jmhenderson

   Rose opened her eyes and looked around at the sterile surroundings. A hospital, she thought as she recognized the plain decor. She tried to sit herself up, only to have a blinding pain in her head force her to lay back down. She was hurting, having a hard time finding a place on her body that didn’t throb with her heartbeat. Her whole body felt like it had been beaten, and she couldn’t remember at first what had happened to cause this. A few flashes of memory started coming to her, but along with them came more pain. The aching began to take over her, and she closed her eyes, hoping she could lull herself to sleep and be rid of it.

   She heard the door to her room open, and listened, hearing footsteps coming closer to her. Then she heard something moving. Some sort of shuffling noise loud across the floor.

   "Shhh! She’s still out of it. Keep it down, will ya?" It was Starsky's’ voice … she recognized it even though he was whispering.

   "For Pete's sake Starsk, she’s still unconscious. A little noise isn’t going to magically wake her. If I thought it would I’d be banging on the walls with this thing." It was Hutch's’ voice that answered him.

   "Yeah, I know. Shouldn’t she be coming around by now though?" she heard Starsky ask. The concern in his voice touched her. She heard the noises of what sounded like them sitting down beside her, and realized they must have pulled the visitors’ chairs up closer to her bed.

   "You heard the doctor. She’s got a concussion and her body is trying to heal itself. She could be out for hours, Starsk. Quit worrying so much, she’s tough, or couldn’t you tell?" Hutch asked, his voice low as he spoke. She could hear one of them shifting around in the vinyl chair.

   "Yeah, well, she didn’t look so tough when she was at the bottom of those stairs. God Hutch, I thought she was dead. I can’t believe that the murderer got to her that quick. And ya know, he has to know she’s a cop too, calling her with that bull about ‘information on the case’." Starsky looked at his friend, the anger showing in his face. "You think he’ll come after her again?"

   "If he finds out she’s still alive and thinks she can recognize him, I’d bet on it. He hasn’t left any witnesses yet," Hutch answered.

   "She." Roses’ voice was raspy, and she found it very hard to speak. Starsky and Hutch both stood up beside the bed.

   "Rose?" Starsky put his hand to her face, gently rubbing the hair back from her forehead.

   "It was a woman," Rose said, opening her eyes, seeing the two men looking down at her. Hutch pulled down the safety rail and sat on the right side of the bed.

   "Are you sure?" he asked, looking at her with a quizzical expression. She looked at him, then at Starsky, who pulled down the other railing to sit beside her.

   "I didn’t see her, actually, but I heard her. She was yelling at me," She began, bringing her hand to her head, as if she could take the pain away by touching it. "She said something about never being able to wreck another home again or something like that. It’s still a little foggy. I remember her shoes, too. Definitely a woman with small feet," she said, looking between the two men back and forth. Starsky looked over at Hutch, who looked back at him.

   "A woman. Now why would a woman be out killing off other women …" his spoken thoughts were interrupted by Rose as she moaned out loud, the pain more than she thought it would be as she tried to sit up. Hutch stood up and walked beside the bed, gently placing his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to lay back down.

   "You’re not in any condition to do that. You need to lay here and get some rest," he said, trying to persuade her. She glared at him.

   "I’ll make my own decisions about that, thank you," she said curtly, anger evident on her face. Her look softened. "I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. But I’m not about to stay in this hospital!" she told him, sitting herself up completely this time, keeping the pain that screamed within her down to a low grunt.

   "Hey, you need to lay back down young lady. You’ve got a concussion and a whole lot of other things working against ya right now. Do you know you almost died out there?" Starsky asked, the urgency in his voice proving his concern. Rose sat there for a moment, not letting them know how dizzy and nauseous she was feeling.

   "Is anything broken?" she asked, looking herself over. Hutch sighed, knowing where this was leading; having been there too many times before with his partner.

   "No, nothing’s broken. The doctor said you must’ve been unconscious before you went down those stairs. He said it was probably the only reason you didn’t break your neck, or anything else for that matter," he told her.

   "Where are my clothes?" she asked, looking at the hospital gown she was in, frowning.

   "Why?" Starsky asked bluntly. She looked at him, her weakened eyes pleading.

   "I want to get out of here. Please," she said, looking between Starsky and Hutch.

   "No. Absolutely not. You are too weak and you have a concussion and you need medical care," Starsky told her. She looked at him, her eyes begging. Her face looked sad, and the bandages intensified the effect. "No Rose. You just can’t do it. Now I’m sorry, but you’ll have to trust me on this. You need to be in the hospital. I told ya. You almost died today." Starsky's’ words were firm as he held her hand, hoping she would understand that he meant business.

