Going Home 3

[DixieDavenport]

And with that, she crouched down to take a look at Braxton, who was finally asleep. She smiled at Beth. "He's growin' like a weed," she said softly.

Beth grinned, taking the baby boy and putting him back in his bassinet. "Care for a cup of coffee, Linda?" she asked.

The somewhat tired Sheriff readily agreed to that, and Beth made her a cup.

Meanwhile, Laura had curled up in Dixie's former spot on the couch, and was leaning against Jake, having worn herself out crying. He wrapped his arm around her waist, holding her tight.

After finishing her cup of coffee, Linda left, and the Duke house quieted down again. All of them worn out, they scattered to go to their respective beds or sleeping places, where everyone wanted to sleep, but no one much felt like they could.

[DixieDavenport]

The next morning found Luke...........

for the first time in a long time waking up because he woke up. He hadn't been woke up by the alarm clock nor his pager. At least he thought nothing had woke him up until it happened again. Dixie was curled on her side with her head on his shoulder and her leg thrown across him which put the baby right between them. Luke smiled when he felt the baby kick again. As he looked at Dixie, she was still sound asleep. Luke knew Dixie was not a morning person. He shook his head and he suddenly knew who was going to be up this early every morning in a few months. He was watching Dixie sleep as he put his hand on her stomach and said in hushed tones, "I see who you'll be wanting your breakfast from, huh? Trying to get me wrapped around your finger and you're not even here yet."

Without opening her eyes, Dixie put her hand on top of Luke's and said as she turned over and put her back against his chest, "I've had you wrapped around my finger since I was 15."

"Yes, you have." he said in agreement and they snuggled closer. Mornings where they were both off work hadn't happened too much lately.

Both had hoped to enjoy at least a few more minutes of just being close when Dixie said, "I got to get up."

"No, you don't." Luke said holding her a bit tighter.

"Unless you want a water bed, yes I do." Dixie said as she felt Luke loosen his hold on her quickly. She said, "Sorry." as she put on her robe.

Luke was now heading to the bedroom door, "I'll start coffee."

Dixie had to laugh, "Luke as much as I like seeing you like that, we have company."

He fussed, "We have our own home and I still have to be dressed to go in the hall." He was remembering several times he'd tried to sneak across the hall at Jesse's in only a towel and been caught by Daisy, Beth or even Dixie. He put his jeans on and grabbed a T-shirt and went down the hall toward the kitchen. He stopped as he got to the hallway and what he saw also reminded him of the night that Beth's car had blown a tire and ended up in a ditch. Luke had taken Dixie back to the farm while Jesse and Bo took Daisy and Beth to be checked by Doc. Dixie had been so upset and Luke was running on about an hours worth of sleep for 2 days. Jesse found them curled up on the couch much like he was seeing Jake and Laura.

Dixie came out of the bathroom and seen Luke standing at the end of the hallway.

Luke put his finger to his lips and motioned for her to be quiet.

"What are you looking at?" Dixie whispered.

With a grin, Luke replied, "Us, oh about twenty years ago." He pointed to the couch.

Dixie looked up at Luke with puppy dog eyes, "You're not gonna fuss at them are you?" She knew Luke had said Laura was welcome in his house not in Jake's bed. She also knew Laura had been settled down in the spare room when they went to bed.

"No more than Jesse fussed at us." He walked over to the couch and whispered, "Jake" as he tapped Jake's foot.

Jake was a bit harder to wake up than Luke had always been, but when he did wake up the look he gave Luke was one of worry. He didn't want to cross Luke after everything he'd done for them.............

He had no need to worry. Luke was smiling. "It's all right, Son," he said. "I think she needed ya."

Jake smiled, looking down at the sleeping girl and nodded his agreement with Luke.

[DixieDavenport]

****** NOTE ******* I think I have gotten to the parts of this story that I know who posted each section, therefore the next posts will be shorter with a note at the beginning who actually wrote it. Hopefully, it won't be long before we can start adding new stuff to it! DixieDavenport

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88 Enjoy!!!

01~~~~~~~~~~01

The Duke men decided upon gathering later that day that it was time for a guys' night out, much to the girls' concern. They all knew that a guys' night would involve alcohol and the Boar's Nest, which usually added up to at least a night in the pokey. But, they were prepared to let them go until Jeb made a suggestion that earned him the death glare from Beth. Looking at Jesse, the older Duke said, "Why don't you come down to the Boar's Nest with us tonight and help me set up for my band?"

Jesse immediately agreed, only to be stopped by Beth. "Not so fast, young man," she said, giving Jeb a look that could have burned a hole into him.

"Beth," Bo said, trying to stop her from getting mad. "I'll keep an eye on him, he'll be helping Jeb... What could possibly go wrong?"

Beth raised her eyebrows. "Beauregard Jackson Duke, what could go wrong? It's y'all at the Boar's Nest... I could think of a million things..."

Bo shook his head. "If he wants to go along, Jesse helpin' Jeb sounds like a good plan. Jeb can always use an extra pair of hands."

