Chapter Seven

Daisy looked up when the door opened and Stephanie breezed in, her face flushed red in anger and her eyes filled with tears. She looked like she was ready to explode as she approached the bar where Daisy stood. "What's wrong Darlin'?" She asked. Stephanie sighed and reached up, swiping at her eyes. "Bo is accusing me of causing Luke's crash, you have to tell him I didn't do it." She cried.

Daisy walked around from behind the counter and pulled Stepahnie into her arms and gave her a gentle hug but something caught Stephanie's attention and she pulled back out of Daisy's arms, looking at the door. Daisy turned to see Rosco walk in and they both watched as he walked over to the bar where they stood.

Stephanie moved forward and reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a small plastic bag that held a pocket knife and held it out to Rosco. "What's this?" He asked, and looked up at the two girl's. "It's Hughie's, we found it near where Luke wrecked the car and I betcha if you have some tests run on it there will be gasoline on it." She said.

"Now how do you expect me to believe you?" He asked, staring at them both. Daisy placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "Rosco, she's tellin' ya the truth, I was there." She said, her eyes flickering angrily. Both girl's raised their eyebrows and looked at him as he studied the small plastic bag that contained the knife. "Please Rosco, all I'm askin' is that you check it out, it ain't that hard." Stephanie begged.

Rosco sighed. "Alright Miss Stephanie." He said and turned and walked out the door leaving the two girl's standing there. Daisy looked back at Stephanie. "You gonna be all right?" She asked her friend. Stephanie nodded and looked towards the door as if she wanted to be somewhere else entirely. Daisy felt sorry for her as she saw the pain reflected on the other girl's face.

Stephanie looked back at Daisy. "Bo blames himself for the wreck too." She finally said and caused Daisy to gasp. "Please Daisy, ya gotta tell him I didn't do it, make him believe you." She cried, her voice full of pain. Daisy smiled. "Darlin' I'll tell em and I hope he'll believe me but ya know how stubborn Bo can be." She said. Stephanie nodded and sank down on a stool at the bar.

When the girl's returned from The Boar's Nest that night they were happy to see that Luke was home from the hospital though they discovered that he was temporarily blind and was still very weak. The tension between Bo and Stephanie was high and they both did their best to stay out of each other's way.

That night after everyone was in bed Luke decided he wanted a drink of water and instead of asking for help he tried to go get some by himself but ended up tripping over the end of Bo's bed and falling onto the floor. Bo was out of his bed in a flash and a moment later the light came on and Uncle Jesse, Daisy and Stephanie stood in the doorway.

Luke you okay?" Daisy cried though she hung back as Uncle Jesse and Bo helped Luke to his feet. "I just wanted a drink of water." Luke mumbled. Uncle Jesse nodded to Daisy and she went down the hall to the kitchen to get him some water and when she reappeared she held the glass out to Bo and then remained in the doorway with Stephanie.

"Why don't y'all go back to bed instead of sitting here staring at me." Luke said. Bo looked at Uncle Jesse who ushered the two girl's out and back to bed.

Stephanie lay awake for awhile after Daisy fell asleep and just thought about Bo and everything that had happened between them lately.

When she awoke the following morning Daisy was just getting up as Bo ran by the door to the outside and as Stephanie got out of bed and pulled on a tank top and jeans she sighed wishing Bo would come and say good morning like he used to.

Once Breakfast was done they all went out to do their chores before any of them went out to do anything. Stephanie was coming out of the barn when she bumped into Bo, knocking her off balance and causing her to fall backwards but Bo reacted quickly and pulled her back to her feet. Stephanie gazed up at him and then started to go around him, but he caught her arm, pulling her to a stop.

She was surprised and loooked at him. "Bo, we need you." Uncle Jesse called from the yard distracting Bo and Stephanie from saying anything to each other. Bo looked at Stephanie once more before turning and walking out into the yard. Stephanie ducked her head to hide her tears and then turned to continue her chores almost bumping into Luke.

"Sorry." She mumbled and tried to hide her hoarse voice. "Stephanie, can you help me to the house?" Luke asked her. Stephanie managed a small smile and slipped her arm through Luke's and slowly walked him too the house. When they got inside and he was settled on the couch Stephanie stepped back. Luke reached out and tried to find her hand.

