essyjane

(By Essy and Chance) With the crisis ended, Angel exited the General Sherman. Just then Hogg Hellion passed the trio of stopped cars. She reached inside the General Sherman and called to her sister. "Sunbeam, this is Fallen Angel. We're stopped about..." "STOPPED?!" Stephanie voice was incredoulous. "stopped.." Angel repeated "about a half mile from the finish line. Grab Cooter and get him over here. We have problems." That done, Angel walked over where Bo, Luke and Daisy were peering inside the General Lee's Hood. It didn't take a mechanic to see the choppy job someone had done to the General insides. Angel figured there was something wrong with her baby boy as well. She looked under the hood. "He's been modified," Angel shouted. "Well I didn't do it," Bo commented. "Bo, your nose is bleeding." "Yeah, I hit it on the dash." "Are you okay?" "Fine." Angel went to touch his nose. Bo pulled away. "How am I supposed to know that you ain't responsible?" "Bo, you're thinking crazy!" Luke exclaimed. "It was almost like Steph was keeping me busy while she..." "I would NEVER do that!" Angel exclaimed. "Bo, stop it, you're just angry," Luke mumbled. "Yeah...I guess so. I suppose you would be mad too if you almost died," Bo snapped. Cooter showed up with the tow truck. Everyone got into their cars and drove off.

(By Chance and Essy) The girls were dressed like people from a real track. They wore checkered suits with advertisement to everything Boss Hogg owned. Hogg figured that the people would stare more at the gals than the guys. He also did something else that they weren't exactly aware of. You see, Rosco messed with Bo and Luke's car. He bet $100 that the girls would win. Boss Hogg did the opposite, he added to General Sherman's engine. Now friends, this could turn out to be an interesting race considering neither driver knew about this. Stephanie usually checked her car ten minutes before the race but was busy making plans with Bo for next Saturday since she was allowed to stay in Hazzard. "Swimming in the moonlight? Sounds primitave," Stephanie commented. "No, sounds romantic," Bo retored. "Oh whatever, just know that we're gonna have fun." "For a minute there you sounded southren." Angel and Luke came up to the car and Angelgrinned at her sister and Bo flirts. "Steph, what a time to be flirting with the enemy." She teased and then frowned as she pulled at the collar of her jumpsuit. "I can't believe Boss made us wear this clown costumes. I think this is venegence for stealing his car." "I bet it is too. I look like I belong on a bed," Stephanie replied. Angel heard the call to get into her car. She gave Luke one heck of a kiss. "Have fun Bo driving," Stephanie commented. She looked at Luke as he was finally released from her sister's lips. "Have fun watching us kid, though you won't see me behind the dust," Bo mumbled. "Yeah, our dust." "You're dreaming!" "No, you are!" Bo walked over to the Lee and laughed. Angel went to the Sherman. Isn't it funny how they were both side by side. Bo smiled as Daisy stood out with the flags ready to wave them. Daisy did her job and the two cars were off. Bo was in the lead but his parts were ready to come apart. Angel couldn't understand where the new found power came from in her General. Well that was it folks. Bo's breaks were gone. It took less than second for Angel to decide what to do. Pulling the Sherman in front of the General Lee, Angel used her car to slow the accelration of the General Lee. It would probably mean losing the race but saving a life was more important With the breaks gone, the steering was next. Seems old Rosco went for the wrong piece. I guess when you do it in the dark things are bound to go wrong. The car went off the road. Luke got worried and jumped into Dixie with Daisy. They began to speed up towards Bo but knew he wouldn't catch him. All the cars went passed the General Lee and Sherman. Luke remembered the bow and arrows Daisy carried in the back. "Take the wheel!" Luke commanded. "No problem sugar," Daisy replied. She held on tight swerving from other cars. Luke had to work fast. He attatched a rope to the front of Dixie and another to the Arrow. Angel kept the car steady in the front. Luke let the arrow fly and it attached onto a piece of weak metal that was injured by Sherman. Luke went back in dixie. "Fallen Angel, Daisy, breaks." Both applied the breaks. The General was stopped in between the two.

After the boys got through with Boss, he couldn't say no to sponsoring two cars instead of one. Someone had to win. Bo and Luke were sure it was gonna be them. Having the enemy become the good friends. Angel looked at Luke, "Either way we win."

Thank goodness they got over there in time. Stephanie grabbed her Uncle and was about to throw him over when Corbet decided to pull out a gun on her. "I have had enough of you two!" Corbet snarled. Bo hit him hard from behind and Corbet landed on the ground. Stephanie laughed. "What's so funny about this?" Angel asked. "You don't see the brighter side of life. You remember his wife Julie?" Stephanie asked. "Duh." "Well its play time. Starring Corbet the dog." A smile arose on Angel's face." When Corbet woke up in his underwear and undershirt. There was a ladie's dress on one side. Three girls walked out and began to kiss him. Corbet didn't resist. "Hold on sweetbabies, there's plenty of me to go around," Corbet commented. About nineteen flashes took place out of Stephanie's camera and of course the Dukes as well. Corbet couldn't believe it. "Pittsburg News, cop's wife kills him after she sees pictures," Stephanie said. "That's blackmail!" "That's right." "What do you want?" "I want all charges dropped against my sister and I. You leave and never come back. Got it?" "Okay, done." Stephanie handed him one roll. "You'll get the other four when we get back to our city and see the records are gone." "FINE!" "In the words of my friends from Hazzard, 'Don't come back ya hear?'" Everyone laughed as Corbet finally left the Dukes and the Wilsons alone for good.

Stephanie and company arrived about twenty minutes after the mysterous Fallen Angel had vanished. Stephanie took a toothpick out of her mouth and looked at Bo as she put her sunglasses on. "Okay, she read our mind. Now I guess we're gonna have to have some fun. I need to do some research," Stephanie commented. "What do you mean?" Bo asked. "Uncle Corbet needs to be taught a lesson. You boys ain't allowed to leave the county but we don't to...I have got a friend in the force. His name is Peter Manning, one of the best older men I have ever dated. We broke up becuase well...there was a WAY better girl waiting for him. Anyway, he'll help me on something." Stephanie was right, she did find out something from this guy. Corbet was one who loved women...however he was married which wasn't exactly good. Stephanie had a plan.

As Enos continued to his car, Rosco stopped him. "Where do you think you're going in such a hurry?" Rosco commented. Enos was one of the most honest people in Hazzard County. If you think he's gonna lie, think again. "I am going to the streets of Hazzard," Enos replied. I said he was honest, that doesn't mean he needs to tell the whole truth. "To do what?" ""Chase the Dukes." He did it again. Enos was chasing the Dukes alright, chasing them down to give them information. "Carry on then." Enos ran out the door. Remember, though the man can't drive he has lived in Hazzard all his life. Enos knew where the boys were headed, home. Enos took a couple of sharp turns and finally got to the Dukes. He set up a mini road block and got them to stop. Bo looked angry and Stephanie, she wasn't too pleased. "HEY!" Stephanie hissed. "Hey nothing, I gotta warn you about Corbet. He's comin' after Stephie and y'all," Enos mumbled. "I thought..." "Yeah well he's still comin'" "Great." "How do we fix it?" "We need four heads...we need Angel. Look, Corbet's gonna keep coming until we get her out of harm's way." "Normally I wouldn't agree with you honey but you're right. I didn't hear your plans though. Git Stephanie to saftey and plan it with Cooter." "Okay," Bo replied.

"No!" Stephanie exclaimed. "What?" Angel asked. "You heard me. I was unaware. I won't be charged anyway. Think about it Angel! He has you in his corner by playing you for a sucker! I am not about to let it happen. Men, we have some talking to do. You talk to my sister while I talk to that stinky Uncle of mine." Stephanie walked up the stairs just as the tears hit her eyes. She couldn't let this happen to her sister. Stephanie bit on her top lip and looked up at the ceiling. She didn't want to leave her sister but what if it was her only option? Stephanie finally moved up the stairs. She looked at Jon and barked like a dog. "Oh come off it!" Jon exclaimed. "Come off what? You almost got her in a mess by charging me! I didn't know anything about it therefore, I am not liable. Sorry. You cannot hold me over her head," Stephanie shouted back. "Did you tell her that?" "Yes I did. Now, you better leave her alone!" "I won't! Not until she tells me that name." "She would rather die!" "A few days on bread and water will change her adittude some. I think we will stay in Hazzard. Soon we'll go back and she can be in jail for a long time." "If she says the name?" "I'll drop the charges." What was Angel gonna do? Would she ever let it slide? Or would she rather have bread and water for the rest of her days? Stephanie knew her sister was stubborn. Angel wouldn't want anything to happen to her sister or her friend. Ken...it was familiar to her.

