DixieDavenport

Lori lookd to B.L.'s outfit and started cussing a bluestreak,"BRANDY LOU DAVENPORT IF YOU GO TO THAT WEDDING DRESSED LIKE THAT ILL MURDER YOU!!" BL looked at Lori and replied, "I am going to the church like this! Doesn't mean I'll be at the wedding this way!" About that time, the phone had rang and Dixie answered it. It had been a wrong number, but it worked to her advantage. She walked to where Lori was and said, "That was Uncle Jesse. He said something about the Judge not setting bail for Luke since he hit a Trooper." Dixie had gotten enough information from Cooter to add to her tail to make it believeable. Lori, ....... Cooter had heard Dixie, and his eyes grew wide with concern for Lori and Luke..... Dixie quickly grabbed Cooter, dragging him outside where she explained, "It was a wrong number, but I had to pull her chain!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, Jesse Duke being the head of the Duke family made his way to the couthouse. He hoped to get Luke out early so he wouldn't have to rush gettng readyl for the wedding. As it was he beat the Judge there, so he went to wait with Luke........... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Through out Hazzard folks were getting ready and leaving for the wedding in Chickomohony between what most thought as a very unlikely pair, but two young people who deserved each other! Most of them would not have missed this wedding for the world, just to see IF it actually took place!

After all the older women left, Daisy slipped out to the car and brought in a nice wine decantor. "Lori, Uncle Jesse sent you something. Figured that the guys shouldn't be the only ones having fun tonight." Lori smiled sweetly to Daisy,"Thanks darlin....Dixie, I'm uhhh glad you got those booties and the bottle in it....I'm not sure but I've had the signs and Luke doesn't know..." Lori breathed in a heavy shaky sigh. BL was the first to pounce, "LORI???? YOU ARE KIDDING RIGHT?" Lori just shrugged a little. "Never know." Dixie said, "Well, glad the gifts will come in handy. Daisy, I'll take care of Lori's share of the shine. I don't think it would be such a good idea for her to drink." Daisy looked from one to the other of the cousins. BL was about to die laughing.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo smiled as he saw Luke and walked in. He was ready for a really good evening. Little did he know that Luke and Tommy had just had round one. He practically drug Luke to the back room. Luke was gonna warn Bo again but didn't have time to before he was in the back room where all his friends were from school and several older men who were either Jesse's or Luther's friends. After a bit of drinking and well wishes by the older men they headed either on their way home or to the front room of the Boar's Nest so the younger men could do their thing. No one would say who had the 'connection' to get the movies but it was between Cooter, Mark and Bo. They had some pretty naughty XXX movies they were showing. Luke was trying not to act too bored for Bo's sake and they were making sure that Luke's glass stayed full of shine. Luke had likely drank more than he'd watched the movies. After the movies and alcohol was supposed to have gotten the men pretty worked up the door opened and in came two strippers. One who put on a show for the guys while the other proceeded to devout her undivided attention to the groom. Luke was trying to spot Bo, when he did he saw that Bo was too busy watching the show to see his annoyance. Luke knew if Lori heard that they had arranged this show his goose would be cooked. It was then the first girl joined the other one and they proceeded to give him a lap dance. Luke was feeling good and desided to be a 'sport' and enjoy the party. Afterwards the girls wished Luke well and made him some very rated X propositions for tonight or anytime in the future. Luke was not drunk and politely declined the invitations. He glared at Bo as he stood up, still politely peeling the girls off of him and headed to the restroom hoping that they would be gone before he got back. Luke found that he had drank more than he'd thought after he stood up and started walking. The alcohol from the shine hit him pretty hard. Luke knew he should have known better, because he knew it would hit him harder after he stood lup and started moving around. On his way back to the party Tommy Rogers who had also been drinking pretty heavily in the front room stopped Luke. Tommy grabbed Luke's shirt and said, "You never did answer MY question? What should it matter WHO I do WHAT with when you are MARRYING someone ELSE?" Luke grabbed Tommy's hand and said, "Let go of me now." Tommy asked, "Or, WHAT?" Luke didn't need a second invitation, he closed the distance between him and Tommy in one motion before Tommy knew what hit him. Luke grabbed his shirt and punched at the same time. Luke continued to punch him in the ribs. Tommy did his best to defend himself. Cooter and Bo came out of the back room to see what the noise was. When Bo looked, he saw what was going on but had NO idea why. It was a fair fight so he and Cooter stood by to keep it that way. When Tommy fell, now throwing his own punches, Luke pouched on top of him and banged his head against the floor several times. No one in the place knew why but it was a good fight. Cooter was in the position to be nearest Boss Hogg's private door where Rosco likely was. He grabbed the door handle and held it tightly to slow Rosco's progress. Hearing the commotion Rosco fired a warning shot into the ceiling, covering Boss Hogg with plaster dust from the ceiling. Cooter let go as Rosco charged into the room. Not knowing or caring what was happening all he saw was Luke on top and whipping Tommy. "FREEZE! Freeze!" they didn't. "Luke Duke, ... you ... are under arrest!" Rosco continued. Putting his gun back in the holster, he grabbed Luke from behind. This had little effect. It was this particular moment that two State troopers happened by the Boars' Nest. Upon entering they saw Rosco struggling to gain control of Luke. They proceeded to assist the Sheriff, still unseen by Luke, who continued to fight both Rosco and Tommy. Trooper Mitchell, with handcuffs in hand, managed to get one cuff on Luke's left hand. This is where Luke made what would not be his first mistake of the evening. He swung on the person holding the cuffs, connecting his fist with the Troopers chest. Doing the only thing he could do at the time Trooper Mitchell fell with all his weight on to Luke's left arm pinning it between Luke's back and the Troopers chest. Through the beer and shine this did get Luke's attention. Trooper Mitchell shifted his weigh off Luke just a bit to keep from breaking anything, as soon as he quit fighting them. They were able to get the cuffs on him and get him off Tommy. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When the troopers came in Bo and Cooter looked at each other, managing an, "Ol' Sh-----!" Neither knew what had brought this on. But, they KNEW Luke was in more trouble than was going on before them. When Luke swung on the Trooper it was all Cooter could do to hold Bo back, to keep him from 'helping' Luke and getting himself in BIG trouble, too. "Bo, just hold on a minute." said Cooter. "Luke will need us more out here than joining him in the 'pokie'. Cooter couldn't see what else was going on with Luke as he tired to get Bo under control and away from the situation involving Luke. Cooter ended up half dragging Bo outside before the law turned their attention to them. From across the parking lot Bo and Cooter saw the Troopers put Luke in their car. He was complying with them at this point. Luke managed to have a slight busted lip. However, when Tommy came out with Rosco to give his 'statement', it was obvious that he had gotten the worst end of the fight. Cooter said, "Come on, let's get to the farm. There's gonna be he-- to pay when Jesse and Lori find out about THIS!!!"