Beth looked at Bo, her carefree wild Duke boy was still alive and well inside the somewhat responsible man now standing here. Sometimes, she was still convinced he was the same boy she married when she looked into those sparkling blue eyes. "Yeah... but my worry is where that pair of hands will end up when they're done setting up."

Jeb looked at Beth, as if hurt that she didn't trust him. "He'll be fine... we're all gonna be there to keep an eye on him!"

Beth looked at Jeb in shock, as she replied,...................

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

"Now, Jeb Duke I KNOW how those two kept an eye our for YOU!" Beth said.

Jeb looked hurt, "That's not real fair, now Beth. I was usually the last one in on any fight that ever broke out since I was expected to keep the band going." He had seen how Beth tried to 'baby' Jesse and Jeb had told the young boy he'd try to talk some since in her since she was no longer pregnant and highly emotional.

Jesse was watching this go down.

Dixie wasn't real happy because she knew all the trouble the older ones could get into without even trying. But said, "Beth, even Daddy let me go with them if he was there when I was fifteen."

Luke couldn't help cringe when she called Luther 'Daddy' after all the trouble he had caused them. Luke knew this wasn't his fight but added. "Beth, how old were you the first time you went to the Boar's Nest with us all?"

Before Beth could answer Dixie added, "Beside Cooter will be home for a few weeks and be right there with them. If you can't trust our Congressman who can you trust."

Luke wasn't sure that logic would work about Cooter but he'd see......

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Beth paused. She knew Cooter well, and Congressman or not, he was still Crazy Cooter. But she also had to think that too much trouble would hurt Cooter's career. Maybe it would be OK... If the boys stuck by their promise to keep an eye on Jesse.

Looking at her middle son, who was almost as tall as Bo, she shook her head. "Go ahead," she said. "But so help me, Bo Duke, if something happens to Jesse... Or if you give him any bright ideas..." She didn't have to finish the statement for Bo to know that she was threatening something no man wanted... Especially not him.

He nodded his agreement, and promised, "We'll look out for him."

Jesse wasn't thrilled with the idea of anyone looking out for him, but he'd deal if he could go to the Boar's Nest with the men. Grinning, he went up the stairs to get dressed.

Beth shook her head. This would probably end badly, but Jesse was growing up, and she had to start giving in sometime.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

As the guys waited for Jesse to return they all could not miss the looks given to them by the ladies of the house.

Luke was the first to catch Dixie off to herself, "I'll stay home if you want me to."

Dixie turned around and put her arms around her husband's neck, "Luke you work far to hard to not have a guys night out." she looked down at her now showing stomach. "Jake is old enough to understand how Hazzard works which is different than any place on Earth, but not too far in the future you'll have a little one here who's going to be looking up to you all."

Luke smiled at Dixie, "You are aware, that for better or worse I've been looked up to since I was 2." He glanced over at Bo who, when Luke thought about it, had been married to Beth for near half his life. He was the father of six children who's worse mistake in life had been when Bo, Jr. had decided one night to act like his father, Luke, Jeb, Vance, Coy and Cooter had on far more than one occasion. Then, he looked at Jeb -- musician, motor-cross champion -- still as free and wild as he had been at Jesse's age. About the only thing Luke could chalk up to him making mistakes resulted in following himself, Bo or both of them. He couldn't forget Daisy who started working in the Boar's Nest at age 16 so that Boss Hogg would give Jesse and loan so the boys could make the General Lee a reality and now about to get her degree. Then, there was Vance who had served in the Merchant Marines and Coy, the baby, who was always expected to help look after one or the other family member, when all they both wanted to do was to follow in Bo and Luke's foot steps. "Ya know all in all, they have all turned out pretty da-- well, and the last time I looked I wasn't Dillinger either."

Dixie thought about what Luke had said, "The Duke 'boys' wild as any of the guys I've had ever known." she paused before finishing, "You're a smokejumper. Bo, who would have ever thought, he'd stayed with Beth this long, let alone have six children. Daisy even entering Duke University was a surprise let alone about to get her degree. Jeb looks like he's been hooked by Debbie even though he ain't admitting it yet. Then, there is Coy and Vance who have helped about every family member ya'll have." she paused again, before finishing, "You know I guess you are right. Ain't none of ya'll turned out to badly, which is another reason why ya'll should have a night out just to yourselves and not worry about anything and Jesse needs to have the chance to learn about the music he loves and get to know those Donged Duke 'boys' we all love. Luke he's getting to that age where he'll be wanting to start finding his own way and I'm afraid that Beth likes to 'baby' him a bit much. Heck, even I was able to go hang out with ya'll at the Boar's Nest and the garage when I was fifteen.............." her voice sort of trailer off.

"Yeah, I remember." Luke's mind flashed several images of Dixie when she was fifteen and sixteen. He tugged at his collar. It had suddenly gotten really warm in here. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay home with you?"

Dixie blushed as red as Hazzard's fire trucks, "Go."

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Luke grinned and nodded as Jesse came down the stairs in clothes that sent all of them back in time. A button down shirt, his best pair of jeans and a big belt buckle that Beth recognized immediately. Bo had worn that same belt buckle during their sparking days. She smiled. Her son looked handsome. He walked over to the men and grinned. "Ready to go," he said.

