DixieDavenport

NOTE: I know in the episode "General Lee's Birthday" the General Lee wasn't around in these days, but it is just SO unnatural not to have him in a story that I have bent the time frame to also have the General Lee in this story. Also, I have not researched the penalties for running moonshine lately, I am usuing bits and pieces of what is said in various episodes and the little I know about law. Some shows said 2 years, some said ten and I think one said 2-10. I know Federal sentences for the same crimes are much stiffer so that is the way I wrote the conversation with Luke and Dixie. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie had spent a long weekend with her Mother pretty much against her wishes, but if it meant being able to go to school this year in Hazzard she would go. Her sixteenth birthday was coming up soon and she wanted to spend it in Hazzard with her friends who were making a big deal out of the event, where as her Mother only wanted to take her shopping for dresses and things Dixie seldom wore in Hazzard. She realy hated going shopping cause it seemed she never got to pick the clothes she wanted. However, she had snuck in a couple skirts that had some potenial. It was about noon when Dixie arrived at the garage and being a holiday she figured Bo, Luke, and likely Jeb would be there, but there was no sigh of them. "Hey Cooter where are the guys?" Cooter answered without thinking, "Late night I guess." He knew who she meant. He also knew they had a long run last night into another state, but he wasn't real sure how much Dixie knew about the guys late night 'activities'. He saw in an instant he'd said the wrong thing. Dixie looked hurt and confused at the same time. "Where they at the Boar's Nest late last night?" Cooter said, "Ah,........ well, ...... um,......." He was saved at the sound of the General Lee pulling in. Luke saw Dixie talking to Cooter as he pulled in. He couldn't believe that just a few months ago he had thought of her only as Cooter's little sister. Now, he had to admit to himself, she sure looked awfully grown up to him. He knew her birthday was coming up soon and planned to ask Luther after the birthday if he could possibly date Dixie. He knew there was a bit of an age difference but 18 and twenty wasn't too bad an age difference. What he was worried about though was his reputation. Luther knew a lot about Luke since he had dated Lori on and off, lately it had been more off. Luke had liked the steadness of having one girlfriend, but everytime he tried it with Lori she'd promise to not force him into commitment and she might not have in one sense but her possessiveness of him at times smothered him. NARRATOR: Now, in case ya'll didn't notice, Luke there is doing some figuring, but he's assuming a lot too. If you didn't catch it, you'll just have to hang on for the ride. Luke got out of the General Lee followed by Bo and Jeb. Cooter held up an empty doughnut box, "Sorry fellas ya'll were late. But there's cold beer in the frig." Cooter knew he stuck his foot in his mouth as his Mother was standing behind him. Luke smiled at his situation and said, "Well, I think I'll settle for a Coke. How about you guys?" He nudged Jeb and Bo. Bo didn't catch the hint and said, "Nah, a beer sounds better." Luke handed him a Coke anyway, "It may, but there are ladies around cuz." Bo did have the good graces to look embarassed in front of Cooter's Mother. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later after Cooter and Dixie's Mother left for home, a wrecker call came in. Luke saw Cooter was elbow deep in the General Lee. "Want me to get that while you finish your, ah,... surgery?" Cooter rolled his eyes at Luke, "Where have you had him? Yeah, go ahead I'm going to be awhile here." Luke headed to the wrecker. Dixie asked, "You want some company?" Luke replied, "Sure." He was sort of trying to play his interests in her down a bit until he could talk to Luther after her birthday. But, Dixie had always 'tagged' along. At the pond they found a soaking wet Sheriff Rosco Coultrane. After Luke got his car out of the pind Rosco began to fume, "Let me tell you one thing Luke Duke. I would have got you last night if it hadn't of been for that dang girl in that runner. I sure wished Boss would give me a Deputy I'd had you BOTH!" Luke calmly said, "Sheriff I don't have a clue what you are talking about. I was home all evening last night. Just ask Uncle Jesse." Rosco huffed, "Ask Jesse, ha! he was likely in front of you or behind you!" Luke shook his head no, "Nah, Jesse was home all night too." "Fiddle sticks ya'll were. I know Tilley when I see her!" Rosco insisted. