Starsky's Neighbour - Part I

By

Judith Goodger and Elisa Valero

Starsky returned home, exhausted. It had been a long day and right at this moment all he wanted was to eat a little, and to go to bed later. It was just a couple months ago that he had returned to work on the streets with Hutch, after his long recovery from the Gunther shooting, and though he was feeling well, he was getting tired more easily than before.
He went to phone for a pizza, but, when he picked it up he realized, the line was dead. "Shit!..That´s all I needed" He did not want to go out again, and the closest public phone was too far away, and now he had to call to the phone company too. Starsky wondered if his new neighbour would let him use her phone for a few minutes.. A young woman, around 30 years old, had moved into the house opposite Starsky’s two weeks ago. He had seen her occasionally, but they had not yet spoken, mainly because, in the last weeks, he hadn’t had a lot of time. Without thinking anymore Starsky walked towards the neighbour house and knocked the door.
"Come in, Jenny, the door’s open! " said a cheerful voice from the inside. But Starsky, remained prudently in the front door, knowing that he was not the person his neighbour was waiting for.
On the stereo, strange music was playing loudly, and an attractive young woman with brown curled hair and eyes of intense dark blue, dressed in jeans and a red sweater approached the door, joking and waving a hairbrush in the air, as if directing an imaginary orchestra.
"This is music, Jenny! How you can you say that it gives you a headache? This is something great! More than that... it´s a Master piece! ".
When she saw Starsky, the girl blushed a bit "Oh!" She said, with surprise on her face
"I´m sorry" Starsky said. " But I’m afraid that I´m not Jenny. I´m Dave Starsky, your new neighbour. I live in the front house "
"Good heavens! You must think that I´m a bit nuts... Oh! Yes...Now I remember. I’ve seen you go out and come back to your house some days... Come in, please..By the way, Dave. I’m Vicky Walsh... Nice to meet you! " said the girl with a great smile, while she was turn down the volume of stereo. "And he is Samson." Lying in an armchair was an impressive English Bull Dog, who was looking at Starsky with a bored expression on his wrinkled face.
"Does he bite? Dogs scare me a bit " He asked apprehensively
"Oh! No. He looks fierce, but he’s a very kind dog."
Starsky knelt down, to stroke the animal, which at that moment, found some energy and waving his small tail vigourously he put his legs on Starsky's knees and began to lick his face until he lost his balance and fell down to the floor.
"NO! Samson! You are a brute! " Vicky, pulled the dog from Starsky, and stretched out her hand, to help him get up.
"Dave! I´m sorry. He is a very affectionate dog, but a brute too. I´m so sorry. Has he hurt you?" The young woman asked worriedly.
"Oh no! Don´t worry Vicky, I´m okay." Starsky was smiling. " I just came to see if I could use your phone, mine’s dead"
"Sure" said the girl, indicating with her hand towards the phone.
While Starsky was making his phone call, someone knocked at the door again. Vicky opened it, with a blond cat in her arms. The animal had a bandaged leg.
" Hello Jenny "
"Hi Vick" A girl with long blond hair and clear blue eyes, dressed like a hippy, came in. Looking at Starsky she said to her friend in a low voice.
"Well, friend! Finally it seems that your taste in pets has improved!"
"Shh! Shut up! He’ll hear you! He’s my neighbour" Vicky whispered back.
"Your neighbour? Aha! So, this neighbourhood is very promising!" Jenny winked at Vicky.
"Thanks Vicky. They’ll fix my pone tomorrow." Starsky said when he finished his call.
" You are welcome, Dave. By the way, this is my friend Jenny "
"How are you Dave?” The blond girl asked. “So you’re Vicky’s neighbour The universal defender of animals rights."
"Jenny always makes jokes about me, but she loves animals too. You haven´t noticed Dave?" Starsky, was looking at both girls, and at the blond cat that Vicky was taking in her arms.
"Charlie isn’t mine, his owner has spent some time in the hospital, and she couldn’t take care of him. And the poor cat was attacked by a dog too, but he can go home tomorrow... I didn’t tell you yet, but I´m a veterinary... Oh! I´m sorry Dave. Every day I seem more ill-mannered!....Would you like to a drink of something?...Vicky asked, then Jenny interrupted “Or better. Why not stay to dinner with us?".
" Oh, no. I´m grateful. You are very nice Jenny, but I don’t want to be an inconvenience"
"If you don’t have any other plans, we’d like you to stay. What do you say, Dave?...Look. Samson wants you to stay too. Really he likes you. We are three against one " Jenny said. The dog was looking at Starsky, with his head tilted and wagging his tail. Vicky had not said anything. She was looking at her friend with a little amazement. The constant eccentricities of Jenny were surprising her as usual, but when Starsky looked at her, waiting for her agreement, she said with a smile. " Of course, Dave... It will be a pleasure to have you stay for dinner with us."
"Okay, okay. You win. I’ll stay, but first I’ll pop to my house a moment and get a bottle of wine"
While Starsky was gone, Vicky said to Jenny "You know Jenny?... I´m sure that every day you are more crazy... Maybe all that vegetarian food is not so good for your brain as you think!"
"Why? Just because I’ve invited your neighbour to have dinner with us?"
"No, just because YOU have invited my neighbour, who by the way is an absolute unknown for us, to have dinner in MY HOUSE!"
“Come on Vicky!... He seems a very nice man... And he’s pretty handsome too."
“Yeah, sure. And for all we know about him, he could be nice ,handsome and a serial killer,"
"Oh! It’ll be okay. We have Samson, just in case...Besides, when I got here, he was already here...And you’re not cut in slices....Yet .” Jenny joked laughing and headed to the kitchen to get some coke out of the fridge.
“Oh! Jenn. At times you are so ...so....Well. Never mind!”
“Vicky, try to relax. How long time has it been since you had a date with a man?"
"So that’s what this is all about!... Oh God! When you will stop searching for a man for me Jenny?” "Easy. When you find one!"

