pendragon1980

Burnout Chance's exhaustion while stretching herself between the Capital City ER and her own practice plus a heartbreaking accident causes Chance to emotionally lose it. She rips into the Dukes for being heros for kids who copy their dangerous stunts, and then gets drunk and wrecks her own bike. Guest starring Hawkeye Pierce. ------------------- "on three. One, two, three." Chance and the emergency room team lifted the two hundred-ound man from the gurney to the table. Well trained, they move in synch, almost a blur of motion as she called out orders. "Intubate him, Mr. Turner." Chance knew the large male nurse was well trained, but she still watched him as the another nurse cut away the bloody, tattered jeans of the unconscious man. As she watched, she stored vital signs in her head, relied order to the others, her own hands worked swiftly and all the while wondered what on God's green Earth she decided to take a part time residency at Capital City ER. Turner was shaking his head. "Motorcycles. Hello Death. Dr. Walker, you don't see how to came ride of the those things all the way from Hazzard after looking at a guy in this shape." Chance didn't even look up. "At least he was wearing a helmet, although he SHOULD have been wearing full body armour.". She let out a short breath as the tube slid into the patient's throat cleanly. "Intubated. OK, folks, let's get blood gases, toxiclogy. Smells like this guy been partying." Although she was working fast, Chance's hands were steady. her job was to piece the patient to together fast and get him up to surgery. Quickly, efficently and, most importantly, alive. "Call the OR, tell what them what we got coming up. Contusion, lacerations, a major concussion and dislocated shoulder." Chance's voice was tense but the nurses never questioned her order, part time or not. === Over three hours later, Chance left the OR. That patient would be walking, riding and probably drinking again in a matter of weeks. She leaned against the OR walls, and sighed tiredly, thinking if she had never felt this exhausted before. Between her practice in Hazzard and now this job in Capitol City, she had gotten about 4 hours sleep in the last 24 hours. She had been told she would only be working a shift a week, just enough to add some badly needed income to keep her office flourishing, and on call for another shift. In truth, the last two weeks, she had been working almost 20 hours a week, plus fulltime at her own office, and driving time to boot. Chance closed her eyes and demanded herself not to think about it. She could use the practice in major surgery, she didn't want her skills wasting in the relatively calm town of Hazzard. *If only they can see me now.* She thought wearily, glancing down at the the ugly pea-green scrubs her was wearing, her surgical mask still hanging around her neck, a far cry from her usual jeans and tshirt ensemble. she had only been in Hazzard a matter of weeks, but it already felt more like home then the rush of the big city, although she had been born and bred in Atlanta. And right now, home is where she wanted to be. In bed. Asleep. Walking through the ER, she blocked out the mutitude of sounds, from medical machines beeping to the buzz of conversation of the medical staff. Chance signed her timesheet and clocked out. She was just about to head to the lockerroom to change when a familar, yet hardly welcome, voice rang up. "Hey Doc, going back to Hicksville?" Dr. Leonard Becker called out from the desk. Chance was really not in the mood to deal with the chief resident. He may be one of the most talented surgeons in Capital City, but he was also a world class pain in the butt. "When you gonna stop tending cattles and cornpones and come back to real medicine?" "As least the company's better, Leo." Chance snapped back. Which caused a round of snickers at Becker's expense. Chance didnt even stay to hear, it was time to go home. === On the hour drive back to Hazzard, Chance steered her red Honda motorcycle over the various twists and turns on the country backroads and thought about the vast differences between Hazzard and the city. As she neared the Boar's Nest, she decidied Dr. Becker could have his "real medicine" and shed take cattle and cornpones anyday. Chance pulled into the parking lot of took off her helmet. She should really go straight home but she was hungrey and not in the mood to cook. Pushing open the door, she was immediatly greeted by Daisy Duke. "Chance, honey, you look awful!" "Thanks, Dais, I can always count on you to cheer me up." The bar was fairly quiet, so Chance sat down and Daisy got her a cup of coffee without Chance ordering it. Chance smiled gratfully and sipped the strong brew. "So I was operating on this kid today who got jumped by three thugs and robbed and he looked up at me and says 'Doc, you look terrible!'" Daisy grinned, as tired as Chance was, her wit as as sharp as ever. "Luke was looking for you last night." Luke, Daisy's cousin, and Chance had started dating soon after Chance arrived in Hazzard. "Did you tell him I was staying up with Mrs. Crafton with her twins until their fever went down." "Yes, and he said something about you perferring to be with sick people than him." "Tuff Tonsils, I had a job to do. By the way, Daisy, Great Coffee. I am having a bust made out of your head, or, possibly, the other way around." "You just take care, hon." With a smile and a wink, Daisy turned back to the other tables. "And get some rest." Chance inwardly shrugged, she knew she must look like death warmed over but hardly anything she could do about it. She had patients to care for and a medical practice to run. ***

