When the Sun Runs Away

(A Dukes of Hazzard Round Robin Story)

Written: Winter/Spring 2002 by the following contributing authors: Essy Jane and Kristy Duke.

Edited by: Essy Jane

CHAPTER SIX

After a long moment we reach the farm house where we find my dad and Mora
here, who waits within the house. I hug him slightly and hug Mora tightly
kissing her on her blond hair. She is getting so big. "Daddy is going to
take in a boy," she beams up at me.
I look up at him and he nods. "Well I am thinking about it, he just came to
the orphanage the other week and he is real sad and down," he says, "I know
that they all need extra love and care and that is why I have been doing so
much over there, but I feel so much for him. We just connected and I can't
let him out of my eyes. I have only seen him a couple of times, but yet I
love him so much.

"He use to live with his parents in Chickasaw until they were killed in a
bank robbery. . .he is so traumatised; he saw the whole thing," he sighs
sadly, "he is seven years old and is named, Dale Fetcher. He is such a
sweetie. What do you think Daisy?"

I ride with my dad in silence to meet this Dale kid. I couldn't believe the
news, he just keeps popping up new news with each day; he seems so excited
about being back in Hazzard. Slowly he pulls up in the parking lot of the
orphanage and Mora jumps out excited to see Dale again.

Slowly I move behind them both, I am filled with mixed emotions that flow
lividly within me. I follow him up the wooden wobbly steps and through the
halls where he stops and talks to the receptionist before he leads us past
closed rooms before he knocks and a sobbing voice says to come in.

I look at the kid who is thin and small for his age, his hair is dirty blond
and has a tan complexion with dark blue eyes. My heart melts for the kid, he
is so cute, but yet so sad. He yearns for the love and attention he once got
from his parents, though knows no one could be like them. "Mr. Duke!" he
yells running over to my dad.

"This is my other daughter, Daisy, I was talking about," my dad introduces
us, "What ya think, Daisy?"

"You only have one choice and that is to take him in," I smile at the two of
them that seem so perfect for one another. Better yet dad seems so much
happier with him there by him, his blue eyes shine with pride and joy as the
kid yells with joy.

Suddenly Dale turned away. He had a sour look on his face though no one knew
why. "I don't want to go!" Dale exclaimed. Everyone looked at him in
disbelief. One minute he wanted to be part of the family and the next he
didn't.

Bo and Luke came in behind our truck. They wanted to meet the newest member
of the family. As they walked in the door, I explained to them what Dale had
said. Bo and Luke looked at each other and gave each other a hug. Now this
was strange even to me. Those boys have done many weird things in their days
for their own reasons.

Why would they hug each other at a time like this? Here was Dale going
through an odd phase and they were hugging? I really wanted to know what was
going on.

"Dale, I'm Luke and this is Bo. Do you have special friend here?" Luke
asked. I wondered why he would ask such a question. It was beyond me why he
would question a boy about that. Then it hit me; maybe Dale had what Bo has
with Luke. It could be his problem.

"Yeah, I do. He's my best friend I don't want to leave him," Dale replied.

"What's his name?" Bo asked.

"Well there are two of them. They're older than me and have helped me
through my life. My one friend's name is Dirk and the other is Gus. They're
cousins. Both are 16 years old and have been here forever."

"Well...I guess we'll have to take them in too. Boy when I choose sons I
know how to pick them," Dad said. I was amazed that he was going to take all
three.

Four months later...

The papers were all filled out and I had three new brothers. They loved the
idea of being Dukes so much that they had their last name changed.

Dirk and Gus had such a blast with Bo and Luke. Mora and Dale always hung
out together. She taught him the ropes of the trade of fishing. As for me I
became a waitress once again for boss after quitting my third time.

I guess its fun getting to see everyone come and visit you. Oh and I finally
beat Bo at a race. It was so glorious that I did a victory dance. "I beat
you, you ate my dust!" I exclaimed.

"Yeah that's right you bragger, keep ringing it," Bo mumbled.

"You better believe I will. I am the best you lost against Me."

"So you want a rematch?"

"Maybe next week sly cat but for now I won and I love it when I win." Derk
and Gus began to laugh hard.

"Daisy, you want to challenge us to a race?" Derk questioned.

"Sure, I'll drive the General and you can take my road runner," I agreed.

"Who said you can take my General?" Bo asked.

"I am Daisy; you said I could borrow the General when I learned how to
drive. Guess what I learned Bo?"

"You...but-I ummm...oh never mind." I giggle sneakily as Gus got into the
road runner.

I sit at my dad's table thinking of today's events. I couldn't believe how
good the boys could drive, though I should have known. I knew Cooter gave
the boys lessons once they came of age, they'd all be out there like they
were. Cooter did all sorts of things out there at the orphanage; he is such
a great guy. I couldn't believe that I won by a speck, I won two races in
one day. My all time record.

