B.L. Davenport

Luke raises a questioning eyebrow wearing a smirk "You gonna stand there all day with that hospital gown flying open or ya gonna take a stroll across the room before the girls come back? Maybe sit in the sunshine a for a bit." Uncle Jesse wonders himself where they might have gotten off too but answers in what he hopes is a somewhat cheerful tone "They's probably just went for a walk maybe somethin to eat.

"I know it's gonna be hard to forget...but you will and so will Luke and Uncle Jesse and me. It'll probably take a long time but we'll all get back to normal trust me if anybody can say that and be positive it's me." Again thoughts of her father's illness and subsiquent death enter B.L.'s mind. She can truly be confident telling Daisy all will be normal again because even though her father is gone things did return to some semblemce of normal only without him in the picture. "Well I suppose that's the best we can hope for right now,just don't overdo right off the start." Uncle Jesse still isn't fully convinced because of Bo's bad color still but the fact he isn't gasping for breath eases the worry some. Luke lets out the breath he didn't realize he was holding "That's the best news I've got in days ceptin when the doc said ya wasn't dead."

B.L. takes Daisy's hand squeezing it reassuringly smiling confidently "I understand......he'll be the same ol Bo before we know it. Running around pushin Rosco's buttons gettin thrown in jail on some trumped up charge you'll see there won't even Be a reminder when we look at him that he was so sick." Uncle Jesse and Luke return the smile as Uncle Jesse asks the one question on both their minds "How d'ya feel Bo? And don't tell me fine I want the truth!"

B.L. hangs around the room just long enough to see Bo get shakily to his feet but decides that Luke and Uncle Jesse can take care of Bo as she turns running from the room after Daisy finding her sitting in the waiting room. Sitting next to Daisy B.L. flips a piece of Daisy's hair from her shoulder tenderly "You ok Daisy?" Luke notices that Bo is conscienceously trying to control his breathing and stay calm without the aid of the tent. Gives Uncle Jesse a worried look but Uncle Jesse tries not to show his own worries just support it's obvious Bo is determined to do this.

Uncle Jesse sees something in Bo's eyes as he looks back up not sure what to call it but slowly,hesitantly he nods yes but points a finger in Bo's direction "Ya can ask the Doc about lettin ya go BUT if he says ya ain't well enough then that's the way its gonna be understand!" Luke looks at Bo still seeing the dark circles and paleness but he's fought tooth and nail with Bo and almost lost him on accounta these men and he's just to tired to fight it anymore so is agreeing only because he can watch Bo closely. "Hey Bo the doc said ya could start gettin out from under than thing but ya had to go back as soon as ya breathin was startin to be hampered." Looks at Uncle Jesse now as he says the next part "Why don't we see just how Bo can handle it without the tent or any other oxygen ceptin what's in tha air and if he can't the tent will be right here close." Uncle Jesse sighs looking at the two girls with their shocked faces that he'd even agree to such foolishness "Alright boys we'll see how it goes here BUT if you don't do good Bo ya ain't leavin' till ya are!" B.L. swears she's hearing things ubelieving that Uncle Jesse would even consider agreeing and more perplexed that Luke would agree after all the fight he's put up avoiding their efforts to get him to sleep while the doctor's and nurses took care of Bo.

Uncle Jesse takes the note reading it then looks back at Bo with a still not happy expression on his face but before he can say anything Luke interrupts with a quiet earning a glare from Uncle Jesse too. "He's right" Reading the note again then looking back to Bo "I did say that and the good Lord can produce miracles when he sees fit to do so. As for not needin special permission from the doc to be discharged you may be right there but ya do need it from ME!" B.L. watches Bo,Luke and Uncle Jesse to see who's going to win this argument although her money's on Uncle Jesse if she were a bettin girl. Mumbling "He may have some good points but I still say his brain's been too long without suffecient oxygen and he's talkin crazy"

