DixieDavenport

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.

Luther glared at B.L then looked at Dixie who looked up and asked, "What? Why do you ALL have something against a CLEAN garage? You usally fuss at me to CLEAN something." B.L rolled her eyes and looked at Dixie and said "Yeah SOMETHING not EVERTHING in sight!" Dixie said, "Well, I'm gonna finish hosing the floor off and I'm going to the house and clean ONE more thing." Luther and BL were scared to ask what. Dixie answered before they could gather the nerve to ask. She said, "I'm going to the house. Run a very hot, very soapy bath and clean ME!" Relief flooded over BL and Luther! Dixie asked, "By the way where did Cooter get off to?"

Dixie was still tossing things about. The dumpster outside looked fuller than BL had seen it, EVER. But, BL could see even before she got inside that tools were actually hanging on the peg board and in the tool boxes NOT laying on the workbench, floor, and everywhere else. She have put oil dry on the floor twice and just had tossed the bag into its' spot under the counter. Dixie reached for the water hose as BL entered the garage intent to scrub the floor! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jail, Rosco as usual hadn't caught the whole conversations meaning between Cooter and BL. He asked with great concern, "Was that the Crazy person who ran you out of the garage?" Cooter shook his head, 'no' and said very seriously, "Nah, her 'keepper'!" Rosco said, "Oh, ok then. Huh?" The events of the frustrating day, added to by Cooter's seriousness and Rosco's expression was more than the three incarcerated Duke boys could take. All three were doubled over laughing their heads off!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As evening was coming on Jesse, Coy and Vance were setting on the porch. Jesse nodded his head toward the house. He was concerned about Lori and Daisy who he knew hadn't slept much IF any since the boys were caught. "Who's keeping an eye on them tonight?" Coy answered, "You did night before last, and I did last night. So Vance it's your turn tonight." Vance nodded. Several nights before getting Luke's note he would have liked nothing better than the chance to possibly talk to Lori while everyone else slept, but now he wasn't so sure. He'd actually been trying to avoid her the last couple of days. He didn't see how Luke could be SO lucky and keep risking loosing her. He could have had her wrapped around his finger years ago, but kept pushing her away. Even after he found out she had lost their first child he still tried to keep her at arms lenght. And, then after she left, he managed to get her back yet again. He finally decided to marry her, finds out she is expecting again and what does he do? CAUSES not just himself but Bo and Jeb to ALL get caught running moonshine and likely they would be spending years locked up. Vance thought leaving her alone again! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the garage, Luther pulled up and................

Dixie had Cooter cornered. Just as soon as she had left he jail she grabbed a change of old clothes from her car and went inside to change. She was more frustrated and angery at Lori than she had been. Dixie came back into the garage from the bathroom, took one look at the place, walked over to the workbench where the phone and cash register was, took her arm and cleared it from back to front! Everything from parts books, phone books to wrenchs hit the floor with a loud clang! That's when Cooter walked in. He saw the heep in the floor that used to be his work bench. He turned on his little sister................ Before he could say one word, the 'demon' in his baby sister's body looked at him with eyes that went suddenly from brown to flame orange and said with the most evil voice Cooter had ever heard, "I'm GOING to CLEAN this place UP!" Cooter didn't know what had happen. He REALLY didn't want to! He was now backed into a corner and frankly he was a little scared! He sort of wished Luther would pull back up in the wrecker but he wasn't expected anytime soon. Dixie began to sort the heep while beginning to tell Cooter what was wrong, "Do YOU KNOW what SHE DID?" Cooter's eyes we wide as he shook his head 'no' and hoped that was the right answer. He wasn't even sure who SHE was but he figured it was likley Lori. "SHE TOLD LUKE that YOU said somethings to her that made HER insecure about ME! YOU WANT to FILL ME in on what she thinks she KNOWS?" Dixie was nearly to the point of screaming as she sorted the heep. Cooter saw a lot of things he wanted, needed being thrown into the trash but didn't dare move to go after any of it right now. He'd get it later! If he lived. A wrench hit the workbench with a clang before he could form an answer. Cooter started to say something as a lug wrench went sailing across the garage in front of him. Dixie glared at him as she picked up a second lug wrench and screamed, "Da--IT! Cooter ANSWER ME!!!" Cooter saw an opening and took it! He bolted right out the door and headed to the jail. He thundered down the steps of the courthouse and told Rosco, "I got to talk to Luke a minute. I just got ran out of the garage by a CRAZY person!!!" Rosco saw the look on Cooter's face and said, "Well, then it's ME you should be talking to!" Cooter shook his head 'no', "You don't understand." He said as Rosco let him in the gate. Luke had been about to agree with Bo when he heard Cooter. He sat up and looked at his friend with concern, "What?" Cooter proceeded to pace, "The garage will NEVER be the same. She's destroyed IT!" Rosco still thought this sounded like something he needed to check into but he COULDN'T leave Federal prisioners, "Who? Destroyed what?" Cooter waved his hand to calm Rosco down, but looked at Luke and said, "DIXIE is CLEANING the garage!" Luke looked at Cooter in disbelief, "Coot...." Cooter stopped him, "Man, YOU just don't UNDERSTAND! She threw a lug bar AT me! What in the he-- went on over here? I knew she was coming to see, " he turned to Jeb, "You, but what set her OFF?" Luke replied, "Guess you didn't know Lori showed up too, right?" Cooter's eyes went wide. That had explained a lot. Luke continued, "Yeah, .... well, ...... Dixie, who had come to see Jeb, and I got accused of everything except, MAYBE, doing it right here in front of Rosco! Then, the two of them decided that just being locked up wasn't good enough punishment for us and they, well, ...... I don't even want to THINK about what they did next, OK?" Luke sighed. Bo was watching the entire show and for once keeping his mouth shut, but he couldn't stand it any longer and was very glad he wasn't in the same cell as Luke. He looked at Cooter and smiled widely as he said, "They tried to see which one of them could TEASE them the most." He giggled. Luke glared a him and stepped toward him only to be stopped by the bars. He swore, "Da-- these bars!" Jeb on the other hand could reach him and........