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After dropping Rosco's car at the garage and Rosco had sqeaked any to dry out, Luke said, "I know you heard everything Rosco had to say out there. And, I suppose you might be wondering what he's talking about?" Dixie replied, "Well, I caught some of what he said, but Cooter said ya'll had a late night last night and you told Rosco you were home all night. So, I've basically heard three stories about last night, but you don't owe ME and explianation." Luke yelled at Cooter who was still under the General's hood, "We're taking the wrecker up to the Hazzard car wash and give him a good bath. I got mud all over him trying to get that danged cruiser out." Cooter thought nothing of it. Luke liked to drive the wrecker but he lliked it clean. Dixie said, "You didn't get it that muddy." Luke replied, "Yeah, I know, but what I'm about to talk to you about has to be kept between you and me. If I explain to you what Rosco was talking about you can't tell a soul you know anything about what I'm telling you or you could get the whole family even Uncle Jesse in serious trouble with Rosco." Dixie nodded, "Like I said before you don't owe me any explainations, but anything you tell me to keep a secret I will." Luke has told her secrets in the past and she had never told but nothing this important. "I was out last night in Uncle Jesse's black car. You know the one he keeps in the barn." Dixie nodded, "Yeah, he calls her Black Tilley." Luke replied, "Yeah, and Rosco did see me in Tilley like he said. I flew by him and he turned on the lights about the time Lori passed me in Midnight. The crazy thing locked it up in between me and Rosco and took off like her hair was on fire. Rosco followed her and I figure she lost him awhile later." Dixie asked, "Why would Lori have Rosco chase her if he was only after you for speeding?" Luke smiled. He loved Dixie's innocence. He began to explain, "Because I wasn't only speeding. I had a trunk full of twenty gallons of moonshine I was taking out of state." Dixie looked a bit surprised, "And, Cooter knew?" Luke nodded, "Yeah. He knew we were going somewhere out of state but not where. That's how he knew I had a 'late' night. And, Lori seeing me out that late and Rosco on my tail must have figured I had a load of shine." Dixie asked, "Lori knows?" Luke played Lori's knowledge of his activities down a bit, "Yeah, for the same reason I'm telling you now. We could be going back right now and Rosco or one of the Revenuers see me and think I might have something in here they could pull us and check out the wrecker. They could stop me at anytime and want a look see at the vehicle. But, I will tell you this, if you are in anything I'm driving it won't be carrying anything illegal. So if you ever want to go somewhere with me and for no apparent reason I say, no, I just might be loaded. Ok?" Dixie nodded her understanding, but asked, "And if you get caught?" Luke knew she'd bring this part up. He hated this part of the explaination, though he'd only had this conversation once before, "I'm in a heap of trouble." he sighed and continued, "If I'd get caught in this state it's two years in the state pen and if I were to get caught on the other side of the state line it would be a Federal crime and it would be ten years in the Federal system." He'd seen the questions in her eyes but pushed through with the entire explianation. Dixie asked, "And Uncel Jesse knows you are doing this?" Luke smiled and said proudly, "The Dukes have been making some of the best moonshine ever made for over two hundred years, which was long before there were laws that said we couldn't. Passing a law hasn't changed the family ways none. I have helped Jesse, but he won't even give me his secret recipe. He said he would in time so that I can pass it on to my sons. Like his father passed it to him." Dixie could never see Uncle Jesse doing anything illegal, but Luke's explaination made a lot of sense. Luke continued, "You know I've only told one other person this." Dixie guessed, "Lori?" Luke nodded, 'no', "Someone before Lori. But I figured most of the rest of your family knows my family's business you may need to know so when you hear I'm out after I tell you I'm going home you won't think I'm out running aroud. I'm really trying to change that and clean up my act some." Dixie said, "I'm glad. I've seen you hurt too much lately." Luke smiled a bit embarassed, "Well, that's why I've been working so much both at the garage and the farm. It makes extra money for the General Lee but I hope it keeps me out of trouble with Rosco and well all those girls.........." Luke was saved by Cooter yelling in the CB, "Crazy C looking for Lost Sheep One." Luke answered, "Lost Sheep here." Cooter said, "You want the General ready to race you better get back here and give me a hand." Luke replied, "Yeah, we'll be looking at you in a minute or two."

