DixieDavenport

Luke and Lori were doing some real heavy petting. Luke said quietly, "I'll only go as far as you want." Lori replied breathing heavily, "It doesnt matter to me honey as far as you want to go," Luke said, "Yes, it does matter, Honey. I don't force myself on anyone." Lori swallowed hard and smiled,"I know you don't and that's why I lov....." Lori stopped and looked to Luke he knew what she was going to say. Luke smiled. She had never told him she loved him before. He brushed her hair back from her face and whisperd, "I have protection. Do you want to?" Lori nodded, 'yes'. She did want to but she was trembling like she was freezing to death. Luke smiled at her and gently said. "We can stop anytime you want." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Bo and Dixie were downstairs having a little fun of their own talking and what not. Bo was glad Cooter was a sound sleeper as he intended to play a little touchy, feely. Dixie was very shy and innocent. She wasn't at all sure she liked this.

Luke said, "Here I get my chance to sleep with you and we have both our famlies along for a slumber party!" Lori said a bit disappointed, "Yeah." Truth be told Luke was a bit disappointed in having so much company with them too. He had hoped for a whole lot of privacy tonight.

Luke and Cooter were up and gone leaving Bo, Dixie and Lori behind as they raced up the steps. By this time Luke had figured out that the noises he heard had to have been Daisy and BL. "Where are you two?" Panicked female voices called out, "HERE!" Cooter and Luke started checking doors. Luke found one that was locked or stuck. "Daisy?" "Yeah, we're right here!" Daisy cried. Luke put his shoulder to the stuck door. It didn't budge. "Cooter, here give me a hand." Both hit the door as hard as they could before it opened to find a terrified Daisy and BL.

Luke looked to Cooter and said rolling his eyes at Dixie, "I was kidding her. I asked her if she was sleeping with me tonight? I didn't MEAN it like THAT!" Cooter just grunted. Luke looked at Cooter and reminded, "You know we're going to be in hot water tomorrow." It was likely they'd all be in trouble but with Luke and Cooter being the oldest in each family they would be in more trouble. Cooter

B.L. said frightened, "Is he dead?" Daisy saw the paint that looked alot like blood, "Oh, my God I don't know." Luke layed deathly still, even holding his breath. Lori...... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke hope that Lori was just scared enough to hold on extra tight. Luke had no clue that he was about to get some help in this department from Daisy and BL. Luke and Lori started walking through the old cemetery. Luke pointed to a grave, "That's the grave of old Henry Sloan. Uncle Jesse tells that he use to hide money out back of his fishin' shack. Seems that on Halloween he'd dig it all up and count it to keep the evil spirits from getting the money. This story had gotten out and most of Hazzard thought he was crazy. But, some guys from out of town heard some men talking about old man Sloan. They were able to get enough information to find Mr. Sloan. They watched him long enough for him to dig up all his money. The guys from out of town killed Mr. Sloan and took the money. They say that now, every Halloween he walks the County looking for his money. Sooo" At that very moment BL stepped on a dry branch and it cracked under her foot. It even surprised Luke, especially when Lori jumped closer to him.

He smiled saying, "Yeah, Lori." "Luke as soon as I can I'm planning on going back to singing. It'll mean being gone at times quiet a bit. With Luke in school and well Katie so little,......" She paused, it was against her nature to aslk for help, "Is there anyway, you could watch them if I have to be gone?" Luke smiled. He never thought he'd hear her say it. "Absolutely! I'd love to." He left out the part that he was often gone too but he knew Dixie would keep them. ~~~~~~~~~~ As he drove home, Luke pictured the sight with all five kids there. It would be almost like having 6 year old twins and newborn tripletts. He could only imagine the next family reunion with his five little ones, BL and Konrad's new arrival due any day and Bo and Beth's not that far away. Jesse always wanted a house full of Dukes. They all though he had just that with Bo's five kids and now the new one expected, but then throw in Luke's five and Konrad's one that was an eve dozen children for the next generation of Dukes. LUke was sure that the teachers and Rosco would be thrilled!

