Again thanks to Bethie88 for her contrabutions in bold. Also thanks for permission from JadedPhoenixBurning for her permission to base my Aunt Pauline from My ImaginarySister? on hers. I can't use her character because in her story line Pauline is Jesse's sister, in mine she is his sister-in-law and Jebs Mom. Hope you enjoy!

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Chapter 22

Ralph merely turn his back to Luke and Peggy with a grumble.

Peggy pulled out a folder of form blanks that she had made through the years for times like this. She took out a touched up Tri-Counties Incident form which she had already changed to a blank Hazzard County Incident form. She began to write the incident up to attach to the magazine to have when she turned it over to Judge Hardcastle.

Luke seen Peggy working on writing something. Up until now she had been leisurely reading. Luke thought that didn't look good for Ralph, but he had to admit that he'd had a good laugh at Ralph's situation. He smiled as he tucked the 4x4 magazine with additions under his mattress. It was too dark to read anything at this point so he tried to stretch out and hope that sleep found him sooner than later. Trouble was Luke was used to the hard work of the farm and was usually more than ready for bed at this hour after a hard days work, but after a day of setting around doing a whole lot of nothing he wasn't sleepy. He may be bone weary and tired but not sleepy. Luke could hear Ralph grumbling and mumbling to himself and had to laugh again to himself.

The rest of the week went by slow for Bo, slower for Luke and Ralph. Yeah, they had pushed each other's bottons, ground on each other gears and nerves but they had made it to Saturday morning and could see Wednesday in their sights. Still unseen by the Duke men, Ralph had continued to lear at Daisy, so much that she figured on not going to see Luke today. She had been thinking long and hard about this since seeing Luke yesturday and all morning as she did her house work.

Daisy was thinking as she set the dinner table, 'All I have to do is get by Uncle Jesse without him knowing why I don't want to go see Luke.'

Jesse pulled the pick up into the barn. He had just enough time before dinner to load up Tilley with the shine he had in the back of the truck from one of the still sites that it was hard to get to in any car.

Bo had finished up his chores and had come in to the barn to put something up. He saw Jesse loading Tilley and went to help even if it was one handed. "You've got a run tonight?" He asked.

Jesse replied, "Sure do."

"Can I go with ya?" Bo asked. He knew Daisy would be working and he'd be home all alone tonight unless he got lucky and got to go out somewhere. Which seemed a bit unlikely since he and Daisy were still pretty much grounded as far as going too many places.

Jesse thought about it for a minute. Leave Bo at home, let him go out to heavens knew where or take Bo with him. It would be an out of state run, which meant he'd be gone awhile, but also that there was more chance of getting caught. That was the one thing the Duke family didn't need right now with Luke, the only other adult in the family was already in jail. Jesse knew that were he to get caught on a run while Luke was in jail exactly how much trouble that would cause for Bo and Daisy who were only sixteen. He also knew how bad it would look for him to have a sixteen year old with him if he were caught. He sighed. There was only one thing to do. Do what he'd been doing since he, himself had been sixteen. He had started driving loads a might younger than that which was a fact that he had always managed to dodge with the boys but times were different then. He would just have to NOT get caught. "Alright Bo. After we go see Luke, I'll let Daisy drive to work tonight and we'll head out about ten so get ya some rest this evening."

Bo nodded frantically, "Yes Sir!" Bo knew better than to ask where they were going and that if he were going he'd be counted on for an extra set of eyes not sleeping. He finished helping Jesse load Tilley and as they headed to the house, Bo broke into a run, ... "Hey Daisy! Guess what?"

Jesse heard him from the barn yard and picked up his step to quiet the idiot down.

Daisy nearly jumped out of her skin at Bo's entrance in the house, "BO! You nearly scared the LIFE out of me!" Daisy reprimanded.

Jesse reached the door before Bo replied, "Sorry Daisy! But, guess what?" Before Jesse could warn him to lower his voice, Bo added much quieter, "I get to go with Uncle Jesse tonight."

Jesse let out the breath he'd been holding since Bo began yelling.

Daisy exclaimed, "What? ... Uncle Jesse how come the boys always get to go and I can't?'

Jesse was boxed in a corner. He had let Luke go with him for some time now and had let Bo go a few times, mainly on local stuff. But had refused to let Daisy go on anything but very short local trips. He held up his hand to silence his only niece. "Alright, after Luke gets home, one night when you aren't working I'll let ya go with me."

"Really?" Daisy asked.

Jesse nodded that he was serious.

Daisy began jumping up and down as she hugged her Uncle Jesse. "Thank you Uncle Jesse!"

Jesse had to smile at the kids excitement about the family business. He knew there was a lot of work involved in making good quality shine and getting it to his buyers without getting caught, but the kids had seen and helped on the work end since they were able to follow him up to the hill to the still closest to the house. He can remember them telling Daisy that one of her legs was gonna be longer than the other from walking the hill so much. "Alright, now lets eat and get ready to go see Luke before you have to be at work."

