Disclaimer: As always, I don't own anything to do with DOH.

A/N: This is a short little fic that isthrough the eyes of Luke. It's been written for a few months now, I just haven't gotten it typed up until now. Please let me know what you think, good or bad. Some things might not be exactly correct as far as time frame, etc. I apologize for that now. Please Read & Review!

The beginning of a dismal dawn washes over me as I slowly blink my eyes open. I slide a look at the clock on the nightstand to see the time. Its only 5:30, I could sleep another half an hour before Uncle Jesse starts yelling for us to get up. There isn't much point of trying though, I'm wide awake now. As my mind begins turning over like the engine on the General, I realize the reason I'd woken up in the first place was because I'd kicked my quilts off sometime during the night. The air around me is chilly; the fire in the wood stove has probably burnt down to mere ashes. Sitting up I notice that Bo has kicked his quilts off also. He's lying on his side, curled into a fetal position and as I watch tremors and shivers dance up and down his back and arms. Figuring that at least one of us deserves a few more minutes sleep, I gingerly step out of bed and pull his quilts up and over him. I quietly pull on my jeans, flannel shirt, and socks and pad out into the living room. I stoke up the ashes in the stove and add a few more logs before moving into the kitchen to start the coffee. Once the coffee is finished brewing, I pour a cup and sit down at the kitchen table. All of a sudden I remember what day it is. It can't be already, but it is. Today is the day. A slight smile stretches my lips as I think back on all of the moments spent on this farm with my loved ones.

FLASHBACK

"Luke! Git up now! We've gotta git the chores started soon!" Uncle Jesse calls from the hallway as he opens the door to my bedroom. Groaning, I roll over attempting to bury myself further under the covers when I notice the warm body next to mine. Cracking open one eye I see Bo has snuck into bed with me again during the night.

"Come on now Luke. Git up! You and Daisy gotta collect the eggs so we can have breakfast."

"Okay, okay, I'm comin'." Sliding out of the bed so I don't disturb Bo, my eyes pop wide open when my feet touch the cold floor. Nothing can wake a person up as well as bare feet on cold floors. I quickly throw on my clothes and pick up my boots. Creeping out of the room, I pull the door closed gently behind me while throwing a smile at the lump in the middle of my bed. Daisy is already dressed and waiting for me in the kitchen as I pull on my boots and coat. The two of us hurry to finish our few chores and head back inside, it's to cold out to dilly dally around much. Once inside, I hand the milk pail to Uncle Jesse as Daisy gives Aunt Martha the egg basket. Pulling off my coat, I sink onto a kitchen chair to wait for breakfast.

"Luke, will you please go wake up Bo? He hasn't stirred yet." Aunt Martha requests as she scrambles eggs and fry's bacon at the stove. Hurrying to do as I was ask, I jump up and hasten down the hall to our bedroom. Inside our room Bo is still just a lump under my quilts. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, I pull back the quilts so I can see Bo's face. To my surprise his eyes are open and looking at me. I cock an eyebrow in question at finding him awake.

"S'cowld out thewe." He mumbles with a sheepish grin.

"Yep, it's a bit chilly, but breakfast is 'bout ready. C'mon, git up." I smile back at him and start to stand up. Bo reaches out and grabs my arm before I can move away. Looking back I see a crease between his brows, a sure sign he's worried about something. "What's the matter?" I ask with concern. Bo is the closest thing I have to a brother, even though he's really only my little cousin. I would do anything to protect him and make him happy. We've been just about inseparable since our parents, along with Daisy's, were killed earlier in the year.

"Can I ask ya somephin' Wuke?"

"Sure Bo, ya know ya can tell me anythin'."

"Well, uh, do ya phink Santa will find us this yeaw? I mean, we ain't wivin' where we was ya know? Maybe he don't know we wive wif Unca Jesse an' Aunt Mawpha now." I bend down close and look him squarely in the eyes before answering.

"Bo, Santa always knows where ya are. We could move today an' Santa would still have our presents to us by tomorrah mornin'. He's like God an' Unca Jesse that way, seems ta know ever'thin'."

"Pwomise Wuke?"

"On my honor as a Duke, I promise Bo. Now quit worryin' an' git dressed. Breakfast has gotta be ready by now."

I smile broadly remembering how Uncle Jesse and Aunt Martha tried to make that Christmas so special for us kids. Uncle Jesse even dressed up in a Santa Claus suit and snuck into the house to put the presents under the tree. The next day when me and Bo told him how we saw Santa he acted surprised, like it wasn't him at all. I yawn and stretch, taking another drink of coffee. I roll my head to look down the hallway and listen for any movement, but nothing is stirring yet. The house is warming up some from my fire, making it a little more comfortable. I put an elbow on the old scarred table and lean my head into my hand. All of my memories haven't been real happy though, right after Aunt Martha passed was a real rough time for all of us.

