DixieDavenport

Several weeks later Dixie walked into school. She felt like she was coming down with the flu. It was making it's rounds around school. By the end of her second class she was in the office with several other students calling for a ride home. Cooter still held her keys and she had been riding the bus since her and Luke had gotten caught together. As Dixie reached for the phone she decided that Cooter was closer and the sooner she got into her comfy pajamas and back in bed the sooner she'd feel a lot better. Cooter answered, "Hazzard Garage." Dixie was trying hardnot to get sick again, "Cooter please come get me at school. The whole place has the flu. I'm sick." Cooter heard in her voice she was sick. In fact she sounded deathly ill! "I'm on my way."

They all walked in and Luke unthinking ordered four beers. No one questioned it. Dixie had been drinking at the Boar's Nest for a couple years now. It started out by them ordering her a pop and she snitched drinks from their beer but even Cooter had ordered her beer here. Luke said as he finished his beer, "Dix when you get ready, we can head back to the farm for supper. I'd like to grab a shower and Jesse should have dinner ready by then." Dixie finished her beer and they left. Luke took a long detour home finding a parking space by the lake. "I understand you was worried about me being with Lori last night? I was still awake when you drove by the house and didn't stop." Dixie didn't blush easy but did so now, "It's just that I get a bit worried sometimes." Luke took her in his arms, "No need to worry." Dixie nearly choked, "Luke it's just after the other day, I'm afraid if I don't make you happy you'll go back to Lori!" "You make me happy." Luke kissed Dixie passionately. Luke KNEW he shouldn't be doing what he was about to do, but right now he wasn't thinking real straight. He told himself he was only going to mess around and not go all the way. He told himself that right up until he moved to the backseat of the General Lee. Once he was there and Dixie was beside him he knew he couldn't stop and he didn't want to. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori and Bo was headed on their way to the lake as well. Lori sighed as she straightened some curves, Bo was grinning like a possum. Lori shook her head and looked out the window seeing an Orange charger at the lake! She smiled wide as she pulled down in there. She and Bo were close enough to KNOW exactly what was going on in the General Lee! She spun around honking her horn yelling,"Ya'll dead meat now!!!!" She spun dirt in the window and pulled out to go to Uncle Jesse's. Bo gave Lori a strange look and said, "I thought you wanted them together?" Lori smiled to Bo and looked behind her to see if they were following,"Ohh I do...but that doesn't mean I cant give them grief...and this is pay back from what Dixie said bout not trusting me and all..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke had just achieved relief as he heard Midnight. Both he and Dixie swore and Lori burnt back out. They knew with where they had parked and the view Lori and Bo had there was NO question about what they were doing. Luke quickly put on just his pants as Dixie began dressing quickly. Luke fired up the General Lee and headed after Lori and Bo! Lori smirked and saw them in behind her. She changed gears and smiled to Bo,"Hang on Bo..." She giggled and pulled Midnight around spinning out, she took off passing Luke and Dixie now she was just having fun! she was going to tell on them because she could! Luke swore loudly when he saw Lori turn toward the farm. He had HOPED she was heading for Cooter. He figured he could maybe live if she only told Cooter, but she was heading toward the Duke farm wide open. "She's heading to Jesse!" Dixie swore her own self! Luke picked up the mic, "Whiskey Bent, Come back this is Lost Sheep 1!" Lori laughed and picked the mic up,"This heres Whiskey Bent and hell bound!!!" She sped up faster fishtaling it around some curves. "Pull over huh?" Luke said, he was hyper. Lori shook her head,"Hmmmm lemme think about it..." She made a small jump over a dirt mound,"Hmmm still thinking..." She sped closer seeing a straight stretch she turned her wide open,"No!!" "Da-- it, Lori pull over!" Luke geared back into passing gear, hoping to gain on her. Lori did as she did in the race, she swirved and watched closely ahead and behind her she spun the car around and went behind Luke passing him. She smiled and stopped. When she saw Luke stop and turn back, she sped up more and headed wide open once more towards the farm. "I said No!" Luke knew he was sunk! as he swore again, they skidded to a hault in front of the house. Luke was out of the car and heading toward Lori. Bo jumped in front of him! Dixie saw Cooter's tow truck as she got out trying her best to straighten her clothes and hair. Luke was only in his jeans and tried to push past Bo to get to Lori. It was then that Jesse and Cooter stepped on to the porch. Lori smiled and ran towards them,"UNCLE JESSE COOTER!!!! YOU'LL NEVER GUESS WHAT I JUST SAW!!!" Lori sounded almost like Rosco reporting to Boss he was in hot pursuit! Bo had push Luke back to keep him away from Lori. Luke had pushed Bo back in frustration. Luke caught himself and turned back to Dixie. He mumbled to himself and asked Dixie, "Can you get my shirt and boots, please?" Dixie nodded. Jesse looked to Luke and then to Dixie, Cooter looked to Jesse and then to Luke. Fire in his eyes. Lori smiled and walked out grinning like a possum taking Bo's hand. She looked to Jesse and Cooter,"I caught those two at the lake...ohh and it aint the first time either....I was at Indian Caves and yea caught em then too I WARNED LUKE, DIXIE WAS UNDERAGE BUT HE WENT RIGHT ON!!!" Luke stood there in only his jeans as Dixie was reaching into the back seat of the General Lee for Luke's shirt and boots. Right now, he would have loved to have gotten his hands around Lori's throat as he saw the look on Jesse and Cooter's face. Lori smiled widely to Luke and climbed in Midnight backing out around the General,"Ya'll take care now..." she added, "Bo you care to join me?" Bo figured anywhere was better than right here right now. "Sure." Meanwhile Cooter was off the porch and had Luke on the ground. Lori stopped, something made her stop. She don't know why either..."Bo...I can't go..." Cooter had Luke down on the ground his hands around his neck,"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!" Luke had expected Cooter to fight him but not tackle him like he did! Luke was doing his best to get out from under Cooter. Jesse yelled, "BOYS! Stop it NOW!!!!" Cooter got up but not before landing one on Luke's nose. He was breathing heavily and looked at Dixie. He WANTED to kill her god knows he did...he shook his head and got in the tow truck almost hitting Lori in the process. Lori jumped on top of Midnight and looked at Cooter,"DA**!!!!" Luke got up and dusted himself off. He wiped his nose as Dixie handed him his shirt and boots. Dixie asked, "You OK?" Luke replied, "Yeah, I'm fine." He tucked his shirt into his jeans. Jesse pointed to Luke,"GIT.....IN...THAT.....HOUSE...NOW!!!!!" He pointed to Dixie,"YOU go home!!!! AND I MEAN HOME!!!!! LORI WILL TAKE YOU AND I DONT WANT TO HEAR NO BACK SASS OR OBJECTIONS JUST GIT!!!!!" Luke watched as Dixie headed toward Midnight with her head hung low. Luke walked into the house with Jesse behind him. Jesse said, "I want YOU to set right there at the table like you used to when you was two! You can set right there where I can see you until the Sheriff shows up and takes you to jail!" Luke sat down in the hard wooden chair. He could only hope Jesse was wrong about where Cooter had went. Jesse stated, "Luke IF Cooter presses charges against you. There is NOTHING I can do son." Luke nodded, "I know. Jesse I thought when we first started seeing each other that Dixie was 18......" Jesse interupted, "But you found out different. When? Exactly!" Luke thought before answering, "The night Dixie and Daisy bonded me out of jail. Lori caught us at the caves." "The way you were dressed when you showed up and Dixie's appearance, I have no choice but to believe you two were intimate tonight. Am I wrong?" Luke swallowed hard and answered honestly, "No, Sir. You are not wrong." Jesse mumbled unspecific profanities. He reached for the calendar and circled the days date. "I suggest you take this and mark it with WHO and WHEN you have been with! I don't want to know. When you are done you put it up and keep it up to date. It could help you or hang you! Luke took the calendar and marked with a 'D' tonight, the night she bonded him out of jail and once before Lori was released from jail. Then, he marked with a 'L' the night after Lori was released that they had gotten together and finally with a 'A' the night he and Amy had gotten reaquainted. Luke heard a car, a Chrysler and froze until it passed the turn off for the farm. He let out a deep breath. He fully was expecting Rosco to show up and arrest him. Seeing the uncertaintity and the worry on Luke's face with each approaching car was far worse than any punishment Jesse could give him. In fact Jesse was enjoying it! ~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was taken home by Lori and Bo. Lori told her that if she even thought of leaving the hosue she would call Jesse, Cooter and Rosco! Dixie figured she had pushed her luck enough and wisely went to her room where she stayed. The passing days and weeks were tense between the Dukes and the Davenports. They all walked on 'eggshells' around each other. Luke kept his distance from Lori and Cooter while Cooter tried to keep Dixie a distance from Luke. Jesse had tried to keep Luke at the farm as long and as often as he could but Luke was a grown man and Jesse knew he'd have to take responsiblity for his own actions sooner or later. Trying to treat him like he was five was only going to last for so long. The more time that passed the closer things returned to normal if there was such a thing in Hazzard. Bo and Lori continued to date. Much to everyone displeasure Luke and Dixie dated but was limited to public places or group events which to a point made Cooter feel better though he was still mad enough to chew nails!

