BoJamesDuke

Bo watched his cousin for a moment, before chuckling slightly and grinning hopefully. "Could always take it out..." Upon seeing the none to happy expression he receieved back he quickly changed the statement... "Or ask Doc seeing as its his job..."

Bo called out as Luke started to leave "But Luke....how's we goin' ta get me out these clothes with this on....and how's I gonna have a bath with it?" He held up his hand with the blasted IV in the back again. This was also another reason why he so despised them....

Bo nodded and smiled wearily. "Yeah you got that right....I really want a shower or a bath....haven't had one since I went inta hospital...."

Bo sighed and closed his eyes, shifting in the slowly soaking clothes and relishing the cool water that was slipping down his fevered skin. "Nah....I'm sorry Luke....I shouldn't a' snapped at no one...."

Bo scowled now over at Luke, not really mad at the Doc at all but Luke had no call to talk to him like he was 5...even if he knew he was acting like he was again. His tone was snappy. "When you's can lie here and have god knows how many drugs pumped through ya through god knows how many needles when your dang terrified of them then you can comment alright Luke, until then back off."

Bo smiled slightly back up at his older cousin, he was thankful for Luke doing what he was, even though it totally defeated the idea of getting Luke to leave him alone for more than 30 seconds out the range of 2 metres that Luke had been keeping. Truth be told, although he didn't tell Luke at all, he didn't actually want to help with the General....not that he didn't care anymore but because he couldn't do anything and that frustrated him to no end. As the Doc came over and started to do his routine check up, Bo scowled slightly at him. Each time the Doc had seen him there had been drugs and needles involved. He said in a menacing tone, even if it was a bit weak. "You give me anymore drugs or another needle I'll knock you 5 ways from sunday...."

Bo swallowed as he heard Luke's idea and wished to god that he could help...but he couldn't... "Luke I....I ain't allowed ta put my hand in the engine or nothin'....'specially not with this..." He held up his hand with the IV in, giving a slight gasp of horror as he saw the colour his skin had become but he made no further move to show it than that. "And 'sides....I also ain't allowed cause of my immune system thing not bein' 'up to par' as Uncle Jesse says...god Luke I wish I could help out....but havin' the bed here is nice....fresh air and all..." He wiped his hand over his cheeks, brushing away the sweat that was starting to pour down once more but also to wipe away the tears that just never seemed to relent. "And you's will leave the farm if Uncle Jesse has anythin' to say 'bout it....I may not be able ta order you around but he sure can..."

Bo rolled his eyes gently as he watched Luke. He didn't have a clue what he was doing but he wasn't about to ask. Luke usually went off on random idea tangents and usually he ended up including Bo in them anyway so there really was no point in questioning his actions. "Luke, Mindy Ann needs a YOUNG man, not some old has been...." He wiggled his eyebrows teasingly but then turned serious again. "No Luke, here's a compromise. Whenever I'm sleepin' durin' the day, which will probably be a lot of the time, then you go out and have some fun for at least 2 hours....and you take the girls to work and spend some time at the Boar's Nest awake or not." His tone had suddenly taken on an authoratitive air, one that he only ever used when he was being deadly serious.

Bo nodded but still sighed exasperatdly at the racing. "Luke...just cause I ain#t gonna be there to see ya cross the finishin' line don't mean I can't 'see' ya. I's been round that course so many times I could talk ya through it right here and now...I could be on the CB and still see the look on yer face as ya speed round the track....I don't need ta be there to see ya win Luke...." He shook his head at the housework though. "No Luke you gotta do more than that....you's got to get away from the farm fer a bit....go datin'....go run errands inta town fer Uncle Jesse, take B.L and Daisy to the Boar's Nest and have a few drinks with Cooter....you's got to live FOR me Luke....I NEED ta see ya doin' all them things so I can see what I's got to live for....cause to be honest Luke all I can see me livin' for right now is a grave next to Aunt Lavinia....there ain't nothin' 'ceptin you and the family to live for at the moment Luke....live for me cousin, do what I used ta to show me there is still hope....there is still a future waitin' for me out there...

