Uncivil War (A sequel to Battle of Hazzard)

[essyjane]

(This is a cowritten project by Essy and Chance's author)

It's a another northern invasion. Stephanie and Angel Wilson are back. Stephanie is now the driver for the General Sherman. Angel has a new look, a new car and a new career...bounty hunter. Meet the newest addition to the Wilson garage, a 1970 midnight blue Challenger names Archangel.

====

Two cars pulled into Hazzard garage, one right next to each other, which wasn't anything rare. The first car however warranted a second look, as the bold red, white and blue racing colors and the southern scorned name "General Sherman" gleamed in the sunlight. The other car, a nearly identical Dodge Challenger, which pulled up behind, was no less powerful looking but its dark midnight blue color almost looked sedate next to its counterpart.

...And if the arrival of the twin cars didn't invite a look, the drivers stepping out of the cars did.

Angel Wilson grinned as she exited the dark blue car. The former car thief was grinning as she look around Hazzard square. She looked dramatically different from the Wilson sisters last explosive arrival to Hazzard. Her previously long blonde hair was shorn short, falling in uneven chops just above the shoulders. She made an striking figure dressed in leather black pants and a blue silk shirt that almost matched the car.

Stephanie had sprung into a beautiful young flower of course. Her hair was now shoulder length. She had been out in the sun for so long highlights began appearing everywhere. She was in charged of Sherman from now on two levels. Stephanie had turned into quite the racer since the last time she got into Hazzard.

The rumble of two powerful engines had brought the town mechanic out the garage. He immediately tipped his hat up and smiled at the familiar racing car. "Well, if it isn't the invaders from the North! Angel and Stephanie Wilson, you two girls back in town to start another Un-civil war with the Dukes?" Not waiting for an answer, Cooter placed a hand on the General Sherman's hood. "You’re looking good Sherman."

Angel couldn't help but chuckle of Cooter's greeting to their racing car. The northern stockcar champion had given the General Lee a run for its money last time the Wilson’s visited Hazzard, as competition hired by Hogg to derail the Duke’s winning of a major race. The two Yankee sisters had also proved a match for the Dukes in other matters too. Since then, Stephanie had entered the racing circuit, taking over her older sister's realm. Angel, however, had taken a whole new career. One she wasn't about to share just yet.

She watched as Cooter circled the newer car. "Nice." He glanced up at Angel, who nodded, before popping the hood. The mechanic let out a long, low whistle at what he found. "Ang, you REALLY molded this car. This ain't no racer." The engine was powerful but not the racer model that the General Sherman held, but one modified to run quietly but with the potential for speed and quick gear changes when needed. This car wasn't built to outrun another car, but to chase them down with bursts of power and superior handling...a hunter.

"No, Archangel ain’t." Angel didn't elaborate. Instead she reached it and opened the glove compartment. The opened hood hid the mechanic view of the interior; otherwise he would have seen the Beretta tucked inside. Grabbing some folded papers, Angel snapped the compartment shut and straightened. "Hogg's office still in the courthouse?"

"Yeah, but what you want to see him fer?" Cooter's eyes suddenly widened. "You're not..."

Angel laughed out loud at the expression. "No, we ain't been hired by Hogg again. I got other business to attend to this time." With that cryptic remark, Angel turned and crossed the street, papers in hand, leaving the bemused Cooter to look at the young brunette Wilson.

"What was THAT all about?" Stephanie shrugged. Cooter slowly slithered to his garage and leaned against the wall. Stephanie looked at Archangel and began to wipe the dusty grits left behind from the dirt roads.

"I don't know really," Stephanie mumbled.

"Uh huh, that's what they all say."

"No, that's what I say."

"Look Steph, last time y'all were here I had some cars to repair. Now don't get me wrong I was happier than a hog in mud but it was trouble."

"We ain't that bad Cooter. I have changed since then." Stephanie pushed her hair back and looked at the mechanic closely. She directed her eyes down again as she popped the hood to Sherman.

"Oh? Then what is Angel up to?" Stephanie looked up as she pulled out the dipstick. Stephanie shrugged and put it back in its place. “Well?â€

“Why should I WORRY about what my sister does? I am not her keeper.†Cooter looked at Stephanie in disbelief. “I’m sorry Cooter, I guess I’m a bit tired from the trip. Forgive me?â€

“Of course I forgive ya. So what about Angel?†Stephanie sighed. She leaned on the hood of General Sherman. Stephanie pushed back her hair.

"Angel keeps to herself mostly. She's got herself mixed up in some new job. She says it's a challenge. I don't know what she's doing back in Hazzard but I am back to challenge Bo to a race today wanna join?" Stephanie replied. She pushed her hair back and looked at Cooter cheerfully.

"I don't know about you two.†Cooter walked closer towards Stephanie looking at her face to face. “Y'all always seem to push trouble to the limits."

"Trouble's my middle name Cooter and you should know that by now." Stephanie got in the car, she started up the engine. “Besides, if there wasn’t trouble in Hazzard, Bo and Luke would be doing their farming all day.â€

“Yeah, I guess so.†Stephanie shifted gears sped off to see where the boys were.

