DixieDavenport

Meanwhile in Luke's cell, Uncle Jesse took a seat beside him and said as the officer took his seat behind the desk, "Well, least we's together." Luke gave his uncle a slight smile and said as he hugged him, "Yeah, we are." Jesse replied trying to be more up beat than he should be for the boys, "So, tell me your version of you hitting the wall." Luke replied with a laugh, "Only if you tell me your version of whipping Lori." Jesse replied, "You got a deal." Luke looked to Jesse and said,"Since my temper got the best of me, Lori was pokin fun at me by saying that Vance was calling her name, cause I told her not to push my buttons, and she ran up the stairs and big stupid me hit the wall." "Ok. Luke what have I tried for years to tell you about your temper?" Jesse asked. "I know and I remember those warnings at times like these. You know after the fact. It's just that I ain't quite got the before down yet." Luke said honestly. Jesse patted his back, "Keep working on it son." Luke was trying to keep Jesse talking about anything right now to keep him, well them both, from thinking, "So tell me about Lori." He said with a smile. "I think I was there the last time you had to whip her." Jesse gave him a stern look, "Yes, you were. If I remember correctly, you volunteered to take your licks first." Luke nodded, "Yeah, I did since it was me who convienced her to play show and tell." Jesse said, "Cooter had already called me and told me about ya'll conversation. Then the talk they had, finally about hearing her get pulled over by Sheriff Little. Well, I knew if Little pulled her over it was somewhere in Chickasaw. She tried to tell me she went visiting a friend THAT late at night. So I sent her to the woodshed. She was already waiting so I gave her one lick to let her know that I would and to get her attention. I asked her again where she had been. Same story so I gave her two more licks that were just I might harder. And, I asked her the third time. By this time I think she was tinking about telling me the truth but stuck to her story. So I gave her three more. Luke, I didn't want to whip her to begin with and I didn't want to give her four licks on top of what I had already given her so I asked her point blank if she had been hauling. She couldn't wait to tell me yes and who was responsible. I went to try to talk to HIM but he was out of town." Luke replied, "She took six licks? I think that's about what you gave me that time Mr. Thompson called at three AM wondering where his daughter was." Jesse replied, "Glad you remembered that." At this point they were all laughing which was about the time Cooter and the rest chose to come down the steps, hearing the laughter below made things a bit easier for them.

Monday morning rolled around and everyone was on their toes. Lori, Daisy, Coy, and Vance all dreaded today, it was court day. All the Dukes, Cooter, BL and Dixie filed in to the courtroom. It was extrememly crowded. Boss Hogg and Rosco were happy as clams. Judge Hardcastle looked at Agent Roach and asked, "I believe we have a plea in these cases?" Roach replied, "Yes, Sir we do." Judge Hardcastle said, "Bailiff I want the courtroom clear except for immediate parties." Boss Hogg was not happy to be told to leave. Only the Dukes and Davenports were present with the Agents and Judge. Hardcastle only then insructed the Agents, "You can now get the defendants." Luke, Bo and Jeb were shackled and handcuffed and escorted to the courtroom. They had even managed to handcuff Luke with his casted arm which at the moment happen to still be hurting like he--. The Agent that was sent after them just happened to be the one that had heard Luke threatent to escape to go see Boss Hogg. Jesse got a cold chill seeing them that way and thinking he'd likely leave the room the same way. Luke's eyes met Jesse's. Luke prayed he'd not see his Uncle in chains. Judge Hardcastle looked at the Agents, "So we do have an agreement?" Agent Roach said, "Yes, Sir." The Hardcastle looked to Luke, Bo and Jeb, "Gentlemen, This agreement has been explained to you?" Luke being the oldest was the spokesperson, "Yes, Sir.." Hardcastle looked to Jesse, "Mr. Duke I understand that you have provided the Agency with information and according to Agent Roach it checked out. Therefore, it is my understanding that in order to get your nephews charges dropped to a lower charge you are going to plea guilty to a charge of making illegal alcohol (moonshine). In return for this plea it is my understanding that they will plea to Transporting Illegal alcohol (moonshine) but will be sentenced in the lower bracket which will not exceed one year in prison. Is that your understanding?" Jesse replied, "Yes, Sir it is." Hardcastle explained, "In order to do that you will have to be placed in custody of the Agents until sentencing. You are aware of this?" Jesse replied strongly, "Yes, Sir." Luke swore to himself. He could hear Daisy and the others behind him queitly sobbing and sniffing. He wished they would hush. If he heard it he knew Jesse did. This would be harder for Jesse than it would be for any of them, Luke figured. Hardcastle said, "Though an agreement has been made the sentencing is up to me. I'd like a bit of time to review the information in this case so I'll set the sentencing for day after tomorrow on Wed. I'll need your signatures on these agreements. You are aware that you all are agreeing not to ever make, sale or transport moonshine again?" Jesse said, "Yes, Sir. Getting my boys home is the important thing to my family, Judge." Hardcastle nodded and said, "I understand Mr. Duke. Agent you can return the prisoners to the cells and book Mr. Duke into custody." Luke stood and turned to go back downstairs as directed he couldn't chance eye contact with anyone right now for fear of breaking down right here and it was his 'job' to be strong. He knew it would take awhile to do all the paper work on Jesse and he, Bo and Jeb had to get their acts together before hand. he could hear Daisy and knew Coy and Vance had their hands full. Daisy was going into fits she hated to see her Uncle go. Lori still couldn't walk without hurting, she still winced as she walked, but it broke her heart to know the next time she saw Luke in jail that Jesse would be with him. Coy and Vance both looked to Uncle Jesse as he sighed the papers. They each had knots in their throats and each reached to the girls beside them. Coy and Vance was comforting Daisy and BL as Cooter put his arm around Lori and Dixie. He had one on both sides of him. Cooter began herding the others outside. "Come on ya'll. Let's go to the garage awhile. Ya'll can get yourselves together before you go see them."

Uncle Jesse said Lori, Vance, Coy and Daisy who were all standing around him. "Well, kids that's four. They found them. They know I kept my word. Hopefully, that is a small price to pay to get the boys home with us. " Lori figured now was as good a time as any to tell them about Luke, "Uncle Jesse the reason I was so late getting here is Rosco let me stay awhile longer with Luke." Lori sighed, "We were talking, well arguing, I said something really stupid and ran up the steps. Then, Luke did something really stupid. He punched the cedar block wall of the cell. I heard Bo and Jeb get excited and went back down. Rosco called Doc. He'll be fine but Doc said he broke all four fingers and the wrist. He's gonna be hurting for awhile, though he won't admit that and all Doc can give him for pain is Tylenol. But, stubborn had said he was OK before I left." Daisy asked, "Lori what could you have said to make him THAT mad?" Lori looked at them all before answering but held her gaze on Vance for just a split second too long, "That's not important. We made up as much as we could through those bars." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie opened BL's door, and found her sound asleep. She didn't care. She sat down on the bed making it bounce, "BL wake up BL." BL sat up and groaned, "What?" Dixie began, "B Jesse's stills just blew. Everyday I want the guys home more and more but I'm afraid I've stated something with Jeb that has given him the idea that when he comes home that I'm willing to do IT. BL I like him and I'd go so far and I KNOW he was frustrated the other day and each day I visit. I've even felt bad and put on loose clothes before I go see him. BL I don't want a reputation as a tease and I don't want a reputation or a whore AND I da-- well don't want to get pregnant. How can I be his girlfriend and NOT go all the way with him now?" BL looked at her and asked, "How do you know he was frustrated and what did you do to make hism THINK you'd go all the way with him?" Dixie blushed past red to purple, "Lori and I were at the jail. She was mad cause I was there saying that I was there to see Luke NOT Jeb so I sorta had to SHOW here I was his girlfriend. BL I was touching him places and he LIKED IT." BL replied, .................

