DixieDavenport

BL came in the kitchen and asked Cooter, "Where is everyone? "Well, Dad went to the Garage I think, and I got Hil upstairs in her room. She's got a heck of a hang over, but once that's over, you best watch it." Hilery laid in her bed, a pillow over her head. She felt awful, and BL was gonna get it. She remembered very little of the night before, but she knew she'd made a fool of herself. She had plans on getting back at her cousin. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo sat at the table eating breakfast. He had a lot on his mind because of last night. Sure Hil had been drunk, but she had come onto him. He hadn't expected it one bit. Last night he'd been nervous and scared, but today he just wanted to think about it. "Hey Daisy," Bo said looking up. He'd been mostly pushing his food around on his plate, and he knew she was noticing. "Something on your mind sugar?" Daisy asked. `~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`` Bo nodded. "Yeah. Hilery. Daisy, you know I've always said she's like a little sister to me, but last night... she was all over me. I had to hide with Uncle Jesse and Luther." "Bo, do you think maybe she likes you? I mean you two are close."Daisy said. He sighed. She was right. Bo had never said she had a thing for him, but she had never said she thought of him as a brother either. "It could be, I mean... and here I thought I was the lucky one out of Luke and I." he shook his head. "She is beautiful Daisy, I just don't want to mess with Cooter. Luther might help him." Bo sighed, finally taking a bite of his food. "I'm gonna have to talk to Luke or Uncle Jesse for advice." he added, chewing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Sugar, unless you ain't noticed, Luke ain't here." Daisy said. "I'll just talk to Jesse, then or Luke and I can talk later." Bo said. Daisy glared at Bo, "Sugar I'll listen to anything you want to talk about. But, WHERE is LUKE????" Daisy couldn't stand the suspense any longer! "I dunno. He went off with Dixie last night in the General. No Tell Motel maybe?" he shrugged. "I know he wouldn't rush nuttin' though." "So you don't think they went to get married???" Daisy asked. Bo nearly choked. "Why would he???" he coughed but but decided to feed into Daisy's idea. It'd be fun, but he wasn't going to say that was what they were doing directly. He'd let her read between the lines and come to that conclusion herself. "Though, I do know he loves her, and I think he did talk to Luther last night." Daisy gasped, "He talked to Luther about MARRYING DIXIE???" She exclaimed! "Dunno, I just know they talked. It was a hushed conversation, and Luther didn't seem too happy." Bo replied, taking another bite of his egg. Inside, he was laughing. Daisy punched him in the arm, "BO Duke you better come clean and tell me what you know NOW! I know Luke is late and Uncle Jesse is cross and a grizzly!" "Ow!" Bo rubbed his arm. "I don't know nuttin', honest!" he lied. "All I know is they took off toward town!" "Town??? Bo the Hazzard Hotel is in town. The No Tell Motel is out of town. NOW, you are lying! TALK TO ME!!" Daisy said!! Bo said, "Yeah, but you gotta go through town to get to other areas. I hear Chicamohony has a nice motel." Bo grinned. He was really yanking her chain, and enjoying it too. "Tell ya what, I'll tell you what I know, providing, you tell me what you know with Hilery and why she slapped my backside last night." Daisy agreed, "OK you got it!" "You first cousin, especially if you want the juicy details." Bo said. Daisy exclaimed, "BO!" "What? It's a fair exchange." he said, putting his plate in the sink. Daisy said, "All I know is I've caught her a few time checking you out. I think she may really like ya, Bo." "Well, truth be known Daisy, I don't know where he went!" he laughed before running out the door and jumping into the pickup to go do the chores. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke gently woke Dixie, "Sugar, I have got to go to the farm for a bit. I can get the room for a few days if you want to stay here. Or, you can face the music with me and go get your car." Dixie sighed, "Not that I'm chicken, but I don't need the car. I think I'll hang out here awhile if you don't care." Luke replied, "If you change yor mind, call me at the farm. I'll come get ya." Dixie nodded as Luke covered her up and stepped into his jeans. Luke locked the door and headed to the Motel office to make arrangements for the next few days.

Cooter arrived around nine o'clock, and Hilery's head was still pounding. "Good morning Hil!" he greeted as the door was unlocked. Peggy slammed it open, just like Cooter had asked her to. She winced Ow!" she said. "My head hurts!" "Come on Hil, let's go home and get you in bed." Cooter said, leading her up and out. He slammed the door to his truck loudly after putting her in, then slammed his own door. "What you want to hear on the radio?" B.L piped up with a suggestion "ROCK!" something she never listened to but Konrad did so she had gotten used to hearing it. "Nothing." she said, listening to Cooter start the truck. He had adjusted the muffler and it sounded loud. She groaned. Then he turned the radio on, and turned it all the way up. "COOTER! I HAVE A HEADACHE!" "So? I wanna listen to the radio." Around every turn he hit the horn, and when he got her home, he made her sit at the table as he fixed breakfast, the small radio in the kitchen all the way up as he let the pots and pans clatter. It was loud. "Sweet home alabama, where the skies are s'blue," Cooter sang off key. There were two things she really hated: Cooter singing off key, and his cooking. "Cooter, shut up!" She wimpered. "Nope." Cooter grinned. "you shouldn't have beat Stacy up at the Boars Nest." he said, going back to singing. By the time he had finished her breakfast and the song was over, she wanted to cry. THe food was hardly paletable, and she nearly gagged. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she cried. Cooter finally turned the radio down and smiled "Glad to hear that, now get to bed." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke was one of the few happy men in Hazzard County on this particular morning. He had something warm and beautiful on his left arm. Dixie layed there sleeping as he watched. Luke knew he should have been at the farm an hour ago, but right now he didn't care. He'd square up with Bo later. Bo knew last night Luke wasn't planning on being home. Luke knew he'd be in for a Jesse talking to, but he may just turn the conversation around on his beloved Uncle in about two sentences. Luke and Dixie had not spent the entire night making love but also talking. Luke told Dixie about the Marines and his active duty in Vietnam instead of the prison sentence they had expected. Dixie told Luke of her schooling. Ironically, when he was in Camp Le Jeune, NC she was in Asheville, NC going to school. They had actually been closer to each other at that point than they were to their families. Luke was stroking her hair. Dixie sighed and wrapped around Luke's legs and chest not wanting to move. They had decided to take things slow. A lot of water had gone under the bridge since the last time they made love. Part of Luke wanted to drive to Chickomohoney and marry Dixie right now. But good sense told them both that their attraction COULD only be because of the 'taboo' of their previous relationship. Therefore, they agreed not to rush into anything.

Luther was driving down Rt 7 when he caught sight of something large and bright orange on the right side of the road parked at the 'No Tell Motel'. He felt his blood pressure go through the roof and knew he was likely purple. He was sure seeing red. In room 3, Dixie had dropped her bag as soon as the door closed behind her. She and Luke hadn't moved from the spot in front of the door as they caressed and kissed each other..... Luther knew now what was going on, but floored it. He did not want to do something he'd regret. He'd take care of it in the morning like Jesse had suggested. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter got home to find Luther there alone? He asked, even though it was a sore subject, "No Dixie?" Luther said, "No." Cooter said, "Well, maybe she stayed with Daisy." Luther shook his head, 'no', "Not with THAT car parked at the No Tell Motel she ain't!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning Jesse got up and checked the yard for vehicles. Dixie's car was there but the General Lee wasn't. Bo came into the kitchen a few minutes later alone, which was unusual, very unusual. "Where's Luke and the General Lee?" Jesse asked. Bo sighed, "Last I seen them is when they left he Boar's Nest. Uncle Jesse I didn't expect him home last night. I'll do Luke's share this morning." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter replied, "Oh boy. She's gonna get it when she gets here. I need to go get Hilery and BL early so I'm heading to bed." Cooter shook his head. Dixie was gonna get it. The man had a temper. He just wished he'd get more creative instead of just beating her. The same punishment sometimes got numbing after a while. "You're right, she is. She's gonna get a nice woopin'" Luther replied. Not taking into consideration she was now 22 years old. ~~~~~~~~~ Jesse wasn't pleased. "I take it he was with Dixie?" Bo nodded. "Dix let me use her car last night to get home." Jesse nodded understanding. Bo said, "I really was glad after Rosco took Hil out of there last night. She was actually scaring me." "I noticed. I've never seen her act like that before Bo. All those drinks were probably the reason." Jesse said. "Yeah, I know. I didn't know she could get so drunk!" Bo said.

