DixieDavenport

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"

At the Davenports, Dixie had went to her room early. The memories of the court hearing were replaying over and over in her mind. She wrote a note to Jeb, "Jeb, I don't know why all of a sudden you took an interest in me, but I'm glad you did. Until now everyone thought of me as Cooter's little sister. I was so looking to everyone being with me on my next birthday. It's supposed to be really special but without you guys it will be just another day. Everyone expected Jesse to be able to bond you all so you'd be home at least until court. I don't know what happen on that run, but this ain't right! Dixie." She then worte a similar note Luke. "I don't know why Jeb all of a sudden paid any attention to me But I have a feeling it's because of you. Thank you. We didn't have long to get to talk but thank you. I've never been able to say this to you beofre and I guess it doesn't matter now with you in jail, married, and the baby it doesn't matter, but I wanted you to know something. Lori isn't the only Davenport who ever had a crush on you. I just knew I was always too young and Lori was right there with you so I never got a chance to let you know how I really felt. I was so looking to everyone being with me on my next birthday. It's supposed to be really special but without you guys it will be just another day. Everyone expected Jesse to be able to bond you all so you'd be home at least until court. I don't know what happen on that run, but this ain't right! I'll listen anytime you need someone too mo matter what happens with you or between you and Lori. Please don't let Lori know about this. Dixie." She would put them in the mail in the morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse cautioned them, "Now, don't go getting our hopes up I just said I'd be willing to talk." Lori looked worried, "You can't be thinking about trusting them can you?" Jesse put his arm around her, "If it helps my boys and that therr little one I may have to." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the garage, Cooter was lower than an Earth worm. He was sure glad to see Coy and Vance pull in. "Hey fellas. How's Uncle Mr. Jesse and everyone?"

Jesse was having his own problems mainly it was Daisy, but Coy and Vance were upset too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the courthouse cleared out, Agent Roach looked at his superior and said, "I did my job. I caught them boys fair and square, but you forced me to keep them from getting a bond set." His supervisor replied, "Well, that will assure we have cut out at least one moonshiner in these parts." Agent Roach looked at the supervisor in disbelief, "We may have won a battle here. But, we aren't even close to wining a war." The Supervisor asked, "What do you mean? "We got Jesse Duke's three nephews. The Duke's have never had outside drivers." Agent Roach nodded, "You are right there. I take it you didn't notice the two younger boys and the girl with Jesse Duke today? Well, those are two more nephews and a niece. The other three girls and the older guy was the oldest's nephew's new wife and her cousins. I can't prove it, but I know Luke's wife has driven for several moonshiners. I've chased her before! She pulled a switch on me one night. Somehow Luke managed to get in between us and I pulled him over. They drive very similar cars. you can take one look at her car and know it's a runner, but we ain't been able to catch her." His supervisor said, "So you figure Jesse Duke will stay in business?" Agent Roach replied, "Yeah, I do and I expect those kids to be his new drivers." He planned on going to see Jesse but figured that today wouldn't be a good time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile the boys were not happy in the least. Bo was the most verbal, "That was a bunch of...." Luke looked at him, "You aren't doing any of us any good making a fuss." Jeb ............

