Chapter 8

After few hours of sleep, Hutch woke up startled hearing Starsky moaning in his dream.

“Starsk...Starsky” he shook him trying to wake him up.

When Starsky finally woke, he opened his eyes surprised, his breathing agitated and sweating. He shook his head trying to erase those images from his head. “Ufff, that was awful.”

“Hey, easy there...” Hutch hugged him caressing his hair. “It was just a bad dream.”

“I know, but it seemed so real. It was awful” Starsky replied yet trembling.

“Wanna talk about it?”

Starsky shook his head no. “It was related with what we’d been talking about our bad experiences in the past…But I don’t wanna talk about the details. I’m sorry.”

“It’s ok with me, if it’s fine with you” he said playing with the dark curls again. “Try to go back to sleep.”

“Hmmm, I think there’s somebody down there with other intentions...” he pressed his body against Hutch’s to let him know his body was fully awake, his eyes sparkling mischievously.

Hutch took Starsky’s hand, and guided it to his own dick that was completely awake too. “Seems there’s somebody asking for attention here too.”

They slowly started caressing their bodies, till they reached their erect members.

Starsky pushed Hutch till he was resting on his back, and started kissing his neck going down savoring every inch of that soft skin. He stopped his way paying attention to each nipple, and then resumed his travel down to Hutch’s navel, abdomen and groin, till he reached his precious goal.

Now Hutch’s groans changed to more intense ones when he felt Starsky’s tongue brush against the tip of his burning cock, then licking all along. His fingers entwined in the curls holding the head in place till Starsky took his manhood completely in his mouth, crying with surprise.

Hutch’s breathing was more agitated now feeling like exploding. He tried to get a hold on his sensations and like the other time, he stopped Starsky’s moves. “S-Stop please” he could barely say.

Starsky raised his head in surprise. “Are you gonna let me do things without interrupting?”

“Wh-Why you don’t...ufff...let me show you I can do other things with my mouth other than talking” he said looking down to Starsky resting his head on the blond’s abdomen.

“Ahhh, yeah...you’ve said something about that” he smiled raising his eyebrows mischievously.

“Come on, turn around and let’s get more comfortable for both” Hutch said moving himself till they both were in a 69 position.

Starsky eagerly placed himself, and then each took the other’s manhood to take care of.

“Hmmm, what a nice sight!” Hutch teased looking at the mirror above.

Starsky did the same. “No doubt it is, Blintz.”

With this interruption, their excitement had diminished a little, so they could start again enjoying themselves with no rush.

Hutch started caressing Starsky’s rounded ass, enjoying how well shaped those cheeks were. He then went on with his ministrations between his legs, and kissing down his way to Starsky’s groin rounding the member that was already asking for more attention.

Starsky on his side was enjoying the sensations his lover was causing him, and tried hard not to lose his concentration, in order to please Hutch too. He started playing with his tongue over the tip on his cock, licking all along, and biting softly in the base too.

Both men’s moans were louder now as well as the pace in their movements was increasing too. They finally swallowed the other’s hot member, and started pumping hard. The pulsating members were more and more aroused with each pump till they both reached the orgasm in unison, swallowing their semen eagerly.

They turned around and rested on their back, but not moving away from the place they ended. They were spent after such intensity in their lovemaking.

When their bodies were almost under control again, Starsky climbed to the head of the bed, and he clang to Hutch, no words coming out of his mouth to express how he felt. It had been such an intense experience, he didn’t want to spoil it with words, so he just held tight to the one he loved.

Hutch sensed what Starsky was feeling, as he felt the same. So they both stayed in silence holding tight to each other.

After a while, Hutch  asked, “Are you awake?”

“Yeah.”

“If the first time was incredible, I think we should invent a word to express what just happened.”

“I don’t know what to say either. The only thing that comes to mind is that I’ve never felt like this before.”

“Me either, Starsk. You’re highly the best that happened in my whole life.”

“How many you’d tell the same after an intense lovemaking, Blondie?” Starsky teased him.

Hutch turned puzzled to Starsky. “Hey! You think I’d lie to you about something like this?”

“I was just kidding. Didn’t mean to upset you” Starsky raised his head, seeing the hurt in Hutch’s face.

“I’m sorry. But you being the one that always shows his feelings more easily, I thought you didn’t believe me…This was truly the best lovemaking in my whole life.”

“You forget I know you so well, you don’t nee to explain anything to me?”

Hutch relaxed then. “D’you think you could go back to sleep now?”

“I’m spent, Hutch. Don’t think I’d be able to do anything else.”

“Nothing better than rest after an intense lovemaking” he smiled, and kissed the dark curls.

Starsky cuddled against Hutch’s body, and they doze off hugging each other.

When the morning arrived they felt that had been the first night they’d slept well since they came from the lake besides their problems.

Hutch was the first one to wake up. He went to the bathroom and then headed for the kitchen to fix some breakfast, while Starsky was still in bed.

“Let me know when everything’s ready” Starsky said turning around ending on his abdomen, the sheets barely hiding his rounded ass.

“Ejem...Starsk”, Hutch stammered.

“What?” Starsky asked straightening on one elbow.

“Watching you like that, there’s only one breakfast I can think of...”

“And I thought you were a serious man” he said smiling covering his body, “and now I find out you’re a sex maniac” he added still grinning.

“Haha, like you’re not...” Hutch replied ironically shaking his head.

“At least I’m not pretending the opposite…” Starsky added just peaking from under the sheets and grinning.

Hutch smiled back, and he continued his way to the kitchen with his slip on.

When breakfast was ready he called Starsky, who obediently went to the bathroom to wash his face, and then headed for the kitchen too wearing only a slip too.

“Sit down, I’ll give you your plate in a sec” Hutch said while giving the last touches.

“It smells good, so I figure it isn’t one of your weird mixes you use to have.”

“Take it easy, you’ll like it...Besides, it’ll be good to make you get your energy back, after last night” he smiled mischievously.

They sat at the table, and ate the delicious concoction Hutch had fixed, while they resumed their conversation about Marcy’s death.

Starsky still with a piece of his toast in the mouth started saying, “Hmmm, Hutch, I’ve been thinking about something that had me preoccupied about Marcy. But now I think it’s getting clear.”

“What is it?”

“It’s more like two things. First of, why should we have to blow off Marcy’s face? Wouldn’t it be enough killing her?”

Hutch shrugged. “The shot in her chest was the first one, as forensic said” Starsky nodded. “Then in case she didn’t die with that shot, she could’ve said something, asked why we wanted to kill her after our sex party some time before.”

“And not being able to stand her asking, hurting and pleading gaze, we then paf...blew her head away, and no more face to upset us” Starsky added feeling a shiver running his body. “We’ll never get used to those deaths, will we? It’s horrifying to think about somebody being that cruel.”

“So true.”

“Anyway, here’s the other detail that had me thinking. This is easier, but being so anguished with all that’d happened, I didn’t notice till you made me think about it last night” he said eagerly, and Hutch frowned not understanding. “I’m not crazy, Hutch, I know what I’m saying…Ehhh, you have a mole, just inside your left leg, beside your…your gorgeous member, that I’ve noticed last night…and you know why I noticed it…”, he winked mischievously, and Hutch blushed.

“And...?” Hutch said not understanding yet.

“Don’t you notice details in the body of the person you’re having sex with?”

“Of course I do...I know perfectly well every inch of your body.”

“Thanks, but it’s not my body I’m referring to, dummy. Marcy had…has two moles just under the place where her pubic hair starts” he explained blushing shyly.

“You’re right! And the body they found...Well I didn’t watch it that thoroughly, I was too anguished to do it, but…”

“Exactly! I bet you anything you want that the body they found isn’t Marcy. Besides, we’d left our love bites in her neck, and I’m sure the body we saw didn’t have any.”

“This could lead us to the conclusion that Marcy’s still alive, and this could be a set up against us” Hutch added, happy for this discovery. “You’re a genius, Gordo!” he leaned forward taking Starsky’s face between his hands, and kissing him. “I knew there was something else than your gorgeous body that made me fall for you.”

“So it’s more than lust, and you won’t get tired of me any time soon” Starsky said grinning. They kissed again, and then went on eating.

“We’ll have to talk with Dobey, and tell him the news” said Hutch. “And we’ll have to start working hard to find Marcy, we’ve already wasted too much time thinking she was dead.”

They tidy everything from breakfast, got dressed, and headed for the station.

******

When they arrived to their floor they went directly to Dobey’s office, entering without knocking as always. The captain was talking on the phone, and he watched them sternly, but noticing their happy faces, he interrupted his call, thinking they had something important to tell him. “Call you later” he hang up. “Will you someday learn to knock before entering?”

“Excuse us, Captain, but we have something very important to tell you. We know Macy’s alive” Starsky said rapidly, sitting in front of the desk.

“Are you out of your mind, Starsky? Hutchinson, I thought you’d take care of…”

“Sir, Starsky’s right” Hutch interrupted him. “We have proof that the girl found by the lake isn’t Marcy.”

Dobey looked at them surprised, trying to digest their words. “OK. Take it easy and explain yourself.”

Starsky sighed and started talking. “Cap, I know you won’t like some of the things you’ll gonna hear now, but they’re necessary in order to be clear.”

“Stop going in circles and spill it, Starsky.”

“That morning Marcy did go to the lake, and left a note saying she was waiting for us. When we reached the lake, we saw she was…ehhh…naked.” Dobey frowned, but didn’t interrupt, and he just kept listening. “We undressed too, and joined her. We were kidding around, till the game turned into something more serious…more intimate and we went to the shore…” he stopped blushing.

Hutch noticed it, and resting one hand on Starsky’s shoulder, he went on with the explanation. “We went to the shore and we did have sex with her. But we surely didn’t rape her, captain. Everything was in agreement of the three of us. She didn’t refuse in any moment. Besides, you know us too well to know we wouldn’t force her into something like that.”

“All right, I don’t want more details of your private life” replied Dobey feeling uncomfortable with the topic.

“Well, the thing is that due to that experience with Marcy” this time Starsky resumed the talking, “we know she had two moles in her body, that we didn’t see in the corpse found in the lake, besides we did left some marks in her neck, that this body didn’t have either.”

“Besides, there was no reason for us to blow her face” said Hutch completing the idea they had had during breakfast.

“Forensic confirmed sexual activity” Dobey said seriously.

“Yeah, and of course we couldn’t deny it. Besides, the shock seeing the body so similar to Marcy’s made us forget these details we’ve just explained.”

Hutch asked thoughtful, “Did they made a DNA test of the body? I don’t remember seeing it in the report.”

Dobey took the file on his desk, and started looking for one. “There’s no DNA test.” He looked at them in the eyes, “Let’s go to the morgue, and after confirming what you’ve just told me about the body, we’ll ask a test to verify the corpse’s identity.” He stood up and headed for the door.

The guys stood up too, and followed him, “Ehhh, Cap…Thanks for your trust” said Starsky, making Dobey slow his pace and turn around.

“You’ve proved to be capable of lots of crazy things, and with what you’ve just told me, I found out another I didn’t know of. But that doesn’t matter. What you do in your time off isn’t my business as long as it doesn’t affect your job.” He said firmly, watching both of them. They blushed like teens thinking about their new intimate relationship they didn’t talk about, and that they didn’t think they would any time soon. “But I never thought of you as murderers, and I was going crazy thinking about a way to take you two out of this. Now I’m glad you’d thought of something that could help.”

The three of them smiled pleased, and they resumed their way.

When they got to the morgue down in the basement, they asked for Marcy’s body.

After looking in the records, the guard took them to the right place. He opened the drawer, and when he was going to uncover the corpse, Dobey prevented it seeing the guys’ expression.

“Are you ready?” he asked. They both nodded, then the captain himself lifted the sheet, discovering what was left of the girl’s face. That sight was the same or worse than the first time, because the resemblance of both women was that impressing it made them hesitate, and think they’d mixed up things.

Starsky sighed, and took the sheet himself. He leaned over the copse, watching thoroughly the neck  where there should be the bites they’d left in Marcy’s. As they’d thought, there were no marks, but that could be due to the state of the body. He straightened back trying to compose, and then he resumed his task removing the sheet covering the lower part of the body. They both looked at each other, then looked down to the line below the pubic hair, and they realized there were no moles, as there should be.”

They breathed released, and straightening they looked at Dobey. “We were right, Captain” said Hutch.

“Could you please explain what you were looking for?” the guard asked.