Starsky was feeling tired, but since both girls seemed so friendly, he had accepted the invitation. The dinner was delicious as was the evening, and both friends were charming, each one in diferent way.
When he returned, he was amazed at the sight of Jenny on the floor with Samson, imitating the growls of the dog, while Vicky, with a wink of her eye, said to Starsky.
"They are so in love!... Look Jenny. He’s not one of these small dogs that you can take in a pocket. If you don’t know it yet, he is very strong and. I don´t want to to spend the rest of the night with you in ER... JE-NNI-FER! You want to stop playing games with the dog and help me in the kitchen, or we will have dinner in the morning! " Vicky asked while she was arranging the plates on the table. "
"Can I help you Vicky?" Starsky asked.
"Thanks Dave. Can you take three glasses out of this cupboard and put them on the table?... Jenn. Come now! In the kitchen, or you will eat the same thing that Samson eats... "

Starsky felt at home, with his neighbour and her friend. They talked for a long time. Jenny, it turned out, was a mathematics teacher in high school, and as Vicky said, though seeing her there on the floor of the lounge, growling like a dog, it was difficult for to believe, the girl was really good at her work.. Jenny was single, and Vicky, divorced. Both were born in N.Y City and they had moved to Bay City four years ago, though they didn’t say why, and Starsky didn’t want to ask questions that were none of his business. Neither had a boyfriend. Both were 33 years old, lived alone, and were, in spite of being so different, best friends since they met each other in kindergarten After speaking for hours with them, Starsky already had some ideas about both women. Vicky seemed to be more, affectionate, compassionate and in some ways, innocent as a child. Jenny, though she was a friendly woman too, seemed to Starsky, a bit more cynical and with a tougher nature.
“You know, Dave? " Vicky said with a smile as Jenny put only vegetables and rice on her plate, "Jenny is vegetarian. You should to see the strange health shakes that she takes every morning. With wheatgerm, lentils, and I don’t know what other disgusting things." And in low voice she added. "If we put out the light now, you can see that she emits a green glow. Like a firefly. I´m sure that it´s because of her breakfast. Really, I prefer coffee and Donuts.”
Starsky laughed imagining the beautiful girl shining as a firefly.
"And because of it, her cholesterol will soon be so high, that we will be able to see it, just looking at her eyes... And I’ll tell you something Dave. Samson has already asked for political asylum in my house, before Vick makes him eat burritos, coffee and donuts too... Don´t worry. Samson, my love. Your old aunt Jenny you will protect from this nut." The blond girl said as she was caressed the head of the dog.
Starsky wished that Hutch was there too, to meet those two adorable girls who were like a female version of themselves!

Later, he talked to them about his work as a police officer, and his friendship with Hutch.
“Police officer? " Thats strange! Vicky pictured you doing a very different...Well, a very different job... " Jenny say, looking naughtily her friend "
"Really?.... And what did you think that my work was, Vicky? "
"Oh, nothing special, it doesn't matter, Dave... “ Then, amazed, Starsky noticed the fulminating look that Vicky made to Jenny... and the small jump of the blond girl, when Vicky gave her a little kick under the table
“Your job sounds dangerous. Don’t you get scared? " Vicky asked with sincere concern.
"Well. Sometimes, of course. But I think that it’s more for my partner than for me. The truth is, that in spite of the risks, I love my work"

Starsky didn’t speak to the girls about how close to death he been some time ago. He did not tell them how he still had nightmares. How sometimes his body still hurt. It was one a very enjoyable night and he did not want to spoil it with bad memories.
Later, after he had said his thanks for the dinner, and offered his help to clear up, help that the girls refused, he returned to his house. While they were taking the plates and glasses to the kitchen, Vicky asked Jenny .
"You didn’t recognize him Jenny? "
" Who?...Dave? No. Why? Why should I recognize him? "
“Af first I wasn’t sure but he seemed familiar to me. I thought it what was just seeing him in the neighborhood, but when he said that he is a police officer, I remembered. Dave was in the newspapers about a year and a half ago. The goons of someone called Hunter, or Gunther or something like that, a dangerous gangster, owner of an important company, they shot him. He was between the life and death for weeks. Dave spent more than two months in the hospital. And, as if all of that wasn’t enough, one journalist without any scruples, managed to get into his hospital ICU room and photograph him, when still was in coma. When his partner found out he went to the newspaper office and almost killed that vulture. Finally, the same partner, arrested the man who arranged his attempted murder.
"Now that you say it... Yes. I had read in the newspapers something about ...My God! Poor Dave. How awful!" Jenny said with true pity.
Vicky added "I didn’t say anything tonight, because I´m sure that he just wants to forget everything about it. This man has been through hell in the last months "

Without knowing why, she was feeling the desire to protect and to offer a bit of comfort to this unknown man, who had an expression of sadness in his face. Come on, Vicky. He is a police officer. An adult man. He´s not some kind of lost puppy. Vicky thought to herself.
" Hey... You! " Jenny was waving a hand in front her eyes
" Uh...What? Sorry. What were you saying Jenny?"
“Seems as if you are a thousand miles from here. It’s Dave right? You like Dave don’t you?"
"Jenny! Don’t start to invent things... I scarcely know him "
"It doesn’t matter, Vick. You never heard about love at first sight... Besides, he looks very attractive, really "
"Do... Do you like him, Jenny?”
“Oh, come on! He is pretty attractive, sure, but already you know what I think about men.. I´m scared of the commitment, I don’t like the bonds, I don´t believe in the fidelity of the men and I’m not the kind of woman that loses her mind for love.... For me, men only give problems.
“He is different...Jenny look, don´t ask me why, but I know it. I know that Dave is a good man. A very good man... "
“Well friend. Seems that, just for this time, old aunt Jenny has a good idea” Then Jenny laughed
"What is so funny Jenny? "
"Well. This man who now seems to you as good as a kitten, is the same man that a few hours ago could be a serial killer... Or is there something that I missed?
“I know, I know...It’s just that the memoriesof Billy are still too painful for me"
" Vicky, please! How you can compare Dave with Billy?...In fact any other man with Billy. This guy was a true psycho "
" No Jenny. I’m not making comparisons... It’s just that still I have fear. And maybe I will never be able to overcome that fear.”

But the fact is that in despite of her fear, when Jenny left, and Vicky went to bed, she was still thinking about Starsky for a long time. Never had something like this happened to her before. She just wanted to see Dave again.