Luke laughed to himself at something Lori often told about him. She swore the only time he had physically hurt her was when he was showing her a defensive move and he brought her hand down a wall where a nail was. Luke hadn't seen the nail and Lori's hand snagged the nail causing a pretty ugly cut. No, Luke may not have physically hurt her but he was sure the emotional scares ran deep for them both. Then, he thought about Dixie. HOW had he thought she was 18 when in fact she was only 16? He knew Lori had been right they HAD to stop being intimate, but Luke wasn't at all sure he could do that. Luke remembered when he was 16 and the 16 years olds he had been with. Dixie sure didn't act 16! Even that first night. He knew she had given him 'herself' and he knew he was her first. It was those thoughts that made him realize he had to tell Amy that he had a girlfriend and that it was Dixie. He was sure glad the race was tomorrow. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie couldn't help but wonder where Lori had went without Bo. The longer she wondered the more her mind played tricks on her, to the point that Dixie snuck out of the house and left to go see if she saw Lori anywhere and Midnight had better NOT be at the Dukes! Cooter sat straight up in bed as he heard Dixie's car leave the drive way. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke was awake when he heard Dixie's car drive by on the main road. She had slowed but didn't stop.

Luke in the meantime went inside. The man setting in the chair in the living room appeared to be his dear Uncle Jesse until he turned on Luke. "Well, I HEAR you've had a rather eventful night!" It had always amazed Luke how this man knew what him and Bo did without leaving the house. Luke nodded 'yes' though he was uncertain exactly what parts of the evening Jesse knew about. "You could say that." Jesse grumbled, "Suppose you tell me how you got out of jail?" Luke was a bit relieved. That was a relatively safe subject, "Dixie gave Daisy the money. Daisy came got me." "Didn't call me for a change. Didn't feel you needed me or hoped that I wouldn't find out?" Jesse asked. Luke replied honestly, "Well, to be honest, I didn't have a chance. Rosco was a little busy getting us all in there and then Frankie showed up to get Amy. He had just got done with that when Cooter showed up to get Lori and Dixie. By the time I was about to ask him to use the phone Daisy and Dixie were there." Jesse stated, "Let me get this straight, Rosco took Amy, Lori, Dixie and YOU to jail?" Either Jesse hadn't heard the entire story or he wanted to hear it from Luke. Luke nodded, 'yes'. Jesse nodded,"WHY exactly?" Luke began, "Well, I was at the Boar's Nest with Amy and all living he-- broke loose when Lori, Dixie and Bo showed up." Luke quickly added, "I was trying to break them up." Jesse sighed, "Luke I told you...NEVER lead on a woman and you lead on TWO!!!! Now when one of them Davenports knocks you out I pray that they'll knock some sense into that thick head of yers!" Jesse added,"And you NEVER step into a fight...specially tween woman that'll do more damage to you than they will to the ones their fightin cause they're too danged ticked at ya!" Luke replied, "Yeah, I think I likely got a couple bruised ribs out of the deal." Jesse nodded and said matter of factly, "YOU deserved it!" "I figured I deserved the hit I took to keep Dixie from getting hit." Luke added, "Trouble with those three is they don't fight like women! They fight like men and Lori is more slippery than a greased pig. I had her in a bear hug and she got out of it!" Jesse had to laugh,"Yep....you know you taught her that when she was little?" Luke sighed, "Yeah, I did, didn't I? Sh--!" He could only hope that Jesse hadn't heard anyhing else that went on. Only Lori, Dixie and him knew about that, he hoped. Jesse warned Luke, "Son, be careful or you're going to be a very lonely old man." He turned toward his room and headed to bed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie looked at Cooter like he'd lost his mind, "Cooter what is your problem?" Cooter pointed to Lori,"It's her and you!!! what is wrong with ya'll???????" Cooter added,"AND my tab at the Boar's Nest is cut OFF!!!!!" Dixie was still confussed, "What? We have been getting along better since she was put on probation than we have in years!" Cooter nodded,"IT AINT THAT DIXIE!!!! YOU TWO GOT CRIMINAL MINDS NOW SINCE YA'LL GOT TOGETHER!!!!" "We do NOT! and I haven't charged a da-- thing to your tab!" Dixie replied. Cooter threw his hat on the ground,"DIXIE!!!! you two get thrown in jail and LAUGH ABOUT IT!!!! YOU might not have charged nothing on it BUT thanks to you throwing that derned mug at Lori, Rosco cut my tab!!" Dixie said, "He can't cut YOUR tab cause your sister threw a mug that wasn't even hers!" Cooter,"Ewwww!!! he did!!!" "Well I just have to have a talk with him! HE-- ask Daisy, I wasn't there THAT long!" Dixie said and added, "AND I wasn't put in jail, exactly!" Cooter threw his hands up in the air and his fuse was shortenin by the the minute, "Just tell me....you and Lukas didn't do anything????? And if ya don't tell me...I'll get Lori to!!" Dixie wanted clarification, "Do what? And when are you talking about?" Cooter repeated her some,"Do what?? DO WHAT?!!!! WHAT DO YOU THINK??!!!!! I'm talking bout since you been with him!!!!" Dixie paled. "Oh. Ummmm, How do you figure Lori knows what I do any way?" Cooter looked at Dixie,"Cause....Lori's got connections..." "Connections? IF you say so! Cooter I think I'll head to bed now." Dixie tried, she knew Cooter was pissed. Cooter stopped her,"Dix...you aint tellin me something...fine then LORI!!!" Dixie could only hope that Lori kept her mouth shut for once. She looked up as not only Lori but also Bo came in the house. Lori said, "Yeah, Cooter? What's got your gridle in a kink?" Cooter shook his head,"Lori has Dixie and Luke been doing anything????" Lori looked at Dixie for a split second and looked Cooter dead in the eyes,"No." Cooter looked at Lori and THOUGHT that she was lying,"You sure..." Lori looked to Dixie and winked,"Yea Cooter...me and Luke's the two been together..." Cooter nodded and sighed,"Ok..I was worried a bit.." Bo turned and stormed out of the house! Lori glared at Dixie and turned following Bo out of he house. Dixie swore, "Ya see the trouble you just caused there Cooter?" Cooter sighed and plopped down on the couch, "I wouldn't have had to have hollered at her if you woulda told me yourself!" "Night Cooter." Dixie tried to get away from him again, but as she passed him, Luke's aftershave hit him square in the face. Cooter got up,"DIXIE!!!! YOU LIED TO ME!!!" Dixie had NO clue why Cooter's attitude changed so quickly. She gave him a deer in the headlight look as she held her breath. Cooter looked at her,"You were with Luke!!! Lori lied to me too!!" Dixie's eyes were still wide as she tried to figure out Cooter's sudden change, "Well, we did make up, but, ... ah, ...." Cooter looked at her,"I'll report him to the law!!" Dixie shook her head, 'no', "Cooter it wasn't like THAT!" Cooter looked at Dixie,"Then how was it????" he added,"Lori says she was WITH him....were you?" Dixie said, "I don't know what Lori and Luke did! I only know I got Daisy and we bonded him out of jail. We went and TALKED." Cooter nodded,"Uh huh "TALKED" ......you are underage Dixie!!!" "Underage! Oh, for Christ's sake! YOU knew I was dating LUKE! I have been for about a MONTH now!" Dixie said and quickly added, "BUT, that doesn't mean we DID anything!" Cooter looked at her, "Prove it then......" Dixie was a bit scared to ask the next question, "Prove it HOW? And all you said to me about Luke and me dating was he was 'bad company'!" Cooter smirked,"He IS bad company....alls I'm sayin is you get pregnant...I'll press charges on him..." Dixie rolled her eyes and glared at Cooter, "I am NOT pregnant! Good night, Cooter." At least Dixie da-- well hoped she wasn't, she and Luke had been careful. Cooter sighed and scoffed her off, "Forget I even try to talk to you!" "Forgotten!" Dixie said as she closed her bedroom door. She took a deep breath and let it out. Then, she looked out the window and saw things weren't good with Lori and Bo. She opened her window and climbed out. Going to them she said, "Bo, Lori was covering for me." Lori crossed her arms and set on the hood of Midnight. Bo snorted,"Oh sure she was I know hers and Luke's history...She did it with him the night AFTER she did it with me!" "Bo, Luke and I were somewhere tonight I shouldn't have been. Lori was covering for me. I promise you that. We went and made up after Daisy and I got him out of jail. Cooter insists we did MORE." Dixie replied. Lori looked at her and opened her mouth,"Cause you di...didn't...." Lori looked down and cussed. Bo looked at Lori and sighed,"So you and Luke didn't?" Lori looked at Bo and rolled across the hood,"NO!! whaya think I've been tryin to tell ya!!" Bo looked at Dixie and said, "And, ya'll didnt'?" Dixie nodded, 'no' and she lied, "No, Bo we didn't." Bo smiled at Lori and nodded. Lori glared at Dixie and got in Midnight, "I'm gonna go to the lake and practice some..." Dixie said, "Ya'll have fun and I'm sorry all this got started. Cooter is acting really weird tonight." She said and headed to her room by way of her window. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Luke had showered and was laying on his bed thinking ..........

