DixieDavenport

Luke sat on the banister of the porch while Lori ate the sandwich he'd made her. He heard the phone ring...... ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie decided that if Lori wasn't with Midnight that there was only one place she could be, she called the Dukes, "Luke? Is Lori there? with Vance?" she added quickly. Luke said quietly, "She's here." Dixie said, "Cooter went looking for her and found Midnight. He and BL are looking for her." Luke said, "Tell them not to worry she's here. I didn't think she needed to drive right now." Dixie said, "OK. Thanks. I'll let Cooter and BL know." She went to radio Cooter and BL to let them know that Lori was OK. She wasn't sure what was up and wasn't sure that she wanted to know either as long as Lori was OK. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse pulled up in the yard after talking to the judge. He saw Lori setting on the porch and could tell that she had been drinking. Luke was coming back out of the house. Vance was no where to been seen. He just looked at Luke. Luke gave him an 'I'll explain soon' look. Jesse nodded, letting him know that 'yes he would be doing some explaining real soon'. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Judge looked to Jesse and said, "Well, I've been thinking on it. I think taking them out of school would be more of a vacation. Football season is over. So, I've been looking to keep their weekends filled." Jesse smiled and nodded. He was following the Judges idea. Judge Hardcastle and Jesse both had a good laugh. Jesse explained, "They are all good kids. But, I guess they are just trying to spread their wings." Judge Hardcastle smiled and assured Jesse. "I'll do what I can but, I've got to do my job." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke shook his head and softly replied, "Look I'm nothing special and I sure ain't worth all this." He paused. He knew she couldn't or shouldn't be driving like this and he knew he should make it clear that he and Robin were trying to work things out. But, Luke also knew that voicing any of that right now may not be such a good idea. So, he said, "Why don't you leave Midnight here and come out to the farm for awhile. We can get you something to eat and we'll talk?" Lori .... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter walked off thinking.

Cooter looked at B.L and snorted when she said she had 'innocently' been minding her own business. He then went outside without a word wasn't nothin' to do in the house and he was bored sitting down with a car magazine wasn't an option his rear still smarted from that whipping so he popped the hood on the wrecker and began working on it. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Thought Luke was on the phone with Robin, he was also listening to Vance and Lori on the CB and knew Vance went to meet her at Dry Creek. When Vance walked in, Luke just gave him a questioning look. Vance knew Luke would find him after he got off the phone. On the phone Robin asked, "But, what about school, ....... if, ........" Luke heard her unfinished question without her asking it and replied, "I don't know. I guess we'll just have to wait and see day after tomorrow." They had been notified to be in Court at 800 the day after tomorrow. He continued, "Look, I've got to get off here. I'll try to call you back later." Robin knew he didn't like to talk on the phone much and especially since she had started a subject he obviously didn't want to talk about. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke walked outside to go find Vance. Vance was leaning against the barn yard fence waiting for him. Luke said, "Vance?" Vance turned to him, "She's at Dry Creek. She's drinking and she still loves you." Luke shook his head and said, "And, you're here?" Vance replied, "Might as well be. It's not me she wants." Luke ................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the meantime, Jesse went over to see his old fishin' buddy, Judge Hardcastle. He hoped by letting him know that the 'kids' were still in school that what ever punishment he could come up with wouldnt' hurt their school work. He knew they had messed up but he didn't want to see their graduations pushed back because of their poor judgement. Jesse knew Judge Hardcastel was tough, but could be very inventive in his punishments.

Luke at the farm though was doing some hard thinking. 'How could he have been stupid enough to walk right back into the one place he knew he shouldn't have?' It was bad enough that he'd been orignally in the situation to take the blame to every single on of the ones who the very next night went right back to get into more trouble and against his better judgement he DID NOT just let them do so on their own but went after them only to get himself in more trouble. He heard Daisy calling him and answered back. "Phone!" she said. Luke took a deep breath. He figured he knew who it was. "Hello." He was right. Robin asked, "So are you still alive?" "For now." Luke replied. Robin said, "Mark said you all could go back to jail?" Luke replied, "Oh yeah, Jesse's made that real clear."

