B.L. Davenport

B.L had made a quick exit from the kitchen when Luther had come in she had been avoiding him so he couldn't corner her for her part in getting Hil drunk as a skunk last night. She had seen Cooter come up the stairs and into Hilery's room and could hear their conversation through the wall in her room. She stepped out into the hall at the same time Cooter came out of Hil's room and cornered him whispering so Hilery couldn't hear. "Cut her some slack Coot she's just having a little fun, Hil's a good girl and won't do the things me, you, Lori and Dixie did." Cooter looked at B.L listening to her he almost chuckled at her taking Hilery's side after getting her so drunk last night just one of her many mean things she had done to Hilery. "It's what WE did that scares me B I mean look at how Dixie's had to put up with cos of her and Luke's actions." "Cooter, Dixie had me, you and Lori for examples and didn't none of us 'behave' she knew what we were doing. Lori hasn't been around Hil, I've tried to watch my step so she won't get the wrong ideas. You've done a good job raising her it's time to loosen the apron strings a little."

I don't know the actresses name so I hope you are looking for this answer Amy Creevy

Bo shrugged to Rosco and smiled sickly, B.L meantime was making her way over to the confrontation she hadn’t thought getting Hilery drunk would end her up in a fight because up until now she’d just been acting goofy and making a fool of herself. “Rosco you can let her go, don’t arrest her it’s her birthday I’ll keep an eye on her. It’s my fault she’s this drunk anyway.†Rosco looked at the young Davenport girl and then at B.L in one of his moments of niceness he uncuffed Hilery and pointed his finger at B.L saying “You see that you keep her outta trouble or I’ll cuff and stuff ya both!†B.L nodded and tried to guide Hilery away from Bo and Stacy only to get a fist swung in her direction which she dodged. Taking hold of Hilery’s arm B.L started to lead her back toward the bar. “Lemme go B I ain’t done with her yet!†“Oh yes you are or Rosco’s gonna arrest ya, c’mon let’s get you sobered up.â€

Note:Not quite the end just yet Konrad had returned to Hazzard after he'd felt it safe to do so since he'd been living at the Davenport farm before his hurried departure. He had seen Sgt Powell when he'd come to see Luke and had signed up to join the marines too. He had told B.L that he needed to return to Atlanta to see his Aunt about something and came screeching around the corner just as the bus arrived to pick up Luke. He cursed himself for not leaving Atlanta earlier now he'd have to hurriedly tell B.L what he'd done and hope she didn't take the news too badly. B.L saw Konrad pull up from the garage and ran over. He came up to them with his own bag, B.L's eyes looked puzzled he hadn't taken a bag with him. He pulled her aside and sat the bag down saying "B.L ya know that quick trip to Atlanta I just made?" B.L nodded 'yes' and Konrad continued "it was to tell my aunt that I was leaving for the marines today too." B.L bit her lip silent tears trickling down her face Konrad pulled her to him hugging her tightly whispering "B please don't cry, I'll be back I promise." B.L clung to him tightly sobbing the bus driver getting impatient to be on his way honked the horn and that was Konrad and Luke's cue to get on and they did. Both watching out the window of the bus as it left Hazzard. Luke and Konrad sat down in a seat together and Luke asked "Where you going?" "I joined the Marines too saw that Sgt that came to talk to you and signed up." Konrad answered. Luke nodded then Konrad told him he was sorry he hadn't made it to the trial and asked how that had gone. Luke then told him that was why he was on his way to Camp LeJeune was Judge Hardcastle had found a loop hole that would let him join the military since he pled guilty instead of going to prison. They talked for a long while on the several hour bus trip to NC leaving their loved ones back in GA to continue on without them until their stint with the marines was up. The End again!

As the Sgt. topped the step, Bo turned to Luke with a hurt look not saying a word, he couldn't believe Luke would be gone in two days. Luke sighed it seemed he just couldn't win. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter and B.L had talked about what to do about Dixie's disappearance and the places she might have gone. Cooter thought their best bet was his Mom's so he was calling her while B.L stood nearby listening. Cooter's mother answered the phone on the second ring "Hello" "Mom is Dixie there?" Cooter asked sounding worried........

miz tizdale

Luther stormed into the courthouse and down the steps to the cells telling Peggy "I wanna see Luke!" Peggy wasn't at all sure she should let Luther inside the gate even though Luke was relatively safe behind the bars of his cell. Not having a real reason not to let Luther in she opened the gate. He barged in past her and came right over to Bo and Luke's cell looking like he might explode. "WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!" Luke jumped back a foot colliding with Bo, he wasn't usually one to back down but right now Luther had him intimidated, he swallowed hard and said "I don't know where she is. She called Peggy a lil while ago and left a message for me that she was where she'd been going and ok that's all I know I swear!" Luther didn't believe it for a second. He looked at Luke menacingly and said "You know, I know you do so why don't you save yourself alot of trouble and just tell me?!" "Well, I told you all I'm telling you. Want to have me arrested again?" Luke was feeling froggy there wasn't nothing else Luther could do to him that could be worse than what he'd already done. Luther knew Luke wasn't going to say anymore so he turned on his heels and stormed back up the steps to..........