FLASHBACK

The three of us huddle in the back corner of the hayloft, staying as close as possible for added warmth. Bo and Daisy are looking at me in question. I'd told them to meet me in the barn after supper for a family meeting.

"Whewe's Unca Jesse?" Bo asks innocently as he scrunches down to try to see the big barn door.

"He's not comin'." I answered him shortly, but softly. I rub my hands together briskly to ward off the chill.

"Whadya mean he ain't comin'? Ya said this was a family meetin', Uncle Jesse's our family Luke." Daisy's voice rises along with her temper, slightly echoing off of the old walls.

"Yeah!" Bo says impulsively then thinks better of challenging his best friend and adds, "But I bet Wuke's gotta a good weason. Wight Wuke?" A brief smile crosses my face, Bo's lisp never fails to amuse me, but I'd never ever let him know that.

"That's right. I didn't ask Uncle Jesse cause he's the reason we're havin' this meetin'."

"Is somethin' wrong Luke? Uncle Jesse's okay, ain't he?" Daisy queries anxiously. Bo shuffles closer to my side and leans into me for support.

"There ain't nothin' wrong with him." Daisy releases a deep sigh and Bo grins in relief. "I called this meetin' cause we gotta do somethin' special fer Uncle Jesse. He's awful sad now that Aunt Martha's gone." Daisy nods in agreement while Bo takes his cue from Daisy and nods vigorously. "What we've gotta do is give 'em lots a hugs an' attention. Try ta be as helpful as possible." I pause to look at Bo before making my next point. "That means helpin' out with the chores as much as possible Bo." Bo groans loudly in rebellion.

"But I'm too wittle!"

"No ya ain't, not fer ever'thin'." Daisy points out.

"She's right. Ya could collect the eggs, an' give Maudine her grain. Maybe sweep the floors, ya know, easy stuff like that. We'll even help ya at first if'n ya want." Bo nods sulkily, clearly not happy with the arrangement. "Good, an' 'member lots an' lots a hugs." Our three heads bob in agreement and we join in a three-way hug before heading back to the warmth of the farm house.

Returning to the present once more, I get up to refill my coffee cup and go add another log to the fire. I sit down on the old, worn couch that has seen so much and sip my coffee as another moment from the past comes to mind.

FLASHBACK

I was sitting on the porch steps in the evening dusk after finishing my chores. I could vaguely hear Bo and Daisy in the living room teasing each other about which boy and girl the other liked while Uncle Jesse was puttering around the kitchen. Lost deep in thought, I didn't hear the door open or Uncle Jesse come outside. When a blanket drops over my shoulders I jump and look around. He hands me a cup of coffee before settling himself beside me.

"Havin' some deep thoughts are ya?" I just nod without taking my eyes off the horizon.

"What's on yer mind boy?" I turn to look at him and he looks right back without blinking. Sighing I turn back to the familiar sights of the farm and then lowering my head to study the nicks and scratches on my boots. "Out with it Luke, 'fore it eats ya up."

"Uncle Jesse," I sigh again, "I graduate in a few months an' I'll be eighteen." I start hesitantly.

"Tell me somethin' I don't know. You three have grown up faster'n a fruit fly." He says with a slight grimace.

"Uncle Jesse," I begin again," when I graduate their gonna draft me inta the army fer sure."

"We don't know that fer positive Luke."

"Most likely though. I was thinkin' 'bout signin' up 'fore they could do it though, but with the Marines instead of the regular army." I wait quietly for his thoughts, concentrating intently on my boots so I wouldn't see the disappointment on his face.

"Luke, look at me." He requests softly. I turn toward him in trepidation. "You's pert near a grown man now, more'n able ta make yer own decisions. I know ya think I'm gonna try ta talk ya outta it, but I trust ya ta make them decisions. If'n that's what ya feel is right, then do it. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do." This wasn't what I had expected, but I was glad Uncle Jesse trusted me so much.

"Thanks Uncle Jesse." I said feeling some of the weight of my worries lifting from his undeniable trust and love.

"Just do me one favor." He requests with a sad smile.

"Anythin'." I say, meaning it. I'll do anything to make my uncle happy and proud of me. He lays his arm across my shoulders.

"I want ya ta make yer decision using this," he pats his chest over his heart, "instead of relyin' solely on this." He finishes by tapping his temple.

"Awright Uncle Jesse, I promise."

"You do that, cause we both know you like ta analyze ever' little thin'. Sometimes yer better off makin' a decision with yer heart. An' remember, for ever' road leadin' away, there's at least two more leadin' back home ta yer family."

That was sound advice that I'd used often in my life. Uncle Jesse always seemed to know the right thing to say. More memories flash through my mind; my first love, the first time me and Bo drove the General Lee, racing on the NASCAR circuit, family picnics, and on and on they go as the clock slowly ticks the precious minutes away.