The next morning fortunately was Saturday. Luke was glad not to have to deal with school and everyone talking about him being arrested again, besides he was sure seating at a desk all day would be rather uncomfortable. Jesse hadn't cut him any slack. As he walked to the kitchen he was pretty stiff from his trip to the woodshed. Jesse was already up and at the table with his coffee. Luke spoke as normal, "Morning." Jesse replied, "Morning. Coffee's ready." Luke poured his coffee and instead of going outside to start his chores he very easily took a seat beside Jesse. "Uncle Jesse, about last night." Jesse held up a hand and cut him off. "You....." Only to be cut off himself by a determined Luke. "I KNEW better! I was the one who tried to talk the entire bunch into NOT going. Cooter, Mark and I found out they went anyway and went after them to try to keep them out of trouble. You know I haven't talked to Robin since then, if you don't believe me call and ask her. She was going to go with us but I knew what happened was possible and didn't want her in the middle of it." Jesse would allow Luke's outburst this time but he added, "You know you were pretty lucky still. There were three minors up there. YOU were ONLY charged with one count of contributing along of course with the Speeding, reckless Driving and Racing from the other night." That made Luke feel A LOT better. Yeah! He thought. But, opted to just listen. Jesse continued, "Ya know the way I figure it you could be looking at about 15 months in jail?" Luke knew Jesse was a pretty fair back porch lawyer and knew a bit about the law. Jesse had just put his stomach in his shoes! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori found out the next day from a still angry and loud Cooter in no uncertain terms through a pounding headache what she had been arrested for. Cooter told her loudly, "You KNOW they charged with Racing, Reckless Driving, Contributing and RESISTING ARREST! " Well, actually she didn't until now. She was about to ask him to talk softer when he got louder. "That COULD BE up to TWENTY-ONE MONTHS in jail!" He informed her. Cooter knew she had a headache and he was glad! Very glad as he had also been charged with contributing which could be up to 12 months in jail. Just because he went with Luke and Mark after them all! Which they knew they could have each been charged with three counts of contributing because there were three monors there and all had been drinking something. Cooter sure hoped she was happy now.

Luke never said a word about why he was there. He'd wait until Jesse calmed down a lot. He hadn't whipped them in several years. Once in their room Bo said, "Ah, I'm sorry about that Luke. I know you came after us." Vance, Jeb and Coy muttered much of the same sentiments. Luke shook his head and said, "It's OK. I'm the one who knew better. I knew not to go back up there, but I chose to!" Vance replied, "To keep us out of trouble like you did last night." Luke huffed, "Yeah. Lot of good I did. Just bought myself a bunch of trouble and a trip to the woodshed." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Davenports, Cooter was trying to keep Lori and BL from fighting and to get Lori sobered up. It seemed liek everything she had drank hit her all at once when the law showed up.

B.L. was snapping at Lori, "This is ALL your FAULT!" Lori lunged away from the Trooper and towards BL as the Trooper attempted to place the handcuffs on her. The Trooper who had already cuffed BL saw it coming and moved her out of the way. Another Trooper moved to help contain Lori. Luke shot Cooter 'a look' as he shook his head. They both knew that as the oldest of the families they were in really DEEP! Luke, Cooter, and Mark had already been cuffed and put in Rosco's car. Robin had been the only one with any since. Mark had went after their little brother who had went with Bo. Lori was finally placed in one car and BL in another. Vance, Jeb, Andy, and Ernie were placed in other cars. Bo, Dixie, David, and Coy were all put into car to be taken to the jail to call someone to come get them. Once they finally got the group back to the jail, the Troopers were glad they hadn't arrested many more. Luke, Cooter and Mark were put in one cell, with Vance, Jeb, Andy adn Ernie in teh one beside them. Lori and BL were put in the cell upstairs. The younger group were made to set down and wait on someone to come get them. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse was just about to get him a piece of pie when the phone rang.

Luke caught word of it and walked over to Lori pulling her to the side asking, "Are ya'll CRAZY or plain STUPID?" He paused. He had taken Lori a bit by surprise by the way he'd taken her arm. It wasn't ruff but it certainly was firm. "After all the DA-- trouble I went to and got into to keep every DA-- one of you out of trouble and ya'll are going ot be FOOL enough to go right back TONIGHT of all times! I'm telling you, they are going to be watching up there heavy since they have all the names of those who was there last night!" Luke said in total amazement. "I'd think at least ya'll would appreciate what I did for you a little!" Lori asked, "You're not coming? Chicken?" Luke

