Author: RockerH

November 2021

Fandom: Starsky and Hutch

Title: Taking Notice (Sequel to Careful What You Wish For)

-Chapter 1-

"Get me out of here...please," Starsky begged. After seven days laid up in a hospital bed Detective David Starsky was more than ready to get back to his everyday life.

Hutch laughed at his over-eager partner, "Hold your horses, Starsk. Believe me, I want you out of here just as badly as you want to get out, but this isn't up to me, ya know."

"But seven days Hutch! I shoulda been out after three. There was no need to keep me in hospital prison for that long! I have things to do, places to go, and definitely some people to see," Starsky carried on. "Seven days!"

"Simmer down, Starsk. No point in getting yourself all worked up . We have spent enough time in hospitals to know they won't cut you loose if you have a fever and…that infection just wouldn't go away. But, now all we have to do is wait for the doctor to sign off on your release and we are out of here."

"But it was seven days! That's a whole week."

"Seven days make a week ...got it," Hutch said dryly. "Have you ever thought that maybe you are getting older and the body doesn't heal as fast as it used to?"

"Very funny. I'll have you know I am in peak physical condition."

"Right, except for the hole in your leg, and those stitches holding your brains in, you are terrific. Oh, and the concussion from when you hit the pavement, but you are right, Starsky. Prime physical condition. Let's sign you up for a marathon on the way home."

Finding humor in dark situations was always a crucial part of the Me and Thee code; the unspoken promise that kept David and Ken's friendship solid and helped them navigate their complex and danger-filled lives. The afternoon Captain Dobey contacted Hutch about Starsky's shooting, he had been enjoying a well earned vacation. The message was brief and to the point, Starsky had been the collateral victim of a drive-by shooting while on duty. Dobey expressly noted that none of his injuries were deemed to be life-threatening. Even so, Hutch couldn't pack his things fast enough. Following a 'hell bent for leather' drive back to the city, Hutch found his partner recuperating in Memorial Hospital. Starsky's recovery was set back a few days by a persistent infection at the site of the bullet wound. With that obstacle overcome, Starsky was more than ready to get home and back to work.

-Chapter 2-

"Starsky, if you don't stay off that leg, it'll never heal!" Hutch patiently reminded his partner for the tenth time that morning.

"I am fine. These stupid crutches just make me a danger to myself and those around me." He playfully stuck the offending crutch in Hutch's path. "See what I mean?"

"Hutchinson! Starsky!" The perturbed voice of Captain Dobey permeated the bullpen.

The two detectives looked warily at each other. "RuhRoh Hutch, I think we have heard this song before."

"I know we have, partner. And I never like how it ends."

The detectives cautiously entered Captain Dobey's office knowing a lecture or worse was probably in their immediate future.

"Starsky, sit down. That leg will never heal if you don't stay off of it. Hutch, close the door. " Captain Harold Dobey had his sport coat off and his tie loosened. "I thought you two might want to know where we stand on the Piranha /Lobos gang situation."

"Sure do Cap," Starsky answered earnestly. " I know Hutch did some checking while I was laid up. I know what he knows, but you have something else?"

"It seems things have quieted down temporarily. You getting shot, and then finding out you were a police officer, surprisingly took the wind out of their sails for now." Dobby commented. "But we all know that is not going to last. There are already some new rumblings."

"What about the cars? I've hit a dead end with that." Hutch questioned.

"Yeah, that. As you know, the license plate on the green Camaro was stolen. Apparently it has a different tag everytime it goes out. Which doesn't help matters at all. The blue ElDorado is licensed to Eduardo Hector, the kid that was killed. That car has been making the rounds with different members of the Piranhas. Both cars seem to disappear for a while after a shooting incident only to resurface later for another shooting."

"Cap'n," Starsky questioned. "Do you know who has taken over my spot at the school crossing? Maybe they've noticed something."

"For the first few days it was a Marissa Williams from D.O.T., but now I don't know."

"Marissa Williams? Hey Starsk, isn't that who you introduced me to at the hospital?" Hutch smiled when he made the connection. "The one you said…"

Starsky shot Hutch a look that brought him up short. "Gotta go Captain...Hutch, come on." Swinging awkwardly up on his crutches, Starsky made his way to the door.