Beth sighed. The boy stood next to his father. Blue eyed just like both of his parents, but with Beth's dark hair, he looked so handsome that Beth almost choked up a little at the memories.

She glanced over at his father, knowing that the young ladies of Hazzard might have too much fun with her middle son as nice as he looked. "Y'all be careful," she said softly.

"Always are," Bo said, winking and giving Beth that same grin she'd fallen in love with so many years ago.

"You better be," she replied.

Dixie, Beth, and Debbie had planned a little girls night of their own, with Ruth Anne, Caroline, and Michaela, and it was time to get down to it.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Upon arriving at the Boar's Nest...........

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Jeb and Jesse headed toward where a local band was setting up to play later in the evening while the others headed to a large table to the side of the stage.

Across the room one of the Boar's Nest's new waitresses eye nearly popped out of her head seeing all the Duke men together and ALONE tonight. She turned to the regular waitress and said, "Things are sure looking up tonight."

"Sugar, most of what you are looking at right there is just good 'eye candy' or far too young for you." The regular waitress said, then added with a knowing look, "Besides, I'd just about bet the wives and girl friends will be showing up soon."

The new waitress said as she headed to take the guys order, "Maybe, maybe not, but they sure look thirsty."

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

The guys all ordered beers except for those who were too young, and stuck with Coke for the time being.

Jeb and Jesse got set up for the evening, and then joined the guys at the table. It was going to be a fun night, and all of the men were excited to just relax and enjoy the evening.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, at the farm, the girls were having some fun of their own...

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

as everyone was glad to see Daisy pull up. She had even came home for the weekend, so that she could be in on all the preparations for the upcoming baby shower for Dixie and putting the final touches on the baby's room. Out of habit Daisy pulled up to Bo and Beth's. She got out of Dixie and walked in the back door to find a house full of girls and none of the men.

"Ok, what gives? Where did you all bury the bodies?"

Jessica looked at her strangely and replied, "Bodies?"

Daisy explained, "There isn't a Duke male around anywhere. Ya'll finally done killed them all right?"

Dixie replied from the living room, "If its that obvious to you then we're in a heap of trouble when the Sheriff arrives." Then added, "But, really they are all decked out to kill and have already headed out to the Boar's Nest."

Daisy looked a bit surprised, "You are kidding right? They went where? Alone?"

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Dixie grinned and nodded, to which Beth added, "But if they get in another fight, they're gonna wish we'd killed 'em."

Daisy had to laugh at that. "So," she asked, grinning happily as the ladies of Beth's brood came down the stairs, all dressed very nicely. "Where we goin' for supper?"

They finally decided on a nicer restaurant in town, and after Beth had gotten Braxton to sleep so that the car ride would be bearable, the ladies, and the tiniest Duke boy made their way to the car.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, the band was playing some old favorites at the Boar's Nest this evening, and everyone was enjoying it. There were couples dancing, and all of them seemed to be having a good time.

A waitress walked over to pay some "special" attention to the gaggle of handsome men who'd just settled in.............

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

"Do ya'll need refills yet? Sure look mighty thirsty ta me." she said with her sweetest voice.

Luke had always been the 'spokes person' for the group so it was him who replied, "Well, it looks like those three are Ok. But, you can bring us three a round and go ahead and bring three more too. It looks as if the band will be taking a break soon." This was an age old way to get more glasses on the table than people at the table.

Bo knew what Luke was doing and the fact that he had included Jesse in the 'game' earned Luke a stern glare from Bo.

Luke grinned at his up tight cousin.

The waitress was more than happy to accommodate the guys and would have likely brought them the keg itself if they'd so much as asked. She replied, "Sure thang, Darlin'. Say you wouldn't be up for a little dance later would ya?"

Luke seen the look of shock on Jesse and even Jake and Bo, Jr's face, as well as indescribable looks on Jeb and Bo's faces before he replied, "Afraid not, but you keep up the good service and I'll see you get a good tip."

Though she indeed wanted the tip, she would have preferred the Donce. But the night was early and she knew Luke Duke had left there with plenty of women before so surely him being married wouldn't stop that. Maybe she'd asked far to early in the evening. She thought as she filled the glasses.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, on stage David, the singer for the band and long time friend of the older Dukes, spotted none other than Cooter Davenport walk into the local bar. He took this opportunity to hopefully get good times kicked off right. He motioned for Jeb to come over at the end of his current song. After a couple of words with Jeb he took the mic and said, "Folks, ya'll should remember one of the people who got me started coming out and playing for ya'll instead of just singing in the shower. Now, it's been a few years since Jeb here had a band, but I think ya'll may be able to convince him to sing one for ya that he wrote far too long ago to talk about."

The small crowd in the bar began to whoop and holler.

Jesse looked at Bo and asked, "What's going on?"

"Well, I think he just shucked and jived Jeb into singing for us." Bo replied as Cooter took a seat at the table.

Now, Cooter may have been just in from Washington, but he was dressed in a stained, but clean outfit of jeans and work shirt, "Hey, ya'll. Are one of these mine?"

Luke laughed, "Go ahead. I'll get Jesse another."

