DixieDavenport

Before either Luke or Lori could answer Bo or Cooter the bushes began to move behind Bo and a familiar voice said, "Well, I'm mighty glad that you confessed to helping this no account criminal escape there little lady." said one Sheriff Rosco P Coltrane. Luke now answered Bo, "Yeah, Bo I got soemthing ta say. Thanks for bringing Rosco with you!" The bunch was so surprised that Rosco had actually gotten something right they were at a lose for words or ideas at that moment. Rosco told them, "Ok, all four of you just head on back to the cars. You're all under arrest! Enos and acting Dep. Cletus make sure that they get there!" Enos asked, "Ghee, Sheriff, what did Bo and Cooter do?" Rosco was gleaming. He had them. Had them all, dead to rights. "Book Luke Duke on Escape charges in addition to the fighting charge. Ms. Davenport there on Misdemeanor Aiding Escape. And those two for Aiding an Escapee!" Luke could only see Jesse going right through the roof! He couldn't help but say, "Holy Sh--!" He knew Rosco was right and with the shook of THAT and the events of the past couple days he was fresh out of ideas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Due to the Dukes and Davenports disorientation and lack of good ideas, Rosco managed to get them back to the jail where he placed Cooter in the cell with Ernie and Bo and Luke in the other one. Lori was put in the old seldom used cell upstairs. Luke figured he'd started this mess so he should be the one to call Jesse who was going to blow his stack sky high. "Rosco can I use the phone to call Jesse?" Rosco thought about it. He decided not to take the chance on opening the door. "I'll do ya one better than that! I'll call for you." Though Luke wasn't at all looking forward to talking to Jesse he felt it would have went over better with Jesse had he called. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosco stepped to the phone upstairs and placed a call to the Duke farm where everyone knew something was taking way too long for anyone to let them know anything. Jesse's big toe had been hurting all morning. He answered the phone on the first ring. "Duke farm." "Well good morning again, Jesse." Rosco began happily. Jesse wasn't in the mood. "No Luke ain't here so you don't have to come all the way out here again and tear my place apart again." "Well, now Jesse, I surely appreciate that, but see I know where Luke is............and Bo, ..... and Cooter and that Davenport girl that's always causing trouble are." Rosco said cheerfully. Jesse almost bellowed, "Well, where in tarnation are they?" Rosco couldn't stop the laugh as he replied, "Well, they are all safe and sound right here in the jail house." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Lori was slightly glad to be out of Cooter's gaze, but felt for Luke who was downstairs with him and Bo. She had no idea that Ernie was also still there. She hoped Rosco hadn't put Luke and Cooter in the same cell downstairs. She feared it might get ugly if he had. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Downstairs, Cooter glared at Luke. He wanted to find out exactly what had happened between Lori and Luke. But, he didn't want it told in front Ernie. Hopefully, Jesse would be there soon to get them or Ernie would bond out soon. He was sure that Luke and Lori had been together and he wasn't at all happy with how this was all going to effect his family reunion with everyone due to start arriving in town today. Now, both he and Lori were in jail.

He had to give it to both Davenport women, they were a sight prettier than Cooter! For better or worse they had done what they did last night. Before leaving to see if they could get Cooter out here to fix Lori's car Luke felt he had to say something more before everyone got into this. He put his arms out taking Lori into them. "I'm sorry things weren't 'better' last night for you. I know from what Bo tells me you had waited on that for a long time. I was heading for day three without sleep and, ....." He looked and felt a bit embarrassed, "Jesse's shine has a way of kicking ya when your down." He wasn't at all sure that under other circumstances if he'd taken things as far as he did last night or if he'd ever go there with Lori again, however, if she had wanted this for that long then he should have made it special for her and he didn't feel as though he had. Lori blushed a brighter red, "Luke. Yes, I had wanted to be with you for years and it was great for me." Looking up at the sun Luke knew it was getting late, "Come on let's see if you can radio that cousin of yours." Lori wasn't ready for their time to end, but knew Luke was right as she followed him out of the tiny cabin. As they exited the cabin they looked up to see Bo and Cooter heading their way. At that precise moment Cooter and Bo had seen them. Now, Cooter had slept out before, but he was none too happy at the site he saw heading his way.

It was all Jesse could do to hold Bo back until Rosco finished his search of the farm. Then he cautioned, "Bo, remember Rosco will be watching to follow you to find Luke. He had a search warrant and it was all legal like, so if you find him be careful what you put over the radio, but get me and we'll figure out how to keep him from serious trouble." Bo heard Jesse, but his mind was racing trying to figure out where Luke was an how he got out of jail as he opened the door, "Right!" Dixie reached for his arm, "Bo, I may be able to find him." Bo looked to Jesse for help. Jesse spoke gently to the young lady that had been a member of his family for years in every aspect but a name, "If he has any problems finding Luke, he'll call us. Right, Bo?" Relief showed in Bo's face, "I sure will!" Then he was gone out the door and pulled the General Lee out in a cloud of dust. Dixie had to wonder if Lori had anything to do with Luke's disappearance from the jail. ~~~~~~~~ When Cooter woke to a quiet house, he immediately got concerned. Finding that not only Dixie who'd when home with Beth Duke wasn't there but also Lori wasn't there either. "Maybe she did leave!" He said scratching his beard. Though he really didn't think so. After putting coffee on he decided to call the Duke farm. Jesse answered hoping it was Luke, "Duke farm." "Uncle Mr. Jesse, Dixie went home with Beth. She is still there right?" Cooter asked concerned. Jesse was a bit annoyed and replied, "Cooter I ain't your danged Uncle, but yes she is." Cooter knew something was up, "Would Lori happen to be there too?" He hoped they hadn't both ended up there and showed their bad manners on Jesse. "Ah, no. Haven't seen her." Jesse said. He could tell Cooter was frustrated at having to try to locate his kin folk and that he understood this morning better than most. "Now, I've got a question for you?" Cooter replied, "OK." Jesse asked, "You haven't seen Luke since he was arrested last night have you?" "Ah, ....... no. No, Sir, I haven't." Cooter replied. Jesse decided to pass along some needed information in case Cooter did see him, "Well, if you do see him, tell him I was woke up by the Sheriff with a search warrant for the entire farm looking for him." Jesse knew that Cooter may not be the sharpest tool in the shead but would tell Luke and Luke would read the rest of the story from what Jesse hadn't said. Cooter replied, "I'll tell him if I see him, but you know Luke, if he don't want to be found." Jesse replied, "That's what worries me. Just keep your eyes open."