Jesse nodded, understanding completly what the Doc was feeling. "Me too Amos....me too...." Bo breathed a deep shaky sigh and turned his head away from Luke, whispering softly. "Luke...I need ya to race....what I want more than anythin' is fer you to be happy and I know that the only way ta make you happy is fer me to get better...." He turned his head back to Luke, his eyes tired and expressive "But Luke....I can't even begin ta get better if there's so many negative things goin' on around me....ta see you out there *pointed out the window* workin' on the General and then ta hear you roar over that finishin' line in a couple o'days would make me happier than I's ever been since this all started...." He gripped his older cousin's hand again. "You can do it Luke....I know you's can....and I know you's scared fer me, heck everyone includin' me is....but you's all can't let this get ya down or it aint gonna help no one's spirits is it? Even the Doc's startin' ta feel it now I can tell....so you's all has to start workin' around me...as much as I hate ta say it, you's all need to 'fit me into yer scheduled' not drop everythin' cause we don't have the time as farmers to do that. The world ain't gonna suddenly stop turnin' 'cause I'm ill Luke....and Jesse, Daisy and B.L need yer help too, ain't just me that's been affected by this..."

Jesse shook his head with his eyes looking down at the floor. "Even if there was, it wouldn't make no difference...Bo's attitude is his own, ain't nothing that can change it...." Bo shook his head, batting Luke's hand away from his mouth. "Because if you care about me at all you'll go on livin' yer life as ya always have been....seein' ya here sufferin' ain't helpin' none Luke. If you really love me you'll do as I ask and just go out there and have fun....remember what Jesse says...even if we's was at the ends of the earth we'd still be with each other 'cause our souls are joined by somethin' stronger than superglue....I'll be with ya on race day even if I'm physically not there..." He smiled slightly, swallowing back more tears.

Jesse shook his head and looked away as the Doc tried to smile reassuringly but knew with Bo's attitude it wasn't looking good. It sounded like not even Luke could get through to him anymore which was oh so very unsual for him. Bo sniffed hard and looked back to Luke as the Doc left the room, reaching down and unwrapping Luke's arms from round his waist, gently gave him a weak push. "Luke...git out of here and go have some fun...go work on the General you got a race comin' up in a few days..."

Jesse was thankful that Daisy was sleeping as he heard clearly what Luke was saying to the youngest Duke...and gentle tears slipped down the weather worn cheeks as he couldn't even imagine what Bo must be feeling in order to say what Jesse was guessing he had said. Bo choked and drew in shuddering breaths as he tried to force himself to quit crying. Crying wasn't going to do anything about the situation, wasn't going to help him get better. It would only serve to make himself seem weaker and less in control in everyone's else's eyes. He looked away from Luke's penatrative glare and out the window, the light in his own eyes gone from behind the blue orbs, just as all faith and hope had gone from his soul.

Bo sighed and looked up at Doc miserably, knowing Luke was going to hate what he was going to say but he wanted to know. "Doc when am I gonna die? I know that when you's feelin' this bad the outlook can't be that good....just tell me....when I's gonna be movin' up there?" He reached weakly up and pointed out the window to the sky.

Bo swallowed and breathed deep breaths, coughing slightly at the dryness in his throat, starting to feel the sick feeling pass as quick as it had come on. Gingerly he opened his eyes and looked to the Doc and Luke before whimpering and rubbing his eyes again. "God I feel awful..."

Bo groaned but refused to open his eyes, keeping his hand pressed firmly over them. "H...headache....dizzy....hot...." He basically felt well and truly awful, also feeling like he was going to throw up again if he opened his eyes so he silently prayed the doc or anyone else didn't ask him to do that....mind you it would have been their own fault if they ended with with a lapful of sick...