“I want an immediate test of DNA. We have our doubts about this corpse being Det. Parker’s. My men here remembered some details missing in this body.”

“Seems they knew her very well” the officer said with an ironic smile. “They didn’t look for a scar in an arm, or hand, something easily to find.”

“It isn’t your business how well they knew Det. Parker. You only have to follow my orders, and when you have the new results, I want them on my desk as soon as possible.” Dobey added seriously no place for any other comment.

“Yes, sir. I’ll do them myself, and send you the results.”

With this they left the morgue going back to the squad room.

Back in Dobey’s office, while they were waiting, they reviewed some old files again. They were looking for something that could be useful to discover who was behind all this set up. The test was asked only to prevent any difficulties with IA, because it was enough for Dobey to confirm what his men had told him.

Now the investigation had to focus in finding Marcy, before it was too late, and she’d showed really dead.

Chapter 9

Marcy woke up in the same humid and cold room where she’d spent the last two or three days, how many? She’d lost count of the time that had passed since the moment she’d been forced out of the cabin. She only remembered being stabbed in her right side with a knife, and that when she tried to defend herself, someone took her by the arms, and other man covered her head with a piece of thick cloth, while other one took her by the feet, and thus she had been carried out of the cabin.

She had only heard the voices of 4 men, but beside being wounded, she didn’t give up trying to get free of her captors till she’d been hit on the head with something heavy that made her unconscious. She didn’t remember anything else, just when she had woke up the first time, her wound was covered, and she was handcuffed to the bed with one hand. Twice a day they’d brought her something to eat and drink, but no word was said, and their faces had remained covered.

“What d’you want from me?” she asked again, as the other times any of the men came into the room. And as the other times, there was no answer, and she was left alone.

<Ufff, I’ve never felt so useless like I feel now. I can’t get free, I don’t know who my captors are, nothing that could give me a clue of what’s going on. I only know there are 4 men> she thought feeling completely discouraged with the situation.

******

Minnie gave Dobey the results of the tests, and as they had expected, the corpse wasn’t Marcy’s body.  Besides, the guys had agreed on making a test with their semen to confirm it wouldn’t match the one found in the body.

“Everything was fixed to make us look like guilty” said Hutch.

“Instead of things getting clear, they’re more complicated now” Starsky said discouraged.

“We’re gonna make lots of noise with these new results. And we’ll find out who made the substitution in the first place. He or she should get in touch with who gave the order to do that” Dobey felt more hopeful on the other side.

“Maybe they’ve already made contact” added Hutch.

“You heard I gave the order to the chief in charge that the results were sent to me directly. I have no doubt there’s someone inside that’s doing this, but not Hunter. I know him since the beginning, and there’s no spot in his career.”

“OK then, cap, let’s not waste more time, and let’s make noise” said Starsky feeling more up spirited now.

Thus they started working on the discovery of who was the one that had changed the reports in order to make the guys seem culprits of Macy’s disappearance.

Their day ended with no news, and the detectives headed to Huggy’s before going home.

******

“Hey, you remembered your friend here!” Huggy greeted them from behind the bar.

“Sorry Hug” Hutch apologized for both of them. They sat on the stools against the bar. “The reason is we’ve been a little complicated these past days.”

Starsky sat beside Hutch, “At least we got something very important. Marcy’s not dead.”

Huggy’s expression lit up “That sure is good news! D’you have the least idea where she is?”

“Not yet, but we also know there’s somebody inside the department that changed the results in the tests and the reports, in order to make us look like the responsible of her supposed death.”

“Before you say anything, I know I’ll check anything that could help. But up to now nobody knows anything.”

They kept talking for a while longer, trying to clarify some details with Huggy’s help, and then feeling more cheerful than before, they both headed to Starsky’s apartment again.

This time when Huggy saw them leaving, he felt more pleased. They were worried of course about Marcy’s disappearance, but they seemed to had gone back to their usual demeanor. And he even had noticed a special glow in their eyes. <Bah, stop thinking silly things about those two. Now you’re gonna say that they even looked like being in love with each other> Huggy said to himself, but then he shook his head letting go of that thought. He resumed his task smiling.

******

“Why didn’t you want to go to my apartment, Starsk?” Hutch asked when they had arrived. He left his on a chair nearby.

“You’ve been talking about my ceiling mirror all the time, so I thought you’d be happier here. But I promise that next time we’ll go to Venice, if that’s what you want” Starsky left his jacket  with Hutch’s, and then stepped closer wrapping his arms around the blond man waist, pressing both bodies together. “Is it fair enough?”

Hutch responded to the hug, kissing him softly on the lips. “And I can promise you that though I don’t have a mirror, I’ll make you see everything you want” he said in a seductive tone.

They smiled, and kissed more intensely, tightening the hug, while loosening their shirts out of their jeans till their hands reached the bare skin underneath. When they felt that caress, they both moaned excited.

“Hmmm...shower and rest” Starsky said winking his eye mischievously at Hutch.

Hutch grinned back and followed him into the bathroom.

After a long shower sharing caresses, and a sensual game that turned them on, they went to bed, where they made love with so much intensity as the other times. The passion they used to satisfy the other one, and to enjoy this new step in their relationship themselves, left them exhausted, falling asleep immediately.

Next morning they got up early, and after Starsky whinnying because of the time, he accepted the offered breakfast that Hutch had fixed for them. They finished dressing, and headed for the station.

When they arrived, they found Simonetti and Dryden waiting for them in Dobey’s office. They’d arrived early, and were anxious to meet them. Since their arrival they’d had driven the captain nuts with questions and inquiries about their actions the day before.

“Morning, cap” Starsky greeted him, being the first one entering the office without knocking on the door. But all his good mood was cut up seeing who were waiting for them.

Hutch, following his partner close behind, stepped on him, when Starsky stopped abruptly. When he was going to complain, he saw IA men watching at them.

“I see you don’t change your bad manners. This is a disrespect to the authority, and the Force” said Simonetti.

“We’re on suspension, remember?” said Starsky.

“To perform any investigation. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to follow the rules of behavior with your superiors” added Dryden.

“And obviously this isn’t your case” said Simonetti. “Why did you ask for new tests?”

“I think it’s necessary to do anything to get to the bottom of any investigation” Hutch replied irate.

“And fortunately the new exams tell the body found isn’t your partner’s. And besides, the semen samples don’t match yours” Simonetti said ironically. “Very lucky for you that these details come a few hours before the preliminary hearing.”

“D’you wanna follow an investigation with false evidence?” asked Starsky.

“Who assures us it was false? How can we be sure you didn’t conceive all this to deviate our attention from yourselves, and thus step clean?” Simonetti went on.

“Oh come on! This is the last straw. Somebody got the report changed in order to blame us for the murder of our female partner, and then when finally things get clear and we found out it was all false, you blame us of changing the evidence to get rid of the charges” Hutch was furious.

Dobey punched hard on his desk. “Enough! We’re getting nowhere with this discussion. I’ve already sent this new evidence to the DA’s office asking for a delay in the hearing. He wasn’t too pleased, but he agreed to postpone it.”

“You’re aware, Captain, that if at last we’re the ones right about all this, and the false evidence is the new results that your men got, even your own place in the force will be jeopardized” said Dryden menacingly.

Dobey’s expression turned very serious. “I think that now it’s you who forgot who you’re talking to. I don’t get threats from nobody…And if for any weird reason you were the ones who were right on this, I’ll personally hand my badge to the department. That would mean my instincts are completely ran out.”

Both guys looked at each other pleased and proud at the same time because of their captain’s attitude, but they didn’t say a word.

Both IA men were out of words, as they acknowledged they were out of place talking like that to Captain Dobey. He wasn’t their captain, but he was an officer with a higher rank than theirs. Nevertheless, they were too proud to apologize in front of Starsky and Hutch. That would be too much for them.

“We’ll be in touch, captain” said Simonetti cutting off the subject, and both officers exited the office.

Starsky exclaimed excitedly, “Wow Cap! I knew you loved us, but I didn’t expect you to put your badge at risk for us.”

Dobey tried to minimize the situation, but he did it completely convinced about the innocence of his men. “OK, ok I did what I had to do. And it’s true that if for any reason you two were guilty, I would present my resignation, ‘cause my skills would be completely over then.”

The guys looked at each other grinning realizing Dobey felt uncomfortable talking like that.

Dobey went on, “Listen, I can’t avoid your suspension, you know that. But at least we have some more time to search for Marcy, and find out what really happened.”

“Anything about the leak of information?” asked Starsky.

“Not yet, but obviously news fly. Simonetti and Dryden were immediately in my office arguing about what had happened” Dobey explained.

Hutch talked seriously. “Sir, I know that being suspended, we can’t leave the city. But I think it’s important that we go back to the lake and talk to the people there to see if they’ve seen something or somebody that don’t belong to the place like us.”

“Really, Hutchinson, you’re gonna drive me crazy. I thought Marcy would bring some peace to the team, but look what happened. Now even she’s the center of my worries” Dobey shook his head in disbelief.

Starsky interrupted, “Cap, you didn’t answer Hutch.”

“OK, I’ll cover you up” he accepted sighing. “But if you don’t get to put things straight in this case, I’ll lock you up guilty or not” he said seriously, not giving place to any doubt.

“We won’t disappoint you, sir” Hutch assured him.

“Oh, Cap, one more thing” said Starsky before heading out.

“What now?”” asked Dobey faking angst.

“We need guns, sir. Remember ours are in custody as evidence” he smiled in his childish mood.

“All right, take this. But please don’t mess things any more.” He signed a form asking for guns, and handed it to them.

“Thanks, Cap” Hutch replied taking the form, and exiting the office.

They took some of the notes they’d been making, and headed to pick up the guns Dobey had authorized. Then they went to the garage towards the Torino ready to go back to the cabin.

******

In the basement of the precinct, at the same time, there was a uniformed making a phone call from one of the telephones in the corridor. While he was talking, he peeked his surroundings in case somebody could hear what he was saying.

Chapter 10

Macy woke up startled when she heard the door open, and she sat straight on the bed. For the first time since she’d been brought to that place, the men that came to see her had their faces uncovered. There were 3 men. The ones in the front had the same clothing than the days before, so due to their complexion, she thought those were 2 of the men that kidnapped her, and that had been taking care of her.

The third one was the one who caught her attention. A man in his mid-sixties, white hair and wearing a very expensive dark suit, white shirt and a matching tie. The face seemed familiar, but she wasn’t sure where she’d seen him.

“Good afternoon, detective” the man greeted her amiably.

“At last someone that speaks to me, and places me in time” replied Marcy.

“That bad were you treated?” asked the man in the same calm tone of voice, though frowning.

“It was ok in the way they fed me, and took care of my injuries. But they aren’t good hosts, sir…”

“I’m sorry to hear that, Det. Parker. I’m talking about good manners, and I’m the first one not being polite. I should’ve introduced myself in the first place” he smiled. “I’m James Gunther.”

Marcy was paralyzed when she heard that name. She’d thought she knew that face. She’d never met the man in person, but she’d seen some pictures at the station and in the papers after Starsky’s shooting.

“Surprised, my dear?” he asked seeing the expression in Marcy’s face.

“Well yes. I’ve never thought you’d see the light again.”

“Seems to me you have little experience in this, detective. Of course you’re younger than your partners, and you still have many things to learn…As for example that everything has a price, thus everybody has a price too.”

“I’m not that sure. There are still people that have no price. And in that group I can count my partners, Cap. Dobey and myself, plus some other names I could give to you.”

Gunther grinned ironically. “That’s something I want to see, my dear.”

“What do you want? Are you planning on finishing  what you couldn’t the other time?” she said defiantly. ”You’re wasting your time here, you won’t get  anything from me. There’s no way I’ll give my partners to you.”

“That’s not necessary...I have complete control of the situation, and I know their moves very well. Of course sometimes things don’t turn as one wants the first time. But with patience, you finally get to your goal.”

“What are you talking about? Why are you keeping me here?” Marcy persisted.

“Do you remember what happened in the cabin during your vacations?” asked Gunther and Marcy nodded. “Well, when you were caught by my men, another girl took your place…Unfortunately, she’s dead. But we could say she was your twin sister, and with a little more help, everybody thought it was your body.”

Marcy felt at loss, ‘cause if this was true, then nobody would be looking for her, so she’d have to get rid of these men alone.

