Hit Me If You Can

[Chet Duke]

THATS WRITE BRIAN COLTRANE YOU SAID U WANTED A PIECE OF THIS DUKE, IM WAITING FOR YA. :D

[Brian Coltrane]

Chet, you crosseyed tomcat, I ain't got nothin' to prove to the likes of you. But I don't back down from a challenge from nobody. Especially a Duke.

[Chet Duke]

Talk, talk and more talk. Is that all you can dish out.

*stands on the grass of town square*

You couldnt lead a hefer to water, and if u did she'd make u drink! Come on Coltrane u think u can hit this Duke!

[Brian Coltrane]

*looks around town square* "Dammit, Chet. You want to fight right in front of the Hazzard County Sheriff's Department? Why don't you wear a big sign on yer back that says "bust me" ? Be just as effective. Save you a black eye, too. "

*squares shoulders, letting black jacket hang open. Paces around Chet, keeping both dark eyes fixed on the enemy Duke.* "What's with you, anyway? Most Dukes are happy to milk goats and husk corn. Weren't you any good at that ?"

[Chet Duke]

Naw just thought u wanted one more chance to run and hide but if ur answers no we might as well settle this in the lot of the Boars Nest. That way when im done shinning u up for the black and blue parade I can have me the finest on the house.

*Watches you circle me pathetically, ur runing already, in circles* I prefer working on cars atleast u can make a living doing that, only thing those goats are good for are chops.

*Lights up a cig and blows smoke at you in a midnigh blue sleeveless and black jeans* Race ya to the Boars Nest *Noddes at the white 70' dodge charger titled Ghost.

[Brian Coltrane]

"Nah, you called this venue, and I'm stickin' with it. Right here in the middle of town is fine with me. Besides, we fought in the Boar's Nest once before, and I kicked yer posterior."

*continues slowly circling opponent* "You realize, of course, that the winner of this thing is probably gonna get thirty days or more. The loser might get a nice floral arrangement. "

[Chet Duke]

This place suits me fine, and the only 30 days i got planned is the 30 days u gonna spend recovering. *looks at ur leather jacket* Aint it kinda warm for that?

*watches you walk around and around until my cig comes to an end* Might as well get this started im still gonna get that drink at the nest.

*steps out and stands right in front of u preventing u from continuing to circle* Here let me lend you a hand i think u missed a spot brushing ur teeth! *punches you in the mouth* I ain't like any Duke u have ever met, i start fights the hell with finishing them.

[Brian Coltrane]

*head snaps back with the blow, takes a couple of fast steps backwards, catching balance. Resumes circling, pacing faster, dark eyes glaring*

"Naw, you ain't like any Duke I evah met. Dukes fight for a cause. You fight for the hell of it. "

*pushes up sleeves on black jacket* "You been sayin' how you were gonna get me for a long time. You been walkin' on my shadow for months. And I'll only look over my shoulder so many times, before I decide that some threats can't be ignored anymore. We could have been friends, man....but hell....have it your way."

*with that, suddenly pivots in place, spins body around, and lashes out with a leg sweep to knock Chet's feet out from under him. As Chet goes down, the attack is followed through with a fast drop with one aimed elbow, which is planted directly in Chet's abdomen, driving the air out of him.*

*Keeps elbow in Chet's gut* "That could have been worse, but I'm just tryin' to get your attention. Ready to call it even, Duke?"

[Chet Duke]

*gasps for breath, but manages to hit Brian in then face with a left hand hook but the Coltranes elbow dont give up it presure* Never given up till im beatin to a bloody mess and cant stand up!

*brings a knee up into Brians chest knocking the wind out of him but not knocking him off but hooks him with a left* Sure u could have brought that elbow down harder but you would have hurt urself and went home crying from it!

[Brian Coltrane]

*rolls away, scrambles to feet, gives a hard cough before speaking* "No man....I coulda landed that elbow somewhere else! But considerin' there's genteel folk in this town....I cut you a break."