"You are silent?" my dad sneaks up behind me, "Mora is out with Dale to the
arcade and the two older ones are out helping me in the fields."

"This late?" I question, "I guess it is that time of year. Nah, just
thinking."

"Yeah they all have settled down real nicely," he says proudly, "I never
thought they would take so kindly to us and their new life; figured it would
take awhile."

"Yeah, but they love you and that is what got them here," I tell him, "Bo
and Luke helped a lot though."

"Yeah they have," he smiles, "How is Bo coming along? I mean I never heard
of how he is taking it after his mom split."

"He has Luke and Uncle Jesse that is what matters to him, “I answer,” he was
hurt and he still gets down about it, but not for long. That is just Bo. As
long as Jesse and Luke are there, he is fine."

"I am sure you have helped a lot too," he says to me, "he hasn't sai-"

"Yes over and over again, but the boys stick together and I don't want to
interfere; they are such great friends," I shrug, "plus I have several
friends around town and Mora to hang out with and all, Bo don't have that
much friends. Though he never has complained as long as Luke is there."

"Yeah, I looked up to Jesse like that too when I was younger," he nods as
Dirk and Gus run in after one another, "Wash your hands before you touch
anything!"

"Yes sir," they grin running to the bathroom.

"Well I better go to work," I sigh looking up at the clock, "just thought I
would come and say hi and all."
"It was nice," he smiles as he gets up and we hug one another. "Take care,
don't let Hogg boss you around too much."

"Never do, bye dad; I will see you around," I smile as I make my way out to
my yellow car and start it up to back up down the drive way and to the road
and I hesitantly drive to work.

Slowly I throw my car into park and step out into the dusty dirt as people
come and go from the local bar. Walking in the loud music from the jukebox
hits me with the smoky air and the loud laughing and yelling from the
customers. Hesitantly I walk behind the bar to hear a male's voice, "Hey
babe, give me your best beer and join me," I turn to find a tall muscular
tan man who I had dated before Luke came home from war.

"Hank Devbre," I say as my heart pounds heavily in my chest, I knew I
shouldn't have dated a nineteen year old when I was sixteen years old, but
he is so cute and he was so nice when we first met and started dating.

"Come over here Daisy, we can get in my truck and go over to my place an-"

"No Hank!" I yell at him as fear consumes me, "I don't want anything to do
with you!"

"Oh that is right, your whimsy post thin cousin is gonna pound me, huh? I
don't think he could if he wanted to," he grins as he grabs my arm harshly
and I try to fight back against him only for him to yank me into the barn,
"You gonna come with me, you ain't got a choice."

He grins and I know what he means or is talking about. I stop fighting and
he begins to drag me through the bar as I see Bo walking in with Luke with
his lady friend. Anger reaches Bo's face as Luke is talking to his tall
brunette friend. "Hank let her go!" Bo yells reaching us.

Angrily Hank lets go to punch Bo across the jaw and Bo yells out in pain
before Bo elbows Hank in the face and Hank's dark green-brown eyes light up
with fire as he grabs Bo by the shirt and jams him against the wall, causing
pictures and mirrors to drop to the floor, shattering.

Luke quickly turns around and comes up behind Hank and rips him off his
cousin, his best friend. Bo painfully slides to the wooden floor, fighting
for his breath to come back to him before getting back up to join Luke in
his fight. I watch in fear as the boys fight Hank as flash backs run through
my head of his abusive past and how many lies I had to lie to make sure
Jesse and Bo wouldn't know I was getting abused by the man I loved.

Though Bo quickly caught on when he happened to see me against the wall and
Hank yelling at him. I had pleaded for him not to tell Jesse, but he did
anyway out of love. Jesse went great lengths to make sure he wouldn't come
close to me again. Now he is back from where ever and I got the boys in it
again. I sigh at the recall of how badly he had beaten Bo when Bo jumped on
him to leave me be. BO was hospitalized for two weeks with broken ribs, a
severe concussion, and a broken arm.

I look as Luke is thrown behind the bar and Bo is pinned between Hank and
the wall as he continuously beats him. "Remember last time huh trash beam?
How hurt you were?" Hank laughs as Luke comes from behind and he looks at me
question, "Two weeks in the hospital with that concussion, almost killed
you. This time I am not going to stop until you are dead!"

"Sure if you say so," Bo manages to say as he kicks him in the legs and he
lets go in pain and Luke comes from behind to throw him into the bar. I
watch as Hank lies on the floor, blood runs from his forehead. Slowly he
gets up and looks at Bo, "I will get you trash beam, you are not stopping me
twice and get away with it!" With that he runs out.
Slowly we all sit down and I begin to explain all that had happened to Luke.
Finally I finish as Bo continues to fight for air. "You Ok cuz?" Luke asks
worriedly at his friend who has panic in his blue eyes.