Starsky turned the key in the lock of his front door and, for a brief moment, rested his head against the cold frame. Now back in his own home he gave in to the wave of exhaustion that washed over him. It had been a lovely evening but it had taken too much from his already tired system and his whole body screamed out for rest. Weary arms pushed away from the door and Starsky forced his tired legs to carry him to the bedroom. The shower would have to wait until morning; right now he just wanted to curl up in his bed and sleep. A niggling voice somewhere at the back of his mind reminded him of the nightmares when he closed his eyes but he visibly shook it off, tonight he was so exhausted he felt nothing would disturb his dreams.

Sitting on the edge of his bed Starsky looked across at the photograph of Terry he had by his bed. Lovingly he picked it up and stared at it, gently running his fingers over the outline of her smile. On nights like this he would again remember the many plans they had made together and how they had been blown away with a single bullet. Very often he would end up quietly crying himself to sleep or, occasionally he would ring Hutch who would instinctively know what was wrong and come over and they would talk long into the night until Starsky fell asleep exhausted. There could be no phone call to Hutch tonight so Starsky lay back on the pillow clutching the photograph to his heart, his eyes staring vacantly at the ceiling. As he lay there he was quietly surprised to realise that his memories this night were not of Terry but of the evening he had just spent and, in particular, the company of one Vicky Walsh and a large, fierce looking but extremely gentle and soppy English bull dog named Samson. The last thing he remembered before succumbing to slumber was the lingering look Vicki had given him as he took his leave from her house.

Next morning Hutch was surprised to see his partner sitting at his desk reading through reports from the day before. He had tried to contact Starsky earlier but had been unable to get through on the phone unaware of the problems with the line. For a little while Hutch stood at the door watching his partner and again he thanked God for the gift of Starsky’s life. Only Hutch and he really knew exactly what it had taken out of Starsky to get back to the point where the powers that be were agreeable to him returning to the streets. Only Hutch saw how tired he still got and how much effort it took some mornings for him to even get out of bed. Streaks of silver were beginning to show through the thick, dark, curly hair and lines of strain showed themselves around his partners’ eyes. This morning though Hutch was pleasantly surprised to see Starsky relaxed and smiling.
“Hey Gordo, how goes it buddy?” Hutch sauntered across and sat opposite Starsky pleased for once to see no sign of the dark circles that had become a feature of Starskys' eyes.
Starsky glanced up and grinned at the blond opposite. “Fine Hutch, for once everything’s just fine. Need to call round my place about lunchtime to check the phones been fixed but other than that…no problem.”
At that moment the phone on Starskys' desk rang and he reached out to answer it. Hutch listened to the one sided conversation with increasing awareness as he heard the name Vicky mentioned and a certain look come over his partner´s face.
“ Hey no problem…we’ll be right over…it’s the least I can do after last night…right, I’ll see you in about 20 minutes…sit tight and don’t worry.” Starsky hung up the phone and picked up the folder he had just been reading. Turning he placed it back into the cabinet behind him. He could almost feel Hutch’s eyes boring into his back and he knew that he was burning with curiosity. For a few moments Starsky remained with his back to his partner, grinning silently to himself as he enjoyed the situation, then he turned back to his desk and picking up his jacket he looked at Hutch.
“Come on buddy, got a rescue mission on and this should be right up your street.”
Before Hutch could ask any questions Starsky was out of the door. Hutch finally caught him up at the top of the stairs that led to the garage. Since the two men had returned to the precinct as a partnership they never used the elevator as a matter of course. For both it still brought back too many unhappy memories of a carefree morning when neither had been concentrating and it had almost cost Starsky his life. Now when they reached the bottom of the stairs both would continually scan the area as they took the short walk to the Torino and neither could properly settle until they were out in the open. Only then would both sit back and visibly relax, concentrating instead on the streets around them. Hutch wondered if they would ever again really feel safe in what should have been a place of sanctuary for any cop.
It only took a couple of minutes for Hutch to realise that they were headed in the direction of Starskys’ home and he could contain the curiosity no longer.
“Okay buddy, I give up, you gonna tell me what’s going on and why we’re headed for your place or not?”
Starskys’ eyes never left the road as he answered.
“Told you Blintz, we got a rescue mission…how’s your breaking and entering skills these days?”
“STARSK! What are you on about?” Hutch was becoming irritated.
Glancing across at the blond Starsky finally relented. “My new neighbour, Vicki Walsh, she was taking her dog, Samson, for a walk this morning and she’s locked herself out. She only moved in a little while ago and she doesn’t know who else to call. Since she did me a favour last night by letting me use her phone I figured I owe her one. Besides, she’s a nice lady in need of rescuing and you like to play the white knight so….”
“So you thought we’d just drop all our cases and rush to the rescue. Oh boy Starsk, if Dobey finds out he’ll go mad and I’m not helping you out of his one.” Hutch smiled at his partner. “This Vicki Walsh had better be worth he aggravation partner.”
Hutch was surprised to see the faraway look that came over his friends’ eyes as he answered,
“She is Hutch, she sure is.”

It was five minutes later that the Torino pulled to a halt in front of the house opposite Starskys’. As he climbed out Hutch could see an agitated looking young woman kneeling next to a rather fierce looking bulldog. He was amazed when Starsky, taking a couple of steps from the car, bent down and, patting his knees, called the dog to him. As he watched the young womans face broke into a huge grin as the sturdy animal bounced across the driveway and launched itself at Starsky who promptly fell backwards, disappearing amongst a jumble of legs, stumpy tail and long wet tongue.
“SAMSON, NO!” Hutch heard the command from somewhere behind him as he tried to extricate his partner from beneath the dog. “Sorry Dave, I told you he liked you last night and when Samson gives his heart he gives it 100 percent. Are you okay?”
Starsky allowed Hutch to pull him from the floor grinning. “I’m fine really. Just got hit by a truck that’s all.” Starsky began to brush himself down as stifled giggles could be heard coming from the woman. It wasn’t long before he could hear Hutch joining in, then he too gave way and the three stood laughing.
Starsky recovered first and, turning to face his neighbour he told Hutch, “This is Vicki Walsh, neighbour, friend and owner of mad dog here. He’s called Samson by the way.”
Hutch shook hands. “Nice to meet you Vicky. Starsky says you’ve got a little problem here.”
“Yes. I took Samson for his morning walk and I’ve locked myself out. There’s a window open around the back but I can’t get to it and I didn’t know who else to call. I hope you didn’t mind Dave.”
“No, we don’t mind, do we Hutch? Come on lets take a look and see if we can get you back in your home.” Starsky led the way around the back. “You know Vicky, it’s not such a great idea to leave windows open, especially when you’re out. Tell you what why don’t you get a key cut and leave it at my place that way you’ll always have a way in just in case.”
“Thanks Dave, I really appreciate the offer. I’ll get one done later today…once I can get the original that is.”

