If I Had Only Known

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


Warnings: Angst, Slash, Violence


Rating: FRT-17


* indicates thoughts


If I Had Only Known
Chapter 5


"Hey Bo," Luke called out as he came outside. Receiving no answer, he walked over to where his cousin stood. "Bo?" he asked, laying a hand on his cousin's shoulder.


"Dang Luke!" Bo yelled, jerking away from the unexpected touch.


"Sorry," Luke apologized. Looking at his youngest cousin with concern, he quickly asked, "Are you okay?"


"Yeah, just didn't hear ya coming that's all."


"Didn't hear me calling your name either?"


"Guess not. So what's up?"


"That can wait...what were ya thinking so hard about?"


"Nothing," Bo mumbled. He wanted to tell his family, especially Luke, about his feelings for David, but he wasn't sure how they'd take it.


"Bo," Luke said, drawing his name out, clearly letting his cousin know that he wasn't buying it.


"It ain't nothing bad Luke, I just ain't ready to talk about it yet. So you gonna tell me what's up?" For a couple of minutes Bo didn't think his cousin was going to answer him, as he just kept looking at him. Just as he was readying himself for Luke to continue questioning him, his cousin finally answered him.


"Cooter called, said the parts were in, ya want to go with me to pick them up?" Luke asked.


"Sure," he quickly agreed, relieved that Luke was letting it go.


"I'm driving," Luke informed him, hurrying to climb into the driver's side before Bo could.


Without an argument, Bo got in the passenger seat of the General. *Four days, I can't believe how quickly things have changed.* Bo thought to himself as they drove towards town. He stared out the window, but he wasn't seeing the scenery they were passing. He was remembering the feel of David's arms wrapped tightly around him, the look of love and desire in his lover's blue eyes as he lowered his head for a kiss. Bo had been surprised by how much he'd wanted to kiss the older man, even more surprising was the way it was turning him on. Even now, just thinking about the kisses they'd shared, he could feel himself becoming aroused. Shaking himself from his thoughts, he forced himself to think about something else. The last thing he wanted was for Luke to notice his reaction and start asking questions.


"You ready for the race tomorrow?" Luke asked.


"You bet...and once we finish putting the new parts on, the General will be too," Bo enthusiastically replied.


"You got a date yet for the dance on Sunday?"


"The dance? Shoot I been so busy over at David's and getting ready for the race, I clean forgot about the dance." Bo quickly covered.


"You sure you're okay cousin? Ain't like you to forget about a dance," Luke pointed out.


"Told ya, just been busy is all."


"Better get busy looking for a date, or there won't be anybody left," Luke warned.


"Maybe I'll just walk down to the diner while you're getting the parts, see if Anna's working," grinning at his cousin.


"You do that cousin," Luke said, returning the grin. Pulling up at Cooter's he climbed from the car going inside, while Bo headed down the street to the diner.


"Hey Lukas Dukas, got them parts right here," Cooter greeted. Going to his workbench, he picked up a box with parts and carried it back to Luke.


"Were ya able to get everything?"


"Sure was, there ain't nothing gonna be able to catch the General tomorrow," he answered with a grin.


"Hey Luke," Mabel Tillingham greeted. "Is my car ready Cooter?"


"Just finished with it Mabel, let me just get your bill made out," Cooter replied. Heading to his office, he left them alone, grateful for an excuse to escape Mabel.


"Where have you been keeping yourself Luke?"


"Been busy at home, lots of chores to do and getting ready for the race," he politely answered.


"You going to the dance Sunday?"


"Sure am, taking Betty Rogers," he replied, glancing towards the office, wishing Cooter would hurry.


"Oh, that's nice," Mabel said, though she didn't sound as though she really meant it. "I suppose Bo already has a date too," she hinted.


"Actually Mabel, he doesn't," Luke quickly replied. He knew it was mean, but the opportunity to get rid of the annoying girl was just too tempting. "He just walked over to the diner...." he stopped talking as he realized he was talking to air. With barely a word, Mabel turned and hurried towards the diner, calling over her shoulder that she'd be back soon.


"Here ya are...where'd she go?" Cooter asked as he came out of his office.


"She went to the diner."


"The diner? Well why'd she go there?"


"Not sure, might have something to do with Bo being there...and I might've let it slip that he don't have a date for the dance."


"He's gonna kill you...ya know that don't ya?"


"Yep," Luke replied, grinning widly.


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Bo went into the diner and sat down in a booth, relieved to see that Anna wasn't working. He had just taken a sip of his tea, when a shadow crossed the table. "Hey Mabel," he greeted, hoping that for once she'd realize he wasn't in the mood to talk.


"Hey Bo, mind if I join you?" she asked, sliding into the seat across from him before he could answer.