Jesse went to the jail to tell the boys to expect four explosions and with them he hoped they could plan to be that much closer to coming home. Jesse walked in and saw the line, "Do I even want to know?" Luke waved him off, "Lori? I heard her name on the radio last night. Then, I heard her go by. What is going on?" Jesse said, "Other than a speeding ticket and a sore bottom for lying to me she's fine." Luke asked with a wide grin, "Sore bottom?" "What would you have gotten for lying to me son?" Jesse asked, then added, "repeatidly?" Luke nodded and replied, "Shhhhheeeewwwww! How long did she stick to the lie?" Jesse said, "Well, I got six good licks fore she quit telling me she was visiting Mindy Bell." Luke had to laugh a little. But then he remembered the last time he had six licks from Jesse Duke after a father called wanting to know were his daughter was a 3 am! He couldn't set dwon for a week! "Mindy Bell again!" Luke shook his head. "Where did she get that name?" Jesse got serious, "What I came to tell you is I met with Agent Roach. I gave him the location of THE FOUR still sites." Jeb said, "But, there's ...." Jesse said, "FOUR. I expect as they find them we'll here an explosion. Hopefully, with each you all can count on being home that much sooner. The deal should be signed next Monday when ya'll trial is set for. Then, they will sentence, ....... us. And, we'll be that much closer to getting you all home where you belong." Luke asked, "Are you sure you wan to do THAT?" Jesse replied, "It's done." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Lori was ..............

Uncle Jesse greeted her at Midnight, "Loren Duke! Do you mind telling me just where you have been?" Lori looked around and saw that even BL was staying with Daisy tonight, just her luck! She said, "Ah, ....." Uncle Jesse cautioned, "And, don't you dare lie to me or I'll take you to the woodshed now instead of hearing where you were FIRST!" Lori winced, sighed and said, "Chickasaw." Jesse face was getting red. Lori saw where Luke got his temper. Jesse may not loose his temper often but it wasn't pretty when he did and now was one of those times when he was about to. "WHY, pray tale was ya in Chickasaw in the middle of the night?" Lori gulped big and studdered,"I uh....uh....I...visiting Mindy Bell?" Jesse Duke's red face went to purple, "Mindy BELL my hind LEG!!! Woodshed!" Lori had grown up in this mans house and knew she had pushed it too far! She hadn't been to Jesse woodshed since she was nine and her and Luke had gotten caught playing show and tell. Lori went to the woodshed with Jesse right behind her. She already knew the 'drill' she grabbed her ankles and waited. Jesse took the leather strap that hung on a hook for this purpose and gave her one nice smack right across her bottom, mainly to prove to her that he WOULD still whip her just like the others, but because she lied to him. "Now why were you in Chickasaw tonight." "Visiting Mindy Bell." Lori said with her behind a bit warm from the leather acrost her jeaned bottom. Jesse let her have another two swats a bit harder. "Loren DUKE why were you in Chickasaw?" Lori caught her breath and said very slowly, "Visiting Mindy Bell." Jesse Duke said, "Loren, we can do this all night. You have lived here too long to lie to me!" He gave her three swats across her now sore behind. Lori knew better than to flinch though her bottom was on FIRE. Jesse asked her, "WERE YOU RUNNING MOONSHINE?" Lori screamed through her tears,"OK OK OK I WAS RUNNING!!" Jesse was a bit relieved that she answered him truthfully. He hated whipping 'his' kids. "Do I have to TELL you how much danger you are putting THIS entire family in by running SHINE NOW??" Lori was shaking, she hadnt had a whipping like that since she was a nine,"No, Sir I already know Sir... I'm sorry Sir." Jesse said, "Get up and set down. YOUR husband, two of his cousin and myelf are ENOUGH DUKES going to PRISON!!! Cooter thinks he has a consussion! Daisy and BL almost killed themselves gettingher to tell me. Vance, Coy and I thought the place was on FIRE the way they came in here!" Lori was shaking her head and gritting her teeth,"Uncle Jesse I dont think you'd understand it if I told you!" Jesse looked at her, "You better start talking and HOPE I understand or grab them ankles again!" Lori bursted,"ITS BOSS HOGG UNCLE JESSE!!!" Jesse walked to her and put his arms around her, "Lori you have always been family and we is family! Don't carry burdens alone when you got family. I'll handle JD in the morning. Now off to bed with you." Lori let out a shaky breath,"With all do respect sir I dont believe Ill be able to lay down.." Jesse hugged her shoulders, "I'm sorry I had to do that, but I will not be lied to and YOU KNOW THAT." Lori did know that she started walking toward the house very stif legged. She was gonna be really sore in the morning! She saw BL and the look on her face said.....................

