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

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Peggy removed the handcuffs and stepped to the side of the door to let the family talk but she was in between Luke and the only door in the room. In the witness room off from the Court room with Luke were some very upset Dukes and one Davenport. Bo was the first to speak after Jesse went back in for Mark, "Luke! Did you HAVE to do that? Are you CRAZY?"

Standing with his arm around both Daisy and Dixie, Luke replied evenly, "Yes, I did. And, No, I'm not."

Bo voiced what was on the others mind but no one (except Luke and Jesse -- unknown to the others) had talked about . "By saying you're guilty on this you'll..." Bo paused trying to choke the lump in his throat back down to try to talk to Luke in the short time they would have. "Luke, you'll go to jail..." Bo looked up to try to stop the tears that were threatening.

Luke knew his next statement to Bo was likely to upset him, Dixie and Daisy more so than the younger three Duke boys since he was closer to them, so Luke tried to speak with a calmness he didn't feel, "Bo. I know what I'm doing here." He thought, 'I think!' "I know that unless I get one He-- of a break, I won't being going to jail on this, ... but to prison. I'm putting all my marbles in one sack and hoping by doing this now without delaying that I'll at least get some kind of a break but with Hardcastle in there I just don't know."

Luke felt more than saw or heard the girls on both his sides tense up and he could tell they were crying but didn't want him to know it. Frankly he didn't want to know it right now either.

About this time Jesse came back into the room. Luke looking for a distraction from his own situation asked, "What happened?"

Jesse replied, "He's in with the Judge talking like he did to you. Said they'd call me when they came back in." Jesse thought about telling Luke of his friends decision but decided it could wait and that he had enough 'on his plate' that he couldn't control.

Bo said in a pleading voice, "Uncle Jesse, you've got to make Luke here, change his mind."

Jesse said warningly, "Bo ... Now, Luke here, is in a fix ... But, I want you all to understand, sometimes a man has got to make difficult choices in his life. This is one of those times for Luke. He doesn't need us making it more difficult. In this room is family and as family we have got to support each other..."

Bo heard the words that Jesse hadn't said also, 'Not make him feel worse than they knew he did.' It was all Bo could do to mask his frustration, but he would try to for Luke's sake. He just hoped they could talk without having to worry about Dixie, Daisy, Jeb, Coy, Vance and even Jesse. Bo knew that the two could say things to each other they could never say to anyone else. He just couldn't understand what Luke was thinking.

There was a knock at the door. Rosco told Jesse that Mark and the Judge were back.

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Back in the Court room. Jesse had returned to hopefully help Mark.

"I'll set your bond in case you change your mind." The Judge informed Mark of his right to an attorney and completed the needed paperwork then said, "I'm setting the bond at $50,000 due the the seriousness of the crime. Jesse if he should change his mind and you are still willing to go his bond contact me. I'm sure if you are using the farm we can work something out on the bond."

Jesse said, "Thank you Judge Hardcastle."

Mark also told the Judge, "Thanks."

Mark was escorted back downstairs and the cuffs and leg irons removed. He stepped into the cell and heard the very distinct sound of steel meeting steel as the cell door closed with a clang then the key turned with a clink, locking the cell and Mark inside. Standing alone in the cell he felt his pulse quicken, his heart rate raced as he wanted desperately to call out that he'd changed his mind about not letting Jesse Duke bond him. Then he thought of how Luke would feel for his Uncle to bond Mark, yet he couldn't go home. Mark sighed and thought, 'I can't do it to him. I know I didn't rob anything and I'll fight to prove that but I can't leave Luke when he unknowingly DID do something wrong and is facing it. He sighed and said lowly to himself, "I'll just have to stick this out for right now."

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Judge Hardcastle took the rest of the time looking for a legal loop hole to keep from sending a 'kid' "up the river" that had made a terrible error in judgment. He was compelled to follow the law but was looking for a way to serve justice and satisfy the father yet be fair to the young man. The letter of the law was clear.