********

   The drive from the hospital that night was very quiet. Starsky kept looking at Hutch, and Hutch at Starsky. Rose just sat between them, trying to look happy at getting her way, even though the pain tried to take her smile away. After many heated words between them, and a lot of begging and pleading, they finally ended up calling the doctor who had admitted her in with them. He also protested and even refused to sign her discharge papers, but she released herself anyway, signing herself out. He insisted on giving her some medication, and sent them to the pharmacy in the hospital to fill a prescription for pain before they left.

   They drove her back over to Huggy’s.

   The Pits was already closed for the evening, but they had called to let Huggy know they were coming in. He was sitting there waiting when they arrived. Walking through the bar door, the first thing Rose noticed was the look on Huggy's’ face when he saw her. His face scowled as he saw the bruising and bandages all over her, then, trying to cover the shock from her appearance, he smiled at her.

   "Glad you’re doing okay there, little lady. I was a little worried, to say the least," he said, walking towards her.

   "Thanks for worrying, but I’m fine, really," she answered, walking towards the stairs. "I think I’m going to go lay down for a little bit, okay?" she said, trying her best to hide the pain that was taking her over. Huggy nodded as Hutch stood beside him, watching as Starsky took her slowly up the stairs. When he was sure that they were out of ear shot, Huggy turned to Hutch.

   "What the hell is she doing out of the hospital? She looks awful. No way she should be outta there!" he said.

   "We couldn’t stop her. We tried, trust me. So did her doctor. But she was coming out of there either with our help or without it, and we figured we ought to tag along," Hutch said, his tone calm as he answered his friend.

   "And you brought her back here? Where she got set up from in the first place? I mean, you know I don’t mind and all, but …" Huggy’s words were cut off.

   "She insisted on that too. Said all her stuff was here and it would be the only logical place to come to. Would you believe one of the first things she asked after we finally agreed to help her get out from the hospital was whether you did okay without her here this morning?" Hutch half chuckled as Huggy smiled.

   "Damn. I like that woman," Huggy said.

   "Yeah? Well watch yourself. I think Starsky’s got his eyes on her too," Hutch answered, grinning. He followed Huggy over to the bar and sat on a stool as Huggy walked behind it.

   "But isn’t it dangerous having her come back here?" Huggy asked, looking with concern.

   "I think that’s why she wants to be here. She knows as well as we do that she’s our only link to the murderer right now. Figures the best way to catch her is to make herself available. Dobey wasn’t too happy about it either, but it made sense, so he reluctantly gave his approval." Hutch looked at his friend, then noticed his face contort a little.

   "HER?!? The killer is a woman?" Huggy asked, realizing what Hutch had just said.

   "Afraid so," Hutch said.

   "Wow man. That is one sick female out there," Huggy told him, wincing his face as he rested it on his hand.

   "Yeah, you got it my friend. And that’s one brave lady upstairs," Hutch replied.

   "Stubborn too, hmmm?" Huggy asked, his voice calmer as he handed Hutch a beer. Hutch just shook his head in agreement, smiling at his friend.

********

   Starsky opened the door to the apartment for Rose, still holding her arm as he led her inside. He knew she was hurting, and even though she wouldn’t admit it, it was becoming more obvious with each step they took. Before he could close the door behind them, she was falling into him. He caught her as his face became instantly filled with worry. Slowly he eased her over to the bed, which was just around the corner from the door, and helped her to sit down.

   "Hey, are you all right?" he asked, looking her over, forcing her to look at him by taking her chin and lifting it up with his hand.

   "Just, just a little woozy, that’s all." She said, looking at his eyes briefly before looking away, feeling the darkness ebbing up on her, trying her best to fight it.

   "It’s more than that," He said, laying her back and bringing her legs around so that she was stretched across the bed. He looked down at her for a moment, then quickly left to go in the bathroom, coming back out with a wet wash cloth and sitting down beside her. He gently took the cool cloth and touched it to her face and neck, noticing her breathing as it became calmer and her facial expression became more relaxed. She reached up and put her hand around his.

   "I’m sorry we missed that date this afternoon. I have a feeling it would have been really nice," She told him, trying to smile.

   "Yeah. Well, you know, that just gives us something to look forward to when you’re feeling better," he answered her, grinning broadly.

   "Thank you," she said, still smiling as she closed her eyes.

