Feedback: Always shamefully solicited, but please remember, none of us are professionals so when critiquing, be lenient.

Disclaimer: I own no one, and nothing. The OC's are ours and the idea is loosely based on a movie called 'The hitcher', no infringement on the copyright is intended. The names have been changed to protect the innocent, namely, me!

Author's Note: This story is being written with the help of a couple of very important people to me. Thank you Eli for your contributions and encouragement, also written with the constant help of Brook, (she is, and always will be my sounding board.)

Red

Chapter Two

Hutch was putting on the finishing touches in the bathroom, slapping his face with the fresh scent of Old Spice as he took one final look of satisfaction at his reflection in the mirror before turning off the light and heading out of the small space. He grabbed his jacket off the hook on the wall and patted the pockets searching for the keys. He heard the familiar jingling noise and dug deep into the right pocket. The blond was actually looking forward to an evening with his partner. It had been almost a week since they had gone out, or spent time together outside of work, it was long over due. He was almost to the front door when his telephone rang. Turning, he quickly moved to the coffee table to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hutch, s'me."

Hutch immediately recognized his partner's voice. "What's up, I was just on my way out the door?"

"Listen, I hate to do this, but I think I'm gonna cancel for tonight."

Hutch heard the pain in his voice, his excitement changed to worry, "Sure Buddy, that's fine…but why, what happened?"

"It's Helen, we got into a big fight…she stormed out…" Starsky chocked on his own words. "She broke up with me Hutch…"

Hutch closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose with his forefinger. "Aw jeez Starsk, I'm sorry." He was immediately mad at Helen even though he had no idea what the fight was about. If someone hurt his partner, they hurt him. "Want me to come over, I could grab a six pack an' we could watch some TV." He offered.

"Nah, but thanks…I really don't feel like company…I…I really just need to get away for a couple of days ya' know?" Starsky's voice was low and mournful.

"You sure she's not comin' back?" Hutch hoped that maybe this was just a lover's quarrel, a misunderstanding. He knew how much Starsky loved her and he knew how hard it was going to be to watch him lose her. "I mean who knows, she may…"

"No Hutch, you weren't there…I said some stuff I shouldn't have…I think she meant it… it's over…"

"Whatya need me to do Buddy?" The offer was given unconditionally; all the brunet had to do was ask.

"Could you cover for me for a couple of days with Dobey? Just let me get away, clear my head…tell him I'm sick or something…"

"I'm worried about you Buddy…what are you planning on doing?" Hutch asked to be sure he'd know where Starsky was going to be. After all, that was his job as his partner, to know where he was at all times.

"I think I'm just gonna take a drive up the coast, sort out my thoughts…ya' know…just get away an' clear my head…just gimme two days, I'll be back…"

"Okay, you got it, but under one condition…I want you checking in with me, twice each day, once in the morning and one at night, deal?" Hutch gave his partner the ultimatum and left the choice up to his hot headed friend.

"You know somethin'? You worry more than my mother does…"

Hutch smiled as he thought about Mrs. Starsky, if it were up to her, she probably wouldn't let him go off like this at all.

"Deal…" Starsky finally conceded and hung up the phone.

Hutch hung up his phone and threw his jacket down on the couch, disappointed that this evening wasn't going to happen, but also worried about his friend's state of mind. He truly hoped that maybe with a couple of days apart, he and Helen would work things out. It took a lot for his partner to give his heart away to someone, it was something he guarded and rarely allowed others in, but when he did, he gave 100 of it.

"Jeez Starsk, I'm so sorry…" He said out loud but only to himself. He wanted to help, to give Starsky an instant cure all, but unfortunately his partner was going to have to hurt, that was all part of the process, but he would be here when the brunet needed him.

Starsky threw a couple of shirts and jeans into a duffle bag quickly. He didn't know where he was going he just needed to go. He grabbed a few toiletries and headed out the door, anything he didn't have with him he would buy on the road. He couldn't get out fast enough.

XXXX

Starsky drove along the coast, up Highway 1 for several hours. I t was a scenic route that took its travelers right on the edge of the beautiful California shoreline. He watched the moon over the water, casting illuminations across the slight ripples that moved over the water. Up ahead there was a liquor store and the brunet had a sudden urge to grab a six pack and sit on the beach listening to the water ebb and flow as he contemplated all of tonight's events.

