DixieDavenport

It took Luke longer to fish Rosco out of the pond than he figured. Lori heard the wrecker backing in from where she was closing up the garage. Luke unhooked the soaked patrol car and sloshed up the outside stairs. Hoping for a hot shower, a good meal and a little peace. He opened the door to see little Luke playing with toys in the living room. "Luke where's Mommy?" His son replied, "Downstairs." Luke looked at his son and asked, "Do you always get to paly with toys when you've been in trouble?" Little Luke looked at his father confused, and said, "Uh-huh." Luke nodded, 'yes', and said, "Well, I was called to school today because you were not listening to the teacher and making the other kids laugh at you, so pick up your toys and you can set on the couch until I get a shower and dry clothes on. Then you can get your bath." Luke went to the bathroom expecting his son to mind him. Lori came up and heard the shower going and stepped in the bathroom, "Want some company?" "I'd love some, but I have something to deal with first. Maybe next time." Luke said. When he came out of the shower Little Luke was still playing with the toys. Lori was ...........

Luke walked in with his arm around Lori. Dixie looked up to see Luke and Lori come in. Little Jesse ran to Luke wrapping his arms around Luke's leg, "Daddy! I knew you'd be home from work for my first day of school!" Little Luke also saw Luke walk in and ran to Luke at the same time, yelling, "DADDY! I don't like it here. Can we go home now?" Luke was looking just a bit uncomfortable as all the other parents were looking at him. Dixie quietly said for only Luke to hear, "I told him you had to go to work." Luke nodded, 'Ok'. Luke bent down to try to get the boys to get quiet. "Ok, boys, before we do anything we have to talk to Mrs. Smith." Jesse had to brag, "I've been good Daddy, but Luke keeps getting in trowable." Mrs. Smith looked at Luke like he had two snakes around his legs instead of two children. "Luke Duke? Jesse Duke's....." "Nephew." he finished. "Ah, .... yes, ......" Mrs. Smith motioned for the adults to walk away from the children. Dixie had by default been included into this conversation. Mrs. Smith began, "Well, to say I am having a little trouble understanding your situation." she was looking dead at Luke, "Both these young men are?" "Mine." Luke said without batting an eye but he saw the look the old school marm was giving him. Mrs. Smith then looked to Dixie whom she had talked to earlier, "Your his wife?" Dixie gave her a slight nod, 'yes'. She then looked to Lori who was standing with Luke, "And your his, ...... ah." Luke spoke up, "Mrs. Smith if you have any trouble and need any of us you can call either Uncle Jesse's or the Hazzard Garage. We'll be there or get the message." Mrs. Smith ............

Cooter happened to be standing by the work bench when the phone rang. "Hazzard Garage." Mrs. Smith was a bit surprised, again today, "Yes, Sir. I was looking for a Lori or Luke Duke." Cooter corrected, "Ma'am if you are looking for Lori Davenport, it'll be just a second." Mrs. Smith was now totally confused on these children's parents relationships. She was fast coming to the conclusion that she may not want to understand them. Cooter called outside to where Lori was collecting money for gas, "Lori phone." "Coming, " Lori said. When she picked up the phone she said, "Hello." Mrs. Smith said, "Is this Jesse Lucas Duke's mother?" "Yes it is. Is he alright?" Lori asked in concern. "Yes, he's fine, but I need you to come to the school about thirty minutes before we let out. I'd like to talk to you about his behavior, or should I say lack of behavior." Mrs. Smith stated. Lori sighed, "I'll be there."

