DixieDavenport

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Jeb and Jesse headed toward where a local band was setting up to play later in the evening while the others headed to a large table to the side of the stage. Across the room one of the Boar's Nest's new waitresses eye nearly popped out of her head seeing all the Duke men together and ALONE tonight. She turned to the regular waitress and said, "Things are sure looking up tonight." "Sugar, most of what you are looking at right there is just good 'eye candy' or far too young for you." The regular waitress said, then added with a knowing look, "Besides, I'd just about bet the wives and girl friends will be showing up soon." The new waitress said as she headed to take the guys order, "Maybe, maybe not, but they sure look thirsty."

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88 01~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Luke grinned and nodded as Jesse came down the stairs in clothes that sent all of them back in time. A button down shirt, his best pair of jeans and a big belt buckle that Beth recognized immediately. Bo had worn that same belt buckle during their sparking days. She smiled. Her son looked handsome. He walked over to the men and grinned. "Ready to go," he said. Beth sighed. The boy stood next to his father. Blue eyed just like both of his parents, but with Beth's dark hair, he looked so handsome that Beth almost choked up a little at the memories. She glanced over at his father, knowing that the young ladies of Hazzard might have too much fun with her middle son as nice as he looked. "Y'all be careful," she said softly. "Always are," Bo said, winking and giving Beth that same grin she'd fallen in love with so many years ago. "You better be," she replied. Dixie, Beth, and Debbie had planned a little girls night of their own, with Ruth Anne, Caroline, and Michaela, and it was time to get down to it. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Upon arriving at the Boar's Nest...........

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 As the guys waited for Jesse to return they all could not miss the looks given to them by the ladies of the house. Luke was the first to catch Dixie off to herself, "I'll stay home if you want me to." Dixie turned around and put her arms around her husband's neck, "Luke you work far to hard to not have a guys night out." she looked down at her now showing stomach. "Jake is old enough to understand how Hazzard works which is different than any place on Earth, but not too far in the future you'll have a little one here who's going to be looking up to you all." Luke smiled at Dixie, "You are aware, that for better or worse I've been looked up to since I was 2." He glanced over at Bo who, when Luke thought about it, had been married to Beth for near half his life. He was the father of six children who's worse mistake in life had been when Bo, Jr. had decided one night to act like his father, Luke, Jeb, Vance, Coy and Cooter had on far more than one occasion. Then, he looked at Jeb -- musician, motor-cross champion -- still as free and wild as he had been at Jesse's age. About the only thing Luke could chalk up to him making mistakes resulted in following himself, Bo or both of them. He couldn't forget Daisy who started working in the Boar's Nest at age 16 so that Boss Hogg would give Jesse and loan so the boys could make the General Lee a reality and now about to get her degree. Then, there was Vance who had served in the Merchant Marines and Coy, the baby, who was always expected to help look after one or the other family member, when all they both wanted to do was to follow in Bo and Luke's foot steps. "Ya know all in all, they have all turned out pretty da-- well, and the last time I looked I wasn't Dillinger either." Dixie thought about what Luke had said, "The Duke 'boys' wild as any of the guys I've had ever known." she paused before finishing, "You're a smokejumper. Bo, who would have ever thought, he'd stayed with Beth this long, let alone have six children. Daisy even entering Duke University was a surprise let alone about to get her degree. Jeb looks like he's been hooked by Debbie even though he ain't admitting it yet. Then, there is Coy and Vance who have helped about every family member ya'll have." she paused again, before finishing, "You know I guess you are right. Ain't none of ya'll turned out to badly, which is another reason why ya'll should have a night out just to yourselves and not worry about anything and Jesse needs to have the chance to learn about the music he loves and get to know those Donged Duke 'boys' we all love. Luke he's getting to that age where he'll be wanting to start finding his own way and I'm afraid that Beth likes to 'baby' him a bit much. Heck, even I was able to go hang out with ya'll at the Boar's Nest and the garage when I was fifteen.............." her voice sort of trailer off. "Yeah, I remember." Luke's mind flashed several images of Dixie when she was fifteen and sixteen. He tugged at his collar. It had suddenly gotten really warm in here. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay home with you?" Dixie blushed as red as Hazzard's fire trucks, "Go."

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88 01~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Beth paused. She knew Cooter well, and Congressman or not, he was still Crazy Cooter. But she also had to think that too much trouble would hurt Cooter's career. Maybe it would be OK... If the boys stuck by their promise to keep an eye on Jesse. Looking at her middle son, who was almost as tall as Bo, she shook her head. "Go ahead," she said. "But so help me, Bo Duke, if something happens to Jesse... Or if you give him any bright ideas..." She didn't have to finish the statement for Bo to know that she was threatening something no man wanted... Especially not him. He nodded his agreement, and promised, "We'll look out for him." Jesse wasn't thrilled with the idea of anyone looking out for him, but he'd deal if he could go to the Boar's Nest with the men. Grinning, he went up the stairs to get dressed. Beth shook her head. This would probably end badly, but Jesse was growing up, and she had to start giving in sometime.

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 "Now, Jeb Duke I KNOW how those two kept an eye our for YOU!" Beth said. Jeb looked hurt, "That's not real fair, now Beth. I was usually the last one in on any fight that ever broke out since I was expected to keep the band going." He had seen how Beth tried to 'baby' Jesse and Jeb had told the young boy he'd try to talk some since in her since she was no longer pregnant and highly emotional. Jesse was watching this go down. Dixie wasn't real happy because she knew all the trouble the older ones could get into without even trying. But said, "Beth, even Daddy let me go with them if he was there when I was fifteen." Luke couldn't help cringe when she called Luther 'Daddy' after all the trouble he had caused them. Luke knew this wasn't his fight but added. "Beth, how old were you the first time you went to the Boar's Nest with us all?" Before Beth could answer Dixie added, "Beside Cooter will be home for a few weeks and be right there with them. If you can't trust our Congressman who can you trust." Luke wasn't sure that logic would work about Cooter but he'd see......

****** NOTE ******* I think I have gotten to the parts of this story that I know who posted each section, therefore the next posts will be shorter with a note at the beginning who actually wrote it. Hopefully, it won't be long before we can start adding new stuff to it! DixieDavenport This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88 Enjoy!!! 01~~~~~~~~~~01 The Duke men decided upon gathering later that day that it was time for a guys' night out, much to the girls' concern. They all knew that a guys' night would involve alcohol and the Boar's Nest, which usually added up to at least a night in the pokey. But, they were prepared to let them go until Jeb made a suggestion that earned him the death glare from Beth. Looking at Jesse, the older Duke said, "Why don't you come down to the Boar's Nest with us tonight and help me set up for my band?" Jesse immediately agreed, only to be stopped by Beth. "Not so fast, young man," she said, giving Jeb a look that could have burned a hole into him. "Beth," Bo said, trying to stop her from getting mad. "I'll keep an eye on him, he'll be helping Jeb... What could possibly go wrong?" Beth raised her eyebrows. "Beauregard Jackson Duke, what could go wrong? It's y'all at the Boar's Nest... I could think of a million things..." Bo shook his head. "If he wants to go along, Jesse helpin' Jeb sounds like a good plan. Jeb can always use an extra pair of hands." Beth looked at Bo, her carefree wild Duke boy was still alive and well inside the somewhat responsible man now standing here. Sometimes, she was still convinced he was the same boy she married when she looked into those sparkling blue eyes. "Yeah... but my worry is where that pair of hands will end up when they're done setting up." Jeb looked at Beth, as if hurt that she didn't trust him. "He'll be fine... we're all gonna be there to keep an eye on him!" Beth looked at Jeb in shock, as she replied,...................