After picking up the beer he parked in a deserted parking lot and got out of the car. Carrying his six pack with him, he made his was down to the sandy beach, finding a large rock to sit on, he quickly picked a can of beer from the plastic rings and dropped the rest into the sand next to him.

He couldn't help but allow his thoughts to travel back to happier times, times when he and Helen were content. He thought about the time they went to Disneyland, taking Hutch and his flavor of the week with them. How she held tightly to him on the scary rides and when they were over she'd scream for more. He remembered the last time they had dinner together, had breakfast, the last picnic, the last time they kissed, the last time they made love. He could almost smell her enticing scent as he finished off the beer in his hand and reached for a second one.

He sat mesmerized by the tide; he was working on his third beer before he realized how cold he was. The moist air and the cold breeze off the ocean had chilled him straight to the bone. His body actually ached from deep inside as he stood to move. He was hit by uncontrollable shivers as he reached for the final three beers in the sand, picking them up by the plastic ring and slowly making his way to the warmth of his beloved red Torino. That car was his one true faithful love. It gave and received love unconditionally, just like Hutch did.

He panted as he walked through the sand towards the parking lot, noticing how his breath was making the smoky fog as he exhaled through his mouth.

Starsky climbed behind the wheel, starting the car quickly and turning up the heater, full blast. He waited for what seemed like an eternity as he blew warm air into the palms of his hands and rubbed them together. The blare that flowed through the vents in is vehicle never did warm up; a continual blast of cool air hit the brunet in the face and chest. He adjusted the knobs on his console as his brow furrowed in confusion.

"Son of a bitch!" He cursed his out of order heater as threw the car into reverse and backed out of his parking stall, dropping it into drive he peeled out of the parking lot.

Starsky was still shaking from the cold as he looked at his watch, 3:45 am. He knew he had to get warm soon so he looked for the closest hotel/motel he could find. About five miles down the road, a red blinking light flashed its neon atrocity, notifying all passing motorists and truckers that there was indeed a vacancy here.

As he pulled into the dirt parking lot, he could tell that this wasn't the nicest place he had ever stayed in, and it may have very well been the seediest, but he wasn't in the mood to look further, he was hungry tired and lonely. He needed rest, and if this place had a bed, then this would be the place he stayed.

He got out of the car, stretching his tired back, still quivering in the cold night air and then he reached back inside, grabbing the duffle bag from the passenger side, and what was left of his six-pack as he headed for the office to check in.

After checking in, paying with his credit card and getting a room key, he was off to search for his room, room number 126. Finding that room, he opened the door as the scent of mild mildew and stall smoke hit him in the face. He dropped his duffle bag on the bed and quickly opened the window to air out the room. Opening the curtains, he turned up the heater to try and take the chill out of the room and to ward off the cool breeze freely flowing through the window.

He threw his bag on the floor and plopped himself down on the bed cracking open another beer. He pondered his relationship with Helen. How did it ever get to this point? Was it really all his fault? What could he have done differently? Maybe loved her less…

He wanted to hear her voice, ask her how he could fix this. Starsky picked up the phone and dialed '9' for an outside line, dialed the first five numbers to Helen and then quickly hung up. He drew his hand wearily down the entire length of his face and then looked at his watch 4:10 am.

What the hell are you thinking…let it go…He thought to himself as he climbed into bed and let peaceful slumber wrap its arms around him, taking away the pain for a few hours.

XXXX

Hutch was in the squad room scanning over the files on the Hitchhiker Murders as his attention was drawn up from his desk. He saw Helen standing in front of him carrying an arm full of deep red roses. His first instinct was to yell at her for making his best friend hurt, but he held back, bit his tongue. He knew deep inside that Starsky wasn't the easiest person to get along with, when he cared for you, he cared passionately, sometimes to a fault. He would let his hot head take over his heart, and vise versa.

"Hey." She said, obviously uncomfortable with the whole situation. "Have you seen Dave?"

Hutch looked back down at the desk, "He called in sick." He said shortly. "Don't know when he'll be in."

"That's odd, I tried to call him at home this morning, he didn't answer." She noted as she set the roses on Starsky's empty desk. "Tell him he can keep these, I really don't need guilt flowers."

Hutch looked up at the beautiful bouquet, knowing that this action was going to hurt his friend deeply. He stood in anger, protective Hutch rising to the surface.

"Can you tell me something?" He asked, his brow furrowing as she turned to look at him, "What the hell did he do so bad to make you treat him like this? All he ever did was love you!" He said as he saw a tear well up in Helen's eye.

