PART ONE

A Psycho For Starsky - Part Two

By

jmhenderson

   Captain Dobey paced the waiting room as if he could make the time go by quicker with each step he took. And he took plenty. Occasionally he’d stop, grabbing the pay phone and calling the station, sometimes stopping just to wipe the sweat that dripped down his face.

   Before the ambulance had arrived, Hutch was convulsing so badly he literally had to apply most of his body weight upon him to keep him from hurting himself. And the images of that man writhing in so much pain continued to haunt him even now, as he waited to hear anything on his officer’s condition.

   When he called the third time down to the station to find out if anyone had gotten a hold of Starsky yet, the doctor came in looking for him. He hung up the phone immediately.

   "How is he?" he asked the doctor gently.

   "He’ll be fine," the doctor answered, smiling and sighing at the same time. "We had to pump his stomach. He was poisoned, and I just got the lab work back. Good old-fashioned arsenic. Normally I’d have to file a police report, but seeing as you’re a Captain and he’s a detective, I’m guessing that the police are already involved?"

   Harold Dobey shook his head, grinning slightly at the doctor’s attempt at humor.

   "Can I see him?"

   "Sure," the doctor began, walking Dobey down the hallway. "He’s been asking for you, and someone named Starsky. He’s still a little groggy from the sedative we gave him to control the seizures, and from the way he’s acting at the moment, I’m pretty sure he’s going to try and talk you into take him out from here. I don’t recommend it, and if he does release himself I can’t guarantee that there won’t be any ill side effects. If he hadn’t eaten something first and delayed the drug’s reaction, there’s no telling how much could’ve gotten into his bloodstream. He’s weak and a little dehydrated," he said as they stopped in front of one of the trauma rooms.

   "It’s okay, doctor. I won’t …"

   Dobey’s words were suddenly cut off by the bellowing of his detective from behind the door they stood in front of.

   "Hutchinson, are you all right?" Dobey asked, bolting inside and seeing the patient half sitting up on the stretcher, much to the dismay of the nurse who tried to keep him laying down.

   "Lady, either get me my clothes or get the hell out of my way!" he yelled, his anger calmed only by the face of his captain walking through the door. He looked at him with urgency.

   "Where’s Starsky?"

   "We’re trying to locate him and Hudgins now. You need to rest."

   Dobey had called all over town, trying to find the other half of his best detective team. Everywhere he had called, he’d just missed him or he hadn’t been seen. Each time dispatch tried to reach him in the Torino, Starsky wasn’t in it. Huggy’s new waitress wasn’t much help either; the proprietor wasn’t there when he called and the waitress didn’t have a clue who Dobey was talking about. He even doubted that she’d give Huggy the message he was adamant about her leaving from him.

   "You don’t understand, Captain. Miranda Hudgins poisoned me!" Hutch said, pulling his pants up as he grabbed his shirt from the corner chair.

   "Now Hutch, why would you think …"

   "She fixed me and Starsk breakfast this morning. Made it a special point to fix me a health shake – something she and Starsky didn’t have. Then I’m suddenly given a killer dosage of rat poison?! We’ve put him right in the murderer’s hands!"

