STRAIGHT TO THE HEART MY WAY

BY LML

Note: the lyrics to Reo Speedwagon's song "CAN'T FIGHT THIS FEELING" and the music to the episode of Hunter "STRAIGHT to THE HEART" are not mine. No copyright infringement is intended. No profit is being made. Enjoy the story.

After the discovery of the body of Alvin Decker, a suspected arsonist, Hunter decided to take a minivacation. He really didn't just decide on taking the vacation, but both Charlie and McCall had pressured him into it. McCall had entered the precinct that particular morning, finding her partner at his desk, looking like death warmed over. She gave him a piece of her mind, reminding him that he had promised her the night before that he would go home as soon has he’d completed the report. But, Hunter had not gone home, and instead had remained all night, working. She convinced him to go and ask Charlie for some downtime, and she almost had to drag him into the office. They told him that he needed to be fresh for the trial on Monday, so he finally gave in. DeVane had put it to him best when he'd said, "Go fishing. That's an order."

Using the name John Dawson, he booked a reservation at Tann Lakes Lodge, up in the mountains. What he didn't know, however, was that when Charlie had told him to take some days off for some rest and relaxation, he also wanted McCall to go along with him. So, being a good sport about the whole thing, DeeDee approached Hunter on the idea.

"I think it's great. In fact, I think it might look a little better if we leave LA together. What do you say, Partner?"

"I say that's a fine idea, Partner. Do you think the lodge would have any extra rooms available if I call ahead and request one now?"

"Let's just wait until we get there. If worse comes to worse you could always stay with me." After giving her a look that had seduction written all over it, he added with a grin, "I'll sleep on the couch or in a chair."

"You're quite the gentleman, Rick Hunter." Her eyes darted back and forth at him, as if trying to sum up what this man was thinking. "So, where are we going anyway?"

***

Two hours later, the partners were packed, and driving along a stretch of freeway heading out of Los Angeles. Suddenly a little red sports car flew past them. Hunter noticed that the driver of the car was a woman, and DeeDee couldn't help but notice her checking Hunter out as she drove past. She felt a stab of jealousy at the way this woman was checking out her partner and best friend.

During the long drive up into the mountains, Hunter began flipping through the radio stations. After a while, he leaned back and thought for a moment. Then he asked, "DeeDee would you do me a favor? I'd like to hear you sing something. Anything you can think of."

For a moment she looked at him as though he'd gone mad. "Haven't we run this route before? I think it was during the Sally LaPone case a few years back. If I remember correctly, I was going after Vic Teranova."

He cut her off. "Please, please sing something for me." So she finally gave in and began to sing.

"Straight to the heart, you hit the target when your loving eyes took aim. Right from the start, you lit the fire and I fell into the flame. There I was, looking for no one an island in the stream. There you were, just like a vision sailing into my dreams. Straight to the heart, you hit the target when your loving eyes took aim. Right from the start, you lit the fire and I fell into the flame. Yesterday we were two strangers a million miles apart. Now I'm lost living without you; you're all I'm thinking of. They say that nothing lasts forever. But I will remember when we're far apart. Straight to the heart, you hit the target when your loving eyes took aim. Right from the start, you lit the fire and I fell into the flame. There I was, looking for no one an island in the stream. There you were, just like a vision sailing into my dreams. They say that nothing lasts forever. But I will remember when we're far apart."

After she was finished, Hunter saw a small convenient store and pulled into the parking lot. He stopped the car but didn't get out. He just glanced at his partner, and sat silently thinking about what a beautiful voice she possessed.

"Okay, Hunter, start talking. Why are we stopped here if you're not going to get out?"

"I was just amazed at how beautiful your voice is! You're really something DeeDee McCall." And with that he leaned over and touched his lips against her cheek. "You're a woman of many talents, and I consider myself to be very lucky to be here with you right now."

"Well thank you very much. I'm really flattered by that compliment." She reached out and hugged him tightly for only a minute, but she enjoyed it while it lasted.