Lori could tell by the sound of Cooter's fist hitting the wrecker that he had dented the truck. She had known he was mad but not THAT mad! Cooter knew she could out run him and he wasn't going to chase her. He looked down at the hood of HIS truck and saw the large dent in the hood! He began to curse Lori more! He saw her still running back towards town. Cooter got back in the truck, sighed, and went after her. He pulled up to Lori and said calmly, "Get in." Lori slowed down and looked to him,"And get my head ripped off or dented in NO!" Cooter said a bit louder, "Get in DA-- IT!" Lori looked to him and said,"Ease up tiger and I will!!" Cooter looked at her like she'd lost her mind, "Ease up? You want me to ease up? Your pregnant and out here tring to run to town after you lost one child. You've been running moonshine for Boss HOGG OF all people and YOU want me to ease up?" Lori looked to him and nodded,"Yea...and sides activities like this WON'T kill a baby, I learned that!" Cooter sighed and said, "Would you please just get in the danged truck?" Lori got in and shut the door with a bit of a louder slam than was necessary.' Cooter said, "I'm going with you tonight." Lori looked to Cooter and shook her head,"No you ain't" Cooter swore, "Da-- it Lori! Where are you delivering to then?" He knew she wouldn't tell him to who but maybe at least the town. Lori looked at Cooter and sighed,"Coot...it depends." He stopped the truck with a slide of the tires, "Lori! Give me a straight answer." Lori looked to him,"I AM!!!" Cooter sighed and pulled back out and headed to town. At the garage he got out and slammed the truck door. Lori got out of her door and slammed it louder! BL looked at them and said, "Cooter how'd you get a dent like that in the hood of the truck? Where is the car you towed?" Cooter looked to B.L.,"Wasn't no car and I got it cause I PUT IT THERE!" BL nodded seeing Cooter's expression and promply turned around and went back in the garage far away from him. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori pulled out heading to the farm to see what had happened with Jesse's meeting with Agent Roach. She'd come see Luke later after she knew more about Jesse. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter didn't follow BL into the garage, intead he went to the jail and stood nicely behind Rosco's yellow line. He looked at Luke and shook his head, "You know you two deserve each other!" Luke asked, "I take it you mean Lori?" Cooter nodded 'yes' and said, "She's as stubborn as three mules." Luke said, "So she told you?" Cooter nodded. He was debating on telling Luke what he knew cause he knew how hard it would be for Luke to know what was up and NOT be able to take care of the situation. "Said she's got no choice." Cooter lower his voice and said, "Seems Boss is yanking her chain." Bo and Jeb had been listening too. Cooter saw three sets of eyes the color of the General Lee looking his way! It was down right scary! Luke looked past Cooter and said loudly, "ROSCO you call BOSS HOGG. Send SOMEONE to get HIM cause I WANT TO SEE HIM RIGHT NOW!" Rosco laughed. "Well, now Luke you ain't in NO place to be demanding nothing from ME or BOSS HOGG!" Luke swore, "Da-- IT ROSCO!!! YOU WANT TO KEEP ME HERE YOU BETTER CALL THE OVERSTUFFED MARSHMELLOW!!!" Rosco laughed again, "Or, you'll do just WHAT?" Luke replied, "I COME OUT THERE AND SHOW YOU, SHERIFF!!!" Cooter, Bo and Jeb were trying to shut Luke up he was about to get in way over his head! One of the Federal Agents was coming down the stairs and heard Luke's comment, "Sheriff is everything all right? I just heard that inmate threaten you and it sounded mighty like a threat of Escape." Rosco grinned widely and replied, "Everything is fine but he was making all sorts of demands and threats!" The Agent looked at Luke, "Well, I'm coming of duty right now and if you so much as sneeze wrong I'll make ONE phone call and have YOU three transported to ATLANTA until your trail! They should have taken you all there to begin with instead of paying for US to stay in this God forsaken place!" Luke knew he'd pushed too far! He looked at Rosco and said more calm than he was, "You are leaving. When you go report to Boss you tell him what I said." Cooter said as Rosco left, "Jeez! Luke get a grip I've already dented the wrecker, both doors need adjusted, and it needs new brakes from mine and Lor's talk! We don't NEED them taking you all to Atlanta!" "Sh--!! I know IT! But, what am I supposed to do huh?" Luke said helplessly. "Where is she going?" Cooter replied, "She wouldn't give me an answer." Luke swore, "Da-- IT!" Now he had no way to know when she'd leave or where she was ging so he couldn't judge when she should be back. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was a quiet peaceful night as Lori slipped out her window and headed off to load up the already made shine. Everyone was alseep except for Daisy who was at work. Lori drifted Midnight down the drive and drove to Boss's still sight. She loaded the shine and headed out to Chickasaw County. As she crossed the County line driving at a normal speed she couldn't help but panic when she saw none other that Sheriff Big Ed Little pull in behind her! Lori's chest got tight and her pulse and heart raced. She wanted to look in the mirror to see what he was doing but was afraid it would make her look guilty. She tried to keep Midnight going the speed limit. If she dropped too much he'd pull her and if she wetn over he'd pull her. Her grip on the steering wheel got so tight her knuckles were white and her hands were sweating badly. She thought of pulling off in the next drive way but thought better of it. At least if she was moving she had a chance. She said to herself, "Ohhhh sh**!!! just be calm Lori... Luke's gonna kill ya, Cooter already tried...just be calm.. take it easy and he'll pull off." She came into town and kept going, Little finally pulled off at the Courthouse. "Shhhhhhhhheeeewwww!!! That was too da-- close!" She made it to the delivery spot. Unloaded and got the money and headed back for Hazzard. She was driving pretty quickly to get back home before Jesse got up. As she left Chickasaw city limits she saw blue lights! "Ah! Sh--!!" she didn't have a reason to draw attention to the car and she wasn't loaded with shine so she ulled over. She knew all she had done was speeding. Little approached the car, "I need you license and Registration, please Ma'am." Lori handed them to him. Little walked back to the patrol car and picked up his radio mic...." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jail Luke was pacing like a caged tiger. Boss Hogg hadn't come by. Rosco likely hadn't bothered to tell him. Rosco had been right, Luke was in NO position to demand ANYTHING!" The Federal Agent was bored and had put the police radio on scan. Bo and Jeb had tried to talk to Luke. Tried to get him to calm down it hadn't worked. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter was at the garage and had his own scanner scaning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke and Cooter both heard the same radio traffic but neither paid it a lot of attention, AT FIRST: Sheriff Little radioed, "This is Chickasaw 1, I need a 10-27 and 28 on the following. Hazzard CNH-190, and GA license G25639." The responce was, "That license comes back to Loren Crystal Duke, valid, zero points. The tag should be displayed on a Black 1969 Dodge Charger registered to the same individual of RR1 Box 15 Hazzard County." Bo and Jeb set straight up at Lori's name on the radio and looked at Luke who had become DEATHLY PALE. All Luke managed to say was, "They got her." Cooter had stood straight up forgetting he was under the hood of a car. He almost knocked his danged fool self out! Little returned with Lori's speding ticket and said, "Just pay this in ten days. Have a nice night and slow down!"

Lori bounced into the garage, "Hey, Cooter!" When Cooter looked up, she wished she hadn't have stopped by in the first place. He put down the wrench he was holding and said to BL, "BL watched the place. Lori we have a wrecker call we got to make." "Wrecker call?" BL asked. Lori asked, "It'll take us both?" Cooter answered them both, "Yes." Then, to Lori, "Come on." He wanted her alone and away from any ears that may hear them. He figured to get her in the wrecker and find a nice wide field where they could talk. Lori knew something was up as did BL. Cooter had only been home a couple hours who could had told him what by now? Lori wondered as she got into the wrecker. BL was giving them both strange looks as they pulled out also wondering just what kind of information Cooter had received in such a short time and from who. Then, the who, came to her. He'd talked to Luke. Someone in the County actually knew more on Lori, than BL did, and he'd also blabbed to Cooter. BL had to laugh, even though she had no idea what Cooter knew. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie parked at the garage. She threw her hand up to BL and headed across the square. She stopped at the locked gate and said, "Morning Rosco. Can I see Jeb?" Rosco opened the gate and said, "Sure you can. But, you will have to stay on this side of that there line." Dixie looked at him a bit confussed, "Ok." She said and took a chair in front of Jeb's cell on Rosco's side of the line. She looked at Jeb who was now standing at the bars. He reached for her hand which she took. It was just possible to hold hands but that would be hard to do for a long period of time. She saw the looks on Bo and Lukes faces at Jeb's situation and finally asked, "What gives?" Before Jeb could open his mouth the reply, it was his older cousin who answered first ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Uncle Jesse decided to let everyone at the farm sleep in this morning as he placed his coffee cup in the sink and headed out the kitchen door for what could be the last time in quite awhile. He was on his way to see Agent Roach. Jesse wasn't sure what to expect but he didn't want the 'kids' to come or make a scene at the farm. Jesse was suprised to find Agent Roach alone for this meeting. Jesse said, "Well, Agent Roach I've considered your offer. I've talked to my family and other than the three it woud help the most we are all in agreement to take this to the next step. Now, just what kind of information do you need from me?" Roach began his list of questions that they compiled to ask Jesse, "How many stills do you have?" Jesse figured on that question, "Four. (He actually had eight.) Roach asked, "How much shine do you have ready for delivery?" Again a question Jesse expected, "I've got about a hundred gallons aging. And a batch that should have been run last week. (Again, Jesse actually had about 600 gallons aging.)" Roach asked, "But you didn't." Jesse said, "No. Ain't none of us been anywhere near them stills since my boys got caught." Roach asked, "Can you give me the locations of of those stills?" Jesse asked, "Do you have a map?" Roach gave him a map and Jesse began marking four still sites. He had considered this for a long time at night when he should have been sleeping. The four he marked would be the ones close the farm, away from others still sites, have the shine at that he told them about, and the oldest of the stills. Basically, Jesse was telling them about what he could afford to loose. NARRATOR: Now, we know Jesse is a man of his word. He had no plans to go back on his word, but he just couldn't get used to the idea of trusting the government that had passed the law making what his family had done for hundreds of years illegal. After several more questions the meeting was over. Roach shook Jesse's hand and said, "I'll turn this information over to be checked out. If it checkes out will let the Judge know we have worked out a deal. I got word before you came in that your boys trial is set for next Monday. So, if everything goes good from here, there won't be a need for a trail this agreement will be entered." Jesse nodded then said, "Ok, and I appreciate again you trying to help my boys." Roach seemed pleased with the information Jesse had given him, "This looks good. I think it will be a big help to them." The ATF had not expected to be able to get FOUR stills and a HUNDRED gallons of shine. Lately what they had been finding when they did find a site as a few bags of sugar, the empty stills and not enough shine to make them burn good. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse pulled back into the farm. Everyone met him. They hadn't been sure that he wouldn't have been arrested today. Jesse hearded them back into the house before he said anything. Finally, he said, "There's gonna be four explosions around here this week. So be expecting them." Jesse knew when the Agents found the stills that he maked they'd likely take pictures then blow them up.