B.L. stood there jaw dropped when Bo pointed to himself snpping her mouth shut shaking her head they should have known Bo would try something like this. "Bo you never cease to amaze me but Daisy's right you ain't well enough for this Luke, Uncle Jesse tell 'im he's crazy. One question how the heck you gonna get in the general the door's are welded shut in case you forgot. Ya so weak still ya probably can't walk across the floor without slididng your feet instead of pickin em up so how ya gonna climb through a car window?" Uncle Jesse frowns in Bo's direction eyes flashing as he lays down the law "Bo you's aint doin' nothin' 'cept what the doc gives ya permission to do! Ya certainly ain't goin after these guys not as sick as ya've been." Luke hides a grin from Uncle Jesse at Bo's stubborness on helping to catch the goons, he wants what's best for Bo and going on recent events it's staying in the hospital but he's not about to say that because it just won't be the same without Bo by his side. Thinking on it Bo's right he won't be doing anything to exert energy just ridding shotgun in the general.

Everyone is huddled around the bed as Bo sketches the map and labels where everyone will be. Both Jesse and Luke nod as he points things. "Looks good cuz."

Luke smiles upon hearing the plan it doesn't sound half bad,having seen the briefest look that only Luke would notice from years of reading Bo tells him that Bo is determined to help with the plan. "Sounds like a good plan to me Bo, I couldna come up with one much better myself." Thinking a few moments an idea comes to him that might placate Bo if he still needs to be in the hospital. "Since ya thought of the plan it's upto you to tell everybody involved what to do."

Luke waves a hand dismisally "No rush we got time to come up with somethin yet" B.L. always the impatient one especially when something needed doing reaches out taking the alchohol pad from Bo's right hand and keeping it in place on his left where the needle had been. Asks somewhat exhasperated but trying hard not to show it "Now can we please think of something to do before somebody gets hurt" Luke gives her an annoyed look for being so impatient "B.L. there's not that big of a hurry really, it's only" *Luke looks at his pocket watch* "8pm so we still got almost 24 hours"

Once finished the doctor bids them all goodnight saying he'll be back in the morning and leaves the room. Luke now asks after they are all alone again "So what's this plan of yours?"

"Sure I can remove the one IV now" Walking over to a cabinet on the wall the doctor returns to the bed with some alchohol swabs and examination gloves. Taking Bo's left hand and placing it on the bed railing the doctor places one of the alchohol pads over the needle then slowly removes it still holding the alchohol pad in place "Now just hold this on there till the bleeding stops, as for talking you can give it a try whenever you like but I don't want you straining your throat so if it hurts too much" *taps the notepad* "This is the best form of communication till it's well enough you can stand the pain without irritating it further."

Luke shoots a look of his own back at Bo clearly stating don't start. The doctor reads all Bo's questions thinking for a few minutes "Well I can't say when you can come out from under the tent completely until I see how your infection goes. You can however come out for brief periods as long as you get back under as soon as your breathing starts to be aggrevated. The fluid's IV can be removed now but the one administering antibiotics for the infection stays until the infection is cleared up. As for walking around I have no objections to roaming around the room and as you improve up and down the hall,I believe you'll find that you aren't quite upto the hall yet though. Anymore questions?"

Luke nods "Ok Bo shoot" Before Bo can start to write anything about his plan the doctor comes in seeing Bo in a sitting position paper and pencil in hand. Smiles "Well looks like someone is feeling alot better. Let's just see how well your doing shall we" The doctor listens to Bo's chest,checking his reflexes and looking in his throat stands straight and announces "I'm happy to say that it appears the chest infection is clearing up and the flu is gone although your throat is still red it's not looking any worse than if you just had a cold with a really sore throat." Wagging a finger in Bo's direction and then Luke's "I'll let you get back to visiting but I still want you to get plenty of rest. And you could do with some yourself I'd rather not have another Duke for a patient one's enough." Nod's goodbye to the other occupants of the room,not recieving a response from Luke he leaves trusting the others will handle things on that end. Uncle Jesse gives Luke a pointed look Luke however doesn't look any of them directly in the eye knowing at least one of them will eventually utter the words 'we told you so' even though he couldn't rest till Bo started to recover and still isn't sure he can until the theives are caught.

Uncle Jesse nods satisfied that Bo's going to listen to him and do as he's told this time. "Good,now what is it ya want to see the doc about Bo?" Luke rubs his aching neck they have to come up with a plan and soon. Too tired to think this hard he asks "Anybody got any ideas for a way to catch these no good varmits?"

