{"id":470,"date":"2019-12-23T04:04:39","date_gmt":"2019-12-23T04:04:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=470"},"modified":"2019-12-23T04:04:39","modified_gmt":"2019-12-23T04:04:39","slug":"december-23rd-a-killer-storm-by-dp-patricks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/?p=470","title":{"rendered":"December 23rd- A Killer Storm by DP Patricks"},"content":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note:<\/strong> <\/span>This story was inspired by two of the Friday Fiction prompts on the Starsky&Hutch Fans&FanFictionFaceBook<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/span> site. The challenges were “cold” and “weather related.”\u00a0Thanks, Paula!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dave Starsky sat with his partner, Ken Hutchinson, in the back row of the briefing room. The day shift was about to receive its morning heads-up. The weather forecast was for extremely unusual winter conditions but Starsky didn\u2019t understand why that should\u2019ve caused the tension he felt in the air. He and Hutch had already talked in the locker room about what they might be able to do for their friends who lived on the street.<\/span><\/p>\n

Behind the podium, Sergeant Mayfield cleared his throat, causing everyone to settle. \u201cThe only topic on today\u2019s agenda is the storm that\u2019s headed our way. They\u2019re calling it an Arctic Express and –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Snickers and chuckles filled the room.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield\u2019s normally calm expression turned glacial. \u201cApparently,\u201d he went on, \u201cit\u2019s going to be no laughing matter<\/em>!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The joviality died away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve all got nice, warm homes to go to tonight,\u201d Mayfield continued, \u201cwhile those who live on the streets have nothing. I got in touch with the mayor as soon as I heard the predictions and was able to convince him to open the gymnasiums of three schools. Bay City High, Alan Shepherd Elementary, and St. Francis Elementary will be available to our homeless as of three o\u2019clock this afternoon. The addresses are on your information sheets.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There was the sound of paper shuffling and a lot of muttering. \u201cWhy don\u2019t we just let \u2018em freeze t\u2019 death?\u201d someone stage-whispered.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield must have heard the question because his expression turned sour. \u201cI heard that, Dailey. But this is not <\/em>L.A. We don\u2019t treat our homeless the way they do. We try to help them, instead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn bleeding hearts,\u201d came from a back corner.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield ignored the comment and continued. \u201cYou\u2019d better understand me when I say this, people, today\u2019s activity will not <\/em>reflect Los Angeles\u2019s attitude toward its vagrants. The men and women you\u2019ll be escorting to the shelters are due respect and kindness. Most of them wouldn\u2019t be in the situation they are if they had any options. They don\u2019t! They live on the street because circumstances and life have treated them poorly.\u201d He gripped the edges of the podium and leaned forward. \u201cIf I hear of a single incident of hostility being directed at these people, either in actions or speech, I promise the officer or officers responsible will regret it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The stare turned into a glare. \u201cDo I make myself clear?\u201d When no one answered or made another remark, he nodded toward Starsky. \u201cOfficer Starsky, you have a question?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky stood. \u201cYes, Sergeant. It\u2019s been Hutch\u2019s and my experience that a lot of the homeless guys are veterans and they may not\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch stood up next to him. \u201cWhat Starsky\u2019s trying to say, Sergeant, is that these homeless veterans still have a great deal of pride. They\u2019re not on the street by choice and they have come to look askance at\u2026 help\u2026 when it\u2019s offered.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Askance,\u2019 Officer Hutchinson?\u201d Mayfield\u2019s tone was lightly sarcastic and Hutch\u2019s neck and face flushed. A few titters were heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky put his arm around his partner\u2019s shoulders; he needed everyone in the room to know that, if they were going to make fun of Hutch, they were taking on Starsky, too. \u201cHutch is a college graduate, Sergeant, he uses words like that sometimes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take his point, Officer Starsky, and yours.\u201d The sergeant scanned them. \u201cAnd I believe what he\u2019s telling us is that some of these people we\u2019ll be trying to help won\u2019t want to participate. Is that it?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Sergeant,\u201d Starsky agreed. \u201cNot only will they find it hard to believe, they won\u2019t want to give up their individual spot, wherever they\u2026 live.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSome of them,\u201d Hutch continued, \u201chave actually had to fight for the more salubri\u2026 better locations, such as under an overpass where they\u2019re sheltered from all but the worst weather.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The sergeant nodded and motioned for them to be seated.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky and Hutch sat down. Starsky leaned against his partner, in silent thanks for the support, and was gratified by the return pressure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe storm that\u2019s predicted to hit Southern California tonight,\u201d Mayfield said, \u201cand last as long as two full days, is promising to be like nothing in living memory, so the homeless could die if we don\u2019t get them to a shelter.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo what?\u201d was murmured from Dailey\u2019s direction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky clenched his fist but didn\u2019t say anything. Mayfield had obviously not heard.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sergeant looked around to make sure everyone was paying attention. \u201cOfficers Starsky and Hutchinson are probably right, though. Somehow, we need to assure these men and women that their places of\u2026 residence\u2026 will be waiting for them afterward.