When things were done Luke looked to Lori, breathing hard, saying, "That was the best time I've had in years." She had been right she was a bit wild and he surely wasn't her first. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Duke farm dawn was breaking as Jesse started coffee. He heard a car pulling in fast and tires sliding on gravel as the brakes were put on hard. He looked out the window to see a fuming Rosco heading his way, "Alright you Dukes I have a search warrant! Now open up!" Jesse rolled his eyes, as he stepped to the door. Bo was out of the bed grabbing pants, boots and his shirt as he hit the floor on his bare feet. Beth looked at him like he'd lost his mind, "What are you doing?" She asked sleepily not having heard Rosco. Bo replied as he stepped quickly into his pants and boots at almost the same time. "Rosco. Search warrant." was his only half reasonable explaination. Beth rolled her eyes and put on her robe. As Jesse stepped to the door he asked, "A search warrant for WHAT?" Rosco was pleased as punch, "To search your entire farm for one Lucas Duke!" "For Lukkkkkeeee?" Jesse trailed off, "Rosco have you lost your mind? You arrested him last night. He's in jail!" "Well, he's not now so he's got to be here." Rosco looked a bit shaken as Daisy, Beth and Dixie stepped into the kitchen behind Bo. At the news that Luke was no longer in jail the others were a bit surprised. How could he have gotten away without any of their help? ~~~~~~~~~~ As dawn broke at the still sight Luke stirred. The surroundings were familiar to him as he'd spent many nights there. Then, he realized he had something very warm beside him. At that moment, MOST of last night came back to him. He would have likely kicked himself bck to the farm if Lori wasn't laying almost on top of him. Luke decided to lay very still in hopes of not waking Lori up, at least until he pulled himself together. His thoughts were running wild about what had happened and ALL the reasons it shouldn't have happened. He could start the long list off with facing Cooter, Dixie, Jesse and numerous others. Not to mention that in the shape his was in last night he felt that he couldn't have been anything special let alone careful -- that thought alone was enough to bring him totally awake.

There had been several years that Luke had seen a lot of girls a whole lot wilder than Cooter's cousin. At the time he had thought that was the type of girl he wanted then Dixie had came along and he eventually found out that he had missed having a steady girl as apposed to all those one night stands. Right now though he was stressed out, tired and the shine had now hit bottom since he'd stood up. He was more relaxed than he'd been in weeks. He knew right now he was more relaxed than he probably should be, because he had a feeling Lori was about to make a play for him and he wasn't sure he'd turn her down. That thought kinda bothered him because he knew he hadn't thought it through, but right now he had too many things going on to think them all through at once.

Lori stood up to meet Lukes eyes Luke softly replied, "Lori, I've never been about what a girl wore and frankly I don't care for all that make up stuff. It's more about who the person is on the inside. He--, why do you think Dixie doesn't wear a lot of make up." He saw Lori look away. Luke hadn't meant to compare the two, but in his mind he had been every since Bo brought up that Lori liked him for more than a friend. Now, he would be looking over his shoulder for Rosco who'd eventually pick him up again for the fight with Ernie. Luke took a large drink of Jesse's finest and swore silently. "Look, Lori just be yourself, if you try to be anything different then it won't be fair to me, Dixie, or any other guy who may come along, but mostly it won't be fair to yourself." With no sleep the night before, and the day he'd had today, followed by the night of being arrested and then escaping Luke would have thought the shine would have relaxed him by now but it hadn't. He took another large drink.

Though Luke was very glad to be back at home, he knew that he'd be having a conversation with Jesse about him fighting and being in jail. This was not a conversation that he looked forward to at all. As Luke parked the wrecker, he saw Jesse already on the porch with his after supper coffee. He took a deep breath, held it for a bit, then slowly released it. He was mentallyl preparing himself to not spout off and say something that he'd regret should he disrespect Jesse. That was the one thing that would not be tolerated in Jesse's house, no matter how old you were or what you thought you knew. Luke knew this, so he put his mouth in check before ever getting out of the truck. He walked to the porch with his head hung just a bit. Jesse knew the look. He was sure he'd been there a time or two with his own father at about the same age as Luke was now. He too had once thought he knew it all. He sipped his coffee and said, "Well, well, well, so you managed to get home from jail without getting into another fight." Luke looked Jesse in the eye and replied respectfully, "Yes, Sir." "Good. Good. Why don't you grab a cup of coffee and I think Daisy made a pie. Then, we all have some work to do." Jesse said. Luke knew what Jesse was referring to. He also knew the terms of the six month probation the judge had given him, but he figured he'd relax a few minutes before facing Jesse's lecture and discussing the probation and the shine run with him. Inside Luke good naturedly put up with the others 'welcome home' remarks about being a jail bird and other such remarks. Beth seemed a bit uncomfortable by the others teasing Luke. She knew it would have pissed her off if it had been Bo and instead of being glad he was home they teased him. Luke ate a peice of Daisy's peach pie standing at the sink, then took his coffee outside for 'the' conversation. He figured he might as well start it, "Uncle Jesse, I know we have a run tonight but something came to my attention when I went on the part run for Mr. Davenport that I need to talk to you about." Jesse knew that whatever Luke wanted to talk about had to be important or he would have waited. Jesse knew that Luke knew they would be having a serious talk tonight. "Alright, Luke. What is it?" "Well, you know that with me working out of the garage there are times that Cooter's sister goes with me on calls or for parts like she did today." Luke waited for Jesse to nod 'yes', then continued, "Well, we were talking about Agant Roche's car and him being in a hurry for it. I off handedly said that he was always in a hurry to get back in the game." Jesse replied, "Yep, that's Andy!" Luke nodded, "I didn't think anything about hte comment." he paused, "But, Dixie got curious about how I'd know this. Jesse, I don't think she has a clue about us running shine." Jesse sipped his coffee and replied, "It's likely she doesn't know. She's been gone awhile." Luke continued, "Yeah, I know, but with her riding with me and the likelyhood of being shook down with her with me. I just wondered if maybe she should know to expect that we might get pulled at any given time, at least so she can decided if she still wants to go with me. I know that I'd never let her or anybody ride with me if I was loaded, but who knows when they may think I'm loaded and pull me? I think she'd be real upset if she didn't have a clue as to what was going on." Jesse took another long drink of his coffee to consider what Luke was asking. The family business had always been just that. The only other ones that knew were other moonshiners, buyers, and, ...... Jesse thought the Davenports who knew because of the work that was done to the runners. The only other time Luke had ever mentioned something like this was when he had dated Robin. He had asked pretty much the same thing and had been able to let her know what to expect shoudl they get pulled over without telling her that he actually ran shine, but Jesse figured that her father had also given her some information. According to Luke, Cooter and Luther had kept his secret just that where Dixie was concerned. He finally replied with doubt, "Luke I just don't know. I mean she is a Davenport but you of all people know ow young girls can be when they get mad or something." Luke knew Jesse had a point, "I do know and I know that keeping the secret a secret is largely why we've been in buisness so long. I have only asked you this once before and through out all mine and Robin's problems she never gave it away. I think Dixie, especially being a Davenport, would be loyal to us or I wouldn't have mentioned it." Jesse wasn't sure he liked the idea but agreed to let Luke us his judgement even though he was about to question that judgement on another matter, "Luke. I'll leave it up to you. I suggest using discreation." Luke nodded. "I will and it may not come up again, but I needed to talk to you in case it should." Jesse finished his coffee and set the cup down, "Now, let's talk about your temper....." Luke nodded, 'OK' as Jesse began, "...................