Luke squeezed her hand slighty. "You sacifaced yourself for someone you love. There is no failing something like that." Angel wanted to kiss Luke for his kind words, but the bars of the cell prevented it. Instead she pressed two fingers to her own lips and then to Luke's. Smiling softly, she said "Luke, Bo, You have to promise me you won't let Steph do anything to endanger her own safety or freedom." "But.." "No Buts. I would rather spend the rest of my life in jail then see that little girl hurt." Before either of the Duke cousins could response to that, Corbet returned. "Alright, plowboys, visiting time's over. It's my turn to chat with the little lady." "I told you before, she doesnt want to talk to you." "But she might be interested in listening." Angel caught the warning in Corbet's tone. "Luke, I'll be alright, he cant hurt me from inside the cell." Luke didnt look happy about leaving, but he and Bo did, joining Steph upsides. "Still not talking to me, Angela? Or should I call you Angel?" "Only my friends call me Angel." "Oh? and What does Luke Duke call you, I wonder?" "Shut up, Corbet and leave them alone." Corbet smiled coldly at his niece. "You were always the protective type. You would NEVER let anything happean to someone you love, esp Steph." Angel breath stopped as she got his meaning. "Corbet, you wouldnt dare! You wouldnt risk your own career by harassing your own niece." "You're right, I wouldn't but i know plently good ole boys in the area that would let to make a buck or two, and getting to push around your pretty little sister would probably be a bonus." With that, Corbet stood and turned to leave. "Corbet! Wait!" "Too late, Angela. You had your chance to cooperate. Now's let see if your sister has more brains than you do." "Steph doesnt know anything." "We'll see about that." Still smiling, Corbet left. Angel grasped the cell bars with both hands, never feeling so trapped, so powerless in his life. "CORBET!" But it was useless, he was gone. Angel plowed her hands through his hair. She could'nt let this happean. But by now, the Dukes and Steph were on their way and Corbet thug probably was too. She was locked up and couldnt help, couldnt even warn them. Grabbing the bars, Angel shouted "Enos!" The deputy came running down the steps. "You OK, Angel?! I aint never heard you hollar like that before!" "Enos, Listen to me, I have to let me out." "I can't do that, Angel, its my job as a deputy. I shouldnt even be talking to you, Sheriff Rosco says" "Then listen to me, PLease! You have to warn the Dukes, Corbet has sent a thug after my sister and that means anyone with her will also but in danger." "Angel, I don't thi..." "Enos, They will be KILLED if you don't help me." Enos turned pale, he nodded and ran back up the steps.

Meanwhile, Jon had gone back down to the cells to see if he could convince Angel to give up her partner. Angel, in truth, was a small fry compared to this guy, who had been lifting cars for the better part of twenty years. Jon knew if he could knew him, it would make his career. As he reached the cells, he saw Angel talking quietly two men, a brunette and a blonde, she was holding the hand of the brunette as she talked. "Well, well, Angela, I'm so sorry to interrupt you talking to your boyfriend, or boyfriends, I should say. Like mother like daughter as I guess." "Go to hell, Corbet." "I'll see you when I get there." "I guess you didn't hear the lady." Luke said. "She doesn't want to talk to you." "Fine with me, we'll have a long, long drive back to Pittsburgh to talk. Of course, you could save yourself a lot of trouble with just tell me the name of your partner." "Nothing doing, pal." "You're going making it harder on yourself." With that, Corbet left. After he was gone, Luke turned back to Angel. "We're going figure something out." "I hope so, sweetheart, becuase I won't give up Ken that easily." Bo was more doubtful. "I don't see why not, I mean, this guy brought you into a life of crime and all." "Its not that easy, Bo, Ken was there for me and Steph when noone else was, showed me how to make a living that could support me and Steph." "Stealing cars?" "I didn't have a choice, we had noone else." It was a heavy confession, although it was true that Angel and Stephanie never had the loving family that the Dukes had, they only had each other. Angel laughed sadly. "I guess I could be the poster girl for what happeans when you come from a broken home." "Don't say that." "It's the truth. I tried to give Steph the chance I didn't choose for myself. And I guess I failed"

Angel sat the jailcell under the Hazzard County Sheriff's Department, her head in her hands, wondering how on Earth she was going get out of this mess. She hadnt come up with an answer when Stephanie came tearing down the steps, Bo and Luke in tow. Angel stood when Stephanie came up to the bars. "Don't worry, Sis, We're gonna get you out of here somewhere, we'll..." "Steph, I made a deal with Corbet" "WHAT?!" "I promised him if I confessed and didnt resist extradition to Pittsburgh, all charged would be dropped against you." "oh Angel, you didn't!" "Stephanie, he has video of me and Ken lifting a car." "Who's Ken?" Luke immediatly wanted to know. "Cool your heels, darling, Ken's my partner. He's the one who taught me how to steal cars." Angel looked at Luke, She had grown very fond of him over the last week. "Looks like I'm gonna miss the dance then." Luke put his hand over the one holding the bar. "Not if I can help it." Stephanie cut in. "Angel, you told me you werent gonna steal any more cars. When did this happean?" "About 3 days before we came to Hazzard. We needed the extra money for the entry fee and modification on Sherman." "Oh Angel, How could you?!" "Stephanie, I have wanted only the best for you since Mom died. I thought if we could win the grand prize here in Hazzard, we could set up a normal garage. I guess you can't run from your past then." "But..." "Come on, little sister, you know how little the shop was making, how did you THINK I was bringing in highclass parts?" Angel's voice held unusual vehemence. "Now, I'm telling you and you listen good, Go get Sherman and walk away and don't look back."

Angel dropped her sister and Daisy off at the dress shop, she wasn't going anywhere near it. She had not worn a dress since she was 16 and she liked it that way, thank you very much. She was amazed at all that Steph wanted to wear a dress at all, but then again, her little sister had been acting strange since they starting staying at the Duke farm. *Oh, and you're not, Miss Sigh-When-Luke-Smiles-At-You* She took Sherman over to Cooter's garage to wait for the girls, unfortunalty Hogg was already here, with his new racecar, the Hogg Hellion. Scowling and parking her car, Angel walked up to Boss and pointed at the car. "Whats this? You racing two cars now, Boss?" "No, I aint. This is the car that will win the race on Sunday. You and your sister are FIRED. You two have been nothing but thorns in my side since you hooked up with them Dukes and I aint taking it no more." "We had a deal!" "Deal's off! and I want to intrduce you to someone." Angel looked at the man Hogg had motioned to warily. "Oh?" "This here's Jon Corbet, Pittsburgh City police." At the word, "Pittsburgh", Angel's heart had come to a grinding halt, by "police", she had turned to run. But Corbet was a hair faster. He pushed Angel against the General with all the gentleness of a bear, then slapped a pair of handcuffs onto her wrists. "Angela Marie Wilson, you're under arrest for the following charges; grand thief auto, robbery, alluding and evading police capture, resisting arrest.." Angel close her eyes and sighed. How was going to explain this to Steph?

