Misunderstanding

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


Warnings: Angst, Slash,


Rating: FRM


* indicates thoughts


Misunderstanding
Chapter 16


"L.B.?" Rosemary stood next to her son's bed, running one hand through his hair as she softly called his name.


"Mama?"


"Yes baby it's mama, it's so good to hear your voice son."


" 'm sorry," L.B. mumbled, struggling against the pull of sleep.


"Sorry? Honey you don't have anything to be sorry for," Rosemary assured him. She looked helplessly at Hal, confused by their boy's apology.


" 'm sorry."


"Son, what are you sorry about?" Hal asked.


"Scared ya, didn't mean to," came the sleepy response.


"Oh L.B., you don't need to apologize for that. It wasn't your fault, we're just grateful to have you back," Rosemary assured him.

"Did I go somewhere?"


"You've been in a coma son," Hal explained.


"Oh yeah, Bo said that...." L.B. trailed off, as he came more fully awake and finally noticed that Bo wasn't in the room. *Oh no, I upset him. Damn it! I just had to go and say something to him, probably scared the hell out of him after all he's been through. Why did he have to be the one here when I woke up?*


"...he needs to run some more tests.... L.B., what's wrong honey? L.B.?"


"Huh? I'm sorry mama, guess I wasn't listening, what did ya say?" L.B. asked, unaware of the tears streaming down his cheeks.


"That can wait," Rosemary answered, gently brushing the tears from his face. "What's wrong baby?"


"I...it's nothing mama, just remembering."


"Oh, well you need to try not to think about it honey, it's over and done with now."


"You said something about tests?" L.B. asked, hoping to change the subject.


"Yes I did. The doctor said that there's no sign of any permanent damage, but he needs to run a few tests to be absolutely sure. He did tell us you'll be weak for a while yet..."


"A while?"


"Well he said that it varies for everybody, oh and you'll need some physical therapy for you shoulder."


"My shoulder?"


"Rosemary slow down darlin, the boy just woke up," Hal cautioned, seeing the growing confusion in L.B.'s eyes. "Your left shoulder was dislocated son, the doctor said you'd need a little therapy to get back the full range of motion."


"Okay, what else?"


"Well you've got several cuts and burns, and you took a bad blow to the head. They had to put eight stitches in, that blow to the head was what caused your coma."


"How?"


"It made your brain swell up, you got lucky though L.B., the swelling went down on its own and you're gonna be just fine," Hal explained.


"That's good," L.B. absently said, looking towards the door as he spoke.


"They're in jail honey, they won't be bothering you again," Rosemary assured him thinking he was worried about his attackers.


"Actually mama, I was just wondering where...Cooter is," he finished as his cousin walked through the door.


"Hey L.B., how you feeling cousin?"


"Sore, my head hurts but I guess I'm gonna be okay. Where you been?"


"Oh, I was just talking to Bo. He couldn't stay, but he said he'd be back later."


"Couldn't stay?" *I did scare him, how could I have been so stupid?*


"Nah, he, uh, wanted to give you some time with your folks," Cooter explained. He didn't think Bo would mind the small lie. Cooter was pretty sure that Bo wouldn't want to worry L.B. by telling him that he had to go see a physical therapist about his shoulders.


"Well isn't that nice of him," Rosemary chimed in, a smile on her face.


"Yeah, Bo's a good guy," L.B. agreed, while inside he was crying at the loss of something he'd never had. Something it looked like he never would have now, he just hoped it wouldn't cost him his friendship as well.


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Bo had hated that he couldn't stay with L.B. like he'd promised, but he'd forgotten about the physical therapist. He thought about calling and rescheduling the appointment, then he remembered his uncle and he knew that decision wouldn't go over well with him. So he had explained about the therapist to Cooter and asked him to tell L.B. he'd be back later. Bo had been sure he'd be able to see L.B. in a couple of hours, but he hadn't realized how much the therapy would wear him out. By the time he'd finished, he'd known that it was going to be a bit longer than a couple of hours.


Luke came into the physical therapy room to pick up his youngest cousin. He was surprised to see Bo sitting by himself, apparently lost in thought. As he got closer he was concerned by the tears he saw streaking his cousin's face. "Bo, what's wrong?"


"Hurts," Bo gasped out.


"I'm sorry Mr. Duke..." the therapist began as she came back into the room.


"What the hell did you do to him?" Luke demanded of the petite redhead, his protective hackles fully raised.


"Excuse me, and you are?"


"Luke, it's okay," Bo tried to intervene.


"No it's not okay Bo. She's supposed to be helping you, not leaving you sitting here in pain."


"Not her fault Luke," Bo tried again.


"I'll ask ya again lady, what did ya do to him?" Luke asked, ignoring Bo.


