"Starsky, Hutchinson, in my office," Captain Harold Dobey called to his two detectives.

Detectives David Starsky and Ken Hutchinson – partners for nine years, best friends even longer – stood up and headed for their captain’s office.

"Yeah, Cap?" Starsky said as he and Hutch entered the office.

Dobey looked a little embarrassed. "I need a favor. The chief is asking for people from all departments to volunteer at the fireworks show on Venice Beach. I’m asking you two because, well…neither of you have family commitments or anything like that and well…"

"Cap’n Dobey," Hutch broke in. "If it’s only a volunteer thing, why not just post a sign in the locker room or something?"

"Well, it’s volunteer to a point. The chief wants two men from each department…that’s mandatory. Which two it will be is supposedly volunteer."

"Mandatory volunteers?" Starsky asked. "That ain’t right, is it?"

Dobey ran a hand over his face in an exasperated gesture. "No, it isn’t, Starsky. Will you guys do it? You will be paid double time for it."

Starsky and Hutch looked at each other, incredulous – Double Time? Then Hutch turned to Dobey. "Okay, Cap’n. We’ll do it. When and where?"

"You meet Captain Paul Varjak at the north side of Venice Beach. He’ll give you your position assignments."

"I met Captain Varjak before," Starsky said thoughtfully. "At last year’s policemen’s picnic. He was there with his wife, Holly. He’s a nice guy."

"I remember them too," Hutch nodded. "You’re right, he is a nice guy. When do we meet him?"

"Meet him there tomorrow night at six thirty. The festivities start at seven and the fireworks start at quarter to ten."

"We only get half an hour before the party? That ain’t much time to work with." Starsky said.

"Well, the regular crowd control group will be in position by four o’clock. You guys are just extra muscle as well as undercover if needed."

"Undercover? It’s a fireworks show. What do you need undercover people for?"

"There’s always a dealer or two working the crowd." Dobey said with a shrug. "Officially, you guys are crowd control only, but it can’t hurt to keep an eye out."

"Whatever, Cap." Starsky shrugged. "We’ll be there."

"Thanks guys. You really saved my life here. I didn’t want to explain to the Chief that I couldn’t come up with anyone to help out."

"We’ll remember that," Starsky said with a wicked grin.

"Right, don’t get too cocky. Both of you can have tomorrow off until the fireworks detail. Now, get out of my office."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next day, the two friends spent doing nothing in particular and enjoying the fact that they were doing nothing in particular. Finally, after stopping at Huggy’s for a couple of burgers, they presented themselves spot-on six thirty to Captain Paul Varjak.

"Nice to see you boys again. It’s been nearly a year since the picnic last summer, hasn’t it? Anyway, refresh my memory – which of you is Starsky?"

Starsky stepped forward, "Uh, I am Cap’n."

"And I’m Hutch." The taller blond man said.

"The famous Starsky and Hutch partnership. I finally get to see it in action tonight, huh?" Varjak smiled. "I’ve been assigning partners among the volunteers, but I was warned not to split you two."

Hutch chuckled. "Yeah, we work best when we can work together."

"So I’ve been told." Varjak said dryly. Then he brought himself back to business. "The plainclothesmen are going to be connected on open channels. Here are your radios."

He presented Starsky and Hutch with two small radios with small earpieces. They resembled old-time deaf-aids.

"Each set of partners has their own frequency. There are only two frequencies on the receivers - one for the partners to communicate and one to call for backup. Just press this button here and you’re automatically on the main crowd control dispatcher."

"Why aren’t all the partners on the same frequency?" Hutch asked as he fitted the small radio into his jacket pocket.

"We tried that last year and it was chaos. We nearly lost a man because the others couldn’t figure out in all the chatter which one was in trouble."

"Makes sense, I suppose." Starsky said as he fitted the small receiver in his ear. "I feel like a deaf old man with this thing in my ear." He hunched over as if leaning on a cane and said in his best ‘old man’ voice, "What’d you say Sonny? In my day kids had more respect!"

"Cute, Babe." Hutch said sarcastically as he put his own earpiece into place. Then he turned to Varjak, "Where do we go?"

"You guys will cover the bandstand area. There will be bands playing there until 9:30 and then the fireworks will go up from there. You want to keep an eye out – especially behind the bandstand. You’ll either find people breaking the public decency codes or dealing dope."