Meanwhile Cooter, BL and the Dukes search had turned up no sign of Dixie anywhere in Hazzard. Cooter and BL decided to go tell Luther that Dixie had disappeared and noone knew where. First they went by the farm and saw the wrecker was gone, that meant he was either on a call or at the garage but hadn't known Dixie was gone. He probably thought she was in her room sulking. They pulled upto the garage and got out of the car walking inside, Luther was under the hood of a car. "Uh...Dad..we uh got somethin' to tell ya" Cooter cleared his throat before continuing he wasn't looking forward to this. Luther raised up from under the car's hood and said "What is it son?" "Dixie's runaway." Cooter finished taking an involuntary step back when Luther faced them. "Runaway? that's ridiculous I know she's upset with me but she wouldn't run away her door was closed she's probably sulking in her room." B.L shook her head at Luther's words and said "No Uncle Luther she's gone so's 'Dixie Delight'." Luther's face turned purple and he said "I bet Luke Duke knows where she is!" "No he doesn't know Uncle Luther, I don'e rattled his 'cage' about it. We been out looking most of the night the Duke's has been helping us. We done turned this county upside down." B.L answered noone eve paying attention to her play on words, worrying about Dixie. Luther............ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse listened to Luke and being a veteran himself he was proud to think that one of his boys joining the military. It was even better that it would keep Luke out of prison. Turning to look at Bo he said "Bo I support Luke in this if he wants to join the military. I am a verteran and so are many others in hazzard. Bo scowled but didn't say more he knew that Jesse wouldn't change his mind about being on Luke's side no matter what he said. Jesse talked to Luke a few more minutes about his decision making sure it was what he really wanted to do before leaving to go tell the others.

Racin'!

gy waldron? I hope I'm not thinking of another show *covers eyes unsure*

Hardcastle then left the two alone to discuss what he had just told Luke he'd seen the crestfallen look on Bo's face he knew he didn't like the option without him saying a word. Bo lost it he got up from the cot they were sitting on "You may not be in a prison cell but you could DIE in a god forsaken country on the other side of the world!" Luke got really quiet with his next statement. "Bo I'd rather die for my country than to be treated as a 'rapist' in prison. I know I basically signed my own ticket here to protect Dixie, but those guys live hard. Real hard IF they live. Bo said "They have guards in prison to protect you there's NOONE in war! And I could still come and see you on visiting day I can't do that if your in 'nam." Luke looked at Bo, "You'd rather me be in prison for 20 yrs instead doing a hitch and coming home?" Bo shook his head that's not what he'd meant at all he didn't want Luke to do either one. Luke gave Bo the sincerest look he'd ever given anyone and said "Bo I promise you I will come home from 'nam as soon as my enlistment is over. I think I'd be safer in 'nam than prison." Bo spouted off "You don't know that!" then he flopped down on the other bunk and sulked, he'd talk Jesse into his way of thinking he thought to himself.