   "For what?" he asked sweetly, continuing to gently rub her face and neck with the cloth.

   "For everything. You know," she began, opening her eyes to look at him, "I really hate hospitals."

   "Naw. Really?" he asked, sarcasm in his voice as he smiled. She laughed at him, even though it obviously hurt her to do so. She took her hand and put it up to his face, cupping it as she drew him down to her. He grinned broadly, and very gently, touched his lips to hers, then slowly sat back up. He watched as she smiled, then drifted off to sleep.

   Hutch knocked gently at the door a couple of times, and Starsky slowly got up from the side of the bed, making sure not to disturb Rose. He opened the door and let Hutch and Huggy in, shushing them as he pointed towards where Rose was resting. All three sat down in the living room of the small apartment.

   "How’s she doing?" Hutch asked quietly.

   "Well, she almost passed out on me after we got up the stairs, but she’s sleeping now. Hey, did you bring her pain pills up here with ya?" Starsky had just thought about them, and his face was showing his panic.

   "Got ‘em in my pocket," Hutch said, pulling the bottle out that they had gotten from the hospital. Starsky sighed in relief.

   "Well gents, I hate to leave such a fine party, but it’s already been a long day, and I gotta get some beauty rest so I can start all over again in the morning," Huggy told them quietly. "You need anything?" he asked.

   "No, but thanks Hug. For everything," Starsky said. Huggy just waved at them, smiling as he turned the lock on the handle then closed the door behind him. Hutch sat back and sighed, looking at his friend.

   "You think she’s okay in there?" he asked.

   "Yeah, she was still pretty groggy from the meds they gave her at the hospital before we left. I’ll check on her in a little bit," Starsky answered. Hutch yawned and stretched, relaxing himself as his body slumped into the sofa.

   "So, you want the couch or the cot?" he asked. Starsky looked at him and grinned.

   "I think you’re a little too tall for the cot. You stretch out there on the sofa. Besides, I’ll probably be getting up on and off through the night anyway, you know, gotta keep waking her up and all, make sure she’s okay," he said, pointing towards the other room. Hutch smiled at him.

   "Yeah pal, okay," Hutch said, laying himself down as he propped a pillow under his head.

   Starsky watched him. In only a few minutes, Hutch was lightly snoring. It had been a long day for both of them. He got up from the chair and walked in to check on Rose. She was still sleeping, though it was a restless, somewhat pained slumber. He looked at his watch. Already it was midnight. He sat beside her on the bed, not wanting to disturb her, but having to, if for nothing else but his own peace of mind.

   He sat there, watching the different expressions that crossed her face, anguish, pain, anger, and wondered what she was dreaming. He gently took her hand, rubbing her arm up and down as he called her name. She seemed to lose the edginess from the dream she was having, then shook violently, startled seeing him in front of her.

   "Hey there," He said, looking down at her and smiling. "I didn’t mean to scare ya, but you were having a bad dream, and you looked uncomfortable, and …" Rose interrupted him.

   "And I have a concussion and you had to make sure I wasn’t in a coma," she said, a little sharply. He looked at her and sighed.

   "Yeah, and that too," he said, smiling a little as he looked down. "You think you can sit up? I figure since you’re awake, you might as well take your medication," Starsky told her, holding out his hand to help her. She took it, and very painfully let him help her into a sitting position. He got up and grabbed a cup from the sink and filled it with water, then went in and got the pain medication from the coffee table where Hutch had set it down.

   When he walked back around the corner, Rose had leaned over, going sideways into the pillow and was back asleep. He shook his head. He knew if he didn’t get that medicine in her now that later she’d be in more misery than she already was. So he woke her again, and propped her against him as he sat beside her on the bed. She took the medication without comment, giving Starsky a slight grin to thank him. Then she was asleep again, only this time in his arms. She snuggled into him, looking more comfortable than she had since they arrived. Starsky leaned himself back into the wall for support, bringing his legs up on the bed as he made himself as comfortable as possible. He knew he would be sleeping there instead of the cot that night.

   For the next few days, that was where he slept. It kept him at ease from worrying. Each day she was moving around more and getting better, but each night she would be restless and uncomfortable, and he was her calming effect.

********

   She awoke to the sounds of movement in the apartment and kept her eyes closed; listening. The hushed voices came to her in waves, and she felt herself straining to hear who was there and what was being said. She could hear Captain Dobey. His voice was low but still forceful as he spoke. She leaned herself over from the side of the bed, hoping to hear more clearly.

