B.L. Davenport

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.

"Ya ain't hooked ta nothin' so it'll be alright" Get's Bo sitting up on the bed between the two of them giving him a few minutes to rest and his equalibrium to return from lying down so long. "K Daisy I'm gonna need ya to help me it's gonna take us both ta keep 'im from fallin' or feelin' like he's gonna fall.......Don't you worry though Bo we's not gonna let ya fall."

Holds back a sniff seeing the light in Bo's eyes for what is probably going to be the last time. Gives him a light squeeze before sitting up and preparing to help Bo in this last request. "You don't worry about the Doc I'll talk to him.........but I don't think he's gonna object ta anything ya wanna do."

Luke sat up hugging Daisy tightly rubbing her back soothingly for a few moments trying desperately to hold back his own tears. "shhh baby don't cry.....please Daisy don't cry" Turns back to Bo smiling as best he can "sure Bo I'll take ya outside......we'll even take the General for a drive if ya want to and think yer upto it."

Happy to hear you're still enjoying the story we've gotten some really great positive feedback. As for killing off Bo stay tuned to find out.

Luke drew a shuddering breath when Daisy had to move Bo's arms for him it was just another painful reminder how bad off he really was and that death was a reality most likely sooner than any of the expected as the malaria consumed Bo's body. "I promise cuz I ain't gonna go after them......but they will go down fer what they did to you."

moves up onto the bed wrapping Bo in a tight hug "shhh I know it is buddy I see that now I just wanted ta keep ya as long as I could....I'll be ok got Daisy and Uncle Jesse,Cooter and B.L. ta help me"

Luke shakes his head squeezing Bo's hand gently "No.....shhh ya ain't got nothin' ta be sorry for it's us who should be sorry fer makin ya hang on this long........me especially Uncle Jesse and me had us a talk and I still don't like it none o' us do but it's ok Bo we're gonna let ya go so's ya don't suffer nomore" coughs to hide how choked up saying that made him

Luke smoothed the hair back from Bo's face with one hand while holding Daisy's with the other smiling slightly at both of them to show that he was alright or at least going to be eventually he just didn't know when that might be.

Amos grips Jesse's should supportingly "I'm sorry Jesse if there's anything else I can do for ya'll just let me know." Luke kneeled next to Bo's bed needing to be near both his cousins and if he were honest not really able to stand on his own two feet much longer.

Luke nods again sniffing and wiping away the tears mentally preparing himself for the hardest thing he's ever had to do. Standing up shakily,shoulders slumped in a defeated way. "I think I'm ok ta talk to Bo now,he weren't none to happy about that feedin' tube it scared him he's afraid to talk afraid it'll hurt like before with the breathin' tube I saw it in his eyes." trudges slowly back to the porch stopping with his hand on the screen door gathering all the courage he had for what the conversation he was about to have with his youngest cousin probably be their last. Going inside Luke moved slowly down the hall almost creeping into the room having to bite his lip to keep from crying as he saw Daisy craddling Bo's head and shoulders in her lap. He stood there just watching them for now,Daisy needed time with Bo just as much as he did. Amos quietly exited the room leaving the three cousins alone. He needed to find Jesse and see if he was ok,finding Jesse still in the yard where he'd been with Luke staring off across the land Amos puts a hand on his shoulder. "Ya gonna be ok Jesse?.......Is there anybody I can call for ya?"

Luke listened to Jesse still crying hard but no longer hysterical in the comfort of his Uncle arms. He knew what Uncle Jesse was saying it was cruel to make Bo live as he had been but he wasn't sure he could let go but for Bo's sake he'd try. Pulling away slightly he looked up at Uncle Jesse eyes fearful and swollen from crying so much but still steadily leaking tears. "I........understand all that Uncle Jesse,in here anyway *points to his head* but here *points to his heart*....is havin' a hard time exceptin' it. Gotta tell Bo it's ok or he'll hang on stubbornly like all us Dukes" Doc checked out the window again feeling a little better at seeing Luke sitting up on his own and appearing at least calmer although you could still see the hard shaking of his shoulders even from that distance as he tried to come to terms with what was happening. Turning back to Bo and Daisy he wondered if he was making the right decision leaving the feeding tube in,but he didn't know how much longer Bo could hang on with or without nourishment,he wasn't prepared to let Bo starve if he lived for days.

Luke wipes his mouth when there's nothing left to throw up. Shaking from the effort takes several deep breaths calming enough to tell Jesse more coherently what's happening. "Bo....took out.......the IV he'll......d...die *barely gets the word out*...sooner without the medicine.....even.....w....with...the feedin' tube........Ya gotta.....ya gotta....m.....mmake 'im let Doc put it back.......needs it to live.......can't lose him.....not yet.....can't......not ready......please Uncle Jesse make him let Doc put it back in and leave it alone." Pleads between sobs as the tears keep cascading down his face. Doc looks out the window worriedly at Luke but sees Jesse has him so at least he hadn't gone too far. Looking back at Daisy and Bo made him want to give up being a doctor this was part of the job he hated.

Luke points back at the house breathing hard short gasps as tears slip down his face babbling not making coherent sentences. "B.....Bo......he.....IV...die.......sooner....make 'im......in..........gonna die.....don't want die.........not yet...can't" sinks to his knees sobbing uncontrollably before retching violently

Luke continues to shake his head and argue that Jesse could make Bo leave the needle alone. Getting nowhere though he bolted from the room and out the front door looking around the yard with wild eyes looking for somewhere he could go this couldn't be happening they couldn't just let Bo purposely do something that would kill him sooner than he was already going to die. Doc sighs he was afraid of this being Luke's reaction but had expected it to come after Bo's death. "Alright Bo....I can take the feedin' tube out or leave it in.......but before ya tell me to take it out ya got to promise you'll try and eat more I ain't gonna let yer Uncle Jesse and cousin's watch you starve yourself to death."