Chapter Four

Bo leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes for just a minute. Their latest capture was bagged and sitting in a cell, now he just wanted to go home and rest. Or better yet, he thought with his trademark smile, cuddle up with Trixie.

They had a special date planned for this weekend that definitely did not involve the others.

The weeks the Bob-Whites had been in town had been the best any of the Dukes had experienced in a long time. Daisy was on the road to recovery with the support of her friends and family, and Dan. Bo knew Dan was the biggest influence of all. Dan was a good guy, and Bo hoped Dan would be around for a long time. Enos would never get it together to marry Daisy and Bo would be proud to have Dan as family.

Their down time was often spent together, with lots of dancing and going out. The Duke boys often played their guitars and sang, and Dan had surprised them all with a fine, strong singing voice. There were get-togethers with other Marshals, with plenty of beer and music.

With a heavy sigh he pushed though of Trixie from his mind. Slipping the paper into the typewriter, he began the agonizingly slow process of typing up his report on the old typewriter. Bo hated paperwork.

***

Trixie kicked off her shoes and dropped onto the sofa. The men were getting used to her, and she could give the insults as well as she received them. Growing up with three brothers was paying off. She had feared Honey would have a more difficult time, but for some reason, she thought they were a little gentler with her.

Probably because she’s so nice, Trixie thought ruefully. I go shooting off my big mouth and rub everyone the wrong way.

That thought led to one of Bo rubbing her back and her body warmed instantly. Their physical relationship was heating up fast, and she was eager to proceed. All too clearly she remembered his hands on her body and the things he did to her.

The heat between them was unlike any she had experienced. She had always been physically attracted to Jim, but there was something about Bo she couldn’t resist. Jim had been a childhood love grown apart and away.

Trixie stood on the porch of Crabapple Farm, staring out into the night. The door behind her opened, and she knew who it was. Inside the music was loud and she could hear the voices of her friends and family.

“Can I talk to you?” Jim asked softly.

“Sure,” she answered turning to face him, studying the handsome man in front of her. Jim had grown into his husky frame well, and she found it hard to believe it had been seven years since she first found him asleep on that old mattress.

“Look, I know we’re not going to work out the way we always thought we would,” he started, looking down at the ground before raising his emerald eyes to study her. “But I still care about you. I want to apologize for everything, and tell you that I know you’ll make a fine Marshal.”

Trixie smiled at him, wondering why her chest was constricting so tightly. “Thank you Jim. And I want to apologize too.”

Jim gave her a crooked smile.

“I mean it, Trix. I know you’re going to be great. Look out for Honey, will you?”

Trixie nodded. “Always.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes as Jim stepped forward, wrapping his strong arms around her. Trixie hugged him tightly, feeling the door of her childhood shutting firmly.

It occurred to Trixie she hadn’t thought of Jim much at all during training, and once arriving in Atlanta, a certain tall blond man wiped him from her mind almost completely. Bo never mentioned or criticized Jim, but he listened if Trixie talked about him. They had had several in depth conversations about their pasts, particularly Bo’s. Neither wanted secrets interfering with their relationship. When in Hazzard, she had gotten a rude surprise of just how popular Bo was with the ladies. He had been upfront about his womanizing past, she had been upfront about her lack of experience.

It was a little too late to be weary of giving him her heart; Trixie knew he had won it the moment they met, when she had chuckled over his name. But she feared she couldn’t make Bo happy. A man like him could, and did, have any and every woman he wanted. Keeping him interested was a challenge Trixie was half afraid she couldn’t handle. She wasn’t slender and sweet like Honey, or gorgeous and sexy like Daisy, or flirty and beautiful like Di. She was just Trixie, sturdy, freckled and spunky.

But Trixie was underestimating Bo Duke, and herself.

***

Luke pulled back from kissing Honey and stared into her hazel eyes.

“What’s got you so scared, Kitten?” he asked softly.

Honey hesitated. “I-I just get a little … intimidated with you.”

“Of me?” he asked.

“Of us. How intense we get,” she murmured.

Luke brushed her hair back. They lay on the sofa, watching TV. Well, they had been watching TV.

“I ain’t gonna hurt you, Honey,” he said quietly.

“It’s not that, Luke, it’s well-” Honey could feel the blush creeping up her face. “I’ve never been with a man, the way-the way we’re going. I mean, so physically close-erm, intimately,” she finished weakly, her face flaming red. “I never dated anyone long enough, or got close enough to want to.”