“You’ve already noticed those clothes aren’t the same you were wearing. And it wasn’t only because of the blood. Your clothing was another fact that helped us. Plus the unfortunate girl was killed with your partners’ guns, and her face was so disfigured, that everything went as planned. Our good detectives are on suspension and waiting for the hearing before setting the date of the trial for your death and for rape charges.”

“You’re completely out of your mind, Gunther!” exclaimed an irate Marcy. “They’ll find out everything’s been a set up, and that you’re the one behind all this.”

“I must give them credit being really good detectives, and they still surprise me” he smiled. “Due to the private party you three enjoyed, they found out there were some details missing. Thus they convinced your captain to perform new tests, and they discovered the body wasn’t yours, and that the first reports were false.”

“I told you you wouldn’t get away with this” said Marcy feeling more encouraged now.

“Don’t get that happy, detective. Their discovery is the reason why we didn’t get rid of you yet. You’re still a card I have in my sleeve. I’m just waiting for the right time to play it.”

******

In the meantime, Starsky and Hutch had arrived to the cabin. When they entered, they were feeling discouraged, and sorrowful, because again the place had bad memories for them.

“As son as this is over, I’ll ask Dobey to sell this cabin” said Starsky falling on the couch.

“I’m not arguing with you this time, Starsk” said Hutch standing behind the couch, resting his hands on Stasky’s shoulders.

“You’re not gonna tell me I’m crazy thinking this place is damned” Starsky lifted his face looking up at his friend.

Hutch smiled lovingly at him, and he leaned forward, touching his lips in a soft kiss. “If you’re not including our relationship in that curse, then I’ll accept it.”

“That’s the only good thing that we can come out victorious with from last stay” Starsky replied drowning in those blue eyes so full of love.

“Hey, if Marcy’d listen to this, she’d feel very disappointed that you wouldn’t consider something good what happened with her” Hutch teased.

Stasky grinned gesturing with his hand the place beside him on the couch. Hutch obliged eagerly. “If you promise me you won’t be jealous, Blintz, I’ll agree that that moment was something very special.” Starsky winked his eye mischievously.

“I agree with you. And considering it as the last time we’ll be with a woman, we could say it was the best in our life.”

“Last time with a woman, eh???” said Starsky with a naughty expression. “Are you sure? I could believe you, and take that for a commitment.”

“You still think of following pretty girls?”

“That’s not what I said. You were the one that brought the topic, so if I see you watching a pretty female…” Starsky said grinning, and pointing him with his index finger.

“Don’t worry, Gordo. You’re not getting rid of me that easily. You won’t tell me that because I was behind some woman, you can do the same…Rules are rules in both ways. And you know I can be as jealous and as possessive as you are” said Hutch holding him tight against his body.

Stasky smiled at him sexily leaning forward forcing Hutch to lay back on the couch, covering him with his own body. “How possessive can you get, Hutch? I’m doubting here that you get even with me” he said kissing him roughly. Hutch immediately moaned feeling Starsky’s tongue invading his mouth.

With the same anxiety, he responded the kiss, and they clang to each other tightly, enjoying the moment, and for some time forgetting all the bad memories that that place brought to their minds.

When they separated to recover, Starsky straightened a little looking into Hutch’s eyes. “We can’t forget the true reason for us being here.”

“I didn’t forget it. Marcy must be waiting for us” answered Hutch forcing Starsky toward him again, and resuming the kissing.

“No, Hutch. Come on...get up...”

“I’m up, haven’t you noticed?” teased Hutch pressing his erection against Starsky’s.

“Hmmm, Hutch...And I’m the crazy one in this duo” replied Starsky shaking his head. “But I wasn’t referring to that part” he smiled and kissed him softly.

“What a pity, I was very comfortable” Hutch answered freeing his partner, and straightening too.

“Let’s see what we can get from the people in town” said Starsky standing, and trying to get more comfortable in his tight jeans.

“Problems there, buddy?” Hutch asked mischievously looking at the bulge in Starsky’s jeans.

“Thanks to you I’ll have to buy my jeans one size bigger” he answered frowning.

Hutch grinned and he imitated Starsky’s gesture trying to get comfortable in his tight jeans.

Starsky watched him, and when he was going to comment the fact, Hutch raised his hand indicating him to shut up with his finger.

“Don’t you dare to open your mouth, Gordo.”

They both laughed at the situation, and recovering their composure, they headed for the Torino ready to begin their new research.

******

Marcy was yet in her prison, and couldn’t get any information from Gunther. She thought about many scenarios. <Could it be possible that he really saw what we did in the lake? Maybe he even saw them together when I left. And who’s the contact from inside that made the movements and that told him about the change in the situation?> “My God!” now she said out loud. “This’ll be too complicated…If I could get free to try to give them something.”

Her ramblings were interrupted when one of the men entered the room bringing the tray with her food. The only difference this time was that he didn’t have his face covered. <Bad sign, Marcy, they’re not worried if you recognize them or not. So the end is near> she said to herself, trying to be calm.

“Hungry?”

“Some...Thing is I don’t have anything else to keep me busy” she told him seductively, improvising trying to get something from him.

“I suppose this must be too boring” he said getting near, reaching out to caress her face. “It’s such a pity such a beautiful woman like you should be locked in here alone for so long.”

“What’s your name?” she asked him going on with the game.

“Randy” he replied, keeping his hand on her face. “I’ve seen you know how to have fun” he smiled with evident lust in his eyes.

“What are you talking about?” she asked innocently.

“You know perfectly well...That’s what I consider to have good vacations and to know how to enjoy them.”

“Ohhh, you’re referring to my partners and me” acknowledged Marcy, and he grinned devouring her with his eyes. “Well, they’ve been great with me all the time.”

“I could be very good with you too.” He took her chin and held her face in place while leaning forward to kiss her. She stopped him with her free hand. “What’s up?” Randy asked surprised.

“Why don’t you free my other hand so I can be more comfortable?”

“I don’t think the boss likes that idea.”

“He has to understand that my wrists are hurting, I even have some laceration due to the handcuffs.”

Randy frowned doubtful, then finally he decided what to do. “Alright, I’ll set you free for a while if you promise me to behave, and thus we could do something to have some fun…But then I’ll have to tie you up again so I won’t have problems with the boss, ok?”

Marcy nodded and remained quiet while Randy took off the cuffs, and freed her hand. When she was free, she massaged her wrist to activate the circulation, while thinking her next move. But Randy took her by surprise, pushing her across the bed, blanketing her with his body.

She tried to free herself, but he held her by the arms, raising them above her head, kissing her hard at the same time, first in her mouth, then going down her neck. She went on fighting him, trying to free her legs, but Randy was strong and heavy, making it very difficult. He then held both her hands in place with one of his, and with the other he began to caress her body through the shirt she had on, and kissing her all the time.

Noticing she went on fighting him, and groaning not in pleasure, but in discomfort, Randy got mad, and slapped her hard on the cheek. “Didn’t you want to have some fun? What’s the problem now? I saw what you did with those two, and you allowed them to do it all.”

“What’s happening here?” Gunther’s loud voice roared in the room. “Randy get off of her immediately if you don’t want me to blow your head!”

Randy was startled by the voice, and he stood up in a rush, trying to get his clothes in place as well as his hair.

Gunther went on. “Are you nuts? You’re completely reckless in this. Can’t you think she could take advantage of the situation and try to escape? You know very well we have to keep her alive and in good shape for a while more.”

Marcy in the meantime, sat straight on the bed, tidying her clothes and hair too.

“Are you alright, detective?” he asked gently.

She nodded. “I can’t believe I have to thank you to save me from this crazy man” she replied ironically.

“See? Everything’s relative in this life. Some time ago you were cursing me for what had happened, and now you’re thanking me I saved you from being raped.”

“Why don’t you make up your mind, and do what you have to do for once and for all?”

“There are some things to take care of yet. This time I won’t rush things. I rather enjoy watching them suffering for a while…And I assure you I have some very interesting stuff to do it” Gunther smiled ironically.

“Randy told me you’d seen what had happened between my partners and me. So I assume you were spying us” said Marcy.

“Better than that, detective. I have a whole video tape with what you three did at the lake, and…” he grinned mischievously, “and what followed that when you left them alone. That really caught me off guard. I wouldn’t think that was going on between those two. They’ve always looked like two tough men, surrounded with beautiful females…I’ve lost two idols here.”

“Please, Gunther, you can’t use that....You’d ruin their career...” Marcy pleaded nervously, anguished, and feeling at a loss not knowing what to do to help the guys.

“That’s precisely what I’ve always wanted to do, my dear. When I sent my men to kill Starsky, I thought that was the best way of getting rid of him. Then it would follow Hutchinson. But this is really much more better. They both are going down” he went on watching her intently feeling he was a winner. “Faking your death was an intent to make them look like murderers…But as this story failed, I’m getting ready for my next move. Can you imagine everybody’s surprise when they discover the dynamic duo are gay?”

“You c-cant...” Marcy sobbed.

“Sure I can! And that’s precisely what I’ll do.”

“What do you want...?” she hesitated, but then went on. “What d’you want in return to leave them alone?”

Gunther grinned maliciously. “So you have a price too, detective. I thought you’d said you didn’t belong to that group.”

Marcy lowered her head feeling ashamed, but then she raised her gaze again menacingly. “I wouldn’t lose that much. I don’t have such a successful career to protect…They deserve this sacrifice.”

“What a noble attitude, my dear. Maybe I consider it as an option. Though don’t take it for granted. I must be sure I can take advantage of the situation, or they won’t leave me alone.”

“You leave them, and I...I assure you I’ll make some arrangements so you can leave Los Angeles, and no one will bother you in the future.”

“You love them that much?” asked Gunther.

“Just leave them alone, Gunther, and I give you my word.”

“We’ll see” he replied turning now to Randy and the other man that was with him. “Tie her again, I don’t want any risks. And you, Randy, if I see you again near her, I’ll kill you myself.”

With those words he left the room. The man that was with Gunther cuffed Marcy to the bed again, and then he exited the room with Randy, leaving her alone again.

Chapter 11

Starsky and Hutch started going around the town going to the shops, stores, and questioning people on the streets. They’d took some pictures from the mug books at the station that could have a grudge against them, but no one recognized any of those faces.

In one of the grocery stores, a very friendly couple told them that 4 men had arrived a few days ago. They looked like being on vacation. They were still in town, because they’d gone to buy provisions. The couple gave them a description, and they said the men had been very friendly, though their physical aspect was a bit fearful because of their shape.

The guys thanked the couple, and went on looking for more information. They then went to a bar and one of the waiters told them he remembered seeing some foreigner that matched the description of one or two of the men they were looking for.

Finally they went to a pharmacy, and the owner told them about the visitors too. He even remembered that 3 or 4 days before they’d had been there buying medicines, gausses, cotton, etc.

With this information the went back to the Torino, feeling a bit more relieved, but yet anxious to find those men as soon as possible, as they seemed to be still in town.

“At least they brought something to take care of Marcy’s injuries” said Starsky sitting in the driver’s seat. “Hope they were good treating her, and that she be alright.”

“She has to be fine, Starsk” said Hutch firmly resting one hand on his lover’s shoulder.

Starsky smiled sweetly, and started the car. When they were ready to leave the curb, the Sheriff stopped his car right in front of them, preventing any move.

“What a surprise! I didn’t expect to see you again, gentlemen” the sheriff said leaning down in the driver’s window.

“Are you afraid we bring bad reputation to your town?” asked Hutch in an ironic tone.

“I’ve been informed that you were suspended. I didn’t know you were allowed to leave the city during the investigation.”

“If you were as well informed, you should’ve known our partner isn’t dead” said Starsky looking straight into the sheriff’s eyes. And that’s the reason we’re looking for someone out of place here that could lead us to Marcy.”

“I know the body found wasn’t your partner’s. So I intend to find out who the unfortunate girl was. No one in town has disappeared nor said somebody they knew was missing.”

“Maybe it was someone on vacations too, who happened to have the bad luck to look like Marcy, and who helped the culprits to fake the death” explained Starsky. “We’ll try to solve that, don’t worry.”

“And I can assure you that after this is finished, you won’t see us any more” said Hutch firmly. “We rather go to any place more quiet than coming here again.”

Starsky looked at him lovingly, thanking him with his eyes the confirmation of what they’d mentioned at the cabin.

“Alright, Det. Hutchinson, Det. Stasky, I apologize for how I’ve been treating you” the Sheriff said calming down. “I’m assuming here that if your captain allowed you to be here, then you’d be really innocent, and thus this should be a set up to make you look guilty. You can count on me and my men for anything you need. If the true culprits and your partner are still in town, we’ll find them.”

