Chapter Two--Pandora's Box

Roy drove the car to the hideout while Billy drove the General Lee. They had taken Boss' advice by hiding out in the Hazzard Coffin Works since no one really went there. Roy parked the car and pulled Maria out by her wrist, almost making her fall over head over heels out the door and onto the ground outside.

Maria recovered quickly and swung around trying to yank her wrist free from Roy's grasp, but his grip was too strong. Daisy fought Billy as he pulled her out of the car and dragged her into the building following behind Roy and Maria. They took the girls in and tied them up, making sure the ropes were tight enough that they couldn't get free from them.

Maria angrily twisted and turned her wrists, wincing as the ropes cut into her skin. Daisy shot her a concerned glance and then turned to glare at Roy and Billy, her gaze furious. "You fella's are gonna be sorry." She yelled, as Maria stopped struggling and started to glare at the two men. "We promise as soon as Christmas is over we'll let you two gals go." Roy said.

Daisy shook her head. "Now how are we supposed to believe that, Mister?" She asked angrily. Billy looked down at the two furious girls where they sat on the floor. "We didn't wanna do this to you gals." He said softly. "Then why are you?" Maria snapped. "Cause, Sugar, we're getting paid alot of money to do this" Roy said and then turned to go into the office, leaving Billy with the two girls while he callled Boss Hogg and reported that they caught the snooping girls and had them tied up in the Hazzard Coffin Works.

Back at the Duke's farm Jesse Duke was quickly becoming worried about the girls. It was nearing five o' clock and they were supposed to be home by three and it wasn't like them to be late. He finally decided to call his nephews and have them swing by the Boars Nest to see if the girls were still there by some chance. Both boys were beginning to really worry about the girls. Luke continued to try raising them on the Cb but got no response from either girl.

Bo felt a chill race up his spine when they pulled into the Boars Nest parking lot and there was no sign of the General Lee anywhere in the area. Both boys exchanged glances and worried looks between them. "Radio Uncle Jesse and have him meet us here and I'll take the truck and you an' Uncle Jesse will take Dixie." Luke said.

Bo nodded in agreement though what he really wanted to do was protest and then maybe go back to the night before when he and Maria had been in the General, making out.

Flashback

" Bo stop! If Uncle Jesse catches us not only are you gonna be in trouble but he'll probably have Luke or maybe even Roscoan' enos follow us around for the next month." Maria cried as Bo kissed his way down her neck. Bo pulled back to stare into her twinkling blue eyes that sparkled mischievously.

He laughed and pulled her back to him, closer this time then she was before and buried his face in her long straight blond hair that hung neatly down her back but she gently pushed him back and shook her head. "I'm sorry Bo, I just can't." she said, kissing him on the cheek.

End Flashback

When Jesse got there to meet the boys he went with Bo while Luke took the truck and headed towards Hazzard Coffin works to see if there was anyone lurking around there.

Balladeer: Now if ole Bo an' Luke had gone into the Boars Nest and looked around they woulda been one step closer to finding them gals cause all them presents are now at the Coffin Works in Hazzard.

Maria and Daisy looked up when Roy and Billy walked back into the room with plates of food and chairs for the girls to sit in while they ate. Maria's eyes narrowed as they grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet shoving her into one of the chairs and then shoved Daisy in the other one.

"I ain't hungry." Maria snapped, glaring at Roy her eyes furious. "You can't do this to us." Daisy cried, close to tears. Roy just laughed and turned away until Maria kicked him sending him flying into the wall and in the next instant both girl's were on their feet and running for the open door. Roy regained his footing and raced after Maria who had almost made it to the door and grabbed her by the shoulders, throwing her roughly against the wall.

Maria winced but gave him the dirtiest look she could. Before Roy could say anything to her they all heard the sound of an engine outside as a vehicle stopped nearby. "Luke!" Maria screamed, recognizing the sound of the engine. Roy yanked her away from the wall and thrust her towards Billy. "Take care of them and make sure they don't get away while I go see about them Dukes." He said.

