DixieDavenport

Luke looked at Enos as he quietly took a seat on the bunk. "I didn't do a da-- thing to her!" He had an evil smirk. He knew what was coming. That scream would bring evey Davenport in the Tri-Counties running. He was keeping the shoe too!

Lori looked to Luke who looked back to her saying, " Oh so I get the blame for everything Candy and Jack did too? Yeah, I see that, I've seen Candy ONCE since I got outta the Marines. Why not just blame me for everything that everyone I've ever known has ever done." Luke was beginning to get 'testy'. ~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter pulled the wrecker in right behind Bobbie Lee. Dixie really dreaded this!

"We uhhh need to uhh talk honey." Cooter began. "I know how much you are hurting, but I'd like us to go for a little ride and get away from everything and everybody for a spell." It sounded good to Dixie. Too good, which is what worried her most, "Ok." Cooter drove pretty far outside of town to a place where they all use to go camping. It was a warm summer day but had a nice breeze blowing through the open area. Cooter parked the truck and promptly placed the wrecker keys in his pocket. Dixie looked at Cooter as she got out of the truck, "Why did you bring me all the way out here?" "I'm gonna level with you. I figure that your upset already and will likely be more upset by the time we get done talking. I figured out here you can have some time to pull yourself together before going back to town." Cooter was serious. More serious than she'd seen him in her life. Dixie waited. Cooter began, "Firstly, about everone has made it to town and I've tried to give you some time. I know you were upset when you left town, but Honey everyone is asking about ya. BB, LB, BL and even Dad are at the garage. You ain't gonna believe this though Bobby Lee is coming in." Dixie knew what this would do to Lori, but right now she didn't care. She told Cooter, "I'm sorry to have deserted you. I know when I told you I was coming you were glad that I'd be here to help you and I've let you down. " Dixie said feeling bad. Cooter soothed, "Honey don't ya worry about that. I'm sorry that I broke the news to ya about Lori and Luke like I did." He saw her temper flash in her eyes. "Can we leave them outta this?" Dixie asked. Cooter looked his little sister in the eyes. Yes, she had grown up, but right now she looked like a frightened child. "No, Honey, we can't. I actually want to talk to you about them." Dixie flew mad, "What have they done now had the Justice of the Peace marry them or something?" Cooter sighed, "No, but you have known for years Luke has always chased women and usually acted on it if they were willing." Tears had now formed in Dixie now orange eyes, "But Coot, I thought he changed. I mean he had when we were together years ago." She stared at the diamond ring she was still wearing. She had thought of throwing it as far as she could but had made up her mind that she'd wait until he asked for it back. It had indeed been his Mother's. Cooter saw her look at the ring, "Honey, he did change. You brought out the best in him and he changed for as long as you were here for. He's a guy and I've heard stories about his Marine Days. He was in combat and thought he may never make it back. Then, of course there was the time that he was glad to be back......." "Cooter spare me the details, huh?" Dixie looked tried. Cooter continued, changing the subject a bit, "Anyway he may not have had a different girl every night and for only one night like he had before ya'll got together but he ain't bee no saint either." Dixie said, "Sounds like you're takingup for him. I thought you were mad at him." "You just don't know how mad!" Cooter said, "Honey, I'm just telling you how Luke is. He thought you'd been with Ernie. If Lori was willing, he-- we know Lori was willing, her reputation is as bad if not worse than his is. You are doing what I did, but I've had time to think on it. It took them both." Dixie nodded, "Ok, I'll kill them BOTH! Just as soon as I can get my hands on them!" Cooter saw this was going badly. He'd try a different route. "Honey, just hear me out." He had called her Honey more in this conversation than in her whole life. Dixie looked at her big brother and saw how painful this discussion was for him too. She nodded 'ok'. Cooter took his hat off for a minute. It sure was getting hot out here. "BL went over to tell Lori that Bobby Lee is coming in. She said she overheard a conversation ......" figuring there was no easy way he just tell her, "Honey, ...." There it was again. "Lori was sick." Cooter bit his lip and continued, "She MAY be ......" He said very lowly, "Pregnant." Dixie looked at him in disbelief for several minutes. It looked as if he'd punched her and that she had almost stopped breathing. He waited until she started scaring him. Cooter stepped closer and took her in his arms as she became dead wait. She hadn't passed out she was still looking at him. He sat down on the ground with her and lightly patted her face, "Dix, Dixie. Come on now." She inhaled a very long breath and then cried out with a cry of pain, "Nooooooooooooo!" In that time she had seen her entire life flash before her eyes and all the hopes and dreams she had dreamed since she was a little girl go right down the drain. Cooter sat holding her and let her cry as he gently rocked her. Dixie was a survivor -- strong and tough but not right now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked at Enos, "We had hoped to keep this quiet at least until we know something for sure." "Sure, Luke. Sure. Ding Dang it! Congratulations!!!! I didn't even know you guys were serious!" Enos said fully excited. Luke didn't feel the need to explain things further to Enos. He was thinking and did have a couple ideas but he wasn't sure how either Lori or Dixie would feel about his ideas or him. Luke looked at Lori and said, "No, that may be one of your ideas, but it ain't even close to what I was thinking.