Jon held the middle of the cuffs. "You're not getting away from me girly not matter how much you try," Jon hissed. Angel struggled with the cuffs. She tried to get out of his grip but it was no use. "Are you gonna drive all the way back there tonight?" Boss asked. "What do you think Hogg? Corbet answered harshly. "This one got away from me once. She's just like her old man. STEALING items that don't belong to him." "Oh don't start with me Uncle Jon! It's not my fault that your side of the family wouldn't take us in after Mom died. Dad was a jerk and left us after that. I don't have a problem with that. When you left us in the dark, that made me mad." "She married him! He left!" "It's not my fault that Mom got married to Dad!" "Woe, hold the phone, you're family?" Boss asked. "Yeah, Angela's mother Genna eloped. We didn't want anything to do with her. Then I find out that the man she married had a criminal record, Moon shine runner. Used to live in Chicasaw County. Moved to our city after he was released. " "He has a name Uncle Jon." "He doesn't need it to be used!" "Barry, Barry Wilson. My father may have been a moon shine runner but he turned out to be a wonderful man. Mama worked her tail off as a nurse and he stayed home to raise us. It may be a hard life but he did it. When Mom died, he couldn't even bear the sight of us." "Yeah, messed up your mom's chances of a good life. Now, this discussion is over! Where' Stephanie?" "She's not involved in this!" "If you don't want to be arrested or convicted of anything, you better tell me the name of that man on the video camera." "What video camera?" "Every bank machine has a hidden camera...we saw you lift that car. Now, who was that man?" "I would rather rot in my cell." "So be it!" Jon took off the cuffs and pushed her in. "You've forgotten who you are Jon! You have turned your back on your family." "I turned my back on her the minute she married him." "You stupid lousy..." Jon glared at her and simply walked away.

Since the Dukes and the Wilsons had become friends, Luke offered an invitation for them to all stay in the Duke house. That way they didn't have to pay for the boarding house for so long. "Can you believe the nerve of Hogg?" Stephanie grumbled. "Now come on Steff, I know were gonna race but you know how Boss is. He wants to wait two weeks well let him," Angel answered. "No, this ain't fair, he has to prospone is because of you! If you didn't get any ideas..." "Well if you didn't go and make me come to Hazzard in the first place..." "Ladies!" Uncle Jesse exclaimed. "She started it," both said at the same time. "Now girls, we don't fight in this house, sort of a family rule. As long as you're stayin' here, y'all are family. I don't want to see it!" "Okay sis, then let's step outside," Stephanie hissed. "I don't think so!" Bo exclaimed. He grabbed onto Stephanie's hips. Bo lifted her up and dragged her into the next room. Stephanie swung her legs over and wrapped them around Bo's neck. She pulled him to the ground with them. "Bo, I am a dang good wrestler!" Bo got her legs off of him and put Stephanie in a half nelson. "SO am I." Bo held her for a minute and gave her a kiss on the mouth. "Hey!" Stephanie cuffed her arm around his and rolled towards him. She put her elbow by his hipbone. "You ain't gonna fight with your sister. You love her." Stephanie hit Bo in the face hard making his nose bleed. "Owe!" "Yeah I love her." "I don't usually hit a lady..." "Yeah but I usually do hit a man." "Don't you dare try it!" "Watch me!" Bo elbowed her in the stomach as she went to hit him again. "Bo! You ain't supposed to hit a lady!" Uncle Jesse yelled. "Sorry sir!" Bo yelled back. Stephanie quit. "Why shouldn't I fight with her? She almost had us all in big trouble." Bo laughed. If he fought with LUke everytime he got the two in trouble, they wouldn't exactly be friends anymore. "Sisterhood is a bond." "More like a pain." "How many times to I have to appologize?" Angel asked. "Well I think you should do it now. You should get something for me too." "I am sorry! I will make a big dinner tomorrow okay?" "You're forgive then sis." Angel put a hand up for Stephanie. She didn't accept it of course being as stubborn as she was. "Now, we should go and practice for the race before we go dress shopping for that dance." "Okay."

Well the car was back just as Lulu and Boss walked outside from their long discussion. "You will come home and fix the sink," Lulu grunted. "Yes dear," Boss replied. "You will take out the garbage." "Yes dear." "You won't charge the Dukes with ANYTHING." "Yes I will! Theyt stole my car." "Then what's that?" Lulu pointed to the White Caddy sitting in the drive. It was well clean and much sharper than the day he'd bought it. Boss' jaw hung wide open. "NEXT time YOU want to LIE about not having a car, don't come to me to borrow it." "But Lamb Chops..." "JD, one more word out of you and I will crush our agreement to keep your fridge." "You can't take Wally, we have had good times together. Midnight bindges, great pork chops and more." "It's only a fridge JD!" Lulu walked to her car and got in. Boss picked up the CB and held it in his hands. "You know you're gonna git it one of these days...when I finally catch you two groups. You're gonna wish you were never born." "What with that police force Boss?" Stephanie replied. She laughed over the CB. "ROSCO! You're lucky your sister is my wife!" "Boss, did you just say you wish I was your wife?" Boss rolled his eyes. He walked back into his building and planned the race of a life time that would happen in another two weeks due to the robbery of his car. While he was doing that, Lulu was planning the annual backwards dance where the gals choose which fella they want to go with. Now friends, this should be interesting. Enemies ganged up to go and fix a big mistake. Now they could be dancing partners. This should be good.

"You drive me crazy!" Angel hissed. "Well its better than ending up in prison believe me. I have been to prision," Luke replied. They continued driving there were two semi trucks up the road side by side. Luke turned one way and Angel the other. Luke went on the rocky terain and was followed closely by Enos. Luke felt the bumps as he kept going. He couldn't believe he could drive this well while on the road. "Oh my word! Luke, can ya slow down now?" Enos asked over the CB. "I would but then you would catch me," Luke replied. "You're gonna git a flat tire on this road." "Nah, I am too good for that." Angel went onto a road that reconnected back with the main one. She began driving faster. She pulled off a major jump. Rosco slowed down and took the hill down. He was right on her tail working on capturing the beauty. "This is Fallen Angel calling sunbeam. Can I have a progress report?" Angel asked over the CB. "Sure thing. The swine is being occupied by his owner and we're almost finished operation restore. With Bo's help it's going a hundred times faster. Though you did a great job taking out the parts," Stephanie answered. "Okay, well hurry it up. I lost contact with the orange clown." "You did not red nose, repeat, you didn't loose me," Luke answered.

"Alright you two, this is no time to play, I want you to pull it over right there," Rosco commented over the CB. They kept going. "Okay you two, right over on the side of the next road..." Both Angel and Luke kept speeding. Two Generals and two police cars. Now here's something you don't see everyday. "Okay, Dukes! I am mad. I am gonna take action. I am gonna cuff ya and stuff ya. I want you to pull over!" "Yes, I am sure you do," Luke replied. "Luke Duke you're under arrest for helping a criminal. Angela, you're under arrest for stealing Boss Hogg's car." "Well if you want us in prison, you're gonna have to catch us first," Angel said over the CB. "Jit-Jit, OOoooo, you two never listen do ya?" "Not when it comes to you Rosco Coltrane." They began to speed along the roads of Hazzard, and finally split up in their cars, Luke taking one way and Angel taking the other way. Meanwhile, back at the garage, Stephanie and Bo were making sure the police department wouldn't have any evidence to convict Angel with. If there was no evidence there, they wouldn't be able to throw Luke into jail with her. Bo and Stephanie were wearing gloves as they tunned and wiped Boss' Caddy up real good. No finger prints would be found. The car looked well restored. "Step two, keeping Boss busy," Bo mumbled. "What did you do for step two?" Stephanie replied. "As Uncle Jesse always says, think things through and you'll never loose." Bo pointed over to the courthouse. A rather large woman walked over towards the courthouse. She was wearing a purple dress and nice earings. "Who is that?" "The calvary, Mrs. Lulu Hogg." "Oh? What's she going to do, kiss him for the next fifteen minutes while we park the car?" "No, I told her that Boss hired a couple of Northren people with a car named General Sherman to go and race us. I said you were pros. When Lulu hears of Boss messing with us Dukes, she has a fit." Stephanie laughed. "You Dukes think of everything." "Just about." Lulu walked into the courthouse and looked at Boss as he had a big plate for of hamburgers on a plate. It was so high he didn't even see Lulu come in. "Rosco! I thought you were out chasing them Dukes," Boss hissed. She didn't answer. "Well don't just stand there, go git them. I wanna drive my car. Lulu picked the worst car in the world and now I am driving it. Your fat sister ain't exactly my best friend neither. Did you know she wants to get rid of my refridgerator?" "Jefferson-Davis Hogg! You're lucky I don't belt you one. Makin' fun of my car! Working my brother to the bone!" "Sugar lumps!" "Oh don't you sugar lumps me! And another thing, what makes you think my baby brother Rosco wants to chase them Dukes anyway? They didn't do anything and I know it." "Talkin' to fugitives?" "I don't believe you. And what's this I hear about a General Sherman racin' our southren car?!" "Tootsie roll, I am sick of loosing my bets err umm the races." "I heard that JD!" Boss Hogg scrunched his shoulders up and closed his eyes tight. He knew he was going to get it.

