Chapter 4

Down on the Farm

DixieDuke

Bo pulled the warm body closer, his arm draped across the distinctly feminine hip as both occupants of the bed were on their sides. He smelled the strawberry body spray in her hair as she held onto his hand. Letting Chelsea sleep in the same bed as him was probably the best idea Bo had all night.

Balladeer: Now ain't that just the sweetest thing y'all ever seen?

That was until the door got slammed open and everyone in the room heard Uncle Jesse's fiercely angry voice. "Beauregaurd and Lucas Duke! What have I told you about having girls in your beds?"

Chelsea's head peeked out from behind Bo's shoulder, "Uncle Jesse…I've got a splittin' headache and Bo is about the only thing keepin' my head attached to my body. Can we please have a few more hours? It's Saturday."

Uncle Jesse's expression softened at the sight of the bleary eyed and unusually pale brunette hiding behind his youngest nephew. His eyes scanned Luke's bed and saw the blonde hair and green eyes of Chelsea's twin sister, Nicole. He knew he should be angry with the boys but he couldn't be since it was Chelsea and Nicole that they were with.

"Alright. You and your sister can sleep for a few more hours. Bo, Luke I expect you two to get them up and get them home later today." Jesse looked sternly at his boys before closing the door.

Chelsea turned so she was facing Bo and buried her head in his chest. "My head hurts."

"I would think so considerin' how much you drank." Bo said with a grin.

"Shut up." She mumbled before going back to sleep, her head still buried in his strong chest.

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A few hours later Jesse opened the door gently, seeing his nephews sitting up with Chelsea leaning against the wall with her jacket in hand. He tried not to laugh as both girls, Nicole leaning against the footboard of Luke's bed, looked like death warmed over. The brunette looked up at the sound and saw the white haired Duke patriarch and tried to smile; only managing to convey a grimace.

"How are you two feelin'?" Jesse asked the girls as they stood up right as Bo and Luke came to their sides.

"How do I look?" Chelsea quipped, Bo's bright blue eyes twinkling merrily.

"Like crap." Jesse replied.

"There's your answer, Uncle Jesse." Nicole frowned.

The four made their way out towards the door. Nicole and Chelsea waved at Daisy on their way out; Bo and Luke holding the door open for them. Bo and Chelsea slid into the Lady Lee as Luke and Nicole climbed into the General Lee. Chelsea slouched in the seat, her head no longer pounding but her stomach growling from the lack of food.

"You race my car and I will kill you Bo. I don't care if you mean to or not." Chelsea growled.

Bo shook his head with a boyish grin, "I'm not gonna to race. I'd hate to see what would become of my cousin if he tried to race with Nicole right now."

"Thank you."

It didn't take long for both Chargers to reach the Jackson farm, the girls radioing ahead to their parents to let them know that they had stayed at the Duke farm and were on their way home. Chelsea slid out of the car gingerly and tried not to wince at the bright sunlight as Nicole opted to sit on the door with her arms resting on the roof for the time being.

"Mom said something about herdin' the cattle away from the back fence so Dad and Jimmy can mend it so we might as well go get that done." Chelsea said, Bo coming around and leaning against the door next to her.

Nicole rolled her eyes, "I know I just don't want to bother saddlin' up Apollo and Athena."

"There are a few other things that I don't really want to bother doin', like the whole herdin' thing but we have to. Mama will tan our hides if we don't." Chelsea huffed.

"Well we got to go too. Uncle Jesse has a few chores for us anyway." Bo said as Luke made his way over to Nicole.

Chelsea ran a hand over her face and nodded as Nicole climbed the rest of the way out of the General while Bo put his arm around Chelsea's shoulders. She looked up at him and gave a half smile.

"I'll see you either later today or tomorrow." Bo said quietly, resting his forehead on hers.

Chelsea smiled, "You got it, stud."

Bo laughed before dropping a kiss on Chelsea's forehead as they hugged. The couple looked over and saw Luke and Nicole locked at the lips. Chelsea's eyes widened as Bo's jaw dropped before Chelsea started laughing. The two sprang apart, their cheeks turning a fascinating shade of red.

"I never knew you had it in you, sister." Chelsea quipped with a smirk, feeling a little more like herself.

"Shut up Chelsea." Nicole growled, her cheeks still flaming with embarrassment as Luke tried to avoid his cousin's amused gaze.