Daisy began dipping out stew into bowls, "Actually I need to do a few things before work. I think I'll pass going to see Luke today." She saw the disappointment in Bo's face even before he spoke.

"Daisy you can't mean that! Luke is there without us all day and we can only see him for a danged half hour. You can take that much time to go see him." Bo said.

Jesse looked from one to the other. He fully knew that Bo would have camped out in a sleeping bag outside Luke's cell for the entire ten days if anyone would let him. He wasn't real happy about any of the three of his 'kids' getting this sort of experience, but they were family and family stuck together. "Daisy, Honey, Bo is right. We are all the family that Luke has close by and we are all gonna be there for him."

Feeling lower than she had in a long while, Daisy dropped her head and replied, "Yes, Sir." She knew they were both right. She would either have to tell the truth about why she didn't want to go to the jail or go with them. She figured that going would be easier than trying to explain everything.

Jesse reached for a letter in the mail that was waiting for him in the center of the table as Daisy poured his after dinner coffee. It was from his brother's wife, Pauline, over in Placid County. "Well, lookie here we's got us a letter from your Aunt Pauline."

Daisy nodded, "I put it on top for you." Daisy and the boys loved their Aunt Pauline but sometimes she could be a bit uppity. Daisy had hoped the letter contained news of one of their favorite cousins, Jeb.

Jesse opened the letter and began to read it to himself. He always did this and then he'd go back and read the parts the kids would like to hear.

Daisy and Bo waited patiently, but seen Jesse grimace just a bit about half way through the letter. Daisy asked, "Is everything alright, Uncle Jesse?"

He nodded that it was and finished the letter. Jesse took a deep breath and let it out slowly before telling the kids what was in the letter. Normally this would be welcomed news but he seen how bad the timing was and knew that Luke's situation would be told to all the family. Not that Jesse tried to hide anything from his family. Any Duke with an drop of Duke blood knew how easily trouble found the entire clan, especially while in Hazzard County, but there were a few that had married into the family who still didn't understand that things were different in Hazzard County, especially if your last name happened to be Duke. "Well, it seems that since summer vacation is here your cousin Jeb can't find anything to keep him busy in Placid County. Aunt Pauline is bringing him over tomorrow to spend some time with you all." Jesse paused.

Daisy squealed.

Bo gave his rebel yell.

They they both noticed that Jesse wasn't as happy about the situation as he would normally be. Both asked, "What?"

Jesse gave a weak smile. "Pauline also says that she can't wait to see how you have all grown, especially Luke with him graduating and all. She is bringing his special gift with her."

Daisy grimaced.

Bo groaned.

They both knew how their aunt could be. She would not be satisfied until she saw Luke with her own eyes. No amount of explaining would work, she would have to see Luke.

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NARRATOR: "With the evening sun still bearing down on the Hazzard Courthouse the temperature outside had to still be around ninety five degrees in the shade. As for the temperatures inside the Hazzard Jail with no air conditioner and only one fan, well we'll just say hot was not the right word."

Luke was standing near the window of the cell with orange jumpsuit that he wore unzipped half way down his chest. He was hoping to get at least a hint of a breeze from outside as the cells were getting next to none of the little air the fan at the officer's desk was putting out.

The Duke family made their way into the jailhouse to visit Luke. As usual, Bo was talking a mile a minute, while Daisy, certainly more shy than usual about her body, was hiding behind Jesse and Bo, avoiding Ralph's probing gaze at all costs.

"Doin' all right, Luke?" Bo asked, speaking to his cousin, but keeping his eyes fixed on the other jailbird.

Luke really wasn't 'alright' but there was no point in getting his family down. "Yeah at least it's the half way point."

Jesse had noticed the temperature on the jail as soon as he got about half way down the stairs. He looked at the one box fan near Peggy's desk which she did have pointing toward the cells. He said loud enough to get the officer's attention, "It's a hot one outside, but it's much worse down here."

Peggy agreed, "Yes, I know. I brought this fan from home. You know how tight the jail budget is."

Jesse grumbled about how tight JD Hogg was since he'd gotten into office, then said, "JD always was cheap, in ALL his business endeavors..."

Bo nodded his agreement. "Dang right, Uncle Jesse! What're they trying to do, COOK Luke alive?"

Daisy glanced up at Luke. "I can bring ya the fan from my room, Sugar," she said, sweetly.

Luke smiled the sweet jester from his baby cousin, "Darlin' I appreciate that, really I do, but I'm good. Once the sun moves it cools down." Luke was truthful it did cool down from a pressure cooker to just unbearable and that was eventually.

Daisy said, "I've already got my skates out and cleaned up to go skating when you get home."