He looked to see if he saw any lights in the house and saw the kitchen light come on signaling that Uncle Jesse was fixing to start cooking breakfast. Cooter looked at B.L and said "c'mon let's ask Jesse if she's here." The two made their way up to the door and knocked Jesse wondered who could be there so early as he made his way to the door, opening it he was surprised to see Cooter there but even more surprised to see B.L with him. "What brings ya'll by so early?" Jesse asked "Have you seen Dixie? she's gone" B.L answered getting right to the point Jesse shook his head he hadn't seen Dixie since he'd dropped them off at the Davenport farm. "I'll get the others and we'll help ya'll look. While Jesse was getting the others up and out looking Cooter and B.L continued their search going to the next logical place that Dixie would be or have been the jail. Rushing inside and straight down to the cells they saw Peggy sitting behind the desk with her crossword puzzle book. She looked up as the running feet pounded down the steps saying "sorry no visitors until 8am." Cooter said "Peggy it's urgent Dixie's missin' we gotta talk to Luke." Peggy rose from her chair and let them in and they rushed over to the cell Luke and Bo came over and asked "Dixie's missing?" both were of course playing dumb. B.L was a little frazzled and reached through the bars grabbing Luke by his collar and said "I know you either know where she is or you've seen her now talk!" Luke replied, "BL how could I have seen her with Peggy setting fifteen ft away?" B.L still held onto Luke's shirt and pulled him closer to the bars "IF there was away you did it. NOW where is she?! Cooter was reaching to,grab BL's hands "BL let go!" Bo agreed with Luke of course, "She hasn't come to visit him since I've been here." B.L refused to release Luke even as Cooter grabbed her hands and tried to remove them she didn't believe Bo either. Peggy shook her head, "No ones been here at all until ya'll came in." B.L wasn't buying it at all, Peggy could have not noticed Dixie if she'd been outside and she couldn't set at that desk without taking a few breaks so it was possible she had missed seeing Dixie. "Luke I know you HAVE to know something Dixie wouldn't split without coming to see you. I'm not going to tell Luther where she is and neither is Cooter but we got to find her!" Luke never admitted knowing where Dixie was but said, "If you find her, you'll bring her back. If she comes back, how bad will she be beat this time?" Cooter said "She won't be beat Luke Dad don't even know she's gone." "If we can find her he'll never know." B.L added Luke was debating with himself. Tell where Dixie went so he could see her and her maybe get whipped again. Or keep quiet, accept that he wouldn't be seeing her for a long time and know she was safe. Luke gave himself away to everyone in the room as he looked down at the floor a second too long before answering, "I don't know where she is." He had basically agreed to go to prison to protect Dixie from pain and embarrassment, and he be da--ed if he'd possibly put her in danger now. He turned and walked to the back of the cell. The conversation was over.

B.L got up to go to the bathroom and decided to check on Dixie cursing when she found out the door was locked. Going back to her room she happened to look out the window and noticed 'dixieland delight' GONE! Rushing to Cooter's room B.L shook him violently "COOTER WAKE UP!" she whispered urgently. Cooter tried to get his eyes open and groggily said, "What BL?" "Dixie's GONE that's what!" B.L explained trying to be quiet so Luther wouldn't be woke up. Cooter bolted up and exclaimed, "WHAT???" "Shhh" B.L scolded "you'll wake Luther up and him and Dixie's been at it enough today." "True. But we got to do something." Cooter stated the obvious "C'mon we'll go look for her" was B.L's solution. Cooter said, "She's at the Duke's. Let's go." B.L followed Cooter out of the house hissing in pain as her behind touched the seat. They coasted out of the driveway heading before cranking up and heading to the Duke farm.

Daisy couldn't believe what she'd heard, Bo had gotten himself arrested to be with Luke that was about the craziest thing he'd ever done she thought. Jeb knew the two was close, but to be arrested to be with someone was a bit far fetched. He asked "Is Bo CRAZY?!" Jesse shook his head and said "This has been hard on all of us to see Luke in jail like this but it was more than Bo could take and he he thought he just had to be with Luke and getting arrested was the only way he could do that." Jeb and Daisy just didn't understand Bo's thinking they thought he'd gone completely off the deep end. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Davenport farm all was quiet noone even knew Dixie had left. It had been a long day and they were all exhausted from the events of it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie began "..........

Jesse watched and added "Maybe, but she was in the wrong as much as you were. She's alright Luke her hind end is sore but that won't last." Luke shook his head, Dixie didn't deserve none of that as far as he saw it and he'd like the chance to tell Luther and give him a piece of his mind. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Davenport farm Dixie had finally fallen asleep while Cooter and B.L watched over her. B.L looked at Cooter and whispered shaking her head "Where'd that defiance come from? She was worse than me, you and Lori all put together." Cooter scrubbed his hands down his face nodding in agreement he'd never seen Dixie act that way before. Everybody thought she was the quiet good girl but she'd proved today she was just as head strong as any of the rest of them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Duke farm............

Cooter and BL had the same reaction at the same time "you WHAT?!" neither one had a clue that she was on the pill. Dixie repeated what she'd said "I've been on the pill for about a year now" B.L remembered a conversation that she and Dixie had had a while back "I thought you said you weren't gonna do it until you were married or absolutely sure it was the right guy." Dixie looked at BL and said, "I am sure ya'll." Cooter was stunned by this he had no idea the two discussed such things. Looking down he saw the ring on Dixie's left hand and asked "Where'd you get this?" Dixie looked at her hand and smiled a little "Uncle Jesse gave it to me for Luke it's Luke's mother's engagement ring....see ya'll he DOES love me" Cooter wasn't sure how to answer his sister. He wanted her happy but he'd known Luke Duke for years. He finally said, "Are you sure it ain't just to get him out of trouble." Dixie raised her head from Cooter's shoulder and looked him in the eye "I'm sure, I love him Cooter."