Once he found Lori at Kissing Cliff, Luke parked and walked over to her and humbly said, "Thanks for earlier." Lori rolled her eyes and asked,"That all? made me drive out here fer nothing when I was all the way home?!" Luke shoook his head, "No, that's not all. Yes, I wanted to thank you for stepping in and all but I was wondering why you were out here to begin with?" Lori replied, "Why would you be concerned fer?? I was doing my job and that was all, I was spose to meet Mark but he got in trouble." Luke questioned, "Trouble????" Lori: "Yeah, you know, the stuff you get into all the time??, Me and him were out really really late last night and that was it.." Luke nodded, "Ok, so why did you jump in the middle of my trouble?" Lori shrugged."Cause im stupid." Luke smiled, "No, you are not stupid. I apppreciate the distraction and all but you are not stupid!" Lori.............

This story uses my character Dixie Davenport, but I have altered my orginial story line in order for her to be in this story. She is still Cooter's little sister and is still a little over four years yonger than Luke Duke , though he hasn't even taken her age into consideration. The current ages are: Luke Duke is 20, Bo and Jeb Duke are 18, Cooter Davenport 21, Dixie Davenport 15, Daisy Duke 17, B.L. Davenport is 20, Mark McCormick 21 and Lori Davenport is 20. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was a warm summer night as most of Hazzard was getting ready for bed. However, Luke, Bo and Jeb were on the front porch with Jesse drinking coffee. Jesse cautioned, "Now you boys know what to do. I'm setting this one out tonight, but I'll be on the radio. Now I can head to you but I won't be close by." Luke nodded. He understood exactly what Jesse was getting at. Luke knew no matter what went on tonight it was on his shoulders as he was the oldest. Jesse asked, "Who's driving the runner?" Luke was the first answer, "I am." Bo and Jeb looked hurt. Jesse hushed them. "You two will get your chance." He looked to Luke to hear his plan. "Bo I want you out front driving in a hurry. Hopefully if you run by anyone they will jump on your back. If they do get on the radio to me and take them for a ride but don't loose them and don't get caught. jeb I want you behind me. If I do find trouble that Bo doesn't flush out you can help block for me, Ok?" Luke explained. Jesse nodded. The plan was acceptable to him, but he must caution, "Just remember you are all three over 18 now. You get caught and there won't be anything I can do. And, boys you are crossing state lines so if you get caught it is a federal offense." He was glad to see the understanding of the seriousness in each one of 'his' boys eyes. Luke told them to be some where on Rt 11 and he'd see them in about an hour. He had to make his way to the still and load 20 gallons of shine before they headed out to Chactaw County which took them right through Sheriff Loomis's territory. Luke was about to make the cut off to the still when he passed none other than the Midnight Rider coming his way. He sighed hoping she wasn't out running shine again. He picked up the mic and yelled, "Whiskey Bent. Come back Whiskey Bent."

It was almost dawn when Cooter and Luke eased down a long driveway. Cooter stopped a good distance from the house that would have made three of Boss's house. Luke asked, "Ah, ...... Cooter, .... are you really sure this is such a good idea?" Cooter said, "If any of them think they can tell me I have a daughter and expect me not to come see her they are VERY mistaken." Luke eased out of the car behind Cooter, "If you say so." Cooter made a wide circle around the house until he came to where an upstairs window had a small balcony on it with an oak tree near by. Cooter began climbing up the tree. Luke was standing at the tree watching, "Cooter I really don't think that's such a good idea." Cooter kept climbing up the tree an onto the balcony............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ While in Hazzard, another unexpected visitor was waking up in her room in the Hazzard Hotel. She had been at the graduation the night before to see her son graduate, but couldn't catch up with him before he left with his friends. She decided to get dresses, have breakfast at the diner and head out for the fight she knew she'd get when she told her daughter she wanted her to spend the summer with her. Anna Davenport knew both Dixie, Luther and likely Cooter would protest this, but she had let Dixie go to school here all year. She knew Dixie was getting to the age she should have a woman around. And to Anna's thinking Lori nor BL fit that description. After coffee and toast at the diner, Anna headed toward the farm. As she pulled up in the yard, she shook her head seeing Midnight, the Judge parked along side the same (now) old wrecker that Luther had when they were together. There were several more pieces of cars and farm equipment setting around the farm. She got out of her Chrysler New Yorker and walked up to the door. She knew it wouldn't be locked, but then she still had her key if it had been. She opened the door and quietly stepped inside to see Luther the only one up and at the kitchen table with his coffee and paper. She couldn't resist and asked, "Buy your wife a cup of coffee?" Luther almost jumped out of his skin when he heard the voice and looked up to see his wife standing in the living room looking at him. He sort of grinned and said, "Sure. What brings you HERE?" "Do you really think I'd not show up for my sons graduation?" Anna asked. Luther replied, "Well, no, but I didn't see you." Anna said, "I didn't want a scene in front of all of Hazzard." Luther nodded as he handed her the cup of coffee. He thought, 'Yeap same woman who thought I was making money dirty by taking money for repairing moonshiners cars.'