Luke looked at her and said,"Well, it'd look like it. the went and climbed back through the windows setting for a few minutes in silence until Luke broke the silence, "Give it a few minutes and we'll get it out of the road when it cools down a bit.." Lori said, 'OK, but I don't know where you're gonna put him." Luke smiled, "Well, Darlin', if you'd be so kinda as to trade me places I'll show you. It won't hurt it to move it just a little ways." They traded places. Lori still wasn't sure what Luke was doing. There wasn't so much as a wide spot that she knew of for a ways down the road. Luke started the car and put it into reverse. He backed up about fifty feet, then stopped. He smiled a bit and said, Hang on." as he turned the car up the side of the hillside and followed a path that couldn't be seen in the night. He had moved the car no more than a quarter mile onto the hillside looking over the road. Being that the car was black and on top of the hill it could not be seen at all in the night and Luke knew that someone would have to be looking for it there to see it in the daylight. Getting out of the car he asked, "Got your hiking shoes on?" Looking at him a bit confused, "They'll do. Why?" Luke smiled again, "Unless you want to sleep in the car, we've got a little walk ahead of us." Lori trusted Luke but had no idea what he was talking about as she looked to her car. Luke saw the look, "He'll never be seen there unless you know he's there." He reached down and took her hand, "This path can be a bit slippery." Lori asked, "There's a path here?" Luke had to laugh, "Yep, sure is." They walked a short distance when the woods opened up to a small clearing where the outline of a tiny cabin could be seen. Lori asked, "How'd you know about this place?" "I helped build it about fifteen years ago." Luke said matter of factly. Once inside he located a kerosene lantereen and lit it. The place wasn't much bigger than an eight by ten with a small wood stove, a table, and a few chairs. Luke went to a storage box in the corner and smiled. "I'm glad somethigns don't change." He took out two sleeping bags and a small jar. Lori looked surprised. "How ya know?" Luke said, "Well, one of Jesse's sites ain't too far away. This has been here about about ten years." He said holding up the Mason jar. The truth was Jesse's still was right outside but had been covered to be hidden even in the daylight. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As Luke and Lori settled in for the night, unknown to them or Cooter, he'd driven right by them and could have had Lori's car back on the road in no time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Luke began spreading the sleeping bags down on the floor. "I hope ya don't mind the floor. Bo and me never minded much. I don't think we'll need a fire as hot as it is, besides the smoke trail may get us more attention than we want." Lori said quietly, "The floor is fine." When Luke was finished with the sleeping bags he turned one of the straight backed wicker chairs around backwards and sat in it as he opened the Mason jar and took a healthy drink, before saying, "Well, now that we are here suppose you tell me why it took you this long to let me know you liked me for more than a big brother?" He held out the jar offering Lori a drink of Jesse's finest. Lori took a small sip before answering, "................

Luke got up and slowly put his hands on the bar windows and said, "Rosco's still up there booking Ernie. He'll be back down here in a bit. I think ya need to wait for whatever you got planned until after Rosco leaves, but then Ernie will be right over there." He said pointing to the cell right next to him. Lori knew that Luke was right. She hadn't stuck around long enough to see that for once Rosco had been fair and arrested both parties. She asked in amazement, "He actually arrested you both?" Luke rolled his eyes, "Thanks for reminding me, but yes." He motioned to Lori that Rosco was coming. Lori whispered, "I'll be back in a bit." She headed back to the garage to watch for Rosco to leave. She stood a better chance of pulling anything off with only Enos on duty. ~~~~~~~~ Dixie couldn't stand it when she was told to do something, this was her older brother though and she did it. Well, at least he thought she was going to. One thing about Dixie, you could ask her to do something and she usually would. You could tell her that you thought it was best if she did something and she might do it. But, if she was TOLD to do something, you could about bet that she wouldn't do it if her life depended on it. She kicked the chain that Ernie had pulled off the wrecker, "Fine! Put it up yourself!" She said heading for her car. Beth seen what was going on and thought that Dixie might need someone to drive her home. She walked over to Dixie, "Honey, since Luke won't be home tonight, how about coming out to the farm?" Dixie knew if she and Lori were under the same roof that it wouldn't be a good night. She nodded, 'yes' and said, "Thanks, Beth." Beth knew she had gained a lot of ground by getting Dixie to come out to the farm. Now, the hard part, "Would ya like for me or Bo to drive your car? I know you're upset." Beth had dealt with people who had drank a little too much for years and knew it would be better to say Dixie was upset rather than had too much to drink. Dixie had to laugh at her friend, "Sure." she said handing Beth the keys. She knew what Beth meant but was thankful that she had said she was upset. ~~~~~~~~~~ From the other side of the parking lot Cooter looked at Bo, "How did she do that?" "Remember, Beth has had lots of experience with Luke, you and me." Bo replied. "Ah, ... yeah, ...... I guess she has at that! I wasn't looking forward to those two meeting in my house tonight. I owe ya'll one." Cooter said gratefully. Bo said as he headed towards the General Lee, "I'll remind ya of that next time we need parts." Cooter replied, "Yeah, I bet you will at that." He shook his head and started for town. He hoped he was wrong about where Lori was off to, but he probably wasn't." ~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the jail, Rosco brought a not too happy Ernie downstairs and put him into the cell beside Luke's, "Now ya'll sleep tight. Kew, Kew, Kew, the judge will be here about eleven tomorow morning. Kew, Kew, Kew, I love it! I just love it!" Luke had gotten down from the window and stretched out on the steel bunk with the very thin mattress by the time Rosco had gotten to the bottom of the steps. He hoped Ernie would think he was asleep and go to sleep himself. Ernie had no intentions of going to sleep or letting anyone else get any for that matter as he started in on Luke.......

Dixie told Luke in no uncertainterms, "So, now you want to believe the likes of him! Maybe you and Lori do deserve each other!" Luke heard Dixie but continued out to the Boar's Nest parking lot. When he saw Ernie still there he shook his arm loose from Lori. "Ledbetter!" He said as he walked up to Ernie. Luke had already started his swing on Ernie, "This is for all the girls you've took advantage of all these years." When Luke connected with Ernie's face he went sailing across the General Lee. Ernie's friend saw Ernie on the loosing end and swung at Luke knocking him into the wrecker. Bo had pushed Beth gently toward the bar, "Get back inside. Now!" as he stepped up to swing on Ernie's friend! Cooter went to grab Bo to keep him out of the fight, when Dixie reached into the tool compartment of the wrecker. She brought out a tire tool and was swinging it and talk sh-- as she reached Ernie who was now on top of Luke only because Luke was a bit drunker than Ernie. "How darn you imply you've BEEN with me! You son-of -a- B----!! I'll castrate you and see how many girls you force yourself on then!" Luke was back on his feet. He was trying to decide to unarm Dixie or drill Ernie. He figured everyone would be safer if he first got the tire tool from Dixie. He stepped toward her. "Give it to me Dix. I told ya I'd handle him!" Dixie had to think about it first but finally gave Luke the tire tool. When Ernie saw Luke with the tire tool he grabbed a chain off the wrecker and headed toward Luke. Cooter looked at Bo, "Sh--! This ain't good! They could hurt each other!" When Rosco who had recieved a call of a fight at the Boar's Nest pulled back up all he saw was Luke Duke swinging a tire tool and Ernie Ledbetter swinging a large chain. This wouldnt be the first or the last time Rosco would have to break these two up. He'd been doing it since they were in Jr. High but now they were big enought to hurt each other! "Freeze! Freeze it right THERE! Just Freeze it where you are!" he yelled! Ernie and Luke had been here before. Ernie said, "Ah, sh--!" Luke had to agree, "Yeah! Double sh--!" as he still held the tire tool in his right hand.