Slowly Bo shakes his head before he fights to say, "I …can…not…brea…the."

Luke picks Bo up in his arms cradling him. He puts his ear to Bo's chest
listening carefully. "Do you want me to call an ambulance?" I asked.

"No! There's no time for that. It could get here and Bo could be dead. We'll
take the General," Luke replied hastily. I didn't blame him for acting in
such a matter. Again Bo was in trouble.

As we hurried outside, I noticed the General's tires had been slashed. Luke
kicked the general hard. He yelped as a result and dropped Bo. "What did you
do?"

"I broke my ankle." I grabbed Luke and lead him to my road runner. I then
pick up Bo and swing him over one shoulder. He was heavy but I had to do so.
I slowly moved one foot in front of the other, staggering with each step. I
finally got into the car. I started up the engine and just flew down the
road. I took every short cut possible and a few more that Luke invented
along the way.

"Are you okay here Luke?"

"Yeah, go get a stretcher and a nurse."

I walk out of the hospital with two very cute nurses who I knew couldn't
stop looking at me and looking me over. We arrive at my car and they slowly
take Luke into a wheel chair before they reach in and carefully grab Bo and
place him on the stretcher. Placing an air mask on his mouth the other one
checks for a pulse and says, "He isn't breathing."
I watch in shock and fear as they quickly wheel him in, in Luke's eyes show
fear and worry as well as a tear that he lets slide down his face freely as
he is wheeled into the hospital. "Call Uncle Jesse," he calls back at me.

I am left in the cold standing still, too afraid to walk, too weak to even
try to. My mind wonders through the past of when I dated him to how badly he
had beat Bo then compared to now. If only I took Bo's advice when we first
started about his age difference and that entire time he heard about his
anger this wouldn't have happened. I only slapped him and got angry at him,
now thanks to me not listening to him both the boys are hurt and Bo could be
dead. What happens next?

Slowly I make my way into the hospital and to the dial pay phone. Throwing
my quarters I pick up the phone to hear Maybelle, "Hello," she says.

"Duke Farm," I answer and I hear her switching us to the farm.

"Jesse Duke here," I hear my uncle's voice.

"Hi Je-"

"Hi Daisy," he says happily to hear me, if only he knew what I had to say he
wouldn't be so happy, "are the boys there? I want them to pick some grain up
for me so I-"

"They can't," I blurt out as tears roll down my cheeks.

"What is wrong Daisy?" he finally asks.

Slowly I go into telling everything and more tears roll down my eyes in fear
and sadness. I hear my uncle's heavy breathing as I finish up the story.
"I'm on my way," he says hanging up on me.

Alone again I slowly find an empty seat and pick up a car magazine on the
table. My mind is lost in fear for my boys, who only tried to help me. Bo
may die helping me from the man he warned me about, if not now then later.
Hank keeps his promises and he promised to kill him. Why couldn't I have
just listened to Bo?

My family is more important than any boy in any day, but yet I only got
angry at him. No wonder why Luke was following me around when I had a date,
but I only ran away from him. I guess he was trying to save me from myself.
His plan back fired.

I look up as Luke wobbles over to me in his crutches; his white cast reaches
his knee. He looks at me as he softly as he sits down with struggle. "You
are going to be okay?" I ask through my tears and pain.

"Yeah, says in a few weeks and I will be running like new," he grins
worriedly at me, "any word on Bo yet?"

"No, Jesse is on his way," I answer him wiping my face.

"I 'spose I didn't help him much by dropping him like I did," he says, "He
is a fighter he will be okay."

"Perhaps," I answer softly as Jesse rushes in out of the cold and bends down
to hug Luke.

"Looks like you will be fine," he says, "just means less work out in the
fields, how is Bo?"

I look at him unable to answer him; Bo is his baby and always will be. It
hurt him to see Bo leave after me even if though I hurt him enough, but with
Bo's child hood illnesses with his acute asthma it only brought him closer
to him, made him more protective. "No word," Luke responds to me.

"He warned you about that boy," Jesse says, "and you only slapped him for
trying to help you."

"I know," I snap at him, "you don't think I don't feel guilty enough as it
is? Well I do."

"I know you do baby, I'm sorry," Jesse sighs hardly with tears in his
crystal blue eyes.

"We all are just upset," Luke adds, though he is lost in our conversation.
Silence comes between all of us for a long few minutes that seem to last an
eternity.

"Dukes," says a male's soft voice.

We all look up before walking hurriedly over to medium sized doctor with
salt and pepper hair. "How is my boy?" Jesse asks nervously.

"Well he broke a couple of ribs that has punctured his lungs that stopped
his breathing," he says pausing for a long time, "we finally got him
breathing once again, though it isn't strong or stable. We did all we can so
it is up to him if he keeps it or not."