*coughs again, pacing unsteadily* "You satisfied yet? Nobody needs stiches, so we'd probably both get off the hook with a fine and a day's community service."

[Chet Duke]

No way dude im just getting started, ive owed you this for a long time. Ever since you pinned me by the throat in the Boars Nest you've had it coming to you.

*Gets to feet with a single quick motion while still catching breath* You should feel lucky my knee didnt land somewhere other then it did either.

*low hucks Brian in the gut and grabs him around the neck in a quick, strong head lock poised behind him* Come on Brian i thought you had more meat under the hood then this!

[Brian Coltrane]

*grits teeth* "Duke....you got a lot to learn...."

*Cannot move much due to headlock. Struggles to move forward, but is held fast. That leaves one, risky option.*

*Suddenly propels legs backwards, driving body back into Chet. Hooks one leg behind Chet's ankle, sweeps it forward and out from under the surprised Duke, shoving own body backwards at the same time.*

*175 lbs. of Coltrane lands backwards on top of Chet Duke, who hits the ground hard.*

[Chet Duke]

* 180lbs slam into the rock hard ground, wind is knocked out and coughs deeply. Releases grasp around Brians neck and rolls to one side forcing self to feet.* Dam! *Coughs and holds ribs wondering if any cracked.*

You got...*breaths* more to learn then me! *Swings and hits Brian in the ribs and face.*

[Brian Coltrane]

*Absorbs the blow to the ribs with a pained grunt, and does not dodge the sharp blow to the face. Instead, lashes out with left arm, grabs Chet's right forearm, twisting it and hauling Chet forward with a mighty tug. As Chet is jerked forward, unleashes a heavy, right cross across the Duke's jaw. There is no time for the Duke to react as a second punch is hammered into his gut.*

*With this statement made, releases Chet and shoves him away forcefully, dancing back from the Duke's reach.*

"You've...been practicin'...." *speaks between clenched teeth, sucking in oxygen* "But I ain't lived this long by accident. Get the hell out of here...before I do sometin' I regret."

[Chet Duke]

Is that a threat!? * Gets to feet slowly from ground that I had been thrown to cracks neck when fully standing.* I told you im not leaving, its time you got your ears check might need a hearing aid.

*Plows into Brian knocking him down on the ground and sits on him.*

Here leme help ya with a make-over! *Punches Brian in the face twice then in the ribs pinning him down*

[Brian Coltrane]

"GAH! You @#&*...."

*With the last punch to the ribs, the air seems to leave the black-clad Coltrane, and his body jerks with the spike of pain that bolts through him.*

*There is no movement, except the slow, rolling tilt of the head to the side, a lock of brown hair falling over the temple. The dark eyes seem to lose focus, and they close shut.*

[Chet Duke]

*gets off of oponet and stands a safe distance away and out of reach* Hmmm. That was easy...too easy.

*Circles Brian over looking him carefully.*

[Brian Coltrane]

*No movement comes from the inert Coltrane; there is no reaction to Chet's moves*

[Chet Duke]

*Observing fallin openate, touches Brians side with toe of boot wondering.* Cant believe you have lived this long, this 18 year old Duke just whooped up on you. *Continues to caustiously observe Brain*

[Brian Coltrane]

*At the touch of the boot, there is no immediate reaction. It's not until Chet is done speaking that the black-clad Coltrane suddenly rolls completely to side, reaches out with both hands to snag Chet's leg, and bodily hauls him down to hit the earth.*

"KHEEHAAAAAA! Happy landings, Chet! Just when you were gettin' smug. KHEEHAHA!"

*springs to feet and scrambles back, holding out palms, still chuckling* "Awright, I could have stood over ya with a boot aimed at your adam's apple, but I think we've proved enough to each other. Wanna call it even while we can both walk?"

[Chet Duke]

*prepares to shake Brians hand from the ground, but at last moment grabs Brians arm and brings him crashing to the ground* Whats wrong I thought you liked to fight, specially with and openate like myself!