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn\u2019 jus\u2019 how are we s\u2019posed to do that, Sarge?\u201d Dailey sneered. He was a hardened officer Starsky and Hutch knew well, and for whom Starsky had zero respect. Dailey was the kind who should have been drummed off the force years earlier but had, somehow, managed to remain. He had even gathered a cadre of narrow-minded, heavy-handed like-thinkers around him.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019d let me finish the briefing, Officer Dailey, you\u2019d find that out.\u201d Mayfield clearly shared the opinion that Dailey had no place on the BCPD but was forced to put up with him. \u201cWhile everyone on this shift, in every precinct, is convincing the homeless that taking shelter in the gyms might just save their lives, the chief has asked for volunteers from off-duty and retired officers. These men will patrol the vacated alleys and underpasses in spare black-and-whites, and try to make sure no\u2026 usurpers\u2026\u201d He smiled at Hutch. \u201cI didn\u2019t go to college, but I read a lot.\u201d His attention returned to the room. \u201cMake sure no claim jumpers move in.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A few good-natured snorts followed this announcement. Dailey and the officers around him, however, had sullen looks on their faces.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The first two men Starsky and Hutch approached went willingly. \u201cSure, Officers,\u201d one of them said. \u201cBilly and me are new in town. We ain\u2019t found a good place to flop yet that ain\u2019t already taken. We\u2019ll be more \u2018n happy to spend a night or two in a nice, warm school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Others weren\u2019t quite as amenable. \u201cWhat are you talkin\u2019 about, Hutch? What\u2019s an Arctic Express?\u201d an old codger asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe s\u2019posed to take somethin\u2019 with a name like that serious?\u201d The second one laughed but it turned into a choking cough.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s gonna get really cold, fellas,\u201d Starsky explained. \u201cRain turning to sleet, then, when the mercury takes a dive, everything that\u2019s wet becomes ice. Including you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt may not snow but your cardboard cartons could turn to frozen mush,\u201d Hutch said. \u201cAnd your thin blankets could become your death shrouds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The second vagrant, his cough now under control, definitely didn\u2019t like the sound of that. \u201c\u2018Death shrouds.\u2019 You got a way with words, Hutchinson.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The two got in the black and white for the trip to the nearest shelter. After they were settled, Starsky and Hutch went out to gather more.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Starsky pulled into an alley where Dailey and his partner, Blaire, were looming over Elijah and Charles, two of Starsky and Hutch\u2019s friends. The homeless men were crouched next to a Dumpster, protecting their paper bags of recyclable cans and bottles.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou heard me, you foul-smelling alley rats,\u201d Dailey snarled, clearly unaware of Starsky and Hutch\u2019s approach. \u201cWe\u2019re not givin\u2019 you a choice. You\u2019re gonna be guests of the mayor and the tax-payin\u2019 citizens of this city for a couple of nights.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Blaire kicked Charles, who had been slow to get to his feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky walked between them and turned to face Dailey. \u201cThe sergeant told us we weren\u2019t to use such tactics, Dailey.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dailey shrugged, his entire attitude exuding disgust. \u201cWhat he don\u2019t know won\u2019t hurt \u2018im.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch stepped up next to Starsky. \u201cAh, but he will know, because Starsky and I will tell him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep, that\u2019s what I figured,\u201d Dailey sneered. \u201cTurn on your own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not my own, Dailey, thank God.\u201d Hutch\u2019s voice was tightly controlled. \u201cYou belong in a museum that exhibits the mannequins of policeman the Twenties tolerated.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTolerated, huh?\u201d Dailey spat, the glob coming close to the toes of Hutch\u2019s polished shoes. \u201cBelieve me, Hutchinson, my type of policeman kept the streets clean! And safe for stuffed shirts like you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re an anachronism, Dailey,\u201d Hutch replied, \u201cand I\u2019m going to do everything I can to make sure you don\u2019t wear that uniform much longer.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah?\u201d Dailey shot back. \u201cYou and whose army?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky laughed. \u201cOh, that\u2019s original. I\u2019m <\/em>his army, Dailey, and you\u2019d better remember that.\u201d He took one step forward so that he was almost in Dailey\u2019s face. \u201cI was in <\/em>the army, you sad sack. I spent eighteen months in Vietnam. I learned more ways to silently kill a man than you can even imagine.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dailey puffed up like a bantam rooster. \u201cAre you threatening me, Starsky?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you want to look at it that way. I\u2019m just telling you that me and Hutch are going to file a complaint against you and Blaire, here, and, if you\u2019re nearly as smart as you think you are, you\u2019d begin filling out your retirement papers before that complaint is investigated. You\u2019ve got more than enough years on the force; you can call it quits with full pension. It\u2019s more than you deserve.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch raised the index finger of his right hand. \u201cDon\u2019t say one more word, Dailey. Get out of here and take this pathetic excuse for a partner with you. We\u2019ll transport these men.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Dailey and Blaire\u2019s expressions promised retribution but they shuffled out of the alley.<\/span><\/p>\n

