Reunion

' signifies thought

Explanations and Excuses


Luke awoke the next morning not having gotten much sleep, thanks to
Bo's nightmares. Raising up on one arm he looked down at Bo with love
and concern in his eyes. Relieved that Bo was finally sleeping peacefully,
he just wished he had been able to sleep that way last night. Damn it,
just when they were both starting to heal from Halloween this had to
happen. He knew Bo would get through this, after all it was just
memories and he had already survived hell, Luke just wished his Bo
didn't have to relive the memories again. 'It's not fair...Lord hasn't
he suffered enough? God please give me the strength to help him, and
please give Aunt Martha the wisdom to not be taken in by whatever lies
and twists Boss tries to put on all of this. Amen.' When Luke finished
his silent prayer he brushed a soft kiss on Bo's cheek as he reluctantly
got out of bed. Quickly dressing Luke left to start chores hoping to
get Clark's help, wanting to let Bo get some rest.

"Luke what's wrong?" Clark asked as he helped his cousin with the morning
chores.

"What makes you think anything's wrong? Maybe I just wanted to spend
some time with my new cousin."

"Come on Luke, I might be young but I'm not stupid. Bo didn't sleep good
so you're letting him sleep in, but why didn't he sleep good. Then you
keep looking at the house like...well like you're worried about something,
and then there's last night. You, all of you did a good job of hiding
it but there was still enough tension in the air that it's obvious
something was wrong. Bo didn't have an argument with Mom and Dad, did
he?"

"No...nothing like that. Clark do you know who JD Hogg is?" Luke
asked not sure how much he should tell Clark.

"Yeah he's mom's brother and Bo didn't...oh that's what's wrong. Mom
and Dad told him last night and I guess he didn't take it well."

Luke gave a snort of laughter at that, "No he didn't take it well.
Clark I'm not trying to turn you against your Uncle, but see he's done
a lot of things over the years, he's pulled some real dirty tricks on
a lot of people, mostly us Dukes. From what your folks said he blames
us for Aunt Martha not being here anymore so finding out Boss is his
Uncle well...I'm sure you can imagine the shock Bo felt and yeah it
upset him, brought up some bad memories that's why he didn't sleep good."
Clark nodded in understanding, he could imagine but he was also sure
there was more that Luke wasn't telling him. He thought about asking
him but realizing Luke probably wouldn't tell him any more he just turned
back to the chores. He'd just have to ask Mom and Dad, well maybe only
Dad, later. After chores Luke and Clark returned to the house to wash
up for breakfast. When they entered the kitchen Luke told the rest of
the family that Bo was sleeping in, Clark didn't miss the fact that
nobody seemed surprised.

Shortly after breakfast, before Clark had a chance to say anything
his Dad suggested they go for a drive. Clark listened in shock as
Jonathan told him what had happened the previous night. 'Ra...Clark
couldn't even say it, stuff like that didn't happen to guys. How could
Bo let somebody do that to him?' Not realizing he had spoken aloud Clark
was surprised when his Dad slammed on the brakes, pulling to the side
of the road. Turning to Clark, Jonathan roughly grabbed his arm, "How
can you ask that Clark? Bo didn't let this happen, he was kidnapped
Clark. When...when he was raped that man had him tied up and had already
tortured him."

"Yeah but..."


"But nothing Clark, if somebody kidnapped Lana and raped her would you
say she let it happen?"

"No! Of course not, but that's different. Bo's a man he should be able
to stop somebo..."

"Stop it Clark! You better think about this long and hard son. Are you
going to be the kind of man who blames the victim or the criminal? And
you better not let me hear you say anything to your brother that even
hints at you blaming him."

Clark looked away, blushing with shame. For several minutes neither
father or son spoke, finally Clark worked up the nerve to face his Dad.
"Dad...I'm sorry. You're right, I had no right or reason to think like
that. I guess it was the shock, I mean...I never thought about something
like that happening to a man. I know Bo doesn't have my strength but
he's not a weak guy, so if...well it could happen to anybody. Can you
forgive me for acting like a jerk?"

"Of course I forgive you Clark, if you'll forgive me. I should have
realized it was just your first reaction and I shouldn't have lashed
out like that. I'm sorry I lost my temper."

"It's okay Dad you had a right to be mad. Dad," Clark asked hesitantly
"what do I say to Bo?"

"Nothing son, I don't think you should bring it up. I doubt Bo would
want you to know, but if it comes up just be yourself and remember it's
not his fault. Now we need to go back to the farm, your mother and I
have to go into town this afternoon."