Luke stretched out on his bunk. It would take all of MAYBE two hours for the entire County to know THIS!! He might as well get ready for all living He-- to bust clean loose. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther fumed, "I knew I should have bonded him out of jail years ago just to kill him, but the danged Judge knew me too well and wouldn't set him a bond!" Cooter looked up at him and said, "Dixie?" Luther replied, "News like this will spread like wild fire." Cooter was heading to the wrecker, "I'm gone." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse replied, "I was referring to all the Davenports that are in town, but things aren't looking good. We may be getting us a couple more Dukes." Bo looked at Jesse in surprise, "Jesse if she IS. Dixie may kill Lori or Luke! You don't think Luke would ....... m .......mar......" Bo could imagine Luke married. Especially not married to Lori. Jesse replied, "I told him they better decide what they were going to do and that I'd accept nothing less than honorable." Bo knew how upset Jesse was when he and Beth found themselves in the same situation, BUT Bo loved Beth and had planned to marry her just not that soon.

Jesse got out of the pick up and walked toward the barn. He looked for Bo who was already heading his way. Daisy looked to Dixie. "Guess it's guy talk. They ain't learned yet that we can hold our own in those conversations." Dixie just said, "Yeah." When Bo got to the barn Jesse was brushing Maudine the mule. Maudine liked it and it was something Jesse did when he was upset. Bo said, softly, "Uncle Jesse?" Jesse said, "Looks like we're gonna have our hands full around here." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke thought 'so much for waiting to tell anyone' as he looked at Lori. he shook his head. Why on Earth would they tell her this now? he wondered to himself, He reached through the bars, which having to do so pissed him off even more, and attempted to rub her back a little. "I know what you've been through with Bobby Lee but nothing says you have be around him." "Like I can chose who just decides to 'pop' in. I sure as hell can't go anywhere!" Lori said in frustration." Enos was still baffled. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BL nearly bounced into the garage!

Dixie replied, "I know I hurt him being even seen with Ernie, but I didn't tell him to tell Luke we'd been together. I swear nothing like that happened." Daisy ............ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BB looked at Cooter in dis belief. "Was THAT why she was at Doc's I thought it was something about strep throat?" Cooter gave him a look. Luther looked at Cooter and said, "Does Dixie know this?" Cooter replied, "See that rubber out front?" Luther said, "Yeah looked like some of Bo Duke's." Cooter replied, "Nope. Dixie!" BL looked at the three, "You mean Lori went to Doc's cause she thinks she's pregnant." She was the only one there to put what everyone was thinking into words. LB glared at her, "You know you enjoy this stuff way too much." Cooter replied, "All I know is what I saw. You'd never be able to drag anything outta Doc and Lori's saying it was to see if she had strep throat." He sighed, "I don't ya'll." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked to Jesse who immediately looked away, then said with a loud sigh, "We don't know." Jesse looked at him hard, "Well, I do! Luke! I can see this years from now, that CHILD is gonna ask where you were when you found out about them and you BOTH can say in JAIL while doing 30 days for Jail Escape!! Haaaaa!" He stood to go, then added, "Ya'll best be figuring on what you intend to do about this. Luke, I'll accept nothing short of honorable!" Jesse said as he walked out. Enos looked at Luke in a strange sorta way as Jesse left, "What child is he talking about?" Luke just told Enos, "I might need that there mop myself, Enos."

Don't forget the Drag & Fly contest where Luke ws hit by a drive shaft or something.

Dixie looked at Daisy, "I really would like that maybe before we leave, but right now I have too much to think about and still have to face all the Davenport clan who will remind me that I screwed up years ago having anything to do with Luke. Let alone now coming back to see him." Daisy who hadn't been given any information about what was going on from Bo asked, "Sugar the first night you were back Luke was sure glad to see you. What's going on?" Dixie replied, "He was even gladder to see Lori. So glad in fact that they SLEPT TOGETHER!" Daisy ............... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter knew he opened his mouth and knew BL wasn't budging until he told her something, "Luke isn't a friend to any of this family. He has worked for YEARS trying to tear it apart." He replied a little too loud. "What do you mean by that?" asked Luther "I thought we had all buried the hatchet on what happened years ago. Though I'm glad that Dixie isn't 'mooning' over him, figured I'd spend all my time here trying to talk her into not having anything to do with Luke." Cooter replied..............

"I know being sorry won't change anything or change the facts......." Luke was interupted by a very disappointed Jesse. "Know a lot don't ya Luke? About as much as you knew when you were twenty." Jesse reminded. Jesse's reminded was more like a kick in the stomach (or lower). Luke once again hung his head for several minutes before he looked at Jesse. When he did he had tears threatening to fall and said, "I don't know what else to say or do, other than I am sorry for hurting you and everyone else." Jesse stepped up on his soap box, "Well, first thing is going to be to get you two otta here in a couple WEEKS, then you young man are going to work really hard at cleaning up this entire mess!" Jesse added, "I noticed when I came by the garage there were plenty of cars there. Either Cooter is doing a lot of business or every Davenport this side of the Mississippi is over there." Lori had been too busy with their current situtation to notice. She stepped up on the bunk. She could just get a glimpse of the cars Jesse had mentioned but could not really make out which ones were there. Frankly, she didn't want to know. She suddenly felt really hot and dizzy. She knew to get down now, so she sat down on the bunk. She was as pale as a ghost and deathly nausious but she DID NOT want to get sick. Not now. Not with Jesse here. He'd know for sure. She hoped he and Luke wouldn't be paying her any atention right now as they were talking at he front of Luke's cell. She pulled her knees up to her chest and looked away from them trying to 'will' herself not to get sick. Luke added to Jesse's statement glumly, "Luther is in." He knew Jesse and Luther had been friends for YEARS but it was threatened several years ago by what Luther still thought of as Luke's betrayal of his trust. Luke had the keys to the garage, impound lot and wreckers and even had Luther's permission to take Dixie places with him. But, Luke had waited patiently until after her big birthday that eveyone had planned for, for months. He had been a perfect friend and gentleman. Then, one hot summer night at the lake everyone had managed to leave early. Jesse didn't know Dixie was planning to stay with Daisy that night and Luther did know it. Dixie didn't have a time to be in that night. Luke and her discussed the feelings they'd had for each other and then things got a bit too hot. Luke had made her 'first time' very special, ah, ...... that was right til the time the two State Troopers decided to check the lone car out. It was only then did Luke find out Dixie's big birthday was her 'sweet 16' party not her 18th birthday. The added 2 years in the age difference made it more than a breach of Luther's trust it made it a Felony. As everyone was wantign to remind him here lately, It was Jesse who talked Luther into droping the charges if Luke would enlist in the military. He had enlisted in the Marines. The recruiter even arranged with Rosco for Luke to be turned over to him when he was released and Luke was out of Haazard and off to training that quick. But, life between the Davenports and Dukes were strained at best for sometime to follow. Even after Dixie went back to her mothers after swearing never to return to Hazzard. He thought, until now and here I screwed that up! He noticed Lori step down from the bunk she was deathly pale. He silently prayed, 'Not now. PLEASE not now.' Luke knew Jesse would be on that like stink on sh---, if she threw up. He really didn't need to discuss 'that' again with Jesse today anyway.

