CHAPTER 1

It had been six months since Cassie’s surgery and she was back to her old self again.  Starsky and Hutch had been working a lot of overtime trying to keep up with the many cases that where being thrown at them.  By the time Starsky got home at night he could barely move. But Cassie had dinner waiting for him….sometimes, for both of them.  Dobey could see how drained
his two favorite detectives had become lately but there were just so many back logged cases on the books and no end in sight.

A couple Friday nights…when Cassie had asked to stay with Stacey. Starsky and Hutch had gotten themselves dates.  After 10 hours on the streets…shaking down junkies…interrogating potential witnesses…breaking up fights…and halling in suspects…then out for dinner and dancing.  They were so totally exhausted that all they could manage was a little heavy petting
before completely collapsing.  So it was no surprise to Hutch when he called up the same two women and found that they already had plans for the weekend.  He couldn’t really blame them.

Finally a break came for Dobey when a close friend of his and Captain of a neighboring precinct offered to spare Dobey a few of his men to help with the problem.  Since both Starsky and Hutch were overdue for their
vacation…He felt it would be a good idea to go ahead and let them take a week…to relax and to get it out of the way.  They had been requesting some time off for a while now and this would be the perfect time.  Besides all
that…he knew they needed the break.  They had so many cases to deal with…that it took four men to handle the case-load he had assigned to them.  Yes…they were that good.

Starsky thought it would be the perfect time to make the trip to New York to visit his Mother and introduce her to Cassie.  She had been bugging him about coming out there for months and she had grown very fond of Cassie over the phone.  He hadn’t returned the old neighborhood in quit a few years and it would be good to see everyone there again.  He booked the flight for the two of them and informed Cassie of the trip.

It took a bit of coaxing…but Cassie finally persuaded Hutch to go with them.  In the six years that they had been partners…they had always spent what little time they could get off together.  Cassie didn’t want to break
tradition and besides…she loved the way he had this effect on Dave.  She always had more fun when Hutch was around so she talked him into it.  She knew that he couldn’t deny her anything and Starsky was delighted to have him along for the ride.

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It was a hot and sweltering day in June.  Starsky loaded the Torino up with their suitcases and informed the Landlady, Mrs. Marie Cotton, that they would be out of town for a week and to hold his mail and watch the place for them.  Cassie grabbed her carry-on bag and her purse and locked the front door before climbing into the passenger seat to wait for him.  After a few
minutes Starsky came around the corner of the building…slid into the drivers seat…gave Cassie a wink and turned the key in the ignition.  The Torino pulled out of the driveway and sped off  towards Hutch’s place.

Hutch was waiting for them…eyeing his watch impatiently.  He knew what time they should be at the airport in order to be able to check their luggage and make the terminal gate on time.  Starsky always liked to cut these things so close. The one thing about his partner that really got under his skin.

When they arrived at Hutch’s…he was standing outside…suitcases on the ground and a small carry-on in his hand.  Cassie had the radio blaring loudly pounding out a Bee Gee’s tune as Starsky slammed on the breaks just a few feet in front of his partner.  A cloud of dust floated through the air that prompted Hutch to cover his mouth and cough.

“Where have you been?…We’re gonna be late.” Hutch blurted out as he approached the vehicle.

“Wha’…” Starsky answered not being able to hear him over the sound of the radio.  “Get in we’re gonna be late.” He added as he jumped out and opened the trunk…shoving Hutch’s luggage inside.

“That’s what I just said.” Hutch yelled at him as he slid into the passenger side and slammed the door.  Cassie climbed over the seat quickly and made herself comfortable in the back.

“Wha..” Starsky repeated as he got in and closed his door…still not hearing what his partner had said.

“Never mind…Let’s just get out of here.” Hutch had given up. He was no match for the Bee Gee’s.

During the drive…even with the windows rolled down the heat was unbearable. They had stopped at a convenience store to get a few cold soda’s and Cassie had gotten some gum…which she was now using to blow large bubbles and sucking them back …caused them to pop loudly in Starsky’s ear.  He would usually have been annoyed by this and she knew it…but he was in a good mood and so he ignored her.  Hutch on the other hand was still keeping an eye on his watch and the stress of having to rush to make the plane combined with the radio and her annoying habit of gum popping was getting to him.  The next bubble she popped was pulled from her mouth and thrown out the window. She looked over to Hutch about to protest when he raised one finger and gave her that look…the one that he gives when he’s had enough of something.  She just threw herself back in her seat and propped up her feet.  She knew she had better not stick another piece of that gum in her mouth…at least not
right then.

The heat combined with the slow movement of traffic…made the inside of the car quite uncomfortable.  Sweat poured from Starsky’s face and Hutch had to pull out his handkerchief to wipe the moisture from his forehead and neck. Cassie had worn a very loose fitting short sleeved top and a pair of tight fitting blue jeans…but she was sweating too.

Finally, as the traffic began to move a little faster…the breeze that accompanied the faster pace was a welcome relief.  When they pulled into the airport parking lot…Starsky grabbed a claim ticket for his car and informed the attendant that it would remain parked there for the next seven days. He slipped him an extra five dollars to keep a watchful eye over it for him.

Starsky and Hutch grabbed the heavier pieces of luggage and Cassie grabbed all three carry-ons as they made their way quickly inside.  First to baggage check and then to the flight desk to find their terminal.  Plane tickets in hand they ran as fast as they could to the far end of the airport.  When they arrived they were asked to walk through a metal detector before boarding.  Cassie and Starsky made it through but Hutch emitted a beep as he entered the machine.  Starsky rolled his eyes up and then back at his partner…he had a pretty good idea what was going on.

“Do you have to bring that cannon with you…for Gods sake.” Starsky scolded him.

“I don’t feel right without it…besides what if we run into trouble?’ Hutch protested in his embarrassment.

“Please empty the contents of your pockets on the platform.” The attendant told him.

“Excuse me ….Ma’am.” Starsky explained as he reached for his wallet and produced his badge along with Hutch.  “We’re police officers on a little vacation…my partner here insists on carrying his gun with him where ever he goes…and we really don’t have time for the delay…our plane is boarding.”

The attendant eyed the two badges and then the two smiling faces before her. “Alright…but put it in your carry-on…you’re not allowed to keep it in your holster.”

“Thank you …Ma’am” Starsky said still smiling and grabbed the carry-on that Cassie was holding for Hutch and shoved it at his partner with gritted teeth.  “We’ll keep it under wraps.”

They left the metal detector and ran the rest of the way to the terminal…handed the attendant at the gate their tickets one at a time and kept the return portion for the trip home.

They had been the last ones to board and as Hutch had expected…made it just in the nick of time.  As was usually the case, when ever he went anywhere with his partner.  They hurried quickly through the collapsible walkway to the airplane. It was going to be Cassie’s first flight.  Hutch hated to fly…but at the insistence of Cassie…decided to take the trip anyway.  He was
more nervous than she was.  He took a deep breath and thought to himself as he made his way to his seat…(Hutchinson…what the hell are you doing?)
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