A/N: Please excuse the curse word. I've blipped it out. We are on the downhill slide and are closer to the finale than it appears! ENJOY!

****Violence / Language****

Chapter 35 – "Coarse" Changes

"But life inevitably throws us curve balls, unexpected
circumstances that remind us to expect the unexpected."

~Carre Otis

Hatchape County – 12:30PM

The Hatchape Labor Camp was located in a desolate area at the bottom of Hangman's Canyon. As Daisy stood at the gate, grains of sand pelted her skin like shards of glass in the wind. She shielded her eyes from the sun and searched the canyon walls, spotting every nook and cranny where Monroe's snipers could hide. In this wide-open space, the MacFarlands were at grave risk from gunfire. The raggedy tents and small tin buildings provided very little shelter.

While Daisy waited anxiously with Agent Mitch Dalton, movement behind the blinds in the dilapidated office alerted her to an old Duke enemy. Warden Slaytor, the former Chief Deputy from the Osage Road Prison. He was just the type to work with Monroe for a buck, even if it killed someone. When Slaytor walked out of the office with a guard, Daisy automatically squared her shoulders.

"Hell is empty and all the devils are here." Mitch said, morbidly.

"Shakespeare?"

"Yes ma'am."

"This looks like a Confederate POW camp. Even th' Osage Road Prison was in better shape than this."

"You've seen a Confederate camp? For a woman over a hundred, you don't look a day over twenty. I'm honored, Miss Duke." Mitch nodded his head in a regal manner.

"I feel at least that old right now, sugar. Especially with you calling me Miss Duke. It's Daisy. Any word from Chuck?"

"My apologies. Daisy it is then. Chuck was held up at the chopper crash, but he's on the way. With Katie so upset, I didn't want to bring it up in the car. Any luck locating that number for Sheriff Strate?"

"No," she replied, sadly. "Katie and Cynthia are going through Jaxon's things again. I thought it would keep Katie's mind off all…this," she waved her arm at the ghastly scene before them. "We can get the number from Jaxon when we see him. Until then, I reckon I have to trust my cousins to find Enos before he disappears. "

"Yes ma'am. Here we go, remember to stand your ground." Mitch held up his badge. "Warden Slaytor, I'm Agent Dalton, FBI. This is Deputy Duke from Hazzard County. We're here to place two of your prisoners in protective custody, Drake and Jaxon MacFarland."

Slaytor huffed, "I heard Duke had herself a new beau. Loomis called, said ya' might try showin' up without paperwork. You got a release?"

Daisy raised her chin. "Judge Druten is at th' State Attorney's office right now. Drake and Jaxon's lives are in danger. We can't wait on paperwork."

"That's where you're wrong." Slaytor rested his rifle on his shoulder. "I've taken th' necessary precautions required by law. Officer Baxter, would you please explain th' visitation rules to these two."

"Yes sir." Baxter tipped his hat and seemed embarrassed. "Agent Dalton, ma'am. There's a twenty-four hour-"

"That's enough, thanks. We're aware." Mitch leaned against the fence with an easy air of confidence. "Warden, you're in over your head when it comes to Wallace Monroe. Sign the MacFarlands into FBI custody and let me take the problem off your hands."

"I ain't the one with a problem." Slaytor spit in the dirt, obviously unconcerned. "Without papers from a Judge, them boys ain't going anywhere," he flicked a wry grin at Daisy. "By the way, that was a mighty nice picture in the paper the other day, Miss Tri-Counties. You sure ya' ain't here for a little rough housin'?"

Slaytor leered at Daisy with the same creepy eyes that gave her nightmares after Bo and Luke were released from Osage.

Mitch quickly shut him down, "Warden Slaytor, you will address the lady as Deputy Duke."

"No problem. Deputy Duke, take your pet federal agent and go before I get a hankerin' to call Loomis!" Slaytor turned to leave.

Daisy wanted to vomit. Determined to save Drake she spoke with authority. "Slaytor! Unless you want an investigation that makes Osage look like a Sunday drive, ya' best take us to Drake and Jaxon! You understand me, mister?!"

The Warden stopped in his tracks and stormed back to the fence. "Don't you come to my facility and threaten me, Duke! I run a clean operation with Sheriff Loomis. You ain't gonna take them boys against procedure!"

Daisy stood tall, "Ya' can sign them over if ya' want to, you're just being a classic jerk!"

