Kristy_DUke

~LUKE DUKE~ The innocent laughter and the excited yells of the children echoes loudly in my ears as I stand a lone in the kitchen, watching Daisy kick her old jeep into drive. I smile slightly at seeing her jeep piled with Bryceton's friends in the back while Bryceton sits excitedly in the passenger seat, head turned in order to talk to his newly aquainted friends. Exhaustion quickly settles in as my mind wonders worriedly about the conversation I had with Bo only a half hour or so ago. The sad and lost expression that had taken a hold on his face while we had talked etches itself clearly in my mind to make my heart tighten in sadness for his situation. "Bryce seemed to like the glove and ball you two got him," I jump in surprse at the sound of my uncle's voice that comes from behind me, his voice is thickly coated with worry. "Yeah he did," I shrug as I watch his reflection through the glass, "it was Bo's idea when we were last in Rhuebottom's store." "I figured as much. . .he's the one that likes baseball so much," Jesse answers tiredly, "Daisy takin' the boys home?" "She just left," I answer to feel his caring hand land upon my shoulder and I slowly turn around to face him. His crystal blue eyes shine in worry for Bo, pleaing me to tell him what all had happened when Bo had ran off to his room. "What was I suppose to do?" Jesse finally asks to break the silence that had fell between us, looking at me for answers, "I mean. . .I guess I could not have adopted Bryce, but that would mean that he would most likely live the rest of his life in foster homes. He'd never be happy. . .I don't know if I could ever be happy if I allowed that to happen. He needed me." "So does Bo," I snap back at him as I glare over his shoulder at the black glove Bo had picked out with such care for Bryce, "look Jesse, I wish I knew what to tell you. . .they both need you, but in different ways. Bryceton needs a good home and you are giving it to him and as long as you think that is what is best for everyone, then that is what is best." I pause for a long moment to search for answers on what to say next, "Bo went through a lot. . .as did you and Bryce, but to Bo, Bo thinks that you have forgotten about him. . .or replaced him with Bryce." "I would never do such a thing," Jesse begins to protest before I hold my hand up to stop him. "I know you wouldn't and so does he, he is just having a hard time adjusting to the changes that have occurred," I reply as I tiredly walk past him to take a chair, "Just give him time. . .he will come around to having a little cousin around." It goes silent for a long moment as Jesse takes my spot at the window to stare through the darkness that has has swallowed up the little light that had remained only a moment ago. "I know," he finally sighs as his voice quivers, giving me a hint that his thoughts are lost in the past, "I have just grown impatient I guess. . .with worry. I can't stop thinking of the year or so I spent in there watching them beat Bryceton so much, thinking of all the ways I could have stopped them, how I should have stopped them," he pauses to regroup his strength, "but what haunts me mostly is the days that I spent watching them beat Bo up, torturing him the way he did. I didn't do anything to stop him and -" "Stop blaming yourself Jesse! I mean you know as much as I do that there was little that you could have done, for Bryceton and for Bo," I interrupt him to jump to my feet and I slowly walk over to him to rest my caring hand upon his shoulder, "and what you could have done for them, you have did for them. You are the reason why Bo is alive today, if you hadn't attacked Drake when you had. . .Bo wouldn't stand a chance. For Bryceton, you are helping him by being there for him, for adopting him. You know all that." He slowly nods at me as he continues to stare out through the dark night as he wipes a hand across his eyes. "I just wish there was something I could do for Bo. . .I am so worried about him; emotionally and physically. He will never be the same, " he cuts himself off as his body stiffens in anger, "I don't know what to do any more. I mean I can be there for Bryceton. . .I may not know how to help him, but he at least allows me to comfort him, to talk to me about it. Bo. . .Bo he just pushes me away, refusing to even look at me." I take in my uncle for a long moment as I fight for answers on what to say as the past month or so since we have all been together once again runs through my head. "He doesn't mean to," I speak up before thinking to receive a questioning look from Jesse, "he loves you Jesse, just as he had before all this happens, if not more so. Inside he is torn up with emotions that he doesn't know how to cope with. . .or how he should feel. He is angry at everyone. . .at me for leaving for war to Drake for all that he has done not only to him, but to you and Bryceton, at you for taking in Bryceton and towards himself for feeling that way. He feels abandoned by it all. . .by everyone, that he is alone with all of this." Silence quickly grabs a tight hold over us as he glares out the window, tears slowly break their way from his crystal blue eyes. "Damn it," he finally says. "It's not your fault Jesse. . .the only person to blame out of this is Drake and you know that as much as I do. Bo will come around to seeing that you are there for him, it is just hard for him to see that with Bryceton being around," I pause as Daisy's jeep comes into view down the dirt road, "You are doing all that you can do Jesse." "Well it ain't enough," he mutters as Daisy pulls into the drive way to park besides the General, "I just feel so helpless watching him suffer like this and not even being able to hug him, to tell him that I am here for him. I never meant for him to feel abandoned or replaced. I love you all the same." "I know that and down deep, so does he," I answer as the door is thrown open and Bryceton runs in. "Daddy!" he yells running to Jesse to give him a large hug and Jesse puts forth a large smile for him, "What's wrong? You've been crying." I watch as Bryceton trails Jesse's damp cheek with his right fore finger, worry etches his green eyes. "Oh I'm fine," Jesse lies. "Nuh huh," Bryce argues, "you're worried about Bo again." Jesse steps back in surprise at hearing his six year old son state the truth after trying to hide it from him. "Well OK maybe I am," Jesse puts forth a grin, "he has gone through a lot and there is nothing that daddy can do to help him." "I know," Bryceton says looking up at Jesse, "maybe if I talked to him, maybe that would help? Maybe I could help him? I want to help him too." "I know you do," Jesse says giving him a hug, "but for now it is time for you to get to bed. . .I do believe that Bo beat you to bed tonight. You go get your pajamas on." "OK," he smiles running down the hall to Jesse's door where he shares a room with Jesse. "Smarter than what he seems," Daisy shrugs giving Jesse a comforting hug, "he'll be fine Jesse. . .he just needs time to figure it all out and he doesn't know how." "Yeah so I've been told," he sighs glaring down at the old floor, "I feel so helpless when I can't do -" He is abruptly interrupted as a loud shriek of fear mixed with pain escapes from across the house. "Bo!" I yell as I get a lead start out of the kitchen into the living room that leads to the small hall way that leads to the room I share with Bo. Fear escalates through my body as I rush through the dark living room with Jesse and Daisy quick behind me. My thoughts run wild within as I blindly make my way through the dark room while behind me I hear Jesse and Daisy stop to talk to Bryceton. My heart races wildly within me as I reach for our closed door through the dark as my mind reaches the thought that he had awakened from another nightmare. I am gripped by saddness at the thought of all the nightmares he has been suffering through since returning home, which often times triggers an asthma attack. I take a deep breathe before opening the door to find our room covered heavily in darkness and as I step a couple of steps into our room I spot a dark shadow sitting upon Bo's double sized bed, hugging a tight hold of his knees. "Bo," I start to say as I fight to find our light switch. Turning on our over head light I gasp in surprise as I find our room to be trashed, with our clothes and belongings thrown out of our drawers and closets upon the floor, a few things lie broken or cut up. Abruptly I glare up from my uncovered bed to look at Bo who hugs a tight hold upon his knees, his thin body shaking uncontrollably. "Bo," I say once again as I step over some of his clothing and a few shattered trophies as my fear climbs within me. Reaching his bed I set a caring hand on his bruised right shoulder and he slowly looks up at me to show me the beating he had taken. Blood rushes thickly down his nose and down the side of his mouth, a thick cut rests above his right eye brow that gushes out thick blood while his right eye is freshly bruised with a thick bruised cut upon his left half of his chin. Fear continues to escalate within me as I fight for answers on who had done this as I scan the room to find ourselves to be the only ones here. "Bo?" I question glaring back at him to recieve a blank expression from him. "Bo. . .what happened? Talk to me Bo." "What in tarnation happened here?" Jesse says and I turn around to look at him to give him view of Bo, "Bo?!" "Go get him some ice and some towels to ease the bleeding," I demand and Daisy exits the room as fast as she had entered the room. Turning back to Bo I hold place a hand upon his right arm above his cast and instead of getting an abrupt reflex as I normally would, he remains still, glaring blankly through me. "What happened Bo? Who did this? Where he go?" With this he glares through the open window that rests above our night stand that seperates our two beds. "Out the window?" Jesse speaks up for him and Bo glances at him as the blankness slowly evaporates into fear and pain. Slowly Jesse glares through the darkness as tires squeal somewhere near. "Where there whoever it was goes. Did you see him?" "No," Bo says abruptly looking from Jesse to me as Daisy brings a bag of ice and some watered down towels and hands me the ice. Bo flinches tightly as I press it against his eye and I glance down to find him clinching tightly onto his inhaler as his chest heaves heavily in and out in an upcoming attack. "Stop it," Bo grunts through his struggle for air as he fights to take the ice bag away with little success. "It will stop the swelling," I state as I hold down his arms with my other hand, "what happened here?" His baby blue eyes tears up as he glares at me before glaring helplessly at Jesse before shrugging. "I don't know," he shrugs as he gives up the fight with the ice bag, "I woke up and a shadow was here tearing the place up. I said something and he forced me to shut up and left through the window. . .with something. I didn't see what." I look questionablly at him as my gut tells me there is more that he knows than what he is giving away. "Well you got beat up pretty bad," I finally say noticing his sad glare at Jesse, "Did he say something?" "I don't want to talk about it," he finally says stubbornly. "Well I do...someone broke in here with a purpose and hurt you," I press, "What happened?" "Leave me alone, Luke!" Bo yells at me pushing away from me and Jesse motions for me to stop before he moves in to hold the ice pack to Bo's eye as well as some towels. Stepping back I take in the damage as Daisy stands next to me watching Jesse. "There is something more he ain't telling us," I sigh, "he's scared of something more than the attack." "How do you know?" Daisy asks quietly as she throws some sheets on my bed that they had tore off. "I don't know. . .I can just tell it," I sigh sitting down upon my bed, listening to Jesse try to comfort him.

