The First Time

by DixieDavenport

This was orignally posted as a one shot reply to a challage, but is expandable. This is about phone call in the middle of the night and everyone in the Duke family's 'First Time' at dealing with such things.

21. Pushin' Buttons

Thanks to Bethie88 who jumped in and gave me a boost or two. Her part is in Bold print.

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Chapter 21

Judge Hardcastle looked at the two young men before him for another long minute sizing them both up before he said, "I'm glad to hear that you two are working out your differences just as long as neither of you are causing the officers any trouble." He turned to the Deputy and the Sheriff for their input.

Rosco answered honestly before he thought, "I've just been in and out. I don't come on duty here until later."

Deputy Petticord said, "Things have been pretty quiet. I haven't actually heard them say two words to each other."

Judge Hardcastle nodded. He now knew exactly what was going on. The two were still pushing each others buttons but doing so where the officers couldn't hear what was being said. Whatever it was between these two hadn't happened over night nor would they resolve it over night. Time would tell and there was still a lot of hours in the nine days that they would be living beside each other. "All right then, I'm on my way to see if I can hook me a fish of two." He gave Luke and Ralph a no nonsense look and said, "I'll be around when you least expect me to be."

Luke heard the warning loud and clear, though he still wanted to give Ralph a piece of his mind.

Ralph knew it wouldn't take much to push Luke over the edge. He'd just baiting him a little at a time.

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At the Duke farm the main chores had been done and breakfast eaten. Daisy had started that laundry as well as working on the breakfast dishes and preparing lunch in between loads. Jesse had Bo with him in the barn. They were tuning up Tilly. Well Jesse was doing the tuning and Bo was handing him the tools. Jesse was almost done when he took the last plug wire off to change the plug he noticed the wire was nearly burnt into where it had been allowed to lay on the manifold. He took the wire off and said, "Well, there is the problem. Looks like we'll be heading to town after lunch."

Bo looked at the small discolored place on the long spark plug wire. "That little place will really make the car not run right?"

Jesse grinned at his youngest nephew. "Yes, son it will." He knew Bo was born to drive from the time he'd started riding a tricycle, but Luke was certainly the mechanic of the two. "Come on, lunch should be ready."

Daisy seen the two heading toward the house and set the lemonade on the table.

Jesse began washing up and said, "After lunch I need to run to the garage for parts for Tilly."

Daisy said, "Can we all go and see Luke too while we're there?"

"That sounds like a fine idea." Jesse said. He was glad that whatever made Daisy act uncomfortable yesterday hadn't stopped her wanting to see Luke today.

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Shortly after finishing his own breakfast Deputy Petticord began digging around in the file cabinets beside his desk. He eventually found everything that he was looking for and made two stacks consisting of two towels, a wash cloth, a clean jumpsuit, a packet that contained a tube of shaving cream, tooth brush and tooth paste, deodorant, a small bar of soap. He also got out two razors that he would give to Luke and Ralph personally and get them back as soon as they finished using them. He looked up and seen Luke was finished with his breakfast while Ralph was still picking with his, so he put out Luke's things first. He checked the gate to make sure that it had been relocked after the Judge and Sheriff left. Then went to Luke's cell door, "Ready to grab a shower?"

Luke had been setting on the bunk not paying any attention to the Deputy. "I can be." Luke said as he reached for a clean pair of socks and underwear. A shower, particularly a cool one sounded good to him right about now.

The Deputy unlocked the cell door leaving it open and showed Luke to the shower area that set back in an offset behind the officers desk. The shower stall had a door on it that covered the person in the shower from just above the knees to about their shoulders. Luke stepped inside, undressed and put the worn jumpsuit on the shower door. He felt a bit self conscious with the Deputy at the desk even though he had limited privacy as he bathed. With the summer sun shining on their side of the Courthouse the temperatures had already began to rise. Luke welcomed the cool shower in more ways than one. The longer he was here the more he was reminded of how long it had been and would be, before he could indulge in the company of a female.

Realizing that he didn't have any clean socks or underwear, Ralph asked, "Deputy can I make a phone call?"

Deputy Petticord brought the phone over, "Make it quick."

Luke was in the shower but could hear Ralph's side of the conversation.

