The meeting you have been waiting for…

Chapter 18

"Hi!"

"Hi yourself! Where you been?" Hutch asked, a big smile playing over his face. Finally, we meet again…he thought. She looked wonderful, all soft in a pale pink cashmere sweater and jeans. His eyes drank her in. She has some great curves.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were looking for me."

Hutch looked a little nervous, as if he were just found peeping in a neighbor's window. "W-well," Lord, he hated it when he stuttered like that. "I was looking for you. I never got your name the last time we met. Mine is Ken. Ken Hutchinson."

"Wanda. It is very nice to see you again, Ken." He stuttered! Damn, it was easy! And he didn't have a clue. Julie was enjoying this. One thing Rob had taught her was to take it slow, and make it perfect. Never take any detail for granted. She wouldn't be hurried this time. Oh no. She was going to string him along and then…

"This is my partner Dave Starsky." Hutch said while turning his back on his friend. Wanda gave him the briefest of glances when he said hello before turning her big blue eyes back to his partner.

Starsky, knowing when he was not wanted wandered over to the bar and sat down to talk with one of the new waitresses. He decided to wait and see what panned out with his partner. It could be an amusing evening. He watched unobtrusively as Hutch led his new lady over to a corner booth. Starsky turned around and applied himself to the task of ordering some food. He was starved. A burger and fries would do nicely.

"Hey, hey! Who's the new girl with blondie?"

"Oh, hey Hug. He met her here a while ago. Forgot to get her name and has been on the prowl for her ever since. Tonight's the cumulation of several days worth of evening stakeouts."

"Yeah, well he looks happy, with a capital H."

"He sure does."

"Speaking of, have you met my newest waitress?" A big breasted, dark haired beauty walked over to the bar and started calling off an order. Huggy moved off to fill it, and to make small talk with the beauty. Huggy was always happy when he was training a new girl.

Yes, it could be a very amusing evening.

Hutch enjoyed making small talk with Wanda. She was funny, intelligent and, of course, beautiful. He could not get enough of her beautiful eyes. It was wonderful to sit and relax with her and make small talk. No interrogations, no games. She didn't look like a Wanda though…maybe a Tammy or Jill or Sara… or Farrah. Wow, she was beautiful. She seemed a little reserved. Easily explained by her being new to town.

"So, where are you from?"

"All over really, but Minnesota was home in my early years."

"Really! Me too. What part?"

"Minneapolis"

"Ah, the City of Lakes…"

"I don't remember too much about it other than our backyard and our neighbors. We had tons of friends who would come over to ride bikes and play in the water. One year we went to the Aquatennial and The Lone Ranger was there. From then on out, my bike was a blazing fast white stallion, and I would wear a mask with my cowgirl hat."

"It sounds like you had a wonderful childhood."

"Oh, I did! I would say it was perfect." Yeah, right. That's more Michele's life than mine. It's everything I wish it were. Julie thought bitterly. She was careful not to let her emotions play on her face. It was true, she did have all of these opportunities, she just wanted more. The other kids didn't like it when she threw stones at the cat that she had tied to a tree. They would not play with her after she slowly killed it. But they never told on her because they knew she would find them and do that or something worse to anyone who squealed on her. They were all wimps. Just like this fool in front of me.

"So what do you do all day?" she asked.

"Well, believe it or not, I'm a cop. We just got off duty."

"What! No! Where's your uniform?" she asked, pretending to be interested.

"I'm what they call a detective. We don't wear a uniform. Starsky's my partner."

"Your partner at work?"

Hutch didn't catch the play on her words. "Yes. He's a good cop. Ah, here's our food." Hutch busied himself with getting his and Wanda's food situated. He was comfortable. More comfortable than he had been in a long time.

They lingered over their meal. As they talked, Julie thought about how, and when she was going to do it. She could do it now, but his partner was there, and he would notice. No, it would be better if she could get him alone. She just needed to determine if it was possible.

"I want to thank you for dinner. I had a wonderful time." 'Wanda' said as she stood up to go. Hutch stood up too and asked if he could see her to her car. Looking good, she thought. He followed her, and put his arm around her waist as he led her to the exit. Looking very good…

Starsky stood up too. He had spent a long time talking with Huggy and the various waitresses, but now was tired and was ready to go home for a long, hopefully dreamless, sleep. He just needed to know if his friend needed a ride, or if Hutch would be going home with his new girlfriend. He didn't want to interrupt anything, but he didn't want to hang around watching his friend to see what he was doing. It was just too weird. So he timed his exit to coincide with theirs, and met them at the door.

"Hey Hutch," he started and then acknowledged the woman Hutch had his arm around protectively with a polite "Miss." And one of his best smiles. "Can I borrow him for just a second?" he asked her.

"Sure. Go right ahead. I needed to go to the lady's room anyways. Take all the time you need." She said and then left to find the restroom.

Starsky got a funny look on his face as he paused to watch her go. It felt like the room was slowly spinning, almost like he was drunk, but he had not been drinking anything this evening.

"No Starsk. This one it mine." Hutch started before he saw the look on Starsky's face. "Hey, you ok?" He said with concern in his voice.

"Yeah. I think so." The walls began to move like they were breathing. "I think I need some fresh air."

"What's going on?" Hutch asked.