Luke looked at Lori and replied, "No." Then he explained what was obvious to him. "You said that you can't understand it why would Dixie go for Ernie anyways. Well, that's simple Honey. To get at me. She probably knows better than you that me and Ernie LEDBETTER ain't never seen eye to eye on anything." He had spit Ernie's last name. He looked up and saw Bo and Beth walk in. "Great!" He shook his head. "Jesse's sent them to keep an eye on me." He laughed as he finished another beer. Lori had slowed down on her beer, hoping that Luke would wait for her to finish his beer before geting him another. Luke looked at the bartender, "Give us a shine and another beer." Lori knew when Luke switched up to shine it wouldn't take much from Ernie, Dixie, or Bo to get him riled. "Luke, what do you say to a dance?" She hoped to get his mind somewhere else. He replied, "Sure thing, Honey." On the dance floor she could tell that Luke was just a bit unsteady on his feet. She was glad to see Cooter walk in. Back at the bar, Luke told his Buddy, "Sorry about leaving a this morning with these two! I had to get home to the choirs." Cooter could tell that things were amiss with Luke. Dixie was with Ernie and Lori was with him but he'd had far too many drinks to be having a good time. "No problem Luke. Think I'll see what Bo's up to. Ya'll have a good one!" He joined Beth and Bo and said, "This ain't good. What's up?" Bo replied, "Just waiting for the fireworks!"

The reason Lori hadn't seen Dixie is she had went to the garage earlier. Ernie had come by looking for her and had asked her to have a beer with him later. Dixie didn't accept nor decline, just said maybe. She would much rather be with Luke who happened by a bit later. They had talked and Luke admitted he was confused about Lori's feelings for him. Dixie told him that she had told Lori she'd back off and let her play her hand for Luke. She wanted to tell Luke that he'd been the only man she'd ever been with, but felt that would be hitting below the belt. Before Luke left she did say, "Luke, I've spent a lot of nights home alone wondering about you and I'm sort of getting tired of the TV and popcorns company." Luke knew if he left without her he couldn't expect her not to go out with someone else. He just hoped it wasn't Ernie or someone like him. He dropped his head just a bit as he left the garage to go meet Lori. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At the Boar's Nest Luke had ordered his first beer about the time Dixie showed up. She came over to the bar where Luke was setting but made her way to the other end. She also ordered a beer. When she went to pay the bartender he told her that it had already been paid for by the guy at the back table. Dixie looked back to see Ernie kicked back in a chair at a back table. Being brought up as much by Jesse Duke as his own kin, Dixie's manners were very good. The only thing she could do was to go thank Ernie for the beer. She walked to the back table and said, "Thanks for the beer Ernie." He replied, "I can't help but notice that you are alone. Care to join me?" Dixie saw Lori walk in to the bar and straight to Luke. She noticed that Luke paid for the beer that Lori had ordered. It was obvious that they were going to be together this evening. Dixie took a seat across from Ernie, "Why not?" They finished the first round of beer when Ernie decided to go to the bar to order a second round. Dixie wished he would have just waited for the waitress, but he had insisted. At the bar, Ernie walked to Luke's left side, Lori was on his right side. While waiting on the two beers that he had ordered he leaned close to Luke and said, "I sure see why you like these Davenport women. Guess you'll be done with this one by tonight too?" Luke was seeing red, but still had enough of his good sense to see what Ledbetter was trying to do. He just smiled and said, "You know how women are, sometimes you got to let them make up their own minds." Ernie was trying to get Luke into a fight. Rosco had just walked in and Luke wasn't biting. Ernie also saw the Sheriff, "Guess you might have soemthing there Duke." He wisely walked back to where Dixie was holding her breath. She looked for Luke and Ernie to get into it. She was glad they didn't. Which didn't mean that they wouldn't some other time. Lori looked at Luke and was steaming, "He was......" "Trying to get me mad." Luke finished, "I know." He nodded towards Rosco who had just walked toward the back room to talk to Boss Hogg. "Hopefully, I've gotten a bit smarter with age." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Duke farm, Uncle Jesse insisted, "Bo, I'll keep the kids. I'm getting too old for your all nonsense. Go on and keep Luke out of trouble." Bo mumbled, "Who's gonna keep me out of trouble?" Beth replied, "ME!" "Oh, OK, then." Though Bo wasn't seen doing it, he had rolled his eyes heavenward and shook his head. This was NOT going to be a good night!

Luke walked in her room and stood at the doorway watching her pack for several minutes, before he softly said, "I wish you'd wait, at least til tonight. Give me a chance to work this out in my mind. Something's not right, but I can't place it. Lori didn't trust herself to speak and just nodded, 'OK'. She would still pack, but she would at least wait until tonight to leave. "Meet ya at the Boar's Nest about 7?" Luke said, again quietly. He wanted to talk to Lori hopefully without Dixie around. He knew he'd feel very badly if Lori left town and he felt it was his fault. Lori nodded, 'Yes' and managed to say, "Seven it is." Luke felt a bit better as he headed for the shower. As he returned to the kitchen there was no sign of Lori, but Dixie was in the kitchen. "Coffee?" she said holding a large plastic cup with a lid on it. Luke had to smile. She still knew him too well, "Yeah. Thanks. I might live now." "I hope so!" Dixie said, then continued, "I know you are in a hurry, but there is something I need to talk to you about before you hear it somewhere else." This sounded important. "Ok, let me use the phone so Jesse won't have Bo out looking for me." He reached for the phone and dialed the farm. When Jesse answered, Luke said, "Uncle Jesse, I'm at Cooter's and am on my way home. Just didn't want you to worry." Not, hearing Jesse's reply, Dixie heard Luke say, "Everybody's fine. I'll be there by the time you get him back up." As Luke hung up the phone he said to Dixie, "We got a few minutes. Bo went back to bed when I wasn't home for breakfast." Dixie walked with Luke out to the General Lee and leaned up against the hood, "I'll make this short. Luke, last night I was hurting when I say you with Lori at the Boar's Nest. Then, you left. Then, everybody left. Well, I was in a foul mood and I drank....." Luke finished for her, "A little." "More than a little, when Beth came back and was trying to get me to go home with her, but my good sense had left me. I refused because I wasn't sure you'd want to see me this morning, at least at your house, after leaving to avoid me last night....." Dixie was interupted by Luke. "I didn't leave to avoid you." he said. "Maybe not," Dixie continued, "But at the time that's what I felt. Beth and I were approached by a guy wanting us to join him and a friend. Beth of course said no." She had to clear that up for him quickly before he told Bo. "I know I should have too, but ...." Luke continued when she paused, "You didn't. Ok, Honey, I have no hold on you or anyone else." He said understanding her mind set at the time. Dixie knew that this was where it was going to hit the fan. She began again, "Right, but it wasn't so much that I had a couple more beers and danced a few dances. Luke nothing happened. He brought me right home without any problems...." Luke was trying to be patient but he was sure Jesse wouldn't be so understanding, "Ok, then why are we having this conversation?" Dixie knew Luke wouldn't have stood for her being hurt, so she had to let him know that she hadn't been before she continued, "Luke the problem is who it was." She hung her head a bit. Thinking of all the guys in Hazzard and surrounding areas, he couldn't think of anybody that it would bother him that she had a little fun with as long as the guy didn't get out of line and she had told him that he hadn't. "So who was it." Dixie looked up at him with tears forming in her eyes, and whispered, "Ernie." Luke's mind worked quickly. The only Ernie he knew around here was Ernie Ledbetter and there was no way Dixie would have excepted any offers from him. No, she knew they had been rivals since jr. high school sports, up to racing and several girls. Though Ernie had never been too much competition he had been a thorn in Luke's side. "The only Ernie I know is Ernie ..." They both said it together, "Ledbetter." Dixie saw Luke's blue eyes go to orange, "Luke, I don't know what I was thinking. Yeah, I do. I wasn't thinking. I know what this will do and I'm sorry, but I didn't want you to hear it in town or worse yet from him." The veins in Luke's neck were as tense as she'd seen them, "I'll handle it. You are sure he didn't try anything or do anything you......" pictures of Dixie being with Ernie were running through his mind and they weren't pretty. "weren't, ... ah, .... willing...." "Luke I wasn't 'willing' to do anything but have a couple beers and a few dances. And, though I know his reputation, no, he didn't get out of line. I did let him think Cooter was here when he brought me home, but he didn't lay a hand on me." Dixie re-assured Luke. Ernie had the reputation of 'getting' what he wanted whether or not the girl was willing. Dixie knew the next time Luke ran into Ernie that Luke would 'handle it'. There wasn't a doubt in her mind and she knew that whatever happened would be her fault. "Please don't do anything to get into trouble. I am sorry. I shouldn't have even talked to him." Luke had to go and he knew it. "It's OK. It was better coming from you. Don't worry. I will handle Ledbetter. I've really got to go." Dixie knew that didn't sound good. ~~~~~~~~~ Later, as Bo and Luke walked to the barn Bo couldn't help himself, "Ah, Luke, Beth went to make sure that Dixie was Ok last night....." "Bo, I've heard all about it. I'll take care of it." Luke said. The way Luke replied it made Bo feel a bit sorry for Ernie. The subject of Ernie Ledbetter closed, Luke said from out of nowhere, "How do I not hurt either Dixie or Lori? How long have you known that Lori likes me? And, Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Bo looked at Luke like he had two heads. "That's what's bothering you? I thought that Dixie talking to Ernie would....." Luke firmly said, "I'll deal with Ernie. That's not a problem." Bo knew Luke wouldn't need any help 'dealing' with Ernie. The old Bo wanted to be there to see it. The married settled down Bo, didn't want to be anywhere around when it went down, because he KNEW he'd some how be involved and then he'd have to deal with Beth! He heard Luke's voice cut into his thoughts. "You didn't answer me though." Bo thought before answering, ".........................