Once at the rear of the house the two men quickly realised they would need a ladder since there was no other way to reach the small window. Starsky watched as Hutch disappeared from view, heading towards his home for a ladder. Bending down he began to scratch the ear of the dog, which had dropped itself in front of him, stumpy tail wagging expectantly.
“He really likes you Dave. Samson’s pretty choosy when it comes to making friends with people but he seems to have no problems with you. I guess that’s one of the reasons I trusted you last night. It’s not every man I’d let into my home and invite to dinner ten minutes after I’d met, you know.”
Starsky looked up form the dog, straight into the deep blue eyes of the woman in front of him and he felt his heart lurch a little. Hurriedly he looked back down and swallowed before answering.
“I like him too which is pretty strange really, dogs and I don’t usually get on, but he kinda reminds me of Hutch.” He glanced up again in time to see her questioning look. “Loyal to the core, a true friend, there when you need him.” Starsky softly explained. “Same as Hutch, true friends are pretty rare but when you find them your life is pretty rich…don’t tell him I said that though.”
Vicky bent beside Starsky to stroke the dog, quietly nodding her head as she did so. She had only met this quiet man a couple of times but already she could sense a feeling inside herself whenever she saw him. Fervently she hoped that he would allow her time…time to get to know him so much better.

Meanwhile Hutch had obtained the ladder from Starsky´s place
"I hope that it´s long enough to reach the window " He thought. "Beautiful! I´m here climbing this ladder like a fireman, while Starsk is scratching the ear of an ugly dog, and speaking with a pretty girl...Now I just need some black and white to come hereabouts, and a couple of stupid rookies think that I am a thief and arrest me.”

Finally Hutch entered the house and retrieve the keys that were on the coffee table... But the surprises had not ended yet. When Hutch entered through the window a big blond cat, with one bandaged leg, which had been sleeping on an armchair, woke up scared on seeing him. It arched his body ,snorted and jumped on a shelf knocking over a vase with flowers... and the water ended up over Hutch
"Oh!... what?. Damned cat! And now what else?. A snake. Or maybe, a crocodile...?”
When Hutch went out of the house with the key, Starsky and Vicky, were talking and laughing, but on having seen the blond one approaching, totally drenched, and with an angry expression, both became suddenly silent.
"Hutch... I see that you have taken advantage of the chance to take a shower " Starsky joked.
"Vicky, your key " Hutch answered, without looking at his partner. " Since, I suppose, both of you want to know what happened inside, I’ll tell you. There, inside something like a Bengal tiger greeted me, throwing a vase with flowers and water all over me.” Starsky desperately tried to hold down a wave of laughter that was fighting it’s way up from the bottom of his stomach. Hutch glared, and the ice in his eyes along with the raised forefinger, worked to stay the outburst before it could begin.
“Oh! Hutch. You don’t know how sorry I am. That’s Charley. He’s scared of people he doesn’t know... I´m really sorry Hutch" The girl also had to make a great effort for to avoid laughing.
“Don´t worry Vicky. I´m all right. Come on partner. Dobey must have put all the police units on a search for us now.”

Some minutes afterwards Starsky and Hutch, said goodbye to the woman, and returned to the police station
"What did I say to you, Hutch? "
"I don´t know what you said to me Starsk. What you DIDN’T tell me is that this girl lives surrounded by wild beasts"
"Oh! Well she’s a veterinary, and about the cat, Charley, Vicky isn’t her owner. She is only her baby sitter for a few days... You know? She is a wonderful woman Hutch. So cheerful, beautiful, and sweet. Don’t you agree?"
"Hey Gordo! " Hutch looked at Starsky with affection, and putting a hand on his knee said.“Do you like this girl? Really like her I mean?”
"I don´t know Hutch. I like her sure, but ... I think that I´m scared Hutch... Scared for if the day comes in when I can get intimate with a woman.. I mean a special woman, someone I care for. I think you know what ‘m getting at. I don´t know how I can overcome this ...”
"Yes, Starsk, of course.I know what you’re getting at. You think the scars that Gunther´s shooting left in your body is something that no woman could look at without feeling revulsion, or something similar, right? Look partner. We’ve been over this before. All I can tell to you is that not all women are the same and they don’t react the same way. And if some day you have a bad experience with some girl, I think that even though it hurts, It’s just a disappointment. A disappointment, nothing that you can´t overcome, like many times, with your amazing willpower. That I´m absolutely sure of. Unfortunately, in this, I can’t help you much.. I wish I could but I can´t. You know... sometimes you just have to jump right in. To be go for something that you want, and not be afraid. I know that some day you will find a very special woman who loves you for what you are, for your great heart. And this woman will have the best man that she can meet in the whole world.” Damned Gunther! A Thousand times damn!!. Thought Hutch. Not only has he almost finished with Starsky's life, but as well he took his self-confidence. “Let me say something more to you. You have suffered some very tough, terrible months, but with lots of effort and valor, you have returned to life in a way which very few men would have done. I admire you for it. And I´m grateful for God every day for having you with me alive, and healthy again...You have been given a second opportunity. Take advantage of it Starsk. And if maybe you are thinking of Terry, I think that you not should be tied forever to the past. If you like this woman, try it. Ask her for a date. I am sure that Terry would say the same thing to you. You should seize all the happiness that comes towards you, like you have seized your life, because you deserve only the best. Nobody deserves happiness more than you friend.
Besides, Vicky seemed a great girl. She manages to make you smile. Already I like her because of it”
Starsky's eyes, fixed on the highway, were shining now.
"Really, something like this hasn’t happened to me in a long time. You know, Blondie? Yesterday I fell asleep thinking of Vicky. I was thinking of her smile, of her tenderness. I had a lovely evening with her and neither the nightmares, nor the bad memories, came... Uh! I´m afraid that this is getting a little soapy!” Starsky added with a sad smile.
The rest of the day passed without incident and on having finishing his work, Starsky returned to his house. Vicky had told him in the morning that afterwards, she would take a spare key to him... And in the few minutes in which both had talked, while Hutch was retrieving the key from her house, a sweet feeling continued growing between them both.