Luke pretty much figured he'd be spending the night in jail and he had to admit that it may be the safest place to be. All three women were mad at him, Bo was ticked, and he wasn't even going to call Jesse. He layed on the bunk thinking. Dixie knew Rosco was more than pissed at her about the beer mug. She went to see Daisy who was getting off work about that time. "Daisy I have the money. Will you go get Luke? Rosco is still pissed at me and wouldn't let me bond him if I tried." "Sure, Sugar. Come on." Daisy said. Dixie followed Daisy to town and waited outside the couthouse for Luke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosco opened the cell door which suprised Luke. He saw Daisy waiting as he topped the stairs, "Thanks Daisy!" Daisy replied after they got in the hallway, "It wasn't me who had the money, Luke. It was Dixie. She's outside." Luke nodded. As he stepped outside he could see that Dixie still looked hurt, but she still wrapped her arms around him. Daisy took the cue and said, "I'm outta here, you two." Both Dixie and Luke thanked her again as she left. Luke said, "I'm really sorry about everything. Can we go talk somewhere?" Dixie was mad but felt like if she wasn't with Luke he'd go to Amy. She gave Luke the keys to her T-bird. He drove up to the Indian Caves where he built a fire so he and Dixie could talk.

Luke and Amy setting at a back corner table. Luke saw the three walk in. He looked at Amy and said, "I think I got trouble." Amy asked, "What sort of trouble, Hon?" Luke let out a long breath and tried to explain as best he could, hopefully without pissing the firey red head off. "Well, You know I have always liked the girls and two of them just walked in here with Bo and they aren't gonna be at all happy I'm here with you." Amy smiled, "I can handle my sort of problems, Lover, but I would like to talk to you about something." Luke knew what was coming. Amy said, "Last time when I was here you seemed to want to be with me, but you also wanted to be with other girls. Have you finally decided that you want a whole lotta woman instead of a whole lot of girls?" Luke answered honsetly, "Well, I don't want you leaving here with Ernie Ledbetter." He thought for a minute and continued, "We can try it, that's the best I can do." Amy said, "You are really serious?" Luke replied, "Yeah. I'll date only you while you're here and we'll go from there." Luke didn't figure her to be here long and he did really like her. Lori strutted over to Luke with a look that turned every head in the room. Luke noticed, he cursed and kicked himself mentally. He KNEW he pissed her off. Lori sat down at the table beside Luke and had that purty smile flashing and those deep brown eyes blinking,"Lukas....I....I been doing some thinking and I really miss you..I was stupid to let you go....and you showed me that in the General at Hazzard Pond not more than forty eight hours ago....I..I love you Luke...." Dixie held her head up high as she walked over to the table, "Luke I gave you something real special right before Lori came home. Least YOU said it was special. Cousins talk, Luke and I know you and Lori ain't through. I also know that you weren't home last night. Guess I was right. I knew you would do this to me, Lori!" What happened next, took everyone by suprise even though it was Lori's idea. Dixie drew back and knocked Lori plumb out of her chair! Luke jumped up and got between Amy and Dixie before Lori could get up. Lori held to her chin, it was hard for her not to laugh and give it away. She shook it off,"Cheap shot!" She looked at Luke,"Move Luke...." Luke shook his head and wouldn't move out fo her way. Lori nodded,"Alright then..."She drew back plum to texas and swung hard enough to hit Both Luke and Dixie. Bo sat at the bar and rolled laughing at them. Luke knew he likely deserved that and he would give Lori credit she could da-- well hit, but he looked at her and said, "Lori that's enough." Lori smirked and shook her head. She looked to Amy and sweelty replied,"Honey I'd watch this one he's got three women right now at one time!!" Lori smiled at Luke and nodded. Amy gave Lori a smile that was unreadable, "Thanks for the information but I know Luke pretty well." Lori nodded,"Not as good as me darlin...not as good as me..." Dixie looked at Amy, "Yeah she KNOWS all the men around here pretty well!" Lori smiled at Dixie and winked,"I sure do cousin...I aint nerey bit afraid to admit that none either..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the bar Frankie had made her way over to Bo, "This looks bad." Bo nodded, "It can't be good." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was feeling a bit froggie because she was mad at Lori and Luke, and with Luke in front of her she knew Lori couldn't get at her like she would like to. Dixie said, "Yeah, that's because she is a whore!" Luke knew he wasn't in a good place as he saw fire in Lori's eyes. Lori stepped closer to Luke and smiled widely looking behind Luke at Dixie. As Lori grabbed Luke to try to move him he managed to get her in a bear hug. "Lori da-- it! Stop this! This is not the place!" Lori managed to get out of Luke's hold and the entire corner of the Boar's Nest erupted into a cat fight with Luke right in the middle trying to stop it! The thing about these three women was that none of them happened to fight like girls they fought like men and were playing for keeps! Luke knew because a large amount of the blows directed for someone else was managing to find him! He knew he was going to have several bruised ribs tomorrow from this. Bo looked at Frankie, "Sh--! I gotta try to stop this!" Bo was too late as Rosco came out of Bosses office and was barely missed by Dixie throwing a beer mug at Lori!

Reaquanited wasn't exactly a word to describ what Luke and Amy were doing. It is a good thing Rosco was on the other side of the County or they both could have been arrested for indecent exposure and likely more! There had always been something about Amy that made Luke loose all common sense. Jesse had even suggested on her last visit that Luke consider marriage, but Luke wasn't considering that with anyone, why would he with Amy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke never showed back up at the Boar's Nest nor did he show up at the farm that night. Jesse was NOW concered. He looked in the boy's rooms and didn't find anything he went outside and searched. He called Cooter's to see if he was there. No where. Jesse was now fit to be tied. He sat and waited. Jesse was still on the front porch as Luke finally arrived at the farm just after 9am. Bo and the others had started the chores as he pulled up in the General Lee. Jesse waited for him to get out. When he did, Jesse got up,"YOU GOT ALOT OF NERVE DOING SHOWING UP THIS LATE!" Luke hung his head as he approached the porch, "I'm sorry Uncle Jesse. I'm sorry I didn't call." Jesse hit him hard with his words as Luke had his back to him, Jesse snapped,"Who was it last night?? huh Luke?? which Davenport?? Ohhh ohh let me take a stab in the dark and say you found a new piece of meat." Jesse's words stung Luke hard. He couldn't have been hurt more if Jesse had hit him but what hurt worse than anything was that Jesse was right. He was dead on target and a hundred percent right. Jesse didn't hear him answer. He looked down,"I'm disappointed with you...get ready to do your chores boy..." Jesse shook his head and stepped off the porch. Luke swallowed hard and replied, "Yes, Sir." Bo was standing nearby and heard the commotion. He looked at Luke and then to how hurt Unlcle Jesse looked. Bo got a tad bit mad. Luke didn't even go into the house for coffee but straight to the barn. When he saw Bo, he asked, "Where are you?" Meaning in the chores. Bo looked at him,"Well if you was here doing yours already and NOT hurting our uncle you'd know!!!" Luke glared at Bo, "I had NO intention of hurting Uncle Jesse. I overslept. Sue me!" Bo threw down the pitch fork and yelled,"OVERLSEPT MY HIDE LUKE!!!!! YOU'RE HURTING THREE WOMEN AND YOU DONT EVEN CARE!!! WHAT KINDA "MAN" AE YOU SUPPOSE TO BE???!!!!" "Bo I ain't promised any of them a da-- thing!" Luke replied. Bo got pissed and hauled off giving Luke a good right hook,"You might not have promised them anything but you're hurting them....Dixie came by the Boar's Nest when You and little miss Amy left, asked where you was..AND I TOLD HER EXACTLY! Lori and Dixie is fit to be tied with you right now!" "Thanks, Bo. I'll remember that next time you and the Johnson twins go at it and Jill wonders where YOU are. Don't go calling the kettle black with me cousin. You are far from being a Saint!" Luke hissed and he grabbed a bail of hay getting started on his chores. "Least I treat a lady right and I don't EVER intend on hurting her OR taking away something thats as precious that you can NEVER give back...if I was Dixie AND Lori I'd be ashamed..." He was talking about Dixie and Lori's virginity. Luke nearly growled, "Bo, I ain't took nothing that wasn't given MORE than willingly. Far as Lori is concerned I thought YOU had the hots for her, or did she turn you down? As for Amy, she said she'd be back and she is............. And, Dixie, well, Dixie is great -- should Amy leave like I expect her to, well..........." Luke, I'm tired of you treating Lori and Dixie like that!!!! GO ON AND SLEEP AROUND WITH AMY!!!! SEE IF I GIVE A FLYIN FU** ANYMORE!!!" Bo was so mad he shook with anger,"You know what....I've had enough of you....I'm leavin..." Bo threw down the pitch fork once more and went inside to pack! Luke shook his head and watched Bo go. He thought that this was just his cousin's way to make sure he did more than his share of the chores. Jesse had gone to town. When he returned, the General Lee was gone. Luke was coming out of the shower and the chores were done. He looked at his oldest and asked, "Where's the General?" Luke shrugged his shoulders, "Bo took him. I'm not sure where." Jesse threw what things he brung home down. "Luke.....I don't know what in the he** is your problem but you best be gettin it fixed!!!" Jesse called Cooter's first thing. Luke nodded. He wasn't sure what Bo figured to prove by leaving the farm, but Luke was sure he'd be back in a day or two, tops! Cooter answered the phone when Jesse called.......