Angel was plenty peeved at the name. "If you're not referring to the car with that crack, you're getting it when we stop." Luke's laugh could be heard over the CB. Angel around the car in a quick 360 and nearly plowed into Rosco, who in turn had to go offroad to turn at the sudden change of direction. Within minutes, she caught sight of Eno's patrol car's following closly behind Luke over a slight hill by the side of the road. She swerved the General Sherman offroad and pulled it up next to Enos car. Luke looked behind to see Angel had joined them. "Couldnt get enough of me, sweetheart?" "Just taking out the competition, honey." Angel carefully pushed the General against Eno's car, the deputy pulled closer to the edge of the small hill in response. One more slight push and the patrol car was rolling down the enbankment. After having landed on its side, the patrol's car occupant climbed out the window and waved at the racecars as they turned and passed him. Rosco, having finally caught up with the chase, was unpleasantly surprise to find the two cars bearing towards him. He close his eyes as an orange blur passed on the left and a red one to his right. Unfortunatly closing his eyes also caused him to crash into a tree. Looking behind her and laughing, Angel thought if the cops in Pittsburgh were this easy to ditch, me and sis would be milloniares by now.

It didnt take long for the two racecars to manuever out of the town and into the countryside. The cars were bumper to bumper for most part. As long as Angel edged the car foward, Luke kept up with her, but not running ahead either. After they split at the junction, Angel gunned the motor as much as she could. She needed to keep the deputy behind her to keep him from returning to town. At a second crossroads, the two Generals swerved back together. Finally, Angel had had enough distraction, she wished it hadnt had come to this but she wasnt gonna get Stephanie go to prison while she was alive. Steering with one hand, she opened the glove compartment and pulled out her black Beretta. She wasnt about the shoot the lawman but being SHOT AT would ensure she would be chased until Stephanie and Bo had the time to replace the vehicle. And that they would break off pursuit of Luke. After all, She's the one who stole the car, she should be the one to pay the price. Luke, on the other hand, was having fun. It wasnt often that he got to same against a car that was an equal to the General Lee, and with a beautiful driver to boot. He glanced over to Angel to see her reach for something, and saw...a gun. Twisting the wheel sharply, the Lee collided with the Sherman, the sudden movement knocking the gun out of her hand, out of reach on the floor. Picking up the CB, Angel snapped. "What the hell was that for?" Luke answered "Guns arent part of the deal, darling, you want to keep Rosco chasing you, you stick to your driving and your pretty face."

Angel looked peered out of the car window to watch her sister jump from the first building to the next. *Alrighty then, my turn.* She thought. She looked over at Luke and gave him a thumb's up and a grin. *Hope this works. Steph's right, i should have kissed him while I had the chance.* Angel edged Sherman out of the alley, with the Lee close behind until she could see Rosco and Enos talking outside the sheriff's office beside their patrol cars. *No time like the present*. She slammed on the accelorator and, with a sqeal of the tires, the Challedger shot into the street and jumped the pavement. Angel slowed the car just enought to give the startled lawman enough time to jump on top of their vehicle hoods, out of the way of Sherman's tired. Bringing the car into a 360 turn, she leaned out the window and blew a kiss at Enos and Rosco, who were scrambling into their patrols cars, only to jump on the hood a second time as the General Lee came flying down the street side of the cars, dixie horn blasting. Luke slide the General into a stop, parallel to Sherman. Angel saw what he was up to, he had squared the two cars against each other like a starting line. Luke was grinnly at her, Angel picked up the CB radion and answered the challedge. "Catch me if you can!" With that, General Sherman charged through the streets of Hazzard, the General Lee nipping at his back bumper.

Luke looked thoughtful at a moment "How about just giving the car back?" "Sounds like a great way to get arrested." Angel said sarcastically. Stephanie, on the other hand, was none too happy with her sister at the moment. "I can't believe you risked everything we worked for, Angela Marie!" She ignored the Dukes when they chuckled at the stern use of Angel's full name. Angel started to say something, stopped and then looked ashamed. "I know, sis, I've ruined it for both of us now." She let out a big sigh. "Maybe I should just turn myself in, that way, you and Sherman could still race and move on." "Ain't no doing, We stick together!" Bo interruppted. "Look this is all very touching, but we still have a problem." "and noones turning themselves in." Luke added. "Look, we don't have that much experience giving cars back, not intact anyhow." Angel said. After a moment, Luke said. "We have two cars, let make the most of it." Grinning, Bo said "Luke, sounds like you got a plan?" "Is that good?" ANgel questioned. "Well, Bo and Stephanie, We'll drop you off at Boss's car. When we give you the call, drive it back and park in right in front of the sheriff's office." "And that YOUR PLAN?!" Stephanie placed her hands on her hips "You'll get us all arrested!" "I wasn't finished, me and Angel will keep Rosco and Boss busy with the Lee and Sherman." Angel and Stephanie looked at each other and then back at the Dukes. Angel shrugged, "Its crude, but i think it'll work. That is.." Angel grinned at Luke "if you can keep up with me." "Lady, I can handle any curves you care to throw at me." Bo looked at Stephanie "I can't believe he actually said that."

