Forbidden Love

Disclaimer: I don't own the Dukes of Hazzard, not making any money, just cheap thrills.


Warnings: Slash, Established Couple, Angst


Rating: FRT-17


* indicates thoughts


Forbidden Love
Chapter 14


As the paramedics raced into the emergency room with Bo, Rosco followed closely behind them. Blocked from entering the treatment area, Rosco had no choice except to move to the waiting room. Left with nothing to do, Rosco was on the verge of falling completely apart when Enos came up to him.


"Sheriff, are you okay?"


"What are ya asking me that for ya dipstick? Course I'm alright, Bo's the one that got...that's..." Rosco trailed off, as a doctor stepped out of the treatment area. Beginning to climb to his feet, Rosco sat back down with a despondent sigh when the doctor moved past him to a nearby couple.


"Uh, Sheriff, have ya called Jesse and them yet?" Enos quietly asked.


Looking at his young deputy, Rosco was surprised to realize he hadn't even thought of that. He couldn't hardly believe that Enos had thought of it when he hadn't. "No," Rosco barely managed to squeak out through a suddenly dry throat. Clearing his throat roughly, he tried again, "No Enos, thank you for reminding me." Standing up, he wavered for a moment and would've fallen if not for Enos' hand on his arm. "Thank you Enos," Rosco said before moving over to the payphone in the corner of the room.


"Duke farm, Jesse Duke speaking," Jesse answered the phone.


"Jesse...it's Rosco, um I don't know how to tell ya this..."


"Rosco whatever it is, it's best if ya just say it outright," Jesse told him gruffly, easily hiding his worry with years of practice.


"Jesse I'm at Capital City hospital with Bo, he's been hurt...stabbed. I don't know how bad it is, I'm sorry Jesse, if I'd been quicker it wouldn't have happened." Rosco managed to get out before handing the phone to Enos, unable to go on..


"Uh, Uncle Jesse, this here's Enos sir."


"Enos, how bad is Bo hurt?"


"I'm sorry, I don't know. When I got there, Bo was already hurt and Steve Olsen was there too, he'd been shot. I think maybe the Sheriff shot him, but I ain't real sure what happened."


"Alright Enos, I'm gonna go to the Boar's Nest and pick up Daisy, dang it Bo took the truck. Well then I'll just have to get Daisy to pick me up, we'll be there soon as we can. Now Enos, Luke is over there in Capital City today, if you try him on the cb..."


"I might catch him before he leaves, I'll do that then. Could you call Mrs. Coltrane for me?" Enos asked, dreading the thought of breaking the bad news to a woman. He shuddered at the thought of dealing with a crying, upset woman, bad enough he had to tell Uncle Jesse and now Luke.


"I'll sure do that Enos, and we'll make sure she gets there if she needs a ride. Enos you look out for Rosco until we can all get there, alright?" Jesse asked, knowing that Rosco was in no shape to be left alone right now.


"Yes sir, I sure will," Enos replied, "Oh and Uncle Jesse, could you ask Mrs. Coltrane to bring something for the sheriff to wear? Thank you, bye now," hanging up the phone, he walked back over to the chairs where the sheriff was once again sitting. "Sheriff, I called Jesse and let him know. I need to go out to the car and take care of something, are ya gonna be okay alone for a minute?"


Nodding his head sadly, Rosco returned his gaze to the double doors that led to the treatment rooms and his lover.


Standing up, Enos reluctantly left the waiting room and hurried to his patrol car. "Breaker, breaker, this here's Enos Strate calling Luke Duke, ya got your ears on buddy?" Waiting several minutes without an answer, Enos tried again. "Luke Duke come in please, this here's an emergency now, please come in."


"Enos, this is Luke, what's wrong buddy?" Luke asked, hearing the fear in his friend's voice.


"Oh thank goodness I found ya Luke. I'm over here in Capital City at the hospital Luke..."


"Hospital? Who's hurt Enos and how bad?" Luke asked, cutting the other man off.


"Bo's hurt and I don't rightly know how bad, but...it's bad I think," Enos replied.


"Have ya called Uncle Jesse? Nevermind, of course ya did or you wouldn't have known I was here. I'll be there in a few minutes Enos," Luke told him, putting down the mic and firing up the powerful car. Pulling into the emergency parking lot five minutes later, Luke climbed out of the car and raced inside. Looking around the room, it only took a few seconds to spot Enos and Rosco sitting in a row of chairs nearest the treatment rooms. As he walked over to them, Luke fought to remain calm at the sight of Rosco's blood stained shirt; Bo's blood, he thought to himself.