"And stay off that leg, Starsky!," Captain Dobey said gruffly. "I need my detectives to have working limbs."

Starsky stopped in his tracks, "How the heck am I supposed to do that Captain? Oh never mind!" He hooked the door with his crutch and let it slam behind him.

Captain Dobey started to let loose an infuriated roar, but in the end knew it would do him no good. His two best detectives were long gone.

Starsky and Hutch took the elevator down to the basement. "All these years, I thought the morgue was the only thing down here, who knew?" Hutch mused as they picked their way through the labyrinth of hallways.

"How 'bout that? I was surprised too. Ah, here we are," Starsky pushed the glass door open and held it for his friend.

"Talk about the Land That Time Forgot!" Hutch was mystified by the rundown condition of the DOT: Crossing Guard office.

"That was exactly what I said, my first time down here," Starsky punched Hutch in the arm. "Kind of makes you appreciate our little slice of heaven upstairs, doesn't it?"

"Well, let's not get carried away. It doesn't look like anyone has been down here since 1963. You think Marissa is here?"

"Watch and learn, Blondie." Starsky called out, "Marissa, it's David. Marco!"

"Polo!" answered a voice from deep within the storage room. Followed by the sound of footsteps.

"Marco!" Starsky replied laughing.

"Polo!" Marissa's voice was getting closer.

"There you are!" David hobbled over on his crutches and gave Marissa a lighthearted kiss.

"Mmm.." Marissa grinned. "That game was never this much fun as a kid. Oh, hi Hutch! Didn't see you there, behind all those boxes."

Ken smiled, happy to see his partner in a relationship with a woman that was his equal in brains, charm and wit. "Well, you were busy being rescued by my partner, here. It looks like quite the jungle back in there. I take it there is a method to that madness."

"If only… so what can I help you two delightful gentlemen with today?"

"Captain Dobey says you filled in at my Crossing spot right after the didn't you tell me?"

"That's right. Captain Jameson asked for volunteers. And I thought anything was better than filing all day, sooooo, yeah, I did." Marissa replied with more than a hint of pride.

"That's a dangerous assignment, I wish you would have talked to me about it first." Starsky answered back a little contentiously.

"Well, you could be many things to me, David, but mother will never be one of them. I talked to Captain Jameson about it. He filled me in. Besides, you had enough happening."

Hutched chuckled at her moxy. "She has a point, partner. It looks like she handled herself just fine."

"I didn't mean it like that. It's just that…" David trailed off. His face took on the hurt puppy dog expression that Hutch was immune to, but melted Marissa's heart.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to hide anything. But it's water under the bridge now. David, shouldn't you be sitting down?" Marissa began clearing a chair for Starsky.

"Marissa, the reason we came down is to ask about what you might have seen or heard while you were at the school crossing?" Hutch directed, trying to steer the conversation back to a professional point of view.

"The heightened police presence in the area has things quiet for now, but it is still very tense. You know, closed businesses, empty streets…scared kids."

"What about the kids?" Starsky missed seeing his school aged buddies..

That question sent Marissa scurrying to her desk, "I completely forgot. Your friend Rosey gave this to me on my first day. I've been meaning to give it to you."

Starsky took the crumpled piece of manila paper, smoothed it out, and smiled. It was a stick figure laying in bed, sporting a pink bandage wrapped around his leg. "Well that's beau-ti-ful!"

"That is definitely you, Starsk! " Hutch laughed.

"Seems you make quite an impression on the ladies. Rosey's mom asked about you too." Marissa tousled David's hair.

"All my ladies." Starsky teased. "To know me is to love me. Anyway, now that we have settled that point…"

"Starsk, if you are up to a field trip, let's go check out your crosswalk."

"There won't be anyone around until about three when the kids get out, but it won't hurt to cruise around the area. Marissa, who took over for you?" Starsky tried to be all business, but he couldn't help smiling. Marissa just seemed to bring that out in him.

"Umm, I think there have been a couple of people. Mostly rookies, ya know. That is a post no one is too eager to stay at, for some reason."

"Imagine that," Hutch retorted dryly..

"OK, Marissa. We'll check back later, take care. And umm, would you want to meet at Huggy Bear's after shift tonight? Maybe around 7?"

"Detective Starsky, are you asking me for a date?