Meanwhile at the jail, Rosco had put Hilery kicking, screaming and cursing in the cell. B.L was not at all happy about the situation and kept giving Hilery murderous looks even though she'd contributed to Hilery's current state. "Put us in seperate cells Rosco or I'll kill her MYSELF!" B.L threatened. Rosco did just that he'd seen B.L mad and he knew she'd strangle the younger drunken Davenport given half a chance. With BL in one cell and Hilery locked in the other cell and Rosco called Peggy a Correctional Officer for the Tri County's jail who lived near by and often helped him out for extra cash. When Peggy got their Hilery was still yelling and cursing. Peggy almost wished she hadn't answered the phone. It was going to be a long night. That night B.L didn't sleep a wink with all Hilery's yelling, carrying on and cussing she just wanted to knock the living daylights out of her and shut her up. Hilery awoke come morning with a huge hang over. Peggy had a headache and a half just from the yelling and carrying on from her the night before. "My head..." she said softly. "Why happened," she asked before leaning over the toilet and barfing. She felt like she'd been hit by a train. Cooter would be there in about an hour, and even though she couldn't remember what she did to land her there, she didn't want to face her cousin. "You got plastered and started a ruckus last night at the Boar's Nest is what happened." B.L chirpped she was going to make Hilery miserable if she could just for the heck of it. Peggy though, being nice, gave her 2 asprain and a glass of water. It helped a little."Thanks." said Hilery. "First hang over?" Peggy asked. Hil nodded. "I don't even know how much I drank last night, but I got a feeling I'm gonna be in trouble with Cooter. By the way, I'm Hilery." she said. She'd never had the pleasure of meeting Peggy. "Yup you probably are, cos he was in trouble with Uncle Luther first time he got drunk and so was me, Lori and Dixie the first time we all got drunk and he found out." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter looked around after Rosco drug Hilery and BL out. "Dad, is it me or is Luke and Dixie missing?" "Not again!" Luther grumbled getting up. "I swear, I'm gonna ..." "Luther. We don't know where they went, and it'll just be easier to deal with them when they show back up. I don't like my nephew's choices, and I know you don't like Dixie's, but they are both grown." Jesse said to his old friend. "Now Cooter, what are you gonna do about Hilery and BL?" "I'll go get them in the morning. And, well... she's probably gonna have a hang over in the morning. I might just use that to my advantage. Unlike my father, I can be very creative with punishments." Cooter said thinking. Luther got up and left. He needed to blow some steam. Jesse and Cooter watched him go. Luther got in his truck and decided to go for a drive to calm down. He was going to take the long way home. Since Cooter would have to wait til morning to go get Hilery and BL, so he'd get a beer and try to think up what her punishment would be. Cooter figured Luther would have a few choice words for BL once she got home, but from his point of view she had just been trying to keep Hilery out of trouble. It hadn't worked and true to Rosco's word he'd taken them both in.

Rosco had went to the back room to talk to Boss Hogg and keep and ear out on the party. He had a bad feeling things were not going to calm down. BL tried to get Hilery calmed down so she could open her gifts. The first one was from Daisy. It was a 12 pack of beer. Then the box that Bo set on the table from him and Luke was opened. It was six bottles of whiskey and six bottles of rum, all different flavors. Hilery grabbed one of the bottles of whiskey and took a large drink. Bo and Luke were now not so sure they had picked such a good gift. Cooter's eyes wide and then narrows at Bo and Luke as he glared at them, "MORE LIQUOR!!!!" Luke looked at Cooter and explained, "It seemed a much better idea THEN than it does right now. Sorry Cooter." Bo was checking on Stacy at the bar. After several long drinks of whiskey, Hilery took the bottle of whiskey with her to thank Bo for the gift, but when she saw Bo giving Stacy attention it went all over her. She drew back before anyone could stop her and punched Stacy off the bar stool. B.L saw Hilery making her way to Stacy and leaped out of her chair to stop what was about to happen "Hil don't I don't wanna spend the night in jail." But it was too late Stacy was on the floor after Hilery promptly knocked her off the stool. B.L groaned as Rosco came out of Boss Hogg's office it was going to be a LONG night. Luke told Daisy, "Get Stacy some ice, huh?" And to Dixie said, "I'll be right back, I hope." He walked over to Rosco, "Rosco, come on, it's her party here. You can't keep arresting the Guest of Honor at these parties or we're gonna have to stop having them here!" Rosco turned around, "Don't you threaten me Luke Duke or you can join them! Kew, Kew, Kew! I love police work it's my life!" Luke looked at Cooter, threw his hands up and backed off, "I tried." He walked back over to Dixie. Hilery was fighting Rosco and cursing him and Stacy for all she was worth. B.L tried again to shut Hilery up to no avail Rosco slapped the cuffs on her too and said " I warned you B.L if ya didn't keep her quiet you was gonna both be spendin' the night in jail." BL tried to get loose but it didn't work "ROSCO DANG YOU LET ME GO!!!" As Rosco took Hilery and BL to his patrol car, Luke said to Dixie, "How about us sliding out of here?" Dixie finished her beer and nodded, "You got it. Where are we heading?" She said as they walked out the Boar's Nest door. Luke said quietly, "Well, I really don't want to have a repeat of the lake incident. What do you say about the 'No Tell Motel'?" Dixie smiled, "I'll get my bag." She popped the trunk of her car with the spare key and took out a small bag.

Hilery frowned drunkenly from the bar. Bo seemed to have a hundred watt smile on his face as Stacy talked to him. They were flirting. "You know, beings Luke cancelled, how about you take me home," she said, twirling a hand through her hair. "You know I would love that, especially if I ain't taking you straight home." Bo said as he flirted. "Oh you know you won't be. I know of a nice clearing in the woods on my father's property." she winked. "And honey, I love a nice, big, strong man." "He's not going anywhere with you!" Hilery said. She'd gotten close enough to hear the conversation, and was having a major jealousy fit. The booze didn't help. She jumped on her, and gave her a solid right cross. Stacy put a hand to her face surprised and grabbed at Hilery's hair. Hilery responded with another punch to the face, splitting the girls lip. It was on. Stacy tried clawing at Hilery after releasing her hair only to get a blow to the stomach. Hilery hit hard, even for a drunk. While Stacy doubled over, Hilery hit her in the face with her knee before tossing her into a table. When she went to get up, Hilery brought the heal of her hand into her chin. "Jit! Hilery, knock it off or I'll have to arrest you!" Rosco said, trying to stop the fight. He had just gotten through the crowd. Hilery elbowed him. "JIt!" he exclaimed, suddenly slapping the cuffs on her as she pulled her fist back. "LET GO! SHE WAS FLIRTING WITH MY MAN!" she said drunkenly. "He's not your man," Rosco tried Stacy put a hand to her face surprised and grabbed at Hilery's hair. Hilery responded with another punch to the face, splitting the girls lip. It was on. Stacy tried clawing at Hilery after releasing her hair only to get a blow to the stomach. Hilery hit hard, even for a drunk. While Stacy doubled over, Hilery hit her in the face with her knee before tossing her into a table. When she went to get up, Hilery brought the heal of her hand into her chin. "Jit! Hilery, knock it off or I'll have to arrest you!" Rosco said, trying to stop the fight. He had just gotten through the crowd. Hilery elbowed him. "JIt!" he exclaimed, suddenly slapping the cuffs on her as she pulled her fist back. "LET GO! SHE WAS FLIRTING WITH MY MAN!" she said drunkenly. "He's not your man," Rosco tried reasoning, looking to Bo appologentically.

Hilery studied Dixie through her drunken haze, already forgetting about the commotion. "So you're Cooter's baby sister." she chuckled. "Always wondered if I'd ever get the pleasure of meeting you. Sit back, enjoy the party. BL was the mater... masss...mast.... event planner." she grinned. She was drunk, and Bo was keeping an eye on her. "HIL!" Bo jumped and turned. She'd slapped his behind and was giggling. BL was going to get it. "What, you're cute!" she giggled. "CUTE CUTE CUTE!" Bo looked at Luke, a look asking for help on his face. He had never had to worry about a Davenport going after him before! Luke shook his head and smirked at Bo. Letting him know he was on his own. Dixie nodded, "Yeah, BL's great she planned my last party to. Looks like things are going a bit smoother tonight. I still have mightmares about that party. Course the main person responsible isn't here. I hope?" Luke nodded, "No she's not and I think we may have just got around Luther." "Yeah, well, she didn't have to liquir your cousin up, I don't even think Hil likes me like that!" Bo grunted as Hilery wrapped her arms around him from behind and hugged him hard. "Yeah I do," Hil giggled from behind him. "You the hottest boy I've ever seen!" "Hil, let Bo go. I think you're scaring him," Luke chuckled as he walked off with Dixie to get her a drink. In a way, he felt like it was his own birthday, having Dixie back once again. He couldn't believe she'd arrived when she had, crashing her own cousin's birthday party. Davenport's sure had some timing. Luke turned in time to see Bo get lip locked against his will. He was having a time and a half trying to get away. He finally got away and jogged past his cousin and hid in the back with his Uncle and Luther. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke thought Bo's situation was pretty funny. He looked at Dixie, "She's going to regret this in the morning." Dixie agreed. "Yeah she will." Luke looked at Dixie, "Will you?" Dixie bit her lip and said with an evil grin, "I haven't done anything to regret, yet. But, no I don't think I will regret a thing about tonight." Luke grinned at Dixie and said, "I surely hope not. Wonder what my chances of getting the General Lee tonight would be?" Dixie said, "He can use Dixie Delight if he wants." Luke asked, "You're still driving her?" Dixie replied, "Sure am." She handed Luke the keys in case Bo wanted to use her car. Luke walked over to where Bo was 'hiding' and not wanting to have round 2 with Luther he pulled Bo away from the table. "How about letting me have the General Lee tonight? Dixie said you can use Dixie Delight if you want." Luke held the keys out to Bo. Bo grinned at Luke and replied, "Sure, but you owe me. You could run just a little interferance." Luke took the keys, and said, "I got her to let go of you." Luke turned and saw Stacy coming his way. He said, "Stacy I'm sorry but I am not going to be available later. Stacy looked at Luke. She didn't know his and Dixie's history. "Luke I knew that the second that lady walked in with you. I was actually coming over to talk to Bo." "Thanks Stacy. I'll explain sometime." Luke said as he walked over to the bar where Dixie was working on a third beer.

