by: MaryAnne

*Author Note: This story was written a few years ago and is actually an incomplete work. But it shows some nice scenes for the season. Khee!*

Brian pulled Diablo into the drive of the Coltrane homestead and parked next to Maverick. He patted the hoods of the two cars as he made his way to the porch, that was lit with the single bulb over the door and also awash in the colors from the Christmas tree that was displayed inside near the front window. The sun had long ago set and there was the tell tale December chill in the air, but the house looked warm and inviting with the tree, the wreath on the door and even green garland that MaryAnne had draped on the railing of the porch.

Christmas was two days away and Brian found himself both looking forward to it and apprehensive about it. He had bought a couple of gifts for his cousins, nothing spectacular but special in their own way and had seen a few gifts with his name on them under the tree. He listened to MaryAnne talk about the Christmas dinner she was going to help Lulu prepare this year and he could taste everything already.

The one thing he noticed though was that there was quite a Coltrane tradition when it came to the holidays. A tradition he didn’t have growing up and something he felt awkward about becoming a part of now. The tree had decorations that dated back to Rosco’s youth, some store bought, others hand made, noted with the initial RPC and a date. There were some MaryAnne had made too, noted with her initials and a date and what grade she had been in school. Brian had got a chuckle out of seeing the ornaments as he removed them from the box and handed them to MaryAnne to be placed on the tree when they decorated it the week before.

“These are antiques, ya know,” she had said. “Especially the one’s Rosco made.”

“Antiques or ancient artifacts?” Brian had joked which got a chuckle from MaryAnne and a stern but non-threatening look from Rosco.

Although decorating the tree had been a hoot, Brian often thought of the fact that there wasn’t anything hanging on one of those branches that was unique to him. He thought to maybe rectify that situation by Christmas day, however.

Despite his mixed emotions, Brian felt good to be in Hazzard at this time of the year and with his kin. He took a moment to gaze at the lights of the tree through the window as he stepped up onto the porch. He then opened the door and was immediately greeted by Flash and Bandit, barking and running to the door.

“Hey ya mutts!” he exclaimed, fighting his way into the doorway. “I suppose y’all are practicing for Santa’s big arrival, that it?” He took a moment to appropriately greet the dogs with pats and scratches behind their ears. He then looked up and saw MaryAnne standing in the hall way, an apron wrapped around her waist over her deputies uniform and a towel in her hands.

“Can’t beat the welcoming committee,” she said with a grin.

“Nope. Khee!” Brian gently shooed the dogs into the living room and they retreated to their rightful spots in front of the Christmas tree.

“Hungry?” MaryAnne asked.

“Starved.”

“Good. Steak’s just about ready.”

He smiled. “Where’s Rosco?”

“Upstairs.”

“Well, he better be outta that bathroom by the time I get to the top step!” Brian lunged toward the stairs and started going up, skipping a step each time.

“I heard that!” Rosco called from the top landing. He grinned and met Brian at the top of the stairs.

“Pardon me, Sheriff, I got a date with a steak dinner and I don’t wanna be late,” Brian said.

“Khee!”

“If I ever have my own cooking show, I want you two in the front row of the audience!” MaryAnne hollered up the stairs.

“You know we would be!” Brian called back.

Rosco came down the stairs. “He and I are just thankful you can cook. Because neither one of us trusts the other can.”

“I heard that!” Brian called from upstairs.

Rosco looked upwards and then at MaryAnne. “I can only do one serving of Mafia Chili.”

MaryAnne snorted and smiled at Rosco before heading back to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, the Coltrane family was seated at the dinner table. They paused a moment for a short prayer, lead by Rosco this evening and then they started in on their meal.

“Well,” Rosco said. “Two more sleeps.”

MaryAnne grinned. “Yep.”

“Two more….?” Brian said. “Oh, nevermind.” He chuckled.

“You know, I was thinking since we gotta work Monday and then work again on Wednesday we should just get up our regular time on Tuesday,” MaryAnne said.

Rosco looked at her. “Oh really? You? Get up early on a day off?”

MaryAnne smiled. “Shoot, I used to get up early on Christmas morning. I used to get up before Papa. I learned to make coffee at an early age so he’d have it first thing Christmas morning.”

Brian grinned. “Up at the crack of dawn huh?”

“Yep!”

“Ain’t nothin’ changed,” Rosco said. “She was up at the crack of dawn last year.”

“Only because I had to do the early patrol….which reminds me. Who’s doing it this year?”

Rosco hesitated.

“Rosco…”

Brain laughed. “C’mon, Sheriff, who’s doing the early patrol Christmas morning?”

“If you say me, yer gonna git coal in your stocking,” MaryAnne lightly threatened.

Rosco chuckled. “Awright, I’ll do it.”

“Thank you,” MaryAnne said with a smile.

“I, fortunately, don’t have to worry about being up early on Christmas,” Brian said. “I was thinkin’ of getting up, oh, around noon time. That sound good?”

“Sure,” MaryAnne said.” Just remember we have to be at Boss’s house by 4 for dinner.”

“Heh heh, not a problem.”

What Brian didn’t see, however, was the look in MaryAnne’s eye as she shot a glance towards Rosco. If he had seen it, he would have known he wouldn’t be sleeping until noon on Christmas day.

“I was extended an invitation today,” MaryAnne continued. “The Dukes would like us to join them this year for Christmas Eve at their farm.”

Brian stopped chewing. “All three of us?”

“Yep. All three of us.”

“Hmm.”

MaryAnne chuckled. “It’ll be fun, Brian. Trust me.”

“If you say so.” Although the Dukes and Brian were cordial at best to each other, the reason why they would invite him to their farm on Christmas eve completely escaped the ex-criminal. He shrugged. Well, what harm would it do anyway?

The Sunday evening passed peacefully. Brian spent most of it sitting in the living room, admiring the lights on the tree and watching TV with Flash and Rosco while MaryAnne did her patrol. Later in the evening, MaryAnne returned, humming a Christmas tune as she came into the door.

“I’m so glad Elton’s playin’ Christmas music,” she said with a smile. “Otherwise, I’d have to go to town and make a special request. In person. Khee!”

Rosco and Brian both smiled. “She’d do it too,” Rosco said. “Next thing you know we’d have Hazzard’s Holiday Classics with your host, MaryAnne Coltrane.”

“Making it the highest rated radio program in WHOGG history. Khee!” Brian said.

“Eggsactly!” MaryAnne said.

Rosco snorted. “You mean making it the ONLY rated radio program in WHOGG history.”

The cousins laughed.

***

Brian found MaryAnne’s Christmas spirit contagious somehow. The local radio station was tuned in on Diablo’s dash the next morning and Christmas music was playing, to which Brian found himself softly humming along and then eventually joining in with full orchestration and three part harmony.

“Ring Christmas Bells…la la la la la la la….man, wish I knew the words to this one…”

He noticed folks around town seemed to be in a different kind of mood. Even old man Avery was a little more spirited than usual, as he handed Brian the manifest for the load of eggs they had finished loading onto the old Dodge pick up.

“Here ya go,” Mr. Avery said, handing Brian the documents. “Make sure you get to the train depot by nine thirty and hand them papers to Sunshine at the dock. He and Dorcey will help ya unload the truck. And be careful! Any one of them egg cartons breaks, that’s less money I get for my troubles.”

Brian nodded and smiled. “Don’t worry, Mr. Avery.”

“Awright, you better git movin’. And when ya bring the truck back don’t go takin’ off right away. I got something for ya when ya git back.”

Brian nodded, oblivious. “Okay.” He walked to the truck and soon the old Dodge was slowly rumbling out of the yard.

The Dodge made it to town and the eggs were unscathed. Brian smiled at Sunshine and handed the clerk the manifest. Thirty minutes later, the truck was unloaded and the eggs were on their way to the processing plant in Atlanta. Sunshine handed Brian the receipt of the manifest and wished him a Merry Christmas.

“You too,” Brian said.

“Say hello to Rosco and MaryAnne for me,” Sunshine said.

“I will.”

Brian drove back to Avery’s farm and parked the truck by the barn. He found old man Avery inside and handed him the receipt.

“Not an egg was broken, I’ll have you know. Every carton’s on it’s way to Atlanta.”

Mr. Avery smiled. “Good to hear!” He tucked the receipt into the pocket of his bib overalls and wagged a finger at Brian to follow him. “Said I got somethin’ for ya. C’mon.”

Brian followed Mr. Avery to the house and into the kitchen. The room was warm with the smell of pecan pie and pralines. Mrs. Avery had been busy cooking and baking all day. Brian was sure that whoever was to receive the bounty of her culinary work, was going to enjoy it, probably a lot more than he was just enjoying the scents. Mr. Avery opened a drawer and removed an envelope.

“There ya go,” he said, handing Brian the envelope. ” If I was you, tho’ I’d wait and open it tomorrow.”

Brian paused, looking at the envelope. “Mr. Avery if this is a gift of some sort…”

“It’s what you city boys would call a Christmas bonus.”

Brian wasn’t quite sure what Mr. Avery meant by that. The only “Christmas Bonus” he was familiar with was getting a round of drinks free at the Jigsaw on Christmas Eve. But he smiled at Mr. Avery anyway and nodded.

“Merry Christmas, Brian.” Mr. Avery put his hand out.

“Thank you,” Brian said. He shook the man’s hand. “Merry Christmas to you as well.”

Mr. Avery nodded and saw Brian out. Brian walked over to Diablo and slid into the driver’s seat of his faithful Chevy. He looked at the envelope for a while, even held it up to the light to try to see through it, but Mr. Avery had used one of those security envelopes. This surprised Brain. Then again, there were things about Mr. Avery that had surprised Brian often. Especially since the old man was the first person in Hazzard to trust Brian with a job. Brian, however, was privately thankful to Mr. Avery for the chance.

Diablo rumbled over the dirt roads and headed towards town. The day had started grey and raw and now there was fog adding to the mix. This was the kind of weather that couldn’t decide if it was to rain or possibly snow, so instead it just hung there as if waiting for a cue. Brian clicked on the Impala’s parking lamps and the orange lights distinguished the car through the fog.

Brian wasn’t aware he had turned the radio back on when he suddenly heard a voice in the car…

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree, at the Christmas party hop. Mistletoe hung where you can see, every couple tries to stop…”

It took a moment, before Brian realized that his car radio wasn’t on. But his CB was. And the voice coming through it belonged to none other than MaryAnne who was singing along with the song in the background. Brian almost couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He turned on Diablo’s radio and adjusted the volume enough to hear the music with MaryAnne singing on the CB.

“Rockin’ around the Christmas tree, have a happy holiday. Everyone dancin’ merrily in the new. Old. Faaash-ioned waaaaaay…”

MaryAnne held the last note with Brenda Lee and when the song ended the Hazzard Net awoke with applause.

“Yeeha! Nicely done, MaryAnne!”

“Merry Christmas, MaryAnne!”

“Sounded great, sweetheart! Khee!”

“MaryAnne! You should sing at the Boar’s Nest!”