The next morning found Luke........... for the first time in a long time waking up because he woke up. He hadn't been woke up by the alarm clock nor his pager. At least he thought nothing had woke him up until it happened again. Dixie was curled on her side with her head on his shoulder and her leg thrown across him which put the baby right between them. Luke smiled when he felt the baby kick again. As he looked at Dixie, she was still sound asleep. Luke knew Dixie was not a morning person. He shook his head and he suddenly knew who was going to be up this early every morning in a few months. He was watching Dixie sleep as he put his hand on her stomach and said in hushed tones, "I see who you'll be wanting your breakfast from, huh? Trying to get me wrapped around your finger and you're not even here yet." Without opening her eyes, Dixie put her hand on top of Luke's and said as she turned over and put her back against his chest, "I've had you wrapped around my finger since I was 15." "Yes, you have." he said in agreement and they snuggled closer. Mornings where they were both off work hadn't happened too much lately. Both had hoped to enjoy at least a few more minutes of just being close when Dixie said, "I got to get up." "No, you don't." Luke said holding her a bit tighter. "Unless you want a water bed, yes I do." Dixie said as she felt Luke loosen his hold on her quickly. She said, "Sorry." as she put on her robe. Luke was now heading to the bedroom door, "I'll start coffee." Dixie had to laugh, "Luke as much as I like seeing you like that, we have company." He fussed, "We have our own home and I still have to be dressed to go in the hall." He was remembering several times he'd tried to sneak across the hall at Jesse's in only a towel and been caught by Daisy, Beth or even Dixie. He put his jeans on and grabbed a T-shirt and went down the hall toward the kitchen. He stopped as he got to the hallway and what he saw also reminded him of the night that Beth's car had blown a tire and ended up in a ditch. Luke had taken Dixie back to the farm while Jesse and Bo took Daisy and Beth to be checked by Doc. Dixie had been so upset and Luke was running on about an hours worth of sleep for 2 days. Jesse found them curled up on the couch much like he was seeing Jake and Laura. Dixie came out of the bathroom and seen Luke standing at the end of the hallway. Luke put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to be quiet. "What are you looking at?" Dixie whispered. With a grin, Luke replied, "Us, oh about twenty years ago." He pointed to the couch. Dixie looked up at Luke with puppy dog eyes, "You're not gonna fuss at them are you?" She knew Luke had said Laura was welcome in his house not in Jake's bed. She also knew Laura had been settled down in the spare room when they went to bed. "No more than Jesse fussed at us." He walked over to the couch and whispered, "Jake" as he tapped Jake's foot. Jake was a bit harder to wake up than Luke had always been, but when he did wake up the look he gave Luke was one of worry. He didn't want to cross Luke after everything he'd done for them............. He had no need to worry. Luke was smiling. "It's all right, Son," he said. "I think she needed ya." Jake smiled, looking down at the sleeping girl and nodded his agreement with Luke.

And with that, she crouched down to take a look at Braxton, who was finally asleep. She smiled at Beth. "He's growin' like a weed," she said softly. Beth grinned, taking the baby boy and putting him back in his bassinet. "Care for a cup of coffee, Linda?" she asked. The somewhat tired Sheriff readily agreed to that, and Beth made her a cup. Meanwhile, Laura had curled up in Dixie's former spot on the couch, and was leaning against Jake, having worn herself out crying. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tight. After finishing her cup of coffee, Linda left, and the Duke house quieted down again. All of them worn out, they scattered to go to their respective beds or sleeping places, where everyone wanted to sleep, but no one much felt like they could.

leaned a little closer so that only Mr. Campbell, and Luke and Jeb, who were closely flanking him, could hear his words. “Mr. Campbell, I do not appreciate you coming onto my land and calling my family names. Now, you can leave quietly, or I really will call the Sheriff. Don’t think I’m bluffing just because that’s the kind of game you play.†Mr. Campbell could tell from Bo’s face and his voice that the Duke wasn’t kidding, but he wasn’t prepared to leave just yet. “Tell my daughter to come home.†“She’s an adult, Mr. Campbell, and as long as she wants to be at this house, she’s welcome here. I don’t know about your car, but I’m sure Laura will turn the keys over to you if need be.†He stood up to his full height, which was considerably taller than Mr. Campbell. The man still didn’t budge. Bo could still feel the two men behind him, both ready to pounce at a moment’s notice. “Dixie,†he said, without looking over his shoulder, knowing that his cousin’s wife would probably have all the law enforcement in the Tri-Counties in her speed dial. “Yeah?†Dixie responded, phone in hand as if she already knew what he was going to ask. “Give Sheriff Strate a call, please? Tell her we’ve got a trespasser trying to start trouble, and I’d appreciate her comin’ out to give us a hand.†Bo never took his eye off of the man in front of him. Dixie dialed the speed dial for the Hazzard County Sheriff, and told Sheriff Strate when she answered exactly what Bo’d told her to. “She’s on her way,†she said, loudly enough that Mr. Campbell could hear her. Jesse, in the meantime, was disappointed that it didn’t sound like he’d be seeing the hoped for action tonight. But he was impressed with his dad’s calm tone. Mr. Campbell now had a dilemma. Stand there, and prove that he meant what he said, or avoid another run in with the sheriff. He had to think fast. Normally Mr. Campbell wasn't one to be backed down but he really didn't want to deal with that power hungry female deputy again either. He never had trouble like this when JD Hogg ran the County and Rosco was his Sheriff! Finally he said, "I'm leaving but only to find out just what I can do about this situation." He looked Luke right in the eye and said, "This isn't over with DUKE!" He said the name like it was a bad taste in his mouth as he turned to go off the porch. Bo felt Luke nearly push him forward as he leaned forward to respond to Mr. Campbell in a very low tone of voice that got every bodies attention, "Anytime, any place MR. Campbell." Mr. Campbell heard Luke loud and clear and the tone that was used actually sent a cold chill down his spine as he got into his Buick and drove quickly down the drive way. Bo wisely hadn't moved yet, as he could still feel the presence of Luke and Jeb behind him, which gave them a birds eye view of Sheriff Strate turning on Mr. Campbell and promptly turning on her blue lights signaling him to stop. The dead silence and tension of the prior moment was lost as all three Duke 'boys' nearly fell face first onto the porch laughing like three hyenas!!! Inside the Duke home, they could hear bits and pieces of what could only be referred to as cheers. Everyone that had been in the living room and even Jesse on the stairs headed to the porch to see what could possible be so funny. Dixie had finally managed to extricate herself from the couch and vowed not to set on it again at least for a few weeks. When they got out on the porch they still hadn't seen the reason behind the laughter until Jeb who was laughing so hard that he couldn't speak pointed to the blue lights behind Mr. Campbell's car just off the Duke property. The entire family burst into laughter watching the scene in front of them. Sheriff Strate had been told by Dixie who the person was trying to start trouble there, so when she had seen Mr. Campbell's car come off of the Duke property before her arrival she decided to stop him and talk to him and find out his side of the situation. She left her blue lights on as she approached the Buick, "Mr. Campbell, please get out of the car." Mr. Campbell wasn't in the mood to co-operate as he replied, "Get out of my car? Why? What right do you have to stop me like a common criminal?" Sheriff Strate said calmly, "I have every right since I've received a complaint about you trying to start trouble at the Dukes and I just seen you leave their driveway. Now, I'd like you to get out of the car so I can get your side of the story. I won't ask again. I'll arrest you for Obstructing an Officer, then I'll go see if there are any other charges that need to be filed." Reluctantly, Mr. Campbell opened the car door and began to tell the Sheriff the truth as he'd seen it since her arresting them all at the Boar's Nest. From Jake talking Laura into being with him and convincing her to see him even after he had forbidden it right up until the Duke clan came to his home to rub it in his face that them being with each other was going to result in another 'Duke bas---d' and that now his daughter has ran off with his car to the Dukes and they refused to make her go home. While he talked with the Sheriff on the side of the road with the blue lights of the patrol car flashing he could have sworn that every person in three counties drove by and seen him pulled over. There had been his friend, Mr. Potter, his lodge buddy, the preacher, and several of his business associates. After several questions, the Sheriff confirmed most of what she was pretty sure of; that Laura was indeed eighteen which put most of Mr. Campbell's claims to nothing. Sheriff Strate said, "I'll go up here and talk to the Dukes as well as your daughter to see exactly what their side in this matter is. I'll also check on the car for you, however, I strongly advise you to stay away from the Dukes and their property Mr. Campbell." She paused, "I'll let you go for now, until I hear the rest of the story." "Let me go!?!? You are going to LET me go" Mr. Campbell nearly bellowed. Sheriff Strate warned, "Mr. Campbell I suggest you loose you attitude with me, get in your car and go before I change my mind." Mr. Campbell turned to do as she had told him, but all the while was mumbling, "Let me go, just who does she think she is? I'll go talk to someone who knows what I can do about her and all this! I'll go talk to Rosco!" Sheriff Strate's ears were keen from years of police work, and she heard Mr. Campbell's remark. "I'm sure that Mr. Coltrane would appreciate it if you didn't bother him this time of night. And he also believes I'm a highly qualified officer of the law, so don't think he can or would get me fired." Mr. Campbell knew better than to offer a little extra incentive for her to let this all go, because all of the Strates were cut from the same honest cloth. So he simply got into his car and left. She walked toward the Duke house, planning to ask the family what really happened with Mr. Campbell, and to make sure that Laura was OK. She walked into the door, where all of the Dukes were still laughing hysterically. Sheriff Strate wanted to laugh with them, but for the moment refrained, trying to keep it all business, and leave out the close friendship with the Dukes that the Strate family had always had. Knowing exactly who to ask about what happened, the woman walked right past the Duke men, who were much more like boys right now, to their wives, both of whom were brushing away tears from their laughter. All the raucous laughter, however, was making Beth's job of putting Braxton to sleep and keeping him that way very difficult. "What happened, y'all?" Linda asked. Beth and Dixie both looked at each other, neither able to keep their composure long enough to say. Dixie said as she turned to go back into the house, "I'll tell you all I can just as long as I don't set anywhere near that couch." After going into the kitchen, Dixie began, "Bo and Luke went with Jake and Bo, Jr. earlier to Laura's house to speak with her father. I'm sure you've heard this part from Mr. Campbell, but it seems that Jake and Laura, whom are both adults, have decided to get married. Jake knew that Mr. Campbell would not take this information real well, so Luke went just to make sure he got to say what needed said." Dixie paused, as she looked over at Laura and Jake who had also came into the kitchen. "They also had the pleasure of telling him he was going to be a grandfather." Sheriff Strate nodded her understanding. Dixie continued, "The guys left the Campbell place and came home. They had barely gotten in the door when Laura showed up in hysterics! We were trying to get her calmed down then their was a knock at the door." Beth added, "If he'd knocked any louder the pictures on the wall would be in the floor." "Bo went to answer the door and having been raised in this house, Luke and Jeb didn't take it to well either and went with him. It was Mr. Campbell and he was demanding Laura come home, calling everyone names and totally disrespecting everyone here." Dixie explained. Sheriff Strate said, "Ok, for starters, Laura and Jake are over eighteen?" Jake replied, "Yes, we are." Linda said, "Good, and I think it's safe to say that Laura is welcome here and that she wants to be here?" Beth nodded. "Of course it is. This house has always had room enough for one more." Laura smiled. "And I want to be here very much." Linda grinned. "I reckon it's all settled then. If he bothers y'all again, just let me know."