"Better think carefully, Slaytor." Mitch pushed off the fence. "You don't want another incident on your record. Just let me talk to them and make sure they aren't injured from the fight this morning and are in a safe place. If you can call this dump, safe."

"Hey! I ain't gonna have some powder-puff, city boy, federal agent, tellin' me how to do my job!" Slaytor scoffed indignantly. "Y'all just don't get it! Ya' need an appointment because th' prisoner's ain't here! The're paying their debt to th' county on th' road gang!"

"You sent them out on the road gang!?" Daisy was nearing panic. "How could ya' do that!? Monroe has snipers! Tell us where they are!"

"We don't release that information." Slaytor glanced at the guard. "Baxter, set up an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. There's a big job in the morning and I ain't losin' that contract. Loomis will have my head."

"Yes sir."

"Bye now, Daisy. Have a real nice day, darlin'!" Slaytor's mouth turned up in a sick grin before he turned his back and walked away.

"You're making a mistake! You know they shouldn't be on that road gang!" Mitch yelled after Slaytor, but was ignored.

"Oh no, Drake." Daisy muttered as a chill ran down her spine.

"It's real hard on these ladies." Baxter said with compassion. "I see this all the time. I'm real sorry about your boyfriend, ma'am. At least ya' don't have to wait thirty days like the other women."

Daisy's knees were weak when she stepped closer to the gate, "Officer Baxter, please tell us where they are."

"I can't do that miss. Although, if you happen to drive over the pass at Snake Ridge, I won't stop you," he winked. "The bridge is out at Jackson Crossroad. Stay on Treetop Road. It's going to take you a while to get there, but you won't have to backtrack."

"Thanks, sugar. You're an angel!"

"Here, take this for tomorrow in case the Judge doesn't come through. Don't forget to bring it with you, 2:00." Baxter tore a sheet of paper off the clipboard and stuck it through the fence. "Those boys don't belong here, especially not for contempt of court. Any idiot can see that."

"You saw them!? How are they? I heard Loomis's deputies were rough on them." Daisy's fingers grasped the cool wire of the fence and her heart ached. She clung to every morsel of information he provided.

"The shorter brother had a few bruises, the big guy had a sling, but they seemed okay. Didn't say much, but they weren't the least bit intimidated, not like the other fellas. If they don't get out, I'll do my best to keep them off the yard and put them to work in one of the main buildings."

"I don't know how to thank you!" Daisy said tearfully.

"Daisy, we got to go." Mitch gestured to the car. "Snake Ridge is on the other side of the county. Baxter, thanks. You're a good man."

"If you two want to thank me, make sure you approach the guards at the road gang with your badge in plain view. Most of them came from Osage when it closed. Be careful out there. A DOT worker lost a leg recently in an accident."

"Is th' job that dangerous!?" Daisy was aghast. "What kind of accident!?"

He leaned forward and whispered. "Misfire. But I think it was a case of itchy trigger finger."

On a deserted Hatchape County hillside, a green Mustang Boss sat in the high weeds overlooking Snake Ridge Pass. Victor Sabata sat behind the wheel, stewing over Monroe giving him a partner. Shane Kilarney was cutting in on his take as well as his hopes of taking Jimmy Blake's position. His prized Nova being impounded after Strate raided the gambling house only added to his malcontent. He wanted payback, but Monroe wanted to finish the cop himself.

The car phone rang and while Shane took the call, Vic stepped out and raised his binoculars. He snorted in amusement as he watched Drake and Jaxon clear a rockslide across the ridge. It was surreal, after all Monroe had gone through to capture them, it took a hick county sheriff to do the job.

They didn't seem so untouchable now and certainly not the sibling touted as strongest and smartest. Vic found Drake again in the line and watched in astonishment as he used one arm to swing a pickaxe like a toothpick.

Vic stepped back to the car to listen to the conversation.

"Yes, Mr. Monroe." Shane said as he raised his binoculars. "Slaytor took yar payment and the boys are here. We're ready."

"Excellent. I want a message sent to the entire syndicate with this move. Strate and the MacFarlands have turned me into a joke. I'm counting on you to do this job."

"Aye. Shall I make the demand? Strate has Jaxon's phone. Forgetting the briefcase was no bloody mistake."

"No. No warnings, no demands, no ransoms or kidnappings. Don't call Strate until the first body hits the ground. Someone he cares for dies every day until I get that ranch. He won't know who we target and he can't protect them all. That way he takes things seriously. Pick one of the MacFarlands today, I don't care which, and move on schedule."