"I guess I am. What do ya say? "

"I say, it's about time. Does your better half want to come too? I think I have a friend that might want to join us."

Hutch laughed, " Sure, I'll be glad to tag along."

Once again Starsky tried to return the conversation to a professional plane. "If we have concluded the DOT Dating Game, perhaps we should get back to finding out who put this hole in my leg."

"You started it!" Marissa and Hutch replied in unison.

-Chapter Three-

The detectives' cruise through the neighborhood controlled by the Piranhas had an unexpected and disquieting effect on Starsky. "Hey, buddy, you ok?" Hutch reached over and gave his partner a squeeze on the shoulder.

Starsky just stared out the window.

"Earth to Gordo, come in, Gordo. Starsk, you alright?"" Hutch tried again.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Sorry. I felt like a goose was walking over my grave, or something."

"Well, that sounds awful," Ken tried to cajole his mercurial partner out of his deep dive. "Wanna tell me what's going on?"

"It's weird. I mean, I've been shot before and it's never felt like this. I didn't expect to feel so uneasy coming back here."

"Hey, it's alright. It hasn't been that long, your body and your brain need time to reacalibrate. You want me to take you home?" Hutch was worried about the sheen of perspiration he saw on his partner's face.

"Naah, I'll be ok. Gotta put this behind me sooner or later." He went back to staring out the window.

"Starsk…. You're shaking. We can do this tomorrow."

"Forget it, I told you I'm fine.. Quit playing mother hen." Then instantly regretting his sharp response, "Hey man, I'm sorry. Just a bit out of sorts."

"Sure," Hutch said sympathetically. " That looks ominous. Shouldn't that bunch be in school somewhere?"

Starsky looked in the direction Hutch was pointing. There was a cluster of adolescent boys, clearly up to something they shouldn't be. "I recognize that bunch. There is nothing more obvious than a group of kids trying to do something on the sly."

"Let's say we drop in."

Starsky forced a smile, "That's a wonderful idea, Ollie."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Let's do this."

It was as Hutch was parking, the detectives noticed what the clump of teens was doing. Another child was on the ground being kicked and pummeled. Once the kids spotted the adults exit the car, they took off . Starsky, accustomed to running just about anyone down on foot, yelled in frustration. "Dammit Hutch! Those are the same kids that tagged my car. Stupid crutches!" He threw one of the offending crutches like a javelin after the kids in pure frustration.

"Starsk, forget them. You better get over here." Hutch was crouched down next to the boy on the ground.

The boy was curled up in a tight ball and whimpering. "I hate them! I hate them...Bunch of loser turkeys. I hate them…"

Hobbling over to Hutch and the downed boy, Starsky recognized the victim in an instant. "Gerry! It's me, Starsky. Are you hurt? Talk to us Gerry. What was that all about?"

Gerry's sight fell on Hutch first, then looking wildly around he found Starsky. "Who's he?"

"It's OK Gerry, he's with me." Starsky tried to calm the fearful boy. "We're the good guys."

Gerry began to breathe more normally. "Oww!" he moaned, holding his ribs.

Hutch restrained the boy from sitting up. "Better lie still. Starsk, you stay with him while I call an ambulance to check Gerry over."

Gerry protested, "NO! I'm fine. Just let me go home. I don't need any help."

Starsky had to smile at this reflection of his younger angry self. "We know you are, and when you check out ok, we will take you right home. In the meantime, wanna tell me what that was all about?"

"Nuthin.." Gerry was not about to spill his guts to a couple of cops. He had enough trouble as it was.

Hutch had returned from making the call for the ambulance "That 'nuthin' looks like a whole lot of somethin' to us, doesn't it Starsky?"

"Sure does. Looked like those kids were using you as a soccer ball. Or are we wrong? Gerry, you did me a solid when I was hurt, I just want to repay the favor."

"I'm ok! Just leave me alone, will you?" Gerry made it to his feet, but was brought up short by a throbbing pain in his side. It sucked the air from his lungs and left him doubled over hugging his sides.

Hutch helped Gerry back down to the pavement. "I know that face and side grab… your friends probably busted some ribs. Now will you do as we ask and just lie still? The last thing you want to do is puncture a lung."

That sounded awful to Gerry and he acquiesced."Don't have much of a choice, do I?"

"Nope," agreed Starsky. "Wanna talk?"