Meanwhile back at the duke farm Dixie and Beth were trying to maintain some order trying to get Beth's five children and little Jesse all ready for the first day of school. Dixie suggested, "I want to take Jesse this morning. Let's take the pickup and we'll take them all to school." Hearing this Bo, Jr. about fainted, "Can I ride the bus Dad, please?" Though it was in the same building he was starting Jr. High classes and didn't want to be seen with his Mother bringing him to school. Bo raised his eyes in question to Beth who nodded her head 'yes'. Bo replied, "Yes, you can ride the bus, but remember that in a couple years when I tell you to ride the bus!" Bo, Jr. threw up his hand and was gone before anyone changed their minds. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Being raised in Hazzard was a good thing. It meant that you could walk into the school you went and know all the teachers and where all the rooms were. Dixie walked into Mrs. Smith's room with Jesse. "Mrs. Smith how have you been?" Mrs. Smith replied, "Good. Let me see now you are Dixie, ah, Davenport." "Yes, Ma'am, well it use to be. It's Duke now and this is Jesse Duke." Dixie said proudly. Mrs. Smith checked her roll, "Yes, I have him here. Wait a minute. I have two Jesse Dukes is that right or is he on the list twice?" Dixie sighed. "It was going to be a bad day. This is Jesse Allen Duke. The other Jesse I suspect is my cousin's son, Jesse Lucas Duke." Mrs. Smith pulled the enrollment sheets. "I show Jesse's parents as Dixie and Luke Duke RR 2, Hazzard. That's you two?" Dixie said, "Yes." Mrs. Smith continued, "I show the other Jesse's parents as Lori and Luke Duke RR1, Hazzard? Is that right? The other child has a father with the same name?" Dixie thought, 'Here we go!' She felt she might as well explain it once and hopefully not have to explain it again, "Yes, Ma'am it's right. The other Jesse goes by Luke to help with soem of your confussion. His father does have the same name because my husband is both boys father." Mrs. Smith who had to be a hundred, if she was a day, turned purple and Dixie thought for a minute that she'd stoped breathing. "Oh!, ...... I, ...... ah, ...... see....... ummm......... It was at that moment that Beth walked in with Michaela. "Good morning Mrs. Smith. Michaela has waited all summer to be in you class." Mrs. Smith looked very tired at that moment, "Michaela Duke, right?" Beth gave her a strange look, "Yes, Ma'am. Michaela Duke." Mrs. Smith pulled the card and stated, "Parents are Beth and Bo Duke RR 2, Hazzard." She let out a sigh of relief that she hadn't stuck her foot in her mouth again.

Luke said, "Ah, I told Cooter I'd take the wrecker now so he can get cleaned up for his night off. Hope you don't mind taking it to the Boar's Nest." Lori,.................

Dixie meanwhile was at the farm telling everyone what she had done and was waiting for the fire works. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke and Lori had got through cleaning standing, hand in hand looking at their beloved home, and soflty chuckled to theirselves. Luke said, "Ya know I didn't really think it was possible to actually make this place look like this." Lori beamed with pride. Luke brought up a touchy subject. "Well, since you've been cleaning all day and I've been jumping out of prefectly good airplanes into forest fires, how about us leaving little Luke where he is and go get a bite to eat and a couple beers at the Boar's Nest?" Lori hesitated. She was worried about all he-- breaking loose there. Luke took her hand, "But, I need to make a phone call to the farm. It seems my finances migth better be described as Luke or Jesse's allowance!" Lori looked at him, "What did she do?" "That's what I need to find out." Luke sighed. He dreaded this phone call as he placd the call to the farm. Bo answered, "Duke farm." "Bo. I need to talk to Dixie." Luke said. With a slight grin at knowing what Dixie had done Bo handed her the phone, "Dixie, phone." It was a call that most all the adults there knew would be coming. Luke had actually waited until he got to Hazzard to make it. Bo had bet he'd call from Base Camp. "Hello." Dixie said evenly. "Dixie what the he-- are you doing sending me a check for $53 to Base Camp?" Luke asked trying not to seem mad, yet. "Well you said you'd likely stay at Base Camp so that's where I sent what was left." She replied calmly. Luke asked, "Left? What do you mean left?" "Well, I know what you pay for little Luke's child support. I added that by two. Jesse and the new baby's share and you know I'll get alimony so I added the same amount for myself. You were left with $53 but you know you've got soem overtime on the next payday so you should be ok." Dixie explained calmly. Luke was biting nails. "You really think you would get that much?" Dixie smiled an evil smile. Bo was glad he wasn't Luke! Dixie said very sweetly, "Well, Honey you can ALWAYS push it and find out. You never know they may even give me more alimony after I prove to them that you have been paying MY COUSIN child support since before we were married." Luke sighed heavily. He knew she was right. "Alright Dix have it your way." "No, Luke this is your way. You started it!" Dixie replied with just a bit of an edge to it. Luke hung up the phone a bit hard. He looked at Lori and explained, "I was lucky that loaner had gas in it. I got what was left of my pay day." He stopped her questions, "It's a long story for later, but right now we have a grand total of fifty-three dollars for the next two weeks. I'm gonna tell Cooter to leave me the wrecker keys when he leaves and if he gets any calls I'll run them. He-- I've done it before." Lori had a lot of questions. Why he had a loaner. How Dixie came up with him geting only fifty-three dollars and more but they would wait. She decided to drop her own bombshell, "Well, that shouldn't be a problem since my manager and Boss Hogg have conviently booked me into the BOAR'S NEST for two nights for the next month. Since I can't leave the County until after court, Hogg is taking full advantage of booking me cheap to make a killing on the beer and food he sales." "Your kidding me right?" Luke asked. "Nope." Lori said in disgust." Luke asked, "Would it help if I talked to him?" "I've already threw a fit! No luck!" Lori said, "But it is work. Are you sure you want us to be seen together in the Boar's Nest though?" Luke replied, "How long do you think it'll take the County to find out that I'm here and you are moving in with me?" Lori nodded, "Ture." After talking to Cooter who was glad to have a night off, Luke even agreed to take over the wrecker then, which meant he'd be taking Lori to the Boar's Nest in the wrecker. He knew most women would have soon died, but Lori wa a Davenport and had ridden these wreckers since she was little. Luke knew though that going out to eat in one may be a bit of a different story for her though. He looked upstairs through the open door that did separate the garage from the upstairs apt. if it were closed but they hadn't bothered to shut it. "I'm ready any time you are. Meet you outside." Lori started down the outside steps dressed to go out for dinner. She was dressed in...........