Cooter looked up from what he was doing and said "what? I thought you and Dixie were upstairs asleep by now." B.L knew there wasn't time to explain alot most likely by now Luther had started in on Dixie "Luther's gonna whip Dixie again cos she won't give him 'Dixie Delight's key!" "SH--! Ain't that girl learned a da-- thing today?" he asked himself more than B.L and took off running in the door and bounding up the stairs with B.L following slowly and stiffly behind. Luther had Dixie bent over and was indeed whipping her he had the belt pulled back for another lick saying "Give ME the key Dixie!" Dixie knew it was coming again and her butt was already on fire after three licks but she just didn't care "NO!!! AND YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!!" B.L cringed those would be Dixie's famous last words she was sure. Cooter went over and put a hand on Luther's wrist to the hand that was holding the belt. "Dad don't she's had enough today, remember what Jesse said afore ya whipped her earlier? This is crossin' that line." Luther nodded and opened his hand letting the belt fall to the floor he knew of father's who beat their kids and he refused to be one of them no matter what his kids were doing. Dxie opened her eyes when there was no belt connecting with her behind at her refusal to still hand over her car key. Cooter.......

Luther was back at the house and had put the shot gun back in it's usual place. He was considerably calmer now after shooting off 100 rounds or so. Cooter was out doing chores mostly to avoid being in the house with Luther. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse was still at the farm with B.L and Dixie talking to them while they were eating some lunch. The phone rang and Jesse got up to answer it "Hello, Duke farm Jesse Duke speaking" "Uncle Jesse it's Bo" Jesse swallowed his big toe had been hurting him he just wondered what Bo had got himself into. "Where are ya Bo?" Bo swallowed Jesse was not going to like this one bit "I....I'm in jail" "WHAT?!" Jesse couldn't believe with all that was going on with Luke that Bo would go and get himself arrested. "Uncle Jesse just let me explain, I needed to talk to Luke and this was the only way I could.? Bo explained sounding desperate and hoped Jesse would understand. Dixie and B.L were looking at each other with puzzled looks wondering what was going on now. Jesse took a deep breath and let it out slow saying "I'll be down as soon as I drop B.L and Dixie off at home."

Luther sighed and said "I want them home in an hour ONE hour no longer!" "Ok see you in an hour." Jesse said and hung up the phone. Luther hung up on the other end a little harder than necessary. He looked at Cooter sitting on the couch and said "Well they decided to go to Jesse's he's gonna bring them home in an hour. He said they was actin' like they was scared to come home." "Well, Dad I am on your side here and all but I can't says I blame them. You are almost over that line of being out of control. I know I was too the other night when I told them to arrest me and put me in the cell with Luke, but I have calmed a bit, but you ain't." Luther turned red at Cooter's comment and shouted "I AM CALM!" Cooter raised his eyes wide open and said calmly, "No ya ain't." Luther pinched the bridge of his nose squinting his eyes shut tightly for a few seconds trying to calm down "Jesse threatened to call Rosco and get him involved." "Well the way you are acting, I can't say I blame him. I know they did wrong but you are out for blood. I'm afraid myself you will take your anger at Luke out on Dixie." Luther sank down in his recliner his head in his hands Cooter was right he had to calm down before he dealt with Dixie or he'd hurt her and he didn't want to do that. He was furious with Luke and Dixie but he couldn't let his anger at Luke loose on Dixie. He stood up and said "I'm gonna take a LONG walk before Jesse gets here with the girls." Cooter sighed hoping his Dad walked off some of the anger before he got back. Luther picked up the shot gun and walked out the door he was going to do some target practicing while he was out. He walked out the door and toward the woods at the side of the house.

