Oh, come on! After last chapter no one reviewed? It looks like you're still reading, so how about a few words of encouragement. I figured there would have been at least a bit of rice being tossed after last chapter.

00000000000000000000

Chapter 12

Back at the Duke Farm around noon:

Coy, Vance, and Jeb are trying their best to keep busy and to stay out of Uncle Jesse's way. Jesse is not in a good mood, as he still does not know where Bo is with his pick up. Uncle Jesse has done every odd job he can fine to do to keep himself busy. He is now fixing a bit of lunch as he hears a car pull up. He wipes his hands and heads for the back door. He sees Jill pull up in her Blue Turbo charged Mercury Capri.

Jill approaches the house as Jesse walks on to the porch. "Hello, Mr. Duke. Is Bo around?"

Jesse considers his answer. He will not lie but is trying to think of a way to answer the question without causing Bo more trouble than he was probably going to be in. "Hello, Jill. No, Bo isn't around. I really don't have any idea where he is."

Jill kind of goes pail and asks, "When was the last time you saw him?"

"Well, it was at the Boar's Nest yesterday evening. It was right after you two had a disagreement, I believe." States Jesse.

Jill starts to leave but decides leaving is just running away from her problems. "Yes, we did have a disagreement. He left with a girl I don't know."

Jesse starts, "Jill, I think I know who he left with. In all fairness to you and Bo I will let you two discuss that." Jesse says as he hears his pick up approaching. "And I think you are about to get your chance."

00000

BJ climbs back into his rig after dropping off the tractor and parts in Hazzard. "Well, Daisy looks like you were right. I do worry way too much!"

Daisy laughs and says, "So now what?"

"Well, I guess it's back to the farm. I'll call Stacy latter and see what she has cooking around here." BJ replies.

"Ok, sounds great to me." Replies Daisy.

00000

Luke looks over at his bride as they are getting close to the Hazzard line. "Penny for your thoughts?"

Dixie sighs and smiles, "I was just wishing we could get the whole bunch together and tell them all at once without giving anything away."

Luke smiles, "I don't think that will be all that difficult." He says as a mischievous grin comes across his face.

"Luke? What are you going to do?" Asks Dixie appearing kind of worried.

Luke replies, "Just make my wife happy."

They both laugh but it is cut short by the familiar sound of an approaching siren belonging to none other than Sheriff Big Ed Little. Luke looks in the rear view mirror confirming his assumption. As he gears back into passing gear and floors the gas, Luke says to the mirror, "General don't fail me now. I don't think he is just wanting to congratulate us!"

Dixie agrees. "What do you think he wants?"
"He'll make something up IF he catches us." Luke assures her as he spots one of his and Bo's favorite detours. "Honey, I know you've been out of Hazzard awhile but I know a short cut."

Dixie like Cooter has always been a Duke at heart, "Well, take it!" she exclaims.

Luke's short reply is, "OK, just hold on!" he turns the General toward a high bank as he speeds up hitting the pile of dirt the General takes to the air and jumps the nearly dry creek, landing the General his usual way, back end first.

They were followed closely by Sheriff Little who is so sure he has Luke where he wants him, he fails to get up enough speed when he hits the pile of dirt. Instead of becoming air born he just drives into the creek bed nose first, crushing his radiator and front clip into the far creek bank. As he gets out of his car he removes the driver's door and throws it towards the General parked safely on the other side of the creek. Mumbling something to the effect that "It's not over yet….. I'll get you yet!…."

Dixie says, "Boy he is really upset. Is he a friend of yours I haven't meet?"

Luke says, "That is Sheriff Big Ed Little, he has been after me and Bo since we used to run shine years ago."

"Oh, I'm glad to see he doesn't hold a grudge!" She laughs.

"Me too! Are you OK?" Luke asks.

"Who me? I'm fine! I loved the jump! I haven't done that in years! Glad to see the General OR you have lost your touch!" Dixie smiles.

Luke laughs, "Now, since there is the county line I'll get on with my plan to get Cooter and Karen out to the farm. It is almost lunchtime so everyone else should be there." Luke reaches for the CB mic before Dixie has a chance to ask questions, "Break, one, nine any one home at the Hazzard Garage?"