"Well, if we do get caught we'll be put in different cells Bo," Stephanie commented. She leaned in and gave Bo a long kiss. Bo tried to pull away at first but drew closer as she cornered him. She finally released Bo from the tight salty kiss. "Dang!" Bo exclaimed. "You two should do the same. What if we get caught? We'll be in an all women's prison and you guys will be surrounded by men." "That's why we're not going to get caught. Now, let's get moving." Stephanie and Angel got into Sherman and started the engine. "Hey boys, don't make me crash into you again," Angel teased as she revved the engine a few times. She beeped her horn. It was the sound of the trumpet when they were charging. The boys got into Lee. They did the same, letting their Dixie horn wail. "Don't think you're gonna git away with murder of a good car either," Luke answered. Luke was in the driver's seat now. Stephanie was bored with her sister's driving. Her sister was good usually but today, she was love struck. Stephanie could see that look in Angel's eyes. No matter how much Angel tried to deny it, she did like Luke an awful lot. "You could get arrested for impeeding," Stephanie joked. "Yeah, yeah," Angel snapped. "The boys are gonna crash into us if we don't move our tail." Angel sped up. "Now that's more like it." "Now, get off my back about speed and do something useful." Angel handed Stephanie the tax sheets. "I am not doing taxes at a time like this!" "Okay, just an offer. I figured you were bored." "You should have kissed him while you had the chance." "What do you mean by that?" "I see how you look at him. Ya can't fool me." "Oh? How about the way you look at Bo." "Don't you start." Angel put her foot on the gas and jumped. "Got that from Luke right?" "Yeah." She continued moving to Hazzard's town. Stephanie got out of the car and stood on the roof. When they were finally in the town, Angel sounded the horn and pulled onto the sidewalk. People were screaming and moving out of her way. Stephanie stood up. She grabbed onto a window ledge and slowly slid down the slippery slithery window. Stephanie put her hands on her hips waiting for Bo. Bo whistled from above. "If it was behind Cooter's garage, why didn't we just go and get it from there?" Stephanie asked. "Well, don't you think that they're going to be looking for us too?" Bo replied. "Why would they look for us? We didn't do anything." "Well if there is a will there is a way. We have to go building hopping." "Excuse me?" "We're going to the sky." Bo approched the fire escape. He jumped up and grabbed it. "Do you need me to give you an arm up?" "I think I can manage." Stephanie grabbed onto the high ladder and pulled herself up. She couldn't believe she was doing this. After all the times she had done tricks and such, Stephanie had never done anything like this. Bo took the first jump. "Come on!" Stephanie did a half smile wearily. She rubbed her hands together and pulled back her hair. Stephanie jumped. She was doing the splits in the air. Stephanie made it. "Don't think this impresses me, I have don't this a lot more than you have." "I am sure." They continued jumping the buildings.

Stephanie and Bo had just gotten back from rididing. She put the horse away. "Oh come on sunbeam, answer me," Angel mumbled over the CB. "Sunbeam, this is fallen angel, if you can hear me I need to talk to ya!" "This is Sunbeam, what do ya need sis, come back," Stephanie answered. "Boss' car is in the hot bag come back." "WHAT?! You said that..." "I know what I said. Habbit got the best of me. I am sorry, it was such a nice one." "YOU PROMISED! You said we wouldn't do it anymore. After I was done my appreniship we would go and do a clean business." "Sunbeam, I don't want to hear it over the CB! Now where can we meet?" Luke grabbed the CB. "Lost sheep two are you there?" Luke asked. "Yes I am lost sheep number one," Bo replied. "Here's the plan, do you remember the place we had to hide for a week while we sold our shine?" "Yeah?" "Bring Sunbeam over here and we'll have to come up with a plan." "10-4 pal." Bo slid across the hood. He reached into his pocket for the keys. Stephanie flashed them in front of his face. "Move over pal," Stephanie hissed. "You ain't drivin' ya car thief!" Bo exclaimed. Stephanie pulled his head down by the jaw. She had a tight grip on him. "You wouldn't understand would ya?" "What do you mean I wouldn't understand?" Bo moved over. Stephanie climbed into the window she started up the engine. "You don't know how its like to loose both parents and get kicked out of the house you live in. I didn't like the orphanage and Angel was just old enough to be an independant resident at any place. I couldn't stand living without her so of course I ran away. I found her and we have been living together ever since." "That still don't explain the car thieving." "Well, I didn't go to school for a year incase social services found us. We needed a bigger income than a Mac Donalds job or something." "So you stole cars?" Bo pointed out where to turn. Stephanie took the turn willingly. "Well, not exactly. We stole the parts out of the cars and gave them back." "Well that's just as dirty." "Yeah well can you think of any better way to live? We had to do something." "Don't you have any kin?" Bo pointed to a small clearing in a group of trees where the terain was heavy. It looked like nothing was here. As she continued to drived through the clearing, a mysterious dirt road appeared. "Kin?" "Family." "Yeah but they would rather throw us into a ditch. Anyway, I went back to High School when I was 18. I finished my Apprenticeship and got a good job. My sister started betting our money and participated in drag races and such. We won quite a bit by doing that. Built this car and tested some of the curcits. Now we're here for money." "Why did Angel steal that car?" "Beats me. I don't even know why I am telling you this." "Maybe because you need someone to help you out and I am the only one who can do it." "Dream on farm boy." They finally came to an old cabin. General Sherman was sitting there bored looking into the blue sky while General Lee was very used to his surroundings. The trees sheltered the group rather nicely. No one came here except the Dukes when trouble lurked around. The ground was perfectly connected to a cabin. One that had been used to save the Duke's neck. They had never brought anyone else here before. Luke came out of the small red cabin. He stretched his arms up slowly as he grabbed Angel's arm. Angel didn't like being man handled by just anyone but took it from Luke. He looked at his cousin and Stephanie. "Stephanie told me the whole story," Bo commented. "Yeah, Angel filled me in too," Luke answered. "What are we gonna do? Luke, you and Angel are in big trouble this time. It's funny, looks like we have new partners for now." "You mean I have to work with you?" Stephanie questioned. "You're stuck with me ma'am." "Okay, I am game I guess. So how do we get out of this mess?"

Stephanie stared at the horse as Bo put on all the nessesary equitment to ride the horses. She had no idea what Bo was doing. Stephanie only rode a horse once when Angel and herself went to Calgary for a visit. They went to the Stampede they put on there. All over the city are pancake breakfasts. There were some horses there and people would guide them for free. That was the only horse training she had. Well that and the mechanical horse in the mall. Bo smiled at her as she tried to get up. He helped her into the saddle and they were finally off. Stephanie rode slow as she bounced up and down. It was a hard thing for her to do. Stephanie's butt bounced up and down. This was hard and heavy. Bo trotted beside her and pointed out where to go. He also helped her steer a bit. Stephanie began to do it herself. "This is interesting that's for sure," Stephanie commented. She held on tight. Bo picked some crab apples and put them into the sack he brought with them. "I have always liked crab apple Jelly maybe we could have some made by Uncle Jesse," Bo mumbled. "Uncle?" "Yeah sure, my parents along with Luke's kinda left us in the dust." "Oh my, that's terrible." "Yeah but we live on day at a time. So how are you like?" "Do you really want to know?" "Try me." Stephanie cleared her throat and began to talk. Back at the Boar's Nest...

