Reunion

Uncle Who?


"Jesse could we talk to you?" Martha asked as she and Jonathan
walked into the kitchen. Jesse sighed, he'd known this was coming and
he still wasn't sure what to tell them. Knowing there wasn't any sense
in putting it off Jesse nodded as he sat down at the table. "Jesse,"
Martha began, "when we spoke on the phone you said Bo doesn't know that
JD is his uncle, but I get the feeling you didn't tell us everything.
We'd like to know if there's more before we talk to Bo, he needs to
know the truth."

"I guess you're right about that and you're right there is more. I told
you JD ignored Bo and that's why I didn't tell Bo that JD's his uncle,
at first. Martha your brother blames us, all the Dukes for his losing
you and as Bo got older he seemed to take a particular spite towards
him. I suppose cause of his looking so much like his daddy and JD blamed
Jonathan the most for you being gone." Jesse paused not sure what to
tell them, he knew they needed to know but what and how much.

"That's ridiculous, I can't believe my brother would act like that.
Jonathan didn't make me testify and he certainly didn't plan on us
witnessing a murder. How could he blame Jonathan for that? I know you
probably don't want to tell us Jesse but what exactly has my brother done
to Bo? For that matter what has he done to the rest of you?"

"Calm down sweetheart," Jonathan soothed as he wrapped an arm around
Martha's shoulders. "Give him a chance to answer and I'm sure Jesse
will answer all of our questions. Won't you Jesse?"

"I'll tell ya but you're not gonna like it," Jesse answered gruffly.
"Like I told ya JD blamed us all for you being gone, Martha, and he's
done a lot over the years trying to make us pay. I ain't gonna tell ya
everything only cause it'd take too long but for starters he's the reason
Bo and Luke are on probation. They got caught running shine cause JD
found out about it and called Andy Roach with a tip, course he was mighty
disappointed they didn't go to prison. He's tried a bunch of times since
to set them up and get 'em sent to prison, lucky for them he ain't
managed it yet." As Jesse continued telling them of various schemes and
tricks JD had tried, Martha became angrier and angrier. How could her
brother act like that? How dare he try to send her son to prison.
Suddenly Martha stood up and headed outside to the truck, Jonathan right
behind her.

"Martha where are you going?"

"I'm going to see my brother and find out exactly who he thinks he is."

Jonathan grabbed her arm as she reached for the door, "Martha, honey
you're forgetting something."

"What?"

"JD and Lulu won't be home until tommorrow, and I thought we were going
to talk to Bo first."

"Damn, I had forgotten and I guess we probably should talk to Bo first.
Jesse, is there anything else we should know?" Martha asked.

"Well yeah but I can't tell you. Just know that Bo won't be happy and
you should probably have Luke be there when you tell Bo. It'd probably
be best if you tell him today seeing as JD and Lulu will be home tommorrow.
If you want I could take Clark to Capital City with me so's ya could have
privacy."

Jonathan looked at Martha before answering, "Yeah Jesse that's probably
a good idea. Maybe when the boys get back and Daisy goes to work you
could do that. I think I'll go find Clark and let him know the plan."
Giving Martha a kiss Jonathan left in search of Clark. After he left
Martha turned to Jesse.

"How bad is it Jesse? Whatever it is that Bo might tell us."

Jesse didn't answer right away lost in the memories of two years ago.
"It's bad Martha but I can't tell you, only Bo can make that decision.
I'm sorry I wish I could but I really think you should hear it from Bo."
Jesse said, giving her shoulder a squeeze as he left the room.

Later that afternoon when Jesse, Clark and Daisy left Jonathan approached
the boys as they worked on the General. "Bo, Luke would you boys come
inside, we, Martha and I need to talk to you."

"Yeah okay just give us a minute and we'll be in," Luke answered.
After they were alone Bo voiced his fear.

"Do you think they've decided they've got a problem with us after all?"