Luke and Robin were busy discussing Luke's incident at lunch. Well, Robin thought it was more of a 'stunt' than an incident. She could hardly force herself to face her friends, a lot of which hadn't been to the lake for last nights events. In Hazzard due to the needed farm work in the fall and Spring they returned to school the day after Thanksgiving. Luke and Mark's absence was noted and commented on at the beginning of school. 'Talk' only continued to spread like wild fire after the boys eventually made it to school after being released from jail and grabbing a shower before spending the day in school. Hazzard was small but news of classmates being arrested by the State Police was still big news, no matter what the reason was. Luke thought Robin blushed everytime someone said something to him about it. He wasn't really proud of spending the night in jail, but she was down right embarrassed. When Cooter, Bo, Dixie, and Beth walked up and Cooter asked Luke, "Hey, what kinda birds don't fly?". He saw his timing was bad, very bad. He hadn't had the chance to rub it in yet! Robin had turned three shades of purple before turning red with anger. "Dead ones!" Luke said as he shook his head and Cooter and the rest made a quick escape. he then looked at Robin an said, "Would you have liked to have or had me explain to your father where his 17 year old ONLY daughter got the Jack Daniels she was drinking had I let them do breathalizers on you ALL?" She lower her head and replied, "No. But, do they have to keep bringing it up?" Luke smiled, "Yeah. For awhile anyway. You know how kind our classmates are. It's probably the biggest news going since Joel got caught running moonshine. It'll die down in a year or so!" He exaggerated and then added, "Besides, it was me who spent the night next to your brother in jail and I haven't had a he-- of a lot of sleep either."

Jesse counted ten before asking, "Who exactly is 'we' and Arrested for WHAT?" Luke figured that it had went better than expected so far and replied, "Mark and I for basically racing. Rosco said they would set bail in the morning." Jesse frowned and said, "I'll be there." and added, "Maybe." Just to worry Luke a bit. He wasn't at all happy with Luke causing attention to himself and his car that they sometimes used to run shine in. Jesse knew they would now be watching Luke and the car more. Mark waited til Rosco went back to his desk across the room before he asked, "Well?" Luke replied, "He said he'd be here in the morning. Maybe." Mark sighed, "Maybe?" Luke said, "Yeah. That's what he said." It was going to be a long night for these two. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse was still up when the others made their way home. They all got a lecture and a half! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning the Judge set their bail at $100 each. He hoed to also send a message to the other kids he had been informed were also out there. Jesse paid the $200 and the boys were released to him. He would make real sure they showed up all nice and on time for court when it was set in a week or so. Luke and Mark went to the truck like a couple or whipped pups. Luke knew explaining to Jesse his logic about making a deal with the Trooper to let the others go would go over well right now. Jesse may understand and even appreciate it later but now wasn't the time.

Back at the jail, Luke and Mark were replying that unmistakable sound of the cell door closing and locking behind them. Luke broke the silence first, "We got to call home." Mark replied, "No use me calling my home. Dad has made it plain. I get myself in here I'm stuck." Luke nodded. He had been there and heard the lecture from Mark's Dad. He knew as Mark did that he meant it. He'd talk to Jesse once he clamed down and see if Jesse would get Mark out too. Once Rosco got done with his intitial gloating, Luke had asked to use the phone. Hopefully, before the others got home. Jesse heard the phone ring. He had just gotten in with the others from delivering a urgent shipment of shine to a friend. "Duke Farm." Luke sighed. He really dreaded this. He knew the day, well night, would come he would make this phone call but he still wasn't happy about it. He was happy that the others didn't get into trouble. "Uncle Jesse" Luke said with a lot less bravo than he had given the Trooper earlier. Jesse asked, "Luke. Where are you? Don't tell me you're staying with Mark again. This is getting to be too much of a habit." Jesse said without giving Luke time to answer. Luke replied, "Well, you might say I'm staying wit Mark but it's not intentional." Jesse now heard Luke's voice. Something was wrong. Luke continued, "We were arrested awhile ago........"