***

Later on, once they reached the lodge, they were informed by a female clerk that a tour bus had come in with more people than what was originally supposed to be. Hunter looked dejected and hurt. The clerk also informed him that the lodge had made arrangements for him to stay at the Grand View lodge just a few miles down the road. They headed over to the Grand View lodge and found that it looked quite nice. After finding out that there was only one room available, the two partners agreed to share it. The two partners registered under Mr. and Mrs. John Dawson. When they entered their room, they were surprised to find that it was spacious, but it didn't have a couch. When they entered their room, they were surprised to find that it was spacious, but it didn't have a couch.

Hunter helped McCall put their things in the room, and then they both sat down to relax.

A while later they enjoyed a fabulous meal at the restaurant. During their dinner, a woman came over and spoke briefly to them. They recognized her as the driver of the sports car.

"I just wanted to apologize. I knew you were trying to get here and I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

"I'll excuse you if you'll excuse me for what I've been thinking about you, yes." Hunter said with just the smallest hint of a smile. They accepted her apology and continued on with their meal. The night sky was just beginning to brighten with colorful stars when Rick and DeeDee finally returned to their room. Rick tried to insist on sleeping in the large chair in the corner, but DeeDee objected to it profusely.

"Look, Hunter, we're both adults here. I mean we've been in worse situations than this. And besides, we're just sharing the bed. I stay on my side and you stay on yours. How hard can that be for two mature adults who work together?"

"Very." Hunter thought as he pondered her statement. "It can be very hard, especially if one adult can't shake the desire to take the other adult into his arms and just hold her all night long."

But he verbally agreed to the idea, and in no time they found themselves in bed together. Some time later that night he woke out of a sound sleep to a sobbing DeeDee. He reached out an arm and put it over her shaking body.

After saying her name once, he realized that she was still sound asleep. He knew this had to be another nightmare. "She's still having flashbacks?" Hunter let the question run through his mind. Almost a few seconds later she awoke. After staring at him for a moment, she relaxed and moved closer to his body.

"I'm sorry. I don't know what happened. I think I was having a flashback of the rape again."

"It's okay. That sick son of a bitch is dead and he's not going to hurt you ever again. I promise you that." Hunter paused for a moment and then continued. "When did the flashback start up again?"

"They never really went away. I was having them even after Carlos Mariano was sent back to Curuguay. I just keep seeing him attacking me and beating me and raping me all over every time I close my eyes."

Hunter shifted his body and wrapped both of his arms protectively around her. He'd already seen her at her best and worst. After all, he'd been the one to find her lying on her bedroom floor. He just held her to him and began stroking her back and the top of her head.

"Why didn’t you tell me they hadn’t gone away? I’d have been there for you, you know that.”

“I just…well…I just didn’t want to be too dependent upon anyone. Besides, you’d already done so much for me, that I didn’t want to put you out.”

“DeeDee, you asked me at one point right afterward what I would do. You said, “What are you going to do, Hunter, sleep here every night because I’m too afraid to be alone?” I toldyou then that I wouldif I had to.”

“But Rick, I just didn’t want to become totally dependent on you. It wouldn’t have been fair of me to put you through that.”

“I wish there was something I could do for you. I really do. I guess the only thing I can do for you is to just be here for you and not let anything happen to you." He continued to sooth her until she began to relax again. When she was finally asleep, Hunter let the words he'd been thinking to himself flow freely. They came out as whisper-soft as he dared let them with her close enough to hear them. "I love you."

***

Over the next two days, the partners spent their time taking walks along the beach, some fishing, and talking about anything and everything. In the amount of time they'd been together as partners, the two of them had become very close. There was nothing one wouldn't be willing to do for the other. By now it was late afternoon of the second day they'd spent at the lodge. Hunter had been up for a little stroll, so they'd gone earlier that morning. McCall was still gripped by the nightmares of the rape, and each night Hunter found himself comforting her until she fell back to sleep. The two partners decided they were hungry and could go for dinner. They headed for the lodge's restaurant, when the mysterious woman driving the little sports car met them on their way.

"Look." The woman began speaking in a hurried tone. "I know you guys don't know me or anything, but my name is Rena Faral. Someone's been following me for the past day. I don't know who he is, but I know that he's a male, brown hair, blue eyes, and a beard."

Caught a little off guard, McCall said trying to sound confused, "Look, Ms. Faral, I wish we could help you. But what makes you think we are the ones who can help you? Why not go to the cops?"

