Author's Note: Please let me know how you like this so far with reviews.

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"Have a seat Miss Davenport." sat Judge Hardcastle.

Dixie was very nervous with everything that had went on and now being called into the Judge's chambers. She took the offered seat.

Judge Hardcastle saw her nervousness. He went to a small refrigerator and got a Cola and handed it to Dixie, before starting, "As I told Mr. Duke, this is off the record. I just want to know what happened. Sometimes I like to know more than just the facts provided in reports. This is one of those times. Just relax." The Judge paused. "Now, How old are you, Ms. Davenport."

Dixie found her voice and replied, "Sixteen. It's Dixie."

"Ok, Dixie. How old is Luke?" he questioned.

"He's twenty. Until last night I had never paid that any attention. I had no idea, ..." she paused and hung her head just a bit before continuing. "that, what I talked him into was illegal."

The Judge questioned, "You talked him into?"

"Well, Luke has always been a gentleman around me. Until very recently he treated me like I was his kid sister. He even called me 'kiddo'." she said.

Hardcastle questioned, "What made the change?"

"Well, sometime ago I went on a date. The guy was a creep. I ended up getting out of his car and starting to walk home in the rain. As luck would have it, Luke was driving the wrecker that night. He saw me walking and picked me up, took me home, and he stayed until I got warm and had calmed down a bit. He made hot chocolate and popcorn while I was in the shower, and even brought me a change of clothes and left them outside the bathroom door. Then stuck around and watched TV for awhile. I found out later he was afraid the guy might come to the house so he stayed until he knew Cooter and my father would be home soon." explained Dixie.

"In this time, nothing out of the way was said or done? How long was he there?" asked Hardcastle.

Dixie said with certainty, "Nothing out of the way happened or was said. He was there two maybe three hours." she continued, "I told him what had happened on the date and made him promise not to tell anyone." feeling slightly embarrassed, she continued, "Later, Luke ran into the guy at the Boar's Nest. There was a fight. That's when you put him in jail for 14 days."

Hardcastle shook his head knowingly. "Yes, I remember that. Though I didn't know the reason behind the fight."

"After that I was feeling really guilty because I felt like it was all my fault that he went to jail." she bit her lip, "I stayed overnight with Daisy after he had gotten home. I went out to gather eggs the next morning and Luke met me out by the barn. He was telling me not to feel guilty, ... about him going to jail. ... I remember looking up at him, ... , he looked down at me, ... the next thing I knew, ... we were kissing. Then he heard someone coming and we both went to the house from different directions. I think that the kiss took him as much by surprise as it did me."

"Why do you think that?" asked the Judge.

"All of us are close. We had never paid a lot of attention to each other. By this I mean the garage, once you get a couple cars in there, and all of us, it gets pretty small. You walk by someone, they back up, someone is likely to get a toe stepped on, ... , unintentionally you are going to have someone back into you, ..."

The Judge saw where she was going with this he nodded to go on.

"Well, it was no big deal. It has happened to us all. But, after that kiss Luke seemed a bit more cautious around me. He intentionally tried to keep a little extra distance between us." she paused, "Then, I had started helping Luke's cousin Jeb with his band. We had danced before, we had sang together before. One night after the kiss, we danced together and it was different. We were close for the dance, but we kept getting closer and closer. It was like we were magnets. After the dance things went back the way they were. We had the holidays, then I blew up my birthday. It was very special to me, so everyone worked to make it special. We all went skating and had a pizza party. After that Luke seem to be his old self around me, he wasn't stand offish anymore, though he was a gentleman." Dixie took a deep breath before continuing, "Then, last night we all went out to the lake. Several cars raced, but Luke stayed at the wrecker with me. I had ridden out with him which wasn't unusual. I had told him I was spending the night with Daisy. We walked by the lake and talked. When everyone else left Luke stayed behind to put out the small fire, then we drove down to the lake and talked some more. At some point in the evening, Luke had turned away from me in the car seat." Dixie turned beet red as she continued. She knew she had to tell the rest and hope it would be enough to show the Judge that this mess wasn't Luke fault. "I moved into the backseat, ... , and invited him back." she looked the Judge into the eye, and said in a quiet but sure voice, "It was my idea." she had tears in her eyes but fought to keep the under control. "Daisy told me right after I came back here that I had a crush on Luke. I guess maybe I did. I just didn't realize it."