What everyone didn't know was that Rosco wasn't alone. The ones who attempted to get away were stopped and returned by the State Police. They had gotten wind of racing going on at the lake and it being a holiday they had been staking it out. Several cars pulled in all at once. In a matter of seconds Luke Duke had been silently nominated as spokes person for the group. Since his last race he had drank several beers with the intention of not driving anymore tonight. He knew several others and likely those under 18 were also drinking by now. One of the Troopers said, "Ok, just hold it where you are!" Dixie was still with Cooter. He had hooked up 'her' car to the wrecker. He was just glad she was OK. Luke had managed to get away from Ernie after 'helping him up' when he heard sirens. Ernie looked sorta worse for wear, but had been drinking. It was likely if he had half a brain he'd keep his mouth shut. But he started to run. Luke grabbed his collar and spoke loud enough for most everyone to hear him, "Ya'll just hold up!" He knew if they all took off it wouldn't be good with as many cars as they had up here and he knew that most of his friends and family were also drinking. Some of the ones not racing were likely pretty well on their way to being down right drunk if the truth was known. Luke knew that by being over 18 they could all be charged with letting the others drink. The Trooper saw that the young man in front of him had a way with the crowd of teenagers as they all stayed put. He asked, "What's your name?" Luke looked him in the eyes, "Luke Duke, Sir." The Trooper then said, "You got an ID on you?" Luke reached in his pocket with a bit of a sigh. He handed the Trooper his driver's license showing what the Trooper was likely looking for. Yes, he was 18. He asked, "How many of your friends here are drinking tonight?" Luke replied, "I'm not certain." It was an honest answer. The Trooper got more to the point, "Would you think that everyone out here who is drinking is 18?" Luke sighed. He knew this wasn't looking good. "I really don't know. I hope so." The Trooper nodded and switched his questions up a level, "We have reports of racing out here. Do you do any racing?" Before Luke could answer, the Trooper stated, "We've had this place staked out and have taken a few pictures tonight." Luke answered, "I've been know to race a little." He wasn't at all sure how long they had been there or who they had seen racing. "Who were you racing?" The Trooper asked. Luke didn't want to get anyone else in hot water. He thought before answering. "Do you really want to do all the paperwork on all these people? Look suppose I agreed right here to plead guilty to racing. Woud you consider letting everyone else go?" The Trooper studied the young man for a couple full minutes before he spoke, "Well, if you were racing youhad to have raced someone and I'd about say you'd be DUI if I tested you." Luke frowned, "If you tested me right now, I likely would be, but I haven't raced in awhile. That's when I started drinking." The Trooper had watched enough of the goings on to know the kids was pretty much telling it like it was. "Ok, so who were you racing?" Robin's brother stepped up beside Luke, "Me." Luke could have slapped him or hugged him. Right now he wasn't sure which he really wanted to do. He was TRYING to keep everyone else out of trouble. The Trooper looked at Mark. It ws true they hadn't been watching the racing in awhile as they had gotten called off to help Agent Roach chase some moonshiners. The Trooper asked, "Sheriff, how much room do you have in that jail of yours." Luke had pretty much came to the conclusion several mintues ago he wsan't going home tonight but even with that on his mind he had to laugh to himself. Even if they did take everyone in and released the ones under 18 Rosco still was short a lot of room in the jail to hold the others. Rosco replied, "I can use all three cells if I need to!" He said proudly. The Trooper sighed, but at least he could get a couple convictions if things worked out and maybe send a message to the others. "So, you two were the ones racing?" Luke and Mark nodded, 'yes'. Luke knew what he wanted. A feather in his cap. He wanted at least a couple convictions for a night of work on a holiday. "Suppose I run you both in on Racing and Driving Intoxicated" The Trooper said. Luke swallowed hard. That meant loosing his license for MONTHS. He thought quickly and replied, "Make it Racing and Reckless Driving, Speeding, whatever. So we can keep our license and," he looked at Mark hoping he spoke for him, "We'll go with you without an problems and will agree to plead guilty without a fuss." The Trooper replied, "We'll make it Racing, Reckless Driving and Speeding. AND, I intend to take the names and ages of everyone out here. If I catch any of tehm back here I'll throw the book at them. I hope this will send a message to the rest of them." he said as he pulled out his cuffs. Luke sighed. He knew what was going to happen but wasn't fully prepared to be cuffed in front of half of three counties of friends and rivals. He managed to say, "Me too." He asked, "Can I get my keys so my girlfriend can get home?" The Trooper nodded, 'yes', but closely watched him as he reached into his pocket for the keys and tossed themto Robin to take his car home. Mark told her, "My keys are in it. Get someone to take it home." Robin sighed and nodded as she watched Luke and Mark have their hands cuffed behind their back and placed in the Troopers car. The Troopers began taking names and ages of the kids. After the lenghty process they let them go making sure each driver was not intoxicated before releasing them. Though Rosco took a back seat to the arrests he was enjoying seeing a Duke be taken down a coupel notches.