“Everyone in this town is always full of questions,†Stephanie said to herself. She pulled out a lipstick and put it on her bottom and top lip. She rubbed her lips together. “I am so sick of having this happen. What am I supposed to do, betray my sister?†Stephanie shook her head. She sighed softly. Oh Stephanie knew what Angel was up to alright. She was truthful about one thing, Angel's job was a challenge for sure. It would be a war especially when the victim was Boss Hogg.

Angel didn't break stride as she pushed through the door of the sheriff's office and heading for Hogg's office, pointedly ignoring the objections of Enos, Rosco apparently out on patrol. Without looking back, she opened the commissioner's office door. "Surprised to see me, Hogg?" She said, smirking.

"Angel Wilson, well ain't you a sight. Are you here to steal my car. Well if ya want, here are the keys," Boss Hogg remarked smugly. He took the keys out of his pocket and flashed them in front of Angel. Angel slapped them away from her and shook her head. She grinned sarcastically down at the round man reclining in the office chair.

"Tempting, but I gave up that life. I have new business with you, Hogg. It appears to owe some friends of mine a lot of money and I'm here to collect for them." She tossed down the papers she held on to the desk. It was a collection of betting slips, IOUs and written collateral. "Pay up, Boss."

Boss Hogg laughed hysterically. "Nice forgery Angel but I won't be givin' you that money 'cause you're gonna rot in jail for forgin' this thing." Boss lit a cigar and began to take smooth puffs of it. He looked at Angel and began laughing again. He blew the cool rugged smoke at Angel. She fanned it away. "What a scam, taking people's money that way. You must be desperate. What is Stephanie in Jail?"

Angel's blue eyes flashed with anger for a moment but the smile never faded. "No scam this time, Hogg, I'm serious. You can check those papers yourself, ‘cause I have the originals in safekeeping. I've been hired to get the money from you, by any means necessary." Placing her hands on the desk, the blonde bounty hunter leaned forward. "But since I'm in a generous mood and have other business in Hazzard, I'm giving you fair warning. You have 24 hours to pay up, before I start taking action."

"Yeah, okay little lady, I'll pay you.â€

“Let’s see it.â€

“Oh let me finish. I’ll pay you in monopoly money," Boss laughed. He pulled his desk open and grabbed a bag of candy bars. Boss turned his rotating chair around facing his back to her. "See ya tomorrow and you can collect your many colors of the rainbow."

"Your funeral, Boss!" With that, Angel turned and left the office. Boss Hogg had no idea what he was in for.

====

Meanwhile, over at the pond, Bo was skinny dipping with a girl. General Sherman inched up slowly. Stephanie laughed as she saw Bo. She remembered the nice jean skirt and tan shirt she brought for Sunday class. A trick was in order. She rubbed her hands together as she took the two items out of her suitcase. She grabbed Bo's clothes and replaced them. Stephanie went behind a set of bushes and changed into his clothes.

Bo's lady friend got out of the water and put her dress on. Bo got out and grabbed the clothes that were left for him. The shirt looked like his except it had the name "Stephanie" written on the left side pocket. Bo slid the skirt on thinking it was a pair of pants. As he began to walk, Bo felt funny. He looked down at his attire and was very shocked to say the least. His lady friend looked at him laughing as she began to walk away.

"Don't worry about driving me home, I can walk," She laughed. Bo looked around but couldn't see anyone. General Sherman suddenly backed up from behind the bushes. There sat Stephanie with a giant smile on her face.

"Want your clothes?" Stephanie shouted from in the car.

"Now Stephanie you better give those back or I'll..." Bo began.

"Or you'll what?" She began to drive away. Bo slid over the hood of the General Lee and got into the car. He pulled down his jean skirt as he went. He started up the engine and looked around for the one who robbed his clothes.

"Sunbeam this is lost sheep two come in," Bo said into the receiver.

"Hi honey, this is sunbeam, what do ya need?" Stephanie asked.

"Let's start with my clothes."

"If you want them, you're gonna have to take them from me."

"You're gonna wish you didn't say that." Bo sped up. He laughed softly. Bo only had one advantage over Stephanie, he knew Hazzard better than he knew the General Lee. Now friends, that's pretty good. Bo finally caught up with her bumper.

"Peek-a-boo, I see you." Stephanie continued to drive. "But you can't keep up even if you tried.†Stephanie took a dip in a road. She landed hard. The General did the same. Stephanie did some trick driving along the way. "Wow Bo, your pants are the secret to your driving."

“Oh you wish.â€

“Yeah, I’d be able to beat you everyday with these wranglers.â€

"You ain't keepin' them." There were two semi's coming towards them faster than lighting. Both swerved to miss. The General ended up in Hazzard pond and Sherman ended up on a slant down the hill. Stephanie got out making sure Bo was okay.

Bo looked like he was in a spa. He was covered head to toe with muddy water. Stephanie looked at him and laughed. "Now I know you're a lady so, I’ll help you like a good gentlemen," Stephanie joked. She put out a hand to help him. Bo pulled Stephanie into the water.

They began to wrestle and fight with each other. It was old times again for Stephanie and Bo. "So what do we tell Cooter?" Bo asked.

"Tell him you had a blonde moment," Stephanie answered. She took a big glob of mud and shoved it down his shirt. They began to fight a little bit more before two muddy bodies got inside of General Sherman.

