BoJamesDuke

Bo jerked slightly as Luke let him slip, even though he knew his cousin wouldn't really. It was still upsetting and scary to think that Luke was the one who held the key to his life, that if Luke did accidentally slip and let go himself, then he wouldn't have any strength to save himself... Still he trusted Luke and refused to let those thoughts get him down. So he grinned cheekily and then spread some suds around Luke's top lip and chin, looking over at Jesse as he did before pulling his hand away and grinning, looking between the two. "There....now I have two Uncle Jesse's...."

Jesse made sure Bo wasn't watching before looking back at Luke and titling his head slightly out the door, signalling that the Doc would probably be able to think of something....if not then they would have no choice but to force some food in him....something he hadn't had to do since Luke had gone to 'Nam and Bo refused to eat...as well as refused to do pretty much anything else....of course, Luke never knew that.... Bo winced slightly as Luke brushed over the welt on his back, the bandages haveing been removed by the doc when he had undressed him. He tilted his head back as Jesse gently started to wash the soap suds from his hair, finding himself looking up at Luke's concerned face. He smiled gently at his older cousin and reached up to playfully put some suds on the end of his older cousin's nose.

Bo sighed gratefully as he slipped into the water, feeling it lap gently against his skin. He rested his hand with the IV in on the side of the bath and sunk a little more into the water, enjoying the soothing feeling it had. Jesse nodded back to Luke, thinking of asking the Doctor if there was anything the could do to get Bo fed....it was obvious he wasn't eating or drinking an awful lot, he was surprised the Doc hadn't brought it up already... He grabbed a bottle of shampoo and gently started to rub it into Bo's hair, turning the golden blonde colour into a white foam...

Thanks but dont worry about it. Truth be told I don't think there is one, I think its just Jesse and Luke....maybe Daisy who ends up there but Bo doesn't...it would kinda make sense as to why everyone tries to put Bo in Tri County at least for a little bit in their stories lol (on fan fic.net)

Bo swallowed and blinked a couple of times. He felt light headed and he could feel Luke's grip tightening on him. "Yeah I can...s'just....strange....feels wierd....like a head rush..." Jesse nodded gratefully to the doc and headed to the bathroom, smiling as he saw Bo sitting up but also feeling slightly uneasy inside as he noticed in the brighter light of the bathroom how ill Bo really did look. His skin was the colour of tea stained paper...as where what was meant to be the whites of his eyes. He swayed on the commode and looked like if someone held onto him too hard he would crumble. He also noticed the fact that they were starting to be able to see the young man's ribs through the yellow skin....something that he was sure Doc would have words with him about... He said nothing though, just turned off the taps and checked the temperature of the water before moving over to Bo and Luke. "Alright then, let's get ya in here...."

Bo swayed a little at being helped upright after not having been on his feet for some time so he wasn't used to it. As the Doc asked the question he didn't want to be rude but he did feel more comofrtable with his Uncle rather than the Doc..... "I don't mind.....s'up to you, you's the one takin' care o'me...."

Jesse sighed and regarded his oldest for a minute, before softening. "Luke...I know's you's is harbourin' a lot of guilt fer this...I didn't want ta bring it up with ya, was waitin' fer ya to admit it to me...but it ain't yer fault Bo got sick son....I know you's always want ta keep him under yer wing and make sure nothin' hurts him....heck I feel that everyday with you all...but if Bo didn't want ta let on nothin' was wrong then he wasn't goin' ta no way no how. You know Duke stubborness is often a Duke's worst enemy and in this case it was...." He put both hands on Luke's shoulders and made him look at him. "But Bo has to get better....and in order fer him to get better we have to listen to what he wants us to do. If he wants ya ta race then there is a dang good reason fer that....he may have already told ya I don't know....but ya got to remember that you arn't racin' fer yerself, yer not bein' selfish....yer racin' fer Bo, because Bo asked ya to....because its what he wants....and he is right, he wants us ta get back to normal....for once he's bein' the rational one outta the lot of us, and if ya ask Doc I'm sure he'll agree...." He smiled softly. "It's gonna be hard Luke,. but we'll get through it...you just have to let him go for a while. Allow him to do what he wants...."

Jesse sighed and put a firm hand on Luke's shoulder. "There's always somethin' that needs doin' Luke....but right now the most important thing I need ya to be doin' is restin' up....it ain't gonna be too long 'afore we have to get this farm back up and runnin' and we's gonna have to work twice as hard with Bo as out of action as he is..." He squeezed gently and spoke again before Luke could protest. "And I know what you's gonna say, I can't sleep until Bo's better, or I ain't gonna sleep until Bo condition improves, but you listen here young man I am about this far...*He held his thumb and forefinger inches apart* from losing my wick with you and I ain't afraid to let Daisy have her way and bash ya round the head with her fryin' pan ta knock some sense inta ya..."

Jesse looked up at Luke, the worry creases eased from his face a little as he hears the news. He nodded and pointed over to the far corner of the room, whispering gently. "They's in the second half Luke....could ya come back soon and help me put Daisy inta bed...she's out like a light, I's gonna talk to J.D. and see if I cant talk him inta letting Daisy have some time off...."

Bo grinned happily back, he knew that he could be in any room of the house but at the moment he didn't really feel like he had the energy to go anywhere else beside the bedroom....and besides it was comforting there and as boring as it was to stare at the same four walls, he could cope because all his things were in there that brought back so many memories for him. He grinned and nodded at the Doc, happy to be able to have a bath and getting to wear a t-shirt. He missed his blue one...

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..."