Luke had to laugh at both his wife's antics and the Sheriff's response. His laughter woke Jeb. It didn't take him long to see the new yellow line and the chairs on the other side. He glared at Luke, "DA-- you Luke! First Bo! now YOU!!! I was a least hoping to sniff a woman again!" Luke shrugged and replied, "Sorry. Had an 'opening', took the 'chance', paying the price!"Lori had given him an opening. He took the chance at a feel. They had gotten 'busted'. Now they would all pay the price. Jeb said, "That's fine for YOU, but I never got the chance!!" He remembered Dixie's touch and groaned in painful agony. Being men, and men gossip more than women. Luke asked, "Was she THAT rememberable?" Of course he was referring to the short teasing contest Lori and Dixie had a few days ago. Jeb replied honestly, "Well, partly because I ain't had a girl in awhile. Partly cause I was locked up with no hope of getting one for the next couple of years. But, YEAH, she was!" He said even suprising himself at the comment. Jeb continued, "I'll have to thank you cousin for sending me her way, if we ever get outta here I plan to make a house call!" Luke warned, "Jeb, I swore never to tell this but if you care about her, I'll tell ya." Jeb replied, "Ok, Mum's the word." Luke continued, "You do remember the fight I had with Tommy Rogers?" Jeb replied, "Yeah, that you still are facing charges on? I Remember." Luke swore, "Sh--!!! Thanks for reminding me of THAT, but yeah, Luther had let her go out with him. I found her walking in the rain that night after he told her 'put out or get out' she got out. That's what her and Lori were arguing about the other day here. I took her home, made sure she took a hot shower and stayed until Cooter or Luther were expected. I was afraid that he'd come to the house and try IT again. I left but set down the drive until I say Cooter turn into the driveway. If you have feelings that you plan to act on - take it slow, OK?" Jeb nodded in understanding, "Yeah, I will. You got it! Thanks for telling me that. I get out of here I'll settle up with Tommy my own self. We were wondering why you let him have it especially the night of your bachalor party." Luke replied, "That was the first time I saw him, just happened that way. And, I've already settled THAT matter with Mr. Rogers, so you just stay out of trouble and take care of her. She's a good girl, Jeb. Treat her right, huh?" Jeb replied, "You act like you care?" Luke said matter of factly, "I do. Like I care for Daisy and BL. Lori TRIES to make more of it, but that's just new wife syndrome I think. Dixie used to ride the wrecker with me a lot and go on part runs. She's like my little sister for God's sake!" Jeb replied, "Yeah, OK, I hear ya! You don't have to give me attitude." Luke looked down, laughed, and said, "Sorry, I guess I been defending that position too long with Lori!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie woke up early and really wanted to see Jeb. She showered and dressed normally so as not to encourage but not a bum either and headed off to the jail.

Luke looked at Bo withering around on the floor in a bout of laughing tears. He went to change his jeans while Bo was still laughing. "What?" Luke asked him. Bo was having trouble breathing he was laughing so hard. He managed to say, "Well, maybe you'll be a site easier to live with NOW!" Luke glared at him, "Funny, Bo! Real FUNNY!" Bo was dying here. "I thought it was!" Jeb who had been dosing through most of this, asked, "What did I miss?" Luke glared at Bo daring him to answer. It didn't work, Bo replied, "Ask Luke why he had to change jeans AFTER Lori left!" Jeb ........... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile the officer was filing an incident report to turn into her superior and would be telling Rosco about the situation! She thought this was the worst place she had ever worked to try to supervise a visit. It was wide open for nearly ANYTHING! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning Rosco brought with him a can of yellow paint that the curbs in Hazzard marked no parking zones. he had a paint brush, ruler and masking tape. He began marking a line 3 ft from the cells and 3 inches wide where he painted a nice bright yellow line. Aferwards he moved the two chairs for visiting on the other side of the line. He was pleased as punch.

Luke had finally heard Midnight go through town, twice. he let out the breath he'd been holding for several hours now. Bo said, "See you were worried for nothing." Jeb move Bo away from the bars. He thought Luke was going to strangle Bo. Luke had stepped to the bars to do just that but seeing he couldn't reach Bo right now. He said as he gripped the bars, "These DA-- THINGS is SOMETHING to worry about!" About that time Lori came down the stairs. She saw a BLONDE, WOMAN officer? there. She looked confused and looked to Luke, then back to the female, and said, "Ah, Miss? Can I see MY HUSBAND? He's the dark haired one RIGHT over THERE." Lori made da-- sure the female knew which one Luke was. "I'll only stay for just a minute? I know its late and all but I just got back into town and I'm sure he has been worried. The officer stood up and started to the gate, "For a minute. And it's Officer Smith." Lori saw her figure as she walked toward her. The female was build like a brick sh-- house! Lori had the good graces to say, "Oh, I'm sorry Officer Smith." Luke was standing at the bars, "Where have you BEEN?" Lori waved off his concern, "Flat. Da-- Lugs were crossed and I'd put them on with air tools and had to take them off by hand! Luke since when do women guard men?" Luke looked to Lori and swallowed,"Uhh Lor.... I guess since they hire em" Lori replied, "Well, I don't like it!" "It's not like I'VE got a choice." Luke stated the obvious. "Or you either." Lori sighed and said,"Just s'long as I know she does HER JOB im fine.." Luke said, "Right now I wished she do her job a little less. You have no idea how worried I was about you. I was expecting Cooter or Jesse to come in here any minute and tell me Droopy had you on a work gang." Lori replied, "Well, let me tell ya darlin', got across the line and the danged tire went flat on me. The bolts wouldn't loosen up and one bolt went flyin across the road AND traffic was heavy on the backroads." Luke asked wondered about the traffic she was talking about but was more concerned about her, "Why didn't you call the wrecker? It ain't they would have charged YOU to change a tire." Lori looked to Luke,"You forgettin?? I AM a mechanic and if I wouldve waited on Cooter to get there I wouldve made it back later than now! Luke replied with a grin and stepped back from the bars a bit, "You are a mechanic's COUSIN and a mechanic's WIFE but you are not a mechanic." Lori looked to him and started gettin annoyed,"Luke.... I worked at that garage ever since I was 11 years old.... I know my stuff alright?! I can change a danged tire!! He bit his lip tried not to say what he was thinking but couldn't stop it, "That's why it took you three hours?" "Come here so I can wipe that grin OFF your face." Lori huffed. Luke shook his head and said, "Oh, no I ain't that dumb." Lori was tapping her foot. Luke looked her up and down. She still had the ACDC T-shirt, jeans and boots on. He asked, "Tell me something. Why the last couple of times you've come here are you dressing 'down'?" Lori sighed, "Maybe cause I felt guilty about the other day when me and Dixie were here." Luke asked, "And you think wearing loose shirts and sweats help? Honey you could come in here wearing my clothes and you'd still drive me nuts. He-- I can think about the other day and well, ....." He didn't finish his sentence just took her hand and showed her what he was thinking. Lori..........

Lori was up early the next morning and feeling pretty bad about lying to Luke. She got a shower and dressed in an ACDC T-shirt that fit her loosely, sweet pants and flip flops. She walked down the steps and Rosco got up to let her in. She knew from across the room Luke was pissed. Bo and Jeb wished they were invisible about now. Luke turned his blue eyes to her. Lori turned her brown eyes to him seeing the rage in his eyes. She walked over to the chair and said down without saying anything. Luke was waiting for Rosco to set back down. He was glaring at Lori and whispered through gritted, "You lied." Lori looked to Luke and shook her head,"I aint lied about nothing I said I had to make a trip and I did." Luke said, "And I KNOW what kind of TRIP it was. I know you were helping your Dad. I know he's sick. But, why? Tell me it ain't Jesse's?" "Of course not." Lori said. "So you are back to helping your Dad? You ain't going all the way back up there to get it are you? Lori no wonder you look so tired. Tell me it's not for the money for you? You will be taken care of." Luke said with more concern than anger. Lori looked down at the floor and said, "No, Luke it ain't the money. I'm good really. Yes, I am helped Dad." Luke had tears in his eyes, "Lori, Honey, I couldn't take anything happening to you. You got to stop this. I'm telling you I can't set here and KNOW you could be joining us. It's bad enough to know Jesse could be here with us." Lori had tears in her eyes, she had to tell the truth, "Luke Darlin' if I honestly could stop I would. I have got to do at least tonights. It's already set." Luke asked, "Where?" Lori sighed and told him the truth, "Osage." Luke swore loud enough for Rosco to look up as well as Bo and Jeb, "Da-- it to Hell! Lori!" "I can't change it. Luke I'm sorry. Really I am." Lori said. Luke got said, "You know that is the worst place you can travel through." Lori nodded, "I know and I know the roads like the back on my hand." "About like I knew that SAME stretch of road where we got caught?" He said. Lori nodded. She knew knowing the roads didn't always mean anything. Luke saw Rosco looking at his watch, "It's about that time. You got to let me know when you get back. Circle the square when you get back. Please?" Lori nodded, "I will." Luke knew he'd be on edge until he heard the car come through. "I love you. Don't risk our child growing up with Daisy." Lori knew exactly how much he'd thought about this situation. It brought tears to her eyes again, "I won't. I got to go now." She heard Rosco getting up behind her. "I know. For God's sake be careful huh?" Luke begged as he squeezed her hand. "I mean that." Lori played it off for Rosco, "I'm always careful when I go see Mindy Bell." "I just wished you'd wait a bit and hopefully I could go see her too." Luke rolled his eyes at the lame cover up. Mindy Bell! Where had she pulled that name from? He wondered as he watched his wife leaving the jail. He hoped she wouldn't be back to join them permantly!