"No Bo, I don't know what's going on but I'm sure that ain't it."
Slipping an arm around Bo's waist Luke headed them to the house. "Come
on darlin, only one way to find out."

Martha looking up when they came in the room motioned for them to sit
down. Noticing the fear in Bo's eyes she hurried to reassure him, "Bo
honey you don't have to worry. Your father and I haven't changed our
minds about you and Luke's relationship. We love you that will never
change," taking a deep breath she went on, "however we do need to talk
to you about something important. From what Jesse tells us you may not
like the news we have. You're not the only one with a secret, I don't
know if you knew this but I grew up in Hazzard also. In fact I still
have family living here."

"But...if you got family here why don't I know them? Why ain't Uncle
Jesse ever told me about your family?"

"Bo son, Jesse was trying to protect you. Martha's brother blamed me
for her going away and he ignored the fact that you were her son too.
Jesse thought it would hurt you to know that your other uncle didn't
want you to be a part of his family."

Martha took a deep breath before plunging ahead, "Bo, my brother, your
uncle is...JD Hogg."

"What?" Bo gasped in shock, barely able to breathe as he took in the news
that Boss Hogg was his uncle. "Breathe Bo...take a deep breath darlin,
that's it slow and easy," Luke whispered as he held Bo in his arms rubbing
soothing circles on Bo's back.

"Luke, did I hear right? Boss Hogg is my...uncle?" Bo asked obviously
upset at the news. When Luke nodded Bo suddenly ran to the bathroom
where they could hear him gettin sick. Luke was surprised to find the
door locked when he tried to follow.

"Bo open the door...please Bo let me in," Luke begged, worried about Bo,
knowing how hard the news was hitting him. Behind Luke, Jonathan held
Martha in his arms both of them scared for their son. They had known
he wouldn't be happy but they had never expected this. Finally after
several minutes Bo opened the door and nearly collapsed into Luke's
arms. "It'll be okay Bo I promise."

"But Luke...he's my uncle and look at all the stuff he's done to all
of us. How could he treat family that way? Why? Did I do something
wrong, something to make him hate me."

"Bo son, you didn't do anything wrong. JD blames me for taking your mother
away and he chose to take it out on you. Now that was completely unfair
but it wasn't because of anything you did, you have to believe that."
Jonathan told him, angry that JD Hogg had hurt his son.

"Bo," Martha began reaching up to caress his face, "honey your dad
is right. The only one at fault is my brother, he is the only one to
blame for his behavior." Not sure if she wanted to hear the answer, Martha
asked anyway. "Honey could you tell us what has you so upset that you
got sick?"

"Oh God...no I...please I can't, no I can't tell you. Luke please...I
..." Bo sobbed out unable to go on.

"Bo what is it? What can't you tell them?"

"Jeff," Bo whispered, "Boss knew I was kin and...and after when he knew
about us...I...how could he?"

Luke paled at Bo's words as he realized why Bo was so upset. He knew
now the memories this news had brought up, knew that of all the things
Boss had done that had been the worst. Now it was even worse because
now it wasn't Boss who had done this, it was Uncle JD. Leading Bo into'
their room Luke settled him into the bed pulling the covers up to his
chest. As he brushed Bo's hair back from his face he whispered soothing
words to him, staying with him until he fell asleep.

In the living room a similar scene was taking place as Jonathan held
Martha trying to comfort her. "My God Jonathan what has JD done to our
son? You saw him, saw how upset he is..."

"I know Martha, I don't know what JD has done, but we'll get through
this, we'll find a way to help Bo, with whatever is going on." Martha
nodded as she leaned into Jonathan's embrace. A little while later Luke
returned to the living room.

"Is Bo okay?" Martha asked.

"Yeah more or less, he's sleeping right now and I know you've got
questions, I'll answer but you need to be ready cause it's gonna be
hard to hear."

Jonathan and Martha looked at each other, both wondering what could be
so bad that Luke felt it necessary to warn them. "Okay Luke what did
JD do that has Bo so upset?" Martha asked.

