Reunion

Late night conversation


Bo Duke sat in the hayloft staring out at the stars, his parents
were coming home. He still couldn't quite believe it, it hadn't been
that long since finding out they were alive and in the Witness Protection
program and now the contract on their lives was gone. They were free
to come home, for the first time since he was a baby he would see his
parents, and it couldn't have come at a better time of year, what a
great Christmas present. Especially after what happened at Halloween,
they could all use something good happening. He grinned as he remembered
how excited Uncle Jesse had been when he told them the news that Bo's
mom and dad, Jesse's baby brother were coming home. Speaking of brothers
he couldn't wait to meet his, he knew Uncle Jesse had been worried that
Bo would resent the younger boy for all those years he'd had with their
parents but how could he? He knew that when they left him it was because
they loved him and taking Clark in didn't change that. Heck from what
Uncle Jesse said by the time Clark came along they'd been in hiding for
years without any problems so they were feeling safer. Maybe he'd resent
his brother if he'd been abused but Uncle Jesse had never been anything
except good to him, and then there was Luke. If he'd been with his
parents all this time Luke would be a stranger to him, sure he would've
avoided Jeff Miller and the ghost of Roy Logan but he also would've lost
Luke. Then a thought hit him, oh no, Bo nearly jumped out of his skin
as a hand landed on his shoulder. "Sorry darlin, didn't mean to scare
ya," Luke apologized.

"That's okay Luke, guess I didn't hear you come up here."

"So what are ya thinking so hard about up here by yourself?"

"Oh, just thinking about mom and dad, thinking about what it'll be
like to have a brother."

"You're okay with that?" Luke asked, a little concerned.

"Yeah, I know Uncle Jesse was worried but from what he says they
adopted Clark cause he was safer with them even with the threat to their
lives. How could I resent him? Besides if I'd been with them I wouldn't
have you."

"That's true, course you also wouldn't have met Jeff Miller and you
wouldn't have been there when Roy Logan possessed me."

"Luke, I love you and if those experiences were necessary to get me
to you then so be it, but I am a little worried about something."

"What's that Bo?"

Bo laid his head on Luke's shoulder, drawing strength from his love
before continuing. "What if...maybe mom and dad won't...."

"Maybe they won't...Bo, darlin...are you scared they won't be able to
accept us?" Luke asked softly as he gently combed his fingers through
Bo's hair. Bo could only nod in response, afraid that if he said it,
it'd make it happen. He didn't think he'd be able to stand it if after
all these years he finally gets his parents back and they hate him because
of who he loves. "Oh Bo...you're relieved and thrilled to be getting
your folks back ain't ya?"

"Yeah."

"Well don't you think they feel the same? I won't lie to you Bo, they'll
be shocked and they could have some problems with it at first, but I
don't believe they could ever hate you. I think they'll be so happy
to have you back in their lives that nothing could cause them to turn
away. Besides your dad is Uncle Jesse's youngest brother, they were
raised together and Jesse didn't learn tolerance on his own. He learned
it from his folks and so did your dad and heck your mom married a Duke
so you know she's got to be pretty tolerant. Trust me Bo you ain't got
nothing to worry about." Luke soothed, hoping he was getting through
to Bo, not that he blamed him. If his parents were suddenly back in
his life he'd probably be scared too that they wouldn't approve of him.
Of his relationship with Bo, but Luke wasn't just offering Bo empty words
he honestly believed what he was saying. He couldn't see Jeremy and Helen
turning their backs on their son, no matter what. A couple of minutes
later Bo raised his head from Luke's shoulder and gently kissed him.

"Thank you love, I needed to hear that. ...Luke I know you're probably
right, but do you think...well they're gonna be here for a while...could
we...do we have to tell...." Bo stopped unable to think of what to say,
afraid he would hurt Luke, which was the last thing he wanted to do.

"You want to wait until after Christmas to tell them, is that it Bo?"
When Bo nodded Luke smiled in understanding and lifted Bo's chin to
look into his sapphire blue eyes. "Darlin it's okay I understand and I
think that's a real good idea, give everyone the chance to reconnect and
get to know each other again. No reason why we have to tell them everything
at once, and Bo...never be afraid to tell me how you feel, even if you
think it'll hurt me. It would hurt me more to think you were keeping
things from me and causing yourself pain in the process." After a little
while Luke reluctantly stood up and reached down to pull Bo to his feet.
"Come on Bo we better go in and get some rest, we're all gonna be busy
the next few days getting ready for your folks." As they headed into
the house Bo took one last look at the heavens, sending up a quick thank
you to God for giving him Luke, and for bringing his parents home.

TBC

A/N: I know it's not very long but I thought we needed to see Bo's
reaction to the news that his parents were free to come home.