When they arrived Luke was already there with his hood up. Bo and the rest were there too. Bo called himself helping Luke set the timing up on the Ford Toreno. Robin was standing back watching them sipping on a Coke. Luke went to the trunk and took out a beer. He said to Robin, "If you want something a little stronger it's back here." She smiled and said, "Maybe later, Ok?" Luke replied, "Fine by me." He took a large drink of the iced down beer. He heard by the sound of the engine that Bo had set the timing up too far. "That's too high!" Bo rolled his eyes, "I know. I can hear." Luke went back and set the timing where he'd had it a couple minutes ago. THe first person to challenge hism was Ernie Ledbetter. "Hey Duke, think that thing will run?" Ernie hissed. Luke replied, "I know it'll run but all it has to do to beat you is WALK!" Luke slammed the hood and handed Robin his mostly full beer. They lined up and ran. Luke won easily, but something didn't sound right, so he poped the hood again and began tinkering. He set the timing up a hair, adjusted the carburator and it sounded great. He took another drink of beer and watched as some of the others were racing. Mark walked over and grabbed a beer out of Luke's trunk. He may not have any shine back there but Luke's car usually had anything else you wanted to drink in it. Luke asked, "You racing that thing tonight or are you gonna drink?" Mark shook his head 'yeah', "I'm gonna sip on this for awhile. Figure to do more racing than drinking at least until later." Luke agreed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A few minutes later, Robin had walked over to her friends and Luke noticed Dixie watching him. He walked over to her and asked, "What is it?" She replied with a bit of shyness, "Lori helped me get a car ready to run tonight. But, I've never done it before." Luke nodded and said almost as a question, "Stick around and the next race I'll let you ride with me?" Dixie smiled, "Really?" Luke wasn't sure why this would make her so happy but appearantly he'd said the right thing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Robin's brother, Mark came over in a few minutes and said, "Luke I know you'll likely smoke me but if I got to loose I'd rather loose to you. I just want to see if that thing is gonna hold together." Luke would rather race someone like Mark with Dixie in the car than someone who was out for blood or didn't respect a paint job. He knew Mark and himself would rather not have to repaint their cars come morning. He nodded, "Sure. Hey, I'm gonna have a passenger." He felt the need to inform Mark, so they both would be just a bit more careful. They lined up Luke took the victory easily. Dixie had ridden with Luke before but it was usually in the wrecker. She loved the speed and was hooked!

They all started laughing and got ready to play when two other cars pulled in a brown Mercury and a gold Firebird. Robin and both her brothers pulled in. The boys were in Marks Firebird which they had just painted a few weeks ago. Being the typical male chavanist Luke quickly figured the odds and the female / male ratio they had going. He yelled at BL, "Hey, B I'll take Robin and you can have Mark and David." He also hoped having Lori and Robin on the same team may keep them from killing each other. David pouted, "That means I only get to tackle Lori. I'd stand a better chance cornering BL, Daisy or Dixie. They can't all three dog me!" Mark quickly nudged him, "Are you playing or not?" "Yeah." David said. Robin said, "Give me one sec why you guys figure out what you're doing." When she returned she had on an old pair of jeans, and ols sweatshirt and her long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. She was ready to play. She noticed the surprised looks from all the Davenport girls who obviously thought she wouldn't play.

NARRATOR: Now you see the thing about this race, that everyone was talking about, is that the racing up at the lake was a secret! See if ol' Rosco found out the 'kids' good time would be cut short for sure. The wrecker was always present just in case they needed it. Even if Cooter had his car there, Luke or one of the other Davenports was sure to take it. Cooter wasn't much in the mood to race and figured he'd take the wrecker himself. Luke figured to race a couple races then kick back with a couple of beers and enjoy watching some of the less experienced drivers like Enos Straight and Cletus Hogg do their best. He was too careful to want to run with these guys they could be down right dangerous in a car. Luke about half way expected Lori to try to prove something by wanting to race him. He knew Robin would go with him but she was the 'good girl' type that rarely even drank when they went out, though he usually carried a bottle of her favor drink in the trunk of his car for if and when she wanted a drink. The partial bottle was still there from since before they had broken up. Bo was wanting to go and it looked like Jesse was going to let Bo have the pickup truck since he had just gotten his license which meant that it was likely half of Hazzard would be in the back of the truck. Of course all the other Duke and Davenport cousins would be at the secret race too. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Heavenly smells of every type food imaginable could be smelled all the way to the Duke front yard. The old saying about being able to feed Cox and his Army wasn't lost at the Duke farm on a holiday. Cox could have showed up with his Army and their families and there would still be plenty of food. Jesse had started preparations days ago and things were coming together for a fantastic meal.