Unfortunately, by pleading guilty, the kid was going to do a lot of hard time thanks to the girls father being so bull headed to take this thing to court. Wait, he had one more place to look ...

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Rosco knocked, then told Peggy, "Judge said two minutes."

Luke hugged each of his family and Dixie. Then said, "I love you all. Thanks for everything." Then to Dixie only he said, "Remember, I do love you. I will be on your doorstep some day, when the timing is better." He then turned to Peggy so she could replace the cuffs as the others went to the Courtroom.

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At 1 pm shape Judge Hardcastle's court was again called to order. Judge Hardcastle spoke, "Lucas Duke, please stand for sentencing." He paused, then continued, "You have plead guilty to the above charges." Making one of the toughest decisions in his career Hardcastle said, "I am sentencing you, ... to the maximum 20 years in prison."

Standing straight Luke heard the sentence that was passed down. He had known he was in serious trouble but had NEVER expected THIS! He felt his knees turn to rubber and his chest tightened making breathing almost impossible. It was all he could do to remain standing, he WOULD NOT give Luther Davenport anymore satisfaction than he was now getting! The rest of the sentence fell on deaf ears as far as Luke was concerned because he didn't hear anything else. He continued to hear Hardcastle saying, "20 years in prison."

Hardcastle continued, "I am also placing a condition that you can not phone, write, or have any contact with Dixie Davenport while incarcerated." The Judge also spouted a lot of Latin gobbledy goop that no one from Hazzard understood. Then said to Peggy, "Mr. Duke is now placed in your custody to await transport to the State Prison."

Luke felt Jesse nudge his arm as Peggy had stepped closer to Luke. His family's and Dixie's reaction were put on hold until Luke was taken downstairs. Mark noticed when Luke came back down stairs he was as pale as a ghost as Peggy uncuffed him. He stepped inside the cell. Mark saw him shudder as the door locked with the same clang, click that he himself had been unnerved by a short time before. After Peggy went upstairs to get the required paperwork from the Judge, Mark asked quietly, "Luke? What happened?"

Luke just stared at the wall as he stood by the bed and quietly said, "It's over."

Mark said, "Well, tell me what happened."

Luke looked his friend in the eyes, "Not now. I can't. ... It's done with. I'll tell you in a bit." Luke sat down on the metal bed with the hard mattress, putting his back to the side of the cell against the bars. He had his heels on the edge of the narrow bunk with his knees pulled up to his chin. He placed his elbows on his knees with his head on his arms. He sat like that for quiet some time before looking at the bars that surrounded his friend and himself. He said barely heard by Mark even though they weren't far from each other, "Twenty YEARS."

Mark looked up at the sound of Luke's voice. He almost said, 'What did you say?' But, then he realized what he'd heard. He couldn't think of one thing to say to his friend as he processed the information, then, began to wonder what exactly his fate would be for a robbery he did not commit...

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Judge Hardcastle stopped Jesse outside the Courthouse. "Jesse. Can we talk over a cup of coffee?"

Jesse knew the Judge had just done his job, but he'd given Luke the Maximum sentence when he could have done otherwise. Jesse saw the anger flash in Bo's eyes and needed to head it off so he said, "Bo you take the others, ..." He started to say to the Garage but thought better of that quickly. "To the Boar's Nest get you all a bite to eat and I'll be along shortly then we'll go see Luke." Jesse didn't like the look in Bo's eyes. "Bo. Now." Leaving no room for discussion. To the Judge he said, "Let's go."