After calling Cooter, the two muddy soldiers walked onto Uncle Jesse's clean floor with soaking socks. Uncle Jesse peered up at the two of them. "Walking on my floors looking like that! You must be askin' for a funeral because I'll give it to ya!" Uncle Jesse exclaimed.

"We wiped our feet," Stephanie laughed.

"Oh is that the sound of Stephanie Wilson I hear?"

"In the flesh Jesse. We'll mop it later." Uncle Jesse looked at his nephew.

"Bo, pull your pant legs apart, you look like you're wearing a dress." Bo had almost forgotten about the dress. He turned bright red. Stephanie began to laugh at him as Luke walked in.

"What happened to you two?" Luke asked.

"Car accident," Bo replied.

"Is the General okay?"

"Yeah, I ended up in the pond though." Luke smacked his head. "Cooter said it won't be a problem."

"Don't do it again." Luke straightened up. "Where's Angel?"

"With the way she's been actin' I don't care. She could be taking some old dude's money. I don't know," Stephanie replied. Uncle Jesse handed both of them a large towel. Stephanie draped hers over her shoulders.

"What do you mean?"

"Oh never mind, I am gonna take a shower." Stephanie grabbed the suitcase out of the back of the General and brought it inside the house. She then jumped into the bathroom. Bo was stuck waiting there in a dress.

===

Meanwhile, Angel was driving Archangel to the Duke farm. The older sister had changed a lot since her last visit of Hazzard. She was still the more cautious, quieter of the two but her career as a bounty hunter had started to leave her cool hearted and jaded. Steph had noticed it and mentioned it, Angel had just shrugged it off as "risks of the job". It put money on the table while Steph finished school and that was what mattered.

As the dark blue car pulled besides the Generals, Angel remembered that she told Steph to keep the real reason for her return a secret. There was no need to involve their friends in the battle that was about to happen.

Angel walked up to the porch and knocked on the aged wooden door. Last time the Wilson sisters visited this house, they left as friends to the Dukes, and Angel could only hope that the same would be true this time around.

Bo walked over to the door in his skirt. He pulled it down a little. The dry mud slid down the denim material. Angel looked at Bo as if he was some sort of alien. "Oh good, your sister's here, she's having a shower. How are ya?" Bo asked.

"What happened to you?" Angel asked, trying to change the subject.

"Oh, your sister and I got into a little accident and..."

"No, I mean why are you wearing a skirt?"

"Your sister, need I say more?" Angel rolled her eyes. Before, this behavior was accepted. At times, Angel would join in but now, she had no time for such foolishness. Angel was here to do a job not baby-sit her sister.

"I'll have a talk with her. Maybe then SHE will behave herself." Bo and Luke looked at Angel bewildered by her statement. "You guys don't mind if we stay for a few days do ya?"

"No, our home is always welcome to you two."

"Shower's free," Stephanie said as she popped her head around the corner. Bo smiled. He ran for it. Stephanie jabbed him in the ribs hard and winked. Angel grabbed her sister's arm hard.

"You haven't got the sense girl! You know better than to act this way! You don't think anymore," Angel scolded.

"Well maybe if you stuck around a little more for me, it would be different!†Stephanie exclaimed. Angel rolled her eyes.

“I am doing this for you.â€

“Oh sure, you keep saying that.â€

“Don’t you start Stephanie, we’ve been through this a hundred times.â€

“No, you have been through this a hundred times, I still don’t understand why you have to keep doing this. Why can’t you have a normal job instead of going off on some stupid...?" Stephanie began. Angel slapped her mid sentence. Stephanie stared at her sister shaking. She walked out of the house.

"Stephanie I'm sorry, I didn't mean it!" It was too late. Angel had hit her sister. To Stephanie that was the greatest crime a sister could ever do. Angel didn't want to do it. Stephanie was just being so careless again. She never used her brain. Always doing things that weren't right.

Stephanie would drive until she found a spot to cool down. Angel didn't know where that was anymore. She used to be able to find her sister without even trying but lately her radar was jammed.

Angel plowed her hands though her short, blonde hair. She looked at the stunned Dukes apologetically. "I'm sorry you had to see that, but the girl's got to learn to grow up," Angel said softly.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen ya hit her before,†Luke mumbled. He looked at Angel surprised by what she had done. Angel’s face turned red.

“I didn’t wanna hit her it just…happened. I was so mad. I love her to pieces.†Angel shook her head. She couldn’t believe she had done that.

“Well go after her, tell her how you’re feeling. Steph could be just as frustrated as you are.†Angel shook her head again. “Why not?â€

“She needs some time to cool and I have some work to do.â€

[essyjane]

Bo came out of the shower just as Angel sped off in her car. "Where'd Steph go?" Bo asked. Luke explained what happened. Bo rolled his eyes as he sighed. "I can't believe Angel would just leave her alone without explanation."

"Well sometimes people don't think about those things," Luke replied.

"No, I don't think that Stephanie should be left alone right now. Stephanie ain't ever been hit before."

"Now Bo, I think Angel knows her sister a little better than you know her."

"I don't care Luke, I'm gonna go after her, Uncle Jesse, can I borrow your pickup?"