Jesse's eyes widened at the statement.

Luke warned Bo, Sr. "And you were HOW old when I bought you your first beer?"

Bo, Sr. sighed as Jeb took the mic and readied to sing as the band started a song he knew immediately. He quickly said, "I wrote this one day while watching one of our Congressmen over there talking to my cousins." He began to sing,

"I wear a greasy ball cap

I like my shirt untucked

I spend Saturdays working on my truck

I don't like to fight

But I ain't scared to bleed

Most don't mess with a guy like me

(Chorus)

'Cause guys like me drink too many beers on Friday after work

Our best blue jeans have skoal rings

We wear our boots to church

So rough around the edges

It's hard to believe

That girls like you

Love guys like me

Your daddy worked at the bank

Mine worked on cars

You went to college

I pulled graveyard

You must have had your pick

Of all the trust fund types

But you came back to me and only God knows why

(Repeat Chorus)

Now there's a lot of guys like me out there

In a lot of little towns

And tellin' all our buddies, we won't ever settle down

We say thats just the way we are and the way we'll always be

So God sends girls like you for guys like me

Thank God there's girls like you, for guys like me"

Jesse had his total attention on Jeb as he had sung the song and found it hard to believe Jeb had wrote it about Cooter, Bo and Luke. Then he got a bigger suprise as he heard, ..............

Jeb had finished the song and said into the mic, "Now, David thinks he's good getting me up here for ya'll but let's see if we can get another up coming musician up here." He paused.

The crowd clapped, hooped and hollered with out knowing who Jeb was talking about, each looking around to see who he meant.....

Jeb smiled, "Now this might take some doing cause I don't think he's ever sang for a crowd before but I'm sure that if ya'll get him to come up here the band here knows anything he would like ta sing for ya'll,..... How about it Jesse????"

Bo, Sr. nearly spit his beer across the table.

Luke couldn't help but laugh at his cousins, as well as Jesse's expression.

Jesse, himself, ........................

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

looked around the room as if there were another Jesse in the room that Jeb MUST be talking about. Seeing no one else, he glared at Jeb, but walked toward the stage, as Luke and Bo sat laughing at him.

He walked up on stage, drawing a complete blank on what he wanted to sing. He grinned nervously. He mouthed the name of the song to Jeb, who told the rest of the band quickly what to play and in what key.

Then, Jesse started singing a Conway Twitty song that he'd learned from years of hearing his parent's music.

There's a lot of ways of saying

What I wanna say to you

There's songs and poems and promises

And dreams that might come true

But I won't talk of starry skies

Or moonlight on the ground

I'll come right out and tell you

I'd just love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper

Pretty love words in your ear

Lay you down and tell you all the things

A woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means

Just havin' you around

Oh, darlin', how I'd love to lay you down

There's so many ways your sweet love's

Made this house into a home

You've got a way of doing

Little things that turn me on

Like standing in the kitchen

In your faded cotton gown

With your hair all up in curlers

I still love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper

Pretty love words in your ear

Lay you down and tell you all the things

[ Find more Lyrics at www.mp3lyrics.org/dzS ]

A woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means

Just havin' you around

Oh, darlin' how I'd love to lay you down

When a whole lot of Decembers

Are showin' in your face

Your auburn hair has faded

And silver takes it's place

You'll be just as lovely and

I'll still be around

And if I can't I know that

I'd still love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper

Pretty love words in your ear

Lay you down and tell you all the things

A woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means

Just havin' you around

Oh, darlin' how I'd love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper

Pretty love words in your ear

Lay you down and tell you all the things

My woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means

Just havin' you around

Oh, darlin' how I love to lay you down

Lay you down and softly whisper

Pretty love words in your ear

Lay you down and tell you all the things

My woman loves to hear

I'll let you know how much it means

Just havin' you around

Oh, Darlin, how I'd love to lay you down.

When he finished singing, Bo was nearly incredulous. His youngest son had always been kind of quiet about his talent. Bo knew he could do it, but had never seen him so readily try. And to nail a Conway song, at that. The boy walked off stage before Bo could get his bearings.

A young waitress took quick notice of the youngest Duke, and upon seeing her look him up and down, Jesse walked over to make her acquaintance.

Seeing the exchange, Bo shook his head, and said, "Oh, sh--. Not another one."

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

As the band walked over at Jeb's invitation for their break, Luke swallowed his drink of beer and replied with a bit of a 'toasting acting', "Looks like, there Father of THREE boys and THREE girls." Luke grinned like a Cheshire cat. He was relaxed and having a good time so it was time to pick on Bo. "So what ya going to do when a boy like US shows up on your door for one of YOUR girls?"

Bo's face lost all it's previous humor and color, then turned serious and pale. As Bo, Sr. remembered seeing his oldest daughter, Ruth Ann, crying to her Momma not to very long ago. He knew she was getting close to that age when he would indeed find a boy at his door looking for her. "That ain't funny Luke."

The older group of men who had grown up with Bo, Sr. and Luke all thought it was very funny until they saw the look on Bo's face and quickly tried to hide their laughter.

Luke said, "But watching you deal with it may be."