After Luke had poured his coffee he remembered the smirk he had seen on Bo's face and had chuckled, but now he began to worry just a bit. He asked, "Bo WHAT are you up too?" Bo tried to look innocent but failed miserably, "What? What are you talking about Luke?" This only assured Luke he should BE worried. Luke tried again to get something out of Bo, "Bo. You ARE NOT going to do anything tonight OR God forbid tomorrow, to get me divorced or killed before I even get married are you?" Bo only smirked and shook his head, with a cat ate the mouse kind of look,"You'd know I'd never do that to you cousin." Luke crossed the kitchen to where Bo stood, he looked his younger cousin in the eyes and reminded him, "Bo, you know how much Lori and I have been through to get to this point. I may be the one getting married tomorrow, but just remember, one of these days, you may just decided to do the same thing, AND so help ME, I'll remember ANYTHING you DO." Luke paused and then added, "And, Cousin, payback is a BI---!!!!" Bo said, "I'm just doing my duty as the best man, Luke. Would you relax?" Luke still gave him a supicious look as he headed outside to start the chores. He hoped Bo didn't do anything to piss Lori off! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Davenports, Dixie began to wraop Lori's gifts so that she'd open them in just the right order! First she'd wrap the bath and perfume set of Lori's favorite perfume. On this one, she put on the card, 'To Lori, From Dixie, A little something special for you to pamper yourself before you get ready for your wedding'. Then, she took a larger box and placed her second gift in it. She wrpped it just so, and put on the card, 'To Lori, A 'little something' for the bride and groom'. In a box half the size of the other box she wrapped yet another part to the gift. On this card she wrote, 'To Lori, Next, a bit of insurance to help prevent 'accidents'. In she wrapped a secon box half the size of the first and wrote on the, 'To Lori, 'Lastly, in case you two are too over heated to bother with the 'insurance'. Dixie then took the two smaller boxes placed them side by side and put the larger box neatly on top. She secured the three packages together with ribbons. Giving them another glance she laughed again. While everyone was getting ready she took the presents and put them on the small table they had set up for gifts. There were a few that had been dropped off or send by ladies who would not be attended the shower. Dixie added them in a way so that they would not stick out as just arrived gifts by putting some others in front of them.

Dixie was on her way home she had managed to find the prefect gifts! She giggled at the thought of Lori's face in front of Lulu Hogg and several of the Hazzard high society group of 'ladies' who was sure to be invited to the bridal shower. BL had planned on having a public shower for all invited, but after all the older bunch left she had plans for the shower to continue until the wee hours of the morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo was mighty proud of himself. He had it all planned for the stripper to show up late after all the older men, like Uncle Jesse and Luther left. He had even managed sale an order of shine at half price for the 'favor'. After he told Mabel who the groom was she had several 'volunteers' for the job, who would just love to make Luke's last night as a single man an unforgetable one!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Davenports, Lori's room was getting mighty warm. Lori had 'adjusted' his pants for him for sure, she had promptly dropped them around his ankles! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Dukes, the boys had moved the two twin beds to the barn and one to Daisy's room and moved Daisy's full bed into the boys room which would serve as Luke and Lori's room until the new room could be built. Dressers had been rearranged and moved. Daisy had changed the curtains in the boys room to something a bit less masculine and had managed to put a rather neutral colored set of sheets and comforter on her double bed in Luke's room. They knew Luke had plans to spend at least one night in the better motel just outside of Hazzard. NARRATOR: You see there were two local motels --- The No-Tell-Motel and the better one! But, they all wanted things to be ready for them to move in before the wedding. The double bed had been placed in a totally different position than any of the three twin beds. Daisy had put a note on the door to Luke for when he came in which read, "Luke, TURN ON THE LIGHT WHEN GO INSIDE!!! Daisy!

Luke nodded and laughed, "Well, the wedding day begins at midnight, Honey." Lori sighed, "Yeah, I guess it does." Luke said, "Are you about done here?" Lori nodded and said, "Yeah, I've done all I can do until Saturday." Luke said, "So if this is the last evening we spend together as single people. What would you like to do?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie had managed to make excuses to not be missed for several hours. She was going shopping for Lori's bridal shower that BL was giving. If she could sabotoga the wedding at least she culd make th shower unforgetable! She was on her way to Atlanta. She knew she could find everything in Atlanta. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo in the mean time was planning Luke's bacholor party. He had put in a call to Miss Mabel. She had several rolling whore houses set up in RV's that worked several counties in and around Hazzard. What Bo was looking for was one of her girls to be a stripper at Luke's Bachlor party. Of course he wasn't telling Luke and especially not anyone that would let it get back to Lori.

Luke replied, "Yeah, I kind of gathered that last night. I originally had suggested just heading to Chickomohony and getting it over with, but I knew Jesse wouldn't have forgiven me." He sighed, "I didn't know she'd want to go all out." "You know Lori." Luther said. Luke nodded, "Yeah." Luther looked really serious, and asked, "Luke just how long do you two really think this will last?" Cooter looked from Luther to Luke and back to Luther, then said, "I think I heard my dog calling me." He turned and walked out of the garage. Luke watched him leave, then turned back to Luther, "I have no idea, but if I wasn't serious about trying it, I wouldn't have asked her." Luther said seriously, "Luke don't let her go to all this trouble for nothing, if it's not going to work. Don't you dare hurt her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori was on cloud nine, she was trying to make her wedding as she had planned it since she was a child. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After talking to Luke about moving his bed to the barn, Bo walked in the house to get something to drink. Jesse was at the table peeling apples. Bo said, "Uncle Jesse can I ask you something?" Jesse motioned for him to set down. "Uncle Jesse, I don't want to sound like I'm not for Luke getting married and Lori's been around all our lives practically, but can you really see them being married in ten years?" Bo said. Uncle Jesse thougth before answering, "Well, about all we can do is help them anyway we can and hope for the best. I certainly hope they are serious." He couldn't help but think of his conversation with Luke about using his bed and Luke had declined.

