B.L. Davenport

Luke sniffs hard when Bo squeezes his hand but shakes his head thinking he only imagined it then unable to stand not knowing he speaks to Bo again "Bo did ya just squeeze my hand cousin if ya did do it again gimme a sign your coming back to us squeeze my hand if ya can." Lukes is ready to give a rebel yell at the thought Bo may be coming back to them but doesn't want to get his hopes up only to be disappointed so waits patiently for to see if Bo will squeeze his hand.

Uncle Jesse wraps Daisy in his strong arms patting her back soothingly. "He's getting better honey just slower than normal Bo fashion" chuckles "but then Bo always has done things his way in his own time." Luke walks up behind Daisy stroking her hair gently pulling her away from Uncle Jesse "You go ahead next Uncle Jesse I'll take care 'o Daisy." Uncle Jesse gives each a kiss on the side of the head even though Luke isn't usually one for public displays of affection as such. "Ok I'll only stay a few minutes then you can stay the rest of the time son" Luke nods as he murmurs softly in Daisy's ear. Uncle Jesse steps into the room taking Bo's lifeless limp hand in his own also noticing as Daisy did before him that the skin is cooler "Hi Bo it's your Uncle Jesse, the Doc says your improvin' you just keep it up we's worried about ya. I'd give anything if you could sit up in that bed and tell me to stop fussin so that you's alright." Kissing Bo's forehead smoothing his hair Uncle Jesse goes back out to Daisy and Luke. As Luke steps into the room he freezes again astounded at the amount of machines it's taking just to keep Bo going at the moment.

Wrapping his free arm around Daisy's waist as he drinks the water Luke leans over a light edge inflected in his voice but there's a hint of questioning amusement there too "Was you in cahoots with that doctor just to get me to sleep?" Jesse overhears Luke's question but hides his grin behind his hand looking at the clock. "Well let's go see Bo and see for ourselves how well he's doing or not doing." Leading the way to Bo's room Jesse stops giving either Daisy or Luke the chance to go first. Luke looks at Daisy and removing his arm from her waist gives her a little nudge "You go first darlin' I still need a few minutes to get woke up."

The doctor enters the waitingroom seeing Daisy at the water cooler and recognizing her being one of Bo's family he crosses over to her rousing Jesse as he hears footsteps passing by he stands and stretches joining Daisy and the doctor. "How's my nephew doctor." The doctor tries to sound hopeful "He's still unconsciencous but his blood sugar is low,we've given him 30cc's of insulin to be repeated every 4 hours until it's back to normal. I'm not saying it will solve things but it's very hopeful that this will at least bring him back to just sleeping normally although the breathing tube will most likely still need to be in place I don't know yet,we'll have to wait and see." Jesse tries to temper his thoughts not to get his hopes up too high "thankyou doctor" "your very welcome Mr., Miss Duke I hope Beaureguard continues to improve." And with that the doctor is gone again. Luke slowly comes to wakefulness noticing both his Uncle Jesse and Daisy are gone believing they have went to see Bo without waking him he jumps from his chair angry then seeing them at the water cooler calms stretching a kink from his back then joining them those pills dried out his mouth. "Any word on Bo" Uncle Jesse smiles slightly and nods and quickly fills Luke in. "Yeah the doctor has been out a couple of times Bo's blood pressure was too high so they gave him something for that and his blood sugar level was too low from not eating properly I suspect and they've started him on insulin to get that back to normal. The doctor said the low blood sugar could be the main reason for the unconcsciencenous" Nodding Luke sighs inwardly relieved maybe Bo's going to pull through yet.

The doctor watches the monitor that is monitoring Bo's blood pressure well satisfied that it is steadily climbing to normal now. Looking over at the nurse he asks "Has his blood sugar level been checked?" At the nurses headshake he says "I want it checked right away" Again the nurse replies "yes doctor" Leaving the room to get a technician from the lab to draw some blood to run the test. Soon a technician comes in with a box containing syringes and blood sampling test tubes, inserting a needle in the the IV rather than making another puncture in the young man soon the tube is half filled with blood as the tech leaves to run the test. About ten minutes later the same nurse as before returns with a report handing it to the doctor. Reading it the doctor nods and looks back to the nurse. "Just as I thought his level is too low and that is probably the most likely reason for the unconsciencnous,give him 30cc's insulin every 4 hours to raise it and things should begin to improve dramatically. I've got to go talk to the family again I'll be back to check on him in a few minutes. Again the nurse leaves and soon returns with a syringe containing the insulin and again inserts it into the IV line administering fluids.