   "I don’t like this one bit," he said.

   "Well Captain, she’s a cop. And a damned good one. We’re not going to let anything happen to her," Hutch was saying, his voice quiet and strong.

   "I still don’t like it, but I don’t see here we have too much of a choice," Dobey replied.

   The voices became lower, as if they were walking away, and Rose strained, leaning herself further to be able to hear. Losing her balance, she fell over from the bed to the floor. Before she could compose herself enough to sit up, she was surrounded.

   "Hey! What are ya doing down there? Don’t you have enough bruises already?" Starsky said, leaning down and putting his hands on her arms, helping her up. Sitting on the bed, she looked at all the faces that were staring at hers.

   "What’s going on?" she asked, looking evenly at them.

   "I guess you fell outta bed," Starsky said, avoiding her obvious question. She glared at him.

   "What is REALLY going on?" she asked, her tone almost demanding. One thing she was not going to allow was being talked down to. Hutch took a deep breath and sighed. He looked at Starsky, who returned the look.

   "The Captain here is just worried about you. He wants to make sure that we’re doing the right thing here, having you lined up as a human target for this psychopath," Hutch told her, his eyes gentle and concerned

   "I think it’s working out as planned. We made contact. She knows I work here. She knows I’m a cop. And she STILL wants to kill me," Rose said, looking between them. "I guess all I need to do is get back to work downstairs real soon," she stated matter-of-factly. Starsky sat down beside her on the bed.

   "Hey, you know, you don’t have to do this. It’s gonna be a while before you heal from the last attack this psycho made on you. No one would blame you for not wanting to get any further in this," he said, looking sincerely at her.

   "I’d be blaming myself if someone else got killed and I didn’t at least try and bring her down. I want that woman off the streets and in a jail cell! I came here to make myself a target and it worked. I’m not backing down now," she said, looking him straight in the eyes, then looking at the other two men that stood in front of her. Captain Dobey cleared his throat, a slight grin coming to his face.

   "All right then. We’re going to make damned sure nothing happens to you. Your doctor said you would be able to get back to work by Monday, so Monday we’ll begin the set up, again," he said, looking at her, then at his two detectives.

   "I can start back in the morning," she said quickly.

   "It’s only been three days since you got hurt. You’re not going anywhere and doing anything tomorrow or the next four days. Is that understood?" The Captains’ tone was firm, letting her know there was no choice in the matter. She took a deep breath and shook her head, not looking at him, but agreeing to the demand.

   A knock on the door startled them. It was Huggy.

   "Yeah, uh, Captain, I was closing up the bar and you got an urgent call from downtown. I gave ‘em this number so they could …" his sentence was interrupted by the phone ringing. Dobey went over and picked it up before the second ring.

   "Dobey," He bellowed into the phone. He listened, then his eyes turned sharply to Starsky and Hutch. "All right. We’ll be there in fifteen minutes." He hung up the phone and looked at his men. "There’s been another murder. Come on, let’s go!" he said, heading towards the door. Starsky looked at Huggy.

   "Stay with her, will ya?" he asked as he grabbed his jacket. Huggy shook his head in agreement.

   "Not a problem, man," he answered, as Rose rolled her eyes. Starsky leaned over to her and kissed her on the cheek as he put his jacket on.

   "Rest," he said, looking at her. "I mean it," he added, then looked over at Huggy. "Make sure she takes her medication. It’s just about time for it," he told him, then followed the two men out the door.

********

   They arrived on the scene just after the coroner. This one was further away than the rest, about twelve miles from the last one. Uniformed officers swarmed the area, looking for any clues that might possibly be hidden away in the darkness. All three had ridden in the Captain’s car, and when they got out, a patrolman went running past them, holding his face, looking as if he would throw up at any moment. Starsky and Hutch looked ominously at each other as they walked over towards the body on the ground, covered by a blanket that the officer had just placed on it.

   The coroner pulled the blanket back, and the men all seemed to gasp at the same time. The woman was barely recognizable. Her face had been cut randomly with the sharpness of what looked to be a razor. Blood had run down, pooling beside one ear; the other had almost been cut off. Although she was clearly dead, her eyes stared up at them. Starsky was the first to turn away and start walking. The resemblance to Rose was definite.

   "Jesus this is one sick bitch," Starsky said, looking at Hutch, who had walked over beside him. Hutch put his hand on his friends’ shoulder.

   "Hey, you guys might want to come see this!" the coroner hollered. He had lifted the body to its side to look for any other wounds when he noticed the piece of paper underneath. Starsky and Hutch were there instantly, and Dobey, who had gone to console the officer who had gotten ill, came running.