LB was thinking of his three girl cousins. BL and Lori were the same age with Dixie a bit younger. It had been years since all three were together and with the way BL and Lori always got along and the fact that Dixie and Lori were at it already, he sure hoped he wasn't in real close by when they got together out side of that jail over there. The older boys and the Duke cousins had taught the girls how to protect themselves in case one of the guys wasn't around when they had trouble. Facts were the girls could fight -- and they found dirty, but they all three seemed to play dirty pool with each other, but all would tell you that that family was important to them. He guessed it may be better for them to like each other from a distance instead of all being together, especially for any lenght of time. Yes, BL had a mean streak a mile wide but she was also as onery as a stripped snake! Cooter thought that Luther, him or BB should talk to Lori but he remembed the last time he was at the jail. "Look BL if you really want to tell her you can but go easy huh? I really can't go over there right now because if I get my hands on Luke I'll hurt him!" Cooter said letting another cat outta the bag. He was doing a good job of that lately. He knew that BL was going to be full of questions now. She replied, "Yeah, Cooter, I talk to her. I haven't seen her in awhile and seeing her behind bars will be an added bonus!" She laughed. The, realized what Cooter had said, "Hurt Luke? What's up with that? He's your best friend!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ When Lori called Luke a liar, he saw the look Jesse gave him. He shot her a 'Thank You' look. As in Thank You for signing my death certificate. She should know, you don't ever lie to Jesse. He hadn't he had just started the story after the fight. But, just for that split second Jesse thought he had. Then, she went on to act like she was telling something, He paused in thought, about him using protection, he had just told Jesse to ask her. He thought he had at least 'attempted' to but knew he was drunk and wasn't sure if he failed to use it or just managed to not use it as safely as he had. All he needed her to do now was to tell Jesse she was likely pregnant. He'd already summized that she could be......Luke finally looked up to try to straighen things out so Jesse wouldn't think he was being lied to. Luke knew why she brought up the two fights at the Boar's Nest, "Uncle Jesse," he said softly, "Lori is right, but I didn't lie to you. With everything going on it had slipped my mind that Ernie and I had gotten into it inside the Boar's Nest. Yes, the fight was over Ernie letting me think that he and Dixie had done something. Maybe thinking that Dixie had been with Ernie played a part in what later happened between me and Lori." Now that he was really thinking back on it, maybe that had been in the back of his mind while they were at the cabin.

B.L sorta laughed at the statement,"I could see her doing that." Cooter replied, "Ah, yeah, .....me too that's what worries me!" BL was persistant, "If Luke was in the fight, how did Lori get arrested??? " LB replied, letting THE cat outta the bag, "He-- he ain't the only one, Sis! Cooter was arrested too!" Cooter replied, "Thanks, cuz! Want to hang out the rest of my stained underwear too????" LB looked kinda embarassed, "Sorry, Coot.!" BL was LOVING THIS, "REALLY? What on Earth could YOU have done????" She WISHED she'd have driven faster! She had missed a lot this year! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jesse asked, "Luke?" Luke was still looking at the floor, but answered, "I'm AFRAID that you'll have to ask Lori THAT. I had quiet a bit to drink at the Boar's Nest BEFORE this all happened and was well on my way 'out' when Lori woke me up to leave...." he looked around, "Here. Once we were at the cabin, I found a bit to 'sip on' when I saw the sleeping bags still where I left them." Jesse replied......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Duke farm, Bo had got Daisy's attention, "Help me keep Dixie busy. Jesse went to talk to Luke. I'll explain later what's up, but Dixie knows Luke has done something that MAY cause problems for them." Daisy replied, "That's kinda broad there, Bo, but I'll do what I can." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile, Luther called Bobby Lee to tell him that he was a Davenport and was Welcome, though he explained that he must expect that everyone MAY not be glad to see him there." Bobby Lee replied, "Hey, I know I'm THE Blacksheep and may not be welcomed with opened arms, but I want to be there this year. Hear there's gonna be a great turnout of Davenports that I haven't seen in years. Besides 'the boys' want to see everyone, so we'll be on our way in a bit. Tell Lori that I'll see her soon!" Luther replied after hanging up the phone, "Oh, Boy!" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Luke looked about as defeated as he felt right now. He sighed and replied, "Uncle Jesse it just happened. This is something I admit I didn't think through at all." He looked at Lori and gave her an appolgizing look, "I know that I've kicked myself for it a hundred times over. I know that hurts you to hear but I know you have done the same thing." Jesse replied, "Luke do you realize just how many people's lives and friendships you have put on the line with that one nights actions?" Luke knew that Jesse would lay the majority of the blame on his shoulders but it had took them both. "Yes, sir." "I don't think you do. This thing will effect all of us not just you two and Dixie. Whom, I don't have to tell you is very hurt by this." Jesse explained. Luke replied, "I heard her leave here. Where is she?" Jesse explained, "Bo found her and brought her to the farm." Luke was relieved to hear she was off the road and with 'family' 'Yeah', he thought, 'my family is her family too, da-- it!' "Will ya have Bo look at her tires before she leaves? She layed enough rubber out there to need new ones." "Like you care?" Jesse asked. Luke replied, "Yes, I do care. I came to that conclusion, " he paused, "as she was leaving." Jesse asked him, "So she was here and you told her?" Luke nodded 'no', "She was here. I didn't have to tell her." This was getting harder and harder and the hard part hadn't even been talked about, "Cooter came down, heard us 'discussing' the situation, threatened to kill me, was arrested, Lori showed up -- I guess to get him, I heard my name from Cooter, Dixie came down and took one look at me and KNEW." He said in one breath. Enos was taking this all in. Jesse asked Luke, "I can take it you were 'careful' at least?" 'Sh--!!!' Luke thought. He couldn't look Jesse in the eye, and right now he was wishing he could crawl under the floor that he was staring at. Jesse................