The Judge had heard Luke's thought on the matter but wanted to know Dixie's. "How do you feel about Luke right now?"

Dixie looked confused, "I'm not sure I know what you mean."

"Well, I'll tell you what Luke said about you. He said that what went on wouldn't have if he didn't care for you." said the Judge.

"Judge Hardcastle, I have loved Luke Duke a long time. I just never thought he'd give me a second look. I guess I did try to push back my feelings to keep from getting hurt if he didn't return my feelings. I've heard all about his reputation. I've seen him in 'action' a couple times. Do you know I haven't known him to really 'run around' since last summer. He went out with this one girl. I had hoped to spend time with him that night and when he walked in with her it hurt me. He left soon after and returned a short while later. After he explained what was going on I understood. I didn't like it but I understood. We spent the rest of the evening together with everyone else."

"Did you and Luke date?" asked the Judge.

Dixie thought a minute then smiled, "No. Not really. That's what I'm trying to say. We spent a lot of time together and had fun while we were together. But, it wasn't like he asked me out, picked me up and brought me home. No. We just ended up being together. It's kind of hard to explain."

"So your father wasn't aware of you dating because you weren't?" questioned the Judge.

She nodded, "Right. Though he knew I rode with Luke on wrecker calls. I've went out of town to get parts with him. He knew when we did this we'd get something to eat sometimes while we were gone."

"He never objected?" asked Hardcastle.

"No, never. As a matter of fact, the Duke's were the only ones I've been able to stay over with since I've been here." she said.

"Ok, thank you, Dixie. Can you send in your Father?" said Judge Hardcastle.

Dixie looked at the Judge as she got up to leave. "Please don't, ... , send Luke away. It was my fault. My Father has always liked Luke. Please don't let him do this."

Judge Hardcastle stated quietly, "I have follow the law."

Dixie fought to keep her composure, "Can I see Luke?"

"I will see about that." he said reassuringly.

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Luther Davenport came into Judge Hardcstle's chambers. The Judge had also known Luther Davenport for years. Hardcastle said, "Well, Luther, have a seat and let's talk about this."

Luther remained standing. "Nothing to talk about Milt. That boy has used one to many girls for my liking. I just happen to be the one who can take care of this matter for all those other girls and their fathers."

Hardcastle looked at the man a long minute before speaking, "What's it going to change?"

"He hurt my daughter. He used her and would have moved on with another star on his board." stated Luther.

"Did it ever occur to you, that you may be causing both Dixie and Luke more pain by pushing this than if you just let it go?" asked Judge Hardcastle.

Luther couldn't see the forest for the trees. "He took liberties with my only daughter and I want him to pay for it."

Judge Hardcastle then put the ball in Luther's court, "Why did you let your daughter date him?"

Luther turned red. "I never let her go out with him!"

"Did you, or did you not, let him take her to the Boar's Nest after she had a date go bad?" questioned Hardcastle.

"He told you that?" questioned Luther.

Hardcastle waved his question off, "At, at, my question first."

"I let him drive her out there and home. I was there the whole time." said Luther.

Hardcastle continued, "How many times has Dixie went to get parts out of town and out of State with Luke with your permission? And how many wrecker calls has she went on with Luke? You let her spend all this time with him, now you want to cry wolf! Is that really fair to either of them?"

"You're saying this is my fault?" asked Luther.

Hardcastle had a way of putting things on the table the way he saw them. "I'm saying that you didn't see Luke as a threat to your daughter or you would have never let her spend all that time with him." the Judge continued, "You trusted Luke Duke didn't you?"

"No, I never trusted him!" exclaimed Luther.