"Nope," echoed Gerry.

"Ok, then. How about you listen." Hutch stated flatly..

"Here's what we think," Starsky continued. "We think those friends of yours are the ones that tattooed my car. We think they might want you to do something that you, quite wisely, have refused to do. We think these kids are doing some grunt work for the Piranhas. We know they are headed for a fall…"

"How we doing? Hutch questioned blandly.

"Yeah," Gerry muttered sullenly.

"OK, here's the ambulance, " Starsky said. "Let them check you over, and if you get the all clear, we'll take you home."

The paramedics checked Gerry over and confirmed the detectives' suspicions that he was sporting a couple of severely bruised ribs, some cuts and a shiner. Gerry wanted nothing more than to get home, so the medics turned him back over to the detectives.

"Just out of curiosity, Gerry, why aren't you in school?"

"What do you care about any of this?" Gerry looked at his shoes, refusing to make eye contact with David or Ken.

"When somebody saves my life, I tend to take notice, " Starsky said quietly. "I generally don't forget something like that, ask Hutch."

Hutch tugged on Starsky's sleeve and pulled him aside. "This isn't getting us anywhere. Maybe he's afraid to talk out here in the open. Let's put him in the car and take him home." Hutch reached down and helped Gerry to his feet.

"Where you takin' me? I didn't do nuthin." The last thing Gerry wanted was to be hauled off in a beat up unmarked cop car..

"For crying out loud, Gerry just get in the car will ya?" Starsky's leg was beginning to throb and he was running out of patience. "Why you acting like this?"

"Are you afraid of what your friends'll think? I got news for you, Gerry. Your 'friends' were the ones kicking the crap out of you." Hutch, too, was losing his patience.

"We just want to help, do you have to fight us at every turn? " Starsky tried to reason. "I really don't get you...well actually I do."

"Stop it!" Gerry exploded. "Just stop! You don't get anything!"

"Calm down and shut up,and get in the car," Hutch barked unsympathetically

Starsky followed Gerry into the back seat of the car. Hutch took his place at the wheel.

"OK, Gerry. Where do you live?"

"Hutch, turn right here and go down two blocks. It's an apartment building on the left. Gerry, is there anyone home to look after you? " Starsky volunteered. "How's your dad doing?"

Amazed at Starsky's surprising wealth of knowledge concerning his personal life, Gerry was beginning to think these two guys were no one to try to mess with. "Uhhh, he's doing better. He is back at the store for a few hours a day, Mom should be home. Can't you just drop me off? I'm…"

"You're fine, we know! But yes we do have to deliver you safely to your mom. Bruised ribs are nothing to mess around with. We want to talk with her anyway." Hutch continued.

"So sit back and relax. Unless you have something to worry about…"

Gerry had to admit defeat. "Fine."

The ride to the Hector's home was short and awkward. The grumpy silence from Gerry echoed throughout the car. Finally Starsky had to break the silence. "What is going on, Gerry? We are not the enemy. I thought you and I could talk to each other. "

Frustration and fear was written all over Gerry's face. "Why do you think you know anything about me? You keep acting like you know what my life is like. You don't know nuthin'!"

"You could give me a chance, Gerry. Anyway, here we are, let's go see your Mom." Starsky said in a flat and non-combative tone.

Hutch cut in. "What my partner is trying so nicely to say, Gerry, is that we can do this the easy way or the hard way. It's up to you." He was beginning to lose his cool with the spikey teen.

"Correct," Starsky chimed in. "Easy way, you tell us what is happening now. Hard way, we ask you again in front of your mother. See what she has to say?."

"OK"" Gerry said with an air of defeat. . "Stay in the car for a minute. I'll tell you."

"Terrific, now what's this all about?"

Gerry took a deep breath and launched into his explanation, in hopes it would get the two cops off his back, " It started before Eddie was killed. He was really pushing for me to get initiated into the Piranhas. He had been a member for years, worked his way up, ya know, and he just figured I would follow in his footsteps. I thought so too, never thought I had much of a choice. Me and some of those other kids did errands, ya know. Nothing too crazy, but enough to let the Piranhas know we were worth considering. But once the Lobos started sniffing around, everything changed. I got scared…" he trailed off. Turning away, he wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

"You had every right to be scared, Gerry. Things got really ugly really quickly," Hutch said softly.

