Disclaimer: Shizzali does not own any of the names or creation rights depicted in this fictional story. Courtesy of CBS and Village Roadshow Pictures

Settling In Just Fine

Over the couple of weeks (as much as she didn't want to admit it) Jackie started to get into the slow rhythm The Duke boys still hooned past her house at the same time every morning. Jackie had an inkling that Bo was being especially loud around Harold's farm. She may have been paranoid, but should wouldn't put it past him. Each day Jackie found herself waking just as the pair sped out the front of her house

Despite everyone's warm attitude towards her, she still felt like an outsider. Whether this was self-inflicted or a conspiracy by the townsfolk, she didn't know. She often wondered if she was going to be "that new bird" forever. Maybe it could be an affectionate nickname? Jackie paused, but shook her head, almost laughing, not likely.

Pauline came around every lunch time with a warm meal and some kind words. Jackie was grateful for the company. Though Pauline did push Jackie to "make an effort", She was still reluctant to grow any attachments to Hazzard.

Monday night found Jackie lying on her bed, formerly known as the couch, remote in hand, flicking from channel to channel. An empty plate of Pauline's lamb roast sat on the coffee table in front of her. Most of the channels had little reception or none at all. From those that did have some form of a clear picture there was little to offer. It was a choice between home shopping, a gridiron game and a low budget game show. Naturally she was torn. She chose the football, thinking she could at least say she'd seen a game.

The commentators, two loud guys with strong southern accents, were going on about the "Falcons" being consistent throughout the game. Further viewing showed that it was late in the third quarter with two teams called the Falcons and the Seahawks. The falcon team were winning 14-24.

Jackie tried to settle and get into the game. It was nothing like Australian football. Every 30 seconds the players in ridiculous uniforms would line up, shout out a couple of numbers, then each line would crush into each other with one guy out the back with the ball. He would throw, another guy would catch the ball, and the process would repeat.

Jackie dozed off the sound of a whistle and a cheering crowd.

The rumbling approached the tree lined road strip, Bo gunning it around the turn. The wind rustled his hair and shirt through the open window. He laughed out loud, shouting at the top of his lungs. This was heaven, being behind the steering wheel.

Luke was not with him this morning. He had spent the night with a girl he had met at the Boar's Nest.

Bo had been guiltily glad that his cousin had not joined him. It was by himself that Bo got the most enjoyment out of the General. He didn't care what anyone else said, driving was the most fun you could have with your pants on, maybe even more. He approached the grassy plains of Old Harold's farm. Bo looked to survey the paddocks. It looked unkempt and decrepit, Bo frowned. She better do something about this place pretty quick.

Coming up to the house he saw a figure on the road up a head. He slowed down, but still the person was not making any attempt to move. His eyes widened when he realised it was the Jackie girl.

Jackie stood, completely unmoving, square shouldered and grave, staring at the orange charger racing toward her. As soon as she'd heard the growl of the engine this morning she had vowed to put a stop to it. No more, waking up at god knows how early in the morning for a joy ride. Jackie was getting no enjoyment out if it. Bo hit the breaks hard, coming to a loud screeching halt a foot in front of her. The dust rose high as Bo jumped out of the car, slamming the door a little too hardly.

"What in the hell are doin', you crazy city slicker?" He threw his arms up in the air, "They have cars in Australia right? Do you wanna get killed?" Bo breath as heavy. The last thing he needed was some psychotic masochist vying for attention.

"No, but thanks anyway. I'm sick of hearing your bloody car every single bloody morning. Some people like sleeping in. Do you do this kind of thing usually? Or are you still pissed at me about the housing development thing?"

"Nah, the world doesn't revolve around you missy. Harold always let us ride around his farm. This is the route we take every morning, and have taken for the past 10 years!"

"Hmm, well that's nice. Do I look anything at all like Harold? I'm guessing no. I own this farm now, and therefore I'll tell you whether or not you can drive here. And right now I'm saying drive somewhere else Petrol Head,"

"What?! Are you shitting me? I'm not going to change my life around just so you can catch your beauty sleep. Which believe me, you sure need!"

Jackie's jaw dropped. The nerve of this guy!

"You stubborn redneck! If your whole life is that bloody car, that's your problem. Find somewhere else to drive, or I'll…I'll…"

"You'll what? Stutter at me? I'll drive my car wherever I want, and you can't do anything about it" He crossed his arms, hoping that would be the end of this particular discussion. He couldn't believe her selfishness. This wasn't the city, where it was every man (or woman) for themselves. This drive was an age old agreement that was way over the head of one particular new comer. Jackie obviously didn't understand. Or she didn't care.

Jackie was not perturbed.

"Bo Duke, if you come around this farm again, you won't have much of car left when I'm finished with it,"

Bo shook his head. He looked her straight in the eye, searching for the method to this complete madness.

"You better sort out your issues before you end up with more enemies than friends in this town,"

"Thanks for the tip, though my issues are none of your business. Now piss off!"

Bo stared at her, not with anger, just annoyance. She returned the look with her eyebrows raised, daring him to push her further. He just rolled his eyes and shook his head. Firing up the General with a loud roar he sped off. Jackie followed the tail of the car until it hit the next corner.

A feeling of triumph swelled up inside Jackie. She wasn't going to be walked all over like some rug at the Boar's Nest. It was common knowledge at home that Jackie didn't go down without an uproar. The people of Hazzard didn't know this of course, But they will. Jackie grinned to herself and made her way inside for breakfast.

Later Jackie stepped out of the shower. Shower used in the loosest of terms. A broken shower head (that sprouted more water from the pipes that from the head) water pressure was non existent and the temperature was undecided. Defogging the mirror with her towel, she reached into her toiletries bag for her moisturiser. All she found was an empty bottle.