Luke looked to Jeb and said, "SH--!!! That's all the he- I NEEDED!" Jeb let out a breath he'd been holding for awhile, "You ain't whistling Dixie there!" Both were breathing a lot more rapidly than normal! Bo shook his head and said, "DA--! I feel for ya'll the were getting me worked up back here and never touched ME!" Luke looked at Rosco and said, "How about a shower?" Rosco said innocently, "Sure, but I don't think the hot water works real well down here." Luke almost groaned, "I really don't think I NEED any hot water!" Rosco didn't have a clue as to what he meant, but giggled and said, "Ok then, I'll just lock the gate here and it's all yours!" Luke was glad for the simi privacy of the shower and especially the cold water! He stood under it long after he finished washing just letting the cool water rinse over him. He had decided that it was going to be a LONG and LONELY ten years! That thought in itself made him NEED his wife even MORE! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Dixie left the jail, she went stright for the garage!

In the bottom of the box were several letters. Dixie recognized the handwriting. She grinned, "BL these are from VANCE!" They laughed and began to read! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo watched Luke after Lori left, "Hey, ah, Luke are you gonna be alright?" Luke took a deep breath then replied, "I guess I got to be right?" Bo nodded, 'yes'. Jeb said, "Luke if it's any help at all we're pretty much in the same boat as you are." Luke nodded as he layed down on the hard steel bunk, "Yeah, I know but, fellas I KNOW what I'm missing to be here with you!" Bo said, "You should have kept going. WHY did you come back?" Luke replied, "We started the run together, we'll finish the run together." Jeb shook his head 'no', "No, Luke. No matter what I've said about you not answering my call. We were caught and caught dead to rights before I ever yelled. We were actually trying to get you to cut off somewhere to keep from getting caught too. We didn't know then about the baby, but you had Lori and, well, we would have been ok." Luke looked at Jeb, "You are serious?" He paused looking at his two younger cousins, "Guys there is no way in he-- that I would have left you." Bo replied, "That's what I told him." Jeb replied, "I knew it too, Luke, but we tried to at least give you a chance or a choice." Luke nodded. "Well, I got that choice when I saw the lights. I turned the radio on and Roach was calling for me. Said he had you all. I went to every channel trying to raise ya'll BEFORE I came back. I knew what I was doing." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie came into the living room where BL was. She was all cleaned up and smelling good after a shower from all the house cleaning. BL said, "Where are you going?" Dixie replied innocently, "To see Jeb." BL gave Dixie a coy look wondering about how close Dixie and Jeb had gotten, "Ok." She paused and called after Dixie, "Just how close are you two?" Dixie just smiled and waved. BL had a bad thought and yelled as Dixie was pulling out. "STAY AWAY FROM THE GARAGE!!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the jail Dixie asked Rosco if she could see the guys. He let her in the gate and returned to the desk where he was doing a seek and find puzzle. Dixie saw that Luke was laying on his back looking at the ceiling. Bo and Jeb had been setting on the bottom bunk staring at the wall. She purposely went to Jeb's cell and asked, "Do ya'll need some company?" Bo and Jeb both replied, "Yes!" Luke sat up and said, "I'll take any distraction available." He wanted to be distracted from his thoughts. The thoughts of Lori earlier teasing was replaying its self over and over again in his mind. But, he was beginning to notice just how much Dixie had grown up recently. The outfit she had on was not as an attention getter as Lori had worn but it did show she had been growing in all the right places. He watched as Jeb held her hand and rubbed her hand. Luke swore to himself, stood and went to look out the window for awhile. Some of the thougths that had recently crossed his mind weren't those a recently married man shoud be having about his wife's cousin. Dixie looked up as Luke walked to the back of the cell. She said very quietly, "What's with him?" Jeb replied equally as quiet, "Lori was by earlier. Let's say it was pretty emotional." Dixie decided that what ever she had planned to tell Luke about what her and BL found in Lori's room could wait for now. He loooked as if he'd been on a emotional rollercoaster. She could tell he didn't look like he had been sleeping.