Robin nodded and gave him a hug then they went to bed. For Luke, holding Robin felt very natural as she wrapped herself around him. Luke thought, as he heard her drifting off to sleep, about how it would feel strange sleeping with any other girl with her parents on one side of the wall and his friend that he was supposed to be spending the night with on the other side. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori sniffed she still loved Luke, but she would move on. She liked Vance and she knew it would get to Luke that she was talking to him even if they never did anything else. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter fired the wrecker up on a 'false wrecker call' he was actually going to see Beverly.

She looked into Luke's eyes. "What is with us? We are great together but sometimes I think we get tried of each other." Luke knew exactly what she meant. "I don't know. There are times I think I'd never want anyone else, but give it awhile and I know you're tired of me or I catch myself looking around to see what's out there." Robin said, "I don't want you to be blind. You know I'm not." Luke said, "How about we agree to take this slow and every so often we take at least a night and go out with the guys or girls." Robin said, "Sounds good to me."

Dixie replied, "They have to!" Lori had to laugh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later that night Lori picked up the phone and called Luke. Bo answered, "Duke Farm." He thought it was awfully late for a call. Lori asked, "Is Luke there?" Bo said frankly. "No, he called awhile ago to say he was staying with Mark." Lori................

Luke nearly had a heart attack as, who should walk in but BL and............. He was hoping for a good night and the more people showed up the less likely that was going to happen.

Luke said, "You saw me try to talk to her in school today. She wouldn't give me a chance to even explain anything. I didn't even try after we got home. I think she's either using Vance to try to make me jealous or she has feelings for him. I really hope it's the latter." Robin replied, "Me too." Luke suggested, "Well, the cat is already out of the bag about me being here if BL knows. How about heading to the Boar's Nest?" Robin smiled, "Give me a few minutes to get ready."

Luke went in the house, quickly changed and did his evening chores. When he was done he asked Jesse, "Anything else need done?" Jesse raised his eyebrows. He knew Luke was up to something, "Ah, no." "I thought I'd go out for awhile." Luke said without firther information. Jesse stated, "You'll be back for curfew." Luke nodded and replied, "Or I'll call. I might be spending the night with Mark like I did last night after pulling Robin's car out." Jesse questioned, "You two back together?" Luke replied honestly, "I need to talk to her. I think we might be getting back together." Jesse nodded toward Lori. Luke shook his head, "I know, but somehow I don't think she'll mind much. I'll call you if I'm staying." He made a bee line for the house. Lori saw Luke awhile later, freshly showered and shaved. He boots were polished and he wsa dressed to go 'out' and out he did go as he got into his car and left in a cloud of dust without out so much as saying anything to her. Lori ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At Robin's, her father was out in the yard with her mother. He saw Luke's car pulling in. He nudged his wife, "Looks like the prodical son returns." She nodded and went in the house to let them talk. He called Luke over to where he was working, "So, ah, you two a thing again?" Luke shrugged, "I'd like to think so, but that will be up to your daughter." "Well, I'll say this, I had gotten pretty use to you hanging around but there has been some 'strange' looking characters hanging around." Her Dad stated. Luke had to ask, "Any of them stay?" He father replied, "No. She didn't even ask for any of them to. As a matter of fact she was usually relieved when they left for the evening." Luke smiled. "Thanks." He headed into the house where he reached around her mother and got a glass from the drainer. He then got a pop out refrigerator and helped himself to a glass. Her mother said, "You know its good to have you back here. I don't have to wait on you." Luke smiled, "It feels good to be back to." He finished his pop. Washed his glass and put it back in the drainer. He then headed up stairs to find Robin laying across her bed on the phone with the stero turned up. She wasn't aware that he had gotten there, let alone was standing behind her as she talked to her friend.........