"Uncle Jesse he can't do that he just can't" Bo was just about to have a breakdown he was so upset over what was happening to Luke. "Bo, he's doing what he thinks is best for Dixie it's all he can do. We's got to support him not fall to pieces." Bo shook his head 'no' furiously "Can't you make him see sense?" Jesse sighed this was hard on all of them but Bo was especially taking it hard even harder than Daisy. "No Bo I've talked to him and he's determined to go through with this, there's nothing I can say to make him change his mind." Bo was about to blow a gasket, "UNCLE JESSE! Luke CAN'T do THAT! He CAN'T just LET THEM take him to PRISON!!!" Jesse put his hand on Bo's shoulder "Bo, he don't want to go to prison but if he pleads innocent they will do tests on Dixie to prove what they did and Luke said he WOULDN'T let that happen." Bo wasn't being really rational, "He's choosing protecting her over Himself! Over ME!!!" He had all he could take and stormed out the back door! Jesse knew Bo just needed time to work things out in his mind so he watched him head toward the barn. He knew he was going to the hayloft. Jesse looked out the window he wasn't any happier about the thought of Luke going to prison than Bo was but he also had to think about all the other 'kids' not just worry about Luke. He hoped Luther would calm down and not ruin his relationship with Dixie over this. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Jesse was having these thoughts Dixie and B.L pulled up in 'Dixieland Delight'. Jesse went out on the porch as the two girls got to the steps. B.L looked a little shakey and pale. "Now didn't Luther tell you two to go straight home?" Jesse asked them gently B.L nodded and said "Yes sir but she got me in the car and instead of following Cooter on home she grabbed another gear kept going and ALMOST killed US!!" Dixie swallowed and threw herself at Jesse wrapping her arms around him burying her face in his overalls and sobbing "I....I...w...w...was...af...afra....afraid....ta....go....hoooome!" Jesse wrapped his arms around the sobbing girl and looked to BL for an explanation. B.L sighed and answered the unasked question. "Luther still ain't 'dealt' with her and she's afraid of what he's going to do. You saw how he was at the house! " Jesse said, "Girls I've tried to reason with him too." Dixie looked up at him, "Uncle Jesse I almost couldn't walk for a month over a hickey. He'll kill me over this!" Jesse said "I'm sure he's not going to kill you he'll calm down." B.L spoke up "Uncle Jesse he bounced Konrad's head off the wall ALL the way downstairs when he saw him coming out of my room one morning BEFORE all this. I just thought he was furious then but I ain't never seen him THIS mad!"

Once Luke was settled in the cell, Peggy let the Dukes and two Davenports. Bo was the first to speak after, "Luke! Did you HAVE to do that? Are you CRAZY?" Standing holding hands of both Daisy and Dixie, Luke replied evenly, "Yes, I did. And, No, I'm not." Bo voiced what was on the others mind but no one (except Luke and Jesse -- unknown to the others) had talked about . "By saying you're guilty on this you'll..." Bo paused trying to choke the lump in his throat back down to try to talk to Luke in the short time they would have. "Luke, you'll go to jail..." Bo looked up to try to stop the tears that were threatening. Luke knew his next statement to Bo was likely to upset him, Dixie and Daisy more so than the others so Luke tried to speak with a calmness he didn't feel.