Hardcastle smiled, "You let all your wrecker drivers keep your wrecker for days at a time? You give them keys to your garage?"

"Well, ah, no." said Luther.

"So you trusted Luke?" asked the Judge again.

Luther scratched his head, "As an employee, yes."

"Did you ever have tools or money missing? Did any damage ever happen to your truck from carelessness?" questioned the Judge.

Luther replied very lowly, "No."

"So you felt that you could trust a trusted employee to be around your daughter?" asked the Judge.

"Right! and he broke that trust!" exclaimed Luther. "I have the right to press further charges against Luke and I fully intend to!"

Judge Hardcastle saw he was getting nowhere but tried one more time, "You could probably solve all this a lot easier. Do you know that Luke has asked me to ask you to let him marry Dixie?..."

Luther interrupted by saying, "No way! Over my dead body! He'd just marry her to get out of this then run around on her. What would that solve?"

Hardcastle said, "I'm not so sure about that. He said he'd like to marry her whether you dropped the charges or not. Jesse even told me that he has asked him to give Dixie something no matter the outcome."

"They are just telling you that hoping I won't push this." said Luther. "I want the charges upped and I will not let her marry him now or ever."

Hardcastle tried another approach, "You are doing this for Dixie's benefit right? Are you aware of the extensive and embarrassing test that would have to be done to prove this? Do you really want to put your only daughter that you are so concerned with through this?"

"Absolutely! I want Luke Duke to pay for this!" said Luther.

The Judge shook his head. "Alright, but remember this is your choice and I did try to talk you out of it. You can go now. Send Dixie back in and we'll get on with this shortly."

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Dixie walked in.

Judge Hardcastle shook his head no, "I'm sorry. I talked to him until I was blue in the face. He still wants to go through with this. I can't stop him. But this is my Court and there's not any law that I know against letting you a Luke have a little talk before we proceed."

Dixie gave the Judge a greatful look. "Thank you so much for everything!"

Judge Hardcastle looked to the small room where he'd let Luke and Jesse talk things over. He opened the door slightly, "Luke I've heard a lot of good and bad about you today, but I'm a man who makes his own decisions. There's a Correctional Officer outside the other door. Jesse and I'll be in here. I want your word that you'll take this time to say what needs to be said and not do anything stupid."

Luke looked the Judge in the eye and said, "I give you my word as a Duke."

Hardcastle looked at Jesse who nodded 'yes'. "Ok, I'll give you as long as I can." He reached for the handcuffs and removed them, then stepped aside to let Luke enter his chambers.

"Thank you." said Luke as he stepped inside. He heard Hardcastle close the door. Dixie had been setting in a chair as he stepped into the room she met him as he crossed the room to her. He took her in his arms and held her for several long moments. Though he couldn't hear her, Luke knew she was crying as the warm tears soaked into his shirt. He breathed in the scent of her strawberry shampoo mixed with the melon scent of her body spray. Luke knew she needed to cry and be held and he needed to hold her. Finally, Luke knew there were things that needed to be said between the two of them that didn't need an audience. He took Dixie by the shoulders, standing her up and wiping her tears. He cleared the lump in his own throat, and said, "I could have stayed like that all day, but there are things that need to be said here."

Dixie dried her tears and nodded 'yes'.

"I take it that your Dad is still going through with this?" he asked.

Dixie bit her lip as tears welled up in her eyes.

Luke gave her a bit of a smile of reassurance, "I didn't really expect him not to. I want to tell you a couple of things that I would have eventually gotten around to telling you. The only reason I'm saying them now is not to try to get out of anything or just make you feel better, I want to say them to you. I want you to hear them from me. The day you came to the garage all dressed up asking to go out with Tommy?"

She nodded that she remembered.