"Long as you return her in good shape," Uncle Jesse replied. Bo nodded.

"Yes sir." He ran out the door. Bo got into the pickup and went on his way. He knew there were very few places Stephanie could be hiding. Bo remembered where they met when Angel stole Boss Hogg's car. He drove towards the log cabin.

Bo parked the truck and looked around. He went in the cabin and saw Stephanie crying. As he walked towards her, Stephanie shook her head. "Look Angel, I don't want to hear it again!" Stephanie said as she turned around. Bo waved at her. "Oh, it's you."

"Yeah, I figured you would need someone."

"Bo I appreciate it but--"

"I know, I do that too."

"Do what?"

"Push people away when I need them most." Stephanie smiled. She stood up. "You know Steph, you can tell me anything."

"I just can't understand why she did that."

"Luke and I duked it out once. I don't know why we were even fighting. Maybe she's the same way. She doesn't know why she did it." Stephanie sighed.

"I was egging her on a bit but she's never done it." Stephanie's head lowered. She pushed away her tears and looked back out.

"I know this must be hard. Sometimes sisters fight."

"Not like this Bo. Angel and I have always been so close. I don't know why this is suddenly happening."

"I am sure you do." Bo shook his head. "I don't know, I know Luke better than a lot of people. Even when he won't tell me what's wrong, I know. I think there's something you're trying to hide." Stephanie was puzzled by Bo's statement. How would he know?

"Okay, you want to hear what I think?"

"Yeah."

"This job is hurting her. She's lost who she is. I can't stand it. Now she's too sensible. Angel can't take jokes. I don't know, it's like we're on different sides of the planet. Everytime I get close to her, she pushes me away."

"Maybe she wants to make sure you don't get hurt."

"A little too late for that isn't it?" Bo put a hand on her shoulder. Stephanie smiled. "Maybe I am fretting over nothing. I don't know."

"If you're hurt, it ain't nothing."

"Bo I just need to laugh."

"Well I can assist ya in that."

"A guy goes into a bar, orders twelve shots and starts drinking them as fast as he can. The bartender says, 'Dang, why are you drinking so fast?'

The guy says, 'You would be drinking fast if you had what I had.' The bartender says, 'What do you have?' The guy says, '75 cents.' " Stephanie smiled.

"That's pretty good." Bo frowned at her. "What?"

"Pretty good?"

"You're going to have to do a lot more to make me laugh." Bo thought for a minute.

"What's black and white and red all over?"

"What?"

An embarassed zebra!" Stephanie laughed. "So that was a good one?"

"No, I'm laughing at you."

"So the joke wasn't funny?" Stephanie laughed harder.

"Come on Bo, let's go." They both walked out of the cabin together.

[essyjane]

(By Both Authors)

Angel wasn't having any luck finding her sister. *Damn that girl* She thought. "Always heaping everything on my shoulders and then blaming me for the problems of the world. I took care of her for years when there was no one else and now when my career doesn't agree with her, I'm the bad guy," Angel mumbled to herself.

Peeved and Consumed by guilt for the heavy hand she used on her baby sister, Angel's hand tightened on Archangel’s steering wheel. She knew it went deeper than that. The sweet Angel herself had changed somewhere along the line. But being a bounty hunter did that to a person. Angel got a front row view of the worst of humanity; killers, rapists, abusers, people who thought nothing of taking an innocent life…betraying a trusted friend. That last thought causes a stab of heartsickness.

She shouldn't talk about betrayal, not when the case that made her career, that launched her as a serious bounty hunter was just that. A friend's betrayal. Her mentor, a man closer to the two girls than their own father, had become Angel's first bounty, as proof she could put her personal feelings aside and get the job done. Now he sat rotting in prison because of her own damned ambition. Angel still didn't have the heart to tell Steph what she had done.

As one of Pittsburgh's top car thieves, Ken had taken Angel and Steph under his wing and taught the Wilson sisters everything they knew about cars, from racing to mechanics to lifting them. He was a mentor like no other. Giving them shelter after everyone else turned their backs to them. Angel was grateful and so was Steph. How did she show her gratitude? By putting him into a circle that could end his very life.

After that, Angel changed dramatically. She cut her hair, bought her own car, Archangel and dusted off her old Beretta from her thieving days, a move Steph had strenuously objected to. The older sister also became cooler and more distant, even to Steph. Inwardly, Angel wished she hadn't needed to change, but it was a matter of survival for her profession. Distance was safer, in every sense of the word. It was that simple. With that thought, came another.

In the next few days, things between her and Hogg would be getting ugly, and although Angel would be the target, some backwash could hit Steph. If nothing else, Angel was still protective of her younger sister. When Angel had told Boss "by any means necessary", she had meant it.