Ralph had the operator connect him with Robin's house. She answered on the second ring. "Robin." Ralph began, "I really thought that you'd be here by now. I really could use some under clothes to change into when I shower."

Robin felt guilty for not going to the jail to see him, but knew it was a place her parents would never permit her to go. No matter who was there. She said, "I told you that I can't come there."

Ralph now more than insisted she bring him his things, "Look, you know my family ain't comin' all the way here to drop my off some stuff. You are my fiancee and I not only expect but demand you to do as you are told."

Robin very quietly replied, "You'll get your stuff." Then she hung up.

Pleased as punch with his victory, Ralph smiled to himself. He had won the battle without even being near her. She had potential as soon as she learned that he was the boss. The sooner she learned that the sooner things would go smoother for them both.

Luke had no idea what Robin had said to Ralph. He surely didn't like the way Ralph talked to her and he'd have bet good money that Robin would not be seen anywhere near the jail to see Ralph, him or anyone else for that matter. Luke was now dressed in a clean orange jumpsuit. He had just finished shaving and wiped his face off with the wash cloth. As he turned he saw Deputy Petticord waiting expecting. Luke sighed, reached for the razor and handed it to the Deputy who was only doing his job well but it really made Luke feel about three.

Deputy Petticord examined the razor to make sure both blades were still intact. Once satisfied he returned Luke to his cell. Luke again heard the clang of the cell door shutting and the very distinct sound of the lock locking behind him, then the chills again ran down his spine. He then said to Ralph, "Your turn."

"Can I wait a bit? My girlfriend," he stressed the last word. "Is going to be bringing me somethings soon."

Knowing that the man hadn't been brought any clean clothes the Deputy agreed, "Alright I'll give her some time."

Luke shook his head and grinned to himself. He knew Robin would not be coming to see Ralph.

About an hour later Rosco came down the stairs carrying a clear plastic bag with socks and underwear in it, "Mr. Green these things were dropped off to you by David McCormick."

Luke grinned. He wondered how much a living he- Robin had made her younger brothers life to get him to deliver the things to Ralph. In fact it took everything in him for Luke not to rub in the fact that Robin herself had not shown up here. Before he could think of rubbing it in he heard Jesse and the others coming down the stairs. As Peggy let them in Luke seen that with Jesse was Bo, Cooter, and Daisy, who had worn jeans and high necked top. Even though Luke hadn't seen Ralph's glares at Daisy he was glad she had on a sight more clothes than she did at her first visit.

Cooter just being Cooter couldn't help himself as he stepped closer to the cells and joked, "So Lucas, what kind of bird don't fly?"

Even though the old joke more than slightly annoyed Luke, coming from Cooter, there wasn't much Luke could do but just roll his eyes at his long time friend. No matter how much he tried to stop it, Luke couldn't stop the grin on his face as Cooter stepped closer and shook his hand. Cooter had succeeded in getting a laugh out of Luke even under these circumstances.

Jesse wanted to scold the two idiots and tell them this was no laughing matter, but for now he'd take the smile on his oldest face.

Daisy still felt Ralph's eyes glaring at her and moved to Jesse's right side. "Luke did you like the word search?"

Luke answered honestly, "Yes I did, Darlin'. I did several puzzles last night."

Daisy beamed. She was glad she had gotten Luke something that he liked.

Bo said, "So tell me about the Hemi?" He was certain that Luke had read that article at least twice.

Luke sighed before telling Bo the truth, "Bo I started the article. I started it several times..."

Bo said disappointed, "You didn't like it?"

"No. Bo, that's not it at all. I'll read it. Really I want to. I wanted to yesterday, but, ... it's hard to explain, ... I've got the time to read it. Got plenty of time, ..." Luke sighed. Then he remembered a way to tell Bo what was going on with him, "Remember when Jesse grounded you for getting D in literature? Your homework that weekend was to read McBeth. You had all the time in the world and how much of it did you read?"

Jesse frowned and looked at Bo.

Bo shrugged his shoulders, "Maybe the first page."

Luke nodded, "Do you remember any of it?"

"No, ..." Bo admitted.

"Even though the piece on the Hemi is much more my style than McBeth was yours, it's the same thing." Luke said.