Jesse called the jail to see who was working as the regular visiting hours were up for the day. Enos answered the phone, "Hazzard County Jail Deputy Enos Straight speaking." "Enos, this is Jesse Duke." Jesse said gruffly. "Oh, hey Mr. Jesse, say hey to Daisy for me." Enos replied. "I will, but I need an important favor from you." Jesse stated calming down just enough to coax Enos into this. Enos replied, "I'll do what I can." Jesse asked, "If I were to make a special trip to town, would you let me speak to Luke for just a few minutes? It's important enough for me to ask you to do it." Enos knew Jesse Duke well and for him to ask Enos to bend the visitation hours he knew it must be important. He replied, "Well, I'm here until midnight then Sheriff Little will be back, but yes sir as long as you get here before then." Jesse replied, "Thank you Enos. I'll be on my way and bending a few speeding laws and straightening a few curves I should be there in about fifteen minutes." Then, he had a thought, "Oh, and Enos, please don't tell them I'm coming." Now Enos thought that was strange but replied, "Ok, if you say so. Don't forget ......." The phone on the other end disconnected. That was strange too. The Deputy may be naive but he knew something was going on with Luke and Lori. They had been talking quiet a bit since he had been there. Lori seemed angery and Luke seemed very stressed. The few times he'd went upstairs he had even heard them yelling at each other. But, when he was at the desk which was in the same room except for the bars, they had talked softly though some of the conversations seemed angry. At the moment Luke was setting on the bunk with his back to Enos which was unusal. Lori was setting on her bunk facing Luke and Enos. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke stopped her,"No yer right about some of those things." Luke tried to continue in a low tone of voice since Enos was at the desk. All he needed was for Enos to get hold of this and he'd accidently tel the entire County. Fortunately Lori seemed to realize the same thing as she had held her outbursts until he'd went upstairs. "But, Lori you aren't even giving me a chance to think about this lodgically before you are jumping to conclussions. I never said that I wouldn't be there for the ....." he whispered, "baby or you. I just said I'd take care of it." He returned to his normal tone of voice, "Can you just let me think for a bit?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At that moment Jesse came down the steps and walked over the bars, "Think? Think about what? I would have thought you lost that ability here lately." Enos could see that Jesse was upset. Luke stood up quickly and stepped toward the cell door. Though he was standing back just a bit out of Jesse reach purposely. He tried to think of what he'd been saying and figure how much Jesse heard. "Jesse? I thought visiting......" He stalled but the surprise of seeing Jesse showed, but he also saw Jesse's no nonsense mood and decided it best to answer the question given. "What to do about Luther and the others staying until we get out of here to explain why we are here to them personally." Luke hoped this worked and that Jesse didn't see though his round about truth. Lori had jumped up also but she stepped almost up against the wall. She couldn't wait to be out of this cage! She felt like a scared rabbit with everything that was going on and every relative she ever knew being in Hazzard at one time. Jesse contined in the same tone, "You know we never did finish our talk the other day. I've been busy with you not home and figured it could WAIT, but now I think we'd best do us some talking." He pulled up a chair and asked, "You wouldn't want to explain a few things to me would you?" Luke felt he'd just enter an interogation room. No he didn't WANT to explain anything to anybody especially right NOW. But, he knew 'no' wasn't the answer to tell Jesse right now. Many other answers were trying to escape his mouth (Do I have a choice -- he knew he didn't. Might as well -- not good either. Shoot -- bad idea right now as Jesse looked like he might want to.), but Luke was wise enough to keep them to himself, but he having an extremely hard time thinking of an answer that Jesse would except, finally he sighed heavily and said defeatidly, "Ok." Luke had too much going on in his mind to put the pieces together that Dixie or Cooter had told Jesse about him and Lori. All he knew right now was that he wanted to be any other place but here and just have some time to clear his swimming, hurting head." "What went on the night Lori broke you out of here?" Jesse asked firmly.