Before Bo, Sr. could reply, Cooter interrupted by flagging the older waitress down, "This next round is on me, "Bring us ten drafts." he figured that would be enough with what was on the table for the them, the band as well as Bo, Jr, Jake and Jesse to have at least a mug of the watered down brew and surely with the night being so young they were sure to be drank.

Bo, Sr. had been glaring at Luke but now frowned at Cooter.

The waitress couldn't have been more happy to be waiting on this particular table, "Why sure Congressman Davenport."

Cooter sighed, "Can we drop all that? I'm Cooter tonight, ok?"

"Whatever you say." the waitress said as she bounced off to get their orders and quickly returned, "So fellas, not that I EVER mind waiting on ya'll but what's the occasion that brings all you handsome men out her together and VERY MUCH ALONE ?"

Luke looked at Jake either for him to answer or a go ahead to spill the beans himself.

Jake gladly took the opportunity for a couple of reasons, one to make sure he could actually say it and two he felt if he could say it he may begin to believe it MAY just actually work out, "Well, let's say it's kind of early bachelor party."

Jeb was quick to add, "And IF we survive tonight we may actually get to have the real thing when they set a date."

The older waitress knew that Bo, Sr., and Luke were married, but with so many of the guys at the table she wasn't sure who they were talking about so she decided to stick her foot in deeper, "So who's the lucky couple?"

Jake replied with a bit of a grin, "You may be getting to work for Laura a lot more if I have anything to say about it."

NARRATOR: Now don't go getting to involved to see who just walked into the Boar's Nest .......... (Mr. Campbell and Laura's brother)......

The waitress had basically been hired to work so that the regular waitresses such and Laura and Jessica could have at least a day or two off each week. She put two and two and exclaimed for all the bar to hear since the band wasn't playing, "Oh, MY!! YOU and LAURA are getting married!!!!"

With all the band standing around the table talking to this person or that one it was easy for Jeb to slide a beer to each of the underage fellas. He knew the only one they had to really watch to make sure the wrong people didn't see was Jesse because he was younger than the other two whom most people thought were old enough to have a beer. Jesse had managed to stand close enough to the table to be drinking the beer as yet unnoticed, but still far enough away to continue his conversation with the young girl, so Bo hadn't gotten to tell him how proud he was of his singing.

Jake replied, "Yes, Ma'am, just as soon as she will have me."

Bo, Jr. picked, "I thought you said Luke's couch was comfortable."

Luke and Jake at the same time said, "No, it's not." to which Jake added, "I'd much rather be in a nice soft bed ..........

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

As the ladies got out of the car Dixie picked up the diaper bag for Beth and said, "Poor Braxton, alone with all us girls. Maybe we should have sent him with the men?"

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Beth grinned at Dixie. "Our luck, if we sent him with them, he'd go to jail, too."

Dixie and Daisy laughed out loud at that, because neither could argue with it. Beth, too, was laughing. Years of being a Duke woman, while not quite having taken away the worry, had helped her learn to deal with it somewhat better.

She cuddled her baby boy close, and sighed. "Thank God for tonight... Just us girls and the one Duke boy who isn't trouble."

Looking at Dixie, she grinned. "I can't wait to see Luke when yours comes along."

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

NOTE -- Sorry some of these are short but that is the way it was orginally posted.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

"Well, he did do Ok with you, that is, ummmm............ after Bo. Jr. got rid of three counties of law officers out of your yard. You should have seen!" Dixie replied then thought with a laugh, "Or are you referring to that big tuff Marine in him?"

Beth replied, "Yeah. I love Luke like a brother, but he always acts SO tuff. Just once I'd like to see him fall on his face, and I would still pay dearly for a video of that since I was just a little pre occupied at the time."

Dixie laughed, "Well you know the old saying, you can take the man out of the Marines but you can't take the Marine out of the man."

Beth noticed that Laura was being really quiet tonight. "Laura is everything alright?"

She smiled weakly at Beth and answered far shyer than normal, "It's just that Braxton is the only baby I've ever really been around and with everything that's been going on, I haven't been around him much....."

Jessica on the other hand was still silently wishing that she had been the one to be carrying a Duke baby.

Dixie nodded at her, "Honey, trust me I haven't been around any babies for any length of time either, but you got plenty of time and a couple little Dukes to practice on before your baby gets here. But we have more important things to talk about, ......." she smiled widely, "We have a wedding to plan!"

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Jake finished his sentence, "Do either of you all know how hard it is to sleep on the couch with Laura in on the other side of the wall?"

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Luke laughed at Jake and replied, "Yes, I do. I dated a girl for about two years when I was a bit younger than you and I stayed at her house often. It was real hard to turn left to Mark's room at the top of the stairs instead of right to hers."

Bo decided a bit of pay back was in order, "You know you didn't sleep in the boys room! David told me that the closet connected the two rooms. After all these years and you still don't tell the truth about that."

Luke grinned like a cheesie cat and replied, "Ask Mark sometime about it. It was HIS room I was staying in."

Bo looked at Luke and said, "You're lying."

"Well, since you are so interested in the lay out of Robin's house, did you also learn that her parents room was on the other side of her room? Do you really think I'd buck her Dad?" Luke said smugly.