"Mr. Monroe, ya witnessed it in Tusquittee. Ian be the stuff of nightmares, I know this was not the original plan, but he cannot be allowed to join forces with his children. I think ya should consider removing him from play."

"I can't do that. He controls the mineral rights. I'm going back to the cove after lunch so I don't raise Ian's suspicion. I've got a tracker on the way. We won't lose them again."

"Aye, yar logic be sound, but at least consider my proposal. Jenny would be in position to give ya the mineral rights and she's far easier to sway than Ian. Victor and I will handle things here."

"I'll call if I change my mind. Wait for the deadline, but don't let them leave."

The line went dead.

Vic leaned through the window and smirked, "The stuff of nightmares, huh?"

"Ya not mock Ian MacFarland, he's a powerful man." Shane stepped out of the car and moved to the ridge where his high power, bolt-action rifle was waiting. As he crouched in the grass, he glanced at Vic. "Ya have another quarter? I won the first toss and get to take the first shot. Care to pick a target?"

"You know I do! I have my winner picked, or is that loser?" Victor chuckled and flicked the coin into the air.

"It be yar call, Victor."

"Heads."

The coin landed in the dirt next to Shane and he glanced at the shiny disc with a sigh.

"Blimey. That's too bad. They'll not be apart long. Ya keep a watch for company, Victor. If the Duke girl shows up, we're not to wait for Monroe's deadline."

NORTH CAROLINA

Enos woke slowly in the moss, his arms around his wife and his face buried in her silky hair. He nuzzled deeper into the soft waves and sighed, blissfully content, then his eyes flew open. He wasn't supposed to have fallen asleep and quickly checked the time.

Ding dang it, 12:30?!

Jenny had drifted off first and he had been too enchanted to wake her. He made the mistake of resting his eyes over an hour ago. Even Edward had fallen asleep a few feet away in the leaves. Worries instantly bombarded him and he groaned. Why hadn't Jaxon called? Ian was probably going crazy over Jenny, and Monroe was still out there searching.

Enos gently traced Jenny's face with his finger as she slept peacefully beside him. She rolled into him and snuggled closer. He hated to disturb her, but they had to go.

"I love you," he murmured and placed a feathery kiss on her cheek.

"Mmm…I love you, too."

"You're playin' possum," he grinned and moved to her lips for a kiss so sweet he wanted to lose himself. "Sorry, hun. I fell asleep and it's late. We gotta git."

"Okay, but I wish we didn't have to," she said with a yawn. "Let's cut through the trees."

Enos stood and took her hands, pulling her to her feet. He reached for the backpack while she knelt down for the rifle. When she stood, everything spun and she reached for a nearby boulder.

"Whoa…" she swayed as then nausea came in rolling waves. Edward whined in concern and moved beside her.

"Jenny?" Enos was quickly there to steady her. "I gotta get ya' to Katie. I'm real worried. Even th' dog knows somethin' ain't right. Ya' want me to carry ya?"

"I'm fine, I just need this nausea to stop. My whole system seems out of whack. I don't remember the last…" Jenny crinkled her forehead as she mentally counted the days.

Was she really a week overdue? It had to be the stress. The alternative couldn't be possible, although she did have unusual reactions to medication. What if the pill didn't…

She shoved that disastrous thought right out of her mind.

"Jenny?" Enos lifted her chin. "What can't ya' remember?"

"Hmm? Oh, the last time I fixed your tie. Let me do that before we face my father," she smiled and performed the ritual he had missed so much. When she placed her hand over his heart she looked up with bright eyes. "There-"

"Hazzard's finest," they said together.

She tipped her head to the side curiously.

"I really missed that. Jenny, I missed all th' little things."

"Me, too. Let's go find Pops. He's going to be surprised to see you," she giggled and wrapped her arms around him.

While Enos put all his worries on hold during the walk, Jenny again started counting the days and symptoms. With Monroe this close, she couldn't imagine being responsible for protecting such an innocent life. It was too much to accept. By the time they reached the cabin, she had worked herself into a rock solid case of denial...or so she thought.

Lillie had one booth left before she would close her section and had kept a close eye on George during lunch. When he waved goodbye from the door, she smiled and waved back politely. She was convinced he was working for Wallace Monroe. When she poured his coffee earlier, she caught herself staring. His teeth could be dentures, but his hands looked too young. She had never seen a retired old fisherman with perfectly manicured nails.