Thank-you Hil - I never meant to upset anyone by saying how I feel. It was something that I had to get out, to explain how I felt. I am sorry if that had upsetted anyone or disappointed anyone.

I never said anything about Hazzard being ruined. . .there is still plenty good about it and the people in it. I dont' want anyone to leave or feel like it's their fault. . .I share my own faults that I have been dragging with the past week or so. I just had to let my feelings be known. . .myself be known. Hell, if you want to talk to me when I am on, then talk. I don't have a problem with anyone on-line. . .especially not you Brian and Daney. I may have keyed in on the fighting, but if that wahat satisifies you, then fight as long as no one gets hurt. It is actually interesting to watch if I was to be involved in one way or another. I enjoy talking to anyone that wants to talk to me while I am on-line so for that matter everyone has my permission to talk to me IF they want to. I can go on and on how I wasn't talking to either one of you when I posted wh at I had, but I know that wouldn't do any good. I have made the mistake of starting this post, because I really don't want anyone to feel bad or to change because of me. I am not worth it. Y'all have your own unique personalities both character and author wise and none of that should change. I never expected anything or anyone to change with my post, I just had to voice how I have been feeling lately. It may not the exact Hazzard that I envision, but it is the Hazzard that is out there in Cyber Hazzard. It has changed throughout the years. . .change is unavoidable, but sometimes hard for me to accept. With all that said - I would like to say that I am grateful to have gotten to know y'all for who you are. I am glad to have the time I had with people on hnet or cyber Hazzard - it is a great place to be.

I would like to say that when I had started this subject with my post, I didn't have one particular person in mind or a group for that matter. Nor do I blame anyone. I am not pointing any fingers at anyone or couldn't if I wanted to. I have been in "Cyber Hazzard" long enough to know who all that is out there and their personalities. I would be the first one to admit that I do play some part in the whole thing myself, I am sure there are things I could have done better. There are always things that I could do better. . .but all I can do is to work to become better. Another thing, I don't want anyone to change just because of me or what they do when they are on-line. I respect you all for who you are. As I said in my first post you all are very talented people that are special to me, I am glad that I have gotten to know each and everyone of you. If fighting one another is one thing that helps you vent and feel better, something that you like, then go for it. I am not going to stop you or complain further about it. My original post to the subject was one of my few choices at gaining what I really want; to remain in Hazzard and to belong in Hazzard. I have felt this way for a long while now. . .as if I no longer belong in Hazzard; or at least Cyber Hazzard. I don't want to leave Cyber-Hazzard, but if I no longer belong then maybe I don't have a choice. I have ingored the feeling for too long now, which was why I had to post what I did; to voice how I feel. I often take things too seriously and perhaps the Dukes is one thing I take too serious - if so I have my reasons. Through my fics and of watching the Dukes as much as I have, I have visions of what Hazzard must be like and all that has been going on on-line is the complete opposite of it - things the Dukes wouldn't do. I didn't mean to offend any one or to make anyone angry if my post had done so. . .if so I am sorry.

To me, Hazzard County is not just small county that Warner brothers had created while they had planned up the Dukes of Hazzard, but a place that holds a lot of meanings wrapped into one word. To me Hazzard is a place full of love and understanding, a place where there is no discrimination of one another; where everyone is treated rightly no matter what. There is no better or no worse between people. Hazzard County was a peaceful little town filled with the corrupt law that patrolled over the small community of farmers, moon shine runners, a few small businesses; and most of all, of neighbors that cared about one another, looked out for one another. A small town with the small band of good ol’ boys, made mostly out of Dukes that went out of their way to make things right with the town against the corrupt law. Hazzard County was a place where you could depend on family and friends to back you up, to be there for you no matter what. A place where what mattered most (amongst most people) wasn’t how much money they had or the type of clothes they wore or how popular they were; a place where what mattered most to them was family and friends. I was first introduced to the show when I was a small child of three or four. I remember watching it at friends houses and at my own house, watching the flashy orange car being chased by the law; and always seeming to find a way to win. Well, I also remember the time when I first found out that it was no longer on TV to watch and having to find something else to watch. TV shows come and go, but to me there was always something special about the Dukes and the small town they lived in and how everyone seemed to care about one another. I was thrilled when TNN brought the Dukes back on TV and once again I found the same feeling I had watching it before and as time went on and the more I got into the Dukes, I was even more thrilled when I found that I wasn’t the only one out there that liked the Dukes as much as I do - Cyber Hazzard. Especially when I found that I hadn’t been the only one writing Dukes of Hazzard fan-fic! Cyber Hazzard seemed about the same atmosphere of Hazzard County on the show when I first came online. Caring and understanding, a great place to meet and talk with friends about the same interest and about writing. I have learned a lot while I was here and I have met some great people through out the several years I have been here. Some that are no longer here in Cyber Hazzard, that I miss talking to, miss reading their stories. It wasn’t just that to me, it was a place where I finally found a place that I felt like I belonged, a place that I had friends that actually took me for who I was. Tracy Lawrence couldn’t be more right when he had said “The only thing that stays the same is everything changes†("TIME MARCHES ON") Cyber-Hazzard, just like everything, else has changed since I had first made my arrival. Good and not so good changes. I have met more friends who I enjoy talking to and reading their stories. Though through all the change, “Cyber Hazzard†is no longer the place I remember going to a year or so ago where I had felt like I belonged, where I had felt wanted and welcomed. It was a place somewhat like the Hazzard that was displayed through the Dukes of Hazzard with the same feel to it. I am speaking only for myself with this post when I say that “Cyber Hazzard†is no longer the place I had remembered it being. I no longer feel like I belong, I feel more like an outsider that isn’t welcomed, looking in with a want to belong. Though the Hazzard I see no longer has the same feeling it once had nor the peaceful atmosphere that it had when I first came aboard. I am not saying that anyone is at fault here because it isn’t just one person. I still have a few friends here that I enjoy talking to when I get to talk to them, a few that still seem to be here for me. But for the longest time I have felt like this. . .like I don’t belong, like some outsider that isn’t welcomed. . . that is ignored. Perhaps I am not meant to be ignored or made to not feel like I belong, but none the less that is how I feel. Not only that. . .Cyber Hazzard doesn’t seem to represent Hazzard no longer, but a dimension of itself. Maybe it isn’t meant to represent Hazzard. . .but with all the fighting that has gone on lately, I can’t help but to think that the Dukes would have even resented the reasons of why some fights broke out. Family and Friends had stuck high on their priority list. . .no matter how popular one was or how rich they are or the type of clothes that they wore, they were wanted and welcomed because they were friends or family to those of Hazzard County. I am sorry before hand if this has offended anyone, but I have been feeling like this for several months now and have kept it bottled in. After last night, I no longer can look the other direction and pretend that I belong, that I am welcomed into “Cyber Hazzard†as I have been. I either do or I don’t belong here. This is the one place I had felt like I had belonged and this is the one place I WANT to belong to. I have enjoyed talking to everyone out there, getting to know you all. You all are very special in your own way. . .very talented people reside here in “Cyber Hazzard†and I want to thank you all for the time you have spent talking to me, listening to me. As I said, you all are very special to me and I am glad that I have gotten to know all of you for who you and I hope that one day, that I will feel like I belong . . .like Kristy belongs in Hazzard County.

Welcome to the board Country Cousin. . .I hope you enjoy it here. Great place to talk about them Dukes or any other character on the Dukes. by the way I'm Kristy Duke, Bo's older half sister. . .my other character is Garrett Duke - Bo's twin brother. Well enjoy your stay!

