A/N: It's kinda short, but it's been floating around in my head, so here's your next update. Still don't own the Dukes or anyone who belongs in Hazzard. Read, enjoy, and review!

Previously: Sharing a grin with Daisy, Emily strode out onto the porch. Her eyes settled on Luke, and she made her way to the General Lee. Waiting until she was sure she wouldn't surprise him, Emily touched his shoulder. "Luke, could we talk?"

Luke's sapphire eyes darkened slightly as he met her hazel gaze. "Now's not a good time, Emily," he said rather shortly as he leaned back under the hood.

"Now you don't believe me to be a fool, do ya? 'Cause I know that there's nothing wrong with the General, other than that belt lookin' mighty worn," Emily retorted. Luke glanced at the serpentine belt and sighed. It had seen better days. She knew cars and had called his bluff. He really didn't want to talk to her, but, with a sigh, he turned and faced her.

"All right. What would you like to talk about?" he asked as he leaned against the stockcar.

Emily tucked her hands into the back pockets of her jeans which, Luke had to admit, she filled out pretty nicely. "I want to know exactly why you haven't been treating me in the same manner your family is. I'm sure it has to do with the fact that Boss Hogg is my father. Is that the only reason, or do you have more?"

"How do you think I felt watching you ride away with Bo slung over your saddle? Huh?" Luke burst out angrily. "I didn't know you, but you seemed to know me and Bo. How did I know you were gonna bring him back? How did I know if I could trust you?"

She waited until he had finished. "If you didn't trust me, you would have stopped me," she said softly.

Luke stilled. He remembered the look in her eyes that day and realized she was right. He had trusted her then, why couldn't he trust her now? "Why didn't you just come to Hazzard with us then?" he asked, the anger draining from his voice.

"I wasn't quite ready. I still had my campsite set up, and if I had come then, word would've gotten to Boss Hogg for sure about me," Emily replied. Her hazel eyes grew darker at the mention of her father, and Luke noticed.

"What all do you know about him?"

"Just what I've learned about him since I got here," she said bitterly. "Mama only told me his name and where I could find him. She didn't mention him in her letters to Jesse, and the ones she had saved didn't say much about him." She sighed. "The only reason I'd want to know him now is to find out about the past, ya know?" Luke nodded and she continued. "But my being his kin really ain't a reason for you to be so cold without getting to know who I am."

The eldest Duke boy stared at the ground, slightly ashamed. She had a valid point. The whole time he'd been judging her because of Boss Hogg, not for who she was. That's not how Uncle Jesse had raised him. Luke looked up and said, "I'm sorry, Emily. I really am. I should have gotten to know ya better, instead of treatin' ya the way I have." He held out his hand. "Forgive me?"

Emily didn't hesitate. She grasped Luke's hand in her own and smiled. "Forgiven." With a firm handshake she went to work Desperado, leaving Luke to continue tinkering under the hood of the General.

TBC...

Ya know, I bet they're both glad to have that resolved. Ol' Luke should have known better, but we all make mistakes. Besides, the Dukes and Emily might have to team up in later chapters... Please review!