“Thanks” said Starsky.

“We’ll let you know anything we find out” added Hutch.

The Sheriff went back to his car, and the guys could finally get on their way to the cabin. Besides all the anxiety to solve the situation, they were too tired, and they knew there wouldn’t be anything very useful to do at night with the little information they had.

******

“What d’you think of the Sheriff?” asked Starsky already in the cabin leaving his jacket and gun on a chair nearby.

“Maybe he was being sincere, and all his previous rough behavior was ‘cause he thought we were truly responsible for that girl’s death” said Hutch leaving his things with his lover’s. “Nevertheless, I rather wait and see how things go, before asking him for help. What d’you think?”

“Whatever you want, Blintz” replied Starsky grinning while taking off his shirt on his way to the bedroom.

“Right to the point” Hutch grinned back following him suit, reaching out to him and surrounding his waist holding him tight.

Starsky held Hutch’s arms tight around him, enjoying the contact of both bodies together. “First shower. I need to relax a bit and then go to sleep…ehem” he said turning his face and winking at Hutch.

Hutch smiled back at him. They finished undressing, and went to take a shower together.

Of course their shower was full with caresses, kisses and hugs that got them very hot at the end, forgetting the stress of the day. They felt like teenagers in their sexual discovery, and this new experience was being incredible for both of them.

“Have you ever imagine this could be possible, Gordo? I mean, when you were younger” asked Hutch between kisses.

“What? Being in love with a guy? Never. You?”

“Not either. And I surely wouldn’t expect that I’d fall in love with my male partner, and to be corresponded.”

Hutch was enjoying to lather Starsky’s hairy body, and as his hands were roaming all over his lover, he leaned down kissing his neck, his chest paying special attention to each nipple. The groans that escaped from Starsky’s mouth were taking himself so high, he was very aroused too. He then slowly followed kissing that beloved body while he reached down to his precious goal. With one hand he massaged the base of that hot cock, while with the other he kept it in place as he leaned down and kissed the crown and his tongue started to torture the dark man till he engulfed it completely in his mouth.

Starsky groaned deeply, and automatically he took Hutch’s head in place entwining his fingers with the soft hair, not wanting Hutch to let him go.

Hutch smiled pleased and eager to go on with his task. He increased the pumping with his mouth as well as the fondling at the base, so Starsky didn’t last long, coming with so much intensity that if not for Hutch holding him, he would’ve fallen.

“Wow, Hu-Hutch...it was incredible!” he said with difficulty. “Hmm, come here” he made Hutch raise and held him tight, enjoying the contact of both bodies, and feeling Hutch’s erection rub against his lax member. They kissed passionately. “Let me take care of you now” he said taking the hard member in his hand.

“Let’s go to bed, water is too cold already” replied Hutch.

They exited the shower, dried off just a bit, and they headed for the bedroom. Hutch was so aroused, he couldn’t wait too much.

Starsky pushed Hutch down on the bed, making him lay on his back. He then climbed in bed too, straddling the blond man, and sitting on his heels.

“Are you gonna just watch me?” asked Hutch anxious, and with his cock asking for attention like having a life of its own.

“I love to watch you hot. Your soft skin takes a special color, and your little friend down here always ready saying ‘hi’. Well I’d say ‘little’ is a loving nickname, not that it’s really little.” He then took Hutch’s dick in his hands.

“Starsk, please” pleaded Hutch feeling he couldn’t hold it too much, and that he was almost ready to explode with that simple touch.

Starsky grinned at him, and leaned down first barely touching the cock with his lips, then licking it a bit. He was enjoying immensely what he was provoking in his lover. “Is this what you want?” he asked not stopping his ministrations.

“Hmmm...y-yes...stop kidding around, Starsk...” Hutch replied shaking his head from side to side in bliss, and moaning with pleasure.

Starsky increased the pace of his movements pleasuring Hutch with his tongue and his hands as well, pumping harder and harder. This made the other man groan more heavily, and his breathing was more and more accelerated till he finally reached the orgasm screaming his lover’s name, and with such intensity he lay there exhausted.

Starsky released him and lay by his side resting his head on his flexed arm. Thus he watched Hutch in bliss, while the blond man remained with his eyes shut, trying to compose himself after their lovemaking.

“I could spend my life watching you, Blondie” said Starsky caressing the other man’s face.

Hutch took Starsky’s hand and kissed his palm, opening his eyes and looking straight into Starsky’s eyes. “I could do the same with you, Starsk…Though I think I wouldn’t get enough just watching you. There are lots of things I’d like to do too” he said winking his eye mischievously.

“If you put it that way…I rather do many other things than just watch you” Starsky added and they both laughed contentedly. They then cleaned with a towel, and went to sleep in a tight embrace.

During the night Starsky had another nightmare just like the others. Again bad memories from the past in that cabin combined with Marcy’s disappearance. In his dream he saw Marcy dead because they didn’t get to her in time to rescue her, and those images made him wake up in shock.

Hutch felt him jump in bed, and immediately was awake too holding Starsky in his arms comforting him.

“A nightmare again?” he asked massaging Starsky’s tense back.

“Yeah, but the images were so intense, they felt like real” he sighed relaxing a little. “Hutch, we have to find her soon. I’m fearing if it takes too long, it’ll be too late.”

“OK. We’ll accept the Sheriff’s help. In the morning we’ll give him what we have about those men, and we’ll try to find the car they’re using.”

“If they were buying groceries, they surely are in town yet, and they’ll be back any time. We have to be on guard to catch them.”

Hutch nodded, and held him tight again. “Think you can get some sleep now?”

“Think so. But I swear, there’s no way I come back here in the future” stated Starsky, clinging to Hutch too, and they lay down again going back to sleep for the rest of the night.

******

Marcy woke up when she heard the door open and steps entering the room. Due to the previous experience with Randy, she immediately sat up on the edge of the bed watching intently who was coming.

“Good morning, detective” Gunther greeted her amiably. “Did you sleep well?”

“I’d be more comfortable with both my hands free, but I can manage. Besides I must admit your men are very obedient, and they didn’t bother me any more.”

“Fine. What Randy wanted wasn’t in my plans. I have more important things to take care of.”

“Ehhh, Gunther...Have you considered what I told you?” asked Marcy shyly.

“Well, yes, but I didn’t decide anything yet. I really want to have fun watching those great detectives go down. It’s more likely you’ll die, in order they are accused of your death, I’m not really sure of this…But can you imagine how endearing would be for the men they locked in jail to find they’re guilty of murder? And most of all that they are gay!” he laughed ironically. “Unfortunately I won’t be there to see it, ‘cause I’d really like to see the special treatment they’ll get.”

“That’s sick! It’s detestable!”

“Your words show me you have a long way to go before you learn everything in this world, young lady. Of course that if you were alive, something I doubt.”

“Please, Gunther, think about what I’ve told you...Just leave them alone.”

“I’ve already told you I didn’t decide yet, though I don’t think I will.”  He then turned to leave the room.

“Wait a second...” she said, and he turned toward her again.

“Could you free me? I promise I won’t try to escape…Besides, there are no windows or any other way to exit the room other than that locked door.”

Gunther thought about it, then he gestured the man with him, who finally freed Marcy from the cuffs.

“Thanks” said Marcy massaging her wrist.

Then both men exited the room locking the door behind them.

“Fine, you’re not tied any more, though there’s no way out from here, Marcy” she said out loud to herself. “You were of really good help for your friends. You made them discover their true feelings for each other, and with your game, you finally ruined their lives…They surely will be very pleased when they find you…if they do.” She felt very discouraged at last.

******

The guys got up early after some quiet sleep with no more nightmares. They had breakfast while commenting the little information they had about the men, and making a kind of plan to solve the case as soon as possible.

When they were ready to leave, the phone rang, and Hutch went to get it.

“Hello.”

“Hutch, it’s Dobey. Sorry it’s too early, but there’s something important you have to know…” The captain was very serious, and it was obvious that what he had to say made him uncomfortable.

“What is it, Cap?”

“I’ve got a call just when I was coming in from County Jail...James Gunther’s free...” he said lowering his voice.

“Wh-What?” asked Hutch falling on the sofa as he didn’t trust his legs.

Starsky saw that, and he was by his side instantly kneeling in front of him. He tried to get something from the conversation but couldn’t.

The captain was explaining something else. “It seems there was a big amount of money, and his lawyer got him on bail…”

“Who was that stupid that set him free! Captain, you have to do anything you can to find him and…”

“Hutchinson, who d’you think you’re talking to? I’m not a rookie” Dobey shouted at him on the phone.

“I-I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean…” Hutch apologized and he lifted his gaze toward Starsky who felt lost not hearing anything.

“As soon as I got the information, I had all available men to search for him...But I wanted you two to know it.”

“How long’s he been gone?” asked Hutch thinking there could be any connection with what had happened and Gunther.

“Yesterday morning” replied Dobey.

“I see...” acknowledged Hutch disappointed.

“I thought about any connection too, but apparently that’s not the case…Well, you have any news?”

“We have the description of 4 guys that came in town around the same time we did. We’re gonna ask the sheriff for some help.”

“No more problems with him?” asked Dobey concerned.

“No, sir. We told him what we’ve got up to now, and he said we could count on him for help...Besides we think we’re running out of time if we want to find Marcy alive.”

“OK. Keep me informed.”

They hang up, and Hutch remained in silence looking fixedly at Starsky.

“Are you gonna tell me what was that about? Or I have to call Dobey to tell me himself” asked an impatient Starsky.

Hutch sighed, and resting a hand on Starsky’s shoulder, he explained everything to his lover.

“Is there anything else that can happen?” he said defeated sitting back on his heels.

“Don’t feel sad about it. Dobey’s gonna get him, and we’ll see he won’t get free again” assured Hutch trying to comfort him, though he didn’t feel as confident as he tried to look.

“No matter what you two think about it, I know for sure he has something to do with all this mess. Before he was out, he should’ve made some arrangements to get things on the go, and he’s taking care of it in person now he’s free.”

“That’s not possible, Starsk.”

“Come on, Hutch, you know I’m right. We know him, and we know he’s capable of this and many things more. He has lots of contacts everywhere…He wasn’t happy with the mistake he made with me, so now he’s behind Marcy and he’ll come to get you as well…Anything he can do to torture me.”

“Both of us, Starsk. Have you forgotten what I’ve told you about the shooting, and what I’ve gone through till I’d known for sure you were gonna make it?” said a very anguished Hutch.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make it sound like your pain wasn’t important...It’s that…” he stood up and started pacing the room. “Could it be possible that some day our problems finally end?” he said turning to look at Hutch.

Hutch shook his head no, and got up going toward him. He rested both his hands on Starsky’s shoulders, and leaned forward till their foreheads were touching. ”As long as we’re together we’ll face anything to come, Starsk…That you can be sure of.”

Starsky hugged him tight and they remained in silence for a while absorbing the strength that closeness gave them.

After some minutes that way, they went looking for the Sheriff, not wasting more time.

Chapter 12

Starsky and Hutch headed to the Sheriff’s office. Once there they explained what they’d gotten from the people in town. The Sheriff then made arrangements with his men to try to find those foreigners, in order to help the guys in their search.

When they were going back to the Torino after their meeting had ended, they saw a car coming in their direction. They paid close attention to the men in the interior, and they were almost sure the faces fit with the descriptions they had.

Obviously the men in the car recognized the detectives, because they immediately sped away trying to get lost.

Starsky and Hutch climbed rapidly, Starsky got the car running, and the car got moving so fast that the doors closed due to the movement, and Hutch had to hold tight to the dashboard in order not to hit the door.

“Thanks God my reflexes are fine, Starsky.”

“You saw them too, Hutch. And we can’t waste more time, so stop complaining” Starsky replied not taking his attention off of the car before them.

The driver in the other car was very skillful, and knew very well what he was doing, so the chase wasn’t very easy. The people in town weren’t accustomed to that driving, so they were surprised, and Starsky had to made a hard turn in order not to run over a little girl and her mother, who were paralyzed in the middle of the street after the first car had almost hit them.

That maneuver plus the land road, made the Torino slid along, and they crushed over some boxes in a grocery store, and thus the other car could get away easily.

Starsky hit the steering wheel with force. “Damn it! We lost them.”

“Calm down, Starsk. At least we know they’re still in town, and they’ve already seen us and know we’re after them.”