   The coroner held up the bloody paper with a pair of tweezers. The blood on it was still wet and thick, threatening to drip down at any moment.

   The words were simple and blunt:

   You can’t fool me. I know where the real one is. This was just for practice.

   "Shit!" Starsky yelled as he and Hutch and Dobey ran back towards the car. He felt the beads of sweat as they formed on his forehead, panic threatening to take him over.

********

   Huggy watched Rose as the medication began taking its effect on her. Sitting across from him on the sofa, trying to focus on the tv, her eyelids kept lowering, although she was fighting it. Her head would nod every now and then, much to his amusement as he thought of the toy dog he had just put in the back window of his car.

   "I think you need to go lay down and get your rest," he said soothingly. His words took her from her daze, and she looked at him and smiled. She propped her legs up on the coffee table in front of her.

   "I’ll rest here. I want to find out what happened when they get back," she said, smiling at him as she forced her eyes open.

****

   Dobey had told dispatch to call through to Huggy’s, but the call could not be put through. When Hutch had given them the number to the upstairs apartment, they had found out through the operator that the lines had apparently been disconnected.

   "Can’t you drive any faster?!" Starsky bellowed at Dobey, panic rising in his voice.

****

   Rose had drifted into a halfway decent sleep and Huggy was up washing the few dishes that had piled up in the sink. He didn’t hear the door when it opened.

   She walked over to Rose, waving her hand in front of the sleeping face. Rose didn’t flinch, and she smiled. She saw the gun sitting on the end table and picked it up, easing it from where it sat, admiring the feel of it in her hand. She took the machete that she’d brought with her and quietly set it against the wall in the corner, opting for the more effective weapon she’d happened upon.

   She heard the dishes clinking together as Huggy dried them with a towel and placed them back in the cupboard. Slowly, she walked into the kitchen. Huggy heard her, and chuckled, thinking it was Rose.

   "I think you’re supposed to be resting young lady, not coming in here trying to sneak up on old Huggy Bear." He was smiling when he turned around. The smile dropped when he saw her, aiming the gun towards his chest. "Whoa lady. I don’t know who you are, but I ain’t got nothing here you want," he said, putting his hands up slowly, backing himself up against the kitchen counter.

   "Well I think you do have something here that I want," she said, smiling. Huggy could see the kitchen knife set in the corner of his eye. If he could just get to it; move quickly enough to grab one before she could shoot off that gun at him.

   He threw himself towards the ground, then twisted himself up just enough to grab at the knives. The gun was fired without haste. The bullet struck the kitchen counter, ricocheting into Huggy, knocking him backwards and into the floor. She heard him moan as his head hit the floor, smacking the linoleum with a sickening thud. She spun around.

   Rose had fallen to the floor, the noise from the gun discharging shaking her violently from her sleep. The woman turned, and as if in slow motion, Rose watched as she charged towards her. She struggled to get to her feet, reaching for her gun on the end table that was no longer there. Before she could get out of the way, the gun was brought down across the back of her head, splitting open some of the stitches that were healing her already battered skull. The pain brought an almost instant blackness. The intruder laughed aloud.

   Rose thought she was hallucinating; seeing the machete that sat beside her. She was half conscious and hardly aware of anything around her, but somehow she managed to grab it and swing. The tip of the blade caught her attacker across her left thigh, making her scream out of pain and surprise from the assault. Her first reaction was to take the gun and slam it across Roses’ face with incredible fury. Rose was unable to move; the pain intolerable.

   The woman grabbed at Rose’s collar and yanked her in an upward motion, pulling her from the corner. The adrenaline was working in her favor as she bent over and picked Rose up into a standing position, slinging Rose across her shoulder, showing an amazing strength as she stood, oblivious to the pain in her leg from her wound. Rose moaned, not really aware of what was happening now.

   "Come on you worthless little slut! We’re going for a little ride." The woman strained, but managed to carry Rose towards the stairs. Rose was shocky but came around long enough to understand what was going on. She saw the stairs and tried pushing herself away from the direction of them. Instead, she succeeded in throwing herself down them. The thump of each step that she went down brought her further into unconsciousness. The woman was laughing almost hysterically at the rolling body. Walking slowly downs the stairs as she held the gun in the air, looking at the now still form as she approached it, she continued to smile.

