Chapter 7 - The Prices We Pay

"People pay for what they do, and still more, for

what they have allowed themselves to become."

~ Edith Wharton


It had been a busy day at the Boar's Nest and Daisy was relieved to see the last car pull out of the dark parking lot. She pulled the cash drawer to count down her register and after leaving it with Boss, she began the clean up. As she wiped down the bar, her eyes repeatedly fell to the small coffee can of flowers that Bo and Luke brought to her earlier this evening. They were meant to cheer her, but she found little to smile about these days.

It had been a horrible two weeks and it felt like the world was moving on without her. The depression over losing Enos had yet to subside. Daisy walked through her mundane task of putting chairs on the tables and wondered if he would ever make time to come visit her. While she wanted to talk to him, she wasn't about to go to the ranch. The ugly rumor and her bruised heart kept her away.

Everyone was talking about how Enos Strate, the oldest virgin in Hazzard, had moved a beautiful girl into his home. Daisy slammed down the next chair, unable to accept his decision. How could he do that? How could he just recklessly take Jenny into his bed?

That ain't gonna keep her here, sugar. She's gonna leave ya' again.

Daisy was sympathetic to her situation when Drake forced Jenny to leave, but she couldn't forgive her for disappearing on Enos after he was shot in June. What kind of person walks out on her own brother?

Daisy was convinced the MacFarlands were evil incarnate, especially after Jaxon failed to keep his promise and explain his actions. She worried on her lip as she wondered what his long absence meant for her.

Drake had dropped from the face of the earth, too. Daisy had plenty of time to figure out what he was up to. Initially she thought Drake was jealous when he came by the farm, but now she believed he was helping his sister. She feared the mind-blowing kiss they shared was the reason Enos had been avoiding her. Maybe that was why Jaxon hadn't been by as well. Drake had proven to Enos and Jaxon that she wasn't "sincere."

Kissing Drake...again...had been a catastrophic error. Knowing he could invoke such intense feelings frightened her. For a fraction of second, she thought they had crossed into an enchanted realm where only the two of them existed. She had never experienced anything like it, but no matter how thrilling or otherworldly it felt, it wasn't real.

Daisy's heart still belonged to Enos and she wasn't ready to let go. She should have given Drake a shot to the groin instead of letting him have his way.

Daisy finished sweeping behind the bar and knelt down to scoop up the pile of dirt when the front door opened and shut. She had forgotten to lock up!?What was she thinking!? All week she had a chilling feeling of being watched. She should've been more attentive!

The deadbolt clicked and footsteps moved towards her. Boss was in the back behind the closed office door, preoccupied with his receipts. She couldn't alert him without drawing attention to herself! Daisy remained in her crouched position and trembled in fear, terrified of being robbed at gunpoint and left for dead. She grabbed the broom, held it like a bat and wished Enos was here to protect her.


Jaxon wasn't pleased when he found the bar door unlocked. Regardless of Monroe's threat, being here late at night in the middle of nowhere wasn't the safest place for any woman ... let alone a gorgeous specimen like Daisy Duke. Boss Hogg's car was out back, but the man would sell his soul before he lifted a finger to help another person. He locked the door and walked into the bar.

He scrunched his nose at the lingering odor of a cigar. The chairs were on the tables, the lights were turned up and a radio on a shelf behind the bar was playing country music. Jaxon expected Daisy to be sashaying through the tables as she cleaned up for the night, but the place was too quiet. Concerned something had gone wrong he cautiously moved to check behind the bar.

He walked around the far corner and his training took over when a broom handle whooshed through the air towards his head. Jaxon snatched it out of the air and grabbed the offending arm. The broom fell to the floor and he grabbed the throat of his attacker, spinning the faceless person around and pinning him against the counter with the full force of his body.

Daisy's air was cut off and she couldn't scream. She grabbed the empty coffee pot and had it high overhead when his hand left her throat. She gasped for air when he grabbed her forearm, knocking the carafe from her grasp. Glass shattered at their feet and he pinned her arm against the bar. She looked into brilliant green eyes, but the darkness Jaxon carried was deadly. There was no doubt in her mind he would kill her.