Maybe it would be best for her and her sister to have some real distance. She could stay the hotel while Steph stayed with Dukes. Yeah, Steph wouldn't appreciate it now but she would be safer for it. Now mentally set, Angel brought the car quickly around in the middle of the dirt road and turned back to the Duke Farm.

``````

Angel nodded her head softly. “She’ll get hurt again if she gets in my way,†Angel decided. Angel took a deep breath and let it out slowly. Her eyebrows lowered and her face tightened. “Okay, I’m going to have to tell her.†Angel drove off towards the Duke farm. She glared at the scenery. This was once a place of wonder and beauty. Now it was a place where she didn’t want to be.

Angel was sick of being in this town. A few more days and she would be rid of it. A few more days and she could forget the horror of the life she was living. It was like Angel was bleeding inside. This place was such a wonderful place and now, it was a world of horrors. Each tree stabbed Angel’s conscience. Each dirt road she was heading down seemed to be winding and full of bumps. Angel’s very blood turned cold. She pushed her hair as she got to the Duke farm.

Luke was outside chopping wood. His shirt was off. You could see every muscle move in a musical fashion. He grabbed another piece and laid it on a large stump. Luke raised the axe as Angel cleared her throat. Luke swung the axe. “Did you finish taking care of your business?†Luke asked as the wood shattered. He looked up at Angel. “Or are you here to take another swing at your sister?†Angel shook her head.

“Look, I was frustrated okay? Haven’t you ever been frustrated?†Angel questioned. Luke put his axe down. Angel shook her head again. She picked the axe up. “Don’t let me stop you from doing your job here.â€

“What you did was—“

“Wrong? Don’t you think I know that?†Luke put a hand on Angel’s shoulder as he looked into her eyes. Luke tried to embrace her but Angel pushed away.

“What’s your problem?†Angel smiled weakly.

“I just don’t want to be touched. Luke, I am shaken up from what I did.†Angel looked at Luke. She could remember everything that she did with him last time they were in Hazzard. It wasn’t a horrible situation. In fact, Angel enjoyed it. But that was then and this was now.

“Yeah, I can understand that.†Luke took the axe out of her hand and propped another piece of wood on the stump. She smiled at him.

“Is my sister home yet?â€

“Nah, they went grocery shopping.â€

“They?â€

“Bo and Steph.â€

“Oh?â€

“He took the list and skedaddled.â€

“Same old Stephanie.â€

“Bo and Steph are good people.†He held the axe in the air and took a swing. The wood separated into four clean pieces. “Bo really likes your sister.â€

“Yeah and if he breaks her heart, I’ll break his legs.†Luke laughed softly.

“Yeah, I know the feeling.†Luke piled up the wood on the ground. He looked up at Angel and smiled. “If ya wanna make your sister feel better, this is the time to do it.†Luke grabbed another piece of wood and piled it up. Angel nodded and jumped back into Archangel. She took out a pair of sunglasses and put them on. Angel looked out into the blue horizon and sped up. She turned on her music. Angel cranked it up high. She began to bob her head to the music.

As she got into town, Angel could see Stephanie’s legs under the General Lee. She shook her head. “Always working on cars,†Angel said. Bo grabbed her by the legs and chuckled. He pulled her on the scooter.

“Bo, c’mon, I’m working here,†Stephanie said.

“I didn’t ask you to modify him,†Bo replied.

“So?â€

“Hey Steph,†Angel said as she walked out of Archangel. Stephanie slid back under the General. “Oh don’t do that! I just want to talk to you.†Stephanie began tinkering with the great General Lee again. She didn’t want to talk to her sister at the moment. Angel didn’t appreciate being ignored of course. She pulled Stephanie out. Stephanie got up and began to walk away. Angel grabbed her by the shoulder.

“What do you want from me?†Stephanie asked.

“I am going to stay at a hotel for a few days so I can cool off. I want you to have fun and be a normal kid okay?†Stephanie was bewildered by Angel’s statement. Did she really mean it? Angel hadn’t said something like that in months.

“Who are you and what did you do with my sister?â€

“Stephanie, I mean it. Live a little.†A beam of sunlight filled Stephanie’s once clouded face. She gave her sister a hug. Angel tapped her back with two fingers. “Now, you have a good one.†Angel walked back towards Archangel and got in the car. She crossed the street. *The court house is just the place to talk to Boss Hogg* Angel thought to herself. Her boots tapped softly on the pavement as she walked towards her next victim.

[essyjane]

(Writen by both authors)

When Boss Hogg waddled out of his office that evening intending to go to the Boar's Nest, Angel was waiting for him. Archangel was parked across from the courthouse. Her hair waved in the wind. Angel had both lips pressed together with no emotion showing. She was sitting on Archangel’s hood, reclining her back against the windshield.

When she noticed Hogg's Unfriendly look, she grinned and waved brazenly at him. Hogg was inclined to simply ignore the bounty hunter. Especially considering both Rosco and Enos were standing within earshot, their patrol cars parked just behind his in front of the courthouse. That is, until she saw the note left under the windshield of his Caddy. "Time's up, Hogg." Scowling, the commissioner snatched the offending piece of paper and stormed over to the blue challenger and the young women waiting for him.

"What's this nonsense, Wilson?" Boss Hogg snapped.

Angel smirked. "Your grace's period over, Hogg. I'm giving you one last chance to pay up, right here right now, before things get ugly," Angel replied coolly.

"Ha! You ain’t getting one thin little dime from me! In fact..." Hogg crushed the note into a small ball and threw it onto the sidewalk. "You owe me 10 dollars for littering! And if you don't pay me, right here right now, I'm gonna have Rosco throw you in the pokey!"

Instead of being intimidated, Angel's grin widened. "Rosco's gonna have more to deal with than a simple littering fine in a second…or about ten seconds, I should say. I intend to collect payment, one way or another." Reaching behind her, Angel pulled out her large cell phone. Calmly, she punched a number into the pad, but instead of putting the phone to her ear, she threw it at Hogg. "It's for you!"

"Eh?" Hogg caught it, confused.

That's when the caddy went up in a ball of fire. The sudden sound of the car exploding behind him sent Hogg cowering to the ground and the entire Hazzard county sheriff's department ducking for cover. Pieces of the car bashed onto the ground. Angel quickly slides off the hood and into Archangel’s driver's seat.

"Shame, I always like that car," Angel mumbled. When Hogg looked up from the pavement, the blue Challenger was pulling away, tires squealing. Jumping to his feet and running over to the flaming remains of his Caddy, Hogg shouted. "Rosco, Rosco, What are waiting for?!" The Sheriff's head popped up from behind the patrol car were he had been hiding.

"I'm gone!"

Unfortunately when the key was turned in the sheriff's car, nothing happened. Taken aback, Rosco tried again, with no luck. Looking behind me, he saw Enos was having the same results. A look under the hood of the Plymouths revealed why, Angel had cut the fuel lines. In one hit, Angel had managed to not only make her intentions of collection loud and clear but also immobilize the entire sheriff's department while she escaped.

Cooter, safe in his garage, had witnessed the whole scene. When the Cadillac had blew up, he ducked behind the truck he was working on and watched, jaw gaping, as the bounty hunter's car raced past the garage and out of town, unpesued. Gingerly reaching up for the truck's CB, he wondered what he was going to tell the Dukes and Steph that Angel had turned against the law.

"Lost Sheep, This is Crazy C. We have a fallen Angel."