"Because you are the cops! You're Sergeants Richard Hunter and DeeDee McCall. You're up here from Los Angeles, probably undercover. That would explain the assumed names you registered under."

The two partners just looked at her, trying not to give her any clues from their facial expressions. Finally Hunter broke the increasing silence between all of them. "What makes you think we're cops, Ms. Faral?"

"Because. You are the two detectives assigned to investigate the murder of Alvin Decker."

"Who?" DeeDee asked innocently. She was trying to act perplexed.

"Alvin Decker! He was the person responsible for the murder of a partner in the business called TO THE MAX FASHIONS. Now do you know what I'm talking about?" Rena was becoming more and more agitated by the lack of truthfulness from the two detectives.

Hunter finally asked, "What makes you think this guy Decker is dead?"

The young woman looked at Hunter for a moment and then dropped her eyes so she was now looking at the ground. She took a deep breath and said slowly, "Because I killed him. It was an accident, but I killed him."

***

Hunter and McCall sat in Rena's room, listening to her tell the story of what led up to her killing Alvin Decker. "He and Max were fighting. He'd killed Max's partner, and then had set his warehouse on fire. He was squeezing Max for more money. I don't know how I wound up picking Alvin's gun up, but I know I picked it up and was holding it. The argument must've gotten pretty intense, because the next thing I remember very clearly was Max shaking me. He told me that I had shot and killed Alvin Decker. After he disposed of the body, he said that we should just report the disappearance of his partner and see what turned up. He said that there was no way Decker's body would be found. But obviously it was found. It was on the news three or four nights ago."

"So you're confessing to the murder?" Hunter queried. Rena nodded.

"There's more. Max knew you two were on the case, since Alvin hadn't turned up anywhere, and he gave me a choice. I was either supposed to find you," she pointed to Hunter, "and kill you too. Max said it was either that or he would turn me in to the police as the one who murdered Alvin Decker. But then I saw the two of you together. Max asked me to try and get close to you, Sergeant Hunter. I told him that it was impossible because you were here with a companion, and he told me that I was to find an opportunity where you were by yourself and finish the job."

"But why him? Why were you supposed to kill just him?"

"Because I'm testifying in the trial on Monday. Our good friend Max is linked to those fires isn't he?" Rena nodded her head.

"Just so you know I wasn't going to kill you. I mean I had plenty of opportunities, but I decided not to take them. I don't remember specifically shooting Decker, but I must have. Max had it set up so that I would call him from a payphone nearby. I would call another payphone, which would be the phone he would answer. He told me if I didn't do it that he'd send someone else up here to finish the job."

"Enter this guy who's been following you." DeeDee cut in quickly.

"Look! I know what I did was wrong, but I'm willing to take responsibility for my actions. And besides, doesn't my failure to act on my orders to kill your partner here count for anything?"

Before DeeDee could say something caustic, Hunter interjected. "We'll see what we can do. In the meantime, we're going to have to place you under arrest."

Just then DeeDee thought of something. "Hang on a minute. If this guy has been following her around all day, then we have to consider the possibility that she may be a target. Crane won't want to leave any loose ends."

Hunter agreed and the two partners came up with the perfect plan. They would head to dinner at the restaurant. They would sit close enough to Rena, to see if anyone came up and talked to her. But they would have to stay in a fairly populated area.

***

Nothing happened during dinner. So, the two partners watched as Rena got up from her table and headed into the bar. The two partners waited a few minutes and then did the same. As it turned out, there was a dj playing some music, and then he announced that it was time for some of the people sitting out there drinking to get up and try their hand at singing. Hunter, not being able to resist this opportunity, nudged DeeDee. "Get up and sing. Besides you'll have a better vantage point from the stage area."

At first she refused, but then agreed to do it. She got up and approached the dj. After making her selection, she went over to the microphone stand and looked out over the crowd. The music started and DeeDee began singing.

"I can't fight this feeling any longer. And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow. What started out, as friendship has grown stronger. I only wish I had the strength to let it flow."

Hunter sat at the table just listening to his best friend's gorgeous voice. Rena came over, and under the pretense of asking someone who was sitting alone if she could join him, did so. They noticed how much like a natural DeeDee looked up there, microphone in hand and singing her heart out.