Bo let the idea sink in a minute before saying, "Yeah. Ok. I see your point." Bo had thought of all the things he was missing while he was grounded. His mind just wouldn't let up so that he could concentrate on the words. He'd read them over and over but just couldn't get anything out of them. Hard to figure that Luke couldn't get anything out of a car magazine, but then again Bo figured that Luke had a bit the same thoughts of what all he was missing too.

Daisy, Cooter and even Jesse frowned at the two. They could not see the point, but obviously the two cousins could.

Cooter said, "Well, I gave the Deputy a magazine for ya that may not be that technical. It's fairly old and you have to watch cause the pages may stick together a bit."

Luke nodded, "Ok thanks."

The Dukes and Cooter continued small talk until their time was up. Daisy felt herself let out a sigh of relief as they started up the stairs from the jail. Even though she was dressed in far more clothes than before she still felt as if Ralph was trying to eye her.

After the Dukes visit, Ralph was taken to get his shower while Luke looked at the magazine that Cooter had brought him. It was a book he'd looked at often at the garage, but something was different. Some of the pages felt thicker than others. Luke remembered that Cooter had cautioned that some of the pages had been sticking together. He looked closer and found that some of the pages had another page attached to them. Luke started unpeeling the pages and found the additional pages were select pages from centers of magazines that would not be permitted. Luke had to laugh at the antics of his friend and the failure of the deputy to find the added pages. He stuck the book under his pillow for now and got the word search back out.

Ralph stayed in the shower long enough that the deputy had to hurry him up. Dressed in a clean orange jumpsuit Ralph was returned to his cell before he got the desired effect from the shower. It had really annoyed him how short the shower time was and just what did that deputy think he was going to do with a danged disposable razor. What really peeved Ralph off was Robin, how dare she not do as he'd told her. True enough she had sent him the things he needed but she didn't bring them to him. He knew that Duke just loved that. He would have to figure out a way to get her here just to prove to Duke that he could and would get what he wanted from the girl that Duke let slip away from him. Ralph picked up the bag of things he'd been sent and seen a magazine inside. It was a fishing magazine which was not a favorite but having nothing else to keep him occupied he picked up the book and thumbed through it. Immediately he knew two things: This was Robin's brothers magazine and Rosco had not looked past the cover. Ralph took the magazine and placed it on the bunk against the wall so that he could look at it with his back to Luke. He didn't need anyone else seeing the contents of this magazine.

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Over at the garage, it was nearly quitting time for Cooter as Dobro Doolin and Brodie pulled up at the gas pumps. After pumping the gas into the El Camino they went inside to pay Cooter for the gas. Dobro was more Luke and Cooter's age, while Brodie was in Bo's class.

Cooter grinned at the two men as they came in, money in hand. "Thanks, fellas," he said. "Say..." he added. "Y'all got a few days this week you ain't gonna be busy? Me and Daddy might need a little extra help around here for a few days."

"Why's that?" Dobro asked. "I thought between you, your daddy, and Luke you had it all covered. Heck, I asked if you needed extra help a few weeks ago."

Cooter sighed, "Yeah, well that was before Luke went to court on that racing charge."

Both boys' eyebrows shot up. "You don't mean..." Brodie began, trailing off before he finished the thought.

Cooter nodded, "Yeah, I do mean. Ya know he went before Hardcastle."

"Hardcase?" Dobro groaned. Dobro, as well as anyone between the ages of 18 and 80 that came through Hazzard knew the Judge's reputation for handing out the strictest sentences he could legally give.

"Yeah." Cooter confirmed with a sigh.

Dobro replied, "Ah, ... Man. How bad?"

Cooter replied, "Bad enough, but it could have been a sight worse. Mark McCormick and me even went to court with him. You know he was charged with DUI but he was drinking after he had drove. Anyway, he got TEN days and his license will be revoked for FIFTEEN days afterwards!"

"Jeese!" Brodie exclaimed.

"What?" Dobro echoed his friend.

Cooter nodded. "Yeah and you don't even want to talk about what happens IF he gets caught driving while his license are revoked. But that ain't the HALF of it, ... Ralph got the SAME thing, ... and they are in cells RIGHT beside each other!"

Dobro knew Luke nearly as well as Cooter did, "He'll kill Ralph before the weeks up."

Cooter nodded, "Yeah, ... the thing is that the Judge is tired of hearing about them going at each other, it seems he wants them to work out their differences."