Dixie had let Cooter in on her plan. He secretly hoped it worked for Dixie. Dixie made a point to give it some time before she and BL went to the garage. She drove Luke's truck because it would piss Lori off but she would act differently. When she walked up to the garage she noticed the side door upstairs was open. She raised her eyebrows to Cooter. Cooter replied, "Lori's ah, ..... cleaning the upstairs for Luke, her and apparently Little Luke." Dixie nodded. It hurt to know what would happen but she knew of no other way to show Luke what he had at home without letting him see what he could have else where! "She's alone cleaning the entire upstairs. Cooter I've only seen that one room in for ever. I know there is a bathroom, kinda up there. And what? Two bedrooms with the kitchen / living room area, but it's been ages since I saw it! Cooter said, "I know. I told her I'd have to get some help cause I know of a couple motor blocks up there." Dixie almost fell in the floor laughing, "You are kidding?" Cooter look surprised, "No, why??" BL asked, "Doesn't everyone store motor blocks and car parts in their houses?" Cooter looked at the two like they had lost thier minds. He'd always stores spare parts up there. Which explained some of Lori's more animated outbursts! The three could hear all amounts of curses being said about them. Cooter about half grinned and asked, "So what can I do for ya'll?" "I just stopped by to tell you that my car has been acting up a bit and to see if you'd gather up everything and maybe come out and tune her up for me. That's why I'm in the truck today." Dixie said. Cooter nodded. He bet it was but he'd go along. "Yeah, ok, I'll come out one day after closing, OK" Dixie replied, "Yeah, sure anytime is good." They heard Lori scream, "Cooter I'll kill you!" Lori managed to stub her toe on somthing that didn't budge. Upon looking under the pile she saw it was a 440 Magnum engine block. Lori and BL about lost it! They were only able to imagine what she had ran into up there.

Meanwhile Dixie came back home and sat down looking to everyone and saying, "Well, I've jumped into a something. I've thought a lot about even before all this started. From about when I just thought I might be pregnant. Uncle Jesse we all can't keep packing into your house. You gave me and Luke the back 40 when we were married. I know what he pays for little Luke." she paused, "If we do separate or divorce. I said IF. Then, he'd have to pay that much to each child and likely a similar amount to me. Well, I took his check." She realized they didn't know the whole story. "Luke left me his wallet and checkbook when he left. Anyway with that minus what we always help out here with I had enough to put down on a double wide trailer for the back 40. If he comes back great, and if he doesn't then me or him will have a place to go. I'll deal with him on that later. But, Bo I'll need help. They are delivering it in three days but it will need water ran and things I can't do. I'll call Cooter to help you?" She questioned. Bo nodded, "I'll do all I can." Jesse said, "Well, like I told you, you are all welcome, but I know you two have talked on this before. We'll do what we can to help you." Dixie asked, "Can we just keep it as much a secret for now as we can. I really hope Luke decides to come home, but it has to be his choice."