Luke arrived home. It was late for Jesse to be up if they weren't running shine, but he was on the porch waiting. Luke took it as not a good sigh. Luke said cautiously, "Luther said you wanted me home?" Luke was a bit confused he had been out much later and Jesse never called looking for him. Jesse nodded, "Yeah, I did call. I know you two plan to be married in a couple days. And, I know your alls history, but it ain't proper to be at your bride to be's house all night long. Luke if you two are gonna do this, please do it the right way, son." Luke was confused, "I planned to be home a coule hours ago. Luther wanted to have a drink. I didn't want to drive real soon after drinking. Lori and I talked in the living room and we both must have dozed off on the couch. That's where we were when Luther woke me up." Jesse accepted the explination, knowing Luther would have dealt with them on his end had it not been so innocent. But he added, "Luke people talk. Everyone in ten counties knows the General. Come home at a decent hour the next couple nights huh?" Luke smiled, "Ok. I will." Jesse reached behind him and pulled out a quart jar of shine. He poured Luke a glass and also him one. Then, he brought up a good point. One that Luke had failed to think completely through. "Luke I know Lori has stayed here many times through out your all's childhood. I love my house full so don't take this wrong. Son, we have three bedrooms. Two of which have three people a piece in them. (Jesse was sharing his room with Coy and Vance who had a bunk bed in his room. Jeb stayed with Bo and Luke. Daisy had her room which is where Lori always stayed before when she stayed or lived there.) Son, I know you will want to share a bed and a room with your bride. I have been thinking on this for a long while tonight. Have you given it any thought?" Luke looked a bit embarassed, then smiled a little, "Uncle Jesse this whole marriage thing is new to me. I haven't given it a thought until you mentioned it. I know there is 'room' for Lori cause she has stayed here so much in the past, but you are right. She always stayed wit Daisy." He paused. Jesse saw the 'wheels turning as he thought'. Finally Luke said, "Well, it's summer for now. Bo and Jeb could move their twin beds to the barn. We could move Daisy's full bed in our room and give her the other twin bed. If we saved my share of the shine and farm money and I pulled wrecker duty some like I have been doing. How much would it cost to build a room and have it ready before it gets cold?" Jesse smiled. He had been thinking much the same things. "Well, first you have to talk to Bo and Jeb. I'd like to do this with as little disruption as possible, which is why I was gonna offer to take a twin bed in my room. It would give me and the boys more room and you and Lori could use mine and your aunt Marths' bed." Luke felt a knot the size of Texas come into his throat. He knew Jesse had made the big four poster bed by hand. He knew that each of his cousins and himself had been born there. They had also retreated there in there childhood when they needed comfort or were sick. The family saying about that bed was that 'nothing but love had ever touched that four poster bed', which meant, in accepting that offer Luke had a lot to live up too. He took a large drink of shine and tried to wash the 'knot' away. It was still there as he thought about his and Lori's relationship. Jesse himself had told Luke that he and Lori had 'something' together. Luke couldn't help but have a few doubts. He had thought this week of his life would never come and if it did it would be several years down the road. Jesse saw that Luke was thinking hard on his answer. Luke finally said, "Uncle Jesse I don't want to let you down. I know the family history of that bed......" Jesse took a drink of shine and replied, "Son, if you have doubts now. Now, is the time to THINK long and hard about what you are doing." Luke took a couple of drinks of his shine. It was not missed by Jesse. Then, Luke replied, "You told me we have something. I fell something. I have went through he-- this last month with out her, but we have a history of crashes and burns. Can we keep this converation between just us?" Jesse replied, "Of course." He hoped he didn't see problems on the horizon. Luke took another large drink finishing his glass, "I think your bed would be putting a lot more pressure on me to make things work out than I already feel. I appreciate the offer and all. It truely means alot to me, but I'd feel better trading Daisy. At least for right now." Jesse understood what Luke was trying to say and nodded. "Ok as long as you square it with her and the boys. As for the room I think we can swing the materials soon and start the construction so the boys will be back in the house long before it gets cold." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Word had spread all over Hazzard and surounding counties of the up coming wedding. There was some speculation in the beauty shops and other gathering places, as to whether or not Lori was pregnant and whether or not Luke 'had' to marry her. This was one of the expected joys of being raised in a small town!

Luke felt the tension when he pulled up. He climbed out of teh General Lee and went to the porch. He was greeted by Lori at the door. They were all going to set down at the kitchen table and see what the girls came up with. Luke was glad to see Cooter in the living room. He said, "Good! You are here. I may need you." Cooter looked thrilled, "Do I have too? They have driven ME crazy all day with this stuff." Lori began showing Luke the invitations. "Which ones do you like?" She held up two different ones. Luke looked at Cooter for help. "Why do we even need invitations? Everyone in the county knows by now. The ones who want to will be there. The ones that don't want to make the drive will be at the reception. Which is still at the Boar's Nest right?" Cooter gave him a 'I feel for you' look. Lori sighed and said,"Why must you make things complicated and just pick one, and yes the reception is still at the Boar's Nest.." Luke gave Lori a look. Then, he said,"The one on the left." Little did he know she liked the one on the right. Lori, "But I like the one on the right!" Luke, "Well why did you have me pick one out then?" Lori said, "Cause yer the groom!!!" Luke, "Well, get the one on the right then!!!" Lori, "Don't want it now.... I want the one on the left." Luke looked to Cooter and sighed shaking his head. She then picked up the pictures of the flowers. They were roses of white, red and yellow. Luke sighed. "I take it you are wanting to go all out with this?" Lori looked to him and cocked her head sideways,"Dont you want to?" Luke sighed loudly again, "I was sorta hoping to drive over, have teh family and a few friends there, have the cermony and head back" Lori looked down and gave him a puppy dog face,"You dont want it to be special do you??" Luke knew he was beaten, "Yes, that's why I wanted to come back and tell everyone instead of just taking off. Tell you what, tell me what to wear and when to be there and we'll solve a whole lot?" Cooter ducked a little. Lori looked to him and put her hands on her hips and tapped her foot rather loudly,"Wanna try that again???" B.L. saw the look Lori was giving Luke and knew she was ready to pounce him, B.L. quickly came into the kitchen fro the living room and said,"Luther wants ta talk to ya Lukas.... says its bout this wedding.." Luke had been saved by B.L. Lori sighed and leaned against the counter. Luke smiled and kissed her nose,"Whatever's fine by you is fine by me.." He walked off to go to the porch sighing rather loudly. He figured they would have a talk and righ tnow he'd rather face Luther than to try to second guess what he was supposed to like as far as wedding decorations. He took a deep breath ad squared his shoulders for this this. It may not be pretty. He stepped out on the porch and said, "BL said you wanted me." Luther said, "Have a seat. I actually figured you may need resqued about now." Luke leaned against the porch rail half setting and half standing. Luther said, "First, I bet you don't happen to have any of Jesse's finest with you do you?" Luke looked surprised that Luther would ask, but replied, "Well, I just might have a little. Let me look." He headed to the trunk of the General Lee and found a nearly full pint jar. Returning, he said, "I did have a bit. I'll get some glasses." Luther shook his head, "From the jars fine by me." Luke looked really surprised but passed the jar to Luther who took a healthy drink and passed it back to him. Luke took a sip caustiously not knowing where this was going. Luther began, "You know Lori's been more mine that my brothers for far too long." "Yes, Sir, that's why we waited to tell you first and then she called Bobbie Lee later." Luke said. "Well, being as I have that responsiblity I wanted to talk to you before you two went through with this. I am very glad you talked her into coming back home. But, I want you to be VERY sure this is what you BOTH want. I don't want her hurt and if I find out you are doing her wrong you WILL answer to ME!" Luther said frankly. Luke nodded, "I have every intention of doing everything that I can to make her happy." He paused, "If I can survive the wedding."

Jesse recovered the quickest of the Dukes. "Well, now congratulations!" Daisy exclaimed, "Oh, My Lord!" Bo asked, "You two are WHAT?" Jeb said, "Yeah, I agree with Bo, you're what?" Coy and Vance were suprised and said, "Why?" Jesse thought he'd better ask a similar question, "Is there a particular reason?" Luke shook his head 'no', "Not what you're thinking of no. Ah, unless," He was thinking it could have happened last night, "Not that we know of anyway." He said as a best way to answer Jesse honestly. Lori did have the graces to blush just a bit at Luke's implication and elbowed him just a bit. Luke shot her a look. It didn't go unseen by Jesse, "You better get used to that if she's gonna be yer wife, son." Bo had finally got his thoughts together a bit, "So when can we throw you a bachlor party?" Luke looked to Lori. They had talked about this in the wee hours of the morning. He'd let Lori tell them about their plans. Lori said a bit shyly for her personality, because she wasn't sure the failies would like their idea, "We'd like to go over to Chickomohony on Sat." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Robin tried to control her reaction, but Mark seen it had hit her pretty hard. Robin said verbally, "Well, I knew he was bound to get married some time. Might as well be now and to HER and anyone else. What do I care anyway. She may have said that, but Mark saw a totally different reaction. He was sure what she would do but he knew she would do something. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie wished she hadn't reacted like she did. She knew from the get go she didnt' have a snowballs chance at getting Luke Duke to notice her. He had just been a nice friend of the family who treated her like a little sister. Now, he was marrying her cousin. She would just have to set he sites a bit lower but a lot higher than Tommy Rogers!

