Chapter Two

The ten young people headed out on their ride. Somehow all of the couples wandered off on different paths, and Brian and Jim found themselves riding together.

“Now I know what Dan meant about trouble,” Jim grumbled.

Brian nodded.

“It’s amazing. They knew the girls for two weeks last summer, and they’re already so comfortable together it makes me sick.”

“That Bo is so smug,” Jim growled. “I really want to just deck him.”

“Well don’t. He’s a likeable enough guy. Unfortunately for me, so is Luke. He’s been nothing but polite and friendly.”

“Be easier to hate them if they were jerks,” Jim agreed.

“I know one thing,” Brian said sadly. “I don’t know that Honey ever looked at me the way she looks at Luke.”

Jim hated to agree with his friend, but in this case, he had too. Honey had never glowed with such light and force as she did when Luke was nearby.

“You know what’s even worse,” Brian continued as Jupiter and Starlight wandered.

“No, but I bet you’re about to tell me,” Jim gave him a crooked grin.

Brian sighed and nodded.

“This is my last day off for the next week. I have one more week of interning at the clinic. Which means I won’t be around much to watch Honey and Luke salivate all over each other.”

“Or keep me from killing Bo,” Jim laughed.

Brian grinned.

“Plus we both still have one exam coming up next week! As a matter of fact, almost all of us have jobs, except –“

“Trixie and Honey,” Jim groaned. “I forgot Trixie’s part time job as Molinson’s secretary finished. Which she means she’ll be around in trouble.”

“And Honey is paid by your Mother to be her secretary,” Brian reminded them.

Jim clutched his bright red hair in distress.

“The others will be around,” Jim said, feeling desperate.

Brian shook his head.

“Dan still has his patrols and wood chopping, so he probably won't be around much. Mart’s usually done with the day care by early afternoon. Di’s good for company, especially with Daisy.”

“Di!” Jim perked up, “We can get her to play chaperone!”

Brian gave him an annoyed look.

“You really think she’ll keep her two best friends from having fun with the available men? You’re getting dense, Frayne. Besides, I bet dollars to donuts Daisy’s free time will be spent with Dan the Man,” Brian added.

“Remind me again why we decided to take some summer courses?” Jim groaned.

Brian grinned.

“To get your school going sooner rather than later.”

Jim knew his heart belonged to Trixie, whether they were in the on or off stage, and he liked to believe he had hers. He dated women at school very casually, but none of them compared her. And he knew from Honey that Trixie dated casually as well, but never anything serious. Jim was afraid serious had just arrived in the form of a tall, blond, charming Bo Duke.

***

Dan and Daisy trotted along side by side, chatting. Daisy had told him about being raised by her Uncle Jesse after her mother died having her, and she had never known whom her father was. She envied Dan that he had had the first ten years with his dad, and another four with his mother. Dan realized he had been pretty lucky, and couldn’t imagine having grown up not knowing either parents, though that’s what happened to his Uncle Bill.

“Besides, with the boys around, the house was never quiet, that’s for sure,” she laughed. Dan grinned at her.

“I think it’s great you ride and shoot like they do,” he said with admiration. He was rewarded with her pretty smile.

“I’m a year younger than Luke, and Bo was always pestering him to tag along. I decided I wasn’t about to be left out and whatever they could do, I could too.”

“Sounds like Trixie,” Dan chuckled.

Daisy nodded.

“I know what it’s like, growing up in a house full of men. At least Di had sisters.”

“Is Hazzard really as corrupt as the boys made it sound?” he asked.

Daisy nodded and began to tell Dan more about some of Boss Hogg’s plots, from stealing motorcycles to repaint and sell, to hiring thugs that wore masks to look like Bo and Luke for armored truck robbery. He would pretend to be robbed, then try to claim the insurance money and frame the Dukes.

“He even had Luke hypnotized while he was in the hospital, to think that the General Lee was a piece of junk and we’d be better off without it.”

“He hasn’t been removed from office?” Dan asked in wonder.

Daisy shook hr head.

“No. Actually, Bo and Luke have helped keep him in office. The other man, Judge Ledbetter, that might run for the position would be even worse.”