With BL in check for awhile, Dixie went to the mail box. She had completly forgotten that today was Luke's payday until she saw the familiar envelope. She took everyone else's mail to the kitchen table and went to her room. She opened the envelope as usual. She looked at the check made out to Lucas Duke. It had the standard 'Child Support' deduction on it. That deduction time three left a total of fifty-three dollars for Luke for two weeks. Dixie got Little Jesse ready as usual. She stopped in the kitchen and asked Jesse, 'Uncle Jesse I'm going into town. Do you need anything?" Jesse said, "I don't think so, thanks." Dixie stopped in midstride, "You know the part on the back 40 that you gave us when we were married. Is that still ours?" "Of course." He said not knowing where this was going. "Ok, let me check somethings out and I'll talk to you about it later." Dixie said as she left. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie went to the bank. Deposited Luke's entire check except for the $53. That she put in and envelope and mailed to him at Base Camp wit a note explaining that Little Jesse's, the baby and her share had been taken out. She registered Little Jesse for Kindergarden. Then she drove to Atlanta, where she began checking into proces of a double wide trailer. She found a 3 bedroom two bath that was very reasonable with a very low down payment. She explained that her husband worked crazy hours etc... gave them the down payment and completed the forms. The trailer would be delivered in three days. Now to go home and explain this to Jesse and the others. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori was in town when Dixie came through in Luke's truck. Dixie was too excited to have seen Lori who was standing in the garage after just getting Little Luke resgistered for Kindergarden, too.

Bo went home and told Dixie and B.L both, everyone actually, that Luke had been at the garage when he was there and had been called in to work. Dixie was surprised to see Luke's truck roll in a few minutes behind Bo. Cooter got out of it. He looked downward as he spoke, "Luke asked me to bring the truck out to you." Dixie gave him a questioning look. Cooter replied, "Honey, I don't know. He asked me to bring it out or have you pick it up when we talked last night." He realized he'd let that slip. Bo asked, "Last night?" "Yeah I ran into him at the Boar's Nest last night. I let him stay at the garage last night. Ya'll I'm in the middle here!" Cooter said.

The phone began to ring in the garage. Cooter and Bo had walked down the garage's lot aways. Luke sighed. He might as well answer it, he thought as he made his way down the ladder, "Hazzard Garage." The voice on the other end said, "I was left this number to get in touch with Luke Duke." Luke recognized the voice, "Randy? This is Luke." "Hey, buddy we got a hot fire and need to fly soon." Randy informed. Luke breathed a sigh of relief. This was the best news he'd got in days. "Give me a minute to get my gear out of the truck and I'll be on my way." Randy questioned, "Take you gear OUT of the truck? Why?" "Long story." Luke said, "Tell ya about it when I get there." "Looks bad. Be prepared to stay awhile." Randy advised. Luke said, "You got it." Randy looked at the phone strangely. Luke hadn't been happy about being called in on a fire since he'd gotten married. He also wondered why the new number, but he had to get the rest of the crew ready. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke walked outside in a hurry to get his gear out of the truck and into the loaner Cooter was letting him use. As Bo and Cooter turned to go back in the garage. Bo spotted Luke uncovering his truck at the side of the garage and...........

Lori could see her manager in the drivers' seat. She hoped this was good news! "Where'd you get that hunk of junk?" He tossed his head over his shoulder saying, "I guess a relative of yours at the garage. Mine was acting up on the way in. He had to order something for it that won't be here until tomorrow. He let me use this 'thing' til mine's ready. Hey I was able to get you set up for a show 2 nights a week every week end for the next month." Lori had to tell him, "It's likely I can't do it then. There was a misunderstanding the other night after the show. I was," she sighed. He was going to LOVE this, "Arrested!" "You were WHAT?" he asked. She saw his head realing from the bad publicity he expect. She shook her head, 'no', "It's not what you're thinking. Only I was bonded out until court. So I am on bond and can't leave the County until after court so you'll just have to cancel the shows." He was smiling, "No, I won't. I booked you into the Boar's Nest for every Friday and Saturday night." Lori relied......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo pulled up in front of the garage. Going through the door he asked, "Say, Cooter, you ain't seen Luke have you?" Cooter knew Luke was upstairs and could hear Bo so if he wanted Bo to know he was there he'd come down, "Nah, I ain't seen him. What's up?" Cooter said with his fingers crossed behind his back.