“Excellent idea! It might bring in more folks! And more money for me–er, the Boar’s Nest!”

Brian laughed and picked up his CB mike waiting for a break in the chatter. When it came he pushed the talk button. “Now I know why they call you Songbird, cousin.”

“That’s why. Khee! Welcome to my Christmas song, I’d like to thank you for the year…”

The End

By:  Jax

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire… Jack Frost nipping at your nose…

An aged turntable sat on an equally old card table, the plastic lid propped up as the 33 record spun slowly, and the infamous Christmas song crackling through the speakers. The Duke farmhouse had been redressed for the upcoming holiday, an evergreen wreath and pine cones hung on the door; the front of the house had been covered with lights that were carefully wrapped around the roof and up to the chimney, then back down the other side.

The Christmas décor had not been limited to the just the outside, the inside had been hit with yuletide cheer as well. In the center of the living room a pine tree stood, its fresh scent wafting through every room of the house. The proud tree had been covered with not only generations of Duke ornaments, but strings of real popcorn and cranberries, and a hand carved wooden star sat on the very top. Around the home, Daisy had placed many pots of bright poinsettias, the red flowers stood out amongst the pine cone and evergreen garland that ran along every wall, like Christmas colored tentacles that stretched out in every direction.

Santa’s on his way…He’s bringing lots of toys…

Luke Duke sang as he stood in the bathroom, his voice echoing off the walls. He wore bright puffy red pants and black boots, and then turned to pick up the coat that lay flung over the shower curtain rod. His soft singing turned to humming as he slipped on the Santa coat and adjusted the collar in the full length mirror behind the door. Luke buttoned up the heavy coat and ran his hands down the smooth velvet, smiling a little at his reflection. On the sink behind him lay his red hat; he picked it up and ran his hand through his dark hair a moment before slipping it on.

“Bo!” He called out as he began to fuss with the hat turning his head from one side to the other, trying to tuck in all traces of his dark hair.  “Bo, how’s it going?”

Hearing no reply, Luke sighed as left the bathroom and went to the room he shared with his cousin and knocked.

“Bo, did you hear me?”

“Yeah Luke, I hear you–” Came the grumble from inside that made the dark haired Duke crease his brow.

“So are you almost ready or not?”

“I ain’t going!”

“Bo…” Luke sighed as he put his hands on his hips and raised his gaze up towards the ceiling. He closed his eyes briefly and took in a patient breath.

“We promised Uncle Jesse we would and I won the coin toss fair and square. Now quit complaining and come on out of there!”

“I don’t see why you can’t do this! I’m more built to be Santa than you!”

Scoffing at that, Luke shook his head. “Since when? Who’s ever heard of a lanky Santa?”

“Hazzard might, cause I ain’t going out like this! No way Luke!”

Luke sighed and touched the pocket of his pants; he pulled out a pocket watch and opened it to check the time. Running short on both time and patience, Luke snapped his watch closed.

“Bo we ain’t got time for this! Will you just knock it off and open the door? How bad can it be?”

The door to the room the boys shared began to open, one blue eye appearing in the crack.

“Bo Duke, get your tail out of there right now!” Luke ordered as he stepped back.

Seeing the look on his cousin’s face, the door opened slightly more; one green felt booted foot stepped out, a bright silver bell sewn to the tip of the pointy shoe.

Luke eyebrows went up at the slight jingle of the bell as Bo’s other foot joined it. He took in a deep breath as a bright red and white candy cane striped tights caught his eyes as his gaze traveled up the lanky body of his cousin. The shorts that Bo wore were a deep shade of Christmas tree green. They came to mid thigh, the ends of they slightly flared. The matching shirt had a V-neck shape, the tops of his shoulders also with the same flared out design.

“That bad–” Luke whispered as he saw the pointed green felt hat on his cousin’s head. His lips twitched a moment and he wiped his hand over his mouth. The fact his cousin resembled a tall blond Peter Pan made his eyes squeeze shut.

Bo’s dark blue eyes narrowed as he saw his cousin trying not to laugh.

“Don’t even think about it Luke!”

“Think about what?” Luke asked in a shaky breath, his cool blue eyes watering as he struggled not to burst out into laughter.

“Laughing! Cause it aint funny!”

Luke finally managed to get himself under control; he started to open his mouth when the back kitchen door opened, and a pair of familiar clacks reached both set of Duke ears.

“Bo! Luke! You fellas ready?”

Bo’s eyes widened, determined not to have his cousin see him this way. He started to make a bee-line for the bedroom when Luke grabbed him by the arm.

“Ah! You’re not going anywhere!”

“Bo! Luke! Come on, Uncle Jesse’s waiting!” Daisy stepped out into the living room, smiling as she saw her cousins. Dressed in all in red, Daisy had on a long skirt with a candy cane striped border along the bottom of it. The apron she wore around her waist, the mobcap that covered the top of her long grey hair, and the top of her long sleeved red blouse all had the same candy cane stripes. The last compliments to her outfit were a pair of gold rimmed wire glasses that sat on the end of Daisy’s nose, and a white knitted shawl hung from her shoulders.

“Oh you both look great!” Daisy grinned as she went over to Luke and made a slight adjustment to his wig, then took the hat on his head and put it on him.

“There, now you look perfect.” She then turned her gaze to Bo, whose face matched the red in his cousin’s Santa suit. His blushing cheeks only made her grin and give them a pinch.

“What a fine elf you have here, Santa.”

“Well he doesn’t look as good as you do, Mrs. Claus, but he’ll do,” Luke teased as he gazed at Bo, trying to make his cousin smile.

“I told you I’m not going; Santa will have to make do with just the Mrs.” Bo started to head for the bedroom when Luke once again grabbed his arm.

“Those orphans are expecting us and so is Uncle Jesse.”

“But this is embarrassing! And I look like a dipstick in this getup!” Bo then gazed at Daisy, hoping she’d help. Instead, his cousin crossed her arms over her chest and scowled.

“Luke’s right, we’ve been planning this for six months and now you want to ruin it?”

“No one said I’d have to dress up as Peter Pan!”

“What else do elves wear Bo? And besides…if you can’t embarrass yourself for the sake of family and orphans…who can you embarrass yourself for? You know this will make those kids have a good holiday.” Luke let go of Bo’s arm.

“But…it’s up to you. If you want to disappoint Uncle Jesse and those kids, that’s your decision.”

Luke went into the bedroom and came out with a red sack; he slung it over his shoulder and motioned to Daisy with his chin.

“Come on, let’s get to the General–”

Daisy gazed at her cousin once, then nodded to Luke as they both turned away and headed out into the kitchen. Bo watched them a moment and put his hands on his hips. They were right, they had gone through a lot of time and trouble for the sake of the orphans and embarrassed or not, he agreed to be an elf.  He also pictured his Uncle’s face, the disappointment that would furrow his brows and make his mouth into a thin line. Bo couldn’t bear that look of heartbreak on the older man’s face; he tipped his chin up a moment and sighed heavily, his eyes closing.

“All right! All right!” He called out as he went after his cousins.

“Luke! Daisy!” He shouted after them, not wanting them to drive off in the General Lee without him. Bo went into the kitchen and stopped in mid step when he saw both his cousins standing by the back door. Luke stood sideways, his shoulder against the doorframe. He had watch in his hand and checked the time.

“A new record Bo, only took you fifteen seconds to realize how upset Uncle Jesse would be if you didn’t show up.” Grinning at once again seeing his cousin’s face redden, Luke snapped the watch closed and put an arm around Bo’s shoulders.

“Come on Cousin, the orphans are waiting.”

Daisy slipped her arm around Bo’s waist, her head touching to his shoulder as the three Dukes headed out the door.

***********

“Oh Daisy…I got butterflies in my stomach!” Emma Tizdale proclaimed as she stood on a small stool, the pedestal perched on the back of a big wooden platform. The forward half had the thick red velvet curtain suspended from the ceiling. The older woman heard the murmurings of the crowd gathered from behind it and wrung her hands together.

Daisy reached up and put a hand on her shoulder.

“You’re going to do just fine Miss Tizdale; all of Hazzard has come out to see you.” Their eyes met and Daisy gave her the most reassuring smile she could. Her head lowered as she went back to her task, fixing the candy cane colored trim at the bottom of the long red dress. Both women were dressed the same, as Mrs. Claus, the only difference being that one was young and the other old.

Straightening up, Daisy turned from the stool and went over to a long rack that held costumes. She pulled out a hanger with a snow white knitted shawl.

“We just need a few last final touches and you’ll be ready for your scene with Uncle Jesse.”

“Mrs. Duke–” Emma sighed heavily, and then brought her folded hands up to one cheek, her eyes growing bright. She then heard her own words and blinked a moment straightening up.

“I mean Mrs. Claus!”

Glancing over her shoulder, Daisy’s eyes widened a little at what Miss Tizdale said, but the suddenly red face of the older woman made her smile.

“Well, guess I won’t have to add any blush to your face Miss Tizdale, Uncle Jesse did it for me.”

Emma’s face only darkened more and she put her hands to her cheeks.

“That man can get to me and he ain’t even in the room!”

Daisy went back over to the stool and offered her hand. Taking the older woman by one elbow, she helped her step down to the stage.

“There, now let’s get you ready for your big scene.” Draping the white shawl around her shoulders, Daisy walked around Emma; she tied the ends of the shawl in a loose knot and adjusted it. She then went over to a card table that had been set up, it sat beside the costume wrack; the top of it littered with various Christmas props. Staring down at the wooden toys, tools and stacks of Christmas letters, Daisy creased her brow.

“Now where is your tray?” Looking around Daisy went to the other side of the room and stepped down from the wooden platform, she headed across the floor of the large playroom where the stage had been built and disappeared into a room. She emerged a moment later with a red tray and a white mug full of hot chocolate.

“Here we go; Bo and Luke had left it in the kitchen.”

Emma watched as the younger woman crossed the room, the smile on her face softening at the mention of the boys.

“Those two have been put so much work into this. They practically did everything themselves to make this season good for those youngsters.”

“You’re right, they have.” Daisy handed Miss Tizdale the tray and stepped back, she took one look at the costumer, her gaze going from the top of the postal Mistress’ head to her feet.

“I think you’re all set.” She reached out and put a hand on Miss Tizdale’s shoulder; they both walked quietly to the back of the red curtain and waited. A moment later, a loud click went off as the lights in the orphanage went out.

Taking in a deep breath, Emma swallowed hard as a second click went off and a spot beam shone down on the stage.

******************

The soft chime of a music box went off as the spot beam’s light cast down on one Jesse Duke. He sat in a big plush red chair, dressed in the traditional red and white of Santa Claus. The red cap sat on his lap, his snow white hair visible as he gazed off in the distance, seemingly far off in thought. From the side came his wife, a proud smile on her face as she approached him. She stopped right by his chair and handed him the mug on top of the tray.

“You seem like you got something on your mind Santa, care to share with the Mrs.?”

Jesse turned his gaze to Emma and a soft smile came to his face. He took the mug and had a sip licking his lips a moment as he stared down into the brown liquid.