   "Couldn’t get enough of falling down stairs the first time, huh? Well, we all have our little quirks, now don’t we?" she said. She kicked at the motionless form, hearing a low groan. "Get up! You home wrecking little slut! I’m not done with you yet!" She pulled on the body, grabbing Rose by the hair as she lifted her up enough to lean her into a sitting position against the wall, readying to pick her up again.

********

   Starsky, Hutch and Dobey raced out of the car that they’d parked down the street from the Pits. Starsky had already started running to the entrance before the ignition was cut off, pulling his gun as he ran, with Hutch closely behind. All three were at the front door in seconds. Starsky turned towards the other two men.

   "I’m not waiting for back up," he said, his voice harsh with anger. He turned back towards the door, hearing what sounded like furniture being toppled over.

   "Do it!" Dobey ordered. Starsky kicked the door, successfully breaking it open; the force of his blow shattering glass in front of them as it fell from the doors’ frame. Before they could rush in, they were forced down by gunfire.

   Bullets sang out as they entered, whizzing past and barely missing them. Starsky threw himself inside with Hutch shooting from behind to cover him. He was aiming high, noticing the barricade that the woman was using: It was Rose. Starsky saw her lifeless body as the woman carried it over her shoulder, successfully blocking any good shots they could attempt. Captain Dobey motioned to his men and ran towards the back, seeing the direction this woman was taking with her hostage.

   "Rose!" Starsky shouted, hoping for any kind of response. All he got was another bullet aimed in his direction. Hutch hollered over to Starsky, hoping he was all right.

   "I’m fine," he answered with a hint of disgust. The woman carried the body slung over her shoulder with ease, maneuvering herself behind the bar, edging closer with each step towards the back.

   Rose began coming around, hearing Starsky and Hutch’s voices, trying not to scream from the pain that engrossed her. She remained still, not exactly knowing what was happening, but realizing it was trouble.

   Starsky quickly crawled over towards Hutch, keeping himself crouched and out of the line of fire as best he could. He looked at his partner.

   "Who is she? She looks familiar to me, I just can’t figure where I know her from!" he whispered. Hutch looked over at her as she stood behind the bar, anticipating another round to be shot at any moment.

   "It’s the librarian! Can you believe it?! It’s the librarian from Washington library!" he told him, a look of shock evident on his face. Starsky looked over in her direction, shaking his head.

   "Dobey ought to be in position now. You ready?" Hutch asked. Starsky checked his weapon.

   "Yeah. Let’s do this," Starsky answered him, scurrying back across the room.

   "Give it up lady! You’re surrounded!" Hutch hollered. He was answered by gunfire.

   "Give it up and put the girl down! It’s you’re only hope of getting out of here alive!" Starsky shouted. The woman turned the gun towards Starsky’s direction, but was surprised by Rose, who reached out and grabbed the arm that held it. She struggled with Rose, her only intention to get the woman who suddenly attacked her down on the floor. Rose could hardly keep her eyes open, but still held on to her attacker, bringing her to the ground with her. They fought one another, the assailant trying to free herself and the gun from Rose’s grip.

   Starsky and Hutch reacted to the turn of events by quickly advancing forward; Hutch running around the bar as Starsky jumped on top of it, rolling himself across and landing on the two struggling women. The attacker screamed in anger, trying to free herself from Rose.

   Dobey was finally able to break through the back door, having difficulties with all of Huggy's’ security locks in place. The scene he barged into was frightful. Starsky was on top of the woman, who was on top of Rose, and Hutch was leaning over them, trying to separate them all. The woman was screaming at Rose as if unaware of the men struggling to restrain her.

   The gun went off.

   The silence that followed the guns’ discharge was ominous. Starsky looked up at Hutch, then Dobey, and then back down at Rose. The woman was still over Rose, but their struggle had ended. Everyone was frozen. Rose gasped as she looked at Starsky with an urgent, pained expression. Starsky pulled the librarian off from her and shoved her towards Hutch, who was now standing beside him. He grabbed the gun, which was still in Rose’s hand, and threw it away from them over towards the wall, then noticed that Rose was reaching her hand out to him.

   "Huggy. He’s upstairs. He, he’s hurt." Rose said. Her eyelids closed slowly, then opened, looking at Starsky again as she halfway smiled. She squeezed his hand. Her eyes tore at his heart as she looked at him, then they were closed, completely this time. He lifted Rose towards him, holding her tightly.

   "Rose!!!" Starsky cried out loud.