Back at the farm Dixie was still in hers and Luke's room. She was trying to get herself together to face the Dukes as well as little Jesse. Daisy came by shortly after Luke left and told her Jesse was with Bo, Jr. at the pond and wouldn't be back until supper. Daisy had asked if she could do anything and Dixie had just asked for a little time alone. The others were on the porch as Jesse started supper in the kitchen. He was keeping a watchful ear on Dixie since he knew she was upset as well as pregnant. Course Jesse wasn't sure who he was watching closer Dixie or Bo who wanted to go find Luke. Jesse had advised to just give them both some time. Dixie came out just before supper. Jesse knew she had been crying as she started setting the table like nothing had happened. Jesse informed her, "I don't think Jesse knows anything that went on. What do you intend to tell him so we all know what to say to him." Dixie replied, "Since I don't know how to expalin it to him that his father has chosen his brother and my cousin over us," she stopped at Jesse's look, "I know that I don't know that, at least not, yet. I plan to tell him the Luke got called into to work. He did mention going to Base Camp. Maybe he did." She shrugged. Jesse had to sort of agree, "Well, ya ain't lying to him if that's where Luke said he was going and until you know something for sure it should buy ya some time to sort things out for yourself. Honey, I know I don't need to say it butu I am going to. You and Jesse are welcome to stay here no matter what happens with you and Luke." Dixie hugged Jesse, "I know that, but thank you." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dinner went fairly normal at the Duke farm. As Daisy was getting desert out Dixie said, "Ah, there's something I need to tell ya'll. I had hoped that Luke would be here," she said for little Jesse sake, "But, since he was called into work. I'll tell ya, since Uncle Jesse has figured it out and I'm pretty sure Daisy and likely Beth are suspecting. I'm pregnant." Though everyone tried to act happy. No one missed the look on Bo's face. That had done it. He loved Luke like no other person in his life, but for a change, if Bo had to take sides he wasn't on Luke's. Luke had told him and coached him on growing up when he found out about Bo, Jr. but it sure looked like Luke had forgot all that now. "Mommy? I'm gonna have a brother or sister? WHEN?" little Jesse asked with excitement that Dixie didn't feel right now. "Well, son it will be awhile. He or she has some growing to do." Dixie said as she was doing the math. She got a strange look on her face when she turned a little pale and said, "Ah, around your birthday." She looked up to see an amused look on Bo's face. "Bo Duke don't even say anything or so help me I'll bean you with something." She saw jesse give her a bit of a stirn look as she clearified her statement for the younger people at the table, "Outside of course!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie spent the rest of the night after getting little Jesse to sleep figuring on just how to make her promise of keeping Luke so broke that he couldn't even CHARGE a beer at the Boar's Nest. She wasn't about the money, but it was the princable of the situation. She had helped cut corners and had done without (things she would have LIKED to have had) since finding out that Lori was pregnant with little Luke. From their wedding to little Jesse's room she had cut corners so that he could pay Lori child support for little Luke. She was driving a used (but good) car that was nearing ten years old so that Luke could have his King Cabbed F-250 4x4 for work. Dixie was smart. She knew what he was paying for little Luke. Double that for little Jesse and the new baby throw in some alimony, Luke would be in the negative numbers quick, real quick. She half laughed at the thought, but da-- it it wasn't his money she wanted. She wanted the man that should be there keeping her feet warm and telling her that things with the new baby would work out. Not God knows where. Though his where ablouts weren't what bothered her most, it was the wondering about who he was with. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo was up and at it early the next morning. He hadn't slept well either and he knew he had his and Luke's choirs to do. He was coming in the house as Jesse was pouring coffee. Jesse looked up in surprise, "Bo the last time I saw you con in the house at this time of morning was when you was still courtin'! Bo nodded, "Choirs are done. Mine and LUKE'S." He stressed. "Tell them I'm running some errands but I'm gonna head outta here." Jesse asked, "Care to tell me what kind of errands you are running?" Bo didn't want to but knew he had to, "I'm gonna go find Luke at Base Camp or where ever he is and we're gonna have a long talk. He taught me about responsibility and Jesse he's not stepping up to his." Jesse smiled at the younger of the two nephews. "It looks like the student learned better than the teacher?" "I don't know. All I know is I've got to know how he thinking." Bo explained. Jesse tossed him the keys to the pick up, "Get some supplies if you do go all the way to Base Camp. Ya might want to look a little closer first though, like a few still sites." Bo nodded on his way out the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A couple hours later, Bo had looked everyplace that he could think of. He figured to stop at the garage, gas up and maybe call base Camp to see if Luke was there before making the trip.

