Friends or Lovers?

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


Warnings: Slash, Angst, First Time


Rating: FRT


* indicates thoughts


Friends or Lovers?
Chapter 2


Luke woke up the next morning, surprised to see that Bo was already out of bed. As quickly as possible, he got dressed and headed outside to find his youngest cousin. "Bo, you in here?" he called out.


"Yeah Luke, what ya need?" Bo asked, coming out of the chicken coop, a basket of eggs in his hand.


"You already started the chores?" the surprise Luke felt was easily heard.


"Figured since I was up, I might as well."


"What's wrong Bo?"


"Ain't nothing wrong Luke, just was up early that's all," Bo replied, hoping Luke would let it drop.


"So them dark circles under your eyes, the pale skin, that's normal? Come on cousin, talk to me," Luke begged.


"I can't," Bo softly answered. "Please just let it go Luke."


"This has something to do with Delbert Penny, don't it?" Luke asked. He hated to bring that man's name up, but he was sure that would be the only thing Bo would refuse to talk about.


Rather than answer, Bo mumbled something about getting the eggs inside and tried to walk past Luke.


"Bo," Luke said, grabbing the younger man's arm to stop him. "I just want to help," he quietly said.


"I know ya do Luke, but there ain't nothing you can do. I just been having some nightmares is all, it'll pass," Bo admitted. Pulling his arm from Luke's grasp, he went into the house with the eggs.


Luke stood watching his cousin walking away from him, and once again found himself praying that Delbert Penny was rotting in hell for what he'd done.


"Ya okay Luke?" Jesse asked.


Jumping slightly, Luke turned towards his uncle, "Bo's having nightmares again."


"About what I did?" the old man sadly asked.


"About what Delbert Penny did," Luke quickly corrected. "He won't tell me about it though," Luke sighed. " I understand him not wanting to upset any of us Uncle Jesse, I just wish he'd let somebody help him through this."


"I know Luke, but you know he ain't gonna talk to any of us about it. Didn't you say that Cooter's gonna be putting new shocks on the General?"


"Yeah, probably tomorrow, why?"


"Maybe ya could find some way to give Bo some time alone with Cooter," Jesse suggested.


"That's a good idea, and I think I'll go see Cooter today so he'll have some idea about what's going on." Feeling slightly relieved, Luke gave his uncle a small smile before heading off to take care of his own chores.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


A couple of hours after breakfast, Luke was given the perfect excuse to go into town alone. A package had arrived at the post office and somebody would need to pick it up. Jesse had quickly asked Luke to take care of it, while Bo helped him work on the old tractor. After getting the package, Luke drove over to Cooter's garage, parking the General out front.


"Hey Cooter," he greeted, glad to see his old friend was alone.


"Hey Luke," the mechanic returned, glancing over his shoulder. "If you're here about them shocks, they ain't in yet."


"Nah I ain't here about them, well not exactly anyway," Luke answered.


"What's up buddyro?" Cooter asked. Laying the wrench on the fender, he turned around, a concerned look on his face.


"Bo."


"What about him? Ain't nothing happened to him, has it?" he anxiously asked.


"Nothing's happened, but he's been having nightmares again. I'm worried about him Cooter, we all are, but he won't talk to any of us."


"Not even you?" Cooter asked.


"It has to do with Delbert Penny, he won't talk to any of us cause he doesn't want to upset anybody," Luke explained.


"You want me to talk to him?"


"Yeah, I thought when the shocks come in, I could find an excuse to send him over here alone. I'm hoping that he'll turn to you like he did before, since he won't talk to any of us."


"Maybe he should talk to, uh, some kind of counselor," Cooter suggested. Cursing himself for a coward, he looked down at the floor, unable to meet his friend's shocked gaze.


"You know he ain't gonna talk to a stranger about this Cooter!" Luke snapped. "Guess I'll just have to keep trying," sighing heavily, he stuck his hands in his pockets and turned away. *Damn it! I was sure that Cooter would help. I hope I can get Bo to open up before he collapses from exhaustion and stress.*


"Luke stop," Cooter called out. Ignoring his own developing feelings, Cooter knew that he couldn't let Bo down, not if there was anyway he could help. "You get him here and I'll see if I can get him to talk to me."


"You sure Cooter?"


"Yeah, I'm sure," he replied, though he didn't sound it.


"What's going on Cooter?"


"I don't know Luke, guess I'm just worried that I won't be able to help him."


