FIGHTING BACK: PART THREE:

When it was time for Luke to go home, Doc Appleby came in with a small hand held computer for Bo, Daisy, and Jesse. He explained to Bo, "This is a hand held computer, just speak into the mic, and it translate the simplest speech into text", and he handed it off to the Blond Duke, and Bo took it, and said speaking into the mic, asking, "Like this?" and the Elderly Doctor replied with a smile, "Perfect", and he saw Luke was staring at them waiting for someone to tell him what is going on, and Doc Appleby took the computer from Bo, and said speaking into the Mic, "Luke, I wish you would take a look at the American Sign Language School in Atlanta, it can help you seriously with your recovery", and Luke took a look at the screen, and he said loudly, "No thanks, Doc, that is not for me", and he told Bo loudly, " I will be waiting for you outside", and Bo nodded, and said, "OK, Cousin", then he faced Doc Appleby, and the Doctor had this to say to him.

"The newly Deaf always underestimated their handicap, and put themselves in danger", and Bo nodded, and said, "I will make sure that doesn't happen, Doc, thanks for everything", and he smiled, and said, "You're welcome", and he handed over the computer to Bo, and send him on his way, as the boys leave, the Elderly Doctor couldn't help but worry about the boys he knew since they were children, and then he shook it off, and went back to doing his rounds on his patients.

Meanwhile, Ackley was not pleased that Luke was not dead, and she read in the paper about him losing his hearing, and Parker said, "He is useless as a witness, and he won't be able to identify us to the Police", and Smith said, "Yeah, We should stay on track, we got one more job to do before we can hide out for awhile", and Ackley said, "Not until we can get Luke Duke in the open, and kill him, then we can do what we have to do for ourselves", and the two men nodded, and they went to make arrangements for killing Luke Duke.

The following week, Luke went back to see Doc Appleby, and his family was there, and Doc Appleby was busy examining Luke's ears, and he said with a sigh, "Luke", and Luke knew, he said loudly, "It's not good, is it?" Doc Appleby took the computer, and said into the mic, "The ears are still scarred, and infected, and I think that you should look into the school", and Luke asked lowering his voice, "What is my other options?" and Doc Appleby said, "Well, there is an experimental transplant…" and Luke said quickly, "I will do it", and Doc Appleby said, "OK, but look into the school first, the operation will be a last resort", and Luke nodded, and they thanked him, and they went home to have a pleasant afternoon to themselves.

Ackley was getting his weapon of choice out, a .44 Magnum Desert Eagle gun to use to kill Luke, and he was polishing it, and he was confident that he and his goons wouldn't miss killing Luke, and he thought to himself, "Luke Duke, You are gonna pay for what you did to me, and put me through", and he continued to take care of his weapon, before he and his associates head out to do the deed.

The Dukes checked out the School in Atlanta, that Doc Appleby wanted Luke to attend, and it was a nice cherry place, and the Director, Ms. Livingston, greeted them, and got Luke settled, and then he hugged his family goodbye, and they knew that he was in good hands, and that they would have Luke back, not as he was, but partially. Luke was trying hard as he could, but he couldn't get the hang of it, and a couple of kids decided to help him, especially a little girl, named Melinda, who stole Luke's heart, and they all became friends right away.

Ackley and his goons found the school, and they saw that Luke, Bo, Cooter, and Daisy were outside practicing their signs, and Parker said, "He is always with his cousins and friends", Smith said, "We can't get close to them", Ackley said, "If they get in the way, kill them, if not, wait until they aren't around and then we do what we have to do", and they nodded, and they watched as Luke, Bo, Cooter, and Daisy went inside the school, cause it was cold.

It was a month later, Luke couldn't get the hang of his other senses, and he always found Daisy, Cooter, and Bo sneaking up on him, and they kept on practicing, and one day, Luke was going over signs with Melinda, and the kids, and they paused, and Luke saw them from behind his back, and caught them, and they were shocked, and they all smiled, and Daisy said as she signed, "You are getting better", and Bo said in agreement too, as he said as he signed, "Cousin, you will be out of here in no time", and Cooter said, as he signed, "No one will mess with you, Buddyroo" Luke said as he signed, "Thank you", and they signed, and said, "You're welcome", and they all hung out with the kids.