"Aunt Martha it's not only what Boss did it's also about what his
actions let happen. The thing is over the years Boss has done a lot
of things to all of us but a couple of years ago something really bad
happened. That's what's got Bo so upset, he's...well finding out Boss
is his uncle has brought up some bad memories." Martha and Jonathan
listened in growing horror as Luke told them about Bo's kidnapping two
years ago. A kidnapping JD had arranged and paid for, Luke told them
how the kidnapper turned on JD, told them about the things Bo had
suffered through. When Luke told them how JD had found out about Bo
and Luke's relationship trying to use it against them, Martha wanted
nothing more than to beat some sense into her brother. Martha Kent had
never been a violent person but hearing of the things her son had gone
through made her want to hurt all those who had hurt him. Even if one
of those people was her brother, maybe especially her brother, how could
he treat his own nephew so badly? When Luke finished both of Bo's parents
had tears streaming down their faces. Figuring they needed some time
alone Luke excused himself and returned to Bo's side.

"How could he do that Jonathan?"

"I don't know sweetheart but I'll be sure to ask him tommorrow right
before I kick his ass." Jonathan ground out, clenching his teeth in
anger. "You know what? We've got a pretty amazing son, I can't even
imagine what hell that must've been and he survivied it. He didn't
let it destroy him then and I don't think he will now either. It's just
the shock, I'm sure that's mostly what has him so upset." After a while
Martha felt like she had calmed down enough to be able to help Bo. Knocking
on Bo's door she asked Luke if she could sit with Bo for a while. Luke
smiled as he let her into the room, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek
he left Martha alone with Bo. When Bo woke up he was surprised to see
Martha sitting beside him.

"Mom? Are you okay?" Bo asked, seeing the evidence of tears on her face.

"Oh honey...I'm fine, and I'm sorry you had to go through something so
horrible because of JD's greed and hatred. I wish I could go back and
take you with us so you would never have gone through that."

"Mom it's okay, I'm sorry I acted like I did. I just was...shocked I
guess but it isn't your fault what your brother did. I won't lie, I
hated everything that happened but if I had been with you and dad I also
would have missed Luke, and he's worth going through a thousand hells for.
And before you talk to Boss remember he didn't know what Jeff would do,
I ain't making excuses for him, but he's your brother and well you shouldn't
hate your family."

"I don't know how you can say that son but I'm proud of you for it."
Jonathan said from the doorway.

"I'm proud of you too Bo but that doesn't change the fact he arranged to
have you kidnapped. He put you into a bad situation, because of his
actions you were tortured and...raped. I don't know if I can ever forgive
him for that or for trying to use your relationship with Luke against you.
Not to mention all of the other things he's done to you and the rest of
the Dukes over the years. I will promise you this though, I'll give him
a chance to explain and to redeem himself. I won't be his excuse anymore
though, I'll be back in his life unless he hurts you or any of my family
again." Martha said with determination as she pulled Bo into a comforting
hug.

By the time Jesse and Clark returned home everyone had calmed down and
the boys were taking care of chores while Martha cooked supper. Jonathan
met Jesse at his truck, sending Clark to help Bo and Luke so they could
talk. "Jesse thank you for raising my son, for being here for him. I
just wanted to say you've done a great job, he's an amazing man. He and
Luke told us about the kidnapping and everything else that happened.
Thank you for giving him the strength to get through that experience and
to have the strength to move on with his life afterwards." Jonathan
ended his speech with a brotherly hug. "Martha promised him she'd hear
JD out and give him a chance to redeem himself. So we're going to talk
to him tommorrow and then we'll see where we go from there. Now Martha's
cooking supper and the boys are taking care of chores so how about a
game of checkers big brother?"

Later as they lay in bed all Martha could think about was what tommorrow
would bring. Finally she drifted to sleep wondering how her brother
could possibly explain himself.


TBC

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