Luke continued, "You blew my mind. It was like you had grown up over night. You went from being my 'kiddo' to a young lady right then and there in my mind. Then, there was that kiss out by the barn. It was all I could do to pull away." Luke sighed, "I've kissed my share of ladies but that kiss was different. Then, there was the dance at the Boar's Nest, it was all I could do that night to keep from kissing you right there in front of your Dad, Cooter, Jesse and everyone else. Then there was all the preparations for your birthday party. Like I said I just took it that it was your eighteenth not sixteenth birthday -- that was my fault. I want you to know I don't regret a thing that happened the other night. No matter what anyone else tells you, you were not just another girl. I respected you enough not to make a move on you until I thought you were 18..."

Dixie interrupted, "And as I recall, it was my idea."

Luke smiled at the memory and looked her in her eyes, "Yes, but it's only because you moved first. My thoughts weren't totally pure when I parked by the lake to begin with. Because our families have been so close, I would not have made any move on you if I hadn't cared about you. ... Dixie, I love you. The other night would not have happened if I hadn't already decided that."

"Luke I have loved you since I was a kid but you are right, things changed between us over night even before my first kiss." she said.

"Your first kiss? That was your first kiss?" Luke said shocked. "Lady, if that was your first kiss, ... wow!"

"Guess I had a good teacher." she said meaning Luke himself.

He smiled at her, and said very seriously, "I also want to ask you something. ... I don't know how any of this is going to turn out. ... I don't know if this will be possible or not but I intend to ask. ... You don't even have to answer, but I want to ask you this here and now." he paused, looked her in the eyes and began, "Dixie Davenport would you honor me by being my wife?..."

His question was interrupted by her answer, "Yes, Luke anytime, ... anywhere."

Now it was time to explain something to her. "Ok, I have intentions of asking the Court if they can to grant this if your Father won't allow it, but I can't promise it can happen. Even if your Father goes through with this, I'd like you to at least have my name, even if we can't be together. That is if you'll have it. I think it could make things easier for you here. At least it should show that I do love you and I wasn't just out to use you and move on."

Dixie smiled a bit for the first time. "Luke I love you. I want to be with you. Yes, I'll marry you anytime, anywhere. If I can't have you, yes, I'll still marry you."

Luke said as he was fighting tears of his own, "Jesse will have something for you that I was waiting for the right time to give you." he paused, "There is something you need to know before we go back in. To prove the charges that your Father is insisting that I be charged with there are tests that would have to been done on you, ... I don't intend to let them be done. I fully intend to plead guilty and take my chances before I'll let you be put through all that."

"Luke I can't let you do that!" she said.

He shook his head and said with determination, "I'm going to. I will not let you suffer anymore for my carelessness. Please give me this. Please let me do what I can, as small as it is to protect you all that I can."

Dixie saw the helplessness on Luke's face. It was not like him. He was always in charge and was doing his best to take charge of what he could in this situation. Dixie realized how important it was for Luke to feel like he had some control in this. She closed hers eyes and and shook her head, 'Ok.'

Luke reached out and took Dixie back into his arms. "Thank you. God, knows it's not much but it's all I can do." He held her for several minutes. Each lost in their own thoughts of each other. Luke petted her hair as he held her thinking of how he could ask something very difficult of her but something her needed her to do for him. "Dixie I need you to do something very difficult but that is very important for me?"

She replied into his strong chest, "Anything."

"Hear me out first." He tilted her face up to him. "When we go back in there, ... I need you to be strong for me. No out bursts. No tears. ... Cry now if you are going to, but not in there?"

Dixie for the first time saw tears in his eyes, yet he refused to cry. She saw him gather control of himself but also saw how important it was to him that she not cry in the Courtroom. "All I can say is I promise to do my best."

Luke squeezed her tightly, "That's all I can ask." Once again Luke held her hoping that she would cry herself out before re-entering the courtroom.

There was a knock from the door Judge Hardcastle had went out. There was a minute before it opened, Judge Hardcastle said from the door. "Two minutes." and shut the door back.

Luke and Dixie looked at each other. He dried her tears, tilted her face toward him and kissed her as passionately as he'd kissed anyone before.

A knock at the door brought the kiss to an end. A minute later the Judge opened the door. "That's about all I can do." he said.