Jesse replied, "I know and I ain't going lie and say I'm looking forward to it either." Jesse was trying to cover all his bases in case of the worse. "You know those two boys can be a bit lazy if they have their own way. I will admit they have grown up a bit these past couple weeks with the boys gone, but I still have to nudge them at times. You and Daisy will have to keep a close eye on them. They like to take short cuts." Lori nodded. "I think I'm gonna go lay down I fell asleep with Luke petting me. I think it may be the best sleep I've had in a couple weeks now." Jesse nodded as Lori when out of the room. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was glad she didn't have to be more conviencing at the jail. She really liked Jeb. Talking to him and holding his hand was ok but she didn't want to have to tease him anymore. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jailhouse, the twelve year old came alive again as Luke thought about Lori. The older guard had taken over for Rosco again turning the lights down early and insisting on them being quiet. This left Luke with not much else to do but think. His thoughts had turned to Lori and how tired she had looked. Then he thought of how she was dressed. He couldn't help but think maybe she had felt a bit guilty of the way she had gotten him hot and bothered before. That was all he had to do and he was now in the SAME situtaion. A while later he was less tense right up until the memory of the look Lori gave him when he'd asked her about the TRIP. He bolted up off the bunk. He startled not only the guard but Bo and Jeb. "DA-- IT! She's lying! She sat RIGHT here and Lied!" Luke swore. From across the room the guard who had seen many men behind bars lied to said, "You ain't the first man I've ever seen behind bars be lied to now quiet down." Luke glared at him but wisely kept his mouth shut. Bo questioned in a whisper, "About the TRIP?" Luke gritted his teeth and replied, "Yeah." Jeb shook his head, "Oh, no." He could see it in Luke's eyes if he could have chewed his way out of that cell he would have done so right now. Bo swore, "Ah, ****!" He knew Luke would be hard to live with until he saw Lori again.

Things at the jail had gotten really quiet after Lori left. Luke was in a mood. Bo and Jeb hadn't heard what Lori had said to Luke about making a TRIP. Luke knew she was going to run a load of shine. There were a lot of questions running through Luke's mind right now: How could she? Had she lost all her senses? What in the name of heaven was she thinking? Didn't she know the 'world' would be watching the rest of them HOPING to catch them also? They were this close to maybe going home soon and she was going to risk that and her own freedom to run a load NOW? Bo was watching Luke. Something was wrong. Really wrong. "Luke are you alright?" Luke sighed, "Yeah I am, but I'm seriously questioning my wife's sanity right about now." He said very matter of factly. Jeb looked at Luke confused, too. Bo asked, "Why? What's going on?" He now wished he'd paid a bit more attention to their converation but he and Jeb had tried to give them as much privacy as one could hope for when you are in basically the same room with your two cousins and the Sheriff. Luke set on his bunk with his back to Rosco. He whispered, "She told me she's going on a TRIP." Bo exclaimed, "She is WHAT?" Luke glared at him and said, "Would you keep it DOWN? Yeah told me right before she ran up the dammed steps!" Jeb asked a lot more quieter, "What is the HE-- is she thinking Luke?" Luke looked wide eyed at him and said, "That's what I've been TRYING to figure out since she left?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Daisy had listened to Dixie alright. Dixie knew Daisy wouldn't tell a soul what they had talked about which was one of the reasons she had chosen to talk to Daisy in the first place, however, Daisy hadn't really been able to give her any advice on the matter. Dixie wanted to go see Jeb (and Luke) but now she was more than just a bit nervous. One thing was for sure she wasn't going to intentionally led him on any more. She just really hoped that Lori didn't show up while she was there again. Dixie headed to the house to take a shower and change before going to see all three of her friends. After the shower she curled her hair a bit, put on jeans and boots and was now looking for a shirt. She wasn't going dressed incourage Jeb but she was going to look nice. She had looked in her closet not finding anything that wouldn't be encouraging. Now she was in the second dresser drawer looking. Finally, after trying on three shirts she decided that short of putting on one of Cooter's shirts anything she wore would likely encourage any of the three of them. They had been in jail now nearly two weeks and from what she saw and felt on her last visit it had been a LONG two weeks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori had gotten back and put the horse up. After brushing him down she made it in the house in time to set teh table for supper. Jesse, Coy and Vance came in to wash up for supper. Jesse had them all together now and said, "I want you all to know that I talked to the boys this morning." Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked at Jesse. He continued, "I told them about what the Agent Roach has arranged. All three of them are dead set against me making this deal." He looked to Lori and said, "And, your husband was the loudest objection. They are afraid that I will have to do some time with them. I've been at still sites since I could barely walk following my Daddy. I've ran a lot of shine and been on even more runs. In all that time I've had a lot of close calls, but I guess I was lucky. Well, I've pushed that luck too far and it ran out, but it ran out on my boys. Now, with all that said, I am going to see Agent Roach tomorrow and take the deal once I see just how much information they are wanting. I am fully aware that I might be joining my boys for a spell, but I am convienced that it will get them home to us sooner. What I need from you four is the assurance that you four will be alright with out us and that this farm will continue to run should the worst happen. From all I'm being told, you four may have to be able to run this place for up to a year by yourselves." Jesse words hit each of the four hard. They replied, .................

Dixie sighed, "Never mind Cooter." she sighed, She'd hope Daisy had time to listen to her before the boys were released. Dixie knew what she was doing . Knew what she had done. But, facing Jeb face to face alone may put her in a spot she didn't want in. Especially with HIM and especially now! Dixie knew how far she had taken his thoughts / dreams! And, was NOT at all prepared to take him physically there. She had been 'pushed' by Loi into going as far as she had to 'prove' she liked him, not Luke. The fact was Dixie liked Luke, her cousin's husband a lot --- A HE-- of a LOT! She had acted like she liked HIS cousin more than she did, because she thought he was going to prison, not HOME! But, NOW the possiblility of Jeb AND LUKE come home was good -- Very good. Dixie wasn't sure what she would do IF that happened! She needed to be able to talk to her confident, Lori, but couldn't since this was her husband! BL hadn't wanted to listen, Cooter had almost promised to hurt some one! The someone likely being someone she cared about. Dixie now only saw two choices, Daisy or Uncle Jesse!

Dixie replied, "I did not! Besides, I was just trying to think!" BL offered, "Think, about what?" Dixie sighed, "Any other time I would talk to Lori, but I can't. I Just Can't! Cooter can you please listen to me?" Cooter looked at BL he was scared at the thoughts of hearing his sister's Or cousins private thoughts. He said, "I'll listen, Dix, can't promise I won't hurt anyone afterwards but I'll lilsten." Dixie wan't at all sure about talking to Cooter now!