In the little ICU cubical where Bo Duke lay a nurse checked his vital signs and made notes on his char. Frowning she noted that his bloodpressure was still to high although not as high as it had been. As Dr. Turner came into the cubical he looked at the chart the nurse handed him brows wrinkled when he sees the bloodpressure reading. "Nurse I want him given 10cc's of Trandate to bring his bloodpressure down." The nurse nods "yes doctor" leaving the cubical she soon returns with a syringe containing the medication and puts it in the IV line that is only administering fluids.

Luke never knows the doctor has been and gone or that Daisy has spoken. Jesse nods and whispers "You know I will baby you just rest as much as you can." Wrapping his arm protectively around Daisy and stretching the other over the chairs again to rest his other hand on Luke's shoulder Jesse continues the vigil in the silent waitingroom as his kids sleep.

Alone again with his thoughts and worries Jesse watches the hands on the clock creep closer to the next visiting time. Soon another doctor can be seen aproaching. "Beaureguard Duke" Jesse stands extending his hand shaking hands with the doctor "I'm Jesse Duke,Bo's uncle how is he?' The doctor smiles but shakes his head "I'm sorry Mr. Duke there's no real change he's still unconscienceous but there is some good news his fever has almost come back down to normal. We'll let you know if there's anymore change." Jesse nods "Thankyou doctor we'd appreciate it." After shaking hands again the doctor leaves and Jesse returns to his seat praying to his maker to further Bo's improvement and to give thanks for what little there has been. Looking over at Daisy and the sleeping Luke Jesse gives thanks for all his blessings.

Luke's start to get heavy as the combination of it all starts to kick in,sinking further down in his chair to stretch his legs out in front of him. mumbling "dang doctor drugged me" gives one last yawn before he is sound asleep Uncle Jesse smiles lovingly and with satisfaction,the worry lines are gone from the young man's face as he sleeps in peace. Looking over to Daisy still smiling as she continues to hum Luke's neck now being against the chair and hard to reach. whispers "it's about time"

Luke grins Daisy has him and he knows it but isn't ready to give up yet. "Ok ok I get yur point I should listen to what I preach or in this case what I would preach." sighs "Bo'd tell me to get some sleep before I fell over,but that still don't mean I'd listen to 'im anymore than you." Seeing a doctor coming there way Luke stills himself for whatever news may be coming their way. Doctor McGee a grey haired doctor of about 50, having watched the young man pace and fidget reslessly for the past half and the young girl beside him try to convince him to rest decides to do something so walking toward them he stops in front of Luke holding out his hands one with a paper cup of water. "Here take these" Suspiciouly Luke asks "what is it?" The doctor smiles not about to say that it's sleeping pills but the kid looks as if he's going to fall over if he doesn't rest. "Only something to calm your nerves and relax you take them Doctor's orders" Nodding Luke accepts the two yellow sleeping pills and water downing them quickly tossing the paper cup in the nearby trash. Satisfied the young man will rest now the doctor turns to go see to another patient as his beeper sounds.

Luke looks at his hands slightly ashamed at snapping at Daisy she's only trying to get him to do what's best for his own health. Sighs..."I'd do exactly what you did if it was you" looks up with a slight smirk knowing Daisy really can't inforce her threat like he could due to their sizes "Only when you pulled what I just did I'd just throw you over my shoulder and take ya home"

Luke presses the heels of his hands to his eyes shaking his head he looks back at Daisy with a determined stubborn look. "Ain't neither one happening! I ain't sleeping til Bo wakes up and YOU ain't driving me back home. Last time I checked I was older'n both you and Bo and I was the one sposed to be tellin' ya'll what to do." Luke is still looking at Daisy jaw clenched eyes sparking with anger and frustration. How dare she give him an ultimatum but he can't blame her really it's not Daisy's fault none of this. Uncle Jesse leans up in his chair to look across Daisy at Luke "Luke just rest ya eyes a little " Luke sighs biting his tounge to keep from snapping at Uncle Jesse. "I just can't...."