Dixie handed him the keys to 'his' truck, "Thought you might want to drive this." Luke laughed, "You just want me to take you riding on a bumpy road to hurry things up!" Dixie had been nervous about talking to Luke. She knew what she wanted but she wasn't sure what he wanted. For the first time in months she gave a geniue laugh, "If it works, it works. I feel like a house." Luke drove to their spot down by the lake. It was where they had been caught in the back seat of the General Lee so long ago. He helped Dixie to make sure she didn't fall on the loose rocks on the rolling hill going to the lake. Once at the big old Oak tree Luke took a seat on the ground with Dixie setting in front of him. They set there for hours not saying anything. This was the nature of their relationship. Words weren't necessary for them to have a conversation. Finally Luke broke the silence, "For the first time in months something feels right." Dixie looked back into his eyes, "So have you figured anything out yet?" Luke nodded, "Yeah, I'll always love you both, but in far different ways. I love the boys and the new little ones. Sweetheart, if you'll have me back....." Luke felt Dixie trembling. She suddenly turned towards him and wrapped around his neck still crying. Luke wrapped his arms around her and let her cry for awhile. Finally, he asked, "What's with the waterworks?" Dixie looked him in the eyes she said as she gasped between crying and talking, "I've, ....... waited, ...... sooooooo, ...... looonnngggggg, ........ to hear you, ....... say that." she paussed trying to catch her breath, "I thought you'd,...... never, ...... come back, ....... home." "I will if you'll still have me. I'm an a--! I'm so sorry for everything I have ever put you through." Luke said seriously. Dixie still sniffling said in a voice that was barely heard, "Come home, please." Luke nodded 'yes'. Dixie buried her face in his shoulder and cried happy tears. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Friday came and it was time for Luke and Dixie's divorce hearing. They had both been served notices to eb there so they would go together and explain that they had changed their minds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Lori.... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No one noticed Dixie holding her side as they waited for Todd to show up. She'd had a few pains lately but she knew she was still OK. Luke said, "Ok, I'll pull the General Lee out front and Cooter put Midnight over by where I'll be so I can get tohim quick when he runs." They moved the cars to let Todd know Lori and Luke were at the garage. Hopefully, he'd come looking for trouble.

Luke stood watching her for a couple minutes. He saw the brusies and scars. He promised to get even with Mr. Todd. He walked over and put his arms around her shoulders. Lori reached up and held his forearm to her face as she cried. Luke let her cry, figuring that she'd talk when she was ready. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning Luke was awake when he heard the wrecker pull in. Actually, he hadn't slept much at all. He left Lori sleep in the big bed as he got out of Little Luke's twin bed and headed down the outside stairs to meet Cooter. Cooter said, "Ah, good morning?" Luke replied, "Yeah, well it's morning that's for sure." Cooter was giving him a questioning look. He knew Luke had plans to talk to Dixie about the divorce. Luke answered the unasked question, "I slept in Luke's bed. She's in the big one. Yes, I plan to see if Dixie will talk to me." Cooter

Luke shook his head. Two could play at this game. "Have it your way." He went to Little Luke's room and layed down on the twin bed. If Lori wanted to be stubborn, he'd let her and he'd let her have the bigger bed. At least he'd be close if Todd remembered the garage. He'd been there before. Lori sighed and rubbed her eyes as she watched him go to Luke's room, "Well Luke, now Dixie knows that you got this for me and what do you think she'll think if she sees me awearing it, she's already going to be fit to be tied cause i stayed with you." Luke said from the bedroom, "I really don't see her getting mad over a necklace I got you a hundred years ago. Hey, what do I have to loose, she's already filed for divorce." Lori

Lori snorted and relaxed back on the couch Luke looked to her and said, "Since when do you let men tell you what to do?" Lori asked, "Would you rather I go with Cooter?" Luke replied, "No, but you can sure hold your own with me. It just seems strange to see you tremble in fear around that @$(&_@." Lori had heard Luke curse before but not like that.

Luke said, "Yeah, well, then explain to me why you haven't done something about it sooner. Do you like getting the He-- beat out of yourself?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther said, "BL we just need you to hang close by Lori. I don't know what Luke's plans are but he stepped into it at the Boar's Nest."

Luke looked to Lori and said, "To tell you the truth, I had planned to talk to Dixie this weekend. But, no matter what I still don't want anything to happen to you of the kids." Luke turned to the phone to call Cooter as he heard the wrecker pulling in. Cooter came in the garage doors and saw the General Lee parked inside. "Ok, ya'll it's me. Luke, Todd looked a little worse for wear there Buddy Roe." Luke replied, "Not as bad as I wanted him to, but I was in a bit of a hurry." Lori.....

