Okay everyone, just a short little chapter here, but stick around. In the next one, Luke and Bo will be... yeah, right… you didn't really think I'd tell you, did ya? Stay tuned and as always please RandR… Jordyn

"So what's your plan, Luke?" asked Jesse as Luke returned to the hotel room two hours later with the money Boss Hogg wired to him.

"You can't go alone…" began Daisy, clearly worried about her cousin.

"No, Daisy, I have t' go alone. Bo could die if I don't."

"But…"

"I'll be careful. The hospital agreed t' have an ambulance nearby an' gave me this walkie-talkie. That way I can let them know when it's safe to come get Bo… and that way he can get medical attention right away."

"That's a good idea," agreed Jesse, "but I still don't like the idea of you goin' alone."

Luke grimaced. "I don't like it either, Uncle Jesse, but they made it clear that I am not callin' the shots. And Bo's life is a risk I ain't willin' to take… no matter what."

Jesse nodded. Tears smarted in his eyes. "You'll be careful?"

"I'll be careful," promised Luke. "Well, I got a big night ahead o' me, y'all, so I'm gonna catch some sleep." He smiled a small, sad smile before making his way into the bedroom.

"Uncle Jesse, I'm so worried!" confessed Daisy, hugging her uncle tightly.

"Now, don't ya fret, Daisy. Ya know Luke can take care o' himself."

"I hope you're right."


Luke lay down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Truth be told he was scared. Not for himself, but for Bo. He wasn't in any condition to be lugged all over creation. Suddenly a thought occurred to him, causing his stomach to churn: what if Bo woke up, alone and in unseen danger? It was enough to make Luke sick. A lone tear escaped from his eyes. He wiped it away and tried to sleep.

Don't that just break your heart?


It had been a quiet day for the Duke family. No one felt like talking or eating so they just sat, each absorbed in their own thoughts. It was approaching ten o'clock that night when the phone rang shrilly, causing everyone's heart to jump. Daisy quickly rose to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Daisy."

"Hey, Enos! How you doin'?"

"I'm okay, Daisy. How's things up that way?"

"Not so good, sugah…"

"Yeah, I heard 'bout Bo bein' kidnapped an' all. If there's anythin' I can do now…"

"No, honey, there's nothin' any of us can do… 'cept pray."

"Is Luke around, Daisy?"

"Yeah, he's right here… an' Enos?"

"Yeah, Daisy?"

"Thanks for everythin'.

"Shucks, anythin' for you, Daisy…"

She could almost see him blushing and smiling his sweet smile. Daisy grinned in spite of herself, and handed the phone to Luke before retreating to her bedroom.

"Hi, Enos!"

"Hey, Luke. I just wanted t' tell ya t' be careful tonight…"

"Thanks, Enos."

"Luke, I'm serious now… I know you've gone after bad guys before, but… well, I don't know… I just got me a feelin' that tonight… well, just be careful, okay buddy?"

"I will, Enos. I got the same talk from Uncle Jesse earlier… an' Daisy too."

"Don't try t' be a hero tonight, Luke. Get Bo an' get out."

"I plan on it."

"Alright, you take it easy now, Luke."

"You too. Keep it 'tween the ditches."

"Will do. Bye now!"

"Bye!"

Luke hung the phone up in its cradle and sighed, leaning against the wall, hiding his head on his arms. Jesse came up behind him and, putting a hand on each of the boy's shoulders, asked, "Somethin' botherin' ya, Luke?"

Luke turned and faced his uncle so that Jesse could clearly see the worry lines that formed on his nephew's forehead and the bags under his eyes.

"That's the third person t' tell me t' be careful…"

"We're jus' concerned for ya Luke… we don't want nothin' t' happen to either o' ya."

"I know that, but…well… Jesse, do ya believe in fate?"

"What do ya mean by fate?"

"Like maybe y'all tellin' me the same thing… maybe it's a warnin' of what's really gonna happen…"

"Son, I don't know nothin' 'bout fate, but I know a lot about faith. I know that you're brave an' you're smart as a whip. 'Tween that, and the good Lord watchin' after ya, I ain't worried… well, not much," added Jesse.

"I wish I could believe that, Jesse."

"Luke, ya was always the most logical of all you youngin's… ya always have a plan, an' ya always think on yer feet. That's good when yer doin' some figurin' or when yer bein' chased by Roscoe an' need a quick getaway, but it's not so great when ya need t' understan' somethin' like God Almighty. Ya have t' trust in Him and his plan, 'stead of yer own."

Luke flushed, nodding.

"Things'll be alright. Just give'm the money, get Bo an' get out o' there…"

"That's what Enos said. Said don't try t' be a hero."

"He's right. This ain't Hazzard, Luke. Yer in their neck o' the woods now. Ya keep that in mind an' you'll do fine. I gotta admit, though… ain't like you t' be so worried…"

"I'm scared Jesse. Scared I'll be too late. I've been thinkin' bout Bo a lot. He wasn't on those IV's for nothin'. He's gonna be really dehydrated an' his infection… well, he needs t' be on that antibiotic."

"Yer right, there. I was thinkin' that, too."

"Uncle Jesse, I got me a feelin' that this is gonna be a race against time."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," answered Jesse slowly.

"Jesse, what if I don't…" Luke gulped unable to finish his sentence.

"You will, son. You will."

Ya know, I ain't never seen Luke this worked up. One thing's for sure… I sure am anxious t' see how all this plays out. Y'all stay tuned…