"Great," Starsky said. "Oughta be good for a laugh."

"Also, keep an eye on the fireworks area. The organizers of the event aren’t particularly watchful and you have to make sure to keep the kids and smokers away."

"Okay, Cap’n. We’ll head on over," Hutch said. Then, "uh…where is the bandstand from here?"

"I know where it is Hutch." Starsky said. "I came out here for the fourth a couple years ago when you had to go home for your sister’s wedding."

"Okay, you guys have your assignment. Check in with crowd control at least once an hour. Since I’m not splitting you up, you can use your normal handle. It’s Zebra-3, isn’t it? Only one of you is required to call in. Good luck, guys!"

Starsky and Hutch looked at each other then at Varjak. They gave him a nod and brief wave and headed over to the bandstand.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

They got to the bandstand at about seven o’clock. The first band was just about to go on. Starsky and Hutch looked at each other, then scoped out the crowd. Hutch was the first to speak. "Why don’t you take that side and I’ll take the other."

"Yeah, alright." Starsky said. "Who’s the first band playing?"

"I don’t know offhand." Hutch answered. "I guess we’ll find out when they announce it."

Suddenly, as if on cue, a voice cut through the din of the crowd. "Ladies and Gentlemen, live on the bandstand – BLONDIE!"

Starsky grinned. "Hey, cool! I’ve never seen them live before."

"I’m happy for you Starsk," Hutch said. "Just don’t forget why we’re here."

"I know, Blondie. I’ll behave." Starsky said. "Hey! I have seen Blondie live, haven’t I?"

"You have?"

"Didn’t I just call you Blondie? I’ve seen you live hundreds of times."

"You are weird Starsky. You know that?"

"Yeah, and you wouldn’t have me any other way," Starsky said with a huge lopsided grin.

"No, I wouldn’t," Hutch said as he reached out and rumpled Starsky’s curls with a playful hand. "Now come on, let’s get to work."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Starsky and Hutch roamed their respective parts of their assigned territory. So far, they had seen nothing illegal…a few things that were a bit immoral, but nothing illegal. They kept up a lively banter on the radio when they could hear themselves think. Blondie was pretty loud – even in the wide-open space of the park. Hutch was elected to call in every hour.

Starsky was wandering through the crowd when something grabbed his legs. He barely managed to stay on his feet as he looked down.

"DADDY!" yelled the little person who had attached herself to his jeans-clad legs.

Starsky gently disentangled himself from the little girl and knelt down in front of her. She looked a bit frightened when she realized that from her height, all grown-ups look alike.

"Hey there," Starsky said gently. "Did you lose your daddy?"

The little girl shoved a thumb in her mouth and nodded.

"Do you want me to help you find him?"

Again, she nodded.

"My name is David. What’s yours?"

The thumb came out for a brief second, "Emily." Then was popped back into place.

"Emily, that’s a nice name. How old are you Emily?"

The hand that wasn’t involved in the thumb-sucking venture came up with four fingers.

"Wow, you’re a big girl, aren’t you? Four years old! That’s practically an old lady!"

Emily giggled a little bit at this. Starsky stood up and held out his hand. Almost immediately he had a tiny hand grasping his.

"Hey Hutch, can you hear me?"

"Yeah, sounds like you picked up a girlfriend." Came the response in his ear.

"Yeah, she’s a real cutie too. I always was a sucker for brunettes." He smiled briefly down at Emily. "I’m gonna call it in. See what they do about lost kids."

"Who are you talking to?" Emily’s voice came floating up to his ear.

"My partner. I’m a policeman and we’re talking on a radio."

"You’re a policeman? You don’t gots a uniform. Daddy says policemen wear uniforms." She lisped.

"I don’t wear one. But I have a badge like policemen do. Do you want to see it?" When the little girl nodded, he pulled his wallet out and showed her the shiny badge.

"Wow!" She said as she looked at his badge. "Pretty!"

"Yeah, I guess it is pretty." He said, looking at his badge as if for the first time. "Okay, I’m gonna switch frequencies now."

He pressed the button on his radio. "This is Zebra-3, how do you read?"

"We read you Zebra-3. You’re partner just called in five minutes ago. What’s the problem?"

"I’ve got a lost 4-year old girl with me. How do you guys handle lost kids?"

"Go over to the bandstand and tell the uniform guarding the stage to make an announcement. Then head to the first-aid tent behind the bandstand and turn her over to them until her parents can be located."

