Spreading Some Joy

"Hey Starsky, slow down a minute, will you?"

Instantly on the alert, Starsky slowed the vehicle and scanned the area, trying to see what Hutch had noticed. As they drew level with an alleyway, he spotted the figure that had caught Hutch's attention. 'Lijah.

"You want to check in with him after last night's storm," Starsky guessed.

Hutch nodded.

The storm had been horrendous, going on for hour after hour from 5pm yesterday until around 3 this morning. They'd both got soaked to the skin just coming out to the car to go home (and then again as each had dashed from the car to his own home), but at least they'd been able to take a shower, towel off and change into dry clothes. 'Lijah and his fellow homeless friends wouldn't have been so fortunate.

Starsky drove slowly, crossing the sidewalk carefully and heading down the alleyway at snail's pace. At the end of the narrow passage, 'Lijah was spreading out a blanket on a refuse bin to try to dry it out.

As the car drew nearer, he heard the engine and turned around to check for danger. The detectives saw him visibly relax as he recognised the car.

Hutch leaned out of the window and asked, "Hey 'Lijah, how are you doing?"

"You know. Surviving. Same as always." 'Lijah shrugged.

"Yeah, we know. Blanket got a soaking last night, I guess."

"It'll dry now. It's warm enough now. Be okay by tonight, I expect."

"You had breakfast yet today?"

'Lijah coughed as he shook his head.

Hutch turned and looked at his partner, asking a question with his eyes.

Starsky only half-reluctantly reached into his pocket for a couple of dollars, which he passed to his partner, figuring he was a bit short this close to pay day. Hutch took the bills and then added a few of his own from his pants pocket. Starsky wondered what Hutch was thinking giving away so much but waited quietly to see the outcome.

"Here, 'Lijah. There's enough there for breakfast and to get another blanket from the thrift store around the corner. Just in case yours doesn't dry out in time."

Bright eyes, shining with tears, looked at both detectives and a head nodded thanks.

Starsky nodded back and put the car into reverse. As he resumed their journey into work, he glanced at Hutch, who was studiously looking out of the window.

"Nice job, partner. Start the day spreading some joy, maybe we'll have good karma."

"That's not why-"

"-I know."

"Oh."

"You got money left for lunch?"

"A couple of dollars."

Starsky shook his head at his partner with affection.

"Guess lunch tomorrow will be my treat then."

"Thanks partner. I'll buy you lunch on payday."

"Fine...as long as it's my choice. No rabbit food, please!"

"I don't buy rabbit food! Just because I like some salad in my sandwiches doesn't make them rabbit food."

"If you say so..."