"Lillie, you're customers are about finished. Bob is going to catch you staring off into space! Pull it together."

"Sorry, Janice. What's going on with Nathan? I haven't seen him since early this morning."

"He's doing his job, unlike someone else I know," she huffed and gestured to the corner. "Better take care of those guys, but be careful. They might be moonshiners all dolled up as handsome farm boys."

"One mistake," she grumbled. "I made one little mistake!"

Janice leaned against the counter. "Mistaking a married couple for an escaped convict and a kidnapped warden's wife was NOT a little mistake."

"Hey, he was forcing her to drink that soda and she didn't want to! Who drinks soda at 7:00AM!? She was shaking and really upset, I thought he was drugging her! How was I supposed to know she was diabetic!?"

"The bracelet on her wrist in plain sight would have been the first clue. I swear, if Nathan wasn't so head over heels for you, he might have avoided a blemish on his perfect record. Now stop it, before you get him in trouble again!"

"I'd never hurt Nathan on purpose! I care about him, Janice!"

"Right," Janice walked away and a very frustrated Lillie returned to her customers.

After a long drive and no news from Daisy, Bo and Luke had stopped at Lillie's for a quick and rather overdue lunch. Luke pushed his food around his plate and looked out at the massive forests covering the hills of Lake Santeetlah. It was hard to know where to begin.

He had to remind himself of his promise to Emily. Bringing Enos and Jenny home and leading Monroe back to Hazzard was their best chance to stop him. Like everyone else who had been dealing with the fallout of Monroe's vendetta, he was tired of being afraid for the people he loved. Their lives had been a constant roller coaster of chaos and Daisy was always on one rail, always a step behind Enos and always getting hurt.

"Luke, what's th' matter with you?" Bo sat his fork down. "Ya' ain't eaten since breakfast and now ya' ain't touched your food. The meatloaf ain't bad."

"I was just thinking about calling Rosco. We were in such a hurry to get to Hatchape we didn't even try to contact Aiden."

"Hey, that was your call cuz." Bo took a bite of mixed veggies. "Cynthia said Aiden wouldn't release any information to us and you said-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know what I said. I'm just frustrated. We need a break." Luke stabbed a bite of the meatloaf and stared at it on his fork. "If I hadn't made that promise to Emily, I'd just turn around and go home."

"Go back to Hazzard? Why?"

"Think about it. If Enos finds Jenny and takes her someplace safe, Monroe ain't gonna be in Hazzard and Daisy can get on with her life. Selfish, huh?"

"You said it, not me, but I understand. It's been a long time since we put Enos or Rosco in the pond because of some ten dollar speedin' ticket."

"Hi fellas." Lillie rested her elbow on the booth. "How was lunch? Can I offer you some apple cobbler for dessert?"

"Hey there, darlin'. Is it as sweet as you?" Bo flashed his boyish smile and chuckled when she blushed. "Sorry, the charm runs in the family."

"So does early tooth loss." Luke said. "Never mind him, Miss Lillie. The only thing bigger than his ego is his stomach. We're gonna have to pass on the cobbler. We're in a bit of a rush."

"Okay, next time. Are you two staying or just passing through? You boys never did tell me where you're from."

"Georgia." Luke sat down the fork without taking a bite. "Hazzard County. We're here looking for a friend. Do ya' mind if we ask if you've seen him? He would have been through this mornin' and-"

"Hazzard County!?" Lillie jumped in place. "Wait! Wait right here! Don't leave!"

"She sure is a cute little thing." Bo watched her rush to the cash register. "What do ya' think that was all about?"

"Oh that's just great! She's pulling out th' paper. I'll bet my eye teeth she's gonna want to know if we've met the vigilante bride." Luke quickly dropped the money on the table for their bill. "Time to go."

"Aw shoot! We gotta quit tellin' people where we live." Bo tossed his napkin aside and began to slide out of the booth. "Next time I see Darcy he's gonna get it! It took forever for that gas station clerk to stop talkin' and take our money!"

"Too late," Luke muttered, and sank back to his seat as Lillie returned.

"Look at this." Lillie put the tabloid on the table and pointed to Enos. "Him! Is this the guy you're looking for?"

"Yeah!" Luke looked up in surprise. "That's Enos. When was he here? Did he have a real little woman with him?"