"Enos, Rosco, any word yet?" Luke asked, sitting down beside Rosco and self-consciously placing a supportive hand on the older man's back.


"No Luke, but it's only been about thirty minutes since they brought them in," Enos told him, when it became obvious Rosco wouldn't.


"Them? Who else is hurt?" Luke asked, afraid that maybe more of his family was in danger.


"Steve Olsen was shot, I ain't real sure what happened Luke. The sheriff called me, wanted me to come up to the Perkins place. Something about a vagrant, when I got there I found Rosco holding onto Bo and Steve Olsen was laying a few feet away, shot. I called a ambulance and then I tried to stop Steve's bleeding since the sheriff was taking care of Bo. I followed the ambulance here, then I called Uncle Jesse and you, that's all I know. I'm sorry it's not more," Enos apologized, wishing he could tell his friend why his cousin was in the hospital again.


"Rosco, what happened?" Luke asked, not really surprised when Rosco didn't answer. If ever he'd seen a man looking shell-shocked, Rosco was the definition of it.


Thirty minutes later, Jesse and Daisy Duke ran through the doors, followed closely by Evelyn Coltrane and Lulu Hogg. Hurrying over to Luke and Rosco, Jesse asked what they all wanted to know, "Any news?"


"No Uncle Jesse, not yet," Luke replied.


"Well what in tarnation happened?" Jesse demanded, worried for his youngest.


"It's my fault, I wasn't fast enough," Rosco answered, before anybody else could say a word.


"What do ya mean Rosco?" Evelyn asked, taking Enos' place next to Rosco.


"I got a call about a vagrant, but when I got there I found Bo and Steve fighting. I come around the corner and Steve flipped Bo onto his back. He must've...hit his head cause it knocked him out, that's when I saw the knife in Steve's hand. I had my gun out and I told him to freeze. I swear Jesse, it was like everything was moving in slow motion, he looked at me and says...if he can't have him, neither can I. I saw him start to bring the knife down, and I shot him, but I was too slow. I wasn't fast enough to save Bo from being stabbed, if he...it'll be all my fault," Rosco moaned miserably, leaning into his mother's embrace.


"Rosco, it ain't your fault that Bo got hurt. Only person to blame for that is Steve Olsen, sounds to me like if you hadn't gotten there when you did Bo wouldn't have had a chance." Jesse told him, though the Good Lord knew he wanted to blame the other man, he couldn't deny the truth.


Before Rosco could respond, a middle-aged doctor stepped out from the treatment rooms and called out the name Duke. Rushing over to the doctor, they were all silent, allowing Jesse to ask the questions. "Yes sir, I'm Jesse Duke, Bo's my nephew. How is he?"


"Mr. Duke, I'm Dr. Swan and I'm happy to say that Bo is going to be fine. He does have numerous bruises, and a few minor cuts. The most serious injuries are a slight concussion, two cracked ribs and a small stab wound to the chest. Luckily the knife only penetrated about an inch into the chest, so the only real damage was a loss of blood, which we are correcting with a transfusion. I would like him to remain in the hospital overnight for observation, but I don't see any reason why he won't be able to go home tommorrow. Any questions?"


"Can we see him?" Luke asked, from beside his uncle.


"As soon as he's settled in a room. The nurse can tell you which room he'll be in. If that's all, I'm afraid I have other patients to see," Dr. Swan told them, walking back into the treatment area.


Twenty minutes later, the group were stepping through the door into Bo's room, minus Enos. He had remained behind, to see what he could find out about Steve Olsen's condition. Looking down at his nephew, lying in the hospital bed, Jesse thanked God for keeping him safe. "Bo?" Jesse whispered quietly. When he received no response, he sat down in a chair to wait. Looking to his side, he smiled encouragingly at Daisy when she sat down beside him, a worried look on her face. "He'll be okay Daisy girl, he's just sleeping, probably from painkillers."


"Uncle Jesse's right Daisy, Bo's gonna be fine," Luke told her, coming to stand behind her and laying a hand on her shoulder.


"I know y'all, I just...hate seeing him lying there like that. He's so pale, and all those bruises..." Daisy trailed off as she scooted closer to Jesse and laid her head on his shoulder.


