runningwild

Luke nodded slowly to himself, "I'll even let you use my rod. My good rod not the one I've rigged for the past two years." He grinned to himself, "Remember that time I hooked a big one on that old thing, and you went to reel it in. That danged thing just snapped and you stumbled into the lake." A laugh escaped his lips, "You were so mad at me." He paused and glanced over at Bo, "If only that was the most you'd ever be mad at me, Bo. I can't apologize anymore. I could say I'm sorry until I'm blue in the face, but you don't want that. You want the Luke you use to know back. I don't deserve anything no understanding or anything. I need to make it right. I need to make up for the past few years. Hell, I need to make up for the past few days." Luke never expected Bo to answer because up until now he hadn't been able to say the right thing to Bo. All he ever wanted was for things to be the same. His vision for his life was so much different than this. For once, he thought that things would work out and that he would be happy. Not this.

Luke took a deep breath, before he pushed open the door to Bo's room. Of course, the sound of beeping filled his ears because it was vital for Bo to have a heart monitor. Once he could ignore the beeping a soft hum flooded his ears. Taking a step forward, Luke headed over to Bo's bedside. However, he was still hesitant, but wanted to check Bo out with his own eyes. The younger Duke looked rough. "Bo?" Luke knew he wouldn't respond, but he didn't care. "You look like you're doin' pretty good. You're gonna pull through this, then I think I'll take ya fishin'." Luke had been through too much and he needed this kind of conversation with Bo. "So, what do you think?" Luke half expected him to answer for a second, but ignored that thought shortly after conceiving it. Still he just wanted Bo to do something to let him know that he could hear him.

Luke nodded, "Not much trouble to be had in a respectable place such as this." Looking at Cassie he shook his head, "I am glad to see that you're doing okay, but I'm going to head over to see Bo." Cassie sat up a little, "Yes, you should definitely head on over. Shoo!" A grin cracked on her lips and she giggled softly. No, Luke did not fall in love with her all over again, but a little sadness that was left trapped in his heart had lifted upon witnessing Cassie's action. He had never worried too much about what had happened between them, but knew that now somehow it had been lost maybe never to be rekindled. Somehow, he was fine with that conclusion and figured what would be would. "See you later, Cassie," Luke turned and headed for the door. But, before he made it there, he stopped. "Did you forget somethinig?" Cassie looked puzzled. Luke didn't turn around because he didn't want her to see the smile on his face. It was the kind of smile that revealed every emotion a person was feeling. "Thank you for saving me." Cassie was overwhelmed with good feelings upon hearing that from Luke. "Hey, don't mention it. That's what people like us do, we go around saving people." He knew what her personality was like and that was the answer that he expected. It was the perfect answer for him to hear and a good way to end their conversation. Luke headed out of her room and down the hall except he stopped right outside Bo's room. He needed to clear his head for a moment.

"Thank you, Uncle Jesse. Why don't you take Daisy back with you. I'll stay here with Bo. She could probably use somethin' to eat and maybe you can talk her into bringing me a change of clothes and a razor." Luke had slowly gotten up from his spot on the bed. Cassie shifted so that she could rest better, "Thank you for stoppin' by Mr. Duke. It was very kind of you."

Cassie nodded and decided to speak before Luke had the chance. "I'm thankful for that everyday Mr. Duke. I owe Bo a lot and one thing which is an apology for my actions." She smiled, "I'm not too terrible." Luke looked at his Uncle Jesse, "I know, Uncle Jesse. I know.. I just keep lettin' Bo down. He's in that bed because of me because I couldn't act quick enough to save him. I'll get it right, but first I want to go see him. Can't have him thinking that I'm abandoning him."

Cassie smiled, "Thank you Mr. Duke." Figuring that not saying a whole lot would spare her image, on that was already tainted. Luke nodded, "I'll be right in there Uncle Jesse. Wouldn't want to waste too much of that time restraint." Looking over at Cassie, he paused for a moment, "I just wanted to make sure Cassie was doing fine. She saved my life you know." His hand patted her leg in a friendly manner, "See Uncle Jesse I tried to tell ya'll that Cassie was still in there."

