Chet Duke

Red nearly skidded on his rear knees and he tossed his head at the sudden stop, the rope around the female gambler going taught. Chet held onto the rope that now lay hooked tightly around his saddles horn. "Easy Red..." He gave a half smile, his mismatched eyes gazing at her. "Take it easy! If I had intended on killing you girly I would have shot you and left you for dead. But right now I got enough problems... I don't need another murder on my head." Chet noted the lasso around his saddle horn and stepped down from his horse and approached the mustang boldly. He abrutly grasped the horses reins to keep the animal from moving, his own horse loyaly holding the lasso tight. Swiftly Chet grabbed the gambling women with one hand and pulled her from her horse, quicky wrapping the now loose rope around and around her. "Now listen! Im going to tie you to that tree over there and your gonna stay right there until you get yourself free, then your gonna have yourself a nice long walk back to town!" Roughly he dragged her by the back of her shirt over to a large Oak tree and securely tied her to it, bonding her hands tightly behind her back. "Leave me the hell alone!!!" Chet snarled his face close to hers, then he turned away and walked back towards there horses. The Duke boy retrived a large hunting knife from his saddle bags and cut the girth off of her saddle and dropped the now rended piece of equipment to the ground, he did the same to the horses bridle. His jaw tight with irritation he stepped into his saddle and spun his horse around, glaring at the mad women he sent his horse into a canter and chased her now free horse for about 20 yards in the direction of the town. That done he galloped past her and continued on his own route, a trail that he had followed only once before, he rode on knowing that in less then an hour he would come to the back woods that surrounded the very rear of Hazzard. (Cue Anyone)

The young Duke boy suddenly grinned to himself as an idea struck him, Red was fast, a born runner. If he could get out of her sight for just a few short minutes and disapear he could easily get the drop on her if he played the game right. Relying on Red's speed Chet loosened his hold on the horses head and the Thoroughbred broke into a faster run. Quickly the gap between him and the female gambler lengthin and he looked back over his shoulder to see her out of sight. Quickly he veered off into the denser forest, anyone in there right mind could easily track his horses prints. Trying to hurry Chet spun Red around in circles making the tracks confusing, he kicked his feet to the horses side and crossed back over the deer trail in the opposite direction. "Come on Red..... we got ot come up behind her now." Chet spoke low to his horse. Galloping quickly he road back in the direction he had come but not on the same trail. The dense forest would protect them from the gambler seeing them. Just as Chet back tracked, the gambler still on the trail going in the opposite direction. Quickly he spun Red around and started back on the trail only 15 yards behind her. With quick hands Chet uncoiled the laso hanging around his saddle horn, with natural ease he strung out a large loop and began to spin it above his head. Allowing Red his head once again he galloped closer and closer to the mustangs rear. When he came up to ten feet from her he let the loop fly, the large loop quickly landed around the womens upper body. (Cue Chance Walker)

Continuing on his deer path towards town Red suddenly laid his ears back and tossed his head pawing the ground. They were only about 20 yards from the main road, anyone passing by who by chance might be listening really close might hear them. Curiously Chet turned his horse back towards the main road and allowed him to jog lightly. "Who do you supose?" Chet whispered to the horse as they neared the edge of the tree line. Chet's eyes scanned the road side carefully, if it was someone who he didn't want to run into right about now he wanted to give himself room to turn Red and run. Closer her drew until finally his eyes could see fresh hoof prints in the dirt on the road. Quickly Chet drew back on the reins, his heart began to race as he notice that the tracks disapeared into the side of the woods. Red reared high tossing his head an crying out, the Thorouhbreds ears lay flate back against his neck and he bared his teeth angrily. The horse could sence danger, bringing the horse under control Chet spun him around and kicked his heals to the animals sides. The shrill cry of another horse close by responded, Red burst into a run, dodging trees and leaping over downed logs. (Cue Chance Walker)

Riding in on a main rode at a steady canter, Chet turned his horses head and the horse replied by branching off onto a deer trail. The young Duke boy had used this trail on more then one occasion, it was a good short cut to town, well covered by the huge pines and the dense forest. Also, by taking this trail he could get the drop on the town...even if he had no idea what he was gonna do when he got there. Chet came to a slow running creek and stopped his horse there so that Red could drink. Some thoughts suddenly occurred to Chet... he was going the wrong way. Why the hell was he heading back to town, his family didn’t want him, the law wanted him dead for horse stealing and the town eyed him like a bunch of vultures. Not to mention the problems he had had with the black clad stranger and the blonde haired slick. Chet shook his head and began to build a smoke, his thoughts tumbling around in his head. Where could an outlaw draw the line? Was he wrong in going back to Hazzard, or was it the right thing to do. He flicked a match and lit his smoke breathing out the first drag in a hopeless sigh. “Come on hoss... the sooner we get back to town. “ He took another drag and eased Red up the creeks opposite bank. “The sooner I get my fool neck hung....†The deer trail was easy going, an Chet jogged the tall Thoroughbred through the trees allowing the horse to pick its way through at its own free will. (Cue Anyone...