Cooter and Luke were well on their way to Alabama. Luke looked to find trouble once they got there. Beverly father would likely send Cooter back on his way home, but Luke didn't figure Cooter would be leaving so easily. He really hoped they could make this visit without trouble but he didn't see it happening.

Luke hadn't heard the CB transmission. "Cooter buddy what are you talking about?" Cooter wasn't really hearing anyone around him right now, but he focused on Luke as he started to stand up, "I gotta go!" Luke said, "Wait. Go where?" Cooter replied, "Alabama. I gotta find Beverly!" Luke knew a little bit about their history. He was glad he'd changed into his jeans at he school before leaving for the party. He was beginning to see this was going to be a long night. "Cooter look why don't you wait til morning? I'll even go with you." Cooter shook his head, "Nah, I'm heading out now." Luke looked to Lori. He knew neither one of them should likely be driving right now, but he said, "Hang on a second." He turned to Mark and said, "Cooter is determined to go outta here tonight. I'm going to go with him. I'll leave my car here til morning. Can you get Lori and BL home?" Mark sighed. He knew the girls were pretty loaded, but saw how ghostly white Cooter still was. He said, "Yeah sure. Ya'll be careful." Luke told Lori, "I'll go with Cooter. Mark will make sure you get home." He kissed her before she could reply and headed to the passenger side of Cooter's car. Cooter had been already pulling out. Lori............

Luke sighed and replied, "We've made it this far. We only have three days to go." He sarted his car and headed toward the lake. "Besides, I'm, ah......, the unofficial director of entertainment." Lori grinned, "SO how much are you hauling?" Luke smiled. She knew what he was telling her, "Twenty gallons." He shrugged. Lori smiled wide, licked her lips, and said, "Doesn't look like it." Luke nodded, "That's the point Darlin'. Your cousin and Uncle know there stuff!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As the night passed, Luke and Lor watched couple after couple sneak off for privacy. Each time Luke bit his lip and Lori whined a bit. Luke nor Luther had figured the thirty day bet would take them past gradutation, but it had! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ After things had settled down some at the lake, Luke saw Robin heading his way. She looked up at him, "Congradulations! I told you that you could make it." "Yeah you did. And, even helped with some homework as I recall." Luke grinned. Robin smiled back. "Yeah. SOME." She paused, "Luke the wedding is the 27th. I'd like you to be there." She turned with a tear in her eye and walked. Luke saw the unshead tears. He'd remember the date but doubted if he'd go, though he had been invited by the bride. He watched her bid her farewell to her friends and get in Ralph's car and drive away. As Luke looked up Lori was looking his way, but she hadn't said a word, YET..................

Luke helped Lori in and on their way there they talked about their future and past, then Luke asked, "So what about now?" Lori sighed. "I lnow what i'd LIKE to do tonight but you entered that stupid bet with Luther.............."

Luke had been surrounded by family and friends. He was looking for Lori who would be his date tonight but many of his classmates was worried abouthte refreshments and had to stop by to talk to him for assurence. Luke tried his beat to assure them in the camotion that followed the gradutaion excerises. Finally he spotted Lori who had been held up by her friends and family..................

Jesse called fromt he living room, "Luke YOU are going to be late for your own graduation. I've suffered through all these years of school with you. I'd at least like to see you walk across the stage and get your diploma." Luke replied, "I'm on my way!" Luke adjusted the tie of his suit once more. He had waited all these years to be out of school, but now he dreaded the finallity of the event. He knew Robin would be graduating up near the front of the class while he was just glad to be graduating and with his class at that. Lori would also be in the list of graduates. Luke took a bit of comfort in the fact that Cooter was finally graduating and would be pretty close by. Luke laughed a bit, he sure hoped he didn't get pulled over before he got where he and Lori was going tonight he had 20 gallons of Jesse's finest in his trunk for the party afterwards. To his knowledge everything was going to go off without a hitch. Rosco had the night off unless he was truely needed. Luke had plans with Lori but it was still three days until the bet was up so they still couldn't 'be' with each other and after Bo and Dixie's stunt they were fortunate to be able to even to out with each other. Luke headed to the living room and to the school for the graduation exercises.