Cooter who is putting some finishing touches on one of the patrol cars damaged by the Orly County cars chasing BJ into Hazzard, picks up his CB bases mic, knowing the sound of the radio and the voice, he replies, "Lost Sheep One this is Crazy Cooter what can I do for you?"

"Crazy 'C' I'm coming down Old Mill Road trying to get back to the farm." He lets go of the mic and continues, "Forgive me General." Pressing the mic, "The General Lee is acting up something furious. I think the transmission may be going out. It is almost lunch time, so why don't you pick up Kathy and follow me back to the farm, if he'll make it that far."

Dixie smiles impishly as she catches on to her husband's plan for getting her brother to the farm, "Luke Duke, you can be a very devious person."

"Only when I have to be." Luke replies.

Cooter replies, "I'll grab some tools and pick up Kathy and we'll be right there."

Luke laughs, "Ok, I'll just take my time and not push him."

Cooter replies, "Ten -four see ya in a bit. Take it easy."

00000

Jesse and Jill are waiting for Bo to park the pick up as they hear a big truck approaching. As Bo walks around the truck to open the passenger door for Diane, Jill and Jesse notice Diane at about the same time. Before Bo and Diane can get to Jesse and Jill, BJ and Daisy pull up.

Daisy says, "Oh, no. This doesn't look a bit good! See the girl with Bo? That is Diane Benton who came through here with her Carnival of Thrills a few years ago. I think things are about to get interesting here since Jill is with Jesse."

"Honey, are things ever quiet here?" asks BJ.

"When they are, we worry!" exclaims Daisy as she exists BJ's rig.

BJ shakes his head, laughing, "We have way to much in common!" he exclaims.

00000

Bo takes Diane's hand and starts towards the porch where Jesse and Jill are standing as BJ helps Daisy from his rig. BJ and Daisy followed by Bear arrive at the porch to find no one has spoken yet.

Uncle Jesse is the first to speak. "Bo, it kinda looks like you have a lot of explaining to do; but first I think introductions are in order." He says in Jesse's matter-of-fact way.

Bo kind of swallows hard, and replies, "Yes, Sir." Bo starts his introductions, "Diane, you remember Uncle Jesse and Daisy?"

Diane nods yes.

Bo motions towards BJ, "This is BJ McKay, an old friend of Luke's and unless I miss my guess Daisy's current steady."

Daisy blushes, while everyone else but Jill laughs. Jill is too busy being furious!

Bo continues, looking at the furious Jill, "Jill Dobbs this is Diane Benton …."

Bo's last statement is almost completely covered up by the sound of a fast approaching General Lee and Dixie horn being sounded. Followed by Cooter and Karen in the wrecker, who are very puzzled.

Just as the General Lee had crossed the Duke property line Luke who had been limping him along, floors the General and leaves the wrecker in a cloud of dust for only a second as Cooter reacted, flooring the wrecker also. They approach the Duke farmhouse in a cloud of dust! Staring at them from the porch are Jesse and Jill, in the yard are Bo, Diane, Daisy, BJ and Bear.
Luke slides the General up close to the house causing a cloud of dust. Cooter slides the wrecker in behind him blocking the General Lee in.

Cooter jumps out of the wrecker a bit peeved at being called all the way out of town when the General was running as good as ever. "Luke what is the big idea of telling me the transmission was going out and then, trying to out run me?" Cooter yells.

Luke's arrival gets Coy, Vance and Jeb's attention. They come outside to see what is going on.

Luke acts as if he doesn't hear Cooter and calming walks to the passenger side of the General Lee. He helps Dixie out of General Lee. She and Luke at this point can't keep from smiling just a bit. Dixie and Luke are purposely concealing their wedding bands. Luke almost can not contain his laughter and says calmly, "Cooter, old buddy, come on up to the house and we'll explain."

Cooter is still hot under the collar, "Oh, WE'LL explain why you told me a bold faced lie! What does Dixie have to do with you lying?"