Since these were Federal charges the large 'formal' courtroom of the courthouse would be used. This was big news for Hazzard and surrounding couties as well as for the ATF Office. Jesse had been outside watching the comming and goings of the courthouse. It was full of Federal and ATF officers. Jesse saw Daisy coming over as well as Lori and the others. He pulled them aside and said, "I didn't expect all this but I have a bad feeling. This whole place is crawling with ATF officers, Federal Agents and Revenuers. I just don't know." Daisy paled a little, "They will set bond?" Jesse put his arm around her, "I don't know baby." He was glad to see Coy and Vance pull in they had gotten there just in time. "Come on you all. What ever happens I need each of you to keep control of yourselves. If this goes bad, it will go worse for those boys in there." They all nodded. As they entered the courthouse and headed to the large courtroom, each felt the tension in the air increase. The room was pretty crowded with townsfolk in support of Jesse and his family as well as others who had looked forward to this day for years. The boys all had both handcuffs and leg irons put on by a one of the Federal Officers before being taken upstairs. Luke knew there was no use trying to talk him out of it so he didn't even try. They were taken upstairs to the formal courtroom which was a suprise to them. They also hadn't expected to see as many people that had showed up for this. Each of the boys saw the look on Jesse's face attempting to re-assure them even now. Luke wasn't sure who was closer to loosing it right now seeing them cuffed as they were. He knew Daisy would be all to pieces. Her expression couldn't lie, she was. Then, he looked to Lori. Her expression was more masked to everyone else until their eyes met then she came very close. But, what suprised Luke was Dixie's expression. She was very obviously very upset more so than he'd have thought she would be. The Court was called to order, Judge Hardcastle entered the courtroom. The Judge had read the file. It was cut and dry simple bond heraing or so her thought. He began to read: "Jeb Stewart Duke, Lucas Keith Duke, Boregard Duke you have all been charged with the Federal charge of transporting illegal alcohol which was a substance know as moonshine across state lines. If you are convicted in a court of law of this crime you could be sentenced to the Federal Prison for NO less than two years and No more than ten years. Now, is there any objection from the ATF that bond be set?" All eyes fell on Agent Roach and his superior. Agent Roach looked to Jesse with a look of regret, then to his superior. It was obvious that Agent Roach was being forced to do something he didn't want to. He looked at the Judge and said, "Due to this families long history in the moonshing business and the large quaninity of moonshine being transported into another state, it is the ATF's position that though these boys do have ties to this area, we feel they would be a great risk for escape." The Judge was suprised by this position, but replied, "I'll make note of the opposition." He took several minutes to re study the file and finally, said, "After reviewing the file and with this opposition, I'll have to order that you three are to remain housed here in the County Jail to be held without a bond being set to await a Court hearing to determine your guilt or innocence."

Cooter went to tell Luther what was up and that he felt he needed to go to keep all three of them alive and out of jail too. Luther agreed and said he would work the garage. It wasn't long before the four were off to Chickomohony. Cooter noticed Lori make a turn away from Hazzard, "Where are we going?" "Chickomohony." Lori answered calmly. In the back seat Dixie and BL gave each other questioning looks. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori parked in front of the doctors office which was actually a small house near the Chickasaw County Courthouse. She got out, waited on the others and entered the Doctors office. The doctor greeted her, "Well, Mrs. Duke how are you? I wasn't expecting to see you here today." Lori was glad the waiting room was empty. She began, "Doc you remember the first time I saw you was when my husband and I had to come over for blood tests to be married?" Doc replied, "Yes, I do. I believe you two were in a bit of a rush as the wedding was scheduled for the next day and you two weren't aware until for the license that this county still required blood tests." Lori smiled just a bit, "That is right. Do you remember talking to me privately about something that showed up on my test and I asked you to let me be the one to tell my husband?" Doc looked from Lori to the other folks with her. Lori waved her hand, "Don't pay them no mind. They are all cousins of mine. Could I get a copy of that blood test and the date it was done?" Doc replied, "That isn't a problem. I'll get your file and be right back." Once he returned, he said, "Since you had problems with your first pregnancy it is good that we found out so early about this one." Lori asked, "Can you tell me just how far along you think I could be?" Doc replied after looking at her file, "Based on what you told me and also the tests I ran teh last time you were here, I'd say you can't be much over two weeks." Lori smiled and said, "Thanks Doc."

