Misunderstanding

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


Warnings: Angst, Slash


Rating: FRM


Misunderstanding
Chapter 15


As he stood looking down at his cousin, Cooter found himself having to struggle to keep control of his temper. "How could anybody do this to another human being? Dang L.B., I'm so sorry I wasn't there sooner. You're folks are on their way L.B., they'll be here in a few hours so you need to wake up. Come on cousin, you don't want your mama and daddy to see you laying here like this do ya?"


"Mr. Davenport?" a nurse called from the doorway. "I'm sorry sir but your time is up," she informed him.


"Oh, yeah, can I have just a minute?"


"Of course," came the quiet reply.


"I've got to go now L.B., but I'll be back in a couple of hours," Cooter softly told his cousin. Reluctantly he laid L.B.'s hand back on the bed and left the room. Stepping into the hallway, he was surprised to see Luke waiting for him.


"How is he?"


"He's in a coma, how do you..." Cooter stopped speaking and rubbed a hand over his face. "I'm sorry Luke," he apologized. "I just don't understand how anybody could hurt him like that. He ain't never hurt anybody, you know that."


"I know Cooter, I don't understand it either," Luke softly replied.


"How's Bo?"


"He's unconscious, but the nurse said it's normal. He'll be okay though, thanks for asking. Is there anything we can do for ya Cooter?"


"Pray," came the quiet answer.


"Have ya called his folks yet?"


"Yeah, I did that while I was waiting for them to get him settled. Dang it Luke, I ain't never had to make such a hard phone call in my life. Aunt Rosemary answered the phone, I tell ya buddy I didn't think I'd be able to get the words out. I managed it though, then Uncle Hal came on, said she couldn't talk anymore. I could hear her crying in the background, it like to broke my heart. I hate being the one to cause her so much pain."

"You didn't cause it Cooter, them animals down at the jail did this, not you," Luke angrily reminded him. "When do you think they'll be here?"


"Probably in a couple of hours, just in time for the next visiting time."


"So you can't see him until then?"


"No, ten minutes every two hours, that's all we're allowed in ICU," Cooter explained.


"You want to come downstairs while you're waiting? We could let the nurse know what room you'll be in," Luke offered.


"I don't know Luke," Cooter answered. Turning to look towards the cubicle where his cousin lay fighting for his life, he couldnt' decided what to do. "I know there ain't nothing I can do for him, but I feel like I should be here. I guess I'm a little afraid to leave, ya know what I mean?"


"Yeah, I guess I'd feel the same way if it was Bo up here. Ya want some company?"


"You don't have to do that Luke, I know ya want to be with Bo."


"You're right I do, but Uncle Jesse and Daisy are with Bo so he's in good hands. Come on let's go get some coffee, I'll stay at least until his folks get here."


"Alright, thanks buddyro," Cooter agreed. He hated taking his friend away from his own cousin's side, but he really didn't want to be alone right now.

Five minutes before the next visiting time, L.B's folks stepped off the elevator and hurried towards their nephew. "Cooter, what happened? Has there been any change?" Rosemary Davenport asked as she walked up to her nephew.


"No Aunt Rosemary there ain't been any change, I'm sorry. Oh, this here's Luke Duke," Cooter introduced.


"Mrs. Davenport, Mr. Davenport," Luke greeted. "It's nice to meet ya, just wish it wasn't like this. If there's anything we can do for ya, you let us know. Cooter, I'm gonna get back to Bo's room now. If y'all need anything we'll be in room 315, okay?"


"Okay Luke, thanks," Cooter replied. He watched Luke walking towards the elevators, trying to ready himself for the task ahead. Finally he turned back to his aunt and uncle, "Aunt Rosemary, Uncle Hal could I explain what happened after we see L.B.?"


"Alright Cooter, we do want to see our boy, but after that we want to know what happened," Hal agreed.


"Thanks Uncle Hal. Come on, I'll show you where he is," Cooter said, turning to lead the way.