BL began to explain to Hilery, "Dixie is Cooter's sister. She's your cousin too." BL paused as she saw the lookon Luke's face and added, "Or used to be." Luke took Dixie's hand firmly and walked over to Luther Davenport before anyone could say a word. He stopped dead in front of Dixie's father, "Luther she's not sixteen anymore. I want you to know right now, up front. I INTEND to date Dixie just as long as she'll have me." "DIXIE LEE!?" Luther said shocked, hardly recognising his daughter. "LUKE DUKE, YOU WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" "I'll be Da--ed!" Dixie said. Cooter was now standing beside his sister. He just couldn't believe the total defiance she had towards Luther were Luke was concerned. "Dixie, you are my daughter, and I will not have you dating a man whore like Luke Duke." Luther said. Luke nudged Dixie a bit and tried to remain calm, "Luther she may be your daughter, but we don't need your approval." Luke didn't want to ruin Hilery's party but this had to be settled here and now. He looked at Jesse who was setting beside Luther. "Luther, Dixie is a grown woman, and you don't know what she does anymore. If you love your daugher, you will make sure she's happy." Jesse said gently. "I want what's best for her!" Luther wasn't at all happy! "Her happiness is what's best for her." Jesse said calmly. Luther looked at him and thought. "Fine. I just do NOT want any details. Now Dixie, go wish your second cousin a happy birthday." Luther said, changing the subject. "Bo, what's going on?" Hilery asked, slurring as she knocked back another shot. She was watching the commotion in the back and was downright confused! Dixie replied in total shock, "Ok." And looked at Luke who gave her a bit of a grin seeing how shocked she was that they had just won a huge battle with Luther. Luke said, "Come on, let me 'legally' buy you a drink." As Dixie turned around toward's the others she whispered, "I NEED one after THAT Luke." Luke got two beers from the bar and they walked over to Bo and Hilery. Dixie was still trying to get her breathing back to normal, "I hear I am NOT the 'baby' anymore? Thank God!" All the single girls who had seen Luke's talk with Luther knew that if they planned on dating Luke they might as well get in line behind the lady on his side. Hilery..........

Bo groaned. "Luke you toad," he teased. "You know if Luther gets a hold of you, you're a dead man." "I know. Don't care." He grinned. "So how drunk is Hilery?" "Three sheets. BL keeps giving her shots left and right. I can't believe she barfed on my boot." Bo shook his head. "I'll be getting even with BL later though." Bo told him, going to the General and pulling a rather large box out. He grinned. "This should keep things interested out at the Davenport farm," he chuckled. "Yeah, six bottles of whiskey and six bottles of rum, all different flavors, will do that." Luke grinned back. "And if Cooter asks, it was your idea." "Hey, you're the one who chose the whiskey." "And you're the one who chose the rum!" Luke shot back. "Sides, Daisy will get into just as much trouble, she got her a 12 pack." "All three of us are dead." Bo laughed. "You know Cooter is gonna not be happy. She might be 21, and he might be buying her drinks, but he'd shoot anyone for buying her this much." "Cooter? Shoot, I'd think he'd get her a case of moonshine!" Bo and Luke looked at each other before breaking down laughing. "Nope, Hil wasn't Luther's responsibility, Cooter was her guardian 'til she turned 18!" Bo laughed. "Something about Humphry and him were close friends or something, and didn't want Luther being the one to finish raising her." "She moved in with them when she turned 15. It was shortly after you left beautiful." Luke told her. He couldn't get over how much Dixie had grown! "Let's go in, I'm sure everyone will love to see you again Dixie," Bo said, walking in. He whistled loud getting everyone's attention. "Hey y'all, we got more company!" Luke shook his head hearing his cousin make the announcement. Before Dixie could back out, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder and took her inside laughing. That's where he put her down at and stood infront of the door so she couldn't run. Bo stood infront of the other. Hilery was drunk, clearly, but even if she hadn't been, she wouldn't have recognised Dixie. The two hadn't met before. "Who she?" Hil slurred, giggling

Dixie looked up at Luke. She smiled a shocked smile. All she could manage to say was, "Luke?!" "Oh my God! I can't believe you're back!" He said, taking her into his arms. He kissed her forehead gently, smiling. "I've missed you so much! I woulda come got you after I got out of the Marines, but I had no idea where to look!" Dixie looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Marines?" Luke looked at her again, "Long story. Too long to right now. I'm glad to see ya but why are you back?" Dixie was shaking in her shoes. "Saw your picture in a racing magazine. I had to know." Luke stepped closer, tilted her chin up to him as he leaned down for a very passionate kiss. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In side Bo was wondering where Luke had gotten off to he should have been back in ten minutes agos. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo walked out of the Boars Nest and shook his head when he seen his cousin with a pretty girl. "Luke, you're missin' Hilery's party!" he said and stopped. "No way! Is that Dixie?" Luke stopped kissing her and smirked at his cousin. "I forgot about that. I came out to get Hil's present and ended up running into this foxy little thing..." Luke raised an eyebrow. He didn't know if Dixie knew her cousin! "Dixie... do you know Hilery?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie replied with a smile, "I don't think so Luke. I've tried NOT do know anything about my family since I left." Luke nodded, "Yeah, because of me." Dixie replied, "No, because of my father." Having this debate here and now was useless. Luke dropped the suject. He would have been prefectly happy if he and Dixie got in the General Lee and went anywhere but here. But, Bo didn't seem to be leaving so he figured they had to go in. "Well, evidently young lady you are NOT the baby of the family. Hilery is celebrating her 21st birthday." "Oh, God! And every Davenport in three states is in there?" Dixie now knew she didn't want to go in. Luke nodded, 'yes' and said, "Pretty much." Dixie said, "I don't want to do this!" Luke smiled, "Yeah you DO. You ARE NOT SIXTEEN any more!" "No, no I'm not!" Dixie said. Luke briefed her. "It took awhile but you father actually speaks to me now. Sometimes I see how much I get under his skin but he does 'act' civilized most of teh time." Dixie replied, "Want to bet that's about to end?" "Especially with what I have in mind!" Luke grinned.

Luke had been right, Stacy had come over to him. He had bought her a beer and they had danced a dance. Now they were back at the bar drinking their beer as Luke watch BL set Hilery up to get very ill. He started to warn Hilery, but she had shot the drink before he said anything. Stacy was coming on to Luke as he sat talking to her with his back to the door. He had heard Hilery's question, "Sprite for now Bo." Luke suggested. Dixie Davenport had left over six years ago. She had avoided all her family and any news of Hazzard County for those six years. Then, when she least expected it she had picked up a race magazine and seen a very familiar face. Well, two familiar faces and a car. There was a picture of Luke and Bo Duke and the General Lee. Dixie couldn't believe it! She had just 'known' that Luke was still in prison. See Dixie had left only days before Luke Duke would be sentenced to prison because she and Luke had been caught in 'the act' in the back seat of the General Lee. The charges held a mandatory sentence of twenty years flat. Dixie wondered HOW Luke was not in prison. It made her angry to think that her Father may have dropped the charges only after she left town, but she was glad for what ever reason Luke was not in prison. She arranged to have a long weekend off work and was presently driving toward Hazzard County as fast as she could. Doubts filled her mind. 'What if he were married? What if he was mad over the whole incident? What if he didn't even want to see her? What if...........' It was too late for what if's, Dixie was pulling into the Boar's Nest and being a friday night it looked as the entire county was here! Dixie sighed, "Wonder how many will remember? Hopefully NOT many." But even as she wished that she knew Hazzard was too small for everyone not to remember what had happened. She paused outside the door hearing the music and laughter beyond. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Luke Duke, I am a grown woman, and I can drink what ever I want." she snapped at him, taking yet another drink from BL who seemed all too happy to give it to her. "though I hear vodka and sprite is pretty good... How's about you get me that Bo." Hil asked, batting her eyelashes at him. Luke shook his head and went back to paying attention to Stacy. "You know, we could kick this party early... and go off somewhere alone." "Luke, I'd like that," she said. "Although, I would like to stay for Hilery's party. It just would be rude. Ask me again toward the end of the party," she winked and walked off. She swung her hips happily as she went toward the bar. Luke shook his head and looked back over at Bo and Hilery. He'd gotten her the Sprite Vodka mix, thankfully, and she was flirting hard with him. He wanted to smack himself and his cousin. They'd left her present in the trunk of the General! "Bo, I'll be right back," Luke said, getting up and walking out. He opened the door to the bar to step out and seen the most drop dead georgious woman standing there. She was beautiful and shapely. He wanted to drool, and almost did when he realized who it was! "DIXIE LEE DAVENPORT!?"