~UNCLE JESSE~ Time seems to stand still for an enternity as the children eat their cake and ice cream while talking exciteably to one another. Their loud talking and laughing seems to echo in my head as I stare into nothingness on the chipped white painted wall. My mind chases thought after thought of the past couple of years that has changed my life dramatically as well as those around me. Anger builds up within me towards Drake for the pain he as created for Bryceton and for Bo who both remain deeply scarred by all that Drake had forced them to go through. Quickly flash backs erase the children's laughter as the year or so I had spent entrapped in that room with Bryceton plays clearly in my mind. The last two weeks seem to drag on within me, scenes of awakening to find Bo sitting next to my bed bruised and bleeding to the several beatings I was forced to watch him take. If only I had . . . I jump at the touch of a soft caring hand rubbing the back of my right shoulder and I look over to notice Daisy standing next to me. "He'll grow to accept him, Jesse, just give him time," Daisy says talking about Bo to Bryce, "he needs time and space." "Yeah maybe," I sigh as I fight to block out my flash backs in order to keep Bryceton's day happy, "I just wish there was something I could do to help. . .I can't stand to watch him . . .both of them suffering like they are." "I know," she sighs watching Bryceton and his friends for a moment, "me either." Silence is quick to enter between Daisy and me as our thoughts are lost on Bryceton and on Bo. "Presents!" Bryceton yells out in excitement as he shoves in the last big bite of his cake and begins to stand up. "Bryceton you will swallow what is in your mouth before you get up from the table," I instruct softly and he softly nods in understanding, "and I want you to wait for Bo and Luke to come back out. . .just give them a minute." "Oh man!" he mutters for a couple of crums to escape from his mouth and onto the table and the table is quick to explode once again with children's excitement talk and laughter. A few moments slowly drag by as I listen to the children at the table, my mind numb in worry for Bo, wondering if I should go check up on them. I sigh in relief as Luke slowly leads the way into the kitchen and is slowly followed by Bo. I watch them for a moment as they both stop in the door way to watch the birthday celebration. "Bo!" Bryceton yells after a couple of akward minutes of silence between the adults. Bryce quickly gets up from his wooden chair to send his chair slowly falling onto the floor as he runs to Bo, embracing him in a long tight hug. I smile as I watch Bryce cling onto Bo who slowly makes a movement of hugging him back with the lack of enthusiasm that fills Bryceton. "I missed you!" Bo looks questionably at the six year old boy before responding, "I was only in my room." "I know," Bryce says looking excitedly up at Bo, yearning his approval, "but I wanted you here. . .for my birthday." "So here I am," through Bo's voice I detect thick tiredness as he forces a smile for the boy before patting his soft light brown hair, "now you can go open your presents." "Can I?" Bryce turns to me and I nod in approval and he runs to the table where everyone's presents are stacked at. I watch as he searches through the presents until he finds the one with Bo and Luke's name on it and he looks up at the boys in excitement. He slowly takes the birthday wrapped gift to the table before he quickly opens it, discarding the paper onto the floor. "A baseball glove and a baseball!" he yells holding it up for everyone to see before running over to Bo to give him another hug, "Thank-you...perhaps we all can play ball later?" "We'll have to see on the time," I cut in and he glares at me with sullen green eyes. "Yes sir," he slowly returns to the table where he begins to open the rest of the gifts with as much as excitement as Bo's.

*Raises Hand* TNN took a lot off of the episodes. . .which didn't stop me from watching the episodes over and over again. But it would have been nice if they didn't take as much off as they did and the parts they did. To me they took off a lot of important stuff that is linked throughout the episode. Like in "One Armed Bandit" they cut of when Jill was introduced at the farm and took it to the scene with the boys in it...Waylon sayin' something about all this romance does lead to something; well if you didn't get to see that part that TNN took off, what Waylon said, wouldn't make no sense. But anyways...I just found myself lucky that TNN did air the show and as long as they did. Hopefully it will make it's way back to be on the air.

Babe Ruth hit his first major league home run on May 6- my birthday. It was something like that...I read a page of all that happened on my birthday, but I forgot all of th em, but Babe. Huge baseball fan, so that explains that. And as for who I share birthdays with, I already said, George Clooney. Couldn't think of anyone better to share it with Well ok a few DOH characters, but George will do for now....Denver's birthday is five days after mine.

Silence captivates the grease stained garage as Cooter closes the doors for privacy before Luke slowly sets up the tape deck. "You ready?" Luke asks to Cooter who nods silently before joining us. "Well here we go." With that he presses the black play button to force the tape to begin to play, the tape picking up small noises as Kristy slowly makes her seat at the cafe. Everyone remains quiet while they all listen intently to the tape, everyone's faces seem to lighten up as Rosco slowly begins to confess to the truth behind it all. "Great work, Kris!" Luke grins as the tape slowly comes to an end and he slowly grabs it out of the tape player and shoves it into his pocket. "What now?" Bo asks as he glares around the room, from person to person. "Well. . .now," Luke glares around the room as well, giving him time to think it all through, "Now we head over and do some talkin' to one Boss Hogg, give him some black mail that'll have him yellin' for days!" "How's that?" Kristy pipes in, "You show him that tape...Rosco'd be in a whole heap of trouble. I wouldn't put it past Hogg to fire him over confessing to us about it all." "Hmmm you're right about that," Luke says as he begins to pace the floor, while his right hand runs it's way through his thick dark brown hair, "but there's no other way than to have Hogg make things fair between Chance and himself. Perhaps black mail him and make a deal on the tape. . .say if Hogg pays for Chance's bike to be fixed and given time for practice, they could have a race for the office. One of Hogg's appointed driver against Chance. . .if Chance wins she gets the office plus newly updated devices that she needs in order to keep the office. If she looses. . .well that won't happen. We all will make sure of that!" "And what if Hogg declines?" Jesse speaks up. "Then we takin' the tape to the FBI and they'll have to deal with Hogg," Luke smiles, "somethin' that they'd love, finding Hogg guilty of faulty frame up and messing around with the wrong things...his greed." "Why not do that now?" Bo spits out, "I mean with him in jail, it'd make life a whole lot easier around here." "Would it?" Jesse questions, "Sure you have Hogg out of the way and perhaps Rosco, but where do we go from there? Huh? Hogg may be greedy, but there are worse out there that would love to take his spot as Commissioner. Someone who would have worse faults than Hogg. . .I know a couple of them as we speak...who is in favor of the state as politics go, but once they get the power, they'll be out of control, and unstoppable by anyone. Hogg may be a theif due to greed, but under that cold h eart he displays about himself, he does care...about his job and the county. He may do some low things. . .but one thing he is not, is evil as the two I am thinkin' of." It goes silent for a long moment. "Besides Hogg and Coltrane are an enemy we all know and can handle," Luke speaks up, "Once he hears this tape he will be compelled make the deal. . .perhaps the only way to save the office. We would have time to help Chance out...Bo and Garrett could work with her and within hours she'll be an expert of the area that will be raced amongst the best of tricks. Now it all depends on Chance? Will you go along with it?" Luke looks at Chance.

Happy early Birthday Essy! Think positive instead of negative...it makes life look a little bit better at least. I remembered your birthday, but was waiting for the date of your birthday to say something. But anyways, I hope you have a great 18th birhtday! Enjoy it while you can...may all your wishes come true...as well as for everyone else