   The detective was weak and had cramps worthy of the after effects of running a twenty-mile marathon. But even if he had to crawl through broken glass, he’d stop her. No way was she going to win. No way would she take the other half of him away.

~~~~~~~~~~

   The clock over the bar’s mantle read 2pm as Starsky and Miranda entered Huggy’s. Already worn from the exposure they’d created for themselves, they gratefully landed in a booth with a thud, followed over by ‘The Bear’ himself.

   "So how’s the happy couple?" he asked, his smile twisting sideways as he looked between his two newest patrons.

   "He’s ruthless!" Miranda began, "Wore me down I tell you!" she said as she dramatically faked fainting across the tabletop.

   Starsky snickered. "Yeah, and we haven’t even gotten to the good parts, yet."

   She peeked up at him with one eye as Huggy laughed at them both.

   "Can I get you two fine people something to drink? Perhaps talk you into partaking in a late lunch?"

   The mere mention of food made them both moan, since they’d already eaten three meals and the day wasn’t even half over. The moaning put Huggy on the defensive.

   "Hey now, the grub here ain’t that bad! I’m still living, ain’t I?"

   "Barely," Starsky said under his breath.

   Before Huggy could protest, Miranda spoke. "We just got through eating lunch, Huggy. How about a big glass of iced tea?"

   "Yeah, make that two, will ya Hug?" Starsky chimed in, grinning at the lady as he placed his chin in his hand, perching an arm on the table.

   Within minutes Huggy had brought them their tea and left to tend to a few people seated at the bar. Starsky wasn’t sure how long he’d been gone; too entranced as he watched the lady who stared back at him.

   "Hmm?"

   "I said, would you excuse me for a minute while I go freshen up?"

   It took Starsky only a few seconds to realize what she had said, and he nodded, watching her as she walked away. Again his concentration was broken by his name being called.

   "David Starsky, are you in there?"

   The brunette sat across from him as he finally noticed her, a note of familiarity striking him as he said hello.

   "Remember me? Maggie Quinton, from the records department? I thought I recognized you."

   "Oh, uh, yeah Maggie. How’re you doing?" Starsky asked a bit awkwardly as he watched for Miranda’s return.

   "Doing good, been out shopping and was at that antique store next door when I decided to grab a bite to eat and came in here. I remembered you saying it was a neat little spot in here, and it really is. I uh, take it you’re here with someone? David? David?"

   Starsky abruptly turned back to face her, seeing the glass she held in front of her, tipping it slightly towards him.

   "I’m guessing you’re not here alone and from the lipstick on this glass, I’m going to take another guess and say you’re here on a date?"

   "I’m sorry, Maggie," he said smiling, "Yeah, I’m kinda seeing Miranda Hudgins, you might know her … she works in traffic?"

   "Oh yeah, I think I do. Blonde? Cute and perky? I thought you said you didn’t date within the department."

   Starsky shrugged his shoulders slightly, a look of apology crossing his face. "Well, she’s kinda special, and we sorta hit it off …"

   "You don’t have to explain yourself to me," she said as she stood back up from the booth, "I’m glad you’re doing good and looking so happy. You have a great weekend and a great Christmas, okay?"

   "Thanks, honey. You too," he said smiling.

   Miranda returned within moments of Maggie’s departure.

   "Miss me?"

   "Maybe."

   "I see," she said, drinking her tea as she looked around the bar, knowing he was watching her. She was thinking about how she was becoming fond of this person sitting in front of her.

   Funny, he was thinking the same thing about her.

   The silence was more relaxing than distracting between them, and soon they both were stifling yawns and stretching their bodies; comfortable with each other’s company.

   "You want to head back over to my place, maybe catch a nap? After a couple of hours maybe we can show ourselves off enjoying some nightclubs or something?" Starsky asked, winking through tired eyes.

   "Sure, let me go to the bathroom first though, okay?"

   "Again?" he teased.

   She gave him a glare as she got up. "I’ll be right back, bud."

   Standing straight, she nearly fell over into him, losing her balance. His relaxed stance turned instantly to alerted concern.

   "Hey – you okay?"

   "Sure," she answered, looking a little confused herself as she straightened up. "What can I say? I guess you’ve just worn me out."

   Normally he’d have to reply with a sexist remark to that, but she looked a little pale and her speech was strained, as if she had to focus herself to spit the words out.

   "I think you should lay down."

   "I bet you do," she grinned, "but I’m going to the bathroom. I have my priorities, you know."

   She started to turn to leave when he grabbed her arm and stood up beside her.

   "Hey, you sure you’re okay?"

   She smiled at his concern, gently placing her hand to his cheek. "If you’ll let me go to the bathroom I’ll be just fine. Okay?"

   Starsky looked in her eyes and sighed, finally released her arm. "Hurry back. I’ll be waiting for ya."

~~~~~~~~~~

   Captain Dobey reluctantly drove Hutch from the hospital, knowing the detective would catch a cab home and get behind the wheel himself if he had to. There would be no talking him out of it. He would find Starsky.

   By now, Dobey had put APBs out on Starsky as well as Hudgins, but he and Hutch were heading over to the Pits, where Starsky had told Hutch they would go at some point during their days excursion. He just prayed that they’d made it that far.

   Screeching to a halt in front of the bar’s front door, both men hurriedly ran in, grateful to see the Torino parked close by.

   Dobey allowed Hutch to enter the place first, keeping a watchful eye on the just released man as they burst in, letting their eyes adjust from sunshine to the dimly lit establishment.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Miranda walked into the bathroom, almost clinging to the sink as she stepped in front of the mirror. She was suddenly so damned tired. They had been on the go all morning and most of the afternoon; still, there really wasn’t any reason for her to feel this tired. Turning on the spigot, she splashed the cold water in her face, then grabbed a paper towel and wiped the water from it. She looked at herself in the mirror. She looked weird, making herself wonder if maybe she wasn’t catching a bug. She looked closely at her pupils; dilated and dark with red veined lines coursing through the whites of her eyes. Then another wave of vertigo hit, this time much stronger than the last, making her hold the sink with a killer grasp.

   When another woman entered the restroom, she did her best to regain herself, but found it near impossible as she landed against the wall beside her.

   "Miranda? Are you all right?"

   Miranda now added more confusion to her mixture of feelings. "Do I know you?"