Maria screamed again, trying desperately to get Luke's attention. Billy grabbed her and shoved her back onto the floor next to where he'd already shoved Daisy. Maria felt the ropes cut into her skin again as she fought to get back to her feet, afraid of what they would do to Luke and whoever was with him.

Daisy looked over at her angry best friend, worried about what she would try next, worried she would never even see her friend get the ring or even hear the announcement that Maria and Bo were engaged. " Maria, honey please don't try to escape again." She begged, tears in her eyes.

Maria turned to look at her. "We gotta get away and tell Uncle Jesse them fella's stole the presents." She cried and Daisy saw Maria's tears for the first time and realized Maria's drive for escape had been from her anger and adrenaline. "Oh, Sugar, don't you worry none! Bo and Luke are gonna find us and get us out." Daisy said.

Luke had though he heard a scream. He jumped from the truck without calling for help, figuring that if that was Daisy or Maria that had screamed they were in danger and he had to get to them before they were hurt or killed.

Roy watched the dark-haired Duke boy run towards the building. "That darn gal." He muttered, grabbing a 2x4 board from the ground, thankful the girls couldn't see what he was gonna do. The blond girl was a feisty young woman and he could see them having plenty of trouble with her in the future. He had wondered for awhile if they should just let the girls go and let Boss take the rap for their disappearance but had a feeling the fat man wearing the white suit would somehow twist it around so the blame would be solely on him and Billy.

When Luke passed him he swung the board and hit the young man alongside the head, sending him to the ground in a heap. Roy bent down and hefted the boy up slinging him over his shoulder and carrying him into the building. "Luke!" Daisy cried when she saw her unconscious cousin. Roy lay the Duke boy down next to the girls but didn't miss the look that the pretty blond gave him. Her blue eyes radiated fury. He found himself almost afraid of her and what she would be capable of if she weren't tied up.

"What are we gonna do with him Roy?" Billy asked as the girls huddled next to the injured Duke boy. "First thing we gotta do is make sure that cousin of his ain't out there somewhere and take care of him too." Roy said softly. Billy nodded and headed out into the darkness while Roy tried to think of what to do with Luke.

"By the time Billy got back he had come up with an idea. "Let's wrap him in a present and send take him back to the Duke Farm and put him under the tree." He said with a grin. Billy grinned too but when they turned back around Maria was on her feet and running for the door. Billy ran after her but she burst through and disappeared into the darkness.

"Get her or she'll ruin everything." Roy yelled as Billy raced after the escaping young woman. Maria had made it to the other side of the General Lee that was hidden in the woods but she couldn't see very well and lost her footing tumbling down a hill and when she hit the bottom her head struck a rock and she went limp.

Billy finally gave up and went back inside to tell Roy that Maria had gotten away but didn't take the orange stock car. They tied up Luke and hefted him inside an oversized box and then wrote on the card and managed to get the box into the back of Jesse's pickup and Roy drove the pickup while Billy drove their car.

The jeep wasn't in the driveway so they snuck in and left the package under the tree and then went back out leaving the truck in front of the farmhouse.

Bo and Uncle Jesse arrived home a few minutes later depressed because they couldn't find the girls and obvious to the fact that Luke was in trouble wrapped up in a package under the tree. The odd package caught Bo's eye as he started through the living room. "Uncle Jesse where did this thing come from?" He asked his Uncle stepping over to it.

Uncle Jesse joined his younger nephew. "That wasn't there this morning! Open it and see." He said. Bo opened it and found a card lying on a pile of tissue paper. He took it out and handed it to Jesse who opened it while Bo continued to pull paper from the package. "Bo!" his Uncle's voice caught his attention and he turned to see Jesse's eyes narrow as he handed him the card.

Bo opened it and read the words his blue eyes narrowing angrily. "Back off Bo Duke or you'll be next!" The card read. Bo threw the card to the side and ripped the paper from the box. "Luke!" He cried, when he saw his cousin at the bottom, tied and gagged.

Balladeer: Them baddies have done gone to far this time cause they messed with the wrong family and when Bo finds out about Maria they'll have messed with the wrong Duke…I'm sure glad I ain't gonna be them….Ain't you ?