At the dinner Judge Hardcastle took the back booth away from the few customers that were in the dinner. He told the waitress, "Two coffees. And bring a pot." After the young lady left them he said to Jesse, "Jesse, we've been friends for a long while. I'm sorry I had to do what I did today. That was the toughest decision I've passed down since becoming a Judge. Not just because Luke is your nephew but because I honestly feel he was telling me the total truth that he didn't know how old Ms. Davenport was and that she didn't know the law." Hardcastle paused as the coffee was served. Then continued, "What I'm concerned with talking to you about now though is something that could indirectly benefit Luke." he paused to let that soak in. He needed something from Jesse Duke and knew now wasn't the time to ask unless he could make it worth Jesse's time to even get him to listen. Hardcastle said, "Mark McCormick. He chose to stay in jail instead of letting you bond him. He is charged with Armed Robbery which is not less than 10 years. I know he says he's innocent and I tend to believe what he's telling me up to this point, of course I'll have to hear all the evidence. The evidence doesn't look good should this go to trial. It seems that if what he is claiming, that he was set up, they did a good job of it. I'd like to make him an offer which could benefit Luke somewhat. If he'd plead to Nighttime Burglary it is a 1-15. We could wrap this up quicker and I could pull a few strings to have them housed closer to home and on a work camp where they would at least be outside quiet a bit. I can probably even get them housed together. Jesse this is a newer place and it's nothing like the old camps like in Osage. You do realize that with Luke's charge he will have to watch his back and it will be worse if he goes to the State prison. At least if they go together they can watch each others backs."

Jesse saw the logic of the Judges plan and did see how this would benefit Luke but said, "Milt how can you think of sending that kid to prison if you believe him?"

He sighed deeply, "Jesse, I have to go with the evidence which even if this goes to a jury they found in his car a loaded gun, a ski mask and checks belonging to the Dixie Inn. He doesn't have a alibi, his car was placed at the scene. He can take the deal and likely be home in a year. Otherwise he'll fight this, most likely loose the case, and spend the next 10 years in prison and without some strings being pulled. The fact a gun was used will keep him inside just like with Luke's charge."

Jesse himself sighed, "I don't like doing this but I see where you are coming from. I don't know if I can make Mark see it or not, but I will explain this all to both them."

Judge Hardcastle said, "Thank you Jesse. I wish I could have done more to help Luke but you heard Luther Davenport, he should be satisfied now. Now I'll do what I can to even the score on Luke's side." He desperately wanted to tell Jesse his whole plan but knew it would loose the effect to explain all his plans now.

Jesse checked the time on his pocket watch. "I'll go get the others and I'll do what I can."

Hardcastle said, "Thanks again. And I am sorry that I couldn't come up with a better solution."

Jesse just nodded as he headed toward the door.

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After meeting the kids at the Boar's Nest, they all went to see Luke and Mark at the jail. After letting them visit awhile Jesse sent them out so he could explain what the Judge had said. After all the explaining was done Mark McCormick was not ready to admit guilt to a crime he didn't do, but agreed that he'd think about it.

When Jesse left, he sent Bo back down to talk to Luke and Mark. Jesse knew Luke and Bo were closer than any of his kids and knew that they needed this chance to talk freely without the other kids or himself around.

Due to the extreme length of the sentence Peggy knew that this had about floored Luke. She was glad to let Bo stay for a couple of hours to let them talk. At least if Luke were talking to Bo or Mark maybe he wasn't thinking as much.

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Luke may not have been thinking but Mark was. Late that night Luke knew Mark wasn't anymore asleep than he was. He said quietly, "Mark, want to talk about it?"

Mark sighed, still looking at the ceiling, "Luke you know I didn't rob any place. I can't see saying I did when I didn't, but, Da--! I don't want to stay here another 10 minutes let alone 10 years. With the evidence pointing dead at me and no way to prove otherwise, would I be a fool to fight this?"

Luke turned on his side to look at his friend on the bunk by his, "You are asking ME about being a FOOL?" Luke paused, "Mark, you know the Court system here like I do. Hardcastle has a 'reputation'. The evidence against you looks really bad. Even if it goes to a jury they will all be from around here so they will know you've been in a fight or two, you have been known to race and drive a little crazy, most would probably figure you to have tried your hand at moonrunning a time or two..."