Luke was being torn a part right now seeing Lori cry. He was a bit thankful when he heard Rosco coming down the stairs. He knew that Rosco would be in a hurry to get the visitors out for the night. Rosco came down and saw Lori and Dixie still visiting. He knew that the oldest Duke had just gotten married and even he felt for the young couple enough to have let them visit tonight when normally they would not have been allowed to. Rosco could see Lori crying. He knew she should know just how much trouble Luke was in. Rosco cleared his throat and said, "Ladies, I'm gonna have to ask ya'll to leave here soon." Dixie nodded and turned back to Jeb. They had always been good friends and she had been enjoying his attention since the wedding. She looked at him and asked, "Do you mind me coming back?" Jeb knew she like Luke, but felt they had been getting to know each better. He said, "I'd actually like that." Dixie nodded. She was on the verge of tears herself for all the boys but didn't want to cry here. She was waiting on Lori who ................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After the girls had left, Luke finally said, "Fellas, I almost didn't go with you all tonight. I guess I shouldn't have. I was a lot more bothered than I realized." Luke knew they were sunk. The spot where Agent Roach had caught them had been over the State line which meant they would be charged with a Federal charge instead of a State crime. The only good thing in that being was that ATF could house them in Hazzard until their bond was set, but had it been a State officer from the other State they would have been housed out of State until bond was set. Luke figured Jesse would know when their bond would be set by the time he came back. Luke knew that Jesse had went to talk to Agent Roach before he left. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse, Cooter and BL were waiting for Lori and Dixie to come out of the Courthouse. Jesse was telling them that the Judge would be in to set the bond tomorrow afternoon. Until then there was nothing they could do. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Dixie was back at home thinking on what Lori had told Luke. Lori had told him she was pregnant 'WAY' before the wedding. They had only been back together a week when they got married. Dixie couldn't help but wonder if the child was really Luke's. Maybe she's just have to ask Lori sometime.

Lori ran through the house and got in Midnight heading towards the jail house. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori hadn't been the only one listening to the radio, when Luke's tags were ran. Dixie had heard the tags ran and with the following transmissions she knew who ever had been driving had been arrested. She dressed quickly and headed for town. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jeb had went in the cell with Bo leaving Luke alone in the cell beside them. When Uncle Jesse looked at Bo and Jeb , they pointed to Luke. Meaning that it was his fault. Uncle Jesse had looked to them and said,"Well get use to these cell walls boys..." Jesse words hit Luke like a swift kick to the stomach! Luke told Jesse, "It was mostly my fault. I wasn't paying a hundred percent attention." Jeb asked, "Is that why I yelled for you 3 times without an answer?" Luke huffed, "I expect ya'll are gonna say I got ya'll caught?" Luke paused, "Then why did I get away, scott free and came back to you two?" Jesse looked to Bo who confirmed Luke's story! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Dixie and Lori were???????????

Luke was NOT HAPPY! He entered their room. Shut the door, locked it and tossed her on the bed....."Lori. What is going on? You are acting really strange!" Lori laughed and fell back on the bed and sighed,"Ta be honest hotstuff, I aint quite sure....why a little embarrassed??" Luke shook his head and replied, "No. I'm beginning to be more concerned than embarrassed. Talk to me? Honey?" Lori gigled,"Honey?? that sounds good right about now.... I dont know Luke I honeslty dont...I figured you'd be happy that im happy...." she giggled and hid her face with the pillow. "Lori, Honey, I'm always glad you are happy, but to be quiet honest, you act like you are on something, not just happy!" Luke said with concern. Lori looked to Luke and shook her head,"You really want to know that bad dont you?" Luke looked at her seriously, "Yes. Yes, I do. Tell me, please what is going on?" Lori looked to Luke and through the softest brown eyes with tears in them,"I..ah,...I... think Im preg....pregnant." Luke wasn't prepared for her answer. It didn't explain her actions over the past couple of days, but it got his attention! Luke replied, "You think WHAT?" Lori took his hand and pulled him to her to set with her on the side of the bed,"I think I'm pregnant..... I've been tryin to hide it these last couple of days from you....afraid..." Luke closed his eyes and bit his lip before replying, "Afraid? Afraid of? Hide it from me, WHY?" Lori cried and hit the pillows,"Afraid you'll over react and be mad, and thats ALL we need right now!!" Luke tried to keep his voice down, "Over react? What makes you think I'd over react? Just because I made it clear that if we got married I didn't want kids anytime soon. Just because you have been telling me you had it 'under control' that I didn't need protection? Just because YOU tricked ME into getting you pregnant AGAIN, I shouldn't over react?" Lori looked to him stunned,"I NEVER TRICKED YOU INTO IT LUKE...." "Sure seemed da---ed strange that I used protection ever since Caitlyn Marie, and everything was FINE! Since we got married you TOLD me you had it under control! And, now LOOK! You THINK you are PREGNANT again! We still don't know why we lost Caitlyn! #^)%)_*_@*$_*+@(+! He uttered several explicits, turned and walked!:" Luke was so very afraid that what ever had went wrong with Caitlyn would go wrong again, before they hed a chance to know why. He stormed out of the house! Lori opened up the window and looked to Luke walking off, "Luke!!! ******* WILL YOU LET ME EXPLAIN TO YOU IT AINT LIKE THAT!!!!!!" Luke kept walking. He knew they would be running from still site 5 tonight, so he headed that way to wait.

