DixieDavenport

Luke continued, "Dixie has never even said one word about the child support I insisted on paying. Randy I did something really stupid!" Randy said, "Luke don't tell me youslept with her again?" Luke laughed just a bit, "Randy I wished it was just that simply." Luke hearing himself saying these things out loud almost felt like he was talking about something someone else had done. He tought a minute before contining....

Luke's crew was dropped in over the fire. They had to get a group of campers out who thought it was more important to get there camper out than to get themselves out and got trapped. Casey and Lisa worked together to keep the group together while also helping clear a fire break as they went. Luke was keeping the group headed the right direction and kept a count on everyone to make sure they got everyone out ok. Luke spotted a young girl who was having trouble keeping up and put her on his shoulders and carried her the rest of the way out to met the ground crews. This was a big fire and Luke's crew found out they would be there at least through tonight. Tents were set up for the Smoke Jumpers to get a shower and some sleep in. Luke was rady for a shower and actually he was ready for a night like this. He got two cups of coffee and headed over to Randy. He was one of the older crew members. Randy looked at Luke, "You look like walking trouble." Luke sighed, "That's about what I feel like lately." Randy listened. He knew if Luke was going to talk it was on his terms. Luke continued, "I've got a problem." He looked at his wedding band, "Randy you were at the wedding. Remember me telling you all that Dixie and I had been through before she left Hazzard. How I went in the Marines and was glad to do so after almost going to prison over us being together." Luke paused, "I was so da-- glad to finally have her back home then I almost lost her when I messed up and got her cousin pregnant. Dixie was so good about that after all was said and done. She finally forgave me about the time I asked her to marry me, we found out she was also pregnant. Everything has been pretty much ok until awhile back when her cousin came back to town. " Luke looked at his ring again before continuing....... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the church the preacher chose for his sermon today as Fidelity and Adulty. Lori felt every eye in the house on her. Dixie wished for like the hundreth time she could have worn that other dress today!

Dixie finally decided to go get dressed. She took out a Sunday dress she wore often and started to put it on. She found it no longer fit right. "Da-- it!" She hated to wear a maternity dress already. She looked through her closet and found a dress she hoped would fit better. It did but it left no doubt that she was pregnant. She rubbed her belly, "Well, I guess you couldn't be a secret for ever, huh?" She got Little Jesse ready and met the rest of the family, they left farm not knowing about the interview. As the Duke's arrived and took their usual seats the church became unusually noisy with chatter.......

Bo was relieved the him she was talking about was the Manager and not Luke. "Glad she not mad at Luke." Cooter added, "She's already made him live hard. She knows he went to talk to Dixie last night." Bo replied, "Oh, brother!" ~~~~~~~~~ Inside Lori was going for the phone to call her manager, when she heard from the radio, "Coming up next an exclusive interview with Ricky Wilder, Manager for our hometown star Lori Davenport. Lori screamed bloody murder, "THAT SON OF A B-------!!!!! He better hope he's making money on that interview!!" Bo and Cooter both ran to see what was wrong. Lori was now sushing them as the radio interview began: "So Mr. Wilder I understand that Ms. Davenport was unable to finish her show last night at the Boar's Nest and local Bar and Grill owner by JD Hogg." "That's right. She became ill during her second set. At first we thougth it was from the heat and the crowded conditions, until Luke Duke told me that she was pregnant. Seeing his concern when she passed out and the fact that he is the father of her five year old Jesse Lucas Duke, I can only assume he's also this child's father." "That's it folks, this interview was brought to you by your radio station WHOGG."

Lori looked at him with tears in her eyes, "Yes, DA-- IT, I do!" Luke looked at her and was about to say something when the phone rang. Lori answered the phone, "Hazzard Garage." The female voice on the other end said, "Yes, is Luke Duke there. He left this number....." Without hearing the rest of teh sentence Lori pushed the received in Luke's chest. He let out an 'umh', "Hello." Lori waited with both barrels. Luke said into the phone, "Ok, Lisa I'm on my way. Grab my bag!" He looked up at Lori, "Forest fire moving fast I gotta go." Lori glared, "Who's Lisa?" Luke was hurry to get his things together, "My safety officer." "She jumps too?" Lori asked. "Ah,..... yeah,..... she's also and EMT. She great." Luke didn't pay much attention to Lori mood as he kissed her on the cheeck and said, "Gotta go. I have no idea when'I'll be back." He left in a cloud of dust heading out of Hazzard.

