See, I told you things would pick up. Thanks everyone for the kind reviews and I'm glad that you like the story. Well, on to the next chapter.

Beauty is Only Skin Deep

Chapter 8

That Saturday evening was the Spring Dance and Bo had asked Maddie earlier in the week if she would like to go with him. After some light coercing from Daisy, she finally agreed. Bo and Luke, along with Luke's date, Mindy, pulled into Maddie's driveway and Bo climbed out of the General, carrying a small package with him. He stood in front of the door and knocked while nervously fidgeting with his tie as he waited for Maddie to answer the door.

His eyes widened in delight when Maddie's door opened and he saw her dressed in a simple, dark blue, elegantly cut dress. He smiled at the shy look she was also wearing. "Wow, you look great!" Bo said as he continued to look her over.

"You think so?" Maddie asked as she turned to face him, uncertainty still on her face.

"I wouldn't say so if it wasn't true," Bo smiled back. "Really, ya look lovely."

"Thank you, Bo."

"Oh here, I got ya something," Bo said as he pulled an orchid wrist corsage from the small box that he had hidden behind his back.

"Bo, it's beautiful!" Maddie replied as she watched him put it on her wrist. Instantly she lifted her hand to smell the flower.

"Just like you," Bo smiled shyly this time.

Maddie saw the bashful look on his face and noticed that he seemed somewhat nervous, so she quickly took his hand in hers. "Thank you again, Bo. Thank you for making me feel so special."

"Well that's because ya are," Bo answered, amazed that someone who seem so sure of herself had a hard time accepting compliments from somebody else. "Are ya ready ta go?"

"I am," Maddie smiled and pulled her door shut. "Let's go." She took the arm that Bo offered and walked with him towards the General. Maddie stopped as she got to the car. "Uh, how am I supposed to get in with a dress on?"

"Like this," Bo answered as he picked her up and slid her in. He couldn't help but laugh at the expression on her face.

"Maddie, are ya okay?" Mindy asked with a chuckle when she saw the look she wore.

"I…I'm okay. Just don't think I'll ever get used to that," she grinned back.

"It does take some getting use ta," Mindy admitted. "But it can be fun." Maddie giggled when she saw Mindy wink.

"Maddie, ya look great," Luke said as leaned forward and quickly kissed her cheek from behind.

"Thank you, Luke," Maddie answered, slightly embarrassed once again.

"I think we got the prettiest girls in Hazzard goin' out with us tonight, Luke," Bo said as he slipped in through the driver's side window.

"Better add Daisy ta that list or she'll wallop ya one 'til ya say so," Luke grinned. Bo and Maddie looked at each other and broke out in laughter as they remembered the first night they met and having a similar conversation about Daisy.

Starting up the engine, Bo punched the accelerator and headed to town where the big Spring Dance was being held.

01 01 01 01

The party was already in full swing when the foursome arrived. They quickly found and greeted Daisy and Enos, who had worked up the courage to ask Daisy to the dance. After talking for a few minutes, the small group broke up and everyone went to the dance floor to dance their first slow dance of the night. Maddie could feel that for some reason, Bo seemed different, not so self-confident.

"Bo, what the matter?" she finally asked.

"Huh, what do ya mean?"

"You seem nervous."

"Oh, uh, I guess I sorta am."

"Why?"

"Well, I guess ya could say that this is officially our first date."

"And you're nervous about it?"

"I just want everythin' ta go right, ya know, be perfect."

"It is, Bo," Maddie smiled up at him. "In fact, I'd say that this is the best first date that I ever had." She saw the look of relief on his face.

"So…ya expect there ta be a second date in the near future?" Bo asked playfully.

"I don't know," Maddie teased. "It depends if a certain someone asks me out again."

"I think that can be arranged," Bo grinned happily. The two continued to dance until the song ended and they headed over to where the drinks were being served. They stood there looking over the crowd trying to find the others. They both laughed when they saw the way Enos was dancing with Daisy, a white handkerchief between their hands and a large space in between the two of them.

"Enos looks like he's a little overwhelmed. He looks like he's going to pass out any minute."

"He always looks that way with Daisy," Bo chuckled.

"I think that it's romantic the way he's treating her, so old fashioned."

"Is that the way ya want me ta hold ya the rest of the night?" Bo asked with a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.

"You do and I'll have to hurt you," Maddie giggled.

The two of them moved back to the dance floor, enjoying another slow song when Maddie felt a tap on her shoulder. "Ya mind if I cut in?" Sarah Jane sarcastically asked as she pushed her way in between them. Maddie was forced to let go of Bo before she fell and watched as the girl grabbed tightly onto him.