Dixie replied, "Look if you want to act like you're two go ahead. I came back to see if Luke and I still had feelings for each other, Yes, but the time we were together was us just being glad to see each other again. I may be the B---- that he never wants to talk to again after getting to know me. But, hey, if you want to fold and through in your cards, go ahead cousin. I intend to play mine. If getting yourself thrown in jail so Luke has to come to your rescue is the BEST you could do and you want to quit, far be it from me to stop you." Dixie's words had cut like a knife especially since she said them in front of Luke. Lori flew even madded and stepped toward Dixie, who wasn't backing up. Luke saw it coming and was off the General's hood and holding each an arm lenght away from each other. "Wait a minute! I SAID HOLD IT A D--- Minute!!!" He swore. Luke knew better than to jump into a fight between girls, but these girls had always fought like guys. He managed to get them a bit calmed down and hoped his next idea worked. The sun was beginning to come up and he wanted some back up with these two. "Look, I was taking Lori home, so I will. Dixie you have the wrecker. You can follow us to Cooter's. That's where we were heading. I've got just about enough time to get you all there and make sure neither of you are going to pull each other's hair out before I have to get gone. I may get to grab a shower before I get to start today's choirs on no sleep. I may be all 'grown' and all, but Jesse won't be happy if I'm late. We can continue this lovely exchange tomorrow evening." He sure hoped that Cooter was up. He hated to drop this in his friend's lap, but he needed out of the middle before this got worse. He hoped they'd both stay a couple days and give everyone time to sort out their feelings. Dixie nodded, "Ok, Luke. You're right." She saw Lori mouth the words she'd just said, but chose to ignore them. Lori couldn't stay quiet, "Drive safely now cousin." as she climbed into the General Lee smiling like the cat that ate the canary." Luke hadn't seen either of them act this childish in years. He rolled his eyes and silently pleaded with Dixie to just get in the wrecker and follow them back to Cooter's. Dixie knew what Luke meant by the look so she did go to the wrecker to follow them back to Cooter's. She knew that Luke would be doing the day's work on no sleep and it was as much her fault as it was Lori's. ~~~~~~~~~~~ Cooter knew it was going to be a long night, so he didn't go to bed but to the couch. He checked the clock again since he'd layed down. The sun was coming up. Where were those two? ~~~~~~~~~~~ Back at the Duke farm, Beth turned over to find Bo half sitting up in the bed, looking out the window, "What? He's still not home?" Bo shook his head and scooted back down in the bed next to her, "No. Go on back to sleep." He said pulling the covers bck over Beth's shoulder. "He'll be Ok." she said sleepily. "Yeah, I know." Bo sighed.

I think Atlanta would be good. Last time I was there was in 92 for Richard Petty's last race. I miss seeing the drag racing at Dukefest (in Nashville) it was one of the things I enjoyed about Bristol. But there just wasn't ANY shade in Bristol. I like the way Nashville opens all its consession stands so you can get something without as long a line and prices are competitive but you can find some a little cheaper than others. Atlanta could likely hold the crowd also, but in 1992 if you were heading North coming out of the race you were advised to head South and go down a few exits then get off and head North. So there would likely be traffic problems in Atlanta too. I guess with a 'family' as large as ours we can't have everything! DixieDavenport

Dixie in the wrecker was cussing every breath. She really would have rather had her car, but she wasn't going to the Boar's Nest to trade out when she was heading the opposite direction toward the Duke farm. She knew Cooter said Luke wasn't there, but she wasn't actually going to the farm. See she knew Luke Duke about as well and sometimes better than Bo. Dixie eased the large wrecker off the road to a near invisible road. She quietly got out of the truck and walked off into the darkness. It had been years since she had walked down by the lake in this spot. As she neared the clearing, she knew she had been right as the moonlight bounced off something orange. There was only one thing 'orange' that could be here, the General Lee. She walked closer trying to see what was going on before making her presence known. She thought to herself as she saw both Luke and Lori in the front seat, 'Well, that is a plus, the front is better than the back seat.' She was close enough to hear Lori say, "In the mornin, ill pack my things and you and Dixie can be happy." Then she saw Luke look down, slam his fist on the steering wheel before he turned to take Lori's chin in his hand and turn er back towards her saying soflty, "Lori I'm not saying I want you to leave and I'm not saying I want Dixie. Right now....." Dixie knew she should hear Luke out but couldn't keep quiet any longer, "So JUST what are you saying Luke!" Luke turned quickly toward Dixie's voice and climbed out of the General, "Dixie I was trying to explain to Lori..." "Well, see, now you can explain to both of us!" Dixie said rather loudly. Luke walked to the front of the General and sat on the hood and said rather quietly. "I think that's a great idea, though neither of you may feel that way when I'm done." He motioned for Lori to come to the front of the car. Lori got out of the General and joined Luke and Dixie. "Ok, like I've been trying to tell Lori, I know I care about you both. But, right now, that's all I know. Neither of you have been here in years. You both think you like the Luke you knew then." Luke was stressed, at the moment he'd rather been about anywhere as he was right now. He turned to Dixie, "I once loved you enough to ask you to marry me, but your father wouldn't sign for you. Hell, if he had, we'd likely been divorced by now, who knows. Lori, like I've told you I have always loved you as a sister, but I never consider loving any other way. Believe me, I am not ready to be serious about anyone right now. I don't want to hurt either of you and I don't want to loose either of you. Please, both of you just stay in town, don't kill each other and give me a little space." He almost pleaded. "I can't make any promises....." Dixie had heard him say it years ago, "So, you're back in the 'No promises asked, no promises made and no strings attached' mode?" Luke nodded 'yes', "For now. I don't want to hurt either of you by seeing one and not the other and I don't want to have to pick between you two, ...... at least not tonight. It's as fair as I can be......... Friends? all of us?" He held his arms out. Dixie didn't like it but he was right. She was in love with the Luke she knew years ago. There was no way around it they knew they both had changed. When she walked in they felt what they hd years ago, but given time would the love last or the lust burn out. She was the first to move into his arms, "Fair enough. Friends." she said into his chest. Lori ...................