Bo frowned, he knew her father was not one to rile up, he mumbled, "Yeah, I ain't got that part figured out yet."

Bo, Jr., Jake and especially Jesse were enjoying the banter between the two cousins.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Across the the room was Laura's brother and father. Her brother looked at his dad and said, "Look over there. They sure seem to be having a good time."

Mr. Campbell looked over at the crowded tables where the Dukes were..................

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

apparently, having a good time. How dare they, after what that Duke boy had done to his daughter?

Mr. Campbell had already had one drink too many for the night, and he was in no mood to see smiling Dukes around.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Bo and Luke looked at each other, the Duke 6th sense for trouble perking both of them up. Something was coming, and when Bo looked back at the table where the Campbells were sitting, he knew why.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Bo looked at Luke, trying not to let his face show that something was wrong. He quietly said, "Don't look now, but we have some mighty unfriendly looking fellas burning holes in our backs from that back table."

Luke nodded as if Bo had told him that their last name was Duke, took a drink of his beer, then turned as if to say something to Jeb so that he could see who Bo was talking about. It only took a half a glance to see the Campbells nearly breathing fire at the Dukes mere existence. He turned back to Bo and said, "The way I see it is, ..... we can leave with our tails tucked or, ..... continue to enjoy our evening and I'm not much for the first one."

Bo felt he had to insist, "Luke you know they are going to start something sooner or later."

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Across the large table the younger guys weren't paying Bo and Luke or the Campbells any attention. They were far more into their own conversations. Bo, Jr. had his Daddy's knack for saying all the wrong things at precisely the wrong times. "You know Jake, I sure was glad Jessica wasn't pregnant, but I really kind wish that she were soon going to be sharing my bed soon like Laura will be yours soon."

Jesse was standing near by and couldn't help but wonder what it was like to actually be with a woman.

It was at that moment, that Joe, Laura's brother, walked by the table.......

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

And, of course, as Duke luck would have it, he caught Bo, Jr's comment about Jessica and Laura. He turned to Jake and sneered, "Like Laura will be soon? You got people believin' she ain't already in your bed every night?"

Jake was all but shaking with anger at what the other man had said. "She ain't already in my bed," he said. "So you best mind your own business. I ain't got no desire for this to get nasty."

Bo, Jr., despite Jake's comment, was all set for things to get nasty if they did.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Joe glared as he said, "How'd she get knocked up then, Miller?? Or is it, ..... " he paused, the said as if he had tasted something foul, "DUKE??"

Across the table, Luke turned when he heard the raised voices on the other end of the table, "Looks like it's gonna be sooner!"

Jeb was near the band when he heard the raised voices and also turned.

Cooter had walked over to the bar also heard the raised voices and told the man he was talking to, "I'll be back." He hoped he could calm the situation down.

Bo scanned the area where Jesse had been a minute ago with Jeb. He wasn't there. As his eyes reached the other end of the table he found Jesse right beside Jake and Bo, Jr. Now, Bo, Sr., seen what Jesse Duke had seen more times that he'd ever wanted to, the boys were at the 'ready' and he knew if something didn't defuse the situation it was gonna get bad real quick! All it would take, no matter how much any of them didn't want trouble was for someone to blink wrong or just say the wrong thing.

Though the older Dukes feared it would be Jake who put the young Campbell in his place, it was the youngest of the bunch who felt 'froggy'. With the reaction that was mixed somewhere between that of a man and a two year old, Jesse stepped toe to toe with Joe Campbell and said, "Take that back!"

With an equally childish reaction, Joe Campbell pushed Jesse out of the way. It was Jake who he wanted to fight.

Bo, Sr. saw his son being pushed out of the way an immediately flew mad! Before Luke or anyone else could stop Bo he had already leaped head first into the situation! "Don't you go pushing HIM!!!"

Jesse stepped forward in spite of having been pushed backwards, "I'll handle this!" then he turned toward Joe Campbell, "I'm not about to let you talk like that about Laura!"

Luke knew exactly what he would have done twenty odd years ago, but for some reason he was seeing things differently tonight. Maybe it was the fact that he had been expecting trouble with the Campbells being here and had time to think or maybe it was Dixie. But the main thing stopping Luke from jumping head first into the situation was the unpleasant thoughts of seeing Dixie at work and in a professional manner rather than as his wife.

Jesse had no more than got out the words, "I'll handle this!" when Sheriff Strate walked in and immediately replied, as Jesse continued his sentence while heading toward Joe Campbell, "No! I'll handle THIS!!!" she said in her most authoritative voice. She looked at Joe Campbell who was breathing fire, "Go to the bar, get a cold NON-alcoholic beverage and cool down. I'll talk to you in a minute."

Joe wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed but he really didn't want to go to jail. He knew that the Sheriff wouldn't hesitate to arrest him since she had locked up his father before, so he turned away from the Dukes and headed toward the bar.......

Sheriff Strate turned back to Bo, Jesse as well as the others, "I'd like to see you ALL outside, now."

Though the Dukes and one Davenport, knew that they really hadn't done anything (yet) to be arrested for, each of them felt a bit of dread as they headed outside.