"Lucas?" Cooter called. Luke was still laying on the bed. He sleepily said, "Ah, yeah?" Cooter called upstairs, "I have doughnuts. Any beer left?" Luke replied, "Yeah, a few." Considering the frig had been wall to wall beer, the dent Luke and Lori put into it didn't phase Cooter. But he figured either Luke was really drunk or he had help. Help by the name of one Lori Davenport. He shook his head. Luke had no clue Cooter saw, or thought he saw Lori, leaving. So he dressed in his jeans and boots. Flipped his shirt over his shoulder and came down the inside ladder. There were outside steps too but they were not often used. Luke grabbed a beer and doughnut like it was a normal Saturday morning and nothing had happened, but it wasn't Saturday and something had happened or Luke wouldn't have been here in the first place. Cooter tested the waters, "Quiet night?" Luke looked away. That told Cooter that he had been right. He had to voice an opinion here, "Luke, we've been friends. More than friends for longer than I can remember. I offered you a place to stay where you'd still be in the county and it be free, but dang it! Luke! I'm in the MIDDLE here. You are cheating on MY SISTER with MY COUSIN! Now, just how am I supposed to take sides here or NOT take sides?? What am I supposed to do call before I show up? Maybe wear blinders? You tell me!?" Luke sighed, "I'm sorry Cooter. Guess you saw Lori leavin'?" Cooter nodded, 'yes', "Like I could miss Midnight or the General Lee blindfolded?" Luke said, "Cooter I'm sorry that I have put you into this. I should have went on to Base Camp." "Now, Luke, wait a minute. I put myself in this as much as you did. I offered the room upstairs. It's yours! I won't go back on my word. What you do there is your business. My mouth is closed. But, can ya'll be a bit more un-noticed? Dixie is my sister and, DA--! I got to look her in the face!" Cooter pleaded his case. Luke swore, "Sh--! Cooter, I'm sorry. I really am. I've put you in the middle and I am Sorry! The more I thought, the more I drank and ..." "You called Lori?" Cooter asked. "Yeah....." Luke said after a Long pause, "I did!" Luke finished the beer he'd just opened in one drink, "Do you have a loaner that I can borrow? Rent?" Cooter replied, "Luke you have your truck." Luke shook his head 'no'. He took as much pride in that truck as he did the General Lee. "I'd like you to drop it at the farm or have Dixie come get it." Cooter replied in disbelief, "Luke with everything else, you have worked your A-- off to get that truck!" "And, it's paid for. Take it to or have Dixie pick it up." Luke said as he walked to the phone. "Hey, Base Camp! This is Duke. You need help? Any help, you call me. Anytime, anywhere!" Cooter hear only Lukes' side of the conversation. Luke added, "I think I'll need all the 'OT' you got!"

Luke climbed down and said, "That hurt." Cooter replied, "Yeah, I was expecting ya to drop down any second." "I wanted to. I really did, but I'm not thinking clearly and I know it." Luke said. Cooter replied, "Well I'm outta here. Trucks covered. Frig is full. Stay outta trouble til in the morning at least!" Luke laughed, "Thanks Cooter! I mean that, I really do!"