Luke showed up at the farm with his hair still wet and his wet clothes in his trunk. Jesse looked at him and said, "I'm here if you want to talk." He had recieved the call from Cooter early this morning telling him that Lori had agreed to marry Billy Ray. Luke smiled weakly, "I'm fine now I think. The bet is still on and the wedding is off." Jesse looked at him full of questions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie innocently asked BL, "Why did you believe them so fast and WHY was Luke all wet?"

Luke sighed and smiled looking to Lori as he stood there dripping wet, "Ya know you really hit home when you accepted that twits proposal. I was beginning to think maybe all we had was the sex between us. I talked to Cooter, he said maybe our timing is just off." Lori grinned, "I always heard if you love something set if free, if it comes back to you it's yours, if it doesn't come back then it never was yours. Luke, how many times have we done that and always ended up back with each other? How many times do we have to do it until we get it right?" Luke sighed, "I don't know Honey." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie looked at BL a few minutes later and said, "So should we conclude the bet is off and they DID or ARE going to?" BL looked at Dixie. How could she have left without knowing IF they had or were going to do 'anything'. She.........

Luke took Lori in his arms and held her tighly and began kissing her most passionately. It wasn't long until both were breathing hard with desire for each other. Luke suddenly remembered the bet! He pushed himself an arms away from Lori and uttered weakly, "Da-- bet!" He turned and headed towards the lake. Lori watched him. Luke walked determinely toward the lake and jumped in clothes, boots, belt, knife, car keys and all. Lori looked to Luke and said,"Luke???? what are you doing?" Luke was paddling around near where he jumped in, "Trying to find a cold spot." Lori knew Hound Dog lake was always COLD. It didn't even start to get warm til August and it was still late May. She watched as Luke had evidently tried to swim off his frustration. He swam towards the middle of the lake as quickly as he could then finally turned and headed back toward land as quick as he could. He was making good time considering the weight of the clothes and boots. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile BL and Dixie were looking all over the county for Lori and they were getting ...................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke may have been drinking but he was thinking too. He had lost two girls in the last three months because they agreed to marry someone other than him. Luke pretty much felt he was batting a thousand. Lori had promised not to pressure him into marriage, yet, less than a week into a thirty day bet that they wouldn't sleep together, she had agreed in the middle of the Boar's Nest to marry someone else. Just how important could Luke have been if she was willing to promise the rest of her life to a man that hadn't been in town 24 hours. Luke thought that maybe Luther was right in betting him. Maybe his and Lori's connecting link was only sex. Without it, she was ready to marry someone else. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dawn broke to find Luke still pretty drunk. Cooter stretched and asked, "You about ready to head back?" Luke shook his head 'no', "How about calling Jesse? Tell him where I am, what's going on and that I need sometime. I may even spend tonight up here." Cooter nodded, "You got it. I'll be on the HazzardNet if you need me." Luke nodded and watched Cooter leaving, "Ah, Cooter, will you NOT tell Lori where I am? It's the only site I know of that I was sure she didn't." Cooter looked back and said, "Ok, Luke, but I'm telling you she doesn't want to do this." Luke shrugged his shoulders, "That's not what she told Billy Ray and 50 other people yesterday. I wasn't going to say a word to them. It was Lori or Billy Ray himself that felt the need to come jump me Cooter." Luke's muscles were a bit sore in places this morning from the fight but other wise couldn't complain. It was just that the fight shouldnt' have occured to beigin with.