The big Red horse laid its ears back unhappyily, he didn't like the extra weight on his back but obeyed Chet's command to behave. "Come on horse... lets get outta this weather." Chet said and turned the horse down from the road and started him towards the trees. After the horse began to walk through the woods Chet titled his head to one side, it was a alittle bit of a ride to town so he might as well get aquanted with the guy sitting behind him. "Im sorry I didn't catch your name." Chet paused. "Mind if I ask what your business is in town an if you have some place to stay this evening?" Trying to sound as friendly as possible Chet drifted his left hand to his back, wondering if the man sitting behind him could see the bulge of his .45's handle through the back of his thick leather duster. Silently Chet prayed to god that the stranger couldnt see it, but if for some reason he leaned against Chet's back he would no doubt feel the gun. Not wanting the stranger to get alarmed by his hand on his back Chet reached down and tested the tightness of his horses belly cinch. (Cue Blackjack or anyone.)

“Hmmm...†Chet pondered to himself for a moment. He recognized the black Chevy, an by the looks of the direction it was going in it was headed for town, and chances were this strangers motorcycle was headed there too. Chet steadied Red and again offered the stranger a helping hand up behind him on the big Red gelding. “Come on... theres a short cut through the woods to town, we can meet your bike in town, chances are that where its going.†He with drew his foot from the stirrup so that the stranger could step up behind him. (Cue Brian or Blackjack)

Sometime during the early hours of the next morning, before sunrise Chet Duke awoke to the sound of birds chirping and the fire near by him crackling low with nothing left but coals. He opened his eyes and looked around, his hands wandered down his sides and touched his guns on his hips. Amazing enough there was very little pain in his shoulder and stomach, an he came to the assumption that it was safe to say that he was feeling better already. Although he felt better he made his movement slow, first rolling over to see where Valerie and Enos were. His eyes landed on Val sleeping on her bed roll, but Enos was nowhere in site, Chet’s stomach sank to the pit. He had gone after the gang... Feeling guilty now Chet quietly raised to his feet wincing a little as he twisted his stomach the wrong way. He knew there was only one thing he could do, it wasn’t the honest choice, or the lawful choice, but it seemed to be the only way that he would not swing from a noose if the Sheriff showed up. “Psssst....†Chet whispered. “Red... come here.†In reply the Red horse standing near by slowly picked its way over to Chet and stood loyally, quickly Chet began to saddle the horse, being as quiet as he possibly could. After the saddling he took a lead pencil and a receipt from his saddle bags and jotted down a quick note on the back of the receipt to the Strates. Dear Enos and Valerie, I appreciate your help and I’m sorry I left like I did, but the best thing I can do is keep the two of you out of this whole mess. Please don’t try to follow me, tell the Sheriff that I’m dead. Tell him that you let my horse go free and that Im berried in the mound of dirt under the willow tree. Tell him that I died of multiple gun shot wounds, Im relying on you to keep me from swinging. I know that leaving was wrong, but the law would no doubt take my life for what I have done, so now Im off to make it right. I hope Enos makes it back alright. Im sure we’ll meet again someday, if we don’t, thank you. Happy Trails , Chet Duke With that said and done Chet placed the note under the tip of Val’s rifle barrel that lay near she was sleeping. Quickly Chet gathered as many rocks as he could find and built them into a makeshift grave, still being as quiet as possible. When that was done he took two large sticks from the near by woods and tied them together with a piece of string in the shape of a cross. With a warm coal from the fire he crudely printed his own name on the cross stick of the cross then jammed the cross down into the ground at the head of the grave. One last look was enough satisfaction for him, as long as no one moved the rocks or dug there the empty grave would be left to look as real as could be without having a body in it. With one last glance at Valerie Strate he stepped into the saddle wincing a little he jerked his horses reins causing the horse to spin around. Feeling faintly guilty he squeezed his legs around Red and the horse galloped away into the dim lighting of the early morning. (CUE BRIAN OR ALEX! AND ONLY BRIAN OR ALEX, PLEASE.)

The tall black hair Duke boy astride the Red gelding laughed to himself for a moment, the nearest gas station was the pumps out front of the Boars Nest about three miles down the road. “Sure.... I could point you there and I could take you there if ya don’t mind sitting behind me. “ Chet paused taking a drag from his cigarette as Red walked a few short feet behind the stranger. “My names Chet and this is Red.†Dropping the thick leather reins Chet patted the horses thick neck and gave his long mane a brush with one gloved hand. “The closest gas station is nearly a five mile walk from here, there’s a handful of gas pumps out in front of a lil’ place called The Boars Nest.†Chet lied about the distance, it was no fun walking in weather like this even if it was only three miles. (Cue Blackjack. Your welcome.)