Luke looked to Lori and softly replied to her as he turned her face to look into her eyes, "First, I ain't nobody to want to kill yourself over. Remember, this is Luke your talking to. The Duke with probably the worst reputation with girls in several states." Lori half smiled, "I thought that was Bo." Luke nodded negatively, "He was running a close second when he got Beth pregnant but since he settled down about the time I decided to go off the deep end after Robin (His first serious girlfriend). He's not even close anymore. Honey, I've only ever been serious enough to think of settling down a very few times. You know about the first two. Robin and Dixie. Then, when I was in the Marines there was Candy Dix. Several years later was Amy Creavey. You may have heard of her she ran the Powder Puff division in the Tri-Counties. And, lastly was Anita Blackwell, when I was in training for the Smokejumpers. Darlin' I'm not gonna lie to you, had things been slightly different with any of them; I'd likely be happily married. Three days ago, I was just being the dog that I am and took up the 'best offer. Two days ago, I thought I had a chance to get back something very special to me that I lost years ago. Today, I find out that a dear friend of mine cares for me and I have always cared about you. Lori I can't promise anything. I'm not going out a marry you or anyone else for that matter anytime soon. I want to talk to Dixie much like we're talking now. Then, I think we all need to just step back a bit and look at this. I don't want to loose Dixie again if we still feel the same way we did about each other years ago, but I don't want to shut a door in your face if we could have something special. I just think we all need to slow down and see what we all really want. Lori you know me as a friend, not as a boyfriend and many girls have decided through the years they'd rather be my friend. I'm telling you I can be a real dog. I don't ever intend to be but I can be." Lori ........... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dixie jumped up and turned blood red with anger she yelled out, "He WHAT? YOU LET HIM DO WHAT?!?!?" Cooter looked confussed but said nothing. He was busy trying to figure how he had 'let' Luke do anything. "****!" Dixie swore, "My car is at the Boar's Nest, can you run me to it or let me use the wrecker? She mat be my cousin but I'll pull her hair out. No I won't! That's fighting like girls! I'll deck her when I see her!" All Cooter knew at this moment was that he didn't want to be anywhere near by when Dixie found their cousin Lori. He didn't want Dixie to go back out, but he knew the rath that would be released upon him if he said it like that. So, he, ........

Beth was relieved to see Ernie's car turn off at the Davenport farm. She was sure if Dixie got Ernie to take her home that things would be alright. She did not doubt that if Ernie got out of line that Dixie could very well handle it fromhere so she turned her Camero toward home. ~~~~~~~~ Dixie knew that Ernie had never been a 'gentleman' before and was sure that the only reason he'd agreed to take her home so easily tonight is because he didn't want to deal with Cooter. Ernie pulled up to the farm house and by the looks of things someone was home. He had hoped that get a little roll in the hay to rub in Luke Duke's face. Of course, with everyone seeing them leave the Boar's Nest together he could still ruffle Duke's feathers. "Well, looks like someone's waiting up on you Sweet Thing." Dixie smiled. It did look that way, but she was the one who had left the light on before she left. Cooter's wrecker was no where in sight, but she'd never tell Ernie that. "Looks that way." She tried to sound disappointed. Ernie said, "Would you like to do this again? Maybe we can go some place a little more 'private'?" Dixie thought for a minute. Ernie use to give her the creeps, but he'd been alright tonight. "Would you mind us just keeping it loose and we'll see. If I'm alone and you're alone, maybe we can get together?" "No strings? Hmm! I kinda like those rules myself." Ernie said. Usually women here wanted to settle down. This one was different. "Well, I'd better be gettign in here before Cooter comes looking for me." she said, still bluffing that Cooter was home. Ernie wisely said, "Ok, then. Night." "Night." Replied Dixie as she shut the car door and headed toward the front door. She was a bit relieved to be in the house away from Ernie. She decided to take a quick shower before Cooter and Lori got home. She knew she was a bit tipsy and didn't want a lecture. ~~~~~~~~~ Lori said, "Ok, Luke. Let's talk." Luke began, "First let me say my piece before you say anything, OK?" Lori nodded, "Sure." She was almost afraid of what Luke was going to say. That she was just a friend is what she expected. Luke began, "You know you, Cooter and Dixie have always been family to me. To all us Dukes. Lori, Honey, I've seen you go from hating boys almost as much as you hated snakes, to trying to out do Bo, Cooter, me and the others at fishing, shooting guns and bows, to driving and even running shine. Sure I've seen you tease some of the guys, but you always shut them down. It just has never occurred to me that this competiveness was maybe to get my attention. Is that why you never seemed interested in the other guys and was always trying to compete with us? To get my attention?" Luke had hit so close to home that it wasn't funny to Lori. A lump the size of Taxas had formed in her throat and her eyes were filled with tears, though she didn't want to cry. Not in front of Luke. Not now. She..............

