, let him know that what ever he was doing, it was helping.

"A couple times," he answered, "An' you're right, it's a Son of a bitch!" He allowed one corner of his mouth to curl up in unspoken understanding.

XXXX

Krista ran up to Dawn as she was guarding the brunet detective heavily. She was scared and worried and it showed as she stuttered when she talked.

"Dawn, she's been shot…we need to get her help…you have to talk Ricky into letting her go." Krista pled.

"No way, there's no way Ricky is gonna let anyone outta here until we get all of our demands met. You know that as well as I do!" She shouted.

"Demands?" Starsky interjected curiously, only to be ignored by both of the girls.

"Well, you have to talk him into it, if anyone can, it's you!" The desperation in Krista's face played heavily on Dawn's heart. "Please Dawn, for me…?"

Dawn pondered her options briefly as she looked over at the proclaimed leader of the pack.

"Okay, okay…I'll do my best, but no promises, you hear me?" She reluctantly caved in as she moved towards Starsky.

Instinctively, both of Starsky's hands covered his already injured and compromised groin as he unintentionally flinched back in anticipation of another strike.

Dawn smiled, amused by her effect on this weak man, "Don't worry mister, I ain't gonna do that again…" She grabbed the keys from her jacket and after handing the weapon back to Krista, began to uncuff the nervous man, "unless of course, you leave me no other choice."

Hutch watched his partner's uncharacteristic fear and reactions that he showed with the two girls and wondered just exactly what had happened in the bathroom to make the strongest man he knew so gun shy…

"You think you can help your friend over there?" Dawn asked him as he sheepishly looked at her.

"There's only one way to find out, now isn't there?" He replied as he slowly rose from the stage, hopping down to the floor, freezing in motion as he felt the after effects of his earlier encounter with the girls in the bathroom. He went from a bent over position to an upright one, slowly, his body still feeling sore and bruised in areas he couldn't check at the moment.

Once he felt comfortable moving, knowing that any body part wasn't going to just fall off with the wrong movement, he gingerly limped to Hutch's side, placing one hand on the blonde's shoulder.

"What you got here?" He asked as he held his breath, moving back down to his knees slowly.

"Gun shot to the side, entrance wound, no exit wound. She's lost a bit of blood, but it seems to be slowing down." Hutch reported to his partner as Starsky moved to the girl's other side, pushing Brinks out of the way. "I'm just tryin' to keep her from going into shock here."

"Hey there schweetheart…" Starsky did his best impression, "You're one tough chick, you know that?" He dipped his head at her in admiration.

"No…I'm not…" She sighed. "It's him." She looked affectionately at Hutch. "If it weren't for him…I don't know what I'd do."

"Yeah? Well don't go given him a big head, 'kay kid? I still gotta work with him." Starsky joked as he lifted her shirt slightly taking a look for himself at the damage.

They both kept up a nonchalant conversation as they tried to keep some semblance of calm.

Both Starsky and Hutch locked eyes, they knew that she needed to get help, and she needed it soon. Her complexion was paling and her skin grew cool and clammy. She was going into shock and both detectives recognized the signs.

"Any idea what these kids want?" Starsky asked Hutch.

"No idea, I honestly haven't even had the chance to ask." Hutch responded.

"I heard the girl," he rolled his eyes as he emphasized the word 'girl', "Talk about them having some demands."

"Demands?" Hutch retorted in surprise. "They're kids for God's sake, what kind of demands could the have?"

"Got me…but I think we need to find out." Starsky stated as he cupped Sara's face in his palm. "You're doin' great, we're gonna have you outta here in no time, kay?" He vowed as he slowly stood and limped towards Jimmy and Ricky, who were in deep conversation, holding both his hands up.

Ricky approached the detective first, holding his weapon in front of him. "Turn around!" He commanded as Starsky obeyed.

"Look, I'm not goin' try anythin'. I was just gonna try and see if we couldn't arrange to get this poor girl outta here." He asked as Ricky patted Starsky down, checking his jacket pockets, pulling out his thin billfold, flipping it open and exposing his badge.

"Detective Sergeant Starsky?" Ricky mocked.

"That's right." The brunet concurred. "Look, you really need to think about getting that girl to a hospital, she's going into shock."

Ricky looked at Jimmy, his face locked in surprised expression, "Detective Sergeant…!" He exclaimed as he turned to Eric, "Get his badge!" He instructed the boy as he pointed at Hutch.

Hutch held perfectly still as Eric retrieved the badge from his back pocket, flipping it open as well and then looking up at Ricky in fear.

"Detective Sergeant Kenneth Hutchinson." He read from the ID in the billfold.

"Fuck!" Ricky shouted out as he whipped around. "Son of a bitch!" He stormed away.

Starsky and Hutch exchanged glances as they shared confusion.

Dawn, Krista and Eric gathered together, exchanging words.

Krista approached Starsky as she tried to remain calm, "You're a Sergeant?" She asked.

"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" He asked inquisitively.

"Nothing, 'cept for the fact that Ricky was plannin' on havin' the Chief of fucking Police here to bargain with, an' now all he's got is you two!" She said as she walked past him towards Sara.

Starsky tried to hide the hurt that washed over him, "What's wrong with me?" He asked, still holding himself as Dawn approached him agitatedly.

"No offense stud, but from the looks of things, plenty." Dawn quipped as she moved to the other side of the room once again.

"Sara, it's me…Krista…" The taller blond girl said affectionately. "Don't worry, I'm gonna get Ricky to get you out of here, I promise, okay? So just hang in there a little bit longer…can you do that for me sweetie?" She brushed Sara's damp bangs from her forehead as she stroked her hair.

Sara just nodded as she did everything she could to keep from crying out, the burning in her side so intense that it fought to consume her. Her eyes grew heavy and weary as it became a struggle to stay awake. Her body trembled.

"I…I'm cold Krista…" She stammered. "Why are you guys doin; this…? I don't understand…why…"

Krista looked up at Jimmy. "Go get some blankets; we need to keep her warm." She ordered him as he once again, ran off.

Sara looked back at Hutch, her eyes searching for his pale blue ones, losing herself for a moment in his compassion and kindness as he smiled at her. "How you feeling?" He asked.

" M' tired…I just want to sleep…just for a little bit…" She said as her eyes started to close.

"No! Sara, no! I need you to stay awake for me, keep talking to me, can you do that sweetheart? For me?" Hutch begged as his brow furrowed in deep concern. She was getting tired and cold; he felt her slipping away as the time ticked on.

To Be Continued…