Mark said as Luke's thoughts trailed off, "So they'd find me guilty on this because of what they know or suspect about me."

Luke just looked at him for several minutes, then shrugged his shoulders, "I'm just saying that it could go that way. Look at your options: One, you can fight this and loose and get 10 years. Two, you could fight it win and walk. Three, take Hardcastle's deal and know that it's likely you'd be home in a year." Luke paused, then continued, "That's your options, now you just have to figure the odds."

Mark sighed, "Yeah! But I think you missed an option. The one where I take the deal of 1 to 15 and end up doing the 15."

"Yeah! That is something to think on too." replied Luke.

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The next morning at the Hazzard Jail found two 'good old boys' that had gotten very little sleep.

NARRATOR: "Ya, know I've seen those two look a lot better than they do this morning."

Peggy brought them coffee which was very welcome. "I'll call over to the Diner for breakfast in a bit."

Mark said, "I think I'd just as soon have more coffee."

Luke seconded that, "Me too. I don't think I could eat this morning either."

"Guys you both know that Uncle Jesse would have my hide on the wall if I let either of you get away without eating. I'll fix us another pot of coffee and I'll call the Diner a little later for breakfast." Peggy said.

Mark took a large drink of coffee and asked, "How hard would it be to arrange a meeting with Judge Hardcastle?"

Luke looked a bit surprised but said nothing.

Peggy also seemed surprised but answered, "It shouldn't be to hard unless he's fishing today. What should I tell him?"

Mark looked from Peggy to Luke then replied, "Just that I'd like to talk to him." Mark wasn't sure how much Peggy knew about the information Jesse had given him about Hardcastle's offer so he simply said, "About what he had Mr. Duke tell me. I think I've made up my mind."

Peggy left to call the Judge. Luke waited until she had reached the top of the steps before saying, "So what did you decide?"

Mark took a long deep breath and sighed heavily before saying, "I want to talk to him but, ... I think, ... I'm going to, ..." he lower his voice barely able to say the rest. "Take his offer."

Luke sat up on his bunk. "Are you sure about that?"

"As sure as I can be. I don't like it, ... but I don't see having much choice." Mark replied pacing the small distance of the cell. "A year sure sounds better than TEN."

Luke said lowly, "Care for TWENTY?"

Mark sighed. "Sh--! I'm sorry, Luke. I'm fuming over a year, and here you are looking, at ... Like I said, I'm sorry.

"Don't be. I know you need to talk this out." Luke said.

Mark sighed heavily, then said, "I just don't want on your bad side since it looks like we're going to be spending quiet a bit of time together."

Luke solemnly replied, "Yeah, looks like we are."

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Mark sat across the desk from Judge Hardcastle. They had talked for quiet some time when Judge Hardcastle said, "I really hate what is going on with both you and Mr. Duke. I had to follow the law in his case and Ms. Davenport's father was pushing hard for 'justice' besides I felt like Mr. Duke may be in danger if I'd even had let him out on bond. As for you, I think your a fairly honest young man, but again with the evidence I've seen, ... I think most likely I'd be compelled to find you guilty. I figure that you'd both rather be where you could be outside working to make time go by as to be in a cell all day."

Mark asked the question that had been bothering him since Jesse Duke had told him of the Judge's offer. "So I take the deal, plead guilty to Nighttime Burglary which is a 1-15 years. How do I know I won't end up with the 15 instead of 10 years?"

Judge Hardcastle replied, "Good question. I like someone who thinks things out. I'll put in in the Court order to have you transported to my Court one year from the day you were arrested and I'll reconsider the sentence. As long as you haven't tried to escape or done anything equally stupid then I'll release you at that time."

Mark sat back in his chair to consider all the Judge had said. He sat thinking for several very long minutes before attempting to find his voice. "I'll take your deal. Jesse said you'd arrange for Luke and me to be housed together?"