“Just thinking about how things have changed.” He set his cocoa down on the floor then reached out and took the tray from her hand and set it down the side of his chair. Jesse then reached out and tugged the older woman closer.

“Remember how things were all those years ago?” He leaned into her a little, his head pressed into her shoulder.

Emma nodded, then propped her chin on the top of Jesse’s snow white head. Her expression softened as she touched her hand to his hair and combed it with her small fingers.

“I remember…seems so long ago.”

Nodding, Jesse took in a deep breath. “So many Christmas’ have come and gone since that time. So many children I’ve made happy and so many toys I’ve delivered…”

“So much good you’ve done.” Emma kissed Jesse’s head then turned to rest her cheek against his white hair, now her gaze too growing far away.

“I remember that very first one. We were so young. I didn’t think we’d ever make it…” Her voice began to soften and trail off at the same time the light that shone down on them both began to fade. Behind them, the heavy curtain began to part.

**********************

Bo sat on the same stool Miss Tizdale had stood on, a card table sat in front of him. He had a hammer in his hands as he worked away on a small wooden train. His aim off, the hammer came down on his thumb and he cried out, then hopped off the stool bouncing around, his wounded hand between his knees; his face twisted in pain. Finally he stilled and shook his hand out, sucking on his injured finger.

“Dang it!”

“What’s the problem now?” Luke came from the side, dressed in his Santa suit. He saw Bo with his finger in his mouth and reached out to grip his wrist.

“You act like you’ve never used a hammer before.” He said as he examined Bo’s hand then shook his head.

“Be thankful you got nine more.”

“Nine more I can flatten, you mean.” Bo sighed as he sat back down. “Are you sure we can do this?”

Luke pulled a scroll from his coat and unrolled it, the long paper cascading down the length of his body and several feet down the stage before finally coming to a stop.

“These kids are counting on me.” Luke then turned to look at his cousin.

“And I’m counting on you to get it done.” He rolled the long list back up and handed it to Bo.

“I can’t do this without you.”

Bo gazed down at the paper and sighed, but then gave a nod.

“We won’t let you down, Santa.”

Returning the nod, Luke turned and walked off the stage. Bo sighed as he opened part of the list and read.

“Toy train, car, doll–” Bo shook his head slowly, the task before him and the other elves seemed impossible but Santa was right, there were lots of kids counting on him for a Merry Christmas.

“Can’t disappoint the kids.” Bo muttered as the curtain once again closed.

*************************

Luke sat in the plushy chair in the same pose that Uncle Jesse had been in. His hat gone from the top of his head, he gazed down at his lap and played with the white fur trim of his coat.

“I know that look.” Daisy crouched down beside the chair; she reached out and took a hold of Luke’s hand.

“Just wondering if I’m in over my head, wondering if I can really do this.”

Daisy smiled and nodded. “We all have talents, and yours was Heaven sent. I know you can do this.”

“I’ve asked a lot of the elves, given them a mile long list and hardly no time at all to fill it.”

“They can do it, they love making kids happy as much as you do.” Daisy leaned forward and kissed the top of Luke’s head.

“Don’t worry Santa; it’s going to be okay.”

Gazing at his cousin, Luke managed a small smile. “How’d I end up so lucky Mrs. Claus?” He teased and Daisy gave a shrug.

“I always loved a man in uniform.” She winked as she stood up and stretched out her hand.

Luke threw his head back and laughed as he took Daisy’s hand and stood up, the two of them walking off to the side and slipping behind the shut curtain.

************************

A sea of toys greeted the audience as the heavy drapes parted; the murmurings were of amazement at the amount of dolls, cars, board games, and other that toys covered almost every usable inch of the huge wooden platform. Bo emerged from the side, his face and clothes stained with paint and dirt. He looked exhausted, but bore a proud grin on his lips as he wiped his brow.

“What in the world?”  Luke exclaimed as he came into view, his face astonished.

“You and the elves did all this?” He looked around in amazement.

“Yes sir we did.” Bo grinned as he put his hands on his hips. “Took a lot of work, but we used hind ends and elbows to get it done.”

“Oh my goodness!” A third voice joined the conversation as Daisy came out; she touched her hand to her mouth as she gazed at the mountain of toys.

“Santa…” She said softly; Luke turned to look at her and drew her into a hug.

“I know, I had my doubts about being able to do this, but now…”

“I never doubted you–” Daisy wrapped her arms around her cousin, then went and gave Bo a kiss on the cheek.

“You’ve done a good job, and a lot of kids are going to be happy Christmas morning.”

Luke nodded in agreement as he draped his arm around Daisy’s shoulder, then Bo’s waist.

“Thank you, both of you. I couldn’t have done this without you.” He drew them both closer to him and closed his eyes, a look of both joy and relief on his face.

**********************

“That was a truly magical Christmas, though they all have been since that first one,” Emma said as she sat on the arm of Jesse’s chair, her arm around his shoulder.

“All those years you’ve always been here with me, I couldn’t have done it without you.” Jesse kissed Emma on the cheek, and the older woman giggled.

“Oh you say that every year!”

“I mean it every year!” Jesse put his arms around Emma, chuckling.

She returned the hug, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Merry Christmas Santa, Lord knows you deserve more than cookies and milk on Christmas Eve. Its not only toys you bring but love and friendship, laughter and tears of joy. The world owes you a lot for reminding us what Christmas is all about…love.Whether it’s the love between family, or the love between friends, its still love.”

Jesse listened to her; he closed his eyes a smile on his face.

“Amen to that…”

He said softly and gave a heartfelt sigh.

****************************

The backdoor to the farmhouse opened and a weary Jesse flipped on the kitchen light. No longer in his red suit but back in his overalls, he hung his red cap up and went over to the stove, turning on the coffee pot.

“What a night.”

“You can say that again, Uncle Jesse.” Bo said as he came in. He had left his green elf clothes behind, and was now clad in jeans and a white shirt.

“But a good night.” Luke slung a garment bag over the bag of the chair and ran his hands over his face. “Can you believe how those kids took all those toys?” He said as he sat down in a chair, his elbows on the table.

“They loved them, made me feel so good.” Daisy closed the back door and braced a hand on the back of Luke’s chair; she reached down and slipped off her heels, then gave each foot a rub.

“Yeah…it was worth it.” Bo went to help his uncle, getting the jar of cookies down and setting it in the middle of the table. Luke watched him a moment and scoffed.

“Funny, you didn’t seem to think so earlier. You were ready to stay home.”

Bo gave a sheepish smile and shrugged his shoulders.

“Even a Duke can be wrong.” He said as he pulled out a chair beside his cousin and sat down.

Daisy snickered as that as she set her shoes aside. She no longer wore her Mrs. Claus dress, having traded it for jeans and a light pink shirt. She went over to the stove and picked up the coffee pot.

“I got it Uncle Jesse, just sit down. You’ve done enough for one night.”

“I didn’t do anything that special Daisy.” Jesse got four mugs and brought them to the table, then passed them out.

“Now Jesse you know that’s not true. You organized that whole thing and we’ve been gathering toys for close to a month.” Luke reached out to get the cookie jar and took off the lid. “Those kids at the orphanage would have a pretty sad Christmas morning if not for you.”

“I had help, Luke.” Jesse gave his nephew a smile.

Daisy brought the coffee pot over and poured everyone a cup, her hand on her Uncle’s shoulder as she did so. She leaned over and rested her head on the top of his.

“I don’t know about you all, but I think we need some Christmas music, don’t you?”

Jesse put his arm around Daisy’s waist and nodded. “Yeah, its Christmas Eve after all, we can listen to some songs.” He gazed at each one of the boys, his eyes a little wide.

“And then its off to bed before Santa comes.”

Bo shook his head and began to laugh. “Aw come on Uncle Jesse, Luke and me know ain’t no such thing as Santa.”

“Well sure there is…don’t you believe?”

“Cousin?” Bo asked as he looked across the table at Luke.

“I don’t know, I guess it could be possible.” Luke dipped a cookie in his coffee before having a bite.

“I believe you Uncle Jesse; I don’t want to end up with coal in my stocking.” Daisy laughed as she went to put the record on. She headed out of the kitchen and then gasped as her gaze fell on the tree.

“Uncle Jesse! Bo! Luke! Come here quick!”

Three chairs got knocked over at the sound of Daisy’s exclamation. The three men came around from the kitchen into the living room, and stopped dead in their tracks.

“Holy Smokes…” Luke stated in a whisper.

“Can you believe that?” Bo said beside him as he and his cousin turned to look at one another, then turned to look at their uncle.

“Uncle Jesse, did you…?”

Jesse stepped closer to the tree, the bottom of it loaded with boxes of every shape and size. He gazed at all the bright paper and ribbons that covered every gift and shook his head slowly.

“It wasn’t me boys, there’s no way I could have afforded all this.”

Daisy knelt down by the tree and began to pull out the gifts. “They’re all addressed to each one of us.”

“And look at that.” Bo pointed to the coffee table, the surface covered with cookies and fruitcake, a big covered ham also set on the table.

“Wow, Christmas dinner too.” Luke went over to the table and picked up a wrapped candy cane. “Someone sure went through a lot of trouble.”

“But who?”

Jesse shook his head as he sat on the arm of the sofa. “Guess there really is a Santa Claus.”

 

From the living room window, a pair of eyes peered in. There came a familiar giggle, and a shushing sound.

“Rosco…hush! That giggle of yours is going to give us away!”

“Sorry Boss.” Rosco watched the Dukes astonishment and grinned. “I got to hand it you Boss, the Dukes look shook up.”

“I know Rosco, that’s the idea.” Boss gazed in through the window at his old friend, his dark eyes holding a long affection.

“You ain’t the only one that can play Santa Jesse.” He whispered then straightened up; he held his white hat in his hands and planted it on the top of his head.

“Come on Rosco; let’s get out of here before they spot us.”

Rosco nodded as he leaned over a little, literally tip toeing as they passed the living room window.

“I just love this time of year Boss.”

“Hush!” Boss told him again as the pair crept past the back door and headed around the house to where Rosco’s patrol car had been parked. They were about to open the doors when the Duke porch light went off.

“Well…look who’s here!”

Whipping around, both Rosco and Boss saw the Dukes all coming out of the back door. Jesse grinned as he saw them and stepped down to the ground.

“You two are just in time, we were about to start some Christmas celebrating.”

Boss and Rosco gazed at one another, and Boss nodded.

“That’s right, just thought Rosco and I would come by and wish you all a Merry Christmas, right Rosco?” Boss narrowed his eyes a little and Rosco nodded empathically.

“Right, that’s right.”

Luke stood with his arms crossed over his chest; he gazed at his cousins a moment then nodded. “Well then come on in, we got plenty of food.”

Daisy had her arm around Bo’s waist; she went over to Boss and Rosco and gave them both a hug.

“More than enough for the two of you.”

Boss returned Daisy’s hug. “All right, if you Dukes insist, we’d be more than happy to join you.”

“Good then it’s all settled.” Jesse patted Boss on the back and motioned to the house.

“Let’s get to it.”