"Roger that. Zebra-3 over and out." Starsky switched the frequency back. "I’m heading over to the bandstand, partner. How’re you hangin’?"

"Just had a dog piss on my shoes, but otherwise I’m fine, thanks."

Starsky burst out laughing. Emily looked up at him, "What’s so funny?"

"A doggy just went potty on my partner’s feet." Starsky said and the little girl giggled.

In his ear, Starsky heard, "I’m glad I could help you entertain your girlfriend."

"Come on, Buddy! It is kinda funny, isn’t it?"

Starsky and the little girl started to make their way over to the bandstand. They had barely started when he realized the crowd was too thick for him to be able to get over to the bandstand and still keep hold of the little girl’s hand. He leaned down to her level.

"Hey there, you wanna be the tallest one here?"

The little girl’s eyes widened and she nodded vigorously. Starsky grinned at her and swooped her up to sit on his shoulders. She squealed with delight before replacing the thumb in her mouth. With her other hand she clutched at Starsky’s forehead.

"Okay, you ready to fight the crowd with me?" Starsky looked up as best he could with the tiny hand holding tight. He could see her nod again.

He carefully made his way through the crowd, holding onto the little girl’s legs to keep her balanced. After a few minutes, he felt her let go of his head. He carefully looked up and saw her sticking her fingers in her ears. They were getting very close to the speakers.

Finally, he reached the policeman at the stage entrance. He let one of the little girl’s legs go and flashed his badge. By yelling into the officer’s ear, he was able to convey his message. The officer nodded and Starsky made his way back to the first aid tent. Soon, he heard the announcement going out over the loud speakers about a lost little girl named Emily.

He got to the tent and brought the little girl down to the ground with a little swoop that made her squeal and giggle. Starsky decided he could never get tired of that sound. He grinned at her as he took her hand again and led her into the tent.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Half an hour later, Starsky came out of the tent. He would have left sooner if not for two things: 1) Emily wasn’t going to let him go until her daddy showed up.

2) One of the patients who was there for heat exhaustion threw up on his shoes.

He had just gotten his shoes cleaned off and was now wearing them without socks (he had to throw those away…they were just gross.) when Emily’s father walked into the tent. Emily leapt from her spot on Starsky’s lap and into her father’s arms.

Once he finished hugging the little girl and checking her over for any signs of injury, he stood up with Emily in his arms and held out a hand to Starsky.

"I’m Joe Taylor. Thank you for keeping my little girl safe. Her mother and I were frantic when she wandered off."

"S’alright. Just doin’ my job."

"He’s a policeman, Daddy!" Emily cut into the conversation.

Joe looked at Starsky curiously and Starsky showed him his badge.

"Well, thanks again."

Starsky shook his hand and then took Emily’s tiny hand and kissed it. "It was nice to meet you, Princess."

She giggled again and Starsky’s heart melted. He watched with some regret as father and daughter exited the tent.

As he left the tent himself, he sighed and said, "I’ll tell you something Partner. If I ever have a daughter, she’s gonna own me so bad!"

"She really got to you, didn’t she?"

"You shoulda seen her Hutch! She was just the cutest thing I think I’ve ever seen!"

He could almost hear Hutch grinning. "That’s great, Starsk. So, get your shoes cleaned off?"

"Okay, I’m gonna get it for telling her about the dog, aren’t I?"

"Better believe it, Buddy!"

"Great."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"Great."

Hutch grinned at the sound of defeat in his partner’s voice. Yes, he was going to get it for the dog thing.

Hutch made his way around the bandstand and checked underneath as he was supposed to. And, just as he was supposed to, he found a couple that was breaking the public decency codes (that’s the polite way of saying what they were doing. F$*!ing would be a more accurate term).

"Uh, I hate to interrupt," he said to the startled pair as he flashed his badge. "I really don’t want to have to arrest you, so I’d suggest you guys get dressed and get a room."

The couple in question jumped apart and hastily reached for their clothing. Hutch watched them depart with a bemused expression on his face.

"You get all the fun busts, don’t you?" Starsky’s voice asked in his ear.

"Yeah, I’ll have to remember that position for later…" Hutch said thoughtfully.

"You’re sick, Hutchinson. You know that?"

"Yeah, and you wouldn’t have me any other way." Hutch said, repeating his partner’s own words back to him.