"Can we see him?" Luke questions worriedly.

"One at a time," he says worriedly, "room two sixteen."

We watch as he walks away and we look at one another. "You go Luke," Jesse
says and I return to the seats once again with Jesse.

"Your turn," Jesse says to me as Luke reappears after fifteen minutes, worry
covers his face.

Slowly I walk into his room to find him awake looking at an old health
magazine that was left on his night stand. An air tube is in his nose,
traveling down his ears and meet at the bottom of his chin. Three IVs slowly
drip down into him.

I slowly take a seat next to his bed; I feel my heart pounding heavily
within me. My mind is lost in the past when I refused to listen to him, even
though he knew how he was. I couldn't allow that to be the truth, which the
man that I thought I loved was the way he was. Why did he have to be such a
jerk? This is the second time that he beat Bo so bad for just sticking up
for me. Who knows what he will do next to Bo and only because of me.

I jump in surprise as I feel an icy cold hand touch my right wrist. I smile
in relief as I find Bo awake and he smiles weakly up at me before wincing in
pain. "How are you feeling honey?" I ask him, "You need anything? Water?"

He smiles at the sound of someone talking after the few long minutes we
spent in silence looking at one another. "Water may be nice," he gasps
painfully and I get up and pour him a cup of water and hand it to him,
"Thanks."

"You bet," I answer sadly, "I am sorry Bo, I really s-"

"It is not your fault Daisy and I am not going to listen to it," he say
setting down his cup of water, "I am fine, in a few days I will be home and
out in the fields. It isn't your fault. You hear me?"

"I guess, I just feel so responsible for this all," I shrug, "I mean if I
had only listened to you back then you wouldn't have gotten hurt back then
and now, now."

"What did I say?" he asks me pulling me into a hug and letting go of me he
winces in pain, "It is no one's fault so don't be blaming yourself. OK?"
"OK," I respond after a long silent moment, "though he does stick to his
promises and he sa-"

"I know, Daisy," he smiles, "I ain't scared of that chicken."

"You should be, after all look what he did to you, both times," I scold him.

"I know, but this time I got Luke by my side," he grins up at me, "you can't
go wrong by Luke…you worry too much."

I shake my head at him before I reach down and hug him tightly and standing
up I say,
"I'll let Jesse come in and say hi, he is worried about you."
He nods at me and I slowly turn to leave when he says, "Hey Daisy."

I turn to look up at him and say,” What is it Bo?"

"Smile," he smiles at me, "Smiles make the world a brighter place."

I smile sarcastically at him before I walk out to the hall to Jesse who is
teary eyed with worry. "He's fine Jesse," I shake my head, "though he does
need some sense kicked into him, him saying he ain't afraid of him? He'll
stick to that promise he said."

"I heard and I know how Hank is; that is what I am afraid of," he sighs as
he disappears down the hall.

I didn't want to leave just yet. I really wanted to hear what Uncle Jesse
had to say to my fearless cousin. I could hear the creaking of the chair as
he sat down beside him. "You look like you need some cheese," Uncle Jesse
said. I was puzzled by the statement.

"Huh? That made no sense to me," Bo replied.

"Just like what you said to Daisy. I don't understand you boy! This guy is
trying to kill you and you still don't so much as react? In fact, now you're
telling her that you're not even afraid?"

"Look, I am scared. Why wouldn't I be? But I won't be caught dead showing
fear to the likes of that guy or anyone else for that matter." Uncle Jesse's
hands unclenched and his mind opened, as did my mind. I wondered how he
could be so selfless for everyone. It was as if he was protecting this whole
world from fear and hatred. He didn't want them to think of him as a coward.

Bo wasn't a coward; he was the bravest person I knew besides Luke. The power
in his sentence was remarkable. Bo's words climbed the highest mountain. His
wish was never too impossible to grant.

I guess I had to realize that. I had to know where my life stood and how my
dreams came to be. My world was nothing without my hope. I didn't care what
the doctor said, I walked in the room. "You were hiding your fear?" I asked.

"Yeah, I guess I was hiding it so you wouldn't think I'm weak," Bo replied.
Uncle Jesse squeezed Bo's knee as he walked out of the room.

"You won't do that again."

"And why not?"

"Bo, a person shows no fear by admitting it to not only himself but others."

"Then I guess I am a yellow bellied scum bag." I laughed. I knew it wasn't
the time for laughter but I laughed. "What is so funny?"

"You don't know how wonderful you are. You won't let anyone see your inner
love for everyone. You are so stuck on your ego that you can't see what is
important anymore in life."

"Slow down! I know what's important."

"No you don't or you wouldn't be trying to face this man again."

"Well this man is not going to ruin my whole life because he got me."

"Twice Bo, he got you twice."