Laura looked up at her mother, tears in her eyes. "Mama, I'm pregnant... And... And me and Jake wanna get married, and Daddy's..." she shook her head, not even sure how to say what she was thinking. Laura's mother embraced her, stroking her hair. "Honey, it's gonna be fine... You'll make it." Both women tensed, as suddenly, they heard Mr. Campbell's heavy footfalls coming up the stairs. He flung the door open and, still furious, but sure that he wouldn't physically hurt her, he yelled, "I thought I told you you better not do any more than KISS that damn Duke boy again. I thought I told you that you could do better!" he was getting louder and louder. Shaking his head, he looked at the girl like he despised her. "Then you just ignore me, and go off and do it again. And now you're gonna have a basta---'s basta--!" With that, Laura stood up, anger making her eyes bright. "For your information," she said, standing straight and proud. "We didn't do anything else after the first time. The test was wrong. And I love Jake, and he is not and will never be a basta--. I'm done!" She grabbed her purse and keys and ran out the door, knowing that she'd be safe at the Duke farm. Luke looked up at his wife once she'd said her piece, and started to reply just as a car was heard coming up the drive fast and hard! Jake bolted at the sound of the car coming up the drive WAY too fast! Luke followed as did the rest of the family..... What greeted them after the car slide sideways up to the porch, was a nearly hysterical Laura. It was obvious she had cried all the way to the Duke farm....... Jake had nearly been hit by the sliding car in his rush to get to Laura.... As he dodged the car, and ran over to the driver's side door, Jake looked terrified. "Honey, what is it?" he asked, as the crying girl practically collapsed against him. Jake held her, looking helplessly from Bo to Luke, hoping one of the older men would be able to help him out, considering that both of them had some experience in talking to emotional pregnant women. Laura finally calmed down enough to tell him what was wrong. "My Daddy called our baby a 'basta--'s basta--, and..." she couldn't say anything else. She was still out of breath. Jake's eyes were flashing with a fire that only a Duke could have. Luke, noticing that look, walked over to his son, trying hard not to be just as angry as Jake was. He hated the way that man talked about his son, and now, his grandchild. The Dukes walked Laura into the house and got her settled in on the couch. Beth brought her a cup of hot chocolate, and they waited for her to calm down enough to talk. As they sat there, patiently waiting, the quiet was broken by a loud banging on the door, so loud that it work Braxton, who started to cry. "Crap," Bo said, cringing as he made his way toward the door.......... followed by Luke and Jeb who were both on Bo's heels. NARRATOR: Ya'll see the problem is here, that there are certain things you just don't do and even old Rosco and Boss would never had knocked on Jesse Duke's door like that! Now, I ain't certain who's behind the door but I don't think they will be welcomed with the Duke's normal hospitality. All three 'boys' had a pretty good idea who was on the other side of the door and were ready for about anything. Beth had gotten Braxton out of his bassinet which had been in the living room and the little fellow was still crying with all his might at being awoken and scared by such a loud noise. Beth was mad her own self about the baby being woken up like that as she tried to sooth him. Though Debbie was relatively new to Hazzard's ways, even she saw the look that was on Jeb's face as well as Bo and Luke's, they were mad. Dixie who had not fifteen minutes ago been upset about Luke's reported behavior at the Campbell's found her first reaction was not of a wife or mother but as a correctional officer. She set up quickly to get up off the couch that she was on to go see just what was going on, but with the softness of the couch and her added weigh she was not going to be getting off the couch as quickly as she thought. Then she seen the look on Luke's face and could only hope that who ever was on the other side of that door was not the man who'd called this man's unborn grandchild a bastard. Bo opened the door and there stood Mr. Campbell red faced with anger getting ready to knock again!!!!! Bo knew what he wanted to do, which was clean Mr. Campbell's clock. But he further knew that Beth was in no mood for him to mess with trouble, since she was already somewhat irritated at having to put Braxton back to sleep. The squalling boy had quieted down a bit, and Beth's eyes were on her husband. "Mr. Campbell," Bo said, evenly, but nowhere near calm. "I do not appreciate you wakin' my baby, or knockin' on my door like that at all hours." Luke's blue eyes were flashing as he added, "And I don't appreciate you callin' my son and grandchild basta--s!" Starting toward the door, Luke was fit to be tied, and, though Bo knew Beth and Dixie wouldn't appreciate his just letting it happen, he also knew better to get between Luke Duke and anything that made him that mad. Just as Luke was getting ready to grab Mr. Campbell and teach him a few manners, Beth called Bo's name. All three Duke men looked at Bo's wife, who was gesturing toward the staircase, with a very interested Jesse Allen Duke, waiting to see what his "Uncle" Luke was going to do to the rude man at the door. Luke stopped short, having seen the boy standing there. Eyes turned back to Mr. Campbell, Bo said, not even looking at Jesse anymore, "Son, go back upstairs." Jesse knew that voice... The Jesse Duke voice, as his mama called it. But he didn't want to leave just yet, so he stood there, watching quietly. Beth glared at her son, but given the precarious situation, said nothing. Luke stepped back, trying to control his anger as Bo said, "Mr. Campbell, I'd appreciate if you'd leave my house before I call the Sheriff." Mr. Campbell was shocked at Bo Duke's comment and it showed even as he said, "Good call the Sheriff I tell him exactly how you bas---s corrupted my baby girl!" Mr. Campbell still could not get it in his mind that the Sheriff was a woman. Jake was up and heading toward the front door as he felt Laura holding on to his entire arm. She was upset, crying and shaking like a leaf! Jake knew right then he had as few choices of reactions as did Bo, Jeb and his father. He gathered Laura in his arms and held on to her while gently telling her it would be alright, while giving Bo, Jr. a look that said, 'What else could I do?' Up until now Bo had tried to be the voice of reason yet he felt both Jeb and Luke nearly breathing fire down his neck as he stood between Mr. Campbell and them. Jesse was now glued to his spot and hoped the adults were far more concerned with the matters at hand than him standing on the top step of the stairs. Jesse had heard enough bits and pieces of stories to realize the his Dad and Uncle Luke use to have a lot more fun when his mother and Dixie weren't around. He'd sure like to have seen what would have happened if the women weren't around. Mr. Campbell didn't know when to not push his luck as he said, "I want Laura in my car now or she is never to step foot in my home again! and when you call the Sheriff tell him that I want to report my car stolen!" Mr. Campbell had always been a bullying sort of man who thought he could bluff his way through life as he had in high school when he was on all the teams and due to his size and money even now he tended to get his way with the 'gentlemen' of the lodges and businesses he dealt with. So by stepping toward Bo he thought the man would back down..... Luke and Jeb were just waiting for Bo to have enough and move since neither could get by Bo's broad form in the door way. Bo ........................