Jesse was in the kitchen when Luke entered alone, he said, "You know I still remember being a newlywed myself! I'm sure glad you two are working things out!" Jesse smiled at Luke with a knowing expression. Before Luke could answer............... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Davenports, Cooter was waiting on Dixie, when she got up. He began, "Ah, so how was your, ...... date? Last night?" Dixie replied, "Well, it was good but it was just me and Jeb hanging out with our friends."

Luke however didn't like the fact that she took off and never told him so he finished cleaning up and did what any young red blooded new husband would do when he figured his new wife who was a bit of an attention getter would do. He told Jesse, "I'll eat later. Sorry ya'll, but I got to go." They all knew he was going to follow Lori. Bo looked at Jesse, "You said fifty or sixty years? I'm betting on longer IF they don't kill each other!" Jesse shook his head. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Boar's Nest Lori was sipping her Coke talking to Cooter when Luke walked in. He scanned the bar and found his wife talking to her cousin. Relief that she hadn't managed to start any trouble washed over Luke and he took a deep breath and tried to remain calm as he took a seat by Lori. Daisy had to laugh seeing Luke come in. It hadn't taken him long to clean up and follow them. Lori looked to Luke and smiled,"Hey Darlin.." Luke said, "Hey, yourself. Can I buy my wife and cousin a beer?" Lori almost spit out her coke, she hadn't told Luke about her thinking that she could be pregnant. Cooter stood by and lowered his hat over his eyes, Lori looked to Luke and said,"Uhh....I think a coke is better for me..Lori added,"So why exactly did you follow me? Luke didn't think anything about her drinking coke instead of beer. He replied, to her, "Just wanted to make sure you were Ok. You know how trouble can start here in the blink of an eye." he placed the order with Daisy who was working. Lori looked to Luke and nodded, "Yea it certainly can.." Luke wasn't sure of her the tone she was using, but she had agreed with him. Cooter was sure he was setting way too close to both them, but Luke had bought him a beer, so he'd stay awhile. The band had started playing. Luke figured to maybe make th ebest of the evening, "Care to dance Honey?" Lori replied, "Sure Darlin'. " They left Cooter to his beer and went to dance. Cooter had felt the tension between them. He sighed in relief that they hadn't gotten into it, yet, and sipped his beer. Being that it was Monday night, which was teen night, it wasn't unusual to have several teens there. So, no one was surprised to see Dixie walk in escorted by none other than Jeb Duke. Jeb had joined a table of some of his friends and ordered a beer for him and a Coke for Dixie. Luke and Lori returned to the table with Cooter. Luke spotted Jeb and Dixie, nodded to Cooter, giving him and 'ain't they cute' look. Lori saw this and decided to just watch for awhile. Luke and Cooter were talking car parts. Lori went to the restroom. Luke turned to order another round of drinks when he he saw Jeb take a drink of beer. Luke knew he was old enough to drink but felt he shouldn't be drinking having to drive Dixie home. Instead of flagging down a waitress, Luke told Cooter, "I'll be back." He walked over to Jeb and motioned him to the bar. Luke said to Jeb once they were there, "If you are driving home, don't you think you better switch to something other than beer?" Jeb replied, "I had planned to, Luke." Luke said, "OK just checking." Lori saw Luke and Jeb at the bar talking. She asked Cooter, "What's up over there?"