"As hard as it is to say it Cooter, I don't think there's anybody else that can."


"I'll do my best," Cooter assured him.


"Thanks buddy, well I better get on back before Bo starts wondering what's taking me so long."


Cooter followed him to the entrance of the garage, he stood there watching, long after the General had disappered from sight. "Sure hope I can keep Bo from figuring things out," he mumbled. With a heavy sigh, he went back inside, silently praying that he'd be able to help his friend.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"Duke farm, Bo speaking," Bo answered the phone a couple of days later.


"Hey Bo," Cooter greeted.


"Hey Cooter, how ya doing?"


"Fine, uh, listen Bo I was just calling to tell ya them shocks for the General are in. If y'all can bring the old boy in, I'll get 'em fixed up in no time."


"Thanks Cooter," Bo said, a grin spreading across his face. "We'll be there in a little while, bye," hearing his friend say good-bye, Bo ended the call.


"Hey Luke, shocks are in," he called as he came out the back door. "Cooter says he can put them on now, so let's go."


"Sorry Bo, you'll have to go by yourself. Jesse wants me to go get some grain and fertilizer," Luke explained.


"Oh, well why don't I do that and you go to the garage," he quickly suggested.


"Nope, today's Tuesday and that means Sarah Ann's working," Luke refused with a grin. Hurrying to the truck, he climbed in and took off before Bo had a chance to say anything else.


"Damn it!"


"Bo!" Jesse admonished as he came from the barn.


"Sorry Uncle Jesse," he apologized. "Cooter called, shocks are in so if ya don't need me for anything..."


"Go on and get the General taken care of," Jesse interrupted. "And yourself I hope," he mumbled as the boy hopped in the orange stock car and took off.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


An hour later, Bo was lying on a creeper under the General as he helped Cooter to replace the shocks.


"You doing okay Bo?" Cooter finally asked, deciding that the direct approach was the best.


"Yeah, almost done," came the reply as Bo continued to work.


"I didn't mean with this buddyro," Cooter admitted.


"Then what did ya mean?"


"I meant are you okay? Ya still having nightmares?"


"Ain't no big deal Cooter, it'll pass," Bo said, not wanting to burden his friend.


"Ya know you can talk to me anytime, don't ya?"


"Yeah, I know."


"So why don't ya?"


"Huh?"


"Bo ya were pretty upset the other day, and ya look even worse today, so I know you're still having nightmares, so why don't ya talk to me?"


"I appreciate the offer Cooter, but it ain't your problem," Bo replied. Trying to concentrate on the job at hand, he refused to look at the other man.


"You're my friend Bo, I'd like to help, if I can."


Shaking his head, Bo tried to understand why Cooter was offering to help after pulling away only a few days earlier. "Dang it!" he yelled in pain, as the wrench he was using slipped, making him crack his knuckles against the car.


"Bo!" Cooter called, turning fearfully towards the younger man. Seeing his friend sucking on the knuckles of one hand, he realized what had happened. Swallowing hard, he desperately tried to ignore the feelings that were stirred by Bo's actions. "Ya okay?"


"Yeah, just banged my knuckles."


"Come on, let's take a break," Cooter suggested, pushing himself from beneath the car.


"You go ahead Cooter, I'm just gonna staaay.... What did ya do that for?" Bo demanded, looking up at his friend as he suddenly found himself pulled from under the car.


"Ya need a break Bo, and so do I," Cooter replied, holding a hand out towards his friend.


Sighing in resignation, Bo took the offered hand, letting the older man pull him to his feet. *Just don't tell him about your problems, don't drive him away,* he told himself. Following Cooter to the office, he flopped down on the battered sofa.


"Here ya go."


Accepting the cup of coffee, Bo slowly sipped at the hot liquid as he waited, hoping Cooter would let him be.


"So tell me about these nightmares," Cooter suddenly spoke up, breaking the uncomfortable silence.


"Nothing to tell, just nightmares," Bo said, his eyes never leaving the floor.


Standing up, Cooter stepped in front of his friend. "Bo," he said, "please look at me."


"What do ya want me to say Cooter?" Bo asked, finally looking up at his friend.


"I want ya to tell me what's bothering you."


"Why?"


"Why?" Cooter repeated, worried by the pain he could hear in Bo's voice. "I want to help, that's why," he softly replied.


"Cooter please don't do this to me," Bo begged.


"What am I doing?" Cooter asked, confused by the younger man's words.