Luke looked her in the eyes and said firmly, “Lori, if you are pregnant with my child, nothing in this world would keep me from taking care of it. You should know that Jesse raised me better than that.†Lori knew he was right. She also noticed that he didn’t include her in that statement at all. Cooter said, “He wants to come see how Lori’s holdin’ up? You didn’t tell him she’s in jail did you?†Then he thought out loud, “He’ll have a fit for sure!†Dixie pulled behind Bo at the Duke farm. Jesse was out on the front porch peeling apples. He saw the look on Bo’s face it had trouble written all over it. But, Dixie’s expression was far worse. Something was definitely up. Bo suggested, “Dixie why don’t ya get you something to drink before you talk to Uncle Jesse.†She knew he likely wanted to talk to Jesse first so she’d co-operate. “OK.†When Dixie entered the house, Bo sighed loudly. Jesse asked, “Trouble?†He hadn’t liked the way Luke wouldn’t look at him at the jail when Cooter was trying to get them to tell him what had happened at the cabin. Bo replied, “We got TROUBLE!†He sighed again, “Luke and Lori, ……. Ah, …. Well,…..†Jesse replied, “Don’t you dare tell me they escaped again.†Bo replied matter of factly, “Worse, they well, Slept together at the cabin. Dixie knows.†Jesse…..

Meanwhile, Dixie had cried herself out and told Bo that she had thought that Luke would see Lori as a one night stand and them be back to her. She thought she could handle that. "Now, I'm not so sure of anything. What if he decides he likes her better OR that she was better than me?" Bo sighed, he would love to wring Luke's neck about now. He was never good at these things and now he was dealing with Luke's 'sins'. "Dixie, I'm sure things will work out. First, thing is for Luke to get home then ya'll can work things out. Why don't we head over to the farm and you can talk to Beth, Daisy and Uncle Jesse if it'd make you feel better." Dixie straightened herself up enough to drive and said, "OK. Bo thanks for being here for me, when Luke wasn't ." "Honey, that's not a problem." Bo replied. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke replied, "Lori I don't see 'getting outta' anything. 'If' and don't take that wrong, its just that I'm still trying to get used to the idea. If you are, then we're into a lot more than either os us barganed for. Telling both families is just the beginning, but I'd like to wait at least until we get outta here to start telling anybody. That will give us both a little time to at least get used to the idea." Lori replied..............

Luke added to her comment, "No they won't touch you. The entire bunch and Jesse will be too busy, ........... killing me!" Jesse had talked to him and the others since they were about 8 about being responsible and using protection. Which he 'THOUGHT' he had used, but maybe he'd been a lot too drunk to use it effectively. Luke swore just thinking about telling Jesse. He'd been a Marine and seen combat. He'd jumed out of prefectly good airplanes into forest fires. He'd rather face any of that ten times fold as tell Jesse THIS, but he hoped he'd be able to tell him himself. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter who had looked to her and asked, "Are you really OK? I saw you come from Doc's" Lori wasno't ready for this and lied, "Yeah, I'm fine. Doc just wanted to make sure it was strep and had to run tests." She shot Little a look that told him she didn't want THE information out yet. Luther wanted to know what he was doing here. Luke had dealt with the man years ago and wasn't looking forward to this now, he offered a small amount of the truth, "We were TRYING to keep each other out of trouble, Luther. It sorta blew up in our face." "Who started the trouble to begin with?" Luther asked still looking at Luke. "Depends on how far back you wanta go. Right now it's a toss up between Dixie, Lori and myself, but you'd likely prefer to blame me." Luke said honestly. Luther asked, "So when do we get to set and hear the rest of the story?" Luke sighed, "Oh, say about another 25 days." Lori could have shot him on the spot, but he had managed to dodge the main issue. For that she was thankful.