"He was in after the breakfast rush, but he was alone." Lillie started chattering, her eyes wide with excitement. "He asked for a map and said his wife was waiting for him. I think I know where she's hiding and I think George is a spy for Monroe! Something big is going to happen! I can tell! What's going on? Why are you looking for him? Are y'all like bounty hunters, or PI's, or undercover FBI!? I want to help!"

George? Luke groaned and rested his chin on his hand.

"Slow down now, darlin' and have a seat." Bo took her hand and sat her next to him. "This is real important. We gotta find Enos and if you could tell us where he was headed, we'd sure appreciate it."

"He didn't give me the address. I sent him to look at the map by the ranger's office, but like I said, I have a real good idea where he went! I could..." she glanced back at Janice, who scowled at her in disapproval.

"Lillie." Luke pulled out a map and put it on the table. "Would you point out where? Please. It's awful important."

"No. I need to prove that I'm right about George. So here's the deal. I'll take you. That way I can tell Enos about George. If he catches Monroe, I have a shot of getting that reward money for college and Janice never pesters me again."

Bo gulped, "Now Miss Lillie, I don't quite understand all that, but Monroe is powerful dangerous and that money ain't worth getting tangled up in this. Let us find Enos and you tell the police about George."

"Enos is the police," she stated, flatly. "Do we have a deal?"

Luke figured her cheese had slid off the cracker a while back, but this was no worse than throwing a dart at the map. He glanced at Bo who shrugged his shoulders in response.

"Okay." Luke extended his hand. "Lillie, you can come with us, but I have a condition. You leave a note for the ranger and tell him where we're headed and why. Deal?"

"Deal! I'll have him meet us there. Nathan knows exactly where the Loch Delany property is!" Lilly took off for the ranger's office while Luke's jaw hit the table.

"Luke? Did she say what I think she said? Ain't that the same company that owns the house on Stump Creek Road?"

"Uh-huh. Now that's strange! What if that's Ian's company? Wait a minute. Didn't Jenny and Jaxon use Young as their last name at the Rafter G?"

"Yeah, they did, but I've never heard Drake go by Drake Young."

"No, his first name is too obvious." Luke furrowed his brow. "What's Drake's middle name?"

"It starts with a J…Joseph, Joshua, Jacob, that's it. It's Jacob."

"Jacob. That sneaky, no good, dirty low-down...does th' name Jacob Youngston sound familiar?" Luke shook his head, then slapped the table and fell into a fit of laughter. "He's in so much trouble!"

Bo caught on and soon they were both holding their sides. "Man! Only Drake would write a letter that dang obnoxious!"

"Yeah, well, just wait until Daisy finds out! I think Drake better stay in Hatchape!"

"No kiddin'!" Bo abruptly stopped laughing. "Luke? I ain't tellin' Daisy."

"Well I ain't gonna do it!"

"YOU figured it out, Lukas!"

"That don't mean I have to be the-"

"I'm ready!" Lillie returned to the table. "Hey, what'd I miss?"

"A lot." Luke said. "C'mon Lillie, let's go introduce ya' to the General."

The picture in Dan's hand was the only one in existence. He had carried the priceless memento in his wallet since the day Emily gave it to him. It was taken during one of Jenny's early trips to the Rafter G. At the last moment, he had wrapped his arms around her and kissed her cheek. He could still hear her laughter and feel her skin beneath his lips. Of course, she thought it was a joke, not a sincere expression of love. He never forgot how bittersweet that felt.

Dan was running out of time and needed to talk with Jenny before Ian reunited her with Enos. If she would just relax, her voice would return and everything would be fine. There was a knock on the door and he jumped off the bed to hide the photo in his wallet.

"I'm comin'!"

The slight delay caused the pounding to increase.

"Impatient cuss! WHAT?!" he flung the door open.

Dan's head snapped back as pain exploded behind his eye. The blow knocked him across the room where he fell into the nightstand, tipping it over and sending everything to the floor. He was still trying to get his bearings when his shoulder was grabbed from behind. His attacker spun him around and struck him in the jaw, knocking him into the dresser.

"ENOS?!"

"That was for cornering my wife on th' swing!" Enos grabbed him and threw him out in the hall, knocking several decorative plates off the wall in the process. "I guess our conversation didn't sink in th' first time! I done told ya' to treat her with respect, Dan! She's my wife!"

Enos had just come from a conversation with Ian by the dock. He was upset to learn about Jenny's problems with speech, but his blood boiled when he was told of Dan's behavior. When he learned of the incident on the swing, he saw red and charged inside the cabin. Ian was too weak to stop him and Jenny knew better than to try.