Inside the Campbells the dishes rattled in the house as Mr. Campbell slammed the door! His wife who had not heard any of the outside conversation came hurrying into the room just as she saw her husband of so many years heading toward there daughter with fire in his eyes. It was a scene that scared her so much she found herself jump in between the two. Mr. Campbell knew at that moment he was about to cross a line that he he could never go back across. So he stopped and said none to quietly, "You better get that 'Duke Loving Whore' out of my sight!" Laura's mother reached behind her and moved Laura towards the doorway where the steps went upstairs, "Go on I'll be right there." She gave Laura a good head start and turned to go after her leaving her husband fuming like a mad bull. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Once upstairs she closed the door to Laura's bedroom and said, "What on Earth has gotten into him? I thought this whole mess was over with..." Laura ............. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Luke grimaced, and rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact with his wife like he'd done millions of times with his Uncle Jesse. Dixie, not in the mood to hear that Luke was pushing his luck staying out of jail, stood up. In an uncommonly strong moment of emotion, she gave her husband a look that Bo and Jeb could have sworn would have killed a lesser man. "Lucas Keith Duke," she exclaimed, in a voice Bo almost wondered if Beth had taught her. "I don't know what you think you're doing, but I don't know if I can take one more night of you being in jail." Luke blinked, not quite having expected that from his usually entirely rational wife. But Luke, having been around Beth when she was pregnant, knew enough to let her have her say. "Now, you listen here, Luke Duke," she said, fighting back tears of anger. "I will not go through what Beth went through. You and Bo were kids then. You can't be actin' like kids now!" Bo hung his head a little, thinking of all the crazy things poor Beth had gone through in the early days of their marriage. He was ashamed of himself. Dixie knew deep down that she was being irrational and that, in all honesty, Luke had probably acted out of the sheer need to keep Mr. Campbell away from Jake. But for some reason, what she knew and how she felt were conflicting. And she just couldn't make her head win over her heart right now. Luke looked up at his wife once she'd said her piece, and............

With the house as clean as it had been in years, except where Jeb had been pacing, Beth was making a pitcher of tea. Jeb walked with a purpose over to the wooden peg by the door, picked up the set of keys to Luke's truck. He felt the three sets of eyes on his back as he turned, "Look, I can't just set here. I got to go see what's up." Not waiting on a comment from any of the three he was out the door and on his way kicking up a large cloud of dust. Dixie looked at the expression on her friend's face. She was sure she'd seen it on Beth's face a million times over the years and knew she'd been guilty of it many times in the past also. She offered, "I knew he couldn't set here much longer." Beth smiled a little, "I was sort of shocked when he didn't go with them to begin with." Debbie asked, "Are they all crazy or what?" "Maybe," Beth replied, "But, they are a team. They have been since before they got caught runnin' shine." At that particular moment, Dixie who had been setting at the kitchen table relaxing suddenly set up really straight. Both Beth and Debbie looked at her with concern. "I think someone else wanted to go." Dixie said as she rubbed her left ribcage where the baby's kick had felt like it would take her breath. Beth sighed loudly before saying, "Just another Duke boy trait Darlin'." Still rubbing her side, Dixie said, "Thanks, Beth, I needed that about now." Beth smiled impishly, "No problem." Dixie glared at her 'friend'! 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Luke continued firmly, "Our children ARE adults. The decisions they make are decisions THEY will have to live to with. Just like Uncle Jesse couldn't make my choices and your father couldn't make yours; we can not make theirs. Remember, nothing melts the heart like a grandchild will." Mr. Campbell replied, "Well, I don't plan to help them one bit financially." Luke glared but said nothing, knowing full well that the Campbells were well-off, much more so than the Dukes. "So I hope your son knows how to do something, because he'll need a job." Luke slowly let go of Mr. Campbell, shaking his head. "Well, one way or another, my grandchild will be taken care of. I hope one day you'll realize how special a grandchild is." Luke backed away from Mr. Campbell, not trusting the man enough to turn his back. Following his cousin's lead, Bo, too, moved back toward the General, his son following suit. Jake squeezed Laura's hand and said, "I'll see you after while, OK?" Laura nodded, unable to speak for the knot in her throat. She stood on her toes to kiss his cheek, and turned to go back into the house. Only when the door was closed did Jake join his family in heading toward the General. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Beth and Dixie didn't even move when they heard the General in the driveway. They knew the sound of that engine like a mother knew her babies by their cries. The men folk trooped into the house, including Jeb, who'd seen the General on the road, and turned around to follow. "Well?" Dixie asked, looking up at her husband. Luke replied, "….......... 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 "Well, he's alive." Jake nodded, then added, "Barely!" Bo, Sr. complemented, "Yeah, but you and Jesse would have been REAL proud of that there husband of yours." Bo smiled as he put his hand on Luke's shoulder, "Though he did worry me a couple times...." Bo, Jr. added, "Like when he put Mr. Campbell up against the wall by his collar! That was sooo cool!!!!" Luke grimaced, and,.......

Meanwhile at the Campbells, …. Luke Duke pulled the General Lee into the Campbell drive way. Luke couldn't help but think of Uncle Jesse. He wondered how Jesse would have handled this situation. Bo asked, "You got a plan, right?" Luke looked him dead in the eye and replied, "No." "Great." Bo replied. "You and Bo, Jr. just hang tight and be ready for anything. OK?" Luke said. "Right." Bo sighed. It didn't sound like much of a plan to him. He knew Mr. Campbell. Bo knew he'd been known to blow his stack at a lot less. At the end of the driveway, Luke turned the General where he was pointed back out. Bo, Jr. saw what Luke had done and asked Jake, "What is he doing?" Following Luke's lead Jake also made sure he could get out in a hurry, "The same thing I am. Making sure we can get outta here in a hurry." As Luke got out of the General Lee he motioned for Bo, Jr. to stay put. Jake said in a low voice as he got out of the driver's seat, "You might want to slide over here." Bo, Jr. sighed, "Ah, Yeah." Luke took the lead as they stepped up on the large porch. He was about to knock when Mr. Campbell stepped to the door and onto the porch. Fire was in his eyes as he spotted Luke. "What are you doing here, Duke?" He spat the last name like he had a bad taste in his mouth. Luke began with more respect than he felt, "Mr. Campbell my son has somethings to talk to you about. I'm only here to make sure he get the chance." At this point Laura came out on the porch. Jake moved as to put himself between her and her father. Mr. Campbell glared at them both. "So talk." He said to Jake. Jake immediately began to stutter. This wasn't going to be easy. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Meanwhile, back at the farm, Dixie and Beth were starting to lose patience with waiting on their men folk. They knew they had to let it go, but it was hard. They didn't know what was going on, and that was never a good thing. For Beth, the waiting brought back old memories. Memories that were hard to deal with, of a time when she was a young wife, expecting a child, with her husband running moonshine to God only knew where. She remembered so many nights, lying in bed, unable to sleep, and sick with worry about her husband. Those were the nights that made it hard to be Bo's wife. The nights when she didn't know if he'd make it home, and cried herself to sleep just wishing he were there to hold her. She fought back those memories and told herself that Bo would be just fine. Dixie, in the meantime, stayed busy. The house would be pretty close to spotless by the time three nervous women got through with it. And the clock kept ticking. Jake began, "Mr. Campbell,..... Ah,..... I'm sure you remember,..... that night that me and Laura got a,..... ah,..... little carried away up at the caves?" Mr.Campbell's face quickly became redder than Jake thought possible, "Of COURSE, I REMEMBER that YOU took advantage of my DAUGHTER, then insisted upon flaunting it in MY FACE!" Before Mr. Campbell could continue his outburst, Luke spoke up and made his points crystal clear, "Mr. Campbell, as I SAID earlier, I AM HERE to make sure you hear Jake out!" From the General Lee, Bo saw things were not going well. "Look here now, DUKE! This is my property and you'll not talk to ME like THAT!" Bo, Jr. said just loud enough for Bo to hear him, "Dad?" "Calm down, Son," Bo said, glancing at the younger man. "Just hold tight." Luke understood Mr. Campbell's anger. He really did. He couldn't imagine if he and Dixie had a little girl for some boy to come and tell him that he'd slept with her. Luke had half a mind that he'd snap the boy in half. But Jake was his son, and he wouldn't let Mr. Campbell hurt him. "Mr. Campbell," he said, more calmly. "I'm sorry about this, but for the sake of both my son and your daughter, would you please hear him out?" Mr. Campbell, sensing a certain urgency and sincerity in the dark-haired man's voice, sat down and nodded. "OK. Carry on, Jake." Jake hadn't expected this, and now, he didn't know how to respond. "Um..." Jake looked to his father for moral support. Luke nodded for him to continue while he was trying his best to calm his own temper down a notch or two. He had to admit, he had been just about to loose it, when he felt a presence so strong that he had almost turned around. From some where deep in his soul he had heard so clearly Jesse Duke say just one word to him. The word had been, "Luke", but it was said with conviction, urgency and a bit of warning. The one words meaning was not missed by Luke when he heard it. He had heard Jesse many times give him such a warning to calm down and re-think the situation. It only took him about twenty-two years to learn to heed it's meaning BEFORE the situation went further. "Well, Sir, I know we all thought, ...." Jake saw Mr. Campbell growing more impatient. He thought that maybe he had better reword his thoughts, "Sir, Laura and I are planning to be married." Mr. Campbell's face turned as purple as Jake had ever seen. He was glad Mr. Campbell had set down. As fast a a cat, Mr. Campbell was up, on his feet, crossed the small distance and had grabbed Jake by the shirt front. He bellowed with a deep, loud, rumbling voice, "You BASTARD! She's with child!" He said as statement more than a question. Seeing this both Bo and Bo, Jr's feet hit the ground ready for anything. The action was not missed by Mr. Campbell. There is was, again. That word that had resulted in the entire bunch being guest at the Hazzard Iron Bar Hotel. Luke moved quickly to put himself between his son and Mr. Campbell. "Now, listen here, Mr. Campbell," he said, fire flashing in his blue eyes in a way that more than got his point across. "I don't want a fight here, all right?" "Daddy, no!" Laura exclaimed, in the same second in which Luke had moved. "Don't!" Jake had clenched his fists, just to be ready in case he needed to swing, and Bo and Bo, Jr. were both ready to fight if need be. Though neither of them wanted to face Beth if it came down to that. With one hand on Mr. Campbell's shoulder, holding him back firmly, and the other giving Jake's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, Luke looked at Mr. Campbell. "Now, Mr. Campbell......." "…..... Our children are planning to be married. They are both adults here. I think we should support them in their decisions." Luke said, much more calmly than he felt. He really wanted to slug Mr. Campbell like he had at the Boar's Nest, but at least this time he was expecting the situation and had somehow managed to hold his temper thus far. He knew Dixie would support him in this situation no matter what the outcome, but he didn't want to put her through anymore than necessary. Bo and Bo, Jr. had eased up to the bottom of the porch steps. Bo wasn't sure how Luke was controlling his temper, but he was sure glad he was. They always knew Jesse had the patience of a Saint and just maybe some of it had indeed rubbed off on Luke. Mr. Campbell never backed up, but it seemed he at least re-thought his reaction. He began again, "But the reason they are wanting to be married is that she is pregnant?" Luke looked to Jake to answer Mr. Campbell. With Luke still between the two, Jake answered, "Yes, Sir, ......" Mr. Campbell shoved hard towards Jake. Though Luke was still between the two, he was able to push Jake against the wall of the house. Luke released his grip of Jake's shoulder, placed both hands on Mr.Campbell and pushed back. He quickly and efficiently was able to turn the tables on Mr. Campbell and had him against the wall of the house. "Look here, Mr. Campbell. I've took more from you here, than I ever would have anywhere else. BUT, I will not take you calling my son a Bastard and I da-- sure will not take you pushing him around. I told you I was here to make sure you heard Jake out, but you're making that rather difficult. So, I'll lay it out for you, ....." Bo was now on the porch. Bo, Jr. looked at Jake with a small grin that said, 'I told you he'd support ya!' Luke continued firmly, "Our children ARE adults. The decisions they make are decisions THEY will have to live to with. Just like Uncle Jesse couldn't make my choices and your father couldn't make yours; we can not make theirs. Remember, nothing melts the heart like a grandchild will." Mr. Campbell replied, "...............