   "It’s me, Maggie. You know, from the precinct. Here, let me help you. You look like you could use some fresh air," she offered, almost holding Miranda up by her waist as she opened the bathroom door and led her down the hallway towards the back door.

   "Maggie? Take me to Starsky. He’s waiting for me. We need … we need to go the other way," she said, her words slurring so badly they were hardly recognizable.

   "He knows I came to help you. He’s going to meet us out back."

   "He will?"

   By the time they reached the outside, Miranda was leaning into Maggie, falling now and then as her legs gave out from under her. She could barely keep her eyes open, and never noticed the car she was set in. All she knew was that she was grateful to be sitting. She looked around the alley for the briefest of moments before she realized that the car’s engine had been started. Then everything became black as she slumped over in the back seat.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Hutch saw the frame of his best friend, his back turned towards him as he stood at the bar, waiting for Huggy to return from the kitchen. When Huggy came back to the bar, it was just in time to see the two men walk through the front door. He nodded for Starsky to look behind him, and he did, quite shocked to see his partner and Captain advancing rapidly towards him.

   "You look like hell! What happened? Are you all right?"

   "Starsk!" Hutch exclaimed, so happy to see his partner alive and well. "I’m fine – what about you? Are you sick? Stomach cramps?"

   "What the …"

   "Your partner was drugged; poisoned this morning," Dobey spoke up, "where’s Hudgins?"

   "Poisoned?" Starsky asked, looking more closely at Hutch, his hands grabbing his partner’s shoulders.

   "Arsenic in that health shake Miranda fixed me. Where is she?"

   "In the bathroom," Starsky said numbly, letting the words sink into his reality.

   "No, she ain’t in there," Huggy chimed in, looking between the three men in front of him, "That other lady friend of yours took her out the back door. I saw ‘em walking out just now when I went in the kitchen. I figured they went out for some quick girl talk ‘bout you," he said, pointing at Starsky.

   Dobey walked quickly towards the restrooms, bypassing them with a quick glance as he headed for the back exit.

   "What other lady friend?" Starsky asked quickly.

   "The one that sat with you while Miranda went to the bathroom the first time, my man! What’s the matter? Can’t keep up with them all?"

   "Maggie? Maggie Quinton? I thought she left …"

   "Naw, she sat back at her table and didn’t pay up her tab ‘til Miranda walked in the bathroom."

   Dobey rushed back towards them, out of breath. "No one’s out there and no one’s in the restroom."

   "Maggie Quinton works at the station. She, she works down in records," Starsky was stuttering, the wheels in his mind spinning at this latest revelation.

   "Starsky, the bullet that almost took your partner’s life was from a gun stolen down at headquarters!" Dobey said with excited anger, "We know it had to be someone on the inside that got it out from there."

   "Do you think they’re both in on this?" Hutch asked, sitting on one of the barstools when his body demanded the rest.

   "Could very well be," Dobey said immediately, picking up the phone on the bar and calling the station. He gruffly put out an APB on the newest twist in their case.

   "No, no, no. I don’t think so," Starsky began, looking from the Captain as he hung up the phone to his partner. "Something’s wrong; I can feel it." He walked over to the table and picked up Miranda’s tea glass; inspecting it, then smelling it’s remaining contents.

   "If Miranda wasn’t in on it, then how did Hutch get the rat poison and not you or her?" Dobey asked quickly.

   Starsky looked from her glass back up to him, thinking. "The wheat germ!" he practically yelled as the realization hit. "You had me pick up the wheat germ and vitamins for you! Whatcha wanna bet that there’s more in that jar than just … oh man, she must’ve wanted to make damned sure you were outta the picture." The realization made Starsky glad he was sitting down.

   "Yeah, and Miranda mixed it, real heavy – I remember. I drank it all because I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, but it was loaded," Hutch said, inadvertently rubbing his stomach.

   He looked at Starsky, who was deep in thought, looking at the almost empty tea glass Miranda was drinking from. Then his face lit up as another realization struck.

   "She was acting a little sluggish, like she was real tired. But the more I think about it … Cap, what do you wanna bet this tea is drugged? I think it’s Maggie – and now she’s got Miranda! Shit!"

   Starsky started to bolt towards the back door, only to be stopped by Dobey, who grabbed his arm.

   "I’ve already been out there. They’re gone. I’m sorry, Starsky. But all we can do is wait for someone to pick up on the APB or wait until …"

   "Until Miranda shows up dead too?" he asked incredulously.

   Dobey was ready to speak his mind abruptly until he saw the pain in his detective’s eyes. "No," he began quietly. "What I was about to say was wait until she maybe contacts you. She’s taken an officer hostage. She knows the consequences. Maybe she won’t hurt her any more than what’s already been done."