"Oh no, I'll leave this little morsel of information for a rainy day." Chelsea grinned as Nicole realized the Bo and Chelsea were still wrapped up in each other's arms.

Nicole got a wicked grin on her face as Chelsea raised an eyebrow at her. "You said that you didn't know that I had it in me. Well I guess the same could be said for you, sister dearest."

Chelsea looked at Bo and closed her eyes for a moment; "It's not quite the same as shoving your tongue down dear Luke's throat but if you want to play that way then fine."

Nicole opened her mouth to say something but Luke put his hand over it. Chelsea grinned merrily as Nicole licked Luke's palm, making him pull it away with a grimace. He wiped the slobber off on his Levi's as Bo let go of Chelsea. Bo and Luke bid the girls good-bye before getting into the General Lee and driving away.

"I'm suddenly very glad that I came home." Chelsea muttered as Nicole walked over and put an arm around her sister's shoulder.

Nicole and Chelsea tilted their heads together as Nicole replied; "I know what you mean. Come on, we need to get cleaned up and head out to help Daddy and Jimmy."

Chelsea nodded as the twins turned and headed into the house. Both girls waved to their mother before running up the stairs to take a quick shower and get ready to go out and ride their horses.

Balladeer: Now the girls were very accomplished riders, both havin' competed with their horses, Apollo and Athena.

Chelsea was resting her left arm across her lap while sitting atop her black Thoroughbred stallion, Apollo. Nicole as riding her own chestnut colored mare that was Apollo's sister, Athena. Both girls had on their boots, Nicole wearing an older pair of black Durango cowboy boots, a pair of light blue Levi's and white tank tops. Nicole was wearing a black felt cowboy hat from Resistol while Chelsea was proudly wearing her black felt Stetson cowboy hat.

"Sometimes herdin' the cattle is really friggin' borin'." Nicole muttered as Chelsea nodded.

"I know what you mean. I'm gonna ride up to the fence line and see how close Daddy and Jimmy are to bein' finished." Chelsea wheeled the black stallion around and headed off before Nicole got a chance to answer.

Chelsea urged her horse faster as they galloped across the open pasture as the wind almost whipped her hat off her head. She managed to catch it as she continued on. She saw a black Chevy a couple miles up the hill from her dad's white Dodge. She slowed Apollo as she reached her brother and father.

"Hey you guys…you almost done?" Chelsea hollered as she came closer and closer to the nearly mended fence.

"Yes. You can let the cattle go; there isn't a big enough hole for them to get to now." Charlie answered wiping the sweat from his brow.

Chelsea looked up the hill and saw the Chevy driving away quickly. "Alright. Then Nic and I are gonna go work on tuning up both the Charger and her truck."

"You do that sweetheart." Charlie said slightly distracted.

Jimmy pouted at his sister when she mentioned working on the two vehicles. "I wanna work on the Bronco."

"Sorry Jimmy. You gotta stay and help Dad." Chelsea adjusted her hat, deciding to head back a more leisurely pace.

"I know that and don't talk to me like I'm 5." Jimmy rolled his eyes.

Chelsea grinned, "But it's funny to annoy the crap out of you, James."

"Shut up." Jimmy flinched at the sound of his full first name.

"Oh poor Jimmy. Bye guys."

Chelsea turned Apollo around and started back towards her sister at a leisurely canter. By the time Chelsea reached her sister Nicole was leaning back in the saddle with her eyes closed. Chelsea slowed the horse down to a walk and meandered up to Nicole.

"That's not exactly the best way to watch the cattle, you moron." Chelsea said, making Nicole open her eyes.

"They aren't going anywhere." Nicole replied.

Chelsea shrugged, "We're free to move about the country."

"Sweet!" Nicole sat up and gathered up the reins in her right hand.

Chelsea grinned, "Let's go. I want to get started on the Lady before lunch."

Balladeer: They were also very good with cars, havin' spend plenty of time hanging out with Cooter and various other mechanics.

The girls were in the shop next to the barn with their cars a couple of hours later. Chelsea was hunched over the engine bay of the black Charger while Nicole was under the chassis of her own truck. Chelsea didn't hear the roar of the engine of the General Lee, although Nicole did. The blonde slid out from under her truck and smiled at the Duke boys while Chelsea continued to tinker around with the engine.

"Chels," Nicole poked her sister's shoulder.