Both Luke and Dixie thanked him.

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Judge Hardcastle instructed Jesse to take Dixie and return to the Courtroom. After they had left he sized up the tension in the room. He poured into Luke's glass from earlier a straight shot of liquor. "Drink up we don't have long."

Luke took the glass. "Thanks for everything you have done for us both. I know you have got to do what you have to do." Luke finished the drink in one drink.

Hardcastle replaced the handcuffs. He opened the door for Luke to enter the Courtroom.

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Dixie's first test of what Luke had asked (her not crying) came as soon as Luke walked in the Courtroom when Dixie saw that he was handcuffed and leg ironed. She hadn't noticed the leg irons when they were talking but she knew he hadn't had the handcuffs on. Dixie found herself looking to Jesse for the strength she needed to keep herself from falling apart. She and Jesse had talked before going into the Courtroom. Jesse had explained to her that it would be harder for Luke to be strong for her if she fell apart. Jesse gave her a look of reassurance. Though Jesse was more worried about Daisy and Bo falling apart on him than he was Dixie.

Rosco called the Court to order.

Judge Hardcastle asked Trooper Mitchell, "Do you have the amended complaint ready?"

Trooper Mitchell replied, "Yes, Sir." He handed Rosco the complaint who handed it to Judge Hardcastle.

Judge Hardcastle studied the complaint for several minutes. "Mr. Davenport I will ask you once last time. Are you sure that you want to have these charges amended?"

Luther Davenport looked at Luke with contempt before answering the Judge, "Absolutely."

"So be it." replied Judge Hardcastle. "Lucas Duke you are now being charged with Indecent Exposure, Public Intoxication, one count of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, Resisting Arrest, and Statutory Rape. Do you understand these charges?"

Luke was standing straight and tall when he answered in a voice that he hope sounded confident, "Yes, Sir."

"You, Mr. Duke are entitled to an attorney, a preliminary hearing and a jury trial. Due to the seriousness of these charges I will have to order that both you and Miss Davenport undergo some medical testing which I will set up after this bond hearing." Stated Judge Hardcastle before continuing. "Do you wish to have an attorney appointed, Mr. Duke."

Luke took a deep breath before answering, "No, Sir, Your Honor."

Everyone in the Courtroom looked at Luke in shock.

Luke continued, "I don't need an attorney. If I could I'd like to waive the preliminary hearing, jury trial and all."

Judge Hardcastle shook his head. He could be a very hard case but he hated to see a young person not even give the system a chance to help them. Guilty or innocent he liked to see cases go through the Court to insure everyone was given what they were entitled to by law. "Mr. Duke I strongly advice against this. By waiving your rights now, you will have no recourse later."

"I understand that. Miss Davenport has been through far too much as it is over this matter. I'd just as soon get it over as quickly as we can so she can move on." stated Luke.

Judge Hardcastle sighed and asked, "Are you prepared to enter a plea and wave this bond hearing?"

Luke answered, "Yes, Sir. But, if I may first I'd like to ask the Court to honor one request. I am unsure if there is a way the Court can intervene in this matter or not, but I'd like to ask the Court to give or seek permission for Miss Davenport to marry me regardless of the outcome of the charges?"

Judge Hardcastle set back and studied the young man before him for several minutes before speaking. "Mr. Davenport, standing before myself today in this Court is a young man who has made a grave mistake. I see him owning up to that mistake and trying everything in his power to make amends for this mistake. I know that a law has been broken and you are seeking justice which you will get if you insist on continuing this matter, but, don't you think it would serve your daughter, this Court, this State and this young man far better to end this matter here?"

Mr. Davenport said in a loud voice, "I want him to pay for making a WHORE..."

His sentence was cut short as Luke shoved past Jesse who was standing to his right and was heading full force at Mr. Davenport. Jesse, Bo, and Rosco caught Luke about the time the State Troopers caught Mr. Davenport. Luke and Luther were in the center of the Courtroom face to face.

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Judge Hardcastle pounded his gavel and exclaimed, "Order! I will have order in my Court!"