Kristy sits silently upon an old sofa that rests in the old reception area of Dr. Applebee's old office, now Chance's. For a long moment she listens in on Chance who talks silently to Luke about an old case that had driven her to a small town of peaceful living. On the opposite side of the room Jesse, Bo, and Daisy seem huddled around talking amongst themselves while the clock slowly ticks away hanging on the wall. "Gettin' nervous yet?" Cooter says as he sits down next to her and she jumps in surprise, "Didn't know I was that scary." "Oh no...you just surprised me," Kristy smiles nervously at him, "and for your first question, perhaps a little bit, but there is nothing to be nervous about. It's only Rosco." "It's only Rosco?" Cooter mocks, "That is SOMETHING to be nervous about...you never know what to expect with him. Well OK you do, but that's besides the point, the point is, is that when you have Rosco, you have Hogg and when you have Hogg, you have trouble." Kristy eases a grin at the local mechanic who is covered in grease from the days' work. "Well none the less, Rosco doesn't hold no danger, even though he wishes everyone would think so," Kristy says dusting off her nice fitting faded denim pants, "once you get to know him...I mean get to really know him, he is a sweet, caring, and understanding person." "Uh. . .I think we have crossed wires here," Cooter grimaces at Kristy's statement of the local sheriff, "we both must be talking about two different Roscos here. The Rosco I know is not dangerous, but a trouble to anyone with the last name of Duke, which your's is Duke, or any friend of the Dukes, loyal to Hogg who is trouble, and a dipstick of a sheriff that would love to put your brother and cousin behind bars if he could ever get his hands on them. . .No, sweet, caring, and understanding is definately not in the vocabulary of the Rosco I know." "Oh c'mon Cooter...that's only the outside of him," Kristy argues, "he wants to be recognized. . .he wants to be accepted by Boss Hogg, that is the Rosco you all have come to know. There is more than just that to him, down deep he is caring and understanding, and sweet; he just holds this wall up to everyone out of his spite and anger of being robbed of his pension." Cooter shoots Kristy a skeptical glare before responding, "Boy, working with Hogg and Coltrane did ill you! I hate to see how close you and Rosco really got!" "Cooter!" Kristy yells elbowing him teasingly in the stomach, "You know I wouldn't even think of him in that way. . .or see him in that way!" she calms down, "All I am saying is that the Rosco that y'all see isn't the only part of him; there is more to him that meets the eye." "If you say so," Cooter grins at her before Luke pulls away from Chance to walk over to Kristy. "Are you ready?" Luke says sitting down next to her to not be towering over her, "I mean if you don't' want to do this. . .you don't have to. I can think of something else, I just figured -" "She'll do it," Cooter speaks up for Kristy, "she was just tellin' me just how much she knows ol' Rosco. I think there is more than what meets the eye here!" "Cooter Davenport! You are twisting my words and using them against me when you know what I mean," Kristy glares at him to force a laugh from Cooter before she looks seriously at Luke, "I can do it, Luke. I mean, I don't know if I can pull him into sayin' anything to me. . .I mean he is the sheriff and loyal to Hogg, and he knows I'm a Duke. My brother being Bo doesn't help none. But-" "Hey I heard that!" Bo hollars from across the room. "Y'all know what I mean. I am willing to go through with it, to try," Kristy says quietly, "but I don't know how much I will be able to succeed at it all. But I can try." "That's all we can ask for," Luke grins patting her knee for a bit of comfort as Jesse, Daisy, and Bo joins them. "We will move on over to Cooter's Garage so we can watch a little better than from here while you go on your visit to Rosco at the cafe. If you run into any trouble...any at all you run out or show some signal." "Run into trouble? You sound as if I am meeting with a dangerous out law here," Kristy says looking around, "it's only Rosco." "True...but just in case," Luke says, "We will be here . . .or should I say Cooter's watching." he pauses to look at his pocket watch, "we have exactly five minutes until your meeting...so we need to hit if we are going through with this." "I'm willing," Kristy answers as she thinks mentally of what to say and everyone else nods. "OK let's hit it!" Luke says and they exit the office together before Kristy leaves them to slowly walk down the street to the local cafe that they had arranged to meet at. ******** Kristy slowly walks into the small country cafe that remains a fourth full as the juke box plays an country song softly. A thin framed teenage girl with thin light brown hair pulled up in a poney tail is at the door to greet her. "Well hi Kristy, haven't seen you here in a while," she smiles, "Well I guess since Hogg fired you. He shouldn't have done that...he sure made a mistake." "That's what people's been sayin'," Kristy gives her a friendly smile. "Who's watching Jamie and Shay?" she asks holding onto her pad of paper and pen, "I really enjoy watching them, they are sweet hearts...very well mannered. And I don't want to seem rude, but you pay me a whole lot better than any of my other baby sitting jobs...even more than the couple of kids that I look after every Friday night who are wild and crazy." "Well. . .that is what I am use to payin' up in the city, I am sure other folks around here would pay you more if they got more money," Kristy shrugs, "I am sure it's not you, Jamie loves it when you come over to play." "Yeah this dang drought has all the cash flow dried up for everyone," she agrees. "Yeah," Kristy nods, "Well Dee, I am here to visit an old friend of mine. I am sure you would recognize him when he walks in here. Just send him my way." "Who's that?" Dee asks as she nods to someone walking in. "Sheriff Coltrane," Kristy answers for Dee's eyes to brighten up. "You...callin' Rosco a friend? After what happened?" she asks amazed, "You Dukes do have a large heart...especially after all he's done to you and your family." "I don't hold grudges...and it was Hogg that fired me," Kristy smiles before walking back to find a booth in the croner. A minute passes before Rosco slowly makes his appearance into the dimly lit cafe and Dee directs him over to Kristy. "Hi Kristy," he smiles at her as he takes his hat off to sit it next to him on his side of the booth, "you are looking lovely tonight." "Thank-you," Kristy smiles as Dee comes to take thier order. "So," Rosco starts off as Dee slowly walks away, "what do I owe this nice date. . .I mean meeting for?" Kristy can't help but to laugh at Rosco's error before she gives a slow shrug of the shoulders. "Well, it's just that I miss working with you," she smiles at him as their drinks arive, "so I figured, why not meet somewhere to talk. To see what's going on and all with you, your life?" "Khee! I knew it," he grins and Kristy's heart races within her in fear that he has figured out her true reason of being here, "I knew it! You do like me!" "Yes I do, as friends Rosco," Kristy grins flirtasously at him and he sighs in disappointment, "oh Rosco. . .you know how it is." "Ghee...I do," he smiles, "So how are them no good kin of yours? I still can't believe something like you could be related to. . .to THEM." Kristy shrugs as she takes a drink of her soda. "Well, none can help to who they are related to," she adds, "but I'm not complainin'. . .they're not as bad as you and Hogg make them out to be." "True," Rosco adds before he quickly adds on, "but they get in the way awful lot and Hogg never means no harm either. I mean. . .he can be caring when he wants to be." "When he wants to be," Kristy puts emphasis on his last statement, "so what is going on with the motorcycle race? Now that Chance won't be able to enter." "Yeah it's too bad that she can't," Rosco says staring at Kristy, "due to them no good outlaw Dukes...uh I mean your brother and your cousin." "Rosco!" Kristy smiles at him, trying to remain calm as she pats his hand, "You know as well as I do, that they never stole no bike, not a lone hers. They would never do that...you know that, don't you?" It goes silent between them as Dee delivers the food that they have ordered and Kristy glares skeptically at Rosco. "Rosco...this is important to me," she breaks the silence, "I mean I know Hogg has his reasons for not likeing my family, but you are your own person. You can think how you want and you know what you think. I don't know what your two's plans is, but I find it important that you of all people know that my brother and my cousin are innocent! If not, I don't know how much we can see eachother. . .I have to remain loyal to my family and all. They'd kill me if they knew I was here talking to you like this, I just had to find out the truth of what you really think of them." Rosco glares at her, his blue eyes gazed over in pure seriousness that Kristy has never seen in them before. "In truth, I know your brother and your cousin would never do that...that they're innocent," he finally acknowledges. "Well you're the sheriff," she throws back at him, "if you know they're innocent, then why charge them? How do you know they didn't do it? Let me guess...you and Hogg stole her bike for Hogg's greedy intentions of who knows what, and you framed the Dukes so they couldn't enter the race! Is that it Rosco? I want the truth!" Rosco glares down at his plate before glaring back at Kristy. "The truth?" he gulps, "If I speak the truth, the truth will get me fired and black mailed by Hogg til the good Lord says it's my time!" "So you're just gonna cower to Hogg's level? You are a nice man Rosco," Kristy says with fire in her eyes, "I hate to see someone like Hogg ruin that for you. I for one can't sit down while my brother and my cousin are being wrongfully accused of a crime they didn't commit! Why won't you tell me, Rosco? The truth...I thought we was friends...friends don't hide stuff from one another like you are. I guess if that's your choice, then I am going to have to leave. . .and when I leave, our friendship leaves with me." Kristy begins to slide out of her booth seat, carrying her small black purse with her, where her hand lies within. Rosco is quick to reach out and hold her back by her wrist, "Wait a minute Kristy," Kristy slowly sits back down, resting her purse back down on the seat, "You want the truth?" "That is what I asked for," Kristy says impatiently as Rosco scans the building, "I mean. . .I dont' think I am asking too much, I mean if my brother and my cousin are being framed of a crime that we both know they didn't do, I should know the reason behind it. Since we are friends and I'd hate to break our friendship over Hogg's scheme that most likely deals with money. . .and a new doctor." He glares at Kristy, fighting despereately to know what to say. "Ok the truth, but only because I trust you," he says, "Hogg had me take it and do the damage to it, in order for Chance to not be able to enter that race, and then to frame it on Bo and Luke-so they'd be in jail instead of in the race. Hogg knows if Chance doesn't get the money, that she'd be closed down, and when that happens he can buy his own doctor who would answer to Hogg and would be getting Hogg a lot more money. He'd be in control!" "You're gonna sit by and let him do that?" Kristy asks concern as she takes her last bite, "I mean. . .if you arrest my cousin, my brother, they'd be in jail for some time for something they DIDN'T do. That wouldn't be fair to them, would it?" "Uh well. . .no, but," Rosco stutters pushing his plate aside, "but he's my brother in law and I have to do as I am told. I know you don't want me to do it, but it is who I am. You don't have to like it. It is the relationship between me and the Dukes...odd I know. But I do enjoy chasing them and attempting to arrest them. I mean they always prove thier innocense and they will no doubt do that again. They'll think of something. Hogg may be greedy, but I think he has his own fun in chasing them, it is the way it is here in Hazzard. You ought to know that...you have worked for us. As long as no one gets hurt..." "Well thank-you for being honest with me," Kristy smiles at him picking up her purse, "I just had to know t hat you knew they were innocent, that you thought they were innocent. If not, I don't know what I'd do. . .I have to be loyal to my family as you do with Hogg." "Yeah...I hope we can have more meetings like this," he says getting up with Kristy, "Well not exactly like this, I'd rather talk about you and what you are doing, but for now this will do." "Well you take care of yourself," Kristy smiles giving him a hug before she exits the cafe and slowly walks to the garage. "Well?" Luke asks in excitement as he jumps off a stack of tires where had been sitting and Kristy is surrounded by everyone. "I got it," Kristy smiles digging into her purse and pulls out a small recorder and hands it to Luke, "It is all on there tape, he admitted to it all!" "Yee Haa!" Bo lets out a rebel yell as they hug her in appreciation.

"I can't believe that over grown marshmellow would ever sink that low!" Jesse yells at the latest news of events, "He has done such evil and wrong doings in the past...but this? What would this county do without a doctor's office within the county?!" he goes silent for a long moment as he glares around the room with angry crystal blue eyes, "Wait til I get my hands on him. . .he will be sorry that he even -" "Hold up on your little tantrum there Uncle Jesse -" "Who's callin' this a tantrum?!" Jesse intrupts Kristy, giving her a cold glare, "I can't believe you are sayin' I am holdin' a tantrum...Jamie lying on the floor demanding your attention, kicking and screaming on the top of her lungs...that's a tantrum. I do NOT throw tantrums like your child!" he pauses to regroup himself and to take a deep breath, "In fact, if it wasn't for Chance, what would have happened to Shay, huh Kristian?!" the fact of Jesse calling Kristy by her full name, grabs everyone's attention if they weren't paying attention, "You know you don't have money to support any medical bills...you'd have brought him to the hospital where they'd give him minimal care. . .and you'd still be payin' that damn hospital for the next ten years! But Chance was kind enough to take him in and to work on him. . .to make him healthy! And you're the one accusing me of throwing a tantrum over this? I think you for one would want her to stay in town!" Kristy glares at Jesse, awaiting for his lecture to end with patience, the same patience she had held with Boss when he was yelling at her. "Uncle Jesse...you for one should know me better that! Of course I don't want to see her thrown out of practice or out of town. . .and I am still thankful for all that she has done for Shay; who knows where I'd be now if it wasn't for her. Second of all, if you have a problem with my children, then why not come tell me instead of using it against me!" Kristy says, her green eyes afire with her own anger, "And call it whatever you want, Jesse, but running off angry at Boss Hogg won't do no good for Chance, but harm her chances. Knowing Boss he has his fat chubby arms thick deep with evil greed that he will throw upon Chance here." Silence fills the medical room as they all glare at one another before Bo speaks up, "Then what we do now? We can't just sit here and do nothing." "No...we can do something," Luke says, his blue eyes shine with thought, "if we can for some way get a glance at Chance's bike within Boss reach, within his possession, we can use that against him." "What you thinkin' Luke?" Jesse says, slowly calming down. "Well," Luke says glaring at Kristy, "we could always send in some bait." "You have for sure lost me," Bo chimes in leaning against Kristy's desk, "you know Boss isn't going to roll over and show it to anyone...especially a Duke or Chance." "No, but," Luke says grinning at Kristy who nervously glances around the room, "Rosco might do so if given enough motivation to do so." "Who you plannin' on usin' as bait?" Garrett speaks up from the couch where he had sat silent until now before glaring at his sister. "Well...I was thinkin' of using Kristy as bait due to everyone knowing the crush Rosco holds on her," Luke says before glaring at Jesse, "but seeing how things have unraveled, I doubt she would go for it." "You don't know that!" Kristy pipes in for herself. "You can't send my sister in with that. . .that so called sheriff by herself!" Garrett snaps standing up, "Who knows what woudl happen? She could end up arrested and -" "Rosco wouldn't even touch her and you know it!" Luke snaps at him, "All she's got to do is go talk to him, give him some excuse to show her the bike and to talk of Hogg's plans. She could tell him what a great plan he had...feed on his ego. You do that he'll take it from there." The room goes silent for a long moment as Garrett stares challengingly at Luke. "I'll do it," Kristy says full of confidence. "It'll have to be alone," Luke says and Kristy nods, "OK give him a call, ask him out to lunch or something...better yet, dinner tonight so he can show her without Hogg being in." "Done!" Kristy smiles picking up the phone and dials up Rosco and she talks to the local sheriff with all eyes on her. Slowly she hangs up. "Worked like a charm, eight o'clock tonight. Garrett, I'll need you to do the baby sitting." "Give me the dirty work," Garrett gripes to be silenced by Jesse's angered eyes.