“What can make them want to run away taking Marcy with them…If they didn’t kill her already” added Starsky lowering his voice.

“Remember I am the pessimistic in this duo?” said Hutch squeezing Starsky’s shoulder for comfort.

“Maybe we’re getting to an equilibrium, Blintz.”

They apologized with the owners of the store, and gave them some money to cover the damage. Then they inspected the Torino, and seeing it was fine, they went back to the cabin to think about their next step.

******

They opened the door in a hurry as the phone was ringing. They thought it could be Dobey or Huggy with some news. Starsky was the first one to get it.

“Starsky!” he said in a tone of voice harder than he wanted.

“Well, well, Det. Starsky. What a surprise” Gunther’s voice on the other side of the phone made Starsky feel like a hand oppressing his chest.

“What d’you want, Gunther?” he said, and Hutch was immediately by his side giving him support squeezing his shoulders.

“I’m glad you’re fully recovered now, detective” Gunther said in an ironic voice.

“Stop that crap, Gunther! We know you paid for your freedom. Otherwise you’d be still in jail. But I can assure you that when we get everything clear, we’ll see to get you back in prison, and this time there won’t be any possible way you get loose again. And I swear to you this time you’ll get rotten in jail.”

“I wouldn’t be that sure...And that’s precisely what I wanted to talk about” he smiled maliciously on the phone.

“We don’t have time to waste. What d’you want?”

“Well, I think I have something that belongs to you” he went on in the same ironic tone of voice.

Starsky raised his gaze looking at Hutch in the eyes, both thinking the same <Marcy>

Gunther, on the other side didn’t let them think that much about it, when he confirmed that idea. He pulled Marcy toward the phone, putting the handset on her ear. “Talk to them!” he ordered.

“Starsky?” she said in a low voice.

“Marcy! Thanks God you’re alive! Are you alright?” he said all at once.

“Yes, don’t worry ‘bout me...Just think about you two, and for once in your life do what Gunther wants.”

“What are you talking about? What does he want?”

“Just listen to me...Gunther had some of his men spying us before he got out of jail. He made them follow us to the cabin and that they wouldn’t let us alone for any reason. He ordered them to…tape all our movements and…that’s precisely what they did…” she said almost in a whisper.

“B-But...”

“Please, don’t interrupt me, Starsk…” she sighed and went on, “Gunther has a videotape of the three of us in the lake and…” it was difficult for her to go on, but then she composed herself and finished, “He has recorded what you two did afterwards…”

Starsky felt like his heart was going to explode in his chest, and he couldn’t say a word.

“Starsky...David, are you listening?” Marcy was nervous with that silence.

Hutch took the phone from his hand and took on the conversation.

“Marcy, it’s Hutch. What’s up? What did you say to Starsky that he seems in a trance.”

“Hutch, I’ve just told him that Gunther has a videotape with you two in the lake...and he’s gonna use it against you, if you don’t make a deal with him.”

“Oh God” that was the only thing that came out of Hutch’s mouth.

“I’m sorry, Hutch. Forgive me” Marcy sobbed on the phone. “I wanted to help you, and I ended up ruining your lives.”

“You have nothing to do with it, Marcy” stated Hutch. “And don’t worry, we’ll get through it. You just try to be careful. We’ll set you free as soon as possible.”

Gunther got impatient, and when he heard Marcy sobbing, he took the handset from her ear, and pushed her aside. Randy and other of the men held her tight.

“That’s enough!” he said on the phone. “You heard what your partner told you. And you know I’m not a man of threats and nothing else.”

“Leave Marcy out of this!” said Hutch defiantly. “She has nothing to do with you. You used her to get to us, but now leave her alone, and we can talk about what you want.”

“Always the White Knight attitude, Hutchinson” Gunther smiled ironically. “But this time it’s useless. Your partner and that tape are my passport to freedom.”

“What d’you want then? Where…?”

“I’ll call you again to arrange an encounter...Meanwhile just think about following my instructions, or there’ll be a copy of the tape on your Captain’s desk, another with IA and another one for the DA himself. I don’t think they’ll be very happy when they find out what their best detectives have hidden, hahahahaha…Think about it, Hutchinson. You two have a lot to lose, and maybe Det. Parker’s life isn’t worth a fight…She already told you she was who started everything.”

“Don’t try to play dirty here, Gunther, making her look like she helped you. She doesn’t have anything to do with this, I’ve already told you so.”

“Don’t misunderstand me, detective. Of course she didn’t know my movements. But involuntarily she helped me, ‘cause what I saw was much better than what I expected to ruin your careers…I repeat, think about it” and with that he hang up not giving Hutch time to say anything else.

Hutch left the phone in place, and he sat beside Starsky, who was now sitting on the couch, feeling completely defeated and discouraged.

“What else did he say?” Starsky asked lifting his gaze sensing Hutch by his side.

Hutch told him the rest, and they stayed in silence for some instants, looking into each other’s eyes til Starsky decided to talk.

He sighed and shook his head confused and scared thinking what was about to come. “If I have to see the ones I love hurting, then coming out of his attempt on my life was useless. I don’t want your career to end up this way, Huch! I’ve already had enough scars in my body to remember that damn day, and I don’t need another one…You still have the possibility of being a Captain some day. It’s not fair that because of this you can’t get it…You’re intelligent, faithful, and you have your studies.”

“Yes...And I’m cold and cynical too...” Hutch added with a sweet but firm voice.

“Hutch” started Starsky pensive and serious. “D’you remember when Rosey found out I was a cop?”

Hutch frowned not seeing where Starsky was going. “Yeah” he replied.

“You went to my apartment, and when I said I felt bad knowing I had two faces, what did you tell me? That ‘that had to do with being a human being’. Well, being cold and cynical has to do with it too.”

Hutch held Starsky’s chin and raised his face to look into his eyes. “Starsky…I don’t wanna be anything special. If I’m a good cop, it’s ‘cause of you. Everyday when I go to the station, I do it confident that each one of the persons we save or help, only for one day, it’s worth the sacrifice we’ve done in our career. And I owe that to you. You’ve always been the optimistic who helped me to go on. I wouldn’t’ve survived the shooting myself if you hadn’t come through it alive.”

Starsky looked sad yet. “If surviving Gunther means that now I’ll ruin the career of both the people I love the most…How ashamed will Dobey be…What-what’s worth being alive then?…You know? This proves your father was right. If you hadn’t followed me, now you’d be what he wanted you to be…But now your career is condemned ‘cause you’re stuck with me not just as partners, but…like lovers.” His eyes were then filled with tears, and he lowered his gaze again.

Hutch felt such sweetness due to those words, he entangled his fingers in the dark curls, scrapping lovingly his head. “Starsky…being stuck with you, as you say it, is the most beautiful thing that happened in my whole life…Being with you I’ve learned a lot more than what I could’ve learned in any university…And I’ve never felt any difference between you and I because we had different origins. Don’t talk like that, Gordo. Forget what my father said, and don’t tell me it wasn’t worth to have survived the attempt against your life, ok? Like I told Marcy, we’ll get through this together as always. And I don’t care what’ll happen next with our career as cops. We’ll see when the time comes.”

Starsky felt a bit more encouraged and he smiled mischievously, “If you promise me when you make to captain, you won’t shout at me like Dobey does, then I could even consider staying in the force, just to work under your orders…” he winked to Hutch.

“Starsk...” said Hutch shaking his head incredulously like watching a child after something naughty.

He then turned more serious, “Hutch, being with you everyday is the best thing I can get out of this mess. You know that, don’t you?”

“That’s what I was trying to make you accept, Gordo” he said smiling and hugging him tight. “Everything we do is worth doing it, as long as we’re together.”

“If after all this is over, we still get thrown away from the force, maybe we still can have our own PI agency…We could have a good rating among gay and prostitutes with their problems with law, when ‘normal’ police don’t think they’re worth investigating” added Starsky straightening up with his face bright with hope in being together.

“And I’m sure Marcy wouldn’t have any problem working with us. After all she was the one that opened our eyes.” Hutch was happy too seeing Starsky regaining his cheerfulness.

******

“My dear detective” said Gunther back in their hiding place, “although you’ve said more than I wanted you to, you did it just fine. And I have no doubt they’ll do their best to get to you”, a malicious expression on his face.

“And then you’ll kill us, won’t you?” Marcy stated firmly.

“Not precisely...Not precisely” Gunther repeated and he exited the room leaving her again locked there.

“Ufff...Hope they didn’t forget what kind of man Gunther is, and they don’t trust him” she said to herself . “I have to get that tape to save them. Otherwise, their career’ll be finished for good…” she lay down in bed trying to figure out something to do.

******

“Hutch, d’you have any idea what to do?” asked Starsky sitting on the sofa, with Hutch’s head resting on his lap and laying peacefully there.

“Gunther said he wouldn’t let Marcy free ‘cause she was his passport just like the tape. So though we could make a deal with him, he surely would kill her and…”

“...And ruin our life not only with that tape, but making us look like murderers as at the beginning” finished Starsky.

“That’s right. That’s why he didn’t do it in the first place. He had the tape with him, and he could use a Plan B, as to say.”

“D’you think we should talk with Dobey?”

“D’you wanna tell him everything before he gets it otherwise?” asked Hutch frowning.

Starsky nodded. “Maybe that’d be better. At least we could avoid him a heart attack. Can you imagine his reaction if he watched the video?”

“Starsk, I think we’ll have time for that. We still can solve this, and make the video disappear…And when the case is closed, we could decide if we have to tell him about us or not.”

“How d’you think he’d react?”

“I’m sure it’d be a shock. But I’m sure too that he’d accept that reality as Marcy did. He’d be supportive as always.”

The phone rang startling both of them thinking it was Gunther again. Starsky reached out to answer it.

“Starsky!” he said firmly.

“Did I interrupt, ma’man?” Huggy’s cheerful voice was on the other side of the line, making him ease the tension a bit, but at the same time making him doubt about what to answer to that question.

“There’s not much to do here, Hug” replied Starsky not giving much importance to the topic.

“Suppose if you’re back in the cabin there has to be a good reason...You said too many times you didn’t like it.”

“Come on, Huggy. We’re back looking for anything that could help to find Marcy, and we had a great surprise.”

“Gunther’s behind everything” Huggy said.

“Usually you’re the one breaking the news for us...But this time this is old news.”

“Dobey told me what you two were doing, and I’m sure I do have something that could be usefull.” Huggy persisted.

“What is it? We don’t wanna have the line busy too long. We’re waiting for Gunther to call us” explained Starsky.

“What if I tell you where to find him right now?”

“Stop kidding!” said Starsky a bit irate.

“I’m your friend, remember? You don’t need to shout at me.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just...”

“I know, you’re preoccupied for that girl partner” Huggy acknowledged.

“Yeah...Please tell me where they’re hiding.”

Huggy told him the right location of an old warehouse on the outskirts of town and gave him the name of the 4 men with Gunther completing the information.

After thanking his friend, Starsky hang up, and told everything to Hutch. They thought about asking the Sheriff’s backup, but they decided not to waste more time and put that idea aside. It wouldn’t be the first time they’d do something crazy like that.

They checked their weapons, confirming they had enough ammunition, and then exited the cabin.

When they were almost closing the door, the phone rang. This time was Hutch who ran to answer it.

It was Gunther giving the instructions to meet them in 45 minutes in the warehouse Hugggy had mentioned minutes earlier.

Knowing they were running into a trap, they decided to hurry and surprise them, not giving them the opportunity of escaping.

“We’re near the end of this nightmare, buddy” said Hutch resting both hands on Starsky’s shoulders as to confirm his words.

“D’you think we’ll have some peace afterwards?”

“I’ll do my best to make it possible for you, right?”

Starsky smiled, and with a soft brush of their lips they headed for the Torino.

Chapter 13

Marcy was quietly pacing the room with nothing to do but think. Gunther had told her he was going to call the guys to set the meeting, and thus he would finish his plan. Unfortunately he wouldn’t be able to see what was going to happen, because for obvious reasons he would be on his way to deliver the copies of the tapes. His men in the meantime would take care of her, setting everything for Starsky and Hutch to look like the ones that had killed her.

“What a great help you were, Marcy” she said to herself nervously. “You’ve complicated their life in the worst way to do it. And now you can’t even make a last move to try to save them…Where could this damn video be?” she went on irate and anguished at the same time due to that situation.

“Are you a little nervous ‘cause the end is coming?” Randy entered the room, and Marcy felt that that was the only chance to do something before dying.