Luke smiled warmly and nodded. As they were leaving, Boss came running out the his office, pointing a fat little finger at the couple. "YOU! You stop right there, you..you..car thief! Annoyed at the interupption to what was shaping up to be a very nice evening, Luke said "I don't know what you're trying to pin on us now, Boss, but we don't have tim..." "Not you, Luke Duke, HER!" Luke looked at Angel who grinned wickedly, grabbed his hand and ran for the door. "This evening just got a whole lot more interesting." AS they ran for the Sherman, ANgel could hear "...Rosco! What are waiting for, arrest them. Those two Yankee fillies stole my car and the Dukes are in on it!" Sliding into the red racecar, Luke turned to Angel. "Just tell me one thing, did you actually lift Boss's car?" "That's what the man said, wasnt it?" Luke did'nt look too happy at her answer. "Something you wanna tell me?" "Later, I'm busy." Angel gunned Sherman's engine and floored the accelorator, hitting the road with Rosco's patrol car hot on its heel, or bumper as the case may be. The Sherman proved as agile as the Lee as they swerved over the Hazzard back roads, guided by Angel. Rosco ,however, didnt let up easily and managed to follow the car's every move. Luke directed Angel to a right turn, and Angel eyebrows raised when Sherman plowed through a "No Bridge Ahead" sign. "Luke, I hope you have a plan, the Sherman aint no boat!" "Just gun it, trust me, if Sherman is half the car the General Lee is, this jump will be easy." "JUMP?!" "Trust me." For whatever reason, Angel did. So she kept her foot to the floorboard as the Sherman hit the ditch and went flying. She did close her eye though until the jar of hitting the ground on the other side of the creek let her know Sherman had actually made it. Slamming on the brakes, Angel looked behind her to see the local law hip deep in the muddy water. She grinned and looked at Luke, who was grinnning back at her expression. "Me and Sis have GOT to try that over the Allegheny! You country boys know a few tricks, after all." "Speaking of tricks, you got both you and me into a mess of one. Why'd you steal Boss's caddy?" "In a minute." Picking up the CB, Angel switched to the channel she and her sister used most often. "Fallen Angel to Sunbeam, come in, girl. We got a small problem."

After Bo and Stephanie left off their merry way, Luke and Angel sat at the bar, quietly talking. They discussed cars, city living vs country living and the various antics of their younger counterparts. Partway through the conversation, Angel realized she hadnt counted on actually liking the dark-haired Duke boy once she got to know him. *You're here to be a job, girl.* She reminded herself. *Time to up the stakes.* Angel didnt say anything for a bit but studied Luke silently, he became uncomfortable beneath her gaze. Angel chuckled. "You know you really do have nice eyes. You can tell alot about a person by their eyes." "Oh yeah, and what do you see about me?" On the pretense of looking at his eyes, Angel leaned in close until She and Luke's faces were only a breath away. Luke swallowed nervously. "'As your eyes set beyond the sunrise but your heart reveals all. Though sometimes you play a double life, the winds of the world call you back.' Angel quoted. You can't hide your desires from me Luke. You're more than just some country boy. You have dreams and passions waiting to get out. You may be the quiet one but you'll open up to anyone who will listen," Angel said softly, reaching up to her hand on Luke's. "You figured this out by looking into my eyes?" Luke asked. "I guess that sounds dumb huh?" "Well, sometimes I guess I hide myself." "Hon, always tell the truth. Then you'll never have to remember what you said the last time. Sam Rayburn 1882 - 1961 said that. You're not telling the truth by hiding who you are." "Why are you racing when you could be a historian or something?" Angel chuckled a little self-defeatingly. "I probably could, if I ever finished high school." At Luke's unasked question, Angel continued "After our mom died and dad ran off god knows where, I had to take care of Steph, so I quit school at 17 and took a job laying whiskey down at the bar by a local racetrack, that hows I learned about cars." Angel smiles ruefully "I'd anything for that kid. Nothing can seperate us." Ok, she thought, maybe that was a little much for a first date. Right behind that thought was the thought *Since when is this a date.?* Angel cleared her thought and looked away. She sipped her drink, trying to distance herself. Angel decidied it was time to go for broke. She ran a finger lightly down Luke's forearm and smiled. "About ready to get out of here?"

Angel watched her sister work with a grin. When Stephanie Wilson did something, she threw herself into it. And at this point, she was throwing herself onto the blonde Duke. The poor boy was looking confused, all right, but willing to go along with her. *I don't think I can top THAT. But I guess its my turn. At least she saved me the cute one.* Standing, Angel walked up to the Luke, who had been watching the exchange between Steph and Bo suspiciously. "You have to forgive my sister's forwardness, but she's right. I think we all got off on a bad start yesterday and Steph and I were discussing how we could...make it up to you." Luke wasnt quite as gullible as Bo was being. "Well, for starters, you can apologize for insulting the General Lee." "You really love that car, don't you." "Its like one of the family." "Its same with Sherman for us." Stephanie had would her arms around Bo's and winked mischievely. "Angel, you wanna come with Bo and I horseback riding?" "Nah, You two go on ahead. I think, Luke and I will stay here so we can..talk shop." Angel's choice of words and her tone caused Luke to look and his cousin and shrug. He couldnt fathom what the girls were up to, but when a couple of pretty ladies wanted your attention, you didnt argue. While Luke had his head turned, Angel raised on eyebrow at Steph, clearly telling her the name of this game would be "Divide and Conquer".

As Angel and Stephanie ate their lunch, Bo and Luke walked into the Boar's Nest, hoping to catch Daisy and maybe get some information about the Yankee race team. They both stopped short when they spotted the very two sitting in the corner booth. Luke looked at his cousin. "Unbelievable, Everywhere we go, those two turn up." "Yeah," Bo grinned wryly "And if you any other two girls, I'd say it was our lucky day." Luke motioned Daisy over to them. "Daisy, what you know about those two girls in the corner?" "They came roaring in in that red hot rod outside, gathered quite a crowd." Daisy laughed "And not just for the car, either. Other than that, the one has an appetite like Hogg himself." Meanwhile, Angel had noticed the arrival of the Dukes over her sister's shoulder. She grinned, they looked just as vexed as finding them here as they did as the garage. Normally, Angel would say great minds think alike, but in this case... "Watch this action, Sis." Angel kept her tone low. Then Angel smile warmly at the Dukes boys and waved, as if glad to see them. Bo and Luke looked at the girls and then back at each other, perplexed. "WHAT are you doing, Angela?!" Only when Stephanie was really peeved did she used Angel's full name. "Fine time to be flirting with the enemy!" "Just be cool, I know what I'm doing. We'll have those boys so confused, they'll be driving backwards on Sunday."