Lulu Hogg stood back near the door, silently watching her baby brother as he carefully sat on the bed next to Bo. When JD had first told her about Rosco and Bo she had been horrified, mostly because she was worried about how her mother would take it. *No that's not true, you were worried about what other people would think. Afraid that Rosco's relationship with Bo would give all the old biddies an excuse to cut you out of everything. Something even JD couldn't blame them for, worrying about mama was just an excuse so to cover up your own selfish concerns.* Lulu berated herself, no longer able to feel much concern for what other's would think. How could she worry about that when it was so obvious that Rosco truly cared for Bo, and was devastated by his injuries. Watching as Rosco carefully brushed back the hair from Bo's face, Lulu was touched by loving look on her brother's face. From that moment on, Lulu knew that she would argue with anybody, including JD who said that their love was a sin. How could anything that beautiful be a sin?


"Oh Bo, I'm so sorry I wasn't faster. If I could have kept you from getting hurt I would've, I hope you know that sweetheart." Rosco whispered, brushing back the hair from the younger man's face and gently picking up his hand as he spoke.


"He knows Rosco," Jesse assured him, surprising Rosco into stunned silence. "Ya know Rosco it's gonna be awhile before Bo wakes up, why don't ya go shower and change?"


"Ain't leaving him, besides I ain't got nothing to change into," Rosco replied, never taking his eyes from Bo's face.


"Yes you do son, I brought you some clean jeans and a shirt. Why don't we see if it'd be okay for you to take a shower?" Evelyn softly suggested.


"I don't want to leave him," Rosco protested, terrified that if he left something would happen to his lover.


"Rosco, Bo ain't gonna be alone, and well maybe it'd be better if he didn't wake up to see you covered in his blood,"Jesse kindly said.


Looking down, Rosco startled slightly as though he hadn't realized he was covered in Bo's blood, until that very moment. "I hadn't thought of that, maybe...guess I should. You won't leave him alone?"


"No Rosco, we won't leave him alone," Jesse assured the other man, biting back the reminder that Bo was their family. He knew that Rosco wasn't thinking straight right now, his only concern was for Bo, nothing else was registering with him at the moment.




Twenty minutes later, Bo began to stir, "Rosco?" he called out as he slowly opened his eyes. Looking around the room, he saw his family but no sign of Rosco. "Rosco? I'm sorry...I tried to fight...I'm sorry," Bo sobbed out, sure that Rosco had left him because of what Steve had done.


"Bo, calm down Rosco's just getting cleaned up, he'll be back soon," Jesse assured him.


"No, he's left me...I couldn't stop Steve and Rosco left," Bo insisted.


"Couldn't stop Steve from what Bo?" Luke asked, joining Jesse next to Bo's bed.


"You know what Luke, from taking what he wanted. I tried, I swear I tried, oh God why couldn't I be stronger?" Bo asked everybody and nobody as he turned away from his family, his heart breaking at the loss of his lover.


Stepping back into the room, Rosco was surprised to see Bo lying in the bed, tears streaming down his face. "Bo, sweetheart what is it? What's wrong?"


"Rosco? Are you really here?" Bo asked, disbelief strong in his voice as he reached hesitantly for his lover's hand.


Nudging Luke and Daisy towards the door, Jesse gently moved everybody out into the hall, giving Bo and Rosco some privacy.


"I'm here Bo, I didn't mean to upset ya, just went to clean up," Rosco explained. "Now you want to tell me what's wrong?" Rosco asked, confused by Bo's reaction to his absence.


"I...I thought you'd left me, cause of what Steve did," Bo answered, looking away, ashamed of what he'd let happen.


"What do ya mean Bo? You think I'd leave cause Steve beat ya up and stabbed ya? It ought to be you that's upset, if I'd been quicker, he wouldn't have been able to stab you."


"You mean he didn't...he was gonna and I fought him, wasn't gonna let him. Then when I woke up and you weren't here, I figured he must've and you didn't want me anymore," Bo explained, only further confusing Rosco.


"Bo, sweetheart...I don't want to upset ya, but I need to know exactly what it is you thought Steve did?"


"He was gonna rape me," Bo answered in a small voice.


"Oh Lord, first of all he didn't, but Bo...if he had, I would still want you. I could never stop loving and wanting you, no matter what and don't you ever forget that."


"Yes sir, I'm sorry cowboy, I never should've doubted you," Bo apologized drawing Rosco's hand to his lips and brushing the knuckles with a gentle kiss.


"It's okay, after the day you had you got a right to be confused and upset," Rosco replied, returning the gesture.


"Can ya tell me what happened?"


"He called the farm, said you was up there and in trouble. When I got there I found out it was a trick, he said he just wanted to talk, but well that wasn't true either. Rosco there's something else you need to know, um, well Boss was in on it."


"WHAT? That little meadow muffin, that's it he ain't getting away with this," Rosco growled out, furious that his brother-in-law would stoop this low.