Luther Davenport wasn't a bit surprised to see the white pickup coming down the driveway. Dixie heard the familiar pick up coming down the road and quietly made her way onto the porch. B.L followed Dixie onto the porch inching around her and standing in front of Dixie so that she was between her and Luther. As Jesse walked onto the porch he stood a little in front of B.L putting himself between the obviously furious Luther and the two girls. "Luther our families go way back." he began. Luther nodded but his eyes never left Dixie who was standing just outside the door on the other side of Jesse Duke, and behind B.L "That's true Jesse and I'm just as sorry as you to see it all end this way, but what Luke did to my little girl I won't stand for!" Jesse calmly said, "I've talked to Luke this morning. He would like to do what he can to fix the situation." Luther ground his teeth speaking through them clenched he asked, "Can he give back her VIRGINITY?!" Dixie flinched as if she had been smacked. Jesse continued calmly, "Luke knows what you and most everyone else is going to think. He told me that Dixie wasn't just another girl. He said he loves her." Jesse sees steam coming out of Luther's ears and his face is turning red. "Hear me out ... He'd like to marry her." Jesse tried to explain further, "Luke knows that even if you allow her to marry him that you may not change your mind about the charges. He's not saying that to get out of trouble. How happy do you think she'd be knowing you sent him to prison? Luther," Jesse said very gently hoping not to set Luther off, "Luke says she could be with child." Luther spoke again barely controlling his anger, "It doesn't matter if he marries her or not I WON'T drop the charges!" The last bit about Dixie possibly being with child was more than Luther could take he took a step toward Jesse intending to go THROUGH him and B.L to get to Dixie. Dixie backed farther away from her father. Jesse said calmly in a commanding voice, "LUTHER DAVENPORT! Touch one hair on that girls head while you are THAT mad and I'll have Rosco lock you up!" Luther looked at Jesse when he spoke but he was too mad still to think rationally he said "I'm not gonna touch one hair on her head but her a-- is MINE!" Luther was about 10 shades of purple, and Cooter was obviously hot under the collar too. Jesse stepped closer said in a voice that even worried Cooter, "Luther DON'T do it. Don't touch her while you are this mad. Whip her if you must but do it when you aren't mad!" Luther said "Jesse I may NEVER be calm again!" "Luther YOU or I, NOR them can change what's happened." Jesse said calmly, "But we all need to do what's best for them." "What's best for HER is a whippin!" Luther fumed. Dixie finally got a bit brave and spoke up, "I talked LUKE into the backseat! He didn't FORCE me into anything. Uncle Jesse I've loved Luke a LONG TIME!! I didn't know me being 16 was a problem, I swear that! I'd never have put Luke in this situation if I KNEW! Uncle Jesse PLEASE don't LET LUTHER send LUKE to prison." Dixie had spit her father's name out like she had a bad taste in her mouth and was barely able to say the word 'prison'. Jesse held his arm out as Dixie stepped toward him and buried her face in his overalls. He wrapped his arm protectively around Dixie's shoulders. Luther was still seething as he glared at Dixie, "YOU talked HIM into WHAT???? MY 16 year old daughter has now got the reputation of a WHORE. HE's done this to one too many girls Jesse. I'm going to see to it that I do everything in my power to have the book thrown at him." Luther's voice was raising. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie held on to Jesse for dear life! Jesse felt her grip on him tighten, as he said, "Luther Dixie is not the first 16 year old to ever be with a boy." Luther's eye flew open and he said, "Jesse, Luke ain't NO BOY he's a MAN! He should have known better than to take advantage of a 16 year old child!" B.L got brave or stupid she’d never really know what possessed her to speak “Uncle Luther REMEMBER when I was 16!†Luther glared at her and said “don’t remind ME!!! Dixie looked up at her father with tears in her eyes, "I'm NO CHILD and Luke DID know better, but HE unlike this family thought I was 18 not 16! If I'd have known it made a difference I would have told him how old I was and I da-- sure wouldn't have pushed him in that situation!!!!!" Luther replied, "I've got to go talk to Trooper Mitchell Jesse. I'm not backing down from this." Jesse humbly asked, "Don't do this to my boy?" Luther replied coldly, "He did it to himself." “Luther what’s it gonna solve? What’s done is done it won’t undo it just gonna make things bad between good friends!†B.L added with more fire than Jesse had used in his plea purposely leaving out ‘uncle’ a term of deep respect and love that she had always used without thinking twice about it. "BL I already told you I'm not backing down from pushing this.†“Your just being stubborn and unreasonable!†B.L said with her hands on her hips. "And as her Father I CAN BE!" Dixie shook her head and said, "BL he's not going to listen. He's worse than Rosco trying to put the Duke boys away!" “He’s being an a—hole!†B.L fumed she was madder than he—none of this was fair to Dixie or Luke sure what they’d been caught doing was illegal because of Dixie’s age but she was willing so B.L thought it was all just a waste of time and energy just for the sake of punishing Luke for assuming something instead of asking. Dixie agreed and started walking off the porch, "Yeah I know!" Jesse was trying his best to hush the two girls that were only making Luther worse. B.L followed Dixie off the porch and they got in the Judge heading for the jail without a word to Luther about where they were going. Luther and Jesse got in their vehicles and headed to the courthouse too. Jesse went downstairs to see Luke when he arrived looking ten years older he shook his head sadly and said “I tried Luke but he won’t budge.â€