"Oh my," Rosemary cried out as she saw her baby boy for the first time. "L.B., it's mama, I'm here baby, please wake up," she whispered. Reaching out, she brushed the hair back from his face as the tears rolled down her own cheeks. "You're daddy's here too, we're not going anywhere honey. Come back to us L.B., please don't leave us," she plead.


"Shhh, it's gonna be okay Rosemary," Hal soothed as he wrapped his arms around his petite wife. "L.B.'s gonna wake up and be fine, you'll see. Ya hear me boy, don't ya make a liar out of your daddy now," Hal gruffly ordered. Looking up at the sound of footsteps, Hal saw a nurse motioning to her watch, letting them know their time was up. "We've got to go now son, but we'll be right outside and we'll be back soon," Hal explained to his comatose son. Hal waited while Rosemary leaned forward, giving their boy a gentle kiss on the cheek. Then wrapping an arm around his wife, he slowly led her from the room.


"Cooter, who did that to him?" Rosemary demanded as soon as they were out of the room.


"Why don't we sit down and I'll explain everything," Cooter suggested. Leading them to the nearby waiting room, he waited until they had sat down before he began.


Rosemary and Hal Davenport listened in horror as Cooter explained the events that had led to their son being in a coma. "So, these men attacked L.B. and this other young man because of a misunderstanding?" Hal asked, barely controlling his anger.


"Yes sir, that's how it all started. Though we don't know why they attacked Bo and L.B. at the farm, but I've got an idea about that."


"An idea?" Rosemary asked, speaking for the first time since Cooter had started the story.


"Yes ma'am, I think they might've been wanting revenge for Mark Dawson's death. Of course like I said, I don't know anything for sure."

"What about this other young man, Bo?" Rosemary asked.


"What about him?"


"How badly is he hurt?"


"Not as bad as L.B., but I guess that's probably just luck. I was with the Dukes when the doctor told them about Bo's condition. He's got a bunch of cuts and bruises, just like L.B., several broken ribs and a concussion. He just got lucky that the blow he took to the head didn't put him in a coma like L.B.."


"What I want to know is why is this the first we're hearing about it?" Hal demanded.


"You'd have to ask L.B. about that Uncle Hal," Cooter replied. "I'm sorry I didn't get there soon..."


"Cooter Davenport, don't you dare apologize for what happened to L.B.," Rosemary ordered. "It isn't your fault that L.B. got hurt, the only one's to blame for that are the men who did it."


"Yes ma'am," Cooter softly answered.


"Cooter, would you happen to know where I could get a cup of coffee?" Rosemary asked. She had seen the vending machines as they'd walked to the waiting room, but Rosemary could tell that Cooter needed a moment alone.


"Yeah, would you like me to get you a cup? What about you Uncle Hal?"


"Thank you honey I appreciate that."


"How would you like it?"


"I like mine with sugar, Hal wants it black."


"Okay, I'll be back in a few minutes."

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"How's L.B.?" Jesse asked when Luke finally came back to Bo's room.


"No change," Luke replied. "Sorry I was gone so long, I didn't want to leave Cooter alone," he explained. "How's Bo doing?"


"He woke up for a few seconds, but other than that he's been out. So if you didn't want to leave Cooter alone, where is he?"


"Oh," Luke began, forcing himself to look away from Bo and towards his uncle. "L.B.'s folks are here, they just got here a few minutes ago. I told them if they needed anything to let us know," Luke finished, his gaze once again moving to his cousin.


"Of course," Jesse agreed. "I'm glad you're back, me and Daisy were just talking about going to get a bite to eat."


"We were? I mean, yeah we were," Daisy quickly agreed.


"I'm not very hungry, why don't y'all go without me?"


"Alright," Jesse agreed, a small smile on his face. He wasn't surprised that Luke didn't want to leave, "We'll bring you something. Come on Daisy," he said. Holding the door open for his niece, he waited for her to join him.


"Okay," Luke absently replied. Slowly he moved up to stand beside his cousin's bed. "Bo? I'm so sorry Bo, I should've followed you and this would never have happened."