*in one great motion, elbow lands in Brians ribs and earns him a fresh shinner then rolls to feet* You didnt have me fooled, I kept my distance for good reasons!

[Brian Coltrane]

"....gah....that was...dirty...even for a Duke."

*slowly stands up, looking at Chet with dark, serious eyes* "I do enjoy a good fight...but I ain't gonna put you down for no damn good reason. When I said we could have been friends, Chet Duke, I meant it. But now....."

*shakes head* "I gave you plenty chances to save face here, and you haven't taken any of 'em. So I got no reason to believe you'll ever be satisified by anythin' less than my end. And if you accomplish that, you might go after somebody I care about....like MaryAnne, or Min, or Daney, or anybody in town here who has dared to 'get in the way.' "

*takes a step closer, and the dark eyes hold open the gates of Hell. "I got two ways I can deal with you now. I could kill you as you stand without too much effort, Chet....I've been givin' you room to grow but you don't want it. So it comes down to this."

*right hand flashes to inside jacket pocket , withdrawing a pair of handcuffs* "I'm makin' a citizen's arrest. You hit me first, and that's assault, you polecat. Epecially when ya throw my olive branch back in my face. You ain't gettin' another one."

*opens handcuffs* "You have the right to remain silent. Anythin' you do may be held against ya in the court of law. You have the right to an attorney...."

[Chet Duke]

OK. *Holds wrists out waiting for Brian to cuff em'. But at the last possible moment, grabs Brians wrist and slaps a cuff around it and twists his arm behind his back and slaps the loose cuff on his other hand. *

See ya in the future Brian Coltrane, its been fun real fun. * Walks away towards car leaving Brians hands cuffed behind his back. *

[Brian Coltrane]

"You can run, Chet Duke, but you can't hide! And I suggest you run, you @#%&*#@!!!!!"

[Chet Duke]

*stops half way to car and pivotes to look at Brian* Im not running from you! Im running from the law! You'd be the last person in the world that I would run from because of fear.

*turns away and continues to car*

[Brian Coltrane]

*taunts after Chet*

"BAAAAWK BAWK BAWK BAWWWWWK!! Chicken!!"

"You got no honor, and you hit like Daisy Duke! If I ever so much as see your crosseyed, ugly mug in this county again, I'll use your hide for campin' tent, your hat to water horses with, and your boots for a spitoon! Mah only reee-gret would be that you could only beg for mercy so many times before I got sick of hearin' it! "

*takes a deep breath and hollers out one more thing* "You know what, you don't even ENJOY your fights! You're just out for bloody knuckles, man, and you got about as much wit as a bowl of oatmeal! Well, keep the hammer down, and keep your eyes in the mirror! 'Cause one day, I'm gonna be on your back door so hard, you won't hear the knock!!"

*exhausts lungs, stops triade to breathe* "Khee....damn, I hope somebody caught all that on tape. Heh heh...."

[Chet Duke]

*stops dead in tracks considering choices* ~choices- beat the living **** out of Brian coltrane, go to jail or walk away and face the threat of facing each other again, makes decisions and turns back around and strutes up to Brian Coltrane.*

You want to prove that ur mouth can move faster then ur god damned hands nows your chance!

*takes keys out of Brians jacket pocket and throws cuffs i near by garbage can and turns back to Brian*

[MaryAnne]

Unbeknownst to Brian and Chet, they had an audience. MaryAnne had stepped out of the courthouse and taken a seat on the hood of Maverick, who was parked at the far corner of the street that ran infront of the courthouse, putting her closer to Cooter's garage. Neither Brian or Chet would immediately notice her, but if they looked they couldn't miss her either. She didn't call out to them, didn't draw any attention to herself, didn't do anything to let them know she was there.

But she was pretty sure she wouldn't have to...

[Brian Coltrane]

*freshly freed from handcuffs, pauses to rub wrists* "Mighty neighborly of ya to take those things off, Chet. But that tender gesture don’t change things.”

