AUTHOR'S NOTE: Fault Line- Part 2 now explores Starsky's POV in the episode Starsky VS Hutch. Hutch isn't the only one struggling with questions and insecurities. As in any relationship, it takes two to create difficulties and work together to repair the bond of friendship.

Debbie- Your continued ability to be friend, Beta and cheerleader brightens my day!

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FAULT LINE-PART 2

CHAPTER 9

TREMORS

Since Hutch wasn't in the 'buddy' frame of mind lately, Starsky had gotten into the habit of eating breakfast in the precinct cafeteria. It didn't matter to him if he had anybody to talk to or not in the morning. He didn't feel human until he'd had a few cups of coffee anyway. But this morning was going to be very different from the past few weeks.

Starsky got in line to figure out if he wanted just a donut and coffee or go for donut, bacon, eggs? He backed up toward the egg selections and felt a foot crunch under his heel.

"Oops, sorry there, my stomach is growling so much, I can't think!" Starsky started apologizing before he'd even turned around. When he did, he was greeted by a scowling, beautiful face. Kira rubbed her foot and tried to back up to prevent a repeat on the other foot. Starsky couldn't take his eyes off the wild, blond hair. Her face was all curves and softness and Starsky did not intend to let her go just yet. He rested his hand around her elbow, trying to keep her from leaving too quickly.

"I'm really sorry. Here I'll buy ya breakfast and you can tell me how your foot is! The name's Starsky. Or David. What can I call you?" Starsky let his blue eyes hold her gaze.

"Well, I'm Kira. I see we think alike. Donut or bacon. I think I'll have both!", Kira volunteered, as she reached around Starsky to grab the last chocolate donut. She offered a perfect smile but declined his offer to buy her breakfast. But she didn't pull away from his hand on her elbow. She smiled to herself when he stood off to the side while she paid for her breakfast.

With the introduction and food choices made, it seemed natural to join each other at the same table. Kira told him that she had just been reassigned from the precinct across town to the homicide division here. Starsky wanted to listen more to that silky voice but he remembered about all the reports waiting for him. They talked a bit more and said their goodbyes with the promise of another breakfast date the next day.

Two weeks later Starsky was looking forward to their first real date. They had met a few times for breakfast until Starsky got his nerve up to ask her out. Now isn't that a kick in the head?! Starsky never felt shy around women. But Kira was different. More like somebody Hutch would date. She was beautiful, sexy and classy. She reminded him of Gillian. Like Gillian, Kira was well educated, independent and just had an aura around her.

Maybe that's why Starsky had no wish to share his latest lady with Hutch. His partner didn't seem interested in much of anything he had to say anyway. The two of them couldn't talk about anything without it ending up in an argument so Starsky just tried to keep talk work related.

He missed Hutch.

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Kira was dressed in casual black form fitting leggings with a pink tunic. Starsky wore his favorite brown cordoury jacket with the darker colored elbow pads. He did however have on a newer, stiffer pair of jeans. Starsky was proud to have Kira beside him and guided her into Huggy's.

They sat in Starsky's favorite corner booth at Huggy's. Kira had never been here before so Starsky introduced her to Huggy.

"Well, the room just got a little brighter, pretty lady. Welcome to The Pits!" Huggy raised his glass to them both and sat beside Starsky.

"Huggy, you think you might give us some privacy here? We don't need a chaperone. Go wash a glass or two!" Starsky nudged Huggy with his shoulder.

Once alone, the two people picked up their conversation. Starsky reached over to touch Kira's hand and she grabbed him with her smile. Kira took another swallow of her beer and looked around the noisy bar. She liked the atmosphere and thought about playing one of the pin ball machines. Her opportunity came when Starsky excused himself to visit the men's room and she told him she'd wait for him at the pin ball machine.

Kira loved the game and was quite good. She concentrated on the ball and all the gates and lights but stopped when she realized she wasn't alone. Huggy tipped his hat toward her and followed as she went over to the bar. She turned around and leaned against the bar, her elbows bent back on it's surface. Huggy stood there, not missing the pointy circles poking through her blouse. Looking directly at him, Kira leaned closer to the bar owner, popped a few peanuts in her mouth and gave him a quick view of her cleavage and offered a sweet smile.

Huggy cleared his throat and his dark eyes grew wide as he backed away. He looked at her again, trying to decide the reason for the contact.

"Well, you leave nothing to the imagination do you? But be warned, you mess with Starsky's head, and you're asking for trouble." Huggy whispered in her ear.

Kira backed away, stunned. She was just being herself and didn't see the problem with a little flirting.

Kira pasted a smile back on her face and decided she didn't particularly like this man. But she wasn't about to let his sour attitude get in her way of having fun.

Before she could reply, Starsky joined them and put his arm around Kira's waist. She just leaned into Starsky and offered a naive, pleasant smile to both men. She didn't give Huggy another thought.

Huggy went back behind the bar and made an attempt to wipe up a small spill. He wasn't sure of what just happened but he put it out of his mind as a waitress called across the bar for two beers.