Stephanie got into the General Lee's driver seat. "What do you think you're doing?" Bo asked angerly. Stephanie smiled. "The best way to get to know a guy is to drive his car," Stephanie answered. She reached into Bo's pocket and grabbed the keys. Stephanie pulled her ponytail holder out and took her sunglasses out of her left shirt pocket. She put them on., flicking them up with her index finger and her thumb. "Well, are you going to sit there and gaze at me or are we going to drive this sucker?" "Don't call him a sucker." "I am sorry General Lee." Stephanie started up the engine and revved it good. "Now get in and hold onto something." Bo got in through the window as Stephanie buckled up. She flung her hair towards Bo and began to set off. Stephanie saw a dip in the road and took her chance. She flew the General pretty high. "Oooo, pretty good there Mr. Blonde. Does this car have a licenence to kill? I bet you land on a couple of possums each week." Bo had to laugh. "Have you always been like this?" "Like what?" "This much spunk. I don't see a lot of women acting the way you do." "A man once told me, if you care about what other people think, you'll never really go far in life." "Smart man." "Which way to your farm?" "Take that turn there." Stephanie did what he said. They pulled into a farmhouse. It wasn't like the ones she had seen on TV. The house was worn and old. The place had no grass in the front. It looked kind of bare. One thing was the same, the chickens all over the ground. Bo walked over to the stables and looked at two horses they had in there. Two mustangs, the most beautiful ones Stephanie had ever laid eyes on. "Where'd you get these?" "We were writen into someone's will. They knew we would take care of these horses." Stephanie looked around. "This farm is not what I expected." "Yeah, I know, its a little run down. With all the things going on in our lives, I guess sometimes it doesn't always stay the way it should. We have enough to get by." Stephanie's head lowered. She always seemed to have enough. Now she wondered how these Dukes even survived. "I hope it goes better." "Should, after the morgage is paid off." "You just bought the place?" "No, we have been living here all our lives." "Why the morgage?" "Too long of a story. Shall we?" "Sure."

"Beautiful out here, ain't it?" Hilery commented. She had noticed him looking up, and he nodded. "Yeah, but I wish you would have stayed at the farm and waited until I got back or waited 'til morning or something, even though I think this talk has been doing us good," he said sighing. "Bo, it's okay to be confused," she said. "Sometimes it takes seconds to sort your thoughts, and yet other times, it takes what seems like forever." "Yeah, I guess you're right, I just never thought about how long it takes to sort my thoughts . . . You know, you're really starting to scare me," he commented and stopped by a small creek. He remained on the horse for a few more moments. When he climbed down, Hilery did the same. "Back to the subject at hand though," she said, trying to get back on subject. "I understand if you don't love me as more than you would a sibling. You win some and you loose some," she said before giving him a kiss on his lower cheek, right next to the corner of his mouth. "Yeah, I guess I'm just really lost right now," he told her. He knew he was getting a new incite to her personality, one no one had probably even known about. She seemed to have become so much more intelligent all of a sudden, and so much more serious. It was like a whole other side of her had just appeared out of no where. “I bet you would be.†Hilery wondered if Bo would be falling for a side she only really showed to Essy. He looked at her puzzled and soon straightened up. "Hilery...I know what to say to you right now but how to say it without turning you into a puddle of mush is a whole other story," Bo mumbled after a moment of silence. He thought again looking up into the moon. "When I think of you...I think of the moon. I think, here's my friend who has lived in Hazzard since she was 13 years old. She has one side showing to one half of the world and another just waiting to be explored. I know that someone who is really fortunate is gonna see both sides of you..." "Bo...don't, you're gonna ruin this moment for me," Hilery cut in. She could feel the tears roll into her eyes. Hilery started to understand what Essy was trying to say. Bo wasn't ready to be tied down with one person. There was so much to be explored like Bo said...but this man wasn't the moon. "Hilery..." "Bo, you're like a puzzle. There are so many pieces inside of you waiting to be put together. The child in you isn't letting me inside the box." "I can't...I don't know if I can ever with you." "What are you saying Bo?" "I know that I want to give to you and see you and hold you but I don't know how." "You can learn how...we'll learn how together." "Hilery...I can't even imagine how right now." "Bo...I have imagined every moment with you. I know it sounds like some child's fairy tale but listen. I have pictured sharing my life with you. I have had dreams about it." "I bet you have...I don't mind it by the way." "I love you Bo...what else can I say?" Bo stood silent for a minute trying to collect his thoughts. He knew what he wanted to say but was tongue tied. He loved Hilery and would walk on fire for her but at the same time there was something missing. Something that Bo couldn't feel; how could he say it to her? How could he tell a friend...even a sister to him that he didn't feel a certain way and he didn't know if it would happen? "You are a wonderful talented woman...you can fix cars like any good Davenport." "I love you Bo." "You are a great person to fish with...ya have enough stories to make me smile. I sometimes get bored with Daisy when fishing but I like fishing with you and Luke...we're like pals." "I care for you Bo...I am gonna say it until it gets through your head." "Sometimes, when you fell asleep on my shoulder you would breathe heavily and I would poke you to calm you down." Bo pushed his hair back as his eyes filled with tears. He was trying to tell her the many things he liked about her as a friend. "Bo..." Bo unhitched his horse. He was only going to be able to do this once without falling down in pain. "When I think of kissing you I think of kissing Daisy. Sure she's pretty but it don't feel right ya know? I don't know...I can't hide my feelings and though I want to...I want to try to go on a date with you. I will call on you sometime...I ain't gonna tell you when or how, it'll just happen. I am not ready for this...I can't be ready for this." He got on the horse and rode away. Hilery began to cry. She pounded the tree hard until the skin on the hand were busted and began to bleed. The pain rolled inside her like shattering glass hitting her skin. Her face became red and her eyes pierced with anger. Why couldn't he love her? How could this happen. "Cooter was wrong!" Hilery exclaimed. She hated her cousin for making her come. Hilery didn't want to talk to Bo ever again as her body shook. The young woman fell to her knees. She unhitched the horse and finally began to head back. Hilery looked at the moon for one more moment. She didn't know what else there was to do. At least Hilery wasn't living a lie. The pain was horrific...eating up at her. Hilery made her way towards the farm. She almost spat at Cooter and didn’t even give Bo a second look. Hilery made her way to the car and said nothing all the way home. Two days later... Cooter showed up at the police department to talk to Rosco. He hadn't seen Hilery since the Duke Farm incident and no on had any clue what had happened except Bo and Luke. Luke knew only because his cousin told him. Cooter though had figured Hilery had just needed to spend some time alone, but, when she failed to turn up after 24 hours were up, he got worried. It increased when it hit 48 hours, so he grabbed Essy and headed over to the station. Boss meanwhile was in another one of his business deals. Essy noticed one of the men from a few posters in the post office, and knew trouble was a brewing. “Hazzard wouldn’t be the same without a little trouble,†Essy mumbled to herself. Cooter looked at her puzzled like. “Do you smell something Lassie?†Cooter joked. Essy rolled her eyes. She clipped the back of his head with his hand. “I have seen those boy’s faces before and it ain’t in the Christmas pageant.†Cooter looked at another one of them going into the room. He was wearing a white suit. “Oh you’re right Mrs. Duke. You know who you should bring on this case don’t you?†“Not Bo…he ain’t in the mood.†“No, bring Judd…it’s like they always say, married couples always have better instincts when they’re not smooching and such. You two would make a wonderful team.†Essy thought about it for a minute. “Well he does have Duke Blood.†Cooter smiled knowing her answer before it slipped her lips. Essy rolled her eyes...let's just see if they get out of this one without killing each other. Essy pushed back her red hair and looked at Cooter. She knew that something had to be done about these suspicious characters. "You think we aughta get Bo to help us figure out what is going on?" she asked. Cooter nodded before moving toward the ohter end of hte booking room with Essy, back to the doors. "Rosco!" he began calling, walking back toward the center of the room. "Rosco," he bellowed again. Rosco came out of his office to find out why the Davenport was calling him.