~LUKE DUKE~ "Leave me alone, Luke!" he yells as he slams our door shut in my face, his voice quivers in tears that has fought so hard to fight back tonight. Tiredness swallows me whole as I stare warily at the white painted door that remains shut, an inch in front of my face. My mind runs wildly within me as I fight to remain calm while I fight for solutions to help comfort my troubled cousin. A loud wave of childish laughter explodes from the kitchen to catch my attention for a long moment before I force myself to glare at the door that had gotten slammed in my face. I force myself to take a long deep breath before slowly letting it go before I slowly grab the golden metal door handle that seems to melt within my clammy hands. "Look Bo," I begin to say before I throw open the door. My heart seems to halt in place as I rush into our room to find Bo lying on his bed, glares up with me with tear stained cheeks. "I wish I could leave you alone, but I can't." He glares coldly at me for a long moment before he forces the back of his right hand across his face, in attempt to dry his face of his salty tears. "Why not?" he forces out, trying to hide the tears that shines in his voices as much as they do in his baby blue eyes, that glares at me accusatorily. "It's easy to do...you leave our room, close the door and go help Jesse celebrate Bryceton's birthday. I think, it's more that you don't want to leave me alone!" For a long moment I take in his lanky body lying upon his queen sized bed, his casted right hand lies upon the pillow where he had rested his head. My mind sweeps through the past few months that Jesse and him has been home with Bryceton, on how hard Bo has been taking things, how much he has been suffering due to the past. "I can't leave you alone, because I care...and am worried about you," I answer taking a step closer to him where I walk and slowly sit down besides him on his back and as I place a caring hand on his shoulder he is quick to shove it away. "Daisy and Jesse are very worried about you as well." "Why would he care?!" he snaps at me as he glares at me for a long moment before forcing himself to look away from me, "Why would he care, when he has Bryceton." "Don't say that Bo," I snap back at him, my voice stern by caring, "you know he cares for you just as he does before. . .so stop feelin' sorry for yourself! It won't help nothing, but make things worse...and you know that too!" Silence slowly intrudes into our room, the room I have shared with him over twenty-two years when his parents had abandoned him upon Jesse's front door step. Fond memories of growing up together rush within me as I watch him lying silently on his bed, his resentment seems to radiate from his still body. "You know, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't recall the past that we have lived together, sharing this room. I wouldn't trade a day that I spent with you for anything. . .even the rougher days," I pause for a long moment to force silence back into the room, "I recall the many times where we would stay up after we were suppose to be asleep, talking about the day, our problems, our excitement, or about anything. All the times you had came to me for help, whether for the bullies at school, a math problem, or girl problems. . .you always came to me. I liked that. . .I don't know. . .I guess it made me feel needed, important." I take another long moment of silence to regroup and to seek his reaction to what I am saying, to find none. "I miss that. I miss talking to one another freely, about anything and everything...or about nothing. I wish you would talk to me as you use to . . .instead of keeping all of this to yourself. It would help to talk. . .and I think you know that. I miss you." A long moment passes full of silence before he slowly turns to look at me, his baby blue eyes remain clouded in emotional pain and tears. For a moment I feel as if he is about to talk about how he feels, but instead he replies, "Nothing can help. . .not even you." Hurt digs a hole within my heart by his comment as much as the accusatory glare he shoots me with his eyes. "You don't know that," is all I can find to say, "I wish we could have the friendship we had once. . .where we talked and spent time with one another. You don't know how much it hurts to see you suffering and yet don't know how to help or what to do to help. Anything I try, you push me away." "Maybe you shouldn't have left me," he snaps at me, digging his hole in my heart a lot deeper, "for the Marines. You're the one that left me. . .not me!" "I only did what I knew was best. . .what I thought was best," I reply, fighting back my own guilt, "It wasn't anything personal against you or anyone, Bo. I didn't want to leave you...or the farm, but I had to do what was best." "Maybe best for you...just like Jesse thinks it best he adopted Bryceton. Huh?" he is quick to answer. "Bryceton has improved greatly due to moving here with us," I add to receive a hard glare, "I don't know what to tell you, Bo. I want to help. . .I really do. All I have to say is that Jesse did what was best by taking in Bryce, Bryce needs Jesse." "And I don't?!" he yells as tears break loose from his fight to slowly trail down his pale cheeks, his body seems to tremble slightly in his pain. I sigh warily as he says this, at hearing for the first time that he himself needs Jesse; something he had fought to keep to himself. "We all do, Bo," I sigh as I place a caring hand on Bo's trembling shoulder, "but we can't be selfish, which we would be if we kept Jesse to ourselves and not let Bryce have him as well. Jesse loves us all...not just Bryceton. . .and is here for all of us. I know you don't see it that way at the moment, but he is. He is doing his best that he can do. Bryceton is happy due to Jesse and Jesse is happy due to Bryceton, we all should be happy and grateful for both of them. Not jealous." "I know," Bo slowly answers fighting back his tears, "I'm sorry." "For what?" I ask as he wipes his casted hand across his face again to try to dry his tears. "For this," he points to his cheeks, "for being such a baby. . .and for how I've been lately. I don't know -" "You're not a baby and there is no need for any apology, Bo," I answer, "you have been through a lot and it is only normal for you to feel this way. And being jealous of Bryceton...is as normal as anything, no one is blaming you. You need Jesse as much as Bryceton does...his whole attention due to all that you went through, to being the witness of his so called killing and the nightmare that came with it. It'll take time, but you'll grow to love Bryceton and to feel the way Jesse does about him. Just wait." "Maybe," he shrugs, "but I have been a lot selfish in my feelings lately. . . Bryceton needs Jesse more than I, and yet all I thought of is myself." "Not always," I shrug, knowing the feeling will continue to dig it's own hole within Bo no matter how he feels now. Slowly I reach up and begin to mess up his thick bright blond hair, "Let's go out and get our own piece of the cake and ice cream...you don't want to be left out on the good stuff, do you? We can see Bryce open his presents as well...he'll love the ball and glove you gave him...I know it." "Maybe," Bo sighs as he slowly forces himself up and I help him up on his feet and we slowly move to the door to rejoin the party in the kitchen.