Luke looked at her and replied, "Believe me you aren't 'making' me do anything." Lori's eyes were wide with tears swelling up in them,"Luke.... you seriously want to try this dont you??" Luke said a bit choked up, "Yeah. Come back to Hazzard with me?" Lori, "I will....in a heart beat!" Luke nodded, "Ok, I'll get us a room for the night, you can get your stuff tomorrow, and then we can head home and tell everyone they have a wedding to plan for." With tears in her eyes all she could do was nod 'ok'. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke went in the small hotel and got a room for the night. The clerk gave him a strange look when he saw the 2 near identical (except for the color) cars on his lot. Luke met Lori at the car and walked her to the room. As he opened the door, he said to break the sudden awkwardness that had appeared between them, "Come show me exactly why I want to all of a sudden stop seeing other girls?" Lori grinned wickedly, "Ohhhh, I'll be happy to oblige...more than you know... I think it's cause I do this......., " She started to nibble on his neck and kisses him passionaltely..." Luke barely got the door closed behind him. It promised to be a he-- of a night. Lori had been gone from Hazzard just over a month. They wanted each other far worse tonight than when Luther had made the month long bet with Luke. This time they hadn't known they would be back together ever, let alone this soon. They barely got their clothes off before falling back on the bed. There would be no sleep in this room tonight! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back in Hazzard the next morning. Jesse saw everyone come into the kitchen except Luke. "Don't tell me Luke's still in bed?" Bo and Jeb looked at each other, both wanting the other to explain their cousin's absence. Jeb said to Bo, "You're older." Bo replied, "Not by THAT much." Jeb replied, "This morning I'll take what I can get." Jesse sternly said beginning to fear the worse, "Somebody better start telling me where Luke is right now." Bo saw Jesse was misreading the situation and began to put most of his fears to rest, "Uncle Jesse the run when Ok for us all. We were on our way back when evidently Lori flew by Luke with a revenurer on her tailfeathers. Luke said he managed to get in between them and let them search the General instead of Midnight. Well, afterwards he met up with Lori, then told us to head on home and he'd be behind us." Bo layed the money envelpes of the table and said, "He sent this with me. That's all I know." Jesse let his relief show. He wasn't sure he was happy about the situation but after having talked with Luke about Lori he could only HOPE they had both came to their scences. "Well, he'll be on directly I expect. Breakfast is getting cold." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ About noon two Dodge Chargers, one black and one orange, rolled into Hazzard. They had discussed their first stop and hoped Bobbie Lee hadn't called ahead of them. Luke pulled into the garage with Lori pulling in right beside him. All the Davenports were at the garage as Luke and Lori had hoped. Luke took Lori's hand and walked into the garage. He walked over to Luther, who had been more of a father to Lori than Bobbie Lee so he'd be the first they told, Luke looked the man in the eyes. They usually had a pretty good relationship because of Jesse's friendship and Luke's hard work at the garage, but this was entirely different! Luke remembered the warning he gave Luther just the other day about Tommy Rogers and how Luther had let him know just what he thought about Luke's own reputation. Luke took a deep breath and began, "Luther I was able to talk Lori into coming back to Hazzard and becoming my wife."

Luke managed to get home shortly before 1 am. He was late and he kne it. "Uncle Jesse I'm sorry I'm late but I got tied up on a wrecker call and couldn't get here any soon. Jesse nodded and said, "Ok. Here's what we have. We've got 10 gallons in Tilley and 10 gallons in the usual blocker. Bo and Jeb are driving them. Luke you take the General Lee and run blocker for them. Your heading up to Johnson County Tennesse. Luke you know the mail boxes and here's the keys to drop the first 10 gallons the second ten goes to that bar outside of the town there. You've been there with me before." Luke nodded, "Wranglers? Yeah I know it and the mail boxes. I pick up the money from the mail box. Delivery to Wrangles, get the money there and then go to the other mail box and drop the rest of the shine." Jesse smiled. "You were paying attention."