Bo held the screen door open, smiling as everyone went back inside. He went in behind Luke, an arm around his shoulders.

 

From inside the Duke farmhouse, the record player began to play accompanied by sounds of laughter and holiday cheer…

END.

by: Sarah Stodola and LostSheep3

A light snow was falling as the General Lee pulled to a stop in front of the Duke homestead. The driver slid out the window, opened the trunk, and pulled out several shopping bags. Taking the bags into the house, he set them by the door, took off his boots and coat, then shook snow out of his blond hair. After starting a pot of coffee, he wandered with the packages into the living room, setting them near the tree.

After starting a fire in the grate and plugging in the Christmas tree lights, Bo Duke settled himself on the floor in front of the tree, opened the first bag, and pulled out several rolls of brightly colored Christmas wrapping paper. Then he went digging through the other bags and pulled out several items planned as gifts, determined to wrap these before Luke got home so that the surprise wouldn’t be ruined.

Humming as he looked through the paper, Bo chose a dark blue one with white snowflakes printed on it. He opened the roll and set the first gift in the center of the paper, pulling the paper up over the gift to get it to the right size. Taking the knife from the sheath on his belt and testing the sharpness briefly against his thumb, he cut the paper to the correct size, placed the package back in the center, and folded the paper up around the box, taping the package together. Once the box was wrapped to his satisfaction, the blond man placed the present under the tree.

Half an hour later, all the gifts for Luke were wrapped and spread under the tree. Bo stood up, smiling at the sight, one that had been well too long in coming. With Uncle Jesse passed now, and Daisy off and married to Enos Strate, the Duke boys had found themselves still confirmed old bachelors… and, unfortunately, getting older. After about a decade of life split apart, out of Hazzard chasing old dreams, the two men had finally been brought back to the old farm, and together again as well. Life was… good enough with Luke, even if the younger women didn’t quite fall over him the way they used to, and the older ones were married. At least the cousins weren’t alone.

Shaking himself out of his musings, Bo went to the kitchen to pour a cup of coffee, and then settled into a corner of the couch, contemplating the Christmas tree with the brightly wrapped packages underneath. As he watched the lights twinkle gently, his mind drifted to Christmases past. Christmas on the Duke farm had always been a time of happiness and family. They had never had too much in the way of material goods, although they had enough, but somehow it never seemed to matter. They always had family and friends around… and that was enough.

Bo was so lost in his thoughts that he was startled when the door opened. Looking into the kitchen, he smiled when he saw Luke come into the house. His older cousin grinned back a bit, looking cold but amused, and shaking snow from his dark hair and jacket.

“I daresay the chickens have decided that the freeze-over calls for a strike. Not only have there been no eggs for five days, they’re now refusing to set one toe outta the barn.”

“I can’t say I blame them,” Bo said, blue eyes sparkling in laughter. “I probably wouldn’t go outside if it weren’t for chores and needing to finish Christmas shopping.”

“Christmas shopping?” Dark eyebrows rose, the eyes beneath twinkling mischievously. Luke peered past toward the tree and the new gifts. “Aha… looks like somethin’ more to go shake and poke after you go to bed.” With a teasing wink, the older cousin hung up his coat and turned to pour a cup of coffee from the coffee maker, one of the few more modern conveniences the farmhouse had. For the most part, it hadn’t changed a lot since the Dukes’ youth, despite the turning of the century.

“Don’t you dare!” Bo replied, twisting on the sofa to watch his older cousin. “You’ll break somethin’ or ruin the surprise.” The blond paused a moment, taking a sip of his coffee, then chuckled. “You never could resist tryin’ to guess what you were getting.”

“Why not…” Luke brought his coffee mug out into the living room, taking a sip as he paused to eye the gifts, and the tree above, thoughtfully. “Seems I can remember years when we had twice the people and half the presents…” he mused quietly. “Guess we ain’t doin’ so bad nowadays, are we? Still… I’d trade it…”

Bo’s smile faded slightly with the remembering. “So would I, cousin.” Clutching the coffee mug in both hands, he looked up. Luke’s head tilted at the blond man for a moment, then he made a quiet sound in his throat, not quite translatable into words but expressing agreement and a mix of quiet emotions, and turned to come sit beside his cousin on the couch, stretching his legs out. He glanced to the tree again, then into the fire, watching the flames.

Bo stared at the tree and the packages underneath for a few long moments, the silence comfortable after having lived together for so long. When he spoke again, it was with a mixture of fond remembrance and a slight sadness.

“Remember the year I was twelve, and got my guitar… Daisy helped Jesse hide clues all over the house and while I was following their trail you put it in our room. I’ll never forget finding that laying on my bed… it was the one thing I really wanted that year and I didn’t think I’d get it.”

Luke glanced at his cousin as he spoke, listening thoughtfully, and smiling a bit finally. “Yeah… I remember that. You’d only dropped hints about every half-week for four months… and broke the strings on mine a coupla times learnin’.” More of a smile graced rugged features, his eyes warming quietly as he recalled that winter, so long ago.

Bo chuckled softly. “Yeah, I did drop hints, but didn’t expect to actually get one.” He glanced at his cousin, dark blue eyes sparkling with mirth. “And I did replace your strings. Saved all my money and got you a new set for Christmas.”

The older man chuckled, tilting his head acknowledgingly. “That you did. Bet that was probably your favorite Christmas present of all time. You had that guitar for… a long time.”

“It’s right up there with my favorites of all time.” Bo looked back at the tree before speaking again. “I still have it. I don’t play it much anymore, the one I have now is more suited to what I do now, but I couldn’t bear to part with it.”

“What was your favorite, that you can remember?” Luke asked curiously, taking a sip of coffee and half-turning where he sat to more face his companion, one knee brought up on the cushions.

Bo glanced to Luke, smiling slightly. “You first…what was one of your favorite presents?”

“Mine, huh… hm.” Luke sat back a bit more, taking another sip of coffee to stall and glancing toward the fire, thinking. “Well… the year I got tickets to the Atlanta raceway was somethin’ special. One of my clearest memories, though, was bein’ very young and getting’ my own ornament to put on the tree. Remember, the ornaments with our names on ’em?” He glanced to his cousin. “I think we still have ’em, somewhere… Anyway, that one has kinda a special place cause it was my first year at the farm, with Uncle Jesse. Little was I to know how tough bein’ here with annoying little guys like you would be.” He quirked a teasing smile, eyes glinting a bit.

Bo chuckled at that. “You seemed to adjust all right… since you’re still putting up with me.” His eyes softened as he thought back to younger days. “I remember those ornaments… I was so young when I got mine that I don’t really remember getting it… but I do remember when I was 4 or 5 years old, Jesse told me to get mine to hang up. I remember how he smiled when I actually came back with the right one on the first try.” He laughed softly. “I’m still not sure if I recognized my name or just the color…”

Luke’s smile quietened as he watched his cousin reminisce. “Yeah…” A few seconds’ silence fell, mind in the past, then he spoke again. “I can remember Christmases when we were that little… Jesse helpin’ Daisy not burn the cookies… you and I lugging firewood and egg and milk pails around like they weighed fifty pounds.” The smile grew a bit, with a slight chuckle, then he took a breath and let it out in a sigh. “We need to go find those things; I think I remember where in the attic Jesse stashed ’em. Be nice to put ’em up again…” He glanced out the window, at the darkened evening sky, pondering the cold of the attic room. “Maybe tomorrow.”

“I’d like to have those up again…” Bo swallowed slightly, the memories Luke spoke of so close to the surface, then spoke again after a moment, eyes focused on the Christmas tree in the corner. “I remember how when we got older, Jesse would let us go into the woods to drag the tree home. Remember the first year he trusted us to pick out the tree? I think we got about the scraggliest one we could find…” He chuckled slightly. “He made us put it up anyway… and it didn’t look bad after we got the ornaments and tinsel on it. It was one of my favorites…”

The smile showed again, quietly, in remembrance both sweet and bittersweet. “Yeah…” Luke’s voice was just as quiet, gaze going from the tree to the blond man beside him. He took a slight breath, resting one elbow on the back of the couch and his cheek in his hand, coffee mug safely held against his knee. “Sometimes I really miss bein’ that little. No worries, none of the big responsibilities… though life was good for a long time.” He smiled again, eyes lighting gently. “Uncle Jesse made sure of that.”

Bo shifted in his seat, turning to meet Luke’s eyes, leaning a shoulder back against the couch cushions. “Jesse did give us a good life. I remember when I realized how lucky I was that he had taken us in. I was probably seven or eight…” He looked down at his coffee cup, turning the mug in his hands as he spoke. “A friend at school had just lost both his parents in an accident. In my innocence, I asked him who he was going to be living with and he told me he was living at the orphanage. Later that day I asked the teacher why, and she told me that he didn’t have anyone to take him in.” Bo looked up, meeting Luke’s eyes. “I came home, ran up to Uncle Jesse, hugged him, and thanked him for not making me an orphan.” The blond man smiled slightly. “I was, but never really thought about it because Jesse was always there…”

“We weren’t orphans, with Jesse and each other,” Luke replied almost softly, gaze a bit distant for a moment, then focusing on his companion again. “We made a family, together. Still are a family… even with Daisy off and married on us.” There was a beat, then the older man spoke again, quietly. “Bo, do you know what my favorite Christmas gift of all time was?” He glanced down for a few moments as he spoke, eyes lifting again at the end.

Bo’s eyes searched Luke’s face for a moment, trying to see the answer. After a moment he shook his head, his voice near a whisper as he spoke. ?No.”

The older man tilted his head a little as he spoke, holding his cousin’s gaze. “I didn’t think of it that way at the time… hardly… but now, I know it was the year you and Daisy came to live with Jesse and me, somewheres between Thanksgiving and Christmas is all I can remember about the date. You were so dang little… drove me crazy.” He smiled a little. “Always into my stuff, always followin’ underfoot, always vying for Uncle Jesse’s attention. But I grew to love both of you, and then there came a day I didn’t know what it’d be like to be without either of you… and I didn’t want to.” The dark-haired Duke went quiet for a long moment, then finally spoke again, softly. “You’re my best gift.”

Bo closed his eyes a moment, and when he opened them, he was looking into the bright blue eyes of his cousin, his best friend. His throat tight with emotion, voice a near-whisper he spoke, “You’re my best gift…” The younger man lowered his head a moment, trying to find the words to say what he was feeling. “You’ve always been a brother to me. I can’t tell you what it means this Christmas, being able to be here, home… together again after too long apart.”

Luke was silent a long moment, swallowing a little, gaze dropping… and finally lifting again. “Well then,” he whispered a bit roughly, his voice betraying his own emotion, and a smile lifting the corners of his mouth a moment later. He lifted his coffee mug a bit. “A toast, then… to family? To home.”

Bo lifted his mug, touching it briefly to Luke’s. “To family and home. Merry Christmas, cousin.”

“Merry Christmas.” And with that pronouncement, Luke took a sip, smiling to himself. It had been a long time, and things were different now… but they were together again. And there were many Christmases to look forward to.