Later that day Jonathan and Martha pulled up in front of JD's house,
holding onto Jonathan's hand for strength Martha rang the bell. Lulu
Hogg stood gaping in shock after opening her front door, there on her
step stood not one but two ghosts from the past. Recovering from her
shock, Lulu squealed with delight, "Helen and Jeremy is it really you?"

"Yes Lulu it's us, we're home." Martha answered.


"But how?...Oh my I do apologize, please come in. I'm just so surprised
to see you both. I never thought we'd ever see you again, oh my JD,
I must get JD, now don't you go anywhere you hear?" They sat on the sofa
waiting in silence, they could hear Lulu calling to JD as she went to
fetch him.

"Lulu honey what is it buttercup, you know I have work to catch up..."
JD Hogg nearly fainted as he caught his first sight of the guests in
his living room. Approaching the sofa he slowly reached out to his long
lost baby sister, almost afraid that touching her would make her disappear.
"Helen it really is you? My baby sister you've come home, but what about
the contract on your life?" Over the course of the next little while
Martha explained about the contract, and about their farm in Smallville,
finally telling him about Clark.

"Speaking of sons JD, would you like to explain your behavior towards
my son all of these years? Before you say anything you might like to
know that the only reason you're getting a second chance is because Bo
asked me to hear you out."

"Well now isn't that nice I always said he was a nice boy. Yes sir a
fine boy, my nephew...."

"JD Hogg don't you even try that sugar sweet routine with me. You
foret I grew up with you and I know your tricks. Now I know that you
have caused Bo and all the Dukes a lot of grief over the years. I know
why Jesse thinks you did it, now I want to know what your story is. So
tell me big brother why have you treated my son, your nephew, like dirt
his whole life?"

"Now Helen just calm down..." Boss began only to be interrupted.

"Martha, my name is Martha Kent now JD. I've been Martha for over twenty
years I'd appreciate it if you called me Martha."

"Oh...oh of course I'm sorry He...Martha. I never intended to treat
Bo badly, at first I just ignored him. It hurt too much to be around
him, seeing that little boy was a constant reminder of your loss. But
it's not all my fault you know, why Jesse Duke has caused me no end of
trouble, and he's taught Bo, Luke and Daisy to do the same. I didn't
have any choice sister, I had to defend myself."

"Defend yourself! Why you little...how dare you try to blame any of this
on my brother and those kids. The only thing they've done is to throw
a monkey wrench into whatever scheme you had going, helping a lot of
people in the process." Jonathan yelled as he jumped to his feet. Before
he had the chance to do anything, Martha was between him and JD with a
hand on his chest, she gently pushed back to the sofa.

"Thank you my dear."

"I didn't do it for you JD, I don't want to see Jonathan in jail that's
all. Now this is the way it is brother, I know about your schemes, I
know all about the dirty tricks you've pulled over the years, and I know
what happened two years ago. So don't you dare try to justify your actions
by blaming the victims. I have no idea how Bo can want me to give you
a second chance but he does. He seems to think that families should
stick together and I thank God he had Jesse to teach him how to be a
good man who knows what's important. We'll be here for a long visit JD
and if you want to be a part of my life you better find a way to make
peace with my family. That's right my family, when I married Jonathan
I became a part of his family too and I won't stand for you treating them
like you have been. Do you understand me JD?" Martha finished, her eyes
flashing with anger.

Swallowing hard JD Hogg nodded, he hated the thought of making peace
with the Dukes, but he didn't want to lose his sister again. Then he had
a thought; "I understand Martha and I promise I'll try to make peace if
Jesse and them will let me. There is something I have to tell you though
and I'm afraid if it may be upsetting to you. I don't want to upset you
but I don't want you to be angry at me for keeping secrets. You say you
know what happened two years ago, which was certainly a difficult time
for Bo. However I'm sure Bo and Luke didn't tell you quite everything,
I don't know how to tell you this my dear but.... Well it seems Bo and
Luke are not simply cousins they have, I'm sorry to say become intimately
involved with each other. I can only suppose they learned to think that
sort of thing is okay from Jesse, it's a shock I know and I am sorry to
have to tell you." JD said in that sugar sweet voice of his.

Martha just shook her head sadly as she and Jonathan stood to leave. "JD
we know all about Bo and Luke and frankly we're happy for him. We don't
care that he's gay or that it's Luke he fell in love with, I just wish
you could get over your problems with Bo and the rest of the Dukes. You
think about it JD, if you want to be my brother, to be a part of my family
you know where to find me. Just remember if you hurt my son again I won't
give you another chance. It's up to you what's more important to you,
me or this feud you've got going with the Dukes." Martha left with
Jonathan, leaving JD to look after them thinking hard about Martha's
words.

TBC

I know Bo wasn't really in this chapter but I promise I'll make sure he's
there next time. Please review