She was too terrified to scream, but not to proud to beg. "J-Jack?! Please stop! You're hurting me!"

As if he had been possessed by some demon, the darkness she saw faded as his instinctive reaction caught up with his thoughts. "Daisy? What are you trying to do?!" Jaxon let her go and stepped back. "Dammit! I could've killed you!"

"What are you doing in here!? We're closed!"

"If the place is closed, you should've locked the door!"

"You just…just get out!" Daisy tried to catch her breath, but her nerves were beyond rattled. "You scared me out of my mind! Where did you learn to move so fast anyway?"

Jaxon swore and sidestepped her question. "I'm sorry, Daisy. Are you all right?"

Daisy rubbed her arm where his powerful grip had bit into her skin. It hurt like the dickens where he slammed it against the bar. She stared back at the man who once lit the room with a smile and her feelings of loss magnified. That spark, that comfortable feeling she once shared with Jack was gone.

"Talk to me, sweetheart." Jaxon's voice was filled with self-loathing. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I haven't been myself lately. Will you let me take a look?" He took her arm and tenderly ran his hand over the red mark.

Daisy leaned back a little. Despite the warmth that radiated from his touch, she was unsure if those hands meant to do more harm. Her pain of being deceived ramped up quickly and she narrowed her eyes. "I know you haven't been yourself, sugar. I reckon it's hard for a pathological liar to keep up with the untruths, or tell time. You promised to talk to me weeks ago, Jaxon."

He puffed a long sigh, "I'm sorry I didn't come by. I should've told you sooner. I can explain." Jaxon looked a little green as he stared at the mark on her arm. "God, I'm an ass. Please forgive me. I'm not a violent person, it's just-"

"You're running from Monroe." Daisy looked around the room to avoid his eyes. "It's okay. I took th' first swing."

Jaxon cleared his throat. "Let me get you some ice for that."

"I can get my own ice." Daisy moved away from him, grabbed a clean rag and wrapped a few cubes of ice in it. She held it to the sore spot. "You lied to me. I don't trust you anymore."

"I don't blame you," he whispered sadly. "Daisy, I feel awful, about everything. Will you sit down with me and talk?" Jaxon moved to the nearest table, set the chair on the floor and held it out for her. "Please. I have some news that we need to discuss, then I'll help you clean up."

Daisy hesitated, but eventually walked over and had a seat. She couldn't let him back into her life. The painful reasons were too many to count. She would keep it all business. "What's this all about?"

"Your safety. You need to keep that door locked after closing." Jaxon sat next to her, pulled an envelope out of his suit jacket and placed it on the table. "I need you to read this." He cleared his throat and said, "I missed you, Daisy."

"I miss Jack, but he isn't coming back. Jack wasn't real."

"Yes, he is. I'm still the same person you met this spring. Only my name has changed." Jaxon smiled and eased his head to the side in an endearing manner. "I'm still the same fool who adores your smile and everything else about you."

When Jaxon reached out to take Daisy's hand, she pulled away. "Please don't touch me. It isn't the same anymore. Those days are over."

Jaxon looked as if she had shoved a knife in his heart. The sparkle in his eyes dimmed significantly and the smile died on his lips. He nervously tapped on the envelope. "When you read this, please remember I care. I'll help you."

Daisy sat the makeshift icepack aside and took the envelope from the table. "Th' last thing I need is help from Jenny MacFarland's twin."

Jaxon ignored the shot across the bow. "I think you'll change your mind once you read that letter. When you took Boss Hogg's money, there were unseen consequences."

Daisy ripped open the envelope, glanced at the receipt and moved it aside to unfold the letter. "I ain't sure how you got this, but ain't nothin' illegal about my arrangement with Boss. I wrote that receipt willingly. Miss Lulu was worried about Enos and wanted to know where he was. We all were worried about him."

When he didn't respond, Daisy read the letter. Her eyes grew to a horrified size and she leapt to her feet. "Boss was trying to take Enos's ranch? So that's why Enos isn't speaking to me! Jaxon, I didn't know! Why did Boss ask Wallace Monroe to reimburse him?"