Everyone stopped right where they were with Luke and Luther still face to face.

Hardcastle spoke with authority, "I will have NO name calling in this Court Mr. Davenport. Mr. Duke I will not tolerate disruptions like this even if it was provoked. We will recess for ten minutes I suggest everyone check their temper at the door on your way back in. Court dismissed for ten minutes."

Peggy led Luke and Jesse back to a witness room at the side of the Court room.

Once she shut the door, Jesse said, "Luke, now I know none of this is easy but you don't want the Judge on your bad side either."

Luke shook his head in agreement, "I know, Uncle Jesse, I sort of lost it for a second there."

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Daisy went out with Dixie as she couldn't go back with Jesse and Luke. "Dixie, Honey, your Dad is just mad. He didn't mean ..."

"Yes he did, Daisy. He has told me I was a whore and once a whore always a whore, that no one would ever want me as a wife after this." said Dixie with tears in her eyes.

Daisy smiled, "Sugar that's not what I heard in there."

Dixie smiled weakly, "That may be but my Father will NEVER allow it. He swore he'd make Luke pay but I think I'm paying too."

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Bo and the other boys walked out with Cooter. Bo began, "Cooter?"

Cooter turned on them defensively, "Now, Bo, guys, I know you are all on Luke's side here, but messing with MY sister is going way too far!"

Bo said, "We've all been friends too long for this to come between us."

Cooter replied, "Bo, I know that, but it will come between us. That's why it was so wrong what Luke did. I know you all will back Luke. I have to go with Dad on this one."

Bo knew Cooter was right that this would come between them and simply asked, "What will is solve, Cooter?"

Cooter knew Bo was also right about not solving anything but for Luke to mess around with Dixie, well, Cooter felt that his trust in his friend had been betrayed.

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At this moment Luther walked out of the Courtroom in a huff. His face was red and he was furious. He said to Cooter and Dixie, "I told you two to keep away from them 'DUKES'!"

Cooter and Dixie left their long time friends and joined their Father.

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Jesse advised, "The first chance you get in there to talk apologize to the Judge."

"I will, Uncle Jesse." said Luke. Then he sighed heavily, "Luther's not going to let me marry her. ..." He paused and looked down slightly, "Uncle Jesse I'm sorry for all this. Please tell the others that." After another long pause Luke looked up at Jesse. "You do know I'm going in there to plead Guilty."

"Luke, I see no way out of this right now, but I wished you'd not do that, so maybe it would buy sometime to think about another option. I do understand your reasons for doing it, if you do. I also want you to know I'm proud of you for the way you have conducted yourself through this all. Luke, always know, that we all love and support you." said Jesse.

Rosco opened the door, "It's time."

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Everyone entered the Courtroom again. Rosco called the Court to Order. The Judge said to the court reporter, "Please read the last bit of transcript."

She said,

"Judge Hardcastle, 'Are you prepared to enter a plea and wave this bond hearing?' Luke answered, 'Yes, Sir. But, if I may first I'd like to ask the Court to honor one request. I am unsure if there is a way the Court can intervene in this matter or not, but I'd like to ask the Court to give or seek permission for Miss Davenport to marry me regardless of the outcome of the charges?'Judge Hardcastle, 'Mr. Davenport standing before myself today in this Court is a young man who has made a grave mistake. I see him owning up to that mistake and trying everything in his power to make amends for this mistake. I know that a law has been broken and you are seeking justice which you will get if you insist on continuing this matter, but, don't you think it would serve your daughter, this Court, this State and this young man far better to end this matter here?'Mr. Davenport, 'I want him to pay for making a WHORE...' "

After the reporter read this Judge Hardcastle directed, "Mr. Davenport, please answer the question without any name calling this time."

Luther answered, "I want him to pay. I will never give my daughter permission to marry him."

During the break Judge Hardcastle had checked into the legalities of this all. He said, "I am sorry Mr. Duke, Ms. Davenport, without parental permission I can not give permission from the courts for you two to marry." he paused, "Mr. Duke are you still prepared to enter a plea?"