Luke was happy, but not as happy as Lori would figure. "That's great Honey." The whole thing seemed not real at the moment to Luke since he still figured to see his child grow up in pictures. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie replied, "And I am NOT hung over! Can't have sip here without someone thinking I'm drunk!" Cooter looked at Bl and ................ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Jesse was off to see Agent Roach....

Lori thought for the first time about what would happen to the baby if she were caught too. With both her and Luke in prison what would happen? She shook that thought from her mind. She simply wouldn't get caught! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse left bright and early the next moring wishing to talk to the boys before anyone else showed up. Rosco had taken over the shift about breakfast. Jesse eased down the steps quietly. He wanted to see for himself how his boys were without them putting up a front for his sake. When he reached the bottom of the steps Rosco saw him and started toget up. Jesse shook his head no and held up a finger signaling him to wait. Rosco went back to his seek and find book. Jesse saw that Luke was finally laying down. It appeared that he MAY even be asleep. Bo and Jeb were in the other cell and were likely still asleep. Jesse was the only one who noticed some slight movement from Luke under the covers. He had raised these boys from a very young age and from a 'father's' point of view he almost knew what was going. He stood silent and a couple minutes later his suspicions were confirmed by a slight stiffled gasp from Luke's direction. Jesse was now sure. He truely had felt for especially Luke since he'd only been married DAYS when he was arrested. And he knew that being the oldest Luke would blame himslef for what even had managed to go wrong -- he still hadn't got that story with out an officer present so he still wondered WHAT had happened. Jesse was still gonign to ge talk to the boys, but his decision was made up. His nephew needed his wife and from the sounds of his house at night she needed him. He waited several minutes before speaking, "Morning Rosco. Can I see my boys?" Rosco gave Jesse a strange look, which Jesse shook his head 'no' at, then Rosco said, "Yeah, I'm coming." He put down his book and unlocked the gate letting Jesse in. Jesse said, "Rosco, you know we's can't afford no lawyer, so I'm about all they's gonna get. Can I talk to them a bit private?" Rosco almost recented the question, but replied, "I'll just be upstairs. Don't try nothing and I'm taking the keys!" Jesse nodded. He had heard a bit of movement from Luke as he talked to Rosco. When he turned to take a seat Luke was setting up looking his way, "Well, I see one of ya's awake." Luke shook his head, "Nah, we're all awake. They just ain't decided to move yet. Have you?" A loud sigh was heard from Bo. Followed by Jeb tossing his blanket off. Luke gave Jesse a weak smile and said, "I guessed good." Jesse replied, "So I can take it none of you are sleeping?" Luke replied honestly, "Sleeping may not be the best desciption, but we are napping." Jesse nodded knowingly and said, "You all know that if there is anything I could do to get you home sooner I would without question?" Luke nodded, 'yes' as did Jeb. Bo was still trying to get awake. Jesse explained his meeting with Agent Roach and said, "We had a faimily meeting last night. Everyone voted voted WITH me to do what I can to help you all get home sooner." Luke swore, "Jesse you CAN'T MEAN THAT! That would mean changing the entire family traditions and values. We will be FINE!" Bo was now UP, "Uncle Jesse you Can't do that JUST cause we ALL got ourselves caught?" Jeb, who had originally blamed it all on Luke, said, "Uncle Jesse, I know I blamed only Luke at first, but looking back I can see where we all messed up!" Jesse said, "So be it, if all of you messed up, so did I! I let ya'll run that danged stuff when I knew NONE of you were experienced enough to handle ALL the situations you could run into. I let you all down by letting you think that between the three of you, that you could handle anything. Luke I am mostly sorry to you, I have instilled in you as the oldest that if YOU 'let' something go wrong it was YOUR fault. I should never have done that. I made the Da--ed stuff, I LET each of you leave with it. The fault should come back to ME and now it has. I know that the family needs each of you. Luke, you especially with a youngin' on the way. I'll tell YOU now that I was at the bottom of those danged steps longer than any of you knew. Luke I know that YOU were doign something I haven't known you to do since you were about 12." Luke promptly blushed and looked at he floor without denying or questioning what Jesse was talking about. Jesse continued, "Not only that, and I'll give you that you didn't know I was here, so, the fact remains you still did it in a room with three other men instead of being hme with your WIFE. That is MY fault." Luke now felt about 12. It was true he hadn't done what Jesse caught him doing since he was about 12 UNTIL they had been arrested. Luke knew that Jeb and even Bo had also had their 'times', but he'd not tell that. Jesse continued, "I plan on playing a good game of poker, giving them information they are looking for. With luck, sometime soon we'll all go home together." Luke frowned, "Or, you'll be my new room mate." Jesse said, "It's a chance I got to take." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was glad that Cooter and BL stayed with the Duke and that Luther hadn't seen fit to open her door, though she had locked it. She had awoken with a half a quart of shine in her hand and a bit of a head ache..................... She had thought long about what Jesse had talked about....She now only had one problem. She had led Jeb on thinking he would be locked up for at least 2 years. But, IF he came home sooner how could she NOT go all the way with him after teasing him at the jail. She KNEW already how much he needed relilef.............What was she gonna do? She had planned to save herself for Luke OR her husband!