Elijah was open-mouthed. \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t have angered them, Hutch. Starsky. Those two look like the type who will lay in wait and ambush you some night.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou let us worry about that, Elijah,\u201d Starsky said, making sure his voice sounded confident. Inside, he wasn\u2019t too sure Elijah wasn\u2019t right.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJust take care of each other, that\u2019s all we ask.\u201d Elijah exchanged a silent look with his friend before turning back to Starsky. \u201cIf you and Hutch think we should go, Charles and I will accept the mayor\u2019s kind offer.\u201d He gestured to a collection of cartons in a nearby partially-boarded-over doorway. \u201cDo you think our cribs will still be here when we get back?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCops\u2019ll be on patrol all night, Elijah,\u201d Starsky answered. \u201cWe hope so.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on then, Charles.\u201d Elijah and his friend walked to the squad car.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

After getting Elijah and Charles registered in the gym, Hutch followed his partner back outside.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you say we stop at the station, Hutch? It\u2019s getting cold enough that we\u2019re going to need our overcoats soon.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch rubbed the arms of his uniform\u2019s long sleeves, feeling the definite chill in the air. \u201cI think you\u2019re right, Starsk.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

As soon as they\u2019d grabbed coats, scarves, and gloves out of their lockers and were back in the car, Starsky drove to the next alley on their beat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Three men were huddled around a meager fire burning in an oil drum near the east end. They backed away when the black-and-white turned in but relaxed when they recognized Starsky and Hutch.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the far end of the passage, three squad cars were parked around a group of tattered figures, sitting and prone. They were surrounded by six officers.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShit,\u201d Starsky swore, \u201clooks like Dailey\u2019s collected more of his kind and isn\u2019t paying any attention to what we told him.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch gestured to the three waiting for them. \u201cLet\u2019s get these guys taken care of first, Starsk. Then we\u2019ll come back.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky turned off the engine. \u201cGood idea, Ollie.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch grinned and stepped out of the car. By the time he got to the men, they had gathered around the fire again. \u201cJoe, Bert, Cecil, you\u2019ve heard about the shelters the mayor\u2019s set up?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Joe admitted. \u201cBut we decided we ain\u2019t goin\u2019.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhy\u2019s that?\u201d Starsky joined them, his tone light.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWell, ya see –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