The next morning, Dixie wasn't asleep. She hadn't slept all night. She either cried or thought about Luke all night. Last night was supposed to be special and unforgettable. It had been special right up until the flashlights came on. As for unforgettable Dixie was sure that neither her, Luke and half the County would ever forget it, either. Cooter said, "You got to deal with her sometime." Luther replied, "I know. I'm just trying to calm down a bit first. It just don't seem to be workin'." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse pulled up in front of the Courthouse and jail just before 8:30am. He had to know what went on with Luke, but in order to try to help him. He hoped there would be SOMETHING he could do. Jesse took a seat outside Luke cell. "Ok, Luke what happened?" Luke sighed, "You remember Dixie's big birthday party, we all went all out for. Well, it turns out it was her 16th birthday NOT 18th!..." Jesse interrupted, "Did she tell you she was 18?" Luke gave Jesse a brief sad smile, "No." he sighed, "I figured that out ALL on my own. I know, ... I assumed myself into a God awful lot of trouble." Jesse asked, "So what did they charge you with?" "Trooper Mitchell said he'd give me as big a break as he could and ONLY charge me with Indecent Exposure, Public Intoxication, two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, and Resisting Arrest. Luther can insist on him charging me with the felony, which, ... after what I heard going on upstairs I figure he will." replied Luke. Jesse gave Luke a look of reassurance, "I'll go talk to Luther." he said simply. "I appreciate it, but Jesse, ... I'm not so sure that will help. Just make sure Dixie is Ok. She had no idea what was wrong last night and as mad as Luther was I'm sure she has lived hard." said Luke with concern. "Jesse, I had a lot of time to think last night about a whole lot. Other than the age thing, I'm not a bit sorry for what happened. I do love Dixie." Jesse looked surprised. Luke continued after seeing the look, "Yeah, I said that. ... I just thought I loved Robin. Then I ran around trying to prove something." he shook his head, "I guess I proved what a jerk I can be... He--, ... as far as I know, ... I was Da-- lucky that none of them showed up pregnant. And then there was Lori, who DID end up pregnant and I didn't even know til it was too late. I tried to get her to get over me and I tried to get over her but we just kept coming back to each other. I loved her, part of me still does, but we've proved it will never work." he paused. Jesse just let him talk, "I love Dixie. I am not saying what I'm about to say to try to get me out of anything. I want to marry her and I intend to tell the Judge that this morning. When you talk to Luther, if you think it will help you can tell him that for me." Jesse looked at his nephew. It seemed he had watched him grow up right before his eyes in the last five minutes. Luke looked much older than his twenty years. "Your sure about that?" "As sure as I've been about anything for quiet sometime, now. No matter what happens. I love her. She will have to live with what we did last night. It might be easier for her, at least if she has my name. I don't want anyone to think that she was just the last in a long line of conquests." said Luke with seriousness. Jesse asked, "Luke is there any doubt about WHAT was going on last night?" Jesse continued a bit embarrassed, "I mean, ..." Luke stopped him, shook his head 'no', looking into his Uncle's eyes. "No, what they said they saw was EXACTLY what they saw." he sighed. Luke felt himself shake inside as he stood up straight to tell Jesse the rest of his decisions, "I know in order to prove it though they will want 'tests' ran on Dixie. I won't let that happen. I'll not let her go though that." "Luke, ..." Jesse was interrupted. Looking Jesse in the eyes, "I'll plead guilty and hope for the best if it comes to that. IF they run the tests it will only confirm what did happen and put her through He--. Her having to live with my assumption is bad enough." "Luke you could talk yourself right into prison." informed Jesse. "I know that." he sighed. "Isn't there any doubt? Those tests could come out shedding some doubt." said Jesse. Luke shook his head no. "The evidence would be there." Jesse looked him in the eye, "Could she be pregnant?" Luke got a kind of far off look and smiled just a bit before answering, "That would be the only good thing to come out of this. Yeah, she could be." He seemed a bit satisfied at that thought. Jesse stood up looking Luke face to face, saying a bit loud, "Luke have you lost all your senses? How long have you two been SEEING each other?" Jesse asked worriedly. Luke knew what he meant since he had been given permission from her father to take her some places, "Last night was the only time." Jesse asked, "You swear?" Luke nodded yes, "Yes." he continued, "Can I ask you to do something for me that I might not get to do myself, depending on what goes on upstairs?" Jesse realized so far Luke had not asked him to do anything for him. He had not asked him to talk to the Judge. He hadn't asked him to talk to Luther, Jesse had offered. He hadn't even asked Jesse to get him out of jail. "What is it, Luke?" Luke looked very serious. "On my dresser is a small white box. It has been there since I dated Robin. I just recently figured out Dixie's size and had it sized and cleaned. I had plans to give it to her myself but never found the right moment. Will you see she gets it. NO matter what happens I want her to have it." Jesse knew the box. "Luke would that be your Mother's engagement ring?" With tears in his eyes for the first time since Jesse arrived, Luke bit his lip before he answered. He said as his voice cracked just a bit, "Yes, ... it is. If she'll have it after all this, I'd like her to have it, ... and all the promises that goes with it." "You'll be able to do that yourself." Jesse tried to assure Luke. Luke shook his head, "I'm not so sure about that." Jesse left to go check on Dixie and talk to Luther. He noted the garage wasn't open yet so everyone was likely still at the farm.