Luke sighed a long sigh..... "Yes, ..... it, .... does! But, I, ..... ah, ..... sort of enjoyed the view." Lori heard the painful emotions that Luke had put into that comment. She had intentionally teased him but now, she walked over to Luke and handed him the blanket sighing,"I'm sorry Darlin'.... if I could help you out I would, but I can't! Its killin me too!" She saw Luke's jaw set and his neck tense before he replied. Luke gave her the slightest nod, swallowed back the tears he felt and said just above a whisper, "I know. ............. Believe me I know, ................. that it is killin you, ................. that's my problem." He bit his lip again trying very hard to control his emotions.

Luke read both Vance's letter and Dixie's again. He swore! Then, thought more and more about the first letter he wrote and decided that he had left a bunch of stuff out so he wrote a second letter to Vance, "Vance, Mind your own buisness! I have seen Lori and talked to her! In case you ain't thought about it, it sort of BORING setting here. Oh, yeah, I forgot you ain't never been arrested before, being perfect and all! If answering a note is such a terrible thing then why am I taking the time to answer yours? I got a note, big deal! I'm I supposed to REPORT every note, card or letter I get to YOU for the next ten years? I sort of figure there might just be a few and NO I don't expect them ALL to be from my wife! But, in case you ain't figured it out YET, she is STILL MY wife. And, there is still somethings that ARE or SHOULD BE our business." Luke knew the next line was a lie even before he wrote it, but wrote it anyway. "I would have told Lori about the danged note, but I didn't think now was such a good time. What are you up to Vance? Trying to take MY place again? After the last time I was pretty concerned about MY wife and child. I didn't want Lori under anymore stress than she already is." Luke knew that Vance had likely told Lori already about the note. What got Luke was, just HOW did Vance know? He knew Dixie wouldn't have told him, so how did he know. He continued Vance's letter, "You know I'd really like to know who else besides YOU likes putting their nose in my business. I really don't expect an answer to this letter figure you'll be too busy trying to take my place with my wife. Luke" Then, he wrote Dixie, "Dixie, I don't know HOW but someone knows you wrote me. When I got your note today, I also got one from none other than Vance expressing his displeasure at me writing someone other than Lori. If he knows, I don't have to tell you that Lori knows too! I figure that's all the he'll need now to try to move right into my place with her like he did last time. I can't help but wonder how long it will be before she actually takes him up on it. What good is having a husband who not there, right? You know I wouldn't wish being here on anyone, but I think I could take it a lot better if Vance would have been riding shot gun for Bo instead of Jeb. That way I wouldn't be worried about Lori and Vance being under the same roof and all and you would have still had Jeb. Just wrote you this to let you know Lori's likely going be real pissed! And to tell you, yes this is ALL my fault. I'll not tell you not to write again. I'll leave that up to you since you will be dealing with Lori closer than I will be for the next ten years. Luke" Luke took a deep breath and started a third letter. "Lori, I'm sorry for over reacting and accusing you of tricking me about the baby. I'm sorry for taking off like I did and turning off the danged radio. I'm sorry for not telling Bo and Jeb that I couldn't drive that night. I'm sorry for not turning the radio on when we left and not paying attention to what was going on with the runner. I'm sorry for being loyal enough to my cousin that though I didn't get stopped I went back to them. I'm sorry that I chose to not let them take all the blame. No, I'm not, but I am sorry that I am here with them instead of holding you. I'm sorry too that I didn't tell you about getting a note from someone other than you, but I know that my cousin, Vance, has already told you that. I didn't want you anymore upset than you are already. I knew we'd have our ups and downs, but this is an awefully big hump for us. I know holding marriages together isn't easy but it's going to be a lot harder with me not there for the next ten years. You said you thought we could make this work if we both tried. Please don't replace me with Vance. Luke." Luke had already decided the worse. Well, at least to expect the worst. He knew the Judge had said 2-10 years but Luke decided to expect the worst from this situation and anything less would be good news. He tried to imagine getting to know his ten year old son or daughter. Thoughts like that were what was tearing him up inside. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse still hadn't heard anything from Agent Roach about any sort of deal that the ATF may want to make. He decided to give it to the end of the week and if he hadn't heard anythign he'd go see Agent Roach himself. He could see how hard Lori was taking it all, but what he didn't know was about the note Dixie had written Luke. Jesse was on the front porch when Boss Hogg showed up. Jesse knew this wasn't a social call. Boss Hogg walked on to the porch and began his well rehearsed speech, "Jesse I heard about your boys. I'm mighty sorry to see all your help be taken away from you like that. But, I know you have gotten a lot of moonshine made up and ready for delivery. And, with no drivers.....I'm prepared to offer to buy your entire stock at say half the going price. That should be enough money to help keep the farm running for a spell." Jesse was biting his tounge but figured to let JD say what was on his mind so he could be leaving all the quicker. Jesse looked him in the eye and said, "JD I'd not sale my shine to you for the going rate let alone half the price." Hogg replied, "This was a one time offer. Change your mind and the price goes down." Jesse pointed to Hogg's car, "Get!" He stood watching Hogg leave. Coy and Vance had been watching form the barn. Daisy and Lori had heard voices from inside the house. When the car pulled out they all headed to the porch to find out what was going on. Jesse told them about Boss's offer. Lori looked at Jesse, "There is no need to sale your shine to him or anyone else. I can deliver it. I've done it before." Vance was quick to jump into the conversation. "I've ran with the guys too, Uncle Jesse." Jesse held his hand up to hush them, "I ain't about to risk loosing none of you all to get that shine delivered. I should have been running it myself in the first place. BUT, right now, me, ya'll or no one else is going to even think about delivering any shine until I hear something about that deal Agent Roach was talking about. Don't you all know they got this farm being watched 24 / 7 right now hoping one of us trys to move the shine or leads them to a still. I'll tell you all right now every still site I got is OFF LIMITS until I say so. Understood?" The group all nodded. They knew Jesse's word was law! They often obeyed it out of love, but they would obey it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie in the meantime was driving Luther, Cooter and BL nuts. She had begun a cleaning spree. There were things getting cleaned in the Davenport home that hadn't ever been seen before. Luther and Cooter agreed on one thing and gave BL strick orders, "Don't let her near the garage while she's in this mood." They knew if she started cleaning the garage they would never be able to find anything again!