Luke couldn’t help but chuckle. “If that’s what’s got you worried, then don’t be. I ain’t pure, you know that, but I also ain’t gonna take advantage of you. You just tell me when I need to back off.”

“That’s the thing Luke,” she said softly, wishing she wasn’t blushing so much, “I-I don’t want you to back off. I want to, you know, move forward,” she turned her big hazel eyes towards him timidly. “I want you to be my first.”

Luke gave her a soft smile.

“I’d be honored,” he murmured, kissing her gently, “but not here, on the sofa, tonight. Let me plan somethin’ more romantic, more of what you deserve, okay?”

Honey nodded with a smile, relieved that pressure was suddenly gone. Luke had never been aggressive with her, backing her off the moment he sensed she was uncomfortable. It had surprised her, knowing his reputation was almost as bad as Bo’s in Hazzard. He was used to getting women, not being put on hold.

“I want it to be perfect, just like you,” he was kissing her again, his lips trailing down her throat.

“I’m not perfect,” she laughed.

Luke’s electric blue eyes stared into hers.

“You are to me,” he said quietly.

Honey felt her eyes tear up as he kissed her again.

***

“You’re the meaning in my life, you’re the inspiration . . .”

Bo held Trixie close as they danced in her living room. Trixie had a fondness for Chicago’s romantic songs, and he didn’t mind any reason to hold her close. Bo sang along, softly in her ear. Since she had told him she liked him singing, he sang to her at every opportunity, whether it was sappy rock ballad or a fun country tune.

“You really are you know,” he murmured in her ear.

“What?” she looked up at him

“An inspiration.”

Trixie giggled. “That sounds kinda corny, coming from you.”

Bo smiled as he tipped her chin up a bit so he could see clearly into her eyes.

“I know. But you are. You inspire me to be a better man, a better person.”

Trixie felt her lip tremble. “That’s one of the sweetest things you ever said to me, Bo.”

Bo brushed his lips against hers. Dan and Luke had agreed to stay at the Dukes place tonight, so Bo and Trixie could have the house to themselves.

She was dying to kiss that full mouth of his, and slowly began to run her fingers over his chest, feeling the taut muscles under his thin t-shirt. Bo’s hands slid around behind her and caressed her back gently as the kissed, slowly and gently.

Later, Bo lay studying Trixie. She had warned him she was a bed hog, and she hadn’t been kidding. Sprawled half on her stomach, half on her side, she was taking up quite a bit of the bed, but he didn’t mind. It gave him a perfect opportunity to wrap his body around hers. For the first time, they were able to spend the night together after making love.

Brushing her curls aside, her kissed her shoulder gently but she slept on. Smiling, he snuggled down under the covers with her.

***

“Five pounds,” Daisy murmured.

“Five?” Trixie hopped up and peered over her shoulder to read the number. “Wonderful!”

“You sure-I mean, I know you want me to gain but-“ Daisy’s big green eyes were worried.

“Five is a start,” Trixie said firmly. “And we’re going to keep going until your clothes fit again.”

Daisy’s eyes brimmed with tears as she hugged her friends. “It means so much you two are here!”

“Hey, what are friends for?” Honey smiled at her.

***

Honey giggled as Luke led her into his room the glass of wine having gone to her head. Bo and Daisy were both spending the night at what had become known as HQ, the house the three Bob Whites shared.

After an elegant dinner Luke made, complete with candles on the table, Luke made her promise to close her eyes.

“Now keep ‘em closed,” he said, shutting the door behind her.

Honey could hear him moving around, and she could tell there was a light source of some kind from the shadows moving.

When Luke drew her into his arms, he quietly told her to open her eyes.

“Oh Luke,” she murmured.

There were lit candle on the windowsill, safely away from the curtain, several on the night and two on his bookstand., casting the room into a soft, warm glow. Rose petals were scattered on the floor and bed.

“I know it ain’t too original or what you’re used to-“

Honey stopped him with one pretty finger against his lips. “Stop apologizing for who you are Lucas Duke. This is perfect, and so are you,” she smiled at him and Luke felt his body grow warm.

Her big hazel eyes were shining and he kissed her gently.

“I wanted your first time to be special,” he whispered.

“It is, it’s with you,” she giggled.

“You sure you’re ready for this?” he asked, holding her hands.

Honey nodded. “Yes. So stop stalling,” she smiled.

Luke laughed and drew her close. “Yes ma’am.”