(*Welcome to Hazzard Blackjack and welcome to the Round Robin forum.*) As the cold rain began to pour down, Chet Duke titled his own back Stetson towards the blowing wind to protect his face as he wrapped the barbed wire around the fence post once more to make sure it was entirely secure. His horse, a tall, thin and long legged gelding Thoroughbred with a dark red chestnut coat gave him a bump with his nose from behind, a bump that usually meant hurry up. “I know the rain is cold Red, Im hurrying I really am.†Chet said starting on the next wire down. Again the horse gave him a bump in the back, a rougher more urgent bump. Quickly Chet wrapped the wire around the post and tugged it tight. “That will have to do.†Getting slightly irritated now red nipped the back of Chet’s coat giving the chocolate colored duster a rough tug. Red released Chet’s jacket and bobbed his head towards the road about 20 yards behind them, the horse had seen the stranger walking and felt the need to alert his master. “Stop it... I said Im done.†Chet replied turning around to face his horse as he gathered the reins from the ground. He glanced up just as Red bobbed his head in the direction of the road, his mismatched half blind gaze landed on the stranger walking towards town. Who in there right mind would be out in this weather? Let alone walking towards town, it was no short walk. “Hmmm.... Now what do you make of that?†The black haired Duke boy wondered aloud as he stepped into the saddle mounting the tall horse. Red tossed his head an in reply turned towards the road and began to walk towards the stranger. With a slight shrug Chet gave the horse his head and he began to trot towards the road, then he took up a quicker pace nearly running. With in a few short minutes the shod horses hooves touched down on the cement as the horse and rider came up to the road and slowed to a walk behind the stranger. Chet an Red followed behind the darkly dressed passer by, Chet’s eyes gazing over the other man and reading him like a book. Casually he prepared to start a conversation, his right hand wandered to the front pocket of his shirt inside his duster and with drew a pack of cigarettes. “Beautiful day for a walk to town wouldn’t you say so?†Chet’s Yankee accent bellowed in sarcasm as he cupped his hands together an lit his cigarette. (Cue Backjack )

(**Joint post by Valerie Strate and Chet Duke**Thanks for you help Val) It was like someone through the young Duke boy a life line, he laid back and relaxed even though his body ached and screamed in pain. "I didnt mean.... to snap at ya'll... but I'm at the end... of my road." Enos looked into the mis-matched eyes as he knelt down beside Chet, "We know... ya don't have to explain Chet. We know. Now, where did they get ya?" Val knelt down on the other side of Chet near his wound. Carefully she looked at the blood caked cloth of his shirt. "My shoulder... right above my heart." Chet winced moving. He unbottoned the first two buttons on his shirt and pushed the blood soaked sky blue shirt away. His wound revealed, a simple bullet wound, clean through and bleeding heavily. "I guess they figured I was done for." Val pulled out some bandages from her pack. She also took out a flask of clear liquid. Gently she poured some of the liquid over the bare flesh of his wound, "That should clean it out.""ARRAHHH!" Chet shouted and suddenly sat strate up as the liquid touched his wound instantly burning something ferice. "That hurts!" Slowly he laid back on the ground and panted, his eyes squinted shut tightly. "My horse agrees... Im retired... after this is all over!" "Easy... Hold him Enos. I'm sorry Chet but we can't have you lay on the ground and risk getting dirt in that wound." Val then took some of the bandage rolls in the sack and rolled them around the shoulder. Enos helped steady Chet. "That hurts...." Chet replied leaning against Enos for support, he swayed with dizziness. "What ya'll doing out here... any way?" Again Chet winced. "I think we should camp here... evenings coming on..." Val looked to Enos. Chet was not in the best of condition and it probably would be best if they didn't move him. "Before we do... do you know where those fellas you were riding with were headed?" Enos asked. Shaking his head Chet shut his eyes feeling waves of pain come over him. "There probably headed.... to Texas." He breathed tiredly, it had been such a long evening already. Enos took off his jacket and put it under Chet to allow him to sleep on it. He then got up hastly an went over to his horse. "What are you doing?" Val asked her brother as she continued to monitor the Duke boy. "I'm goin' to Texas..." Enos replied picking up his shotgun and making sure it was loaded, "I got a job to do." "Enos! You can't go alone. Just look what they did to Chet! You'll be mince meat pie once they get done with you." Val pleeded. She noticed Chet was now resting and not stirring, "It's susicide!" "Stay here with Chet. After a day's rest, you and him can come after me. But I got a hunch that the Sheriff is already on the trail of those guys. If I'm right... Sheriff Rosco and whoever's with him are already in pursuit. If I go now Val I can track the baddies down and maybe get back to Rosco. I'm not gonna confront them alone Val. Just track'em down, then get help." Enos replied. Val bit her lower lip as she watched him mount Justice, "Becareful.... I love ya." "Love ya too sis..." Enos called back as he spured Justice, "Yeeehaaaa!" Val watched Enos ride off. She returned her attention back to Chet. Realizing she needed to build a campfire for the night, she got to work. (Cue Anyone)