"Because he thought Monroe didn't keep his end of the bargain. He didn't send thugs to force Enos off the ranch." Jaxon pushed out of his chair and gently took her arms as he said, "Boss wanted the location of the cattle drive for Monroe, not Lulu." He carefully explained the sordid details of how she became tangled in Monroe and Boss's deal.

"But I didn't have anything to do with Monroe and I didn't give any information to Boss about Jenny!"

Jaxon brushed a lock of hair away from her face and said, "Oh, sweetheart. I know you didn't mean to."

"Don't call me sweetheart." Daisy stepped out of reach. "Is this why Monroe's men came to th' ranch and tried to kill us?"

Jaxon's face twisted. Was he that repulsive to her? He replied somberly, "Yes, the attack in June was an assassination attempt. When Drake and Jenny killed Monroe's strike team, he took you off his hit list. You were considered protected, but now Hogg ruined that with this demand. Monroe wants everyone involved with this deal dead. Don't worry. It's going to be okay, Daisy. We'll protect you and your family."

"M-my family? Uncle Jesse? Bo and Luke!?" Daisy turned pale and gasped for air. The letter fell to the floor as she envisioned everyone she knew and loved being wiped out of her life. "Oh, no! Y-you've been running for how long?!"

Boss walked out of his office and immediately confronted them. "Daisy, who is this and what's he doin' in my bar!?"

"Boss…I…" Daisy swayed.

Jaxon sat her in the chair and bent down behind her while his hands caressed her shoulders. He whispered in her ear, "Just breathe. You're safe with me. Relax while I talk to Hogg, okay?"

Daisy nodded, too stunned to push him away.

Jaxon crushed his teeth together as he turned to face the greedy little man who caused it all. The shooting was his fault and three people nearly died. One came closer than the others. He doesn't even know what he put Jenny through.

Jaxon pulled another envelope from his pocket, desperate to avoid that particular memory minefield.

The commissioner glared up with beady eyes as he waited for an explanation. Boss repeated, "I ask what you're doin' here? Just who are you?"

"My name isn't important." Jaxon hissed and handed over the envelope. "This is for you. I'd suggest you hire an armed personal security detail. Don't forget to protect your wife and family."

"Dat! Now just wait a cotton pickin' minute! I'm the County Commissioner! Who do you think you are walkin' into my establishment, after hours, and threatening me?!" Boss ripped open the envelope. "Daisy, call Rosco! Have him get rid of this riff-raff!"

"Call him yourself!" Daisy snapped. "He's not threatening you! How could you do this to Enos, or me!?"

Boss grabbed his cigar, shocked at her tone. "Now see here-"

"Enough!" Jaxon gestured to the papers. "Just skip to the report."

Boss found three pieces of paper in his envelope. The letter and receipt he recognized, but the document from Jaxon's handler listing him as one of the targets for the botched "Hazzard County Deal" was new. He sat down in Jaxon's vacant chair in disbelief.

"This here is a mistake," he muttered. "Everybody knows I don't cotton to violence. I told him that! Is my Lulu in danger!? What about Rosco and Cletus!?"

Daisy wanted to claw his eyes out. "What about Bo and Luke!? Or Uncle Jesse!? Boss, all of us are in danger! What have you done!?"

Jaxon couldn't stand Boss's presence another minute and walked around the table. "Come with me, Daisy. I'll take you home."

"No." Daisy stood and moved away. She squared her shoulders and regained her pride. "Jaxon, I can get myself home. I don't need your help. I got into this and I can get myself out of it. I'll get in touch with th' FBI first thing tomorrow."

"Don't be ridiculous. Travis thinks Monroe has people inside the FBI. Monroe killed my father's partner while he was inside a safe house. Daisy, you need more than a cop outside your door."

Boss muttered, "I have to fix it. I gotta find a way to call him and explain. He'll understand…It's okay...I'll find a way…" He wandered back to his office, mopping his brow and muttering.

"I'll talk to my Uncle." Daisy said nervously. "He'll know what to do. I have to make things right with Enos somehow, too. Jaxon, I think it's best if you just leave."

"Leave? Daisy, please don't push me out of your life." Jaxon looked down into fierce blue eyes and fought the urge to embrace her. Drake's warning chose that moment to replay. "She's a confused mess...a fickle creature..."