Luke walked back in the upstairs apartment. Lori was at the small table setting looking at an empty cup that appeared to be clean. Luke noticd this and offered, "You want me to make you some coffee?" Lori glared at him, "NO! I've thrown up for the last hour. I'd love a cup of coffee but I AM NOT willing to pay for it like that." It sounded to Luke as if she had lost some of the fight in her. He sat down beside her, "I know how bad things were for you with Luke early on, how long did it last?" Lori replied sounding like she couldn't fight her way out of a wet paper bag, "Almost everyday for at lest six months." "Honey, I'm sorry really I'm about everything." He kissed her cheek. Luke thought it was the right thing to say and he was sorry she felt bad. "Your drinking already?" Lori took it out of context, "Sorry you left Dixie?" "I had a beer with Cooter like most weekend mornings since I was twelve." Luke replied, "Honey, we need to talk about Dixie." "What about her?" Lori said with a bit more spunk. "There are times that I'm going to have to talk to her." Luke said gently, "She is still my wife and is also carrying my child." Lori stood up and her eyes changed colors, "You are sorry you left HER!" Luke got up and moved closer to her, "I do not regret being here with you, I regret hurting you both." Lori asked, "Can you promise me you'll be here with me always?" Luke looked at her helplessly, "I promised HER that! And I'm here with you. Lori I'm going to be there when my child is born and I'm going to talk to her." Lori flew mad, "THEN DON'T LET ME STOP YOU. GO TALK TO HER. Move back in IF you THINK she'll let you!" Luke had had just about enough of this he said evenly, "She told me I could last night, but I didn't I came here to be with you....." Lori ................

Once in the garage Luke sighed with relief as he reached for a beer, "Thanks Cooter, it was getting bad!" Cooter said, "I couldn't help but hear." Luke said in defeat, "You know if it weren't for the boys, I'd go find Sheriff Little and punch him right in the mouth. Figure I'd get about a 2 year vacation for that, huh?" Cooter put his hand on his brother in laws should, "Yeap, bout that. What is she peeved about now?" Luke took a long drink of beer, "Well, it either the fact she is pregnant or that fact I went and talked to MY wife last night." Cooter looked at him in disbelief, "Luke you just don't learn do you?" Luke looked at Cooter like he had two heads, "Well, tell me oh wise one what's your solution?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, Jesse was sipping his coffee on the porch as Dixie came out. He noticed she had toast and tea. "Still getting to you?" She nodded, "Somedays more that others. Didn't want to push it today with both boys here."

Lori looked at him, "Did you EXPECT her to be over joyed????" Luke sighed, "No, I just really didn't want her to hear it from someone else." "You still love her, DON'T YOU?" Lori asked. She knew the answer. Luke took a deep breath and replied, "With all my heart, but I love you too!" Lori picked up a glass and threw it at him. Luke was glad he'd been watching closely and quickly moved. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Downstairs Cooter had heard teh raised voices and now the crash of glass. He figured it was time to go outside and see how much fuel was in his tanks, clean the lot, or just sat and enjoy his doughnuts adn beer. He had thought maybe Luke would join him, but that didn't sound possible right now.

Luke woke up to see the sun shining brightly outside. It was the first time in a long time that he'd not been woken up by the clock or the phone. He watched Lori sleep for awhile. He knew what he'd said to Bo and Dixie last night, but looking at Lori this morning with the image of Dixie walking away last nigth was really bugging him. Lori turned over opening her eyes and saw him. She instantly turned away from him. Luke thought for a minute that she just might be sick, "You ok?" Lori replied, "Oh, so you decided to come back?" Luke looked at her strangely, "Honey, I came home with ou from the Boar's Nest." Lori glared, "Yeah, you did." Luke tried to snuggle closer to her....