The end

by: JessiMae Duke and Amanda Robson

“Dang Sterling! You bump into that ladder one more
time I’m gonna come down there an…..” Jeffrey Duke
grumbled to his grey mare from his precarious perch
atop a steel runged ladder. The horse whinnied loudly
and bumped her rear against the base of the ladder.
“ACK!! STER—-” Jeff cried as the ladder swung out
from under him. His blue eyes widened and he lunged
back at the roof, grabbing a strand of the Christmas lights he been
stringing up. As the ladder fell, Jeff’s buckskin boot
tangled in the lights and he flopped over, upside
down. He was sure that he was gonna slam head first
into the dirt below, until his boot caught, dangling
him upside down at the side of the house.

Jessi Mae Duke was in the house cleaning and getting
ready for them to put the Christmas tree up when they
got it. Her blue eyes were sparkling as she moved
through the house. She loved the Christmas season and
loved decorating even more and she was more happy this
year now that she was married to Jeff and had a little
one on the way. “Deck the halls with boughs of
holly….” She started singing.

Jeff’s arms hung down , his fingers scraping the
ground below. Change clinked and clattered as it fell
from his pockets. His keys and cell phone thudded to
the ground beneath him. Sterling came over to her
owner, looking just as innocent as she could.
“Sterling…you are a royal pain in mah ass.” Jeff
muttered looking up into her face. Sterling pawed at
the ground and started nibbling at Jeff’s jeans
pocket, sniffing out a piece of candy. “STERLING!!!!”
Jeff growled loudly, trying to push the horse away
with his hands.

Jessi continued singing to herself as she worked
until she realized that some of the wreaths and things
were out in the barn so she grabbed her jacket and
slipped into it and stepped out the door still
singing.

“Damned horse!” Jeff cried, although he couldn’t help
from laughing, it tickled. “Stop it!! Sterling!” Jeff
swung from the roof, swatting at his horse, who now
moved away so he couldn’t use her for any chance of
getting down. The young Duke’s blue eyes widened when
he saw his wife. “Jess!! Jessi!! Git over here!!”
Jessi looked up and her eyes widened in surprise. She
moved over to him and stared at him wide eyed.
“Goodness Jeff. What happened?” She asked, trying hard
to keep a smile from crossing her face but found it
extremely hard to do.

“What happened? That damn horse was being a pest!!”
Jeff cried, waving his arms frantically in the
direction of his horse, who stood out of reach,
looking smug. “Get me down.” Jeff pleaded, looking at
Jess’ upside down form. “Please.”

Jessi smiled and nodded. “Of course. I’ll be right
back.” She said, walking into the house and grabbing
her camera before going back out and stopped in front
of Jeff snapping his picture. “There. That’s better.”
She said and walked over to Sterling and grabbed the
mare’s halter leading her over to where Jeff was
hanging upside down.

He knew it was useless, his picture was going to be
taken. Jeff was in no position to fight it. He raised
both eyebrows on his face and shook his head, “No..get
her away from me….I’m mad at her. You hear that
horse? I’m not happy with you!” Jeff cried, his face
growing redder as the blood rushed to his head. He
felt lightheaded and knew he couldn’t hang much
longer.

Jessi sighed and turned back leading Sterling back to
the barn and a moment later returned leading Glory.
The tall Thoroughbred nickered and pranced eagerly
stopping when Jessi brought him near Jeff. After a few
minutes of struggling and sqruiming Jeff was finally
free. He left the ladder an lights half finished, not
in the mood to continue. The horses were returned to
their stall and Jeff now sat inside on the couch. He
ran his hand down the length of his face and sighed
loudly, “Let’s go git the tree….maybe that’ll go
better.”

Jessi smiled slightly and plopped down next to him
taking his face in her hands. “Are you sure you’re
okay Jeff?” She asked gently, unsure as to how long
he’d hung out there before she’d gone outside. A
silent nod was all the reply Jeff gave before leaning
his face into Jessi’s hands to kiss her forehead.
“I’ll be alright. C’mon…let’s go get us a tree!” He
smiled and got up from the couch, pulling Jess by the
hand towards the front door. Jessi laughed and
followed Jeff to the door still wearing her jacket
since she had been more concerned about Jeff. She
couldn’t wait to get out there and get a tree.

Jeff flung a chopped tree into the back of his old
pickup truck, a wide grin on his face. “It’s perfect.”
He said, brushing his shirt off and laying one arm
over Jessi’s shoulders, “Just like you.” Jessi
blushed and leaned over kissing him on the cheek.
“Thank you. But I’m far from perfect.” She said, with
a soft smile, her eyes dancing happily. “Close
though.” Jeff replied and grinned down at Jess from
his towering height of six foot five. He gave her a
playful pat on the rear as he pulled the door open for
her and helped her in. He rushed to his side of the
truck and started the old vehicle up after a few turns
of the key. Jessi smiled and slid into the middle
fastening her seatbelt and then rested her head on
Jeff’s shoulder, allowing herself to relax. Sleep,
Jeff thought, that’s what he really wanted at that
moment as he sat in the truck, plugging along the
backroads of Hazzard.

And he nearly did, until a loud thud snapped him back
to reality. “What was that?” He cried and the truck
skidded across the loose gravel to a stop. Jessi’s
eyes snapped open and she sat up fast unfastening her
seatbelt and threw the truck door open, jumping out
before the truck came to a complete stop.

When she saw what the noise had been she couldn’t
help it. She started laughing. “What’s so fun–
Oh….” Jeff asked, doubling over as chuckles rolled
out from deep in his chest. Their Christmas tree lay
in the middle of the road about fifty yards back down
the road.

He shook his head and pressed his hand to his
forehead, “Forgot to close the tailgate.” He muttered.
Jessi smiled and walked over to Jeff and wrapped her
arms around his neck. “It’s okay.” She said softly.
Jeff sighed and nodded, resting his hands on Jessi’s
hips, “Yeah, you’re right. No harm done.” Jeff
replied, getting upset was useless, and besides, it
was kind of funny. Funny, ok it was hilarious and Jeff
couldn’t stop from laughing at himself for being so
incompentant. Jessi smiled and shook her head. “Let’s
get the tree back on the truck and get it home so we
can get some sleep.” She said, her eyes sparkling
mischeviously.

The young Duke boy raised a curious eyebrow at the
playfulness in his wife’s eyes. But he nodded quickly
and retrieved the tree. This time he made absolute
sure to close the tailgate, Jeff even took the time to
lock it, which he never did. After a few attempts the
old truck roared back to life and they were on their
way home. Jessi smiled to herself and rested her head
back on Jeff’s shoulder again, her mind racing a
million miles a minute as she thought about things
that she had to do to get ready for Christmas and what
she’d promised to do to help out at the orphanage.They
had both offered to help out with the orphanage’s
christmas party, and it was sure to be a smash.

Ain’t that just like them Dukes…always helping out
at the ol orphanage!

The next morning when Jeff awoke the sun streamed in
through the window of their bedroom. That day was
shopping day, Jeff hated shopping. ‘I’d rather chew
nails.’ He once told Jessi when she asked him. He
always went for her sake regardless, but he simply
couldn’t stand it.

“What exactly do we need to pick up anyways?” Jeff
asked curiously as he dried his dark hair with a towel
after his shower. He paused and tossed the towel
towards the laundry basket, it missed and fell on the
floor. A sigh came from the Duke as he picked the
towel back up and carried to the basket this time. “I
still need to pick up my costume from town, although I
don’t really get why ya picked me for this job Jess.”
Jessi smiled at Jeff her blue eyes twinkling. “Why?
I’ll tell ya why. Cause I think you’re gonna look so
cute dressed up as Santa and besides you get to see me
in my elf costume.” She teased, pointing a finger into
his chest as she walked by him.

“Cute? I dun wanna look cute Jess! And Santa ain’t
cute.” Jeff replied, watching as she walked past him.
A slow grin crept over his face and he teased, “It’s
cause ya think I’m fat ain’t it? It’s this big ol beer
belly of mine!” Jeff chuckled and rubbed his hand over
his flat abdomen, no real beer belly in sight. Jessi
laughed and swung back around to face him. “No I don’t
think you’re fat. But if you’re a real good boy you
may find a lil something extra in your stocking this
year.” She teased her eyes sparkling mischeviously as
she once again moved away. “Hmm…sounds
interstin’….”Jeff started, “Jess ya know I’m just a
good ol boy..makin’ my way the only way I know how.”
His handsome face brightened in a silly looking grin.

After dressing and pulling his boots on with a groan
and the creak of the leather Jeff looked back up at
Jessi, “Let’s get this dang shopping over
with….Please.” Jessi smiled. “Awww…poor baby.” She
teased as she headed out the door to her car fully
intent on driving. She was in high spirits that day
and she was determined nothing was going to spoil it
for her. Not even Jeff and his whining about shopping.
Before Jess could even think about climbing into her
car, Jeff slid across the hood on a denim covered hip
and hopped in through the window, “If you’re makin’ me
shop…it’s only fair I drive!” He cried as he made
his smooth slide.

Jessi sighed and shook her head sliding in through
the passenger side window. “I ain’t making you do
nothin’ Jeff. Isn’t that what you told me once? That I
couldn’t make you do anything?” She asked, crossing
her arms over her chest and raising an eyebrow. Jeff
turned in his seat to face his wife, confusion written
in his face, “I didn’t mean anything by it….I was
teasing.” He softened his expression and took a hold
of Jessi’s hands, using them to pull her closer, “I
didn’t mean to upset you.” Jessi sighed and pulled her
hands away and quickly moved away sliding back out the
window and running into the house.

Jessi smiled and nodded returning the kiss. “Okay.”
She smirked and held up the keys to her car that she’d
snatched. “I’m ready.” She teased and ran out the door
and down the steps out into the yard.

The young Duke boy gave a sigh before jogging out of
the farm house after his wife. And plucked the keys
out of her hand as he raced past her and slid in the
car. “Rosco’s gonna be out in full force today, he’s
being a regular Scrooge, no christmas spirit at all.”
Jeff had explained when he saw the look Jess had given
him. “I don’t want you to get no ticket.” He added and
pulled away from the house, a cloud of dust and light
snow flying up behing the tires.

Jessi shrugged. “He’d give you a ticket before he
gave me one, He loves me cause I take Flash doggy num
nums.” She teased, her eyes sparkling as she looked
out the window at the passing scenery. “Doggy num
nums.” Jeff mumbled and rolled his blue eyes.

They had gotten about half way into Hazzard before
Jeff heard the familiar droning, whinning of the
sheriff’s sirens, “Dangit!” He cried, slapping one
hand against the steering wheel. “I knew it…I knew
Rosco’d be after me.” Jeff turned to look at his wife
briefly and asked, “Jess…how do I get in these
messes all the time??” Jessi smiled gently at Jeff,
though she was beginning to get frustrated at Rosco.
“Cause you’re a Duke. I thought you knew all that by
now.” She said, as she quickly glanced behind them.
“I know, I know…but I don’t see that
havin…any…reason to being in….oh never mind.”
Jeff muttered, cranking the wheel back and forth
around the sharp curves of the mountianous road.