********

   Hutch took the librarian and shoved her towards Dobey, who quickly began explaining her rights to her as he held her right arm behind her back, pulling out his handcuffs as he spoke. Hutch was over beside Starsky, bending himself down to look at Rose as he pulled the phone down from the bar to call for an ambulance and paramedics. When he began dialing, he noticed the blood on his hands. He looked over at his Captain. He watched as their prisoner fell over, holding her side with her left hand; blood oozing out between her fingers.

   Starsky looked at them, then back at Rose. Frantically he began looking her over, checking for a bullet wound. He found none. The bullet had apparently discharged into the librarians’ abdomen. Dobey laid the prisoner down as he kept her guarded, and Hutch ran upstairs, looking for Huggy.

   Hutch ran into the apartment, looking around the living room as he called out Huggy’s name. His voice was filled with concern as he looked around the apartment.

   "In here, man," Huggy called weakly from the kitchen. Hutch was there in an instant, bending down in front of him. Huggy had propped himself up against the cabinet doors under the sink, holding the back of his head with his hand. His hand was bloody, but that was from the bullet that grazed it near his wrist.

   "How’re you doing?" Hutch asked as he looked at the back of Huggy’s head, struggling with him briefly to get him to take his hand away. The wound would need some stitching, but wasn’t as bad as Hutch had first thought.

   "I’m fine … DAMN! Where’s Rose?!" Huggy asked, looking as if he’d suddenly remembered what had happened.

   "She’s downstairs," Hutch told him as he grabbed a dish towel and made Huggy hold it to the back of his head, hoping to slow the bleeding. He took another dish towel to use as a tourniquet around Huggy's’ hand and began wrapping it. Huggy grabbed Hutch’s hand, forcing him to stop what he was doing.

   "How is she?" he asked, looking at Hutch straight in the eyes.

   "Starsky’s with her now," Hutch told him, finishing up wrapping the bloody wrist of his friend.

   "You didn’t answer my question," Huggy said, looking up at Hutch. Hutch looked at him somberly.

   "I don’t know. The ambulance is on the way," he answered him. "Hey, you think you can get up?" Hutch asked, gently grabbing his friend’s elbow, helping him as he stood. They slowly headed out from the apartment to descend the stairs.

   Starsky was still with Rose, but had laid her back down, keeping her body immobile as he continued to talk to her, willing her to respond. He was surrounded by patrolmen, walking around as they feverishly blocked off the area and examined the crime scene.

   Rose awoke again, looking at Starsky and smiling, her face wrinkling from pain.

   "I want to sit up, please?" she asked, holding her chest with one hand, holding Starsky's’ hand with the other.

   "I don’t think that’s a good idea," Starsky replied, looking at her and smiling, hoping his worry wouldn’t show through the smile.

   "No, really. I think it would feel better if I sat up. I think she cracked one of my ribs. It’s very uncomfortable laying down here. Please?" she asked, not waiting for his answer, trying to get up on her own with little success. Starsky sighed as he resigned to helping her, pulling her up beside him, her back facing him, as he held his arms gently around her for support. She leaned into him, resting the back of her head on his shoulder. He felt the wetness of the blood as it soaked into his shirt.

   "Thank you," she said, grinning a little as she relaxed, breathing easier and making Starsky feel a little more at ease about the whole situation.

   Dobey looked over at her, glad to see her more aware of her surroundings. He didn’t notice the movement beneath him.

   The librarian was laying across the floor, her blood pooling beside her as she looked through weakened eyes at Starsky and Rose. Hatred grew within her, making the adrenaline flow as she reached her hand towards the gun over by the wall where it had been thrown. Slowly, she inched her hand towards it, stretching her arm from shoulder to fingertips. Her movements were slow and concentrated, almost fluid under the circumstances. She felt the metal beneath her fingers, and slowly grasped it, a smile forming across her lips.

   "I may be dying, but I am NOT going alone! Damn you to hell!" her voice was like a growl, low and threatening. Starsky looked over at her as did Rose. As if in slow motion, he yelled "No!" as he saw the weapon aimed towards them. He grabbed Rose tightly as he pulled her into him, trying to protect her with himself, instinctively turning his body away from the woman who threatened them.

   Dobey threw himself down on her, trying to stop her from discharging the gun. She pulled the trigger before he could succeed. They were suddenly surrounded by officers: Too little, too late.

   Starsky felt the bullet as it drove into his arm. The burning sensation was one he recognized all too well. The impact threw him over on the floor, taking Rose with him.