Luke and Dixie, both watched them go. Neither said a word to each other. Thought they were together, Dixie knew Luke wondered abot Lori and Bo. Luke knew Dixie knew he was worried, about Lori as well as Bo. The next day was Saturday and Luke was sent by Jesse to town for a roll of fencing while Bo helped put the rest of the fence up. Luke jumped out of the General Lee outside of Ruebottoms' store only to meet Lori face to face at the door. He said, "Lori." Luke said, "Luke." Luke suggested, "I have to pick up something for Jesse, but can we talk?" Lori said, "Talk? Sure." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The 'talk' took place at Hazzard Pond. Luke and Lori both professed their desire for each other, but agreed to move on, but not before having a 'High ol' Hazzard time' once more for old time sake.

Luke shook his head. Things were back to normal. He took in the sight of her, but continued to work. Bo on the other hand moved closer like a whipped pup. Jesse watched the two. Both were acting rather strangely. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ That night Luke was picking Dixie up in the General Lee, Lori was picking up Bo in Midnight. It promised to be an eventful night for all............

Several weeks later found Luke and Dixie in the backseat of the General Lee. Luke had her pants off and she was 'hot'. Dixie nearly begged, "Luke don't stop now." Luke replied, "Hadn't planned on it unless you wanted me to." Dixie said as Luke lowered himself, "You are my first." Luke nodded, "I know. I'll be easy." He was. Dixie was thankful that Luke was the kindest, most gently person she had ever known. Though the next morning she was still pretty sore from last nights events as she made her way to the kitchen where Cooter sat. She saw the look he gave her.

Luke walked over to Beverly at the jukebox after Cooter had been taken out of the Boar's Nest by Rosco. "Co;me on over here with us. I take it you'll need a ride home?" Beverly nodded 'yes' and added, "Luke, Cooter had the wrecker tonight." Luke gave her a bit of a smile. "I've got a key. Come on. I'll finish this beer and switch to pop. Bo can take the General Lee, I'll drive the wrecker and let Maybelle know I have it if there is any calls." Beverly asked, "Really? You'd do that?" Luke nodded, "Yeah. Nothing Cooter wouldn't do for me. I'd sure like to know what Ernie said to him though." Dixie looked at Luke and Beverly as they came back to the table, "What was that all about?" Luke replied, "I don't have a clue, but I wasn't going to let that jerk jump in there and makek it two on one." He looked at Daisy, "Give me a Coke, two beers and a burger. Ya'll want anything?" Dixie and Beverly both replied, "No." They, as well as Daisy knew Luke was trying to 'sober' up a bit before he left the Boar's Nest especially since he was driving the wrecker the rest of the night. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter starred at the ceiling and thought about all that Lori had said. He had a bad feeling. A real bad feeling!

Dixie was glad, of all things that she did not blush easy. She was sure if she did Luke's compliment would have made her do so. Luke ordered two beers. Again he 'assumed' Dixie was eightteen. As Luke and Dixie took a seat where Bo and his date were setting, Dixie took a sip of beer. Luke saw a couple looks from Bo and Cooter, who was setting at a near by table with Beverly. Though they gave Luke a strange look neither said a word, but both wondered 'Why' he would be seen out with Cooter's little sister when there were so many more expereinced women here tonight. As the band started to play, Luke and Dixie went to the dance floor. Luke said, "Are you catching the looks we are getting tonight?" "Yeah. Sorry." Dixie said. Luke shook his head, "No problem. I enjoy shaking them up occassionally." Several hours later everyone was having a good time. Cooter and Bo had been drinking pretty heavily. Luke had also drank his share as had Dixie. Dixie and Luke were dancing as Ernie bumped into Cooter, "You 'let' you sister go out with the likes of him. He-- if you planning on letting her be a whore I'll give ya fifty to have a go at it." Cooter looked to see that Beverly was still at the jukebox, he finished his beer and cleaned Ernie's clock! Luke seen Ernie Ledbetter go flying across the bar. Cooter had sent him flying. Luke gave Dixie a gentle nudge toward Bo, "Let me see what's up." Ernie's buddy jumped up to help Ernie. Luke stepped in front of him saying, "It's one on one. Jump him, deal with me!" Ernie's buddy stopped dead. Rosco came strutting out of Boss's office, something crooked was up. Rosco smiled,"Jit jit!! I got em I got em!! alright! just freeze it right there Cooter!!" Rosco walked over to Cooter and slapped the cuffs on him,"Lets go...go join that trouble makin cousin of yours!!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori was starring at the ceiling when.................

Dixie was a bit upset at Lori setting in jail, but she took it as a chance to talk to Luke without Lori around. See though she was younger, Dixie had a real big crush on Luke. Luke had given her the message to go see Lori and that she did.... Lori laid stretched across the bed, when she heard those familiar footsteps she looked up and saw Dixie. She sighed and raised up scratching her head,"Hey cousin.." "I saw Luke at the garage. He said you wanted me to stop by. ....... Here I am." Dixie said. Lori nodded,"You understand why I broke up with Luke right?" Dixie sighed and said, "Lori, sometimes it's hard to know if you two are together or apart. Ya'll break up and get back together so much. What's the reason THIS time?" Lori replied,"You." "Me?" Dixie asked in disbelief, "Me? You have got to be out of your mind. You broke up wth your boyfriend of how long because of ME? Do tell Cousin?" Lori sighed,"You like him don't ya?" Dixie replied, "Ah, .......yeah, ........ along with all his cousins and along with allthe other girls in Hazzard. Why allof a sudden are you backing off cause someone likes 'your' man?" Lori shurgged,"Aint doin me no good settin in here..I'll always love him, but if you really love something enough..you gotta let it go...go for it go get Luke..." Dixie said, "Lori, you will only be here a few more days. I go after him now. What's the point? You'll just sweep him away when you get out." Lori shook her head,"No I wont Dixie...you can have him...." Dixie asked, "So what's the catch? I've seen you go to jail for fighting someone who looked his way? What's this about Lori?" Lori shurgged,"Do you want him or not Dixie???? If ya don't then he** I'll go get him....but if you do GO GET HIM!!!" Dixie looked at Lori, "Lor you are serious? Ok, what happens when I do go after him? IF he gives me a second look and tehn you get out--- Can you REALLY take seeing us together?" Lori smirked,"If I get you two hooked up....I want you to do me one thing....Dont listen to what everyone says...it dont matter if you look good together or not what matters is if you two love each other.." Dixie had just had a birthday an thought she was older she wasn't sure Luke would give her the time of day, "Lori, do you really think he'd even look at me?" Lori leaned against the bars,"Whats the difference tween me and you...sides the age and experience..." Dixie looked at her older cousin. She was better built, more experienced, and everything Luke Duke wanted. Dixie said, "Lori, should I go after him, because you told me to, I don't want him coming between us." Lori shook her head,"He won't cousin....just give it a try ok?" Dixie cautioned, "Ok, but I intend to play for keeps, cousin, with you or anyone else that comes along." Lori sighed and nodded,"Alright....just go fer it already!!!" Dixie nodded, "Ok Cousin. Just remember you gave me the 'go ahead'." Lori nodded and sat on the bunk as Dixie walked up the stairs. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie went home and cleaned up. Once she walked into the garage where Luke was under the hood of the General Lee. Hearing someone come into the garage he figured it to be Cooter, "Hey, Coot had me a 3/8's socket." Dixie said, "Well, I ain't Cooter, but I'll get the socket." Luke looked up at the voice and nearly hit his head on the hood of the car. Dixie was dressed in a very short leather skirt and halter top. Luke's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Never mind Dix. I got it. You don't need to get dirty. WHat's the occassion?" Dixie tried to act a bit innocent, "Occassion? Just felt like dressing up. Tired of being Cooter's 'little sister'. Ya know?" Luke nodded,"Ahhh I see...raided Lori's closet huh? I know it aint none of my buisness but what did she want to talk to you about?" Dixie replied, "No, actually I've had this. I was just waiting on a chance to wear it. As for Lori, let's just say it was girl talk, huh?" Luke nodded. "Girl talk huh? hummmmm?" Dixie asked, "Ya'll aren't dating right now are you?" Luke sighed,"Nahh we ain't...I don't know anymore Dix...when it does work right she leaves me...I don't know what her problem is..." Dixie nodded, "So ever think of dating anyone else?" Luke replied, "Well, about anyone I'd like to is afraid of Lori, knowing our past." "I know someone who isn't afraid of Lori and who has wanted to go out with you for years." Dixie said. She wasn't at all sure she could do this but she had thirty days to try this without Lori being there to compete with.. Luke asked, "Who?" Dixie replied, "Me." For several long tense minutes she and Luke stood looking at each other. Luke looked at the young girl who had to his knowledge celebrated her 18th birthday. She looked a lot older that 18 standing there before him. He......... He smiled and nodded,"That so?" He shok his head and went back to work,"Meet me at the Boars Nest then?? later for a beer?" Dixie was trembling as she relied, "Sure. Sounds good." Later that evening.............