He tired everything he could think of, he tired
outdrivin’ him, out smarting him. None of it worked.
Rosco was sticking to Jeff like a flea to a hound dog.
Jessi groaned and sighed. She didn’t want to get in an
accident but she didn’t want to see Jeff arrested
either and she had a bad feeling about it. “Jeff pull
over.” She finally said, knowing they really had no
other choice.

He couldn’t believe it, Jeff was going to be caught
by Rosco Coltrane. “Damn.” Was all he could let out in
an exasperated breath as he hit the brakes. A sudden
jolt throwing the young couple forward slightly in
their seats as Rosco’s patrol car smashed into the
back of theirs. “Dangit Rosco!” Jeff cried as he
pulled himself from the window and sat there, leaning
over the roof of the car.

Jessi groaned and slide out the window and sat
staring back at Rosco as he got out of his patrol car
and made his way towards them, her eyes were starting
to darken and they only got that way when she got mad.
“Okay Rosco. Why are you stopping us? We weren’t
speeding.” She said.

“You’re brake light’s busted.” Rosco explained, a
smug grin on his face. “It is not!” Jeff cried in
protest, swinging his long legs out from the window,
dropping his feet to the lightly snow-covered ground.
The sheriff’s eyes widened at Jeff’s movement, and he
drew his pearl handled revolver from his holster,
“Freeze it right there!!! Jus freeeeeeze!!” Rosco
cried. “Now, ya got a busted tail light, and too many
other tickets…Im gonna hafta take ya in Jeff.” ”
Rosco…the tail light is busted cause you smashed
into it!”

Jessi groaned and swung herself out the window and
dropped to the ground moving to stand between the
Sheriff and Jeff, her eyes sparkling angrily. “Dangit
Rosco I know for a fact my tail light was not busted
when we left home and it wasn’t busted till you just
hit us.” She snapped, her eyes narrowed

“I hit you cause your brake lights was busted an I
couldn’t see ya stop!” Rosco retorted, with a smirk on
his face. “No matter, “He shrugged, “I’m still takin’
ya in, get outta the way Jesse Mae.” He motioned for
her to move with the barrel of his gun and stepped
towards Jeff, reaching for his hand cuffs.

Jessi held her ground her expression growing darker
by the minute but then a thought went through her mind
and she nodded to herself and with an apologetic look
at Jeff slowly moved out of Rosco’s way. ‘What is she
doin?’ Jeff thought to himself, glancing over his
shoulder helplessly as Rosco slapped his cold steel
handcuffs on his wrists. “Say buh bye to Jessi.” Rosco
chimed happily as he pulled Jeffrey along, stuffing
him in the back of his patrol car. Jeff looked out
the window sidelong at Jessi as her form grew smaller.
He let out a sigh and asked, “Sheriff…ain’t you got
any christmas spirit?” ” Bahh Humbug!” Rosco replied.

Jessi growled under her breath so angry she couldn’t
see straight then grinned an idea suddenly coming to
mind. “If I remember I got an old black hooded cloak
in my trunk…..I’m gonna give Boss an’ Rosco the
scare of their lives.” She giggled as she moved to the
trunk and opened it, taking it out and slipping it
over her head, pulling the hood over her blond hair,
pulling her hair into a loose bun before doing so.
Then she put the car in gear and headed for Hazzard.

~*~*~Several Hours Later~*~*~

“G’night…sleep tight….don’t let the bed bugs
bite!” Rosco chimed, echoed by a few loud woofs from
Flash. He shut the door the Jeff’s cell with that
satisfying clang that he could never get enough of,
especially when there was an angry Duke staring out at
him. “Night Scrooge.” Jeff replied cooly and plopped
down on the old cot. “Jit! Ya got a nasty mouth on ya
Duke boy!” The sheriff cried as he trudged up the old
stairs to the booking room, Flash nipping at his
heels.

“I’ll show you nasty Rosco.” Jeff muttered as he lay
down for sleep he knew he needed and would not find.
“She better have a good plan….” He yawned, drifting
off to a restless sleep.

Jessi smirked and parked her car in the alley not far
from the jail and slid out the window running towards
the door. She tried opening the door but found it
locked but that wasn’t stopping her. She reached into
her pocket and pulled out a credit card and blocked
what she was doing with her body. “And they thought it
only works in the movies.” She muttered as the door
opened and she slipped inside the darkened booking
room and smirked when she saw Rosco snoring.

“Rosco Peee Coltrane.” She said in a soft eerie
voice, making sure her face was completely hidden from
view. “Whazzat?!!? Who’s there??” Rosco snorted,
grumpy and still half asleep as he sat up in his
office chair. His blue eyes scanned the booking room,
“Who ish that?” He grunted, eyes narrowed in the
darkness.

Jessi smiled to herself. “I’m the ghost of Christmas
Future Rosco and your future ain’t lookin’ none too
bright.” She said in a soft eerie voice, her face and
body hidden by the long dark cloak. “Ghost! Jit!
Flash? Did you hear that?!” Rosco cried loudly,
startling his poor dog. Flash leapt off Rosco’s lap
and onto the floor, her claws clicking against the
floor.” Gah! Jit!! Ack!!” Rosco put his hand over his
chest, Flash startling him even more. “Who’s a ghost?”
Jessi moved forward so Rosco could see her dark
cloaked figure. “You’re always after them Dukes and
putting one in jail on Christmas. They ain’t never
done nothin’ to you. Your future looks very dim.” She
continued. “M-mm-my future?” Rosco’s face paled and
he hunted around for Flash, “But what about my shweet
lil darlin’? She needsh her daddy!” Jessi almost
laughed at that but bit her tongue.

“Well ya see that’s all up to you. Maybe if you turn
over a new leaf and start by letting that Duke boy
outta jail you’re future just may become brighter.”
She said. “Gyuck! Jit!! Knee! Jefffffff??? Let him
out??” Rosco asked, glancing towards the stairway to
the jail. “B-bb–but he’sh a Duke…. I can’t let
him… Boss’d tan mah hide!!” Rosco cried, although he
didn’t like the sounds of a dim future, he didn’t want
to let Jeff out for fear of what Boss might do.

Jessi’s eyes darkened angrily and she was glad Rosco
couldn’t see her face. “Well then I guess ya better
find someone to look out for your sweet lil darlin’.”
She said, her voice hardening, then she almost smiled.
“And start makin’ out your will. This hit Rosco hard,
his will? He knew he was gettin’ old, but he figured
he had a few good years before he had to start
thinking about making out a will. “I’ll let him out!!!
I’ll let him out! Jus so long assshh you promisshe to
let me shtay with Flash a lil longer on thish good
earth!!!” Rosco pleaded with the “ghost”, dropping
down to his knees. Jessi nodded and had to bite her
lip really hard to keep from laughing at seeing Rosco
on his knees begging. “All right. I promise. Now let
him out.” She demanded.

Rosco nodded quickly and scrambled to his feet,
tripping over his desk as he reached to flip the lamp
on. “Ack! Jit!” He stumbled around in the dark a few
minutes, deciding to forget the lights and headed
straight for the stairs. Jeff’s eyes snapped open when
he heard the sound of the Sherrif tumbling down the
stairs, “OOOOOO THAT”S SMARTSH!!” Rosco cried. Rosco
lay crumpled up at the base of the stairs a few
minutes before he managed to find his way back to his
feet.

Jessi slipped back out the door deciding that she
really shouldn’t be in sight when Rosco made it back
up the steps. She leaned against the wall outside the
door waiting for Jeff and keeping an eye out just in
case someone showed up.

“Rosco? You awright?” Jeff asked curiously as he
rubbed the sleep from his eyes. “Jit…. gyuck.. I’m
jus fine!” Rosco snapped. Jeff moved over to the bars
of the cell, watching as the Sheriff dug through his
pockets from his keys. “I’ve had a change’a
heart….since it’s Chrishtmash…you can go home.
Thish one time.” Rosco explained as he unlocked the
cell door. Jeff stared through the wide open door at
Rosco for a minute in disbelief. “Ok…I’ll go, before
ya change yer mind or somethin'” Jeff said plainly,
making his way past the shaken law man. He took a
glance behind him, was he dreamin? Nah, guess not. He
thought to himself and shrugged mentally as he pushed
the front door of the Sheriff’s station open. A blast
of cool air hit him in the face and he turned away.
“Brrrr….”

Jessi smiled when she saw Jeff and was happy to see
that Rosco had stayed true to his word and let her
husband out. She moved forward and grabbed Jeff’s arm.
“Keep moving.” She hissed, glancing quickly over her
shoulder at the police station hopping Rosco didn’t
come out to see if Jeff left or something. “Jess?
Isat you?” Jeff asked, still groggy from his rude
awakening. He let her lead him along, a wide yawn on
his mouth before he figured out what was goin on, sort
of. “Where ya takin’ me Jess?” Jessi smiled and shook
her head. “Now who said I’m Jessi?” She asked softly,
leading him across the street to the alley where she’d
hidden her car. She was getting a kick outta this. And
scarin’ ole Rosco had just been the toppin’ on the
cake.

Jeff squinted his eyes, but he could only see an
non-descript black figure leading him towards a dark
alley way. He had been sure it was his wife, maybe he
was still dreaming. Jeff shook his head and leaned
closer to the figure, letting his nose do the work. He
closed his eyes and took a sniff. “MMmmm… I say
you’re Jess, cause ya smell like her!” Jessi smiled
and pulled him to a stop next to her car pulling her
keys out of the pocket of her cloak and went to the
trunk opening it up and then pulled the cloak off and
tossed it inside and grabbed her jacket and pulled it
back on slamming the trunk. “Okay if ya say it’s me
then it’s me. Now let’s just get outta here before
Rosco decides to make sure you left or something.

All he could do was grin, his head tilted to the side
as he watched Jessi. Jeff laughed and gave his wife a
breif hug before sliding in the window. “I wonder
what, or WHO persuaded Rosco to have a change of
heart…..” Jeff pondered, as if he was clueless.
Jessi laughed and smiled at her husband. “Well let’s
just say Rosco got a little visitor from the future
that showed him the error of his ways. At least for
awhile.” She said as she slid in through the window
and started the engine and put the car in gear heading
out or Hazzard.

~*~*~* Christmas Day*~*~*~

“Merry Christmas! And I hear you wanted a pony for
christmas Sara… well ponies just don’t fit in
Santa’s sleigh. So, I had to bring a puppy instead. I
hope that’s ok?” Jeff asked a small girl who sat on
his red velvet covered knee. Her eyes lit up brighter
than the lights in the tree next to them and she gave
Santa a big hug. “Thank you Santa!!” She cried,
jumping down from his knee to retrieve her present
from Santa’s elf. Jessi smiled softly and handed the
little girl her puppy. She straightened up and sent a
dazzling smile at Jeff before turning to the next
child in line and smiled kindly, her blue eyes
sparkling happily. She was enjoying this immensely.
She loved kids and she was even happier she was having
one of her own.

