BoJamesDuke

Bo saw Luke skid up ahead and smirked as the two guys in the cabin cursed. He heard the troopers and the rest of his family coming up swiftly behind the truck and finally managed to get a hold of the wheel. He jerked it hard left and sent the truck skidding down the embankment, just moments before it was due to hit Luke and General Lee.

"Just keep General Lee steady Luke, just steady for a couple more seconds....." He saw the oppertunity and for a fleeting moment, he was frightened as he looked down to the top of the truck. But as he saw the faces of the men laughing in the mirrors, all that fled. He pushed himself fully out the General and made the jump onto the truck, landing with a solid thud on the cargo hold's roof, gasping for a second as the wind was knocked out of him before coughing slightly and pulling himself more to the drivers cabin at the front. He leaned over to the left as he slid onto the roof of the cabin and dived his hand through the open window, wrestling with the steering wheel.

But Bo doesn't answer him, only looking frantically out the window, not caring one slightest bit about his breathing. All he could feel was his heart racing as he searched the road below them. All of a sudden he saw it, the real truck that they were looking for heading in the opposite direction to the phoney one they had trapped. Somehow the other guys knew, and had set up the set up. Within seconds, adrenaline surging through him, taking over his actions, he had hoisted himself half out the General, waiting for the General to catch up more with the truck.

But Bo didn't look as happy as Luke did as the driver of the truck stepped out and his eyes widened... "Luke....turn around and drive back...."

Bo grins grimly as the first part of the plan goes off without a hitch. "That's great, Alan...take it easy until they start nearing mine....and Luke's position. Then move in and as soon as they try to get away our side....we'll start up and heard them....towards Daisy and B.L and Jesse."

Bo sat up sharply in his seatm twisting to look back down the road and seeing the headlights. "That's a ten-four Cooter...you know what ta do right?"

Bo smiles, knowing that he had Luke. He was very good at playing the guilt trip card, and yet he wanted a promise, he wanted to know definatly that Luke wouldn't go near them. "Gimme yer word as a Duke..."

Bo chuckled a little, knowing Luke was only half joking and he couldnt really blame him for feeling the way he did because he felt it too. "I know...but please Luke....please don't..."

Bo nodded, glancing at the time and seeing they were quickly running out of it. He refused to let this go ahead with Luke thinking like he was though. "I know....but won't ya....get more satisfaction....knowing that they's...gonna loose their lives....when they get....put away for a....good few years..."

Bo stared definatly back, his own eyes now starting to blaze. After everything that had happened to him just to keep his family safe, to make sure they could stay with him, Luke was planning to go and get himself hauled away. He didn't know exactly how to get across just how much he needed his cousin, just how much he needed him to be there with him as he carried on down the long long road of recovery. There was only one way his frustrated mind could no think of....and that was to give Luke a shock. Eyes blazing he said in a sharp voice. "Do you want to kill me too then Luke?....'Cause if you go hittin and near killin'....them guys and I have ta....stand and watch ya get....carted off ta jail then....I's might as well have....a heart attack here and now...."

For the first time since this all started, Bo grinned his boyish, lopsided grin, nodding strongly and gripping Luke's hand. "We'll get 'em...." But as he said the words, he remembered everything that Luke had been saying in the hospital. As much as he himself would like to knock the seven bells out of the guys, he knew that it would only end up in a possible prison sentence, which would account towards a violation of probation. He breathed in and knew that what he was about to say would probably not be very well reveived by his older cousin, but he had to try. "Luke....when we stop these guys...swear you'll let the....state troopers deal with 'em....please..."

"All right...good luck everyone....I'm gone...." He looks to Luke, swallowing slightly and raises his hand like they were going to arm wrestle. "No goin' back now..."