Jesse was still smiling remembering the joys of being newly married as Bo walked in the kitchen. He too could hear the sounds coming through the thin walls of the small house. Bo asked, "Ah, ...... should I take it they made up?" Jesse said, "Well, I'd say that's a safe bet." Bo wondered out loud, "Wonder who won?" Jesse grinned a bit, "Maybe they both did. It'll take them awhile to decide what is worth fighting about and what's best to just compromise on." "What's awhile?" Bo asked. Jesse loved young people, "Oh they should pretty well have it worked out in say fifty or sixty years unless they are stubborn." Bo looked at Jesse hoping he was kidding. Jesse looked pretty serious ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Dukes were about to settle down for breakfast, when Luke and Lori came into the kitchen. All it took was one look around the room and Luke knew everyone in the room knew he and Lori had made up rather nicely. Luke sighed and just gave them the look of the cat that just got caught with the family canary in his mouth. He shook his head turned to Lori and wrapped his arms around her and said, "I can do that now. I do have a license now." Everyone in the room cracked up at his remark. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ They were finishing the last of the evening chores. Bo was hot and thristy. He looked to Jeb and Luke and said, "Whew! What do you all say about heading out for a beer before supper?" Before he could be answered, Bo shook his head and said, "Ah, dang it! Sorry Luke. Guess you won't be going huh?" Luke looked at him like he was crazy, "Sure I'll go. Why wouldn't I?" Jeb replied, "Sounds good to me!" They all headed to the General Lee and drove off. Figuring to grab a beer and still be back before supper. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the house, Lori and Daisy heard the General Lee fire up and leave......

That next morning, Luke woke up before Lori. He gently sat up and looked at her sleeping. She still had her back to him the way she had went to sleep. He was still getting used to waking up beside her. He leaned over her and began kissing her shoulders. He brushed her hair away and began kissing the back of her neck while he layed on his side behind her. Luke knew Lori wasn't awake yet, but she was snuggling closer to his touches. He reached around her and put his hand under her gown... Lori was waking up, she was warm and comfortable. She felt Luke's touches and wanted him badly. She was about to roll over towards him when she realized she had been mad at him the night before. Lori debated for a split second giving into his touches, but it was a matter of principal. She set up, flipping the covers off her as she went, grabbed her robe and headed to the bathroom. Luke figured she'd be back in a couple minutes and that she had just had to go to the bathroom. He layed back waiting. Lori came out of the bathroom and went to the kitchen where Jesse was already up, "Morning Uncle Jesse." She said as she poured her coffee. Jesse replied, "Morning." He took a drink of coffee and realized he hadn't heard Luke up yet, which wasn't normal. He was usually the first of the 'kids' up. "What's that husband of your's doing sleeping in?" Lori sighed, "No, actually, he probably thinks I'm coming back." Jesse looked at her over his coffee cup. "Do you believe he wouldn't LET me go last night?" Lori asked. Jesse replied..............

Luke was glad that he was driving alone tonight. He really didn't feel like hearing Bo tonight. He was trying to keep his mind on what he was supposed to be doing here, but Lori wanting to run shine really had bothered him. If was something they should have talked about before hand, but he just never thought it would be a problem. He was the husband and should be making the living. Whether that meant farming or running shine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo looked at Jesse and said, "So, what do you think? Was Luke right?" Jesse studied the question and tried to remain neutral, "Bo, that is there business. They are a family now and it's not our place to take sides." Bo replied, "Well, I think he is. I woun't want my wife running no shine." Jeb added, "Me either, but she done it before. Why not now?" "Just because!" Bo said. Jesse said, "Well, I'll tell you both that I've known both your Mother's and Luke's to have went on runs when things weren't expected to be bad and they even helped out quiet a bit at the stills." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori in the meantime was still stewing about being told to stay home.