“Ho ho ho ho!!!” Jeff cried loudly, grinning widely
as the children laughed and giggled with his every
move. Hie deep blue eyes widened when he saw his
parents approach, his youngest brother Wiley-John in
his father’s arms. “C’mon Luke, Wiley wants to sit on
Santa’s knee.” Anna coaxed, smiling at her husband and
back at Santa. The blue eyes of father and son locked,
is this a good idea, they both seemed to question.
“Santa!! Santa!!!!” Wiley cried, squirming around in
Luke’s arms. ” Awright awright!” Luke cried, “You can
go see Santa.” Wiley bounced around on his older
brother’s, whom he thought was Santa, knee. “Hold
still there lil…Wiley.” Jeff smiled.

Wiley’s eyes were sparkling happily as he looked up
at Santa. He big blue eyes looking into a familar
matching pair. If possible, Wiley’s eyes widened and
he reached his small hug up and tugged at Santa’s
beard. “Jeffie!!!!!” He cried, his smile brightening
to see his brother. Luke and Jeff both let out a sigh
of relief, that could have gone much worse. But it was
really no surprise, Wiley was a very smart two year
old, after all he’s Luke Duke’s son. He knew Santa
couldn’t be everywhere, and his brother must be
helping him out. Jeff smiled down at his brother and
mussed his dark hair up with his hand. Jeff looked up
at his wife, watching his little elf. Soon they’d have
their own little one, very soon. Jessi smiled down at
Jeff and Wiley her bright blue eyes shining with happy
tears as she rested a hand over her stomach feeling
the baby kick. She didn’t think she could ever be so
happy as she was at that very moment except when she
actually gave birth to their lil one.

“Where’s Santa’s gift?” Jeff asked, a devilish smirk
on his face. Wiley looked up at his brother and up at
his mom, “Up! Up!!” He cried. Anna scooped her
youngest son up and rested him on her hip. “Thanks
mom.” Jeff said softly as he stood up, free of
childern on his knees, for now. He stepped over to
Jessi and wrapped his arms around her. “Merry
Christmas Jess!” He cried and dipped her down low,
grinning a silly sideways grin before her gave her a
deep, warm kiss. “Mmm… I love you.” He whispered and
stood her back up, resting his forehead against hers.
Jessi smiled warmly her eyes shining with love as she
wrapped her arms around Jeff’s neck. “Merry Christmas
Jeff and I love you too.” She said softly her eyes
soft and warm.