Later the girl came.

"Hello Vicky, Come in. I can offer to you a cup of coffee, or something?"
"Hi Dave... A coffee would be lovely, thanks...Oh!... That’s beautiful..." Vicky said, looking at one of the Starsky's ship models.
"Do you like it?" He asked giving her the coffee cup.
"Yeah, it's wonderful"
"I made it. It took a few weeks but finally I finished it around a month ago" Starsky explained proudly.
“Wow Dave!...You know, I would be incapable of doing something like this...I´m pretty impatient for this kind of hobby...and pretty clumsy too” Both smiled.
"Sit down Vicky, please" He said removing some magazines from the armchair "By the way. Where is our friend Samson?"
"I left him in the house. I think it’s enough that he throws you to the floor once in the day " The girl smiled "I don’t know what you and Hutch will have thought about me. I leave the door open when I am at home. It´s closed when I am out. I leave the windows open too... I’m afraid that I’m pretty absent-minded. The little concentration that I have, I reserve for my work."
" Don't worry. Hutch liked you very much."
" He seemed to be very cross after what Charley did to him this morning "
"I told you that he liked you... Not that he liked Charley." Both laughed. The fact is that whenever they were together, both laughed. After Vicky gave him the key she had had cut and they had spent a few minutes speaking on trivial topics Starsky remembered what Hutch had said to him in the morning about taking risks.
" Vicky. Do you want to go out to dinner... And maybe dancing with me?" The sudden proposal, surprised the girl a little..
"Now? So suddenly?"
"If you want, why not? I know a beautiful place."
"Oh, well, I... Yes, of course! I´d like that . Just one thing.This time I can only accept your invitation to dinner. Tomorrow I must start work early, at 6 a.m. The surgery where I do my job is open twenty four hours and at sometimes I have to do this shift”
“Okay... But you don’t know what you are missing. You will not find a dancer like me anywhere." Starsky joked
“I´m sure of that...Maybe another day...Well Dave. Give me twenty minutes."
"Okay. Twenty minutes. I’ll pick you up from your place.”
Starsky had to hurry to be punctual, but finally he had sufficient time to take a shower, to change his clothes and to go to a nearby florist's shop to buy a beautifully wrapped bunch of pink roses for Vicky. Twenty minutes later he was at Vicky's front door, wearing his most seductive smile on his lips, and feeling happier than he had felt in a long time. Tonight, he was not feeling tired.
"Dave. Oh my God! They are beautiful. So beautiful! Thanks.. It’s been a long time since anyone gave me roses.. " As she said this a small shade of sadness crossed Vicky's face. The girl took the flowers from Starsky's hands, and softly kissed his cheek..
When Starsky saw Vicky for a few seconds, he couldn’t talk. She was dressed in a velvet dress without sleeves, the same deep blue as her eyes. Her brown curled hair was gathered now in a bun with some soft curls falling on her long neck and her forehead, and she was wearing only the mearest suggestion of makeup. A shawl of black thread, simple gold earrings and black, high heeled shoes completed her outfit. Starsky already thought she was beautiful but tonight, she was more so. She was just shining.Then he said. " Vicky you are so beautiful" In that moment, the girl wished that he was taking her between his arms and was kissing her. She blushed a bit, but finally, managed to speak.
"I am going to put these in a vase. Come in. It will only take me a minute.”
While she was putting the roses in water, he greeted his new friend Samson.
" Hey friend. How are you?... You know, tonight Vicky and I will go out awhile together, but I owe you a long walk in the park . Okay?"
"You shouldn’t say it to him if you’re not going to do it. Samson has an excellent memory" joked the girl.
"I always keep my promises ... "
“I hope...Well. I'm ready when you are Dave.”

Starsky took Vicky to a small and cosy restaurant, and during dinner between both began to feel the same about the other. They were feeling as if they had known each other for a long time. They didn’t eat too much salad and pasta, but they spent the whole evening talking and laughing, gazing into each other eyes... Occasionally hands were rubbed shyly. In spite of being two adult people, and in spite of having had serious relationships with other people, both were feeling like teenagers on a first date.
"Dave. I don’t want you to think that everytime I know a man I go so fast... It’s just with you it’s different, like I know you already. With you there is nothing to hide."
"Well... I don’t know. I don’t like to talk too much about myself, I think that there are many more interesting things, but one thing you are right about Vicky. What you see it is what you get.”
"I don´t want to lie to you Dave. I would like to get to know you better... I don’t know if anything more will come of it, but for now I just want to get to know you."
They talked for a long time during the dinner. Vicky knew that she was with a special man. A generous and tender man, more concerned about others than himself and with a heart full of love to give. Somebody very easy to love. Vicky could see in him a gentle person, half man, half child. Force and tenderness reflected in his eyes of an amazing midnight blue... Besides, she was thinking how very attactive he was...
He saw in Vicky a tender and vulnerable woman who deserved only love, and who believed fully in the kindness of people. A beautiful woman, although her beauty was not exuberant, but soft and sweet, of petite body, porcelain doll face, dark curled hair and dark blue almond-eyes

Later, when Starsky took Vicky home they kissed each other sweetly.

In the days that followed they often went for dinner and to dance, and to watch a movie. Also they went to the park to take Samson for a walk. They enjoyed being together, getting to know each other a little more every day, and a quiet love was growing step by step between them.
Vicky seemed happier that ever, though for some reason, Starsky felt that she was hiding some painful secret. Maybe because she never spoke about her life in N.Y, or of her reasons for leaving the city.