Judge Hardcastle hated doing this to these two young men, but felt he was doing what he could for them while following the law at the same time. He replied, "I'll put it all in the plea agreement which I'll get typed up for your signature." Hardcastle buzzed Peggy to return Mark to the jail cell.

Mark nodded as he stood to leave the Judge's Office he decided to 'thank' the judge for doing what little he could under the circumstances. His voice threatened to crack as he said, "Thanks." That was all he could manage to say as the thought crossed his mind, 'What has he really done for me or Luke?'

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At the Davenport farm, Dixie had spent several of the LONGEST days of her life. Her father had grounded her to her room, as he put it, for life! Cooter looked at her with disapproval and hurt. She knew at some level he blamed her, for causing the lose of one of his closest friends. Her father on the other hand made her feel 'dirty'. She was too embarrassed to call her Mother, and her father had also forbid it. She needed to talk things out with someone but didn't have any friends in Hazzard that would understand this, except the Dukes, who at this point probably hated her. She needed to talk to Luke, yet, the Judge had ordered they have no contact. As she paced the the silent house in the wee hours of the night she asked the question to herself, 'What else could he do to Luke or her?' Luke had already been sentenced and she was paying the price of living with her choice to love Luke Duke. She brushed her hair, grabbed a jacket and opened her bedroom window. She had walked to town plenty of times from the farm. She had been in town enough to know that the window outside the jail cells had a large bush growing close by. She hoped she could talk to Luke from outside and be concealed by the bush.

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Outside Dixie crossed the Hazzard Square. She could see a faint light from the windows of the cells below the Court house. She slipped silently across the Courthouse lawn and ducked down behind the bush. She waited seeing Peggy setting at the desk.

Luke and Mark were both laying on the bunks, though it didn't look like either was asleep.

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Peggy was seating across the room with her feet propped up on desk. She had been reading a book to try to pass the time. She loved this overtime but Rosco wasn't much on relieving her out so she had been awake and on duty for the entire time Luke and Mark had been in jail. She felt her eyes getting heavy as Luke and Mark had gotten quiet. She didn't figure they were asleep. She knew that they both had a lot on their minds. With Mark signing the plea agreement yesterday she had been busy as a beaver making the transport arrangements with the transport team of the work farm Judge Hardcastle had arranged for them both to be sent to. This was no easy task as she HAD to keep it confidential. Luke and Mark all had plenty of family and friends in this County that would be more than willing to try to break the boys out. She knew they didn't need that! She had read the Court orders and even she hadn't been able to make heads or tails out of the Latin in Luke's order. But it took no 'rocket scientist' to know that they were both getting a break just by the Judge pulling strings to make sure they went to the work camp together, not the State Pen. She had left the jail earlier with the excuse of going home for a shower and a nap but in reality had went to bypass the Hazzard Phone Company's operator. She had driven to Chickasaw County where she had a secure phone line without an operator who could over hear every call if she wanted to, or if the price was right. As luck would have it the transport team would be in Hazzard by noon today. She was the only one in Hazzard who knew this. She felt her eyes getting heavy and knew she could not afford the chance of even a few minutes sleep. She decided to go up stairs to get water for the coffee. She got the now empty coffee pot and unlocked the gate going upstairs then locked it back. While she was upstairs she'd check the outside door and make the necessary copies of the Court orders she'd need in the morning.

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Luke and Mark both heard Peggy go upstairs. This wasn't unusual and they knew she'd be close by and back soon. They both laid silently lost in their own thoughts.

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When Dixie saw Peggy go through the gate she crept closer to the window, giving her enough time to reach the top of the steps before she called very quietly, "Luke."

Luke was sure he imagined hearing his name being called by Dixie until Mark said quietly, "Luke, either I'm hearing you dreams over here OR someone just called your name and it wasn't me."

Mark's statement got Luke's full attention as he sat up quickly.