"Well the third time usually is a charm for me. I know I can get him with a
little bit of help from the good lord and maybe a personal trainer like
Luke." I smack my head hard. This wasn't how I wanted this conversation to
go. I wanted him to see past all of this. But I knew he was set in his ways
and wouldn't change for anybody.

"Just promise me one thing Bo Duke."

"And what's that Daisy Duke?"

"If you get in trouble run. Run like you did when you were in school. Don't
get hurt again. I can't live with myself as it is. But with you hurt it
makes it ten times worse."

"Okay Daisy baby, you have a deal."

The weeks went by and I was basically waiting at the hospital room door for
Bo to come out of the hospital. "How long does it take a man to get
dressed?" I hissed. I couldn’t stand waiting for Bo; after all he was in
there for so long.

"Long enough when he has broken ribs," Bo replied. I swallowed hard. I guess
I always forgot about that one. Bo always seemed to have the common courtesy
to get dressed fast for people but today seemed to be different.

"So how was your sleep?" Bo let out a hacking cough and soon after cleared
his throat.

"The same as it was every other day you asked me. It was terrible, I
couldn't get a wink in."

"Aww poor Bo." The door swung open and hit me in the nose. My eyes began to
water. Bo looked at me wide eyed. I cradled my nose in between my hands.

"Oh Daisy! Your nose is bleeding." The blood dripped between my fingers.
This was just great, I was wearing a nice white shirt and I had to have my
nose attacked by a big metal door. Not my kind of fun I can tell anyone
that. Boy did it ever sting.

"Let's go home." Bo gave me that look. I knew I wasn't going anywhere. Well
next thing I knew I was waiting in chairs for a doctor to see me in
emergency. In the meantime, my nose was having a relaxing ice pack in it. I
had cotton balls coming out of my nostrils. This isn't a pretty sight.

"You look hilarious like that." I slapped Bo in the back of the head.

"I don't see why we couldn't have gone home." I hate doctors more than
anything. They scare me, I don't know why either. Maybe it is those white
jackets. Or maybe it is because I am afraid of being cut open by another
person. I don’t really know but I will guess someday.

"Your nose is most likely broken and you're telling me that you want to go
home?"

"Yes I am." I tapped my one free hand on the side of the chair. The finger
nails made a nice sound.

"Daisy Duke?" The nurse calls. I didn't say anything because I really didn't
want to see that doctor. Bo put his hand and led the nurse towards me.

"Come on Daisy let's go," Bo commanded. There was no way I was going in
there. I wrapped my legs around my chair. Bo pulled on my arm. "This isn't
funny!" I folded my arms tightly.

Well I guess he got sick of me doing this so he picked up the chair. I
didn't know how Bo did it with his ribs in the condition that they were. But
he did it just the same. The nurse giggled under her breath. "The doctor
will be with you momentarily," the nurse told us.

"Tell him to take his time," I replied. Bo stood up and whispered something
in the nurse's ear. She roared with laughter and walked out.

I must've been shaking like a leaf because Bo put an arm around me. The
doctor walked in and boy was he cute. This wonderful man had a tight t-shirt
on with these rippling muscles underneath. Well you know my thoughts, WOW! I
looked at his tag, Doctor H. Simmons. I had to guess the 'H'. You see I
liked those types of challenges. "What seems to be the trouble Daisy?"
Doctor Simmons asked.

"Well I think I broke my nose Herald," I replied.

"My name's not Herald."

"Sorry John."

"Where'd you pick that up from?"

"Sorry Henry."

"That's better. Well I don't think we need to x-ray it. I can see where it
has popped out."

"You must've had high test scores." I crossed my legs. The doctor swallowed
hard. He examined my nose. I flinched when he touched my nose.

"That hurts?"

"Yeah." The doctor dropped his stethoscope on the examining bed. I went to
pick it up and felt this sharp shooting pain. "OWE!"

"It's easier than having to have a numb nose for an hour. Sorry about that
Daisy. I'll put your nose in a splint just for safety measures. You be
careful with it for a while. Don't smell too much shampoo." I had to laugh.

"Thanks."

"What happened to you?" Jesse asks as we walk into the house, "I ask you to
pick up Bo and you come home two hours late?"

"Bone head there hit me with the door and damaged my nose," I grunt pointing
to Bo and Luke cracks up laughing at us as he stands in the doorway. "It is
not funny, he is your best friend so next time you can drop your girlfriend
off to pick your best friend off."

"Sure I would be glad to," he says walking over to Bo and they disappear
into the living room.

"You okay?" Jesse asks me.

"Of course I am, I got a date this Friday with my doctor," I grin at Jesse
worried about what he will think of the age difference; he is only ten years
older than I.

"I hope as an appointment," he grunts and as he sees how serious I am he
says, "Daisy, he has to be a good ten years age difference and-"

"It is only as friends, that is all," I say and I see his shoulders relax,
"What about Bo?"