"You say ya want to help, but ya don't, not really and I don't blame ya neither. Ya been a good friend Cooter, but I can't expect ya to keep listening to my problems."


"What makes ya think I don't want to help?" Cooter finally asked.


"I know I ain't as smart as Luke, but I ain't stupid Cooter!"


"I never said ya was Bo, guess I am though, cause I don't understand where this is coming from."


"You gonna try to tell me ya didn't pull away the other day?"


"It wasn't what ya think..."


"Stop it Cooter! Ya don't have to keep up the act, I know you're tired of dealing with all of this and I don't blame ya, honest," Bo assured him.


"This is Enos Strate calling Cooter Davenport, come in please," came a familiar voice from the cb.


"Damn!" Cooter muttered. Reaching for the cb, he picked up the mic, "You got Cooter here, what's up Enos?"


"Cooter buddy, Mr. Hendricks needs a tow, he done run his car off the road out here on Fox Pass."


"Alright Enos, I'll be there as soon as I can," he replied. Sighing heavily, he set the mic down, "Bo I got to go take care of this."


"It's okay Cooter, you go on. I'll just stay here and finish up with the General," Bo said. Though the mechanic was hiding it well, he was sure that Cooter was relieved to be given a means to escape.


"Bo, please don't leave before I get back," Cooter softly said, grabbing Bo by the shoulders and looking him in the eyes. "I mean it Bo, please give me the chance to explain before ya leave," he begged.


"Ya don't need to explain Cooter, I understand," came the whispered reply.


"No ya don't Bo, but you will I promise," he said, squeezing the younger man's shoulders. " Will ya be here?"


"I'll be here," Bo replied.


"Good."


"Until I'm done with the General," Bo finished, as he stood watching the tow truck leaving.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Cooter drove as quickly as he could to Fox Pass Road. Though the thought of telling Bo the reason he'd pulled away terrified him, he couldn't let him go on thinking what he was. Worried that the younger man wouldn't stay at the garage, Cooter smiled when he saw Mr. Hendricks ahead. Pulling to the side of the road, he jumped from the truck.


"Hey Cooter, I sure appreciate this," Mr. Hendricks greeted him.


"No problem Mr. Hendricks," Cooter assured him, though inside he wanted to scream with frustration. "So how'd ya manage this?" he asked, motioning to where the car sat hung on a small boulder.


"Aw the dang tire blew out and I lost control, I still ain't figured out how I ended up on that rock though," came the sheepish answer.


Scratching his head, Cooter walked over to the car as he tried to figure out how to get the car down with as little damage as possible.


"Can you get it down?"


"Yes sir, but it's gone take a little while," Cooter replied. Walking back to his truck, he got in and backed it into position. Climbing back out, he grabbed a tractor jack from the rear of the truck and moved to the front of the sedan. Putting the jack in place, he carefully raised the front of the car a little off the boulder. Going back to the truck, he grabbed a plank and returned to the car.


"What are you going to do with that?"


"Well sir, I'm gonna put this here two by ten under the center of your car, like this," he explained, sliding the board into position lengthwise. "Now when I raise the rear and pull the car off of this rock, it'll slide on that board instead of the rock. I ain't gonna lie to ya Mr. Hendricks, it'll still do some damage, but not as much as that rock."


"I understand Cooter, don't you worry about that," Mr. Hendricks assured him.


Going to the truck, Cooter lowered the hook, which he then attached to the rear of the car. "Ya might want to get in the truck with me, be safer that way."


"Okay."


Sliding behind the wheel, Cooter slowly pulled forward as he carefully raised the rear of the sedan. Twenty minutes later he had the car free of the boulder and was lowering it back to the ground. As quickly as possible he gathered his materials, returning them to the truck and unhooking, before moving the vehicle to the front of the car. Again lowering the hook, he attached it to the front of the sedan, finally ready to pull it back to the garage. "Ya want me to drop ya off at home Mr. Hendricks?" he asked as he climbed inside, thankful that the man's house wasn't too far out of the way.


"I'd appreciate it Cooter," came the grateful reply. "Do you think you'll be able to fix it?"


"Won't know for sure until I get a look at it, but as long as the frame ain't bent I should be able to," Cooter assured him. The rest of the ride was made in silence and ten minutes later, Cooter was pulling up in front of the Hendricks home. Sighing with relief, he finally headed towards the garage, praying that Bo would be there when he arrived.


TBC

Y'all know the routine, the muse needs food. Reviews are the preferred meal for muses.