~~~~~

Hours later, Stephanie was still pacing at the news. She couldn’t believe her sister had gone that far. Angel wasn’t that kind of a person. She just came and told Stephanie that it was okay to have a normal life and now this? Angel seemed to be ruining lives all around her. Stephanie couldn’t believe it.

“Heaven must be missing an Angel—I wonder what changed her?†Luke asked Jesse. Bo walked over to Stephanie and put a hand on her shoulder. She smiled. Bo motioned her to a chair. Stephanie shook her head of course.

“Well son, sometimes people go through phases—I guess it’s our Angel’s turn. Why she would blow up Boss’ ride is beyond me,†Uncle Jesse replied.

“She’s a Bounty Hunter,†Stephanie blurted. She shook her head.

“What!†Bo exclaimed.

“Yeah, I didn’t believe it at first either.â€

“Angel?â€

“Angel is nuts, she’ll do anything. You saw her hit me.â€

“Yeah but we all thought it was steam,†Luke commented.

“I don’t know about this bounty hunting thing,†Bo added. He looked Stephanie in the eyes. “I don’t see her doing that.â€

“Okay, don’t believe me but I know the old Angel wouldn’t do anything like that,†Stephanie said.

“Stephanie, are you sure about this?†Uncle Jesse questioned.

“I’ve never been surer about anything in my life.†Stephanie sighed. She pushed back her hair. Her head lowered. Stephanie put her hands on the kitchen table. “Something has to be done to stop her. If my sister’s breaking the law, there’s something wrong. She made a promise to me and she always keeps her promises.â€

“Okay Angel, we’ll think of something.†The rest of the Dukes nodded.

“Don’t worry sugar, if anything can be done, we’ll think of it,†Daisy finally added.

“You guys are the best,†Stephanie said. She pushed her hair back. “Group hug.†Everyone came together for a hug. It was a sense of relief to know that the Dukes were on her side. Angel had changed and someone had to do something before she got into real trouble.

Meanwhile, in Boss Hogg’s office, Jefferson-Davis Hogg was crying over his favourite car. He looked up at the plate of donuts. They were stacked in a pyramid shape. Boss looked at them like they were poison. Rosco walked in and smiled at Boss. “What are you so happy about?†Boss asked.

“Good news, good news, Boss the cars are fixed,†Rosco said. Boss rolled his eyes. He put his second chin on the desk.

“Rosco, I am gonna be dead on account of that Wilson gal and you’re talkin’ about your patrol car!†Suddenly a white hat poked through. Boss’ eyes widened. He was ready to boot that boy right out the minute he saw that hat.

“Howdy Uncle…“ Huey began.

“Don’t you howdy me you yella bellied horse radish! Git out of my town!â€

“Boss, you have to hear me out, I did a terrible wrong to you.â€

“Yeah, you ruin my life everyday you come to Hazzard!â€

“Boss, I used your name while gambling and now you owe a lot of money.â€

“How much money is a lot of money?â€

“You owe 10, 000 big ones.â€

“What! You mean you bet money in my name and lost—10, 000 greens! No wonder that bounty hunter’s after me! DANG IT HUEY!â€

“Bounty hunter?â€

“Yeah, I am gonna git myself killed because of you! Why are you so careless? What makes you ruin my life?â€

“I’m sorry Uncle Boss.â€

“Sorry don’t cut it. Rosco! Put him in the jail cell!†Boss rubbed the temple of his head. “What am I gonna do?†Boss shook his head and frowned.