Closing time came. Luke took the wrecker's keys and was heading to the truck when Tommy Rogers arrived to pick up Dixie. They were heading to the Boar's Nest to hear Jeb's band. Luke planned on making an appearance there to make sure Tommy was a gentleman. He hurried to the farm, did his evening chores, ate quickly, grabbed a shower and headed to the Boar's Nest in the wrecker. Teen night was stressful for the employees at the Boar's Nest. They had to ID everyone and watch those who bought alcohol to make sure that those under eighteen didn't manage to get it. The band had began playing. Dixie and Tommy were setting up front. Luke entered taking a seat at the bar. He ordered a Coke and sat sipping it. He hadn't been there an hour when the phone rang. The bartender handed him the phone. It was Maybelle the operator asking for the Hazzard wrecker. Luke took the phone, "Luke, I got a call. Sheriff Coltrane is stuck up out on Highway 411." "How could he get stuck on 411? It's paved! ... I'm going. Thanks Maybelle." Luke was peeved. After getting Rosco out of the ditch he had managed to get himself into, Luke took a shortcut down by the lake to get back to the Boar's Nest before Tommy and Dixie left. What he didn't know was that Tommy had tried to play the 'gentleman' and take Dixie home early. He had made a detour... Out by the lake Tommy pulled off the road, he shut the car off, and put the keys in his pocket. He leaned over to kiss Dixie. She was flattered and kissed him back. While kissing her and having her attention he locked her car door -- Dixie didn't hear this. Dixie still thought this was what she had waited for. Tommy leaned farther over to her side of the car beginning to grope her. She tried to push his hands back. He said, "Put out or get out!" as he tried to pin her between himself and the seat, when Dixie began to get scared. He pinned her to the seat and when she tried to scream he leaned over her putting his weight on her as he continued to grope her. She got her foot up and kicked him with all her might with the high heel of her boot. He backed off for a moment. She grabbed for the door handle which was locked. He grabbed at her again. Dixie took off one of her boots and began to wail him with all her might as she unlocked the door. She managed to get the door open and ran away as quickly as she could. It had began to rain as she walked the dark road where few cars traveled at this hour of night on a week night. Dixie was soaked through when she heard a vehicle approaching. Fearing it was Tommy she started to hide in the bushes, but before she could find a place she saw the lights coming from the other direction. She flagged the truck down, suddenly recognizing it as her father's wrecker. She was very relieved that it was Luke and not her Father. Luke saw a wet form of a female flagging him down on a deserted lake road. He immediately stopped. He then realized it was Dixie Davenport. She was barefoot, soaking wet, and her clothes were in disarray. "Dixie are you OK? What happened?" he pounced a little too quick. He turned up the heat in the truck. "I'm fine NOW!" she said relieved. "Nothing happened." She said too quickly. Luke knew she wasn't telling him everything, but knew not to push her or he'd push her away. He drove quickly trying to find the source of her problem. He suspected Tommy had tried (hopefully not succeeding) to push his affections on her. Not finding Tommy immediately, Luke stopped, taking off his jacket, he saw the scared look on her face as she sat shivering. "Dixie, I'm just stopping to give you my jacket. You are wet and I know you are cold." he tried to reassure her. "Thank you." she said weakly. He pulled back out and suddenly realized he wasn't sure where to take her. "Dixie, I don't know what you've been through tonight. I can take you to the hospital, to find your Dad, the farm, your house, you just name it. I'll trust your judgment if you don't want to talk about it." He's being so sweet. She thought, Through the lump in here throat she said, "My house please?" "You got it." he said a bit relieved. He hoped that if something truly terrible had happened she would have chosen another of his options. Pulling up to the Davenport farmhouse, Luke was relieved to find it dark. He opened the truck door for her and led her to the house. "You are still freezing. Go take a hot shower before you catch your death. Tell me where to find you something to wear and I'll get it." She sniffed still looking at the floor, "Tall dresser in my room. Thanks, Luke." "Just go get warm. You don't have to thank me." he said. He went to her room, turned on the light, going to the dresser he opened several drawers before finding something he thought would be warm. A pair of flannel Pajamas, thick socks and underwear. As he turned to go out of the room, hanging on the tall bed post was a thick bath robe and slippers on the floor. He took them, and the PJ's to the Bathroom door. He knocked, "Dixie, take your time. Your clothes are at the door." "Ok." a mumbled reply came from the door. She was either crying or had water in her face. He deduced. Luke walked into the kitchen finding the makings for hot chocolate he also found popcorn. He put the hot chocolate on and started the popcorn. Going to the living room he found marathon of comedies on TV. He also heard the shower cut off. Going back to the kitchen he poured the hot chocolate and put the popcorn in a bowl. Then he went back to Dixie's room where he saw a large quilt on the bottom of her bed, taking it he went back to the couch. As Dixie came out of the bathroom he took the quilt to her, "Here." he said wrapping her in it. "Come in here and see what else I have for you." She held the quilt tight as the went to the couch, seeing the hot chocolate and popcorn. She smiled almost crying. "I thought I'd fix the hot chocolate to warm you up and I ran across the popcorn. There are several movies I've been wanting to see on tonight. I figured I might as well stay and make sure you are OK for a bit and maybe you'd like the movies too." he said. They set on the couch. He handed her the hot chocolate, "Are you warming up?" She answered truthfully, "I don't think I'll ever be warm again. ... Hold me?" she squeaked. "Please." "Come here." He took her in his open arms. "I'm here. I'll listen. I'll be a shoulder if you just want to cry." She looked up at him and melted in his eyes. Letting all her fear and anger flow away with her tears. "Da---- YOU! Tommy! you have gone way too far tonight!" Luke swore. "You'll answer to me. Just wait!" After she had cried for awhile, Luke reached for a tissue for her and asked, "Please tell me what happened. I know you didn't do anything wrong." "He tried to force me,... to, ... you know, ... He told me 'put out ... or get out', ..." she cried. Luke held his breath, trying to control his temper. She continued, "So, ... I ... got ... out ... I had to kick him ... Had to hit him with my boot, but I got out ..." she began to cry again. "I almost hide when I heard you,...I thought it was him..." she sniffed. "Are you sure you are OK? Is there anything I can do?" he asked. "You are doing more than I can ask. Just please don't tell Daddy, Cooter or anyone else, ever. Please. Promise me?" she begged. Luke shook his head, "Dukes' Honor." Though he thought, "No,I won't tell anyone, but I swear to get more than even with Tommy Rogers. No matter what! " he almost shook he was so mad. "Anyone to try to force someone against their will is a pretty low life character." he said with disgust. Luke was torn between comforting her and getting even with Tommy. He decided that for now he was needed much more by Dixie. He'd get Tommy later. He stayed, held and comforted Dixie until it was late. He knew Cooter and or Luther would be home soon. "Are you ready to try to get some sleep?" He had felt her doze on his shoulder. "No." she said honestly. "I was figuring I'd tuck you in bed. Lock the house on my way out and we'd not have to explain how and why I'm here at midnight." he said. "Oh, sh---!" she looked at the clock. It was seconds away from midnight. "Luke you have got to go!" "Calm down, let me tuck you in and I'll be gone before they get here." he said soothing her. She climbed into bed. Luke spread the extra quilt over her even though it was summer. He pulled the covers up to her chin, tucking her in. "Goodnight, Dixie. She managed to pull her arms back out to hug him, "Thank you Luke." "No problem. Good night. I'll lock the house on my way out." he assured her. She laid in bed, heard the wrecker start and drive away.

Note: The current ages of Vance 17 and Coy 16. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie and BL headed for Capitol City. BL said, "So who are you trying to impress?" Dixie punted, "No one inparticular. I'm just getting tired of being thought of as Cooter's little sister." I AM not THAT little. BL knew she had a point, she would be sixteen shortly. "We'll have to fix up a BIG birthday party for you but I need to know who is the lucky fellow to make sure he's there." Dixie grinned a bit, "Just invite all our friends then you'll know you he's there." BL said, "Ah, HA! SO, there is someone special." Dixie said, "Well, maybe someone I'd like to get to know better, but he'll never give me a second look." BL started naming boys in and around Dixie's age. Everyone she had named so far Dixie had denied liking at all. A couple she had said she would go out with if they asked but it wasn't who she was thinking of. BL thought, 'She said invite all our friends.' then it hit her. WHy hadn't she thought of them before, "It's one of the Duke boys!" Dixie tried to deny it but couldn't look innocent at all. BL smiled. Now she knew. "Ok...... Which ONE????" Dixie said, "Nevermind!" BL concluded that it would have to be Coy or Vance. They were the closest to her age and she had always hung out with them at games and sometimes even at school. "Well, it's got to be Coy or Vance." Dixie just smiled..... If BL wanted to THINK that she could as far as Dixie was concerned. Tonight was 'teen' night at the Boar's Nest and she hoped to have a date of some kind by then so she could at least go. All her friends would be there. Of course Luther and Jesse would be there for awhile to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that day at the garage, Cooter had taken a wrecker call and Luke was under the car finishing it up for Cooter.. The motor was secured by a chain and had a jack under it as Luke was about to take loose the motor mounts. Everything else was ready. A female voice called, "Who's under there?" Luke answered as he rolled out from under the car on a creeper, "Just me." He looked upside down at the person the voice came from, he pushed farther out and set up to make sure he was seeing what he thought he saw. "Da--, I mean, Dixie?" he exclaimed his question. "Have you seen my Dad?" she asked. "Uh,...no,... Cooter's in the wrecker. I haven't seen your Dad." He stuttered, still not believing this was Dixie! She was in hi black boots with fishnet stockings, a skirt black leather skirt, a red silky blouse with spaghetti straps and her hair was not in a ponytail! Her hair was down and curled. There was something else. What? Luke thought. "Where's the wrecker?" Luther Davenport asked as he entered the garage. "Oh, I'm sorry Miss. Can I help you?" he questioned. "Daddy!" exclaimed Dixie. "Dad...?" his voice trailed off as he recognized his daughter. "Dixie?" A bit annoyed, "Yeah, its me. I have something to ask you. Come here please?" she said as almost a beg. Once outside, she asked, "Daddy, I was asked to go out to the Boar's Nest tonight by Tommy Rogers. It is teen night and I know you'll be there. Can I please go? He's the first boy to talk to me. Please?" Luther was torn between protecting his only daughter and not making an enemy of her. "I don't see any harm, like you said I'll be there. But, I want to talk to him first!" "Yes, Daddy. He'll be by here about closing. Thank you." She said hugging him. "Thank you Daddy!" she squealed as she hugged him and hurried off. Luke was out from under the car. He had heard most of the conversation. "Luther, I may be out of place, but I say this in good faith. Did she ask to go out with Tommy Rogers?" Still feeling like the 'Father of the Year', Luther replied, "That's right." "And you approved?" questioned Luke with a look that said he didn't believe this. "Well, you've all known Tommy forever. He's been around here many times. Yeah, I approved. Why?" asked Luther. Luke considered his answer, "I may be out of place. I'm sorry if I am, but I'd rather say it and be wrong than to keep quiet and be right. He asked Daisy out awhile back Jesse sent him packing. He has a reputation of getting 'what he wants' ". Luke said blushing. "Luke Duke! I'd talk if I were you! I think I know what I'm doing! Reputation! HA! ... Yes, you were out of line!" huffed Mr. Davenport. Luke held you his hand, "Forget it then. I'm sorry." Luther paced the garage for quiet awhile saying nothing. Considering the information Luke Duke had shared and the fact he wanted to keep his daughter's love."

