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The halls of the Tri-County hospital were silent except for the soft footfalls of the nurses that walked up and down the shiny floors.

The waiting room was noisy in comparison as the people gathered there paced up and down the small room. Jessie had tired of pacing already, and was now sitting in a chair, his red hat squeezed tightly between his hands. They had been there at least four hours with no word. Coffee cups were sitting half drank on the one table in the center of the room.

Luke had collapsed as well, his head in his hands. The images from the scene flooded over his mind. Daisy being brought out and CPR being performed on her limp body. She had not been breathing at all and her pulse had stopped. Bo being brought out and being placed on a stretcher, his young face covered by an oxygen mask.

Cooter was still pacing, his body still too full of adrenaline to stop. As soon as he had gotten word, he had raced to the Boars Nest to find the building collapsed and Bo being loaded up into an ambulance. He had followed the ambulance to the hospital.

Luke had radioed to Jessie who met them at the Emergency entrance. Boss Hogg had been wheeled in, followed by Daisy, and Bo. Rosco and Enos had arrived with the ambulances and were now in the waiting room too.

The tension in the room was thicker than butter, and everyone was worrying about someone. Rosco had finally broken down and was crying with Enos trying to comfort him. Lulu was sitting in a corner, sobbing into a lace handkerchief.

Finally the door opened and a doctor entered. He looked at the six faces who were all waiting for what was going to be the news that either relieved them of their worry or added to it. He took a deep breath.

"I'm Dr. Harold Davis and I've been assigned to care for your loved ones." He looked at Lulu first. "Are you Mrs. Hogg?" When she nodded, he gave her a slight smile. "Your husband is going to be just fine. He suffered nothing more than smoke inhalation, and a slight scorching of the lungs."

Rosco sagged wearily into the seat and began to cry tears of relief while Lulu stood up, wiping her eyes. "Can I see him?"

Dr. Davis nodded. "Certainly. He's in room 104 and he's asking for you and his brother-in-law, Rosco. We will be keeping him overnight for observation."

Rosco stood and took Lulu's arm. He didn't leave yet, waiting to hear the news on the Dukes.

Dr. Davis then turned to Jessie. "Mr. Duke?"

Jessie swallowed his fear. "Yes."

Luke felt his stomach clench up and he was ready to bolt from the room, but he forced himself to stay calm. Whatever it was, they would handle it. He reached one hand over to Jessie who squeezed his gently.

"I'm sure you know the prolonged effects to fire pretty well. Beauregard Duke suffered some first degree burns to his face, arms and neck. He also suffered some thermal damage to his airway and lungs from breathing the hot air and smoke. He is on injections of a Bronchodilator to help ease his breathing. He is stable right now but unconscious."

Jessie swallowed, and nodded. "And Daisy?"

The whole room took in a collective breath and waited.

Dr. Davis looked from one face to the next. "Daisy Duke is in critical care. She suffered second degree burns on her face, arms, and legs. Her lungs were burned pretty badly. She has the same thermal damage that Beauregard has but also has pulmonary irritation and asphyxiation. There is likely to be some damage to her neurological system as well. We don't know the full extent of the damage just yet. She is undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy to saturate her tissues with pure oxygen right now."

Luke swallowed his first response which was to break down and sob. He had to appear strong for his uncle.

Dr. Davis then sighed. "I'm sorry, y'all. We will do the best we can for her."

"I know you will," Jessie said. "Thank you for all you have done already."

"Would you like to see Beauregard?" Dr. Davis asked. "He may not be conscious yet, but he is sure to know you are there."

Jessie nodded. "Can I see Daisy as well?"

The doctor shook his head. "Not until she comes out of the chamber and into the ICU. Then we will allow you to visit for a short time."

"Alright." Jessie said. "Which room is Bo in?"

"Room 103." Dr. Davis said.

Cooter went and took a seat next to Enos. "Me and Enos will stay here for a bit, while y'all go visiting."

Enos removed his hat. "I'm sorry about Daisy, Mr. Duke." His eyes were welling up with tears. "I'll say a prayer for her."

"Thank you." Jessie said and followed Lulu, Rosco, Luke and Dr. Davis out the door.

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