*adjusts jacket collar, gives a dark-eyed glare* "I've tried callin' it a draw. I've tried makin' peace. I'm not kiddin' about bustin' your posterior, either, if it's the only way you're gonna see the light.”

*steps back, takes a stance* "I know why I got into this fight, but I can't figure what the hell you wanted out of this. I THOUGHT I knew what you wanted…I was wrong. All I can do now is guess your true motive."

*voice drops low* "If you're fightin' me because you want to prove that you're the badder bad guy, or that you're the bigger jerk, or the crown prince of outlaws...."

*waves fingertips in a “come and get it” gesture * "… you'll have to finish this thing, Chet Duke, and finish me along with it. Then, you’ll be on top….until someone bigger, meaner, and uglier than you comes through town! Who knows…maybe by then you’ll have some people here that you care about…and you’ll figure out that you’d do anythin’ to protect the place you call home, and the people you call kin, and the friends you’ve got. Yeah, just when you think you’ve got it all….somebody’s gonna give you a challenge you have to answer. And if a cop hasn’t already taken you down…somebody like your own kind WILL.”

*snarls through teeth* “But right now, I’m in your way, man. I’m the only thing standin’ between you and your next step to hell.”

[Chet Duke]

* looks at Brian while taking a couple steps back and pondering the words of the Coltrane. Why dont he not believe that he could win against me?*

What will you do if i chose to surrender now? Still teach me a lesson I wont forget? Wouldnt blame ya if ya do. But Im done here, your right I did come here for 'bad guy status' and its clear now who the better bad guy is. You second thought everyone one of my moves, you were always one step ahead.

*noddes head continueing to back away towards Ghost, eyeing MA slightly.* Im a green horn you may say but I know all too well whos going to jail and who aint!

*stops backing away towards car and glares at Brian with good brown eye and blind right slate grey eye, trying to itimidate him in backing off, one last time.*

[DaneyDuke]

Daney quietly joins MaryAnne. A worried expression, having observed all of the fight and heard the last exchange words between Brian and Chet.

[Brian Coltrane]

*high-shouldered stance does not relax, nor do the dark eyes change thier hard expression. The readiness for battle without quarter is evident in the clenched fists, the twitching nerves. *

*Watching the enemy Duke back away, and hearing Chet's speech, does not release the black tunnel of trigger-vision, does not quell the adrenaline-fed fire in Coltrane blood.*

*Instinct wars against intellect for several heartbeats. To purge a threat...to protect others...to repay ill deed....there were so many reasons to fight, and no reason to hold back. Only now, it would be beyond a fight. If it started again now....there would be only one conclusion.*

*Finally, the response is spoken.*

"You thought you'd gain somethin'....by takin' somethin' away from somebody else. Didn't you.....just like every amateur criminal that ends up bleedin' his life out in an alley for a stolen car stereo. You fool. You absolute fool...."

*clenches fists, chest heaves* "You thought you'd make your mark by puttin' me down. You figured the shortest road to the big time lead right through me, DIDN'T YOU!!"

*the raised voice carries through the town square.* "You can't make somethin' of yourself, by ruinin' somebody ELSE! DAMMIT MAN!!

*pauses, breathing through teeth, flexing a fist* "You coulda had my friendship...but you weren't ready for it. You refused it. You about kicked me in the teeth for offerin’ it! So you leave here as my enemy, Chet Duke. Enjoy the dividends."

[countrygirl1986]

Hilery walks up to maverick from wihtin the garage while finishing a tub of popped corn adn sipping a root beer. 'One interestin' fight. Didn't think Chet would call a draw... Didn't think Brian would offer one either. I think by the end of the fight, Chet got some of Brians commonsense.... which ididn't think he had. I thought he was all for chriminal mischief. I hope eventuallyl they have an olive branch... eventually. Probably won't ever happen anytime soon..." Hilery says in a very low voice so only Maryanne and Daney can hear. "If i'd have noticed you guys earlier i'd have offered some concessions." she added before sitting down on the curb infront of mavrick. "So, waht'd you guys think of the fight?" she whispered, knowing neither Chet nor Brian could hear her from across the town square.

