The little white house stood out among the others down the street. The colour among other things and the roses that grew around the porch, made it stand out. Hutch hadn't expected to find such a nice house in an area of the city that was known for its riots and vandalism, but after so many years on the force he'd learned not to get so easily surprised.

Seeing a small beat up car in the driveway Hutch assumed someone was in and knocked on the door without hesitation. It took a while to get a response, but the door opened and a short blond girl stared out through the half open crack.

"Hello," A timid voice said just loud enough for Hutch to hear. He produced his badge and smiled slightly.

"Jane Thomas, I'm detective Hutchinson, I believe we've met before" Jane squinted at the ID inside the wallet.

"You were the cop who arrested Marty when he needed a fix, right?" Hutch nodded and watched as the door closed a little.

"That's right, but I'm not here to bust you, I just want to talk to you"

Jane stared down, watching her bunny slippers shuffle against the carpet.

"What do you want to know?" She asked.

"Can I come in?" Hutch asked in return.

"I'd rather you didn't, I….What do you want to know?" Hutch reached into his pocket and took out the picture of Michael Briggs.

"You were seen at this man's house, do you know him?" The tense look that griped Jane's face answered Hutch's question. "Is he a drug dealer?"

Jane turned away, her left foot almost kicking the door shut. "You are here to bust me"

Hutch pushed the door open fully and grabbed her by the shoulders before she could get further away from him.

"No, honestly I'm not here to bust you, but I know that you've been to this man's house and I want to know why, that's all"

Jane didn't move for a moment, her hands shaking with either fear or withdrawal. She avoided looking at Hutch's face, but she snatched the photo from his hand and looked more closely at it.

"Is…is he dead?' She asked hesitantly. Hutch nodded. She threw the photo on the ground and leaned against the wall. Hutch let go of her and waited for her to continue.

"He was my only source" She said with a sniff. "I was finding it hard to find the money for other…dealers, but his prices were not so bad" She bit the end of one of her long finger nails and spat it on to the floor.

"His stuff was good too, real good"

"Do you have any idea who might want to kill him?" Jane snorted.

"Nearly ever other dealer in town. He didn't work for anyone, his prices were lower than average. I know it wouldn't be long before someone got to him"

"Can you be more specific? Anyone you know who had a stronger grudge against him" Jane shook her head.

"No, but my old dealer is angry. He didn't like me switching to someone else" Hutch stepped a little closer, but made sure he gave her space.

"Who was your old dealer?"

Jane shoved her thumb nail in her mouth, her eyes wide and staring blankly at the ground.

"Can't say, he'll kill me"

Hutch touched her arm gently, just enough to get her eyes to focus at him.

"He won't know you said a word" He tried to convey his sincerity through his words and judging by the way Jane's face relaxed a little it appeared to work.

"Blake" She whispered, as if the man she was talking about could hear her if she talked louder. "Donald Blake"

The name was familiar, but it still took Hutch a moment to recall why. It came to him like a shot of electricity to the brain.

"He was the guy we busted you with the first time, only all the evidence was planted on you not him, so he got off" Jane nodded slowly.

"I went back to him afterward because his prices were still lower than others, but I ran in to Michael when I needed a fix, but didn't have enough money to go to Donald. He helped me out. Now, I don't know what to do"

Hutch squeezed her shoulder slightly, in a way he hoped was comforting rather than anything else.

"Get some help, you need it"

Jane stared up at Hutch, a few tears starting to show in her eyes, but she smiled slightly and forced them back.

"Easier to say than do" She pushed herself away from the wall and held the door open for Hutch, who took that as his cue to leave, but before he did he took ten dollars out of his pocket and placed it in Jane's hand.

"I'll come back soon and if this hasn't gone towards quitting, you owe me ten bucks" He gave her a parting smile before leaving the house.

Once outside the door he stopped by his car and thought about his next move. He needed to get over to Donald's place for a little 'chat', but it just occurred to him that he had left without Alan. The guy was probably having a fit, but Hutch could work up the energy to care. He unlocked the door, but something slamming on the roof made him jump and drop his keys. He looked up and saw Alan standing on the other side of the car panting as if he'd just sprinted from a long distance.

"Didn't think I'd c-catch you" He gasped, desperately trying to get his breathing under control.

"How did you find me?" Hutch asked nonchalantly as he picked up his keys

"When I couldn't find you at the o-office I asked Dobey w-where you were and he didn't know. I checked your d-desk and saw Jane Thomas' name circled. I got the a-address and I came. Now I'd l-like an explanation for why you d-ditched me" His tone was harsh, but there was a nervousness in his eyes, which made Hutch wondered if the kid could stand up against one raised word.

"I forgot, sorry"

Alan's cheeks flushed.

"You forgot, we've been working together all day and you f-forgot. I'm starting to think you don't w-want me around" Hutch had the sudden urge to say he didn't, but he shoved that thought away and simple said. "Well, I didn't ask for a temporary partner"

Alan gasped as if he'd been punched in the gut. The fact was true and he knew it, but it didn't make the statement hurt any less.

"T-that maybe t-true, but the f-fact r-remains, I am s-still your p-partner and I don't l-like you d-d-ditching me w-w-whenever you feel fit to d-do so" His stutter seemed to get worse as he voice rose. Hutch did not have the time or the patients to deal with this.

"Then why don't you go cry to somebody who cares because I can't seem to find the energy too. I just want to solve this case anyway I can and if that means going alone at times then so be it"

"If that's the way you usually work I really pity your old partner" The words were out before Alan could control his tongue and the look the words invoked almost knocked Alan to his knees. Hutch's eyes had turned cold and he raised a finger that pointed at Alan.

"You say another word about my partner and I swear I beat the living hell out of you right this second and blame it on a drunk. You are NOT my partner and you never will be so get out of my life" He opened the car door with such power it nearly came off in his hand. He got in the car and started the engine so fast Alan barely had time to move away before the car shot off down the road.

TBC

(Sorry about the short chapter and the long wait, but I've been busy)