"He should be fine, they said if he starts having chest pains or has
troubles breathing to bring him back in," I answer, "He seemed well when he
forced me to see the doctor, though was real quiet on the way home. Kept
asking him what is wrong and if he is OK and he wouldn't respond; just kept
looking out the window."

He looks at me for a long moment before he disappears into the living room
to the boy’s room where I follow him there. Opening the door we find Bo and
Luke looking through a car part magazine, pointing out parts they could use
for the General. "You OK Bo?" Jesse asks walking in.

"Of course, why wouldn't I be," he shrugs his shoulders.
"Beauregard Allan Duke!" Jesse roars, "I know you are hiding something from
us, so spill it now!"

Bo looks around the room from one person to another before saying, "Hank
called me before Daisy showed up to pick me up."

"No," I say silently.

Instantly Luke throws down the magazine, no longer interested in parts for
their car. "What does he want from you?" he asks worriedly.

"He wants me to meet him at the Boars Nest tonight," Bo says softly.

"You aren't going," Jesse says firmly.

"He says if I don't show up he will burn the farm house to a crisp with
everyone in it," Bo says even softer.

Everyone looks at one another in the silent room. "Well what next?" I
finally ask.

"Well Bo could go and we could get a whole army to back him up, scare him
off," Luke suggests.

"No, he wants me to come alone with no one there," Bo inserts, "if he finds
a lawman there or any of you he will then burn the Boar's Nest down to a
crisp."

"He always liked playing with fire," I say slightly, everyone looks at me,
"he will do it too!"

"I know he will," Jesse says, "but if Bo shows up he will kill Bo. . .he
don't give anyone a second chance and he gave Bo two chances."

Bo looked at everyone, especially me. I knew that he didn't want to ruin
someone's business but he had to. I didn't want him to get hurt. I had to
think of something. Just as the idea poured into my head, Luke snapped his
fingers as he usually did.

"Bo you should go," Luke commented.

"You're talking crazy talk, he'll kill him!" Jesse screamed.

"I can hide in the bushes and no one will ever know."

"Bad plan, he will find out. You both know it. I have a plan that will out
beat yours Luke. Did you think he'll call again?" I butted in.

"Yeah, he said he would call the house," Bo replied.

"That's what we'll do then."

"What are we doing?" I guess out of the moment of thought I forgot to
explain my plan.

"You phone him back and tell the guy that you aren't going to meet him for a
month. And when you do it will be your way and in your conditions and not
his. Tell him you'll meet him in the woods."

"And then what?"

"Leave the rest up to us. Luke, get Enos and Cletus. We'll need those boys
to pull this off. We're calling this operation monkeys."

"Don't I get to know anything about this plan?"

"Not really. Oh and Luke while your at it call Cooter. In fact, get all Bo's
buddies. This is going to be fun." Bo shrugged and waited impatiently for
the phone. Luke called everyone, even Sam the delivery man.

We got coconuts, peanuts, watermelons, marshmallows, a tonne of molasses and
every other settlement of food I could think of. We had nets and all. I
couldn't let Bo go through this alone. There was no way Bo would be there on
his own. I couldn't let him.

My plan was simple, we would let out a full out attack on Hank from above.
We wouldn't let him win, not this time. He would have things thrown at him
until he couldn't see anymore. Soon after that we would throw the fishing
nets on them. These were supplied by the one and only Joe who left Hazzard
for a boat.

You know one thing that Luke thought of was to tape record the things that
Hank was going to say. To catch him in the act so to speak. It wasn't
anything against this guy...then again it was. This man threatened my cousin
and he wasn't going to get away with it.

It had been two weeks since Bo came out of the hospital. Everyone was going
through plans and routines in those whole two weeks. It was as if they were
in the military striking for battle.

Bo and I lay on a tarp watching the stars. Just us and friendly mother
nature laying back and wondering about life. "How can this be? My cousin is
creating a plan and I have no clue to what it is," Bo told me softly.

"Well just remember one thing. When battle strikes, run. Don't so much as
think. Use those skills that you learned in cross country running and just
breath it like the wind. I know you can," I replied.

"Are you sure your plan will work?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't let you go if I didn't."

"Do you have a back-up plan?"

"Sure, if I didn't I wouldn't be a good strategize. I should know if this
plan will be good."

"So you think it won't fail?"

"I know it won't."

He glares at me momentarily before Luke joins us, sitting near Bo. Bo looks
fondly at him with admiration in his eyes before he gets up and walks into
the farm house. We watch as he disappears and I turn to Luke, "What if this
doesn't work?" I ask him, "What if he gets to Bo?"

"Look it will work, we worked this out over and over, it can't fail," he
smiles at me with kind eyes, "C'mon we better get in, Jesse will have a fit
if one of us catches a cold due to us being out in the cold."