A grunt of pain, muffled by distance, issued from the other end of the alley, interrupting Joe\u2019s words. Hutch put his hand on the butt of his gun as he and Starsky spun toward the sound. Dailey had, apparently, kicked one of the vagrants in the ribs and was drawing his foot back for a second blow.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTake care of these people, Hutch!\u201d Starsky sprinted toward the far group.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch pointed to the patrol car. \u201cGet inside, guys, and stay there!\u201d He ran after Starsky.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky grabbed Dailey\u2019s arm and twisted him away from the man on the ground. \u201cThat\u2019s it, Dailey! You\u2019re on report as soon as Hutch and I get back to the station. You can kiss your badge goodbye after this little –\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Before Hutch reached the crowd, he saw Blaire, Dailey\u2019s partner, deliver a heavy blow across Starsky\u2019s back with his baton. Falling to one knee, Starsky reached behind and took hold of Blaire\u2019s ankle. Standing up quickly and turning, he pulled the ankle with him. Taking a two-handed grip, he jerked the attached leg upward, forcing Blaire to fall onto his back. The heavy wooden weapon he\u2019d used skidded away from his right hand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch picked it up as he slowed next to the altercation, keeping a wary eye on Dailey and the others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky held onto the ankle and pushed it above Blaire\u2019s head. The hip popped out of its socket with a somewhat satisfyingly ugly sound and Blaire screamed. Hutch felt a little pity for the thug-in-a-uniform but total pride in his partner\u2019s action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky must have sensed another blow coming because he didn\u2019t need the warning Hutch yelled. He ducked under the Billy club aimed at his head, pivoted, and landed two quick punches to the paunch of his new attacker.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch was so proud of the way Starsky had handled both cowardly assaults, and angry at the officers who had perpetrated them. His eyes were blazing as he tackled another pair who appeared ready to enter the fray, truncheons slapping into palms. The two stumbled backward and fell with Hutch on top of them.<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the others must have moved in because Hutch\u2019s left arm was snagged and savagely slammed against the edge of a Dumpster. He heard and felt a bone in his forearm crack.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