Watching at him and smiling sensously, she thought of something, while Randy was getting near her. <Obviously he’s not as handsome as your partners are, but you’ll have to accept that, and do whatever is necessary to get to that tape…of course being lucky enough to get all the copies>.

“Well, yes...” she said raising her hand to Randy’s cheek. “What a pity we didn’t get to know each other better.”

He held her hand hard, and twisted her arm toward her back pressing her body against his. “When I tried, you changed your mind and started making so much noise that the boss realized what we were gonna do, and got mad at me.”

“I-I’m sorry” she said shivering due to the pain in her arm. “You scared me.”

“I didn’t know cops were afraid” he said while with his other hand took hold of her hair, and bent her head back to kiss her neck.

“Some-sometimes...we’re scared too” Marcy replied closing her eyes trying not to think.

Randy went on kissing her neck as he was pushing her toward the bed. “You gonna scream this time too?” he asked thowring her on the bed, and watching her standing there while taking off his T-shirt.

She shook her head no. <I hope this is worth the effort> she thought waiting for the worst to come.

“That’s better” he smiled malice and lust in his eyes burning with desire. He started loosing his jeans. “Aren’t you gonna cooperate?” he said firmly, holding her hand hard and pulling her to sit as she had remained inmovile.

“Aren’t you afraid of somebody interrupting us?”

“The boss went to call your friends with two of the guys, and Harry’s getting things ready for you.”

“May I know what your plans are?”

“If you behave, maybe I can convince the boss to take you with us. The videotape’ll be enough to take your friends down.”

“How d’you plan to kill me?” she asked trying to gain some time, though she wasn’t sure what for.

“Why d’you wanna know? We better go on with our business here, and you enjoy your last minutes” he said laying his gun on the nightstand by the bed. Marcy uncounsciously followed his moves with her eyes. “Don’t you even think about it, honey. If you only try to get it, you won’t have time to use it, ‘cause I’ll break your neck that same moment, you got it?” Randy stated turning her face toward his again.

“Aha” she nodded.

“Fine, I see we’re finally getting to an agreement” he smiled again more aroused than before. “Take off your shirt!” he ordered, and Marcy finished unbuttonning it, and sliding it over her shoulders.

Randy already with no T-shirt on, and his jeans open, pushed her on the bed again covering her body with his. He started kissing her neck and her chest going down to her breasts, while holding her arms over her head preventing any move from her. Marcy closed her eyes trying to block her mind and senses, feeling there was nothing she could do to avoid Randy to submit her. Maybe after he finished with her, she could convince him to show her the video. His arousal made her sick feeling his caresses all over her body. But after some seconds, she couldn’t stand it no more and changed the tactic.

Knowing anyway she was going to die, she decided to make an ultimate effort to get rid of Randy. Anything would be better than having this monster touch her. Faking she liked the caresses with moans, and that she wanted to reciprocate, she got Randy to free one of her hands, thus having more freedom to move.

“Hmmm...you’re hurting my legs against the edge of the bed...” she purred caressing Randy’s hair trying to keep a sensual tone.

Randy raised a bit helping her to lay all along the bed. “This better?” he asked and she nodded.

He smiled pleased at her, and resumed his ministrations kissing her hard on the mouth while his hands went on roaming all over her body, and his body rubbing against hers too.

When Randy kissed her neck again, she took the chance to get the gun, and very slowly not for him to notice, while she caressed his head with her left hand, with her right she reached for the gun.

When she had a firm hold of the gun, she moved to get rid of the body over her. Randy raised his face surprised, and he saw her aiming to his head. “Get off of me!” she ordered.

He tried to hold her arm, but Marcy with no hesitation, shoot him, the lifeless body falling heavily on her.

In that moment, Starsky and Hutch entered the room scared by the gunfire, and ran toward her. Hutch immediately took Randy’s body off of Marcy, while Starsky sat on the other side of the bed, holding her in his arms to comfort her. “Shhh…it’s alright…It’s over now” he said and right in that moment Marcy realized she was trembling, and sobbing with the aguish of the recent events.

Alerted by the shot too, Harry, the other man who was in other of the rooms, ran toward them, and he aimed the guys from the open door.

“Put your guns down!” he ordered, shooting toward them at the same time, but failing. Starsky was still holding Marcy covering her with his body, and Hutch responded the fire instantly getting right to Harry, who fell dead to the floor.

After confirming both Randy and Harry were dead, Hutch went toward Marcy and Starsky. He crouched in front of her and rested his hands on her lap. “Are you alright?” he asked concerned.

She straightened, and looking at them both, said seriously, “What took you so long?” She now seemed very angry at them, and they seeing the change in her expression, started laughing.

When they calmed a bit, Starsky said still grinning at her, “Well, we were really considering if we should come or not.”

“After all, you were the one that put us through all this mess” added Hutch grinning too.

Just then Marcy realized what fool she’d been, and that she’d reacted that way due to her nervousness. “I’m sorry…It’s just that…”

“Oh, come on...we’re just kidding” said Starsky caressing her hair.

“Let’s not waste more time” said Hutch standing up, and taking the guns from the men and giving one to Marcy. “Gunther told us he’d meet us in 45 minutes, and I think it’s almost time.”

Marcy explained, “He took two of his men with him, while Randy and Harry were getting things ready for a set up.”

“Does he really have that tape?” asked Starsky while helping her to put on her shirt again.

“Yes. Gunther was planning on delivering it while you were on your way here. Of course you know he wouldn’t make any deal. And this time he was really planning on killing me to blame you two, at the same time that he’d ruin you with the videotape.” Marcy lowered her head ashamed.

“It’s not your fault, Marcy” Hutch told her lifting her face by her chin.

“On the contrary, we have to thank you all what you did” added Starsky winking his eye.

“Of good help I’ve been...And a great partner you’ve got here” she said still not too convinced with their words. She straightened up, and put her clothes in place.

They smiled watching her expression.

“Let’s go see if we can find the tape before Gunther’s back with the others” said Marcy frowning when she felt her wound hurting a bit, something she’d forgotten during all that mess.

“What’s wrong?” asked Hutch getting near her. “Oh, we’ve forgotten they’ve hurt you. Where…?”

“It’s ok, really. They really took good care of my wound and it almost doesn’t hurt at all. I just stretched more that I had to and I remembered it was there.”

“You sure?” now was Starsky who asked worried.

“Really. Let’s go” she insisted heading for the door.

“No matter what you say, you’ll see a doctor when this is all over” persisted Starsky.

“Yes, daddy” she teased.

With two of the men dead, the three of them exited the room feeling more at ease. They went to check the rest of the warehouse with their guns ready, and being alert for any movement or noise in the other rooms. They watched in every room till they reached the one where Harry had been earlier getting things ready.

Marcy searched in one of the bags, and she found two tapes. She lifted them in the air, showing them to her partners feeling pleased.

“Let me destroy them” said Hutch reaching out for them.

Marcy was going to give them, but Starsky stopped them. “Don’t waste time with that. Besides there could be some traces of them, and we’d be in more trouble.”

“You’re right” agreed Marcy. “You’ll have plenty of time to tear them off, Blondie.”

“But first we could watch them in private” added Starsky mischievously winking his eye at Hutch.

“You’re incorregible, Starsk!” said Hutch shooking his head in disbilief.

“And many more things, Blintz” he added slapping Hutch’s ass.

Marcy watched them smiling. “Come on you two loving birds.”

They guys laughed too, and they all got moving. Gunther should be going back to pick up their belongings.

They were walking in a row, Starsky first, then Marcy in the middle, and Hutch behind. There were no noises, and that seemed weird. They decided then to wait for Gunther in the car that was hidden in the bushes on one side of the warehouse.

When they were finally out, they looked around, and didn’t see anybody in the surroundings. They then headed for the Torino.

“Well, look who’s here” said Gunther in a sarcastic tone. They turned surprised toward the voice. “Seems you’ve got here before I expected, gentlemen.” Gunther was standing with one of his men with a rifle aiming at them.

“The game’s over, Gunther” said Starsky looking at them defiantly, holding his own gun aiming at the two men, like his partners were.

“Don’t think so, Det. Starsky. The best’s to come.”

“Marcy’s alive, and we have the videotapes. What else can you do, Gunther?” said Hutch.

“There’s one man missing” Marcy whispered, and the guys slowly started scanning the area with their eyes looking for him hiding somewhere nearby.

“Don’t know what you did with Randy and Harry, but I can assure you we’re not finished yet. I won’t miss the opportunity to see you down, hahahaha…I’ve never imagined what I’ve seen in that video!”

Suddenly Hutch saw something moving behind one of the trees farther where Gunther was standing. He watched intently there, and saw the other man preparing his rifle to shoot them.

“GET DOWN!” Hutch shouted at the same time the man fired his weapon, the shot barely failing his head. He answered the fire point blank, and the man fell backwards, immovile.

The man with Gunther fired too at the same time. Starsky quickly covered Marcy with his body falling them both to the ground while with the other hand shot the man, making him fall down too.

Right then Gunther took his gun from his pocket and shot at random toward the guys, while backing his way trying to escape.

“STOP IT, GUNTHER!” Hutch shouted at him one shot in the air.

“YOU WON’T GET ME AGAIN, HUTCHINSON!” shouted Gunther in response, firing again a series of shots, but with his running, none of them got to the guys.

Hutch still crouching avoiding getting shot, fixed his eyes on the running man, aimed his gun and shoot.

Gunther fell backwards shooting for the last time toward the sky before laying there on the ground. A few tremors in his body, then he lay completely immovile.

Hutch watched some instants, not trusting him, and when he was sure there were no more movements, he bent toward his partners.

Starsky moved away freeing Marcy from his weight. She was frowning in pain, and he helped her to sit.

“You two OK?” Hutch asked concerned reaching out to get to Starsky, but looking to both of them.

“Y-Yeah” replied Marcy a bit breathless. She then streched her arms showing them the videotapes that had broken with their fall. “Well, it seems the evidence’s really over.”

Hutch smiled relieved. Then he turned toward Starsky who had been in silence watching Hutch intently.

“Starsk, what is it?” asked Hutch concerned for this attitude.

“Thanks...” Starsky said looking into his eyes.

After some seconds Hutch realized what Starsky meant. “That was what I’d wanted to do in the parking lot at the station.”

“You had another chance and didn’t miss it, Blondie” Starsky smiled resting his hand on Hutch’s cheek.

“Ehem...I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think we should call the Sheriff to clean all this mess.”

The guys laughed. “You’re right” they answered in unison, kissing her on each cheek.

They helped her to stand up, and while she went to the Torino to call the Sheriff and give him their position, the guys went to take a last look at the fallen men.

They first went to see Gunther’s men and they confirmed they were dead. Then Hutch went toward Gunther, and remained their standing by his side watching him. He didn’t hear Starsky going in his direction too, and he was startled to feel his hand on his shoulder.

“You did it, Hutch. And this time he won’t be able to come behind us.”

Hutch turned toward him hugging him tight releasing in that hug all the anguish he’d felt knowing he could’ve lost his friend, partner and lover few moments before. But fortunatelly life had given him another opportunity to end with all that for good.

In minutes the Sheriff arrived with his men, getting surprised with what he saw.

“I thought you’ve accepted my help, gentlemen” he said seriously.

“Everything turned out too fast, and we didn’t want to waste more time. We feared Marcy’s safety” explained Hutch.

“Alright, and I’m happy you’re fine, Det. Parker.”

“Thank you, Sheriff...I’m sorry to have caused you so many complications” Marcy apologized.

“For a quiet town, you’ve really brought too much action this last time” the Sheriff grinned amiably. “But I’d rather have a more peaceful visit next time.”

“I assure you this is the last time you’ll see us around, sir” said Starsky. “It was enough for us. Next vacations I’ll get sure my partners won’t convince me to go to any place like this. I just want a beach, hotel, and lots of facilities.”

“Don’t worry, Starsk. It’s been enough for me too” added Hutch.

Marcy laughed watching them.

“We’ll have to see again at least to close the case. Your department and my people’ll have to work together to finish with all the details” explained the sheriff.

They nodded their agreement, though not too thrilled with the idea.

Chapter 14

The Sheriff himself had called Dobey to let him know his three detectives were fine, and that Marcy herself had called him from the warehouse. After that Dobey asked a chopper to take him to the lake as soon as possible. He’d been very preoccupied those days with all that was happening, and most of all because of the future of his men in the force.