Afterwards, they lay kissing, and when Honey gasped for air, and Luke realized he was crushing the slender woman under him. Propping himself so she could breathe, he smiled at her as he wiped the thin sheen of perspiration from her forehead.

“I love you, Honey,” he said softly.

“I love you Luke,” she smiled up at him, glad he never called her Madeleine.

Moments later, after Luke had disposed of the condom and returned, Honey snuggled up against Luke’s broad chest, wrapping her arm over him. Luke held her close, breathing in the lavender scent of her hair. His hand stroked her soft arm.

“How you feeling?” he asked softly.

Honey nodded with a smile.

“Perfectly perfect,” she kissed his chest. “How often do we get to do this?”

“As often as you like,” he chuckled.

“Oh, then very often,” she giggled.

***

Thanksgiving rolled by, then Christmas, and the Bob White Marshals were unable to get time off to go home. Instead, Matthew Wheeler used his private jet to bring the Belden parents, Diana Lynch and Regan to Atlanta for Christmas Eve, flying them back for Christmas Day in Sleepyside. Jim, Brian, and Mart came at the last minute, leaving the school in the care of the other professors for the brief time they’d be gone, returning in time for their celebration with the students.

Christmas Eve was spent in merrymaking at the house Dan rented with the girls, and Luke’s younger brother Judd came up to Atlanta from Hazzard for the day.

It was obvious to the parents that their girls were heavily in love with the Duke boys, and Regan had no question about his nephew’s feelings for Daisy Duke. It was in the looks, the way they touched, the lingering glances.

Jim and Bo were polite to each other, and each made an effort to not to start trouble. Luke and Brian got along better than Honey had thought, and Di chastised Daisy for not telling her everything that had been happening, including Earl and her illness.

Matthew Wheeler didn’t make his millions by being foolish, and he scrutinized Luke Duke. Any man that made his daughter glow with life was to be investigated. He hadn’t been thrilled reading about the boys’ background with moonshine running probation, but further exploration proved them to be good boys, fighting corruption with the local law. What really bothered him was Luke’s reputation as a One Night Stand Man. But that was over, according to his report, and the current investigators watching the girls reported both Duke boys were as loyal as Dan. Which wasn’t as comforting as it should have been, given Dan’s former nature for being something of a womanizer. But Matthew knew Dan well enough to know that once he chose a woman, he’d be loyal to the end. He suspected the Duke boys were cut from a similar cloth.

Matthew investigated Bo Duke thoroughly as well. The girl he had always hoped to have as a daughter-in-law must have really thought Bo was something special, to pass up his son, Jim. Bo passed the inspection, though Matthew harbored a secret hope Trixie would change her mind. After watching her and Bo, he knew it wouldn’t happen.

Luke didn’t have the breeding Matthew would have chosen for her daughter’s beau, and he adored Brian Belden, but Matt quickly realized Luke was a good man. And Honey clearly was stuck on him.

New Year’s Eve was spent with the Marshal’s trying to beat a couple of bounty hunters to catching an escaped drug dealer.

Valentine’s Day was spent at the ER, waiting for a bullet to be removed from Dan’s leg. Daisy had rushed to the hospital when Trixie called, terrified for Dan. Instead she found her cousins and the girls hanging out in Dan’s room. It wasn’t a deep wound, and he was be fine within a week or so. He was on desk duty for several weeks after that.

***

Honey set her purse down and called out to Daisy. There was no answer but she heard the radio playing on the patio.

“Daisy, you out here?” she stepped out the sliding glass door and sure enough, Daisy was sitting on the patio in a chair, with a big note pad. The grill was off to one side and Daisy stayed in the shade. The small backyard was fenced in, and with spring right around the corner, green was popping up everywhere as the trees began to come alive again.

“Hi Honey,” she smiled. “I didn’t hear you. Have a seat.”

“What are you doing?” Honey peered over Daisy’s shoulder, who blushed.

“Oh, just some sketching.”

“Can I see?” Honey asked, holding out her hand. Silently Daisy handed over the sketch pad.

“Daisy, these are really good!” Honey flipped through page after page of designs.

“Thanks,” Daisy said demurely, hoping Honey wouldn’t look at the very last one. It was a design of the wedding dress she hoped to wear one day for Dan. Honey sat on the lounge chair next to Daisy’s.

“Daisy, you have real potential.”