"Sarah Jane!" Bo protested loudly as he shook her off, causing the others around them to stop and stare at what was happening.

"What's the matter, Bo? Afraid of a real woman?" Sarah questioned as she glared at him. "Ya know that I'll be able ta show ya good time…unlike her," Sarah commented as she moved closer to him and ran her finger down his chest while looking over her shoulder at Maddie and smiling wickedly.

Bo grabbed Sarah's wrists and stepped away from her. "Listen Sarah, get it through that thick skull of yours…I'm not interested in ya."

"What about all those times ya danced with me? Ya can't tell me that ya didn't feel anything for me when ya held me."

"I only danced with ya two times and that was ta only get ya off my back. Now, please leave," ordered Bo as he side stepped her and held out his hand to Maddie. Still slightly shocked at what was happening, Maddie was just about to take Bo's hand when Sarah Jane cried out.

"You are not dumpin' me for her!" she growled out as she stormed up to Bo and pushed him hard causing him to trip and fall onto his backside. Looking up he saw Sarah lunge towards Maddie and quickly scrambled up to his feet, only stopping when Maddie balled up her fist and slammed it into the side of Sarah's jaw. The southern girl twisted and fell hard onto her hands and knees with surprise written all over her face. Maddie took another step forward, knelt beside her, and grabbed the fallen girl by her hair, holding it tightly in her hand.

"One thing that my Mom always taught my sister and me is that we were never allowed to throw the first punch, but after that, all bets are off and we are to fight to win. So if you ever lay a hand on Bo Duke or ever try to come after me again, I will make sure that you will regret it for the rest of your life. Do you understand me?" Maddie felt a trembling Sarah Jane nodding the best that she could while her hair was still tangled in Maddie's fist. Maddie released the girl from her hold and straightened up only to find that the whole room was staring at her and Sarah Jane. Maddie's face quickly turned red and she began to run for the exit, ignoring Bo's shouts for her to stop.

It wasn't until she was finally outside that she remembered that she didn't have her car and stood in the middle of the parking lot with her hands covering her face. She jumped slightly when she felt strong arms wrapping around her and she leaned heavily into Bo's chest. "Oh Bo, I'm so sorry," Maddie cried as she tried to stop her tears.

"What do ya have ta be sorry for? Ya didn't do anythin' wrong, Darlin'," Bo told her as he handed her his handkerchief.

"I made a total fool out of myself in there," she sobbed, wanting to forget the whole evening.

"No ya didn't. It was Sarah Jane who made a fool of herself," Bo answered as he hugged her tighter. "In fact…I'm kinda glad for what ya did."

Maddie blinked and looked up at him. "You are?"

"Well sure I am," Bo smiled. "Uncle Jesse always taught me and Luke that we weren't suppose ta hit girls. I wasn't quite sure what I was gonna do when Sarah Jane went after ya. But lo and behold, I found out that I didn't have ta worry, ya took care of her yourself, and a mighty fine job ya did too. Besides, I never had a girl defend my honor before."

Maddie saw the impish grin on Bo's face and couldn't help but laugh. "Oh Bo, you're wonderful," Maddie said as she hugged him tightly.

"Now what say we dry those tears of yours and go back in and dance some more."

"I'd like that," Maddie said shyly.

"Ya know something?"

"What?"

"This is the best first date that I ever had too," he grinned back.

"It's perfect," she giggled as she grabbed a hold of his arm and hesitantly headed back inside. She found Luke, Mindy, Daisy, and Enos waiting for them to come back in and gave them a reassuring smile.

"Maddie, are ya alright, Sugar?" Daisy asked as she gave her a quick hug.

"I'm fine, a little embarrassed, but other than that…"

"Well ya got no reason ta be. Ya handled Sarah Jane just fine. She went scurryin' out of here faster than a raccoon bein' chased by a pack of hounds."

"Yeah, I don't think she knew what ta do after the way ya handled her," Luke chuckled. "But I have a feelin' that she'll be rememberin' this night for the next few days at least, especially the way her jaw was bruisin'."

Maddie felt a wave of guilt fall over her. "I didn't mean to hurt her. I don't know what came over me."

"Honey, we women will do the strangest things for the man we love," Daisy winked and grinned as she grabbed onto Enos' arm. "Even goin' so far as fightin' for him."

Maddie's eyes widened at that thought. Could she really be falling for Bo? Before she could give herself an answer, Bo grabbed her hand and pulled her back onto the dance floor, holding her tightly as they moved together in unison. Being held by him felt so right but a feeling of fear suddenly came over her. She quickly squashed it back down, smiling up at the handsome man holding her, doing her best to enjoy the rest of the evening with him.