Daisy and Jesse silently sat in the lounge on the sofa, contemplating the situation and Daisy falling gently asleep. She had to admit, even though she knew Jesse could already tell, that she was just as worn out as the rest of them and really did need some good nights rest. Bo stirred sleepily as he felt Luke shift and then felt gentle probing hands working over his body. He blearily opened his eyes but instantly wished he hadn't as a sharp pain seared through his head and he felt really dizzy. He quickly snapped them back to shut and put his hand to his head, biting on his bottom lip to stop himself crying out loud.

Eventually, Daisy slowly calmed with Jesse just holding her and rubbing her back soothingly. "I'm sorry Uncle Jesse....I'm so so sorry..." JEsse shook his head and held her tighter. "There ain't nothin' fer you to be sorry about Daisy....everyone needs a good cry at some time, I'd think ya a fool if ya didn't. Don't you worry so much...Bo's in good hands with the Doc here and he's fighting a good 'un right now against this....with his spirit and our prayers, there ain't nothin' Bo can't do....so you just keep those spirits up....ya hear?" Daisy nodded and smiled tearily up at her Uncle, wiping her eyes gently and sitting on the couch with him.

Daisy sighed and relaxed more into Jesse's hold, still gently sobbing at the panic and worry she still felt for the younger of the Duke family. She still didn't understand why all this was happening to him and she didn't like it at all. Jesse stood holding her, knowing she needed to cry....heck he felt like he wanted to cry and scream the place down but he couldn't, he needed to be strong for his children.

Jesse walked over and pulled Daisy into his arms, softly soothing her. He knew she was tired and was going to talk to J.D no matter what about getting her some time off. J.D was mean sometimes but if he knew that Bo's life was in danger and what this was doing to the family, he knew he would do anything he could. "Daisy now calm down.." "But what's happening to him! You ain't supposed to be here till later on this evenin' Doc, what's goin' on?!"

Daisy nodded and ran behind B.L to burst into the house, swallowing as she saw Jesse's panicked look and the doctor looking grave. Her hand flew to her mouth and tears came to her eyes. "Oh god what's happened? What's happened to Bo?!"

Bo mumbled sleepily again, something about Luke doing what he was told although it wasn't totally coherent because he was still asleep. Jesse nodded, remembering how Bo had had that when he was a baby.... "Does the fact that he had that when he was a kid have anythin' ta do with it?" Now he thought about it, Bo was in and out the hospital more times than Jesse cared to count when he was just a youngster, mainly for his asthma which led to other complications but it had faded when he had grown older. Daisy swallowed and nodded.. "He...He wasn't due back until later this evening..."

Bo groaned as Luke yelled and sleepily reached over with his hand that wasn't in Luke's grasp and swatted him, mumbling. "Shut up Luke and go back to sleep...." Daisy laughed and nodded. "Yeah...I bet....never been able to keep Bo still fer more than 2 seconds at any time, sick or no...." Jesse waited anxiously in the kitchen, trembling slightly as he heard the panic in Luke's voice.

Jesse nodded gently at the Doc and put his cup in the sink, not really wanting to go back in with Bo knowing he'd never tear himself away again if he did. Daisy leant her head back against the head rest and nodded gently. "Yeah...Bo's probably up and about again by now. You know he hates being in bed." The frown was gently erased from his features as Luke softly rubbed them, swallowing before coughing a little in sleep and rolling on his side to ease it, wincing slightly as the Iv pinched the back os his hand.

Jesse nodded and sighed, hoping that the doctor was right on both counts, that Luke would start to calm down now and also that Bo was indeed going to get better. He still had his doubts... Daisy smiled and waved goodbye to a few of the customers and hoped into Dixie, letting B.L drive for once as she didn't feel up to it after the long day. "Let's go..." Bo shifted slightly in his sleep, frowning as the feeling in his muscles started to return and he gently reached up with his right hand to wipe it down his face before settling down again and giving a small gentle snore as he fell back into deep sleep.