"Not your fault Luke," Bo whispered, startling his older cousin.


"I could've went after you when ya left," Luke insisted. "I knew ya weren't thinking about them other four being out there."


"Well that ain't your fault. I'm a grown man Luke, I should've realized they might try something." Taking a deep breath, Bo forced himself to ask, "Is L.B. ... did they kill him?"


"No! He's alive Bo, but he is hurt bad," Luke told him.


"How bad?"


"He's in a coma, the doctor said there's some swelling in his brain, that's what's causing the coma."


"No," Bo whispered in denial. "He can't die, please God don't let him die," Bo begged, his eyes shimmering with tears.


"He'll be okay Bo, ya got to have faith," Luke tried to assure his cousin.


"I hope so. I wish...."


"You wish?" Luke prompted when Bo didn't continue.


"I wish I hadn't gone near L.B., if I hadn't been there that day he wouldn't be involved in any of this."


"Damn it Bo! It ain't your fault that Mark Dawson chose to attack you, and it ain't your fault that his friends did what they did. You can't be blaming yourself for this Bo, I know L.B. wouldn't want that."


"How can I not blame myself? I knew Mark Dawson was out there, and I knew what he was capable of. I never should've gone near L.B., or anybody else. I almost wish he'd killed me that first time," Bo said, whispering his final statement.


"Don't you ever let me hear you saying that Bo Duke!" Luke yelled, grabbing his cousin's arms. At Bo's cry of pain, he jerked back like he'd been burned. "Oh lord, I'm sorry cousin, I forgot about your shoulders. Ya just...I guess I kind of saw red when you said that. Bo, I'm glad he didn't kill ya, I don't know what I'd do without my little brother." Luke told him, his voice thick with emotion.


"I'm sorry Luke, I didn't mean to upset ya," Bo aplogized. "I don't really want to die if the truth be told, I just hate that L.B. was hurt cause of me."


"He wasn't," Cooter spoke from the doorway, making both of the Duke cousins jump in surprise. "Bo, my cousin wasn't hurt because of you. He was hurt because of a bunch of bigots who think they've got the right to go after anybody who's different than them! I don't want you blaming yourself, and neither does L.B., he'll tell you that himself when he wakes up."


"Thanks Cooter," Bo said.


"You want to thank me Bo? You stop blaming yourself and stop feeling guilty!"


"I'll try."


"Guess that's all I can ask," Cooter said. He only hoped that his words would be enough to help the younger man.


"How's L.B. doing?" Bo asked.


"No change, but from the way the doctor's talking I'd be real surprised if there was this soon. The doctor just got through talking to Aunt Rosemary and Uncle Hal, he said that if all goes well the swelling should start going down in a few days."


"He say how long it'll be until L.B. wakes up?"


"He doesn't know Bo," Cooter replied. "He said once the swelling starts to go down, he could wake up in a few more days, or it could take weeks."


"He is gonna wake up, ain't he?" Bo fearfully asked.


"Of course he is Bo," Cooter assured. "How are you feeling?"


"Sore, head hurts pretty bad," Bo admitted. "I'l be okay though, just gonna be hurting for a little while."


"I'm glad you're gonna be okay," Cooter said with a small grin. "Well, guess I ought to get back upstairs. I just wanted to come down and see how ya was doing," Cooter explained. "You take it easy Bo and remember it ain't your fault. Luke," Cooter acknowledged with a slight nod goodbye as he left the room.


"You think L.B.'s gonna be okay?" Bo asked his older cousin, as always looking to Luke for the answers.


"I don't know Bo, but I'm sure they'll do all they can for him," Luke reluctantly answered.


"I want to see him."


"They ain't gonna let you do that Bo, not as long as he's in the ICU. Besides, you aren't in any shape to be roaming around the hospital."


"I can handle it Luke, please," Bo plead. "I need to see him, I need to tell him something."


"I'm sorry Bo, there's nothing I can do about it. What do you need to tell him? I'm sure Cooter could pass it on," Luke suggested.