As Luke pulled into the position, Bo waits a couple of minutes before picking up the CB and flipping the frequency to the Dukes private channel. "Howdy, this here's Bo....they should be comin' along in a few minutes....as soon as they pass mine and Luke's hiding spot....I need Cooter and Troopers to cut off the rear exit....keep pushin' em along the road....Luke's gonna drive alone east road to cut off the escape....that way. Daisy, Uncle Jesse, B.L sit tight....make sure yer headlights is switched off, but turn....em back on when ya's see the truck comin'...that should spook em....and get 'em to stop....everyone understand?" Daisy smiled at the strength that her cousin now had in his voice. It was still slow and steady, breaths being taken in the middle of sentences but it was stronger as the adrenaline surged through more. "Read ya loud and clear Bo hunny. Me and Jesse got this road blocked and B.L's movin' in position now. You make sure ya take care ya hear."

At first, Bo reached up to the hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, watching as everyone moved to the cars. He knew everyone was worried about him, especially Uncle Jesse, and as much as he wanted to walk over there by himself, he moved Luke's hand down to his elbow so he could support him. Bo walked steadily but shakily over to the General with Luke supporting him, leaning on it as B.L calls out. He responds with something that everyone would know, even B.L should in case they were actually being watched, something he hadn't thought about until now. He trusted Cooter would tell Alan because he was pretty sure Alan wouldn't have a clue. "I suggest everyone listens to....some calming country music...while we're drivin'....might soothe...everyone a bit...." Daisy grinned and nodded to him, looking over at B.L before they pulled away, questioning silently whether she remembered and understood what that meant. Looking back to Luke, he smiled shakily and also a little sadly as he leant back and silently asked if Luke would lift his legs up so he could slide in the passenger seat. He didn't like this role reversal, its usually him making the getaway not Luke and its usually Luke thinking up the plans that never failed, not him. But has he heard the sounds of everyone revving up the engines and waiting for Bo and Luke to move out first, he knew he didn't have time to linger on it.

Daisy couldn't help but smile proudly as Alan gave Bo the boost he needed to be sure of what he was doing. She knew that Bo was having second thoughts even though he hadn't told anyone, she could see it in the way he was trembling, he was still nervous about his family getting hurt and she was sure Luke could see it too. Bo smiled at Luke as he patted his back and grinned wider when everyone else began to get into the swing of things. Remembering what Luke used to do in these situations, when he was the leader of the plans. "Alright....we need ta drive...in the order we're goin' in. Me and Luke'll....be leadin so we's can get up....the east road....Cooter and Alan'll be bringin' up the rear with you....Uncle Jesse and Daisy and you....B.L in the middle..... Cooter be sure ta show....them state guys where....teh best hidin' spots are....rounf there....we can't have them bein' seen." He paused to catch his breath, giving a short sharp cough to get rid of the lump that had suddenly risen in his throat. "Daisy, Uncle Jesse and B.L, make sure....yer cars are in exactly....the right positions across the road....if they try and get past ya....all they're gonna succeed in doin' is runnin' inta us or runnin' inta the pond..." He smiled excitedly at everyone. "Alright...let's get goin'....Yee haww!"

Alan took Jesse's hand warmly and then pulled him into a brief hug. "No thanks needed Jesse, this is our job but of course I owe you a lot already so..." He turns and looks to Luke and Bo, the two he had not met since they were youngsters, amazed at how much they had grown. "And this much be Luke and Bo...my havent you two grown. Well Bo I have to say you have a well formulated plan here, and as long as everything goes as planned then we should have them fella's behind bars in no time." Bo nodded and shook Alan's hand in thanks watching as he shook Luke's and headed back to his troopers, running through last minute checks. Bo smiled at Cooter and shook his head, showing he needed no apology he understood. With a quivering breath as Alan gave the thumbs up, he looked over his family and friends. "Y'all ready?"

Bo made quick work of the arrows he had been working on, excitement and adrenaline building up as B.L came out and told them about Cooter. He grinned and his posture became stronger, more positive and a determined gleam sprang to his eyes. He couldn't wait for this thing to start. Daisy saw how Bo looked even happier at B.L's call and even she couldn't deny that she was looking forward to what was going to transpire. She turned as several horns sounded and she grinned. "Hey, State Police are here." Bo grinned even further and moved to stand up.