Luke's mouth opened several times but no sound came out. To Lori, she remembered the look as one he'd often gave Uncle Jesse when Bo had managed to get them into trouble and Jesse was blaming it on Luke cause he knew better and was older. It was sorta the same look he'd given Jesse when Jesse found the slot machines in the barn and Jesse found out they stole a truck and a load of slot machines. Finally he managed to form a couple words, "I, ....... didn't,.... don't,..... " Lori's foot was still tapping, "Yes, ....... you did." "That's not what I was trying to SAY!" Luke glared. All this was witnessed by Sheriff Little. He was going to have to tell Hogg that he sorta enjoyed the over time here in Hazzard. He hadn't had a dull moment since he'd been here and had even got to make an arrest right in the jail. Luke tried this again a lot more quieter in hopes of having something between them that two counties wouldn't know by sunset, "It can't be from what four nights ago? I mean, ........ come on now Lori, ....... Surely it ain't....." "YOURS?" Lori almost screamed, "Yes, Luke. As much as you and my cousins like to think of me a WHORE, I'm NOT. And I certainly wasn't pregnant when I got here! Since you likely won't believe that either, well I do have proof of that if you are wanting to deny what went on at the cabin." Luke wasn't doing to well in the talking this out phase, "Lori, I never said I denied anything. He--, I don't know this stuff. I didn't think you could tell for awhile afterwards." The look on her face said, 'He was a MAN and she'd 'give' him that one'. She replied, "A doctor can." Luke replied much, much, more calmly than he was, "Ok, alright." He figured if she was pregnant and it was hitting her this hard already then she surely didn't need to be this upset. But, he knew better than to tell or even ask her to calm down right now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luther Davenport was about ten years younger than Jesse Duke. He had grown up hard as a dirt poor farm boy who'd taken an interest in cars. He had become the best mechanic in three states and worked by day on the revenurers and law enforcement agents cars that were trying so hard to stop the moonshining in the area. He worked after hours at the garage or his home and even sometimes at his customers home to provide a good home for his wife who had been born with "The silver spoon". She had come from a 'good' family and though they loved each other deeply he often felt he wasn't in 'her' class. She objected to him making 'dirty' money from the moonshiners. Said the money they paid him with was gotten illegally. They separated when Dixie had been three. She went with her mother and Cooter stayed with his Dad. The two never divorced, just chose to live apart. He was concerned about Lori from Cooter's radio call o LB and BB. He had thought he would be more worried about Dixie. Figured he'd spent the whole time trying to convince her to stay away from Luke Duke. They had sure had their differences but other than Cooter he was the best wrecker driver he'd ever had, even after Dixie left town and Luke returned from the Marines, Luther had let him drive for him, though it was never quiet the same after he felt Luke had betrayed his trust. The radio call said something about the jail. 'What has that girl done this time. I hope she ain't been running shine again.' was his thougths as he enter Hazzard Square he hoped to catch Cooter and the others before they went to the jail. He pulled up to the garage......... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Luke saw Dixie and the hurt expession on her face, he closed his eyes and he dropped his head and never said a word. This wasn't missed by Lori. She had never seen Dixie so hurt and she saw Luke's heart break right there in front of her. Dixie didn't need to hear anything from Luke to KNOW what had happened, but she was determined not to cry in front of Luke and for sure not in front of Lori. She had cried too many years already over Luke. She turned and calmly walked out of the jail and courhouse. She got in her car and layed a trail of rubber that would make the General Lee look bad as she pulled out. The sound of which wasn't missed by Luke or Lori. Luke walked over to the front of the cell and stood at the cell door for several minutes, then set down in the floor with his back to the corner pulling his knees to his chest. He could see Lori if he was looking at her but at the moment he seemed to be staring a hole in the wall. He was quiet for a long while before his choked up voice said, "Lori." Lori looked over at Luke and saw pain. "I can't do this. I just can't do this anymore. I love you with all my heart, but I am not in love with you. I, now, know how long you wanted the other night. I've already told you I'm sorry it wasn't special for you. I never intended for it to happen. I never intended to use you. I'm sorry that I did. Bottom line truth, ...................... I don't know if I'll ever settle down and get married, ..............................But if I do, she just ruined a good set of tires leaving. I knew she was the one when I was twenty years old. I've been a lot places, seen a lot of things, and, ............................ been with more than my fair share of the ladies, but Dixie's the one. I'm truely sorry, Lori. I swear I am." When Lori blinked her tears away and regained her focus she saw that Luke's cheeks were wet from tears also. She seen Dixie's look on her face and she saw Luke's heart shadder into a million pieces before her when Dixie left without saying anything. She knew he was right. They were meant for each other, but she loved him. The lump in her throat felt like it was her heart there. She couldn't speak, didn't trust her voice, merly nodded, 'OK." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter had stepped out onto the courthouse steps as Dixie peeled out. As he got to the garage LB and BB were watching her leave in a cloud of smoking tires. "Fellas, did she say where she was going?" Cooter asked. LB replied, "Didn't know she was back until we heard her peel out." BB asked, "What is wrong?" Cooter bit his tounge, "I let the cat outta the bag!" LB's eye were wide, "So, Luke and Lori DID....." Cooter glared, "Come on ya'll we got to find her and slow her down. After several minutes without any luck finding Dixie, Cooter radioed, "Breaker, Breaker, Anybody out there seen that crazy sister of mine? She left outta here 'Hot'! She'll be in a Burgandy Thunder Chicken and that motor is fine so she's likely anywhere by now." Bo Duke picked up the mic on the base station in the Duke kitchen, "Crazy C, I'll be down and gone looking for her. Is something wrong?" Cooter replied, "That hunch we had, ....... Well, we were right, ........ Dixie knows!" He kept it short and sweet. He knew Bo would read the rest. Bo turned and started for the door. Jesse asked, "Bo?" "I'll have to tell you later, promise!" Bo said as he kept going. He knew Dixie and if she knew this and couldn't get to Luke then she was likely driving fast enough to get hurt or hurt somebody. He hoped he knew where she was going. He pulled the General Lee into the 'parking' area at the lake. Sure enough Dixie's car was there. He radioed the others that he found her and she was OK. She was about twenty feet up against an old oak tree. Bo walked down to her, "Dixie?" "You know" Bo nodded, 'yes' and set down beside her. She looked Bo in the eyes and asked, "Why?" Bo smiled weakly. He could have given her a million answers. None would help. None were any that she'd want to hear. All he could say was, "Luke will have to answer that one." He gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders. It was all the invitation the Dixie needed. She turned to and held on for dear life as she fell totally apart on his shoulder. All Bo knew to do with her crying liek she was, was to wrap his arms around her and hold her until she cried it out. He could only be there. He knew how lucky he was to have Beth and Dixie would be a good thing for Luke if he'd just open his eyes and stop all his running around and acting foolishly.