Luke hung his head,"Well Cooter, He-- I don't know!" Cooter replied, "Can ya do just a little better than that Luke?" Luke sighed, "I knew Dixie could be pregnant. You know when Lori got here and had Little Luke with her? Well, all I could do was look at him.He looks so much like (little) Jesse and me it wasn't even funny." he sighed, "Dixie had made an appointment with Doc which she practically bregged me to go to for that very day." Cooter nodded. Luke continued, "I knew she could be. He--, likely was. I've busted my tail at work and on the farm to get her and little Jesse everthing they need and somethings I know they want. But, I have also paid Lori EVERY payday what was set for little Luke." He took a drink of beer and looked at his life long friend, "Coot, I just don't know if I can stretch a dollar THAT far." He was silent for several seconds before saying, "Then, Lori slinks IN!" Cooter just looked at his friend, his brother in law, his BROTHER! "Yeah?" Luke shook his head, "I don't know. Maybe it was being with the same woman for five years. Maybe it is the added pressure of having another child. Maybe it's a mid-life crises! He-- I just don't KNOW anymore!" Luke said a bit agitated. Cooter asked, "So what are you gonna do?" "I told Dixie, Jesse and Bo I was gonna leave. I gotta place to stay with as much overtime as I can stand. I guess I'll just go to Base Camp and stay there. I just need away from them both and clear my head. Hopefully Dixie will cool down where she's not throwing thinggs at me!" Cooter asked, "Throwing things?" he signed, "Luke if she's mad enough to throw things she HOT!" "Yeah, I know! She was coming da-- close to hitting me too!" Luke added. Cooter laughed! Luke said, "I should have brought the General Lee. Should have given her the truck too. I gave he my wallet and checkbook." Cooter asked, "Ya did." "Yeah, I just don't care. Cooter I love Dixie and don't want to loose her, but I think I've done it this time." Luke declared. Cooter had an idea, "Say, if you want to stay somewhere free for as long as ya need to, it ain't much but what about above the garage? If ya want you can even drive the wrecker some like old times." Luke said, "Really? You'd do that for me?" Cooter replied, "Absolutely! Just stay away from Lori until you figure this out, huh?" Luke replied, "Yeah! Just don't tell either one of them I'm there. Jesse or Bo either for a few days?" Cooter replied, "I won't say a word but Luke ya know Hazzard." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Bo was...............

Luke began after just setting still for several minutes without saying anything. Then he said with a far off look in his eyes. One that Cooter had only seen on Luke when he was talking about being in Vietnam, "I knew I should have never went where she wanted to go talk. I knew it! And I be da-- if I didn't do it anyway. I knew what would happen." he said quietly. Then continued a little louder, "I knew, but I went anyway. I knew when I called you and picked up the truck I was wrong. DEAD wrong but I did it anyway. Cooter I knew what would happen!" Luke sipped his beer, "I swear I have never even thought about going out on Dix. You know she is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me and she has never thrown up Little Luke or the child support." Luke sighed then sipped his beer. "Cooter, Dix is pregnant for sure." Cooter.................

Jesse heard the second crash in the house. He was wise enough to let them fight their own battle. He had already sent Bo, Jr. to take little Jesse out to see the pond. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke replied, "Honey, you know what I used to be like and I SWEAR I have NEVER EVER,....... not since before we were married." Dixie screamed, "NOT SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU SCREWED MY COUSIN?????" Luke hung his head. "I could have gotten a job. Made it on MY own but now I'm KNOCKED UP by YOU! I can see me in a waitress outfit in another two months! He-- give it four I'll be lucky to see MY FEET!" Luke................

Luke looked at Dixie and ever so quietly said, "I'll leave if you want me to." When Dixie looked up at Luke she had tears in her eyes and said just a quietly, "Sure, go be with your girlfriend and son. Leave the three of us setting here?" Luke knew when she got quiet he was in serious trouble. She had ended with a question, but right now had no answers. Dixie turned away from Luke thinking before she spoke again, with her back still to him she swore, "I'm not a high maitanence person, Luke, you know that, but if you think you are paying child support now, ......... I PROMISE you that you won't be able to even charge a beer at the Boar's Nest, you'll be so broke." Luke reached with his right hand in his back pocket tossing his wallet and check book on the bed. "Dix if I loose you over this I really won't care. The trucks still running in the yard, you can have it too." "It not that easy Luke." Dixie said where he could barely hear her. She turned to him and said through gritted teeth, "I never said I WANTED YOU TO LEAVE, DA-- IT TO HE--!!!! LUKE! I don't know what I want!" she suddenly got very loud. "I don't even know IF I want this baby. You SURE AS HE-- act like you DON'T!!! You won't even talk to ME ABOUT IT!" She picked up a glass from the hight stand and threw it just missing Luke. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone outside heard the glass shadder.