I nod as we slowly walk up to the house and walk in to the living room where
we find Bo sitting on the couch. At first I figured he was just resting his
eyes for a moment, but as he opens his eyes the pain radiates from his eyes
as he fights to breath. "Bo!" Luke says running to Bo, who has been fine the
past two weeks.

"I'm fine," Bo lies, "it'll calm down."

"Sure it will and fishes fly in the sky while ya at it," I say to him, I
look over at Luke who chuckles at my comment. "We got to take you to the
hospital."

"No," he yells getting up, "I am fine so let it be."

I look at Luke as Bo disappears into the boys' room. "He is right, it will
calm down; it is like this every time he lies down or anything at night,"
Luke says, "Jesse already called his doctor about it and it is normal with
the weather how it is acting and all."

I glare at him questionably before I nod and tell him good night and walk
into my room. I grin to myself with pride that I thought of the plan and not
Luke like he always does. For once I have came up with a great idea that is
bound to work to save my cousin's life of which I placed in danger; I can
erase my mistake. Though my cousin will always be scared with memories that
are charcoaled in his mind of what had happened. If only. . .
I sigh as I finish getting dressed and slip into the rest room and begin to
do my nightly duties. I glare at my nose in the mirror that is only slightly
bruised by the incident. After a long moment I finish up and walk out to
find Luke standing there in his sweat pants and an old undershirt. "Shoulda
known a girl was in there," he grins at me.

"Very cute, Luke," I mimic him.

"Hey Bo will be fine, he is a survivor," Luke calls after me, "He is a Duke
and Dukes are tough. . .if he weren't a survivor he would have died in that
fight in that jail as the doctors predicted he would."

I look back at him as he closes the door behind h I'm and my heart tightens
as I realize that his toughness, his coldness is just an act to be strong
for Bo. Through the last two weeks he has been walking around as if nothing
has happened, though I know Luke is as scared as I am about it. Luke has
always remained strong for Bo through everything and yet Bo is almost
twenty, he still looks out for him and is there for him like he was when he
was five. I sigh with envy at their relationship, I know Luke feels the same
about me and that is why I ran; thinking he was being over protective; but
it is different than it is with Luke.

Fighting back jealousy I smile in happiness that Bo has Luke. I have had
friends all my life that I have been close to and whom I confide my secrets
and run to for help. Bo always was picked and teased and even beat up due to
his size and other differences. Bo looks up to Luke and if there was no
Luke, Bo would be lost in the blackness of loneliness. Bo needs Luke and it
is reversed, they need each other not like a married couple but as best
friends; brothers most like it, without the other the other is not the same.
I sigh as I wonder what if Hank does kill Bo. How will Luke be able to cope?
And Uncle Jesse? And how will I? Bo has been there for me like no one ever
has and now. . .

I couldn't give up, not now not ever. This plan was bound to work. I had
another one just in case but wasn't sure about it. It wasn't that I didn't
trust myself or that amazing head on my shoulders but it was because I
wasn't used to it. Being a dreamer is not all it is cracked up to be. I've
always wanted to be a singer or maybe a writer but I don't know if I am good
enough.

Maybe I wasn't the person to do this. Maybe I am meant to stay at this farm
for the rest of my life never to go travel the world or see anything I have
ever wanted to. I couldn't think like that either. If I thought like that my
whole life, I would of been dead along time ago.

I looked at Bo's door and wondered if I could beat the evil that surrounded
him. I touched the wood and looked at the engraved pictures he had created
when he was just a boy. Uncle Jesse tanned his hide well. But it wasn't half
as bad as what was to come. It wasn't like he could avoid this or join some
protection agency. This was a fact of life. Sometimes life deals you a bad
hand you have got to get back up on that horse and just try again.

Luke grabbed my shoulders. I looked up to see that brown fuzzy lot of hair.
I could tell it was his. The boldness to his hair always reminded me of Miss
Tizdale's rug when she used to baby-sit us. I don't know why exactly but
that rug is still in my memory.

"Hey Luke," I mumbled softly.

"Why aren't you coming in? Staring at the door doesn't mean it's going to
open itself to you see watch," Luke replied. He stared at the door and as if
by magic, Bo opened the door handle.

"I guess you're not right about everything."

"Daisy? Luke? Why are you just standing there? Come in and sit down on the
bed. Let's talk like we've never talked before," Bo commented. He signalled
us to go inside.

We didn't talk much, all of us just sat there in a circle on Bo and Luke's
beds. We had pushed them together with a talk implied. But we just looked at
each other with not much emotion in our faces. We all seemed to be tired but
didn't move one inch. I guess I must of drifted off because I could feel the
sunlight on my shoulders. I looked around and I was still in Bo and Luke's
room. I was using Bo as a pillow and Luke as a foot rest. Luke had his eyes
wide open. He put a finger to his lips and pointed to Bo. Bo was still
asleep and mumbling as usual. Luke did a soft giggle under his breath.