   "Let’s hope she’s capable enough to think that rationally," Hutch said, looking at the fear in Starsky’s eyes.

   "But didn’t Hutch’s landlord say the woman that was seen fleeing the crime area was blonde?" Dobey asked as his mind recounted everything.

   "Yeah, but that’s easily changed. Besides, Maggie’s the only one I know that was here, and she works at the station, and … oh my God, I just let Miranda fall right into the murderer’s hands." Starsky’s voice was somber and regretful.

   "You couldn’t have known, Starsk. None of us could," Hutch said, his words tinged with his own remorse.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Miranda woke up to the dank smell of dampness and the pain of a five-star hangover. She didn’t dare open her eyes, knowing the pain would intensify if any light crept in through them. Instead she listened, hearing the scuffling of someone wandering about in the room.

   When she tried to move her limbs, she suddenly realized she had been bound; her arms tied to the posts of a bed that she was apparently laying on.

   The movement around her seemed to dissipate, as if the person with her had gone across the room, so she peeked out through the slits of her eyes, looking around.

   Apparently it was nighttime. One lamp dimly lit the room, which looked as if it were within a building close to being condemned. There was one window, and a red flashing light seemed to aim through it regularly, at first making her gratefully think that the police were outside. Then she realized it had to be some sort of neon sign that flashed rhythmically. A motel. And from the looks of things, it was seedy, cheap, and unnoticeable.

   She watched as a person; a woman, sat down across from the bed in front of a mirrored dresser. Methodically, she began applying make-up, then pulled her brown hair back and pinned it behind her head. She reached in a drawer and pulled out a blonde wig.

   Once the wig was in place, she noticed the eyes watching her in the reflection of the mirror and smiled.

   "Nice to see you come around. I was wondering if I’d put too much Valium in that drink of yours."

   "Why?" Miranda asked, her voice barely more than a whisper as she tried to focus more clearly on the blonde form that was now standing over her.

   "Simple. You know, the psychologists would probably say that I was fixated on David, but it really is more than that. I love him."

   "Did you two date or something? I don’t get it."

   "You know, every single time he gets ready to ask me out, some bimbo gets in our way. Distracting him. Flaunting their beautiful bodies and perky personalities and drawing him away from me. He’s easily distracted."

   Maggie talked to her as if she were talking about the weather. When she told how she had to start eliminating her so-called competition, it was as if she were talking about a simple trip to the grocery store. No remorse. No idea of the finality of the acts she committed.

   When she noticed Miranda struggling with the ropes that kept her bound to the bed, she simply smiled.

   Walking back over to the dresser, she picked up a small brown glass bottle and slowly twisted off its cap. Grabbing a scarf that hung over the side of the mirror, she folded it several times, then walked back over to the bed with both items in hand.

   "I have to go. And I think you need some rest. You don’t look too good, Dearie," she said, tipping the bottle into the scarf.

   It took only a moment for Miranda to realize through her foggy mind what Maggie was about to do. As she opened her mouth to scream, the scarf was placed quickly over her face, and through the blackening sight before her, Miranda’s last memory was of the woman, still smiling.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Starsky paced his livingroom as Hutch lay across the sofa watching him. Captain Dobey hung up the phone after letting his wife, Edith, know where he was and that he had no idea when he’d be home. He, too, began watching the detective who wandered aimlessly through the apartment.

   "Can one of you justify just why we’re sitting around my apartment instead of looking for Maggie and Miranda?" Starsky asked, his voice telling his emotional exasperation.

   "I think she’ll try and contact you here," Dobey said bluntly.

   "I think so too, Starsk," Hutch added.

   Starsky looked at them both with the face of hopelessness. But when the phone rang, he pounced on it like a tiger, snatching it up before the first ring could finish.

   "Hello?"

   "David?"

   Starsky began coughing loudly into the phone while motioning Dobey to pick up the phone in the kitchen, hoping the noises he made would stop her from hearing the other line as it clicked. It seemed to work.

   "David, are you okay?"

   "Uh, yeah. I just choked on my soda. Wasn’t expecting the phone to ring. Who’s this?"

   "It’s Maggie."

   "Oh, hiya Maggie," he said softly, "How’re ya doing?"

   "Fine. I just thought I’d call and see what you were up to, you know, after seeing you today and all."

   Starsky looked over at Dobey, who was watching him and the clock on the wall, motioning for him to agree and keep the conversation rolling. He wanted a quick end to this, and hoped the trace would work on their first attempt.

   "Well, as a matter of fact, I got stood up today by Miranda."

   "You did?"

   "Yep, and I was hoping to go to the movies and see that new one coming out, maybe have some dinner at that Italian restaurant beside the theater. You wanna go with me? I could pick you up, say, in an hour?"