Once outside Sheriff Strate took a calming breath before she began, "I don't know what I just walked in on, and I'm not really sure that I want to know. For starters, I'm not going to ask if you boys were drinking, nor am I going to ask how old Jesse is. What I am going to do is highly suggest that if you all want to continue this get together that you do it at the garage, the farm or one of ya'lls old still sights."

It was obvious, to the older Dukes, that she had been talking to Enos.

She looked at the group before her, "Now is there anything that I should be arresting anyone for out of this incident?"

Bo really wanted to have Joe Campbell arrested for pushing Jesse, but Luke interrupted his thoughts by saying, "No, none at all. The Campbell boy just jumped in on a conversation that he should never have heard."

Sheriff Strate reminded, "I know this is a small town and ya'll are going to keep running into each other. I also know that tensions are running hot on both sides of this and I expect that they will continue at least until the wedding or so I am told by my cousin. Both Enos and I can understand this, but fellas I'm getting a bit tired of having to get in the middle of this and trust me, Judge Hardcastle said as much the last time I had to break ya'll up......"

Luke heard the warning the Sheriff spoke loud and clear. He held up his hand, stopping her in mid thought, "We're going, that is if you'll let us."

Cooter added, "Yeah, what about No 3?" He said referring to still site number 3 which was near the back of the Duke farm.

Jeb knew that Bo was still hot so he agreed with Cooter, hoping that Luke and Bo would also agree, "Yeah that sounds like a plan."

Cooter and Jeb knew that no one would bother them there and that there was plenty of beverages still hidden near by that was guaranteed to keep them all happy all night long.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

After a pleasant dinner, without being interrupted by any reports of the guys being into trouble the ladies were getting ready to go to their cars. Dixie, who even to the surprise of Beth, had not had any difficulties thus far in her pregnancy except for morning sickness once and a few incidents of night sickness. She had worked every shift but one up to this point and had totally enjoyed most every aspect of caring Luke's child except for being sick and of course gaining several pounds. Luke had been kind enough to remind her that her weight gain only meant that their child was healthy. As Dixie went to get up a 'practice contract' hit her as the baby kicked her under her ribs. It was a combination that to say the least was uncomfortable. Seeing the way Dixie gasped as she set back down in her seat and held her stomach, even though her due date was still a few weeks away, it would not have surprised Beth if she had seen the floor becoming wet right about now. She handed Braxton to Laura and knelt beside Dixie, "Are you Ok?"

Dixie was struggling to gain any composure she could, "Not sure. What was that?"

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Beth thought for a minute. "I think it's just sort of a practice run, so to speak," she said. "It happened to me a lot with the boys when it got closer to time." She paused, not quite sure what was the best plan of action. "If it happens again, let me know, and we'll decide what to do."

Dixie nodded, as the contraction subsided. She gave a sigh of relief.

Laura, in the meantime, was holding Braxton, smiling down at the tiny Duke boy. She wondered what it would feel like to hold her own child... She truly hoped that she and Jake would have this kind of life.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

It took a few minutes before Dixie decided to attempt to get up again, but she decided to try it just a bit slower this time.

Beth seen her start to stand up and said, "Are you Ok?"

Dixie replied, "Yeah, I think so. That just sort of took me by surprise." She was relieved not to have another of the so called practice contractions while walking to the car. Dixie was sure that if this was a practice one that she wasn't sure if she was ready for the real thing.

As the ladies were getting into their cars, Sheriff Strate pulled up beside them. She seen a look of dread pass between Beth, Daisy and Dixie. As she rolled down her window, she smiled at the ladies before saying, "They are fine and are currently heading toward Still Site # 3, if I heard them right. Now, I don't know where that is but I have a feeling ya'll might."

Dixie nodded and replied, "Thanks Linda."

"It's not a problem." Sheriff Strate said. She was sure hoping not to have to arrest the guys anytime soon. She wasn't an expert or anything but from the looks of things to her, it looked like there was going to be another Duke in Hazzard in the near future. She could only hope that it was not another boy!!!

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

All the men had decided to combine forces and take the two vehicles that Bo and Luke knew would make the trip. The General Lee and Luke's pickup. Luke drove his truck, Bo the General Lee. As they pulled off the at a wide spot barely big enough to get both vehicles. Luke stopped and said to Jake in the back, "How about locking in the hubs?"

Jake looked at Bo, Jr., shrugged and jumped over the side of the truck to do as Luke asked. Once back in the truck Jake asked, "Where is he going?"

Bo, Jr. replied, "How should I know. Remember until just a short while ago I lead a very 'sheltered' life."

Jesse added, "Can't be anymore sheltered than mine."

Bo, Jr. replied, "You got to go to the Boar's Nest at 16, I was 18!! And Mom still had a cow!!"

From the front of the cab Luke yelled, "Hang on back there."

Cooter asked as Luke put the truck in reverse, "Have you been up here lately?"

Luke replied, "Nope." As he popped the clutch and gunned the motor of the truck, heading it up an unseen and untraveled trail. By the time he got to the top his windshield was covered in Hazzard clay and he had cut to the left just in time for Bo to get the top of the hill and turn right. This had been done to the total amazement of the younger three boys and both Bo and Luke did it without lights.