Dan just shook his head. “I’d like to see Hazzard some day. It sounds rather fun.”

Daisy laughed. “That’s what Trixie said last year! That’d she have more fun down there with Boss Hogg than up here.”

“Once I join the Marshals, I don’t know where they’ll put me. Might be cool to be placed in Atlanta,” he grinned at her and Daisy found herself blushing.

Last night she had casually asked about Dan, and giggling, the girls filled her in on him.

It was impressive, the way he had turned his life around, thanks to the Bob Whites and his Uncle Bill, known as Regan to the other Bob Whites. Dan still came home on school breaks to help Maypenny patrol, and stayed in the cabin with him, though he could have crashed in his Uncle’s garage apartment. Dan had wanted to be a police officer and finally decided on the Marshals. He had studied extra hard in school to catch up on time missed from his street gang days, and had his final interview with the Marshals next month. And he was gorgeous, she thought, appreciating the way his t-shirt hugged his muscled chest. The girls had told her it was years of chopping wood that had built him up from being a thin teenager. Daisy was hoping she might get to investigate those pectorals a little closer. He was Luke’s height, she figured, about six feet, and his black, slightly wavy hair back in a short ponytail. Trixie told her he hated getting his haircut, and would let it grow until the girls forced him get it cut, usually by one them brandishing a pair of scissors in his direction. He was well muscled like Luke too, and she admired his strong legs as their horses walked along. His dark eyes were black, alert and didn’t miss a thing and she loved the way he looked at her, making her shiver. As they chatted, Dan was able to observe her better, without the other girls flitting around giggling. Daisy handled the horse well, and he was definitely enjoying the sight of her long legs. She wore jeans today but that didn’t hide her shapely figure. He missed the heels, but she had borrowed a pair of boots from Honey, and her dark brown hair was swept up into a ponytail. Daisy undeniably sparkled, and for the first time since he was a brand new student at Sleepyside Junior-Senior High School, did he feel blown away by a girl. She had Honey’s grace, Trixie’s zest and her own beauty. And she technically she was an orphan, had her Uncle Jesse not stepped in. All three of the Dukes had lost their parents early. Daisy laughed when Dan said they were always finding abandoned shanties and buildings in the preserve.

And Dan was suddenly grateful he lived with Maypenny and not parents. While the clubhouse and old schoolhouse building had been the sight for many a clandestine meeting among the Bob Whites, he didn’t have to worry about sneaking out. And he was definintely hoping for some clandestine meetings with Daisy Duke

“Hazzard is the same way. Seems like there’s an abandoned still, mine, farm or business somewhere. And Boss owned most of them so you know there was more goin’ on there than just an old building.”

***

Luke and Honey rode along in companionable silence for a while, before Honey began to ask how they had been the last year. Honey knew Luke wasn’t a big talker, that title went to Bo. Luke was the thinker that always got Bo out of his mess.

“Same old, same old,” he smiled at her, “Tryin’ to stay outta trouble and gettin’ in even deeper.”

Honey smiled at him, remembering how tenderly he had held her, and the way his kiss made her spine tingle.

“What are you planning to do now?” she asked.

He shrugged.

“Bo and me are bein’ recruited by the NASCAR circuit,” he finally said. “They want Bo as a driver and me as his Head Mechanic.”

“NASCAR?” Honey’s eyes widened. “Isn’t that dangerous?”

“Somewhat,” Luke admitted, “To the drivers, yes. It ain’t hard to lose control and flip a car.”

Honey shuddered. “Is he going to tell Trixie?”

“He said he was,” Luke replied.

“What would make you two join it? The thrill?” she hated to think of all the women they’d be meeting out there.

“Mostly the thrill,” he grinned at her. “And the prize money is pretty big. We could get Uncle Jesse caught up on the mortgage, maybe even pay it off. He’s gettin’ too old to be running that farm like he is.”

“How often does someone die?” she asked quietly.

Luke hesitated.

“More often than we’d like to say. But Bo is good. You’ve seen him drive.”

“That’s a really scary thought Luke,” she murmured.

He reached over and took her hand.

“Honey, please don’t worry about it. We don’t know yet if we’re gonna do it or not. It’s just an idea we’re thinkin’ ‘bout.”