Jesse sighed, "We're here Bo, we're here." He looked at Daisy, "Stay here with him. I'm gonna go see if Luke's up to seeing him." Daisy just nodded, as Jesse left the room and headed down the hallway. Pausing once he got to Cassie's room, he knocked. Luke and Cassie both looked up at the door and it was Cassie that answered, "Come in." Cassie and Luke's relationship was nonexistent there was no relationship between them. There lustful love had died, but there was still love between them. It was the kind that didn't need to be expressed because it could easily be seen in the way they talk to one another that's all anyone had to see. All they needed was understanding, civil conversations to get them by. Luke didn't hate her, even though Cassie expected him to. He just knew that it wasn't going to do anybody any good to have hard feelings. Nobody else understood that and he didn't care.

Jesse tried to comfort Daisy as best as he could. Whether or not Bo was alert enough to hear him, he was going to talk to his nephew anyway. He needed to know that they all loved him and had faith about the outcome of things. "Ah, of course you are Bo you're a Duke afterall," Jesse's smile never faded. "We Dukes never give up and we always get through the tough spots." Daisy squeezed Jesse a little harder and looked over at Bo, which made Jesse nod. "See we're here for you Bo. Luke's here just give him a minute to come in. He's still upset, but I know he wants to see ya."

Daisy instantaneously asked, "Do you want me to go get Luke?" Jesse shook his head, "There's two hours let him spend a little more time with Cassie. I plan on visiting her soon because the doctor hasn't put no limits on her hours. Right now, let's just go in and see how Bo's doing." Slowly, he walked into the room and approached the bed. Bo was a sight and with everything he was hooked up to he looked rather pitiful. Uncle Jesse offered Bo a smile, "You alright, Son?" Daisy wanted to hug him, but knew that she couldn't.

"Now, Daisy don't think the worst because Bo's stronger than that." He knew that she would be crying for a while. Most of the time, she would've been just as much of a spitfire as Cassie had been earlier, but she was entitled to cry now. This was serious and life changing situation for everyone. All they could do now is wait for the doctor to tell them, when they could see Bo. "Honey, sit down," Cassie patted the empty space beside her on the bed. Luke hesitated, but obeyed. "I know things have been rough, but you've got to be more positive." "What's gone right for me, Cassie?" Luke interrupted her. Cassie smiled at him, "You need to stop thinking like that Lucas or you're going to worry that pretty little dark head of yours gray." Luke almost let his guard down and smiled. She made him feel like anxious and more relaxed like he could handle whatever life threw at him. Sitting his hands in his lap, he looked over at her. "What you did today.. thank you." "Don't mention it," Cassie let her hand cover his and she gave it a squeeze. "I would've been no match for Sawyer if it would've game down to me trying to save Bo." Luke looked sad, "There's that girl I tried to tell Bo about." "What do you mean?" Cassie looked confused. He sighed, "Bo, hated you.. he refused to hear anything I had to say about you." Cassie had nodded throughout that whole sentence because she already knew that Bo didn't act too kindly around her. "He told me I was too obsessed to see what you were doing to me. I tried to tell him though that the girl we both use to know what still in there." "Hey, hey! I've always been in there somewhere. I don't blame Bo for hating me though. I was too far gone on the drugs, Luke." She paused, "I'm clean now. It took me almost dying and a little jail time to straighten me up, but I'm back. I don't plan on getting that bad again, ever." Luke squeezed her hand back, "I saved you and I saved Bo.. is that enough for redemption." "Depends.. who's going to save you?" Cassie looked at him with a kind face. Luke looked confused, "What do you mean?" "I mean look at you Luke. You're not the man you use to be. You've tried so hard to make things right with everyone else that you've lost yourself." He didn't know what to make of her statement, but took it in regardless. "God can let me stay lost, if he let's Bo walk." Cassie winced, "Don't say that, Honey." Sliding up into her bed, she needed to lay down. Being up was beginning to take its toll on her wounds and that was never good. Luke moved so she could get comfortable, "It's what I'm saying." "Bo'll make and so will you," Cassie smiled. "I know so," she winked at him.

