Old Ghosts and New Friends

Disclaimer: I don't own The Dukes of Hazzard or The Magnificent Seven, not making any money, just cheap thrills.


Warnings: Angst, Slash, Established Couple, Incest, Violence, Graphic discussion of rape involving a minor


Rating: FRAO


Archive: Yes


Pairings: Bo/Luke Duke and Vin Tanner/Ezra Standish


Thanks to Jade and Lynn for their help as beta readers.

Please Read and Review

Old Ghosts and New Friends
Chapter 7


As Josiah walked away from the creek he heard the snap of a twig breaking under someone's foot. Quickly turning around he spotted Ezra, his grief for Bo being rapidly replaced with anger towards Ezra. Heading back towards the creek Josiah growled, "What the hell do you think you're doing Ezra? Don't you think your cousin has suffered enough without you violating his privacy like this?" and grabbed Ezra by the lapels of his jacket, lifting him off the ground.


Vin arrived at the creek before Josiah could do more than shake Ezra. "Put him down Josiah," he ground out in a tightly controlled voice. As he became aware of his actions, Josiah knew he had to calm down before he hurt somebody. Stepping back from the couple, he turned his back and began to take deep, calming breaths, trying desperately to get his temper under control. When Josiah stepped away, Vin turned to Ezra, running his hands up and down his body, checking for any damage. "Are you okay Ez? He didn't hurt you, did he?"


"I am perfectly fine Vin, Josiah was only reacting as any decent human being would in this situation." Seeing the confused look on his lover's face, Ezra hastened to explain the events leading up to what Vin witnessed, for both Vin and Josiah's sakes. "I had come down to the creek earlier, I simply felt the need for a little time to myself. As I stood over there behind those bushes, I heard Bo and Josiah arrive here as well, it was truly my intention to make my presence known. However they began to converse, and when I realized what it was they were discussing, I found myself listening, much to my shame. I can't explain why I felt compelled to eavesdrop on your very private conversation with Bo, but compelled I was. Therefore I listened, and was sickened by what I heard, I cannot believe I didn't realize what was happening at the time. I had the training necessary to see the signs and yet I somehow missed them. ...Josiah, I realize I can't inform my cousin that I heard the conversation between you, but is there anything I can do to help him heal?" Ezra asked, the grief for his cousin plain in his voice.


Josiah stood looking at him in silent contemplation for several minutes. Saw the grief and guilt written plainly on his face. He knew that Ezra was sincere in his desire to help Bo, but he also knew that unless Bo asked for that help there was nothing Ezra could do for him, without further violating him. As he watched Vin wrapping his arms around Ezra, he gave the only advice he could offer. "Ezra son, I know you want to help Bo, that in itself is not a bad thing at all. However you can't say anything to him, not unless he comes to you first. If he knew you had listened in on our conversation, it would be another betrayal. There is something though that you can do for Bo, although it may not seem like it at first. Talk to Vin here, tell him what you heard. Normally I wouldn't suggest that you pass on what you heard, but we both know he can keep a secret. Tell him how it made you feel and let him help you to deal with your guilt. Bo has enough to deal with right now, your guilt is one more thing he doesn't need, so help him by letting Vin help you," with that Josiah turned and left them alone.


"Penny for 'em," Vin offered, when Ezra hadn't said anything after thirty minutes of staring at the water.

Leaning into Vin's embrace, Ezra found the strength to tell Vin the terrible truth. "You know already that I heard something today, something I wasn't meant to hear. What happened to Bo, it was much worse Vin than we had ever imagined. Ever since Uncle Jesse confirmed Josiah's suspicions, I've been wondering why I didn't see that something was wrong at the time. I was here frequently that summer, and being an FBI agent I thought I should have seen the signs. I had nearly convinced myself though that Jesse was right, I wasn't here all the time and Bo wasn't here much that summer. That was however when I believed it to have been a one time occurrence."


"It wasn't?" Vin asked, saddened for his new friend.


"Oh no, my Lord what that boy was forced to endure. Vin he was abused for six months, six months of being raped almost every day. I was here damn it, at least three times a week and I never even noticed a problem. I'm a trained investigator, I was working for the FBI and I never saw. Perhaps I am not as competent as I believed myself to be," Ezra stated, his voice thick with unshed tears, whether for Bo or himself Vin couldn't say.


"Babe, you have to stop this, Josiah's right, ya ain't helping Bo none by blaming yourself for something that weren't your fault. Ez, you're only human and you weren't here all the time, and Jesse even said he didn't see anything either and he was here all the time. You might've had training, but you were also under a lot of stress at work and you were what? Twenty-five, twenty-six at the time, besides Bo could've come to you and I'll bet if ya could ask him he'd tell ya it wasn't your fault. You've got to let go of this guilt Ez, it ain't helping nobody, not Bo or you," Vin tried to assure him, hoping to make him see the truth.


"I was twenty-five Vin, certainly old enough and experienced enough that I should have seen that there was a problem."


"How were you supposed to do that? If Jesse, who saw him everyday, whose house Bo lived in didn't see, how were you to know?" Vin asked, beginning to get angry with his lover.