Honey nodded and Luke squeezed her hand gently.

“Now tell me what you’ve been up to the last year,” he smiled at her and her fears temporarily melted away.

***

Bo and Trixie had let the horses run, Trixie leading them to a small brook. While the horses drank, Bo pulled her to him for a gentle kiss. She pressed her body against his lean frame, drowning in his touch as his hands ran through her sandy curls. Finally they dropped to hold her and for several minutes they stood together, just hugging, not saying a word. Trixie couldn’t believe how good this felt. How good he felt. None of her dates this past year had ever left her breathless or excited, and even Jim’s embrace didn’t give her a head rush like this. She didn’t want to think about what it meant, because she was just starting college. Which meant four more years before she was free to follow the nagging little voice in her heart. Bo just smiled as he rested his chin on her head. This made it all worth it. The long drive, Red’s glowering, probation be damned, this was what was right. To be standing here, holding Trixie again. The way her face had lit up yesterday as she raced to him, and she hadn’t stopped him when he kissed her, in fact, she had returned the embrace just as enthusiastically. After being with her, the Hazzard girls struck him as annoying, empty headed and boring.

“Can we stop time?” she laughed suddenly, looking up at him. “Just stay right here?”

“Sounds good to me,” he grinned, kissing her again.

***

Trixie and Bo were the last two back to the stables. Jim and Brian were sitting up on the rail of the corral, watching. Having been the first pair back, they were done rubbing own their horses while the others worked on theirs. When Bo and Trixie were done, it was almost noon, and Honey informed them Cook would be bringing a picnic lunch down to the lake for them. After changing into swimsuits, they all headed down to the Wheeler’s lake. Bobby appeared about then, and promptly attached himself to Bo, who didn’t mind. Trixie did. They split into two teams for water volleyball, Dan, Daisy, Mart, Di and Jim against Bo, Luke, Honey, Bobby, and Trixie. Brian sat out to referee, and watched sadly as Luke and Honey played in the water together. They weren’t stealing kisses the way Bo and Trixie were, but it was bad enough to see Honey so enamored with someone else.

Brian still clung to a thread of hope that someday, Honey would be his. One more year and the boys would have their degrees. Jim was hoping to open the school next fall. Where his Uncle’s old house had stood, construction had started on a new building for the school. Ten Acres Academy was scheduled to open tentatively next September. Brian hoped by then, he and Honey could work everything out. He would still have part of his residency to finish, but Honey was the only woman he could imagine spending his life with. But he wasn’t sure now if that’s what she wanted anymore.

When Cook and Celia appeared with baskets and food, Mart let out a holler of joy and was the first one back to shore. Di, rolling her eyes and looking beautiful as ever in her lavender swimsuit took her time. Trixie felt awkward momentarily in her blue bikini, especially next to Daisy, whose curves were showed off in a skimpy red bikini. Dan’s eyes were glued to Daisy and even Jim and Brian couldn’t help but look. Bobby hadn’t quite decided girls were yucky yet and he was too busy plaguing Bo with questions about the General. They lounged on the dock, eating and joking. Jim stayed as far from Bo as he could. He made a mild attempt to flirt with Daisy but it was obvious she had eyes for Dan. Dan seemed to be having trouble eating as his eyes hadn’t left her since they got out of the water. Trixie finally caught Brian’s eye and motioned towards Bobby. The oldest Belden rolled his eyes.

“Bobby, come here,” he called.

Bobby sighed but obeyed, freeing Bo.

Trixie grinned and scooted closer to Bo as he slung one arm around her shoulders. Bo kissed her lightly, not caring who saw. He had never been one to sit on the sidelines and watch life pass him by, and he wasn’t about to start now. That was Red’s job. Luke had brushed a wet strand of hair from Honey’s face and his fingers lingered near her ear. Her big hazel eyes twinkled at him but he wouldn’t kiss her in front of everyone. They hadn’t quite reached that stage. Truthfully, Luke didn’t know what stage they might have reached. His electric blue eyes rested on her for a moment and he smiled. The evening wound down to find them debating on movies to watch. Dan had to go patrol for a couple of hours and Daisy volunteered to go with him, before Jim could, to escape the happy couple. Brian told Mart and Trixie he’d take care of the chores at home so they could stay and Jim made a hasty exit with him.