   Dobey scuffled briefly with the woman, but her fight for life had ended, and she went limp within seconds of discharging the firearm. He still snatched the gun from her fingers, then felt for a pulse to make sure she was gone. His suspicions were correct. He ran over towards Starsky.

   Hutch was slowly coming down the stairs with Huggy when the gunshot rang out. He leaned Huggy against the railing and pulled out his weapon, racing down the stairs two at a time. He was beside the Captain in no time, looking around at the scene in front of him. He saw Starsky laying over on the floor, Rose still in his arms, and felt the panic rise within him.

   Huggy did his best to rush down the stairway towards them, but it was a slow process that seemed to take an eternity. As he walked towards Starsky, he saw the woman that had attacked them, lying in the floor. Dobey noticed him coming towards them, seeing Huggy look from the librarian to him. The Captain shook his head, letting Huggy know that their attacker was dead.

   "Good riddance," Huggy angrily mumbled as he looked over towards Starsky and Rose.

   Starsky took his good arm and tried to lift himself up with Rose, and Hutch bent down to help them sit back up. He was looking closely at Starsky’s arm, checking the wound carefully, trying not to hurt him in the process.

   Rose didn’t move. Starsky immediately noticed her weight in his arms, feeling different somehow. Like dead weight. He called her name, panic rising within him as he jerked his arm away from Hutch to hold her out in front of him. He saw the entry mark of the bullet. Lodged in her chest. The bullet had gone through Starsky's’ arm and embedded itself into her, embracing the life it was sent to take.

   Starsky screamed in anger as the reality slapped him.

   The sound of sirens let them know the ambulance and paramedics were arriving. Starsky looked up towards the door, tears flowing freely down his face.

********

   Starsky had been keeping to himself for days. The pain from losing Rose was haunting him, so much so that he couldn’t even talk about it. Not even to Hutch. Hutch had tried to get through to him. He stayed with him at his apartment, helping him as his injured arm burdened his routines. He tried talking to him, but Starsky wasn’t ready. He wouldn’t even eat unless Hutch threatened to force the food down him.

   He thought for sure that the funeral would be too much for him, forcing him to release the pain he kept to himself. It didn’t. Starsky showed no emotions, remaining stoic. Drawing further and further into himself, unable to cope with the memories that stifled him. Hutch became more frustrated with each passing day, feeling helpless as he watched his friend slipping away from him.

   Hutch decided to take Starsky for a ride. He felt a little desperate, feeling like he had to take drastic measures in order to get his friend to come out of the funk he was burying himself in. He decided to take him to visit a friend. Getting him outside and into the car was only half the battle. When he pulled up in front of the Pits, Starsky showed the first emotion since it all began: Anger. His mood instantly darkened.

   "I am NOT going in there," he stated angrily. "Shit! You got some nerve, bringing me back here! What’s wrong with you, Hutch?" Starsky was enraged, but Hutch knew it was more fear than anger that spurred his words. Huggy could hear the commotion, and went outside to investigate.

   "Come on, Starsk, you need to. Just walk inside with me," Hutch said, talking as calmly as possible.

   "The only place I’m walking is down the street. I don’t need this bull pop psychology jazz. And I DON’T need you!" Starsky turned on his heels, walking angrily away from Hutch. Huggy just leaned against the wall and watched in silence.

   Hutch grabbed Starsky’s arm, and Starsky turned around, his fist aiming towards Hutch’s face. Before he even thought about it, he made contact with Hutch's jaw, sending him towards the ground. The pain from using the arm that was shot was so intense it made him waver, sending him also to the ground, making his anger that much worse. Until he looked at Hutch. He saw the blood dripping from Hutch's lip, and realized what he had done. He stood himself up, pacing, mad at Hutch and now mad at himself.

   "Dammit Hutch! Why’d ya have to bring me here? Don’t you know what this place is to me now? It’s a damned tomb, that’s what it is! Jesus! I DON’T want to be here!" he fired the words off, but Hutch just stared at him. There was no anger in his eyes, only understanding. Starsky stared at him, just wanting a reaction. Instead all he got were those blue eyes that could see into his very soul, the ones that were searching it right now. He fell to the ground beside him.

   The tears began flowing. Tears of grief; tears of sadness, and tears of guilt. Hutch grabbed his best friend and held him tightly, secretly grateful that the best friend he had in the whole world was going to be all right. He knew that now.

   Arm in arm, they followed Huggy as he went back in the bar. They drank to Rose, then drank to Huggy, and then drank to each other. Not beer mind you. Oh no, this was a special occasion. They drank twig tea.

THE END