Daisy laughed. “Oh sugar, I know you’re raised to be polite-”

“I’m really serious,” Honey cut her off, her hazel eyes looking up at her. “Why haven’t you shown me these before?”

“Well, sugar,” Daisy looked embarrassed. “I didn’t think they were very good. And you’ve been to Paris, and Italy and such, seen those big fancy runway fashions.”

Honey shook her head. “Daisy, these are brilliant.”

“Well, they’re not exactly in style,” Daisy answered.

Honey smiled. “Daisy, designers always think a year or a season or two ahead. It’s what makes it so competitive. Coming up with new designs that will be clamored for down the road, instead of the same thing. It’s like the evolution of the fashion industry.”

“Really?” Daisy’s green eyes were bright. “Song writing didn’t really work out for me, so I started drawing clothes, years ago.”

Honey’s brain was racing. She may not have a degree in business, but she knew someone who did.

***

"I said freeze!" Trixie shouted, holding her gun on Joey Barnett.

Barnett turned.

"You ain’t sending me back girly!"

Trixie strode forward, grip on her 9mm firm.

"Put your hands up, now," she snapped. By now Dan would be on the roof, Honey somewhere below her. She didn't know where Bo or Luke were and she couldn't think about them right now.

"You just don't know enough to stay down," he snarled.

Trixie ignored the trickle of blood running down her forehead from where he had hit her earlier when they wrestled.

"Turn around and put your hands up," she ordered, trying to ignore the throbbing in her head.

Barnett turned to obey but then lunged, knocking Trixie's gun hand down. His meaty hand grabbed her slender wrist and hit it against his leg until she let go. Trixie took a swing with her left fist but he intercepted, slamming his head into hers.

Trixie saw stars and suddenly she was flying, thrown by Barnett. Glass shattered around her ears, and the cold March air hit her, jarring her back to her senses. She was falling!

Bo Duke was sitting in the back of the ambulance, having his face tended to and unable to see what was happening up above. The words that came over his walkie-talkie struck fear into his heart.

"This is Mangan, we got Belden hanging out a window and Wheeler in rescue attempt. I need a chopper with a rescue squad on the roof, and I mean now! Wheeler, abort! Abort!"

Bo leapt to his feet and shoved the paramedic backwards, running through the crowd to see what was happening.

Dan had no way of knowing Honey’s radio was laying on the floor somewhere in the building.

Trixie was dangling from a flagpole, and Bo’s heart plummeted into his feet. Honey was climbing out the window as a chopper was heard approaching.

"Duke, get back!" Stodge barked.

"Sir-that's Trixie!"

"No kidding, Duke. Get back-"

"I've got to get to her!"

Stodge stepped in front of the tall young man.

"You lost your mind Duke? I already got Wheeler, Mangan and your fool cousin up there. I don’t need you rushing in to save your girlfriend!" At the stricken look on Bo's face, Stodge hesitated.

"She is your girlfriend, isn't she?" he asked softly. Bo nodded, his face crumpling. "Look son, if there’s anyone that can get her out of that mess, it's your team. But you're not going to go running up there, got it?"

Bo nodded, his handsome face ashen.

Twisting her body around as she fell, Trixie had grabbed the flagpole, wincing as the pushback jarred her and her shoulder wrenched but she held on, not daring to look down. Somewhere down below people were screaming. There were gunshots up above her.

"Trixie!" Dan looked out the shattered window up above her. "Trix, you all right?"

"Hurry up and get me out of here Danny," she yelled. "I'm too damn dizzy to be hanging here!"

"Hold tight!" he shouted, lifting the walkie-talkie to his lips.

Honey had been on the roof and seen her best friend go flying through the glass window. Racing down the stairs to the floor Trixie was on, she shot the door to the locked room open and raced in, throwing open the window.

"Trix!"

"Honey, get me a rope or something!" Trixie shouted, as the flagpole suddenly loosened and she dropped a few inches. There were more screams down below as the crowd watching saw it.

Honey looked around. There was some old cable lying in a corner, and some broken office furniture. It'd have to do she thought, grabbing it. Tying it around her slender waist, she hoped the forced knot would hold. There was nothing to anchor it to though, she thought desperately. Grabbing a chair, she tied the end to it, and wedged the chair in among the other junk for an anchor, and slid out onto the ledge.

"Honey, get back!' Trix shouted. "The mortar is too loose!"

Somewhere up above a helicopter was hovering, but the space between buildings was too small for it. Honey barely heard Trixie shouting at her over the noise.