Hutch was feeling very happy and grateful, seeing Starsky living this sweet moment, and was wishing with all his heart that everything was right this time for his best friend. Jenny, besides feeling glad for Vicky, was feeling a bit of pride whenever she remembered, how she invited Starsky to stay in Vicky's home that first night... Finally, her friend seemed to have found a good man, one who cared for her and wanted to make her happy.
One night, after supper, Starsky and Vicky went to a night club. They talked together for a while. Then, in the dance room, the first strains of a smooth and melodic song began to play. Starsky rose from his chair and, holding out his hand to her with a charming smile, he asked Vicky.
"Do you want to dance, Miss?"
"Of course kind sir."
All the time they danced together, Vicky wished that the moment and the song would never end. Starsky held her gentil in his strong arms. She put her head on his shoulder, smelling the fragrance of his aftershave, feeling the heat of his body, hearing his breathing . When the song finished and both looked each other in the eyes, she cried quietly.
"Hey...Vicky..What’s the matter? Why you are crying? Starsky gave his handkerchief to her and they returned to their table.
"Oh, it doesn’t matter. Forgive me Dave. Sometimes I am a little silly"
"Vicky, look at me. I don’t like to see a wonderful woman like you crying without knowing why. My dancing is really that bad?” He joked with his puppy look, getting a weak smile from the girl.
“Vicky. We are going for a walk... And if you want to talk I’ll listen.”
They left the night club and walked silently beside each other and in silence. Then Vicky stopped and after a deep breath, she began to speak.
"Dave. Back then I cried... because I’d forgotten what it was like to be with someone like you. I mean someone kind and considerate and gentle like you, who doesn’t treat to me with hate, worse than an animal and who doesn’t despise me...A man who wants to be with me.. and doesn’t make me tremble in fear just to hear his footsteps... Oh God! I feel so ashamed!”
“No Vicky. You have nothing to feel ashamed about? It wasn’t your fault... We ‘re talking about your ex husband, right ?” Starsky asked standing in front of the girland gently raising her chin to look in her eyes. “Do you want to tell me anymore ?”
Then, as they sat together on a grass bank in the park, Vicky began to tell Starsky the horrible story of her marriage.

“Dave...My marriage was a true hell...He almost killed me...”
After a deep breath, she continued speaking, without looking at Starsky.
“Billy and I met when I was twenty years old. At a Halloween party. He was in his last year of his law degree, and was the captain of the university football team too. He was twenty four years old and was a very attractive and popular boy. All the girls wanted a date with him... But he chose me. I felt so pleased and happy about it! We began to date, and, for a time, everything was well, though I already realised that something in his head wasn’t right. He had terrible attacks of rage, at just the smallest provocation, real or imaginary. Though not against me.... Not yet. Ten months later we were married. My family didn’t like him. Jenny either, but we married!.. Soon I knew that everybody had realized how Billy was, except me... Just three months after our wedding, he beat me for the first time. But it´s not all. He convinced me to give up my career, and began to tell to me that I was good for nothing... And the worse thing is that I believed him...
Soon, he began to date other women. He didn’t try to hide it. He enjoyed humbling me Dave! He kept saying that they were giving him what I couldn’t.
He separated me from my family and friends. Except Jenny, with her he didn’t succeed. Jenny was always there for me.
In a couple of years, he became an excellent criminal lawyer, an authentic shark. And he started mixing with the rich and powerful people of New York.... It was then he began to use cocaine too. It liberated all his demons. Anything that I was doing, or wasn’t doing, it was a reason for him to beat me... He never beat my face so that nobody would know what was happening. Punches, kicks, thrashings with his belt... but never in my face. I didn’t say anything to anybody. Never. Not to my family nor to Jenny, but they all knew that I was unhappy... Though they knew only a small part of the truth. The fact is that only my twin brother knew the whole story some time after. My mother would suffer too much if she knew it... And my father. Well. He has heart trouble, and I can’t speak to him about it.
I’m not going to tell to you all the details of those years Dave. Everything still hurts too much. Only I will tell you that, in one of his beatings, he threw me down the stairs and I miscarried... He killed my baby. He was not a son of love but of hatred and violence...But already I loved him and Billy killed him.

In that year I was feeling so confused and scared... And I tried to commit suicide. With a bottle of whisky and sleeping pills... But maybe Billy had reason, and I couldn’t do anything well...
In one of his beatings, he was close to killing me...And do you know what day it was this happened?...Christmas day!!...I suppose, because of it, I hate Christmas...
And that day, while he was beating me, I was wishing that he would kill me, so I could be free from the beatings, the fear, the pain... I was four days in a coma, and over two months in the hospital with a skull fracture among other injuries. When I came out of the hospital Jenny, finally, convinced me to contact the police but it was useless. Billy had very influential friends. They testified to his favor, and he was found not guilty for attempted murder. Then, finally, we left New York...You know?.. Jenny left everything to come with me. Friends, family and work, because without her help, I couldn’t have done it. One night when I knew that he would come home late, I fled. Jenny and I went to the airport and took the first flight out... Our destination wasn’t important. The only important for me was to get away f rom there. Thats how we ended up here. And how I finished eight years of a horrible marriage and began to live again... To live without fear. Then, Billy asked my family about my whereabouts and he asked Jenny’s parents too, but finally, Jake, my brother, told him that if he ever bothered them again, he would give him a beating that he would never forget... And he didn’t bother them any more
Here I finished my course two years ago Dave, I began work as a vet last year When I left New York, I had nothing. My family helped me, and of course Jenny too. Without her help I would probably be dead by now. She is the best friend that anybody could have. I feel the same thing for her that you feel for Hutch.
Well. Finally, I got my divorce, I did everything through an attorney. I didn’t ask anything from him. All I wanted was to forget... He didn’t know where I was and I hope he never does. My ex husband didn’t make it difficult to get a divorce, because it seems he had a new fiancée and they wanted to marry. God help her!....And, the strange hing is that I still don’t know what I did to him to deserve so much hatred... I do not know what I did, Dave! ... "
When she had finished speaking Vicky was trembling. Starsky had seen and listened to female victims of mistreatment as a part of his job, but never before had anybody close told him anything so horrible and his heart was breaking as he listened to Vicky's words.
He took off his own jacket, and put it around the girl shoulders as he answered.
" Hey, no... No Vicky. You didn’t do anything to him. Nobody deserves to be treated that way. He was a true maniac. He was cruel... But you didn’t do anything to him."
Gently Starsky took the trembling girl into his arms and held her tight. Deep within him a bitter hatred was growing for the apology of a man who had put her through this and destroyed her faith in herself. Starsky swore to himself that he would do everything in his power to give her that back. He cared a great deal for Vicky and that caring was quietly growing into something stronger every time he saw her. Part of him desperately wanted that to continue but another part told him not to let it happen...everyone he cared for died in the end and he didn’t think he could go through that again. What had happened to Terry had all but destroyed him and everything he believed in, and he never thought it possible that he would ever love another again, could go through the pain again. As he held Vicky in his arms though he thought back to what Hutch had said and smiled softly to himself. Maybe, just maybe he could give love a chance again?