"Yeah, well, Eddie was never scared. He was ready to fight for what was his, he was ready to defend the Piranhas No one was going to push him around." Gerry muttered miserably.

"And Eddie ended up dead for his effort," Starsky reminded him.

"I know. Since Eddie died, nothing has been right. My parents say I must be on drugs because I'm acting so weird all the time. I"m not, by the way. My friends say I have to be a man and avenge my brother's death... an eye for an eye."

"An eye for an eye just means two people end up blind in one eye, how does that solve anything?" Starsky said as he covered one eye .

"Yeah, anyway…," Gerry continued, disregarding Dave's attempt to lighten the situation . "That day you saw me at school, looking at your car, I had pretty much decided to join up. Of course my parents were dead set against anything having to do with the Piranhas, even though my father had been a member too. I had a huge fight with them the night before because they threatened to send me to stay with an uncle in Montana. They were serious too. Everybody thinks they know what is best for me! No one even cares what I think!"

David and Ken exchanged a look that conveyed a wealth of knowledge and understanding.

"I was a mess the day you walked me you started talking and it kind of made me think different about stuff. But, it mixed me up too, and made me feel worse because I didn't know what to do. My parents were trying to get rid of me. My friends were all telling me that to be a man I had to hang with the Piranhas… and them. If I didn't join them I would be against them. They tried to get me to stupid stuff to prove I was one of them."

"Like tagging my car…"

"Yeah, stuff like that and dealing, just to show I have what it takes to be a Piranha. I know I have what it takes. Then the shooting happened and we could have all died. The guys, the Piranhas and the Lobos, in the cars couldn't have cared less who they killed. Me! You! Rosie! Mrs. Gonsalves! They could have taken out all of us and not even batted an eye. I sure as hell don't want any of that. My friends started calling me out, saying I had turned cobarde...coward. Saying I was letting my brother down… ya know. It's been pretty bad. Today was sort of the cherry on top of the crap sundae."

"Is this the first time they cornered you?" Hutch asked. He was impressed with the boy's stoicism in relating his story.

"If you mean, beat me up, yeah."

"I guess you haven't told your parents any of this, right?" Starsky assumed.

"Hell no! They have enough problems with my Dad's health, the bodega, paying for Eduardo's funeral expenses... Why would I dump any of this on them?" Gerry exploded in frustration.

"Parents have a way of knowing stuff without being told. I found that out the hard way." Starsky said thoughtfully.

"There you go again, acting like you know how I should feel … You are just like everybody else telling me what I should do. You are just a cop, I don't have to listen to anything you have to say."

"Gerry," Hutch interrupted, "Detective Starsky does know about this kind of life, and not just with a cop's perspective. Listen to him."

"Again, no choice, right?"

"No, you absolutely have a choice, Gerry." Starsky answered quietly. "You are right, you don't know me. And If you want to believe you are in this alone, I will shut up now and take you right up to your apartment. No muss, no fuss You can choke on this self-pity lozenge you seem to be enjoying ."

"Fine. Tell me." Gerry pouted.

An audible sigh of relief came from Hutch in the front seat. This teenage standoff had gone on just about long.

"I thought you'd never ask," grinned Starsky. "I know you think I am BS-ing you, but I assure you, I am not. In case you can't tell, I am not from California. I was born back East in New York City and never had the first thought about living anywhere else. I loved it there. I spent every minute I could on the streets running with my friends. Playing ball, street hockey, and causing mayhem whenever the possibility raised its head. I was never going to be confused with an altar boy.

It drove my parents crazy. They were sure I was destined to have my picture shown in every post office up and down the east coast. I was happy enough to oblige them. We didn't see eye to eye on anything. This was a problem, because my Pops was a cop.

My street was the line of demarcation between two rival gangs. No, I know gangs back then weren't anything like what you live with here. But even so, they were dangerous in their own right. And being situated between both meant one gang or the other was always trying to recruit us kids to help with their dirty work. Like you said, we were eager to prove ourselves gang worthy material.

Being the son of a cop put me in a bad position. I had to work extra hard at proving myself, so I thought nothing of stepping up for the most dangerous jobs. I was an idiot back then," Starsky pointed his finger at Hutch who was on the verge of chiming in.