"Guess not," he replied resignedly.


"Haven't seen you in town lately, you been busy with chores too?"


"Too?"


"Well yeah, Luke said that's why he hadn't been in town...so have you?"


"Yeah and helping the new neighbor with some work around his place," Bo answered.


"New neighbor? David Sorenson, right?"


"How'd you know his name?"


"Oh you'd be surprised at what I hear when I'm working," Mabel said, smiling secretivly. "You going to the dance?" she asked, changing the subject.


Inwardly he sighed, knowing now that Luke had sent her to the diner and swearing revenge on the older man. "Yep, going with Anna Stevens," quickly, not really in the mood to deal with Mabel's attempts to ask him out.


"Really, that's funny," Mabel sarcastically said. "I just talked to Anna yesterday and I know for a fact that she's going to the dance with Sam Morris."


"Did I say Anna? I meant..."


"Don't bother Bo, "she snapped." Obviously you think you're too good to go out with me...or maybe there's another reason." Sliding out of the booth, she stormed from the diner, angrier than she'd ever been. Walking down the street, she was so angry she didn't notice where she was going until she ran into a hard body. "Excuse me," she mumbled, keeping her head down to hide the angry tears that were forming.


"It's alright...ya okay Mabel?"


Looking up, she stared into the face of Ernie Ledbetter, a plan for revenge quickly forming in her mind. "Not really Ernie...but I'm sure you don't want to hear about my problems with Bo."


"Bo Duke? What'd he do to get a pretty thing like you upset?" Ernie asked, pretending to be concerned.


"I don't know if I can tell you Ernie...it's just too humilating," Mabel demurred.


"Did he hurt you?"


"No...nothing like that...it's just that, well he was supposed to take me to the dance and..." trailing off, she looked down as though embarassed.


"And?" Ernie prompted.


"I just found out...he was only taking me to cover up the fact that he'd...that he'd rather spend his time with...with a man," she haltingly told him.


"A man? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"


Nodding her head, she leaned closer and in a quiet voice confirmed his suspicion. "Bo prefers men...sexually," a blush covering her face. "Of course as soon as I overheard him talking to some man, making plans with him I just tracked him down and confronted him."


"Well no wonder you're upset," Ernie soothed. "Are you going to be okay sweetheart?"


"I feel better already Ernie, thank you for listening."


"Anytime Mabel, if you're sure you'll be okay, I really need to go."


"Sure Ernie, thanks for listening," she responded. Smiling slyly, she watched him walk off down the street, heading right for the pool hall. "You're gonna regret turning me down Bo Duke," she growled, knowing that Ernie and his friends would gladly take care of him.


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The race the next day went well and as expected the General Lee with Bo behind the wheel came in first. Afterwards, the boys ended up at the Boar's Nest for a celebration beer.


"Hey Bo, hey Luke, good race," Betty congratulated them.


"Hey Betty, thanks," Luke said, smiling up at her.


"You boy's got anything planned for this evening?"


"Just having a couple of beers before we go home, unless you got a better idea," Luke replied.


"Oh I'm sure I could think of something," Betty smiled. "Want to go for a drive and talk about it?" she asked, in a seductive voice.


"I'd love to, but I can't just leave Bo without a ride."


"We could take my car," she suggested.


"Put it like that, ya talked me into it," he grinned. "See ya later cousin," Luke said, slapping his cousin on the back and walking out the door with Betty.


Grinning, Bo watched his older cousin leaving. Finishing his beer, he stood up and left the bar, not noticing when Ernie and his buddies followed. Climbing into the General, he headed home, figuring on a quick shower before he went over to David's. He was nearly home when he felt an unexpected jolt, looking in the mirror he saw Ernie Ledbetter's car preparing to ram him again. Quickly turning the wheel, he managed to avoid the hit. Racing along the road, he took a couple of hits, but was sure he could make it home without a problem. Suddenly another car pulled out in front of him and Bo was forced to turn the wheel sharply, allowing Ernie to ram into the side of the General, pushing him into the car ahead. Angrily climbing from the car, he slid across the roof to confront Ernie. "What the hell are you trying to pull Ernie?"


"Gonna teach you a lesson Bo," Ernie replied, hitting him before he could raise a hand to defend himself.


Climbing to his feet, Bo pulled his arm back and plowed his fist into Ernie's face. Drawing his arm back for another punch, he was surprised when it was suddenly wrenched behind him. Before he could do anything, one of the others grabbed his other arm, jerking it painfully behind him.


"Gonna show ya what we think of your kind Bo," Ernie snarled, punching him in the stomach.


"What are you talking about?" Bo gasped out.


"Oh I think ya know what I'm talking about Bo...talking about you liking men. Damn faggot," he growled, slamming a heavy fist into Bo's face.