As the trembling began to ease Starsky gently released Vicky and held her at arms length. Smiling, the full Starsky grin he spoke softly.
“Come on Vicky, I’m taking you back to my place. We can talk all night if you want to but I want a chance to prove to you that not all men are monsters. I want to show you how a beautiful woman should be treated.”
Vicky said nothing as Starsky put his arm around her shoulders and gently turned her around. All she knew was that for the first time in a very long time she felt safe and wanted. Deep inside she felt feelings she had long forgotten she could feel begin to burn, slowly at first, but then more fiercely. As they walked Vicky knew that they wouldn’t spend the evening talking and she felt a warm glow surround her heart.
The walk to the Torino and the journey to Starsky’s was made in companionable silence as each was lost in their own thoughts. Maybe, if Starsky hadn’t have been so pre-occupied, he would have noticed the car headlights following him, as it was the driver was guided to Starsky’s apartment with no trouble. Killing the engine the stranger watched angrily as Starsky held the door for Vicky then offered his arm for them to walk up the stairs to the door. At the top Starsky paused for a second and glanced around. The hairs on the back of his neck were beginning to prickle but, as he peered into the night he failed to see the dark blue sedan parked well away from any lighting. As Starsky turned back and unlocked the his front door the driver’s hands gripped the steering wheel ever tighter until the veins on the back of his hands began to throb. Hatred burned from his eyes drilling a hole into Starsky’s back as he disappeared into the apartment. Settling himself down to wait he glanced at his watch.
“ Billy my friend, we’ve got him now. You knew that bitch was two timing with some low life but now we’ve got all we need to make sure she never does it again and teach him a lesson about messing with other peoples wives.” The thoughts ran unspoken through the drivers’ head as he fixed his gaze on the closed door.
Still slightly uneasy Starsky glanced up and down the street before closing the blinds and locking the door. His arm slid around Vicky’s waist as he guided her to the couch and sat her down.
“Drink?” he asked quietly.
Vicky nodded and Starsky disappeared into the kitchen to find a bottle of wine. Pausing only to put on some quiet music he returned with the wine and two glasses. Sitting on the floor opposite to pour them both a full glass Starsky suddenly felt disloyal to a cherished memory and his eyes darkened over. Vicky noticed the change and it unsettled her.
“Dave, What’s up? Did I do something wrong?”
Starsky rose from the floor and turned away. “No Vicky… It’s not you. It’s me. I thought I’d got over this but obviously…”
“Got over what Dave? I don’t understand.” Quietly Vicky rose to stand beside the man who was rapidly wearing down her defences and creeping into her heart. “Talk to me Dave, I’d like to help if I can.”
Starsky looked deep into her eyes and, for a while, Vicky felt as though he were searching her very soul. Then he turned away and crossed the room, putting distance between them. He knew he was taking a risk with what he was about to say but he had decided it was on worth taking. If things were going to work between them there could be no secrets and if Vicky left then she obviously wasn’t the right person after all. Squaring his shoulders Starsky began to speak.
“There was someone special, very special, some time ago. Her name was Terry and she loved me despite what I am, what I do for a living and the risks that are involved every time I leave my apartment. Something else though… She accepted Hutch and me, how we work, how we are. She never tried to change that and she wasn’t jealous of it either”. Starsky’s eyes lowered and he stared unseeing at the floor. “She and I should have been married by now, maybe even have a had a kid, I don’t know.”
Vicky watched the man in front of her of whom she had grown so fond and her heart ached for him. She could see the pain in the memories he was choosing to share with her and all she wanted to do was make it go away. She realised that Starsky had rekindled long forgotten emotions within her, ones she thought Billy had killed long ago in her dark past. Quietly she reached out her hand but stopped just short of touching him, not wanting to intrude on his emotions.
“Hutch and I were investigating some store robberies when we got a call to go to the corner store Terry used all the time. When we got there she was laying on the floor with a bullet in her head. Turns out the whole damn stunt was just to get to her. They’d shot her in the head, deliberate, cold blooded and calculated.”
Vicky flinched as Starsky spoke. “Why? What did she do that was so wrong?”
“She fell in love with me!” Starsky’s fist crashed into the wall as his eyes flared in anger. “Don’t you see? It was all a ploy to get back at me. Some guy thought I was responsible for his son’s death so he decided to get back at me by killing anyone close to me…and Terry was first choice. He’d have killed Hutch too if he could have. Terry spent two weeks walking around with a bullet in her head waiting to die just because of me!” Tears were silently falling down Starsky’s face now and he made no attempt to wipe them away. “I can’t let you get close Vicky. Don’t you see? I loved Terry and she died … I can’t go through that again.”
This time Vicky made no attempt to stop herself. Taking Starsky’s head in both hands she turned his face towards her until she could look straight into his eyes, almost drowning in the deepness of the blue she found there. Gently she wiped away the tears with her forefinger then tenderly she kissed him. “Terry must have been a special lady Dave, and if she was then she wouldn’t want you to feel like this. She’d want you to go on living your life, doing the things you do the best way you know how. She’d want for you to love again, knowing that you’d never forget her and would always keep a special place for her in your heart. I’m fond of you Dave and I think, in time, that I could love you. You’ve opened places in my heart I thought were locked for ever and I’m not about to run away from that just because of a madman and a bad memory.” So saying Vicky pulled Starsky into her embrace and held him as he trembled softly in her arms, the tears wetting the back of her neck as his head lay on her shoulder.
It was a few minutes before the trembling ceased and Vicky felt him begin to react to her closeness. Gently and tenderly at first he began to kiss the back of her neck as his hands moved, exploring her back. Pushing in to his body Vicky felt the last of her inhibitions fly from her as her hands began their own exploration. Then his lips found hers and her mind exploded as the warmth and urgency flooded through her. Her lips parted and she was aware of Starsky’s tongue as it explored its way around her mouth, tasting her very essence. Reacting to her own emotions her own tongue darted out and for a while they fought with each other. Then Starsky’s hands found her breasts and she arched her back into it. She could feel him growing against her body and the yearning inside her growing ever more. Suddenly he stopped and held her, looking at her as though for the first time.
“I think I love you Vicky and I’d like to show you how much but only if you really want it. I’d never make you do anything against your will. I hope you know that.”
Vicky could see the need in his eyes and new that he could see the same in hers. Taking a deep breath she answered. “I know it Dave Starsky, I know it and I thank you for it. What I want right now though is for you to show me how love should be, how a man really treats a woman that he loves.”
Still Starsky hesitated, “Are you sure Vicky?” His voice was thick and husky which only served to make her even more responsive.
She nodded, almost imperceptively, and Starsky took her hand gently leading her towards the bedroom. At the door he stopped and turning to look at her he raised his eyebrows questioningly. In answer Vicky stood on tiptoe and gently kissed his forehead.
“Teach me to feel again Davy” She whispered. “Teach me to love as a woman should.”
Smiling Starsky bent and, placing one arm behind her knees and the other around her back he lifted her from the floor and carried her through the bedroom door kicking it shut with his foot. In three strides he was at the side of the bed and gently and carefully he laid her down, sitting down at her side and bending towards her, kissing her lips, with increasing desire, while she was reacting passionately to his kisses and caressing his soft brown curls. While they were kissing each other, with urgency and passion, with hungry kisses full of promises of pleasure and tendernesses hidden for a long time deep in a dark corner of their souls, both began to undress. But suddenly, a cold wind crossed Starsky's mind and he pulled away.
"Vicky...Wait, wait a moment"
"Why, Dave? What´s wrong..
"Vicky. I don´t know how to say this to you... Damn it! Why does this have to be so difficult!...”
"Davy. What’s difficult for you? I don´t understand. You know that you can talk to me... Or maybe it’s just that you don´t want to be with me right now?” Vicky said, caressing his face with such tenderness
“No Vicky. It’s not that. I really want be with you more than anything, but this is the first time... after...Well. I should explain something to you...One year and four months ago I was the victim of a murder attempt..That day I was wounded seriously Vicky and since then I’ve got some awful scars...That maybe you won´t want to see...or to touch.” Starsky now was looking with deep sadness into Vicky's eyes.
" Dave, listen to me, and please, believe me. Never before. NEVER, have I wanted a man as I want you now... It doesn’t matter to me if your body has scars. I know that I feel something very beautiful and special for you, and now, I only want for you to make love to me and I to make love to you.” As she was speaking, Vicky unbuttoned Starsky’s shirt and, as she finished speaking, she began to kiss, softly and lovingly, the places on Starsky´s body, where the bullets had left its indelible marks of pain and anguish on that dark day.