Luke knew Lori meant well really he did but he wouldn't let her support him. As Lori fell asleep Luke was thinking and thinking long and hard about the reality of this situation. He knew what he needed to do though he wasn't looking forward to it. He knew he had to tell Dixie and soon before she found out anywhere else. As much as he wanted to stay right here with Lori he knew he had to get this done. He gently got out of bed and managed to do it without waking Lori, at lest he hoped he had. He walked in the bathroom and dressed. He quietly made his way down to the garage and picked up the phone. The farms number was busy. 'Great! That's all I need.' he thought as he waited. ~~~~~~~~~~~ BL sighed thinking to herself here it came, "Dixie I'm just a little out of sorts tonight." "Why's that?" Dixie asked. BL sighed, "I'm pregnant." "NO!!" Dixie said rather loudly catching Beth's attention. Dixie pointed to the phone and mouthed 'BL', "I don't believe it! You really are pregnant?" BL smiled a little, "Yeah, at least that's what Doc says." Dixie felt her slightly growing belly, "If Doc tells you that you are, then believe me you are." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As soon as Dixie was off the phone with BL it rang again. She answered it, "Duke farm." Luke was silent for a long while before saying really quietly, "Dixie." "Luke?" Dixie said surprised. "Can I meet you somewhere?" Luke asked. "Why?" Dixie asked. Luke replied, "Because, I need to talk to you and I want to see you. Please, Beth will watch the kids." Dixie replied, "They are in bed, but I know she will. Where?" Luke thought about it, "Still site 6 is closest and the easiest to get to for you." Dixie replied, "Give me a little bit." Luke nodded as he said, "I'll be waiting." Dixie didn't have a clue what Luke wanted but if she was going to see him she was at least going to clean up just a bit.

Luke looked to her and asked, "You feeling any better now?" Lori ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie decided to call BL. She dialed the number and it rang and rang before it was answered by............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter was pulling up to the Boar's Nest when he was passed by Luke driving Midnight. He saw Bo standing outside the Boar's Nest after parking Cooter walked over to Bo pointing down the road where he'd just came from and asked, "What just happened? I thought you two were staying at the still site tonight." Bo..................

She was hitting the floor, Luke saw it coming. He was suddenly very sober as he reacted. Luke was able to catch her before she hit the floor. He glared at her manager who had been right beside her, where as Luke had been a half a room away. Luke had went under Lori as she fell and was now setting with her in his lap trying to get her awake. She was hot from the lights and the crowd. Luke looked over at Daisy, "Can you get me a cold towel?" Luke started getting Lori cooled off and she began coming around. Daisy looked at Bo questioning. Bo just gave her a look and shook his head. Lori's manager was asking what was wrong with her. Luke was trying to get where he could stand up and still support Lori's still simi uncouscious body. Bo seen what he was trying to do and helped support Lori so Luke could get up. When he did he picked Lori up and said, "Let's get you outside and cooled off a bit." Lori managed to say, "Sick. Hurry!" Luke knew when she said 'hurry' she meant it. He barely made the door and got her on her unsteady legs when she became very ill. Her manager came out to see what was wrong. Luke glared at him. "You saw she was sick! You saw her fall and you let her! You better be doing your job and doing it right or you will deal with ME! Now, go back in there and tell them the show tonight is cancelled." "Cancelled? I can't do that! Did you see that crowd? She just got too hot." he said. It was a good thing Lori was a little more steady on her feet now, because Luke let go of her and grabbed the manager pinning him against the outside wall of the Boar's Nest, "No. She's not hot. She's pregnant! And believe me she'll not be able to finish the show now!"

Luke looked at Bo with more pain than Bo had seen him in in his life. Bo had purposely parked the General Lee where Luke couldn't get by him without him moving the General Lee. He walked over and picked up one of several Mason jars setting beside Luke. He took a healthy drink and said, "Cousin I'm listening when your ready to talk." Luke gave a small laugh to himself, took a large drink of shine, reached in his pocket and handed Bo his keys, then said, "It'll be awhile Bo." Bo replied, "I got all the time in the world for you cousin. You know that." Luke replied taking another drink, "Thanks, Bo." Bo nodded taking a sip of shine. It had been ages since the two of them had nothing more to do than to get really drunk together where there was no one around to start any trouble with them. Bo knew something was wrong but like Luke said it would be awhile before he was ready to talk. He would try to work out whatever it was in his mind before he talked about it.

