BoJamesDuke

Luke listened into the conversation, Bo was alive but it was touch and go? That meant that Bo was ill...Bo was ill and alone in jail...in a prison hospital with bars at his window and nothing to look forward to for many years to come except more and more and more bars and routine days...possibly for the rest of his life... It didn't take a genius to figure out how Bo would be feeling, and Luke got even more worked up. He once more tried to push himself up to get out the bed with the same result. Jesse stood up with tears in his eyes, as did Daisy and rushed back to Luke's side. It was Jesse who spoke in a firm but worry filled tone. "Luke...we're gonna go to Bo alright....and as soon as we know anythin' else we'll call here and get 'em to let ya know....but ya can't git outta this bed right now, ya ain't strong enough...just stay here until we get back....alright?" ^^^^^ Bo's peace however was short lived....he cried out loudly as a sharp pain raced through the muscles on his back and arched off the bed screwing his eyes up tight to try and stop the tears leaking down his cheeks. Oh god how he wished his family were here to help him through this....but they weren't...they could never be because they still believed that he tried to kill Luke.... He felt someone beside him, heard someone talking to him but all that he could do was continue to cry out as wave after wave of pain flooded his nerves, taking him to the brink of unconciousness and threatening to tip him over into the blackness...

Alright will do B.L...speak ta ya later...give my regards ta Daisy... he gently put down the phone and crossed back over to Luke and Jesse, speaking softly. "Uh...that was B.L...daisy ain't ready ta come home yet and she was wonderin' is maybe Luke or you jesse wanna go over there...."

Cooter looked over to the two on the couch, each drawing as much strength from the other as they could. he sighed. "I Dunno B.L...jesse and Luke are kinda needing each other now...i'll speak to 'em and see what they say and all but...the undertakers just came and picked up Bo....so they's kinda....ya know..."

"Sure can Brandy Lou" The phone rang through the silence on the Duke Farm but no one moved, Luke and Jesse remained int their solid embrace so Cooter swiftly got off the couch and picked it up. "Hello duke residance...ya got Crazy cooter answerin' fer them dukes now what can I do ya for?"

Daisy swallowed gently and clenched her hands... "B.L...I can't go back there today...i just can't B.L...everything there reminds me of him...can I stay here? If ya wanna go on then do...but I just can't B.L...

Daisy stirred sleepily and looked to B.L, looking at the time. "We goin' ta bed?"

For once though...Bo looked from the outside in, wishing that he could once more feel the warmth and love that he knew Uncle Jesse's hug held....feel the security he had always felt in Luke's arms. He wished that he had all that back but the fact was he didn't...he and everyone had thought that it would be kinder to let him die...but actually it was just as much torutre...until he could get up to the pearly gates anyway....

Jesse wrapped his arms round Luke, not making any noise just letting the broken tears fall from his eyes. he didn't know how they were all going to cope witout Bo for the first few months...it was going to be so very hard....but get through it they would...they would have to....

Cooter quickly stopped the two guys before the went out the house, running into the boys room and digging out Bo's jeans, blue t-shirt, yellow shirt and boots. "Put him in these...Bo'd throw a fit if ya put him in a suit..." Jesse nodded tearily and thanked Cooter quietly, he hadnt thought of that. He watched silently as his youngest was wheeled gently out and sat down slowly on the sofa, tears slipping gently from his eyes. Cooter was quick to sit next to him and put a comforting hand on his shoulder, wishing Luke would hurry up and get back inside.

Jesse watched him go then gave a pointed look to Cooter, saying maybe it would be better if Cooter didn't see this either. Cooter was sorely tempted to go after Luke, but he could see in Jesse's eyes that Jesse would need some support as the undertakers took Bo away. Jesse hadn't yet broken down...and this may be the straw that broke that camel's back. Cooter gently shook his head and placed a hand gently on Jesse's shoulder, squeezing slightly, letting him know without words his support was here. Jesse nodded and drew in a deep breath as he crossed over to the door and showed the undertakers into the room where Bo Duke lay...