Dixie waited until Lori was sure to be busy packing, and nodded for Luke to come in the kitchen. She poured him a cup of coffee and said very quietly, "Heard about you and Tommy. I told you nothing happened. You didn't have to do that on account of me, especially the night before your wedding." Luke sipped the coffee and replied, "Yeah, I did have to. And, it wasn't just about you. If he'd try something with you how many has he succeeded with or will he next time. He needed a lesson. I gave him one." Dixie replied, "But, now you are in trouble with Rosco." "It's not the first time. Won't be the last time." Luke said matter of factly as if the 'story' had already been written and he just had to follow. Dixie said, "But, things are different now. Ain't they?" Luke looked at her wondering what she meant. Dixie finished her thoughts, "Your married now." Luke asked, "You think that is gonna keep me out of trouble? You really aren't serious right?" Dixie shrugged, "Well, when you decide to get married, doesn't that mean you're suppose to calm down? You know be more responsible?" Luke grinned at her, "Do you really see ME and LORI that way?" Before Dixie could answer they heard Lori coming .........

Luke had wanted to make things special for Lori on their wedding night too. He knew they had been together before but he wanted to make it worth Lori's wait too, so he'd take things slow well as slow as he could! He reached for some protection as Lori reached the bed. She knew what he was doing and stopped him by taking his hand gently, and nibbling on his neck, she whispered, "I've got that taken care of." Luke took her in his arms..... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THAT NEXT MORNING.... Dixie was awake early. In fact she really hadn't been to sleep. She heard Cooter and Luther get up and leave at their normal time. Figuring that BL would sleep in for awhile she moved from her room to the couch. When BL came in and saw Dixie covered up but very much awake on the couch. She knew something was wrong. She stopped at the couch and took a seat and a bit of Dixie's cover, then asked, "What?" Dixie shrugged, "Couldn't sleep. Too much excitement yesterday I guess." BL wasn't buying that for a minute, "Talk to me." Dixie began, "Well, first I've been thinking about Jeb. All these years and he picks last night to say more than three words to me with out trying to put a fish worm on me. Course after he seen I wasn't scared of them a few years ago he hasn't really talked to me unless we were in a group of people......" BL wasn't sure what was going on with Jeb either but offered, "Maybe you surprised him being dressed up and he realized he didn't have to put a fish worm on ya to get your atttention." "Maybe," Dixie thougth a few more minutes and asked BL, "You ever wonder what it's like to be married? I don't just mean the sex, I mean really being married and everynight going into your room and closing everybody else out and it being just you two?" Now, BL knew where that came from, and asked "You've been up all night thinking about Luke and Lori?" Dixie shook her head 'no', "I TOLD you I've been thinking about a lot of stuff. Just wondered if you ever thought about it? I used to wonder when Mom and Dad were together, what they did or talked about after they went to their room. My room was right by there's and I knew a lot of times they would be up a long time after I was sent to bed." BL................ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Duke farm, Bo and Jeb had also been up most of the night talking and trying to get used to their 'new' bedroom in the barn. Sure they had slept out plenty of times but it was a bit different to have the barn as your bedroom. They were talking about ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dawn was breaking just outside of Hazzard in the small hotel room.................

Luke looked to his bride and privately said, "How about we get outta here?" Lori couldn't have been more ready. Luke looked to Bo as he had promised, and said, "Bo you got 10 minutes tops." Bo went to Daisy, "They are about ready to leave." Daisy said, "OK! I hear the bride and groom are in a hurry. I need all single gals up here right now!!!!!!!" She had Lori turn with her back to the crowd and toss teh bouquet. Dixie found herself catching the bouquet without even trying! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Next was Luke's turn to toss the garder. ALl the single guys were trying to avoid the toss. Luke was determined to hit either Bo, Jeb or Cooter. He was blindfolded and made a wild toss which hit the ceiling an dlanded back in his OWN hands!................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NARRATOR: Folks the superstitious would claim that Dixie and LUKE would be the next to wed!?????

At the Boar's Nest everyone was more at home. Shine was flowing. Luke managed t get Jeb off to himself and said, "Jeb. You ain't seeng anyone special are you?" He answered, "No. Not right now. Why?" Luke suggested, "Why don't you talk to Dixie some? Something is up, but for now it would help me if you're just friendly." Jeb checked out Dixie. She sure had grew up, "Sure Luke. Not a problem there!"