"If she hadn't pulled her gun, what were ya' plannin' to do next?! Huh, Dan!? WHAT THEN!?" Enos hit him yet again and Dan fell to the floor. "You're lucky she didn't blow your fool head off!"

"You're a sorry excuse for a husband!" Dan crawled to his feet and backed down the hallway holding his jaw. "What kinda man sends their wife away to fend for herself?"

Enos was itching to smack him again, but held back, following him instead. "Ya' took advantage of a bad situation! Ya' ain't nothin' but a worthless stalker!"

Dan stopped in the living room, but continued his taunts. "Show some respect! Her father would've died without me! You weren't around to help her when she needed ya', I was!"

"Ya ain't no hero!" Enos clenched his fists. "Ya' might have saved her father, but hassling her ain't bein' there for her! This is over! Ya' upset her again, I'll put ya' behind bars!" he moved towards the cabin door.

"Leavin' so soon?" Dan clenched his teeth and hissed, "By the way, I saw ya' with her on the balcony! I told ya' to step aside and not touch her that way! Jenny is gonna talk to me. She ain't gonna have no choice and after she does, she's gonna pick me! Then you're gonna be the one watchin' and wishin' it was you!"

Enos was floored and thought his chest might rupture from the pressure. Every muscle in his body tensed and burned over the violation. Each moment with his wife was lovingly written on his heart and that particular moment was meant only for him. Enos exploded, lunging at the medic in a primal rage.

The men clashed viciously. The fury numbed Enos to the painful blows as the fight intensified. Dan grabbed the lamp from the sofa table and flung it wildly. Enos ducked and it flew across the room, shattering against the fireplace. He dove forward, striking Dan in the chest with his shoulder. Wood slats poked at his skin as they landed on the rocking chair, leaving it a pile of kindling on their way to the floor.

Ian and Jenny rushed inside just as Dan and Enos landed on the coffee table. It collapsed beneath them and they continued to brawl like wild animals. Several pieces of furniture had been toppled over and broken, artwork had been knocked from the walls and glass was everywhere.

"ENOUGH!" Ian shouted and grabbed his chest in pain. The men paid no attention and continued to batter each other with bloody knuckles. Ian gasped for air, "Jenny! End it!"

Without a fire hose handy, she grabbed the next best thing. Jenny took her shotgun from the rack and fired into the air. The blast brought the expensive light fixture down from the ceiling. The men quickly separated before the heavy rustic chandelier crashed on top of them.

Enos leaned against the hearth and Jenny rushed to his side. She pulled out a bandana for his bloody lip and checked the large red mark below his eye. He was out of breath, but in better shape than Dan.

Dan was on one knee holding his ribs. His nose was bleeding and he had his fair share of bruises forming. Even though he was unable to stand, it didn't deter him from reaching out to Jenny.

"Cowgirl, please look at me. It hurts that ya' won't talk to me. I heard ya' in th' hospital and I want to talk to ya' about my letter. Ya' saved my life. Please, baby?"

"Don't ya' ever call her that!" Enos shouted as he wiped the blood from his lip. "Ian, I'm real sorry. I don't mean no disrespect but this ain't gonna work! He's gone too far and I ain't lettin' him near my wife! I'm takin' her back to Hazzard!"

Dan wasn't pleased and yelled, "That won't stop me, a#&hole! I'll follow ya'! Cowgirl, I'd never leave ya' alone th' way he did. I told ya' I'd always be there. I ain't givin' up! NEVER!"

Jenny was at the end of her rope. She spun around and chambered the next round, taking several steps forward. Jenny gave Dan part of his wish. For the first time in ages, she looked at him…from the other end of her 12 gauge.

"Mac na bèiste." Ian swore in frustration. "Dan, ya be a blethering idiot! Jenny, put the gun down. He's not worth your future."

"She ain't gonna hurt me." Dan gazed into her eyes like a lovesick puppy. "Cowgirl, I know you're scared, but I can fix everything! We can work it out! I'll die before I let ya' go."

That can be arranged. Jenny narrowed her eyes and took another step forward as she moved her finger to the trigger.

"NO!" Enos stood, but was too far away.

Ian quickly grabbed the barrel and yanked it upward. The gun fired again, blowing a hole in the rafter as Dan covered his head.

"Blimey, nighean! Ya be hell on the woodwork!"