"I tell myself that I can't hold out forever. I say there is no reason for my fears. Cause I feel so secure when we're together. You give my life direction. You make everything so clear. And even as I wander, I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the wind on a cold dark winter's night. And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might." DeeDee noticed as she sang how one guy looked very suspicious. He was staring intently at Hunter and Rena, who were now sitting together at the table. She continued to sing.

"And I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. It's time to bring this ship into the shore. And throw away the ores forever. And I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. And if I have to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door, baby I can't fight this feeling anymore."

Hunter noticed the man staring at them from the bar. This guy was trying to keep his eyes focused on both DeeDee and the couple at the table. It wasn't working. As DeeDee sang the final words of the song, she noticed the man inching closer and closer to the couple sitting at the table. It looked as though this guy was going to take them out right here in front of all these people.

When she'd finished the song, the entire room applauded her emensely. DeeDee calmly placed the mike back on its stand and headed back towards her partner and his company. She beat the mystery man by a few minutes, and as she pulled up a chair to sit down she heard someone shouting.

"Okay. Everybody down on the floor right now! Move!" Everyone dropped to the floor. Hunter and McCall had already drawn their guns and were pointing them at the gunman. Rena tried to dive for the floor with everyone else, but the gunman spotted her before she had the chance. "Don't move, lady!" Rena froze in place.

"Police! Drop your weapon and kick it away from your body. Do it now!" Hunter aimed his gun directly at the suspect's chest as he ordered the man to drop his weapon. McCall's gun was trained on the suspect's head. However, the gunman had his trained on Rena's head.

Realizing that this must be the guy sent to off her partner and Rena Faral, McCall ordered the perp to drop his weapon and put his hands in the air behind his head. He refused to do so, and seconds later two shots were fired.

“Call 911 now!” Hunter’s voice echoed in the room as he looked at the site which lay before him. “Please, DeeDee, stay with me!”

***

Sitting at his desk, Hunter couldn't help but notice how many flowers had accumulated on his partner's desk. He noticed how the lack of McCall's presence was very strange to him. Even though it had been a few days since the shooting, the events were still fresh in Hunter's mind. It had been a pretty bad wound, but not nearly as serious as it could've been. She was due to come home from the hospital today, and he fully intended to be there when she was discharged. As he sat there looking at the flowers left on her desk, he couldn't help but think back to what had happened after she'd ordered the suspect to drop his gun the second time.

When the suspect fired off his first shot, McCall had only had time to drop to the ground. Hunter had shot the man in the chest, killing him instantly. He looked his partner over to see where she'd been hit, and saw that the bullet had lodged itself in her shoulder. The paramedics had been summoned immediately, and McCall was taken to the nearest emergency room.

He let his eyes wander to the growing amount of plantlife sprawling on his partner's desk. He knew that there was an even larger pile in her hospital room. He picked up his jacket and left the precinct. He made it to the hospital just in time to see DeeDee walking out of the main doors and head straight for him. He wrapped his arms around her, gingerly avoiding her shoulder.

"It's great to see you up and around. How you feeling?"

"I feel fine. A little sore, but I'll live. How's Rena Faral doing?"

"She's doing pretty well considering everything she's facing. She's only going to do about twenty-eight months at the most. The judge was very lenient when he found out she'd decided to come to us for help."

"And Max Crane? What about him?"

"He's facing some pretty intense prison time. He's been convicted on the arson charges, three counts of attempted murder, conspiracy to commit murder, accessory to three attempted murders, one count of first degree murder, the attempted murder of two police officers, and on and on and on. Want me to continue?"

"Not really. I think I get the picture."

Over the next few days they discussed a lot of things. First of all, they talked about their relationship and how it had changed. They'd gone beyond the realm of friendship and were headed for something new and exciting. But where did that leave them as partners? They had some choices to make. They couldn't go back to being just friends, not after the amount of time they'd spent together, and not after everything that had happened to them in recent months. DeeDee eventually decided to quit the force and pursue a singing career. Hunter remained on the force, and was eventually promoted to Captain after Captain Charles DeVane retired. Hunter and McCall were married, had a whole bunch of kids, and lived happily ever after.

THE END