Dixie said, "Shhhh. Or you two are going to give me away."

Luke was now standing on the bunk. "Dixie what are you doing here? It's the middle of the night!"

"Luke I just needed to talk to you. At the moment you are the only one that knows what I'm going through who doesn't hate me." she said hurriedly.

"Woooh! Slow down there. Who hates you?" he asked in a soothing voice.

"Everyone. Dad, Cooter. Your family is the only ones I feel I could talk to but I know they hate me because I caused all this..." she had so much more to add but was stopped in here tracks by Luke.

He reached for her hand through the bars on the window. He knew Mark would be listening for Peggy. "Dixie, Honey, my family nor yours hates you. I told you if anyone is to blame for this it is me. I should have known better. I did! But I should have been more careful. I guarantee you are just as welcome at Jesse's as you have always been if not more so." He was thinking about suggesting she go to Jesse's tonight but wondered how she had gotten to town. "Dixie how did you get here?"

She let her eyes look away from Luke for only a second as she said, "I walked." Dixie knew Luke would worry about her but she wouldn't lie to him.

Luke had been feeling pretty helpless but now it was really hitting him just how da-- helpless he was. Dixie had walked in the middle of the night to town to talk to him. "Tell me you have your garage keys?"

She shook her head negatively.

Luke was trying to think. He knew the garage well. "Dixie can you get on the roof at the side the garage? The window there isn't locked. Go in and call the farm. Promise me you'll call and have some pick you up after you leave here?"

"Luke that's going to mean waking them up." Dixie protested.

"Blame it on me, but call them for a ride. I don't want you out here walking back to your house at this time of night alone. Dixie I love you too much to have anything happen to you." Luke paused.

Dixie replied, "Luke I love you too. That's why I had to come. Please don't be mad at me."

Luke smiled, "Honey I could never be mad at you. I am so very glad that you did come. I don't know when they will move us now that Mark has accepted the Judge's agreement. I don't figure it will take too long."

"Mark took the deal?" Dixie asked, then continued before Luke could answer. She had hoped that if Mark stood trail that it would mean Luke would be in Hazzard longer. "Luke I wanted you to know something. No matter how long you are gone. I will be there for you when you get out."

Luke felt his heart being ripped from his chest with her statement. He had to tell her how he felt and knew Peggy would be back any minute. "Dixie, Honey, listen to me. I love you. I wanted to marry you. Since I met you I have only wanted your happiness. You are a very beautiful, smart, YOUNG woman. I want only YOUR happiness." Luke squeezed her hands tightly. He wasn't sure he could say what needed to be said, "Dixie, ... Forget me."

As sure as crystal falling to the pavement will break so did Dixie's heart at that moment. "Luke, ... I can NEVER, ... forget you!"

"There is no way I can expect you or want you to through your life away because of this. Because of ME. You need to turn around from here and move on and never look back." Luke could see the pain in her eyes by what he was saying. He wanted her to move on so she'd be happy. He feared she was misunderstanding him. "Dixie, please, make me happy knowing that you are seeking happiness not living in the past. Don't loose out on your happiness waiting for something that will take years to even get a chance to happen IF it gets the chance at all. If and when I get to come home I will be a different person and so will you. Don't wait for me and then find you have waited on someone who has changed. We had our time. It was me that messed that up. Now, you have to move on to give me a chance for what little happiness I can have by knowing you are OK. Promise me, Dixie?"

It was all she could do to say the words she had to say to give Luke the hope he needed. "Yes, Luke. I promise to TRY." She saw his point but still didn't agree with it but would promise at least to try.

Mark hit Luke's leg to let him know Peggy was coming. "Try hard for me. Now you've got to go to the garage and call for a ride. Peggy is coming back. Dixie I do love you and always will." Luke said quietly and hurriedly.

"I love you too, Luke." She said as he kissed her hands before turning them loose so she could get away from the window before Peggy returned.