[essyjane]

(This post was done by the Author of Chance)

Unaware of the switch Huey Hogg had pulled. Angel's continued taking her pound of flesh from Hogg's oversized assets. As soon as the next day, a shipment of Boss's best illegal moonshine disappeared from a

night run. Two days later an abandoned barn went up in flames, an unknown storage house for some of Hogg's illegal merchandise, the fire fuelled by Hogg's own stolen shine. But there seemed to be some method to the bounty hunter's sudden madness.

In all the of the attacks, Angel made damned sure no one got hurt and always left some indication that she was behind it, whether it be being spotted not far from the scene or another note warning if the bet money wasn’t paid, more "surprises" were on the way.

Angel's plan to was widdle away at Boss's illegal operations and nerves until he caved in to her demand to pay his debt. If he didn't, the attacks would become steadily worse. Angel just hoped Boss would see the light before someone really got hurt.

Rosco and Enos were having no luck catching Angel either, Archangel was simply too much car, its drivers too experienced a wheelman...err...woman for the sheriff and his deputy. More than once, the blue Challengers lead them on a merry chase on the country back road, only to pull away in a burst of power or send the one or both of the patrol cars into a ditch via a trick even the Dukes would be proud of.

And speaking of the Dukes, they and the younger Wilson were having the same amount luck finding the elusive Angel, either by hailing the CB or finding the blonde bounty hunter herself. Now it had become all too clear why Angel had set her younger sister free. She was cutting ties. Unburdened by the concern of safety for Steph, Angel could execute her plans without interference.

[essyjane]

Angel sat at a fire warming herself. She took the sleeping bag out of the back. Angel began to rotate the small rabbit that sat over the fire. She heard an unfamiliar motor becoming more and more distinct as it came closer and closer towards her. She looked around. Angel stood up and cradled her gun. The car finally came to a stop. She took the safety off and pointed it at the tire. The gun fired just as the man put the car in park.

A tall man walked out with a feather in his hat. The suit was dark black with lines all over it. He looked up at Angel and chuckled. "I told you I would be coming, you didn't have to jump the gun," He said.

"Well, next time, use a car that is familiar and you won't have a flat tire," Angel replied.

"How's the job?"

"Good, you make work so much easier. This Hogg is a horrible person who tried to cheat me once.†Angel pushed back her hair and looked up at the animal who was her employer. She looked back down at her rabbit and touched the skin softy. She pulled it off the wooden rod she had created.

“You know, if you finish this job I think I could get a certain someone out of prison.†Angel’s eyes widened she couldn’t believe her ears. Maybe Ken would finally be free. Maybe he would be able to live a normal life. “He was a test for you. I didn’t think you were loyal.â€

“You know I am loyal, I proved it with Ken!â€

“You’re becoming soft though.â€

“Look, I blew Boss’ car, what proof do you want from me Abe!†Abe got back into his car and sighed. He looked at Angel with these big eyes.

“You get Hogg and you’ll find out.†Abe got into the car and smiled. He knew that he had Angel just where he wanted her. It was more than a joy, it was an opportunity to control everything in her life.

Meanwhile…

Stephanie had hung a bag and began to beat on it. She did every kick she knew. Bo walked in and looked at the girl. She was wearing a tight shirt and shorts. Stephanie knew Bo was there but kept working her magic on the bag.

“Woe, that’s not your sister you’re hitting is it?†Bo asked. Stephanie punched the bag in the head. She kept working at it as hard as she could.

“No, I didn’t think of that. I am just blowing some steam I guess,†Stephanie replied. She stopped hitting the bag and turned around. It whacked her in bum. Stephanie shook her head as she sat down on a pile of hay.

“Well, he sure showed you.†Stephanie shook her head. She looked into Bo’s eyes. As tears formed, she turned away.

“I am afraid.â€

“What are ya afraid of?â€

“Her, I don’t like these changes. She cut me out of her life. I hate this. We used to be so close that I could read her thoughts. Now, she’s out of my life. I am getting sick of living with her. She can’t decide whether she loves me or not.†Bo shook his head. He scratched behind his neck. “Well that’s what I see Bo, I don’t see Angel I see the car. I see how she doesn’t hold on to her values anymore. I see a fear about her that I have never seen before. I don’t like it at all.â€

“Maybe she’ll come around.â€

“Or maybe she’ll make the next move. There have been so many problems out there. It has gotten to the point where they question me. I don’t know what to tell Rosco. I don’t even know where Angel is. I can’t help them at all. I don’t think I can do this Bo.†Bo put an arm around his friend. He held her close.

“You know what?â€

“What?â€

“I think this is more than one of those phases. I think there’s something behind this attitude. When something’s bothering Luke, he puts on a mask.†Stephanie thought for a minute. What could be holding Angel back from her? Why wasn’t she responding to what she normally did? Stephanie knew there were many things that have happened since the day they left Hazard. But which one triggered her?

Was it that phone call six months ago where she couldn’t stop apologizing? Stephanie couldn’t say. She just wanted to know what her sister was thinking. She wanted to hold and love her. Stephanie was ready to go and find her sister this time, for real.

