Disclaimer: Starsky and Hutch do not belong to me and story is for entertainment purposes only.

Warnings: Violence and bad language ahead and bigotry issues.

Thank you for your kind reviews!

CHAPTER 9

Starsky was spending some time with Ben but Ben didn't want to discuss the difficulties he was experiencing with his less than amiable partner. Ben was very concerned about his friends and he was trying to find out what was going on between them, much to Starsky's discomfort.

"Come on, Starsky. You trying to tell me you and Hutch have problems? I just don't buy it. You've been through too much together." Ben stared at his friend, but Starsky was accomplished at playing undercover roles and he managed to maintain his cool. He didn't like lying to Ben but the stakes were very high and he knew none of them could afford to slip up.

"I'm just sick of him thinkin' he can boss me around…" Starsky paused. "He's always on at me about my car and his jokes have become mean." Starsky stopped again, disliking bad-mouthing Hutch. "I guess I'm not the easiest person to be with either. It's been a rough road since I got outta hospital and maybe we're both just tired. Dunno…" Starsky shrugged.

"I can understand you're both tired. God, Starsky, you nearly died, and I remember how Hutch was during that time. That's why I can't buy you really splitting up or working with someone else." Ben tried to sound reasonable but his recent experience with loss of a good partner, and being teamed with Rayner, made him sound a little more desperate than he normally would. He didn't want Starsky to end up in the same situation as he was, especially when he had such a good partner and friend.

Starsky sighed deeply but before he could respond, there was a knock at the door.

"See, Starsky, I bet that's Hutch come to apologize!" Ben said hopefully.

Starsky grimaced. Despite the act they were putting on, he wouldn't have been surprised to see Hutch. He went to the door wondering whether he should create another argument.

"Now, Hu…." As he opened the door expecting to see his blond partner, he found instead he was staring down the barrel of a gun. Barely having time to register who was holding it, Starsky was thrust violently back with such force that he landed on the floor. Ben jumped up in response, but Rayner simply held up his gun and fired, so that Ben too fell on the floor. Starsky rolled over but his assailant kicked him in the chest, leaving him winded. Another kick to the side caused Starsky to try to curl up, but Rayner kicked him again forcing him onto his stomach leaving Starsky coughing and gasping for breath.

Rayner wasted no time in grabbing the rope which he'd left at the door and quickly and efficiently pulled Starsky's arms behind him and bound them tightly. He then quickly went over to check on Ben who, although badly injured, was still alive. He hauled up the injured man so that he was propped against the wall, despite his injury. Rayner's tenuous grip on reality was lost as he looked at his victims and realized victory was in his grasp. He could get rid of these two undesirables all too easily.

Starsky had recovered slightly and was trying to wriggle away but Rayner grabbed his legs easily.

"Not so fast, Jew-boy! Where do you think you're going?" Rayner mocked.

In a last ditch and desperate effort, Starsky tried to kick Rayner, causing him to lose his balance and fall. Continuing his desperate fight, Starsky crawled to the door but Rayner rallied quickly and easily caught hold of Starsky's legs and prevented him from moving any further. Rayner was almost seeing red with fury as he watched his stubborn victim trying to fight.

"You'll regret that you, bastard." Rayner pushed Starsky onto his back. Without saying another word he grabbed the brunet's throat and started to strangle him. Starsky choked and panicked as the hold tightened. Rayner watched the panic in his victim's eyes with pleasure, enjoying his feeling of power. As he sensed Starsky losing his battle to stay conscious, he just as suddenly released the brutal hold. Starsky started to cough as he tried to take in deep breaths, but Rayner only gave him a second before stuffing a large piece of cloth into his mouth.

Starsky automatically tried to spit the unpleasant gag out, but a piece of duct tape appeared and was quickly placed over his mouth, effectively holding the gag in place. His legs were pulled together, and ropes bound around his ankles. Rayner then pulled him into a sitting position and placed him against the back of his sofa. Ben and Starsky were facing each other and Starsky was appalled at the blood flow from his friend's shoulder.