"Hilery I have pinned you before and I ain't afraid to do it again." They wrestled on the ground for a few minutes. Both were red in the face. "You better not make me do anything stupid." She rolled him onto his back but he flipped her over. "Tell ya what, if I win, you talk to Bo." "If you loose?" "I will...stand in front of the garage and advertise wearing a clown shirt and I will sing." "You got yourself a deal." They fought back and forth for a few minutes and Cooter finally pinned her. "Not fair!" "How so?" "You're bigger than me." "You knew that before you wrestled me. Now, get your coat on. You made a deal and you're gonna live up to it." "But..." "Just to make sure you live up to your deal I am coming with you." "But..." "Don't forget to put a coat on, it's chilly." "But...but...but Cooter, I don't want to go tonight." It was too late, Cooter already grabbed her by the hand and pulled her out to his truck. She was forced to get in of course. Hilery crossed her arms and looked out into the dark night. The wind pulled on her curled hair. She looked out into the moonlight and smiled. Maybe this was a good idea...it could do her a lot of good. Talking to Bo was just what she needed. "Thanks Cooter." "You're welcome." "Cooter?" "Yeah Hilery?" "What should I say to him?" "What comes to your heart baby...what comes to your heart will be the right thing to say and you know it." "Oh yeah right Coot," she said. Hilery had never been one for the mushy stuff, and her second cousin knew it. "Well, either that or I could show him that notebook you have, you know, the one you write all your thoughts about him in. I found that in Jumper before I went up to your appartment. It was sittin' on the passenger seat." Hilery blushed. "Your glove box was open too," Cooter added. "You didn't have to read it," she said. She was shivering. "I only looked at the first and a middle page, the last one too," he said even though he knew he shouldn't ahve read it. "It was laying open, and what it said caught my eye. I only checked the front page and the back page for the dates. I'm sorry though cousin, I know I shouldn't have." "It's okay I guess. That's what big cousins are for, not knowing how to mind their own business," she told him. There wasn't sarcasm in her voice, nor a laugh, but her tone wasn't serious either. He knew she had meant that it was okay, she wasn't mad, but the last part struck him as funny. "Can I ask you something though?" "Sure, I guess so," she replied. "Have you really had a crush on him since you were 13?" Hilery wanted to hit him. Essy had probably already told Bo about it being that long; so she knew that she wouldn’t have to. Okay here we go; Hilery is about to pull into what is going to be her greatest adventure. As Daisy informs the young woman that Bo went horse back riding, Hilery grabs the nearest horse and goes out to the area he would likely be. She sees him up ahead with the horse and rides faster. "Bo! We need to talk," Hilery commented. She slows down on the horse and stares at him. "Yeah...I suppose we do. Why didn't you tell me about you liking me?" Bo snapped. This wasn't the reaction that Hilery was hoping for. He seemed angry...almost tormented by what Hilery said. "I am sorry...I shouldn't have kept it from you for so long." "You kept it from me for 7 years. What am I suppose to say to you? Am I suppose to tell you I love you?" "Well you could start by telling me how you feel." Bo looked up at the stars for a moment. Soon he began to hitch his horse to a tree branch. Hilery did the same. "All I ask for is to know how you feel." "I knew everything in my life...Luke is getting better by day. Daisy is going out with someone new but I like him a lot. Now suddenly I hear that someone who has been a sister to me for years is in love with me. I don't know what to feel." Hilery's head went down in shame. "Is it the fact that I have feelings for you that makes you uneasy?" Bo shook his head. He looked at Hilery with those blue eyes of his. "What is it then?" "You didn't tell me...that's like lying...I can't believe you would sit there and lie to me...right in front of my face. You concealed your feelings for so long. Why didn't you tell me? It would have been easier on all of us." Bo began to pace back and forth. He looked up at Hilery and suddenly stopped. "I wish that I could have told you but..." "I don't know, I guess it was right in front of my face and for years I didn't notice it...maybe it's my fault. That doesn't change how I am feeling though." "You still haven't really expressed those yet." Bo stopped and took a deep breath. He looked into Hilery's eyes and smiled. "I really don't know...maybe a date will change all that. Maybe I have to slow down and talk to you more. I don't know what the answer is. How am I feeling? That can only be told with time." "Okay...so we'll give it time?" "Yes...I agree to that. For now, let's go horse back riding." "Okay," Hilery smiled as she got on the horse she had been ridding. Bo got on the other and they rode down a trail. "You know, this don't mean that I ain't mad at you," Bo said. Hilery looked at him and felt very ashamed about the whole thing. "I'll find a punching bag or a pillowcase later though," he added. Hilery nodded before Bo sped up a little to go out ahead of her to lead the way. She understood what he was feeling like. She had known he had probably looked at her like a sister. The Davenport knew that he had every right to be mad. "You know Bo, things aren't always what they seem," she said. The comment got his attention. "The world is full of mystery, and sometimes the things you least expect happen," she told him. By now she had Bo's full attention. She seemed to be talking with wisdom beyond her years, and yet, it seemed like she wasn't. "Life can take us all in different directions, and sometimes ones life can go in two directions at once. We just drift in the direction it takes us. Each way we go will shape who we turn out to be, and each way changes us in some way or form. Our paths we take in the future are predetermined by how we are raised and our environments, but most of all of the paths our lives have already gone down." Bo looked at her impressed, and he seen the tears shimmering in her eyes, yet they refused to fall. He was amazed by her words. It sounded like something that his uncle would say, yet he knew it was her own words. "Hilery... are you okay?" Bo asked her, looking at her with the confusion wrote on his face. "Yeah Bo." she told him. "Just don't tell anyone I said that," she sighed as she began to urge the horse forward. "I ain't even sure if that was even you speaking," he said as he too began to go forward. "Bo, sometimes a person’s intelligence can be hidden by a lot of pettily stuff, whether it be a tough facade, or a clowny attitude. Or if you're anything like me it's a combination of a fluke, your mood, and intelligence," she said laughing, trying to ease the tension that had mounted in the air. "Uh huh... what ever you say Hilery," Bo told her. In all truth, he was still amazed. As he rode, he looked up into the sky and to the stars as they twinkled. Between those and the full moon, it all seemed romantic. The only thing that was out of place was his feelings which he hadn't been able to completely pin yet.

"Exactly Bo I am too shy to tell Bo how I am...oh crud," Hilery replied. She turned bright red. "Essy on second thought...I am out of here...you have a good night. I am going home now." Hilery was so embarrassed that she didn't even look back to see Bo's expression. She ran straight to her car, and jumped right in. Without thinking, she slammed it into reverse, accidentally bumped the general which wasn't that far behind Jumper, and then throwing it into drive, she floored it and was out of sight in a matter of seconds. "That was weird," Bo commented. Essy shook her head laughing. "Nah, that was definitely Hilery," she said. "Are you sure?" Bo asked her. Essy nodded, still giggling. "Oh well, at least you heard it straight out of the horses mouth." "True... But I still don't get it," Bo mumbled. He was confused. "What was that all about?" Cooter asked as everyone gathered 'round to see why Hilery had taken off like she had. He had never seen his cousin do something like that before. "Just one of her deepest, darkest secrets got out," Essy said. "She'll get over it I think," she added quickly. Well, if you're wondering if Hilery made it home safely, she did, but she hadn't taken her foot off the gas till she reached the garage. Her face had remained bright red the whole way, and for the next few hours. She hadn't fallen asleep at all from the embarrassment, and cried on and off. Now how was she supposed to show herself in public? Everyone was probably goin' to know her secret by morning probably. Hilery rolled up into a little ball. Cooter walked into the small appartment above the garage. "Hilery, you can come out now...I heard about the whole thing," Cooter said as he turned on the light. "Go away!" Hilery exclaimed. "You can't hide your feelings from me." "You wanna make a bet? I just made a fool of myself." Cooter started to laugh. "What's so funny?" "You didn't see the look on Bo's face. He was more than shocked. Why didn't you tell him earlier?" "I thought I was out of his league. I didn't think I had a chance with him." Cooter found Hilery by the sound of her voice. He walked up to his cousin and smiled at her. "I know I didn't have a chance. Essy had a better chance...she went on a few dates with Bo." "She didn't have the chemistry...besides; you could have had an equal chance. How do you know if you don't try?" Hilery looked at her cousin with fire in her eyes. She didn't want to talk to him. It was like talking to a brick wall with only one answer...go for it. If Hilery would have just told Bo how she felt...well you know, she might not be in this mess. "You know what? I think that I'll set you two up." "I think you will not Cooter Davenport. Now get out of my apartment. I don't want to hear any more. If I did I would hire someone to impersonate you now get out!" "Sorry Hil, you're gonna have to face this sooner or later. It might as well be from me. You can't ever sit down and think things through.†“Can so!†“Can not!†“I can to and you know it.†“Will ya let me get this out?†“Okay.†“Instead you invent things in this little fantasy world of yours instead of trying. Why don't you act your age and go and talk to him before you mess things up. He's had a few hours to think about it. Now you need to act." Hilery pounced on top of Cooter. "You're dead. I ain't ever had a fantasy world."