The next day brought brighter weather. Angel walked with her sister down the steps of the local hotel. "I can not believe he actually said we were going to lose the race because we're women! Of all the assinine things to say!" Angel was a bit of a femenist, so this was a sore spot for her. Now more than ever she wanted to beat the Dukes in the race and otherwise as well. "Steph, I don't usually say this, bet how you feel about a little dirty pool? Nothing serious, but lets make this guys eat crow as well as our dust." She grinned wickly over the rims of her sunglasses. Stephanie grinned back. "What did you have in mind?" "Well, these boys think we're just two pretty girls with a big bad car, let's let them think that..for now. And come Sunday, they'll know what Atlanta felt like when it burned." Angel and Stephanie walked towards where they had parked the General Sherman, discussing how they would fool the Dukes along the way. Climbing into the driver's seat, Angel asked. "What's was the name of the place the desk clerk recommended again?" "The Boar's Nest." "Sounds lovely. Well, the Hilton it probably isnt, but I'm hungrey anyway. Let's roll."

"Your son should be fine now, Kristy. Once he gets to the hospital, they'll take him straight up to surgrey and they'll probably want to keep him overnight for observation. As for payment, don't worry about it. we'll work something out."Chance watched the tender scene of the Dukes crowding around the small child. Within moments, the paramedics were assisting little Shay into a stretcher. Chance felt something tighten in her chest and her eye burn. Looking around, she saw that everyone was distracted and noone would notice if she had a moment to collect herself. Chance managed to slip out without anyone seeing. One pair of eyes, however, did follow the young doctor as she quietly left the room. Luke's. (Thanks to Jax, for helping me with this scene by playing the part of Luke) Chance left the farmhouse, stepping onto the front porch and sitting on the steps. Only then did she let her usual professionalism fall. Her shoulders sagged a bit and she brought a hand up to her eyes. *That had been close, too damned close.* If she had not been there when she had, the boy probably would be died in his sleep. She needed think, calm down and catch her breath. She looked up at the stars, idly thinking that they never looked so bright, so close, in the city. The screen door opened and closed gently, the dark haired Duke stepping quietly on the porch; seeing the back of the blond woman. He could see the way the doctor leaned over; hearing her exhale her pent up breath. "You handled yourself well Chance." He whispered, his hands coming to her shoulders, cupping them gently. He felt her shoulders steel under his fingers as she straightened her spine, causally wiping her eyes. Chance stood quickly, keeping her back to Luke until she could a hold of her emotions, embarassed to have been caught without her "gameface". As a doctor, Chance never allowed her emotions show to her patients. "You'd think after spending three years in the ER, I'd be used to going through on the spot emergency surgey. I don't know why I'm suddenly became so unraveled." Luke turned her around to face him, his hands still massaging her shoulders. "No matter how many times you've dealt with situations like this you're going to react. You wouldn't be a human being if you didn't." He reached up and brushed a stray hair from her cheek. "It's what makes you a good doctor Chance, you feel things as strongly as your patients do and you suffer with them." He swallowed hard as he stared deeply into her blue eyes; feeling his own pulse begin to quicken. "You sound like Applby." Chance grinned tiredly. "Thats the same sales pitch he gave me when I agreed to replace him. I guess thats also why I couldnt make in the ER. I was getting so tired of seeing people suffering and being treated as a case number. I think that..." Chance nodded towards the house. "was the first time in a long time that I actually saw the faces of the family of the patient. The pain, the worry and then the relief. Its not something I'm used to." "You will, you'll come to get to know all of us." Luke stepped back and ran his fingers through his hair; his jaw clenching as he looked away from her. He was suddenly torn; his interest in this woman growing by the second. "One of the advantages of a small town." His gaze shifted back to her; his cool blue eyes intense as they focused on Chance's face. "We all get to know each other." Luke took a step forward again, bringing himself mere inches from her. He closed his eyes and leaned towards her; breathing in the scent of honey and almonds as he nuzzled the side of her face. He knew he was risking a lot, including her slapping him or simply moving away; rejecting him. "I want to get to know you, Chance." He whispered. Chance sighed and close her eyes, thinking it would be nice to have someone strong to lean against for once. Doctors were often seen as pilars of strength in deperate situations. Unmoveable. Unemotional. Inhuman. But right now, Chance felt anything but. Seeing the reactions of the Dukes as she cared for Shay shook her to her core. For that reason, Chance knew she shouldnt trust her emotions at the moment. She knew she stood step back, put that wall from emotions back up before something happeaned that both she and Luke ended up regretting. She swallowed and said shakily, "Well, Barring diaster, I'm in Hazzard to stay, so we'll be seeing alot of each other..." *I Didn't just say that, did I?* "around town, that is." Luke tucked two fingers under her chin and lifted it to once more stare into her face. "I certainly hope so." A grin came to his face as he closed his eyes and brushed his mouth against hers in a kiss; his arms coming around her waist as he pulled her closer to him. Chance brought her hands up Luke's shoulders, meaning to push him back. But somehow, her arms managed to wind themselves around his neck instead. And although she hadnt meant to, she turned her head and deepened the kiss herself, even she was still asking herself what the hell she was doing, kissing a man she had met only hours before. The kiss ended and they stood for a moment, barely a breath apart, if as neither understood what just happeaned. Then, As sudden as the kiss started, Chance pulled away. She felt herself blushing in the darkness of the night. "I..I'm sorry. I don't..that is.." Chance left the apology hanging in mid air, not knowing how to explain her unusual lack of control. "You don't have to apologize." Luke's voice had the tiniest quiver to it as he cleared his throat; his hands running through his hair again. He felt his face burn in a flush as he turned around; trying to gain his composure. Chance placed a gentle hand on Luke's shoulder. "It's ok, Its as much my fault as yours. Its been a strange day for all of us." Chance smiled softly "We had better get back inside, before they start wondering what happeaned to us." Chance went to open the door, but paused, as if not willing to end their privacy. "But I do hope I see more of you...around town, that is." Chance's smile widened. As she stepped inside, Applby came up to her. "Chance, the ambulance just left. Kristy and Jamie went with them. Shay's going to the OR as soon as he gets there. But his breathing is already stablizing, I think we got this thing licked." === Luke watched her go inside; the screen door closing. He crossed his arms over his chest and sighed; a grin coming to his lips. "Welcome to Hazzard, Doc." =====THE END=====