Jesse Duke took that information in and nodded slowly. It was the only gesture most people could do in this case. "Just keep doing what you're doing, Doctor. And, we'll keep praying. Thank you." Turning he put his arm around Daisy, who had been silently crying. Leaning down he whispered, "Come on Daisy." Cassie had locked eyes with Luke, "Luke.." He just watched her and wondered how she could even stand. What was she doing? "Cassie," he started toward her, "Get back in bed. Are you crazy?" Standing still she scoffed, "Do I look crazy to you?" She paused, "Fine, I'll get back to bed." Turning to go back through the doorway, she stumbled a little. Luke, having made it closer to her room, was in arms reach. He caught her in mid-stumble and lead her back to her bed. Cassie sat down on her bed and smiled at Luke, "You did good today." Luke lost himself in her eyes, but was aware enough to disagree with her comment. "Doesn't make up for the past year." She shrugged, "Doesn't matter." "It matters."

The news affected Luke badly. Hearing that Bo could be paralyzed was the last thing he wanted the doctor to say to him. He had faith that Bo would make it, but not even being able to walk again. Without warning, he turned and walked out of the office. To his right was temporary storage shelving in the hallway. To vent his frustration, he grabbed the shelving and slammed them again the wall. This sent medical supplies everywhere and nurses scrambled to pick them up. Cassie had walked out of her room and stood there watching Luke's little rampage. It was hard for her to stand, but she was doing it regardless. It startled her, when Luke had looked down the hall and spotted her. Daisy had remained in the office with tears in her eyes. She didn't speak, but had so many questions. Not being able to find her voice had a lot to do with her not trusting her emotions. Jesse Duke looked at the doctor, "What's the chances that it'll lead to paralysis? Percentage-wise?" He tried to keep his questions simple so that he could keep a level head. After witnessing Luke's reaction, both Dukes that remained with the doctor were trying to keep it together for Bo and Luke's sake.

Luke looked over at his Uncle Jesse who had answered the doctor, "Alright Doctor." The old man nodded as he followed the doctor to his officer. In suit, Luke and Daisy followed. No one sat down once they got to the officer. Almost eagerly they waited for the news except it wasn't so much excited anticipation as it was dreading to hear the worst, if it had came to that.

Outside the room, Luke paced back in forth. While the doctors were in scribbling their notes, they asked that Luke step outside. Daisy came down the hall with two cups of coffee. One was for herself and the other for Luke. Jesse watched Luke with a bit of sadness seeping out of his eyes, "Son, slow down. You're going to wear a hold in the floor." "Sorry Uncle Jesse," he took the coffee that Daisy had offered him. "Thank you." She nodded towards him and took a sip from her cup. "How long until we start knowing things for sure?" Jesse was unsure, but he had to offer comfort to both Daisy and Luke, "It'll be soon. You all don't worry Bo's going to be alright."

Luke stepped back, as he watched men load both Bo and Cassie into the ambulance. The choice had struck him hard that he'd have to pick whether he road with Cassie or Bo. Right now, he did not count on leaving Bo's side because it looked bad for his cousin. Before he hopped into the ambulance with Bo, he yelled to one of the policemen. "Radio Sheriff Coltrane and tell him what's happened. Then, have him get in touch with my Uncle Jesse." The officer nodded at Luke and headed over to his patrol car. All Luke could do now was wait to see what happened at the hospital.

"God," Luke whispered at seeing Bo's state. "Stay with me, Bo. You can't leave me, I lost my brother once and I refuse to do it again." The sirens could be heard coming from the distance. To Luke, they didn't seem to be coming fast enough. Both Cassie and Bo needed to get to the hospital fast. Cassie didn't show her pain, but Luke knew she had to be hurt. Afterall, she took the bullet for him. Now, she could be dying and so could Bo. When did everything get this crazy?"

Luke shook his head, "Shh, don't be sorry Bo. Don't be. Just stay quiet you need your strength, Cousin." He worried about how long Bo was going to have and he just wanted to make sure that he kept him conscious. "There ain't no need for apologizin' here. Maybe we should be plannin'. You want to go huntin' this weekend? Or, maybe fishin'?" This was Luke's attempt to keep things light. Cassie looked over at Luke and Bo, but because the police wouldn't let her move she couldn't do much of anything. They repeatedly told her to remain still, but she was too hardheaded to listen. Wincing through the pain, she called out, "Bo!.. Luke! Is Bo okay?" Still she was trying to crawl her way over to them and failed each attempt. Luke didn't look back at her, "He's alright Cassie don't move, Honey!"