Luke nodded, they pulled out heading to the farm. The delivery wouldn't be made until late tomorrow night. Jesse still hadn't disclosed the location of the delivery to the boys yet. He always figured if he was the only one to know then his secrets wouldn't get out and that helped insure his boys' not getting caught making the deliveries. In their room Bo asked, "Luke I know you've been driving the wrecker a lot lately, but why?" Luke fudged with his answer, "The more I work for Cooter the more money we can afford to spend on the General Lee. You know I want him to be the BEST he can BE!" Bo agreed, "Yeah I know and I do too, but Luke you ain't even went out with anyone in forever. I know you weren't because of Lori before she left, but why not now?" Luke sighed, "Bo, I have a reputation and a half. You know about Lori and the baby. If that ain't enough I've spent the last while taking out the girls I thought I could score with. If I did, great. If I didn't it really didn't matter cause I likely wasn't taking them out again anyway. I'm not proud of all that or how I treated Lori, but I know IF I would decide to ask a 'nice girl' out that I'd be met in the driveway by her father totin' a shotgun. I have come to realize that if I ever want a real girl friend, I've got to clean up my act. So, if I'm driving the wrecker I won't drink. If I won't drink I likely won't get into trouble with Rosco. I'm working a paying job and the farm, and not to mention what most folks don't know, I'm also helping with the still and deliveries. I'm figuring working hard, drinking less, staying out of trouble may just neutralize some of that reputation to where I might be able to go out with some of the girls in the county you'd not be ashamed of to take home to 'Mama'." Bo looked confused, "Luke? Are you thinking crazy like settlin' down?" Luke smiled a bit, "Not no time soon. Which is what started this whole da-- mess with Robin, but I'd like to find a 'nice girl' and see what could happen. I really miss knowing WHO I'm taking home next Friday night." Luke tried to explain but he saw that Bo was possibly more confused now than he was before their talk. Luke's plan sounded good. Sounded reasonable, but he knew that as good and reasonable as it sounded he still thought about a once 'good girl' who now had a reputation of a 'whore' and it was largely due to him. He knew what choices were logical and he was trying to make those choices, but Lori still haunted his memories and dreams.....

Dixie asked, "Well, why in the world would she go back to help her Daddy when he never had anything to do with her?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke finished his chores and had Bo take him to pick up the wrecker. He was following Bo to the Boar's Nest. They were supposed to have a band there tonight and everyone would be there including Uncle Jesse and Luther. Everyone watched as Luke turned down several advances from some of the local girls who were looking for a good time. He was setting with Bo, Jeb, Cooter and Mark listening to the band and drinking pop instead of beer. BL, Daisy and Cindy Mae wer swamped with orders. Cindy Mae asked Daisy, "What's with that cousin of yours? He ain't drank a beer all night and he just plan wasn't 'friendly'. Daisy said, "Well, Sugar, Luke's usually always friendly so I don't know what's up there, but I know he's driving the wrecker for Cooter tonight." Cindy Mae seemed to accept that part of teh answer but he had turned down her advances and that plan wasn't like Luke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bo looked at Luke chopping away at the wood. All the other chores were done and Luke was chopping wood because he chose to not because he had been asked. He looked at Jesse, "What's with him?" Jesse replied, "Seems Lori left last night. I think he's taking it a bit hard." Bo asked, "Well, why would he do that? They fought ALL the time!" Jesse said as he layed his hand on Bo's shoulder, "Maybe you'll unerstand someday." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie asked, "Did ya'll get Lori sobbered up last night? She was singing to the moon when Luke brought me home, since Cooter deserted me and BL wasn't ready to leave yet." Luther raised an eyebrow a bit but never said a word. Cooter replied, "Well, she must have. She left about 2 this morning." Everyone looked at Cooter with surprise, and................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that day Bo and Luke went by the garage to get parts for the General Lee. Luke looked at Cooter and said, "You know you've been working way to hard lately. If you need someone to drive the wrecker I'll take it in the evenings some for ya." Cooter gave him a strange look. "Won't that sorta put a kink in your social life?" Luke replied, "Well, I figure it will keep me out of trouble." Cooter still was almost in a state of shock at a Duke volunteering for work, but he said, "Well, now you can sure drive as many evenings as you like." Luke figured between farm work in the day, driving the wrecker in the evenings and runnign shine at night he could make a little extra money but mainly try to prove that he could be responsible and stay out of trouble. See everyone knew if Luke was driving Luther's wrecker he wasn't drinking. He wouldn't even drink a beer if he was running the wrecker. Luke knew operating machinary in some of the situations he found cars that is was dangerous enough without being drinking too. Cooter looked at Luke and said, "You, ... ah,...... do know....." Luke finished the sentence, "She left about 2 this morning? Yeah. I know. I heard Midnight go by." Cooter didn't have to ask what Luke was doing up that late after everything that had happened yesterday. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thing went pretty smooth the first couple weeks, but Luke was beginning to look just a bit tired from all his activities, but with Dixie hanging out at the garage he was getting to know her a bit more. He still would wait until after her birthday before even talking to Luther about taking her out.

