Captain Dobey offered to give Sofia a lift home, but Starky was there, arm round her, guiding her gently to the door. "S'ok Cap'n, you don't mind do ya Hutch?" turning to Sofia he said "We'll drop you back at my place." Hutch smiled "Sure Starsk'" and then to Sofia "Ma'm your chariot awaits" Starsky chuckled "A chariot aint the word I'd use for that heap o' garbage buddy" He was in good spirits. Despite all he had heard knowing that he HAD to date Sofia made him feel good all over.
After a long lingering kiss, on the doorstep, with Hutch waiting in the car, finally Starsky and Sofia parted "be back at seven!" shouted Starsky, then added "miss you already!" He ran/skipped back to the old ford "Wow man!" exhaled Starsky "I gotta tell ya man, she does it for me. She really does!" Hutch could only pray, silently, that he was wrong about Sofia.
They drove, in silence, to The Pits. Inside they sauntered up to the bar. The proprietor, a tall thin black man, called Huggy Bear, greeted the men warmly. "Well if it aint my two favorite po lees men, what's cooking gents?" "Hi Hug" grinned Starsky "get us a beer will ya?" Turning to Hutch "You too Hutch?" Hutch seemed pre-occupied with his thoughts, "Hey" said Starsky, nudging him with his elbow. "Oh, I ah no Hug just a soda for me." stammered Hutch. Starsky appeared not to notice his partner's vagueness. He stood, drumming his fingers on the bar, humming happily to himself. Huggy returned with their drinks. "Hey Starsky, you got a new lady friend huh? You sure seem happy" Starsky's eyes lit up at the prospect of being able to talk about Sofia and for the next twenty minutes, between Huggy serving customers, Starsky proceeded to tell Huggy Bear all about his new lady friend.
Back at Starsky's apartment, Sofia was on the telephone "yeahj, sure. Look give me a couple of days. Yeah his partner is a concern. No, no they're really tight, you know. I don't wanna blow this. I've got to sweeten up his partner, alse he'll get suspicious. Ok,Ok, no two days. Tops." She put the phone down. Ok she thought to herself Mr Hutchinson, by the time I've finished with you, you'll want to marry me yourself. She smiled and picked up the receiver to call Starsky. She knew their friend Huggy Bear would know where to find him, so she decided to telephone The Pits, she grabbed the number from an address book Starsky kept near the phone.
Huggy answered "Pits proprietor and entrepreneur Huggy Bear, at your service." Sofia, sweetly into the phone said "Oh, Hi, Mr Bear is Dave there please? Dave Starsky" "I'll see if he's in" Huggy motioned to Starsky, "who shall I say is calling?" "Tell him it's Sofia" Huggy nodded to the phone and mouthed Sofia. Starsky almost sprinted to the phone "Hey babe, anything wrong?" "No, no I just thought it might be nice if Hutch has dinner with us this evening" "That's sweet honey, but I can think of better ways to spend our evening" Starsky grinned mischievously. "Please David." Sofia pleaded "He's important to you and that makes him important to me too. I'd like to get to know him, maybe become friends?" "Sure baby, Ok I'll ask him. I miss you" "see you at seven Dave" Starsky heard Sofia put the phone down. He held onto his a little longer. Not wanting to let her go just yet. Hutch called "Hey buddy, that was Sofia, right? Anything wrong?" Starsky replaced the handset and went over to Hutch "No, she's fine, everything's fine. She wanted to invite you over to dinner, at my place. About seven?" replied Starsky "Bet that's ruined your plans!" laughed Huggy Bear. Starsky just groaned. Hutch felt pleased. Maybe if I spend some time with her and Starsk', I'll feel better he thought to himself. "Sure Strasky, love to come" how I want to be wrong about this.
AFTER THE PHONE CALL FROM Sofia, Starsky became restless sitting at huggy's. He couldn't wait for his shift to end so he could get home to her. Hutch, seeing his partner had enough said, "Hey Starsk', you wanna leave?" He knows me too well thought Starsky, "Sure what you say we hit the streets? Be seein' ya Hug" and with a nod Starsky proceeded to the exit. Hutch hung back, " Be out in a minute Starsk', just got to visit the little boys room." Starsky laughed, "You little boys, can't hold your drink, now us big boys…." and he went through the door, still laughing. Hutch motioned to Huggy Bear, "So you heard all about Starsky's girl. What do you think" "What's to think?" answered the thin black man, "Your partner sure seems loved up, aint seen him smile that much since Terry" "Mmm" pondered Hutch, "Look Hug' I need a favour, just between us though, not Starsky. I got a hunch and I don't wanna upset him, unless I absolutely have to." Huggy Bear studied the tall blond police officer. It must be serious if he doesn't want Starsky to know. They never had secrets from each other, unless one's happiness, or life, depended on it. "Just ask" Huggy replied, "If Starsky's in trouble, hey I'm here. I love him too man" "I know it Hug, but it's nice to hear it, if my hunch is right Starsky's gonna need us both real soon." Hutch then told Huggy about all the feelings he got when he was around Sofia. He explained he could not put his finger on it and it was all without cause, but, never the less, it was there and he could not ignore it. If not for his own, then for his partner's sake. "What ya want from me Hutch, I aint never met the chick?" "Look her name's Sofia Helstrom, at least that's what she's telling us. Her father is…" "I know" interrupted Huggy " Some bid jewellery cat. Hear he's missing" " You got your ear to the street already Hug" Hutch smiled, he knew he could count on Huggy Bear. "What I need to find out is if she really is who she says she is" "But Hutch, your lab boys can do all that. Why dya need me?" " Huugy she's shown I.D, she's given us background and family history. We can't go running DNA tests without reason. Department won't think a hunch counts as one" Hutch said dryly " I'm trying to protect my partner, they're trying to solve a kidnapping" "I'll see what I can turn Hutch, count on it. In the meantime you'd better get your blond beautiful self out to your partner, else he's gonna think you've been sucked down with the final flush!" Huggy laughed, signalling the end of the conversation.