He embraced the confusion and clung to hope of reviving what they started. "You don't have to prove how strong you are to me. I grew up fighting to survive and I can protect you. I want to do more than that. I want our relationship to grow. I meant it when I said you are a wonderful woman. Let me be your friend. Can't we start over? We had...something."

Daisy shook her head sadly. "We can't turn back the clock, sugar. We don't have a relationship anymore. I want you to leave. It hurts just to look at ya'. All I see is th' lies and your twin with th' man I love. My man! There ain't nothin' between us anymore and I'm not interested in getting hurt again."

The light in Jaxon's eyes vanished and for a moment Daisy saw a lonely, lost little boy. Then the childlike innocence disappeared and the pain that took its place was so chilling she shivered. She immediately regretted her choice of words.

"Jaxon."

His voice wavered at first, but he quickly regained his bravado. "I can't change the fact I'm a twin. I wouldn't if I could. I love Jenny and she's a part of me. I wish you knew what she went through to..." He shook his head, as if wanting to shake a memory away. "Regardless of your feelings, we won't let you be Monroe's next victim. Drake, Jenny, and I will protect you."

He turned to leave and Daisy went after him. "Jaxon, please wait."

He stopped and faced her with his lips drawn in a grim line.

She said, "I'm sorry. Come back and sit down. I can forgive th' lies if you give me some time. You were just trying to protect yourself. I didn't mean to be unfair. This is hard for me."

Daisy knew he was hurt so she extended her hand. He stared at her fingers and furrowed his brow.

"C'mon, sugar." She stepped forward with a hint of a smile. "Let me fix ya' something to drink. It's gonna be okay. You're in a bad spot and it ain't right for me to hold Jenny's actions against you. What she does ain't your fault."

Jaxon bristled with a wave of righteous indignation. She could see it ripple through him, then he straightened his tie, gave his cuffs a dignified tug, and without another word, he walked out of the bar.


Early the next morning in the Rafter G kitchen, Emily finished setting the breakfast table when she heard Gus walk in the cabin with his wranglers. Barney and Dan were in a heated discussion. Gus's voice suddenly dominated the conversation and he led the way into the kitchen where he took his seat at the head of the table.

While Emily poured his coffee, Gus chastised Dan. "I done told ya' that mare is th' devil's spawn! All of ya' be more careful, especially you Daniel Thompson! If not, she's gonna cross ya' over!"

Dan slapped his hat against his knee and plopped in the chair. "It wasn't that bad, Gus!"

"Oh really?" Gus harrumphed and quirked an eyebrow. "Emily darlin', look at this here fool boy and tell me it wasn't that bad."

"Pulling the Emily card ain't fair, Gus," said the fool, his head hung low.

Emily walked around the table, took Dan's face between her fingers and turned his head to look at her.

"OW! Miss Emily, I ain't a two year old!"

"Uh-huh." Emily clicked her tongue. There was a gash above his eye from falling into the fence and his hat was crushed in his lap. "If you aren't a two-year old, then quit acting the part. You best listen to Gus and be more careful. I don't want to be the one to call Olivia with news that we're sendin' her son back to Livingston in a box. You know that mare is over protective of her young-uns. Now count yourself lucky!"

"Don't bring my ma into this!" Dan tossed his hat under the chair. "You don't even know what happened!"

"I know that mare and I see you bleeding at my table! I don't need to know anythin' else. Now hush and eat before I twist that ear and take you out by the woodpile."

"Yes ma'am."

Emily poured his coffee while Barney chuckled next to his pal. No one sassed Emily Rafferty and got away with it. Emily took a seat by her husband and he led the blessing.

"Has Gus told you boys th' news?" Emily winked at Gus and passed the bacon to Hosea. "We're gonna have some old friends comin' for th' Fall Color Ride."

Barney perked up in his chair. "Enos is still comin', ain't he?"

Gus took a sip of coffee and said, "Yes sir, he's bringing three other folks y'all happen to know."

Dan dropped the serving fork and his eyes snapped to the head of the table. "Are ya' sayin' what I think you're sayin'? Is Cowgirl back?!"