I giggle under my breath as I slowly sit up and Luke sits up now that my
feet are not on his stomach any longer. I look down at my cousin who lies
asleep; he looks so peaceful while he sleeps even through his mumbling of
his dream. Surprised Luke and I look up as Jesse walks in, as if we are in
trouble.

"Aww he is still asleep?" he questions, "I hope that everything will turn
out for the better…if anything happens -"

"Aahh our plan will work out for the best, Hank can't stop all of us," Luke
tries to comfort him, though the same worry lies in his eyes, "He won't even
know what'll hit before he hears the slammer slam closed behind him."

"I hope you are right!" Jesse says wearily as Bo's mumbling becomes louder
with panic and fear. We all look at one another as of what to do before we
turn to Bo who suddenly stops his yelling to gasp painfully for air and his
chest heaves heavily in and out for air before it comes to a stop.

"Bo!" Luke yells jumping to Bo's bed, a tear drops down his cheek as he
checks his pulse, "Nothing."

I watch silently in place as Luke slowly moves to do CPR on his cousin. I
listen to his counting as he does the chest compressions and goes to breath
for his best friend. "So his coughing 'attack' last night was nothing?" I
finally ask.

Luke looks at me before looking down at Bo to breathe for him once again.
"What attack?" Jesse asks worriedly.

"After we came in after Bo, Bo was in the living room gasping for air and Bo
said it was nothing and Luke backed him up saying that it only happens at
night and that you called his doctor and he said that it was to be
expected," I answer.

"They never said anything," Jesse says, "What is this about all this Luke?"
Luke keeps with his CPR as if ignoring Jesse or a too angry to answer. "It
is only at night when it happened and it always calmed down before," he
sighs counting under his breathe, "I was gonna tell ya, but he made me
promise to him not to tell you. . .he didn't want you to worry. He knew you
were worried about everything and he didn't like it, if you knew it would
only worsen things."

"Yeah, now he-" Jesse cuts himself off and disappears out the door to call
for an ambulance.

I watch as Luke panics over his cousin, tears roll down his face. Tears that
he never allowed anyone else to see before, too proud to show his pain and
sadness and too protective of Bo to let him see him cry, to show him that he
is weak and not the superman Bo sees him as being.

He moves from breathing for Bo to doing his compressions and after a long
moment he says, "I did call his doctors after it started up, they really did
say that it was to be expected since his broken ribs are still rubbing up
against his punctured lung."
I watch as he goes to breathe for him and Jesse runs in saying the
paramedics should be here in a few minutes and I inform him of what Luke
said. "I knew you would do something of the sort," Jesse finally says
sighing in relief that Luke didn't just ignore the attacks but checked it
out and was willing to take action against it if he needed it.

I notice as Luke becomes more panicked with each passing second, in fear of
loosing Bo. After what seems to be an eternity the sirens pull up to a stop
in front and three paramedic men run in with a stretcher. I watch as they
swish Luke away and place him on the stretcher, placing an air mask over his
nose and mouth. My heart stands still as they silently take him away and we
follow them out to the ambulance where Jesse bags to ride along and they
agree.

"C'mon Daisy, we'll take the General," Luke mentions as the paramedics back
out with their sirens on and I can only imagine what is happening in there,
"General wants to go visit his key driver."

I look over at him and my heart begins to ach not only for Bo, but for Luke
who is suffering greatly through this as well. Slowly I follow him to the
boys' orange stock car and climb in through the welded shut door as Luke
joins in, sliding in faster and turns on the ignition and as I land in the
brown leather interior he backs out and speeds in the direction of the
ambulance.

How many times must I be hurt by this Hank? He couldn't meet Bo now, the
plan had been cancelled. I was sick of this though. I was sick of being hurt
and sick on living life like this. I was sick of the fear. "Luke, stop the
car!" I commanded. I wanted out. I wanted to do something that would change
the rest of my life and maybe Bo's too.

"Don't you want to see your cousin?" Luke questioned. I did but not in a
body bag. I knew that he would be okay if Hank weren't in the picture. I was
going to get rid of this guy once and for all.

"I'll catch up with you later." Luke looked at me with sore eyes. He knew my
thought patterns. I didn't understand how exactly but he knew something was
up. But he couldn't stop me from doing what I had to do. My fists were
clenched and I was set in my ways.

"Daisy, don't do something you might regret."

"Don't tell me nothing Luke! When you see Bo tell him that I love him and I
will see him in a while." Luke stared at me blankly watching me as if I were
a stranger. I turned from him just like that and ran from his presence. I
didn't want him to know my hatred had grown this strong within me. I knew
that he would try to stop me.

~End Chapter Six~