It was like someone had stuck a red hot iron through him, a flare of burning pain suddenly came shooting up Chet’s body spreading from his gut and his shoulder. He groaned loudly, his hand dropping his gun to the ground and pressing firmly over his shoulder. The young outlaws eyes squinted tightly shut as he fought against the darkness of unconsciousness. How foolish was he? Here was two people who cared enough to help him, an he was turning them away even though he was now facing death from lose of blood. “Im sorry....†Chet cringed and wavered with dizziness. “ I’ve been through hell... the past two days.†Feeling weak and exhausted he leaned away from the tree and laid back on the ground, wincing as his back touched the dirt. Resting against the dirt he relaxed, no longer feeling threatened by Valerie and Enos Strate, and it was safe to say that he now silently welcomed there help. “I know... I’ll die if I say here...†He paused his mismatched eyes staring up at the darkening sky. “But dying don’t sound half bad.....right now.†With his right hand pressed over his left shoulder he raised his left hand from the ground an tiredly waved with a flick of his wrist for them to come closer. “Dun’ mind Red.... he’s just...†He winced squinting his eyes at a flare up of pain.â€scared...†(Cue Valerie or anyone)

“BANG!!! BANG!!!†“Stay back Enos.... This is your last warning! The next two shots will be to you chest and I wont miss! Just stay back. I’ve been given all the help I can chew and more.†Chet Duke said drawing back the hammer on his gun again. He winced and he sat up more against the tree, his shoulder and side aching him. The Red Thoroughbred’s nostrils flared angrily as he stood close by, his ears laid back in warning. “If ya know whats good for ya you’ll just keep right on riding. I don’t care if I die sitting here! Im not going back to town just to go to jail and get hung!†(Cue Val)

Happy Birthday Doc.... *tips hat to Doc*

Hearing the brush rustle with movement as Val and Enos came out of it, Chet Duke quickly drew from his right hip and leveled the gun on the pair. His mismatched eyes dark and glaring, his hand steadily clutching the gun. “Don’t come any closer!†Chet snapped at the pair. The young dark haired Duke boys eyes fell over Val and Enos, they were just another part of the law on the man hunt to take him into custody. Not this Duke boy... Chet thought. He wouldn’t go back to jail... no matter what. The only way he was going back to Hazzard right now was strapped over the back of his horse.... dead. “Im warning you....†He swallowed his shoulder stinging. “You should have stayed out of this, just stay back... I don’t want to hurt either of you but I will.†His eyes stayed dark with a deep intense glare. Red laid his ears back flat on his thick neck and snorted, his right hoof pawed the ground with heavy strikes in warning. The big horse sensed the anger in his comrades voice, unhappily the horse reared for the sky pawing in warning to stay away. (Cue Brian)