At the bar, Luke was watching the Davenport cousins as he sipped his beer. Seemed like this party was off to a smooth start. He seen Stacy who was a waitress at the Boar's Nest looking his way. She was off tonight and he was alone. He figured she'd make her way over to him before long. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo on the other hand was flirting with Renee Appleby, the daughter of the Doc. He wasn't having much luck either. The young woman just kept brushing him off, and boy was it frustrating him! Hilery watched over BL's shoulder, feeling slightly jealous. She liked him, and it was her birthday, but he was flirting with her best friend! Suddenly she picked up the beer and downed almost all of it, slamming the mug to the table almost hard enough to break it. "Gimme another," she grumbled. She was sure no one had expected that sudden change, but for once didn't care. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter and B.L both looked at Hilery in astonishment. B.L got up and went behind the bar grabbing a shot glass pouring a shot of Jim Bean “I think yer ready for the hard stuff cuz.†Hilery picked up the shot glass and downed the liquor in one gulp sat the glass down for another shot which B.L obliged her with. After about three shots of the Jim Bean Hilery got up off her stool and wandered over to Bo grinning goofily. “Hi Bo, ya lookin’ HOT tonight.†Bo smiled a ‘thanks’ at Hilery and invited her to sit down. As Hilery went to sit down she suddenly swayed going green then pale the Jim Bean wasn’t playing nice with the beer and she promptly threw up all over Bo’s boot. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Sorry Bo," she grumbled. "I suddenly don't feel too hot." Hilery put her head down on the counter top. "I don't know what BL gave me, but it don't like me." "Knowing BL, probably hard liquor after a few beers. Not a good mix." Bo said soothingly, patting her back. "You'll feel better in a minute now it's out of your stomach." Hilery looked up and smiled at him. She felt slightly tipsy. "You are cute." she told him, sweetly. She looked up at him, even with her head down. She was feeling much better. "Buy the birthday girl a drink?" she asked him, finally sitting back up.

NOTE: This a joint effort with Hilery, BL, and Dixie Davenport. It is for entertainment and time lines may be altered to get us all together which could conflict with other stories. Hilery -- 21; Dixie -- 22; BL -- 25; Luke -- 26; Bo -- 24; ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Boars Nest was decorated in sky blue and yellow, and balloons littered every corner. Streamers went from one wall to another, and the alcohol was flowing freely. This was a very special party: Hilery Davenport, the baby of the Davenport family, was now 21 years old. Every one of her friends were at the Boars Nest and a good portion of her family. Even a few of the normal thorns in her side were there, like the Hazzard Law. Hilery couldn't help but to laugh as Cooter placed a beer infront of her. "Happy 21st Birthday Hil," he said and kissed her on the head. "Thanks Coot." she replied, taking an experamental sip of the brew. It wasn't too bad. Unlike some of the others in the family, she hadn't dared try sneaking a drink here and there. She didn't want trouble with Rosco any more than she was already on the regular basis. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ B.L watched Cooter give Hilery the beer she was such a goody goody where stuff like drinking was concerned. The rest of them had been drinking sometimes to the point of getting drunk since they were teens. Coming over to where Hilery set B.L sat down with her 2nd beer. “Drink up Hil it’s yer big birthday.†Hilery smiled and took another sip of her beer, B.L laughed “Drink it Hil ya not in a country club.†Saying this B.L took a big gulp of her own beer drinking down a third of the glass. Hilery frowned at B.L she was always being picked on by the older ones especially B.L who seemed to enjoy teasing Hilery and picking fights with her.

BL asked, "You going to tell him?" Cooter nodded, "Yeah, I guess I am." Cooter said as he started toward the truck to go to the garage to tell Luther where Dixie was. Well, had been. BL said, "I go with you as long as I don't have to get too close to him." Cooter waited until she was in the truck. At the garage they both got out and walked inside the garage. Actually BL stopped in the doorway. Cooter said gently, "I know where Dixie went." Luther looked up at his son, but didn't say anything as he didn't trust his own voice right now. Cooter said, "Mom said she changed her mind about going to one of those boarding schools that Mom wanted her to go to when she begged YOU to let her come here and go to a regular High School. You know because she HATED the idea of going to a boarding school. I'm also to tell you that and I quote Mom, 'One of our children has come to their scenses'." Luther sighed and found his voice, "Where is she I'll go get her." Cooter said, "If I knew I'd already been gone. Mom said that was one of the conditions Dixie set when she agreed to go away to school that NO ONE here be told where she was or given her number." Luther said, "She'll call or show back up." Cooter shook his head, "No, I don't think she will." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The day of Luke's sentencing arrived. The judge had seen Bo on the charges where he'd hit Ernie Ledbetter first. Bo had plead guilty. He was sentenced to seven days in jail and given credit for the time he had already served with Luke while awaiting his sentencing. Bo had then been releases. All the Dukes were there, their feelings ran deep but were bitter sweet as they knew what was going to happen. Luther, Cooter, and BL were there. Luther still wanted the 'book' thrown at Luke. none of the Davenports were aware of the Judge's talk with Luke. Judge Hardcastle took the bench. The court was called to order. Judge Hardcastle began, "First of all I want both of these families to know just how hard this case has been for me. I must see that justice is done. But, in this case the punishment doesn't fit the crime. I feel that Mr. Davenport's main objective here is to see that Mr. Duke here is not around his daughter. As I am sure you all know this great nation of ours is gearing up for a war. They may call it something else but for those young men who will fight it, it will be nothing short or war. I have done a lot of research these past few days and I found a statute in the state code that will give me some sentencing options in this case. First off, Lucas Duke you have plead guilty to the charges that you were charged with. Is this correct?" Luke replied, "Yes, Sir." Hardcastle continued, "Now, that is important, because had I FOUND you guilty you would not have been eligible for the sentencing option. Now, the law says that I must sentence you to twenty years in prison. I have seen this young man and a few of his cousins and friend in this court before. It has always been for racing, fighting because they were called a cheat or a liar or to PROTECT someone else. Usually someone's HONOR. This young man's cousin picked a fight to get arrested just to show his LOYALTY to his cousin and spend what time he with his cousin before he went to prison. Mr. Duke here plead guilty to these charges again to PROTECT the young lady in this case. He felt a RESPONSIBLE for the situation and felt a DUTY to PROTECT Ms. Davenport's HONOR. You know those words just keep popping up when I think of this case: PROTECT, HONOR, LOYALTY, DUTY. These qualities sure seem the qualities that our armed forces are looking for. So I did some research. I found that I can seal Mr. Duke's guilty plea and this case and put it in a 'frozen state' shoud Mr. Duke be willing to join the military. Well, after talking to him at lenght I was able to contact someone to talk to Mr. Duke and I believe Mr. Duke has entered into a contract with the United States Marine Corps. Is that correct Mr. Duke?" Luke said, "Yes, Sir. I have a copy of the contract in case you needed it." Judge Hardcastle smiled. Luther Davenport was not liking the way this was going at all! Judge Hardcastle looked at the signed contract which had a date for Luke to leave later that same day. He saw the dirty looks Luther Davenport was giving Luke Duke as well as himself. He continued, "As long as Mr. Duke Honorable fulfills this contract his case will be sealed and no record of this case will show up anywhere in his background. Due to the high tempers involved in this case as well as the short time to Mr. Duke's departure, I would like to hold you in 'protective custody' until you are picked up for the bus." Luke was a bit disappointed at hearing this. He had hoped to return to the farm until that evening. He saw the look Jesse gave him and knew how big a break he was getting. He sighed and replied, "That will be fine Your Honor and thank you for this chance." Hardcastle nodded, "Mr. Duke I want to wish you well and hope for a speedy return for you to your home and family. May God be with you in these troubled times. Please, come see me upon your return. Court dismissed." Hardcastle had left word for the Dukes to be able to visit until Luke was picked up for his bus. Everything he needed for Basic Training was brought to the jail by Jesse for him. Luke tried and tried to assure Bo that he would be fine and it would be months IF he even went overseas. He told Bo that he would start Basic now at the end of April and not even be done with it until the end of July. Bo still wasn't happy. Sgt. Powell arrived in plenty of time to get Luke to the bus. The Dukes accpmpanied them to the bus stop and Luke remembered something Dixie had said, "Hey Bo. Will you do something for me?" Bo replied, "I guess so." Luke pulled out a ten dollar bill and told Bo, "Run over to the garage and pay this on my account." Bo now remembered what Dixie had said and smiled widely with mischief. "Alright!" He walked over to the garage adn told Luther, "I want to pay ten dollars on Luke's account." Luther was steaming but would take the money. He reached for the index cards that held the only records of over half the county who owed the garage money. He looked through the cards three times as Bo stood smuggly trying to look innocent. Luther finally said, "I can't find his card. I know he has a tab, but I can't find the card right now." Bo said, "Well, I'm sure it will turn up. Tell ya what, put it on my account then." Luther repeated the process again coming up empty handed. "That's funny. I can't find yours either." "Humm..." Bo said as he walked off, "Well when you find them, let me know huh?" Luther was scrating his head. Bo returned holding the ten dollars. "He couldn't find you ticket OR mine!" Bo and Luke had one final good laught together before the bus pulled in. Luke bid his family good bye and headed off to Camp LeJeune, NC. NARRATOR: Unknown to Luke or Dixie they were not just in the same state but closer to each other than either was to their own families! Luther learned to control his temper but he NEVER did find those DANGED account cards! THE END!!