"Ken, I'm sorry, but you're his best friend, I don't think I should discuss this with you." She noted as she hurried out of the squad room. "Besides, you wouldn't understand…"

"Try me…" He offered, wanting to help but not wanting to interfere.

"I love him, Ken, I truly do, but…" Her eyes searched Hutch's light blue pair for a hint of understanding. "We can't be together, not if I'm gonna continue to be a cop…"Hutch felt a fist tightening around his heart as he knew the words she spoke were true, "How would you handle it if your girlfriend continued to come between you and your job and you felt pushed into quitting just to make the other person happy? Don't you see Ken, it would never work out, if I quit, I would resent Dave forever, if I continue to work, he won't stop trying to protect me and let me do my job…I don't want to hurt him, can't you see that?" She sobbed as she bolted out of the squad room.

Hutch drew back with his whole body as he let out one hellacious sneeze, pulling on his back muscles. He looked up, his eyes already beginning to water as he eyed the culprit, the damn roses. The blond reached for the vase of flowers just as Millie, the dispatcher, was passing by. He thrust out his right arm, shoving them into her grasp as he sneezed again. Her eyes grew wide in amazement as she started to speak…

"Wha…who…why?" She stammered as Hutch sneezed again.

"They're from Starsky, he just wanted to..to…" He couldn't hold back another fit of sneezing, "…thank you for all your hard work…"

Millie took in a full breath of the magnificent aroma as she smiled and blushed. "Well you be sure to thank him for me, would ya Hutch?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…whatever, just get them outta here." He waived the tiny uniformed officer on as she bounced out of the squad room.

The phone on his desk startled him out of the moment as he instinctively reached for it, "Hutchinson…" He spoke angrily into the receiver.

"Hey…s'me.."

Hutch immediately looked around; feeling like he was doing something wrong, covering for is not-so-ill friend. "Hey, how's it goin'?" He asked making sure that Dobey was nowhere to be found.

"Fine, just checkin' in as promised."

Hutch could hear how tired his friend was, how emotionally drained the brunet was feeling.

"Where are you?"

"Just up the coast, drove for about 4 hours…found a nice little motel to stay at…" Starsky didn't want Hutch to know what kind of a place he really was in. "Caught a few hours sleep…Whatdya tell Dobey?"

"I told him that you got a hold of a bad burrito…" Hutch snorted in laughter, "You know what? He wasn't surprised."

He heard Starsky laugh on the other end…that gave him a feeling of relief, his friend was going to get through this; it was just a matter of time.

"Hey? Did you see Helen this morning?" Starsky asked as Hutch's heart skipped a beat, not wanting to tell him.

"Yeah, I did…"

"Did she ask 'bout me?" The hint of hope was evident in the brunet's voice.

Hutch paused, searching for the right words to say. He didn't want to lie, but he didn't want to hurt him either, "Yeah, she asked about you buddy…you need to let it go Starsk, I think you're right, it's over."

He heard the deep sigh come from the brunet on the other end as he closed his eyes, trying to telepathically ease his friend's pain. "You gonna be okay?" Hutch asked.

"Yeah, listen I'll call you again later tonight." He said quickly and hung up the phone before Hutch could protest.

Starsky showered quickly and changed into a spare pair of jeans, he wanted to get outside, fresh air, blue skies. That was sure to make him feel better. He left the room and took a short walk on the beach, turning up the cuffs of his jeans and taking off his blue Adidas, carrying them in his hand as he waded in ankle high water. He remembered when he and Helen had gone to the beach on the hottest day of the summer, and how she was afraid to get wet, commenting on the fact that she didn't want to mess up her hair. Starsky had spontaneously grabbed her around the waist and pulled her, kicking and screaming the whole way, into the cold water. He remembered how beautiful her laughter sounded and how much he enjoyed warming her back up.

His happy memory faded quickly as he continued walking down the shore, watching kids play in the water. He remembered how he and Helen had wanted kids, he wanted six, she was willing to compromise with three…

Starsky quickly realized how the 'fresh air' and walk on the beach were sending him even deeper into depression and decided it was time head back to the motel and he thought about stopping by the bar and grill that he had passed on his way to the beach. A burger and a beer or two is just what the doctor ordered.

It was very convenient that the run down seedy motel shared the parking lot with an equally run down seedy bar. He thought to himself that the same people probably owned both establishments, get the customers drunk and rent them a room. Brilliant!