At the patrol car, Joe, Bert,<\/strong> and Cecil piled in and Joe grabbed the radio mic. \u201cHello! Starsky and Hutchinson are in trouble. You gotta send help!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When no voice came back, Cecil punched Joe in the shoulder. \u201cLet go of the button, stupid!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe did and urgent words followed. \u201c\u2026was that? Say again, Unit Fourteen, what\u2019s happening? Where are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cKey the mic!\u201d Cecil hissed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe did. \u201cThe alley on the south side of Temple, between Eighth and Ninth. Starsky and Hutchinson are gettin\u2019 beat up by half a dozen cops. Homeless guys like us are on the ground. Please. Send help!\u201d He let the mic fall from his fist.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAll units,\u201d the radio voice commanded, \u201call units in the vicinity of the alley south of Temple, between Eighth and Ninth. A report of officers needing assistance. All units respond Code Three!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe and the others jumped out of the car and ran toward the altercation.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Blaire, Starsky\u2019s first attacker, was down, still screaming. The second one was fighting like a demon though, delivering blows to Starsky\u2019s injured back with fists that felt like pile-drivers. Starsky knew a second rib had cracked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The odds were bad and Starsky had no doubt Dailey and these other clowns were determined to do as much damage as they could before help arrived. If <\/em>help arrived. While trading punches with his current assailant, and two others waited for their turn, Starsky kept part of his focus on Hutch.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Hutch, held in a half-Nelson grip, watched Dailey move to stand in front of him, winding up to throw a devastating punch to Hutch\u2019s midsection. Trusting that the guy behind was holding him tightly, Hutch lifted his legs and planted both feet in Dailey\u2019s gut. Dailey stumbled back a few paces but didn\u2019t go down.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch brought his elbows together and slipped down out of the half-Nelson. He spun and brought his head up under the chin of the holder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before he could fully turn back, Dailey was there, swinging his Billy club. Hutch took the blow on his raised, already injured left forearm but, before Dailey could take advantage, two of the homeless men, who had obviously gotten to their feet, grabbed Dailey and dragged him backward.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo you don\u2019t, you bastard,\u201d one of the men growled. \u201cThose two are friends of ours. You ain\u2019t hurtin\u2019 them no more!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch heard sirens approaching. Quickly, he checked Starsky\u2019s situation. His partner was breathing heavily and standing over two prone officers. He tried to hide a wince when he straightened and looked over. Thankfully, Hutch could tell that although his partner was banged up, he wasn\u2019t hurt too badly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSounds like somebody\u2026\u201d Starsky glanced appreciatively toward Joe, Bert, and Cecil, who were standing at the edge of the assemblage, \u201ccalled the cops.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch smiled. \u201cSince this area is where most of the homeless congregate, I suspect they were pretty close by.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The six rogue officers were in various states of sullen, damaged condition, being held tightly by those they\u2019d been abusing. The shoe now being on the other foot was clearly not what they had intended.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Against their will, but at the insistence of the patrol captain who arrived on the scene, Starsky and Hutch were taken to Memorial Hospital where their injuries could be assessed and treated.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m tellin\u2019 ya, Hutch,\u201d Starsky said, \u201cJoe, Bert, and the others shouldn\u2019t just get a night or two out of the cold, they ought to get a medal!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

He and his partner, refusing to be separated, were sitting on adjacent treatment tables — separating curtains pushed back — while doctors, interns, and nurses taped Starsky\u2019s cracked ribs and put Hutch\u2019s broken forearm in a cast.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m with you, partner,\u201d Hutch agreed. \u201cLet\u2019s see what we can do about that at the station.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, they were released, Starsky treating his ribs gingerly, and Hutch grousing about having to wear a sling for a few days and the cast for six weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe got off lucky, Hutch,\u201d Starsky said, on their way to the squad car that had been assigned to take them back to the station.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t I know it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Sergeant Mayfield was waiting for them at the rear entrance, a smug smile on his face. \u201cI hear you two have complaints you want to file.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou bet we do, Sergeant,\u201d Hutch replied.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield escorted them to his office. \u201cWell, I\u2019ll tell you this. Those three men who were brought in in your patrol car, plus the four from the other end of the alley, have already told us their version of what happened. I.A.\u2019s going to have Dailey and the other five up on charges by the end of shift.\u201d He ushered them into the room and closed the door behind them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch sank gratefully into a chair and Starsky sat next to him.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield perched on the edge of the desk and openly appraised them. \u201cGood thing you had your heavy coats on or you both might have been hurt a lot worse.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky\u2019s grin was rueful. \u201cI think Hutch and I realize that, Sergeant.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield nodded. \u201cSix against one, then against two, were bad odds.\u201d He reached forward and shook each of their hands. \u201cI\u2019ll want you to show me that trick I hear you used on Blaire, Officer Starsky.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny time, Sergeant. Is he going to be okay?\u201d Starsky sounded as if he was trying to work up some sympathy but hadn\u2019t quite made it.<\/span><\/p>\n