CHAPTER ONE "Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Bryceton, happy birthday to you!" a bunch of hyped up kids seem to yell out as they circle around Bryceton who sits at the old kitchen table with a large smile spread across his face. Before him sits a large cake that lies heavily frosted with sugar lettering that reads, "HAPPY 6th BIRTHDAY BRYCE" with six flamed candles spread around. As the children's "birthday song" slowly comes to a halt, silence abruptly captures the large farm kitchen while they all await in great anticipation of what will happen next. Tiredness quickly consumes me as I watch Bryceton's friends swarm over Bryceton in their innocent excitement while Bryceton glares up at me; his bright green eyes shine with excitement and of love. My heart tightens of great emotions of love and care towards the small boy as my mind is clouded of memories of the four months that he has lived with us, of watching him opening up to everyone as he slowly learns to trust and love those around him. It continues to amaze me to see the changes he makes with each day of living at a caring home, where he is loved and cared for, compared to how he once was when I had first seen him. "Make sure you make a wish before you blow out all them candles," Daisy says from the refrigerator as she digs a gallon of vanilla ice cream from the freezer, "and keep that wish to your self...so it will come true." "Really?" Bryceton asks glaring up at Daisy, his green eyes shine in pure happiness as well as in excitement. “Now would I lie to you?†Daisy smiles at him as she makes her way around his friends to set the ice cream down upon the old green table where she begins to count out the birthday party plates that Luke had picked out yesterday. “Better make your wish before them candles melt into your cake though...wouldn’t want to be eatin’ wax with your cake.†For a long moment Bryceton glares down at his cake as his excitement grows into seriousness before he glares up at Bo who stands in the entry way of the kitchen from the living room. For a moment I follow Bryceton’s glare at Bo, my mind lost in worry towards my youngest nephew who continues to be haunted by the past. “I made my wish,†Bryceton says solemnly to draw my attention back to Bryceton and the cake. “OK. I’ll count to three and you blow all them candles out by yourself. You think you can do that?†Daisy asks as she continues to scoop ice cream onto the plates she has set out and Bryce nods in agreement, “One. . .two. . .three. Blow!†“I did it!†Bryceton says in excitement after blowing out each candle at one time and we all begin to clap for a moment. “Who wants cake and ice cream?†I ask as I join Daisy at the table to begin to cut the cake. “Me! Me! Me!†all six of the children yell in excitement before they slowly spread out to take their seats from dinner and I can’t help but to smile as memories of Luke, Bo, and Daisy at this age rolls through my head. “They y’all go,†I finally say as I hand the last child a plate and ice cream. “Bo, Luke, you want a plate?†I ask and as I look up for their response I find Bo walking away, with Luke trying to catch up to him. My heart seems to melt in worry and concern for Bo as I watch both of my older boys disappearing around the corner while my thoughts remain on the past four months and how hard Bo is taking things. “Do you want me to go check on him?†Daisy says sneaking up on me while she watches the children eat their cake and ice cream for a moment. “No. . .I think it’s best to just leave the talking up to Luke, at least for now,†I answer sadly as I glance down to find Bryceton looking at the empty entry way with saddened bright green eyes that yearn for approval from both Bo and Luke, “If you are me to go in, it is only going to make it worse. . .as it has done in the past.†“I know,†she answers softly before she kneels down besides Bryceton and begins to talk to him, to distract his line of thought onto something other than Bo and Luke

I have to agree with Mary Anne. I am not a big fan of the Coy and Vance episodes, but I would have to put "Strange Visitor to Hazzard" as one that I dislike the most. It was way too far fetched for me to really enjoyed and it really didn't have the Dukes of Hazzard "feel" to it. The episode just bugged me and couldn't stand watching it more than once...if not to only see Bo and Luke.

***DUKE FARM*** Kristy slowly pulls up into the Duke's dusty dirt drive way as the sky lingering above her slowly turns a darker shade of blue. Parking her black truck, she watches a head of her as a kitchen light flickers on, glowing through the opened window above the sink. "Hey Kris," Luke says stepping out of the flimsy screen door as she steps out intot he cooling night. "Mommy!" Jamie yells pushing out besides Luke, running to Kristy at full blast who catches her with caring arms, giving her a big hug and a kiss. "I missed you soo much." "So did I," Kristy smiles before letting her go and smiles up at Luke who wears tight pants without his shirt on, "How's it goin' Luke?" "Fine...hear Chances's workin' late tonight," he states as Kristy walks up to him and they walk in together, "how was your first day?" Stepping into the kitchen she takes in the crowd that waits in anticipation. "I think it went really well," she sighs, "better than what I was thinkin', don't know why I was so nervous about it...I just had a bad feelin' about it all." "First day jitters, only natural," Jesse smiles at her, "I am glad to hear that it went well for you." "Well it is only the first day," Kristy sighs, "I hope I did an OK job after she left to do house calls." "I am sure you did fine," Luke says sitting tiredly down at the table, "So how is Chance? She sounded...really tired or upset on the phone?" Kristy sighs looking at Luke who glares demandingly at her for an answer. "I don't know Luke," Kristy sighs as Bo walks in holding Shay, "she seemed really tired today when I talked to her...past the point of exhaustion. I'm worried." "Well then...I'm not the only one worried about her," Luke replies, "I tried tellin' her she's gonna work herself to death if she don't watch it, but she didn't seem to listen none." "Too ambitious for her own good then," Jesse speaks up, "perhaps Applebee should talk to her about it...if it is as bad as y'all make it sound." "She did seem really tired last night," Bo commented. "Now it must really be bad," Luke comments, "if Bo himself catches up with it...it coming from someone who wouldn't notice if he himself had a cold." "Cute, Luke, real cute," Bo smirks at his cousin. "I don't know," Luke grows serious, "I just wish she would settle down some, get some rest. Them doctors at the hospital can take care of themselves." "She'll learn," Jesse sighs, "and hopefully not the hard way."

Exhaustion sweeps quickly over Kristy as she throws her 2001 black Silverado truck, that she has rightly named "Silver Bullet", into park in the old dusty dirt parking lot of the local bar and restaraunt. Glaring ahead out of her dusty windshield she stares tiredly at the dusty white brick building, taking in the old rusty hub caps that hang upon the walling of the building. She sighs warily as she throws open her door and tiredly steps out into the dark night and slowly begins to head to the door. Throwing open the wooden cracked door she is over whelmed by the loud juke box that plays an old George Strait song along the wall next to the bar. For a long moment she takes in the crowded bar and restaraunt, trying to find someone she could sit and talk to. She sighs in anger that continues to grow steadily within her, anger towards herself for allowing herself to sink low enough to be showing up at the rowdy bar at such late of night, knowing that she has children she should be home attending to. "Hey Kris," a loud voice yells out over the noisy crowd and over the loud music and she scans the room for a long moment before she sees Bo's lengthy arm motioning for her to come over. Slowly she walks past a few people walking around and through tables before she arrives at the table Bo sits at with Cooter and Luke. After a moment of sitting down, Bo asks, "Whatchya doin' here at this time of night?" Looking around she is hesitant to answer, "I really don't know...know that sounds stupid, this is just where I ended up. I talked to Hogg today." "What he have to say?" Bo asks next to her. "Probably nothin' good," Cooter chimes in before taking a big drink of his watered down beer, "something negative for everyone but for him." "Yeah pretty much," Kristy nods as Daisy walks up to the table. "Why Kristy," she says showing her surprise, "you'd be the last person I'd expect here at this time." "I know," Kristy smiles forcing herself to relax a little, "I'm punching thick holes through my good reputation by being seen here at this time of night." "Ah don't worry about it," Daisy smiles, "you deserve to get out more than you do. Who's watchin' the kids?" "Jesse and Garrett," Kristy responds, "I still haven't gotten back home from talkin' to Hogg and job searchin'." "Garrett is stuck baby sitting," Bo cracks up laughing at the thought of his twin brother being stuck changing diapers and cleaning up thier messes while she is gone. "Yeah somethin' like that," she shrugs, "I tol' em I was stopping by to talk to a friend...guess it was a small lie. Garrett would be cracking up at the thought of me bein' here." "Don't worry 'bout him," Daisy shrugs, "he needs to be doin' some baby sittin'...as do them boys there...do them all a bunch of good. Dunno what damage it'd do to Jamie and Shay to have them baby sitting, but...the guys need to know what you do day round." It goes silent for a long moment before Luke speaks up, "So what did ol' Hogg have to tell you when you showed up, demanding yer job back?" "Tol' me I was lucky to not have myself arrested for suggesting such a thing after the trick I pulled on him by walking out that day," Kristy says glaring around the room before looking back at Luke, "he was callin' Rosco in when I left...he ain't givin' it back to me no matter what." "He has too much pride to come callin' on you... back to your job," Cooter speaks up, "he is back to having Enos do the paper work for Rosco and him...which will only do him more damage...but it will take him a long while before he admits that." "No kidding," Luke sighs shaking his head. "How did your other job hunt go?" Daisy asks, resting her brown circle tray against her hip. "Just as bad...just didn't get threatened with getting arrested by the others. People need people to help out, that they could hire, but don't have the money," Kristy answers looking around the table, "Jamie is goin' to go nuts soon if she can't go back to preschool. She loves school...all her friends. But I can't afford for them to keep going to school if I don't have any money comin' in...feel bad for Uncle Jesse, she was throwing a fit when I left." "I can't believe Hogg did such a thing to you," Cooter speaks up looking through his empty beer glass, "Boss may be greedy and self centered, but one thing he knows is important, and that is family! Why not give you your job back? He knew you left for Shay and he was sick." "Like you said before...pride," Luke says, his bright blue eyes show a lot of thinking and planning, "at the moment he fired you...he panicked and said the only thing he could think of out of his anger and pride. That is all I can think of his reasoning behind firing you and no matter what, it will take a lot for him to come to you. He has too much pride." "Pride, pride, and more pride," Bo says after his leave into silence, "the man's full of it...and money. Perhaps some day he'll get onto the honest path." "Like to know when that will be," Daisy says rolling her eyes. "Most likely, not any time soon," Luke says looking up, "I just thought of somethin', not with Hogg, but with a job." "What's that?" Kristy asks. "Well, you still need to pay Chance off for Shay? Right?" he looks across at Kristy who nods slowly, "Well perhaps you could ask her if she has any job she could hire you for...like perhaps secetary or nurse? I don't know if she is looking for someone, but you two would probably work perfect together...and you could help pay off his medical bill all at the same time." "Yeah maybe," Kristy says silently unsure of herself and of what to do, "I'd be willing if she would be." "That's a great idea Luke!" Daisy smiles, ignoring a few men's whistles for her to get to thier orders, "She'd be a lot more pleasant to work with and a lot more patient." "Yeah it'd be great," Bo speaks up with a hint of a smile, "but she would miss Rosco flirting with her way too much if she don't work with him." "If you say so," Kristy snaps back at him, giving him a hard stare. "I don't think there is anything you stand to loose by asking," Luke says, "she wouldn't have anything to loose by hiring you." "She'd have a lot to gain sugar," Daisy smiles at her, "in fact Chance is here," she points over to where she sits, "Why don't you go talk to her?" Kristy glances around the table for a long moment before glaring back at Chance and then back at the table. "I don't know," she finally says. "Oh c'mon," Luke says, "I'll even go with ya if you want...she won't bite." Kristy smiles a bit before saying, "OK," and together they slowly move to where Chance sits.