Luke looked to Lori, sighed and said in a harsher tone than he meant, "Ya know I really don't want to have any of these heart to hearts with you OR Your Family right now either!" He then said much more friendly, "But, ....... I think, ...... we need to get it sorted out some before your cousin upstairs puts this out to the whole county. Little grumbled as he returned downstairs to call the judge to let him know he needed him to come set a bond, "I wished you people would pick better places to have these family conversations too. I'm not real fond of them either!" It wasn't funny. God it wasn't funny but when Luke looked at Lori, they both couldn't help but laughing. Each time Luke would stop laughing he'd see Lori laughing so hard she was crying and would start again. Lori was trying to quiet laughing because it wasn't funny but she couldn't stop laughing at the entire time she'd been in Hazzard the strangest things had happened with the worst results. As Little picked up the phone they were still laughing and laughing so hard he had to appoligize to the Judge for the noise, he finally said in a booming voice, "KNOCK IT OFF YOU TWO!!!" It worked for about five seconds before they bust back into laughter. "Judge Hardcastle said if you two like it so much here he can arrange for youto stay longer!" Well, that worked, for maybe ten seconds! Luke's ribs were hurting from laughing so hard. He hadn't had one of these spells since he and Bo were trying to go to sleep one night he had been about 7. Lori was laughing so hard she couldn't breath. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie answered the phone and before she could say anything. Cooter's voice came on the line saying, "Yea Dix, this here's heres Cooter. Im in jail and I was wonderin if you could come down here with some money? Go to the garage and get it." "Cooter, you're where? What did Rosco dream up this time?" Dixie shouted. "You heard me. It wasn't Rosco it was Sheriff Little. Just get the money." Cooter said in a very tense voice. "I'm coming, already!" Dixie said hanging up the phone and wondering what in the world was going on, now! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cooter slammed the truck door. He had only been THAT mad once before. The thought came to him of when. It was when his FRIEND Luke was caught with HIS 16 year old SISTER!!! Now, that he could FINALLY make something with HER he sleeps with HIS COUSIN!! He beat his hands on the streering wheel in frustration! ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Sheriff Little saw the whole thing, though he had no idea of Luke and Dixie's past history or what had happened with Lori. He was about to put Cooter on the road when he had left. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke let out a long, low whistle, "I've only seen him THAT mad before -- and it was at me then too!" Little looked at him, "I don't think he's the type you want mad at ya Duke." "He ain't at that! Trust me on that." Luke replied. Lori looked at them both, "Yeah, but I got to live with him and he ain't a bit happy with me either." For the moment Luke and Lori's discussion was forgotten, well maybe not forgotten just put on hold. It was then that work boots boomed down the stairs again. Cooter had come back, "Luke Duke I only remember being this mad once before," he paused, "IT WAS WHEN MY SIXTEEN YEAR OLD SISTER WAS CAUGHT WITH YOU IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE GENERAL LEE!!!!! AND THE TROOPERS WERE DA-- SURE WHAT YOU TWO WERE DOING!!!! What are you trying to do make it with all my family? I thought we were friends! NO we WERE more than friends WE WERE FAMILY!!! Let me tell you one thing Luke your stay in the Marines was long enough for me to calm down. You better plan to re-up if you don't want to deal with me!" He turned to Lori, "I came to tell ya something, but it may just interest Luke more. MY DAD called he is coming in this week after all. He'll love THIS! Luke he wanted to kill you last time, Jesse talked him into letting you agree to go into the Marines. I won't give you that chance. I can't wait til your little vacation here is up. I'll be waiting!!! Then I might be back in here for Murder!" He turned to leave. Big Ed Little had moved in behind Cooter and was waiting. As Cooter turned around, he promptly placed the cuffs on Cooter. "That's a threat son and ou've disturbed my peace one time too many today!" Little took him upstairs to the cell. He could be heard by Luke and Lori, "See Luke what happens when you push people too far? I'll get even with you!" Luke looked at Lori, "Sh---!!!!" Lori was still standing aginst the back wall.

Dixie knew Cooter was right, "I don't want to fued with her. I don't want Luke to come between us, that's why I backed off to give her a chance to see that he loves me and that way I'll know for sure that he does." Dixie had told Cooter that Lori wasn't feeling well when she had been there. "Just work it out without hurting each other, huh, sis? I'm gonna run down and see her a second before visiting is over and I'll get a couple things from the store." He said as he walked out the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke looked up in surprise at Lori's outburst. When she that he was right and was a dog, Luke almost laughed. He didn't figure it was in his best interest to do so and hoped he hid it, but the way she said it, it had struck him a funny. Yeah, he'd been in the Marines and the Smokejumpers too long. He had a strange sence of humor. But, she had managed to say to him exactly what he was thinking. He gave Little a 'you wouldn't understand' look when Little had wondered what was Lori's problem. After giving Lori a few minutes to calm down he turned on the bunk to face her and said, "I didn't use you. I can see you thinking that, but I really wanted to be with you......" Lori shot back rather loudly, "You wanted a piece of a----!" Luke put his head in his hand, closed his eyes, took in a deep breath before trying to reason with her. That was going to be hard to do because in hind site she was absolutely right, "Yeah, ...... I did........" Luke behind him as he heard footsteps. It was then that Cooter made his way down the steps, he had heard Lori's comment and