Luke looked around. He was trying to come up with a plan. "Well, the judge won't be here until in the morning and Enos has the keys to the door. Humm, do you think you could fake being sick or something to get him to open the door. He'll be on his toes cause I here so you'll have to play it up good." Lori smiled a little, "Yeah. I'm game." "Ready?" Luke asked. Lori nodded 'yes'. Luke called loud enough to make Enos jump up and put his police magazine down, "Hey, Enos. Something's wrong with Lori!" Lori was settingon the bed doubled up and holding her stomach. Enos asked, "What's wrong Lori?" Lori looked up shyly and whispered, "Enos I can't tell you with Luke so close. Can you come closer?" Enos looked at Luke who took a step away from the deputy. "Do ya need me to go get Doc?" asked Luke. Enos said, "I don't know yet." He took out his keys intending to step to the doorway of the cell where Lori could tell him what was wrong. He unlocked the door and said, "Now can you tell me?" Lori knew she could have gotten by Enos but since his guard was up she opted to attempt to embarrass him so he'd be off guard. She stepped very close to Enos and whispered in his ear, "I started my monthly." "Uh, ...." Enos said as he stepped way back which allowed Lori to step out of the cell. It also allowed Luke guide Eos into the cell which still had the keys hanging in the lock. Luke quickly locked the cell door and layed the keys on the desk ont he far side of the room. He figured that Enos would get them but it would take him some time. "Thanks Enos! I feel much better now!", said Lori as she started up the stairs. Luke called, "I think I can handle it from here Buddy." He took the stairs two at a time and got in front of Lori reaching back for her hand. "Glad I parked the General handy. I think I do it out of habit!" Lori replied, "I'm not complaining, Darlin'." They jumped in the General Lee and were off........ ~~~~~~~~~ Ernie said, "Well, I'm glad you came to your senses. I've had a lot of girls say that after being with those low life Dukes." On any other night Dixie would have told Ernie off just for approaching her, let alone talk about not just Luke but all the Dukes. But, tonight she figured on having a few more beers, a couple dances and then have Ernie take her home. She knew the history between Luke and Ernie. It went back to Jr. High School football and it had only gotten worse through the years. Dixie had no idea that it was Ernie that had been there when Amy had wanted a commitment and Luke couldn't commit to her at the time. She had left the Boar's Nest with Ernie. Though nothing happened between them, Amy had left Luke wondering about it. Beth motioned Daisy over, "This is not good. I was hoping to talk her into coming home with me." "Sugar, you know she could be seen with anyone in this place and it wouldn't bother Luke like it would if he walked in here and saw that." Daisy nodded to Dixie and Ernie dancing. Beth agreed, "Yeah! Hopefully he went for that drive and is back home by now or will sleep out at one of the old still sites. Can you get me a Coke? I think I'll stick around for awhile and try to keep an eye on her. Maybe she'll change he mind later and go home with us." It wasn't often that Beth got out of the house for an evening, which was usually her choice, but she felt like just hanging out tonight. It had been ages since she had done this with out Bo being somewhere close by. She loved him but felt like having a little time to herself even though she was here for her friend, if needed, and wth Daisy close by she knew Bo would be too worried about her. Beth sipped her Coke, took another look at Dixie with Ernie, and then turned her attention to the band. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile Luke was driving out of town and had to ask, "What did you tell Enos? His face turned so purple I thought he'd stop breathing." Lori laughed, "A lie.' Luke replied, "Ok. What kind of lie? I might used it sometime." "Darlin' it would never work for YOU!" Lori was almost in tears as she laughed at the thought, "I told him I'd started my monthly." Luke laughed, "Well, your right, it would never work for me but that was a good one!" Luke knew it didn't take much at all to embarrass Enos.

Dixie replied, "Ah, .... Beth, I don't know about your place. I mean with Luke there and all. I know we've seen each other like this a time or two, but, ......" She knew she had been well on her way to 'forgetting' at least for a few hours. Dixie was not at all looking forward to going home with Beth and Luke being there. Beth replied without thinking about the comment, "But, Luke's not home." Dixie's eyes got a bit wider, "Not home? He's the one who wanted to go home. Where is he?" "Ah, ....." She tried to think quickly, but Beth wished she'd been a bit more tactful about Luke leaving out again. "Bo said that he was going for a drive. Honey, you know those two think better whent hey are driving." Dixie knew that Beth did have a point, but she hoped that Luke wouldn't go to be with Lori to spite her for not telling him that Lori had feelings for him. She thought that Luke had gotten out of such things years ago. Maybe Beth was right, Luke was always did like to think things out. But, she'd still have to face him tomorrow if she went home with Beth. From somewhere in the crowd a big guy with broad shoulders walked over to the bar, he stopped behind Beth and Dixie. He looked to Dixie and said, "Dixie Davenport? You, remember me, right? I'm Ernie Ledbetter. I see you and your friend are here alone tonight and I've got a buddy back there.... ~~~~~ Luke began knowing that Enos would give him sometime to talk to her as long as Rosco or Boss Hogg didn't come in. Then, he'd likely be ran out until tomorrow. He said in a voice that sounded a bit tired, "Lori WHAT is going on?"

Rosco had looked to her and said, "Kew, Kew, Kew, I'll do it! Yes, I will. Breaker, Breaker anyone out there seen Cooter? I need a wrecker." Daisy smiled. She hated to ruin Cooter's night but Rosco was likely in the pond again. She walked over to Cooter and Dixie's table, "Cooter, honey, I ta tell ya, but ol Rosco needs a wrecker. Just heard it on the CB." Cooter rubbed the back of his tired neck, finished his beer, and groaned on his way out, "Why me, Lord?" Dixie was now alone at the table thanks to Cooter's comment. Course her outburst didn't help none either but she didn't want to admit to herself. "Daisy can you bring me another beer to the bar. No use holding a table for just me." Daisy replied, "Sure thing, Honey." Dixie moved over to the bar as the band began to play. She was really in the mood to drink a bit tonight due mainly to her mood. Her good since told her from past experience not to drink when she was mad, but she wasn't sure if she'd listen to it. ~~~~~~~~ Once on his way, Cooter radioed, "Might be crazy but I am dumb, this is Crazy C looking for one Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane." Rosco beamed, "This is Sheriff Rosco P. Coltrane at your service." Cooter rolled his eyes, "Rosco, where do ya need the wrecker?" "Out by Dry Creek, ya know that big old rock out here?" Rosco asked. "I know it, be there in a jiffy. I'm down and gone." Cooter replied. Wondering how Rosco or any other driver could possiblly wreck there. Maybe he was just broke down. Rosco hadn't bothered to tell Cooter it was Lori's car he was picking up to be impounded. He'd just wait around to see the expression on Cooter's face. ~~~~~~~~~ Bo was relieved that Luke had wanted to come back to the farm. Too many time he'd seen him in similar situations. Luke had many times drank too much and ended up in a fight at best or jail at worse for fighting. Maybe he had learned from all those mistakes and figured the night had started off kinda bad so just go home. They all climbed out of the General Lee and headed for the porch, when Luke nudged Bo's arm for him to hold back and let Beth go inside. "Hey, Bo thanks for getting me outta there tonight. Sorry I messed up yours and Beth's night out." Bo was just glad to be home and not in jail. He knew if all heck would have broke loose he'd been right in the middle of it. "No problem Luke. ....." Before Bo could finish, Luke said, "I need ta think. I'm just gonna take the General out for a drive and try to clear my head." "Ah, ....... Ok? I mean, ..... sure." Bo thought, 'Now how can I tell him he can't take the General out when it's half his. He's older than me and would never listen to me if I told him he shouldn't go out.' Bo stood helpless a he watch Luke head out back down the drive way. He shook his head and decided it was time to face Jesse and Beth. As he walked in he saw the questions on both their faces. He looked at the floor a second before looking at Jesse, "He's going for a drive to clear his head." He closed his eyes and put his hand out to stop Jesse's comment, "I know he shouldn't have, but Uncle Jesse I couldn't tell him that." Jesse nodded. He knew the boys. They had worked out their own pecking order years ago. He simply said, "I know." Jesse would be up until Luke came home or the phone rang. Either way it would be a long night.

Meanwhile back in Hazzard, Jesse stood up from the supper table and said, "Jeb, Bo we've got some work to do later. I'm hoping Luke gets back here directly." He said taking his coffee to the porch. Everone knew wen he said this that he had a order of shine ready to be delivered tonight somewhere. They heard the wrecker approaching the farm......