Luke answered, "Well maybe ya figured wrong. I told you before you left in such a hurry that I wasn't going back. Sure I've talked to her and seen Jesse, but I'm still over the garage when I'm home. I went back to work." Luke tried to give her an update as he drove back to the garage. Once there he opened the downstairs and backed the General Lee inside, then closed the doors back.

Luke walked over to her and once again taking her in his arms saying, "Yes you can. Tell me. Tell me HOW he's hurting you. I know something's wrong. If it hurts you, it hurts our child and likely Luke too. Please tell me for thier sake if not your own." Lori continued with her lie, "Luke, I'm fine. Just emotional due to this." She pointed at her growing belly. "I'm not buying it Lori." Luke said. "I don't know what you think you want to hear Luke, but nothing is wrong. Now leave or I'll have Rosco remove you." Lori said fighting the tears. She was lying, she knew it, Luke knew it and she knew he knew. Luke replied looking her in the eyes, "I ain't never been afraid of Rosco when I was doing something I believed needed done." "Just leave!" She was almost hysterical with fear that Todd would return but she wasn't saying that. Luke nodded and said, "Ok, I'm leaving but I will be close by and I'm watching that creep. I knew from the get go he was trouble." Luke left slamming the door on his way out. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke went to the bar and ordered a beer. He was setting there when Cooter came in. Cooter walked over to Luke who said, "Coot there is something really wrong here and if he's hurting her like I think he is, then tell me you don't want to know about it." Cooter nodded, 'no', "What makes you 'think' he's hurting her? Luke we all know you didn't like Todd from the start." "I'll give you that, but have you ever seem Lori tremble? or cowar down?" Luke asked. Cooter replied, "He-- no!" "Well she is now." Luke said as another familiar face walked in. It was Luther Davenport. Luther walked over to his son and said loud enough for Luke to hear, "You still hanging around him after all the trouble he's caused?" Cooter replied and asked, "Yeah. Hey what's with Lori? She seems different. Scared?" Luther replied quietly, but Luke heard what he said, "Something is up. I've seen things but can't prove it that's why I was glad we were playing here. Cooter I've seen her wearing dark glasses too often when the sun ain't shining." Luke finished his beer, stood up and walked out. He drove to the farm. Without saying anything to anyone he went to his and Bo's old room. Jesse saw him and let him be he saw the 'I'm on a mission look'. Luke opened his old closet and pulled out his old foot locker from the Marines and began digging through it. Jesse motioned Bo to go see what Luke was up to several minutes later. What Bo found scared the life out of him. Luke was holding a familiar .357 Magnum that he said he had given away when they were put on probation all those years ago. Finding this gun in the house would have meant prison for him and Luke. Bo said quietly, "Luke?" Luke continued to clean the weapon with a gently caring touch similar to the one he gave the General Lee when working on him. Bo tried again a little louder, "Luke?" Luke reached for the shells to load the gun. Bo reached out for his hand, "Luke, stop! What are you doing?" "He's hurting her! I'm going after him!" Luke said with a determined voice. Bo was shocked. He had never seen Luke like this. "Luke you can't be serious." Luke looked at him. Bo knew the look. Luke was serious. It shook Bo to the core. "Come on Luke. Give me the gun." Luke tightened his grip. It took Bo two hours to talk Luke out of the gun which he reluctantly gave Bo. He hoped Bo wouldn't tell Jesse, but he knew he would. Bo stated after getting the gun, "Luke she ain't worth it. You jump in and she'll be back with him tomorrow. I thought you were going to try work things out with Dix before the divorce hearing." Luke huffed, "I planned to talk to her. Yeah I wanted her to drop it, but if he's hurting Lori I have two children in danger. Bo I swear to you if I see him hurt her or hear of him hurting my kids I'll kill him." Bo knew Luke wasn't blowing smoke. "I hear you! But, it's her choice to stay with him." "Maybe, maybe not!" Luke answered. "I think she's staying cause she's scared."

Luke walked toward Lori. 'What was she doing here?' he thought. By the grace of a case of flu Dixie and Luke's divocre hearing had been post poned until next Friday. A week away. He had hoped to talk to Dixie this weekend and now Lori shows up. Seemed they were all just constantly pushing each others buttons. When Luke started toward Lori and Todd, ..............