“WOO HOOO!!!!” “GO SANTA!!” Cheers and whoops came
from some of the older boys at the orphange. Jeff’s
face reddened slightly as he turned to look at the
boys. He waved a hand in their direction and turned
back to his wife shouting, “Merry Christmas to
Ya’ll!!!! And to ya’ll a good night!!”

~~~~~MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW
YEAR!!!!!~~~~~

by: i1976

It’s a beautiful day in Hazzard: the sun is shining in the sky, yellow flowers are blooming in the grass, and Georgia’s pines are as high as they’re trying to reach the sky.

In a little apartment in the Hazzard’s Boarding House deputy Enos Strate’s mind isn’t cheerful nor by the twittering outside the window nor by the sunshine.  His forehead against the shower’s wall while hot water is trying to warm up his trembling body after a night of nightmares and cold sweat.

It seems to be a normal day in Hazzard. The General Lee raises the road’s dust, as usual, but there’s a middle-aged man at the edge of the road, a stranger. The Dukes decide to give him a lift to Hazzard, something they’ll regret. They don’t know they’re bringing to Hazzard a killer whose victim will be their best friend.

Actually, in effect, their best friend is thinking of that man. The previous day LAPD transmitted him the escape from the prison of a dangerous killer, Frank Scanlon. Frank Scanlon, the man the Dukes are bringing to Hazzard, the man Enos arrested when he was in LA. How to miss him? How to miss his voice swearing Enos would have paid for his arrest? The deputy can’t forget Scanlon’s eyes looking at him at the Court that day in LA.

When a day starts in bad way it can only get worse and worse. This is what the deputy is thinking few after in that morning while he’s walking out the Courthouse after Boss and Rosco’s usual harshness, something difficult to endure especially after a sleepless night. Enos often wonders why he came back to Hazzard after his experience in LA; his eyes catch the answer of all his doubts, the orange car parked nearby: he came back to Hazzard only for it, not for the orange car, obviously, but for what the orange car means to him.  “The General Lee… I wonder if Daisy…”.

In effect, when a day starts in bad way it can only get worse, and in front the Courthouse the killer meets his victim for the first time.

The stranger approaches Enos, pointing his gun against him. A quick movement and the deputy grabs the man’s armed arm, kneeling down and disarming him.

For sure the time spent in LA and the fact he’s a cop taught Enos how to defend himself against an armed man.  Unfortunately, the time spent in LA brought Enos a sworn enemy too.

Daisy’s heart almost stops when she sees that gun pointed against Enos, unfortunately something she’d have seen again.

But not only Daisy sees what’s happening. The boys hush to the now disarmed and running man. A run, a brief fight, then the man is on the ground, knocked out. So simple, too much simple to bring Scanlon (whose identity is now revealed) in prison like that.

Scanlon renews his revenge’s oath to the deputy in front of him, the prison’s bars between them. The killer’s eyes in the cop’s eyes, “I’ve got a score to settle with you”; the cop doesn’t look away from the killer, his features tight, a brief nod accepting the challenge.

A couple of hours after Scanlon’s capture, Enos is in the locker room at the Courthouse. Sitting on a bench, his head in his hands, his elbows on his knees, the deputy is thinking of his defeat, ashamed of what happened: “Why I left the keys inside the patrol car? How I let Scanlon take the jail’s keys? It’s all my fault, Boss Hogg is right”.

He can’t stop thinking of Scanlon’s escape from the jail, a very embarrassing flight.

He can’t stop thinking Boss Hogg did the right thing firing him, a useless cop.

He can’t stop thinking of how shameful was to be fired in front of the Dukes, despite Daisy and uncle Jesse taking his part, despite Bo and Luke’s unlucky attempt at making up his mistake.

He can’t stop thinking of how shameful was all that situation: Scanlon escaping from jail taking the jail’s keys from him, then stealing a patrol car, his patrol car, where he left the keys.

Scanlon escaped despite Bo and Luke’s chase.

And despite Daisy Duke’s kindness and her influence on Enos, the deputy stays in that room for almost two hours, blaming himself and only himself for Scanlon’s escape and taking the decision to leave Hazzard.

And again, few after, Daisy is trying again to enter Enos’s darkness, looking silently at him while he’s cherishing his few things in a box, ready to leave Hazzard. Daisy, the boys and their uncle know that Scanlon is somewhere out there, armed and with a new mask, waiting for his victim, and now the victim, lost in his dark thoughts, is not ready at all to face the killer. And as usual Daisy is the best one to change Enos’s mind, so her family is waiting for her (and for Enos with her) outside the Courthouse in order to bring their best friend in a safe place, their farm.

“Hey Enos…”, she says with her soft voice.

“Hi Dais”, he doesn’t look at her, not his usual smile on his face. There’s no more the locker room’s door between them, but there’s another kind of door, a virtual door Enos locked leaving people, and Daisy too, outside.

“Where are you goin’?”, Daisy approaches him.

“I don’t know, it doesn’t matter”, the deputy shrugs, keeping on to clear his desk and to fill the box placed on it. Again, he doesn’t look at Daisy, in his voice a mix of tiredness, pain and rage.

Daisy comes closer, wishing to touch him gently but knowing (and she knows Enos better than anyone else in Hazzard) that now the deputy is too angry to himself to accept any kindness, neither or especially her kindness, the kindness of the woman who deserves someone better than him, or at least is what he said her few hours ago. The girl sighs, knowing very well his inclination to blame himself when something goes wrong, his lacking in self-confidence and his inclination to endure bad things without involving his friends in order of saving them from any possible complication.

“Scanlon is after me. Once I’m gone he’ll have no more reason to stay, so nobody else can get hurt”.

And because Daisy knows Enos better than anyone else, she knows what weapon she has to use: “I think Scanlon is so full of hate that he’s goin’ to take on somebody else even if you leave, maybe somebody helped you to put him in jail”.

Enos’s sense of duty toward his friends and his town, being a cop (fired or not): it’s the weapon Daisy is using.

A doubt on Enos’s face, “Bo and Luke?”, and Daisy knows she won.

There’s relief in Bo, Luke and uncle Jesse when they see Enos following Daisy outside the Courthouse, a brief gesture telling them she won Enos’s obstinacy. She puts Enos’s box inside his car parked in front the Courthouse then she takes his hand heading to her smiling cousins and her uncle.

Nearby a spectacled man on a bench is looking at that gorgeous woman holding the cop’s hand, his enemy’s hand: a long brown hair woman wearing fitting jeans on perfect legs and a fitting pink shirt on a perfect body.  The man stares at their holding hands and their loving glance.

Their hands part only when Enos shakes Bo hand thanking him, but immediately Daisy grabs again Enos’s hand, like if the wind running past her fingertips is colder than expected in that season and she needs his hand’s warmth.

Daisy squeezes Enos’s hand while they approach his car, glad to see him smiling again, a tired smiling but anyhow a smile.

Meanwhile the man (or it’s better to say Scanlon) left his personal present in Enos’s car.

Again, like only few hours before, the time spent in LA and the fact he’s a cop save Enos’s life (and Daisy’s life too).

A brief look inside the car, “RUN AWAY DAISY, IT’S A BOMB!”.

Enos drives Daisy away from the car then he runs after her, careful to maintain his body between Daisy and the car like a sort of shield against the impending explosion. And the deputy in effect protects Daisy from a bad fall grabbing her while the explosion pushes them to the ground. The only thing Daisy feels are Enos’s arms around her and then his body between her and the ground.

Smell of burning fills the air.

Enos and Daisy are on the ground, the deputy hugging the young woman. Only few seconds for Daisy to realize Enos’s motionless, but fortunately only few seconds and Enos slowly stands up moaning. His first thought for Daisy, “Are you OK?”, his arms still around her, who’s now hugging him tight, scared for what’s just happened and  for Enos’s previous transitory stillness.

Daisy nods then they walk silently to the burning car.

The night slowly covers Hazzard with its darkness.

At the farm the Dukes are wondering how to catch Scanlon who is somewhere out there, ready to kill Enos. The deputy listens silently to his friends, while Daisy looks silently at him wondering what he’s hiding behind his thoughtful eyes. Even if she knows him better than anyone else sometimes he seems so distant.

Uncle Jesse looks at the deputy, “Scanlon’s tried to kill you two times today, and the last one he almost killed Daisy too. We need to stop him before someone gets hurt”.

Enos nods looking at his hands on the table.

“Enos…”, Luke tries to wake him up.

“You’re right. We… I need to stop Scanlon. I don’t want someone else gets hurt because of me.  I’m sorry…. It’s only my fault if now he’s not in jail”.

Daisy touches gently his shoulder, “Stop blaming yourself Enos. It’s not your fault”.

Enos looks at her with a mix of sweetness, love and sadness.

Uncle Jesse stands up, “It’s better to go to sleep. It’s been a bad day and some rest will refresh our minds. Boys, go sleep while I stay here to control everything out there is OK, then we’ll take turns. Scanlon is dangerous and we need to be careful”.

Enos stands up too, “Uncle Jesse, I..”

Uncle Jesse stops him, “Go to sleep, Enos. It’s my turn now. And you’re the one who needs to rest more than anyone else here”.

The deputy lowers his head, nodding slowly.

Several hours after, in the middle of the night, Daisy opens her eyes. She sits on her bed, listening to the silence in the farm. She remembers all the things happened that day, like a sort of nightmare, and she decides to go to the kitchen to drink some fresh water.

When she enters the kitchen she sees Enos looking outside the window, his figure standing out in the moonlight, his look lost in the darkness outside. He turns briefly his eyes to her then he looks again outside the window.

Daisy approaches him silently, and when she’s behind him she hugs him, resting her head on his large back, her arms folded on his stomach. There’s no need to speak, and after that long and silent hug Daisy comes back to her room cuddling up under the blankets and hugging her pillow, trying in vain to find the same warmth.

The next morning Daisy wakes up still hugging her pillow.

The young woman enters the kitchen to find Luke in the same spot where Enos was during the night. The brown hair Duke has an empty cup of coffee in his hand and he’s looking outside.

Enos is sitting at the table, a cup still full of coffee, now cold, in front of him.  Daisy wonders if he stayed there all night long or if he slept a bit.

Uncle Jesse opens the kitchen’s door and comes in, his rifle on his shoulder, “Out there everything seems quiet. I wonder where that man is right now and what he’s planning”.

Luke nods, “We can’t wait for him. We need a plan. What if we push Scanlon to show up using a bait?”

“It’s a good idea”, Bo enters the kitchen still yawning, “but what kind of bait? The only thing Scanlon wants is Enos”.

“Exactly”, Luke goes on showing his idea, “Enos will be our bait. We’ll tell Scanlon exactly where and when he can meet Enos, so when he’ll show up we’ll stop him”.

Bo seems confused, “But … how?”.

Luke smiles, “Using the radio. Our friend Elton works at the Hazzard’s radio.  He’ll announce his interview with Enos today at 4 p.m. Scanlon will show up for sure and we’ll be there waiting for him”.

“It’s a bad idea”, Daisy’s heart beats fast in her chest, “what if Scanlon will be able to avoid our vigilance and he’ll come in the radio’s station?”

Enos stands up, “Luke is right. Scanlon wants me, and if he knows where he can find me he’ll show up for sure.  And if he’ll be able to reach me avoiding your watch, well, I’ll face him”.

Bo pats him gently on his shoulder, “He won’t reach you. Your guard will be all Hazzard’s people. No stranger can avoid Hazzard’s watch”.

Uncle Jesse is right: Scanlon is very dangerous. He’s a professional killer, and like all dangerous killers he studies his victims and their possible weak point: that young woman with long and perfect legs, long brown hair and hazel eyes; her loving glance and her hand holding his enemy’s hand. If he can’t reach the cop, he’ll use that woman to hit him.

Bait: it’s what Scanlon is thinking of. He smiles devilishly hearing the radio and the naïf attempt of those rough countrymen to ambush him. The cop will be at the radio’s station at 4 p.m., and for sure his friends will be all around there waiting for him showing up. Those countrymen want to use the cop as bait, ready to stop him when he’ll try to reach the cop, but he’s clever than them.

A fake beard, a hat and overalls:  so simple to camouflage in that town. And more simple is to find that woman nearby the radio’s station.

Enos’s heart stops when Scanlon calls him at the radio’s station telling him Daisy is now in his hands.

Daisy is in Scanlon’s hands. It’s a nightmare.

Enos rushes outside the radio’s station despite Bo and Luke trying to stop him.

Scanlon is waiting for him at the Pruitt’s glade, where he can kill him easily.

The cop arrives at the glade alone, his hands up, perfectly visible from Scanlon’s higher position. Daisy is near Scanlon and Enos is glad she’s still alive, he couldn’t accept somebody gets hurt because of him, especially Daisy, the woman he loves more than his own life.

Again, Daisy has to see a gun pointed to Enos who is now slowly walking toward his enemy, toward sure death, hands up, unable to defend himself in order to defend Daisy.  His life instead of Daisy’s life: it’s his choice.

Scanlon is ready to shot the cop, but the gun fortunately misfires. Few seconds and Daisy, her hands tied back, realizes Scanlon’s problem with his gun and she raises her long leg kicking the armed hand of the killer.

The gun falls on the ground.

Enos is now running up the hill. He knows Scanlon is dangerous even if now is apparently disarmed.

Scanlon, full of rage, slaps Daisy’s face pushing her to the ground.

Rage overwhelms Enos; he doesn’t stand to see someone hitting Daisy. The cop reaches the disarmed killer and he clings to him. Scanlon is for sure less strong than the young cop, but like every professional killer he has a hidden weapon.

In shock Daisy sees Scanlon drawing out another gun from a holster hidden under his pants, at the ankle, and hitting Enos’s head.

The cop is now on his knees holding his head and looking in shock at Daisy who dashes toward Scanlon trying to disarm him.

Scanlon slaps again the woman and points the gun towards her, ready to shot her, and the brief clang of the gun’s loading says her this time the gun is not going to misfire.

Few seconds for Enos to realize there’s no time to draw out his gun, the only thing to do is to take Daisy off from the bullet’s path.

Daisy looks terrified at the barrel, but when she hears the shot she’s in Enos’s arms, falling down the little ravine behind the hill. Again Enos’s body is protecting her from the falling. And again Daisy has to fear his temporary motionless before he trails her behind a bush nearby.

Slowly Enos sits down, blood dropping from his forehead where Scanlon’s gun hit him. His trembling hands reach Daisy tied wrists releasing her.

Scanlon is coming down the ravine, “I’m goin’ to kill you this time, cop”.

“Don’t move, Daisy”, he draws his gun.

“But… Enos, you’re injured, you can’t face him now”, Daisy’s voice cracks.

“There’s no choice”, he whispers, slowly standing up.

The killer is in front of the cop, both pointing their gun, only a short bush between them.

When Bo, Luke, Uncle Jesse, Cooter, Boss and Rosco arrive at the glade they hear two shots coming from the little ravine behind the hill. After the shots the time seems stopping for a while only to speed up few after because of Daisy’s screaming.

The men rush up the hill and then down the ravine, finding Scanlon on the ground, dead, blood dropping from a hole in his forehead, and Enos in Daisy’s arms, a bloody stain widening out on his chest.

Bo, Luke and uncle Jesse run towards him. Bo swallows, kneeling to Enos’s side, taking off his yellow shirt and pressing it to the wound, looking horrified at the yellow turning a deep red.

Enos sees Bo and Luke close to him. He feels a pressure on his chest, no pain but a freezing cold overwhelming him. He can see Bo speaking to him, but he can’t understand what he’s saying like if he’s sinking in dark water.

Meanwhile Daisy is crying in Uncle Jesse arms, and Cooter, Boss and Rosco look at them in shock.

Bo shivers as Enos gives no response and looks to Luke for help, “Luke what’re we gonna do?!”. Finally Luke snaps out of his shocked state, “Rosco, call an ambulance”.

Few after they can do nothing but watch as Enos is taken out of their arms and loaded into the ambulance.

Daisy is looking outside the kitchen’s window, her eyes full of tears remembering the night she was there, hugging Enos.

“Daisy, darling, why are you still awake?”

Her uncle’s voice makes Daisy jump, a brief gesture to wipe her tears off.

“I can’t sleep Uncle Jesse, always the same nightmare”.

Uncle Jesse sighs, “Daisy, everything is OK, Enos is getting better and better, and Scanlon can’t hit anybody”.

Daisy nods coming closer to her uncle and hugging him, “I know, but…. I can’t stop thinking of what happened, and what could have happened if….”, her words stopped by a tight hug from her uncle, “Daisy, try to forget ‘bout it. Fortunately Enos is alive, and you too”.

Back in her room Daisy tries to sleep only to wake up again, breathing heavily because of the thought of Enos’s blood coming continuously to her mind. The dawn filters in her room and the woman stands up, eager to go to the hospital to visit Enos, like every day since the shooting.

Daisy hates the typical smelling of the hospital, a mix of disinfectant and medicines. She passes quickly through the hall avoiding to look at the couches where that day she was waiting for doctors, torn between wish and fear to know ‘bout Enos’s condition in the operating room. She wants to forget about how long she stayed sitting on that couch while her family were hugging each other, and Boss Hogg and Rosco too, shocked in that wide and cold hall; in particular she wants to forget about Rosco standing silently in front of the white wall, his forehead against it like if he could hardly stand, something so strange for him. She wants to forget about everything in that hall, as well the small bathroom where she rushed so many times to let her tears out, and where she rushed to vomit in the moment she saw a doctor, his tight features, coming through a long corridor to tell them the news they’re waiting for.

Daisy is now walking along another corridor, the sun entering the large windows and lighting the tidy floor, so tidy it seems a mirror. And in this corridor she meets the same doctor she saw that day, and all days after; he smiles gently to her, “Good morning, Miss Duke”. She remembers him talking to her family, Boss and Rosco while she was coming out that bathroom, her legs trembling and her hears buzzing; she remembers his tired features after the long operation, and she remembers his tired smile, that smile cheering her up and meaning that Enos was alive.

A brief knocking at the door, his voice behind it, and Daisy enters the small white room, the moment she prefers in those days.

“Hi Enos. Did you sleep tonight?”, she smiles.

He nods, “Yeah”, his voice still hoarse because of the time spent in the Intensive Care Unit with a tube inside his trachea.

Only a glance to tell him that she didn’t sleep, again. “And what ‘bout you? You seems so tired, Dais. You shouldn’t come here every day in the morning”.

“Oh Enos, don’t worry. Doctor gave me permission to come to visit you at any time I want to”.

Enos sighs thinking of how is so simple to her to persuade people to do what she wants they do. He looks at her, her brown hair sparkling in the sunlight and her hazel eyes changing to a green shade. Her beauty makes him blush as usual, so he closes his eyes, resting on the pillows under his back.

“How’s your chest?”.

Her voice snaps him out of his drowsiness, “Uh, better. It hurts a bit, but I’m OK”.

Daisy looks at the bandages covering his chest, something that still anguishes her, then she looks away focusing on his face and on his closed eyes, his eyelids gently trembling while he’s half asleep because of pain killers doctors are giving him.

The young woman takes his hand and she squeezes it gently, a gesture very familiar during all those days spent by his side at the Hospital, especially when he was in the Intensive Care Unit.

Falling asleep in the sunlight filling the little room, her hand still squeezing his one, Daisy promises to herself to be more honest ‘bout her feelings toward Enos in the future.  “I won’t leave his hand any more, and I’ll do anything I can do to make him happy”, is what is thinking of in that white and sunny room, the only room where she can sleep, because Enos is by her side.