B.L. takes the note reading it passing it to Uncle Jesse who looks up at Bo after reading the note with a piercing look that says arguing is an unwise thing to do then he says whats on his mind "We can Bo but YOU ain't gettin them IV's out and outta that bed till that chest infection is cleared up and the doc says so!!!! Which it aint and I don't want to hear er read any argument out of you young man sick or not I'll still tan ya for backtalkin." Luke is still giving B.L. dagger looks for so kindly pointing out that he's not near as able bodied himself at the moment as he'd like them to believe. At Uncle Jesse's proclimation that Bo's staying put he feels a twinge of satisfaction that Bo's not getting his way while he's still so sick.

"I'll be alright, I got adrenaline pushin me." B.L. reading over Luke's shoulder amused at the almost one sided argument if you didn't know that the other side was on paper grins at Bo's stubborness and spunk a sure sign he's going to be just fine. Unable to resist a slight taunting smirk and tone for both of the combatants "He's right Luke a good puff of wind could blow you down right now" Luke glares at her furiously without even so much as getting a flinch from the girl. B.L. scratches her head ponderingly "Uh Bo just how you gonna stop us? Your sorta tied up at the moment" *gestures to the IV* Looks at Daisy hoping she catches the glint in her eye and jumps in with total agreement about what B.L.'s fixin to say looks back to the boys with just as a determined look as the ones they are wearing "Me 'n Daisy can take care of things and Uncle Jesse can help us along with Cooter and I'm sure Enos will help too. Which means you Luke can sleep and Bo can recover and not hafta worry about what fool stunt your pullin." Uncle Jesse raises his eyebrow clearly saying he's defenitely not in total agreement. Luke shakes his head vigirously "No way B.L. not gonna happen not as long as I can keep going no"

Luke looks at Bo asking "What do you mean" *shakes his head mimicking Bo's actions and expression* "How you gonna be of help here in a hospital bed? For goodness sakes Bo ya can't even scoot yaself up in the bed without help your as weak as a newborn kitten and I'll be danged if I let you do anything else to jeopardize your health so your job is to get ya strength back" Looking just as determined although truth be told if Luke were honest with himself and the others he's not much better off than Bo being exhausted as he is.

Luke sighs sitting on the edge of the bed facing Bo talking calmly and seriously to make his point. "Bo when ya ever gonna learn that we's work better as a team? They ain't no way you's could take care of two guys all by yourself you's outnumbered. Ya think it woulda made us feel any better if you'd got hurt? instead of the way things has turned out?" Giving Bo a serious look still but also understanding. "You can still help make a plan even if ya can't help carry it out."

B.L. pushes the button on the controler above the bed sitting it up just a little but this still doesn't put Bo up high enough to sit properly,looking at Daisy and Luke she motions to the corners of the sheet that is sticking out from under Bo knowing what it's purpose is "Hang on a second Bo. Daisy,Luke; ya'll grab ahold of this sheet and help me scoot him up just a little. On the count of three" Luke grips the top corner and the middle of the sheet on his side of the bed in his hands as B.L. gathers the top corner on the other side leaving Daisy to get hold of the middle. B.L. counts off and as the word three leaves her lips they all give a tug scooting Bo up further in the bed making sitting a little easier. "one....two...three. Comfy?"

There is a colletive gasp heard in the silent room as Luke reads the note aloud. Uncle Jesse takes Bo's trembling hand wishing that the oxygent tent wasnt such a barrier between them. "Bo, don't ever think ya cant tell us somethin even if ya believe it's gonna put us in danger. We's can take care of ourselves but we almost lost YOU because ya was keepin such a secret to yaself and it was eatin' atcha that woulda been more harmful to any of us than what these fellas could do." B.L. gives Bo a questioning look "Bo why didnt ya just write it down like now then if ya was so afraid these guys'd kill the family? Ya coulda come to me at the clinic even if ya was afraid it was bugged then I woulda helped ya figure out what to do hun ya scared us all to death far worse than runnin into a coupla thugs hired by Boss Hogg every could." Luke's baby blue eyes look deep into Bo's darker blue ones his heart swelling with pride that Bo would try so hard to protect them but also scared senseless as he thinks again how they almost lost Bo. "B.L.'s right Bo ya coulda come to any of us and wrote it down just like now then me and you'd a found these jackasses and stopped them. As much as I'd like to just let'em rob Boss blind for being so greedy and hirin' the varmits we can't they might still hurt somebody if they was to get in the way."