The whole night passed with love, passion and tenderness. Two bodies full of life, enjoying their meeting. Two souls delighted with the unexpected gift of a nascent love, that they were experiencing with every meeting of their skin, only for it to move away and to return again to be finally together in the arrival at the cusp of their pleasure.

The first light of the new day banished the shades of the night, while sleep was flying slowly out Vicky's mind. A sweet sensation of peaceful happiness invaded her as she remembered where, and with who, she was. Starsky was still sleeping and she lay without moving, so as not to wake him. He was surrounding her with his arms, in a softly possessive embrace and her head was resting on his chest. She enjoyed these first instants of the dawn in which his breathing, the warmth of his arms around her body and the beatings of his heart filled her soul with peace. Vicky had never before felt something so intense and just she wanted to wake up next to this tender and kind man, every morning of her life, as too, she wanted to sleep every night between his arms, after embrace his body in search of love and pleasure.
Some minutes later, the alarm clock sounded, and Starsky stopped it after a brief seconds of searching with his hand. Then Starsky´s eyelids began to open, his gaze was focused on the head of the girl who’s brown curls were tickling his chest.
“´Morning sweetheart You slept well? " When she looked at his face, he gave her his most seductive half smile.
"Mmmm" She purred lightly and caressed his shaggy chest. He kissed her lips and the top of her nose with a kiss, soft as a feather, caressing her curled hair.
" Vicky, honey. This night has been beautiful, special. Hasn’t it? "
" Yes, Dave. The most beautiful and special night for me too." They kissed again, but before the kiss could turn more passionate, she separated her lips from his.
" Davy, I would stay here with you all day, but I have to go. I have some things to do this morning. Jenny and I, we have to walk Samson, and to do some shopping together, she doesn’t start work today until 12 p.m., and I at 2. p.m.... Our work shifts are, at times, a little crazy you know.. to have breakfast together, and to gossip a bit on women's things... What dress we would like to buy if it wasn’t so expensive, with what wonderful man we have had an incredible night, and things like that." She said with a naughty smile “And later, I have to be going back to work ... And you too. Your delinquents, and my pets wait for us. By the way. Samson is not going to forgive me for this.”
“You mean that you are going to leave me to be with a few shaggy and ugly pets?"
“Well, I suppose you can put it way " And while was getting out of bed she softly kissed his lips, and headed for the shower, naked and beautiful, with a special shine which only the happiness of love can give.
But this day that had begun in so beautiful a way, would soon show its worst face to Vicky. The girl took a shower and, after only a coffee in Starsky's house, dressed in her blue dress and went home to be dress in something more appropriate for the day, and to take Samson for his walk as she did every morning. What she found there, made her cry out in fear...

continued in part II