"You were in a gang?" Gerry asked in disbelief.

"No, not quite. I was too young to be a real member, but not too young to do their errands and stuff, like you and your friends. There were two gangs wrangling members and both trying to expand their reach so there was always something bad happening. My mother was scared for me all the time."

"So what happened?"

"Nothing good. When I was almost fourteen, my father was killed in the line of duty."

Gerry gasped, "In a gang fight?"

"No, at least not the kind of gang you are thinking of. It didn't matter though. He was gone and my life was turned upside down in the blink of an eye."

"Like when Eddie was killed…"

"Just like that. Pops and I had locked horns before he left to go on shift that morning and I stormed out of the house like a real prat. I never said goodbye, or I'm sorry, or I love you. My brother and I went to school with a whole family but returned to a family blown apart forever." Starsky had to stop for a minute to gather his thoughts.

Hutch looked at his partner with love and admiration. He had heard bits and pieces of this part of Starsky's life, but never as a whole narrative. It made him feel a little guilty when he called to mind his comparatively carefree childhood and where he currently stood with his parents, and mostly it made him immensely proud to call Starsky his friend.

David continued, "Well, we all went through the motions of the funeral, put on a good face, ya know. I tried for a while to be the new man of the house for Ma and my little brother, but I felt awful because I just knew I would never be good enough or strong enough or smart enough to take care of my family the way Pops would want. I was angry at my Pops for leaving and putting me in this position. I hated myself for fighting with him.

To put it mildly, I was a mess. I started skipping school, getting into fights, and running with any of the gangs that would put up with my sorry fourteen year old ass. Sound familiar?

My mother, God love her, had no idea what to do with me. She was dealing with my little brother, and her own grief. Lucky for her, she had a best friend to call for back up, my Uncle Al. You know what he did?"

Gerry was so caught up in what Starsky was sharing he couldn't even answer.

"After a couple months of trying to rein me back in at home, he and my Ma decided it would be best if I was removed from the gang environment all together. Before I even knew what was happening, I found myself in Uncle Al's Studebaker wagon headed cross country. And I mean cross country. From New York to California, that's a lot of miles to stay angry, but I managed it. It was weeks before I could even issue a civil "hello" to my mother on the telephone.

My anger and hate were literally chewing me up inside. My stomach hurt all the time, I had a constant headache. I was miserable and did my best to make sure everyone else was too.

But finally, I began to figure out that being scared and angry was no way to go through life.

Aunt Rose taught me how to manage my feelings and identify them for what they were. I was feeling helpless. It is one of the worst feelings I can imagine, even today. You know what that feels like, don't you Gerry?"

" I have no control over anything… stuff happens and I just have to take it in the face."

"Exactly, and it stinks! I learned over a long period of time , that the way I deal with my feelings is one thing I do have control over. We all have that choice. Sometimes all you can do is choose to be proud of yourself for making it through the day, and sometimes that is enough…" Then, realizing what he had revealed, Starsky stopped. "Sorry, I promised no lectures, didn't I?"

Ken reached back to give his partner an encouraging pat. He, above all others, knew how hard it was for Starsky to open up like that.

"No, it's ok, " Gerry said quietly. " You do know. I'm sorry I've been acting like such a jerk."

"We better get you inside, Gerry. C'mon. Starsk, why don't you stay here? I can handle this."

"I am feeling a little whipped. It's been a tougher first day back than I planned on. Maybe I will just sit tight. Gerry, write your phone number down on this pad. I really would like to talk to you later, if you are ok with that." Starsky handed the boy a notebook, then patted his jacket pockets frantically for a pen or pencil. "Uhhh Hutch, you got something to write with?"

Hutch went through the same motions but finally was able to find a pencil stub stuck in his car visor. "Here you go. And here is our number, should you want to reach us. I am going to walk you up, but what we talked about today, stays in the car, unless you want me to talk with your mom.

"I don't want to freak her out, but she'll believe you before she does me. And thanks for everything Mr. Starsky." Gerry got out of the car and gave David an awkward wave.

"You're welcome, kid. Take care of yourself and your family. I'll be checking up on you."

Hutch and Gerry disappeared inside the apartment doorway, leaving Starsky resting in the car.