When they got finished with the preliminary report of the facts in the last few hours, and what had led to the death of Gunther and his men, they finally were ready to go back to the city.

Dobey insisted on taking the three of them with him in the helicopter, but the guys refused telling him they’d rather go in the Torino. Starsky wouldn’t let anyone drive his beloved car, and he surely didn’t want to go back there not even to get his car.

Things settled then, Marcy was the only one flying back with the captain, and as soon as they got to the city, he took her himself to Memorial Hospital to have a doctor check on her.

“I told you it was nothing, Captain” said Marcy already in the car on their way back to the station. “I just needed a change on the bandages.”

“At least they took good care of you not letting you die of an infection or bleeding” said Dobey relieved.

“They wanted to have the pleasure of killing me themselves only when necessary.”

When they got to the station, they went directly to the squad room, where the other detectives and officials greeted Marcy happy to have her back safe and sound.

Due to the noise in the room, they didn’t realize Dobey’s office door open, letting Simonetti and Dryden in the squad room with a solemn gaze. All the people in there got silent.

“Welcome back, Det. Parker” greeted Simonetti.

“You don’t look too happy seeing me” replied Marcy ironically.

“Captain Dobey, where are your men?” asked Dryden ignoring Marcy.

“They should be here anytime, they were eager to leave the lake” answered Dobey heading for his office, Marcy right behind him.

Simonetti and Dryden went after them too. “As soon as Starsky and Hutchinson arrive, tell them we’re waiting for them” Dryden went on closing the door.

“Seems to me you’ve forgotten they’re under my orders” said Dobey irate.

“And I think the frequent violations of the rules they make, are getting to you, captain” interfered Simonetti.

“Don’t push your luck, Simonetti. Remember who you’re talking to. Besides there are no such violations, just a bending of some rules to make things work best.”

Simonetti was going to reply, but his partner stopped him, and instead of that, the three men and Marcy started checking her version of the events while waiting for the detectives to arrive.

When Starsky and Hutch finnaly arrived, they went directly to Dobey’s office.

“Good evening, gentlemen” greeted Starsky with an ear-to-ear smile. “You must excuse our delay, but the highway was a bit crowded, and we didn’t want to commit any traffic violation. It wouldn’t be right for a cop to do that.”

Hutch watched him grinning with the naturality his lover had made the comment, knowing perfectly well what it meant.

“Stop kidding detective, and let’s go right to the point here” said Simonetti irate. “Let’s finish this for once and for all.”

“We’ll gladly make a thorough report in the morning” said Hutch. “Now you’ll have to understand that we’re exhausted with all that happened. Even Marcy needs her rest after her captivity.”

“You’ll surely have lots to explain. You did make a bloodbath there killing all those men” interfered Dryden.

Marcy interceded for her partners. “Unfortunatelly you weren’t there. But that bloodbath, as you call it, was totally in self-defense.”

“And fortunately for the three of you, there weren’t any witnesses to tell the contrary” said Simonetti.

Dobey hit hard on his desk “That’s enough! The problem here was that my men were suspects of the death of their female partner. Now we know everything was a set-up by Gunther, who had a grudge against my men yet. With Marcy alive, and Gunther dead, this case is closed, and now don’t start looking for weird things to go after them, you got it?”

“We’re sure there’s something very special in your relationship” said Dryden. “You have a high record in the force, but I’m sure it has a lot to do with your ‘bending’ of the rules, as your captain here says. But some day you’ll make some mistake and…”

“And you’ll be very pleased to make us realize we made it” Hutch finished the statement for him. “The good partnership we have with Starsky along all these years together, is the only thing that helps us do our job in an effective way with no need for a so special ‘bending’ of the rules that you two are so eager to remark as something that bad.”

“Besides, we know how to keep our good mood. Otherwise, we’d be nuts with all the terrible things we see in our everyday job” added Starsky.

Simonetti and Dryden were out of words.

“Fine, if there’s nothing else to say...” said Dobey looking at them.

“We’ll be waiting for your report as soon as possible, gentlemen” said Simonetti heading for the door followed by Dryden close behind, and they exited the office.

“It’s clear as water that they love you dearly” teased Marcy smiling when the door was closed.

“We’re a permanent pain in their a...sorry, a constant headache” said Starsky correcting himself seeing Hutch’s expression.

“Well, cap, if you don’t need anything else” said a tired Hutch.

“No, you go and have a good night sleep. You three need it. Tomorrow you’ll give me the complete report of the last events in the lake” said Dobey dismissing them.

The three of them headed for the door, but the captain stopped them again. “Oh, wait. I almost forgot.” He opened the top drawer of the desk taking out their badges and guns. “Think this is yours” he handed them his belongings, and the guys took them exiting the room smiling.

Already in the corridor, Marcy clang to their arms. “Well, the nightmare’s over at last.”

“Yeah, one less to worry about” said Hutch relief noticeable in his voice.

“We could go to celebrate at Huggy’s?” invited Starsky.

“Thanks, but I’m really exhausted. Besides I miss a nice shower and my comfortable bed” excused herself Marcy. “Besides, I think you two can have a better celebration in private” she added winking at them.

“You know you’re not a burden for us” said Hutch.

She frowned. “You sure? I think from now on I’ll have to remember that great occasion by the lake, knowing it won’t ever happen again” she said with a sad smile on her face.

“Ehh, Marcy, we didn’t really thank you for what you did” said Starsky lowering his gaze.

“I don’t regret anything, if you don’t regret your discovering, of course” she replied. “And if you ever need a cover…” she shrugged, “you can count on me” she smiled caringly.

“You’re a great partner, Marcy, you know it, don’t you?” said Hutch.

They both kissed her on each cheek, and took her to her car in the station garage. They then headed for the Torino toward Starsky’s apartment.

 

TAG

“Home, sweet home” said Hutch circling Starsky’s waist, pressing both bodies together, once they were inside the apartment, while Starsky was locking the door.

Starsky turned in the hug to face his lover, responding to that hug himself. “D’you really feel at home here?”

“Your apartment or mine, as long as we can be together. I don’t have any preferences. Of course that here I miss my plants…Anyway, I know even at my apartment we’d be so engrossed in ourselves that my poor plants wouldn’t receive as much attention as they need” he smiled and bent forward to kiss him.

First it was just a brush of lips, but slowly the intensity of the kiss was turning into one full of love, passion and anxiety, letting loose all the tension of those past days.

“Shower, something to eat, and then bed” said Hutch when they separated to breathe.

“May I change the order, Blondie?”

“Sure” said Hutch heading for the bedroom.

“Not that order either...” Starsky stopped him holding his arm. “First food…” he added mischievously.

“You and your stomach...” said Hutch shaking his head in disbelief. “Come on, let’s see what’s in that fridge that can be useful after all these days.”

They prepared some sandwiches with the little things they found, took two beers, and went to sit in the sofa to eat more comfortable.

When they finished eating, they took everything to the kitchen to wash them later. Hutch stood behind Starsky rounding his waist with his arms, and he whispered in his ear, “May I invite you to take a shower now?”

“Uhummm” said Starsky nodding at the same time. His body was already shivering with the contact with Hutch’s teeth teasing in his ear.

“Fine, ‘cause I have lots of plans to help you relax from the tension of these past few days. And I expect you do the same to me” he added making him turn in the embrace to be face to face. They kissed passionately savoring each other in that kiss while their hands started their job of unbuttoning their shirts, till they fell to the floor.

They separated for air, and with their eyes they were telling each other all what they were feeling at the moment, love, want, passion.

They ran for the bathroom and finished undressing each other with their eyes locked in one another. Already naked they hugged again, and their hands started roaming all over the other’s body taking notice of every inch, the moans increasing the intensity with the contact of skin against skin.

In the shower they went on with the caresses and foreplay. Starsky began lathering Hutch’s body first taking special care not to rush things and thus enjoy each minute. His hands were accompanied with kisses in Hutch’s neck going down traveling over Hutch’s body. Slowly he started going down with his hands toward the hard cock asking for attention. When Starsky reached his goal, he began kissing and licking the tip of the hot rod, while his hands took special attention fondling the balls. He finally took the member completely in his mouth and very slowly he started increasing the pace of his sucking feeling it pulsing against his throat till the blond man reached the climax crying Starsky’s name and with such intensity that fortunately Starsky was holding him to avoid him to fall down.

“Ufff, Starsk...hmmm” Hutch couldn’t say anything more coherent, and he just stared at Starsky with his eyes full of love.

Starsky stood up pleased with what he’d just done to his lover. “I’ll take that as you like it” Starsky teased him.

“I-I see you surely decided to ch-change…the order of things, Gordo” Hutch replied almost breathless. “I wanted to…make you fly first…but…ufff, I’ll have to work hard to get even” he added holding tight to Starsky pressing both bodies together and drowning in a very passionate kiss.

Starsky grinned lovingly to him and guided one of Hutch’s hand toward his hard member that seemed ready to explode right there and then. “No more talking, Hutch, there’s somebody willing to get some attention.”

They kissed again and Hutch started fondling him increasing the pace all along the hot dick and the balls.

“Hmmm...don’t rush things...”

“Don’t worry about it” Hutch replied between kisses in his neck and going down over his hairy chest. He took special attention to each nipple making Starsky cry in pleasure. “I want to savor everything you’ve got.”

“We better go on in bed...we’ll be more comfortable there...”

“You’re right…Yet I’ll be able to enjoy the sight while pleasuring you with that mirror above us” he then kissed him lightly on the lips. They exited the shower and yet wet, they hurried for the bedroom.

Already in the bedroom, Hutch didn’t waste time and he pushed Starsky making him fall on the bed on his back, climbing over him and resuming the kissing and the caresses with an increased anxiety to make Starsky enjoy the same way he’d been pleased minutes before.

Starsky moaned in bliss with the ministrations Hutch was giving him, and he reached toward Hutch’s hair and back enjoying the contact with that soft skin. He opened his eyes, looking up the reflection in the mirror above. He was fascinated with the image he saw there. Hutch’s body was so perfect, white, soft and full of a light of its own. He enjoyed watching him move, the grace of those movements in those hands and his mouth, all of those muscles contracting with every move.

Hutch wanting only to enjoy and savor each millimeter of his lover’s body, he followed with his kisses and his fingers the trail of those scars on Starsky’s chest, feeling that now that Gunther wasn’t a ghost that could come back at any time, those scars would only be the true proof that Starsky had come victorious from the shooting, and thus they’d live together to enjoy the love they shared.

Those caresses, those gestures full of love, didn’t cause the reaction Hutch intended. On the contrary, Starsky felt awful with his scars contrasting with the beauty of Hutch’s body. Starsky’s body got tense, and he shut his eyes trying to block that image.

Hutch of course noticed the change in the mood in his lover, and he stopped to look at him. “What’s wrong, Starsk?” he asked concerned.

Starsky didn’t answer, and he only tried to get free from Hutch’s body. He turned on his side with his back toward his lover, and he assumed a fetal position, hiding his head in the pillow.

“For God’s sake, Starsk! What’s wrong? What did I do?” the anguish in Hutch’s voice was evident, and he tried to force Starsky to face him, but Starsky remained in the same position. “Please tell me what I did wrong!” pleaded Hutch almost sobbing caressing Starsky’s arm.

“It’s not you, Hutch…It’s me” Starsky whispered without moving.

“I-I don’t understand…I thought you liked my kisses and my caresses.”

“I didn’t like the image I saw in the mirror” Starsky finally said turning to face Hutch in the eyes, aware of how anguished the blond man was.

“What’s wrong with that image?” asked Hutch frowning. “You liked it the other times we were here. What’s the difference now?”

“Tell me what you see, Hutch...” he gestured him to look at the reflection too.

Hutch raised his head and watched into the mirror. “I see two people in love who are supposed to be happy because of that love” he said looking down at Starsky again. “What do you see?”

“I see a beautiful body, light, soft, full of life...your body, contrasting with…this” he indicated his own body with his hand like something disgusting.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“A body that has nothing to do with perfection, nor with beauty like yours does. Mine’s covered with awful scars that could make some one think of Frankenstein.”

“Starsky, where did that come from? It’s been some time now you’ve forgotten all about those scars. You didn’t even mention them the other times we made love here under this mirror.”

“I thought I’ve forgotten them, Hutch. But after all that happened…Gunther’s coming back…” he sighed, “It made me realize that they’re still there, and they won’t go away. Not even the hair in my chest could cover them completely.”