When Dixie heard the rumors she thought that it was really great that she WANTED word to travel about her and Daniel, other wise she would have been pissed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter had gotten a car that all the Dukes and himself could fit into comfortably. The made their way to the base the night before the wedding. All were suprised to see Luke working the gate they came into and Lori the one they left through. From the hotel room they could see Lori flagging traffic. Bo looked at Cooter who stood near the window, "She still out there?" Cooter replied, "Yeah, she is."

Lori did just that and dialed Jesse's number. "Duke Farm." Uncle Jesse answered. Lori said, "Uncle Jesse, this is Lori, I got someone who wants to talk to you." Luke cleared the car as Lori handed him the phone, "Uncle Jesse, this is Luke." Jesse smiled a bit hearing Both Luke and Lori,"Luke...tell me your ok.." Dixie Davenport: "Uncle Jesse we are both fine, maybe a bit over worked but fine." Jesse laughed a bit,"Well that'll teach ya! what ya needin son?" Luke took a deep breath and said, "We would like you all to come up the first weekend in May. Uncle Jesse, Lori has agreed to marry me again." Jesse sighed,"Now Luke...Are you absolutely sure that you and her want to do this again?? you know that you can keep her for keeps this time? Luke spoke up, "Uncle Jesse I wanted her for keeps the first time around." Jesse smiled, it did him good to hear Luke say that,"Well son...If I know that you and her can do it this time around I'll be there....I want you BOTH to promise me that I don't have to go with either one of you to get divorce papers again.." Luke had to laugh a bit, "We have talked about it. We both agree that this time is for keeps." Jesse smiled, then sighed,"Luke...Bo and Daisy will want to come too, I'm gonna need to find some help to look after the farm.." Luke replied, "If you have to hire out a few guys let me know, I can help with that as long as you all are here. Please, Uncle Jesse? I need you all here..." Jesse nodded, "I can get Coy and Vance Luke to come here and watch after the place..I'll be there.." "Tell them I appreciate them and you too. I'll make arangements for you all. The ceremony will be on Sunday. I'm still not sure how much time off I'll have." Jesse nodded,"Luke..long as I get to see you two again I'll be fine.." "Uncle Jesse, that you will, I promise." Luke answered." Jesse nodded,"Im expecting too...Luke, be good my boy...tell Lori to STAY OUT OF TROUBLE! I know that girl can stir up more trouble than shes worth at times!" Luke grined widely, "Yes, Sir, she can. That is a fact. I'l tell her. Get up with Cooter, I think he is planning on coming up too. Maybe ya'll can come together?" Jesse smiled,"Sure thing Luke....take care?" Luke thought to himself even after the phone went dead, "Yeah, ya'll too." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at Dixie's school............

Dixie said, "Glad you approve." She gave him a wicked smile as she lowered herself on his lap..... Daniel gasped in suprise! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori slept.... By morning she had forgotten all about the hickey. She checked the board the 'dress of the day' was PT clothing. She glanced out the window and saw rain pelting down. She quickly dressed as the Sgt's right hand person called for them to 'fall out'! Lori went without even thinking! After the normal PT they started a 10 mile run in the rain. breaks consisted of more PT. Lori had memories of being in the brig after the first hour of the training. Everyone was sweating and sweating badly! Lori was setting on a rock under a bit of shelter when Sgt. Hardin walked up. "Corporal Davenport, what is on your neck?"

Dixie replied, "I guess maybe us Davenport girls may just be a natural. I have a cousin that was known for her 'abilities' in bed!" Dixie crawled on Daniel's lap and kissed him passionately. As she closed her eyes she could see Luke. Daniel was in heaven and more than willing to give Dixie exactly what she wanted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke returned to his bunk area. He was hanging his towels from his shower up as Pvt. Farmer walked up to Luke, "Say Duke. Is it really true that you are banging a Sarge here?" Luke knew where these 'rumors' came from and he'd deal with that soon. Luke shut his locker and turned to face Farmer, "Look, Farmer I know where those rumors came from and it my be best for you to leave it as a rumor." Farmer smiled and held his hands up,"Alright....just asking...aweful defensive over it though.." Luke nodded, "Defensive, no. Just figure to mind my own business and like those around me to mind theirs!" Farmer smirked,"Why mind our business when yours is muuuch better.." "Mine may be much better, but IF I had the 'connections' to bang a Sargent, don't you think I would have the connections to cause you a lot of grief?" Luke asked calmly. Farmer thought about it and actually afraid he backed away and left. Luke smirked to himself as he layed on his bunk. Tomorrow was going to be a long day. Nineteen hours days were getting old. He was up at 5 am and on duty til 3pm then was given extra duty working the gate til midnight. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori on the other hand..............

Dixie swallowed the lump in here throat, "Yeah, it's just that you were my first, Daniel. I've waited a long time for that. Guess I'm sort of emotional about it. Sorry." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked at Lori in the shadows of the empty trailor. "You think Hartman will give me a pass for Sunday night?" Lori looked at him,"Well....He may just do it, then again, he may not on account of the punishment we're both on.." Luke nodded, "Yeah, I've worked gate every evening until tonight." Lori smiled,"Just tell him I wanted to know if you could have one and see what he says.." Luke laughed and replied, "Yeah, I'll do just that. Thanks Honey." Lori smiled like a possum,"Yup!" "We need to get out of here, before we get caught here. Hartman said I could talk to you on my off time, but I don't think he meant this." Luke said reaching for his pants. Lori sighed and laid there watching him. She didn't move. Luke looked at Lori still laying there, "Lori! Come on Honey? You KNOW we can't afford to get caught." Lori looked at him and got up,"Alright alright! geesh dont have a cow!!!" Luke replied, "I do NOT plan on having a cow, but we don't need to get caught either." Lori giggled,"Keep on having those caniption fits on me and YOU will get us caught!" Luke looked at Lori, "Me? having what fits??" Lori looked to Luke and shook her head,"And here I thought you were the smart one.." Caniption fits---throwing little hissy fits. Luke replied, "I know what one is but I'm not sure when YOU claim I threw one!" Lori sighed,"YOU are throwing one right now!" "I am? How do you figure?" Luke said. Lori mocked him,"Lori! come on honey you KNOW we can't afford to get caught!" Luke said, "Sorry, but I didn't know stating the obvious was a cantiption fit. I'm an E-1 they can't bust me down no farther! You on the other hand, well I feel guilty they busted you down to Corporal. Lori when is the last time you worked gate like you did today for hours?" Lori scratched her head,"uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...." Luke said, "Yeah, that's what I know. I saw you working the gate all afternoon." Lori looked at him shocked some,"You did??????" "Yeah, I did. It was windy, rainy and a real pain to work the gate for ya that long. You were out there while the men were relieved to get warm, yet you stayed out there." Lori smiled, "I'm tougher than they are." Luke grinned, "Yeah, yeah you are." Lori smiled and looked down, then looked to Luke and shook her head kissing him on the cheek before getting up and dressing. She looked over her shoulder at him and sighed,"When do you finish tomrrow?" "Looks like I work the gate to midnight. Joy Joy!" Luke said. The only reasonLori had worked a gate post that day was because they had a truck loose an axel at an intersection and needed more people to do the gates. Lori nodded, "Alright....I get off earlier than you do...hmm" She had the wheels in her head turning. Luke saw that she was thinking and was worried! He waited to hear her plan. Lori had a gleam in her eye as she crinkled her nose,"Whens the next night you work the gate during the day?? like today?" Luke sighed, "Saturday and Sunday, while the others are off base. Yeah, I'm getting screwed!" Lori looked at him,"Well....least you get off those nights...and what you do on your own time is YOUR business..." Luke sighed, "Yeah, I SHOULD get off by 5 but have to be in by 11pm. Are you sure you don't want to wait til we are re-married?" Lori looked at him,"I know I can wait..the question is, can YOU?" "Lori, what choice do I have? I'm sleeping with a barracks of men. Believe me, they got nothing I want!" Luke said. He felt himself harden at the thought of Lori in a barracks of only women. Lori snorted,"I'm in a barracks full of women!! aint like I got a choice either!!!!" Lori licked her lips at the thought of a room full of men. Luke glared at her, "Lori! Would YOU be serious here? You are calling Jesse and Cooter right?" Lori pointed to "Little Luke". "Looks like I aint the only one here thinking either buddy-roe! Yes, I am" "Let them know I want them here too, OK? But you have easier access to the phone and all. Besides, ou may be able to talk them into coming." Luke said. Lori sighed,"I know I know aint gotta tell me twice...though I'd think Jesse would like to hear from you too..." "Yeah, I suppose he would. I'll call him after you do. I got him pretty annoyed on my last call." Luke said. Lori looked down and bit her tongue,"You sure are taking this whole marriage thing like its gonna kill ya or something?" Luke bit his lip and told her something that Lori likely didn't realize, "Lori you have heard Uncle Jesse say the chances of Bo and I raising a family rank right up there with hoggs producing beef, well, I believed that IF I ever married someone it was for keeps. What hit me real hard was loosing you. I don't think I could do it again." Lori nodded,"Don't worry...it won't happen again Luke...cause this time I won't run and let you go..." Luke nodded. He HOPED she was telling the truth, but answered, "Good I'll hold you to that." Lori hugged him,"I promise Luke, I overreacted over something that wasn't my business and like I said, I did what I was known for, I ran.. but Luke, come he** or high water...I WILL make this second time work.." Luke looked her in the eye, "Hear me out, just this once and I'll never bring it up again. I am giving up a hell of a lot of possibilites to be with you. I love you. I want to be a father to my child, but by chosing you I KNOW I"ll never get the other options back. Lori, please, if you don't want me as is for me, tell me now." Lori looked at Luke,"Luke...since I was even barely old enough to talk I've always had a thing for you...Luke, I love you, always have always will. I dreamed of the day you'd ask me to marry me..he** when I was 10 years old I fantasized about it!!! Luke, I told you, if you don't want me...theres the door, BUT don't expect this child or me to ever see you once you hit that door." "Lori, I'm here. I am NOT going anywhere. I just don't want to bui;d my world around you and the baby and have you pullthe rug out from under me. I survived it once. I dont' think I could again." Luke said honestly. Lori sighed,"Luke...I done said I didn't want to go through with it again...my entire life my world revolved around you.... and it still does...he** thats what got me into trouble most of the time.." Luke took her in his arms and kissed her passionately, "Well, Corporal Davenport, I'll see you when we can? I look forward to you being my wife again." Lori smiled and kissed his nose,"Well Pvt Duke I look forward to becoming Mrs. Luke Duke again...mmm what bout this Saturday? think you can meet me at the corner like we did today?" "I'll be there about thirty minutes after work." Luke said. Lori replied, "I'll be there." She knew she'd most likely be off on Sat and Sunday but they would work Luke to 'mess' with him.