[MaryAnne]

"I wasn't very impressed. Infact, I'm rather disappointed. I can't believe that Chet thought the only way to gain "status" as a bad guy was to take Brian out. What the hell is this county coming to anyway? Doesn't anybody wanna work for anything anymore? I really hate to think I've spent 7 years of my life, workin' and bustin' my ass just so I can witness this..."

Slides off the hood of Maverick and paces in the road for a moment. Turns back to Daney and Hilery. "Nobody in Hazzard history has ever...EVER tried to take another person out in order to assume their status. Never. Every single one of us got where we are today by working, creating and writing, writing, writing. I imposed martial law on this town. I locked it down for 72 hours and we get that..." Gestures towards the square. "Obviously my methods of law have become archaic, considering it's gotten to this point." Continues to pace back and forth infront of Daney and Hilery. "Obviously jail time is no deterrent. Imposing fines hasn't worked either." Stops pacing and looks towards the courthouse, the American and Georgia flags waving in the breeze. "I think it's about time to impliment some radical reforms...."

Turns back to Daney and Hilery. "What Hazzard needs is something to do. I recognize that people get restless therefore, I'm gonna start comin' up with stuff folks can do...."

[countrygirl1986]

"You mean stuff that's challanging? I think that was what that was halfly about besides settling old scores. I think Chet was lookin' for a simple challange ... one he knew he couldn't win, but would try anyway. I myself ahve done that. But please, make the stuff fun adn challanging." Hilery smiles. "Until then you could slap them both with communty service... and perhaps dress them in white or pink or both..." HIlery says then realizes she said the last part aloud. "Oh well. Didn't mean to say that last thing... but hey, they keep trying to be tough, well, how tough can a guy feel if he's weraing feminin colors... and i don' think brian would be caught dead wearing white. But either course of action, so long as it don't affect me too much, i'll back, concidering it's not very comforting watching 2 of my friends fight even if they are enemies, even if it was entertaining. I just wish they'd do an olive branch and be friends. I mean, two heads are better than one if your gonna rob the bank or cause criminal mischief because four eyes are better than two." Hilery shruggs. "I think they'd do each other better as friends instead of enemies."

[Chet Duke]

(IM SORRY HILERY DAVENPORT)

*just stairs at Brian, knowing how badly discraced and disrespectfull the actions had been* Cant fight you anymore, cant fight anyone anymore.

*pulls jack knife from belt and pops it open* ive tried willingly leaving this place, but every time i leave it always calls my name! This time i leave im never coming back no matter how hard this place calles my name. For your sake Brian, Im glade your such a good person, but dont try to stop me from leavin, dont have any thoughts of it. *Shakes knife at Brian threateningly*

*turns and makes a run towards the white car, attepting to make one last escape from the eyes of the law.*

**BALLADEER**

Chet duke makes a dash for Ghost making a leap over a park bench. At the last second Chet Duke catches his foot on the park bench and comes crashing to the grassy hard ground. The knife in his hand gowging deep into his upper chest just below his throat.

Chet lays still for a short moment then rolls onto his back with his left hand on the handle of the knife. Crinsom blood stains his blue shirt and he squints his eyes shut in pain. His breathing becoming hard and rasping.[/code]

[countrygirl1986]

Hilery drops everything that is in her hands and screams at the top of her lungs. In a hurry, she gets up and runs over to the young man, her best friend. "Chet!" she yells crying and sobbing. "Quckly, someon call an ambulance," she cries. She knew if Chet survived this he'd need psyiciatric help.