Cooter's Mother replied honestly, "No she's not here. She is alright though." His Mother added quite pleased with herself, "It looks as if she's finally came to her senses. She decided to let me get her into a 'GOOD' school." Cooter said, "So she has been with you?" "Yes, dear. Just long enough to make the arrangements at her school." Cooter's Mother replied. Cooter was smiling a bit as he asked, "Ok so where did she go?" Cooter Mother was beyond pleased to tell her son the rest, "That, my dear, was one of her conditions when she agreed to go to school. She didn't want ANYONE from Hazzard to know where she was at." Cooter's face now dropped, "You mean even ME? Can I have number for her?" Cooter's Mother replied, "Yes, Dear even you. As for a number, she also told me that she did not want it given out. Do tell your father that one of out children has found her scenses. He may have won you over but Dixie came back to me." Cooter sighed and said, "Yeah, I'll tell him." Cooter turned to BL, "Dixie went to Mom's. Let her put her in school somewhere AND she doesn't want anyone here to know where." BL looked at Cooter, then towards the jail and asked, "No one?" Cooter replied, "That's what my Mother said and she asked that I tell Dad." BL .............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse, Daisy and Jeb spent the next day gathering thing Luke would need for Basic Training. Daisy and Jeb we worried about Luke having to go to war, but were a bit more up beat than Bo. Luke was not going to prison. He would have to go to court the day that he was to leave for Basic to be 'Officially sentenced'. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke wished that he could get word to Dixie that he was not going to prison but he didn't have her Mother's address or phone number. He was sure that none of the Davenports would want her to know anything about him. Jesse had told the others to keep quiet about the sentencing option until it was official so that it wouldn't be opposed.

Luther knew Luke wasn't going to say anymore so he turned on his heels and stormed back up the steps to find out just when Cooter and BL knew Dixie was gone. Maybe if he could figure out how long she had been gone maybe he could figure out where she was. Cooter saw Luther heading their way. He looked at BL and said, "I think we should have been somewhere else about now." BL nodded watching Luther get closer and closer "Ya think we got time to make a run for it before he gets here?" Cooter replied, "Not a chance. He's way to close!" B.L said "I was afraid you'd say that." Cooter knew the look on his father's face, "The sh-- is about to hit the fan." He said to BL. BL could almost see Luther's eyes glowing red like a demon as he approached them and said to Cooter's statement "uh huh" Luther was more ticked off after Luke had pushed his buttons than before he left for the jail. "EXACTLY what time did you know she was gone?" Cooter replied with a bit of a squeak, "BL woke me about dawn." Luther glared at BL. "How LONG did YOU know before you woke Cooter?" "uh...uh" BL stuttered then said "Only a few minutes." Luther glared back at Cooter, "Son, why didn't you wake me?" Cooter pushed a lump in his throat down, "Cause I thought I could find her and get her back here before you knew." Luther flew madder if that was possible "SO YOU JUST WEREN'T GONNA TELL ME YOUR SISTER WAS MISSING AND COULD BE GOD KNOWS WHERE HURT OR GOD FORBID DEAD!!!!" Cooter was in deep and he knew it, but remembered the whipping Dixie was getting yesterday after she had already had one he-- of one earlier. "I didn't much figure you'd care after trying to beat her to death." Cooter knew Luther had about all he could take and was ready for his next move. Luther was lighening quick for a man of his age and hard work had made him strong as a mule. He took his fist and swung at Cooter. Cooter stepped sideways and caught the fist. "That's ENOUGH! YOU CAUSED her to leave! AND, I MAY NOT BE FAR BEHIND HER!" Cooter dropped his father's fist, turned and pushed BL out the garage ahead of him. Luther hadn't been touched but Cooter's words hit him like being kicked in the stomach by a mule. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Early the next morning a Sgt. Powell arrived at the Hazzard County Jail. He felt that the Marines needed good men and couldn't help but wonder why he was ordered to check out someone in jail and if he signed to make arrangements to get him in the class at Camp Le Jeune in three days. THREE Days. The 'old man' (his Commanding Officer) didn't want much short of miracles here he throught as he went down to the jail. He looked at the jailor and said, "I'm Sgt. Powell. I'm looking for a Lucas Duke." Peggy let the man inside the gate and said to one of the two men in the cell, "Luke someone to see you." Luke hadn't been asleep just deep in thought. He saw the Sgt. with Peggy. He got up stood straight and said, "Sgt." Sgt. Powell took in the young man's appearance. Even though he had just woken up and was in jail. Luke had his shirt tucked into his jeans, stood up straight, and spoke to him with respect. "Mr. Duke I'm not real sure why my CO sent me here to tlak to you. But, I'm here to give you information on the Marines and answer any of your questions. I understand the chances of you being willing to join are quite high?" Luke and the Sgt. talked for several hours. Bo joined in the conversation occasionally and tried to talk Luke out of anything. Luke met the qualifications and was willing to join. The Sgt. produced a contract for Luke to sign. Bo looked at Luke and nearly begged, "Luke. Please don't." Luke shook his head and sighed, "Bo this is something I need to do. For myself and our country." The Sgt. had explained that once the contract was signed he would be picked up and put on a bus two days from now to be in NC by 6am the third day. he gave Luke a list of items he'd need and told him he'd be there to pick day after tomorrow. Luke shook his hand. As the Sgt. topped the step, Bo.............

Jesse knew Bo wasn't at all happy, but he figured that Bo would get over it. He asked Luke, "Have you thought this out? Things aren't looking good there's a chance you'll have to go overseas." Luke replied, "Uncle Jesse I know the risks of both prison and the military. I can't help but think I'll be much better off in the military. At least if the worse happens it will be serving my country and protecting my family." Jesse talked to Luke for awhile longer. He hated to think of any of his 'kids' in a war but it sure set better with him than to think of Luke in prison. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther Davenport couldn't help but to think that Luke Duke knew where his daughter was. He was off tot he jail to find out where she was. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie and her Mother were heading for North Carolia. With any luck she'd be registered in school before anyone figured out that she had went to her mother's. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hardcastle had called several of his many friends and would have some one in Hazzard to talk to Luke tomorrow morning. With luck he'd be signed up by noon the next day. He had explained that if Luke were accepted and willing to join that he needed him to leave for the next class as soon as possible. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther............

Dixie pulled up to her Mother's house which was likely a home of a plantaion owner during the Civil War. Her grandfather had bought it for her Mother after she had left Dixie and Cooter's father. Her Granparents had never wanted their daughter to see Luther Davenport a common mechanic from Hazzard County. Before Dixie could get to the porch her Mother was out the door. "Are you OK? Look at you just look at you in dungarees." Dixie sighed. She wasn't sure now which was worse. Her mother's ideas of what a lady should dress in or a whipping from Luther about how a lady should act! "Mother I have worn blue jeans for years and I am fine." "I told you that you'd be back here. Didn't I?" Her Mother had an arrogant look on her face. Dixie cut to the chase, "I changed my mind. I do want to go to school. But on two conditions...." Dixie paused. She felt her Mother would be only to happy to go along with. "First, I don't want ANYONE from Hazzard to know I'm here or where I go. Not even Dad. Second I want to go to school somewhere far away." Though her Mother couldn't help but wonder about Dixie's sudden change in attitude, if it meant getting her away from the likes of the Davenport's she'd take without questions for now. "Come on in the house I still have the information on the schools I tried to get you to go to before." Dixie went inside with her Mother and flipped through the schools. Most were either to close to her Mother or Hazzard or up North. Dixie really preferred to say in the Southern states. She finally seen one located in Asheville NC. It was the Ashville School. The location seemed far enough away without being out of the South. She flipped the information back to her Mother, "This one." Her Mother had checked all the schools out before and knew it was a good school. She picked up the phone and made the call. NARRATOR: Now folks, anyone who's ever tried to get into a school knows it just isn't this simply. But with a private school money talks and Dixie's Grandfather had the money to talk. When her mother got off the phone she said, "You are in luck. The school is still on break, the Director said you could report tomorrow to get settled in." "Mom if it's all the same to you, could we leave today? We can get a hotel tonight and be there early in the morning. Maybe we could do some shopping when we get there since you don't like m clothes." Dixie suggested. Her Mother said, "I'll call Grandfather and tell him of your change of heart and let him know we will be leaving as soon as I can get a few things together. You are NOT thinking of taking that horrid car are you?" Dixie bucked, "That is not open for discussion. Yes, I am. I'll get my other car there once I get settled." Dixie's Mother saw that Davenport stubborn streak and knew when to back off if she wanted to win war about where her daughter went to school. "Ok, fine. Go in your old room and see what you have there that will be more appropriate for a private school." Dixie gave her Mother time call her grandfather and set the phone off the hook in her old room which would tie up the line in case anyone from Hazzard decided to call before they could leave. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Cooter, BL and the Dukes search had turned up no sign of Dixie anywhere in Hazzard. Cooter and BL decided to........... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse knew that Cooter and BL had been to the jail to talk to Luke. He had given them no infrmation at all. Jesse figured he may just go talk to Luke himself. Maybe at least he'd get something. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo was still sulking, while Luke knew there was no guarantees, his spirit was lifted just a bit with the possible hope of not going to prison. Jesse saw the change in both boys as he stepped over to the cells. Luke said, "Uncle Jesse I just got what I think is good news." Jesse was still on his own mission at this point, "Would it have anything to do with Dixie's where abouts?" Luke sighed, "No, Sir, but I did get a massage earlier from Peggy. She told her to tell me she was safe and had made it to where she was going. She wouldn't tell Peggy where she was." Jesse looked at Luke, "Do you have any idea where she is?" For a long minute Luke looked at Jesse. He wouldn't tell where she was but he wouldn't lie to Jesse either. "Yes, Sir I have a few ideas. But, you do know he whipped her again after you left?" Jesse didn't question how Luke knew that, but nodded, 'yes', "Cooter and BL told me." "Jesse I can't protect her in here. You can't protect her at home. Trust me when I tell you she is safe now that she got where she was going." Luke nearly begged. Jesse figured Luke knew exactly where Dixie was, but he'd leave it alone for now. "So what is the news you feel is good and has Bo, there, looking like he lost his best friend?" Before Luke could answer. Bo jumped in, "That's because I AM loosing my BEST FRIEND, maybe for FOREVER!" Luke closed his eyes not wanting to see Bo huring the way he was and sighed deeply. Jesse asked gently, "Luke? Is he right? And you still think it's good news?" Luke looked at Jesse and replied, "Yes, Sir he is right. And, Yes I still think it's good news." Jesse looked at Bo, then at Luke. "Bo set down and let Luke talk. Then, I'll hear you out." Bo did as asked. Luke began, "Uncle Jesse, Judge Hardcastle found a law or something that gives him the best I can understand an option in sentencing me. If I am willing to join the military and they are willing to accept me, I could be sentenced to serve a kitch in the military as opposed to going to prison for a lot longer." Jesse.........