Sometime later, the night drew to a close. Starsky drove Kira home and pulled up in front of her house. She reached for the door handle but stopped when she felt Starsky's lips on her neck.

"Boy you smell good, Kira. I liked being with you tonight."

"David, if you don't stop that, I can't be responsible for my actions!" Kira shook her thick hair back and sighed. She already wanted to spend more time with this man but didn't want to find out everything in one night.

Starsky felt Kira back away slightly and took the hint. He never liked to push if the timing wasn't right. Besides, anticipation was a great virtue!

He gave her another quick kiss and a peck on the cheek. He got out of the car and opened the passenger door. He lightly took her hand in his and walked her up to the front door. One more kiss, a little more experimental this time. Starsky finally pulled back and waited while Kira used her key to open the door.

He turned around and walked back to the car. He took in a gulp of the lingering scent that followed him.

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The best news he'd had in weeks waited for him the next day in the squad room. Captain Dobey made a rare appearance out of his office without yelling or bellowing at anybody. He lumbered over to Starsky and Hutch and sat heavily in the chair next to Hutch. He rubbed his face and yawned.

"Well, you guys have a new assignment and a partner for this case. There's been two murders at The Golden Lady Dance Club. Both blonds so you get to cover the other blond in the club plus that new detective Kira, is gonna go under as one of the 'girls'. You'll start tonight so you best go home, get some sleep and be there at 10 p.m. tonight."

Dobey dropped the folder on the desk, stood up and made his way back to his office. The slam of the door was a good sign that the conversation was over.

"Well doesn't this sound fun. Wonder what this Kira's like? She must be that leggy blond I've seen in the hall a few times."

Hutch glanced out the window toward the hall, distracted by a high pitched growl. He watched as the big burly guy fought against two uniformed men. They weren't having much success at restraining the guy until another officer joined them and luckily got the gorilla cuffed and pushed down the hall.

Hutch missed the twinkle in his partner's eyes nor did he notice the happy grin spreading over his face. Starsky thought he should fill Hutch in on Kira and that they were dating but for some reason, the need to share the news disappeared once he turned his attention to Hutch.

Hutch slouched down in his chair with the folder spread out before him. He sat that way for a few minutes until Hutch stood up, slapped the folder closed and started for the exit.

"Hey, Hutch, you wanna meet at Huggy's for something to eat at 8? That way we can get to the club by 9 and talk to the owner and meet the other blond woman before things get started." Starsky stood up and stretched, already looking forward to the excuse to spend more time with Kira.

"Nah, you go on ahead. I'm going home and I'll meet you there later." Hutch pushed open the door and headed for the elevator, leaving a bewildered dark haired man behind.

He watched the blond's retreat out the door. Hutch did his best to avoid any contact with anyone. Just a few months ago, Hutch would have stopped to talk to most of the uniforms or he would be stopped himself by someone wanting his advice or opinion about something.

Lately, it seemed everyone just wanted to avoid the surley blond and stay out of the way of his growling presence.

Starsky watched the pantomime as the uniformed Mitchell Lang made an attempt to stop Hutch by grabbing his arm. Hutch barely acknowledged the other man before pulling away from the gesture and he continued on his way down the hall. Mitchell scratched his head and also watched the blond as he headed for the elevator.

Starsky turned his attention to the abandoned file and glanced through it, getting an idea about what they were up against. He studied it for about 1/2 an hour until he looked down at his watch. He figured he'd better get something to eat then go home for awhile before this new case got under way.

He placed the folder in the metal cabinet, slammed it shut with more force than he intended. Jacobs glanced up from the phone he was on, curious as to the noise. Starsky waved in apology and made his own way to the elevator.

As he stood waiting for the elevator to reach his floor, he caught sight of Kira coming toward him. She had such a way of floating that it made Starsky's mouth dry with longing. He cleared his throat and tried to be professional even though his thoughts were far removed from the folder he had just been reading. Kira reached him and stood watching him, a smile crossing her face.

Starsky moved them away from the elevator and into a corner of the hall, out of the foot traffic and listening ears. He stuck his hands behind his back and locked his hands together. Being so close to this knockout of a woman was difficult. It was an effort to keep his hands to himself.

"Hey, David! So we're gonna work together. Nice assignment huh?" Kira teased him with her words and the glint in her eyes.

"Yep, looking forward to it." He lowered his voice so that only she could hear him.

"More time to spend together. God, I want to kiss you so bad, my teeth hurt." Starsky rocked back on the heels of his feet and squeezed his hands harder behind him. Staring wasn't going to accomplish what he needed so he unclenched his body and moved back to the elevator.

Punching the button, he turned the conversation back to a safe subjuct. He didn't have to guess if Kira had followed, he could smell her next to him.

"See ya later okay? Hutch and me will be at the club by 9 to meet everybody so be there or be square!" Starsky stepped into the elevator, poked his head back out the door and winked at Kira as the doors closed.