Bo smiled as Luke used his Marine voice, knowing there was no messing with that, but to be honest he didn't have the energy to disobey him anyway. He grinned as Luke brought out the box of arrows and dynamite, smiling, the adrenaline starting to flow as he thought about what they were going to do. Daisy nodded and huddled a bit more into Jesse as they walked, as pleased as Jesse that Luke had found something Bo could do sitting down. "Yeah....I could see how much Bo doin' that hurt ya...I didn't want ya to be alone..."

Bo walked contenedly to the barn with Luke, keeping his breathing the same as he had when walking down the hospital corridor, matching it with each step he took, feeling immensly pleased that he could do this on his own now, realising he didnt really lean on Luke that much anymore. She smiled gently as her Uncle led her out and saw B.L sleeping on the couch. She put her fingers to her lips and scribbled a note to B.L, leaving it on her stomach as she saw Bo and Luke heading towards the barn. She wrapped her arm back round Uncle Jesse's waist and headed outside with him again. "I know I walked out on Bo...but it was mainly cause I was scared for you..." She decided not to comment on the last part, having a horrible feeling that if Bo wasn;t scared of Jesse in the hospital, he might just end up getting that switching from Jesse instead of the lecture Jesse was planning.

Bo leant into Luke's hug, wrapping his own arms round Luke's waist as much as he could without the threat of him falling off the General. He nodded as Luke told him they needed to get ready and held out his arms as Luke slipped off the hood, singalling he needed a hand getting into the barn. Daisy smiled and looked at the clock. "We better get ready, Cooter and the troopers should be here soon....just dont be too hard on Bo Uncle Jesse."

Bo couldn't help but laugh at Luke's comment, feeling even more like things were getting back to normal, knowing once the plan started kicking off too, things would feel even better. "Thanks Luke....I couldn't do this...without you." Daisy nodded. "He loves ya Uncle Jesse...>"

Daisy nodded and looked to him. "Yeah me too....so if you and me feel like this...then how you think Bo is feelin'?" Bo nodded but also frowned. "Yeah but....how could I do....what I needed ta....and not be defiant? I thought for....a moment that...you'd all understand....what i needed ta do....but Uncle Jesse just....I ain't never seen him so mad....a part of me....wanted ta give up when....he was tpwerin' over me....dunno how I didn't...." He sighed and looked back over to Luke. "I hope I can....smooth things over....will you be there....when I try and explain....I's afriad he might....hit me there and then if.....it gets too bad...."

Daisy nodded and wrapped loving arms around her Uncle. "There has ta be a good reason for this Uncle Jesse, Luke's out there talkin' to Bo right now....maybe he'll find out what's goin' on with him. He sure has had a shock though over the past few days." Bo nodded and swallowed. "I hope...I ain't disappointed....him. I ain't disappointed in myself....and i'm not goin' ta say....i'm sorry for....what I did cause....it was the best feelin'....ta know I accomplished that....but I love him....I don't ever want ta hurt him bac..."

Bo swallowed and looked to Luke for the first time since they had started talking. "But what...if he don't understand....when he's riled he....he don't listen to reason....I don't mind gettin'....a switchin'.... iain't afraid and hack...I probably deserve it....but I don't....want him ta....think I's hurtin' him....on purpose....I just can't help....I need this to help me....move on..." Daisy sighed and sat on the bed next to Jesse. "Uncle Jesse....he is a grown man now...."

Daisy nodded and walked to Jesse's room, poking her head round the door. "Uncle Jesse...you in here?" Bo tensed a little when he heard Luke talking about 'Nam. Luke had told him long ago what had happened to him, although he never went into much detail, just saying that it wasn't a pleasent experience. Bo got the feeling though that it was more to do with Luke not wanting to hurt Bo than drag up old memories. As he finsihed, he sat quietly for a moment, shifting so his back was leaning against the windscreen again. "I know it hurts him Luke....but I can't just...I need ta make my...own decisions....s'my health and my...life that I came...close ta losin'....I know he's worried but....I just can't Luke there's....somethin' in me that just....just won't let me....I feel right guilty 'bout disobeyin' him though....but ya can see....why I did it....ya understand....