At the jail and courthouse things were quiet, but they sure weren't 'normal'. Downstairs a no- nonsense older male officer who's disposition reminded Luke of Sheriff Big Ed Little from over in Chickasaw took the night watch tonight. Bo was crushed. Jeb shook his head and laughed at Bo. But, he didn't saying a word at the expression Bo had made when he saw the man taking over for Rosco, instead of the 'helpful' female officer that had worked the night before. Luke was grinning like a chessy cat who had plans to eat the family canary. Bo glared at them both, "Don't either of you say one word." The burly officer was the one to reply to Bo's comment. "That is good advice there 'Sonny'. Fact is I run a real quiet shift." He locked the gate after Rosco left. He turned on a very small light on the desk. Then, he turned down the big lights of the jail area off leaving only the 'night' lights which were just bright enough to be annoying. They were too dim to write or read by, but a far sight bright than the boys were used to sleeping with on, but still gave the officer enough light to see what the prisoners were doing. He did strongly suggest, "So if I was ya'll, I'd be thinking on getting some rest." Luke looked at the officer with a note of suprise, then shrugged his shoulders to Bo and Jeb, "Ya'll heard the man." The reason for Luke's suprise was that none of the other officers had ran their shifts that way, but Luke figured this was just the begining of what they could expect once they got to prison. He layed on his back on the bunk and added, "Night ya'll." He knew he wasn't gonna sleep anytime soon but he'd try to humor the officer. Bo threw his hands up to Jeb and said as he also layed on his bunk, "Well, I guess we might as well at least try to rest." Jeb nodded, also laying down, "Not like we got much of a choice." It was early still. Real early but who were they to argue with the officer. They were smart enough to know they would loose. Luke had closed his eyes and was actually about to drift off to sleep when he heard Midnight drive by. He'd know that Hemi engine anywhere. It may be the General Lee's cousin but they both had their own unique sounds to anyone with an ear for engines like Luke. He sat up quietly and walked over to the window as Lori had shut the engine of at the garage. The Hazzard moon was full and Luke could see Lori dressed in boots, jeans, tank top and putting her denim jacket on as she walked towards the courthouse with a purpose. As Lori put her jacket on and walked to the courthouse she could help but notice the lights in the jail area were extremely low. So low in fact she didn't see Luke watching her cross the square. She hurried up the courthouse steps hoping no one expecially Luke saw her try to meet with JD again tonight after the foiled last attempt. She found the front door of the courthouse unlocked as she had on many such nights. She found Boss in his office. Boss Hogg took pleasure in seeing his prettiest moon runner in five counties of operations report as requested even though her new husband was locked in a cell below of Federal charges of running moonshine. "Well, well, well if it isn't the lovely MRS. DUKE. I don't believe I have been able to offer my congratulations, and also my condolences on your marrigae to that no account DUukee." He drew out the last name as if in pain. "It IS such Ashhamme that such a lovely little thing like you decided to hook up with the LIKES of him, especially such a SHORT time before he does SUCH a LOoonnnggg time away from you." Lori had about all she was going to take, "JD cut the crap or I'll wlak RIGHT now! He-- last time I got attacked before I even got in here to talk to you. Now, what the HE-- do you want with ME?" Boss lite a cigar, took several puffs and said, "Well, being that you have married into that family, without those three boys making the money they were things will sure be tight for Jesse. Everyone knows that they have been struggling for years to pay their bills." Lori knew that was a lie, but without the added income form the shine, it would be a lot closer. "Just cut the crap and tell me what you want." "I am, Sugar, I am. Like I said you have been around that family for a looonnnngggg time. I bet you would know where Jesse's stills and his supply of finished shine is?" Boss was fishing. "You should know Jesse Duke well enough to know that those boys down there don't even know what YOU are aksing ME." She gave him an appauled look of disbelief. She and the boys knew a HE-- of a lot more than they would ever tell Boss Hogg. "Now quit 'fishing' and tell me what you want. She knew he was fishing for information he hoped she had. Hogg knew Jesse Duke had secrets but figured the boys and Lori would have known more about his operation than they were admitting. Anyway, "Well, I figure you'll be needing money with your husband in prison, a child on the way and a sick, FATHER." Lori wasn't liking this conversation...... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Below Luke was still standing back from the window trying NOT to give Lori's presence away, but wondering WHAT she was doing here this late after the incident before. He was beginning to worry that she may be considering something stupid. He may not have called it stupid before, but the fact that he was standing locked in a small cell while his new wife was out doing who knew what at this hour was evidience enough that he had been prety da-- stupid! He could tell Bo and Jeb were finally asleep. How could he have got them into this mess? How could he have let Jesse, Lori and mostly the two cousins who looked up to him most down? Luke felt the officers eyes on him, but he wasn't leaving that window til Lori came back out. He hoped to find out what was going on, but he was actually about sure he truely didn't want to know. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Davenports Dixie was just getting in from the Dukes. She and Lori had both managed to stay civil at the Dukes long enough for Uncle Jesse to tell them all of his meeting with the ATF. Dixie had voiced her concern that they maybe trying to get all four put in prison for up to a year. That they had made no guarantees beyond that. Jesse had told her that it wasn't likely that they would either. He figured it was going to be a take it or leave it offer with little room for the Dukes to ask for anything other that they boys freedom within the next year at a cost of possibly loosing Jesse for a year and also that the four would not continue their operations which would put Jesse in a situation of changing a lifestyle which his family had for the last two hundred plus years. Dixie had ulitimately 'voted' for Jesse to help the boys if he could, but only if HE felt trust the offer. Dixie went to her room. She knew Luther was working a stuck up car with the wrecker out by the lake and Cooter and BL was staying at he Dukes. She wished she knew where Lori had gotten off to, but that really wasn't her concern. Dixie had wanted to visit the guys today but had been called to the meeting at the Dukes. She would go tomorrow. For tonight she was intending on seeking some comfort from the full quart sized jar in her closet filled with the very substance that was causing all this trouble to begin with. She open the closet, got the jar our, opened it, after smelling it she took a sip. The clear substance was so smooth that it could have only been Jesse Duke's near famous shine. Dixie took another larger drink which she held in her mouth to get a really good taste of the product. She had to ask herself if this clear liquid was worth so much money, heart ache, pain and suffering, and TIME. She shook her head. To her it was unbelievable that people risked some much for the liquid she held in her hand. She took another drink feeling her own aches and pains beging to ease as she began to relax............ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse thought long and hard about the offer he had been made, also the other kids opinions. Basically, they all agreed with he, himself, if meant the boys would be better off he wouldn't have much of a choice. Even if that meant that he would also be going to prison. He thought of his father, grandfather and generations before who had managed to avoided this moment in time. Why it had feel on him and 'his' boys, Jesse didn't know but he had three nephews in jail, two more at home, Daisy, and now Lori and the baby, not to mention the other Davenport 'kids' counting on him to do what he could in order to bring Bo, Jeb and Luke home as soon as he could. Jesse couldn't help wonder what the boys, themselves would think of the 'offer'. He would talk to them about it finally tomorrow................

Dixie meanwhile decided to take a look at the barn. She knew it needed cleaned but wasn't sure she was up to it today. Besides, she wanted to go see Jeb in a bit and hopefully not run into Lori seeing Luke. She didn't need a repeat of the previous visit and she figured the guys didn't either. Dixie browsed and snooped around the big barn. She was just about to go back into the house to get ready when she spoted an old kitchen cabinet which had been put in the garage to store things in a couple years ago. Wonder what Cooter and Luther had managed to store in it. She opened the draws then finally the door not finding anything of any interest she was just about to close the door when she a very dusty tin lid far in the back of the cabinet. She began to dig through the other contents to get to it. It WAS what she thought it was. Surely Cooter had forgotten about it being there. She took the jar in the house and put it really far in the back of her closet, then covered it with clothes that hadn't been moved in ages. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke meanwhile was remembering the conversation with Lori through the window. He took a bit of satisfaction that she too needed him and also had truely valued her promise to him and, as she had mentioned, God too. He felt if she had been doing something wrong she wouldn't have said those things. They had both pleased him and troubled him to the point he told her to seek relief if she needed to. He meant it when he said it. He'd have to stand by it, but God he hoped she wouldn't. Yet, if he was convicted --- where was that coming from he thought --- how would YOU not be? Ok, so after he was convicted he knew he could be gone the entire ten years. How could he really expect her to wait that long? Maybe he could live with it IF he just didn't know about it or at least not WHO. He knew if he found out that she had with Vance or a close friend he'd never be able to get over it. Yeah, he'd talk to her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Unknown to the boys, Jesse Duke was upstairs at this very moment talking with Agent Roach, his superior and several other AFT officer and Revenue Agents. Jesse was trying to be very calm, but the truth was this many law officers in one place made even him nervous. He approached Agant Roach and said, "Agent." Agent Roach gave him a bit of a smile, "Call me Andy." Jesse nodded, "Well, Ok, Age.... I mean Andy." Jesse was introduced to the others, but they were letting Agent Roach do most of the talking, "Mr. Duke, I don't have the power to do what is going to be talked about in this room today. As on of several Agents who works in Hazzard and surrounding areas, I happen to know a bit about you and your family, which is my job to know these things." He smiled again, "But, these people have the power to help your nephews receive a much lighter sentence. Firstly, as I said, I do know enough about you, Mr. Duke to know that if you give your word it is that. Your reputation on that matter wasn't even questionable with anyone I talked to. I also know that you and your family are looked up to highly by the community. For these reasons and others, after I caught your nephews and especially after finding out one was recently married, I felt that incarcerating these young men for such a long time wouldn't serve justice. Basically, I felt the punishment wouldn't fit the crime in this case. I also felt that with the moonshine still being produced and other drivers avaiable that it wouldn't keep the moonshine from being made, sold delievered, or consumed. So, I talk to you and you said you would be willing to talk about a deal?" Jesse said, "If it will help my boys, I'll at least hear what you got to say." The superior officer asked, "So you do admit to making moonshine?" Roach glared at the far to eager man. Jesse was beinging to stand up. Roach held his hand up for Jesse to stop and said, "Mr. Duke, what will happen in order for us to proceed. I'll explain just exactly how much your boys sentence, based on a guilty plea, could be reduced. Then, you will have time to think about what is being asked of you and your family as wel as what the Department is willing to give. If you all agree, there will be a court date set for the boys to enter a guilty plea for the transportation of the moonshine. Then, and ONLY then, would you be required to be arrested, charged and sign a plea of guilt for making the moonshine. Once those four plea agreements are signed, the judge will sentence your four." Jesse wasn't likeing all this but he was listening, "Just how is my pleading guilty gonna help my boys? What would happen with me?" Roach smiled again, "The Department is prepared to drop the boys charges to where they could only do a maximun of one year as opposed to the ten years as the charges stand now. Your charges would be dropped down to where you would only face up to one year in prison. The Judge would then lok at the information, see how much information, like how long the activity has been going on, how much shine you figure to have made, the locations of teh stills and the turning over of any produce already made. The more co-opereative you and your family are the more likely the sentence will be lighter. The Judge could even sentence you all to probation where you'd only have to report to an officer about once a month or so. Under the circumstances, and since I was the arresting officer, I'd even be willing to ask the Judge to give you four probabtion since this is the first arrest." Jesse was a pretty fair country laywer, which Agent Roach had also been told, "So, you are saying I'd have to go through the red tape of an arrest in order to be charged with a crime so that I could also be sentenced with the boys?" Roach replied, "Yes, basically." Jesse continued, "And if we all plead guilty, the most we could get if a year? But, that probation is possible, with us co-operating. If that would be the case my boys and myself would be released right then?" Roach added, "The Department would also ask that you sign an agreement that neither you or the boys would ever make, sale, transport, or possess any amounts of illegal alcohol again." Jesse asked somethign else, "Should I do this, the information that I'd be proving would only involve my family. We would not be expected to give information on others would we?" Roach replied, "It would be your family's information only." Jesse nodded. "When can I get back to you?" Roach replied, "Next week? That will give you the weekend to talk to your family." Jesse nodded. He stood and shook Agent Roach's hand, "Thank you for helping to get my boys this chance. I'll be in touch next week." Jesse left and headed home to takl to the others to see what they thought. Only then would he tell the boys anything about it. He didn't want them to get their hopes up only to be let down. He'd call a meeting in a bit to see what they others thought. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At home Jesse called the garage and told Cooter to send any of the 'kids' home for an early supper and for him, BL and Dixie to also come over. The others showed up eagar for news. Once everyone was in one room Jesse explained the information to the others. Then he looked at Lori, "Lori you and Luke have the most to loose or gain here and you also likely have as much knowledge of things as the boys themselves. What do you think?" Lori looked around the room and back to Jesse, "Well, it goes without saying that I just can't get used to the idea of trusting the government." She put her hand on her still flat stomach and thought before finishing her answer to Jesse. Finally she said, "