Luke had almost forgotten about that, but he was sure she wouldn't let him. The trip was for her not him. He actually never cared much for skating but was good at it. It had always been Robin who wanted to go and the many months they dated before they got to know each other so well, he had taken her skating often. "That's good. I'll have to find my skates. I don't have a clue where they are."

Unthinking about what she was going to say and who she saying it in front of, Daisy replied, "They are in the big box of your stuff in the front closet. The one with all the stuff you had at Robin's."

Ralph, in the meantime, was much more concerned with Daisy's body, which looked far more like a woman's than a girl's these days. But the mention of Luke's things at Robin's more than got his attention. He had been acting as if he was reading the paper, but jerked his head to look at Luke before he could stop himself.

Bo nudged Daisy, who still wasn't sure what she'd said wrong.

At the sudden movement from Ralph in the cell beside him, Luke turned to look him in the eye and gave him a very smug look, while speaking to Daisy, "I know the box."

Jesse seen the need to quickly change the subject. "We got a letter from your Aunt Pauline today."

Luke never looked at Jesse, still glared at Ralph, daring him to say anything. He asked, "So, what did she have to say?"

"Seems your cousin Jeb needs to be occupied this summer. Your Aunt Pauline is bringing him down tomorrow. Said she can't wait to see you all, " Jesse stressed the last word, "She is also bringing your graduation present."

Luke had let most of what Jesse said go over his head. He did catch that Pauline was bringing Jeb over and wanted to see them all. "When did you say she was coming over?" Luke finally turned to Jesse.

Jesse replied more slowly this time, "Tomorrow."

Unable to hold his composure at the sudden realization of what Jesse was telling him, Luke swore, "Ah sh-!"

Jesse scolded, "Now Luke."

Luke gritted his teeth against what he wanted to say, and asked, "Can't you do something? I don't care if Jeb comes with ya'll but NOT Aunt Pauline."

Jesse nodded, "I hear ya Luke. Really I do. I'll try, but I can't promise that she won't be with us tomorrow."

Luke was lonesome for family and all, but Aunt Pauline. There was no one in the family that could make this sound any worse to the rest of the family. Luke clinched his teeth, he knew that Jesse would do what he could, but felt certain that his Aunt Pauline would be here tomorrow.

Daisy was dressed in her low cut top for work but had a zip up jacket zipped up nearly to her neck over it, she wore jeans not her usual short shorts that she wore at work. Those were in the car to change into at the Boar's Nest.

Luke for the first time looked at Daisy, "Don't you have to work tonight?"

Daisy blushed a bit as she said, "Yeah."

"Well I know you are not wearing all that to work." Luke said. "And why are you wearing all that in this heat?

Daisy blushed, "No, I'm not. I have a change in the car."

Luke nodded. "Wouldn't it have been easier and cooler to already be ready?"

"Yes, it would have been, but,..." Daisy blushed.

Peggy checked the time, "Mr. Duke."

Jesse nodded. She didn't have to say anymore. "Come on kids, it's about that time."

They all bid each other good byes.

Luke called to Jesse, "Uncle Jesse, about Aunt Pauline, I'm fishin', huntin', ... fell off a cliff?"

Jesse turned an even gaze on his nephew. "You're right here, and your Aunt is coming to see you." His tone was final, with a biting edge.

Luke started to argue. "But, Uncle Jesse..."

Jesse glared at him. "Don't you Uncle Jesse me! You was fightin' and you got caught. You know better, and I ain't gonna cover for your mistakes. Aunt Pauline'll be by to see ya tomorrow."

Luke grimaced, then looked up hoping to catch Bo's eye, which he did, and sent him a pleading look.

Bo nodded, swallowed hard and began to work on his uncle for his cousin, "Unc, Uncle Jesse, now come on let's talk about this, ..." Bo insisted as they started up the stairs.

Luke would have rather had teeth pulled with out novacaine than to deal with Aunt Pauline. He prayed Bo would have some luck or Jesse would change his mind.

Ralph looked up from the paper, "Sure was ashamed that cousin of yours was so over dressed for work and all. I much prefer her in those shorts she had on the first day. Still say you got something going on there Duke!"

In a flash, quicker than he could've expected, Ralph was banging into the bars, Luke's hands gripping his shirt collar tight as he yelled, "You listen to me you sorry piece of crap! You better stay away from Daisy. I don't wanna go back to jail, but so help me if you come near her, I'll put a hurting on you they'll HAVE to lock me up for."

Ralph, still not to be deterred, laughed lightly. "Why would I stay away from Daisy? She works at the Boar's Nest... Everybody knows the girls who work there are a good time waitin' to happen."

Luke jerked harder, probably leaving bar shaped marks on Ralph, but he really didn't care. "You so much as SPEAK to my little cousin, Ralph, and I'll put a hurtin' on you that kerosene won't wash off."