Essy sat beside her on the hood of Jumper. "I made him promise a dance with you," Essy said. "A dance...wow," Hilery replied sarcastically. She looked at Essy and frowned. "I did the best that I could Hilery...you should be happy." Hilery sighed. She looked up at the stars. "Here I am sitting for a wishing star...I ain't done that since I was a kid. I am trying to find one but it doesn't look hopeful. I am always gonna be a sister to him ain't I? Like I will never having him beside me…never feeling his sweet kiss." "You never know...just dance with him...dance this next slow song will ya? I'll even request Loretta Lynn...I know how much you like her." Hilery smiled. "Okay...this talk never happened." She walked in and sure enough, Bo grabbed her arm. The DJ turned on a slow song by Loretta. Hilery put her head on Bo's shoulder. "You know, I think I am making your date over there jealous...he likes you," Bo commented. Not as much as I love you, Hilery thought to herself. "Let him be jealous...oh look, Amy-Lou is dancing with him now...how typical!" "Well I guess so...I didn't really like her anyway. She was talking about how the person who did her nails messed them up. Heck I wasn't even looking at her nails." Hilery laughed. Bo kissed her on the cheek. "I am glad you came." Hilery turned red. On the other side of the room, Essy met up with her man. He took her gently by the arm, and they hugged each other. He held her close as the melody and harmony blended to make the perfect background music for the words of the song, but neither was paying any attention to it as they rocked back and forth to the music. Nothing else seemed to register besides how much they loved each other, although, Essy knew Hilery would probably shoot her later. Judd suddenly spun her around, catching' her off guard. The only thin that kept her from fallin' over was her hand bein' in her husbands. After one full turn, he pulled her back toward him and hugged her. Miss Tisdale watched her niece, smiling the whole time. She had threatened to hand cuff Jesse to her if he refused to take her to the dance. Rosco, who always found it funny how Emma had a crush on Jesse and was present, had agreed to loan them to her. This made Jesse agree unwillingly to the date. Daisy was stuck working that night thanks to Boss. He had told her that if she didn't work that night, she would be fired. Typical of ol' Boss, wasn't it? Now that didn't mean Daisy didn't get to dance a few dances and enjoy herself even if she was on duty. Luke sat with Jesse and Miss Tizdale of course. Hilery had merely been toting him around to see the ladies, seeing how Daisy was mostly busy and Bo had been really busy with his date. Cooter was there with a lady friend of his, but it wasn't a real date. They were just friends. Boss was there with his Lulu, and they were sitting at their table resting. Rosco was there too with them. He had come alone, well, not really. He took his mama. Now back to what was going on with Essy. She was as happy as she had ever been. This seemed to be a big event of a dance. The biggest one in Hazzard all year; she hadn't expected Judd to do another unexpected move though. He tipped her back and he kissed her gently, before picking her up and taking her back to the table. When he came back, he had two cups of punch, one for him, and one for his wife. They sat there and watched as Bo danced with Hilery. Essy found it funny when Hilery shot a dirty look to her when she was able to see her. She had promised not to interfere, but Essy had wanted her friend to be happy for the night. "Auntie Emma, you stop dragging Uncle Jesse around," Essy laughed as she watched her aunt try to drag a completely reluctant Duke to the dance floor. "Now sweet heart, he and I are gonna dance to this song before it's over, you hear me?" Essy knew better than to back talk so she nodded. Now within another minute the dance was over, and they all went back to their tables, well, everyone but Hilery. She waved toward the bathroom to Essy, and then went in. The motion went unnoticed by Judd who had gotten busy talking with his brother. Jesse and Emma's table was right next to Judd’s and Essy's. "Um pumpkin, I gotta go powder my nose," she said giving him a kiss before slipping off. When she got in there, she watched Hilery check her makeup. Essy took the moment to fix her wig and fix her own makeup. "So whatcha need?" "How could you? You know how shy I am!" Hilery said blushing. "Naw, you’re not shy." "I am when it comes to love issues mixing with my crush," Hilery said, her face beat red from embarrassment. "Sorry, but I think he enjoyed dancing with you," Essy told her and winked. "Yeah, but, I don't know, I know he only danced with me because he is my friend," Hilery replied, her voice almost a whisper. "C'mon, let's go get some food," Essy suggested, and they left the bathroom. Hilery grabbed some food and shoved it into her mouth like there was no tommorow. "Hilery, that's not attractive," Essy mumbled. "I don't care!" She ate when she was depressed...heck, Hilery ate when she had a problem. She began to walk towards Jumper and stopped. "Hey, can you drive Jumper? I wanna walk home." "Hilery..." "Hey, I am eating a ton...when I eat a ton I gain weight. If I gain weight I am even more hungry so I might as well walk somewhere to loose the pounds." "Slow down...you need to tell him." "Oh you think so huh? You think I can waltz right up to Bo like that?" Bo walked right behind her. Essy kept signalling that Bo was behind her but Hilery was too mad to understand. "You think I can tell Bo I love him?" Bo's shoulder's dropped as his eyes widened. He began to sweat as he was tongue tied. "Hilery..." "No, I can't do it because guess what?" "You're too shy?" Bo asked.