Dixie was about a block from her Mother's house when she pulled off at a small gas station. She placed the call to the Hazzard County Jail. "Thank you for calling the Hazzard Jail, Sgt. Blevins speaking." Peggy said professionally. "Peggy this is Dixie Davenport. I figure everyone has been there to asl Luke if he knew where I was. Well, he doesn't, but coul you tell him that I'm Ok and I am where I was going?" Dixie said. Peggy tried, "Do you want me to tell him where you are?" Dixie declined, "Peggy it's best he not know where I am, but please let him know I'm here and Ok?" Peggy shrugged and replied, "Ok I sure will. I'm sure he'll feel better now." Peggy hung up the phone and headed over to the cell where Bo and Luke were talking amoung themselves quietly, "Luke, Dixie Davenport just called. She said to tell you she was 'there' and Ok. I did ask her where she was and she said it was best you didn't know." Peggy saw relief flood over Luke. Maybe he did know more than she thought he knew. Luke let out a long breath as if he'd been holding his breath a long time and said, "Thanks, Peggy." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A short while later Luke had a un expected visitor. Judge Hardcastle came by and took up a seat to talk to him. He looked at Luke, then reconized his cousin setting beside him on the bunk. "Luke? Isn't that your cousin?" Luke nodded, "Yes, Sir, he is my cousin, Bo, and likely your arraignment this morning." Hardcastle turned to Bo and asked, "Son why would I be arraigning you this morning?" Bo cleared his throat to find his voice and answered, "I sorta picked teh biggest guy in the Boar's Nest last night and went over and decked him." Hardcastle's eyes opened wide at the young Dukes' admission. "For no reason?" "Right." Bo replied. "Why would you do such a thing?" Hardcastle asked. Bo was now feeling just a bit remorseful but answered, "I felt it was the only way to talk to Luke here for more than a few minutes." Hardcastle studied the two cousins. He had heard the cousins were close. Finally he began, "You know son I don't have any relatives I'd go to jail for and none that I know of would go to jail JUST to talk to me. That's says something about you two. AND, make me feel my research may not have been invain. "Luke you impress me as a man who is more than willing to fight for things you feel you have too or is right?" Luke shrugged and said, "Well, yeah, but what......?" Hardcastle continued, "Let me finish here. I am a stickler for law. Now the law says that for the crime you plead guilty to I MUST sentence you to a prison sentence of twenty years flat." He paused, "I don't want to do that.I have heard and seen how you, Ms. Davenport, and you family are together. You point was well made when you used your Uncle Jesse, my secretary, and myself as a prime example of how you can know people for many years and not pay attention to age. Also, without any communication between you two, Ms. Davenport expressed her willingness and even the intialazation of the events. Therefore, had you been a year younger or her a year older, you would be home in your bed and her father would just have a bad headache." Hardcastle sort of grinned. He did not like Mr. Davenport's attitude, but he had a duty to the law, the courts and all parties involved. He explained this duty to Luke and Bo, then he added, "I feel in this case the punishment is far worse than the crime but if I had to I would have sentenced you accordingly. But, I have done some research and I find you have an option should I choose to incorporate it into your sentencing." Luke was all ears. Judge Hardcastle continued. "Luke I am not sure if you have watched the news but the United States is getting ready for a conflict with Vitenam. The nations alert level gives me the leway to instate an option into your sentence but I want to give you time to talk it over with your family. Frankly, the situation of national defense and that of our friends looks poor. In a nut shell I believe the sh-- is about to hit the fan. Therefore, should you be willingly to join any branch of military and they accept you, then I can seal your records and they will be closed. Once your tour of duty is up, should you survive, you will be a free productive US citiazen. This is totally up to you and I offer it to you because I feel you would be more benifit to our country fighting for it than locked up in a prison. Should you be dishonorabally discharged, you would have to report to me and possibly be sentenced to the orginal sentence." Luke heard what the Judge said, "So you are offering me a one time enlistment in any branch of service I'd choose, provided they take me, verses a life locked in a cell for twenty years." Bo felt sick. Either way he felt he'd be loosing Luke and BOTH had permanent possiblities. Hardcastle said, "Now either way you could be injured or killed. I can't promise you a safe return either way. Luke stated, "I fully understnad that." Hardcastle asked, "So are youinterested?" Luke replied, "Absolutely." Hardcastle replied, "I'll get you more information. Is there any particular branch you'd prefer?" Without much of a thought, Luke replied, "Marines." Hardcastle said, "Talk it over with Jesse and everyone. I'll see if I can't get a recruiter to talk to you about your options." Luke took a deep breath after Hardcastle left, "BO! Did you hear that? I MAY NOT have to go to prison?" Bo...................

Cooter sighed and took BL by the arm, "Come on. We're wasting time." Peggy offered, "Do you want me to report this to Sheriff Coultrane?" B.L let Cooter pull her away from the bars. B.L looked at Cooter with wide eyes hearing Peggy's offer. Cooter shook his head and said "No thanks Peggy that's ok, Jesse and the rest are gonna help us look we'd rather not get Rosco involved." Both knew if Rosco got involved and he found her he'd take her right back to Luther and all hell would break loose. Luke breathed a sigh of relief when Cooter turned down Rosco's 'help'. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke studied the situation. Dawn was about 5AM so Dixie should be calling the jail about 10AM. He figured it was now about 6AM, so she should be well out of the County now. Bo asked, "Don't you think you should have told them something?" Luke replied, "Not until she calls here telling me she's Ok." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie checked the clock she was making good time with no one in her rear view mirror. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bo got up as he heard Peggy moving around upstairs, "I'll stand over here so she'll think we're talking." "Thanks, Bo." Luke said. Luke turned his attention back to Dixie and figured if he was going to say what he felt he only had a few minutes to do so, "Dixie, Honey, I don't want this to be the last time I see you." "God, Luke, I don't either, but there is NO way Luther would let me come see you. It would have to be after I'm 18." Dixie said. Luke was grasping at straws, "We'll figure something out to stay in touch. You are wearing my ring and I'm promising all the promises that go with it. I know you are young and you have a lot of life to live, so I won't even ask you to wait on me, but I'll promise you something else. One of these days when you least expect it, you are going to open the door and find me looking for you." "I'll be waiting, Luke." Dixie said full of truth and honesty. Bo was trying not to hear their conversation but to provide them with cover but the couldn't believe what he was seeing here. He decided to add, "If either of you want messages passed or what ever, I'll do it." When Luke turned to Bo, he had tears in his eyes, "Thanks Bo. I really mean that." Dixie also was pretty choked up, "Yeah, me too Bo. Take care of him for me." That hit home with Bo, and he looked from Dixie to Luke and back to Dixie, "I'll dang sure try my best." The thoughts of Luke being locked up in anyone of many prisons through out the state miles from friends and family cut like a knife with Bo. Luke realized he may never touch or see Dixie again. He was holding on so tight to her hand that he hoped he wasn't hurting her, though she was holding on tightly to him also. He could feel her trembling. Dixie was trembling, but not from cold, it was the whole situation that she'd been in the last 48 hours. "Luke I don't want to go, but if they find me here. If they find me at all, I'm in for it again." Luke knew she had to go or she would get caught by Peggy or someone. There was one very important issue they hadn't talked about, "Dixie, Jesse asked me something the other day. I answered him the only way I knew to. You were there. You know what we did and what we didn't use. He asked me if you could be pregnant. I told him it would be the only good thing to come out of this. Though I wouldn't want you to have to be alone I'd like to think that a part of me was with you. Could you be?" Dixie said honestly, "Luke, I could be, but the chances are really slim. I've been on the pill awhile now." Luke nodded, "I guess it's for the best really if you ain't, but swear to me, even if you never want to see me again, swear that you will find a way to let me know?" "I promise you that." Dixie added, "I swear to you I will and I'll be proud to let the world know you are the father." Luke smiled weakly, "Fair enough." Was what he said but their were many painful thoughts running through his head about now that he knew he didn't have time to go into. He looked at the sky and knew it was almost dawn, "Dixie I don't want you to go. I wished you could find a way to stay just the next few days." Tears were openly flowing down his cheeks, "I understand that you have to go, so don't feel guilty and don't worry about me. I can do what I have to in order to come find you one day. Do you have gas? Money?" Dixie smiled at his last questions, "I've got a bit of money I saved. I only have about a half tank, but my garage keys says I'll be full when I leave. I also plan to take a couple select charge account cards. That should set the old man back enough to make him regret whipping me like he did." She looked past Luke, "Bo yours is one of them." Bo grinned at her, "Dixie you don't have to do that." Dixie said, "Believe me I want to!" Luke asked, "When you get where you are going will you call Peggy from a pay phone or somewhere and have her tell me you made it, please." Dixie saw the tears flowing much faster with that question. "I swear you'll know either way." Luke couldn't do this much more, "Dixie I love you but if you are going, you've got to get out of here for they figure this out. I'm first place they'll look." Dixie dropped down almost as if she were going to do a push up. She put her face to the bars and said, "I'm not going anywhere with out a kiss." Luke signaled Bo to keep a look out for them. Luke got as close to the bars as he could. He had both hands through the bars and was petting Dixie's hair as he kissed her deeply. Bo was keeping a watch but couldn't help but sneak a glance at the two lovers kissing their final kiss. It was a very long very passionate kiss and Bo knew Luke was going to be in misery a long time after it was over. The kiss finally ended and they were eye to eye, nose to nose and mouth to mouth, when Dixie said, "Luke I love you. I always have and always will and I hope by some miracle I am carrying your child. I love you so much." Luke stayed where he was and said, "I love you too, Dixie. Even in this situation it would make me so happy to know you were having my baby. Please let me know and please let me know you made it with out being caught. I love you enough to go through all this. I never wanted to cause you any pain. I have. I know I have. I'm sorry and I love you." Luke pulled his head back just a bit and said, "Now, get outta here!" They squeezed each others hands and kissed a final kiss. They looked in each others eyes for a long moment not saying a word. Finally, Dixie stood up and ran as fast and as hard as she could to her car. Luke never moved. He heard her start up somewhere close by and drive to the garage. She left the engine run as she unlocked the garage, turned on the gas pumps, filled the car up, returned inside cut off the pumps, and went to the charge tickets. Any one with the name Duke or Davenport, Dixie tucked in her pocket. Leaving no record that any of them owed Luther a cent! She smiled as she turned off the light, locked the garage and pulled out slow and easy. At the jail, she stopped seeing Luke still standing at the bars. She threw her hand up and heard him call as she pulled out, "Be careful!" Dixie tapped her brake light to let him know she heard him. She was off toward Alabama just as fast as she could go. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the exact same time Cooter and BL had pulled into the Duke farm. They scanned the yard for Dixie's car. No luck. Cooter was more awake and thinking now, "She could be here, just hide the car." He looked to see if he saw any lights in the house and saw ......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile back at the jail, Bo.... Luke........