Cooter was the first out of Luke's truck yelling to the top of his lungs, "WHHHHOooooo HOOOOooo!!!! MOTHER DOG!!!!!" He walked around the truck and declared, "You have been up here. You both could not have know that the road was clear and nothing was across it!"

Both Bo and Luke were out and looking at him and each other. Then Luke replied, "Honest, Coot I ain't been up here since, ..............." He thought about it and decided that he had better not tell Cooter the exact last time he was there, since it had been back when they were much younger and Dixie just happened to be with him. He shuddered just a bit, "In, ..........ummmmm, at least twenty some years!"

Bo, Jr. looked at his father, "HOW did you know he went left???"

Bo replied, "He always goes left!"

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Bo, Jr. laughed at his dad's comment. "You two really did do everything together, huh?"

Bo nodded. "Sure did."

Jake was still mildly rattled from the trek through the dark in the truck, but had to smile just a little at that. He wondered what life might have been like if he and Bo, Jr. had grown up together like their dads had, instead of as a Duke and a Miller.

Luke grinned. "How'd ya like that, son?"

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Meanwhile, the girls arrived back at the farm, glad to know that their men were at least safely on Duke property again. Beth, of course, was a little worried about Jesse, knowing that Bo and Luke wouldn't keep him from drinking.

[DixieDavenport]

This one I'm sure was written by DixieDavenport

01~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Dixie seen the look of worry on Beth's face as they were all settling down with something cold to drink after putting Braxton to bed. "What?"

Beth replied, "What? What are you talking about?"

"I know you too well, what is bothering you?" Dixie knew without waiting for Beth to reply, "If you are worried about Jesse, Beth, Honey he's almost 18. You do remember that when we were growing up the drinking age was 18, and how many of us waited until we were 18 to drink at the Boar's Nest???" When she seen the surprised looks on Debbie, Laura and Jessica's faces, Dixie had to laugh.

Beth .......

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

Jake replied, "Well, I trust ya and all but I think I'd have liked it better if I could have seen where we were going."

Cooter was still laughing, "Nooo! That's part of the fun!"

Luke swore that his brother-in-law, one of their states Congressmen, at that moment was the same Crazy Cooter who had herded Hershel Perrison's turkeys over a cliff. Only later to swear to Rosco that he thought turkey's could fly. "Well, since you all liked the ride, how about a nice nature walk?"

"Walk?" Jesse asked. "Why would we want to walk?"

Bo, Sr. replied, "Cause this is as far as you can get a vehicle."

Luke added, "Ya'll see moonshining wasn't as easy a job as you may think. We used to make this walk carrying sugar, corn, and jars up it and shine back down....."

Jeb could not resist adding to Luke's tale of woe, "Yeah, fellas and it was ten miles both ways, up hill, in the SNOW!!"

Luke glared at Jeb. He knew what Jeb was doing and decided to see if Jeb still thought him as old after they got to the moonshine shed at the top on the hill, "Well, since I'm so old that I sound like Grandpa Duke. Since I'm on my cane and all, maybe you want to race me to the top?"

Bo, Sr. put his hands out and moved both Bo, Jr. and Jesse back because he KNEW what was about to happen.

Jeb got a surprised look on his face. It had been years since he'd been challenged to a foot race by either of his cousins. "YOU are on, Gramps!!" he said as he broke and ran!!!!

Luke was already in motion.

Jake looked surprised at Bo, Sr. "Where are they going off like that in total darkness?"

Bo, Sr. replied, "The top of this hill. Come on I want to see who wins!"

Cooter replied, as he started walking, "You got that right! Come on boys."

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

It was obvious to Jeb as he watched his older cousin pass him that Luke may be older than himself but was in far better shape as Luke easily beat him to the top of the hill.

To Jeb, it may have looked like Luke beat him easily. Luke refused to let it show that the run up the steep hill was far harder than he'd ever admit even though he was in good shape.

01~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~01

NOTE: The part about walking them "walking ten miles both ways, up hill, in the SNOW!!" comes from my Father-in-law, he and some of his friends used to be talking and telling how poor they were as kids and piece from Bill Cosby when he used to tell how things were back in his father's day.

[DixieDavenport]

This was written I'm about 95% sure by Bethie88

01~~~~~~~~~~~01

Beth glared at Dixie as she let the information out about the pre-legal drinking they used to do at the Boar's Nest. "We were young and stupid, Dixie," she said, her tone just short of snappy. "Doesn't mean our kids have to make the same mistakes."

Dixie raised her eyebrows, surprised at Beth's biting tone.

"Oh, Lord," she said. "I'm sorry, Dixie. I didn't mean to be short with you. I just worry too much."

Dixie nodded. "I know you do, but your kids are near grown. You can't decide for 'em anymore."

Beth knew Dixie was right. The kids had to make their own mistakes. But Beth didn't want them to make all the same ones she had, including getting pregnant too young. She wouldn't trade a day of what she had, but she wanted her kids to have the chance to get an education if they so chose.

She settled in a chair with a cold soda.