"What?" Chelsea snapped, still not realizing that Bo and Luke were there.

"Somethin' wrong, darlin'?" Bo asked, stepping forward as Chelsea grabbed a grease rag and turned around.

"Not really, just tinkering around." She sighed.

Nicole looked into the engine bay and frowned. "It's a pit. You really should clean it."

Chelsea glared at her sister, "This coming from the woman who was notorious for leaving mud on the sides of her truck for days, sometimes even weeks on end. Besides, it's not that bad."

"Shut up!" Nicole blushed lightly.

"Exactly!" Chelsea looked triumphant for a moment before scowling at the engine of her car.

"What's wrong with it?" Bo asked bending over the engine with Chelsea resting her greasy hands on the left front fender.

"I'm not sure. It just doesn't feel right." Chelsea shrugged.

"You mean to tell me that you don't know what's wrong with the Lady?" Bo raised an eyebrow at the claim.

"I don't think anything is wrong with her, per say. Something just doesn't feel right with her." Chelsea looked over at Luke.

"Might need a few things tightened. Why don't we run over to Cooter's and have him look at it." Luke suggested.

Chelsea nodded, "Alright. Nic you gonna ride shotgun or are you gonna drive your truck?"

"My truck." Nicole answered.

"Alright. Nicole and I are gonna go clean up a little and then we'll be ready to go. Why don't you coming into the house, I'm sure Mama will be glad to see you boys and prolly give you some food." Chelsea suggested to the boys as she tossed the greasy rag on the workbench before putting the tools back in their places.

"No problem." Luke smiled as Nicole finished straightening up.

All four young adults came walking into the Jackson household, much the Mary's delight. Chelsea and Nicole went up stairs to change out of the newly grease covered white tank tops and already greasy jeans. Nicole came back down first in a pair of dark colored jeans and a white T-shirt that stopped two inches from the waist of her low-rise flares. She had her hair down in long waves with a hair tie on her wrist with a grey hoodie in her hand.

Luke smiled appreciatively at Nicole, "I liked the greasy look but I think I like this better."

"Thanks, Luke." Nicole smiled, sitting down next to him.

Chelsea emerged from upstairs a few minutes later in a black HEMI T-shirt with black hoodie slung lazily over her right shoulder. She had on a pair of light blue stonewash Levi's with her belt, buckle and boots. Chelsea's hair was pulled back in a high ponytail with her bangs straightened off to the left side so if they fell out from behind her ear they brushed her cheek.

"Let's go." Nicole said brightly as Bo smiled at Chelsea's attire.

Chelsea pulled her keys out of her back pocket and grinned at her sister. The four left soon after that, each bidding Mary good-bye before walking out the door. Luke climbed into Nicole's truck without a word to the others. Chelsea and Nicole looked at each other as they climbed into their cars.

"You want me to go first?" Chelsea asked her sister, leaning over the seat to look up at her sister's truck.

"Yep, it'll be easier for me to get out without having to worry about dinging up the side of the Lady." Nicole nodded.

"Alright. See ya over there." Chelsea started up the Charger with a roar and pulled out of the shop.

Bo fell in line behind her as Nicole and Luke took up the rear in the blue pickup. Chelsea grabbed the CB mic and kept it in her lap incase someone tried to talk to her. Bo raced up on Chelsea's back bumper trying to get her to race him.

"I'm not racin' you, Duke." Chelsea said as she looked back in her rearview mirror to see Bo's big grin on his face.

"Fine." Bo pouted.

Nicole laughed at her sister as Luke shook his head with a grin. "I knew my cousin was going to want to race your sister. There hasn't been anyone decent to race around here in couple of years."

"Oh don't worry, Chelsea will race him. She just wants the Lady tuned up real good before she does."

Luke grinned, "Well he needs someone to train against with the Hazzard Rally coming up tomorrow."

"The Rally's tomorrow!" Nicole exclaimed, her eyes wide.

"You didn't know that?"

"I forgot that it's held this time of year."

The two couples fell into an easy silence as they headed towards town, Chelsea and Bo actually racing past the Boar's Nest because Chelsea refused to hand over the lead and Bo wanted to go faster. Nicole and Luke laughed at the two muscle cars that raced through the back roads and main streets of Hazzard.

Balladeer: The Hazzard Derby is an overland race with multiple obstacles. It's never the same course with the same obstacles and nobody is allowed to see it before the race.