Lori still sat on the rocks crying she suddenly heard a sound in the bushes that sound was coming closer...... ~~~~~~~~~~~ Bo walked over to Beth and Dixie, "Why don't we grab a table?" The ladies agreed and the small group headed to a table to the side of the small stage where the band was still setting up. They were soon joined by Cooter who was cooling down with his second beer hoping not to get a wrecker call anytime soon. The job on the patrol car he'd been repairing all day had been more a pain than anything hard but with the temperatures and humidity Cooter was just ready to relax. After the earlier scene when he saw Lori speed off, he doubted that happening tonight though. Luke was at the bar also on his second beer, not that anyone was counting but Bo was keeping a watchful eye on his older cousin. Not that it would do any good but he was watching. It was too bad that Uncle Jesse had Bo, Jr. tonight. Bo would have sure welcomed him about now. As Luke finished his second beer, a red haired girl of about 22 with a figure that would stop any truck walked up behind him. She made her figure known as she rubbed herself against him as she whispered in his ear. From Dixie's point of view, she was standing far too close to him and she could only imagine the 'offer' the 'lady' was making him. NARRATOR: Now, Luke had chased about every girl in the closest five counties since he was able to walk. And, every girl in those Counties knew he seldom gave his heart away. On any given night Luke may have accepted this offer and not thought twice about it. Two nights ago when Dixie returned to Hazzard; he wouldn't have even given the offer time to enter his mind before turning it down flat. But, tonight, he was thinking of the hurt that accepting such an offer would cause. He had already caused more hurt to more people than he intended to today. Luke knew what had happened with him and Dixie when they were younger had been all his fault and that he was the one who made the assumption that she was 18. Dixie hadn't lied to him nor had she done anything to lead him to think she was 18. He had managed to do that all on his own. She had transformed from a little 'Tomboy" to a (what he thought was a) grown woman almost over night. She had really turned Luke's head. He had fallen for her hard. Those misjudgements had caused a lot of hurt. Just like his misjudgement at voicing the blame for them on Dixie earlier. But, he was so surprised to find out that Lori had feelings for him. Well, feelings that went farther than friends or well family. She had tried to keep up with Cooter, Bo and him since she was a kid. Could that have been her way of trying to get him to pay her attention? Luke still had not answered the young woman's offer of a good time. He turned to her and said, "Well, Darlin' I'll make you a deal. Instead of heading out of here, why don't we just grab a beer here, for now, and see what the bands like tonight. I've kinda got a lot on my mind tonight and I'd just like keep it loose and have some fun. No promises, ya know?" Valerie had grown up around Hazzard. She'd both seen and been on the receiving end of a brush off from Luke Duke. This wasn't a brush off, but it wasn't what she'd hoped for either. But, she'd take what she could get. Even if it was just an evening of drinking and dancing, being seen with any of the Duke boys at the Boar's Nest always made the other women envious. She replied with a heavy accent Southern , "Sure thang, Honey!" From the table, Dixie sent Luke's back looks that would scare away the average bear! Beth leaned over from Bo and Cooter's conversation and whispered in Dixie's ear, "Dix, if you're not wanting it to show how pissed you are, you might want to bring those orange eyes of yours back to brown." Everyone had told her for years that when she was extremely mad her eyes turned from brown to an orange the color of fire. Dixie replied, "You're likely right, but right now I don't know if I care that he knows I'm pissed or it it would even matter to him!" Beth did her best to calm her friend while the men talked men stuff, "You know it matters to you how he feels and deep down I think it matters to him how you feel. Look at it like this; How many times have you seen girls like that come on to him and he be gone with them? Sugar, he's still here. That might should say something." Dixie took a large drink of her beer, a long deep breath, looked at the ceiling for a long minute, and exhaled before replying, "I know. You are right. Really I do. And, .... I know every girl in the State would be glad to spend an evening with him or the others, but if having to deal with and 'compete' with Lori wasn't bad enough, now here she slincks in!" Beth calmly said, "And if it weren't her, it would have been any number of girls who'll be here tonight." "I know. God, how I know." Dixie stated. She had seen a couple of years when Luke was trying to get over his first love when he was only out for one thing with girls. Yeah, she had been a kid in his eyes, well in everyone's eyes, but it still had hurt to watch him with other girls. In their time together, Luke had changed. Even before they admitted they had fallen for each other Luke had not seen anyone for quiet sometime before they started dating. She knew now that he was waiting for her birthday before making his move on her. The birthday he thought had been her 18th birthday. Due to the closeness of their families, Luke felt with his reputation that Dixie's Father would not have been happy about him wanting to date Dixie. He felt that if he at least waited until she was 18 that it may be better accepted. Well, he had been right in his thinking about that at least, but dead wrong in the thought that Dixie had been 18. With him almost twenty-one and her barely 16 he found out the hard way would not have been acccepted at all by her father, not Cooter for that matter. Those thoughts and those of the following events that lead to Dixie leave Hazzard had left a bad taste in her mouth. She finished her hald full beer hoping to wash it and the thougths away. Cooter took a chance at making things better or worse. He knew the comment would have an extreme effect one way or the other, and God how he hoped it helped, "Hey, Sis, easy there." Bo ducked. He knew Dixie was so much like Luke it wasn't funny. He muchly wanted to tell Luke the same thing, but years of experience told him it usually made him only drink more. Luke was now on his third beer. If either or both of these two drank too much over 'their' limits, which was still pretty far away due to the Boar's Nest watering it down, things could get really bad in here really quickly. Dixie turned her flaming eyes on Cooter. Beth hoped Dixie would just stop and think a minute before she replied or reacted. Dixie ......................... ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Meanwhile the noise in the bushes continued to get closer to Lori ...................

Lori stopped and whirled around, tears in her eyes, "Luke Duke! All these years and you still have to ask what's wrong! Look, just leave me alone! Go see your precious Dixie!" she spat as she pulled out sending a cloud dust and gravel into the air. Dixie was standing just outside the Boar's Nest door and fully witnessed the entire conversation. NARRATOR: "Now ya'll know Hazzard timing right? Well, looky here!" From the town side Cooter Davenport pulled in to the Boar's Nest longing for a cold beer, even if it was the water down type that Boss Hogg sold. From the opposite side of travel Bo and Beth pulled in to the Boar's Nest in the General Lee after just nearly being run off the road by the Midnight Rider. Spotting Luke, Bo asked, "What the heck was her hurry? She dang near ran us down and the General don't take too kindly to that kinda treatment!" Luke .........

Lori drove to the Boar's Nest when she arrived there she was greeted by Luke who had started talking to her about what had been going on with her since she left Hazzard the last time, "So, what have you been doing to keep yourself occupied and out of trouble since you left?" Luke spotted a waitress and automatically purchased two beers, handing one to Lori. Lori replied, "Thanks for the beer. As for staying out of trouble, well, honey that's about as hard for me to do as it is for you and Bo." Luke replied, "Well, Bo's been pretty lucky to have Beth and Bo, Jr. around so he doesn't get caught up in too much these days but you know how trouble follows us Dukes." He took a sip of beer as Dixie walked in. It took her a minute for her eyes to adjust to the dim lighting, but she saw Luke standing at the bar talking with Lori. It was obvious that Dixie had also went home, showered, changed, and was ready for a night of jukin'. When she saw Lori standing beside Luke she was a bit annoyed wondering what Lori was up to now. But, she brushed it off, intent to have a good time and just enjoy being back home. Things with Luke would work out or they wouldn't. Trying to do or be someone she wasn't would only hurt someone.