"Nope, no other way!" Starsky’s voice came back in his ear. Hutch grinned to himself.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

The next couple of hours passed relatively uneventfully. There were two more indecent acts discovered under the bandstand, one drug deal and one person about to throw away his still-lit cigarette on the fireworks.

Hutch glared at the smoker as he stamped out the cigarette with extreme force. It was almost as though he thought the fireworks would sense that there was a lit cigarette in the vicinity and light themselves.

"What are you, nuts? Do you see those fireworks over there? You want to get yourself killed?" Hutch yelled at the guy. "As if smoking couldn’t kill you fast enough."

The man muttered a shamefaced apology and, properly cowed, retreated rapidly into the crowd.

"Why didn’t you just shoot him while you were at it?" Starsky’s voice came over the radio. "Could you possibly have been any harder on him?"

"Starsky, he was about to throw a lit cigarette onto the fireworks. Do you have any idea what that could have done?"

"Yeah. I also know it was probably an honest mistake. Relax, would you partner?"

"Whatever. Where are you, Starsk?"

"I’m in the first aid tent."

"Another lost little girl?"

"No, a dope dealer with a knife."

Hutch’s eyes widened in alarm, "You okay? I heard you make that bust. You didn’t say anything to me about him having a knife."

"It’s just a scratch, no big deal."

"Did you call it in?" Hutch said as he began making his way to the first aid tent.

"Yeah, that’s why you didn’t know about it. I was on the other frequency when I got here."

"You should’ve said something, Starsk."

"I just did."

Hutch arrived at the first aid tent and poked his head in, "I meant, when it happened."

"I didn’t want to worry you."

"Yeah, well you did." Hutch said. He came farther into the tent and looked at the bandage on his partner’s upper arm.

Starsky looked at Hutch and followed his eyes. He looked at his bandage and then back to Hutch.

"It’s no big deal, Hutch. The nurse here said it probably won’t even leave a scar."

Hutch reached out to gently touch the bandage – stark white against the tan skin. Starsky winced a little and then reached for his t-shirt.

"Well, next time something like that happens, will you tell me about it?"

"Why, so you can worry about something you can’t do anything about?"

Hutch sighed. He could tell he wasn’t going to win this one. "Come on, Starsk. They’re about to light the fireworks. We gotta make sure people aren’t gonna get themselves burned."

"Yeah, alright Blintz, let’s go." Starsky put his t-shirt on and the two of them headed out of the tent.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The first of the fireworks shot off into the air and exploded above the crowd in a breathtaking display of light and color.

Starsky and Hutch separated again, but stayed in the general vicinity of the launch site. Not only were they in radio contact this way, but they could also still see each other. They kept up the playful banter as they watched the crowd and the fireworks.

Suddenly, one of the fireworks misfired and instead of heading up, headed towards the crowd.

"HIT THE DECK!!!!!!!" Hutch yelled at the top of his lungs. The crowd screamed and people hit the dirt at an amazing rate of speed. The rogue firework fluttered and sputtered around just above the crowd before it finally went out as it landed in a puddle.

Gradually, the frightened crowd stood up again and the fireworks session got back to normal…almost.

"Hey Hutch, your jacket’s on fire." Starsky’s voice said in his ear. However, he sounded awfully calm about it.

"Yeah right, Starsk. Tell me another one." Hutch said dryly.

"No really, Hutch. You’re jacket’s on fire."

Hutch was about to say something else, when he heard someone on the other side of him yell, "Hey Buddy! You’re jacket’s on fire!"

Hutch turned his head and saw smoke coming up from the back of his jacket. His eyes widened and he turned back around and started to remove the jacket. Unfortunately, the man who had just yelled at him decided to be a Good Samaritan and pour his drink over the small flame. This was unfortunate because the man was drinking alcohol at the time.

Starsky’s eyes widened as he saw the flames engulf his partner. He started running towards Hutch as he managed to get the jacket off. Hutch then stamped on the jacket until his pant leg caught on fire. Then he dropped to his knees and stuck his leg into the nearest puddle.

Starsky reached Hutch as he was trying to stand up again. He put his arms around the taller man and helped him to his feet.

"Hutch? You okay?" Starsky asked, terrified.

"Yeah, I’m fine, Starsk. Just got a little singed, that’s all. Damn! I loved that jacket too!"

"Well, let’s get you to the first aid tent. You wanna call it in?"