Luke had drank more shine than he had in a long time. Cooter had been sippinghis and was feeling good, but he was keeping a watchful eye on Luke when he asked, "Cooter why can't we stay away from each other? I mean I can tell you that I don't want to get serious. We can break up and I'll go the the Boar's Nest. Lori walks in and we have War War III! Why?" Cooter scrated his head and, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, Lori was................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lori just looked at him and said with a weak smile and a quivering lip, "Sure I, ah, ........ do,....... Cooter." She found the words hard to say even now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter stepped out side to check on Luke, but all that he saw was a cloud of dust in the air from where Luke had backed up and burnt the car around and headed out of the parking lot. Cooter wondered where he was headed since he was not headed toward the farm. Cooter reached for the CB, he wsa a bit worried about Luke, "Lost Sheep One this is Crazy C. Come back." He heard no reply. He called again, "Come on Lost Sheep, dang it answer me." Luke sighed, greabbed another gear, then the CB mic, "Yeah Crazy C." Cooter said with concern, "Hey, don't know where you are headed, but want some company?" Luke really didn't want company, but he felt that it really wasn't good for him to be alone right now either. "Sure, Coot. Meet me out on Rt. 11. You'll see me!" Cooter said, "10-4 be there in two shakes of a lamb's tail." Luke was still driving hard. He was only looking forward as he fishtailed through a series of 'S' curves. A flash of light hit his back window just before the flash of blue lights were seen and the siren heard. Luke cursed a string of profanities that would like made Jesse blush and reached for the CB, "Crazy C, I'll be on the danged side just ahead of you. Slow down!" On another day Luke may have tried to shake Rosco, but he knew he'd been pushing his luck since he'd left the Boar's Nest and he'd looked at his gas gage and it was too close to empty to enter into a chase. Cooter heard Luke's tone of voice and heeded the warning by slowing way down,"What'd you do now?" Luke stopped his car and waited for Rosco in all his glory.

Lori hadn't been the only one tense. Though Luke had been relaxed and enjoying himself, that situation had changed as soon as Lori entered the bar. Luke had tensed and been ready for anything. He had seen Billy Ray heading his direction, so when he turned and Billy Ray had swung, Luke was man enough to take one punch, now it was self defense! Luke was up and dead after Billy Ray as the other costomers hurried to get out of the way of the fight. Behind the bar Charlie watched. He had the CB base station he could call Rosco but much perferred a good fight unless it got too bad of too much furnishings were being broken up. Billy Ray who had been trained by the Marines was suprised at Luke's lightening quick reflexes and powerful bunchs. Had he not been tring to defend himself from this assault he would have been impressed by Luke. But rigth now he was busy falling through a table and a couple chairs. At Lori's table she seen what happened and held her head over the table. She shook her head and sighed. She had a good mind to just LET them fight it out maybe one or the other would knock some since into the other. Charlie shook his head as another table was broken. Cooter had just pulled up hoping to stop trouble before it started. He noted Midnight out front and no sigh of Luke until he started through the door. Parked to the side was Luke's car. "Dang IT! Some days you can't shove it into second, EVEN if you double clutch it!" Cooter said and he prepared himself for anything before entering --- that is he thought he had until he entered the bar.

Luke checked the parking lot. Cindy Mae's car, Midnight, The Judge nor the wrecker were in the lot. Luke sighed in relief. He walked in the simi filled bar and took a stool at the far end of the bar. He wasn't with anyone, didn't expect anyone, and furthermore, hoped he wasn't bothered by anyone. Luke ordered a beer from Charlie and began sipping on it. If Luke was going to set at the bar he preferred this stool he could see the entire place, the front door, the door to Boss's office and not have anyone behind him. Luke watched the crowd. Ernie was there mildly pestering his newest girlfriend. There was several other couples carrying on private conversations at tables. A couple tables of other guys Luke knew and one table of girls that Luke went to school with. Then, there was Luke and three other guys at the bar. Luke let his thoughts go back to his earlier conversation with Lori. Why hadn't he been able to tell her what he really wanted. For them to be able to go out if they chose too or if they decided to go out with someone else then the other wouldn't start a war. Maybe it was because Luke had tried to tell her that before, maybe because Luke had tried to go out with other people and Lori had started a war. He-- she was at a Motel with Vance which is what started this whole bet mess in the first place and Luke still hadn't had THAT conversation with either of them. He was begining to relax and enjoy just thinking as he ordered his second beer. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the garage Billy Ray asked, "So, ah, Lori what do you say we head to somewhere a little more relaxing while Cooter here works his magic on my car and we can talk?" Lori said, "Ah, the only place I can think of is the Boar's Nest and..........." "That sounds good to me!" Billy Ray jumped in. Lori nodded and plastered on a fake smile and said, "Sure, why not?" Frankly she could think of several reasons why not and they all ended with the name of 'Duke'. They took Midnight and headed off. Billy Ray was talking but Lori was trying to figure the odds of none of the Dukes being at the Boar's Nest. She sighed a bit. They were good odds. As Lori pulled in she thougth she had gotten lucky. NO Dukes vehicles could be seen. Of course she had missed sight of Luke's car hidden by the delivery truck. Lori felt a bit better as she and Billy Ray walked in to the bar. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke was on his fifth beer when Lori walked in with none other than Billy Ray Johnson. For a second Luke felt like he had been kicked in the stomach, but remembered this was what he was tring to tell Lori he wanted. He nodded their way and took another sip of beer. By the time Lori seen Luke his eyes were on her. She knew he seen her, he had nodded to them as if nothing was wrong. She decided that the was no point in leaving now. Billy Ray found them a table and they took their seats. Lori knew many eyes were watching her with Billy Ray and Luke for his reaction....................