Carrie Bettis was used to dealing with concerned family members, usually she could deflect their anger with ease. Today was not a usual day though and she was in no mood to deal with some overprotective relative. "I'm helping him to get better, if you're so concerned then why did you let this happen to him?"


"Oh no you don't, you ain't turning this around on me. I know I failed to protect my cousin, but that doesn't excuse you leaving him sitting here alone and in pain!"


"Stop it...stop it!" Bo yelled, bringing their attention back to him and away from their argument. "It ain't Carrie's fault Luke! The therapy is painful, there ain't no way around that."


"I understand that Bo, but..."


"No buts, she left me alone to go get some linament. Somebody used the last of it and didn't replace it, that's why she had to go get some. As for you Carrie, don't you ever accuse my cousin of failing to protect me! It's not his fault that I got hurt, he got me away from the men who did it as soon as he could. Oh God," Bo moaned in pain as the anger wore off, allowing his pain to make itself known again.


Hurrying to her patient, Carrie began to rub the linament into his sore muscles with firm strokes. "I'm sorry Mr. Duke, I had no right to speak to your cousin like that," she apologized as she worked. Looking towards Luke, she could feel her face turning red. "I apologize to you too Mr. Duke, there's no excuse for my behavior..."


"It's alright, I wasn't exactly polite. What do ya say we start over, I'm Luke Duke, Bo's cousin," he introduced himself.


"Carrie Bettis, Bo's therapist, it's nice to meet you," she replied.


"So how did Bo do today?"


"For his first session, he did wonderfully," Carrie answered with a smile. "As soon as I finish here, I'll get you some handouts that show exercises he can do at home. It's very important that he do his exercises as prescribed, even when it's uncomfortable."


"Don't you worry about that Carrie, we'll make sure he does like he's supposed to," Luke assured her.


"Great," Bo mumbled, though the grin on his face contradicted his sullen tone. "Thanks Carrie, you don't know what a slave driver he can be."


"You're welcome," Carrie replied without a hint of remorse. "Okay, you're all set. I'll see you back here in two days."


"Thanks Carrie, see ya in a couple of days," Bo said. "Hey Luke, ya think we could go see L.B.?"


"I don't think that's a good idea right now Bo," Luke replied. Seeing the disappointed look on his cousin's face, he offered a compromise: "Tell ya what, let me take you home so you can rest. Then I'll bring you back after supper, okay?"


"I suppose so, I guess I really could use some rest," Bo reluctantly agreed.


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The smile slid from Bo's face as soon as he walked into L.B.'s room and saw that he was sleeping. Moving quietly he walked over to the bed and sat in the chair next to it.


"Bo, what are ya doing here?" L.B. asked, when he woke up he was surprised to see the other man.


"I wanted to come and see how you were doing? That's okay isn't it?" *Did I misunderstand? Maybe he thought I was somebody else?*


"Sure it is," L.B. replied, smiling with relief. *At least he's still willing to be my friend.*


"So what did the doctor say?"


"He said I'm gonna be fine, but he ran a few tests this afternoon to be sure."


"That's good news," Bo said, a small smile forming.


"Yeah, I will have to go to physical therapy for my shoulder too, but it should heal up as good as new."


"Do you know who your therapist will be?"


"Some guy, um, Darrell something or other, I can't remember his last name right now."


"I hope he's as good as my therapist," Bo said enthusiastically.


"Yeah, what's his name?"


"Her, Carrie Bettis," Bo replied.


"Oh, she pretty?" L.B. asked, thinking that explained why Bo hadn't come back earlier.


"Yeah I guess, to tell ya the truth I wasn't really paying attention."


"Ya weren't?" L.B. asked. *Don't get your hopes up now. He was in pain that might be the only reason he didn't notice, or he could be trying to spare your feelings,* L.B. cautioned himself.


"Nah, guess I had my mind on other things." *Careful, don't let him know you heard what he said. Ya don't want him to feel bad, ain't his fault ya misunderstood him.*


"Oh," L.B. said, fighting to keep the disappointment from his voice.


"I'm glad you're gonna be okay L.B.. I'm kind of surprised to find you alone, figured your folks would be here with ya."


"They were, but I told them to get something to eat and go get some rest. There ain't no point in them just sitting here watching me sleep."


"Guess not," Bo quietly agreed. "L.B., I"m sorry ya got hurt."


"It's not your fault Bo, none of this is your fault. Please don't feel guilty," L.B. asked.


"I'll try." Bo glanced down at his hands, for the first time feeling uncomfortable in his friend's presence. "I guess I better get going, let you get some sleep. You take care of yourself L.B.," Bo said as he stood up.


"Yeah, you too Bo," he replied, barely getting the words past the lump in his throat.