Luke almost thought it was a low blow Dixie wearing the ring for him to notice, but he had to remember the night she arrived in town he had led her to belief he was willing to see if they still had the same feelings for each other. He-- he thought he did have those feelings for her then Lori showed up. He had let himself be with her without thinking it through. He figured she thinks he had used her. Had he? Probably. He could still picture himself marrying Dixie. He'd lived with those pictures in his mind now for years. Could he truely see himself marry Lori? Sure she had been great. Sure they had fun, but marry Lori? Those thoughts had never entered his mind before. He couldn't form the pictures. Wait just a Da--- minute, he reminded himself, Who said I was marrying anybody? I ain't ready to marry anybody. Lord knows if I can't control myself in situations like the other night I sure ain't ready ta get married. Sheriff Little interupted his thoughts, "Here's that not for ya." Luke took the envlope and opened it. He pulled out the first piece of paper from Daisy: Luke, I don't know what you're gonna do about Lori and Dixie. I know finding out Lori likes ya can be flattering, but Sugar, trust me Dixie is still very much in love with you. Either way someone's gonna get hurt, cousin do what's right for you. Love Daisy Then he opened the second piece of paper from Beth: Luke, You know I can't get Bo to write his name let alone you a letter. Just wanted ya to know we're thinking about you and miss you. Bo's acting weird since he saw you the morning after Loi got you out of jail. Is something wrong between you two? I think we have a love sick Davenport on our hands tonight. Think she'd almost be willing to do that thirty days for Lori. Beth Then he saw another piece of paper, Dear Luke, This is for your eyes only, please do not let Lori read this, Luke I still love you and I always have. I only went with Ernie to make you jealous and I think I pushed it a little too far. Im sorry Luke, Im sorry we even have these dumb reunions. None of this would've ever happened, if it hadn't been for me or Lori either one to come back. Luke, I just needed to tell you how I felt without my older cousin peeping over ym back all the time. guess Ill see ya around.. Love, Dixie Luke swore, "Da-- it" and wondered now what do I do? I'd love to talk to Jesse right now or even Bo but he knew Lori would hear his every word.

Once they were at Cooter's Dixie asked, "Cooter is something wrong? I know ya wanted us all to be together but you know how Lori is. She's always go to do her own thing at the wrong time." Cooter.............. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke wasn't having any better luck getting through to Lori, "Lori, I know you are awake. I also know you are sick so if you don't answer me I'm going to think it's because you're sick and I'll have Little get Doc over here. So it's talk to me or the doctor." Lori hated doctors on good days and this wasn't a good day. She felt like the fever had broken but still felt lousy. She didn't want to see the doctor or talk to Luke but talking to Luke may be the lesser of the two evils. She turned over and said hoarsely, "Ok, what?" Luke could see she had been or was about to cry. Jumping to the conclussion that it was because she was sick. "Hey, what wrong? Are you crying cause your sick?" Lori closed her eyes and thought, 'Men!', but said quietly, "No, Luke I'm not crying cause I'm sick. I actually feel better. I think the fever is gone." Luke saw the 'change the subject act'. "Lori tell me why then? Is it Dixie's being here?" Lori shook her head 'no', but didn't speak. She had a knot in her throat and didn't think she could without breaking down into a full cry. Seeing the tears now threatening to fall, Luke thought back to his conversation with Dixie. He thought, 'The ring. That damned ring!' He was thankful that only a few people (most of who likely forgot it) knew of the conversation between him and Dixie when Jesse had given it to her. Part of his agreement to leave Hazzard and go into the Marines had been to get to talk to Dixie before hand. The conversation had indeed taken place with him locked in the same cell. Lori wasn't around much in those days but he wasn't sure how much she knew about what had happened, so he wasn't sure what was a safe topic. "You heard the whole conversation. I'm sorry. I didn't know that she............."

Cooter could just see them getting into it at the jail. he knew Little was back on duty. So help him if he got a call saying they'd locked Dixie up too he'd strangle them both. ~~~~~~~~~~~ "Luke I'm sorry about you and Ernie getting into it, which started this whole mess." Dixie said. "Dixie ya know that it doesn't take much of anything to get Ernie and me into a fight." Luke said honestly. Dixie knew he was right, "I know, but feel like this was my fault." Sheriff Little spoke up from behind them, "Ok, folks, time is about up." Dixie stood up, "Alright. Well, Luke I got to get. Cooter is acting strange. I got to go see what's up with him." Luke said, "Ok. Hey, go easy on Cooter." Luke paused, "He's planned this get together for a long while." Luke was thinking totally different. He was thinking about the look on Cooter's face the other morning.

Dixie handed the note from 'Daisy' to Sheriff Little to give to Luke. Luke was glad to see Dixie and even gladder that Lori was asleep. He smiled as she walked over taking the seat Little had given her. He had purposely placed it about four feet from the bars. "Hey, Dixie." he said quietly. He hoped not to wake Lori. "What's with the envelope for Little?" Dixie replied, "A note from Daisy. Guess he'll give it to ya after I leave. What's with Lori asleep in the middle of the day?" Luke replied, "She hasn't felt to well. Thinks she might be coming down with strep throat." he signed, "As if it's not enjoyable enough here being sick on top of it would be a pain in the, ....... well you know." He noticed something that he hadn't since she had been back in town. He looked at her hand and saw the ring he'd given her years ago." The problem was he remember the talk he had with her right here in the same room. It was after her father had refused to let her marry Luke then. Luke had given Jesse specific instructions to get the ring and give it to Dixie. He told her that the ring and everything it stood for went with it and one day she'd look up to find him on her doorstep. This had been when Luther Davenport, her father, was wanting the law to throw the book at Luke for being with his 16 YO daughter when he was over 20. The Judge refused to set bond for until it went to court for Luke's safety from her father and Cooter. Luke said in a soft tone, "Still wearing that?" Dixie looked at him in surprise, "You know you're the second Duke today to notice that. There's not a day that I haven't worn it since you had Jesse give it to me. I do wear it on a chain sometimes, but I wear it." She had tears in her eyes, "Kinda strange you notice it HERE, like THIS." "Ironic as he--, ain't it?" Luke said. He was kicking himself really hard right in the tail for the other night and all those like it since he'd given he that ring.