Lori asked, "Are you crazy?" Luke replied, "Probably, but see I have a plan. After I go pack, I'll call base camp, tell them I'll be there tomorrow and work this entire fire season. I'll just stay there. Then, I'm going somewhere ALONE tonight and get really DRUNK!" "You're leaving?" Lori asked in surprise. "Don't think I have a choice," Luke said as he saw Dixie on the porch with Bo and BL. He suddenly sped up the truck across the open field, skidded the still running truck in as close as he dared and took the four front steps in one step and he closed the distance on the rapidly retreatng Dixie. She saw Lori in the truck with Luke coming across the field. She bolted like a scared colt through the front door and headed to hers and Luke's room. Luke was quicker than she thought and managed to get inside the door before she could slam it in his face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hearing all the commotion Jesse came around the house and looked at Bo, "What in tarnation?" Bo now knew how Luke felt all those times when he'd managed to get them into trouble and Luke had to try to get them out of it! He..............

Dixie gave Bo a strange look, "You feel Ok Bo?" Bo felt ill, very ill, "I think I'm coming down with something." He was thinking, 'Like a case of guilt and I'm only guilty by association, but guilty just the same.' ~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked at Lori, "Come on let's get back before they figure this out." Lori had to admit to herself that she did feel guilty, especially since she knew Dixie was pregnant. "Just drop me off in town and hopefully they won't figure it out." Luke just rolled his eyes, "Right. They'll never figure it out."

Dixie came out just then and noticed that Midnight Rider ws still parked in the yard but Luke's truck wasn't. "Where the pick up? Don't tell me he went for a drive?" Bo was relieved she had came to that conclussion because he had been about to stick his foot in his mouth and tell her Luke had went for a walk like Luke had told him too. "Ah, ....... yeah, he did, after they talked to Little Luke." Dixie nodded, "Guess I'll help with lunch since I've been slacking all day. Wait a minute where is Lori and Little Luke? Still walking?" Bo didn't know for sure so he let her draw her own conclusions, "Must be. I haven't seen them since." He was thinking that, that had been close. He hadn't seen them it wasn't a lie and he could only assume they were with Luke. He hoped he was wrong. For once BL was staying out of the conversation. She was just watching Bo sweat.

After meeting Cooter who picked up Little Luke from Lori, she waited for Luke to get his pickup. Soon after they arrived at the lake Luke looked to Lori and sighed, "Last time I was a little drunk." Lori laughed, "This time I wished I was." Luke had to agree, "I was thinking the same thing. This is wrong. ........ I'm wrong!........" he said as Lori continued to nibble his ear, "And, ......... God help me, ......... I don't .........care......" he sighed giving into Lori's advances. No matter what sorts of pleasure she bestowed on him, Luke could only see Dixie, Little Jesse and the hurt he was bringing to them. Several hours later he layed with Lori on his arm. He felt sick. Deathly sick. He moved so that she would move off his arm and she did so just in time for him to roll away from her and become deathly ill. Afterwards, Luke dressed and walked to the lake away from Lori. Lori followed him. When Luke turned around he couldn't look at her but said, "You know you just cost me everything I've worked for? I've worked hard for five years to build something and I just threw it away to be with you!" Lori said, "Luke. Dixie'll never had to know." Luke shook his head 'no', "I could take a hundred showers. Use a gallon of aftershave and it'll only take one look and she will KNOW I was unfaithful and that it was with you." "Don't be silly. It's not like you haven't done this before." Lori stated. Luke replied, "Yes, it is like I haven't done this before. I have never broken my vows to Dixe until tonight." Lori said, "So don't tell her!" "I'm not stupid!" Luke said, "But, it won't matter, she'll know. I won't have to tell her." Luke knew what he had done and what it would cost him..............................

Lori looked to Luke and said,"I think about all we've missed." Luke was sort of on a different wave length but replied, "I think about all he's missed" talking about Little Luke. Lori played a joker, "He's missed having you and me as a family." Luke swallowed hard and sighed, "Yeah, I guess he has and that's as much my fault as it is yours. But, you know no matter how much we love him. It will never work......." Lori thought Luke might be more receptive with encouragement.

Luke looked to her and smiled. He pulled her ponytail. As they got off the bus Luke caught up with Lori. He and his current steady Robin were on the outs. "What are you doing after the ball game tonight?" Lori blushed, "Going home, I, Ah, ... guess, why?" Luke told little Luke, "So that's when I asked her on our first real date, after I had gotten my drivers liscense." Little Luke asked, "Did you go in the Gen-er-al?" Luke laughed, "No, it took me and Uncle Bo a couple years yet to build him I was going to school to learn how to build him fast!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie walked out on the porch after a bout of morning sickness, "Where's Luke?" Bo flushed and said, ....................