Dixie began, "Luke, I love you. But, I don't know if I can stand to watch you get sentenced for something I caused. I know that sounds selfish as he--. I also am tired of being treated like a baby. I tired of keeping my mouth shut and I refused to do it. I also REFUSE to be whipped like that again or put BL or anyone else in the position of protecting me. Sweetheart, if BL hadn't have got Cooter in there I don't know IF he would have stopped. I've got a bag in the car." She saw the pained look on Luke's face, but continued, "I'm going back to my mom's when I leave here." Luke swallowed hard he didn't want Dixie to leave but he could understand why she would and he cursed himself for his assumption again. He closed his eyes and droped his head. "You have no idea how sorry I am for this entire mess. Dixie I really wish you wouldn't go, but I can understand you felling you have to." Luke wanted to asked Dixie to stay, but if he loved her how could he if it meant her being hurt. "I take it they don't know you are here?" Dixie's eyes went wide as she shook her head, "No." Luke gritted his teeth, "Da-- IT!!! So now you can't go back even if you wanted too? What about Jesse's?" Dixie replied, "I could go there anytime. I know that and be welcomed. But, how long would Luther let me stay there?" "Think, Da-- It! Think, Da-- It!", Luke said to himself. Luke looked at the hand he was holding and saw his Mother's ring on her hand and smiled. "That looks good there, but it needs the gold band with it." Dixie softly replied, "Yeah, it does." Bo saw how they were both acting towards each other and he had NEVER seen Luke like this even with Lori. He was totally in shock at Luke wanting to marry DIXIE, even after he now knew she was only SIXTEEN. Bo........