Luke was also finished for the day. He stepped up to Lori, "Can we talk? Please?" Lori looked down, "I don't think theres anything to talk about." She was clearly upset and hurt. Luke said, "Lori, there's a lot to talk about and you know it. I've talked to Sgt. Hartman and the Chaplain." Lori looked at him,"Why?" "I've been thinking a lot." He looked around. There was guys from Luke's platoon as well as women assigned with Lori walking back and forth at the corner where they had met, "Do we really want to do this here?" Lori looked a bit confused,"Well...got a better place...I don't even know what your talking bout!" Luke replied as he took her hand, "Yeah, I do. Come on." He took off walking at a fast pace. Once he reached an open area with less people walking around he stopped. "Ok. Now, Lori I love you and you know I always have." Lori nodded,"I know Luke..but, if you love another woman I'm not going to make you do things you don't want to do." She referred to as him being a father to their child. "You know me better than that. I don't usually get forced into anything. I didn't want you to divorce me in the first place." Luke knew she knew what he was asking but he hadn't asked. He decided to give her the traditional proposal, he put one knee on the ground and looked up at her, "Loren Davenport will you marry me again?" Lori looked to Luke and tears filled her eyes, she'd waited a long time for this, even after they got divorced she'd always wanted him to ask her that, for once she smiled and nodded,"Yea...but theres things we gotta talk about..." Luke had a tear in his own eye as he replied, "I know. I know there a lot we need to talk about. Lori if we do this, I don't want to get divorce papers again." Lori bursted into tears and nodded as she fell to her knees in front of him hugging him,"I don't either darlin'.... I don't either.." Luke hugged her back, "There is no promise we'll be stationed together or anywhere near each other. We got to be able to trust each other." Lori nodded and buried her head in his neck,"Luke...I was married to you for a year and trusted you...but, I had to jump to conclusions and do what I did best...run." "I'm tired of us running away from each other and we have something now that can help hold us together, if we let it. This is not going to be easy. I don't know how long you signed on for or if maybe you'll chose to re-sign when your time is up, but I will tell you this, my contract had a nice little clause that read, 4 years OR 'the duration of the operation'. These first few years are gonna be a 'challenge' at best. We couldn't make it work under less challenging circumstances, Lori." Luke explained. Lori nodded,"Luke I..I believe we can make it work, no it's not going to be easy but, I do believe that absence makes the heart grow fonder...and sides I can't re-sign now if I wanted too..on account of.." She pointed to her stomach. She smiled, "And no I don't want you to go to Nam and get your head blown off either!" She smiled and kissed his forehead. "You can sign up for another 4 years, when this term is up in what three years? Just because you have a child they won't boot you out you are trained and better yet, you are trained to train others. By the way, when I talked to Sgt. Hartman, he said that you two used to talk. I get the feeling he knows more about us than he lets on. How much does he know?" Luke had to ask. Lori sighed,"Luke...I couldn't talk to Dixie..I couldn't talk to Cooter, the only one that was my close friend was Hartman...he knows...alot actually..." Luke nodded, "I got that feeling. In fact he was telling me what I needed to do before he had actually given me permission. It was like he thought I should know I had it. I talked to the Chaplain he said that he could do the ceremony the first Sunday in May by then I may be able to talk to Sgt. Hartman and get a pass for Sunday night anyway." Lori smiled and nodded,"And this time...I ain't goin all out either," She giggled, "Well....reckon we orta tell Cooter and Uncle Jesse bout it?" "I'm glad you don't want anything big. I don't think we got that kinda time. I'm not even sure if Jesse and the others will come that far for it." Luke said. He sorta hoped they would but would understand if they didn't. Lori raised a brow to Luke,"Ahhhh I'm sure I'll talk em into it....if not I can give em the old shuck and jive.." "You would too, wouldn't you?" Luke grinned. Lori nodded and smiled,"You can be double da**** sure I would.." "Fine, then, you can deal with them. Jesse isn't real happy with me right now." Luke said. Lori sat down on the ground,"Well...that's you....I could always sweet talk my way to Uncle Jesse, not sure if these puppy dogs eyes will work on him now like they did when we were 5 but I'll try!" Luke smiled, "They likely will and I'd really like it if they came. This is the longest I've ever been away from them, ya know?" Lori nodded,"Yep, I know that...poor ole country boy like you all the way out here in the city.." Luke glared at her. "It seems you hail from the same place I do there, Corporal." Lori smiled,"Yea but I been here longer PVT. !!" "You love that don't you? Out ranking me I mean." Luke said. Lori nodded,"Yep!! I love control!! although, I ain't got too much control over ya.." She pouted. "Till you put that 'leash' on me again, right." Luke was teasing her and hoped she realized that. Lori stopped and looked at him frowning. She didn't answer back. Luke said, "I'm playing with you." Lori raised a brow at him, and didn't smile. She crossed her arms and humphed him. Luke looked around. No one was paying them any attention and he didn't see anyone who knew him. He gently shoved Lori to the ground on her back and kissed her passionately. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie looked at Daniel and hoped she could go through with this without giving herself away, "I want to. You're aren't forcing me." She swallowed the lump in her throat and rubbed up against Daniel as the got to Daniel's car. Daniel said, "Dixie if you want we can go back to my place. I share an apartment with another guy but he's not there tonight." Dixie replied, "Yeah, I'd like that." Daniel drove to the apartment and showed Dixie in. He hadn't thought she would be the type girl to play around on a first date but he surely wasn't going to turn it down. Hours later Dixie layed in Daniels arms in his bed while he slept. She felt the tears build in her eyes. She had never wanted to be with any other man but Luke Duke. He had been so gentle and tender with her. Daniel had been more out for his own pleasure and didn't take into consideration Dixie's own pleasure as Luke had done. That was the difference in an 18 year old boy and a twenty one year old man. Dixie had allowed Daniel to make love to her out od sheer necessity though he was a nice enough guy she didn't love him and it was likely never would.

Dixie had gone to a small store near her school, made a few purchases and returned to the dorm. Her room mate had gone home for the weekend and Dixie had the room to herself. She locked the door, took another look at her calendar, immediately her eyes filled with tears. She went in the bathroom took out a small package and read the directions. Several minutes later Dixie was praying, praying hard that she was just over reacting while she waited for the results. When she saw them her heart went to her shoes. "Oh, God, NOoooooo!" Dixie knew she was carrying Luke's child and had just let him go. She had LET him go just like thta to none other than her own cousin, Lori. ~~~~~~~~~~~~` At the game Dixie and Daniel had a good time. Dixie tried hard not to think about Luke and under the circustances that wasn't easy. Dixie was even being more outgoing than she would ever normally be and as Daniel hugged her as they walked out of the game she nibbled his neck adn blew in his ear as they made their way to his car. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke knocked on Sgt. Hartman's door and was told to enter, "Pvt. Duke. What can I do for you?" Luke said, "Sir, I know you know a bit about Sgt. Drill Instructor Davenport and myself. Right, Sir?" Hartman nodded,"Yes, I do Private..whats the problem now?" "Sir. Are you aware that she is carying my child? Sir." Luke asked. He figured that since it had come out at the courtmartial and Lori was gone there was no reason to hide it from Hartman. Hartman looked to Luke and got concerned in a way,"Pvt. I heard from some of my commanding officers that was at the hearing she was, but didn't think it true...." Luke felt himself begin to tremble from the inside out and hoped that it wasn't visible to Sgt. Hartman. "Sir. As you may also not know, she is my Ex-wife and yes, Sir. She is carring my child, Sir." Hartman nodded,"I did know she was your ex wife Duke...some things me and her talked about.. in a sense I would say congradulations to you but in another way, the marines looks down apon such behavior but I guess I understand your situation and all that went on." Though Luke had no idea what or how much Lori told Hartman, he was glad the man had some idea of his situation. "Sir. What exactly would we have to do to re-marry that is IF she'd even consider it. Sir." Hartman looked to Luke, "Duke, you mean to tell me you want to marry her? Well, first off you know you'd have to get her consent. And were she's a lower rank now, you can talk to her on YOUR own time and HERS, if she considers it, and I'd say Duke, she would. Then, there's a local chaplin here, you go see him and you'd of course were the blue uniform." Luke looked the man in the eyes, and answered, "Sir, Yes, I would liek to re-marry her. It nearly killed both of us when she divorced me. Sir, does that mean that I have your permission to marry her, Sir." Hartman smiled,"Permission granted Duke.." "Sir. Thank you. Sir." Luke said. He would go talk to the Chaplain and see what arrangements could be made to contact Lori.