At the jail Peggy as she asked Luke, "Do you want to make a call now?" "What time is it?" asked Luke. Peggy looked at her watch, "Three thirty." Luke shook his head, "Not now, there's nothing Jesse can do until morning anyway. Unless Luther wakes him now, it will be better to call about five thirty, if that's Ok?" Peggy gave him a slight smile. "It will be fine. I'll let get the phone for you then." Luke knew no news was good news but had to ask, "I heard," he nodded towards the steps. "Did Trooper Mitchell change the charges yet?" he asked glumly. "He told Mr. Davenport what he charged you with. He also told him what you could be charged with, then he said he'd give him until tomorrow to think about it. For now they stand the same as he told you." Peggy explained. Peggy looked at the clock it was 5:30am. She got the phone hooked up where the cord would reach to the cell. Sleep had alluded Luke, though he was laying on the hard bunk starring at the ceiling. Peggy's movement had gotten his attention. As Luke sat up he saw Peggy coming his way with the phone and a large cup of coffee. She handed the coffee to Luke and sat the phone down on a shelf on the wall near the side of the cell. Taking a drink of the coffee Luke looked at the phone and sighed. "You know all my life I have been able to tell Uncle Jesse anything, but I don't think I can tell him this." He had decided hours ago to prepare Jesse the worst then hope for the best. He heard how upset Luther and Cooter had been. He doubted that even Uncle Jesse could calm them down enough to keep him from being charged with the felony. He sighed again. For Peggy she didn't know what to say to make this any better for Luke. She had been party to the events upstairs last night as she had came in, in the middle of it. Luke asked, "What time is it?" "5:40 am" was all Peggy said. Luke knew he had to call now before Jesse discovered him not home. Reaching through the bars Luke picked up the phone. "Maybelle get me the Duke farm please." Jesse had just poured his first cup of coffee when the phone rang. Looking at the clock. Jesse knew no one called here that early unless something was wrong. "Jesse Duke." he answered. Luke bit his lip hard at the sound of Jesse's voice. He knew what he was going to say would hurt Jesse more than it did him IF that was possible. "Uncle Jesse ..." "Luke? Where are you?" Jesse asked not sure he wanted to know. There was a long silence before Luke answered, "In jail." "What in tar nation did you do now? Let me guess been in another fight with just anyone who wanted to fight? OR maybe the last time wasn't long enough, so you went out racing again, you're sure to get your license revoked if you keep of this foolishness!" Jesse wasn't happy. Jesse was answered with total silence. "Luke. Tell me what they charged you with." replied Jesse sternly. Luke stood rock solidly still, yet he felt him shaking uncontrollably on the inside as he said, "St, ... Stat, ..., Statu, ... tory, ... Rape." Luke's voice had cracked up badly and the last word was almost unheard, but Jesse heard him LOUD AND CLEAR. Jesse almost dropped his coffee cup, "What? Who? Did they manage to set you up?" "Jesse, I only wished it were one of their set ups." Luke said as he turned his back to Peggy. His eyes had, against his will, filled with tears. "Just listen a minute. That's not the formal charge yet. Though I'd bet my life it will be after seeing the Judge. Jesse replied, "Peggy's there? Ask her when is the earliest I can come talk to you about this and see what we can figure out. Luke did and replied, "8:30 am." Jesse said, "Luke I'll be setting there at 8:30am. Who's is the girl?" Luke would rather tell him that in person but figured he'd better prepare him in case he ran into the Davenports, "Thanks, Uncle Jesse." Luke paused, his voice barely heard by Jesse. He cleared his throat, "Dixie Dav, ... en, ... port." Confused Jesse said, "What? Didn't you all just tell me she had her 18th birthday party?" Jesse voice was a bit loud for the hour of the morning. Luke sighed, "It's a long story. I've got to go. It makes me feel better knowing at least you think like I did." Jesse looked at the phone confused now more than ever, "Luke, I love you." "I love you too." Luke handed the phone to Peggy. He laid on the bunk and faced the wall.

Luke could hear the commotion upstairs. He expected at any minute Luther and or Cooter to storm down the stairs leading to the cells. What Luke didn't know was that it had taken both Troopers, Rosco, and Dixie's pleading, along with promises from Rosco and the Trooper of their own arrests to convince them both to leave the jail. When Peggy, the correctional officer, arrive downstairs, Luke was setting on the bunk Indian style. He had been staring at nothing replaying the nights events. Cooter and Luther were to mad to say anything to Dixie at this point. At the farm Luther pointed to her room and said, "Don't even come out until you are called for." To Dixie that wasn't so bad an idea as she was not at all looking to dealing with her father. Or should she say being dealt with BY her father. Cooter and Luther were far too mad to get any sleep that night. Dixie didn't sleep either. She was worried about what was going to happen to Luke. She felt really bad for him being in this situation because of her. HOW had Luke thought she was 18 instead of 16? She truly didn't know that there was over fours years difference in their age, but had she known she also wouldn't have known that it made a difference. B.L followed Dixie to her room and stayed up with her all night talking. At one point Dixie asked “B what’s the big deal with me being 16 and Luke 20?†B.L sighed and answered “Luke is technically an adult and you are still a child so in the eyes of the law he’s took ‘advantage’ of you no matter how willing you were. Over four years age difference is illegal.†Konrad had decided it was best for him not to be seen nor heard in that house considering his name was Duke. He went back to the Duke farm but didn’t want to wake anybody up although he truly doubted they were asleep but he went to the barn anyway and slept in the loft.