   She was silent for a moment, and he was afraid he’d sounded too eager, though the look on Hutch’s face was approving, telling him he’d done good. Then he heard the smile in her voice.

   "You’re asking me out?"

   "Well, sure. Oh, I mean, unless you have other plans? I just don’t feel like being alone tonight," he said, his face contorted as if it pained him to speak the words. He looked over at Dobey, who still watched between the clock and the detective.

   "I sort of had other plans, but, I tell you what … how about I call you back in about ten minutes? I’ll let you know then? Okay? Bye!"

   "Shit," Starsky mumbled, looking at the phone when he heard the click of her hanging up. "Don’t suppose there was enough time …" he asked the Captain, who shook his head ‘No.’

   "What did she say? Why did she hang up?" Hutch asked.

   "Who the hell knows? Said she’d call me right back, though …"

   Before he could finish the sentence, the phone was ringing again.

   "Maggie?" Starsky answered.

   "Uh, no. Could I speak to Captain Dobey?" The captain took the phone, knowing it would be for him. He also knew it wouldn’t be good news. The trace hadn’t had time enough to go through.

   When the phone rang yet again, Starsky didn’t hesitate to grab it. It was her.

   "Hi David, it’s me again. Is that offer of yours still on the table?"

   "Sure Maggie. Where do you live? I’ll come pick you up."

   Her hesitation worried him, but was quickly alleviated.

   "How about I meet you there? I have a little surprise for you."

   "A surprise?" he asked, looking from Hutch to Dobey. "What’s that?"

   "If I tell you, it won’t be a surprise. Meet you at seven?"

   "Uh, sure. You’ll be there?"

   "With bells on."

   Starsky gently hung up phone up.

   "I hope this works. You know that trace didn’t go through … not enough time," Dobey told them.

   "You think Miranda’s my surprise?" Starsky asked snidely to no one in particular.

~~~~~~~~~~

   To Starsky, meeting Maggie was like going to the dentist and having all your teeth pulled without Novocain. No, they weren’t a hundred percent sure she was the one, but Starsky’s gut told him it was her.

   The wire he wore was pulling at the hairs on his chest, making him more uncomfortable than he already was.

   Hutch had been sympathetic during this whole ordeal, even when Starsky had pushed him away. Now it was time to face his reality.

   He knew Captain Dobey and Hutch were close by, sitting in a car where they could see him, able to hear everything that he said from the mike he wore. Now all that was left was Maggie actually showing up.

   Starsky checked his watch again. She was five minutes late and he was feeling the twinges of panic trying to ease their way into his rationality. "C’mon, c’mon, c’mon already," he mumbled.

   "David?"

   Starsky spun around, caught off guard by the female voice behind him.

   "Uh, wow Maggie, you look great," he said, fighting the urge to cringe.

   "Why thank you, I tried to make myself look good for you."

   He smiled his best fake smile, while he inwardly craved putting his hands around her throat, slowly choking the truth out of her.

   "So, are you ready to go eat?" she asked, looking from him towards the restaurant.

   "Yeah, um, I thought you said you had a surprise for me?"

   Maggie laughed out loud, slapping her leg. "You’re an eager thing, aren’t you? I guess we could do that first. It’s - it’s very special though. What if you think I’m a fool?"

   "I’d never think that," Starsky said aloud. "A psycho, maybe," he thought to himself.

   "Well," she began, grabbing his hand, "Let’s go then!"

   "Okay. Where we going?" he asked.

   "Oh, just a little room in a little motel I got a little while ago," she purred.

   "A motel?" his tone was harsh as he stopped dead in his tracks, and she let go of his hand, confused by the sudden abruptness.

   "David .. it’s not what you think. I’d never want you to think I was some kind of whore, for goodness sakes!" Her hands went immediately on her hips. "You don’t think of me like that, do you?"

~~~~~~~~~~

   "Calm her down, partner. Calm her down," Hutch talked towards the speaker as if Starsky could actually hear him.

   "She’s a real winner, isn’t she," Dobey asked sarcastically, not looking for an answer.

~~~~~~~~~~

   "I would never think that way about you, Maggie." Starsky’s voice was calm and soft, gently soothing her into believing his lies. "I’ve thought about ya a lot, but never, ever did I think of you that way. I guess that’s why I was kinda shocked when you said we were going to a motel room. I’m sorry, sweetheart. Forgive me?"

   Starsky knew that if he were ever going to find Miranda alive, it could only happen by Maggie’s allowing it. He looked at her with puppy-dog eyes and a lop-sided grin, letting his face plead his attempt at worthiness.

   Her stern look melted and any pain she’d felt at his possible insult took a back seat to the swoon she felt inside.

   "Forgive you? No, my love, forgive me. I should’ve known you better than that. Come with me, I’m driving."

