B.L. Davenport

Opens the door softly,standing behind Daisy looking over her shoulder at the pictures wrapping his arms around her shoulders. It was still like a horrible nightmare that Bo was gone and Luke expected him to come bouncing into the room with his boyish grin any minute laughing and telling them not to look so miserable he'd only been out chasing girls,but that wasn't going to happen. Luke smiles gently as Daisy comes across a picture of the three of them, Daisy was getting a piggyback ride from Bo after having jumped on him for telling one of their friends that Daisy liked him when she didn't. Bo was spinning in circles to make her dizzy so she'd get off while Luke had stood to the side doubled at the waist laughing because it had been him who'd done the telling then pointed an accusing finger at Bo when Daisy found herself trapped in a date. Doc lays a hand briefly on Jesse's shoulder patting it gently before taking the other man's hand in his own shaking it. "Think nothin' of it Jesse....I just wish I could have done more to prevent this tragedy. This county just won't be the same without the Duke boys tearin' around,they've always been a pair and it's so strange to think that from now on it'll just be the duke boy instead of the two of them.......He was a good boy and will be missed by many."

Luke watches Jesse go to the kitchen to call and make the arrangements and then Daisy get up taking the photo albums to her room. It was all like a dream a bad dream. Leaning his head against the back of the couch he tried to decide whether to go check on Daisy or just let her be for now. Ultimately he gets to his feet and starts toward Daisy's room,Bo'd want them to take care of each other. Knocking softly "Daisy it's Luke can I come in honey?" Doc goes out to the kitchen patting Jesse on the back as he sat at the table preparing to make the arrangements. "Jesse if ya can handle things here fer a bit I'm gonna run into town and check my messages."

Doc watched silently as the family grieved it was going to be rough days ahead but he was sure they could and would make it through with the love they had for each other and the belief they had in the Lord Almighty. Luke looked to the Doc eyes dry as when he'd left that morning for the race. Swallowing a few times to moisten his suddenly dry throat Luke looked at Daisy and then Uncle Jesse both of them had tears running down their faces but he felt strangely detached from the things going on around him unable to cry mostly for fear if he ever started he might not stop.

Amos sighed fidgeting nervously with his hands he hoped his next words would bring some comfort to the grieving family. Clearing his throat Doc said "First let me assure ya'll Bo wasn't in any pain when he passed I had given him something for it just after you and Daisy left for the race Jesse. He wanted me to tell ya that he loved ya all but ya already know that. Luke he said to let you know he was proud of ya fer winnin' the race." Doc takes a deep breath letting it out slowly he hoped his next words would help ease the pain in the dark haired young man's eyes. Luke seemed to have shut himself away behind a wall,he'd not showed one ounce of emotion since entering the house after the initial outburst trying to get to Bo and this worried Doc far more than if he'd been ranting. "Luke his dying thoughts were of you and his last words were, love ya Luke. Then he peacefully closed his eyes and slipped away. Jesse I want you to know I never left that boy's side for a minute I was holdin his hand when he went wanted him ta feel that somebody was there ta help him in his final journey."

Doc nodded to Jesse confirming his suspicion before gently taking Luke by the arm and trying to steer him toward the livingroom. "I think ya'll better come sit down for a minute" Luke jerks his arm from the doctor's gentle grasp shaking his head "No I left him once today I won't do it again" Doc again takes Luke by the arm this time successfully getting him turned toward the livingroom "C'mon Luke just for a few minutes I have some things to tell ya'll and there's nothing you can do for Bo now." Luke listlessly lets himself be led to the livingroom sinking onto the couch he knew this was coming had seen it in Bo's eyes but it was still hard to absorb that he was actually gone.

Luke had switched back to their frequency as soon as the race was over,hearing the Doc's request he snatched up the mic his voice rough and hard with emotions he was trying to keep in check as his heart beat wildly in his chest. He just knew something had happened to Bo he just knew it the connection they'd always had that most people didn't understand wasn't there he had felt Bo all through the race right up until the announcer announced he'd won and it was like he'd had a chest pain then it was gone. "Doc what's wrong.....is Bo alright?" Amos gulps before replying not wanting to give the news over the air. "Just come on home Luke" Luke speeds away from the track leaving dozens of congradulating well wishers as he sped toward home praying he wouldn't be too late. Driving faster than he'd ever drove before that included the race track Luke made it home in 10 minutes sliding into the driveway bursting into the house. Doc met the frightened young man at the end of the hallway barring his progress down it seeing in his eyes that he already knew what had happened.

Doc nodded gripping Bo's hand a little tighter having to fight his own emotions at losing a patient for the first time in a long time. "Yes Bo I'll tell 'em" strokes Bo's hair again as he closes his eyes for the final time. Picks up the cb mic clearing the roughness from his voice switching back to the frequency that all the Duke's used. "This is Doc Appleby callin' Jesse Duke.....Jesse do ya read me? I think ya'll best come home."

Luke began inching his way into first on the 4th to last round. Slowly inching forward getting ready to make his final move and as he came out of the third to last lap and started on the second he geared the General up and slammed hard on the gas surging into first with a classic Bo whoop and another blast of the 'dixie' horn.

Luke was so surprised to hear Bo's voice come over the cb he almost slipped back into third but did as Bo instructed and pulled into the 'ol Duke skid slidding back into second. Picking up the cb the hint of the smile that was on his face also in his voice as he responded. "That's a big 10-4 cousin" The race continued with Luke holding steadily to second place biding his time till he pulled into first.