Dixie got Luke's reply and read it. She heard his guilt. She picked up a pen and wrote, "Luke, This is NOT all you fault. The blame, if that's what you need to do, should go to Bo and Jeb partly. They should have been able to get out of the situation with out you as a blocker. You are only added insurance from what I learned. As for Lori, she shoudl have never got you so riled knowing you had a run to make that night! I hope things go good for you three, but I agree with you it sure is funny she got pregnant so soon! Dixie."

Cooter whistled low! "They are asking alot of Uncle Jesse. Any idea how much it may help the boys?" Vance replied, "Roach said He couldn't promise anything but felt the higher ups would want to deal!" Cooter replied, "Dang! We can only hope fellas! Anyone know what went on?" Vance replied, "Jesse said Luke said something about being upset with Lori. He'd cut the radio off after a fight. Didn't realize until it was too late he didn't cut it on before leaving. Jeb said something about calling three times for Luke with out and answer." Cooter asked, "What were they fighting about?" Vance said, "From what I gather Lori told him she is pregnant. He thought she tricked him into getting her pregnant after they were married. But from what we heard today it must have happened when they got together that night of the run to Johnson County." Cooter nodded and............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke had told Bo and Jeb it didn't matter who the letter was from anymore since they weren't going home anytime soon and that he'd appreciate them keeping it to themselves. Lori didn't need to get upset about 'nothing' that she had enough problems as it was. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori 's first assignment int he class was to shop for a week for 2 people with $100. She was given a sale bill and told to make a list of what she would buy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later when he thought Bo and Jeb wasn't paying attention luke worte, "Dixie, I never knew about your feelings for me. I have always been close to you, BL and Lori. I agree with you, right now the point is mute and I can't lie I don't know if anything would have changed had I know sooner of your feelings for me. I did for you that night with Tommy what I would had done for anyone. I won't tell Lori, she has enough going on. You do now this whole thing is my fault. I wsa upset with Lori. I took off to the still site to wait on Bo and Jeb I had turned off the radio cause I was mad at Lori. I didn't turn it back on. Jeb called for me like 3 times I didn't here him! I seen they were caught and went back to them! It was all my fault. Luke"