Bo struggled to free himself from the grip of the other two men as Ernie beat him mercilessly. Finally the beating stopped, and Bo was released so suddenly that he fell to the ground. Before he had a chance to catch his breath, Ernie's hand grabbed his hair, jerking his head upward.


"If you know what's good for ya, you'll leave Hazzard and take your boyfriend with you," Ernie snarled. Though he didn't actually know who Bo might be seeing, or if he even had a man he was dating, he figured to cover all the bases. Letting go of the other man's hair, he let his head fall back to the ground and with one last kick to Bo's side, Ernie got in his car. Turning around, Ernie and his friends quickly left the scene, leaving Bo to lay in the dirt, beaten and bloody.


Bo wasn't sure how long he lay there after they left, but finally he found the strength to move. As he slowly made his way to the General, his mind was racing with fear for his lover. After a bit of effort and a little cursing, he managed to climb into the car. With David's safety on his mind, he instinctively headed for the older man's home. Reaching for the cb mic, he called on the one person he knew he could depend on..."Lost Sheep two to Lost Sheep one, ya got your ears on?"


"Ignore him," Betty whispered in his ear as she reached for the cb to turn it off.


"Luke...please...come in cousin," Bo begged.


"No wait, something's wrong," Luke cried out. Grabbing the mic, he pressed the button, "I'm here Bo, what's wrong?"


"Need help...hurt...David....please...hurry," Bo managed to get out, his mind too fuzzy to realize he wasn't making a lot of sense.


Giving Betty an apologetic glance, he keyed the mic again. "Where are you Bo? Are you hurt?"


"Hurt...help."


"Where are ya?" Luke asked again, trying to remain calm.


"David's," came the quiet reply. Dropping the mic, Bo made the turn into David's driveway, moving the powerful car quickly up to the house and parking.


"I'll be there as soon as I can get there, hang on cousin. Can ya give me a ride to the old Peterson place?" he quickly asked.


"Of course Luke," Betty agreed, realizing that something was wrong with the younger Duke boy.


As they drove, Luke wondered what David had done to his cousin, praying that he could there before worse happened, if there was worse.


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David smiled when he heard the familiar engine, "You're early, not that I'm com...." Breaking off, he ran to the General, helping the younger man as he struggled from the car. "Who did this to you?"


"You okay? They ain't...didn't come here?" Bo asked, glancing over his lover with concern.


"I'm fine, nobody's been here," David answered, slowly moving Bo to the truck as he talked. "Who did this to you?" he asked again.


"Ernie...a couple others...know about us...teach...lesson," Bo softly answered.


Sighing heavily, David kicked himself for putting Bo in danger. He should've realized this could happen, he'd forgotten how small towns and small minds in the south could react to men like him. "Come on, let's get you to the hospital and then we'll call the sheriff," he said. Helping Bo into the truck, he was just about to shut the door when the sound of another car coming up the drive startled him. Worried that it might be the men who'd hurt his lover coming to finish the job, he grabbed a tire tool from the bed of the truck. He sagged with relief when he saw Luke jumping out of the car and heading towards him.


"Where is he? What've you done to him?" Luke demanded, grabbing David's shirt.


"He's in the truck, I was just about to take him to the hospital," David replied.


Letting go of the taller man, Luke hurried to the cab of the truck, gasping when he got a good look at his cousin. "Oh Bo," he softly said, reaching out to gently touch his cousin's face.


"Luke? Don't let them hurt David...please Luke help me," Bo plead.


"Don't let who hurt David?" Luke asked.


"They know...told me to leave."


"Bo...who?"


Bo opened his mouth to answer, before he could the world swam in front of him and he collapsed into his cousin's arms.


Carefully leaning his cousin back in the seat, Luke turned to David. "Do you know who did this?" he demanded.


"The only name he said was Ernie, he didn't say a last name though."


"He doesn't need to, I know exactly who he's talking about," Luke snarled. "You taking him to the hospital?"


"That was the plan, then I'm calling the sheriff," David answered.


"For all the good it'll do," Luke mumbled. "Do you know where the hospital is?"


"No." Damn, he hadn't even thought of that.


"Follow me," Luke instructed, jumping into the General and firing him up. Pulling away from the farm, he called his uncle on the cb as he led the way to the hospital. Dropping the mic, he kept glancing in his mirror, making sure David was keeping up and a little surprised to find he was.


Driving after the General, David kept one eye on the road and one eye on Bo. "You're gonna be okay Bo...you just hang on beautiful," he soothed as his lover moaned lightly. Reaching out, he laid his hand on Bo's shoulder, hoping to comfort the younger man as they raced towards the hospital.

TBC

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