Gerry and his parents lived on the third floor of a tired, but well kept apartment building. The halls were clean and well lit, in contrast to many of the furnished hotels/ apartments Starsky and Hutch frequented in the line of duty. The fragrant smells of spices filled the air, as it was nearing dinner time. His rumbling stomach reminded Hutch that it had been quite a while since he and Starsky had eaten. He mused that Starsky really must have been feeling the strain of his first day back since the mention of food never came up.

Gerry stopped in front of a door numbered 317. "This is it. Let me tell my mom that you are here." He entered the apartment calling out, "Hey Mom. It's me."

Mrs. Hector was busy in the kitchen preparing dinner. It was a minute before she turned around and noticed Gerry's black eye and bruised face. "Geraldo! What trouble did you get into now! Your father is going to explode when he sees...Who are you?" she demanded after spotting Hutch.

Hutch made his way to the front hall and had his identification ready, "Mrs. Hector? My name is Detective Hutchinson. My partner and I came across Gerry near the school. Seems he had run afoul with some kids who were, quite frankly, trying to kick the snot out of him. We had him checked out, and since his injuries weren't serious, we just brought him home. He has some bruised ribs, and his face looks worse than it is.'

"Gracias, Detective. It seems this boy of mine can not stay out of trouble these days. As if I don't have enough worries…"

"Mom…" Gerry interrupted. "I didn't do anything. I was jumped." He sent Hutch an 'I told you so' look.. " Anyway, Detective Hutchinson is partners with Detective Starsky. You remember me telling you about him, right?"

"Dios Mio! Mr. Starsky! He saved Gerry's life. Your partner es un verdadero heroe! How is he doing?" Mrs. Hector exclaimed.

"He's much better. In fact, he is waiting for me down in the car. Anyway, I just wanted to return Gerry. He is telling the truth. This fight was not his fault. The other kids were waiting for him. I am just glad we turned up when we did. I mainly wanted to express Starsky's and my condolences for the loss of your son."

"Gracias, Señor Hutchinson. I will always love both my sons but their father and I know what we are up against. Gang life is too tempting for some children. The money and machismo are too hard for many to ignore. Eduardo paid the price, I only hope Geraldo is tough enough to walk away." Mrs. Hector wiped her hands on the dish towel and gave Hutch a brave smile. "Gerry is a good boy, but lately even he is acting crazy. I guess he is just being a teenager."

Hutch smiled warmly and extended his hand, "Thank you for your time, Mrs. Hector. I think Gerry, here, is smart enough to make the right decisions. If you have any further questions, Gerry has our phone number. We would be glad to do whatever we can to help."

"Adios, please give our thanks to Señor Starsky as well. When he is well, I would like to have you two over for dinner. I make a delicious burrito and from what little Rosey Gonsalves tells me, that is a favorite of your partner's."

Hutch had to laugh at Starsky's notoriety. "Gracias, Senora Hector. I know we would both enjoy that. Have a good evening."

-Chapter Four-

Hutch had just made his way back to the stairwell when his attention was drawn to the sound of a high powered car screaming down the street in front of the apartment building. He careened down the stairs and out to his car, just in time to see Starsky awkwardly throw himself over the car seat and ready to pop the car in gear.

"You see dat?!" Starsky yelled. "Get in Blondie! That's the Camaro that shot up the street, and me!" Barely giving Hutch time to close the door, Starsky took off after the infamous green Camaro. They were closing in when a blue ElDorado cut in front of them from a side street.

Hutch threw the police light on the car roof and hit the switch for the siren. "I don't like the looks of this, Starsky. I'm calling for backup."

Starsky, the picture of concentration, kept his eyes glued on the two offending cars. "Good idea. I'll try and stick with 'em. Gerry was right, they don't care who they take down with them."

Hutch grabbed the radio and called in their position. "This is Zebra Three requesting back up. We are in pursuit of a green Camaro and a light blue ElDorado on Garver Street headed north towards 18th. Suspects are considered armed and dangerous. They are wanted in connection with gang activity and the shooting of a police officer. Repeat... they are armed and dangerous."

The drivers of the Camaro and ElDorado were so intent on trying to run each other off the road, they paid no attention to the unmarked Police car on their tails. The ElDorado finally managed to pull alongside the Camaro and force it to jump the curb. The driver of the Camaro lost control and crashed through the plate glass window of an abandoned storefront.