~BO DUKE~ Quickly I am jerked awake, yelling and crying out breathlessly in fear as scenes of being held hostage continues to play clearly in my head from the nightmare that had awakened me. Within a quick second, Luke is helping to force my inhaler and sprays it a couple of times inside of me to decrease the pain that flairs in my lungs. Slowly, my vision clears enough for me to notice Jesse standing awkwardly at the foot of my bed holding Bryceton who stares caringly at me while Daisy stands next to him. "It's OK Bo," Luke finally says taking his seat next to me and I slowly look at him, "it was just another bad dream...just a dream." "Yeah," I speak up sarcastically, "a realistic one." "I know buddy," Luke says, almost seeming as if he don't notice Jesse and Daisy standing a couple feet away, "they said that'd it'd be expected...but I'm here...we all are here for you throughout it all." He motions at Jesse, Bryceton, and Daisy as Jesse slowly sets down the thin boy who is now dressed in better and clean clothes, my guess being a hand me down from either Luke or me. "Me too," Bryceton says stepping to the right of me, easily slipping in between my barred bed and the machines. I watch him warily, unsure of what to think and am surprised as he sets a caring and bruised hand upon my cast, "Me and dad...uh your Uncle Jesse, go through the same thing. But he always helps me...I am sure he will help you too." I look up at Jesse and he is slow to nod before saying, "I am betting that Luke tol' you, but I did adopt Bryceton." Silence falls in between us all as I feel thier eyes on me, awaiting for my response. "Yeah...he tol' me that," I sigh, fighting for strength, "I am happy for the both of you." "Really?" Bryceton says, his bright green eyes lighten up in excitement, awaiting for my approval, "You're happy that I am living with you and dad?!" "Yeah really," I finally say fighting to hide the sadness that fills me at the thought that no matter how hard we try, life is going to be different than how it was before Jesse was kidnapped; I am no longer the youngest nor the one that needs Jesse the most, "I'm happy for you, you deserve him." "They thought you'd be upset," Bryceton says for everyone to glare at him, "because you'd fear that I'd be taking your spot...that isn't what I want to do...dad says that would never happen either." "Maybe," I shrug to send pain marching down my body. "No maybes about it," Jesse sighs moving next to Luke to sit along side me on the hospital bed, "there is enough of me for you, Luke, Daisy, and for Bryceton. There is no need for jealousy or to feel like you've been replaced. I am here for all of you. You hear?" "Yes sir," I sigh and he smiles at me, his eyes seem to dance like they once did before he was kidnapped and for the first time in a long time, I can tell my Uncle Jesse is happy...happy to be alive despite the nightmares he must still be plagued with. "How you feelin'?" he finally asks after a long moment of silence and Luke motions me to answer. "I hurt," I pause and everyone glares at me, "and I wanna go home." "Your doctor says it shouldn't be too long now that you've awakened," Luke says next to me. Silence fills the room once again as thier attention remains on me as if awaiting me to do or say something. "I missed you," I finally open up to Uncle Jesse, deciding on not letting Bryceton get in the way of me being excited at Jesse being home. "I missed you too, Beauregaurd," Jesse says knowing he is the only one I let say my full name as he pulls me into a long bear hug, "I missed all of you...I am just glad we all together again," he pauses to set me back down, "we's all a family once more." "Me too!" Bryceton pipes in, in excitement, "My first really family!" "That we are," Luke smiles and well gather into a large hug. *********************THE END***********************

~UNCLE JESSE~ "Are you sure you are ready for this, Jesse?" my neice asks as she shoves my old white truck into park in the dusty dirt parking lot of the Tri-County Hospital, "I mean, just cause Luke calls sayin' he's awakened and -" "Of course I am ready to go in and see Bo," I interrupt her too harshly, "Why wouldn't I be?" She goes silent before she looks down at Bryceton who sits in the middle seat between us, staring out of the windshield before he looks up and catches on. "Cause he don't like me," Bryce finally speaks up. "Who don't like you?" I question him. "Bo," he finally says, "I tried...and he only ignored me!" Slowly I hug onto him as I fight for answers to what he had just said as Bo's reaction to him replays in my own mind as I images of how Bo will react when he knows I adopted him. "He doesn't not like you," I sigh running my fingers through his light brown hair that has flecks of red throughout, "he is just going through a hard time since I have been gone. . .and he needs me to be there for him. Before all this, it was him th at got the most attention from me...when you called me Uncle Jesse, I think that made him jealous...felt like he was being replaced." "Will he get upset if I call you dad?" he asks me looking up at me with his green eyes, demanding answers. "I don't know Bryce, but if he does, he will get over it ," I sigh, "it may just take him awhile to get use to it...to realize that I haven't replaced him with you. Just give him time, ok?" "Huh huh," he nods before smiling, "well then, what are we waiting for?" "Good question, squirt," Daisy says throwing open her door to be drawn out into the hot humid summer day and I slowly follow her out to help him out. Grabbing my hand Bryceton begins to walk next to me before saying, "I like Bo." "You do?" I smile down at him in hope that Bo will learn to like Bryceton as much as Bryceton seems to like him. "Huh huh," he nods as we begin to walk into the hospital and up to Bo's room in silence.

Tears stream down Kristy's pale cheeks as she stares down upon her son who lies silently in the soft cushioned bed. His thin blond hair remains dampened to his small head as his color seems to slowly be brought back into him. Gratitude fills Kristy toward the two doctors for taking the measures they had to save her son's life, but as she glares at the tube stuck in her son's throat she can't stop but to cry in her fear, her sadness of the condition he is in. Her heart tightens within her as a lump forms in her own throat at the gruesome sight of her son, something she could never expect to have seen in her own son. Before she had returned home to Hazzard to find more about her half brother that she had only vaguely heard about she worked in a hospital with her mom, in the pediatrics floor. She had seen some saddening cases working on the floor with such cute children, but she could never imagine her own son being forced into one of thier conditions. Nor could she imagine herself being forced to play the position of the grieving parent she had so often seen in the waiting room crying, and yet here she stands looking down at her son who had about lost his life. "No. . .no," Kristy hears herself mumble under her breath and Jesse places another comforting hand on her shoulder. "He should be fine now...you should be grateful for them for what they did," Jesse adds, "The worst part looks to be over with." Kristy numbly nods as she continues to watch her son lying silently still with the help of the tube to help him breath. Slowly she forces herself to look up at the two doctors and says, "Thank-you...so much, for trying so hard to save my son," she pauses to fight off more tears and the ambulance's sirens pierces loudly somewhere close to the farm house, "I don't know what I'd do if I were to loose him...thank-you so much!. . .I don't have much money nor do I longer have a job, but I will find someway to pay you back for this...as wella s the hospital now." "They're here," Bo interrupts running into the room from keeping a look out for the ambulance with Jamie only to be confirmed by three tall paramedics rushing into the room with a stretcher. Jamie follows close by where she runs to her mom who picks her up.

Kristy's heart comes to a painfully abrupt stop at the news the young woman doctor had just delivered before returning into the room where Shay lay. Slowly she numbly finds herself sitting back onto the old couch as tears begin to flood from her eyes and down her smooth cheeks. From behind, she feels Luke rub her back out of comfort as well as in his concern. "Things will work out," Luke says at his loss of words though as Kristy looks at him, Luke's knowledgeable blue eyes shines of his own worries, fears, and his own doubts. "Mommy," Jamie says walking up to Kristy, "Why are you sad? Why are you crying?" Kristy forces herself to look at Jamie who stares at her in a child's wonder before she bends down to pick up her blond haired cabbage patch doll and hugs onto it tightly. "Shay's real sick," is all that Kristy can say to her daughter. "Is he gonna die?" Jamie wonders out loud, hugging tightly onto her doll that she calls 'Casey'. "I don't know," Kristy responds glaring down the hall at Daisy's closed door. A moment of silence enters the room before Bo slowly stands stiffly up from sitting besides Kristy and Jesse for Jesse to slide next to Kristy. "Hey Jay...let's go build a high tower," Bo smiles down at the child, calling her by his nickname for her, "we can see who's tower can be bigger." "OK," Jamie says taking Bo by the hand and together they walk over to the corner where Jamie's blocks lay scattered around. Kristy jumps as Jesse places a caring arm around her shoulders to bring her into a tight hug for support. "The good Lord above won't let such a loving, great child like Shay die without His reasons," Jesse finally says, his hoarse voice is filled with his own tears, "we all just need to have faith, faith in the good Lord, and for the doctors in there with him now." "Yeah," Kristy answers numbly, her thoughts remain in the room with her son, "if he...if I were to lo...loose him," she pauses to fight for her strength in attempt to hide her tears, "I don't know what I'd do. Him and Jamie is all I got, without them...I am nothing." "He'll be fine...we just need to pray and keep faith," Jesse says, forcing his conviction of what he is saying in his voice, "everything stands for a purpose, Kristy...this is just one of His tests upon us." Kristy goes silent as she watches Jamie playing on the floor with Bo for a long moment, lost in her own thoughts and her own prayers.