~~~~~~~~~~

   "I think I’m going to be ill," Hutch told Dobey after seeing him roll his eyes at her last statement.

   "Not in my car," the Captain quickly replied as he started the vehicle, ready to follow them.

~~~~~~~~~~

   What if she was taking him there for some other demented reason? What if she’d already killed Miranda and was now going to make the ultimate sacrifice with them both? Little did both detectives know that they were thinking these same thoughts simultaneously.

   Starsky sat in the brown Nova, paying close attention to where he was being driven. The closer they got to her destination, the more he realized how anxious he was becoming.

   When she pulled up near the little motel on the corner, she put the car in park and cut off the engine, then turned towards him.

   "David, I don’t want you to think I’m nuts, but you have to understand where I’m coming from before we go inside."

   Starsky turned his body towards hers, showing her his attentions were focused on what she was about to say.

   "How could I possibly think that about you?" he asked, looking behind them and seeing Dobey’s car pulling up not too far behind.

   "I’ve, I’ve always had feelings for you … ever since the first day we met and you called me ‘sweetheart’, and, well, I wanted to tell you – to show you, but I never had the courage," she said, looking down towards the floorboard.

   "Why? You could’ve said something you know," he said, trying to keep his smile plastered on his face for her benefit. "I wouldn’t have turned you away."

   Her eyes looked up to his, finding sincerity as headlights flashed by them and into the car.

   "Really?"

   "Of course. You know, when two people feel something for each other …" he didn’t know how much more of this he’d be able to fake and prayed for control of the anger that rose within him. ‘Stay calm. You can do this.’

   "You feel it too, don’t you? I knew it. Those other women …"

   "What other women?"

   "The ones who tried to take you away from me. The ones who charmed their way into your life, trying to keep us apart."

   "What about them, Maggie?" His voice remained calm, though his pulse began beating loudly in his ears.

   "They were evil, you know. Throwing themselves at you, distracting you from me. It was like their only goal was to keep us apart. So, I knew I had to do something, and I did."

   "Uh, Maggie, just what did you do?"

   She just smiled at him, then calmly motioned for him to follow her. When he got out of the car, she walked over to him, taking his hand in hers. . "Come with me. Your surprise is up there," she pointed towards the top of the dilapidated motel two buildings down from where they had parked. His eyes followed her finger, seeing a neon sign that flashed weakly in the darkness.

   He did all he could at the moment. Smiling, he took the hand she offered and let her take him inside, hoping he’d find Miranda. And praying he’d find her alive.

~~~~~~~~~~

   The first thing he noticed inside the old building was the rank smell that enveloped him as he entered. Between that and her severely strong perfume, he felt the urge to gag, but held it in. The second thing he noticed was the out of order sign on the elevator.

   Maggie led him to the stairs, letting him open the door for her and then walked in front of him, almost falling over a man who was passed out at the doorway. He reeked of whiskey fumes and urine, and Starsky coughed a little, trying to breathe in as little as possible.

   They walked up several old wooden stairs which creaked and moaned beneath their weight, reaching their destination when she took him out into the third floor hallway.

   Walking down the dimly lit area, he asked how she could come to this place alone without being scared, especially adding to the fact that they were on the third floor, letting the Captain and Hutch know his location.

   "I was never scared because I knew I had a purpose, and nothing was going to stop me," she answered, her tone ominous, sending a chill up Starsky’s back.

   She stopped in front of her room, turning to face the man of her dreams.

   "David, I just want you to know something. Everything I’ve done has been for us. And the reason I did everything is because, well, because I love you. People tend to interfere in the way life makes plans for certain couples. I just made sure their paths didn’t cross with ours anymore."

   Starsky fought the urge to grab her by the neck and shake her into unconsciousness. The rage built within him, knowing what he thought was true now as certain. She’d killed them! And damned near killed Hutch twice!

   The only thing keeping him sane at the moment was the sheer hope that Miranda was still alive. If she wasn’t, he didn’t know if he could be reasonable enough to control his rage.

   "David? Did you hear me?" she asked, now holding the room key in her hand.

   "Yeah, uh, I did Maggie. You did everything for us, so we could be together. And now we’re standing in front of room three-thirteen, and you’ve got a surprise for me inside there. Well, I want to see my surprise now. Can I?"