Honey made the mistake of glancing down, her old fear of heights slammed up at her, and her heart was in her throat. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, regaining her sense of balance and calm. A glance at Trixie’s ashen face firmed her resolve. Trixie wouldn't hesitate; she'd move heaven and earth if it were Honey out on the ledge.

Timidly, she took a step forward, the mortar held. Taking a couple more, she froze as the mortar under her foot crumbled.

"Honey, go back!" Trixie urged, as the pole loosened again. “Just throw me the cable!”

"I'm not leaving you Belden!" she shouted.

If she weren’t hovering so close to death, Trixie would have laughed herself silly at Honey calling her Belden.

"Honey!" Luke was in the window, "Honey, get back here!"

"Not without Trixie!" Honey didn't look at her boyfriend.

Luke knew she wouldn't, so he re-secured the cable better using himself as the anchor. He weighed plenty more than the chair Honey had grabbed.

Meanwhile, the helicopter had delivered firefighters and rescue gear to the roof, where Dan was strapping himself into the industrial rock climbing style gear.

"Honey, get back, I'll get her!" Dan yelled, as he began the rappel down the side.

"I'm almost there!" Honey shouted back, reaching one hand for Trixie.

Trixie knew they had one chance to get this right. Reaching out she grabbed Honey’s hand.

The flagpole came loose and fell, throwing Trixie to the side as she grabbed Honey’s outreached hand, which pulled Honey off the loose mortar. Honey grabbed Trixie’s other hand as they fell back against the wall, eliciting screams from down below. Pain shot through Trixie's back and head and Honey let out of gasp of pain as they hit the brick wall together.

Bo’s head snapped up as the crowd screamed in time to see Honey grab Trixie as they swung into the wall. Firemen were pushing people back as the pole fell to the ground.

"Honey!" Luke strained to hold their weight against his, reaching for them as Dan rappelled down within reaching distance. Both girls grabbed onto Dan and he swung them towards Luke. Luke grabbed Honey and pulled her in while Dan held Trixie. Reaching for Trixie as Dan swung her to him, Luke hugged her fiercely as Dan slid in the window, amid cheers on the ground.

"Trix, oh God," Dan grabbed her and held his old friend tight.

"I'm all right, Dan," she murmured, his voice was fading out and her limbs were suddenly heavy. "Where’s Bo?"

Dan lifted his old friend as Luke helped Honey to her feet. Paramedics were barging in, taking Trixie from Dan and laying the unconscious woman on a stretcher.

***

Trixie opened her eyes when she felt a warm, strong hand holding hers.

"Bo?" she whispered.

"I'm here, Sweetheart," he was leaning over her, one eye black and bruised and a cut on his cheek, but he was smiling at her.

"I didn't know where you were," she murmured.

"Right here, Sweetheart, all night," he smoothed her curls back and kissed her scraped up hand gently.

"I feel like a truck hit me." Had she fallen through the window face first, she would have been cut to ribbons. Her hair had been full of glass, but thankfully she had gone back first through the window.

"Brick wall," he corrected her. "You got a concussion and some real bad bruisin' and scrapes, but you'll be all right."

"Just another day at the office," she said weakly.

Bo's handsome face suddenly looked very young and his dark eyes were unusually serious.

"Trix, Uncle Jesse always said it was important to tell people you loved 'em, 'cause you never knew when you might see 'em again, and Trixie I was so scared when I looked up and saw you hangin' there. I realized you might die and you'd never know how I felt. And I-I wanted to make damn sure you know I love you. So there it is," he said with his boyish smile. "I love you, Trixie Belden. I love you so much sometimes it hurts, and I have since the day I ran you off the road and you teased me about my name."

Trixie's vision swam with tears. "Did Bo Duke just say he was in love with me?" she asked in a weak teasing voice.

"Sure as shootin' and I plan to tell you every day," he kissed her hand again.

"Good," Trixie murmured as she felt herself drifting into sleep, "because I think I've been in love with you since you ran me off the road."

Bo was grateful she was asleep as he brushed a tear from his eye.

***

Author’s Notes

-a huge yeee-haaa! to Dana, who edited this. I added the smutty scenes after she did it, and tinkered with other stuff, so any mistakes are mine!

-Luke discovered his presumed dead baby brother Judd was alive in the episode Brotherly Love, Season Six.

-Hugh Jackman really is an amazing singer and since he’s my Dan, well, Dan is too! Ask Mary and Jenn!

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