"No, this is something I have to tell him myself."


"You sure?"


"Yeah, and please don't ask me what it is," Bo requested.


"Alright," Luke agreed in spite of his curiosity. "I don't think they'll let you see him though until he's in a regular room. Hold on now," he said when he saw Bo about to protest. "I'll ask about it, but not until tommorrow. You need a good night's rest before you go traipsing around the hospital."


"Okay," Bo agreed, obviously not happy with his cousin's words.


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Three days later, Bo slowly pushed open the door leading to L.B.'s room. Bo had been released from the hospital two days ago, and had to be practically dragged from the building. It was only the promise that the moment L.B. was moved to a regular room he would be called, that finally convinced him to leave. Now here he was, about to see L.B. for the first time in three days. Shuddering at the memories of the last time he'd seen the other man, Bo forced himself to step into the room.


He was surprised to see that L.B. wasn't hooked up to a bunch of machines. A needle was pushed into the back of his right hand, it was attached to a tube which ran to an i.v. bag that hung on a nearby pole. A small clip on his middle finger allowed his pulse to be monitored by the only other piece of medical equipment that Bo could see. Walking over to L.B.'s side, Bo sat down in the chair that sat on the left side of the bed. "L.B.? It's Bo, I'm okay L.B.," he assured the other man. "Please wake up L.B.. I'm so sorry you got hurt, I'd give anything if I could've saved you from this." As he spoke, Bo unconsciously ran his hand through L.B's auburn curls. "I figured something out, in fact it's what I was thinking about when they found me down by the pond. Oh lord, I'm sorry L.B., if I'd been paying attention they wouldn't have gotten the drop on me. I could've gotten away and they would've had to chase me, then they couldn't have hurt you. I just hope you'll be able to forgive me someday, I can't hope for anything else." Bo said, his voice thick with tears that he was trying desperately to hold back. Losing the battle, he laid his head on the bed as the tears began to fall, "I'm sorry L.B., so sorry, sorry...."

The sound of heartbreaking sobs reached L.B. and he struggled to reach the person who cried so hard. Feeling as though he were swimming through a thick sludge, L.B. finally made it to the surface of whatever was holding him prisoner. Forcing open heavy eyes, he saw a blond head laying on the bed. He tried to lift his hand, wanting to comfort the other man, but found that he couldn't. "Shhh, don't cry angel," he whispered. "Not your fault, shhh..."


"L.B.?" Bo questioned. Raising his head, he looked towards the head of the bed. Seeing L.B. awake, he felt a big grin spreading across his face. "You're awake! Thank God...I, uh, should get some..."


"Wait," L.B. called out as Bo began to move away from the bed. Smiling at the other man when he stepped back to his side, he wished he had the strength to take Bo's hand in his own. As though reading his mind, Bo reached out and laid one hand on L.B.'s thigh. "Are you okay?"


"I'm fine L.B., you're the one that's been in a coma."


"Coma?"


"Yeah for the last three days. I really ought to get somebody, and your folks will want to know," Bo said, though he made no move to leave.


"My folks are here?"


"Yep."


"Don't want you to go."


"You don't?"


"Please stay," L.B. begged, fighting to keep his eyes open.


"I will, but I need to let them know you're awake," Bo said again.


"Call button?"


"Dang, why didn't I think of that?" With a sheepish grin, Bo picked up the call button and let the nurse know that L.B. was awake. "L.B.? The doctor and nurse will be in here soon. I'll have to go wh..."


"Don't go angel...stay with me...love you," L.B. interrupted.


"Angel?"


"My angel," L.B. murmurred sleepily, his eyes finally drifting closed as he lost the battle.


"I love you too Longstreet B. Davenport," Bo softly said. Leaning down, he placed a quick kiss on the other man's lips. "I'll be back soon," he whispered in L.B.'s ear as he heard the door opening behind him. Straightening up, he reluctantly left the room as the doctor began his examination. Feeling as though he were walking on air, Bo made his way down the hall, searching for the Davenports so he could tell them the good news.


TBC


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