"Chance?" Appby's voice broke into the silence "The ambulance is on its way. If we're gonna do this, we gotta this now." Chance nodded, looking at the family before for. They trusted her to save him and be damned if she wouldnt. "Lets do this." She said, following Appby into the bedroom, quietly closing the door behind her. Once inside, Chance and Applby quickly set to work. Appby positioned himself to one side of Shay to hold him still while Chance went to the other side of the bed, setting her instruments down. She swabbed Shay's neck with alcohol, and brought her surgical knife to his throat. She handed Applby the piece of tubing. "When I cut, as soon as you see air bubbles in the blood, widen the incision just far enough to slip the tube through." Appbly nodded, his eyes grim. "Just stay steady, girl." Chance leaned Shay's head back, placed the knifetip to the boy's skin and took a steadying breath. Her hands were quick and calm as they made the incision, and held the boy as Appbly slid the tubing in. The whole procedure took less than 5 minutes, but it seemed like hours to the two doctors who held the young boy's life in their hands. Chance cleaned the incision and placed bandages around to secure the tube, only then did she release the breath she had been holding. She held her hand about two inches above the trac tube, and sighed in relief when she felt the movement of air as Shay inhaled and exhaled. "It's working, He's breathing." "Thank god. Will it hold until the ambulance gets here?" "It should." Chance jerked her head towards the door. "Better let them in to see the boy, and let them know everything's gonna be ok." "Chance?" "Yeah?" "You saved this boy's life." When Chance raised her eyebrows questioningly "Not that I had any doubts, but I wanted to be the first to say it." Applby smiled at his young collegue and went outside to give the news to the Dukes. While she listened to Appby's voice as he explained what they had done and reassured Kristy and her family that while Shay's condition was still serious, the child was out of immediate danger, Chance looked down at the small boy. In the few minutes since she and Applby created a new airway, some of his color was returning and he didn't feel so cold. The life before her seemed so fragile, had she not been here when she had... Chance felt her throat constrict. She frowned, this was an unusual reaction for her about a patient. She had seen worse injuries, with worse chances of survival, several times a day at the ER. Why was this young boy shaking her usual calm so badly?

"I usually ignore pests." Angel deadpanned, leaning against the red racecar. "Although I probably would demand damage costs to our car if I thought you plowboys could afford it." "Well, we can always pay you from the prize money on Sunday." "Not likely." Cooter looked from one racing team to the other. Both parties were glaring at each other. "Whoo-wee! This is like the Civil War all over again. except I don't like things are gonna stay civil this time." Angel glanced back to her sister. "Steff, while you get that fixed. I'm gonna see Boss Hogg about the arrangements." Stephanie nodded without looking up, obviously busy with her work. "Boss Hogg? Why you wanna see that old rattlesnake for?" Depsite the fierce rivilary brewing, Bo couldnt contain his curiousity. "That 'old rattlesnake'.." Angel extraggrated the southern drawl. "is the one who hired us to come down south and ..whats the word?.. whoop y'all?" Angel smirked at the trio of Hazzardites. "I shouldnt be long." After Angel left, Luke looked and Bo and sighed "Well, that figures. Boss would hire the two most ornery female drivers in the North to compete against us."

Bo Duke watched the departing Challedger "Can you believe those two? Insulting the General Lee like that?" Suddenly he grinned "Altough, I gotta admit, the dark-haired one was pretty." Luke shook his head at his cousin "You and your one track mind." He said, all the while thinking he was about to say the same thing about the blonde driver of the enemy racecar.

"Look, pal." Angel got out of the car, straightening to her full height. "I don't what what circus that.." She nodded to the General Lee. "came from, but we had the right of way." "Circus!?" The brunette looked downright insulted, but Angel ignored him. "And, if memory serves, a racing car is SUPPOSED to go fast." "Well, the General Lee is the fastest racing car in Hazzard." Bo Duke proudly tapped the roof. "That says alot." Angel voice was voiced with sarcasm "You cant mean you running this...orange japoly in the race Sunday?" "Not just race, Win!" "Not with Sherman in town!" Stephanie now stood outside the racecar as well. "Don't you know your history, boys? The North always wins." She smirked. With that, Angel and Stephanie slid back inside the General Sherman and gunned the engine. Waving, they left the outraged Duke boys in a cloud of dust and made their way to Hazzard. Angel muttered not quite under her breath "Danged hick plowboys." Angel considered the encounter for a moment. "Although...I have to admit, the dark-haired one was kinda cute. Its gonna be a whole lot of fun watching them eat our exhaust on Sunday."