Luke watched as Daisy slid down to the floor and Uncle Jesse ran over to catch her. He was, despite his smile and nod of relief that Daisy and now Jesse finally understood, still shocked that his family really did believe that Bo had intentionally hurt him so bad. He watched as Jesse tried to sooth Daisy and it was then that Luke realised that something was horribly horribly wrong. Daisy wouldn't be so broken about just feeling guilty for believeing that Bo had tried to hurt him...what was going on? But, frustraitingly he could still only get out one word, the name of his younger cousin. How in the world was he meant to know what was happening if he couldn't talk properly. Jesse knelt on the floor with Daisy, wrapping her in his own arms and rocking her gently whispering. "Daisy....what's going on? What's happened to Bo and I know you's been down and phoned the jail so what's going on...." Luke looked over more scared than ever now as Jesse asked what was going on with Bo...something was wrong he could somehow feel it....he looked over at them both and said questioningly "Bo?"

Jesse nodded and held Luke that little bit closer before pulling him away and slinging one of Luke's arms around his shoulders, Cooter quickly doing the same on the other side so they could walk Luke carefully back to the house. They gently sat him on the couch in the living room, knowing they couldn't put him to bed because Bo was still in the bedroom and Jesse wasn't sure if Luke would even want to go in that room anymore.

Daisy heard a small sigh on the other end of the phone and her stomach instantly tied in knots....she prayed and prayed in the short silence that fell that she wasn't too late. "Miss Duke....I'll be frank....he's looking better but....its still touch and go. He's got Cholera as I'm sure the good deputy here told you and the...symptoms arn't the best for Bo to deal with in the condition he's in." Daisy frowned and tried to stop her heart leaping into her throat. She swallowed gently. "What d'ya mean the condition he's in?" "Well....he's severly malnutritioned....which means he is incrediably weak and just doesn't seem to have either the strength or the will to fight this thing off....he's suffering at the moment mild but painful cramps all over his body which could turn severe if the anibacterial medicines we have him on don't start to work....I can't say he's stable right now Miss Duke because we won't know for certain for a while yet...." Daisy sighed softly, tears coming to her eyes despite her telling herself they shouldn't be there for Bo. "Well what are ya gonna do to get his strength up?" "Well...we'll try getting some food into him soon....but the best thing would be to have the love of his family with him....and I know that you told the deputy that you don't care what happens to him but...personally from what I've heard in his bouts of delerium....I don't think he has done what he has been sentenced for....he needs you all now more than ever and...." The line went silent except for a murmuring in the background before the Doc returned to the line. "I'm sorry I have to go, patient requirements." "Yes I understand.." "Goodbye Miss Duke..." The line went dead and Daisy slowly put the phone back on its hook and leant against the wall, her hand going to her mouth. "What have we done..."

Jesse and Cooter sat at the kitchen table, waiting anxiously for Luke to get back. They were both worried about Daisy and Luke, but Daisy had rang and said she was spending the night at B.L's house which was understandable. Jesse looked out the window as he spotted something moving and practically ran outside followed by Cooter as he saw it to be Luke. He ran to his oldest and wrapped him in his arms, seeing he had been crying and looked so weary. "Luke...are ya alright? Are ya hurt?"

Bo smiled and nodded before walking off into the trees, figuring it would be eaisier on Luke if he were just to disappear in front of his eyes.

Bo nodded and sighed. "I gotta go then cousin....i'm around if ya need me....all ya gotta do is yell...."

Bo looked to Luke and walked over, kneeling beside him. "Ya sure yer gonna be able ta walk back?! I mean ya very nearly collapsed just takin' a few steps over here...."

Bo sighed and decided to wait a few minutes before following Luke over. This had better not be one of god's tests ta let me inta heaven....this is real hard... He didn't know how the heck he was going to get Luke home to his family. He couldn't CB no one, Jesse couldn't see him nor Daisy or Cooter....and Luke could barly stand as it was.....

Bo looked over nervously at Luke as he swayed and gulped. "Luke can....can we uh move somewhere else....I can't exactly catch ya if ya fall backwards....and we're kinda close to the edge..."

