Same disclaimers: S&H do not belong to me and no profit is being made.

Warnings: violence and bad language and bigotry.

Thank you all for your kind comments on this story. Please accept my apologies for the delay in posting – a combination of a longer than expected trip away and computer problems has put me behind but I hope to post more regularly now.

CHAPTER 10

"Do ya wanna die, Jew boy? Do ya?" But Starsky was beyond talking and could only try to catch his breath, feeling sick to his heart at the brutal murder of his friend.

Rayner looked at the very still Starsky, and was suddenly overcome with what he had done. This had been such a blatant attack and he shouldn't have done it, not like this. Even though he'd enjoyed himself, he knew he'd made a serious mistake. He had no regrets for hurting Starsky and killing Ben, but he should have made it more anonymous. Taken them out on the streets, rather than in Starsky's home. He gripped his head, it was hurting him and he didn't know what to do. The sound of approaching sirens further disturbed his thinking.

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Hutch couldn't settle down that evening, although he wasn't entirely sure why. It had been a horrible day, having to be nasty to his best friend and to spend time with a dangerous creep. He hated this situation--Dobey in hospital, and Starsky and Ben at risk because the creep was probably a madman. He felt restless, like something was wrong, and he felt a strong sense that he should visit Starsky. It was risky, but the feeling that he needed to go over there just wouldn't leave him. Grabbing his jacket, he left his apartment, trying to laugh off his unexpected fear and reminding himself that his partner would undoubtedly be furious with him. Trying to work out what he'd say to Starsky occupied him until he arrived.

When he got to Starsky's place, he was shocked to see his place surrounded by police cars, including the SWAT team. He jumped out and raced to the nearest officer who wasn't someone he'd met before. Why hadn't he been called? Frantic and panic-stricken thoughts clamoured through his mind as he reached the officer.

"What is it? What's going on? That's my partner's place." Hutch spoke frantically as he flashed his badge for identification.

"Hostage situation. Gun shots fired." was the terse reply he received as the officer moved away.

Starsky, God, Starsky, please be okay. Hutch felt sick at the thought of what was happening. He looked around, desperate for more information, looking for someone he knew. Tim Jones from the SWAT team saw him first and came over, knowing how frantic the blond detective would be feeling. He was a friend of both Starsky and Hutch and was feeling anxious for Starsky on a personal level, as well as a professional level.

"Hutch, from what we've gathered, a gun shot was heard in Starsky's place about an hour ago and another shot was fired about twenty minutes ago. The car here is registered to George Rayner and that's Ben Steiner's car. The blinds are drawn so we don't know who's been shot or why. Apart from the initial yelling and some loud crashing, it's been silent. We've been trying to start up some dialogue but so far nothing has happened."

Hutch tried to control his emotions. "Rayner's a racist nut. I think he beat up Dobey, and he's always hated Starsky and Ben, although I don't know why he would hold them hostage. He must have been attacking them." he gasped when he saw Rayner at the window, pulling the blinds up. Not so much at Rayner but at what he was holding--his partner, bruised and bleeding and judging from how he was being held, unconscious.

"Hutchinson, I want Hutchinson to come in. No one else or I'll blow this one away." Rayner shouted.

"Okay, George, hang in there and I'll be right in." Hutch replied quickly.

"NO!" was the emphatic and very rapid response from the SWAT team leader.

"Listen, he's asked for me and as far as I can ascertain, I'm the only thing he's demanded. That's my partner and best friend in there and he's obviously been badly hurt. I want him out of there." Hutch glared at the officer, trying to convey that it wasn't up for debate. No-one was going to stop him.

The officer listened. They did need to open up negotiations and get someone in. Possibly this detective could do it, and he obviously wasn't going to do anything to jeopardize his partner.

Hutch, for his part, was trying to maintain his cool and not be too demanding or aggressive. He really wanted to shake the jerk who was trying to stop him going in after his partner. Starsky's life was on the line and he'd do anything to get him out. It would be easier if he had the team on his side, but they weren't going to prevent him. The steely glint in his cool blue eyes revealed his determination.

"Okay, but no heroics. We want everyone to come out alive." The officer spoke grimly.

Hutch was given a bullet proof vest and he hastily put it on. Barely acknowledging anyone else, Hutch approached Starsky's front door.

"George, it's me, Hutch. Let me in." He heard the sound of furniture moving.

"No tricks or I'll finish the Jew-boy off." Rayner sounded desperate.

"No tricks, I promise." Hutch thought the world would be able to hear his heart thumping as he entered Starsky's destroyed home. He was horrified at the damage and more horrified at the sight of Ben, obviously dead after being shot twice, but propped up against the wall. Starsky had been dropped again and was lying on his stomach with his hands still bound behind him, lying in a pool of blood. Rayner was standing over him with a foot on Starsky's back. When Hutch hesitated, Rayner stomped down, causing a muffled groan to come from the brunet.

"Over there." he gestured that Hutch should sit on the sofa and once he was sitting down, he removed his foot from Starsky's back, watching Hutch's face which told him everything he needed to know. Hutch did care about his partner and he had made a big mistake. He wasn't sure what to do, everything seemed to be crashing down around him. He'd messed up big time. Where and why had he gone so wrong?