Okay, here is the fourth chapter by the most-excellent Elenhin. We hope you enjoy. As always, please review... we value your opinions!

While Luke felt as if he would never really be able to hug his family enough after the time he had been gone, he ushered Bo on to the game. He didn't want Bo to miss his football and reminded Bo that the others would be waiting for him. He also quietly let Bo know that he wanted to talk some more with Daisy, and the blonde boy gave proof that he had matured a lot. Bo nodded, gave him one last hug and headed for the door. Of course, he also stopped in the doorway and turned around again, looking at his cousin as if he wanted further proof that he really was home. Then with a large whoop of joy he headed out the door and was off.

Luke shook his head at him and laughed softly.

"You being home will really help him," Daisy said softly with an arm on his shoulder.

Luke gave a small nod. "I was figuring on trying to help both my favorite cousins while I'm home." He smiled and draped an arm around her shoulders. "Ya sure ya don't wanna go fer a stroll?"

Daisy shook her head. "No Luke, yer absolutely worn out, an' I can tell. Ya might say that it ain't hurting ya, but ya can't keep me from knowing."

Almost as much to his surprise as Daisy's Luke found himself giving a guilty smile and a chuckle. "Feels about the same as going a round against Billy." He half chuckled and half giggled. That kind of merry mood was slightly unusual for Luke who might chuckle and laugh but rarely giggled. Still being home, Bo's reaction had made Luke almost giddy and now he was just too happy to be standing with his arm around his cousin and feeling her next to him.

"I still feel bad about that one," Daisy sighed.

"I don't," Luke grinned at her. "Come on Daisy, if ya don't wanna go fer a walk, let's go sit on the porch fer a spell. I really like this Hazzard air."

"Sounds like it might be nice," Daisy nodded in agreement.

"Got some hot chocolate?" Luke added, naming a favorite for all the three duke children.

"I can make some," Daisy agreed though she had not really felt like doing any cooking at all the last time, she couldn't help but think that it would be nice to make it for him. In fact, she could tell that he had lost a few pounds and the least she could do for her cousin was make some home cooked meals to help him put it back on.

"Ya make the best hot chocolate I've ever had," Luke grinned as he sank down on a kitchen chair for a moment. He wouldn't be able to keep the soreness and the aching from Daisy anyway so he might as well give in and make her happy.

"Yer flattering Luke," Daisy smiled as she put a small pot on the stove. Even without thinking about it she was starting to fall back into the routine of teasing Luke. The storm inside her over Tommy's death and everything else wasn't over but there was a break in the clouds and the sun was starting to shine through.

"Nah, if I's flattering I'd be saying that yer the prettiest girl in the whole world," Luke grinned as he noticed how Daisy gave a small blush. While he had no hopes of being some magic miracle worker, Luke was determined to do his best. He was too practical to believe he could fix everything, but he did know a few things about his cousins that would hopefully help him make her feel better before he had to go back.

Seeing that she was pouring the chocolate into mugs he grabbed a blanket from the other room and padded out on the porch. It was a bit chilly to sit in his stocking feet out there, but he was too sore to pull his boots back on and too accustomed to small discomforts so he just ignored it.

When Daisy sank down beside him he draped the blanket around them both and pulled her to lean against him.

"Luke, yer ribs..." Daisy said worriedly sitting up so as not to put weight on them.

"That's the other side sweetheart," Luke smiled as he pulled her back down again. "Sides, I've spent the whole way home on hard seats and bumpy roads... yer soft and nice."

"Soft and nice?" Daisy frowned raising her eyebrows wondering if that was a flattering description.

"Uhu," Luke reached out and took his mug. "And lovable, and sweet, and just about one of the best cousins in the world."

Seeing the smile on Luke's face Daisy wasn't quite sure what to say. Luke looked happy and content in a way she had rarely seen before. Then she saw him take his first sip of his mug and his eyes drifted close as a look of pure bliss crept over his face. That was it; if just a cup of home made hot chocolate made him look like that she was going to make sure she cooked all of his favorites for him while he was home. She'd keep him eating until he was more stuffed than a turkey.

"Luke," she said softly as she leaned against him thinking that it still made her feel safe the same way.

"Yeah sweetheart?" Luke had his eyes open and focused on her, he was more vigilant now. Even resting on the porch with his cousin, enjoying hot chocolate and the soft sounds of a light drizzle, Luke was ready to take care of any trouble that might arise.

"I'm just so happy that yer home." Daisy tried not to cry, she so badly wanted to be happy.

"I did promise ya that I'd be home." Luke smiled at her and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

Daisy nodded not saying that pretty much every boy who had gone had made the same promise. Tommy had and he was dead. It was just that the world was to harsh for her to believe in a promise like that.

"Daisy, Uncle Jesse, you an' Bo, yer all I've got," Luke said softly. "Yer the most precious thing in the world. As long as I know that ya believe in me, there ain't gonna be nothing I can't do.

"I believe in ya, Luke... I believe in ya." She hurried to assure him.

"I know... I know Daisy," Luke smiled at her once more and hugged her close, drinking in the feeling of his sweet-loving cousin. "I know cause I believe in ya just as much."

"Luke…." Daisy swallowed not sure if she deserved that kind of faith when she was barely managing things. Luke however was not listening to any objections. Taking another sip from his mug he gathered Daisy close and sat letting her drink in some of the strength he so badly wished he could give her. All he could really do was hold her and let her know how much he loved her and how much she meant to him.

Eventually though, when both mugs were emptied and abandoned on the floor, the long trip spent on barely enough sleep together with all the excitement of being home and the anxiety for the welfare of his cousins were starting to take its toll on Luke. Even with Marine training his body was starting to demand some good rest. With Bo playing football and she herself starting to feel a little better just by Luke's presence at home, Daisy ushered Luke to go and lie down for a spell to rest.

She even retrieved the Billy goat from her bed and put it beside him telling him that the goat was gonna make sure that he rested. Luke took it in his hand and frowned at her where he had stretched out on his bed.

"If ya don't rest, he's gonna ram ya to teach ya a lesson," Daisy declared patting the goat on the ribbon adorned horns. She would have stroked Luke's hair but thanks to the crew cut she couldn't really do that.

"Wouldn't want that. I'm gonna rest for a bit, I promise," Luke smiled at her.

Daisy smiled at him as he took the goat and tucked it against his chest. The real reason she had brought it was because if she made Luke hold it now, then when he had left again and she curled up with the Billy goat, it would be smelling of Luke.

"Get some sleep now Sugah," Daisy smiled and stopped to plant a kiss on his cheek, bending down to hug him unable to resist when he was finally there with her. She kissed his cheek again and forced herself to leave so that he could rest.

Closing the door to the boys bedroom she headed out into the kitchen and looked around with a small smile. This was something worthy of celebration, and she was gonna cook a celebration dinner to match it. She glanced towards the bedroom door, already hearing soft snores coming from in there and wondered where she should start.