[DaneyDuke]

*Daney gasped. A deer in the headlights expression came over her pale face at the unexpected turn of events.*

[Brian Coltrane]

*Having watched Chet's run for escape, and having witnessed the fall, hurries over to where the Duke lies wounded...*

"Aw, man...." *speaks quietly, sinks to ground on one knee to examine wound....sees Chet clutching the knife, which is imbedded deep in the Duke's own body; hears the painful breathing*

*thinks about what was, and what might have been...and though there are no regrets between bad guys....a gesture is made....*

*Reaches out, clasps Chet's right hand...the dark eyes of a Coltrane look to the pained eyes of a Duke....and there is no hatred.*

[MaryAnne]

*after calling for an ambulance on Maverick's CB, MaryAnne tossed the mike back into the car and hurried over to where Chet lay. She stood over Brian's shoulder and looked down at Chet and quietly placed her hand over her mouth. After a moment, she knelt down next to Hilery, touched Chet on the shoulder and softly spoke a prayer...*

"May the Lord support us all the day long,
till the shadows lengthen,
and the evening comes down,
and the busy world is hushed,
and the fever of life is over,
and our work is done.
Then in his mercy
may he give us a safe lodging,
and holy rest and peace at last....

Amen..."

*MaryAnne closed her eyes and bowed her head* "Chet, I'm sorry..."

[DaneyDuke]

"Hilery, I am sorry." *Daney grabbed the young Davenport woman in a hug, and glanced down at Chet with tears of sorrow and regret.*

[Chet Duke]

*Looks up at Brian squeezing his hand tight, it felt good to shake that hand and become in piece with the person on the other end.* Thanks...Brian...and all of you...

*closes eyes and swallows away a rush of pain taking a deep breath and letting it out. Opens eyes and looks at Hilery.* Sorry Hil...

*lets out a deep sigh and squints eyes shut letting loose grip on Brian's hand...*


(Thank you, all of you. Please dont feel that i have ended this way for any reason other then this is my choice, sometimes sad endings are good for the start of new beginnings. Thank You my friends I have enjoyed hazzard and i couldnt imagine all of you any other way. Keep dreaming...

~CHET HUGH DUKE...June 20th, 2003~ )

[Brian Coltrane]

*Feels Chet's hand go slack and slip from grasp....*

"Chet.....!"

*as the last breath stills in the Duke's body....bows head a moment, giving a silent farewell.*

*slowly stands up, backing away from the body, allowing others to vent their grief....*

*....and reluctantly, raises dark eyes to look across Chet's body at MaryAnne...*

[essyjane]

*Essy comes out behind a corner and bows her head*

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[DaneyDuke]

*Daney wiped her tears and let go of Hilery. She stooped down and gave Chet's left shoulder a light squeeze. She paid a proper goodbye to him, by humming a few lines of a Garth Brooks tune before standing up and looking at Brian and MaryAnne.*

[countrygirl1986]

"no..." Hilery cries. "NO!!!" she repeats, screaming taht time. The sight of Chet taking his last breath was traumatic to her. She quickly broke away from teh group and began to run. She ran all the way to teh Garage and into the parking lot behind. The young woman then jumped into her car, Jumper. With teh gas floored, she bolted into the road, and sped out of town, well over the speed limit. Her blue eyes were blurred with tears as she cried. She needed to be alone to think, but she also wished someone would come after her. Hilery wasn't in her right state of mind at all, and could barely see the road as she put the pedal down. Chet had been her best friend, her compadre, her compatriot. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

(sorry I wasn't on to post earlier. I went to the movies to see 2 fast 2 furious)

[MaryAnne]

MaryAnne was about to say something to Brian when Hilery suddenly took off. She watched Jumper squeal out of the square.

"Aw man, she ain't in no condition to be drivin'!" MaryAnne ran to Maverick and jumped into the Firebird, pulling away from the curb. The 'bird tore out of the square and out the road Jumper had disappeared down.

After a moment, MaryAnne saw the teal colored car and she floored the accelerator, bringing the Firebird up alongside of the Shelby.

"Hilery! Slow down!"

[DaneyDuke]

Daney watched MaryAnne take off after Hilery. She was torn between staying with Chet and Brian till the ambulance came or helping MaryAnne try and get Hilery back.

I'll let MaryAnne handle it. Daney decided quietly and then walked over to Ghost to inquire on the Hazzardnet where the ambulance was.