Luke answered, "Yes, Sir and I would like to say I am sorry for my part in the disruption earlier."

Judge Hardcastle asked, "Do you need the charges read again before entering your plea?"

"No, Sir." replied Luke.

"Very well. Please stand and approach the bench." said the Judge. This still obviously bothered him. "How would you like to plead to the above charges in this matter?"

Luke stood up standing as straight as he could and approached the bench. "Guilty as charged Your Honor."

Behind Luke there was movement which never registered to him. Daisy gasped. Bo stood up only to be sat back down by Jesse.

At the other table Luther smiled. Cooter dropped his head. Dixie bit her lip to keep from crying out.

Judge Hardcastle said, "Enter a Plea of Guilty to the above charges. I can set up a sentencing hearing for ..." he paused.

Luke asked, "Can we move on to it now?"

Judge Hardcastle checked his watch. This one hearing had taken quiet some time but to finish it today would be much shorter than two hearings. "I have one other arraignment. I'll recess Court until 1:00 pm. so that I can do that. Until then Ms. Blevins take Mr. Duke back to the witness room where he can visit with his family and Miss Davenport." Judge Hardcastle saw the look in Luther's eyes and said, "I intend to be fair to all parties here. Say one word in objection and I'll lock you up for Contempt of Court. Court adjourned!"

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Judge Hardcastle further directed Peggy to remove the handcuffs during the visit. Peggy, Luke, all the Dukes and Dixie entered the witness room for their visit while in the Courtroom Mark McCormick was brought upstairs for his bail hearing.

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Mark McCormick was brought upstairs for his bail hearing. Being charged with a Felony Mark was also in handcuffs and leg irons. Judge Hardcastle took notice of the absence of any family in the Courtroom for the young man as he began to read the complaint.

Hardcastle began, "Mark McCormick, you have been charged with Armed Robbery."

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In the witness room Luke was surrounded by his family and Dixie. Jesse looked at him, "Luke I'll be right back let me see if I can help Mark."

"Thanks Uncle Jesse." Luke replied.

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Jesse walked in as Judge Hardcastle asked, "Do you have anyone to go your bond on this?"

Jesse replied, "Judge Hardcastle I'm willing to go his bond if I can since I won't be needing to use the farm for Luke." he sighed.

Mark looked at Jesse with a confused look.

Jesse looked at Hardcastle, "Can I have a minute to explain this?" nodding to Mark. Judge Hardcastle nodded 'yes'. Jesse briefly explained to Mark about Luke.

Mark asked, "So he's not going home on this?" He could see the hurt in Jesse's eyes as he answered him making Mark wish he'd not asked the question.

"No." Jesse said simply.

"Jesse I want to thank you, and Luke, for this. You know even if they believe me, my parents always told me if I got myself into trouble I'd have to get myself out so they would never go the bond." Mark sighed. He'd been thinking while Luke was upstairs. He knew if he was bonded out and something else was robbed then he'd be in more trouble. Now, he was thinking of his friend, who was friend enough to ask Jesse to get him out, instead of his own self. Mark did not enjoy being locked in a jail cell anymore than Luke or any other person. He wanted to go home. Could he let Jesse use his farm to go his bond and leave Luke? Could he pass up the chance to walk out of here? He looked at Jesse and said, "I can't let you use your farm for me. I truly appreciate the offer, but I can't walk out of here and leave Luke here. Thank you, Jesse." He turned to Judge Hardcastle, "Your Honor, I have a friend, who is friend enough to asked his uncle to get me out of here. Mr. Duke explained what he has done. I'll be friend enough to stay here with him, besides if something else is robbed like this and I'm here it might just help prove I didn't do it."

Judge Hardcastle looked at the young man in front of him thinking 'What has gotten into these young people today?' He sighed. He couldn't help but take a bit of a liking to the young man who decided to show his loyalty to his friend. Once again Judge Hardcastle did something unusual, he said, "I'd like to see Mr. McCormick in my office. Court will be in recess. Jesse I'll have them let you know when we return if you want to see Luke."