In the house, Dixie and Beth were still talking. Until Braxton decided it was time to interrupt with a loud squall. Beth shook her head as she started up to the room where her little man had just awoken from his nap with an empty belly. She brought him back down to the living room to feed him. Once he started eating, the tears stopped, and Beth rocked him gently while she talked to Dixie. "I don't know what got into that Nathan, but he's going to have to grow up a bit before he can even think of getting married. But still... I think when the time comes for him to get married, he's gonna be callin' on our Ruth Anne." Dixie smiled. "Lord, don't I remember those courtin' days," she said, hand resting on her belly. "I can just remember hoping for this. Course I was always hoping it'd come earlier." Beth smiled. "Same here, honey... I can remember thinkin' Bo Duke was the cutest thing, but he'd probably always see me like he saw Daisy. Like a little sister. And then the next thing I know, he's askin' me to go to a dance with him..." She grinned. "Then one dance followed another, and next thing ya know, BAM! Bo, Jr." Dixie laughed. She knew that Beth wouldn't have traded it for the world. Not a single second of it. Looking out the window as Luke and Jake walked by, Dixie turned to Beth. She had seen the look on her husband's face. If there was one look she knew it was this one. His jaw was set and his neck muscle were tense. It was his look of sheer determination. Luke Duke was a very strong willed and determined man in any situation. Dixie had always admired these qualities in her husband even when they tended to get him in trouble with Rosco. She knew that with his job, these qualities were what had often brought him home at night just like they had brought him home from Vietnam, but with the situation at hand, Dixie had suddenly gotten a chill when she saw this look on Luke's face. She felt herself hold his unborn child just a little tighter as she said, "Beth, what ever is up, we're not going to like." Beth looked from Dixie to the now opening front door as Luke, Jake, Bo, and Bo, Jr. walked in. Luke had stopped only long enough on the porch to let Bo and Bo, Jr. in on his plan. Luke was the only one of the bunch to continue across the room as the others waited just inside the door. NARRATOR: "It almost looks like they are ready for a fast 'escape' don't it?" Jeb and Debbie came through the back door and stopped in their tracks when they saw the look on Luke's face as he stood in front of Dixie and Beth. Luke took Dixie's hand and said firmly, "We're going over to Laura's and most likely bringing her back here so you might want to set up the baby's room as a guest room." He glared slightly at Jake, warning him not to challenge him on this matter. Jake may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but Luke's look made him swallow hard with the understanding that Laura may be welcome at Luke's house but not in Jake's bed until she was his wife. Jake thought silently to himself, 'Ok, ready or not, you are about to cross a bridge you can't come back from.' Bo, Jr could see Jake's distress. He put his hand on his shoulder and squeezed it for moral support. Jake was grateful for the family he now knew. He knew he would never get half this support from the Millers. Dixie said the only thing she could under the circumstances, "I'll have it ready, …" Luke saw she wanted to continue the conversation. He stopped her sentence with a kiss and a whisper in her ear, "It'll be fine. Don't worry and I love you." Dixie gave him a slight smile. She wished she could have given him a more supportive one. "I love you too. We'll both be waiting." 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Luke looked at Bo as he turned the key to the General Lee, "Do they always hit below the belt like that?" Bo knew Luke was referring to Dixie's comment about both her and the baby would be waiting. Bo replied, "Been there too many times to lie to ya cousin. Always!" Luke just nodded and replied rather sarcastically, "Thanks!" as he headed the General Lee towards the Campbell place. Luke knew that him going there would cause a scene even if you didn't consider the fact they were going there to tell Mr. Campbell that his daughter was pregnant by Luke's son. He could only hope for a somewhat peaceful meeting, though he truly didn't see it happening. Beth and Dixie busied themselves about the house, knowing they'd both go stark raving mad if they didn't. Debbie joined in the cleaning, and poor Jeb looked like a long tailed cat in a room full of rockin' chairs. Part of him wanted to go with his cousins in case there was trouble. And part of him was pretty darn glad that he wasn't in the General at this moment. Just the fact that they took the General alone was proof enough to Jeb, Beth, and Dixie that there was going to be trouble. In normal circumstances, Luke would have taken the truck. Braxton's crying broke the silence as Beth, Dixie, and Debbie worked away at the living room. Beth walked out without a word, and brought her little man back into the room. She sat in the rocking chair and sang gently to him until he was quiet. Dixie had to smile at the baby despite the overwhelming sense that something was going to go wrong at the Campbells'. She wished that Luke would call, even though she knew that, even if he did, it would be a while. Beth rocked Braxton gently, praying that Bo would be all right. These were the days that being a Duke woman just wasn't so much fun.