It was a dreary, rainy afternoon in Hazzard county, the roads slick with mud and rain puddles. But that didnt stop the apple-red Dodge Challedger from tearing through the county full force. Anyone seeing this car would look twice, red with a white strip running from headlights to tail, an american flag painted boldy on the roof, and a number 50 in bright blue on the doors. Some Hazzard county folk may even frown at the name written under the number, also in blue. General Sherman. A tip of the hat of the Union General that marched through the south, burning his way down to Atlanta. A few may even wonder if this Sherman was doing a repeat performance. And if the car didnt strike you, the occupants would. Th driver; long, lean, blonde and lethal looking. Angel Wilson shifted in the drivers seat and tried to get more comfortable, it had been a long 3 days driving down south from Pittsburgh to Georgia participate in one lousy car race, but the price had been right. The local boss, Hogg, had paid her and her sister, Stephanie damned good money to come down shut down the competition, no matter the cost. Should'nt be to hard, Angel thought. She and her sister were the best stockcar racing team north of the mason dixon line, and now, they wanted to prove they were south of it too. Angel looked over at her younger sister. Stephanie was every bit of the opposite of her. Petite, cute with curly brown hair tied up in a ponytail and green eyes that always danced with an inner laughter. Their personalities were polar opposite too. Steff was happy-go-lucky, never afraid of speaking her mind and possessing an insatible love for life. Angel was more conservative, cautius, serious. She was the adult of the two. Sighing, Angel slid her Ray-ban's back over her blue eyes. "Are you sure this is the way? We havent seen anything but cow pastures and corn fields for the last 20 miles."

The young boy was laying in the center of the bed, very quiet, hardly moving. In any other case, it probably would have been a good sign that the boy was resting, but Chance noticed the bluish undertone to his skin or the very slow rise and fall of his chest. "How long has he been like this?" Jesse looked confused. "About an hour, maybe longer. I was relieved he finally settled down after crying all day." *Crying nothing, this kids is out of breath. Wheres Applby when I need him* As if Chance summoned him, Applby came jogging in, out of breath. "I got here as fast as I could, I saw Rosco in the ravine on the way and checked up on him. I figured the General Lee came that way." At Chance's unspoken question. "Don't worry, nothing hurt but his pride. Have you seen Shay already?" "Just about to. Have his noticed his color?" "He was pale before but nothing like that." Chance placed the medical case on the bed and retrieved a stethoscope and small handlight. Placing the scope around her head and onto Shay's chest, She listened intently to his breathing. Frowning, she shook her head. "Its too slow." Using the handlight, she looked down Shay's throat. The inside was fire red and swollen so far that even in his listless condition, the toddler squirmed and winced as Chance gently probed his throat column with her hands. "Oh yeah" she said, "Those tonsils are more than ripe, and his throat's not just swollen, its infected as well." Chance shined the handlight over Shay's eyes, checking for a pupilatray response. She paused, frowned and repeated the procedure. When Chance looked up at Applby, she spoke quietly so as not to spook the worried family, which was now waiting patiently just outside the bedroom door. But her eyes held true concern. "This boys got more than just strep throat complicated with tonsiliitis, look to this." Chance handed Applby the handlight and let the older doctor shine it into his eyes, checking the pupils. "My God, how did I miss that?" Chance nodded grimly. "His throat is closed shut, hes not getting enough oxygen. We have to move fast." "What do you want to do?" "What's the closet hospital?" "Capital City Memorial." "Ok.."Chance thoughts raced. *What I need is a sterile OR, a tray full of equipment and a capable nurse, now what do I HAVE?* "Call the ER and get an ambulance down here, tell them we have an child with breathing complications that needs to go into OR stat." "It'll take about 45 minutes to get here." "WHAT?!" "Old back roads, Chance, And theres no shortcuts." "Alright, we need to get his airways unblocked and quickly, if we can cut down the inflammation, we can gain some time." Chance looked around, thinking quickly. "You think we can set up some sort of IV here of anti-inflammatories and antobiotics." "I have those at my office, can we move Shay?" "I think the extra stress would make things worse? Can you get those things here?" "In about a half hour, maybe longer." "Damn!" Chance run her hands through her hair, totally frustrated. She sat back and thought, with the grim realization that there was one course of action. She took from the medical bag a small sterile knife, alcohol swabs, and a piece of clear hollow tubing. A quick slice of the knife chopped the tubing to about an three inch length. Applby looked confused at first, then it dawned on him what Chance was about to do. "Chance, wait, you take give a tracheotomy here!" "We can't wait for the IV or the ambulance, we do this now and get that ambulance here on time and Shay might have a chance!" "But.." "No Buts, you can either give me a hand or leave the room, Henry." Chance voiced quieted to a whisper. "If we wait until the ambulance gets here or the drugs to start working, this child will be dead." Applby was quiet for a moment, he looked out at the Dukes sitting in the living room. "We have to tell them what we're about it do, we owe Kristy at least that much." Applby went into the kitchen to make the call. Chance nodded grimly, straightening. She approached the group. As one it seemed, Bo, Luke, Jesse and Kristy looked up at her, expectingly. Chance found she had to swallowed before speaking. "Kristy, your son's condition is much worse than we thought. His throat is swollen to the point that he's having difficulty breathing. Dr. Appbly is calling an ambulance to take him to Capital City Memorial ER right now, but in the meantime, I'm going to have to perform a tracheotomy on him so he can get enough oxygen." Jesse, who was sitting with Kristy, comforting after hearing this news. "A tracheotomy? What's that?" "I'm to make a small incision in his throat and place a small piece of hollow tubing so air can get through without going through his mouth and nose." "And if you dont do this..?" Chance swallowed again and hoped she can say the words without stammering "Then Shay will die before ambulance arrives." Pale, Luke asked. "Is there anyone we can do?" "Just pray."

