Otter had bustled into the kitchen a couple of times while Starsky and Captain Dobey were talking. He had carried a hot cup of tea and packets of sugar into the bedroom. After a few minutes, he came out, shutting the door gently.

"How is he?" Dobey inquired.

"He's asleep. He has had a big shock and needs rest. I took him a cup of herbal tea with lots of sugar to help him rest."

Starsky went to the kitchen, coming back with a couple of beers. "This is how I relax."

Dobey frowned and warned. "Don't relax too much. You can't afford a slip of the tongue. Was Ken . . . I mean did you find out for sure if he was raped?"

"He wasn't, thanks to Starsky," Otter answered. "He always had to play hero, even in 'Nam."

"Well, just call me Captain America," Starsky finished off his second beer. "I gotta go meet Moreno."

Dobey warned, "Be careful. Otter, can you stay with Ken? I'll go by his apartment and bring some clothes back. I'll need to check in at my office. I can bring some food, too. I don't want Ken trying to leave until we get a chance to talk."

Starsky commented, "Good idea, Captain. Otter, I'll try to be back later. Gotta run."

Halfway to the door, Otter called, "Thought you flew, Captain America!"

Starsky scowled as he left. Captain Dobey smiled at Otter as he was leaving. Otter then plunked down in the couch and picked up a paperback book.

It was well after midnight when Starsky got back. Otter was dozing, paperback in his lap.

Starsky picked up the book and frowned. 'Twenty Ways to Find Enlightenment'. Really, Otter."

Otter opened his right eye. "Is that you, oh superhero?"

"Stop that superhero stuff," Starsky ordered sharply. "How's Ken?"

"Dobey brought some clothes back and when Ken woke up, he snatched them and ran a bath. Looks like he scrubbed himself hard because his face and arms were red when he got out. I made him some more herbal tea and he went back to sleep. Best thing for him."

"He can't hide out in sleep forever," Starsky commented. He went into the kitchen and returned with two more beers and downed them quickly.

Otter raised an eyebrow. "Hiding out in beer doesn't work either."

Starsky turned angry blue eyes on Otter. "You're one to talk after hiding out in morphine in 'Nam."

Otter's face turned red, matching his hair and his freckles stood out more. "Try saving bodies mangled beyond repair while the enemy rains down bullets all around you and see how you'd handle it." Otter stood up. "Take it easy on Ken. Not everyone is as tough as you are."

"Sorry, Otter," Starsky muttered. "I shouldn't take it out on you. I was there and didn't handle it well."

Otter paused at the door. "No one did. Get some sleep. I left some pills if you need help sleeping, but don't combine alcohol and them. Ken may need some, as well. Dobey talked to him about your situation. Dobey wants him to stay here for now."

Starsky muttered, kicked off his shoes and put his feet up on the coffee table. He knocked something off the coffee table and reached over to pick it up. It was Ken's wallet and a few pictures fell out. Starsky picked up one and saw it was a family photo. A smiling blond boy and girl and their parents. He looked at Ken's driver's license. Six foot, 150 lbs. Another pic of a baseball team and a trophy. Ken was in the middle and next to him the blonde girl, both with arms around each other. Another pic of Ken running track. Starsky shook his head and wiggled down on the couch. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you, Kid? And I just don't need to cope with any more surprises." He yawned and then was out like a light. His last thought was a fervent prayer his mission would be over before it got even more complicated than it was.

TBC