Doc pats Bo's hand smiling "your welcome Bo" Luke blasted the 'dixie' horn as the race started jossling for position quickly making it to third and trying to move on up into second place

sits in the chair beside the bed holding Bo's hand and stroking his hair in the same way he'd seen Jesse,Daisy and Luke do a million times over the past days. "Alright Bo I won't leave ya......you just rest easy son"

Doc rushes to the boys room as Bo calls "What is it Bo?" instantly able to tell Bo is in pain draws up a small dose of painkiller hoping it would be enough to keep the young man comfortable withtout putting him to sleep.

Waves them off calling "Ok Jesse....don't worry we'll make it fine till ya get back" He'd nearly said Bo'd be fine but that might give them false hope Bo wasn't looking too good this morning but it was hard to tell how the rest of the day would be he had so many ups and downs.

"You know I will Jesse.....don't worry he'll be fine while your gone. You,Daisy and Luke all need this day to get out and relax a little." Amos smiled kindly at Jesse his eyes saying more than words ever could that he would take care of the youngest Duke until the rest returned from the race.

Amos washes up the coffee cups figuring it was the least he could do while Jesse was in with Bo and Daisy was getting ready to go to the race. Finishing that he went and made himself comfortable in the livingroom to read the paper. Luke got to the track on time and signed in, taking a couple of test laps around the track then parking and sitting quietly in the big stock car waiting for the race to begin usually he and Bo would be talking and joking with the other drivers even placing a few friendly bets but he just wasn't in the mood for company today or making money.

"I'll do that......teach 'em ta mess with the Genreal Lee and a Duke" Luke tries to inject as much enthusiasm into his voice as he can but not sure how convincing he was being but for Bo's sake he was going to do this. Gets off the bed bending over to kiss Bo's forehead as he closes his eyes again. "I'll see ya later Bo after the race...the cb's all set up and on the channel the race is gonna be broadcast on." Leave's the room silently going out the front door climbing into the General Lee without a backwards glance for he knew if he ever looked back he wouldn't leave Bo's pretense of feeling strong didn't fool him for a minute.

Luke smiled at least Jesse worrying and telling whoever was driving to be careful and not do anything foolish before a race was something normal. "I'll be careful Jesse.....yeah I promised him I'd set up the cb in our room so he could listen to the race." Sits the bag in the chair,exchanging it for the cb base. Going into their room it didn't take Luke long to set everything thing up on the night table. Sitting on the bed Luke pushed the hair off Bo's forehead not sure if he was awake or not his eyes were still closed but he could just be resting them. "Well this is it lil cousin.....race day. It's time for me ta get to the track and get signed in then I'm gonna do a couple test laps. I'll cya after the race buddy and we'll celebrate my victory."

Luke looks at the clock on the wall they had all slept a little later after last night and out of pure exhaustion. Standing working the kinks out of his back and neck grabs the bag with his orange jumpsuit at his feet. "I gotta get to the track and sign in......want to do a couple test laps before the race.....see you and Daisy there Uncle Jesse."

Luke nods trying to look not quite so depressed "Yeah I reckon so Daisy"

"Mornin" Luke and Amos chorus as Daisy and Jesse join them. Luke just nods knowing it wouldn't do any good saying that Bo needed Jesse or Daisy with him. "Of course I'll stay with him Jesse just in case he needs anything" Luke finishes his coffee pushing his chair away from the table standing "I'd better go get things geared up for the race"

Doc emerged from the guest room making his way to the kitchen he was afraid it would have been a rough night last night for the youngest Duke especially afte his excusions but the night had been peaceful. Going into the boys room Amos makes a quick check on Bo satisfied he was sleeping well enough and there were no complications goes to the kitchen pouring a cup of coffee joining Luke at the table. "Morning Luke" Luke looks up when Doc spoke not having noticed anyone else in the room. "Morning Doc"

***Next morning**** Luke wakes up as the sun shines brightly through the curtain.....last night had been a good night despite the circumstances. Bo had,had fun doing the things he loved most and in a way Luke thought it had helped both him and Daisy as well. A new thought crossed his mind it was race day a pang goes through his heart, Bo wouldn't be at this one but listening at home from the cb he'd been awfully tired last night when they'd went to bed so needed to rest today. Getting out of bed Luke quickly dresses to go do his and Bo's*shakes his head* no they were his chores now and his alone. Slipping from the room he heads to the barn quickly doing them and going back inside sitting at the table with a cup of coffee.

Luke returned the gentle squeeze to Daisy's arm they would be there for each other. It was going to be that way from now on they were going to have to pull together and look out for each other once it was just the two of them. He knew that Bo's passing would be just as hard for Daisy to bear as it was going to be for him he hoped she was going to be able to deal with it better than he had so far. He smiled slightly as he thought about how odd it had been lately he was the one that seemed to be breaking down the most when it had always been Bo and Daisy in that role and him picking up the pieces. Leans into Jesse's touch something he'd rarely done except when he felt really helpless like he did now. He knew Jesse was worried about him and Daisy but at the same time grieving himself at the realization of losing Bo,looks up smiling faintly hoping to relieve some of Jesse's worry.

Luke looks out over the farmyard gulping this would be the last time the three of them sat like this watching the sunset. It was something they did often Bo usually snagging himself or Daisy more often than not both of them to sit and watch. There would be so many little things like this now that they'd all done together and taken for granted that they'd never do again.

The three of them slowly leave the room letting Bo take his time so as not to tire himself out too quickly before he got to do all the things he wanted to do. Outside the Doctor was sitting on the porch swing. Looks up as the kids came out. "S'alright Doc if we let Bo have some time doing the things he'll never get ta do again?" Doc nods smiling these kids were special he'd never seen another bunch of kids with the same closeness as these three. "Sure Luke that'd be fine.....just watch him close." Luke nods he'd never thought of doing anything less......Doc rises going inside the house to help himself to a cup of coffee. Luke instructs Daisy to help get Bo on the swing then the two of them sit on either side their arms across the back of the swing supporting Bo but also surrounding him with love.