At the Duke farm, Luke was also awake. He was thinking about the whole thing with Lori yesterday. He knew no one, not even Cooter would have dared to take the keys to Midnight, yet he had. Of course he'd done it for her own good. Then back at the Davenports, her crying had actually made him consider getting back with her, but he knew they would end up in the same place in their relationship sooner or later. He'd even asked her if she thought running away to Chickomohony right then would work? That was as close as Luke Duke had ever gotten to proposing to a girl. He knew it would never work and he was thankful that Lori knew that too. He had no idea what he would have done if she would have insisted that they could work and insisted they actually go to Chickomohony. He had asked the question more from desparation than anything else. He had been at a loose for words trying to explain that though he and Lori DID have something and though they clicked really well at times, that they also hadn't been able to hold a realtionship together. He knew he was far too young to settle down with anyone. Lately he had been going out with whom ever would give him a second look and he had been trying to see how far he could get with each. Most of the time there hadn't even been a second night together. Some due to fear of Lori, knowing her past incidents with anyone who talked to Luke, but most because Luke chose to move on himself. He had been looking for something since Robin that he hadn't found in Lori or any of the other girls. He couldn't exactly put his finger on it just now, but he knew none of them had whatever it was. So for the past couple of weeks he had made up his mind to move on. To try to find what ever he was looking for and he found that he actually missed a steady girlfriend. He shook his head and pictured pulling into the garage for gas with a girl, any girl, as a steady girlfriend with Lori there. Luke knew what would happen. Lori would drag her right out of the car and all mortal he-- would break loose. Which was likely to happen even if word got out he was dating anyone steady which is why he hadn't even dated any one since Lori. Yeah, he'd done several of the one night stands usually picking a girl up on his way out of the Boar's Nest when Lori hadn't been around. But he wanted to clean up his act so when he decided he wanted to take out a girl and maybe date her steadily he wouldn't necessarily be met by her father at the door with a shotgun. He'd thought of several girls that he'd like to ask out, but he knew it wouldn't go anywhere. But there was one with an eightteenth birthday just a ways off. Maybe just maybe if he tried really hard for awhile to, as Jesse put it, 'act like he had sense God gave a goose' she would consider going on a real date with him. But the problem was would her father allow it? and, what would her brother think? And, God help him, if Lori stayed in town, what woudld she do? No one had given Lori's drunken statements a second thought, but da-- it if she wasn't pretty darn close to his thougths. Yes, she knew him too da-- well! The girl in question was her very own cousin, Cooter's sister, and Luther's daughter, ...... Dixie. Luke knew he wouldn't stand a snowball's chance at even seriously talking to her before she was eightteen. He wan't even sure he wanted to date her, just get to know her a little better. He'd thought of her as Cooter's little sister until one day when she came to the garage. He found out later Daisy had fixed her hair that was usually in a ponytail under one of the garage ball caps. She wore a silky, bright red spaghetti strapped blouse instead of her normal T-shirt or sweatshirt. Her jeans had been replaced with a black leather skirt that was a might short, but Luke noticed her followed her long booted and fishnetted legs up and down at least a couple of times that day. He had wondered at first WHO she was, secondly where had Cooter's LITTLE sister gone, and thirdly WHEN Dixie had grown up so much? The memory of the sight he saw walk into the garage that day still was fresh in his mind as he tossed for the hundredth time. Bo rolled over and mumbled, "Luke what is with you tonight?" Luke replied, "Long story." "Oh," Bo said. He didn't really want to hear a long story right now. "Well, can you tell me in the morning and go to sleep?" Luke sighed, pulled on his jeans and said, "Think I'll go set on the porch awhile. I can't sleep. Don't want to keep you awake." Setting on the porch he kne he heard the sound of Midnight going by fast. He knew it was likely Lori going to her father's. He didn't want her to leave town. He knew he couldn't stop her and he knew she was going to get away from him more than to help her father. It was hard for him to not follow her, but he knew for her to move on maybe she did need a change of scenery. And, maybe now he could also move on. He set on the swing gently swinging. Jesse made his way into the kitchen to start coffee just before dawn. He heard a familiar squeak. He walked to the front porch and found Luke in the swing..................

Luke sorta wished for lightening to strike, a sudden down pour of rain, a hail storm. Anything to get him out of this situation. He hated to see women cry. Lori's tears especially bothered him because he knew he caused them. He got off the car. Seeing Lori cry was getting to him, he was heading towards her to try to comfort her when BL pulled up. He let of a breath of air he hadn't realized he was holding. Someday he would thank BL for her timing. BL pulled up seeing Luke standing in front of Lori.......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile in the house, Dixie was standing behind a curtain to see what was going on. It was summer she had heard a large amount of what was going on and knew that Luke was trying to move on.

Meanwhile at the Boar's Nest, the rest of the group had taken a table in the back of the room. Dixie had quickly jumped in the car with BL before Luther figured it out that Cooter was following him and Lori to the farm. Dixie didn't want to go home. Luke said, "Well, ya'll order. I'll get this round." Everyone ordered a beer except for Dixie who ordered a Coke. Daisy looked to Luke and to everyone surprise he ordered a Coke too. Daisy asked, "You're not driving the wrecker tonight are you?" Luke replied, "No, I just dealt with what alcohol can do. I'll settle for a Coke." Luke had another plan in mind and a lot of it needed to be based on improving his image. So, he'd start here. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ An hour or so later, Luke looked at BL and gently reminded, "Luther said he wanted ya'll home in a couple hours." She sighed, "Yeah and told Cooter to get Dixie home by then, but I ain't ready to go home just yet!" Luke nodded, "Something told me that. I'm feeling pretty bad over everything that happened earlier and was ready to head out. I'll run Dixie home if you want to stay." BL shrugged, "She goes everywhere else with you. Why not? Then, I can stay awhile longer." Luke stood up and looked at Bo and Jeb, "Ya'll coming or riding home with Daisy?" He knew the answer before he asked. They both said, "Riding home with Daisy." Luke looked to Dixie, "Well, I guess it's you and me, huh?" Dixie sighed, "Yeah! I get to go home and listen to Lori!" Luke and Dixie headed to the General Lee.

Jesse listened to the long version of the evenings events, then summed them up. "Ok, you all were at the Boar's Nest. Lori got word of her father needing her to come home." He looked at Lori, "And I can understand your mixed emotions with that situation. So you left and started drinking. Luke here followed you and then you two, then Dixie and BL, all of you got into a knock down drag out. Then, Rosco happened by? That about sum it up?" Luke sighed, "Yeah, except for us pulling out and leavign him standing." Jesse nodded, "I take it you all settled your differences and wouldn't press charges on each other?" They all looked at each other and and shook there heads in agreement that they wouldn't have pressed charges against anyone. Jesse said, "Well, now I don't see much of a problem here do you Luther?" Luther thougth a minute and said, "Well, they settled their own differences and wasn't in a public place so I don't see anything, but ya'll should have told Rosco all that instead of just running out on him." Jesse said, "Well, now, I agree with that and ya'll are friends! No more than that! You've all been raised up as FAMILY and you should all act like it! Now it's still early if ya'll are of the mind to go have that beer and can ACT like you have the scense God gave a goose, then as far as I'm concerned my bunch can." Luther said, "Well, I think Miss Loren needs to head home. I'll give the rest of you a couple hours and don't make me come looking for any of you. Cooter make sure your sister gets home by then." Cooter nodded as the group headed out to their cars like a bunch of whipped pups. Jesse added, "If Rosco give you any grief, call ME!" Luke threw his hand up in acknowledgement.