(This is a joint post written by Garrett, Vicki and Chet.) His face still twisted in anger an his jaw line tight, Chet returned to the stairs where he joined Ethan. Ethan had seen the entire scene with Daney and the jail cell, then his threat to Razor. “This is all messed up now!†He said to Ethan as they started up the stairs. “What the hell does Garrett want?!†Ethan fought to contain the anger that was fed upon all that he had seen and from the tone of voice Chet had used upon him. "We're not the ones that messed-" he abruptly cuts himself off. "This is what we all need now...you threatening Razor...who is hurt and on our side. Who you gonna be threatening next?" The black haired Duke boy gritted his teeth an his words hissed through his clenched jaws. “I didn’t ask for you opinion Ethan! I asked what the hell Garrett wants!†Chet said his eyes drilling into Ethan’s. "You dumb jackass!" Ethan abruptly hisses as he angrily grabs a hold of the back of Chet's shirt to drag Chet to an abrupt stop in front of him on the stairs. "We all came in here as a team...no leaders and no one in particular in charge. And now you are running all over us as if we don't exist and treating us like crap!" Ethan runs a shaky hand through his copper wavy hair. "And if that isn't enough you are down there waving that gun at everyone as if you think that will answer everything. Think again, hotshot! Because it won't!" Suddenly Chet grabbed Ethan by the collar of his shirt an thrust him against the wall with both hands pinning him there. His mismatched eyes bore into Ethan’s eyes in an angry challenge, daring him to say another word. “All hell has broke lose Ethan, this ain’t how it was supposed to be. “ He paused considering how much he should tell Ethan. “Someone’s going to get hurt..... stay out of my way and it wont be your sorry, pathetic ass!†"I don't think so, Chet," Ethan quickly shifts his muscular body to block Chet upon the stairs, "Is that some sort of threat? And as for who is pathetic around you, the only pathetic person I see around, is you!" “Oh is that right?! Well atleast I get the damned job done!†Chet dashed forward hunching his shoulders over as he plowed into Ethan’s legs. He hugged his right arm around Ethan’s legs and then straitened up his back with Ethan on his shoulder. In one quick movement he released him allowing him to roll over his back and land on his own back on the stairs. “Stay the f@#$ out of my way!†Chet said as he topped the stairs and entered the booking room, the first thing his eyes met was Vicki locked away in the upstairs cell, he turned his glare to Garrett. Garrett's heart rushes wildly within him as he watches Ethan's body being harshly thrown down the stairs. Feeling the heat of anger rush through him, Garrett quickly jumps over his desk to pin Chet against the wall. "You idiotic jackass!" Garrett attempts to struggle back his emotions that rages within him as he stares at his cousin and holds him tighter against the wall. "What the hell's gotten into you?! First you allow your lady cop girl friend to join us and now you're threatening people on your own damn side! Well forget you and your damn attitude. You're nothing!" Chet grunted as he was forcefully pinned against the wall, but he only grinned wildly at Garretts words. They were all crazy and they were all going to pay for what they had done to the Hazzard law. What the hell he had nothing to lose. With that figured Chet simply raised his knee into Garrett’s abdomen and doubled up his fists slamming them down onto Garrett’s back with all his might. “Don’t you dare even think about blaming this on Vicki you stupid sonofa@#$%^!†Watching the two Duke men fight, Vicki was in awe. She couldn't believe that Garrett was blaming her. Her voice, sounding nothing at all like her to her own ears, she said to Garrett and Chet, "Why don't you two stop fighting like this. Can't you two work it out?" Fighting back the pain and the anger that rushes through him, Garrett silently ignores Vicki as he abruptly knees Chet in the groin before punching Chet in the nose as Chet began to bend in pain. "I'm not blaming no one but Chet," he hisses out as he keeps Chet tightly pinned against the wall. "I agreed with this plan because I agreed with you and figured we were all mature enough to stick together. Obviously, Chet isn't." Garrett spits in Chet's face in disgust. His back curved and his stomach feeling sickly the younger Duke boy gasped for breath warding back the pain below his belt. But his eyes staid intent on his cousin an his fist bound into hammers. “What plan! No one, not even you stuck to the plan.†Chet hissed fiercely. Enraged to a insane degree Chet’s fist came up and he pounded his cousin in the face...once...twice... Then as Garrett staggered back he tackled him to the floor and they began to roll back and forth fighting for the upper hand. "How the hell did I not stick with the damn plan?!" Garrett hisses as he struggles to block the powerful punches that digs deeply within him. "I didn't invite some chic in who, I might add, called the Chickasaw cops in!" Garrett's vision blurs in pain as blood drips from his nose and the corner of his mouth as he fights to hold Chet down. "Hope you're happy!" Garrett sneers down at him, "You don't look so powerful now without the gun, huh?" Pinned to the floor struggling to roll his bigger, stronger and older cousin off him the news of the call that Vicki had made was spilt. Split like a can of paint an it began to spread across his mind, had she tried to betray them? He pondered... Just the same he slammed his fist into Garrett’s side but his cousins weight held him firmly on his back, pinned securely to the floor. "Damn you!†"Garrett grunts onto the younger cousin as he feels the pain itching it's way within him, "Ethan didn't do nothing to you... you want to take a piece of someone...you want to threaten someone...do it to me!" Garrett harshly backhands Chet across the face, "Damn you!" (Cue Vicki)