Luke takes the note from Bo reading it for the others then asking "what do you mean they ain't afraid to hurt others,how do you know that?" Not voicing the one question that is uppermost in his mind that they threatened Bo in some way which would explain his odd behavior. "Don't worry we'll take care of it,but is that the whole story or is there more?"

Luke quickly looks around the room at Bo's gesture for paper and pencil,finally seeing it on the extra bed. Grabbing the items he hands them to Bo waiting anxiously like everyone else to see what is so important that Bo can't even relax a while after just being brought back to life;but it seems none of them are inclined to argue with Bo on the point. Luke hopes it has something to do with Boss Hogg's scheme so they can put a stop to it. "What is it Bo?"

Luke staggers a bit at Daisy's body collides with his, regaining his balance he wraps his arms around her holding on just as tight. Relief evident in his voice but shakey still with emotion but it's elation now instead of misery and feat. "He's not gone Bo's ok, what say we go see that cousin of ours" Guiding Daisy from the office one arm around her shoulders as they head back down the hall,followed closely by Uncle Jesse and B.L. Arriving at the room Luke still holding onto Daisy enters blinking the building tears of relief away as he goes over to the bed taking Bo's hand still afraid to believe afraid the hand will be cold and lifeless but the one thing that lets him know Bo's alive is his eyes are alert instead of fixated in a dead stare on the ceiling. Smiling he reaches under the tent ruffling Bo's hair "You sure have a knack for the dramatic cuz ya should think about being an actor." Uncle Jesse steps upto the other side of the bed leaning in under the tent to give Bo as fierce a hug as possible too choked with emotion to speak. B.L. steps closer to the bed squeezing Bo's knee also unable to say anything.

The doctor smiles kindly at Bo as he opens his eyes "Welcome back young man, there's some folks out in the hall gonna be mighty happy to see those eyes open again." A nurse approaches the Doctor,the same one that the family had asked about an alternative to the oxygen mask "Doctor, the family was asking earlier if there was an alternative to the oxygen mask it seems to distress the patient. Nodding the doctor responds "We can put up an oxygen tent, he's not getting enough oxygen on his own for the nose piece to be used yet but the tent will still allow the family full access to him. If you ladies will do that I'll go speak with the family." This being said the docotor leaves the room only to find the rest of the Dukes and B.L. huddled together in the hall distraught at what they think. "Uh Mr. Duke I need to speak with you all for a moment if you'll just follow me." Luke pulls away from Uncle Jesse taking his had from B.L. he doesn't want to follow the doctor only to be told that Bo is gone. B.L. wraps her arm around his waist though giving moral support as they follow the doctor to an empty office. Going behind the desk the doctor reguards the family "Did ya find out what caused Bo to get worse?" Uncle Jesse asks unwilling to say out loud that Bo had passed. Bracing himself and his remaining nephew and niece for what is to come by putting an arm around each of them. "No I'm sorry Mr. Duke but as I'm sure you know we lost Bo" As this is said Luke sniffs hard as B.L. has a few more silent tears roll down her cheeks. "The good news is we were able to bring him back after 5 shocks with the paddles. He's awake and I imagine by now wondering where you all are. After speaking to one of the nurses and learning of his dicomfort with the oxygen mask I have instructed that an oxygen tent be put up instead as I feel he isn't breathing well enough on his own for the nose piece yet." Uncle Jesse smiles gratefully at the doctor as he hugs the three young people standing in the small office with him "Bo didn't give up" turning to the doctor again "Thank you doctor for all you've done" "No thanks needed Mr. Duke just doing my job,it would be a real shame to lose such a young man as your nephew." Luke is sure he's hearing things hardly able to believe that Bo's alive and awake when just 45 minutes before he'd been slipping further from them and then finally letting go of all the pain. B.L. hugs Daisy excitedly and then Luke, returning to Daisy's side she whispers "see I told ya Bo would be ok"