"Hmm," Jackie frowned. She was really in dire straits. She would have to go into town to get some supplies. Jackie groaned. She knew she couldn't hide away forever; she was just trying to postpone the visit as much as possible. In all honesty, she was a little afraid to go into town without Pauline. She would have to fend for herself.

Why not? I've done it most of my life

Walking out the door, she stopped suddenly, realising something. She didn't have a car. She was sure Harold would have had a car at one stage. She sited the barn to the right of the house, thinking there would be some sort of vehicle in the garage. She completely relieved to find a large blue GMC pickup truck under a tarp cover in the middle of the hay filled barn. Heaving the large drape off the truck, a huge cloud of dust rose into the air. The particles tickled her nose, causing Jackie to sneeze several times. She overlooked the "car". More like a piece of junk, She thought. Jackie laughed at her situation. It just keeps getting better.

She jumped into the cabin (also completely covered in dust) and started the car from the keys in the visor. A loud roar erupted from the engine. Clearly it hadn't been driven in awhile.

The blue truck entered the gas station, lining up to the bowsers. She peered into the windows of the shop, noticing there was no-one there.

A full half an hour passed before she saw Harry's own GMC approaching the gas station.

"Sorry darrlin'. Got up a bit late this morning," Harry fumbled with the keys as he came to the door. "That's okay," Jackie tried to say as pleasantly as possible. She was anything but. Couldn't anything run on schedule in this backward town?

"Number 2?" Jackie looked puzzled for a minute, then realising Harry was referring to the petrol pump, she nodded.

"Alrighty, see you round!" Harry waved as Jackie pulled out of the station, returning a dismissive hand out the window.

Next stop was the store. As always she was spoiled for choice. One single general store was all the town had to offer. Strolling through the grand total of three aisle of the store she sited Pauline's head over at the dairy section. Jackie was apprehensive about her going over would she have heard about Bo?

While Jackie was mulling over this small dilemma, Pauline had approached her in the hygiene section.

"How are you settling in? It's been two weeks now," Pauline picked up a packet of soap off the shelf "I've been meaning to try some of this stuff, what do you think," Jackie just shrugged. She actually had tried the soap, but she'd thought she had voiced enough opinions for today.

"I'm settling in just fine thank you Pauline," Jackie's tone was curt. She immediately chided her self and looked up with careful eyes to the wiser woman. She had made it a goal no to shoot at Pauline, she was her only ally.

Pauline brushed it off, replacing the soap on the shelf.

"I hear you and Bo had quite the meeting. He tells me his route is has been cut down a little," Pauline looked straight at Jackie this time, like Bo had, searching for an explanation. The younger girl shrunk instantly under Pauline's gaze.

"Gee, word really does go around fast out here," She smiled sheepishly. Pauline smiled back, although not so friendly.

"Yes indeed it does, but that's not how I found out. I go over to the Duke farm every so often and this morning just happened to be one of those visits," Jackie nodded, understanding. Pauline sighed.

"Jackie, I really don't get you. Do you want to be an outcast? Because if you do, you're doing one hell of a job at succeeding,"

"I'm here to please everyone Pauline, if every gets to live in harmony here, then I think I'm one of those who has that right," Jackie stood a little taller, a stubborn look on her oval face.

"Yes, you can't please everyone, but there is a difference between standing up for yourself and just being plain difficult. If you want something, you are going to have to compromise,"

Jackie nodded again. Once again, Pauline had put her in her place. As much as she would like to have denied it, Jackie knew she was right.

"I'll see you 'round," Pauline turned and headed for the cashier.

Once Jackie was home she fell to the floor. She couldn't keep up with these people. They were forgiving people, not that Jackie had witnessed this act of kindness. A voice in side her told her that she wouldn't let them, and for once she heard the voice of reason. Her reluctance was going to have to go, she was staying, and Jackie had to fit in someway or other.

She looked up and noticed Harold's office door. It would be a good place to start.

The door creaked open and the smell of damp and something else (she guessed musk of Harold). Jackie sat on the thin mattress, casting her eyes upon the pictures and clippings suspended on the wall. She kicked something heavy under the bed. Kneeling down next the bed, she pulled a large mahogany chest out form under the fold-out. She traced her fingers over the elaborate carvings, revealing flowers and leaves enter twined within each other. She heaved open the hatch, and felt a tear threaten to drop. There, in this beautiful chest, was a beautiful sight. Hundred of photographs, old and new were pilled together, along with many other keepsakes. She riffled through the photos, and she stopped at one of her mother, she was around 6 years old. Diane's face was contorted into a large smile, her eyes wrinkled and mouth wide open. Next to her, laughing along with the little one was Harold. Jackie looked between the two of them and noticed a significant likeness between father and daughter. She flipped it over, where in perfect handwriting was written:

Harold and Diane 6 years

August 15th 1970

Jackie smiled. August 15th was her mother's birthday. Jackie continued to flick through and came up with a more recent one. Harold was featured, and so was Bo Duke. Harold had his arm around Bo as they posed in front of the orange Charger. Jackie noticed Pauline and a very attractive brunette girl in the background. She put down the photo gently, amongst the others. Closing the chest she wiped the tear out of her eye, sniffing slightly.

Whether she wanted it or not, she had more of a connection to Harold than she had thought initially. It was his memory, this house, and at one stage Diane had lived here too. She was going to restore the house if it was the last thing she did. Jackie vowed to do it for Diane, and maybe for Harold.

Alrighty then! That's Chapter 3 up! bit of a wait eh...sorry about that.

PLEASE READ AND REVEIW your feedback is really important to me!

Shizzali