"Rosco calm down a minute," Bo told him firmly. "I don't think Boss knew exactly what Steve planned. From what he said, the plan was for him to seduce me and you to catch us together. Guess Boss figured it'd break us up and then you'd come back to work for him. I ain't excusing him cowboy, but I don't think he knew how far Steve was willing to go to get his way."


"Well, be that as it may, he was still in the wrong and he has to pay for that. Bo if I hadn't got there when I did, Steve probably would've raped you and then he'd a killed you. Boss would've been an accessory before the fact and I aim to see him pay. Besides if I don't, he'll just try again and next time things could be a lot worse," Rosco explained.


"Alright Rosco, but no matter what he's a part of your family and I don't think you should be sending him to prison if ya can help it. Besides, Steve'd have to testify against him and I doubt he'll do that," Bo reminded the older man. Licking his lips, Bo cleared his throat, working up his nerve to ask, "Speaking of Steve, is he in jail?"


"No, actually he's here in the hospital. When I got up there, he had just knocked you out and was about to stab you...I shot him. I don't even know if he's gonna live, and to honest I don't much care. You do have a point though about Steve and Boss, but there's always the evidence I've already collected against him."


"Yeah, and if you do that, even if you get immunity you'll lose you're job. You'll never be able to be a cop again and I know how much you love your job. I ain't gonna be the cause of you giving up something you love," Bo insisted.


"Let's get one thing straight here Bo, I enjoy what I do and I can't really imagine making a living any other way, but I love you. If it ever comes to a choice between you and the job, you win hands down, so don't you be worrying about that, alright?"


"Alright, and Rosco? I love you too," Bo softly said, pulling the older man down for a gentle kiss. "Now I agree with ya that Boss needs a lesson, but maybe we don't need to involve the state police just yet," Bo said, a mischevious twinkle in his eye.


"What have ya got in mind?" Rosco asked, grinning at his lover as he considered the possibilities.


"I ain't really got anything in mind yet, but if you get Luke and them back in here, I'll bet between us all we can come up with something."


Stepping out into the hall, Rosco asked the Dukes to come back inside while he took his mother to the side. "Mama, I need to talk to Bo and the Dukes about some stuff, but Lulu can't be there. Could you..."


"Say no more son, I believe I'm feeling a bit peckish. I'll just ask your sister to accompany me to the cafeteria," Evelyn answered before he could ask.


"Thanks Mama, I love you," Rosco said, bending down and giving her a gentle kiss on the cheek.


Turning back to Bo's room, Rosco was stopped by the sight of Enos coming down the hall towards him. "Enos, what is it?"


"Sheriff, I'm afraid Steve Olsen didn't make it. I hate to do this Sheriff, but it's the law and until there's an investigation. Ding dang it, I got to arrest you Sheriff, I'm sorry."


"It's alright Enos, I understand. Could you give me a minute to tell Bo what's happening, let me say good-bye."


"You ain't gonna run or nothing are ya Sheriff?"


"No Enos, I just don't want him to see me being led off in handcuffs," Rosco explained.


"Alright Sheriff, but please hurry. If you got to be arrested, I don't want it to be that Sheriff Little that does it," Enos explained.


Taking a deep breath, Rosco walked back into the hospital room and stepped over to Bo's side. Picking up the younger man's hand, he sat down on the edge of the mattress. "I'm afraid y'all are gonna have to work out your plans without me. Bo, Steve died and well there ain't no choice, Enos don't want to do it..."


"Rosco, what doesn't Enos want to do and why ain't you gonna be here to help with the plans?" Bo asked, fighting back the fear that threatened to overwhelm him at the look on Rosco's face.


"He has to arrest me Bo. Now I don't want you blaming him none, it's the law. I shot a man and until there's an investigation I have to be arrested. Don't you worry about me, I didn't do anything wrong and that's what the investigation will show. I'll see you in a few days, just as soon as I'm cleared, and I expect y'all to have a plan by then. I've got to go now sweetheart, I love you and I want you to do what the doctor's tell ya so you can get better." Rosco quietly explained, leaning down he gave Bo a gentle kiss good-bye. Reluctantly breaking the kiss, he began to move away when Bo grabbed his hand.


"I love you too cowboy, I'll see ya in a few days and Rosco, tell Enos we ain't none of us blaming him." Bo told his lover, before reluctantly letting go of his hand. As he watched the older man walk out of the room, Bo kept a smile on his face. He was determined that Rosco wouldn't be worrying about him while he should be worrying about himself. The moment the door shut, Bo turned towards his uncle. Feeling his uncle's arms around him, he lost the battle, breaking down in tears the fear for his lover overwhelming him.


TBC


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