Enos breathed a sigh of relief and took her shoulders. "Come with me, hun. I'm gonna take ya' home. If he comes to Hazzard, I'll press charges. Ya' ain't gotta do a thing. I got all I need to lock him up."

Jenny nodded her understanding then took Ian's arm in desperation, frustrated that her voice still refused to cooperate in Dan's presence. Her hand clung to his shirt and all she could do was plead with her eyes.

Ian looked at her with sympathy. Dan was putting them at risk with his reckless behavior, but he wasn't ready to go back to his family. It wasn't safe. He wasn't safe. "Nighean, ya give me more time."

Jenny turned and collapsed against Enos. He knew she was heartbroken and he had to keep trying. "Ian, let's talk outside. Away from Dan."

"Ya give me your handcuffs and wait outside with Jenny." Enos handed them over and Ian cuffed Dan before taking him to his room. He called for Edward and issued a warning, "Ya not leave this room. If ya do, Edward will rip ya apart. I'll not be inside to stop him. You've hurt my daughter for the last time."

Dan glared at him, but didn't say a word. He would patiently wait it out. Jenny would have no other choice than to talk with him. They wouldn't be leaving for Hazzard, or anywhere else, anytime soon.

He'd made sure of it.

While Ian dealt with Dan, Enos was on the balcony holding Jenny as she hid her tears under his jacket. "We have to go home, but Pops...he can't...this can't be happening!"

"Aw, Jenny, I know you're real tired, but I'll talk Ian into it. Don't give up yet, it ain't like ya'." he wiped her tears. "What's really going on? Ya' know how I feel about ya' keepin' things from me. I know why ya' didn't tell me about Dan, and I understand why ya' can't talk around him, but if you're sick, ya' gotta say so. We'll get through it together." Enos cupped her cheeks and prayed she was okay. "C'mon, hun. Tell me what's wrong."

Ian walked out on the balcony to see his daughter falling to pieces in Enos's arms.

"It's all wrong, Deputy! This isn't the way we, I can't do this now, but…" she shuddered. "Oh no! I don't have a choice!"

"Nighean, I'm trying to do what's best!" Ian realized she had figured out her condition and his heart was squeezed tight. He knew the second day, after all he had been through it three times. "Enos will be there for ya."

Enos didn't mean to snap, but he couldn't help himself. "Ya' know that ain't enough, Ian! She needs you! I can protect her, but I ain't her Pops!"

The muscle under Ian's eye began to twitch. Enos saw two men in Ian where only one could rule. The commanding officer grumbled and muttered Gaelic curses as he fought for his rigid control and harsh reality. Unseen beneath the surface, another man fought harder, the one who remembered rocking his little girl to sleep and warm embraces after long business trips.

Enos knew all to well how powerful and frightening hope could be, especially for someone like Ian. Jenny was a walking beacon of hope for the man and this was his chance to leave the past behind.

"Jenny, a shùgh mo chridhe, look at me." When she raised her eyes, Ian saw a flicker, a different possibility, and a new path. He saw hope for their future, his family beside him and most important of all, he saw the next generation of Beth's legacy...his legacy. Two families had joined together as one.

Ian was petrified. Hope cast its spell and banished his reclusive ways from weighing in on the decision. A low voice, raspy and uncertain, changed the course of his life. "All right, precious one. I'll come with ya to Hazzard, but ya tell us what's wrong. I know there's more."

"Oh, Pops!"

"C'mon, hun. I know you're tired, but this is startin' to scare me." Enos kissed her forehead gently as fear gripped his soul. "Ian's comin' with us. Why are ya' still cryin'?"

Jenny tried to hold it in. She really, really tried. Saying it aloud would make it too real. The fact that she couldn't control her tears just added to her suspicions. It was so early, but it had happened. She felt excitement and fear all mixed together. The timing was so wrong and she couldn't keep it a secret. Suddenly, protecting herself became a monumental priority.

"Jenny, please."

She reached up and touched Enos's bruised cheek. He'd be there, always. He promised and he always came through. Tears streamed down her cheeks and with a nervous smile she whispered, "I think I'm pregnant."

"Possum on a gumbush, I must be tuckered. I thought ya' said…I'm…that…we…" he gazed into her eyes in bewilderment. "Oh."

His hands still cupped her face and she grasped his wrists with all her might. "Deputy? Please say something."

Enos giggled hysterically, then hit the decking like a rock.