Dixie sat in class and looked at the ring she wore from a man who was, to her knowledge setting in a prison cell because he chose to date her. How could she have been so nieve and allowed him to ruin the rest of his life? She was deep in thought as class was dismissed. Dixie was one of the last people to leave the classroom. As she did, she noticed a tall good looking young man standing at the door. When Dixie approached him he said, "Hi, I'm Daniel? I know you are new here and I was wondering if you'd like to go to a basketball game sometime?" Dixie smiled. He was cute. But she knew she was wearing an engagement ring on her hand that belonged to Luke. "Daniel I'm Dixie. To be honest with you right now I am engaged to a guy from home, but their is complications, so though I can't go out now doesn't mean I may not be able to in the future." Dixie didn't lie at all but she didn't know how long in the future it would take to work out the complications. When Dixie returned to her dorm she had a message to call her Mother. She went to her room and called her mother who told her that she had an urgent message for Dixie to call Cooter. Cooter had figured that their mother had her hid out somewhere and he had been unable to find her. His mother denied any knowledge of Dixie's where abouts. That is when Cooter said, "Well, just tell her to call me and I won't even ask where she is." Dixie called the garage. "Hazzard Garage, this is Cooter." He said. Dixie got the frog out of her throat and managed to say, "Cooter?" Cooter said, "I respect you not wanting us to know where you are, Dixie, but Luke did not go to prison but was able to go into the Marines. Who of all people do you think he had as a Drill Instructor?" Dixie knew right then and managed to barely whisper, "Lori?" Cooter said, "I'm sorry but I thought you needed to know." Dixie said, "Thanks Cooter." "Dixie, there is more........ Lori is pregnant." Cooter said. Dixie lied, "It doesn't matter Cooter. Thanks for not letting me waste my life pining for something I'll never have. I love ya brother but please don't give Mom anymore messages to call Hazzard cause I won't and I won't be back. I hate that I'll loose you in this, but I've got to move on. I love you Cooter and goodbye." Dixie hung up the phone and thought 'Oh God, what now?' She looked at her calendar, placed one hand on her stomach and said barely loud enough for her to hear herself, "Please, don't let me be." Dixie spent the rest of the eveing thinking, but mostly crying. Her room mate had offered to listen. Dixie had declined. Late that night she wrong a note to Uncle Jesse. Uncle Jesse, I know you know where Luke is at, I can't know where he is. But, please sent this enclosed note to him and also keep his Mother's ring for him. Love you all, Dixie. The note she wrote Luke was short and not nice. Luke, Congrats on your and LORI's new addition. I sent your Mother's ring to Jesse to keep for you. I figured you want to give it to Lori! Good bye Luke, Dixie ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the next mail call Luke had a letter from Jesse and one with the retun address from Crystal. He knew that on was going to be bad and figured Jesse's likely wasn't good either considering their last talk. He went to find somewhere a bit more private to read these letters......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Over the next couple days of class Dixie ran into Daniel and told him she had gotten word her fiance had been going out on her and she had since broken up with him. She agreed to go to the game with him if he still wanted too. He did. Dixie thought well that's plan A.

At the end of Luke's thirty-five days he was released from the brig bright and early. To his suprised Sgt. Hartman was waiting outside. "Duke there will be a couple buses roll in here soon. My suggestion to you is let them think you arrived early and we already got you processed somewhat and that this is your first go around. But it's you tale either way, I know nothing." Luke realized he was being given yet another break. "Sir. Thank you, I appreciate that. Permission to call home while waiting on the buses? Sir." Hartman replied, "Permission granted." Luke was both eager to call hom and yet dreaded it terribly. He placed the call and waited... "Duke Farm." Jesse said. "Uncle Jesse it's Luke." He said waiting to see what Jesse's mood was. Jesse growled,"Its Luke...Its Luke!!!! the ONLY man that can find his ex wife in the ENITRE United States Marine Corps!!!" Luke knew Cooter had talked to Jesse, "Ah, ...... yeah,...... about that....." Jesse was furious,"About THAT!!!!! Luke!!! she's pregnant again Boy are you stupid??!!!! I thought I raised you better than that?!!!" Luke sighed. "Uncle Jesse you know how we are together. You told me years ago there was something between us. Try as we may, we just can not stay away from each other and yet we can't be together." Jesse almost screamed,"Lukas!!!! you get her pregnant and she has a miscarriage....then, you marry her AND go strictly against what I believe and Divorce her....MAKE UP YOUR MIND BOY OR COME HE** OR HIGH WATER I'LL MAKE IT UP FOR YOU!!!" Luke asked, "Uncle Jesse just how do I do that? I've made up my mind before and walked. We ran right back into each other. She left town, I ran into her in Johnson Co, TN. I moved on against her warning me that me and Dixie had something together. She leaves town and I had NO clue she was in the Marines and I wind up with her being my DI.." Jesse snorted."Either you marry her or do something Boy... cause im tellin ya...IF you two keep this up i'll take a switch to the both of ya!" Luke said honestly, "Well, for starters I can assure you it's already arranged that when the baby is born Lori will ge the baby's share of my paydays. It will have my name, but I don't even know if Lori would consider marrying me again. Besides............." Jesse said lowly,"Besides WHAT???" Luke reconsidered what he was originally going to say and asked, "Uncle Jesse I'm likely going to Nam. I may not come back. Is that right to marry anyone and expect them to be true to me and me to them when I may not come back?" Jesse got suspicious,"Luke....even better question WHY dont you want to remarry Lori?" Luke caught his breath at that question and said, "Ah, ................................ well, ...... we tried it once and it didn't work?" The question in Luke's statement was another dead give away. Jesse sighed,"Luke.....your gonna hurt her again aint ya?????Don't ya think you've already hurt her enough Boy???" "Uncle Jesse I don't want to hurt anyone. I was put in a position and I acted without thinking it through until right after. I know I was thinking with the wrong body part but there is a bigger picture. There are more than just Lori, the baby and me to consider." Luke said. Jesse nodded,"Like another Davenport woman????" Luke dropped his head. "Like another Davenport woman whom I'm trying to get over and who is wearing my ring................. Where could she have went?" Jesse got angry,"You mean to tell me....Dixie wore YOUR ring.... and you slept with Lori???!! LUKAS K. DUKE....COULD YOU BE ANY STUPIDER!!!" Luke answered, "No, sir, I couldn't have, but .........." Jesse growled."BUT WHAT???!!!!" Luke did not want to say what he was thinking but had little choice. Thank God he was several states from Jesse right now. "After that night with Dixie, I was in jail til I came here. Lori was here. She offered. I thougth she understood and walked away. She made me regret that for days! til finally....." Luke trailed off and didn't finish. Jesse nodded,"SO...why do you want to know where Dixie is??? Don't ya think you need to "get over" Lori first...." Luke sighed, "Your right, but I thought I was when Dix and I got together, right up until I saw Lori here. But, ..... ah, .... Dix doesn't even know that I'm here and not........." Jesse jumped on that stated! "In prison for being with HER!" "Yes,..... Sir." Luke sighed. The entire situation had snowballed on him. Jesse was mad,"Luke....I love ya son and always will....BUT..you gotta choose between the two of em!!! its either Lori or Dixie now who is it??!!" Luke sighed. "Without talking to either of them I can't just pick, besides when they both know everything neither may want to even talk to me again!" Jesse asked, "You almost went to prison over Dixie, do you think it's wise to try to find her?" Luke replied honestly, "I just don't know what's wise anymore." Jesse agreed,"You sure got that right....Look, If Lori finds out...she wil NOT except ANYTHING from you AND this whole getting court martialed deal because of you wont go over to easily with her either...." Luke knew Jesse was largely right but couldn't help himself, "Over ME? She STARTED it with ME!" Jesse retorted,"BUT YOU HAD THE RIGHT TO STAY AWAY!!! IT WAS YOUE DECSION TOO!!" Luke again knew Jesse was right. "You are right, but I can't take anything I've done in the past back. I can't change anything, but please, tell me what you think the most rational thing I can do now is?" Jesse stated,"Find Dixie and tell her you either want to be with her or not....find Lori tell her the same...go to Nam if they make you and come home alive.." Luke smiled just a bit. Jesse had away to put so much in prospective. "Thanks, Uncle Jesse that makes alot of scense, but even I want to be with Dixie I still may not be able to because of her age and I'm not sure exactly how to go about finding her." Jesse knew there would be hell to pay when Lori found out for sure,"Yea, I'll see ya at your funeral...when they ship you back here to Gerogia in a pine box!!" Luke wasn't getting at His point. He wanted Luke to see that he had to tell Lori, whether he wanted to or not. Luke asked missing Jesse's meaning, "You're that convienced I'll die in Nam?" Jesse sighed,"No you dipstick!!!! Im talking bout Lori!!!" "But don't you think I need to talk to Dix first? and I have no iedea where to find her." Jesse shook his head,"If you dont want anything to do with Lori..you need to tell her first!!! then, find Dixie.." "Luke said truthfully. Right now, I just want to know that my baby has my name and is taken care of. I don't feel that I need to be with either of them or anyone else right now." Jesse shook his head,"Im hangin up now...only cause im tired of fightin a losin battle that i aint never gonna win!!!" "Uncle Jesse. I'm sorry." Luke said. Jesse sighed,"Its ok Luke...your young and nieve and aint got no sense!!!!" Luke and Jesse hung up as the first bus rolled in. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Ashville, NC. Dixie had gotten settled in her dorm and was getting to know her room mate. She and her Mother had registered Dixie Davenport as Dixie Wiggins. Dixie had started classes and was settling in well.