Meanwhile, Dixie had asked Debbie about Jeb. Turning bright red, the other woman said, "What about Jeb?" She knew exactly what Dixie was talking about. Dixie saw her embarrassment and added, "Out with it! you had to hear all the 'details' of my coming back to Hazzard when I got home. And," she stressed, "We have let a couple really good opportunities pass by when 'certain' people missed sleeping in the house and stayed in the barn instead." Dixie laughed as she patted her now showing belly, "Beth and I really should have warned ya about that ole barn." Debbie looked away from the road as they drove home. "Warned me about the barn?" She was afraid she knew what Dixie was referring to. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 Bo opened his bedroom door to find Ruth Anne still crying on her mother's shoulder. When he uttered the single word. "Beth?" he looked more like Jesse Duke than she had ever seen him. Beth gave him a slight smile, held up her hand, and nodded 'things were OK'. Bo trusted his wife's judgment but he still wanted to take care of what or who was making his daughter cry. Though he wanted an explanation soon he suggested, "I'll start breakfast." and went back out the door to give the 'women' their time. Beth and Ruth Anne looked at each other then at the closed door. Ruth Anne said, "Mom?" Beth gave her an assuring look, "Here let's dry up and and get downstairs before he gets anything but coffee started." They both enjoyed a good laugh as they went to rescue the family from Bo's cooking. Beth would put Bo's mind to rest as soon as she could. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 Bo, Bo, Jr., Jake and Jesse spent the day doing outside chores. Jeb had even 'dropped' by to help out since he was in town. While Beth and the girls worked inside. The guys were just taking a break when they saw Debbie's car coming up Bo's driveway. Even though Luke and Dixie had their own home it was still habit to stop by Bo's on the way home. Dixie and Debbie had gotten out of the car still in uniform, threw up their hands and headed for the house. Bo replied, "Da--, I wish they would change clothes at work!" Jeb agreed, "Kinda give ya the 'willies' don't they?" The four had a good laugh as they heard another very familiar vehicle on the road nearing the drive way. This time Luke was going much slower than he had left that morning. Jake was relieved to see Luke home. Bo read his look, "That's Luke. We'll see what he thinks about how to tell Laura's family. Just as the girls got into the house, Luke's truck was in the driveway. Beth was relieved to see her cousin-in-law as much as Jake and Bo were. Knowing that Luke and Jake needed to talk, Dixie kept to the house for the time being, having a glass of tea with Beth. Sitting on the couch, Beth told Dixie about Ruth Anne's night, and how upset the poor girl had been. Dixie shook her head as she replied, "Oh, Lord! What else could happen? ..... No, don't answer that! I've been around this family too long to ask something like that." She was silent for several minutes, then said, "Beth, she's a smart girl to know that's he may be right for her, but that she's not ready for marriage. Sometimes I wished I would have gotten pregnant all those years ago and been able to marry Luke then. But, then I truly have to wonder if we were really ready to be with each other then. God knows I love that man as much today as I did then, but would I if we had gotten married then? I guess we're just lucky that things did finally work out between us so that we can be together after all that has happened. I'd really like to think that I could have held on to Luke or that he would have kept walking by all the girls he's been with if we had been married. I've heard the stories and I'll tell ya if some of them showed back up I'd be a whole lot insecure until they left, especially with me looking like this." She patted her round belly. Beth replied, "I know she's a smart girl. I just hope she knows that. As for you and Luke, Honey, don't second guess anything. That man out there would move heaven and Earth for ya." 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Bo, Jr. looked at his dad. "Gah, I don't know what Jake's gonna do... He's so scared." He sighed. "I don't know what I'd do." He looked at Bo, blue eyes showing his worry. Bo nodded. "But, Son, Jake's a Duke, and if there's anything Uncle Jesse taught us, it's that nothing brings a Duke down. Least not so much that he can't stand back up." Jake made his way over to Luke, looking his father in the eyes as he said, his tone shy, but brave, "Dad, I need your help." Luke saw the pain in his son's eyes, "Sure, Son. What can I do?" Jake looked at his father. "Um... can we go talk on the back 40 a while?" he asked, knowing that his father would understand the urgency. "Yeah, let's go," Luke replied, following his son, letting him take his time.

Dixie and Debbie made it to work on time but barely. They were in to big of a hurry to talk on the way but the return trip would be interesting. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 By this time Luke and his team had landed safely in the landing zone and were now settling down to the work of putting a forest fire out. Things looked good on the way in and Luke hoped to be wrapped up by evening if the weather held. He stopped long enough for a drink from his canteen as he watched his crew of two females, five males and himself make short order of the raging beast headed their way. With luck they would have a fire break made to stop the fire when it got there. Luke had a great crew. He knew it and they knew he felt that way. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 Meanwhile, Bo, Jr., had his own problems trying to figure out what Ruth Anne's problem was ................. She was sobbing uncontrollably. "Come on, honey," he said softly. "Talk to me." She blinked against the tears and said, "Bo, it's... It's Nathan..." "What about him?" Bo asked softly, trying to get her to calm down. "He... He's moving away, Bo... And he asked me to marry him... and I told him no..." She burst into sobs all over again. "But I really want to marry him Bo, I was just scared and..." she sniffled. "And now he thinks I don't love him..." Bo, Jr.'s face was blank. He had no idea what to tell her. But he knew that she was too young to get married, being a little over a month short of 17. Ruth Anne in the meantime was still crying. "And, Bo, he begged me to change my mind... He... He said he'd be a good husband and take care of me and everything, and I knew he would, but I couldn't say yes, even though I wanted to." Bo, Jr. shook his head. "Come here," he said, putting his arms around his sister. Sure she was almost 17, but she was still his little sister, and he loved her. She closed her eyes and leaned into her brother's arms, crying like a child. He held her and said, "You should talk to Mama. She'll know what to do." 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 A few minutes later, after Bo and Beth had put Braxton back down, they heard a knock at their door. Bo went to the door to see his oldest daughter, still in her clothes from the night before, and crying. Bo, being Bo, automatically assumed that Nathan had done something to Ruth Anne, and said, "What'd he do?" angrily. "No, Daddy," she said softly. "He didn't do anything wrong... I just need to talk to Mama." Bo looked at Beth and said, "I'll go get dressed and head over to check on Dixie... Make sure she don't need nothin'." Beth's eyes thanked him. She patted the bed beside her and Ruth Anne sat down. "Now, honey, what's wrong?" Beth asked. Ruth Anne replied, "Oh, Mama, it's terrible! Nathan's father is getting transferred. He has to move. He wasn't me to marry him and I want to but I couldn't tell him that. I told him no and now he thinks I don't love him!" Ruth Anne cried. Beth reached out and took her oldest daughter in her arms, "Honey, you did the right thing telling him no. If he's man enough to take care of you, he's man enough to stand on his own two feet and stay here when his folks leave. Then, if he can take care of himself for a year or so then he might be able to take care of you." Ruth Anne knew deep down her mother was right but it made it no easier, "But, Mama!" Bo went over to check on Dixie only to find Jake at the table finishing his breakfast. Bo asked, "Where's Dixie?" "Debbie picked her up for work a little while ago since Luke took the truck. She said to tell you if you need the truck to go get it." Jake said, "Bo can I ask you something?" Bo, Sr. replied, "Sure, Son you can ask me anything and I'll do my best to answer it." "Laura's father is still having problems with spending the night in jail 'because of Dad'. Dixie had suggested getting them over here for dinner to tell them about the baby, but Laura said he'll never go for it. Do you have any ideas?" Jake asked hopeful. Bo thought for a minute and replied, "We wait for your Dad to get home and the three of us take us a ride over to the Campbell's. Unless your Dad can think or something better. It will either defuse the situation or light a stack of dynamite." Some how Jake hoped Luke would have a better idea, but at least Bo was offering to go with them. "Thanks Bo. I really appreciate the offer." Bo replied, "Hey, it is Uncle Bo after all." Meanwhile, back at the house, Beth was still trying to comfort Ruth Anne. "Mama, why would he think I don't love him? I only said no because I'm not ready to get married... But when I am, I really do wanna marry him..." Beth nodded. "I know, honey... But you have to wait. He needs to be a man... And to be honest, you need to be a woman. I know you take care of your little brother and sisters, but could you do that 24-7? Can you take care of a family like that?" Ruth Anne knew Beth was right, but it was hard to admit it to her. Beth hugged her daughter. "Honey, I don't mean that you're immature or anything like that, because you're very mature... But you aren't ready for all those responsibilities." Ruth Anne just leaned against her mother and cried. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 In the meantime, Bo and Jake had decided to come back to Bo and Beth's. When Beth was still in her room, Bo knew something was up. "I'll be back in a minute, Jake," he said, heading up the stairs.