   Maggie smiled and turned around, unlocking the door.

~~~~~~~~~~

   "That’s our cue," Hutch said, groaning slightly as he got out of the car. Dobey grabbed the mike, calling for back-up and an ambulance, expecting the worst. He was out of the car and beside Hutch by the time the detective reached the motel’s entrance.

   "Come on in," Maggie offered, as if she were inviting Starsky into her home. He felt more like he was being invited into the spider’s web.

   The room was dark except for the occasional flash of the neon light from outside, giving the room an eerie aura.

   He saw her before Maggie turned on the lamp.

   Trying to remain calm, he watched the still form of Miranda Hudgins, looking for any signs of life. He saw her chest rising up and down, very slowly, and silently thanked God. He knew Hutch and Dobey would be there at any moment. Now all he had to do was stall. Keep Maggie talking. Keep her away from Miranda. His mind was reeling.

   "So, uh, this is my surprise," he stated, not acting surprised, in fact, trying to hide any emotions that could set off the demented woman before him.

   "Yes. I’ve done my best to handle things for the both of us. You’re so busy all the time, and things weigh heavy on your mind. No one can blame you for being so easily distracted. I really blame myself, actually. If I had just come forward and told you how I felt, then we could have moved on with our life together, David."

   "Uh, Maggie, what makes you so sure I want that life?" he asked, ready for this game to be done with.

   "Because you love me too, silly."

   "No. No Maggie, this isn’t some fairy tale. You’ve been killing people. And trying to kill other ones … people I care very much about. It’s wrong."

   "It’s not wrong to protect what’s rightfully yours! We belong together, you love me and I love you. That’s all there is to it!"

   She sat down at the dresser, fumbling nervous fingers through the blonde wig that sat perched upon it.

   "Maggie," Starsky said softly, "I don’t love you. And I don’t think you really love me. If you did, you wouldn’t try to hurt the people I do love. You don’t really want to hurt anyone any more, do you? That’s why Miranda’s still alive, isn’t it? Because killing is wrong. You really want to do what’s right, don’t you?"

   Her silence caught him off guard for a moment, thinking that she was actually considering his words; letting them sink in.

   He was wrong.

   Maggie stood up quickly, pulling a small pistol from behind the wig stand, aiming it at the detective. Her eyes focused strictly onto him.

   "Awe Maggie, you don’t want to do this, you know that. I mean, why else would you keep Miranda alive? Because you know. Deep down, you know I’m right."

   "No! You fool! I kept her alive so that YOU could kill her! So that you could show me that you loved me too!"

   Starsky saw the tears streaming down her face. Maybe he could reason with her. Maybe …

~~~~~~~~~~

   Dobey and Hutch raced to the room’s door, listening intently for any sounds, be it voices or movement. They had been sidetracked, wasting precious time with a drunk at the bottom of the stairs, blocking their way as he wished them a merry Christmas and asked for spare change.

   Hutch pulled his weapon, ready for anything; ready to do anything to protect his best friend form the woman he was with now. Trying the door handle, he found it to be locked.

   He and Captain Dobey shared the same concerned look. It was quiet. Too quiet. Dobey motioned the still recovering detective away from the door and proceeded to force it open.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Maggie stood her ground, her eyes daring Starsky to take one more step closer.

   "I’ll use this on you, dammit! Don’t think I wont! The way I look at it, I’ve got nothing to lose. Maybe I’d be better off killing you, anyway. That way you won’t be taunting me with all the sluts you like to tote around town, flaunting them right under my nose," her words hissed between clenched teeth, love turning to hatred as Starsky’s time began to run out.

   Before Starsky could speak, a low moan came from Miranda, her head moving slightly from side to side.

   Maggie turned the gun from Starsky to her latest female victim.

   Before she pulled the trigger, the door burst open, the sound deafening as it broke through the silence of Starsky’s terror.

   Starsky grabbed for the gun, catching Maggie off guard, still comprehending the door’s sudden break in.

   "No!!!!" she screamed, fighting him with all her strength, trying to out-maneuver him to use the weapon as she intended. They struggled, his strength much more than her own, but her adrenaline allowing for more than she had. When the gun went off, everyone seemed to freeze in their tracks.

   Dobey and Hutch watched the two vying for the weapon, unable to stop the inevitable. Neither dared to break into the scuffle, knowing the distraction could ultimately cost Starsky his life.

   When the gun went off, the room seemed frozen as all stood still, awaiting the outcome.

   Starsky stood with Maggie, both locked arm in arm against the corner he’d thrown them into when he tried to take the gun from her.

   Her eyes locked with his. His look was stunned at the realization of what had just happened.

   "David," she said, her voice slightly above a whisper, "I’m sorry. I loved you. I only did what I’ve done because I wanted you so much. I’m so, so sorry."

   Maggie’s body went limp in his arms, her eyes still staring at him as she slid down the wall. She was dead before she reached the floor.

   Hutch was practically on top of him, feeling as if his heart were in his throat, scared out of his mind that his partner had been hit.