Cooter hung up the phone and returned to the engine he was rebuilding he picked up the torque wrench and put it to the engine and stopped. He stood there for several minutes thinking. He put the wrench down. He knew that after that phone call if he aattempted to work on this engine right now it would blow sure a shooting as soon as the key was turned on whatever vehicle it was put in. He knew he'd put far to much pressure on it and strip it out. He thought about all that Lori had told him. There was only one thing to do. He grabbed teh wrecker keys, locked the garage and headed for the Dukes. When he arrived Daisy was hanging up clothes. He didn't see Bo, Jesse or anyone else but all the vehicles were there so the others were likely on the farm somewhere. Daisy looked at Cooter as he got out of the wrecker. He never showed up out here this time of day and he looked like something was wrong. In fact he looked a lot older than he ahd last night. Cooter shoved his hands in his pockets and walked over to Daisy, "Is Jesse and Bo here?" Daisy said, "Sugar they are in the barn. Is something wrong?" Cooter nodded, 'yes', "I don't think I can tell this but once. They shoudl break for lunch anytime, right?" Daisy said, "Yeah, I've got ready in fact. You are welcome to stay and if you go get them we can eat now." Cooter sighed, "I'll go get them Daisy but I don't feel much like eating." Cooter started toward the barn. Cooter not feeling like eating sent off warning bells to Daisy! Something had to be badly wrong. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daisy, Bo and Jesse waited for Cooter to tell them what was bothering him. Try as they might he only accepted a glass of tea. He waited til they had mostly finsihed lunch before he began. He took a deep breath and began by asking, "Has, ........ Luke, um, ....... recently?" Jesse replied, "No. Actually he's only called twice. Once during the first day or so to say he was there, they were about to be processed, but was told they could each make a quick phone call. The next on was a few days later the first time he ws able to go off base. But, lets see its' been around a month since he's called." Daisy asked, "Cooter? Luke is OK he isn't hurt?" She wasn't sure why anyone would call Cooter instead of the farm if Luke were hurt or something. Cooter said, "Nah, Daisy, he's fine, as far as I know." He paused a long while. Then, said, "I did get a rather strange phone call from someone I haven't heard much from lately, ........... Lori." Cooter saw the suprised looks and continued, "She's kept in touch with me since she left. She asked me to keep that information to myself. I did. But, now I think I need to share this phone call with you all. When Lori left here, she went back into the Marines,.........No one knew that including me for awhile." Cooter said. Daisy was the first to put two and two together, "Oh, ... NO!" Cooter shook his head 'yes', "You got it! They ran head to head with each other AGAIN!" "What?!!!" Jesse exclaimed. "OH, NO!" Daisy sighed. And, Bo asked, "Are they back together?" Cooter held up his hand, "That pretty much sums up my reaction! I don't know how, in the entire United States Marine Corps they could run into each other, but they did........... Well, actually I do know how they ran into each other, Lori has become Sgt. Drill Instructor Davenport,..... so when a cadet was penciled onto her list at the last minute she didn't see the name of one Duke, Lucas K., ........ until she took command of the platoon. At THAT point she should have reported knowing him, shall we say, extremely well?" Jesse and Bo both said together, "But, she didn't." Cooter replied, "You know those two. Neither one said a da-- word!" Jesse knew quiet abit about the military structure and a Sgt. Drill Instructor and a Cadet having ANYTHING but such a relationship would be frowned upon. He said, "Holy, Christ!" At the same exact moment Bo said, "Oh, sh--!" Cooter gave them a bit of a laugh, but it lacked humor, "You haven't EVEN begun to hear what happened! It seemed that there was another cadet that saw right through Luke and Lori. Like anyone in five hundred miles could have missed the fireworks between those two. He started watching them close, REAL close and you know them it didn't take long for one to bait the other. THIS time it seems Lori had the upper hand and drove Luke crazy until he agreed to meet her in her 'private quarters'." "WHAT???" Jesse exclaimed. Cooter sighed, "It gets 'better'! It seems the guy was confined to quarters by Lori becaused he failed an important test. Her 'private quarters' quarters were in view of the barracks he was confined to. He saw Luke and Lori there, reported it, but nothing was founded. So, they were off the hook, AND should have known NOT to continue anything with each other, BUT, again, you all know those two....... Lori had something important to talk to Luke about and signaled him to come to her quarters. Of course, he went! It seems after their important talk and what ever else wen ton Luke went to leave the apartment and there was MP's there." Jesse said, "Oh Lord!" Seeing Bo and Daisy's questions, Jesse explained, "Military Police." Cooter nodded, "They were taken to Lori's commanding officer, confined to quarters and eventually charged with Fraternization. It seems they were lucky. Lori did 30 days in the brig and a transfer, Luke is doing 35 days to give her a chance to get gone. That's why you haven't heard from him Lori just got out and is packing." Jesse said, "So he should be calling in a few days?" Cooter nodded 'yes', "Seems they got off lucky after telling the brass they had previously been married." Jesse sighed much to quickly, "Good." Coooter shook his head 'no', "Ya'll remember a few years ago when Luke and Lori got together? Ya know when she turned to Vance cause Luke was involved with Robin?" Daisy gasped. Bo groaned. Jesse said, "Cooter? She's NOT?" Cooter swallowed hard and continued, "Seems what Lori wanted to tell Luke was that she had went to an doctor in town and the pregnancy test came back positive. She had went to a private doctor in hopws of at least buying them some time, but when they were sent to the brig a 'complete' medical exam was done and the military found out she was pregnant! Both knew it wouldn't take anything to confirm that the child is Luke's and both admitted it. Now, my question to Lori was, what are they going to do about it? It seems they had not even talked about getting re-married and frankly, the more I think about it the more I wonder if they should even consider it. Lori is concerned about Dixie's feelings but I told her I have tried to contact her and can't. Mom denies knowing where she is, but I know she knows. Dixie doesn't even know that Luke is not in prison for being with her." The Dukes................

Luke had gotten in the habit of talking to Lori through the wall. They had talked as much as they dared to last night. Luke knew she was getting released today. He sat on the feeling really alone. Lori had said she would call Cooter and tell him she was moving. What bothered Luke was she was likely going to tell him WHY she was moving too. Luke really would like to talk to Jesse right now on the porch over a cup of coffee, well a glass of shine would be better. Luke sighed with everything that had happened in the last six weeks when he was able to he planned to go to the bar and have several beers! He and Lori had been down this road before. She had carried his child before, only to miscarry it. They had been married and divorced. For the second time in his life Luke had gotten the same woman pregnant without being married to her. He knew the right thing to do would be to see what they had to do to get married, but that had been one subject in the last month that neither he nor Lori had brought up. Luke's excuse to himself was he wanted to talk it over with Jesse. Well, in a mere five days he'd get to call home and tell them his side of the story. He was sure they would have already heard Cooter's version of Lori's side of the story by then. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori had seventy two hours to pack and get moved to her new base. Luke would be in the brig another five days. There was no way to see him before she left. They had come up with a plan to be able to write to each other with out anyone knowing who had mailed the letters. Lori knew she should call Cooter. She usually had called at least once a week but for four week she had been in the brig and could not call home. She looked at the phone......

The bugle sounded the wake up call. Jones, Luke and Lori were about to get a new look at the Marine Corps as the Correctional Specialists popped the cell doors and began barking orders. Lori had been far to used to barking orders. It had been awhile since she was yelled at like this. Lori had thought she was in shape. By the end of the day she wondered what had given her that notion. She was hurting in places she didn't even know she had. As for Luke, he may not have been conditioned like Lori was but had been holding his own pretty well in Basic training and he was used to hard work, but he was extremely greatful for the day to be over with. Then, there was Jones who had been struggling in Basic and had no clue what 'work' meant now was fall over onto the bunk nearly dead. He had never been this tired or hurt this bad in his life. He was very sure of that! He did not see how he was going to do this for a month. ~~~~~~~~ For Luke and Lori it was sure to have been a month of their life that they would never forget. As for Jones............