The gang of outlaws galloped there horses fast headed for the end of town in the opposite direction then the way they had come in. “Hey! Where are we going we got to go get Jericho!†One of the men yelled above the thundering hooves. “Forget him! Hes dead by now.†Another man shouted back as they came to the end of the main street and took the back route out of town. Chet rode along hunched forward in the saddle, his right hand grasping the reins and his left hand pressed firmly over his gut. As they rode down the back route ever so slowly Chet began to drift back in the line, an he hunched forward further the pain in his abdomen growing to unbearable. Rick and Lowell rode beside each other in the front of the pack, they both noticed Chet slowly falling back and they noticed the way he began to hug his horses neck after only a mile out of town. Lowell leaned towards Rick and whispered to him as the group of riders galloped hard. “He’s finished Rick....hes never going to make it outta the county.†Lowell spoke in a low voice. Rick nodded. “What should we do?†“When a horse is dying you do the humane thing.... an put it out of its misery.†Lowell drew back on his horses reins. “He’ll never see it coming.†Rick’s brow wrinkled but he nodded, there was no doubt in his mind. He had seen the way Chet was suffering, bent forward in the saddle, barely keeping from falling off. At Lowell’s cue the riders drew back on there heaving mounts and came to a stop in the middle of the rode. “What are we...stopping for?†Chet asked his voice badly pinched in pain his face tight. “That posy is gonna ride up on us fast, I figured it would be a good time to give you back your guns Chet, your gonna need them.†Chet nodded and watch Lowell twist around in his saddle and dive his hand into his saddle bags, he drew out Chets matching holsters, then his shoulder holsters, all of them heavy with fully loaded .45's and shells. Lowell handed the guns over to Chet an the young black haired Duke boy strapped on the guns and tied the hip holsters raw hide down around his thigh. Done Chet sat up in his saddle and pressed his left hand back over his wound, he winced as it burned and throbbed. “Alright....Im ready.†Chet said. “I’ve got one more thing for you Chet.†Lowell said as he looked into those mismatched eyes one final time, he would never forget those eyes for as long as he lived. Hunched back over in pain Chet only raised his eyes to his comrade in reply, suddenly Lowelly drew his right hand Colt from its holster on his hip and fired off a shot. The bullet slammed into the left side of Chet’s chest, the impact throwing the mangled outlaw to the ground. Landing on his chest Chet lay still his right cheek pressed against the dirt and his black Stetson lay on the ground beside him. The men surrounding him looked shocked, there eyes wide an intent on there leader. “Lets ride!†Lowell said roughly jerking his horses head around and giving the tired horse a kick to its ribs with his spurs. The gang of outlaws rode away leaving Chet laying in the dirt, blood oozing down his back from the wound in his left shoulder, the bullet had missed his heart by only inches. Red stood close by nervously, his ears perked listening. Twenty long minutes passed an slowly Chet regained consciousness, he groaned and rolled over wincing. His first concern was not the fresh wound to his shoulder, but the more suveer wound in his gut. He opened his heavy leather duster and looked down at the front of his shirt.... thank god... he wasn’t bleeding again. Slowly he sat up reverting his attention back to the fresh wound in his shoulder, the bullet had passed through an missed his heart. He removed the bandanna from around his neck and placed it inside his shirt over the wound as he leaned against a near by tree. “Red.... what do you say after this we retire? That sonofa@#$%^ fully intended to kill me.†The big Red Thoroughbred bobbed his head up and down in a hasty reply. (Cue Anyone.)

Suddenly seeing the black clad Coltrane move forward Chet released Daney’s wrist and drew his .45 from his waist band again. He pointed the gun at both Brian and Rosco, his facial expression going colder. “Don’t get any closer Brian!†Chet warned an then turned the gun on Daney. “Now this is your last warning..... take your jacket off, toss it to the opposite side of the room and unlock my wrist.†Chets mismatched eyed glare deepened yet further, his temper raising. The sound of someone coming down the stairs echoed in his ears, a uneasy feeling passed over him. Hesitantly his right thumb drew back the hammer on the gun. “You’ve got 10 seconds to put that key into the slot on these handcuffs....10....9.....8....†(Cue anyone)

(*Joint post made by Daney and Chet.) "No!" You take those keys out and give them to me Daney. Rosco doesn't move until those keys are in my hand." Chet Duke snarled and continued to pressed the .45 caliber pistol to Rosco's forehead. "And exactly how am I suppose to put them in your hand?" Daney answered. "When i see the keys I will make that possible." Chet shot back, the anger flaring in his eyes. "Chet, you're not comprehendin' what I am sayin'. And that is to even get the keys from my pocket, I need Rosco to move over." Daney replied politely. Chets jaw line went ridged as he gritted his teeth. "Alirght Rosco, back up two steps." Chet instructed demandingly. With that, Rosco backed up two steps, the pressure on his forehead releasing as he backed away from the barrel of the pistol. The Sheriff took a deep breath. Blue eyes stared at the slightly taller Duke boy. Then glanced over Brian's head to MaryAnne and Razor, the tiger. Enos, Cletus and Emery were scrunched against the cot. A silver of moonlight coming through the window down on the brown blanket. They looked nervously at the dark haired Duke boy. Daney had no sympathy for him. She retrieved the key and slowly reached her closed left hand up to place it in one of Chet's hand. "Chet, you realize that with the gun in your hand. I can't give you the keys." In the blink of an eye Chet placed the gun back in its hiding place in the back waist band of his jeans and reached up with his right hand suddenly grasping Daney's wrist. He looked her in the eye boldly, his grip on her wrist firm. "Now, drop the keys into my other hand, if you make any sudden moves you'll just plain regret it." His voice was ice. (Cue anyone)