Emily smiled and patted Gus's arm. "Yes, Dan. She's back and so are Jaxon and Drake. They've been at Enos's house since he was hurt on duty. It's gonna be mighty nice to have all of them here. I've never heard Enos sound so excited."

"I reckon he is." Dan's elation cooled and trepidation swooped in to take its place.

Emily watched Dan's sincere smile fade away. He was struggling with his love for Jenny and having a hard time letting her go. Hearing that she was back with Enos had to be a blow.

She turned to Gus and said, "Sweetheart, I'm gonna need some help changing some of them spotlights on the upper rafters in the living room. Can ya' spare Dan an hour or so tomorrow?"

"Now darlin', I told ya' I'd take care of that tonight when I oomph…" Emily kicked him under the table. "Oh, wait a minute. That's right I can't, because…I um…I gotta-"

"Run in to town and pick up the supplies I asked you for."

"Right. Dan? Would you mind making some time to help Emily?"

Dan knew what this was really about and was smart enough to know he wouldn't be able to avoid it. He replied warily, "Well, I reckon I can make some time later this week. Would that be okay, Miss Emily?"

"That'd be just fine. You just come on over when you have some free time."

"Yes ma'am."

"And stay away from that cranky mare 'til we get that foal off her. You're th' only medic we got."

Dan sighed, "Yes ma'am. I'll do that. Gonna need me a new hat. Blasted heifer put a hoof right through it."

Gus pointed a finger his way. "Better that hat then your head. I got plenty of spare hats until you get into town."

"Thanks Gus. I appreciate it."

Gus leaned over and kissed Emily's cheek. He whispered, "Thanks, darlin'. You're the best." He loved her ways. She always made time to help people through their struggles, whether they realized they needed it or not.


Among the modest furnishings of his Atlanta office, Agent Travis Patterson contemplated his recent choices and worried over the possible ramifications. He should've destroyed the surveillance photos before sending his report to his informant last week. Now it was too late. He was to meet Jaxon today and still hadn't heard a word.

He beat his fist against the desk and muttered, "Drake sure picked a fine time to get over Cynthia."

Travis's informant was a critical part of the machine that kept the MacFarlands one step ahead of Monroe. He met her years ago when she was a broken woman. He helped her regain control of her life and she agreed to help him stop Monroe.

Now she was deep undercover within Monroe's organization and it had been three years since he saw her last. He loved her dearly and was eager to put the snake in prison so they could get on with their lives. It didn't help to know she played the part of that monster's mistress. He hated it.

To keep the MacFarlands safe, everyone had to do their part and remain focused. Drake's focus was slipping, jealousy could come into play, and if the siblings parted ways, it would be impossible to protect them all. When the phone finally rang, he lunged forward to answer and prayed she was on the other end of the line.

"Hello? This is Agent Patterson."

The voice was quickly to the point. "It's me. Give Jaxon the surveillance photos. Let them beat it out of each other and get it over with. Drake won't buckle down if they don't. I'm trying to keep things with our mule contained, but you need to work your magic so we don't lose our ability to pass evidence. When will you see Jaxon?"

"Tonight. Where are you? What's Monroe's next move?"

"I'm at a coffee shop with Monroe and we don't have much time. I don't know what he has planned, but I'm onto something big. I think I've found the evidence we need. Tell Jaxon to take them all to Wyoming, even the Duke girl and Deputy Strate. Don't wait until next week. Monroe knows they are in Hazzard so they need to move. They can't get comfortable like this. I don't care what it takes you get them on the road before Jenny gets too cozy and…Yes, Veronica. The opera would be lovely. We would love to join you. Bye, dear."

"Dammit." Travis hung up the phone. "Baby, we got to get you out of there."

Monroe watched her every move like a hawk. Travis knew she wouldn't bail until she finished what they started. Her guilty conscience would keep her there even if it meant death. When would this end? When would they all be free to live and love?

His appointment with Jaxon this evening would be difficult. He knew he shouldn't have included Drake's encounter with the Duke girl in his report. Unless Jenny could put her brothers in check, there would be one heck of a showdown at the Circle M Ranch.