Luke continues to recall memories they seem to be flying at him and spilling out one after another. The relaxing touch of Daisy's hand and the good memories blocking the bad present somewhat begins to make Luke feel secure and his eyes start to droop closed. Jerking up in his chair eyes opened wide Luke shakes his head to disspell the grips of sleep rubbing his tired eyes. Standing he makes a few rounds pacing the waitingroom to wakeup. "Luke come sit back down ya makin me dizzy with all that pacing" Uncle Jesse commands gently he can see the wearyness in Lukes face and knows he's fighting the urge to sleep but sleep is what he needs most of all right now. Luke returns to his chair nervously trotting his leg.

Luke thinks for a moment then looks at Daisy smiling faintly"Oh all sorts of things alot of memories from when we was kids. Like the time we cut school ta the carnival just to see that exhibit that Uncle Jesse wouldn't let us see the day before cos it ""weren't somethin for kids ta see "" quoting Uncle Jesse from long ago;and that made us want to go more. And the time we went swimming in the middle of January as a dare from Cooter it's a thousand wonders we didn't catch pneumonia." Without realizing it Luke begins to think less of the present bad situation although it's still in the back of his mind but the good memories are in the forefront.

Some of the tension leaves as Daisy strokes the hair on the nape of his neck but at Daisy's request Luke shakes his head he's not telling anyone anything until B.L. tells him whether or not Bo went to see Doc Appleby this week. "It won't help...I jus'......I'll tell ya later ok" he turns to look at her again his eyes pleading for understanding that she just has to wait. Jesse reaches over from his chair laying his arm around both his kids and resting his hand on Luke's shoulder as he watches the clock tick by slowly creeping toward the next visiting time.

Luke tenderly runs a hand down Daisy's cheek she still looks tired and worn despite the little rest she'd gotten earlier waiting for word. "I know Dais I just can't rest,my mind ain't settled enough to rest it just keeps replayin old memories of us together as a family and of me n' Bo doing things together or me takin care o' him when he was sick growin up." Rubbing his tired eyes Luke is determined he won't rest until Bo wakes up and they know for sure he's going to be ok.

Luke shook his head in reply at the expectant looks on Jesse and Daisy's faces as he sat down heavily in a chair next to Daisy. Leaning forward bracing his elbows on his knees Luke scrubbed his hands over his face. It was going to be a long wait till the next round of visiting hours and an even longer night. Cooter had dropped B.L. off at the Duke farm to get her car,reminding her to call if she heard anything or there was anyway he could help their friends. Reassuring that she would they agreed to meet back there the next morning and do the bare necessity of chores before B.L. headed out to spend the day at the hospital and Cooter reluctantly the garage but planning to go to the hospital as soon as he closed up shop. Getting in her car B.L. drove to town and straight to Doc Appleby's office to talk with him about Bo's supposed visit earlier. Reaching the waiting room relieved to not see any others waiting she asked. "Doc can I talk to ya for a sec it's about Bo Duke" Doc replies "Well sure Brandy Lou but honey I cain't give out patient information it's against the oath I took as a doctor." Nodding understanding "I know Doc see Bo's real sick in Tri County but nobody really knows why he got sick so suddenly. He told Luke he'd been to see you this week somethin about bumpin his head doing a jump." Doc frowns "No I ain't seen Bo nor Luke as patients in quite a spell now,got any idea why Bo'd tell Luke such a thing when he hadn't really been here?" B.L. shakes her head she's pretty sure Luke doesn't want the whole bug thing to get out she says "No idea Doc Bo ain't the easiest puzzle in the world to figure out. Thanks for the info Doc I'll be seein ya." Doc nods returning the friendly wave of the young girl wondering how Jesse hasn't gone bald all these years raising those nephews and niece and their antics. B.L. gets in her car heading home hoping what she has to tell Luke will help solve this mystery in some way but knowing the only true way to solve it is get Bo well and talk to him.

B.L. finds the payphone and calls Cooter to come get her quickly explaining as best she can how ill Bo is. Waiting about 25 minutes,Cooter pulls up in front of the hospital and they are headed back for the Duke farm as B.L. explains in greater detail about Bo's condition as much as she knows leaving out the information about the bug being on Bo's belt not sure if Luke would want her to tell even Cooter. Luke takes an unsteady breath and walks into the tiny room with all it's machines humming and whirring despite his trying to prepare himself for what he'd see the sight is still another bad shock and Luke's resolve not to cry crumbles as silent tears streak his face. Sitting next to the bed Luke takes one of Bo's hands in his own. "Beaureguard Duke you wake up you hear me. C'mon Bo wakeup please Bo." Trying the sharp tone that pulled Bo from the clutches of unconscienceness at the lake. "Bo if you don't wake up and git your chores done Uncle Jesse's gonna whup ya good." When this fails to arouse Bo, Luke remembers what B.L. said before they parted company. Chuckles humorlessly "Bo B.L. told me to tell ya if you didn't wakeup she was gonna kick your butt all over Hazzard County and you know she'll do it too." When nothing works Luke just sits and talks quietly to Bo for a while before a nurse comes and tells him his visiting time is up for now. Nodding he gives Bo's hand one final squeeze before joining Uncle Jesse and Daisy in the small waitingroom.