The sergeant smiled, knowingly. \u201cOh, sure, you only dislocated the joint. He\u2019ll walk again soon. And it shouldn\u2019t hinder any job he might apply for in the future, but I hope I can guarantee it won\u2019t be in law enforcement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky met the sergeant\u2019s eyes. \u201cThat\u2019s good to hear.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan we put the seven homeless men up for a commendation of some kind, Sergeant?\u201d Hutch asked. \u201cThey saved our butts!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Apparently liking the idea, Mayfield got up, went behind his desk and sat down. He picked up a pen and drew a pad of paper to him. \u201cWhat are their names?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch exchanged an embarrassed look with his partner. \u201cUh\u2026 well\u2026 that is\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe only know their first names and nicknames,\u201d Starsky said. \u201cBut Hutch and I are headed for the gym. We\u2019ll find out and let you know.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mayfield jotted a few notes. \u201cDo that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensing dismissal, Hutch got up and opened the door for Starsky. They filed out to their waiting patrol car.<\/span><\/p>\n

As they walked into the gymnasium, chatter stopped and people began clapping. Soon, cheers and whistles were louder than the applause.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch shoved Starsky ahead of him. \u201cWe don\u2019t deserve this, Starsky, make them stop!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky drew him forward with a smile. \u201c\u2018Course we do, Hutch. These people need heroes and I guess we qualify today. We kept them from getting kicked around, after all.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, after they\u2019d shaken hands with, and been clapped on the back, painfully, by every person in the shelter, Hutch sat at a table and took down the real names of each of the seven men who had helped them.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s this for, Hutch?\u201d Joe asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStarsky and I can\u2019t guarantee anything, Joe,\u201d Hutch answered, \u201cbut our day-shift sergeant is going to ask the mayor to approve civilian commendations for all seven of you guys.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Joe appeared to be impressed. \u201cAin\u2019t that somethin\u2019, Cecil? If it happens, I imagine it\u2019ll be a certificate of some sort. They\u2019ll look great on the walls of our refrigerator cartons, won\u2019t they?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe gonna hafta dress up for any kinda presentation?\u201d Bert asked, a disgruntled look on his scraggily-bearded face.<\/span><\/p>\n

Starsky put a hand on the man\u2019s shoulder. \u201cI\u2019m sure the mission has something they can loan you, Albert.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey!\u201d Bert stepped back a pace. \u201cDon\u2019t you two be gettin\u2019 formal on us now, Starsky. We\u2019ve all sorta gotten used to our status as Invisibles. Not sure we could handle any changes.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re just going to have to make the best of it, Bert.\u201d Hutch put all the appreciation he felt into his voice. \u201cBecause Starsky and I consider you our <\/em>heroes!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on, Hutch.\u201d Starsky took the pad of paper and pencil and stuffed them in the pocket of his overcoat. \u201cIt\u2019s getting colder out there every minute. We need to check the rest of the alleys and then get this list to Mayfield.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch stood up and headed toward the doors with his partner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on back here whenever you need to warm up, boys,\u201d Joe said.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll do that, Joe.\u201d Hutch glanced around at the intense faces. \u201cAnd we\u2019ll keep your cribs safe.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks, Hutch! Starsky!\u201d Cecil smiled, gap-toothed but happy. \u201cWe\u2019re grateful.”<\/span><\/p>\n

On their way outside, Starsky carefully put his arm around Hutch\u2019s shoulders. \u201cMaybe this Arctic Express won\u2019t turn out to be such a bad thing, partner.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Hutch instinctively understood what Starsky meant. \u201cThe city needed to realize that these people exist. Maybe things will change for the better.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe can always hope, buddy.\u201d Starsky unlocked and opened the passenger door of their squad car and bowed Hutch in. He hurried around to the driver\u2019s side and slid under the wheel. \u201cLog us back in, partner. We got a beat to patrol and lives to save.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Click on the image to view it larger.<\/span><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Author’s Note: This story was inspired by two of the Friday Fiction prompts on the Starsky&Hutch Fans&FanFictionFaceBook site. The challenges were “cold” and “weather related.”\u00a0Thanks, Paula!   Dave Starsky sat with his partner, Ken Hutchinson, in the back row of … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4,5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-470","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fic","category-gen","category-sfw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=470"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":482,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/470\/revisions\/482"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/advent.starskyhutchcalendar.net\/2019\/calendar\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}