Luke looked at Cooter and sighed, "Let's go break them up huh??" Cooter sighed. He dreaded this too. He and Luke each grabbed a female around the waist. Cooter pulled Lori away from BL. Lori was swinging and cursing a blue streak. Luke pulled BL away from Lori. It was all the the guys could do to keep hold of the girls. They were sceaming and kicking and cursing for all they were worth. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Seeing all the cars parked in assorted directions, Rosco couldn't help but notice. He pulled up, stopped and got out of his car before anyone noticed. "ALRIGHT!!!! Settle down here! Hold it, just hold IT! What's going on here?" Luke still had his arms wrapped around BL and he quietly said, "Please act liek you have some scense." Cooter who was barely holding onto Lori looked up to see Sheriff Coultrane!

Luke knew he was about to tangle with a full grown Bob Cat but he wasn't going to let her pull out. He quickly leaned across her and reached for the keys. Lori tried to keep him from getting the keys but his quick unexpected move was no match for her current state. Luke put the keys in his front pocket and tried to talk some sense into Lori, "Now Lori I don't want you hurt or you to wreck Midnight. He say Lori coming out of Midnight with fire in her eyes. Best thing he could think of to do to get neutralize the alcohol and for him to live was to run! He had both sets of keys and he knew she'd be out for blood! Lori took out after him cussing him for every breath. Luke had to admit for as much as she had to drink she was still pretty quick and nimble. He jumped over a fallen log and headed for the creek area. Lori was still behind him when a thought occured to them both. She could hot wire Midnight. Luke tried to circle her back to get to the cars before she did. First thing he did he knew sounded hilarious but he did it anyway. He reached for the General Lee's CB mic and radioed, "Lost Sheep One to Crazy C, anybody home on the Hazzardnet?" Cooter happened to be standing by the bar and heard the call. He crossed the bar before the bartender culd tell him to, "Crazy C here." "Head up to Dry Creek NOW! I've got the keys to Midnight but I can only keep her off the road so long." Luke said. "Sh--!" Cooter said then, answered, "I'm down and gone." Cooter knew and hoped that Luke knew how much toruble he was when Lori got her hands on him. Luke saw Lori coming and said, "Now Lori just hold on a danged minute!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Boar's Nest Dixie saw Cooter head out the door. She turned to Bo, "Wonder what's up?" Bo replied, "I don't know. Let me get Daisy's car and we'll go find out!"

Luke walked near Lori. He saw the bottle in her hand and said, "Think that's really gonna help?" Lori asked, "Why the he-- should you care?? You don't know nothing about what helps me or what hurts me...well you may know what hurts me you already done enough of that....what are you here fer anyways?" "To make sure you were Ok and ask you not to leave." Luke said gently. Lori snorted and shook her head,"Why??? I aint no use to you.." Luke sighed and thought, 'Here we go again.' but he said, "Just because we aren't dating steadily you think you are no use to me. Da-- IT, Lori you are FAMILY and my FRIEND. If you weren't WHY did you run blocker for me the other night?" Lori took a drink of Jack and almost yelled, "I HELPED YOU LUKE CAUSE I STILL LOV....." Lori stopped and shook her head, "I've done said toooo much, I ain't stayin here, get Dixie to help ya she'll be more of USE to you than I will.." Luke looked at Lori and said, "How the he-- did Dixie get into this?" Lori snorted and looked to the skies laughing with frustration,"Stop making it so da-- obvious that you want her.... thats were the he-- she comes in at, everytime someone sees ya'll yer always making googly eyes at her!! Lord yer bout as bright as a burnt out light bulb!" the jack was starting to hit her.. Luke started getting defensive. Lori knew him and knew him too da-- well, "Lori you know da-- good and well she has followed Cooter, Bo, Me, and all the others since she could WALK. It's NO more than that." Lori fell over laughing,"Hahaha you really are clueless ain't ya Luke?? You dummy she likes you, she always has.... and its purty danged clear that your googly eyed fer her..." Luke changed the subject, "That's ridiculous! Come on back with me?" Lori asked, "Why would I do that fer? AND what's, what ridiculous is YOU denying that you don't like her and she don't like you!! " Luke rubbed the back of his neck. Lori knew he was stalling. Luke finally said, "Of course we like each other. I like Cooter to but not like I like you!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile at the Boar's Nest everyone had went back to their table. Dixie was drinking a Coke. Or rather a Coke about half empty was in front of her. She was doing a pretty fair job of sneaking sipps of Luke and Cooter's beers.

Rosco made it through Daisy and BL but still had his eyes closed when he hit a tree. Everyone stopped to make sure he was OK. They saw Rosco moving and knew he was fine so they headed off on there ways. Luke picked up the CB mic, "Thanks ladies!" Daisy radioed back, "No problem!" From somewhere in the County came the reply, "You always need a woman to get ya outta trouble?" Luke knew it was Lori, but just replied, "Sometimes ya'll are aweful handy to have around." Then, he yelled, "Lost Sheep to Crazy C." Bo laughed at Luke's reply. Dixie was closes to the wrecker, "This is shotgun, go ahead Lost Sheep." Luke said, "How about getting Cooter to bring the wrecker out here near the Boar's Nest. Rosco's hung up in a tree. Oh yeah, the General's running good!" Dixie replied, "Will do. We'll be there in a couple minutes." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse was waiting on the boys to get home from working on the General Lee. He pretty much let them 'play' on Saturdays and holidays with only the minimum chores being worried about. "After your chores, what do you boys have planned?" They all looked at each other, but Jeb answered first, "Nothing special." Jesse replied, "Good. How about ya'll head down to the Boar's Nest for a couple beers and STAY out of trouble." The three grinned widely. Jesse explained, "You've all been sticking pretty close to home or leaving early on nights we've had deliveries. You know what they say all work and no play, besides if ya'll are there no one will suspect me to take a few jugs of shine over to Jim. He called and said he's been pretty busy this weekend and is near about empty." Luke asked, "You want me to take it or go with you?" Jesse shook his head no. "I'll be fine. They will think I'm home." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke called the garage and was glad Dixie answered, "We're all heading over to the Boar's Nest tonight. Thought you all might want to come out for a bit." Dixie smiled and felt a bit of a tingle in her toes, "I'll be sure to tell the others and hopefully get to them to bring me." Luke said, "OK." He had been careful to not exactly ask Dixie out but to imply he'd like her to come.

It wasn't long before Cooter deemed the General ready for a trial run. "But, take it easy or we'll be right back under him huh?" Dixie shook her head. "That done a lot of good to tell them that!" They watched as Bo took off out of town. From the garage they heard a siren in the distance. Cooter said, "Oh brother!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked at Bo, "Nice one! Now how about loosing him?" Bo down shifted and picked up more speed. Narrator: Now the boys ain't had the General Lee long so he still has a few bugs in him.