Their thoughts were interrupted by the radio, "Zeebra three, zeebra three, reports of a disturbance in a warehouse on fifth and eleven." Hutch picked up the mike, "Roger, zeebra three, we are responding" and to Starsky, "well partner, here we go!" Hutch slammed the mars light onto the roof and Starsky gunned the Torino. They made it to the warehouse in a little over two minutes. Both detective exited the torino cautiously. Immediately they heard a shot, coming from the direction of a stack of pallets. They both ran in that direction, guns drawn, using the side of the building as cover. Starsky ducked as a shot was fired and it harmlessly hit the wall behind him. He was on his stomach as another shot was fired in his direction, "What the..." he mumbled, angrily. Hutch signalled that he was going to try and get around the rear of the pallets. Starsky nodded in acknowledgment. Stealthily Hutch rounded the stack, the perp' was just about to aim another shot at Starsky, when he felt Hutch's magnum in his left temple. "Okay scum" gritted Hutch, menacingly "drop it, or I'll blow your head off!" The perp immediately dropped his weapon. Hutch quickly put the cuffs on him. At Hutch's signal, that he was all clear, Starsky jumped up to meet them. As he did he was immediately floored by a bullet hitting him in his left calf. Hutch heard the shot and gasped as he saw Starsky go down. He wanted to run to his partner, but his cop instincts told him to stay put. "You!" he shouted at his prisoner, "Where?" "Over there, in the warehouse man. Who'd' you think I was shooting at? Damn cops, would'a'had him if you hadn't come along." he snarled. Hutch watched in horror as another bullet hit Starsky, this time in the thigh. "Oh my god Starsk'" He's a sitting duck out there, Hutchinson do something. Hutch started shooting in the direction of where the shots came from. As he was firing he was making his way towards Starsky. After the first shot Starsky was able to still crawl towards Hutch but now he was deathly still. Please be okay buddy, hang on Starsk' I'm nearly with you.
Hutch was frantic I can't lose him, I can't I've only just got you back Starsk' He had to find a way of getting to his fallen partner. Cautiously he peered around the pallets. Nothing. It seems the gunman had either left or just had not seen him. The car. Hutch sprinted towards the torino. Just as he made it another shot was fired, only this time at him. He hasn't left then Hutch thought glumly. I'm coming buddy, just hold on, hold on. He got into the car, thankful that Starsky had not had time to remove the keys from the ignition, when they arrived. Keeping his head low he steered the car towards Starsky. More shots. The gunman, obviously realising what Hutch was attempting to do, was firing at Starsky. Hutch could not tell if he had been hit again, or not. He positioned the car between the gunman and Starsky. Not even stopping to check him, Hutch picked Starsky up and put him into the front seat. Sliding in, so his friend's head was in his lap, he floored the accelerator. Picking up the radio mike he shouted "Zeebra three, officer down, officer down. Hey I need some help out here!" Through the radio, "Zeebra three, what is your location?" "I'm travelling North on Eleven, I'm enroute to county hospital. Check out the warehouse location fifth and eleven. Use caution, there's a sniper out there. One guy already handcuffed, send black and whites, with back up." "Ten four, zeebra three. You want us to send an ambulance?" "No, no I'm almost there." Starsky hang on, please god, just hang on. Hutch looked down at his partner, trying ascertain the damage. Starsky's faded Levi's were now deep red, soaked with blood. His shirt was also red indicating that he had been shot somewhere in the chest area. His head was grazed, where he had fallen. He was deathly white. His lips slightly blue. Hutch could see that he was breathing, but it was shallow and rapid, as thought Starsky knew he had to make himself breath. And he was cold, very cold, although he was covered in sweat. Whilst driving Hutch ran his fingers through Starsky's sweat soaked curls, "We're almost there Starsky, hold on, just hold on for me" Hutch could feel the tears rolling down his cheeks. The memories of the Gunther shooting, still fresh in his mind. He wondered how much Starsky's body could take. He barely made it last time and he was younger, fitter, stronger then.