Bo laughed, that was the Luke Duke he knew. "Nope...s'definatly not yer head Luke.....ain't nothin in it fer it to play tricks on ya anyhow..."

Bo shrugged, a little surprised that Luke wasn't freaking out about the fact Bo was actually holding the handkercheif....he knew he would be if he were in Luke's position...then again Luke wasn't all that easy to spook out either. "Yeah I know...but then again perhaps that's why I's still here...in a way...to help ya with that....help ya move on....I dunno if other people can see me or not...."

Bo swallowed gently and looked hurridly around. He hated it when Luke cried, it was one of the hardest things he ever had to watch knowing he couldn't do a damn thing about it. He looked over Luke quickly and spotted what he was looking for. Reaching over he put his hand in Luke's pocket and pulled out his handkerchief, gently wiping his eyes, the only form of comfort he could give....he was so glad that he still had the ability to lift and touch things. "I know....he said that it didn't matter. He's actually glad yer gettin' out of yer system instead o'bottlin' it all up....says it'll help ya deal with it better...s'why he was talkin' ta me....to get it out of his system....You's entitled to bein' wrapped up in yerself Luke....ain't no shame in that at the moment...."

Bo shrugged gently, wishing he could once more wrap his arms around Luke but he didn't know what would happen if he did. He could touch things but he didn't know if people could touch or feel him without their hands going through him....which was a little disturbing even to him. "Luke....it would have been harder fer me to let go with y'all there....but it don't matter now....its done and....ya know my reasoning...." He looked over and smiled gently. "Uncle Jesse was talkin' ta me....well my body....but I kinda hid outside and listened in....he asked me to watch over ya....keep ya safe fer him.....he's worried 'bout ya Luke...."

Jesse was shocked as Luke shrugged away from his touch and watched as the gentle tears rolled down his cheeks before looking worridly up at Daisy as Luke whispered Bo's name once more. He didn't know for sure why Luke was so upset, but it had seemed like he had gotten more distressed and upset when he had been told Bo had been sent to prison.... He reached over the railings of the hospital bed and gently wiped away the tears on his cheeks then guided Luke's chin up so he could look his oldest charge in his blue eyes, ones that he had not seen for four years. "Luke....I wish ya could tell us what was the matter son....it's obviously Bo....ain't it...." Luke nodded, but before Jesse could continue Daisy had jumped in. "Luke we know what he did to you hurts emotionally but he's gone to prison for 15 years! You won't have to see him for a long time...." Luke's jaw clenched again and he furiously shook his head, this time trying a demanding voice to see if maybe they understood that better, pointing to the bed with his finger. "Bo!"

Luke couldn't believe the joyful looks on his Uncle and Daisy's faces....this was nothing to be happy about! Bo was in jail for something he didn't even do and they were happy about it, hadn't it appeared even tried to help the youngest Duke out of the situation. His jaw clenched and he angrily shrugged his shoudlers away from Jesse, frustrated that he couldn't tell them anything but Bo's name and also at the way they kept misinterpreting what he wanted when he said it. He wanted Bo beside him, he didn't want Bo to be kept away from him, but how could he get them to understand that with just one word. It was only really Bo who could tell what Luke wanted just by looking at his body posture and the emotions in his eyes because Bo was the one that Luke spent the most time with, created a brotherly bond with that lasted through so many things....but now if his suspicions were correct and Bo had been sent down for attempted murder or assult...then it looked like he wouldn't be seeing his cousin for a long long time....hwo on earth could Bo survive in prison by himself? How could he be sure that Bo wasn't already dead? The main reason he had suddenly been jerked from reality was because of a painful throbbing in his wrists and his head feeling like someone was pounding through it with a jackhammer....and he heard someone calling his name softly although when he had prised his eyes open there was no one there and the pain had gone as quikly as it had come.... With tears in his eyes, he sniffed and tried to blink them away so Jesse and Daisy wouldn't see...but it was pointless as they trickled softly down his cheeks. He whispered quietly, despairingly. "Bo...."