Bo and Beth were still in bed. Beth had dozed back off, but Bo was wide awake. He couldn't go back to sleep now. He was worried about Jake. Of all times for Luke to get called out, it had to be this day. He looked down at Beth, who was lying in his arms, sleeping quietly, and hoped that Jake would look down at Laura in his arms in 18 or 20 years and feel the same love in his heart for her... A love that threatened to make his heart burst. Braxton's crying broke the silence... and woke Beth, who sat up. Bo was about to go after him, but Beth put her hand to his chest to stop him. "It's my turn, Daddy," she said with a small smile. She went to get Braxton, and returned to the bed, oblivious to the fact that Ruth Anne was in Bo, Jr's. room, crying her eyes out to her big brother. 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 Balladeer: Speaking of Ruth Anne and Bo, Jr...... Bo, Jr. did everything he knew to do. He took his sister in his arms when she had began to cry. He said to her, "Hey, Ruthie, come on now things can't be that bad. Talk to me." She had answered with only teary eyes as she said, "Oh, Bo, Jr. it's just to aweful to tell!" 01~~~~~~~~~~~01 Dixie sighed, replying, "I hope your Dad is back tonight. Maybe then you, him, and Bo can go over and had a talk with Mr. Campbell. Maybe you can take along the voice of reason, Jeb or Cooter, to run interference. Lord knows my father was in no mood to listen to anyone, and me and your Dad had only been caught in the back seat! Sometimes I wished I had have been pregnant then maybe we wouldn't have had to wait so long for what we have now." Dixie said in agitation. "Look, promise me you won't tell Laura's parents anything until I can talk to your Dad or he gets home. Dixie well remembered the unreasonable way her Father had talked to her, Luke, and even Uncle Jesse. Looking at her watch Dixie picked up the phone to call Debbie at the apartment above the garage where she had been staying recently since transferring to the Tri -County jail with Dixie. A sleepy male voice said, "Hello?" Obviously surprised to get a call this early. Without thinking, Dixie said with a bit of surprise, "Jeb?" Jeb was now awake and kicking himself for answering Debbie's phone while she was in the shower, "Dixie?" NARRATOR: "Well, now that we have that cleared up!" Trying to contain the shock Dixie explained, "Yeah, Luke got called out earlier. I need a ride to work since you have all determined my car not safe. Can Debbie pick me up at the house?' Jeb replied, "Hang on." Then to Debbie, "Honey, Dixie is on the phone. Can you pick her up at the house? Luke got called out." Debbie turned fifteen shades of purple. Dixie now would not only suspect that Jeb was staying with her sometimes but now would KNOW! Glancing at her watch on the shelf, " ****! Tell her to be ready. We're gonna have to move or be late." Jeb was also now a bit embarrassed, "She said, 'Be ready!' " Dixie replied, "I'll be on the porch and if we're late I'll tell them I had morning sickness on the way!" Laughing, Jeb said, "Your on! I'll tell her."

When Jake woke up again, Dixie was stirring around in the kitchen. The smell of coffee made the young man smile, and he said, "Hey, Dixie, what's for breakfast?" The woman looked up and smiled. "Bacon and eggs... And grits and greens." Jake grinned. Good ol' home cookin'. He loved home cookin'. Not that he got it much at the Millers anymore. Mrs. Miller was a good cook, but as time went on, she'd become less and less likely to cook and more and more likely to keep a supply of cereal and sandwich items available. He rolled off of the couch and pulled on a pair of jeans. "Dixie," he said, kissing the woman on the cheek. "My dad's a lucky man to have you." Dixie laughed. "And you, young man, are quite the charmer." Jake shrugged. "What can I say? I got it honest." She smiled softly and said, "Was Laura OK when you dropped her off last night?" "Yes ma'am," he said. "But I gotta feelin' it ain't gonna be easy to tell her parents... We're gonna do it today." "Hm... Good luck," Dixie said, giving him a meaningful look. "But you know, you're welcome to have them to dinner and tell them here... At least that way, you got family around to keep you from gettin' yourself killed." Jake smiled a little. "Ya know somethin', Dixie. You're a regular genius." "No... I just know that this is how Bo and Beth did it, and Bo's still alive to tell the story." Jake nodded. "Well, still... I'll call Laura right now." The young man went back to the living room to call Laura. 01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Meanwhile, Bo, Jr. had just been awakened by a knock on the door of his bedroom. He rolled over and reached for the pair of jeans at the side of his bed. "Just a sec," he called as he pulled them on. He went to the door and opened it to see Ruth Anne standing there. "Bo," she said quietly. "I gotta talk to you about something." Bo, Jr. sighed as he opened the door wider to let her in. No good conversation had ever started like that. He sure hoped his little sister wasn't in any trouble. Jake got Laura on the phone, "Laura, Honey, Dixie just had a wonderful idea. Do you think you can get your parents to come to dinner over here tonight? We can tell them here. Tell them Dixie and Luke are wanting to have a few people over to see the new house." Laura was not all that convinced that it was a wonderful idea after the fight her father and Luke had which had resulted in them all spending the night in jail which her father still wouldn't let her forget. "Ah, Jake it may be easier to get the cow to jump over the moon. You know my father can be a very stubborn man. After the night he spent in jail which he still blames your Dad for I just don't see getting him to come to dinner at his house." The Dukes had repaired the roof at the Boar's Nest and for the most part forgotten all about the incident. "He isn't over that yet?" Jake asked surprised. "I don't think he'll ever get over that." Laura explained. Jake replied, "Ok, well we'll just have to come up with another idea." 01~~~~~~~~~~~~01 Ruth Anne was usually up early but it was barely light outside. Bo, Jr's radar was beginning to tune into trouble as he noticed she was still dressed in the clothes she was in before her date last night and she looked as if she'd been crying. Shutting the door quietly, he asked, "What's wrong?" Jake walked into the kitchen. "Dixie, Laura said her Dad'll never come eat here, 'cuz he still hates Dad. He's still mad about that night he had to spend in jail." Dixie shook her head. "Well, we'll think of something else..." But deep down she wasn't sure. Because Mr. Campbell was going to be angry enough no matter how they worked it out. Jake hung his head. "Dixie, this is crazy! This whole thing... I mean, I know her daddy has a right to be mad, but I can't help it now." Dixie nodded. "Trust me, Honey... I know all of us have seen angry daddies in our time, whether it be someone else's or our own." She sighed, remembering her father, Luther Davenport, when he heard about her getting caught with Luke. Jake sighed. "Oh, Dixie, I don't know what the hell the man wants me to do! I'd go to hell and back for Laura's sake, and he can't respect me for that... I know what I did was wrong, but still..." Dixie sighed, replying......