“Well I don’t need you to hide them or make them disappear. If my kisses and caresses over them bothered you, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. But for the first time I was…hmmm…enjoying them, if you accept that word. ‘cause this time I can feel them as the living proof you survived. With Gunther dead, and knowing he won’t mess up with us again, I wanted to acknowledge them as an important part of your body.”

“Hutch, please, you won’t tell me they’re beautiful” said Starsky a bit mad.

“Maybe they’re not beautiful for you, yet they are for me” Hutch stated firmly. He then touched the one in the middle of his chest going toward his heart. “And most of all this one, ‘cause I can feel your heartbeat beneath it, telling me for sure you’re alive, and that I didn’t lose you in that damn shooting.”

“Hu-Hutch, I...”

“That’s not the only thing that’s bothering you, right?” said Hutch noticing the uncertain expression in Starsky’s face.

Starsky sighed knowing too well he wouldn’t be able to hide his doubts from him. Hutch knew him as much as he knew Hutch, words not being necessary to tell the other when something was wrong.

“I feel that no matter what, there’ll be something in the future that’ll make us split apart. Now that I’ve realized that I love you more than my own life; now that I know I couldn’t live if I don’t have you with me… I’m afraid that like it’s always been in my life, something’s gonna happen that will take you away from me” Starsky finally said his voice full of distress.

“Again with that idea of a curse?” Hutch said smiling lovingly at him. “We’ve already talk about it, and I’ve already told you that I could have as many doubts as you do and even more, due to my bad experience with love. Someone could come your way, man or woman, and make you see or give you something that I don’t have or give you.”

“It’s been too long since I fixed my eyes on somebody but you” said Starsky firmly.

Hutch smiled, “You surely watched Marcy very thoroughly...And you even did more things than just watch.”

“Don’t be silly. I could say the same with you. Or you’ve already forgotten that we both made love to her? And it seemed to me you truly enjoyed being with her…being inside her.”

Hutch remained silent just looking intently at Starsky into his eyes, absorbing the words his lover had just said.

“That’s it!” exclaimed Starsky taking him out of his reverie. “I made you think about how good it was to be with Marcy, to ever have a woman again in your life.” He then backed a bit from Hutch, but not separating their bodies completely. “Obviously, I won’t ever be able to get even with the curves of a female body, the soft caress on her skin, the feeling of touching good-shaped breasts…”

“Enough, Starsky!” Hutch interrupted him in a very irate tone of voice.

“See, Hutch? It’s not that easy to take this step...It takes too many changes, too many denials...”

“For not being good with words, you’re talking too much. I didn’t refer to what I did feel with Marcy…” Hutch said, and Starsky frowned, not understanding what Hutch wanted to say. “Surely no one of us can deny how good it was to be with Marcy, to be inside her…But I can tell you with no place to doubt, that I don’t care if you don’t have the curves of a woman, if you don’t have well-shaped breasts…I don’t care just in the outside, Starsky. I love you for the whole person you are…All what you have inside and out…I love you for all the things that make you this special person I want to spend the rest of my life. I don’t want or need anybody else.”

“I don’t love you just for your perfect body, Hutch” said Starsky now feeling Hutch could have misinterpreted his words. “I love you for all the things that you are. And I’m sure I couldn’t watch anybody else…There’s no place in my heart for another love but you. There’s no place for another one in my whole life but you…” he said caressing his face.

“There’s no place in my life for anyone but you either, Gordo. I’m all yours…” Hutch said turning his face to kiss the palm of Starsky’s hand. “Starsk…I want to spend all my life showing you I belong to you in body and soul…I-I want…I want to feel you inside me” he said at last.

Stasky was caught off guard with those words. “Wh-What…?”

“I want you to make love to me not just with your hands and mouth...I wanna have you inside me to be completely joined. And that’ll be our secret proof that I belong to you in every possible way so you won’t have any doubts about me…about us.”

“Hutch, no...you don’t have to...”

“I really want it, Starsk...Or you could have a physical relationship that only involves your hands and your mouth to please and be pleased with the one you love.”

“Well, no...but this is different...with a woman...” Starsky hesitated.

“You’ve never tried it with a woman?”

“Ehhh...yeah, but they weren’t very good experiences...They didn’t want to do it again...I think I lost control…and wasn’t very careful.”

“I didn’t have good experiences in that matter, but we both know what can happen if we lose control…Besides, up to now, though you’ve been very aroused, you didn’t let your desire to take control of your actions…On the contrary, you were very careful, and all the time thinking about what I was feeling, and that I did have a good time too.”

“I don’t wanna hurt you, Hutch” he took his face in his hands and kissed him lovingly. “I couldn’t stand it.”

Hutch smiled at him touched by Starsky’s hesitation. “Dummy. Maybe I’ll have some problems to sit straight for one or two days, but I’m sure I won’t regret it.”

“You promise you’ll tell me if it hurts?” asked Starsky nervously. “You’ll ask me to stop if you can’t stand my cock inside you?”

“Starsky, we’ve just begun this chapter in our relationship, but the trust we’ve always had goes beyond this. If I trust you with my life on the streets, how wouldn’t I trust you my ‘virginity’?” Hutch added winking at him.

Starsky couldn’t hold the laughter as nervous as he was because of how silly they seemed in that moment. “It’s like the first time we made love to someone, right?”

“Aha, the only different thing is that we know each other so well, that we know everything about the other without even say a word. We’re already stuck together, Starsk…And I truly want to give you this so you won’t have more fears about losing me.”

“Hutch...what if I couldn’t...reciprocate?”

“I’ve never given you anything waiting for anything in return. We’ve never had that kind of relationship. I’ve never saved your life waiting for you to do the same.”

“Me either, Blintz.”

“Then you don’t have anything to worry about. If you want to try it sometime, I’ll be eager to comply. But only if you’re willing to give it a try and if you enjoy it. Never because of a kind of doubt about me or our relationship, you got it?”

Starsky nodded his agreement, and hugged Hutch very tight. He then started kissing him all over his face till he reached his mouth and they drowned in a very deep kiss full of love and desire.

When they felt aroused again, and the atmosphere was back to the one before their conversation, Starsky jumped from the bed heading for the bathroom. “I’ll get some KY.”

Hutch just nodded, and rested there watching his naked lover moving graciously his confidence back again.

Starsky came back with the lube, and put it between the pillows. He lowered himself again over Hutch, kissing him with loads of love. He then guided the blond man to lay on his stomach, setting the pillows under Hutch to be more comfortable raising his ass for better access.

“Are you sure, Hutch?” Starsky asked his nervousness back again, his hands sweaty and trembling.

“Yes, Starsk...This is what I want” stated Hutch firmly, though he felt a bit nervous himself.

Starsky leaned over Hutch’s back, kissing him from his neck going down all along his back. His hands were roaming over Hutch’s body till he reached the well-shaped cheeks of Hutch’s ass. He then separated them a bit kissing him there, probing with his tongue reaching the opening.

Hutch was very aroused with Starsky’s ministrations, and his cock was up again after the nervousness that had cool it down a bit.

Starsky sensed his lover’s reaction, and while with one hand went on pleasing him, with the other he reached for the lube, and opened it taking a considerable amount of grease with his fingers. He went on with the kisses near the entrance, but now adding his lubricated fingers caressing the area, then very slowly he slid his middle finger inside the tight channel.

Hutch felt a shiver going through his body, moaning surprised with the intrusion. This made Starsky stop immediately fearing to have hurt him.

“Are you alright?” he asked concerned.

“Yeah...it was only surprise” replied Hutch pushing back helping Starsky’s finger to slide deeper. The tension eased now, and Starsky started sliding his finger out and it again getting Hutch used to the intruder.

Watching Hutch respond to his movements, he took the chance to add another finger, and so he repeated his previous actions now with both fingers. That made Hutch moan even louder, this time not in surprise or pain, but in pure pleasure.

Starsky was feeling his own arousal difficult to keep at bay, sensing Hutch’s reaction. He then slid his free hand toward Hutch’s erect member, and while pumping it, he ventured adding a third finger inside Hutch.

“Hmmm...Oh God, Starsk...” said Hutch in complete bliss.

“Wh-What...? D’you want me to stop?” asked Starsky worried.

“N-No please...d-don’t stop...hmmm…I want you to do it now…”

“D’you want my dick?” asked Starsky a mixture of fear and arousal due to Hutch’s moans.

“Please...don’t torture me...Give it to me...I wanna feel you inside me.”

With his fingers still moving inside Hutch’s ass, he left the erect shaft to cover himself with the lube.

When Hutch felt his cock abandoned, he took it with his own hand pumping hard. He was so excited, he didn’t know how long he would last.

When Starsky felt  himself ready and confident, he settled between Hutch’s legs separating them to have more access. He then took out his fingers, and while holding the cheeks apart, he positioned the head of his cock against the opening, barely pressing there. Still holding the rounded ass with one hand, he steadied his member with his other hand, and now he pressed a little harder, the lubricated head now entering the tight entrance.

“Ahhh...” a deep groan escaped Hutch’s mouth, releasing his own dick, hiding his head in the pillow.

Starsky stopped every move. “I won’t move in any direction till you say so.”

Hutch nodded, and started taking deep breaths, that helping him to relax. Then, “Go on…please…”

Feeling the tight channel relax around his member, Starsky pushed a bit deeper, stopping again waiting for Hutch’s body to get used to his cock being there. The passage relaxed again, and Starsky pushed the rest of the way in, till Hutch’s ass was pressing against Starsky’s groin, both bodies completely joined. He then leaned down over Hutch’s back and they remained that way for some moments, absorbing the beautiful sensation of being like one.

Hutch started moving back very slowly, Starsky accompanying the movements, soon getting a rhythm that made them moan in pleasure. Starsky then reached down for Hutch’s cock again and started pumping it in the same rhythm, slowly increasing the pace. The intensity of their moans, their breathing and heartbeat were increasing too, and soon they both reached the climax simultaneously. Hutch covered Starsky’s hand with his seed, as Starsky’s cock exploded inside Hutch leaving them both exhausted laying there.

They turned to one side, yet not separating, Starsky holding Hutch tight as if afraid of losing him. Hutch on his side, holding tight those arms around him not letting Starsky go off of him.

When they regained their composure, and feeling more calm now, Starsky very slowly eased his flaccid member out of Hutch, though not breaking the embrace.

“Hmmm...” Hutch felt a bit uncomfortable with the movement.

“Are you alright?” asked Starsky concerned. “Let me see if you’re not hurt” he said trying to get free of the embrace to take a look at Hutch’s backside, but the blond prevented it, pressing both bodies tight.

“I’m fine, Starsky...It was just the sensation when you took your ‘little’ friend out of my ass. It’ll pass in a moment.”

“So ‘little’ friend, eh?” teased Starsky biting the earlobe nearer to his mouth. “You’re offending me here, Hutchinson…No one has ever complained about my size.”

“Thought if I told you the truth, you’d be more upset” he grinned turning his face looking over his shoulder. “But if what bothers you is the size, Gordo…I’ll tell you now I’m completely sure you’re as big as I am…Well maybe just a bit smaller…but not too much” Hutch teased back.

Starsky straightened up on his folded arm, “Hey! If you didn’t have any problem accepting my friend inside you, and you say there’s no difference in size…Then, there won’t be any problem when you want to get even.”

“Starsky we’ve already talked about it...You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. You have your right to say no if there’s something you don’t like” added Hutch now turning on his back to face his lover.

“I know, Blondie...but at least you’ll let me try it, won’t you? Or it was such an intolerable feeling that you don’t want to do it again, and you don’t even let me go through it.”

“It wasn’t intolerable, Starsk. It was incredible, and I can assure you that I’ll be addicted of this way of you making love to me as much as possible…And this time I won’t let you put me in withdrawal” Hutch explained a wide smile covering his face.

“Guess I’ll live with that addiction myself then” Starsky smiled back, and leaned down to kiss him tenderly. “I love you, Blintz, and I want you to know that it was so good being inside you. You made me feel so good. It was like being just one, and I want to feel it too, Hutch. And I’m not talking about reciprocating favors here. I really want to enjoy that part of our lovemaking being in the receiving end too.”

“Tell me one thing, Gordo...You think this relationship’s a curse yet?” Hutch asked frowning.

“Well, now that you ask, Blondie...I’d say I do” Starsky replied grinning and surprising Hutch with those words. “But a very sweet one” he added kissing his lover again, both bursting into laughter then.

 

THE END