In an instant the passengers inside the ElDorado readied their weapons and opened fire on the Camaro. The members of the Lobos gang scrambled out on the passenger's side and returned fire. For a few terrifying minutes, gunfire echoed up and down the street. Starsky and Hutch slammed to a halt at the cross street, intent on getting the bystanders off the street and safely inside whatever building was closest. Ideally they would have been in on the action, but with Starsky's injuries, they had to settle for crowd control.

Again, the gang members were so involved in destroying each other, they failed to pay attention to the steady wail of approaching police cars. They were soon outnumbered and out maneuvered. A wall of police cars surrounded them and they were out-gunned by the army of riot police standing behind their cars. The Lobos and Piranha gang members involved in the shootout had no choice but to surrender.

"Hey Starsk!" Hutch yelled. "Looks like the head of the snake may have just been cut off! A lawyer will have a hard time convincing any jury to set this bunch free!"

Starsky smiled ruefully, "You and I know stranger things have happened but maybe between my testimony about the crosswalk shooting, Officer Michael's hit and run, and this fracas, we can get some peace for this neighborhood."

"They deserve it. Now let's move these bystanders along. Don't forget, we have an assignation at Huggy's tonight."

An ass...what!?" Starsky laughed. Starsky started to move some gawkers along as gracefully as his crutches would allow. He felt it was hard to look hard nosed and official when wobbling around two sticks of wood. And he was exhausted. "My ass-ignation may be too beat to be my usual charming self tonight. You may have to carry both of us, partner. It's a shame because Marissa deserves my best."

"So this is more than a casual office romance?" Hutch inquired

"Umhm. I would like for it to be. She hasn't exactly seen the real me, you know. It's hard to be suave and debonair when you're laid up in a hospital bed."

"She hasn't run yet, and she seemed pretty eager about getting together at Huggy's...so partner, I'd say the signs look pretty good."

"Yeah. I hope so. She just makes me smile, " Starsky added, a little embarrassed. "Let's wrap this up and see what the fates have in store."

-Chapter Five-

One week following the gang incident, Starsky made a triumphant entrance into the squad room. "Blondie! Notice something missing?"

Not even looking up from the report he was typing, Hutch responded with his usual sarcasm, "The overwhelming smell of your mid afternoon taco breath?"

"Nope, try again." Hutch's sarcasm was another integral part of their Me and Thee relationship and Starsky never took it seriously. "No crutches! The doctor cleared me to walk on two legs instead of four!"

This bit of news did cause Hutch to look up and smile. "That's great Starsk! Are you sure you feel ok? It's only been a couple weeks!"

Starsky lifted his leg up and gave it a shake, "Good as new! Didn't I tell you this body was in peak physical condition?"

"I seem to remember something to that effect. Congrats, partner. I guess your office bound days are over."

"Looks like...Hey! Did I tell you I got a call from Gerry? We're invited over for dinner tonight. "

"You guys have been pretty tight since your talk." Hutch smiled.

Starsky beamed. "Yeah, he's a good kid. Staying out of trouble too, I'm pretty proud of him."

"We know that the gang problem hasn't disappeared for good from his neighborhood, you think he'll be ok?"

"I'd make book on it. From what he's told me, he wants nothing to do with that life. He's seen too much. He's lost too much. Anyway, this summer he is going to stay at his Uncle's ranch up near Yellowstone National Park. Not exactly his idea, but he's kind of ok with it. Maybe a change of scenery will do him good."

"I used to spend summers at a ranch when I was a kid. You learn a lot about yourself living that kind of life. I bet he'll love it if he gives it a chance." Hutch shared.

"Yeah, maybe. He has invited us up for a visit once he gets settled in. I have always wanted to ride off into the sunset."

"Speaking of riding off into the sunset... I took a call for you a few minutes ago. Seems your friend and mine, Merle the Earl just dropped off a certain Striped Tomato."

Starsky was immediately up and dancing. "My baby is back?! How? Who? I told him I couldn't pick it up until our next pay day! Even with the department paying for some of it, I don't have enough… Hey… " Starsky shot Hutch a keen look.."You wouldn't know anything about this, would you?

Hutch stood up and fished the Torino's keys out of his pants pocket and dropped them on the desk in front of Starsky. "Let's just say, I like your face."

The End