"I just wanted to see if you needed a ride home, but Hutch?" The look of his friend's eyes gave Hutch concern.

"Yeah?"

"I think I might be needing a ride instead. Here comes your friend. I'm going out to the car." With that, Starsky headed out the door before 'Wanda' returned.

Hutch was a little confused. He suspected Starsky was having a flashback, but wasn't certain. Either way, it looked like he would be sleeping in his own bed tonight and not visiting with his new girlfriend. He would need to figure out what was up with his partner. He just needed a little time to see Wanda safely to her car and to set up another date. Starsky could wait that long for sure.

"Everything ok?" Wanda asked with that glorious smile of hers.

"Oh yeah, sure. He just needs a ride home, that's all." Hutch said, with a blinding smile of his own. "May I see you to your car?" He asked while putting his arm around her waist again and holding open the door.

Julie walked with him over to the car she had driven. She had bought it with cash awhile back and had registered it under a false name.

Hutch was impressed with the car. "A Chevy Nova 454! Wow! What do you need with a muscle car like this?"

"I don't need it. I just like it. I had to go to Garden Grove to get it. I like the feel of something strong and powerful beneath me." Wanda said with a purely innocent look on her face. That'll get his attention. Julie thought. She opened the door and got in.

The double meaning of her statement got his attention. He wasn't sure that was the way she had meant it though. She had this wonderful look of innocence to her. Hutch was certain though that he really wanted to be the "something strong and powerful" for her. He was determined to have another date, and soon. He leaned over the open window and looked at her.

"Wanda, would you be interested in going out with me to dinner tomorrow night?" Hutch asked.

I knew it! "I would love to. Would you be interested in maybe me cooking dinner for you? I would love to see your place!"

Hutch agreed, and they set the time. Wanda said she would meet him there and then leaned over and gave Hutch a long and lingering kiss. On the scale of kisses this one was way up there on the enjoyability meter. She started the car and pulled away. Julie was looking forward to tomorrow night. She would come prepared.

Hutch stood there and watched her go. Well, she certainly passed the kissing test. He could not wait until tomorrow night. Maybe he could test her other abilities. He found himself smiling at the thought as he walked to the back of the building where Starsky had parked. He found Starsky sitting in the passenger seat of the Torino. That sobered him up quickly as that was a sure sign that Starsky had been having a flashback. He opened the driver's door and slid behind the wheel.

"Is it bad?" Hutch asked.

"Let's just say that I feel like I've been on a drinking binge and I haven't touched a drop."

"You still feeling it?" Hutch said as he started the car.

"The walls are not breathing anymore, but …" Starsky did not add on the feelings of panic and fear that went along with the flashback.

"Why don't you stay at my place tonight?"

Starsky didn't answer right away. Truthfully, he did not know. The melty, wavery effects were diminishing, but it scared him to think about what the trigger had been.

"How was your date?"

"Oh, good. Really, really good. She's nice. She's coming to the apartment tomorrow night to make dinner." Hutch said with a smile.

For some reason, that did not sit well with Starsky. Something was nagging at him, but he thought it was the aftereffects of the flashback. "You gonna make her the 'special'?" Starsky asked, trying to inject some humor into the conversation.

"She's special, Starsk. Anyways, she's bringing the fixings. I just get to sit back and watch the lady at work." Hutch answered. He thought a moment and then added with a laugh, "Maybe after dinner she can enjoy my special desert."

Starsky smiled. He enjoyed the banter the two shared about the women in and out of their lives. He still couldn't shake the nagging feelings though.

"Hey, drive on to your place, and I'll drive home from there." Starsky said when Hutch made the turn that would lead to Starsky's home.

"You sure? I could bring your car back in the morning on the way to work." Hutch said, concern in his voice.

"I'm fine now. Maybe I just waited too long to eat." Starsky said, but he was not convinced. He could not help feeling that it was Wanda's voice that set him off, but he just could not figure out why.

"Ok, it's your call." Hutch answered. Starsky was looking much better now, and he knew his friend would tell him if he was unable to drive.

They drove on to Hutch's, where after asking one more time if Starsky was all right, Hutch went up to bed. He was going to enjoy thinking about his date tomorrow. He waited until Starsky phoned to let him know that he had made it home safely and then went to bed.

The following morning was routine. In fact the whole day was routine, with nothing major pressing. They both hated it. It meant that they had to finish up some long neglected paper work, and neither enjoyed pecking away at the typewriter for any length of time. But they did get a long lunch and got to pack it in early, which was much to Hutch's liking.

"So what are you up to tonight, Starsk?"

"I have a date with a pizza and a double feature. Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds' is on followed by 'Vertigo'. It's really cool! It's about these birds…"

"I've seen it Starsk. Looks like I'll be having more fun than you though. See ya tomorrow!" Hutch threw back over his shoulder as he headed out the door.

"Yeah." Starsky threw back as he turned back to put the last of the folders in the out box. He made a call to Lenny's Pizza for a large with everything on it. He got his jacket and headed out to his car after tossing out a goodnight to the three guys left in the office. He walked to his car and thought about what had happened last night. It still nagged at him. The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that it was Wanda's voice that had triggered the flashback. But why? She was not Julie. She was too short, too curvaceous and her hair was too long and light. But still, it was something about her that had triggered the flashback.

He was still working on it as he picked up the pizza and headed home.