"Sure thing Luke, I'll just call Cooter to pick me up here and drop me off back at the farm to get 'red fury' then I'll get right on it and see you tomorrow when I come to check on Bo." Kissing Luke on the cheek and giving him one final hug. grinning "Now you go tell Bo I said wakeup or I am gonna kick his butt all over Hazzard County." Then walking back to Daisy and Uncle Jesse she hugs Jesse and kisses his cheek as well and he does the same. "I'm gonna just call Cooter to come pick me up Uncle Jesse, I'll see ya'll tomorrow when I come to check on Bo." Jesse nods "Alright dear and thankyou for all you've done today" stepping away Jesse gets ready to go find his youngest nephew. Then taking Daisy in a fierce hug patting her friend's back. "Try not to worry ok and call me if there's anything I can do for ya'll or if you just need a shoulder to cry on I'll be here quicker'n you can say Possum on a gumbush."

B.L. nods understanding of Luke's reasons for not leaving the room. "Your welcome....Yeah well you just keep yourself healthy so he doesn't have anything else to worry about." B.L. jumps as Luke jerks when the door opens quickly following him to where Daisy and Uncle Jesse are still sleeping but soon awakened by the nurse voice and Luke's shake. Jesse listens to the nurse his heart nearly missing a beat at the news that Bo is so ill and unresponsive still. "Thank you kindly ma'am" The nurse nods acknowledgement of the thanks. Uncle Jesse steps in front of his remaining kids and wraps them both in a hug feeling Daisy shake in his arms. Stepping up to her friends B.L. hugs them all willing herself not to cry there's time for that later when she's at home or something. "Ya'll go on your family, I'll hang here and maybe call Cooter let him know what's up."

She nods agreement readily. "sorry....I promise not a word. I wished they'd come give us some news on Bo." Uncle Jesse shifts slightly in his chair but the worry has exhausted him so til he doesn't wake up. "How about we take a walk or something maybe get some fresh air." She isn't hopeful that Luke will go for the suggestion not wanting to get too far in case there's news on Bo and she can defenitely understand this.

Nodding at Luke's statement about eating,B.L. herself isn't sure eating is a good idea. Snapping her head up at Luke's next statement she pushes away from the wall to throw herself at Luke excitedly wrapping her arms around his neck. Saying a little too loudly "That has to have something to do with all this Luke it just has too" Covering her mouth B.L. blushes as she glances toward Uncle Jesse to see if she woke them.

Sighing "I wish it was somethin he hadn't told ya'll but me I'd tell in a hearbeat right now if I knew." B.L. slides down the wall slightly stretching her legs more out in front of her and crossing her arms hugging herself. "You don't have even so much as a hint as to what this could be about?" Stomach rumbling L.B. remembers she hasn't ate since breakfast,she and Daisy were going to eat lunch out. "Hey when's the last time you ate? You must be getting hungry"

Leaning her head against Luke's shoulder as much for his comfort as her own. "He'll tell ya when he's ready Luke you know Bo if he don't want to tell something right away he don't no matter what kind of pleads or threats his family might make. I just wish he'd wake up and tell ya what's going on."

Smiling B.L. squeezes Luke's arm, "I know your worried and scared so's Uncle Jesse and Daisy. But Luke be sensible it's not going to do anybody least of all Bo if you make yourself sick worrying about him." Sighing when Luke doesn't show any inclination of resting she leans against the wall beside Luke. "Well if you won't rest how about some company in worrying, we can lean on each other for support I can't ever recall seeing Bo so pale or still and even if I ain't blood kin I'm just as scared for him as ya'll are. Whatever or whoever has done this to Bo I want to help you teach em a lesson." B.L. falls silent realizing she's just chattering due to nerves.