Chance was looking a little peaked herself after the jump, she wasnt used to being airborne in a car. She was holding onto the rollbar and back of the seat a little white-knuckled. "You guys do that often?" "As often as Rosco chases us." "Great. I suppose this would be a bad time to tell you I get airsick" Chance said sarcasm. "Not in this car you don't!" Bo was indignant was the thought. Chance ignored that. "Kristy, when we get to the farm, I need you to keep Shay calm while I give him a complete physical. When Applby joins us, we can discuss treatment for your son." Chance said while we checked out the contents of Applby's medical bag. Concerned, Luke glanced back at the two women. "What you think I may be, Chance?" "Can't say yet, Applby's dianogsis may be correct. It may simple be a case of severe tonsilitis, but there are a couple things I want to be sure of before we schedule him for surgey. Don't worry, everything will be fine." Moments later they arrived at the Duke Farm... Jesse Duke can running down at the arrival of the General, which slid to a its usual stop mere feet from the house. "I told you boys NOT to swing that blasted car in so close to the house! One day you're going miss that stop and go right on through our kitchen! Who's that?" He. asked as Chance climbed out of the car window. "Uncle Jesse, This is Dr. Chance Walker, from Atlanta. She's here to see Shay." "I didn't realize it was so serious that Henry had to call in someone from Atlanta." "Actually, Mr. Duke." Chance said. "I'm to be Applby's permanant replacement at his practice." "Well, its nice to meet you, Chance, I'm sure you'll agree with we skip the formalities for now, you probably want to see Shay right away." Jesse ushered Chance into the house, followed closely by the boys and Kristy. "I just put him down in Daisy's room, the the quietest he's been all day." "Thanks, Applby should be joining us shortly, we kinda left him in the dust." Any other time, Chance would have found the small farmhouse warm and inviting, but right now, Chance's thoughts were on the patient at hand. She forced herself to block out other distractions.

"You can use my medical kit, Chance, its in my truck. I'll follow you up to the farm." Applby was saying. "Ah ah ah ," I dont think so." Hogg warned them as they were leaving Kristy's office. "If you so as lay on doctoring hand on that boy without your papers, youll be arrested for practicing medicine without a lincense! and you, Kristy Duke, you lay one foot outta this office and dont bother coming back!" "You mean these papers, Boss?" Luke held up the folder he had yet to give to Chance. He handed Chance the papers, who in turns handed to Boss Hogg, rather forcfully slapping them into his hands. "I'm sure you see that these will go through the proper channels, I would HATE to have to sue the county for medical liabilities and damages if anything happeans to these, not to mention my bill for taking care of the boy." Chance added with smile as she shut down the sheriff's office door. "Rosco, did you hear that? what kind of sheriff are you, just standing while a stranger threatens the health and wealth of the offical commissioner of Hazzard county." "I know, that's a shame shame." "And shes gotten mixed up with the Dukes and in my book, thats the worst offense of all, now you git after them and arrest the whole of them." "For what?" "Make something up!" "I'm Gone!" Unaware that she just made Hogg's black list, Chance climbed into the General (without some explantion to why the doors wouldnt work) with Bo, Luke and Kristy. They werent long out of town before the famailar sound of Rosco's siren caught up with them. "Unbelievable!" Chance said. "The commissioner and the sheriff must have something against young, cosmopolitan doctors." "More like something against us Dukes" "We dont have time for this. I thought you said this is the fastest car in Hazzard?" "I did." "Then what you waiting for, a written invitation, hit it!" Yes, Ma'am! Bo grinned. "Doctor, I think youre gonna fit right in." "Hold on back there," Bo says as he glares in the rearview mirror at his older half sister, Kristy. He is filled with worry at the look of her paled complexion and at the sight of the worry and concern that is etched on her face. Never before had he witnessed the fear and worry to conquor over her as it is so obvious has now. Of the little amount of time that he had gotten to know his sister she had always had this strong air of calmness around her, no matter the situation; always holding up her shield of toughness to hold back her emotions. Now tears clearly cloud thickly in her greenish brown eyes, tears she fights harshly back. "Don't worry 'bout me...just move it!" Kristy snaps at her brother, "I am in no mood to deal with Coltrane nor Hogg. Knowing them, I have now lost my job." An air of silence fills the crowded car as Bo swurves the car off into some large weeds and begins to wonder aimlessly through the thick weeds. Sirens pierce louder as they grow closer to the Dukes' orange stock car. "Watch this," Bo's worry turns into smiles as he lets off a rebel call as he parks the car in front of small creek in a deep ravine. Kristy watches with little interest as Rosco appears driving crazily at her side of the car at top pace. Nervously Kristy holds onto a roll bar just as Bo presses harshly onto the accelerator to send the General a head to barely miss getting hit. Sighing in relief of the sense of safety, Kristy watches as Rosco jumps clumsily into the ravine behind her. The crashing of metal rings out through the ravine as the car lands. "What did I tell ya?" "Fine...but let's go," Kristy says from the back seat, "let's go see Shay."

"Alright then, its decided, We'll go down the farm now to see your son, and you’re coming with us, and Boss be damned. You're mentally and emotionally exhausted. No arguments. Doctor's orders." Chance smiled softly as she helped Kristy out of her chair. "And I'm sorry for upsetting you. I worked in the medical version of an assembly line for so long, I've forgotten that there’s a person behind the patient." "We'll be happy to give you a ride to the farm in the General, seeing that your car is on its way to Cooter's." Luke was quick to offer. But before Chance could respond, Applby cut in. "That sounds good, boys, Kristy you better go with them, Leave Chance alone with these two and we may never see her again! Plus, at my age, I can't crawl in and out that danged stockcar." "stockcar? As a racing car?" Chance asked warily. "Yep" Luke said proudly. "The General Lee is the fastest thing on wheels in Hazzard." "Makes sense, since its got the fastest drivers." "Alright you two, you can flirt later." That earned Applby a unamused glare from Chance. "C'mon, Kristy, Let's down to the farm and see your son. Chance and I will deal with Boss." Applby opened the office door. "Heard enough, Rosco?" he said as the sheriff nearly fell into the room after having been leaning on the door. The Dukes and the two doctors nearly have to step over Rosco as they leave the office.

The Battle of Hazzard (working title only) Two female Yankee race drivers, hired by Boss Hogg, come to Hazzard to give the boys a run for their money, literally and figuritivly, in their car, the General Sherman. Stephanie, the mechanic, is brunette, petite and fun-loving while her sister, Angel, the driver, is tall, blonde and very serious. Its the North vs the South all over again, Hazzard style! Looking for co-author(s).