MaryAnne

Oh... *isn't surprised or upset by this proclamation* Well, you can have it. *grins* Congratulations!

*after a few minutes, comes back out of the courthouse and back down the steps. Looks at Brian and spots the badge right away upon his jacket. Makes a face* Hmm....gee, I couldn't find it Brian. I wonder why?

Awright. Y'all just freeze it right heah...I'll be right back... *turns and heads up the steps, disappearing into the courthouse*

I'm carrying two guns, and you wanna negotiate? BAHAHAHAHHA! Awright, awright, I'll put my badge back on. Soon as I find it. I think it's in the booking room somewhere...

*During all this, MaryAnne had not spoken, but had watched and listened. She was relieved that everyone had managed to survive all this. She couldn't help but smile as Daney was returned safely, Alex and Brian patched things up and even the clever explanation for Chet's missing hourse, which MaryAnne didn't buy for a second, but would let stand nonetheless. Still, there were a few more unresolved issues* Well, *she said, looking at Bo and Luke* You Dukes may make an exception for Brian... *she looked at cousin and grinned* But I don't. Khee.. *looks down at Chet* Ol' Chet here is still my prisoner. And he's gonna have a hellacious headache when he wakes up. Not so much from the tranq dart but from seeing how all this silly business resolved. I at least hope he says he's sorry... *looks up at Brian again* However, not only is Chet still my prisoner, technically so are you. So not only do we need to chat about Chet's bail, we're gonna have to revisit yours too I think. *looks at Alex* And poor Alex here still ain't had a chance to take me to dinner! *laughs*

*raises eyebrow at the "special joy" comment. Gives a nod to request* By all means...

Oh I wasn't really gonna shoot you with this thing--well, okay the thought did cross my mind. A few times... *gives a small grin and puts the tranq gun back on other side of gun belt* I'm sorry for my way of actin' earlier. I believed ya when you said you wanted to finish this without bloodshed. I just.... *shrugs* Ah, forget it.

*after watching and listening silently to Brian and then to Garrett, glances at Brian. His ultimatium to Chet surprised her, yet he had told her he wanted a bloodless finish to all this. She hoped that was still true* That's a noble gesture, Garrett, but I'm not so sure it's warranted... *casually loads another dart into the tranq gun and glances at unconcious form of Chet Duke on the side walk. Then looks at Brian, waiting to hear how the rest of this is going to play out...*

*Outside the courthouse, one deputy sans badge, watches from behind the bushes as Brian talks to Garrett. A few moments later, Chet comes barrelling out of the courthouse.* *Having figured on both Brian and Chet leaving the courthouse, maybe not necessarily together, MaryAnne hadn't left town. Maybe she'd given up her badge, but she couldn't completely give up the fight.* *Seeing Chet come hell bent out of the building, MaryAnne grabbed for the tranquilzer gun, already loaded with a dart. She suddenly sprung up from behind the bushes and squeeze off a shot, hitting Chet Duke in his lower back, sending him sprawling down onto the sidewalk* (and at this point of the program, I have to go. LOL)

*returns an equally worldless snarl* If you did, you'd still be cuffed to the bed over at Doc's place and taken a leap of faith to let justice take care of this. *walks away from the door and approaches cousin with slow, heavy boot steps* But you can't believe in justice. Even when it's your own kin trying to get it for you. No, instead you gotta do it your way. You gotta do it yourself. Who cares that I've been trying to help you here. Who cares? *reaches for keys off gun belt and selects one. Holds it up to Brian before putting it down on the book desk* There's your justice, cousin. *removes badge* And there's mine. *slams the badge down on the desk and turns, walking down the short steps to the floor of the booking room. Marches on to the doors and storms out of them...*

Since when do you give a damn about my sworn duty?

You said I started it. Same difference. *stops at the door and turns to look at cousin, still standing there* You comin' or not?

*slams the filing cabinet drawer closed and spins around, blue eyes flashing in own anger* Oh, how could I think less of you for wanting a bloodless finish? How could I possibly think that, when if maybe you had paid your bail like you were supposed to, none of this woulda happened! But nooooooooooo. No, it's all MaryAnne's fault! Afterall, she started all this! *draws in a few angered breaths* Well then. Seeing you're so willing to finish what I started and clean up my mess for me.... *waves a finger at Brian* Follow me... *marches back up the few steps to the booking area and then to the doorway that leads to the jail cells down stairs....*

(FREEZE FRAME. Brian and MaryAnne's scene pauses here for the evening. LOL. To be continued!.....)

*glances at cousin and then picks up some reports off the desk, slides off the stool, and walks away from the booking desk, and from cousin* That sounds wonderful, Brian. Really does. I wish you all the luck in the world... *goes to a filing cabinet near Boss's office to file the report*

You seem hell bent on doing something, cousin. Either killing yourself or killing somebody else. I'd rather you didn't, of course, but I'm not so sure my words or deeds carry much weight anymore...

I showed you kindness by putting it on in the first place... *gives cousin a long side ways look, blue eyes making it clear that there are definitely things unresolved. After a moment, gets up off the stool and removes the handcuff key from belt. Unlocks the broken cuff, removing it from cousin's wrist. Says nothing further and turns back to the booking desk, tossing the cuff on top of it. Sits back down.*

*ignores the fussing of the handcuff and looks at a report* Nah, not really. A little mouthy, a little stomping around in the cell. *declines to mention the hollaring, the trashed jail cell, the fire, or the use of the tranq dart*

I'm fine, thank ya, as you can see. And there was someone here trying to bail Chet out. I told 'em the price, unfortunately he didn't have enough money on him.

*looks up from the booking desk and upon recognizing cousin a mix of reactions reflect upon face. Relieved, angered, annoyed, concerned...* *Settles for indifferent* Oh lemme guess *says, holding a hand up before kin can speak* You've come to turn yourself in??

*chuckles coming up with at least one dark interpretation of what kind of future Chet would have upon being released into the stranger's care* Yeah, I imagine you could. But Chet's doing okay in my care. In fact, at this very moment, he can't harm anyone or himself either and I'd like to keep it that way. See, I have this controlling issue when it comes to stuff like this. However, I did set a bail and it's a hundred thousand dollars. *meets the stranger's gaze and apparently any offer of barter or trade is now null and void* Cash on the barrell head...

*studies the young man for a moment* Well, before we discuss the finer details of a barter... tell me, why do you wish to bail Chet Duke out of jail?

*finds it curious that this stranger is interested in bailing out Chet* Well, technically Chet should be held without bail, considerin' his crime. But to be fair, I've set the bail at *thinks of a number* a hundred thousand dollars.

Yep, he's still here... *looks at the money and notices it's only about $120* I'm afraid you're a little short on the bail tho'...

*watches as young Native American enters the booking room, surprised by the arrival. Had heard of this man, but had not ever met him.* Deputy sheriff, but same idea.... What can I do for you?