Luke continued to look out the window watching Dixie as she went to the garage.

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Luke continued to look out the window watching Dixie as she went to the garage. Peggy came back into the downstairs just as Dixie had walked away. A few minutes later, as Luke stood on the bunk by the window acting like he was getting some fresh air, he saw the garage light come on. He knew Dixie had made it inside the garage, but still couldn't tear himself away from the window until he knew someone picked her up.

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In the garage, Dixie turned on the light to let Luke know she was inside and so she could see to find the phone which was always in a different spot. She picked up the phone.

Maybelle said, "Hello."

"Maybelle, get me the Duke Farm." Dixie asked.

Maybelle replied, "Dixie? It's 2am?"

Dixie wasn't in the mood for Maybelle. "Look, just put the call through, Maybelle."

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The Duke Farm

Jeb was just slipping quietly into the kitchen so as not to wake anyone. His band had played at the Boar's Nest and it was always late when he came home from playing music. Just as he gotten in the door the phone began to ring. The ringing phone made him hurry to it. Jeb answered the phone, "Duke Farm."

At the same time Jesse, Daisy and Bo entered the living room. It was very unusual for the phone to ring at the Duke Farm this late. It usually meant trouble. It usually meant at least one of the boys was in trouble. Jesse knew Bo, Daisy, Coy and Vance were home. He was relieved to see Jeb coming in as he came out of his room. He knew where Luke was. For a split second fear lodged in his throat as he thought, 'I hope I know where Luke is.'

Jesse was relieved to hear Jeb say, "Dixie? It's ok. Where are you? ... Sure, I'll be right there. No it's no problem at all, I just got in. See ya in about 15 minutes." Jeb hung up the phone. He turned to see the questions on his family's faces, he said, "Dixie is at the garage. She said that Luke said for her to call us for a ride." He saw relief and worry cross Jesse's face at the same time. He tried to explain what little explanation he had gotten in the short conversation. "She said she had walked to town to see Luke. She must have, if he told her to call us for a ride. Ya'll go back to bed. I'll go get her and take her home." Jeb knew Dixie better than any of them except Luke and maybe Daisy because he and Luke had convinced her to sing occasionally with them and his band. Had Luke not been interested in her, Jeb would have been, but that was out of the question now, she was Luke's girl no matter what. He would never betray any of his cousins. Now, he would just be there for her when she needed someone. He had a feeling things would get worse for her before they got better. 'It was going to be a long twenty years.' thought Jeb.

Jesse watched as Jeb headed out the door a little too eager. He said to the others, "Well, I guess we can all go back to bed." He said as he turned to his room. The others also headed back to their rooms. Jesse knew he'd be back in the kitchen making coffee just as soon as the others got settled back down. There was no need in all them loosing sleep, but he knew he'd not be able to go to sleep until Jeb was back and he found out what was going on with Luke and Dixie and for that matter Jeb.

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At the garage Dixie was standing in the doorway. She could see Luke still looking out the window. She knew he was watching to make sure she did get a ride home. It was all she could do to stay there and not go back to the jail. She knew it wouldn't take Jeb long to get to the garage.

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At the jail Mark, was keeping up idle chatter with Luke. It was obvious to Peggy that they were both on edge. She knew that they both knew it was now, just a matter of time before they would be transported out of Hazzard. Yet, only she knew this would be their last night in Hazzard for quiet a few years. She also could see that the small cell was beginning to 'smother' Luke. He hadn't moved from the window in almost an hour.

Luke continued to watch Dixie standing in the garage door as he then saw Jesse's truck pull up. The lights went out at the garage, then after locking up, Dixie got into the pickup which drove right by the jail window. Luke would have to thank Jeb for coming after her. Luke continued to stand at the window for several minutes before he sat down on the bunk. Mark gave him a questioning look. Luke just nodded 'Yes' that Dixie had been picked up. Luke couldn't shake the feeling that this would be the last time he saw Dixie.

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