Leaning against the wall, Bo stood outside L.B.'s room, his eyes closed, breathing deeply as he tried to get himself under control. "How could I be so stupid? Of course he ain't interested in me, not after everything that's happened." Bo berated himself, leaning his head back against the wall he absently began to lightly bang his head on it.


"Would you like to talk about it?"


"What?" Bo asked, looking towards where the soft voice had come from.


"Would you like to talk about whatever has you upset?" the matronly nurse asked again.


"Thanks, but it wouldn't do any good."


"You never know. Come on, let me buy you a cup of coffee," she offered, taking his arm and leading him towards the nurse's lounge.


Bo didn't really know why, but he let her lead him to a small, cozy lounge filled with comfortable chairs and a small table. Taking a seat at the table, he folded his hands together and leaned his chin onto them.


"How do you take your coffee?"


"Actually, do you have any buttermilk?"


"I'm sorry, but we do have some plain milk, would that do?"


"Yeah, thanks," Bo replied with a sad smile.


"So, tell me what has you trying to put holes in my walls?"


"I thought that, um, well it's kind of hard to explain."


"Take your time."


"I was visiting my friend earlier today when he came out of his coma."


"That's good news, isn't it?"


"It's great news, the problem is that he said something when he woke up and I thought he was talking to me, but now..."


"Now you're not so sure," she finished for him.


"Yeah and I don't know how to act around him now."


"What's your name sweetheart?"


"Oh I'm sorry, I'm Bo Duke," he introduced, holding out his hand.


"Julie Tanner," she replied with her own introduction, taking his hand in her's. "Bo is this friend somebody that you want more than friendship with?"


"How did you know?"


"Oh honey when you've spent as much time working in a hospital as I have you pick up on things. So you thought he felt the same way and now you think you were wrong?"


"Yeah, when he woke up he seemed so glad to see me and he said...it don't matter now," Bo sadly told her.


"Have you asked him if he feels the same?"


"I don't need to, I can tell by the way he's acting that I misunderstood."


"It must be nice."


"What?"


"Why being able to read somebody's mind like that. It must save you a lot of time," she commented.


"I can't talk to him about this, he's already been there for me and he's a good friend, I don't want to lose that."


"Bo, I don't know this man, but if he's that good of a friend I don't think he'll stop caring about you because of this. If he doesn't want to talk to you anymore after this, well then maybe he wasn't really your friend to begin with."


"You really think I should talk to him?" Bo asked, surprised to find that for some reason he trusted Julie's advice.


"Yes I do. It's been my experience that a lot of problems could be avoided if people would just talk instead of jumping to conclusions."


"Thanks, I think I will," Bo said. Leaning over, he placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, before standing up and heading back to L.B.'s room.


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"Damn it! Why did I go and tell him that I love him? Calling him angel, what was I thinking? What did I think he'd do, after all he's been through? Of course he ain't interested in being with me, hell I'm surprised he even bothered to come back." L.B. lay in his hospital bed after Bo left, more miserable than he could ever remember. As he stared up at the ceiling he kept replaying the awkward conversation in his mind, unable to decide what he should do next. He had thought that Bo returned his feelings, but then when he woke up again and Bo wasn't in the room.... L.B. had been sure he'd misunderstood the situation, so when Bo stepped through the door he had been determined to act like he always had. Now though he wondered if they'd ever be able to go back to the easy friendship they'd had before.


"Can I come in?" Bo asked, peeking around the door.


"Sure," L.B. replied with a smile.


"L.B. could I talk to you about something?"


"Of course ya can Bo, what's up?"


"Well it's about what you said earlier."


"You mean when I woke up from the coma?" *Oh Lord, please don't let him tell me to stay away from him.*


"Yeah, you, well I thought you were talking to me but now I ain't so sure. It's okay if you weren't tal..."


"Bo, I was talking to you. I'm just sorry that it upset you, that's the last thing I would ever want to do," L.B. interrupted, trying to soothe his nervous friend.


"You didn't upset me, ya made me happy."


"I did? Then why didn't ya come back with my folks?"


"I had a physical therapy session that I'd forgot about, didn't Cooter tell ya?"


"No, he just said you'd come back later. I thought you were bothered by what I said."


"I loved what you said Longstreet B. Davenport," Bo told him. Taking L.B.'s hand in his own, he gently brushed a kiss across the back of it.


"I can't believe this, I thought for sure that I'd lost not only any chance for your love but your friendship too."


"You could never lose either one L.B.. Before they...I was down at the pond thinking and I realized that I'm falling in love with you," Bo admitted.


"Would you do something for me angel?"


"Anything."


"Kiss me," L.B. whispered.


"Gladly," Bo whispered in return as he leaned down and gently pressed his lips against L.B.'s mouth.


TBC


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