Meanwhile, Bo had his arms around Beth, kissing her. After a short while, Beth put her hand to his chest and smiled. "Bo, I don't think I'm ready to start on number 7 yet!" Bo burst into laughter, and had to bury his face in his pillow to avoid being heard by the kids. Beth laughed, too, and rested her head on Bo's shoulder. "And, just for the record, Sweetheart, that's the last time I EVER help you clean the barn!" Bo was about to fall out of the bed by this point as he glanced at her and said, "Well, there's always cleaning the vinyl in the backseat of the General." Beth smacked his arm and laughed even harder. "Bo," she said softly. "I hope that Jake and Laura's story turns out like ours has." Bo nodded. "I gotta feelin' they'll be doin' a lot of barn cleanin' themselves..." Beth shook her head. "Beauregard Jackson Duke!" Bo looked at Beth, solemn as can be, and said, "I'm sorry." She couldn't help laughing. He looked so much like their son Jesse, and Beth snorted with laughter. "Bo, I always thought Bo, Jr. looked just like you, but now it seems that YOU look just like Jesse Allan." Bo couldn't help laughing at Beth's snort, and her declaration that he looked like Jesse. "Oh, Lord," he said, the whole bed shaking from their laughter. Beth rolled into Bo's arms and said, "I really meant what I said earlier. I do hope that Jake and Laura have this much happiness." Bo nodded, suddenly very serious again. "Me, too, Sunshine... I love you." "I love you, too," she replied, kissing him gently, then closing her eyes. 0101010101 The next morning, Dixie and Luke awoke to the sound of .... (beep, beep. BEEEPPPP!!!) Luke tossed the covers toward Dixie, quickly jumped up and grabbed his pager. At that very moment the phone started ringing. Luke unthinkingly turned on the light as he reached for the phone and his jeans at the same time. Dixie had just gotten over the sudden bright light as she watched her husband operate on automatic pilot. She would have gotten up but at the moment it may have been Dangerous. It was as if Luke were all over the room at once. Luke was doing, well trying to do, several things at once. Listen to the page, answer the phone and get dressed. He was so tuned into what he was doing that it was almost if Dixie didn't exist let alone be setting up in bed watching him. Dixie listened as he said, "Where? .....When? .....Yeah, OK got it. No wait, I can drive it and be there by then. See ya in a few." He sat down on the bed to put on his boots when he realized Dixie was setting up in bed watching him in amazement. Luke's first comment to Dixie through a bit of a smile was, "Don't say anything." "I haven't said anything." she smiled. "But, you're blaming this on me right?" "The fire no. The call yes." Luke said wickedly. He looked at the clock and added, "I've got to get to base camp and be ready to fly in an hour and a half." He grabbed one of his smokejumper shirts from a drawer and finally slowed down for just a moment as he went to Dixie's side of the bed where there was plenty of room as she was in the middle of the bed almost on his side. "I don't know when I'll be back but if anybody needs the truck come get it." Luke had placed his hand on her now plump belly, "Keep the boys out of trouble. I love you." He said taking Dixie in his arms for a kiss. Soon the adrenaline hit him once again as his mind continued to race. Dixie said as he almost jumped off the bed, "Hey, I love you too! Be careful. Do you want coffee?" "Always! As for the coffee, no time." Luke called back to Dixie from the hallway leading to the living room where Jake was asleep on the couch. Flipping on lights as he went. He was being none to quiet as he stomped through the house, grabbed his keys and slammed the door as he went out leaving on the trail of lights he'd turned on. Dixie laughed as she heard the door slam, then the truck door, and finally heard the truck quickly pull out. It was just dark enough to catch a glimpse of the red lights flashing through the window. "Nope I don't think he even needed coffee this morning." Only now did she get up to turn off the bedroom light when she saw all the other lights on. She shook her head. In the living room Jake was setting up on the couch when she walked in. "What just came through here?" he said sleepily. Dixie laughed, "Your Dad. You know how he gets when he gets a call and he's not at base. I'll get these lights and you can go back to sleep. I'll call Debbie in a bit so she can give me a ride to work. Make yourself at home when you get up." Jake replied, "Ok, thanks." "No problem." Dixie said as she entered the bathroom. It seemed that the baby had been from day one laying right on her bladder. She got back in bed and wrapped the covers tightly around her snuggling Luke's pillow. Several minutes later it hit her. She opened her eyes and asked out loud, "Keep the boys out of trouble? Now what makes him think you are a boy?" 0101010101 Luke had cut across the farm to hit the main road. He was running his red light at least until he got to the County line for two reasons: one, so the law would leave him alone and two, because though he wasn't the Sheriff anymore, it still annoyed Rosco. Luke knew he'd be going right by Rosco's. 0101010101 A flash of red swept through Bo and Beth's bedroom window waking both of them. Beth squinted against the bright light, and Bo rolled over to look toward the window. The sound of the engine gave it away to both of them, and Bo said, "That's Luke's truck." Beth nodded. "Oh, my Lord... I hope Dixie's OK." Bo shrugged and said, "There's only one way to find out." He turned on the CB base beside their bed and keyed the mic. "Lost Sheep 2 to Lost Sheep 1. Everything OK?" Luke smiled in his truck. This was one of the things he had missed about Hazzard. Having the family around to keep an eye on everybody. "Yeah, Bo... It's just a Smokejumper call... Dixie jinxed me for sure." Bo laughed. "Well, just checkin'. Hope everything goes OK, cousin." "Me, too," Luke replied. "I'll catch ya later." Beth smiled and snuggled back into the blankets. "Hm... What time is it?" Bo put an arm around her and kissed her head. "Time for you to get a little more sleep before Braxton decides it's breakfast time." Beth smiled and closed her eyes, snuggling into Bo's chest.

It is a good story! I've read it before on Fan Fiction but seent the link and got interested.

My tombstone. May have pumkins later. DixieDavenport

Great story. Reminds me of a conversation in Bristol at Dukefest. I was walking through the crowd of 1000's and happened to have my Correctional Officer badge on my side. I heard, "Hey CO!" I stopped and turned to see where it came from. A man said, "I knew you'd turn around." He was a Correctional Officer From Atlanta. Then in Nashville, I eased down closer to the stage waiting on Tom to come on stage. Security made us clear the steps. I eased in beside a man and his family. While waiting I noticed a young woman working security. The more I watched her the more I thought it was funny. I turned to the man and said something about, "Here we are mostly good, law abidding Hazzard folk, here with kids of all ages and that security officer is scared silly! I said I work with convicted felons and don't act like that." Her body language gave her away. He watched her a few seconds and said, "Yeah you're right. She is scared." We got to talking I was a Unit Manager in WV, he was a Case Manager Missouuri (I believe). Small world we are in or Hazzard is a very big place! DixieDavenport

I've been to Sperryville VA, Bristol twice and nashville twice. Due to money concerns couldn't make Atlanta. At this time I have car issues so for that reason I voted Bristol. Bristol also has a wide range of motels around the track. I loved the first year as Spring Nationals were also goiong on at the Thunder Valley Drag track walking distance from the Dukefest events and 1 price got you into both as some things went on at that track too. BUT HEAT / SUN were issues! Nearly had second degree sunburn from waiting for John's autograph for around 6 hours before getting to the large tent. Nashville was good, offered shade. The track opened their concessions stands up as well as other vendors. Cast was in air conditioned building so AFTER you got to the door you were at least cool while waiting. I didn't care for the way city of Nashville around the track was so spread out and when asking for directions seemed to find follks that just didn't know or want to tell you if they understood you. Basically either of these locations have good and not so good. I would have also liked to have seen the locations around Altanta but couldn't make it. DixieDavenport

ake also felt a lump in his throat before replying, "Dad... I'll never hurt Laura... I mean, not physically. I'll do my best not to hurt her any other way, either. I swear... And I know both of us are gonna be doin' a lot of prayin', and a lot of talkin', and hopin'... I just can't believe this is it... I mean, I kinda pictured things different than this..." Luke nodded. "I know, Son. We all did... but things ain't always the way we hoped they'd be..." The younger man nodded, swallowing again to fight the lump in his throat. "I... I know... Thanks, though, Dad... Thanks for bein' willin' to raise my baby... I don't know how many folks woulda done that, but it meant a lot... I love you, Dad..." Tears filled Luke's eyes as he replied, "I love you, too, son." The two men walked toward the house and stepped in the door to find. Laura had to at least admitted to herself that Dixie was making a lot of sense, but replied, "Ok, Dixie, I'll talk to him and we'll talk things over before making any final plans." Dixie nodded as the door opened, "Good. We all just want what's best for all three of you." Luke and Jake came into the living room. Luke took the arm of the couch and gently put his arm around his wife. Dixie laid her head over against Luke's waist. Jake noticed that Dixie looked like she should have gone to bed a couple of hours ago, "Look ya'll, I'm really sorry for keeping you up this late. We really appreciate everything you've done tonight." "Not a problem, Son. That's what family is for." Luke tightened his arm around Dixie's shoulder. Checking the time on the clock on the mantle of the fire place Luke noticed it was getting quiet late, "Jake are you coming back here after you take Laura home? It will be really late by the time you get to the Millers." Jake nodded, "If you don't mind, I'd like that." "Not at all. Your room isn't exactly finished but the couch is open." Luke said. Dixie added, "I'll put you a pillow and blanket out before I go to bed." "Don't go to any trouble for me. A sleeping bag on the floor is fine." Jake said as he reached for Laura's hand. "I shouldn't be too long and I'll try to be quiet." Luke replied, "Don't worry about Dixie, a bomb could go off and you wouldn't wake her." Dixie promptly smacked Luke's arm playfully, "Don't let him fool you. He only hears the (His Smokejumper) pager going off." Luke glared at her, "You had to say that didn't you." Dixie laughed, "Sorry. I didn't realize you were that superstitious." "Yeah, well, just don't complain when I have to leave in the middle of the night after you make a comment like that." Luke declared. The two couples shared a laugh as Laura and Jake prepared to leave and Luke and Dixie headed to bed after they left. 0101010101 Luke was setting in the bed against the stacked pillows, when Dixie came into the bedroom from the bathroom. She dropped her robe onto the rocker that Luke had already insisted on putting in the bedroom. She pulled the sheets back and took her place on her side of the bed which actually was the middle of the bed. She scooted up against Luke's muscular form and began gently rubbing her hair along his bare chest. Luke's arm was around her waist. Dixie looked up at him, "You OK?" Looking down at his wife, "Yeah." "Luke." Dixie said gently. He sighed, "Really, I'm fine. Just worried about them. I want them to be happy, but the chances for a young couple today with the deck stacked against them isn't going to be easy." "And it was easy for Bo and Beth or for us for that matter?" Dixie asked. "No, I don't guess its easy for anybody, but da--it, it could have been easier to only have to worry about each other, now they will have a child to worry about shortly too." Luke said with a bit of agitation. Dixie snuggled closer to Luke and put her leg across his legs, "It would have been easier on us to have done this say ten years ago, too, right?" She asked, as if on cue the youngest member of their family decided to make it's presence known and moved enough that Luke felt it move on his side where Dixie had snuggled her stomach close to him. Her question never registered in Luke's head as he felt for the first time in his life a child of his own move for the first time. "Dixie?" "Yeah?" She said reaching for his hand and placing it on her stomach between them. Luke felt just a slight flutter under his hand as he said, "I love you... Do you know how happy I am right now?" Dixie grinned. "Only if you're as happy as I am..."