Rayner was tired from his efforts but very pleased. He'd expected it to be more difficult than it had been but the element of surprise had worked well. He'd been prepared to shoot them both, but this could be a lot more fun and one of them would watch the other die, knowing he would soon follow.

"You're both gonna die tonight but first of all you're gonna know exactly what I think about you." He swung around, and started throwing Starsky's belongings around and destroying pictures. Muttering obscenities under his breath, all Starsky could do was watch in horror as the madman went about destroying his home. He was only too well aware of the fact Hutch wasn't likely to visit, and the chance of them escaping was minimal. Looking at the bleeding Ben filled him with despair. What a terrible way to die, at the hands of a true lunatic.

Starsky flinched as he watched Rayner pulling down his pictures and smashing them. Even the TV was smashed as it was pulled over.

"Pig…Pig….Pig…" Starsky tried to close his eyes as his things were destroyed.

After an interminable time, the sounds of destruction ended. Starsky opened his eyes as Rayner approached him. This time holding a photograph of Hutch which was taken at Huggys at the blond's birthday. Starsky looked at it blearily, only wishing he could see his partner again.

"You shouldn't have this, should you! You don't deserve a partner like him." The taunting voice caused Starsky to close his eyes again. The cruel words inflicting a pain in him that the beating had not.

Rayner grinned as he noticed Starsky's defeated air. This was good, it was going to be so good.

"Guess what, your partner doesn't want you any more. I told him I'd get rid of you for him. He doesn't want a child for a partner any more and he's tired of looking out for you."

Starsky shivered at the pure hatred coming from this madman, trying to ignore the words this time. He knew it wasn't true…

Rayner's eyes weren't cold any more, they were burning with fanaticism. He continued looking at Starsky, enjoying the expression of fear on his face. "Your partner deserves a real partner and he's gonna get one. At least he won't have to worry about looking out for you again." He suddenly kicked Starsky who fell on his side, stunned by the force of the unexpected blow. He was then kicked again in the stomach, and tried to curl up as the pain spread. "He hates you, really hates you." Starsky didn't see the blows coming but he felt the explosion of pain as the relentless kicks and punches rained down on him. He tried to close his ears to the vicious and hateful words, the worst of them being how much Hutch really hated him. He was pushed on his stomach and Ben could see his friend, powerless to help him against the vicious attack, which was just as cruel verbally as it was physically. Starsky was rapidly starting to weaken.

After a seemingly endless time, Rayner finally stopped, and he stepped back looking at both Starsky and Ben with satisfaction. Starsky was now lying in a pool of blood, the quick gasps for breath being the only indication he was still alive, his eyes barely open. His face was covered in bruises and Rayner was satisfied he was well and truly defeated. He also knew neither Starsky nor Ben would survive for long and he would then dispose of their bodies using Starsky's car. He could then get rid of that too and then Hutch wouldn't have to worry about driving around in the horrible car again. Maybe he would drive it over a cliff. He grinned to himself at the thought but decided he'd have some more fun first.

Ben bit back tears of frustration as he saw his friend lying in a pool of blood. He wanted to help him but he wasn't sure what he could do. Their lunatic captor had left the room and by the sounds of smashing and breaking, he figured Rayner was tearing up Starsky's bedroom too. He knew this was his last chance to help Starsky, Ben tried to move over to his friend, the shooting pains and dizziness hampering his speed. He persisted but almost wished he hadn't when he saw the condition of Starsky. His eyes were closed and face severely bruised and cut, and the ragged sound of breathing indicated broken ribs. The bloodstained gag in Starsky's mouth wasn't helping, and Ben knew the removal of the gag would only help. Forcing himself to move closer, he gently touched Starsky's bruised face. The pain-filled blue eyes opened at the soft touch to see Ben struggling to help him. Ben carefully removed the gag, shuddering at the amount of blood on it. Internal bleeding… damn…

It was the last thing he was to do, and to think, and Starsky could only watch in horror as Rayner dragged Ben away and held up a gun before shooting him again. Starsky gave an involuntary sob as he watched his friend's body being pushed away. Rayner glared at Starsky and started to walk slowly back towards him, pointing the gun towards Starsky's head, swearing and cursing as he did.