Luke hung his head and said, "Lori, please talk to me!" Luke waited. It seemed like he'd waited for hours. Reality sank in he had 2 five year olds and now two on the WAY!! There was NO way he could support 4 children, a wife and a girlfriend! He hurt! He hurt from his belly button to his privates he HURT! Luke headed towards the garage, "Cooter, I figure Bo'll be lookin' for me. Tell him site 6." Luke knew it had the biggest reserve of shine. Right now all he wanted was out / away from it all!

Lori glared at Luke! She was glad the boys were at the farm. Luke asked again, "What is wrong? Shouldn't you be getting ready for the show?" Lori became ill just thinking of telling Luke. She pushed him back as she ran for the toilet and became suddenly very ill. Luke could be dense sometimes and after Lori regained some of her composure asked, "What is wrong? Honey talk to me." "Don't EVER expect me to talk to you ever AGAIN!!!" Lori hissed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile back at Cooters BL was arriving and thinking of how many ways Korad could be killed!

She was more than a little surpised to see BL there! She asked, "What on Earth are yo doing here?" BL covered, "Just a check up? YOU???" Lori replied, ............................

Lori almost begged, "Doc,I know yo only see afew patients today but can you see ME?" Doc asked, "Well, what seems to be your problem?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke went to the farm, thought he dreaded it. He took both boys with Little Jesse's bag that Beth had packed for him. Bo met him in the yard, "Hey Luke. So you're gonna let Luke stay with us?" Luke replied, "Ah, ........... yeah. Hey is Dixie OK?" Bo lied, "Yeah, like I told you just a bad day yesturday." Luke nodded. He watched the boys scamper off, "You'll bring Luke home tomorrow? I feel out of place here." Bo replied, ...............

Lori sighed, "Just checking is all." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bl looked at what Konrad had brought her to 'settle' her stomach. She promtly grabbed her mouth and flew to the bathroom!!! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter looked to Korad............. '~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning Dixie was sure glad that Luke (or anyone) had the boys. She wasn't sure she could face a breakfast table............................. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It was then that Little Luke and Jesse woke up full of energy and ready for the DAY!!!!!!!!

Lori mumbled almost alseep herself, "I love you too, Luke." Lori was now more awake, "Luke are you sure?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next morning dawn broke in Hazzard and when BL's feet hit the floor she was hit with the sudden urgency to go pee and to throw up!

Lori was trying to be good. But, it really burnt her to think of Dixie watching Little Luke. She glanced at the time, "Ah, Cooter I got to go get ready for tonight." She was actually glad to have the apartment pretty much to herself with only the guys below her. She couldn't place why but she just didn't feel herself. Maybe it was teh staying out late and getting up early that was getting to her. Plus it had been years since she'd helped in the garage as an everyday thing. Maybe a hot shower would help her fee herself for the show she was blackmailed into doing. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo saw Lori leave and came back, "Hey Cooter. How goes it?" he nodded upstairs. Cooter said, "Hey, now I ain't no snitch." Bo acted hurt. Cooter grinned, "Little Luke was late for schol today. Told Lori he was sick. Had Luke not came in with the wrecker and found him home playing he likely wouldn't have went to school. I hollered and told Lori to get up. I thought she did when I heard the clock cut off. Bo grinned, thinking that 'Luke had a lot to adjust to without the entire family keeping an eye on all the kids like at the farm.' He said, "Thanks Coot." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke................

Dixie nodded, "Are you going to town anytime today?" Bo replied, "Yeah, I have to go in a bit actually." Dixie said, "I'll pack some play clothes and PJ's for Jesse. You can mention that if Luke wants to come spend the night with Jesse sometimes that he can." Bo nodded, "I will." When Dixie got up she was still a bit dizzy and light headed from being ill earlier. She stopped and held on to the couch. Beth saw her, "Stop right there and set back down. I'll get somethings together for you." Dixie started walking suddenly towards the bathroom. "Had to get up anyway!" BL rolled her eyes, "I think ya'll just get sick because you know you're suppose to." Beth glared, "Coming from the Mother of five. He-- no I didn't get sick for the fun of it!" Bo had to laugh at the three.