[pendragon1980]

Bo and Steph were unaware that another set of eyes were watching them. Angel brought the binoculars away from her face and smiled at the scene. Bo Duke was good for her, better than even Angel herself was being to her sister at the moment. Sighing, Angel rubbed her forehead, she was running out of time and ideas to bring Hogg around. Well, that wasn't exactly true, she had one idea left but if it didn't work or something went awry, Angel could end up jailed for a long, long time...or dead. Before that happened, she needed to see Steph, explain to her what was going on, why her big sister was acting like this and tell her that, despite everything that was happening, she was the most important thing in Angel's life.

Which is why, hours later, after the sun had set, when Steph left the Dukes house, a note was pinned underneath General Sherman's windshield. In Angel's bold familiar writing, it read:

Sunbeam, Time for a sisterly chat. Take a walk. Alone. F.A

Bo watched as Stephanie started leaving the Duke property. He smiled as he began to jog towards her. She shook her head. "Bo," --She said as she stopped--"I need to do this on my own."

"What on your own?" Bo questioned. Stephanie tried to think of how to tell him to get lost without sounding like she was up to something. Stephanie had tricked him many times. Bo was a nice guy but both of them were able to pull stuff on each other.

"I need some air. I am gonna take a walk and come back in a while. If I am not back in five hours, come and look for me okay?"

"Steph, are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, I am just worried about getting lost. But I do need some air. I know I am not keen on Hazzard yet. So if I'm not back, find me okay?"

"Yeah sure, five hours, got it." Bo walked back to the farm as Stephanie headed down the road a little further. She looked out into the dark night and wondered how this was going to go. She stopped walking when Steph saw Archangel pull up.

Angel saw the lone figure walking down the darkened road, but she didn’t hit the highlights until ArchAngel was beside her. Otherwise, the dark blue car was almost invisible in the night. Reaching over, she opened the passenger side's door and looked up at her sister. "We need to talk."

"Well it's about time. I guess you want to let me in on your plan to kill Boss Hogg?" Stephanie replied.

Ouch, Angel thought. That was direct and to the point...and just like Steph, especially when she was peeved.

"It's not going to not come to that." She silently hoping she wasn't lying. "Are you going to get in or do I have drive alongside the whole time?"

"I'm getting in but don't think it changes anything okay?" Stephanie pushed back her hair and climbed in the window.

"Alot of things might change within the next few days, Steph." Angel said quietly as ArchAngel sped up and tore off down the road, unaware of the second car that pulled out of the woods behind them.

"You have the right to know why this is all happening." The bounty hunter continued, keeping her eyes focused on the road ahead, unwilling or unable to look at her sister.

"It's about time you came to your senses and told me what's going on." Stephanie spat. She leaned back on the seat and looked at Angel. She could see something was troubling her dear sister. Stephanie smiled for a minute as she looked out the window.

Angel mentally ran through the whole speech she had planned out for this moment... about responsibility, and the cold hard way the world worked sometimes.

Instead, she simply sighed and whispered. "I turned in Ken."

Stephanie stared at her sister and couldn't say a thing at first. She looked at her sister with fire in her eyes. "Pull over right now!" Stephanie exclaimed. She thrust her fists in her pockets. Stephanie thought of poor Ken rotting in a cell. And the person who was almost like a daughter to him.

"Not just yet. Not until we're finished talking." Almost on cue, ArchAngel sped up. Behind it, the other car sped up to match, but staying out of view. Unlike ArchAngel, its bright orange coloring would instantly be recognized, even at night.

"I need to give you this. " Keeping one hand on the wheel, Angel brought a folded paper out of her jacket pocket. Taking a deep breath, she let the other shoe drop.

"It's my will."

"No! You take it to someone else! I can't believe you would do this. Why would I need your will anyway?" Stephanie asked. She didn't give her sister a chance to answer. "You aren't planning on killing yourself or something?

"Someone may do it for me." Angel muttered. "It's going to get rough over the next couple of days. I just wanted to make sure you were taken care of, if anything happens to me."

"I'm not 16 years old anymore. I am my own person," Stephanie reminded her.

"I know...." The next words came quietly"...and I'm proud of you, Steph. More than you could ever know. You took the mess I made out of our lives and you're making a decent life for yourself. " Finally, Angel glanced over at her sister, her lips quirked into a half smile. "You're the best sister a ex car-thieving bounty hunter could ask for."

"I'll take that as a comment." Stephanie mumbled.

Angel sped up and turned the corned swiftly. She looked back at the boys and shook her head. "I thought I said alone Steph, what's going on?"

"I didn't invite them, honest!"

"What, you didn't trust me?"

"I do! I told him to find me in five hours. I didn't tell him to follow me!" Stephanie rolled her eyes. "Pull over, I'll tell them to get lost and that everything is fine."

"No, you fool, they'll take me in and you know it."

"Not if I tell them!"

"Not a chance! Looks like ArchAngel is about to test her wings against the General Lee!" With that, Angel slammed her boot down on th accelerator, sending the blue car flying down the dirt road.

[pendragon1980]

By the decision of the author, this story will no longer be updated.

This story may be brought back to life in the future, but for right now, I have decided to put it on the shelf.

For now, enjoy the what I have of the story, it still gives alot of insight and entertainment.

Thank you,

Pendragon