Kristy numbly walks into the old farm house next to Bo who walks besides her for support. Her mind swarms of thoughts upon her ten month old son who had kept her awake the past few nights. Heart seems to relaxes a notch as Jesse says he's been quiet for a while in thought of him actually catching some sleep. Together they all slowly migrate from the large farm kitchen and into decently sized living room. Tiredly Kristy taks in the toys scattered across the floor and smiles fondly at seeing her four year old daughter, Jamie sitting in the middle of the room playing with some blocks. Behind her Jesse ushers Chance to Daisy's room that only seems to be a vague echo in Kristy's ear. For a long while Kristy stands still in a trance watching her daughter building a tower with the wooden blocks. The four year old's light blondish brown hair remains tightly up in pig tails and wearing the denim jump suit that holds a Winnie the Pooh design on the front. "You OK Kristy?" Luke asks from ahead of her to bring the child's attention to them. "Mommy!" Jamie yells in excitement, knocking her blocks over as she rushes to her mom in excitement. Kristy smiles back her tears of fear as she picks Jamie up to hug onto her tightly. "I love you." "I love you too honey," Kristy smiles, "every part of you, even each one of your freckles." She giggles to make her bluish green eyes dance in a child's delight as Kristy touches her nose that is lightly covered with light brown freckles. "I missed you," Jamie says as Kristy sets her down to hold her hand, "Shay is really sick, isn't he?" Kristy sighs looking into her child's eyes that looks up to her for answers, truthful answers. "Yes he is sick," she responds tiredly. "How sick?" Jamie asks, her eyes covered in concer, "Is he gonna die?" Tears threaten at Kristy's eyes and Jesse comfortly picks Jamie up and sets her on his lap. "Nah of course not kiddo," he forces a smile to her, "he's a tough boy, he just needs some help. We got two doctors here to do the job...he'll be fine." "Really?" she asks looking into his eyes. "Yeah really," Jesse says without knowing the extent of Shay's illness.

I am thrown awake from a series of harshly haunted nightmares that was tinted with clear pictures and sounds of all that had went on the past year and a half. Bright lights shine in my eyes to send a flash of pain through my head as I fight for answers on where I am at. Fear and pain rush through my throbbing body as I slowly notice the tube that lies down my through, another tube in my nose, as well as a few IV needles to tell me that I am in the hospital. The beeping of the monitors seem too loud and piercing to my ears as I vaguely hear someone say something next tome. Stiffly I glance to find Luke sitting next to my hospital bed with his face partially hidden in his hands. Through the gaps between his fingers and between his two hands, I notice a creek of tears flowing down his pale cheeks. His intelligently blue eyes shines with great fear and worry mixed with a hint of guilt and shines of lack of sleep. Never before had I witnessed my cousin cry or see any hints of fear in his eyes and yet they glitter with fear and is full of tears. Why? Forgetting about the tube shoved down my throat I fight to say something, an attempt to help comfort him, only to be choked by the large tube. Slowly, I move my left arm out from under his arm to send more shocks of pain flowing through my body. Fighting back my own tears of the pain that shoots painfully through my body, I slowly reach out to trace the tears down his left cheek. He jumps in surprise and as he looks up to see me awake, his eyes are full of surprise, an excitement look that a child would portray while opening up a Christmas gift he had wanted so bad. "Bo, you're awake!" he smiles leaning over me and hugs me tightly and after a moment I feel a tear of his land upon my shoulder through the thin hospital gown, "Lemme go get your doctor, I'll be right back." Fear clenches a tight hold on me at the thought of being left alone here as he quickly leaves as I fight to beg him to stay only to be choked by the tube. Tears quickly seep through my blockage I built to shield off the tears of pain, to slowly run down my cheeks. My thoughts rush hurriedly within me, from thought to thought as the image of my last waking minutes at the old cabin, being held hostage by Drake. I sigh tiredly in pain as the images continue to flow clearly in my head and I pray in hope that everyone else there is OK, that they had been able to stop Drake soon after I was thrown down the stairs. Quickly my thoughts are interrupted as the door is carefully opened and I watch Luke walk in with an older doctor with graying black hair, standing around the same height as Luke. "Well my patient had awakened," he smiles as if trying to help comfort me, "I am and have been your doctor for some time now, we all were begining to wonder if you'd ever wake up. I'm Doctor Nelend...let me look ya over." I look at Luke who only nods at me as the doctor quickly begins to poke around and write things on his clipboard that he had brought in. After a long moment of silence he slowly stands up from leaning over and looks from Luke to me. "Wow...you have improved greatly since the last time I was in here to look you over," he says looking over at Luke, "I figured him waking up would help matters a lot. . .In fact, I think it would be safe to pull that plug out of your mouth, since the one in your nose is as well helping you breathe. OK? On the count of three I want you to blow out as I take it out. OK? One. . .two...and three." I breathe out as I am told and as the tube is taken out I begin to cough, fighting for air to send pain flaring in my lungs. "It's OK," he tells Luke, "it is natural for it to do that, it is the change from the tube in from being pulled out. But I will have a nurse run you in a new inhaler for him since he has awakened. It may be a week or two before being released, but he is looking good." Slowly he nods before grabbing his clipboard and walks out, closing the door behind him. "I'm sorry Bo," Luke turns to me. "For what?" I ask fighting for air. "I should have supported you...believed you," he sighs, "I have failed you. . .and maybe if I -" "Don't apologize and don't blame yourself," I interrupt him, "it's not your fault and it would have happened no matter what you did." Slowly he nods as an odd silence enters the room as he fights for what to say. "Uncle Jesse is at home," he finally speaks up, "he is really worried about you...we all have been. He is doing OK...he adopted Bryceton, it all went through legally last night." "Adopted him?" I question looking up at him and he slowly nods. "He's a really sweet kid," he says as if supporting the choice before he sighs tiredly, "you just need to give him a chance...I guess I do too." Tears once again entery my eyes, though this time of sadness or of jealousy knowing that my life will no more return to the way it was before we lost Uncle Jesse. "Yeah maybe." I finally say. "Hey look," Luke says trying to comfort me, "we'll get through this together...it'll be ok." "Perhaps," I shrug to force more pain shooting through my body, "I wanna go home."

"You are welcome to come take a look," Kristy sighs feeling her lack of sleep catch up with her in a wave of worry, "but I can't get out of here until six if not later than that." "Her uncle and brother is watching him now," Applebee speaks up, "But I think it'd be best to wait for Kristy to get -" The elder doctor is quickly interrupted by a roar of yelling out side of Kristy's closed door a moment before the door is abruptly thrown open. Kristy glares up in expectanting it to be either Boss Hogg or Rosco and is surprised to see Bo and Luke standing in front of the open door breathless. A long moment of silence fills the room as all eyes lay upon the boys as Bo slams the door shut as Luke holds up some papers in his right hand. "Dr. Walker," he smiles stepping up to the new young doctor before discovering the elder doctor there as well. Focusing his attention back on Chance he smiles at her, forcing his sky blue eyes to dance flirtasiously at the young doctor. "we found these papers in your truck and we thought you might want or that they may be important." "I guess I shoulda counted on see you two again...and I should thank you for your trouble of coming here to give these to me, but if I guess right, it wasn't much trouble to you," she forces a smile at him. "Of course not," Luke smiles at her. "No trouble at all," Bo smirks deeply in sarcasm, "not if don't count stealing them from cop before knocking him with the door in ...Owe...why you do that for?" Bo looks accusatory at Luke as he is elbowed in the stomach by his older cousin, "knocking him witht he door in here." "Bo is lacking serious amount of oxygen in that small brain of his and has no clue of what he is talking about," Luke covers only to recieve angry glares from Bo to force Chance to laugh. "Very funny," Bo smirks at him before sitting on the edge of Kristy's desk. "Do y'all mind?!" Kristy snaps after a long moment of silence to glare at Doctor Applebee to Chance before glaring at her brother then at Luke, "While my son is at home dying of pain, hunger, and lack of sleep...oh and probably dehydrating due to being to painful to swallow anything...all you can think about is yourself! Don't think of my son who may be dying from all this...don't worry about it at all! Go ahead and follow your hormones into MY office just so you can get another glance at the new FEMALE doctor. . .and while you are following your hormones into MY office, go ahead and forget about MY son!" The room is silent as everyong glares at Kristy in surprise at her anger, the temper she rarely looses. "Didn't you two ever stop to think," she forces a laugh, "I forgot...you two keep forgetting to think at times, especially when following a pretty girl! Doh me...I shoulda knew better than to think that you would be thinkin' at a time like this!" she pauses to shoot more daggers of anger at Bo and Luke, "Did you two ever stop to think that they are in my office for a reason? Perhaps to talk about MY son?! Or do you even care? Obviously not!" Tears quickly flood down her face, first at how sick her son is to embarrassment at loosing her temper at her own family. Quickly she hides her face in embarrassment at the tears and at loosing her temper, something that she usaully can control. "Kristy," Luke finally says, cutting through the uptight silence that has filled the room, "I am sorry...we weren't...I wasn't thinking. For once, it had nothing to do with Bo...he just kinda followed. Don't be mad at him...be mad at me. I wasn't thinkin'...I didn't even stop to think that she may be here because of Shay. I'm sorry." Kristy wipes her face harshly to rid of the tears before looking up at them. "No...I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped...yelled at the two of you like that," she finally says, "I am just upset and took it out on you, I'm sorry. There's no -" "You're right to be worried about Shay," Bo cuts in to give her a hug, "you are lacking sleep and that alone will make you edgy. Shay is in good hands...you need to have faith in the good Lord and in them." "Now you are starting to sound like Uncle Jesse," Kristy smiles slightly at her younger half brother, "the bad thing is...I know you are right." A broad smile takes over Bo's face as he glares over at Luke, like a child would do before saying, "Here that Luke...Kristy says, that I was right." "I guess Uncle Jesse was right," Luke smiles back at him, "when saying that there is a first time for everything...which will make it your last!"