When Luke saw Lori and Vance walk out just smiling and laughing he got suspicious and started thinking about how close all his cousins and the Davenports had been for years. Even living under the same roof with each other at times like now. He'd noticed Vance try to impress Lori years ago when they were all kids. Could he really like her. Was Lori doing this cause she'd heard him the phone? Luke walked back in the house and got Daisy gently by the wrist and whispered, "You know who was on the phone?" Daisy nodded. "Was Lori anywhere where she could have heard me?" Luke asked. Daisy said, "Well, I don't know she did walk in here for a minute or two, but I couldn't hear you." Luke nodded. "Thanks Daisy." Daisy asked, "Sugar, what did she want?" Luke whispered, "To get back together. I told her I was with Lori. Then, " He pointed for Daisy to look outside where Lori was setting on the barn yard fence with Vance looking up at her talking about something. "I walk out and see sites like that." Daisy gasped, "Oh, Luke you don't think?" Luke hissed, "Oh, don't I!" Luke walked out and headed to the back forty. This was his favorite spot on the farm. He had always hoped to raise his own family there someday and it was there he went to think. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori had been distant for days from Luke. She hardly said three words to him yet never they hadn't broke up. They hadn't talked to each other enough to break up! It was late and Luke had locked the doors and was turning out the lights when the phone rang. The phone never rang at this hour unless it was bad news. Daisy did a mental body check. Everyone was home. She answered the phone, "Duke Farm." Daisy knew the once again crying voice that asked for Luke. "Luke." was all she said. Luke took the phone. Everyone had stopped heading for bed to see what was wrong. Luke's end of the conversation was barley heard, "Can I get you out with my car or do I need the wrecker?" "Calm down." "Where are you exactly?" "I'll be right there." He hung up the phone. Jesse looked at him with silent questions in his eyes. Luke simply said with determination, "I got to go. I'll explain in the morning." Jesse believed in letting 'his' kids grow up. He knew they'd fall, he knew they'd skin their knees but they would survive. He could only protect them so long. He saw Luke's determination. "Alright, Luke." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke stopped by the Davenport farm where he knew the wrecker would be at this time of night if it wasn't on a call. It wasn't. He drifted in as close as he dared to then parked. He went to Cooters window. "Psssssstttt!" he said tapping on the window. Cooter raised the window, "What are you doing out here at this time of night?" "I need a favor." Luke said. Cooter nodded. He figured that much. Luke said, "I need the wrecker." Cooter said, "What did you do? Is Lori alright?" Luke nodded. "It's not me. Lori's fine. Someone called me to get them unstuck. They said they aren't sure I can get them out with my car. How about it? It'll save you a trip if I can't." Cooter thought. A wrecker call in an hour or a good nights sleep. He handed Luke the keys. Luke smiled, "Hey if you get another call CB me and I'll get it and I'll bring the wrecker back in the morning." Cooter stretched and yawned, "Well, OK! You got it!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once Luke got the wrecker thing should be down hill, but it's Hazzard County! He drove to where Robin had told him she was stuck, but he didn't see anything. He kept easing down the road and saw her and her friend walking back to the car. He stopped for them to get in. "Where are you?" Robin was crying, "Daddy'll kill me. I knew I shouldn't have let anyone else drive. Keep going. It's just bottomed out I hope." She directed him to the back side of the school where there was a big curb with a drop off on the other side. Her friend was also crying. Luke saw the car, the passenger side wheels were a foot off the ground over the curb. The drivers side was on the roadway. "How?" The friend said, "I was just changing tapes. I hit the curb a little hard and it went over." Luke shook his head. He got out of the wrecker and checked the car. It appeared fine. He hooked up to the front end, picked it up and swung it back to the road. Then he unhooked and repeated this on the back end of the car. Once all four wheels were on the ground, Luke said, "It'll be fine." Robin knew that though it was fine and they had gotten it out unscathed that her parents would know. Too many people had been leaving the school event when it happened. Her friend had already called another friend for a ride that was just showing up. She said, "I'm really sorry." Robin nodded. Her and Luke watched the friend leave. Luke spoke first. "This wasn't an elaborate scheme to get me out here was it?" He knew the car in question was her and her Mother's pride and joy, so he knew better. "No!" She said defensively. Luke replied, "Oh." She said, "You sound disappointed." Luke nodded, "Maybe a little." She hugged him and said, "I don't know how to thank you." Luke was feeling something right now that he'd missed for several months. A since of right, of comfort, of home. He held on to her and stroked her long hair breathing in the smell of her shampoo and prefume. He sighed and said with tears threating to fall, "God, I've missed this." "Me too. That's why I called the other day, but I understand." She said almost crying again. Luke said, "Things are changing there." Robin asked, "You two broke up?" "I wouldn't say that. I think she heard me on the phone. She's not talking to me." Luke said. Robin asked, "Uuhh, would you like to maybe stay with Mark tonight?" That had always been their excuse when Luke stayed with her at her house. That he was staying with her brother. Her parents knew and not only accepted but approved as long as they were at their house and not out endangering her reputation. They had dated over a year on and off and no one ever had questioned her reputation. OF course not many people wanted to mess with Luke, her brothers and especially her father! "I've got the wrecker til morning." "You've worked it before at my house." she said. "Besides, you can help save my life in the morning. I've got to tell them. It will only be worse if they find out." Luke nodded and said, "Ok. I'll follow you to make sure you get home ok." They pulled out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once at the house it appeared everyone was in bed. Robin saw one gate had been left open for her she swung into the yard and parked. Luke pulled into the yard and backed back out parking across the road in case of a wrecker call he wouldn't have to deal with the gates. He shut the gate as Robin opened teh back door quietly. They both took off their shoes and made their way to Robin's room where Luke called the operator. "If you get a wrecker call I'll be at this number." He turned at took Robin in his arms. "It's been a long time." She said. "Too da-- long!" Luke whispered. He was more than content to live this moment. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In Daisy's room Lori asked, "Who was on the phone for Luke?" Daisy replied as honestly as she could without telling on Luke, "Honey, who ever it was, was pretty hysterical, so I'm not real sure." Lori started to push Daisy for who she thought it could be but figured better of it. Daisy would be loyal to Luke.