"You do it, Starsk. I don’t feel like facing it."

"This is Zebra-3, how do you copy?"

"We read you Zebra-3, what’s your status?"

"Be advised we are headed to the first aid tent."

"Another knife fight, Starsky?"

"No, runaway firework set Hutch on fire."

Starsky could hear the astonished whistle of the dispatcher. "He alright?"

"Yeah, just minor burns, I think. Take us out of action for the rest of the night, huh?"

"I’ll check with Captain Varjak on that, Zebra-3. Stay on this frequency please."

"That’s affirmative." Starsky said. "Zebra-3 clear."

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Starsky and Hutch arrived at the first aid tent and were greeted by the doctor.

"Well, what’s the problem this time, Detective Starsky?"

"My partner got singed by a runaway firework."

The doctor ushered Hutch over to a cot and sat him down. He rolled up Hutch’s pant-leg and examined the burns there and he had Hutch remove his shirt so he could examine the burns left by the flaming jacket.

"I’m going to send you out with the paramedics that are standing by." The doctor said as he concluded his exam.

"Why Doc?" Hutch asked. "They ARE only minor burns, right?"

"Yes, but there are a few places with third degree burns and I’m sure you felt your shirt rip as you pulled it off. There are still fibers from your shirt burned into your back. I don’t have the facilities here to treat these kinds of injuries."

"Listen to the man, Hutch" Starsky said, wanting to reach out and touch his partner, but was terrified of hurting him. "It ain’t no big deal. They’ll treat you and probably send you home tonight."

"Listen to your partner, Detective. I can’t see any reason the hospital would need to keep you for the night, but you do need those burns treated more thoroughly than I could do it."

Hutch sighed in defeat. "Fine, if I have to, I have to."

Starsky smiled at him and then turned his attention to his radio. "Zebra-3, how do you read?"

"We read you Zebra-3, Captain Varjak wants you guys back on duty as soon as the doctor’s finished with you."

"That’s a negative. Hutch is being sent to the hospital for treatment of third degree burns. Log us out at 22:30 hours."

"Copy that, Zebra-3. You are logged out. Will advise Captain Varjak of your situation."

Once he completed the call, Starsky pulled the annoying earpiece out and shoved the whole radio apparatus into his jacket pocket. He turned to ask Hutch for his radio when he realized it had probably burnt up with his jacket. He smiled to himself as he realized his partner was going to have fun explaining that one to the Captain.

The doctor left the tent to retrieve the paramedics and left Starsky and Hutch sitting in the tent. Just then, a little girl launched herself at Starsky.

"DAVID!!" little Emily yelled as she wrapped himself around his neck. Starsky looked startled for a moment and then hugged the little girl.

"Hey, Princess! What are you doing here? Where’s your daddy?"

"I lost him again." She said a little sadly. "He found me here before. You can be my pretend daddy, okay?"

Starsky looked at Hutch who was smiling at the endearing scene playing out in front of him.

Starsky sighed. He was completely enslaved to this four-year old cutie. "Okay, I’ll be your pretend daddy until we can find your real daddy."

"Hey Starsk, you gonna introduce me to your new daughter?"

"Okay. Emily, this is my partner Ken. Hutch, this is Emily."

"You’re the one the doggy went potty on!" Emily squealed with laughter.

Hutch glared daggers at his partner, but he smiled at the little girl, "Yes, he did. I didn’t think it was so funny."

"It was too, funny! She insisted. Hutch knew he couldn’t argue with this little force of nature. So he just smiled at her and nodded.

Just then, the doctor came in with the paramedics. Starsky looked at his partner, "I can’t just leave her here, Hutch. I’ll come by the hospital as soon as I find her folks again, okay?"

Hutch just looked at his partner as the paramedics eased him onto the stretcher. "You have got it bad, haven’t you?"

Starsky just gave him a lopsided grin and shrugged. He took Hutch’s hand for a brief moment before the stretcher was wheeled out, then he turned his attention to the little girl in front of him.

"Now then, where did you lose your daddy this time?" Starsky asked her as he pulled her up onto his lap.

"He and mommy were talking to some policemen." She lisped "They went with them."

"They went with the policemen? Do you know why?"

"I think they were mad at Daddy for smoking. Mommy says smoking is bad for you."

"Smoking, huh? Well, why don’t I try to figure out where they took your mommy and daddy, okay?"