Luke had a whole lot of emotion tugging within in, "Bo!" He pushed Sawyer's face into the ground harder. Taking a deep breath, he pulled his foot up and reach down slamming the gun across Sawyer's face a few times. After a few groans of pain, Sawyer slipped unconscious. Not risking leaving the gun, he clicked on the safety and tossed it away from them. Looking over his shoulder, Cassie had tried to move, but couldn't. "Hold on, Cass." "Bo!" Luke hurried over to his cousin and knelled beside of him. "Can you hear me?" Frantically, he checked Bo's wound and tried to get the bleeding to stop. Without thought he ripped the shirt from his back and placed it on the wound. Gently, he tried to get it tied around him to stop the bleeding. "You'll be alright.. you'll be alright.." Obviously, Luke was upset because tears filled his eyes and his hands were shaking.

Sawyer did not for the life of him want to let go of the gun. He fought Bo hard to keep hold of it, "Give up, plowboy!" He muttered through gritted teeth. Suddenly, he used his boot to push Bo back to give them a little distance. Finding that split second to **** the gun, he pulled the trigger without thinking. The gun went off, but less than a second after the sound rang through Luke's ears, he had hit Sawyer with a hard right hook. It was enough to knock the man from his feet and so off guard that the gun feel from his hand. Taking hard breaths, Luke picked up the gun and planted his foot hand into Sawyer's cheek. There is where he held him with his foot and with only a few shots left, he cocked the gun himself. "I don't take to kindly to people that hurt my family." Pointing the gun down at Sawyer, he dared him to make a move. A new side of Luke was showing one that he had left back in Vietnam, but was resurfacing now. He wasn't suppose to have a gun, but that didn't matter to him at the moment. "Bo!.. Bo!" He wouldn't look away from Sawyer, "Are you okay?!"

Sawyer grunted, as he hit the ground. The little wrestling match between him and Bo was a bit difficult, but he still found the strength to chuckle almost wickedly. Overpowering Bo for a second, he was able to get the blonde Duke on his back to gain the upper hand. Luke saw this and attacked Sawyer without thinking. Somehow, Sawyer had managed to hold onto the gun even after Luke hit him in the face with all of his might. The hit knocked Sawyer over, but he recovered quickly and tried not to take his concentration off of Bo. Cassie gasped and for a moment had no idea what she was suppose to do. Sawyer used the hand that clutched desperately onto the gun to backhand Bo across the face with the steel. Suddenly, he pointed the gun at Luke who was about to charge him. "No!" Cassie's voice broke through the commotion as she lunged towards the men. Luke froze for a second with fear not of the man, but of the gun just as Bo had said. Sawyer didn't waste anytime because he was tired of playing games with these Dukes. He pulled the trigger and the only sound that could be heard for miles was the shot fired. Somehow miraculously, Cassie had hit Luke in her attempt to stop the fighting, but that was her intent to save Luke. The gun scared her, but it scared her more that Luke was going to be hurt. The bullet hit her in the side, as she and Luke tumbled to the ground. Luke's eyes widen and he couldn't believe what had just happened. This was serious and Sawyer wasn't a man for bargaining anymore. Laying Cassie on her back gently and quickly, he whispered for her to hold on.

Cassie had taken a few steps towards Sawyer, "Quit tauntin' him!" She just wasn't that frightened of Sawyer because she knew there was a good man somewhere within in. Luke reached out for her, "Cassie.." His attempt was weak and he didn't move a whole lot. "Look fella, just leave us alone. We don't want any trouble." Sawyer ignored Luke, but focused still on Bo. "You're not scared of me. Looks like that makes two of you because Little Miss'us here knows no fear. Do ya, Sweetheart?" He stopped talking for a few moments, which no one else took the opportunity to speak. "You know, I'm a little tired of talking." Checking his watch, he took his a deep breath and sighed, "You people are really wasting precious time, which is not something you have a whole lot of."