Luke looked confused. "Lori? How?" Dixie said, "Seems she sent the money by Cooter." Luke nodded and sighed. Dixie said, "Lori called me yesturday." Luke nodded and said, "I know she called from the jail." "And?" Dixie asked. Luke replied, "And, what?" Dixie said, "I'd just like to know where I stand." Luke replied, "Well, I'm going back to go to the garage." Dixie nodded, "Still not coming home?" Luke asked, "Is that really an option?" Dixie nodded, "I'd like that if its what you want, but Luke I can't go through this again so please make da-- sure what you want." She turned to go down the courthouse steps and suddenly gasped as a pain hit her and she doubled over. Luke.......

Luke then decided that he would give himself some time to think about what he truely wanted. He thought if he went after Lori she'd just keep going. He felt if he went back to Dixie it may not be the right move either. He would call Jesse in the morning and see if he'd come bond him out. Then, he'd go back to Cooter's for awhile and see what happened from there. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie waited until morning before going to the jail. She hoped to get there before the judge did. She was prepared to bond Luke out but she wanted to talk to him first.

Jesse watch Lori pull out. "Well, I guess she was serious." Dixie said, "Yeah. I guess she was." This actually pleased her. "Do you think I should go talk to Luke?" Jesse said, "I think I'd give him some time." Dixie nodded. She really didn't want to wait but understood Luke needed time. She wasn't wanting to get him back just because he didn't want to be alone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Luke was kicking himself for Lori leaving. He layed on the bunk and thought.

Dixie looked to Uncle Jesse who stomped in the house. She followed him inside. Looking a bit less excited. Dixie gave Jesse a few minutes to calm down, then asked, "So, what do you think I should do?" Jesse sighed, "Have a glass of tea, calm down, and give it sometime." Dixie replied, "Ok. You know I want him back but I don't want to go through this again if he changes his mind again. I don't think I could handle it."

Luke glared at Lori and said, "Lori don't. Please don't." Lori replied, "Too late!" Luke nodded, "Going to Billy Ray ain't ya? Using the fact you heard Jesse tell me my wife still cares about me as the reason to go where you wanted to in the first place!" Lori........................ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie was out the door and heading toward Jesse's to see if he knew what would bring on this from Lori. She wanted more information before even considering anything further.

Luke looked Jesse in the eyes, "So, I'm being a jerk?" Jesse almost laughed, "No, son, you're not being a jerk. Possessive though, very possessive." Luke nodded, "Yeah, I guess. But, Hell, I get bi---ed at for thinking of Dixie, let alone touching her!" "Maybe all three of you are being too possessive." Jesse said. Luke looked to Jesse and said, "Three? He--, sure ain't seen Dixie acting possessive. She's the one who filed for divorce." Jesse asked, "Isn't that what you want?" "Yes!" Luke paused, "No. Hell, I just plan don't know especially right now!" he said more in frustration than in actual truth!

Luke, hearing his voice, instantly got up and went to the bars, he looked at Jesse and then looked at teh floor. Jesse asked, "Want to talk about it?" Luke smiled a weak smile and nodded, "Not much really to talk about. Billy Ray showed up, I let him know Lori and I was together. Then, I called her down. She LET him 'pet' her hair......" Jesse saw Luke's jaw set as he visibly tensed. Luke continued, "She let him do it right in front of me. We all had words. Billy Ray left. Lori and I had momre words, I went for a drive and happened to see HIS Car." Luke hissed, "At the Boar's Nest. So I stopped." Jesse stated, "You went looking for a fight?" Luke looked to the floor again, "Yeah, you could say that. Well, I found it right about the time Rosco walked in. So I'm here as usual. Billy Ray ran out like the chicken he is." Jesse sighed, "Luke.....

Lori put both boxes of things back into the closet. She needed to think. She really would like to talk to someone, but there was only one person she could think of. She reached for the phone. The familiar old voice said, "Duke Farm." Lori smiled, "Uncle Jesse is Dixie there?" Jesse replied, "No, she 's not." "Good." Lori replied, "I was thinking about bringing Little Luke over but I didn't want a scene." Jesse replied, "Actually, I just happen to be alone right now." This was a rarity these days. Lori nodded, "Sounds good we'll be over in a few minutes." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Once at Jesse's Lori sent Little Luke to the front yard to play where they could see him from the porch. Jesse got them both a glass of ice tea and said, "Looks like the little one is starting to grow." Lori smiled but blushed just the same. She was wearing stretchy pants and a large T-shirt, "Ah, yeah it is. Won't be able to wear these much longer." She looked down at the porch. Jesse waited. Lori began, "Luke's in jail."