It was time for Luke to go home, and Miss Livingston said, as she signed, "I am sorry to say, but Luke has to go home, it was such a pleasure to have him here, and he learned our language like a pro", and Luke smiled, and he said simply, "Thank you", and she was in shock, and she said as she signed, "Your Lip reading is getting much better too", and then he saw Melinda sadly go off to the corner, and he signaled to Daisy, Bo, and Cooter, and they nodded, he went over to talk to the little girl.

Luke tapped Melinda on the shoulder, and he said as he signed to her, "I have to go", and Melinda signed, "I don't want you to", and Luke said as he signed, "I have to", and Melinda signed, "I will miss you terribly, Luke", and Luke got choked up, and he signed, and said as his voice was breaking, "I will miss you too, Darlin'", and he held out his arms to her, and she went into them, and they hugged, and Daisy, Cooter, and Bo were touched by the scene in front of them.

Things in Hazzard County were back to normal, and everyone threw Luke a "Welcome Home" party at "The Boar's Nest", and no one treated Luke differently, and Daisy, and Bo were at his side in case things got out of hand, and the night went on without any problems. Luke was glad to be part of his hometown, and community once again, despite not being able to hear again.

One night, Daisy, Bo, Jesse, and Cooter decided to go out for a night on the town, and they tried to get Luke to go, and he didn't want to go, but insisted on them to have fun, they deserve it for being so good to him, and helping him with his recovery, and he said to them, as they were leaving, "I will be fine, now, scoot", and they nodded, and left for their fun evening.

Ackley and his goons arrived at the farm, and watched as the Dukes, and Cooter left, and Ackley said, "Let's do it", and his men nodded, and they went the back way, and they were gonna be successful on killing Luke, and getting away to their Hideaway.

Bo, Daisy, Jesse, and Cooter were on their way to Capitol City for a fun night of dinner, and dancing, and then they were talking about it, and decided until Luke feels up to it, they wouldn't go out without him, and Bo turned the "General Lee" around, and they headed back to the Farmhouse.

Luke decided to pay some bills, if he couldn't work on the farm like he used to, he could help out by doing some of the bills, and as he was doing that, the lights went out, and he got scared for a moment, and he went to change the fuse, and he went to the Fuse Box, he used his senses, like he did when he caught Bo, Daisy, and Cooter sneaking up on him, he was greeted by Ackley, and his goons, and they fought for awhile.

Bo and the others got to the farm, they saw a strange car, that didn't belong there, Bo yelled, "LUKE!" and they ran inside, and they went straight in the front, and they went to where there was sounds of breaking glasses, and chairs, and they hoped that they weren't too late to help Luke out.

Luke, Ackley, and his goons were going at it, and then after awhile Luke sucker punched the goons, and they hit the floor, and were unconscious, then he hit Ackley, he fell, and was unconscious besides his associates, and Luke grabbed Ackley's gun, he had it trained on his ex-Marine Buddy, he had tears in his eyes, deciding after all, he wasn't worth it, Luke looked up, and saw his family, who was smiling, that Luke outsmarted Ackley, and his crew. Luke had this to say to them.

"Say Hello and Goodbye to our old friend, Ackley, and his company", and Daisy, Bo, and Jesse hugged Luke tightly, embracing him and never letting go, the Brunette Duke smiled, and returned the gesture, meanwhile when this was going on, Cooter called Rosco, and his Deputies, and they got Ackley and Co out of the house, and Luke, his family, and Cooter managed to relax, saving what was left of the evening.

Ackley and Co. were convicted of 2 counts of Murder, Robbery, and Attempted Murder on Luke, the testimonies were very strong to help make sure that the crooks were Guilty without any doubts, and the Dukes celebrated with a small Celebration Dinner at "The Boar's Nest", Luke was just glad that things were getting back to normal in Hazzard County, if there such a thing.

End of: FIGHTING BACK: PART THREE:

Balladeer: Well, Friends, I am glad to see Luke is okay, and survived Ackley and his goons, but things aren't over yet? Will Luke be successful on getting back his hearing? Will his life be normal again? Is Hazzard County going to be continuing to be supportive towards one of their favorite citizens? Find out in the conclusion of: Without a sound, y'all!