   Starsky looked up at him, his mouth open with no words forthcoming. Hutch soon realized that Maggie had taken the bullet. Reaching over Starsky, he placed his fingertips to her neck, finding no pulse. He shook his head, letting his friend know what had become obvious.

   The sounds of approaching sirens and soft moans brought Starsky back into the world of the living. Disengaging himself from the body in front of him, he walked over beside his Captain, who stood over Miranda.

   Her eyes fluttered open as Captain Dobey left to show the arriving personnel where they were. Starsky sat down beside her, untying the knotted ropes that bound Miranda to the bed.

   "Shh, shh. It’s okay. Everything’s gonna be just fine now, okay honey?" His comforting tones were a far cry from a few minutes ago.

   Hutch had joined them, sitting on the opposite side of the bed from Starsky, untying the ropes on his side.

   Miranda looked from Starsky to Hutch to Starsky again.

   "How? How’d you find me? Oh God. I thought I was gonna wake up dead."

   Starsky and Hutch looked at each other as their faces began smiling, chuckling the release of their tensions in unison.

~~~~~~~~~~

   Due to the high level of toxins in her bloodstream, it was several days before Miranda was released from the hospital.

   She’d never had much time alone as a patient, thanks to many of her friends from the force and the constant companionship Starsky and Hutch offered.

   They were even there to pick her up from the hospital, assuring her an uneventful trip home, but taking her by the station for a slight surprise.

   At first she was slightly annoyed for the detour, but after seeing Captain Dobey and finding out that she was given not only an accommodation, but put in for a promotion as well, it made the trip well worthwhile.

   Taking her back downstairs for her promised trip home, she found another surprise awaiting her, as her fellow coworkers threw together a quick surprise party.

   Her two escorts grinned knowingly at one another.

   "Thank you guys, thanks to everyone for this. It really means a lot, and I don’t know what to say, and … and …"

   Before she knew what was happening to her, Starsky stopped her in the middle of her attempted thank you speech. Swooping down on her, he gave her a soul-wrenching, heart-pounding, curl-your-toes kiss.

   All her coworkers were hollering with teasing approval, even Hutch had chimed in as Starsky brought her back down to earth again.

   "What was that for?" she asked, her face flushed as she realized everyone was gawking at them.

   Starsky’s grin was almost evil as it spread across his face. "Just in case anybody’s watching of course. Strictly business."

   "Oh," she answered numbly. She could feel the flush of her embarrassment heating her face.

   He laughed aloud, then bent over and gave her another soul-stirring kiss. Then he pointed above them at the mistletoe and smiled. "Merry Christmas."

   The loud abrupt sounds of Captain Dobey clearing his throat interrupted the threesome smiling at each other, and the crowd that was gathered around them became silent.

   "Merry Christmas, Captain," Starsky offered.

   "Merry Christmas to you too, and you, Hutchinson." Hutch looked at Dobey, then at Starsky, raising his eyebrow at the Captain’s quiet tone.

   "Ms. Hudgins, I heard you’re scheduled to return to duty on Christmas day."

   Miranda nodded, smiling.

   "Well, I don’t think that’s very fair, considering all you’ve done and been through for the department this week. Do you, Starsky? Hutchinson?"

   "Oh, uh, no Captain, it doesn’t seem fair," Hutch answered.

   Dobey looked at Starsky. "What about you?"

   "No sir, Cap, that’s almost unconstitutional," Starsky agreed.

   The Captain smiled, looking from his detectives to Miranda. "I made special arrangements for you to be off, to thank you for your help in solving the case, Ms. Hudgins."

   "Miranda’s face lit up. "Oh wow! That’s great, Captain Dobey! I can go see my Mother now! Thank you!" She was very excited, but stopped suddenly. "Sir? Who’s going to take my place? I mean, I volunteered for the holiday so that the other people with kids could be off. I don’t want to ruin their Christmas …"

   Dobey put his hand in the air, stopping her mid-sentence as an almost evil grin crept across his face.

   "I decided to put two detectives in your place." His grin all but exploded into a Cheshire cat smile.

   "Cap!" Starsky chimed in, "You wanna us to write tickets on Christmas day?!" he huffed.

   "Now Starsky, the department frowns on writing tickets on Christmas, you know that." Dobey said lowly.

   Starsky looked at Hutch, a grin growing across his own face as he chuckled at the thought of sitting around the station with nothing to do.

   "I figured I’d have you two doing a little janitorial duty," Dobey began, "Starting with MY OFFICE! Did you think I forgot that the two of you threw all those decorations around in there?!"

   The smile quickly fell from Starsky’s face, and he and Hutch looked at one another.

   "Busted," Hutch whispered.

   The entire room filled with laughter, including Dobey’s.

THE END