They trudged down to Crabapple Farm, Jim helping Brian with his chores as they both moped.

***

Daisy patrolled with Dan, and she laughed when he led her to an old building.

“This is the old schoolhouse I told you about,” he informed her, as they tethered the horses.

“And you have to patrol it? Make sure no one’s hiding?” she asked with a coy smile.

Dan grinned and unlocked the door. Lighting the old lamp that hung next to the door, he glanced around.

“No, but it’s one way to be alone with you,” his hands slipped around her waist to her back as he drew her close.

“Now why would you want to be alone with me?” she murmured, flashing him her pretty smile.

“Because I can’t take my eyes off you, and I think you’re feeling the same,” he whispered, lowering his head to hers.

Shock rung through her body as the gentle quickly escalated until their bodies were pressed tightly against each other and hands began to wander.

Her soft moan made him pull back slowly.

“You all right?” he asked, brushing her dark hair from her face. With a stunned expression, she nodded.

“You’re pretty good at that Dan,” she chuckled nervously.

“I’m good at lots of things,” he said evenly, making her heart race, “you just need to tell me what’s all right.”

“Let’s find out,” she smiled coyly and he pulled her close again.

***

Trixie was grateful for the darkened room as they watched the movie, because Bo’s hands were wandering over her body and their lips couldn’t resist each other.

Her worry was needless, as Mart and Di were also taking advantage of the dark for an intense make out session.

Luke was relaxing on the loveseat, his legs stretched out towards the floor. Honey was curled up against him, his rock solid arm wrapped around her slender shoulders. Her head rested on his chest, her arm draped around his waist. His fingers played absently with her hair, wrapping the soft strands around them. Every so often he would kiss her head lightly. Honey wished he’d kiss her more, and more like Bo was always kissing Trixie, but she knew he was waiting for encouragement from her, and the seven year age difference still bothered him. She was nineteen, and at twenty six, felt he shouldn’t be after a young girl. A glance to the other sofa where Bo and Trixie were stretched out, all she could really see were his long legs and hers. Mart and Di were so into each other they were oblivious to the rest of the world. Honey took a deep breath and sat up abruptly, startling Luke.

“You all right?” he whispered.

Hesitantly she nodded, then leaned forward and pressed her lips against his.

Luke made a quick recovery from his surprise and turned up the heat, drawing her as close as he could as her lips parted for his tongue. With a gentle enthusiasm he began to explore her pretty mouth, and she offered no resistance, slipping her hand around his neck, encouraging him.

***

When Brian and Jim returned the others were lounging in the living room, chatting and drinking hot chocolate as they feasted on brownies and cookies.

Jim knew exactly why Trixie’s curls were wild and her face flushed. Bo grinning like the cat who ate the canary burned his insides.

Brian was a tad slower to catch on to why Honey’s normally smooth hair was looking disheveled and she was blushing. Luke was playing it cool, but obviously happy.

“Dan’s not back yet?” Jim asked, helping himself to a handful of cookies.

“Should we be worried?” Luke asked.

Honey shook her head. “Daisy’s in good hands,” she said casually, as Di and Trixie smothered their laughs.

Bo just grinned. He liked Dan.

“My ears are burning, you must be talking about me,” Dan drawled, as he and Daisy wandered in, holding hands, clothes on but with rumpled hair and neither could stop smiling.

“I’m not the least bit sleepy! We should play a game!” Trixie enthused.

Bo gave her a look that clearly said there was a certain game he’d like to play with her.

“Actually, I’m pretty tired. And I still have some studying to do, so I’m gonna go upstairs,” Jim announced sourly.

“Yeah, I’ve got that last final on Tuesday so I think I’ll get some cramming in too,” Brian agreed.

The pair left almost immediately, leaving Dan shaking his head in amusement as Mart chuckled. Bo and Luke exchanged a wink.

***

Author’s Notes

-Dukes Episodes referred to by Daisy are Double Dukes, and The Fugitive, both from Season Four.

-a huge yee-haa! To Dana, for editing this!

- word count, 3310

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