Luke looked to Lori and said, "So much for my grand ideas of splitting hairs. Sorry about that." Lori replied, "No problem. I knew better too." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Later Luke caught Uncle Jesse alone. "Uncle Jesse, I'm really sorry about last night. Really I am. You have known us to chase girls since we were Bo's age, but it's just really frustrating living under the same roof with your girlfriend. Especially when she is grounded to the farm." "Yes, she is." Jesse affirmed, "And you will be too if you keep pushing your luck." Luke nodded. He didn't doubt Jesse for a minute. Jesse got on his 'soap box' and began, "You two are playing with fire! Keep it up and something is going to blow up right in ya'll faces. I happen to know Rosco is watching her, that's the real reason I grounded her to the farm. She's now eighteen just like you are. You two get careless out there on a run and there won't be anything I can do. Do you both understand that?" Luke replied, "I do and I'm pretty sure Lori does, but she was kinda shook up the night Joel got busted." Jesse replied, "It could have been us. I had know idea they'd shake you down that night, but something told me to put it in the tank." Luke nodded. "I know." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile in the house, the phone rang. Daisy answered, "Sure Honey, he's here. Hang on." Daisy knew the crying voice on the other end, but would keep quiet about who it was. "Luke phone." She called to the porch.

Luke nudged Lori none to easily, "Lori I overslept! It's after dawn." "****!" Lori said. She knew Jesse would be up. "Now, what?" Luke sighed, "Face the music." "I was really afraid you'd say that." Lori swept her hair up hoping it didn't look as messed as she thought it did. It did! "Come on." Luke sighed again. He wasn't in the mood for a morning lecture. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke silently opened the kitchen door and looked around the door to not only find Jesse, but Daisy, Bo, Jeb, Vance and Coy already up and at least heading for the table. Jesse said sternly, "Come on in and set down." Nothing else was said. But Luke saw the demons dancing in his younger cousins eyes as they silently laughed at his predicament. After breakfast Jesse said, "Luke you and Lori get on your chores and when you're done I'll see you both on the porch." Luke answered, "Yes, Sir." He knew it wasn't good that Jesse hadn't talked infront of the others, but opted to wait until after the chores were done

Luke silently opened the barn door and lead Lori up to the hayloft where he had made them a pallet of hay and sleeping bags earlier. He pulled out a mason jar of shine took a big drink and passed it to Lori. Lori took a big drink and began unsnapping his shirt. Luke sighed and reached under skirt. Lori moved Luke's hand back to her waist teasing him just a bit. A couple hours later Lori was really pretty drunk. Luke had gotten tipsy himself.