Luke had about had it with everythign that was going on with Lori and now Bo and Dixie. He planned on finishing his chores and asking Jesse if he could head out for a cold one at hte Boar's Nest. He sorta hoped Cindy Mae wouldn't be there and that maybe Luther had grounded all the girls from the Boar's Nest. He--, if he went there and it looked complicated he may head to a still site alone for the night. He really wanted an evening to relax with no strings attached to anyone. Several hours later Luke was cleaned up and headed out to the Boar's Nest.

Bo sighed and followed him in pleaing his case, "Luke WE DIDN'T DO NOTHING! Yeah, we were messing around, but that's ALL!" Luke stopped dead, turned to face Bo, and glared, "THAT information MAY have made Jesse and Luther a bit HAPPIER had you bothered to SHARE that information with them." Bo said weakly, "They really didn't give me a chance." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie knew that now was not the best time to tell Luther that nothing had really happened between her and Bo either. She knew to expect a whipping at home too. If Jesse had seen the need to whip them, then Luther would feel the need to reinforce the message again. For the moment she was just glad not to be being yelled at!

Luke sighed and looked at Lori. He knew BL, Cooter and Bo would be hanging on his every word. "Look Lori I don't know why Luther felt so compelled to bet me anyway. It was Vance you had been with that night not me." Luke saw in her eyes that part of what she was talking about was just what he had said. He had tried to tell her what he wanted several times before but she didn't listen or just didn't want to hear. Maybe she felt like the bet would change things. Then, Luke thought, 'maybe the bet had or would change things.' He decided that there was still over three weeks of this bet to go so he decided to see if he made it that long. Luke finished by saying, "There's a lot left of the month. How about we get through it first and then we talk?" Luke knew it was crazy as he-- but this crazy bet was making him want even more what he couldn't have --Lori. It was driving him just a bit crazy. Lori even found that she was thinking more about being with Luke since the bet was made than she ever had before.

Bo and Luke headed for the farm. Luke was just glad to have exscaped with his family jewels! He looked at Bo and stated, "You know, I ain't never gonna make a month!" Bo said exasperately, "LUKE! You goy to! Luther will see to it you don't ever get to be with Lori again!" Luke sighed, "Don't remind me Bo, huh?" Bo replied, "Somebody better be reminding you!" Luke knew he was right. He said, "Sorry, Bo I know ya mean well." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori found her behind to hurt alot worse as the day wore on, with Grandma sure to make her day torture.

Grandma Davenport had had enough of the three girls actions. Like she had told Dixie she had dealt with young wayward girls for years! She would speak to Luther in the morning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beside the girls room Luke looked at Cooter hopeful, "I hope you have a large supple of COLD water! Cooter had forgotten about Luther's bet with Luke and looked at him confused. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Grandma Davenport spoke with Luther the next morning, "You know I have connections and can see to it that all three girls are locked up until their wedding nights!" Grandma threatened. Luther sighed, "Let's see how the rest of the month plays out. If that Luke Duke comes too near Lori I'll help ya stop him from doing it again!" Grandma sipped her hot tea and smiled!

Luther stepped up to the door right about then and put his foot down!, "Everone to their rooms NOW! OR I will have youall CHASITIZED!" Luke and Bo about knocked Cooter down trying to get to his room! Meanwhile Lori, BL and Dixie..........

To BL, Bo may be a kid, but to Dixie he was a mighty fine specimen of Duke bones, but she sure would like to be in Lori's place but she'd never tell anyone that! ~~~~~~~~~~~ The Davenport girls got thier cars and Lori tried t talk Luke into going to the barn. Luke sighed, "Lori, look I ma do a lot BUT I refuse to go back on MY word, let alone deal with all the ridgerunners around here if I break the word of a ridgerunner. YOU of all people should understand THAT!" Luke almost begged her to stop trying to MAKE him break his word ..................... Lori..........................