Well, of course when she got up to the hospital, Bo was more than eager to help, and so was Judd. Miss Tisdale had agreed to watch over Essy while they were gone. Hilery jumped at the chance to go, half because she was angry about the tools and what had happened to Essy, but the other half of the reason was Bo was going, and we all know how Hilery feels about him folks. "So, when we leavin'?" she asked. "Five minutes Hil," Bo said. That gave Judd enough time to say goodbye to Essy and to tell her he would be back later. "Essy, sweet heart?" Judd said as he walked into the room. She opened her eyes and looked at him smiling. Her aunt in the chair, watching the love birds closely. "Yeah baby?" "I have to go for a little bit, we're gonna go find those fellas who did this to you, okay?" "Judd... please be careful," she said nearly crying. "I will honey, I will," he assured her before kissing her once, then twice. "I love you." "I love you my dear Duke," she whispered wrapping her arms around him hugging him before kissing him again. She kissed him so long that Judd felt all warm and gooey inside. “You’re amazing.†“One more for the road Judd…I know you need something to give you good luck. Might as well be my kisses that keep you safe.†She kissed him again. "Eh hem." Miss Tisdale said. "Don't get too mushy in front of your Aunt Emma Essy," she said. Both Essy-Jane and Judd turned red. "Uh, they said I only have five minutes so uh, I better git before they leave me behind and before your aunt kicks my butt," he said sheepishly before moving backward toward the door. In the process he fell over a stool. "I'm okay," he called out before getting up and power walking out the door, knowing he couldn't run in the hospital. When Judd got back to the waiting room, everyone was ready to roll out. Bo and he were in the General, and Hilery and Daisy were in Jumper. "Countrygirl, you and Bo peep go east, we'll go west." Bo told them. "What about me, they got my tools!" Cooter yelled out over the Citizen Band Radio. "Go north Crazy C," Bo said chuckling over the fact that Cooter didn’t' use his signature CB call like he normally did. "We'll meet back at Crazy Cooter's if we don't find anything in two hours," Bo added. Everyone agreed. Well, two hours floated by. The guys had found another hiding place so they weren't at the original, which gave Bo a slight heap of relief. Hilery and Daisy hadn't found them either which wasn't good. They had searched half the area to the east of the hospital. Cooter hadn't found anything either. "Here, I fixed these the other day," Hilery said gloomily as she handed them each a plate of cookies. It was dark by then, and it wasn't any use trying to locate them in the dark. "Thanks Hil, you think you could give Essy the recipe?" Judd asked her after bitten into one. "I think she might already have it," she told him. "I'm gonna go outside for a bit." They all met back at Cooter's because of course they didn't find anything. Everyone knew they needed to regroup. "Now y'all I know that it is dark but if we work together we can kill them and get my tools back!" Cooter exclaimed. Bo chuckled. "And you said I had a bad tempter," Bo roared. "Okay, we have to do this a bit better. I wish Luke was out here givin' orders...at least he wouldn't be acting so insane here," Hilery joked as she elbowed Cooter. "Don't you start with me Hilery, those are my prized possessions...there is no way he's getting away with this. Not only that, Essy was hurt because of these oversized bug eaters. Now we're gonna get him," Cooter ranted. Bo stepped out of the garage to get some fresh air as the others continued fighting. Daisy walked out and looked at her cousin...staring across the street. She then looked out there herself...Daisy saw something horrific. The guy that she had helped Rosco arrest was out. "I knew there was something fishy about this," Daisy muttered. She looked at Bo. "Now Bo, what's going on in your head?" "Stolen tools...a new used tool shop is opened up. Everyone's tools are missing and now that guy is let out of the prison. Now don't you think Boss is connected just in the smallest way?" Daisy smiled at Bo. "You're turning into Luke." "Well somebody has to...I ain't gonna be Luke for long though...when he's back I will be happy." Bo rushed out with Daisy. They looked around the scene of where the used tools were. Oddly enough, there were the two bad guys. "Dang it's the Dukes!" Peter screamed. "Oh you have heard of us?" Daisy joked. As the people heard that from down the street they ran to see what was going on. The two bad dudes looked up and shot off guns. Bo went up behind one and knocked him down. He stepped on his hand until the gun was taken. Cooter was busy finding his tools. Hilery was helping Daisy take the big guy down. It was a big ruckus and finally it all ended with Daisy holding the gun and showing the evidence of those guys stealing. Boss had no choice but to put them in prison. They of course denied having any connection with the robberies. That's a Hogg for ya. No problems there. Essy got out of the hospital right in time. Now there was a dance to go to and guess who was there? Essy was dancing with Judd and of course Hilery was spinning Luke's wheel chair around the room. Bo was with that Barbie...Amy-Lou. Hilery knew that Essy was right...she should just go on as if nothing was different. Bo would come to his senses sooner or later. She was having fun with Luke but she didn't come with him. Hilery promised to give Luke a dance. You remember that trip to the gym...well she did find a guy...he was no Bo but he would do. After she was done her dance to a good Kenny Roger's song, Hilery walked outside. She was sick of not being with Bo and that he didn't notice. Essy noticed Hilery on her way out and walked outside behind her after five minutes.

Suddenly out of all of that, Daisy pulled up. She got out of her jeep and saw the gun pointed at Rosco. Daisy had to do something and she knew it. Otherwise Rosco would be killed and the young woman would feel guilty for the rest of her life. Daisy remembered Luke showing her some of his old military moves. She got on the ground and began crawling towards the bad guy. She did a side kick and the gun went off but flew out of Peter's hands. Peter went for the gun but Daisy kicked him in the stomach hard. The man rolled on the floor in pain. Daisy jumped on his back and pulled Peter's arm up. He yelped in pain. "Are you okay Rosco?" Daisy asked. "I had this situation under control until you came along," Rosco muttered. Daisy rolled her eyes. "Hand me the cuffs please." "Sure, anything you want." Rosco did as she said. Daisy put the cuffs on him and pulled Peter to his feet. "Do you want me to read him his rights or do you?" Rosco thought about it for a minute. "You have the right to remain silent...umm." Daisy rolled her eyes. “You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to speak to an attorney, and to have an attorney present during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for you at government expense." Daisy grabbed him and took him over to the courthouse. Boss couldn't believe Peter was brought in. He almost choked on his sandwich. "Who is that Rosco?" Boss asked suspiciously. "Well this man tried to kill me...he was also hanging around Cooter's garage. We have reason to believe he is stealing the tools," Rosco replied slyly. Daisy knew there was something fishy about this. She needed some help though to crack the case...the help of one Bo Duke. Maybe Hilery and Judd would like to come along for the ride.

Essy's hand began to move. Her bandaged head rolled slowly towards Luke. "You...should be here Luke," Essy replied. “Essy you’re awake.†“Looks that way don’t it?†She rolled her eyes back as she blinked a few times. “You’re awake! I am so glad you’re awake.†“I am just plum happy you’re around Luke Duke.†Luke's eyes filled with tears. He tightened his grip on Essy’s hand and looked into her eyes. “You are one of the good folks out there. What’s more you’re my kin.†“"I am glad I am here for you...do you want me to go and get Judd? I mean he’s gonna be mighty worried about you. I know I sure have been." "No...Don’t leave me okay?†“Essy…I’ll only be gone a minute.†“I just want you to stay with me for a few minutes. Everyone is gonna be in and out of here soon enough." "Yeah...I suppose you're right kid.†Essy let out a weak laugh and rolled over on her side. She looked at Luke and smiled. “Well what’s new?†“Well I have some bad news for you." Luke looked at Essy's head. He touched her forehead and smiled. Essy touched the bandage on her head. “They didn’t…†“They had to shave your beautiful hair off." Essy closed her eyes tight and hit her fist against the wall. "It took me so long to get it that way. I guess hair is hair though." "If it makes you feel better I'll shave my head too." Essy laughed. She sat up a little putting one arm around Luke while using the other to keep her head up. She felt pretty dizzy. “You know what? I am happy y’all are here…I guess without family this would be pretty scary huh?†Luke stared into Essy’s baby blue eyes and knew she was going to be okay. She lied back down and looked up at the ceiling. The nurse came into the room and smiled at the sight of Essy sitting up. “Well now, this is a surprise. I guess this young man woke you up. Your husband couldn’t do it,†The nurse laughed. “Well this is my very persistent brother in law who wouldn’t let me stay out of it for long,†Essy laughed. Luke smiled. He was afraid that he too wouldn’t hear her laughter again. Now he knew exactly how Bo felt. Luke had to step out of the room for a minute while they checked Essy out. He snuck out into the hallway and told everyone the good news. Luke was getting better in that wheelchair. As he told everyone the news they were all relived. “She’s awake?†Judd commented. â€Yeah but she don’t know I am gone so if I don’t high tail it back there she’s gonna be nervous,†Luke replied. “Don’t leave her alone then. I don’t want my wife to be scared.†“I am going.†Luke was so worried when he heard the news over the CB. He couldn’t even rush over to the hospital. Luke could also see the worry in Daisy’s face as she listened closely by the CB. Luke told the young woman that she could go but Daisy knew better than that. She was gonna stay with Luke until someone else came and took over. He felt horrible. Here he was and there was Essy in that room. He hated being cooped up in the house. It wasn’t fair. He wheeled back into her room and smiled at her. “You know what? I think I want out of here and I ain’t been here too long have I?†Essy asked. “Nope, not long at all,†Luke answered. He yawned and almost instantly fell asleep by her side. "Uh huh, thought you were awake," Hilery said standing in the doorway about a half an hour later. "I thought you were in the waiting room," Luke said startled. "Yeah, sure." Hilery replied. "I got something for you Essy," Hilery told her bringing a brown bag over to the bedside. Inside was a wig, that looked a lot like Essy's old set of hair. She was amazed when she pulled it out. "I got a regular one and then cut it to look like it was your hair," the Davenport announced. Luke smiled. "Well, looks like you didn't completely loose your doo," he said. "Thanks Hil," Essy said. The three of them sat there and chatted for a few more minutes. The doctors had already come in to check on Essy, and everyone knew she was awake, but they were only letting people in one at a time. But of course, a nurse came in, and Luke was removed because of how long he had been there. Besides, he needed to go back home to rest. "You really missed something earlier Essy, you really did." Hil giggled. "yeah? What did I miss?" "I think Bo said I was cute or something, I don't know, I think I was too flattered to really tell what he was saying ... but I also think he called me fat," she said. Essy could tell she was confused. "I don't think he called you fat ..." "Well he said something under the lines about me not being a spring chicken or something, but then he said something about all those boys. When he mentioned the boys, is where I think I lost what he was saying," she said, confiding only in her friend. "I just don't know, I'm just so confused. I think he looks at me like a sister more than anything though." "Yeah, he'll come around sooner or later though, at least I think he will," Essy thought aloud so Hilery could hear her. "But he has plenty of women-" "I wouldn't refer to them as women, I'd refer to them as girls," she rudely interjected. Essy could tell this whole ordeal had Hil out of sorts. It was almost always like that around the time of the dances, and no one ever had managed to figure out why except Essy, and she had been forced to promise never to tell about the secret. Meanwhile in the waiting room, Judd was sitting there, waiting patiently to see his wife, and Luke was getting lectured by Uncle Jesse, as was poor Bo, and the bad guys were finishing up with Cooter's beings he hadn't exactly gotten back from his tow job. Cooter had more than one car to fish out of the ditch, which he hadn't been told about. When he did get back, he was shocked when he seen all of his tools were gone. Shocked he called Rosco, just before he noticed the note on the door to the apartment. He quickly read it, and showed it to the sheriff when he arrived. "Rosco, I'll be back in a bit while you look around, I'm sure you can see all my tools are missing," he said as ran out the door, and climbed into his tow truck, and floored it to the Hospital. Rosco laughed at the sight of how Cooter's garage was left. Peter walked into the garage. "You done good..." Rosco began. "I didn't do good! That Hilery and that Essy chick saw me," Peter grumbled. "So?" "We're gonna have to kill them is all. I don't think you will have any disagreements will ya?" "Alright Peter, now you're going too far. You ain't going to kill my friends. No siree bub. I think I am gonna have to arrest you." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah! You ain't killing no one." Peter took out his gun and pointed it at Rosco. "You don't think I would let you go and stop me do you? I am Peter and I will get out of here with my wits and all together."