"Stephie, I know things between you n' Bo ain't good right now, but they'll get better." He assured her. Stephanie's eyes filled with tears and she sat down next to Luke on the couch. "He blames me for your accident." She said. Luke reached out and felt for her hand and then when he found it he took it and squeezed it gently.

Stephanie wanted to cry though she knew she had to be strong for Luke.

Later that day Stephanie was confronted about her chat with Luke by none other then Bo. "What did you say to him?" He yelled, grabbing her arm. Stephanie glared at him. "I told him that you were blaming me for his accident." She said. Bo sighed in frustration and Stephanie yanked her arm free and stalked out of the barn and over to her car, getting in and roaring out of the driveway.

Daisy looked up as The Boar's Nest door slammed open and Stephanie stood there, tears streaming down her cheeks. Daisy rushed out from behind the counter and ran to her side. "What happened?" She asked her friend. Stepahnie sighed. "Bo and I had another fight, cause I told Luke about what was going on and why Bo is not talking to me." Stephanie said.

Daisy guided her to a stool at the counter. " Why don't ya stay here till I get off then we'll go talk to Bo together." She said. Stephanie nodded and sat on the stool, resting her head on her arms.

Once Daisy got off the girl's took Stephanie's car and headed back to the farm until someone hit Stephanie's car and ran them off the road. Daisy screamed as they hit a tree and then they both jerked their doors open and bolted but were tackled to the ground. Stephanie and Daisy both struggled and then gasped as they recognized Hughie Hogg.

"Let us go." Stephanie screamed and struggled in fear as Hughie pulled out two needles and held them over the girl's. "You girl's are gonna do what I tell you, you're gonna kill Luke Duke." Huighie said, as he administered the drug.

Uncle Jesse looked up when Stephanie's car pulled into the driveway and was surprised to see them back so soon. "What you girl's doing back here so soon?" He asked. "We came back here to see how Luke is doing." Daisy said, and then the two girl's walked past Uncle Jesse and into the house. Uncle Jesse eyed them suspicously and went to find Bo.

He found his younger nephew out cutting firewood, his chest glistening with sweat. "Bo, those girl's act like they're in some kind of trance." He said. Bo looked up at his Uncle. "Where are they?" He asked. "They went into the house." Uncle Jesse said. Bo dropped the axe and ran around the corner of the house almost running into Luke as he stumbled out the door but fell and hit his head on a rock.

The girl's came out after him and both held frying pans in their hands. Bo grabbed Stephanie around the waist, causing her to fall backwards and hit her head on a rock. Bo lowered her too the ground as her body went limp and then swung connecting with Daisy's jaw and knocked her to the ground and then went to Luke as Uncle Jesse checked the girl's.

Luke groaned as Bo touched him and then his eyes flickered open and he focused on his cousin's concerned face. "What happened Bo?" He asked and sat up eyeing the fallen girl's. "Are they okay?" He asked. Bo and Uncle Jesse stared at him. "You can see?" Bo asked, leaning closer. "Of Course cuz and you better check Stephanie." He said.

Bo went to her and lifted her upper body into his arms cradling her against his chest. Stephanie moaned and opened her eyes and then focused on Bo's face, and tears started to fall down her cheeks. "Hughie stopped us along the road and tried to make us kill Luke." She cried. Bo pulled her closer as she started to cry harder.

Bo looked at Uncle Jesse. "I'm gonna go after Hughie." He said, the anger in his voice. "No." Stephanie cried as Bo pulled away, stood up and headed for The General. Stephanie jumped to her feet and ran after him. "Let me go with you." She said. Bo shook his head and leaned down kissing her on the cheek. "No." He said, but Stephanie stubbornly went to the passenger side and climbed in.

Bo decided not to argue with her and drove towards the Boar's Nest. "There he is." Stephanie cried and pointed towards a car that was ahead of them. "Hang on." Bo said and followed the car. When Bo ran the car off the road before getting out turned to Stephanie. "Stay here." He said and then hopped out and yanked Hughie out of his car.

Stephanie watched as Bo beat up Hughie until she was afraid he was gonna kill him and she hopped out of the car and ran to Bo's side. "Stop." She screamed and struggled to hold him back just as Uncle Jesse, Rosco, and the state police got there and took charge of Hughie.

Balladeer: Well folks, we have another happy ending in Hazzard and I have a feeling that we'll be seeing y'all again soon.