Jesse said, "Thank you Judge Hardcastle." Jesse addressed his long time fishing friend in a formal manner since they were in Court.

Once in the Judge's Chambers he closed the door and began unbuttoning his robe reveling a shirt with large 'Hawiian print' in bright colors.

Needless to say Mark was a bit surprised to see the older man wearing such a shirt under his robe. As with Luke the Judge tosses Mark a handcuff key saying, "You can take those bracelets off unless you like them. Want a Coke?"

Mark looked a lot confused, but did as instructed and took the handcuffs off and then accepted the Coke.

Judge Hardcastle sat down with a Coke, took a peanut out of a jar and said, "So, kid tell me your side of this." He sat back in his chair to listen as he opened the file on his desk to see the official version while Mark told him his version.

"I had a girlfriend who had been in some trouble. She came to me asking me for help. I took her to the Dixie Inn a couple days ago in my Firebird and assured them she could be trusted." Mark looked up biting his lip. "Yeah, well that's what I told them and believed it at the time. She had to work last night. My Firebird still has some 'bugs' in it so I drove my Dad's pickup when I decided since she was working I'd spend a quiet evening at home since all my family would be gone last night. I ran in to Luke Duke at the Hazzard Garage and asked him to come over to my house. He used to date my sister so he declined to keep down trouble and he said they all were going to the lake for a bit. I went and bought a half gallon of Jim Bean whiskey and went home." Mark paused. "I proceeded to get smashed. I was awaken by my Dad calling me about 7 this morning. When I came down stairs the State Police were there with a warrant to search my house and car. They decided to start with my car. When they opened the door they found a ski mask between the seats. In the glove box cleverly hidden by a loaded .357 Magnum was several checks made out to the Dixie Inn. Now, Judge, I'm not a rocket scientist or anything but come on, IF I had robbed the place would I have left all that evidence so neatly in MY car?"

Judge Hardcastle asked, "Was the gun yours?"

"No. My father cleared that up. We have several .357's. He knew the serial number to be one of his that was kept on the refrigerator." explained Mark.

"Can you explain how anyone could have gotten it AND your car?" asked the Judge.

Mark sighed, "Yeah. It's amazing how clear things can become in just a few hours..." he nodded toward the jail, "down there. My, ah, " he again spit the word, "ah, girlfriend, Sharon Jones knew I kept a spare key in my bumper of the Firebird. She was also with me one evening when I forgot my key. I took the spare key down from the porch light then replaced it back there after opening the house. As for the gun, it was laying there in plain sight on the refrigerator for anyone who walked in to see."

"You are claiming that this Sharon Jones came to your house, took the spare key, got the gun, got the spare key to the car and robbed the place, then returned the car to your house with the gun, mask and checks in the car for the law to find?" asked the Judge.

"I'm saying she had knowledge of the keys which gave her access to the gun and the car. With me in the back of the house drinking I would never have heard her or the car." stated Mark.

"Why did you turn down Jesse Duke's offer to bond you?" asked Hardcastle.

Mark looked the Judge in the eyes, "If he bonds me and something else is robbed like this I'm sure to be blamed. If I'm here, then it's possible it might help me. Besides, Jesse would have bonded Luke first but I think part of the reason he's being stubborn is so Jesse can bond me. He's getting a raw deal too, but he won't let Dixie be hurt anymore even to clear himself. So he's going to plead guilty to this to protect her and so that Jesse can bond me. The only thing I'm guilty of is getting plastered last night, but I'll not leave him here like that when Jesse could have bonded him instead."

Judge Hardcastle handed Mark a shot of liquor to go with his Coke as he continued, "Here drink this with you Coke. Then, we'll put that jewelry back on and we'll go set you bond."

Mark looked skeptical.

"Go on. Or you may have wished you had, by the time all this is over." stated the Judge.

"Ah, yeah." said Mark before downing the drink.

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