"You scared, Bo?" He waved the gun out in front of him, "God, it feels good to know that I can put that kind of fear in you, Boy." Sawyer was high on his own horse and ready to strike without a moments notice. Luke held out his hands, "Look Sawyer, we don't want any trouble." His eyes cut to Bo so that he could check on his reaction. He knew what the gun was doing to his Cousin and wanted Sawyer to put it away. "Nobody needs to get hurt." Sawyer snapped at him, "Do you think I'm going to believe that you're just going to keep quiet about everything?" Cassie nodded slowly, "Yeah, we're that stupid Sawyer. We completely believe that." As she spoke, she noticed Bo's reaction also and wanted the gun to be put away. She spent a good while with Bo after he was shot and he looked out for her. Sadly, that was the last time they'd spent together running for their lives while trying to find Luke. Cocking the gun, Sawyer shook his head, "You're a spitfire, Cass. But, I figure I'd prey on the weakest first." He looked over at Bo and winked.

Sawyer clicked his tongue in the side of his mouth, "Oh poor me, I forgot about ol' target practice Bo Duke. You're always so smart sneaking up on people, gettin' in their business. Can't you see we're busy here, Son?" Cassie spoke up, "Just leave us be Sawyer we don't want any harm. I just can't believe you'd turn on me after all this. I did a lot of for you, when I knew that I should've just left you in jail." "You people could give a man a headache with all this whinin'. Cassie shut up that's all I've heard from you the entire time that we've been in Hazzard." Sawyer cracked his neck and stepped quickly away from Bo, so that he was no longer behind him. "I'm tellin' you though three birds with one stone going's to be a little difficult." Reaching into his sports coats pocket, he pulled out a nicely polished hand gun. "Ah, but we'll see what I can do."

"Nobody said you had to be fake happy happy with her. Afterall, I figured you'd just get in a good jab and then she'd know how you feel." Luke shook his head and opened the door to get out. "Don't make yourself too scarce." Slamming the old door behind him, he headed across the grass over to Cassie. Without a word, he walked up next to her. Her gaze never broke, as she heard the footsteps approaching. Without looking, she knew that it was Luke and her heart smiled even when it didn't show on her face. "I just love to look at the trees. They just intrigue me so much. It all looks like a canvas out there." Luke followed her gaze with his own, "I guess you're right. It's a pretty site." His hands found their rightful place in his pockets. "I didn't believe Daisy would actually come, but it surprises me that you came alone." Cassie looked over at him with soft eyes. Nodding, Luke answered, "Well yeah, I figured it'd be safer for everyone's sake." Cassie didn't question what he meant, but instead beamed at him. "Wasn't it awfully nice of Sawyer to get you out of jail with that evidence?" Luke froze instantly. "What?" He had no idea what she was talking about. "Bo busted me out, Darlin'. Sawyer saw me, but he proposed a deal with me to get you out of jail. He said he had evidence that could get you out and keep me locked up for life." Something inside of Cassie turned with fear, "What? But, he told me.." Sawyer had been watching them from the brush not far from where both of them stood. In all honesty, he was dissatisfied with them coming to the conclusion of what he was up to this early in the conversation. That in itself through his plan off slightly. Yet, he figured he'd just make up for it, by putting everything in motion. Stepping out from where he was, he approached them; his footsteps were easily heard. "Well well well, looks like you caught me." He held his hands up in front of him to mock a surrender. "What do you hicks call it? I did a little shuckin' 'n jivin'." Cassie looked angry and Luke looked more worried than angry. "You lied to me Sawyer. I thought you gettin' Luke out was suppose to be repayment for me gettin' you out of jail." Her voice broke with anger. "What can I say, Dimples? I lied," Sawyer smirked slyly. "Everybody was playing into my own hand all too well. I couldn't pass up on any of that. You're so gullible, Sweetheart." Luke narrowed his eyes, "What do you want now Sawyer? You got us together, now." Sawyer chuckled, "Well, Luke, there's three witnesses that know enough to put me away for life. These people are eye witnesses to everything. All anybody else has to contribute is hearsay. I figure gettin' the two love birds together is like gettin' two birds with one stone."

Luke sighed again, which wasn't uncommon for him lately, "I see her just over there." Cassie was standing with her back to them casting her gaze over the field. "You want to get out or just hang back. I don't figure I'll just let her stand out there might as well make ourselves friendly. I knwo you'll want to wait on the police, but this whole thing has to look smooth. Sawyer's not dumb he'll catch on if we wait too long."