At the Duke farm Jesse arrived to find Daisy and Jeb setting on the porch. Daisy had told Jeb about Bo being arrested. WIth Uncle Jesse being gone this late she surely expected Bo to return with Jesse. Daisy was off the porch and to Jesse befire he was out of the truck good, "Where's Bo?" Jeb was behind Daisy. Jesse motioned them both back to the porch. He never had liked to discuss things in the midlle of the yard. "Bo's right where he wanted to be." Daisy and Jeb's eye were wide as Jesse contined. "He's setting right beside Luke and doesn't want bonded." Jesse explained, then added, "And, don't either of you two go pulling the same danged fool stunt he did!" Jesse grouched in frustrated annoyance. Daisy couldn't believe what she had heard .................... Jeb knew the two was close, but to be arrested to be with someone was a bit far fetched. He .............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter looked at the sleeping form on the bed. He knew she wasn't sleeping well from the way she had been jerking in her sleep. Cooter covered his sister up as he heard teh wrecker pull in. "Well, there's Dad. Guess we can head off to bed now." B.L looked at Dixie on the bed from her place on the end of it "Yeah guess we can" she gets up and heads out the door to her room. Dixie had been napping but had woke up occassionally while Cooter and BL were in her room talking, but she had acted like she was still asleep. She heard Luther come upatairs talk to Cooter and BL a minute. He opened her door, seen she was there, closed her door and went to his room. Dixie threw her covers back and raised up some. She was sore. Very sore, but that was OK she thought. Quietly as a mouse she opened her closet and found a large duffle bag type suitcase. She began to put everything that meant something to her in it. She had pictures of Luke and the Dukes as well as of the Davenports and the cars. Her yearbooks. Notebooks with things songs and stories she had written with her most private thoughts. She also packed a few of her favorite outfits. Dixie made sure that she took anything that would give them any idea what she was up to with her. She smiled as she tucked the titles to Dixie Delight and her T-Bird away. She could only drive one but she'd get the T-Bird. She had a plan for that. She looked around her room again. It had been a couple hours since Luther came in. She slide the bag under her bed and went to the bathroom just to see if anyone was still awake or greeted her in the hall. They didn't. Back in her room she locked her bedroom door from the inside, tossed her bag out the window, she had dressed under her gown in not so tight jeans, T-shirt, jacket and boots which she threw down to be put on in the car. Once out the window and onto the roof, Dixie made her way to outside Lori's room and used the same tree Lori had often used to do about the same thing Dixie was doing. On the ground she gathered her boots and bag and made her way to Dixie Delight. She was lucky that she parked on a pretty good hill as she held in the clutch and drifted a good ways down the drive before she started the car. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In town Dixie circled town square twice to make sure she hadn't been followed before easing into an alley a short distance from the jail. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jail Bo and Luke were talking quietly. Peggy was working a crossword puzzle book at the desk. Luke looked up suddenly at Bo. Bo looked at him confused as Luke stood up and walked to the window. Bo was still looking at him as Luke said quietly, "That was Dixie Delight." Bo said, "Are you sure?" Luke rolled his eyes at him. Bo shrugged, "Ok, that was a dumb question." Bo knew Luke's ear for an engine. Luke stayed at the window as if he were trying to get a breath of what little fresh air he could. His effort was rewarded when he saw Dixie making her way up the street. Luke knew from the way she was walking that she was awefully sore but she was coming toward the window. This could only mean more trouble. He stood on the bunk hoping Peggy wouldn't think anything about it. He tried to keep up idea conversation with Bo, "Be getting hot at nights' soon I like it like this sorta cool where you can breath." Bo who was setting on the bunk said, "Un-huh." Only Luke heard through Bo's reply and the unsaid, 'sure you do'. Luke looked at Peggy who wasn't really paying him any attention. As a matter of fact it had been a long day for her and she found herself getting sleepy. She looked at the coffee pot. It was empty. She picked it up and headed for the gate which she unlocked, went through and locked back. Peggy intended to use the larger coffee pot upstairs and make a fresh pot of coffee, used the restroom and be back down stairs in 5 or 10 minutes. Luke held his hand out side the window to warn Dixie to be quiet for a minute. As Peggy went up the stairs, Luke said, "What are you doing here? Not that I'm not glad to see ya. Are you Ok? Uncle Jesse told me about you getting whipped on accound of this." Dixie went down to set on her knees where she could take Luke's hand. The action wasn't missed by Luke who swore, "Da-- IT!!! You aren't Ok? What the he-- was he thinking to give you ten licks?" Dixie smiled weakly, "Luke I was sore after the ten," she bit gritted her teeth not sure whether to tell him the rest but figured it would help him understand what she was planning to do. "It was the next three hours later that did the damage." "Next three? He whipped you AGAIN?" Dixie could see the hopelessness in Luke's eye's at his situtation but there was an underlying fury there too. Dixie shook her head 'yes', "I asked for it. Really I did. He wanted my and BL's keys. I gave him the T-Bird key but not Dixie's." "Why?" Luke asked. "Cause it was something that means something to me. Becasue you bought it for me without me even asking you to." Dixie said. She spotted Bo for the first time, "Bo? What's he doing here?" Luke shook his head at her statements about the car. "You should have given him the da-- key, Honey." Dixie said, "I know, but like I told him I could have hot wired it if I wanted to go somewhere which I wasn't planned to until he whipped me again. Luke he WON'T whip me again!" Luke sighed and said, "Bo here decided he needed to talk to me so he hit Ernie Ledbeter for no reason, then he convienced Jesse to let him stay in until I'm sentenced. Now, what do you mean about not letting Luther whip you again?" Dixie began, "............... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dixie added, "Cooter if you think you can help me up here I'll get off you lap. Thanks, ya'll for everything. I think I'm just going to try to grab a shower and go to bed, ok?" Cooter helped her up off his lap and looked to BL, who motioned that she'd keep an eye on her. Dixie still wasn't really steady as she took a large flannel night gown out of her drawer and headed for the bathroom. Once there she locked the door and very carefully go out of her tight jeans. She looked at herself in the mirror. It was obvious she had been crying and her behind was red from the last licks but bruises could be seen starting from the earlier whipping. This was two whippings she'd never forget and the last two she ever intended to get, unless she got caught at what she had planned. She showered and went back to her room and layed across the bed. BL and Cooter were watching her like a couple hawks. Luther was still gone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jail Bo and Luke were setting on the same bunk. Luke asked Bo, "Why did you feel like you had to get arrested to talk to me?" "Cause Peggy had already told us to leave today and I couldn't wait til tomorrow. Luke it really bothers me that you are chosing to protect Dixie and not fight for your own freedom. Luke this may be da-- selfish, but that ain't fair to you OR ME!" Bo said. Luke didn't at this moment in life did not care that Peggy was at the desk or that Rosco may walk in at any time. Luke put his arm around Bo's shoulder. "Bo, I'm sorry really I am about all this. When I saw those drivers license and did teh math between the birth dates, I thought I was going to pass out. I have tried so hard to avoid this very situation. I have warned all you all about it, and yet I find myself waiting to be sentenced to prison because I assumed Dixie was 18." Luke paused, "Bo no matter what I can't change what happened. No matter what I would like to do to make this situation right. I can't largely because Luther won't budge." Luke found himself chocking up, but he was trying to be strong for Bo, "The main thing I'll miss is riding around in the General Lee with you." He swollowed hard then tried to convience Bo that he needed his help. "Bo I need you to do somethings for me. They are really important. Probably the most important is, I'm counting on you to take my part at the farm. I know my chores will be split up, but I mean more with Dais, Jeb, Coy and Vance. You know Jesse counted on me to ry to keep ya'll in line. Bo before I get back, if I come back." He saw the look Bo shot him and held his hand up for him to let him finish. "Bo, Jesse won't slow down unless you and the others get the work done first. He won't be able to work like he does in five, ten and especially not in twenty years. Family and that farm are his life and this is going to hurt him more than you know. And, Bo, don't hate Dixie. It wasn't her fault. I assumed my self into this." Luke smiled at the memories, "Bo we left up where the racing was. You got the General Lee?" Bo only nodded, 'yes'. Luke continued, "Then, you see where I parked. I had suggested earlier that she not mention to Daisy about staying at the farm until Uncle Jesse left. That way Luther knew she was going to be at the farm. Jesse didn't. If Daisy got home first she wouldn't have paid it too much attention. My thoughts were not real pure when I parked where I did and I knew she could stay out late. I would never had forced her, but Bo I didn't have too. As much as I'd like to marry her, Luther won't let it happen. I asked Uncle Jesse to give her my Mother's engagement ring." Bo looked up in shock. Luke gave him a grin, "You know that is something I've given no other girl. I want Dixie to wear it and have all the promises that go with it for as long as she wants them. Bo, if and when I get out of this, I intend to find her. She'll be well over 18 by then and I indend to knock on her door. He--, she'll likely be married with ten kids but I'm still going. Look after her, please?" Before Bo could answer, Jesse came down the steps. He asked, "Why in Sam's Hill did you hit Ermie Ledbetter for no reason in the Boar's Nest?" It was obvious that Jesse had talked to Daisy and or Rosco. Bo looked at him and said, "I'm sorry Uncle Jesse, but I needed to talk to Luke." Jesse asked, "And, have you?" Luke nodded, 'yes'. Jesse said, "Well, then there is no sense in your staying here. I've got you bail money." Bo shook his head an nodded, 'no'. "Let me stay with Luke. I'll have to go to court and all and I'd rather set here now with Luke than later when he's gone. Judge can likely give me time served or somethng." Jesse shook his head at the two boys loyality to each other. "Luke?" Luke thought, looked from one to the other and replied, "Crazy as it sounds, he's making sense. Maybe I am rubbin' off on him." Luke sighed and shook his head, "Let him stay." Frankly, Bo was a good distraction and Luke really needed him right now. "Uncle Jesse did you give Dixie the ring?" Jesse said, "Yes, I did when she was out to the place earlier." "She's not grounded for life?" Luke asked in total amazement. "I figure you want the truth?" Luke nodded, 'yes'. Jesse began, "Luke, when we left here today. Cooter was upstairs waiting to tell her and BL to come straight home. Well, they came to the farm. I called Luther told him I"d have them home soon and fed them a bite to eat. I also gave Dixie the ring which she accepted and put on." Luke smiled and nodded. Jesse said, "Dixie told me she was scared to go home. So I went out with them. There was a bad time before court today when I went out and BL had dug herself a hole trying ot keep Dixie from geting whipped. Luther was furious. He hadn't calmed down much buy the time we got there. I stayed to make sure he whipped them not beat them." Luke dropped his head and closd his eyes. Jesse and Bo saw chills run down both arms. Jesse continued, "Luke she never said a word, never cried out, just took the whipping that she stepped up to first and then was made to watch BL get hers. They were off to their rooms when I left." Luke looked up and said barely above a whisper, "Is she Ok?" Jesse tried to assure him, "Yes." Luke now asked the question Jesse truely hoped he wouldn't, "How many?" Jesse sighed and said, "Luke she's ok. That's NOT important." "It is to me!" Luke said in a bit of a sharper tone than he wanted to use with Jesse, "Sorry, Uncle Jesse. Really I am, but I feel real helpess here. Please, how many?" Jesse looked at Luke and said, "Firstly, he made each lick count and I talked him into half what he intended to give them. ......................... Luke, .............. He gave ten licks." Luke had had a whipping from Jesse before that equaled what Jesse described to Luke. He closed he eyes and walked to the back of the cell. Jesse saw his fists clench repeatidly. "Luke I'm telling you she was fine." "Uncle Jesse with all due respect, I've had ten licks from you when you were not half as mad as Luther was. Dixie did not deserve that. I might have, but she didn't deserve half of that!" Luke stated matter of factly. "He whipped her cause he could get to me............." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Judge Hardcastle was on his way to the jail to tell Luke Duke what he had found when he ran into Rosco who told him that Jesse was there adn tomorrow may be a better time to talk to Luke. Hardcastle allowed himself to be re-routed to the local diner for a late dinner.

Cooter knew the look on both Luther's face and Dixie's. "Dad you know she can hotwire as good as I can. I'll stay here. Dixie are you going anywhere while Dad is gone?" Dixie's teeth were still gritted tightly. She shook her head 'no'. Cooter said, "Let her keep the key. She'll be here when you get back." "I'll even keep her in here with me if ya let her keep it" B.L added her own two cents into it afraid Luther might still whip Dixie. Luther knew taking the key was a pit pointless. "If you swear you'll stay here in your room?" Dixie managed to barely say in sniffled gasps, "I swear I"ll be here when you get back." Luther stomped off towards the wrecker. He thought, 'Those girls are going to be the death of me." No one moved until the wrecker pulled out. They all three breathed a sigh of relief when Luther pulled out. Dixie threw her self in Cooter's arms and cried. Cooter threw his arms around her and swore, "Da-- IT!!!! Ain't YOU learned a da-- thing today?" Dixie nodded 'yes' but continued to cry. Actually she was more trying to quit crying and was more gasping for air than she was crying. Cooter asked, "Do you want to go to your room?" Dixie was holding on to Cooter really tight. She looked up at him and said "I don't think I CAN GO anywhere." Cooter was holding most of her wait and he knew it. He also knew she couldn't think of setting down, "BL now what?" BL sighed and shrugged suggesting "Carry her in there?" it was the only thing she could think of. Cooter carefully put his hand under Dixie's knees and one her back and picked her up. He carried her into her room and was trying to figure out how to put her down on the bed without he having to set down. While Cooter was thinking Dixie was holding on to Cooter. The last time he remembered carrying her like this was when she was when she was five and had followed him and Luke into the field and found a bees nest. That time she had so many stings on her that he was sure she'd have a reaction. "Dixie I'll stand you up and you can lay across the bed." Dixie shook her head 'no', "Cooter please just hold me awhile." She paused and said, "I'm sorry ya'll. Really I am. But I'm loosing Luke and I won't loose something he gave me because he got it for me without me even asking him too. Cooter I know I embarassed everyone, but we do love each other. I know that hurts you to hear Cooter." Cooter set down in a rocker in Dixie's room careful not to touch her behind as he settled her on his lap. Dixie gritted her teeth as she got settled in his arms, "But, I love him and I want to marry him but LUTHER won't hear of it." Cooter brushed her hari back away from her eyes, "Dixie could you be pregnant?" Dixie thougth for a few mintues before answering. She looked down at her left hand at Luke's Mother's engagement ring that Jesse had given her at the farm. Until now Cooter and BL hadn't noticed the ring. Finally Dixie replied, "It's possible but unfortnately not likely. I've been on the pill for about a year now." Cooter BL