Peggy was up and headed toward the bars. She couldn't enter either cell being the only officer on duty. She said in a powerful commanding voice, "Luke Duke let go of him now!"

That caught the attention of Judge Hardcastle and Sheriff Coltrane who were upstairs on their way down to the jail.

Ralph said, "What are you so sore about? She sure looks like a good time to me. Course I'm sure you know that."

Luke's grip tightened on Ralph's jumpsuit.

Peggy shook her head. "Luke, don't make me pull my gun," she said, hoping that would be enough. She liked the Dukes, and the thought of having to threaten or harm Luke didn't sit well with her.

Ralph, on the other hand, was pushing Luke in the opposite direction. "I mean, I hate to steal another of your girls, Luke, and I'm sure you've been enjoyin' that cousin of yours, but I might have to slip in and get some of that myself."

By this time Judge Hardcastle was down the steps with Rosco behind him, "Open the gate."

Peggy would rather have back up than to have to pull a gun in the enclosed room. She backed off and opened the gate for the Judge and Rosco, then locked it back. Returning to the cell she ordered, "Luke let go NOW!"

By now Luke had his other hand through the bars.

"What is going ON, here?" the judge asked, his tone more annoyed than anything.

"This son of a b**** just attacked me outta nowhere!" Ralph announced, making himself look to be the victim.

"You tell him the truth!" Luke yelled back, pulling him hard against the cell again. Luke actually had Ralph around his neck in a 'sleeper hold'. Luke tightened his grip just a bit to let Ralph know that he could. He really hadn't registered the judge and the sheriff's presence. He was far to mad to think reasonably now.

That was when Rosco unlocked the cell, and walked in, pulling Luke off of Ralph. "Take it easy, Luke," he said, as Ralph watched in amusement through the bars.

"I was just sittin here readin the paper, and the next thing I know, he's attackin' me!" Ralph said, as he rubbed his sore neck.

Rosco had managed to get Luke setting on the bunk and he was in front of him between Luke and Ralph.

Luke finally realized that Rosco was there with him being in front of him and all, "You're a liar! You was talking trashy about Daisy!" Luke started to stand up again.

Rosco put him back on the bunk as Judge Hardcastle stepped in the cell with the Sheriff.

Unseen by the Sheriff and the Judge, Ralph made a vulgar jester to Luke that even Peggy missed as she was more concerned with Luke and the Sheriff and Judge's safety.

Luke couldn't help himself at this point he headed toward Ralph.

Rosco managed to get Luke back down once again, and Judge Hardcastle shook his head. "Boy, you're really makin' me regret not puttin' you UNDER the jail."

Luke gave the judge an apologetic look, cooling off just a little. "I'm sorry to cause y'all trouble, Judge Hardcastle, but that fool ought not to talk about Daisy that-a-way!"

Judge Hardcastle seen Rosco had his hands full, keeping Luke at bay. His only choice was to get Ralph upstairs to let them calm down while he figured out who was responsible for this disturbance. The Judge told Luke in no uncertain terms. "Stay on the bunk." Then he turned to Ralph, get against the far wall and toward the cell door."

Luke stayed seated.

Ralph moved to the door.

Hardcastle steered Rosco out of the cell so that Peggy could lock Luke's cell again. "Move Ralph upstairs for now." Hardcastle ordered Peggy and Rosco.

Ralph was playing the 'victim' and did as told to be moved upstairs away from Luke.

After Rosco, Peggy and the Judge got their second wind, it was time to get to the bottom of things,...

Peggy and Hardcastle talked to Ralph upstairs, while Rosco sat downstairs, asking Luke for his side of the story.

"Rosco, I sure don't mean no harm to you or Peggy or the judge, but I couldn't let that fool talk that way about Daisy. She's family." Luke tried to explain.

Peggy had heard some of Ralph's comments about Daisy, whom she knew was Luke's cousin. She told Judge Hardcastle what she had heard and seen.

Judge Hardcastle nodded and replied, "Put it all in a report. Put a 'Hold' card on them both and I'll sort it out on Wednesday, before they are released."

Peggy replied, "Yes Sir. I also have another incident on Mr. Green. Seems he had a contraband magazine."

Hardcastle replied, "I'll sort it out Wednesday. Send it all over together. If you feel you must leave Green up here its fine, though I'd prefer he be moved back down once they cool off."

Rosco left Luke in his cell, and the dark-haired Duke stretched out on his bunk, shaking his head. He'd let Ralph get the better of him again, and he was angry with himself for it. Sighing, he closed his eyes. Might as well take a nap. Nothing else to do.

Ralph on the other hand was feeling finer than frog hair as long as no one was watching that is. He had sucker Luke into showing himself royally in front of the Judge. What more could he want? He had no clue that Peggy had heard much of him egging Luke on.

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