Vance sighed and swore, "DA-- YOU Luke!" He too breathed in ragged breaths. He was almost as in need as Luke and Jeb were! He knew Lori was only inches away, separated by only 4 inches of wall. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke and Jeb were finding Bo's 'discomfort' in his present situation MORE ammusing than their own! as they watched him watch the Federal officer that was taking over 'the duty' until morning. They both noticed Bo become rock hard with discomfort. Luke said with a grin for only him to hear, "Frustrating to be able to see her and know you can't have her ain't it?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter and Luther though found it rather amusing the fact that Dixie AND Lori were to say the least a bit 'hot and bothered'! The fact that BL didn't have a steady boyfriend wasn't an issue as she also became frustrated with NO relief at all in sight! It was slmost AS bad as having a boyfriend in jail for YEARS!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the meantime, Dixie was awake and was burning hot for Jeb OR LUKE. She would like to think it was only for Luke, but she knew if the circumstances were right she would never refuse Jeb!

Luke awoke for the first time since being arrested. He was IN PAIN from his need and desire for his new wife. As he awoke, he felt the pain and need. He turned away from Bo and Jeb and stiffled a groan. He tried to gain control of his breathing by closing his eyes which was coming in labored gasps. After several minutes Luke though he had gained some conrol and managed to set up though his jeans were several sizes smaller than 'normal'. He noticed Jeb half setting -- half laying on the top bunk in the next cell. Luke didn't half to ask, he knew what the problem was. He said, "She sure has grown up in all the right places ain't she?" Jeb barely was able to answer between his memories and dreams, "God, Luke, how are you dealing with this?" Luke took a couple deep breaths and replied, "I ain't doing no better than YOU. And the very same way you ARE, ok?" Luke sighed loudly. If only he could have just 24 hours with Lori --- He-- he'd take an hour!" Jeb looked at Luke in suprise. Bo looked at them as if they were a bit crazy, "It's only been ............" Luke glared, "Too DA---- long!" Jeb said, "Yeah, you are 'good' cause you ain't had Lady Gadiva and COUSIN trying to seduce YOU!" Luke couldn't help hisself he pictured the scene as Jeb described it to Bo and couldn't help but to laugh! Even though he knew he and Jeb would be in serious pain without some sort of 'relief', but he knew it wouldn't be the kind he wanted or needed! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie woke up tired and sore from cleaning and decided to sleep in or at least stay in bed awhile...... ~~~~~~

Luke smelled Lori's perfume stronger than ever and it's effects were also stronger than ever. But Luke couldn't help but wonder WHY she was with Boss Hogg in the middle of the night, alone, in fornt of the courthouse. Luke didn't like it at the time and his speculations only made what he saw WORSE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse and Lori managed to get breakfast done. Lori wan't hungery but she could lay down for a couple hours. It was against 'house' rule to lay down once work began at the Duke farm, so Lori fudged just a bit saying she had to go to the Davenport farm for something. She hoped when she got there it was empty so she could lay down awhile...............

Luke continued to glare at him! He finally smiled an said to Bo's comment, "Yeah, I like grenades! They sure do make identifying body pieces hard!?" Luke smiled! The Federal officer looked at Luke and................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori pulled up in Midnight, seeing Uncle Jesse up she knew it wouldn't be good. She............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the meantime Dixie woke up sore form the days cleaning before and decided to clean the garage first TODAY hoping to find some stashed moonshine!

Luke tried to do things legally, he turned to the Federal officer, "Officer, my wife is being assaulted outside the WINDOW!" The office set up but didn't move, "Duke I've been briefed on you Dukes!" "Briefed HE--! You get on THAT phone and get somebody out there of this 'so called cage' won't be in one piece when I go through it." "That could be considered an escape threat! You could be charged with..............." "An escape PROMISE if you don't help my wife! Make the call to help HER and file your da-- charges! Do YOU BEST!!! But so help me!!!!!!!!" "I'm calling! I'm calling, Just calm down!" With in mere seconds the Federal officer had called his fellow oficers at the hotel telling them he had a distrubacne that possibly could be linked to an escape plan outside the courthouse. A couple of seconds later 2 more Federal officers surrounded Midnight, Lori, Boss Hogg and his 2 hired men. By this time Bo and Jeb were awake and trying to calm Luke down who was now threatening everyone concerned with harrassing Lori outside! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori had no idea what was up but...................

Vance replied, "Well, I know how lonely it can be to love someone and them NOT be there but there a lot more than A wall gonna separate you and Luke for a long time if things don't work out for Jesse. They have wanted this family too long Lori. Luke just wasn't as good as he thought he was or he would have been on top of that run. Jesse had been leaving the plans for the runs to him and he not only got him caught but Jeb and Bo too. I'm sure glad I wasn't with them!" Lori................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke was setting on the bunk as Rosco was relieved by the night Federal officer. He was glad to see that Bo and Jeb were finally getting some sleep but everytime he tried he thought of how it had felt to wake up beside Lori those few mornings they had been together. And it seemed just as he had started to drift off a couple of times he got the faintest whif of Lori's perfume where she had touched him earlier. What was really getting to Luke is the fact he was having the thoughts of his wife most newly married me had but here he was locked in a small cell next to his cousins while his new wife and unborn child were several miles away in the small house where he and his cousins were raised. But, the thoughts that scared him was that she was separated from her Ex boyfriend by only a thin wall and a promise. Luke couldn't help but wonder just how warn that that promise would keep her and for how da-- long it would keep her. Then, he started wondering if that was a fair promise to ask her to keep for years without him. He--, he was the one that was in jail NOT her. There was that whif of perfume again. He realized it was also on the blanket she handed him earlier. Luke knew he wasn't going to get any sleep again with the thoughts of Lori's touches earlier and now the wondering about what she was doing now?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was finally getting some sleep she was plumb tuckered out from all her cleaning. She may not be resting but was at least sleeping.