“Don’t you dare move Rosco!†Chet glared, his mismatched eyes beaming. His left hand lay securely hand cuffed the cell door, but his right hand was free and now pressed a .45 to Sheriff Rosco’s forehead, right between his eyes. Rosco slowly raised his hands, he noticeably swallowed and a drop of sweat rolled down his nose. Chet face twisted in anger as his right hand pressed the gun firmly to the Sheriffs head. His own kin had just betrayed him, although that wasn’t surprising she had indeed betrayed him to the law. “So very kind of you Daney, Im so glade that you are so very willing to risk Rosco’s life rather then simply willingly doin as I ask.†He snapped. “Now you will unlock my wrist....and you will put yourself in that cell. If you don’t I swear to @#$%! God that I will spread Rosco’s brains on this cement floor.†The young Duke boys voice was fierce with anger, the muscles in his right arm flexed as he gripped the handle of the pistol firmly. “You stay right there MA....Daney can take your place in the cell.†(Cue Daney.)

“Valerie Strate!†Chet’s voice rang out pinched in pain. His horse raised back to its feet with him hunched over in the saddle, one hand pressed over the wound in his gut, the other grasped the reins. “Your out numbered...Valerie.....get outta here.†He demanded ridding his horse up closer to her. “I don’t want anyone.....else in Hazzard.....hurt because..... of me.....just get outta here. Both of you....†He winced and backed the horse up away from her turning him towards the other open end of the alley. “Come on guys.†(Cue anyone)

"Daney! What are you doing here?!" Chet burst out angrily. "Great this is all I needed! A goody goody Duke to complicate things!" Suddenly he strute forward and grabbed Daney by the arm pulling her demandingly down the stairs and in front of the jail cell.

Chet Dukes mismtached eyes suddenly turned there attention to the wise mouthed black clad Coltrane within the jail cell. "Yeah....yeah call a taxidemist....finish him off just like you planned." The young black haired Duke boys eyes narrowed. "It was you...." Chet pointed his finger at Brian strutting up to the jail cell. "You and your Syndicate bullies did this to Riddick!" Suddenly Chet whirled around and shouted up the stairs, his voice tremulous with anger and pinched in hate. "GARRETT!!!....ETHAN!!!! Get down here!" He turned back to the cell sharply his eyes firery. "We got our selves some trash to take out!" (Cue anyone.)

(The one and only....Dont worry MA Im still here.) Chet winced as his comrades half carried half dragged him out to his horse just as Val came up to Scott who was still struggling to hold onto Chet’s horse. “Don’t you touch this horse lady! If he don’t tear you apart his owner.....†Scott’s words drop onto the ground as his eyes landed on Rick, and Lowell half carrying the once mighty gunfighter towards him. Red reared pawing the sky with his hooves and gave a shrill cry, scared and unhappily the big horse touched back down and began to paw the ground as the three men drew closer. An finally they brought Chet to the big Red gelding, the horse calmed and began to sniff his owner all over. “Easy my....old friend.†Chet said rubbing one hand on the horses forehead. Lowell and Rick looked at each other, Red had to be the by fare the tallest of all there horses and as light and lean as Chet was it would be hell boosting him into the saddle. “Chet how we gonna get you on him?†Lowell asked looking at the battered younger man. Chet only looked at his comrade an gave a sigh, he swallowed and took hold of his horses reins. He knew how close he was to the big horse, they were best of buddies and there was nothing that the horse wouldn’t try to do to please him. Still leaning half his weight on his friends Chet spoke to Red in the strongest but friendliest voice he could manage. “Please Red....my friend, my comrade....bow big fella....bow Red!†Chet said watching the big horse. Red pawed the ground a couple of times and nervously got down on one front knee stretching out his other front leg as his owner had requested. Chet watched him and gave a light smile at his friend as the horse did as he asked, an then he cleared his throat and asked one more request of his loyal stead. “Good boy Red....good boy.†Chet placed a caring hand on the horses head. “Down Red....down.....come on big guy....down.†Chet watched hoping and praying that the horse remembered the old tricks that he had been taught, even though he hadn’t done them in years. Flicking his ears back and then forward again the Thoroughbred stood up on all fours and pawed the ground in nervous irritation, he understood what was being asked of him, but he didn’t understand why. None the less he replied un gracefully, he bent one front knee and then the other. With a big groan of effort the horse tucked his rear legs and laid down on the ground. Wincing back the pain Chet stepped forward and hugged the horses head, not a soul on earth could ask for a more loyal partner then he had. (Cue MaryAnne and only MaryAnne)