Dobro laughed, "Won't happen as long as Robin is in the middle."

Brodie only knew part of the story since he was a bit younger but even to him things didn't sound good.

Cooter said glumly, "You and I know that, but I'm not so sure the Judge has all the information he thinks he has in this. Anyway, we may need some help this month."

Dobro nodded, "I'm all for helpin' ya, but if I get a better offer, ..."

Cooter nodded. He knew where Dobro was going with this. "Yeah, yeah, I know you got to go with the money."

"Money is good but the fringed benefits are great!" Dobro added.

All Brodie could do was smile like a babblin' fool. He had went along with Dobro on his last run. They had not only been on time, but early. The owner of the establishment was more than pleased and arranged for a free night on the house for the drivers who could get him his bootleg alcohol earlier than promised. Dobro was no stranger to the fringed benefits but it was all new to Brodie.

Dobro continued, "So tell me about Luke."

Cooter began, "I went over with Jesse and the others today. Managed to slip him that old 4x4 magazine he's read a hundred times." Cooter's grin was wide and proud.

"He's read that like us all at least a hundred times." Dobro said.

Brodie then said, "Why are these magazines apart?"

Cooter smiled wider and beamed with pride, "Cause I added them to the car magazine I took Luke earlier."

Dobro said, "You didn't?"

"I did!" Cooter said proudly.

Dobro for the first time reminded Cooter what he'd actually did, "So it was your intent to get him hot and bothered with no way of relief?"

Cooter frowned a puzzled look, "No."

Dobro asked, "Then you planned to do exactly what?"

Cooter stumbled over his thoughts and words only managing to studer a bit, "I, well, ... um, .. I, ... it seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Oh, no doubt it was a good idea. Just might been a bit evil." Dobro said grinning widely.

Cooter and Brodie joined his grin and the three had a real good laugh at their friend's expense. They knew he'd look at the pictures in the book. They knew the thoughts the pictures would provide. They also knew the effect those thoughts would have on their friend which caused them to laugh until nearly hyperventilating.

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By the time Rosco came in for his shift, both the 'prisoners' had showered, eaten lunch, Luke visit was done, Ralph's call had been made, both young men seemed to be reading magazines. Rosco locked the gate behind Deputy Petticord, took his seat and opened his paper. Peggy would be in for the night shift in time for him to make a patrol around town and the Boar's Nest before heading home. Rosco figured on a real peaceful evening as he put his feet up on the desk and looked at the paper.

Luke was working puzzles in the word search and had re-read a couple of the short pieces in the magazine that Cooter left him. He was smart enough to leave the pictures under cover. Just the glance at the first addition to the magazine told Luke what the other added pages were. He also knew that he didn't need visual aids to add to the thoughts about what he was missing out on.

Ralph was concentrating on the pictures in the magazine that Robin's younger brother had brought him.

Rosco's evening had indeed went by quietly. He hadn't heard a single word from either of the young men in his care. He welcomed Peggy at the gate glad to be heading out on patrol and hoping to find some action.

Peggy locked the gate behind the Sheriff, put her stuff on the desk and turned the lights down on low.

Luke closed the puzzle book. With the lights turned down there was no way he could see well enough to read the print to find the words.

Ralph continued to turn the pages of his book.

Several minutes went by when Luke heard him turn another page in the magazine. Luke was currently stretched out on the hard bunk staring at the ceiling.

Peggy was reading a novel that she had traded for with another correctional officer at Tri-Counties and all was quiet through out the jail not a creature was stirring not even a mouse.

That is right up until the time when Ralph gasped, groaned and then moaned no matter how hard he tried to contain himself.

Knowing exactly what had happened, Peggy silently crossed the room to the cell door in time to see Ralph trying unsuccessfully to hide the magazine in question. She unlocked the cell door and said, "I'll take that magazine Mr. Green."

Ralph mumbled under his breath, finally handing Peggy the magazine.

Peggy relocked the cell door and went back to the desk.

Luke laughed out loud. He had to, he just had to say it, "What? Can't control yourself with a picture of a woman? What would happen if you actually had a real live woman in your bed? Sure is ashamed ya ain't had your girlfriend after Months of tryin'. " Of course Luke didn't say exactly how long it took him to get to know Robin real personal like either.

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