The brunet detective walked into the smoke filled bar as the aroma of grilling burgers and frying potatoes filled his senses. His stomach immediately jumped in anticipation of a good square meal. He walked up to the counter and planted his rear on one of the tall bar stools and waited for the bartender to recognize him and acknowledge him by slapping a coaster down in front of him.

"What can I get for you?" The man behind the counter asked.

"I'll take a beer an' a menu." Starsky answered as his eyes scanned the room, assessing all the patrons that were occupying the premises, most of them looking like they should be at work, including himself.

The employee of the bar and grill laughed as Starsky looked at him curiously.

"Menu? Here's your menu…we have burgers and French fries, all cooked the same, no special orders…" He said sarcastically, "Now if you need me to, I could write it down on a napkin if it'll make you feel better."

Starsky looked at the man with contempt, "Very funny, gimme a burger, an order of fries, an' a beer, unless that is gonna be too difficult for you to handle…want me to write it down for you? He retorted.

The bartender threw his white hand towel over his shoulder and walked to the back to place his order. He came back out front and poured a draft beer for the brunet and placed it down in front of him, allowing the frothy head to spill over the side and down the frosty glass. Starsky shot the man a look, not sure if that was intentional or accidental, but not giving him the benefit of any doubt.

He took a long awaited gulp of the cold liquid. As he set the glass back down in front of him, he noticed that someone was about to join him right side. An attractive blond sat on the stool beside him, ordering herself a screwdriver and leaning forward on the bar. Starsky looked over at her, seeing her ample assets, and then returned his attention to more pressing matters, his drink.

She turned on her chair so that she was facing him, she sat back slightly as he turned, staring her in the face. He smiled politely as he couldn't help but feel an uncomfortable air that was surrounding him.

"So what's your story sugar? Whatya doin' here, you look outta place." She spoke, her voice rough and sounded older than she appeared to be.

"Just passin' through." He responded as he took another long swig, empting the contents of the glass and holding p his hand at the bartender, indicating he was ready for a refill. "Whatta 'bout you? You live 'round here?" He was just trying to make conversation.

"You could say that. I work here." She replied as the realization struck the brunet detective.

"I see, well I ain't shoppin'." He stated, letting the girl know that he wasn't interested in anything she had to offer. "No offense."

The 'working girl' looked at him putting on a sad face, "Well that's just too bad, I like the looks of you. You sure you don't wanna rethink that one? I think we could have a real good time, if ya' know what I mean." She asked as her chest was about to pop right out of its confines.

"Oh I know what you mean alright, an' like I said, I ain't interested." Starsky thought about Helen and how she was probably doing the same thing this girl is doing at this very moment. In some sleazy bar, or dangerous street corner, offering herself, body and soul to every vagrant that passed by. The hairs on the back of his neck stood.

"That's too bad, I kinda like you." She said as she swung herself in her chair completely around so that her back was against the bar and she was facing the rest of the crowd.

Starsky immediately thought about what Hutch would say about him being in a place like this. Hell, he didn't even know what he was doing in a place like this.

A man's voice approached him from behind, addressing the woman to his right. "So Tracy, I see he turned you down, so how 'bout me?"

Starsky didn't immediately see the man walking up to them, but he sensed the woman's body tense up.

"Buzz off Rob, I told you along time ago, no more freebies." She said sharply as Starsky detected a hint of nervousness in her voice as he turned to size up the man.

"Well that's not very nice of you honey, I don't think I like the tone of your voice." He leaned into her, pushing her back up against the bar and pinning her in place by placing on arm on either side of her, his hands grabbing a hold of the counter.

"Leave me alone." She said firmly. "Or else."

The drunken man laughed, Starsky could smell his diseased breath, it reeked of stale alcohol and bad food. "Or else what?"

The woman dropped her eyes, avoiding looking the man in the face. Starsky looked away pretending to be uninterested in what was unfolding beside him.

"You threatening me bitch?" The man asked as he grabbed the girl by the wrist roughly, squeezing with all his might and jerking her off of the bar stool.

She squealed, "Stop it Robert! You're hurting me…Let me go."

Starsky took a drink of the beer he held in his hand, never looking at the two. "Let her go." He said, his voice and posture completely relaxed and in control.

Rob looked over at the curly haired brunet, "You talkin' to me?" The man asked as he yanked the prostitute closer to him, grabbing her around the neck harshly.

"Let her go." Starsky repeated with the same level tone, not wavering. "I ain't gonna ask you again."

To Be Continued…