(This is a joint post by Vicki & Chet) The black haired Duke boy gave his famous sideways smile at the redheadded Chickasaw County officer and stared at her for a moment. She was down right pretty, an her eyes lit up with joy an excitment, an her lips looked inviting and pure. Chet liked his lips not saying anything more in reply to her, an silently he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to kiss those rose red lips. Both of them were quiet, pensive, as if neither wanted to broach the subject of what would happen soon. Vicki stared into Chet's eyes. She couldn't stop thinking about him, even as he inched closer to her. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't feel his arm go around her shoulder. Vicki was nevertheless not surprised when she felt his presence close to her. Gently Chet drew her closer to him, he knew what was about to happen and he could feel the redness creeping up into his face. His mismatched eyes gazed into hers as gently as they would allow, the silence over took him. "Did anyone ever tell you your erasistable." He gave her a toothy smile, his nose so close to her he could smell her perfume. "Not in a long time, sugar. Not in a long time," said Vicki, as she watched Chet's face inched closer to her. "Did you know that I wanted you in my arms for a long time now, even before you started working in Chickasaw with Sheriff Little," Chet drawled in a husky voice as he slipped his arms around Vicki's waist. Feeling that it was now or never Chet bent his head forward tightening his hold around Vicki's waist he pressed his lips to hers, his black Stetson tipping back out of the way. Vicki trembled slightly as his mouth continued to claim hers in a hungry kiss. She didn't want it to stop for a long time. After gulping in some air, Chet kissed her again. Heat and warmth flooded inside Vicki, along with a glorious feeling that she'd just found what she was missing in her life. "So did you planned this?" Vicki breathless as they finally drew apart. "Not exactly until now," said Chet as he pulled Vicki back into his arms. He put his arm around her back and took her hand into his, his smile never fadding, his heart racing at a million miles per second. "There was no plan really.....I just." He paused unsure how to explain himself. "I just could help myself I reckon." He said with a smile as he lead her towards the Sheriffs station enterance. "So what do you think.....think Im a good kisser?" He teased alittle, but his heart still raced and he knew his face was red Vicki giggled as she put her arm around Chet's waist. "You're just fine, sugar. What about me?" Chet nodded slowly. He wasn't sure on what to say. Finally he let out a breath and looked straight into her blue-gray eyes. "Chet, is something wrong?" Vicki asked as Chet stared at her. "No, nothing is wrong. I don't know how to say this so I'll just say it straight. This...thing...between us is so strong, it's killing me. I thought that the feelings would go away when you left for Chickasaw so long ago, but when I saw you again, my heart started going crazy for you. I can't stop thinking about you." Vicki sighed loudly. "I feel the same way, Chet. What are we going to do about it? How are we going to explain this to everyone?" He only shrugged, he didnt care what other people thought, it was un important to him. " Well for now beautifull lets just leave them to there own thoughts." He lead her to the door his smile holding strong, Razor still laid on the steps to the station but his attention was not on them. Chet opened the door for her. "Ive got a job to do, your welcome to tag along all you want sweet thang." (Cue anyone.)

“They got Jericho!†Rick shouted as the bunch of riders galloped there horses down the main street then veered sharply into an alley way. “We’ll get him on the way out!â€Lowell shouted back as they came up to the back entrance of the Doctors office. There Scott waited patiently with Chet’s skittish Red gelding, it was all he could do just to keep the horses reins in his hand. Nervously the Red horse reared to the sky and gave a shrill cry. The other men tied there horses and broken into the rear of the Doctors building and made there way through the back rooms. Meanwhile inside the Doctors room still laying in bed Chet had herd the familiar eerie cry of his horse and he forced himself to sit up as painful as it was. He grabbed his pants from the near by chair and was buttoning them up when Lowell and his men burst into the room guns drawn. The Doctor yelled an pounded on the door of one of the rooms demanding that they let him out, a chair set wedge under the door handle. Brandie awoke at the sudden crash of Chet’s rooms door and was on her feet in an instant in sheer startle. “Chet! You are alive!†Lowell said gathering his comrades belongings from the chair an handing them to him. “No kidding!†Chet said wincing as he attempted to slip on his shirt. A wave of darkness swept over his mind and Rick and Lowell barely caught him from collapsing to the floor his face withering in pain. His right hand pressed over the bandages covering the severe bullet wound in his gut. Lowell tossed Chet’s things to Skud and took Chet under the arms nodding to Rick to do the same. “Were going to have to carry him out of here, theres no way hes going on his own will power.†Lowell said. Rick nodded and threw one of Chet’s arms over his shoulder and put his arm around Chet’s back, Lowell did the same. “No! No! You can’t take him! He’s too weak! He’ll die!â€Brandie said in protest her voice high pitched and shrill, tears poured down her cheeks. Chet groaned in protest at the movement as his friends lifted him, he winced an swallowed hard. “Its ok....Brandie....there gonna...help me.†Chet spoke to her in a dry soar voice as they began to carry him out the back exit. (Cue Anyone)