Bo said, "Say, Luke, Dixie isn't feeling well today and wanted to know if you wanted to get Jesse at school for the night. Maybe you can take him fishing or something." Luke asked with concern, "Is she Ok?" "Yeah, you know just one of her bad days." Bo explained. The chance to spend time with both boys sounded good to Luke. He knew he was on call for the SmokeJumpers as well as for the wrecker. He also knew Lori had to sing at the Boar's Nest tonight.

Little Luke rubbed his eyes whined, "I don't want to go. I don't like it there!" Lori wasn't in any mood to argue with him this morning. "You have to get up and go to school. It's not like going to daycare. You have to go everyday now." Little Luke pouted, "I don't feel good." Deep down Lori knew he just didn't want to go to school, but it was Friday. It wouldn't hurt him to miss just one day. She covered him back up and let him go back to sleep. Now she could also go back t bed for awhile. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter heard the clock cut off. He figured Lori was getting Little Luke up. He took a drink of coffee and started his day. He was under the car and up to his elbows when he heard Luke back in with the wrecker about two hours later. Luke walked inside. "Cooter the wrecker keys are on the bench. I'll grab a shower and be back down. I don't know how Little managed to chase those two cars where he did." Luke said. He went out of the garage and back up the outside stairs. He saw that Lori had went back to bed after getting little Luke off to school. He went to the shower, never checking to see if she had actually gotten him off to school. It seemed Luke was just a bit to use to the dependablity of Jesse, Beth and Dixie Duke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Beth glared at BL. It wasn't the time to rub salt in Dixie's wounds. She was pregnant, sick and with Luke being gone it was sure to make her feel even worse. She knew with little Jesse the days Luke was on fire calls were worse for her than when he was home so these days with him being with Lori had to be really bad.

Luke and Lori had just gotten to sleep when the extra loud phone rang. They had split the garage phone line and ran one upstairs. Luke was up and headed towards it as he got his barings, "Hazzard Garage." The female voice of the Hazzard phone operator was a bit surprised to hear Luke Duke answer the garage phone at this late hour but said, "Luke? Ah, Sheriff Little needs a wrecker out by the County line. I'm not sure what he's got but it may take a coupe trips from the way he's talking." Luke swore, "Ok, that's on Rt 7 right?" He knew Hazzard and Chichasaw Counties joined on two different roads. The operator said, "Yeah, sorry. He did say he was on 7." Luke looked at Lori who had even moved much as he put on his jeans, and boots he leaned over and gentlly woke her a bit, "Listen for the clock. I may not be back by then. Little needs a wrecker." Lori nodded. Luke grabbed his shirt and jacket and went to the wrecker. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Though it was only the second day of school, both Beth and Dixie were glad that it was Friday. Getting six kids out of the house at the same time that ranged from Jr. High to Kindergarden was proven to be a bit difficult but they had managed to get all six on the bus. Dixie was glad to see the bus leave for once. Beth said, "Ok now maybe we can get some breakfast." Dixie looked green at the thought. "Not ME. Not today." She was actually hoping to get in the house to the bathroom before she tossed her cookies. Beth noticed her walking quicker. She had to grin jut a bit. She wasn't laughing at her friend just glad it wasn't her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the garage the alarm clock had been going off for almost an hour now. Neither Lori or Little Luke moved.

By the time they managed to get out of the shower it was way past the time Dixie usually made Jesse go to bed, but Lori didn't seem concerned about Luke still playing quietly with his toys. Luke had had a day and a half and was ready for bed himself. "Son, get all these toys up for your Mommy so we can all go to bed." Little Luke looked confused, "I don't ever pick them up." "Well, you're gonna start tonight." Luke said. "Mommy!" Little Luke screamed at the top of his lungs. Lori stepped out of the bathroom thinking he was hurt. "What?" Luke was looking at her. "I told him he needed to pick up hs toys. He says he never has to." Luke raised his eyes. Lori said, "It's faster if I do it." Luke grinned, "Yes, but he got them out." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Duke farm Dixie and Beth supported by Bo and Jesse had fed the clan and had them bathed and in bed an hour ago and were now enjoying the peace on the front porch. Dixie told them about school and little Jesse wanting Luke............