Luke reaches out and puts his hand on Cooter's shoulder, "Well, if you come on, you'll find out." Luke turns toward the house and takes in the picture of the Duke clan and friends all looking their direction. For the first time he sees both Jill and Diane, "Looks like we came in the middle of something."

Uncle Jesse, still not in a good mood, says, "Actually, I think you did, but with that kind of entrance maybe, we should hear what's up with you first."

NARRATOR: Boy, it looks like Bo is enjoying being out of trouble for a minute!

Luke walks over to Uncle Jesse, he kind of moves Dixie in front of him and takes his left hand and places it into her left pocket removing her hand (Unnoticed by anyone.) "We had something we wanted to show all of you and we wanted to do it with you all together."

Jesse states, "Well, after the day I'm having it had better be good."

Dixie blushes as she says, "Oh, it is good."

Jesse replies, "Ok, then out with it."

Luke brings his and Dixie's left hands up where Jesse and the others are able to see the golden wedding bands.

All eyes fall on the rings. Everyone just stares a bit in shock that Luke would REALLY get married.

Jesse is the first to speak, "It is going to take more than a couple of rings for me to believe that you two got married." As tears come to Jesse's kind eyes, he is trying to still be mad. Dixie takes from behind her back their marriage license and hands it to Uncle Jesse. Jesse reads it, clears the lump from his throat (he is no longer mad), and says joyfully, "Looks like that lunch I made is going to be the start of a Hazzard reception!"

The others gather around with well wishes, hugs, and back slaps.

When Cooter gets to Dixie he hugs her tightly, "Sis, I still don't see what you see in this guy!" he then turns to Luke, "Just take care of her or answer to me! And I have not forgotten about you lying to me!"

"Don't worry. I plan to take very good care of her." Assures Luke.

"Cooter, it was my fault he lied. Well, sort of!" says Dixie, "I wanted everyone we care about to be here all at once."

Jesse says, "So I take it you have not told your father, yet?"

Luke replies, "This was our first stop. It nearly took an act of Congress to get you all together."

"Well, as soon as lunch is over you need to catch up to him before someone else tells him his only daughter has gotten married without inviting him." States Jesse.

"Yes, Sir. We will do just that. I am sorry we did this with out any of you all there, but we have a plan to make it up to all concerned." Replies Luke.

Dixie finishes his statement as the others are wondering how they could make up for them missing their wedding, "We are going to repeat our vows in one month, so ladies we have a lot of work to do!" exclaims Dixie.
All the females are really excited with the exception of Jill who has been waiting patiently to find out what was up with Bo.

Jesse says, "I think that is a great idea. I want to give you both my love and congratulations. Now back to the events you came in on. Bo while we are finishing up lunch you need to have a talk with Jill and Diane. We will talk about your worrying me all night and half the day later."

Bo sighs, "Yes, Sir." All the others head for the house leaving Bo, Jill and Diane to talk out their differences.

00000

In the living room, the guys are all talking. Luke asks Jeb, "What is going on out there? When I left Bo and Jill were fighting as usual but where did Diane come from?"

BJ says, "Don't feel too bad, Luke, we missed the excitement too. We pulled in right before you."

Jeb says, "Well, cousin I'll tell you the short version. Bo and Jill got into it. He showed up at the Boar's Nest and runs into Diane about the time Jill showed up. They had words and he left with Diane. They had just pulled in right before you all got here. Jesse had no idea where Bo or his truck was all night, just that Bo was with Diane. And let me tell you we have lived hard all day!"

"Whew, I can only imagine. I guess it didn't help that I was out over night too?" questions Luke.

Jeb replies, "No, there wasn't too much said. Of course I guess he figured anyone who took sleeping bags and breakfast things fishing wasn't coming home any time soon."

Luke laughs, "What has everyone got against taking sleeping bags fishing? We all used to do it."

Jeb exclaims, "Yeah, Luke but we didn't "catch" us a wife either!"

"We were using the wrong bait!" laughs Luke.

The others are cracking up at their cousins discussion.

0000000000000000000

If you don't review, Luke and Dixie aren't inviting you to the reception ... seriously, I don't own most of these characters, so what's the harm in giving a few reviews? If you hate it fine tell me WHY!