[Brian Coltrane]

Brian felt his blood go cold at Hilery's grief, and he watched, shocked, as she tore from the town square.

MaryAnne's full-throttle pursuit of Hilery was more than that of a concerned friend. She responded to Hilery's departure with the rapid reflexes of a cop trying to avoid another disaster...

...and it took Brian only a few seconds longer to realize that Hilery was upset enough to destroy herself unintentionally. If that happened, he would never forgive himself. His fight with Chet had already cost too much.

After a sorrowful glance at Chet's lifeless body, Brian flicked his dark eyes to Daney, but she had already sensed the situation and seemed willing to stay by Chet's side. Brian gave her a quick nod, then ran like hell for Diablo, firing the black Chevy up with a tremendous roar, screeching from the curb to follow the path Hilery's mad flight had taken.

Maverick's blue tail was a short distance ahead, and the reckless pace was pressed a notch higher as Diablo came closer to the two roaring vehicles. "Hilery, Chet wouldn't want this...." Brian muttered, his thoughts half a prayer, half a plea....

[countrygirl1986]

"I"m not going to slow down Maryanne!" Hilery yelled and pushed the gas pedal down even further on spite. She was angry, and she was upset, and frankly, didn't care anymore. Her vision was still blurry, and she was still crying. "Catch me if you can..." she whispered to herself, gripping the stearing wheel. THis should have been Chet's race, not her own.

[MaryAnne]

MaryAnne watched Jumper pull ahead of her a bit and she shifted Maverick into his top gear, bringing the bird back in line with the Shelby. The two cars went through the broad turn, side by side and MaryAnne pushed Maverick for everything the V8 could give. The blue Firebird screamed past Jumper and drove ahead, pulling infront of the Shelby. MaryAnne let off the gas, slowing down and forcing Hilery to slow down or plow into Maverick.

[Brian Coltrane]

Seeing this unfold, Brian gunned Diablo and then slammed the brakes, turning the wheel and sliding the long black Chevy behind Jumper, boxing in the Shelby between Diablo and Maverick. Dust billowed up and clouded over the three cars....

[MaryAnne]

MaryAnne got out of Maverick and went to the driver door of the Shelby. She pulled it open. "Hilery," she said gently. "C'mon now..."

[countrygirl1986]

"No!" She yelled and took a swing at Maryanne, which was easily missed. Hilery fell to the ground and placed her face against ehr arms adn layed sobbing against teh dirt road. Her body shook like crazy with every sob. "Why did this have to happen," she asked the two coltranes between sobs. "It didn't have to, CHet was so young." she winned and then began to cry even harder. "He was practically my brother." she mumbled as she continued crying hard.

[DaneyDuke]

Daney threw the cb mic back on the floorboard of Ghost. “Dammit,” She muttered under her breath. The dispatcher had informed her that the ambulance had unfortunally broken down. And another one wasn’t available for several minutes.

The town square was unusually deserted... Daney glanced around and walked back over to the younger Duke.

She sighed, stooped down and looked him over. The brunette shook her head, a shiver went up her spine. Thoughts were a mixture of shock, denial and grief. Daney had tried her best to be a friend to Chet and Hilery just as she had been to Brian, MaryAnne, Kristy, Min, Val, Essy and others.

They had all lost someone who couldn’t be replaced. Chet wouldn’t grow, learn and experience like the rest of them had and still were.

Daney reached her hands out. One brushed Chet’s shoulder, the other touched the wound. “Hilery is really gonna miss ya. We all will-” she paused. Her hazel eyes grew troubled knowing how close the twosome had been. She prayed silently.

She sat and cried until the roar of car engines and a siren wailing filled the air.

[MinDuke]

"It's all right Cousin."
Daney lifted a tear stained face over her shoulder to see her cousin standing behind her. Min knelt down, touching her back lovingly.
"Come here."
Daney wiped her eyes with the heel of her hand. "Chet's gone."
The two women embraced, Min rubbed her cousin's back, fighting her own tears.
"I know." She squeezed her eyes shut, hugging her cousin.