"Well uh, ya see, uh. I found the guys in that truck you told us about, and I seen them hanging out up here. I parked the General down the road some so if they were there, they wouldn't see me. Well, I climbed up and then they seen me. They really ganged up on me though," Bo said, and Hilery listened intently as they climbed down. "Thank Goodness!" Hilery said referring that she was glad to be back on solid ground. "But ya see, that is what happened Hilery ... and sorry about that, I know about your little heights problem," Bo said sheepishly. "Yeah, you just gotta learn how to call for help and control your temper." Luke said. Bo was surprised to say the least about his cousin being there. "What are you doing out of bed?" "I came along with Hilery to make sure you didn't do anything stupid," Luke said. "But I think we were a little too late for that," he added. Hilery laughed. "Shut up, I know I did something stupid, you ain't gotta rub it in," Bo said. "Like you don't rub stuff in," Hilery said. "He don't do it that often Hil," Luke told her. "Nah, just take me to the hospital, I am sick of being cooped up," Luke said. They all climbed into the cars, Luke and Hilary in Jumper beings the doors weren't welted, and Bo in the General. Jesse was shocked to say the least when Luke was brought in through the doors with Hilery and Bo. "You are supposed to be..." Judd began to say. "If one more person tells me to be in bed I am gonna beat them over the head with a cast even if it means you Judd. I wanna see my sister in law," Luke replied. "Okay but she's unconscious." "So I have heard...I know that she is…I am not an idiot. If I was hit against a concrete wall I would be too…I am sorry Judd. I haven’t been out of my house for more then a week now…I needed to get out.†“Yeah I understand…I just don’t know how I am gonna tell Essy about her hair if she wakes up.†Luke’s face turned red. “Judd…she’s gonna wake up…today if I can manage it.†“What if she doesn’t Luke? They said if she doesn’t wake up soon, her vital organs may fail and…†“Judd…I know how much you love her and I also know how much she loves you. Essy is a fighter.†“I know she is…I wrestled her before I got her to say yes to marry me.†Luke laughed softly as he looked at his cousin. “Bo, wheel me in there will ya?†“Sure Luke, I know you can get her up,†Bo replied. He swallowed hard hoping that she would wake up. Bo was pretty emotional. It was hard when someone you love is in the hospital. Considering though that two of them were in the hospital within a month, it was lucky Bo could hold back his tears at all. He left Luke to talk to Essy. He sat beside Essy. This seemed completely familiar as she did the same for him a few weeks ago. "You're like an angel laying there Essy. I wish that this didn't happen to you. I know when you get out of here that I am gonna get it for coming to the hospital but I don't care. You need support...I love you like a sister and I hope you realize it.†No response came about. Luke put his head down for a few minutes and cried. His eyes couldn’t hold back the tears that were there. Nothing could possibly make Luke feel better. He wanted Essy to just open her eyes and say something. Luke just wanted to do something with her. He wanted to have one of those long talks with Essy as they played a game of checkers or chess. Luke wanted to play cribbage with her…a game the Dukes only played when Essy or Hilery were around. There were so many things Luke wanted to tell her. He wanted to say how proud he was of how Essy handled Judd so well. Luke wanted to tell his sister in law how many great things she had done. He remembered many great moments but one popped out clearly in his mind. “Essy, I know that this was a long time ago but I remember all the things that you did. I remember when we were bored…you decided instead of swimming we would go sing at the nursing home. Gosh, I didn’t want to do it at all. I thought that it would just be one of those boring things. Nevertheless, Bo and I grabbed our guitars. You had that piano in there all set up for you to play. We sang country songs well into the night. The look on their faces made me smile. Soon you glowed…I was pleased we went. I don’t know if I should even be here,†Luke commented.

Everyone looked mad...no one looked more upset then Bo. He looked like he was ready to kill someone. He rushed out of the hospital with Hilery hot on his tail. Bo knew the many places that these guys could hide. He was going to look until those guys were behind bars. Hilery didn't know what to do. She had to call someone that knew Bo...she had to talk to Luke. "This is countrygirl calling lost sheep one...Do you remember taking that french class together come back," Hilery commented. "This is lost sheep one, how could I forget?" "Luke, allumez quelque musique country." Roughly translated that meant Luke, turn on some country music...change the CB channel. "Sorry Luke...I know that Bo doesn't know french. Right now he's more of a danger than he is a help." "What do you mean?" "He's rushed out of the hospital in a rage. I told him what happened and now he's on the loose. I don't know how to stop him." "You need to pick me up...I know where he would go!" "That's a 10-4." Hilery must have taken every short cut to get to the Duke farm. She had to convince Daisy to take Luke...and by golly that took a while. As soon as Luke was loaded and they got some supplies they were off looking for Bo. When they finally found him, he was in an old abandoned barn hanging off of the ledge. "Hilery, you have got to help him!" Luke exclaimed. "I don't know if I can...I am afraid of heights..." Hilery began. "Well I can't save him without a wheel chair. So git going Hilery and don’t let me down okay? I couldn’t stand if anything happened to him." "I'll try Luke." She opened the door and got out. There was no time to close it. Hilery had to help Bo and there was no question about it. "Hilery!" Bo screamed. He clenched on tighter to the ledge hoping help was coming but at the time Bo just wasn't sure. The young Duke's body shook with fear. He couldn't believe he was hanging here. This was all a mess…just one big mess. He knew that he should have waited for help. Luke wasn't there to help him this time. Thank goodness Hilery caught him in time…or he would have been dead. "Okay…I am coming hang on!" Hilery called back. "I can't hold on much longer!" The barn was taller than most of the ones in Hazzard County. She climbed up the tall steep ladder…Hilery climbed higher and higher...she couldn't believe she was going through with this. For one thing, heights weren't exactly her thing. This would be an event everyone would remember. Bo was loosing his balance. She leaned over and tried to help him but he was loosing his balance fast. He got himself into this mess and like a sucker I have to get him out of it, Hilery thought to herself. She grabbed Bo and pulled him up. He was quite heavy. It took a little bit of power to lift him. "You have got to start eating less. You are getting a little round there Bo Duke and heavy." "You're no spring chicken yourself." Bo laughed. He loved to tease Hilery like a brother would tease a sister. "You're still pretty though and I said you weren't I would be lying. With all them boys around you it's a wonder that you don't go out with one of them." That's because I want to go out with you Beauregard, Hilery thought to herself. "Thank you Bo. I know you meant that…you can be really sweet sometimes." "Don't mention it. You're a wonderful person and it is nice to see you smile." Hilery looked at her crush and blushed at the sight of him. "You're going to tell me what happened right now Bo. How could you go off without telling anyone! You're lucky that we found you in time." "I guess I am and I am sorry…I was sure I could handle these bad duds by myself." "Tell me right now what's going on." "Okay."