The little girl nodded and leaned against Starsky’s chest, inserting a tiny thumb into a tiny mouth as she did. Starsky looked down at the sleepy child in his lap and remembered his partner’s words.

‘Oh yeah, I have got it bad!’ He thought to himself. ‘If I ever have a daughter, she’s gonna be a real daddy’s girl.’

He carefully retrieved his radio from his pocket and replaced the earpiece. "This is Zebra-3, do you copy?"

"We read you Zebra-3, I thought you were off the clock, Starsky. What happened?"

"Same lost little girl. She says that her parents were taken away by the cops. I know the dad’s name is Joe Taylor. I don’t know the mom’s name."

"Stand by. We’ll check it out and let you know."

"Roger that." Starsky said. He looked down and saw that Emily had gone right to sleep sitting on his lap with her head resting on his chest. As if his heart couldn’t have melted any further, he realized that this little girl owned him – heart and soul. He wasn’t sure if it was just the fact that she was so cute or his ‘paternal instincts’ had been awakened. All he knew was that he would enjoy being this little girl’s ‘pretend daddy’.

"Zebra-3, come in Zebra-3. Do you copy?"

"I copy, Dispatch." Starsky said softly.

"Zebra-3, I can barely hear you, could you speak up?"

Starsky spoke a little louder (just a little), "I can’t speak up too much; I have a four-year old asleep in my lap. You got anything on her parents?"

"The Taylors were arrested for possession of marijuana and cocaine."

Starsky’s eyes widened. "Pot and coke?"

"Affirmative. They were caught smoking a joint and a search of their belongings turned up a gram of coke too."

"I don’t believe this! What about the little girl?"

"The Taylors seemed to think since you were so nice to her before, you should take her for the time being. She’s got a grandmother or something out of state. Children’s Services will try to locate her on Tuesday."

"It’s only Saturday! What am I supposed to do with a kid until Tuesday? Why don’t they do it Monday?"

"They get a three day weekend for the Fourth of July." There was a pause. "Stand by Zebra-3."

After a few moments of silence, the dispatcher came back. "Change that, Starsky. The grandmother is out of the country on a two-week cruise. She just left yesterday."

"Does that mean I’m stuck with her until then?"

"She can be put into a foster home, but the Taylors are pretty insistent that you keep her until her grandma can take her."

Starsky sighed in defeat. "Okay, I guess. What about her clothes and stuff?"

"Pick up the Taylors’ house key tomorrow morning at Metro. Until then, you’ll have to improvise."

Starsky sighed. "Roger that. Zebra-3 clear."

He pulled the earpiece out of his ear and shoved the radio into his jacket pocket. He looked down at the little bundle in his lap and saw that she was still asleep. He smiled to himself at the perfect trust that she had to have to sleep so soundly in a stranger’s lap. He gently stood up, lifting her as he did. She shifted slightly in his arms, but didn’t awaken.

He carried the sleeping child out to the Torino and stopped. He suddenly realized that he didn’t have a child safety seat and the shoulder strap of the front seat belt would decapitate her if he stopped too suddenly, but if he just let her sleep in the back seat, she could go rolling off and hurt herself. He carefully got into the car and placed her next to him on the seat. She accepted the lack of a lap quietly…not even waking up. She just simply lay down and put her head on Starsky’s leg. He reached down and gently stroked her hair, marveling at how soft it was. He now understood the meaning of the term baby-soft.

He never drove more carefully in his life than he did to the hospital to pick up Hutch. Every time he stopped the car, he gently put a hand on the somnolent little girl to make sure she didn’t go rolling off into the gearshift.

When he got to the hospital, he was tempted to let the little girl sleep in the car while he ran in for a minute. Then he remembered all the stories of kids being kidnapped because their parents ‘just ran in for a minute’. He gently lifted her out of the car and carried her into the hospital.

When he got to the ER, he went over to the desk to ask for Hutch. The nurse smiled at the man and child as she pointed to one of the treatment rooms and said he was ready to go home.

Hutch was sitting on the exam table when Starsky entered the room. Starsky said softly, "Hey Hutch, you ready to go home, partner?"

"It’s about time you got…" Hutch trailed off as he saw the little girl in Starsky’s arms. "Uh…Starsk?"

"It’s a long story Babe. It turns out, I’m going to be a daddy!"

To be continued in ‘Pretend Daddy’

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