[Brian Coltrane]

Back at the roadside where Hilery wept, Brian heard the pain in the young woman's heaving sobs, and it broke his heart. He knew that if he and Chet hadn’t fought, Hilery's friend would still be alive....

Slowly, Brian knelt down next to Hilery, and gently touched her shoulder. The thought that he was responsible for Chet's death, albiet indirectly, could not be driven from his mind. Brian had cost Hilery the one person in life she was closest to, he knew there was nothing, absolutely nothing, he would ever be able to do to make this right.

Never, during his time in Hazzard, had he been involved in someone losing their life. He took pains to behave in this county; MaryAnne and Rosco had trusted him enough to give him a home here, a life away from the Atlanta Syndicate, away from his own past and the misdeeds in it….

...and now, here at his feet, was the result of his battle with Chet. Brian remained the number one bad guy in Hazzard...but a life was lost, and the fact it was an accident did nothing to ease Hilery's tears....

...and did nothing to ease the guilt in Brian's soul.

"Hilery...." he choked out, trying to reach through her pain. "Hilery...c'mon...let's get you somewhere safe. Please calm down….we’re gonna help you….please don’t cry so hard….”

Brian bowed his head, and his eyes shut as Hilery’s tears spent themselves. “...Forgive me...” he whispered inaudibly, and whether he was speaking to Hilery, or to MaryAnne, or both, was uncertain.

Finally, he lifted his face to look at MaryAnne, dark eyes meeting blue…and in that moment, the weight of it all was too much, and he blinked back the moisture as it sprang to his eyes. His throat tightened and he tried to speak, but there was nothing to be said….nothing that would make Hilery feel better or bring Chet back.

Most of all, there was nothing to ease the memory of that one, fleeting moment, where he had grasped Chet’s hand and felt the weak clench in return…and in that moment, two enemies, Duke and Coltrane, had gained peace…and with it, the first chance of friendship…

…and as quickly as it had come, it was lost forever.

His vision blurred, and Brian looked away.

[MaryAnne]

MaryAnne was kneeling beside Hilery as well and her own eyes weren't very dry. She could feel Hilery's pain and Brian's guilt, especially when his dark eyes turned up to look at her. The deputy in her, however, knew there were some things that needed to be taken care of. The first of which was getting Hilery back to town safely.

"Hilery? C'mon, I'll take ya back to town, to the garage. We'll have Cooter come out and get Jumper here. I don't want you drivin' any more today like this, ok?" She tugged on Hilery's shoulder eventually getting the young Davenport to pick herself up off the ground. She stood up brushing tears away and MaryAnne put an arm around her shoulders. "I know it hurts, Hilery, but ya gotta stay strong. Ok?"

MaryAnne looked at Brian. "Wait for me at the courthouse..."

[Brian Coltrane]

At MaryAnne's softly-spoken command, Brian gave a downcast nod and turned away. He knew Hilery would be alright in MaryAnne's capable care; his own presence, however, was unlikely to offer any comfort.

Diablo's motor rumbled as the long black Chevy pulled away from the scene. Brian knew the instructed destination of the courthouse wasn't a random selection on MaryAnne's part. He was fully aware of what it implied.

There were a number of different roads that he could take, a number of evasive options that briefly crossed his mind out of habit.

But as he looked in his rear-view mirror and saw Hilery standing there, wiping tears...

...there was no thought of disobeying MaryAnne. None.

[countrygirl1986]

Hilery took a seat silently in the passanger seat of Maverick, and placed her head back on the headrest. Within seconds she was asleep, her emotions having worn her out. Not long having fallen asleep though, she kept seeing Chet's death time and time again in her mind. The memory was horifying. There was no need for Maryanne to wake her up though because she jerked herself awake after they were mid way to town. She had awaken in tears.

[Chet Duke]

(sorry)

[MaryAnne]

Justice, however, knows no time warp....

Please see the County Legal Notice.