"I should have..." Vin raised an eyebrow at that. "I could have..." when Ezra trailed off this time, Vin smiled. "Damn it! I hate when you do that...but you're right as usual. There really was no possibility that I could have known, is there?"


"Nope."


"Thank you darlin. Thank you for being here for me. For forcing me to realize that my feelings of guilt were indeed misplaced. I am especially grateful for your intercession with Josiah, if you hadn't arrived when you did, I shudder to think what might have occured. As always your timing was impeccable, perhaps later we might find an opportunity for some privacy, so that I might properly show my appreciation," Ezra ended with a seductive whisper.


"We're alone now Ez," Vin pointed out, with a sly smile.


"Not quite," Ezra returned, with a nod towards the farm.


When Vin turned around he saw Michael running towards them, followed by JD. "Papa! Papa!" they heard Michael calling as he neared them. Dropping down on one knee, Vin held out his arms, scooping Michael up as he reached them.


"Sorry guys, I tried to keep him busy up at the house but when Buck said he saw Vin headed down here, well I couldn't keep him away. Sorry to ruin your time alone," JD apoligized, knowing Vin and Ezra hadn't been able to be alone much while they'd been here.


"That's quite alright JD, we always enjoy spending time with Michael. Especially in light of recent events, there is nothing quite like a potential loss to cause one to cherish all the more the special people in one's life."

"Ez is right JD, ya ain't got nothing to be sorry for. We'll get time alone again, right now I can't think of anything better than spending some time with our son. Hey Ez, what do ya say we teach Michael how to skim stones?" Vin suggested, not even noticing JD leaving as he saw the smile lighting Ezra's face, no trace of the earlier guilt to be seen. Tossing Michael in the air, enjoying the sound of his laughter, Vin settled Michael on his shoulder and wrapped his free arm around Ezra as they began looking for good skimming stones. Enjoying the simple pleasure of playing with their son as they never had before.


Two days later Bo once again met Josiah at the creek, having spent the past two days thinking about what Josiah had asked him. He had barely spoken to Luke and knew his lover was worried about him, but he couldn't talk about this. Couldn't tell him what he was feeling, afraid that if he did he would hurt Luke in the process.


"You look like a man who's been doing a lot of thinking," was Josiah's greeting.


"Yeah I have, I've been thinking about the questions you asked. Why am I angry? Why do I feel worthless and guilty? What am I afraid of?"


"And what did you come up with?"Josiah asked, keeping his voice calm.


"At first I thought they were stupid questions. I mean the answers are pretty obvious. I'm angry at Jeff for what he did and even though he's dead now I'm afraid of it happening again." Seeing the look on Josiah's face, Bo realized he had forgotten to tell him before, "Guess I didn't tell you that did I? Jeff was killed while he was in prison, so at least I don't have to worry that he'll come back. After a while though I realized Jeff ain't the only one I'm angry with. I'm angry with myself too, cause I didn't stop him, and that makes me feel guilty. I guess I don't figure I deserve to have anybody feeling sorry for me. I mean if I hadn't wanted it, I would've found some way to stop him, wouldn't I?" Bo asked, in a small voice, giving Josiah a glimpse of the child he had been.


"Bo did somebody, did Jeff tell you that?"


"Yeah he did...was he right Josiah? Did I let him hurt me because a part of me wanted it? What kind of person does that make me?"


"Bo listen to me carefully. Jeff was lying to you, a lie like that is just one more way to control you. If he could convince you that it was your fault that he hurt you. If he could make you think that some part of you wanted what he was doing, it would further serve to keep you quiet. That is actually a very common practice among rapists and child molestors. If they can convince their victim that it's their own fault, well then they won't tell anybody what's happening to them and they won't fight it. They'll hate what's being done to them, hate themselves for not telling, but they'll stay quiet because they think they deserve it. So tell me Bo, what is it you're afraid of, really?"


"Told you I'm afraid of it happening again.... No that's not the truth, I don't know why this is so hard to say. What I'm really afraid of is this, all of it coming out. I'm not afraid anymore of Jeff, no need to be, but I'm scared to death of Luke finding out the whole story. What if after he finds out I begged Jeff to...what if he decides I did deserve it? What if he doesn't want me anymore?" Bo finally admitted the painful truth.


"That's good Bo, I know it was hard for you to admit that to yourself. Now comes the hardest part, what will finally allow you to move on. The next time we talk...I think Luke should be included," Josiah braced himself for the protest he knew would come.


"NO! Oh God no, I can't tell Luke any of this. I can't tell him how I felt, how I feel, no. If I tell him how Jeff made me beg, how much I hate myself for doing it, he'll know I felt the same when he...." Bo trailed off as he realized what he'd been about to reveal.


"Bo did Luke hurt you? Look at me son, did Luke hurt you like Jeff did?" Josiah asked, afraid that Luke wasn't the man he'd thought him to be.


"It's not like you think...it wasn't his fault..." Bo tried to explain.


"So if it wasn't his fault whose fault was it? Yours?" Josiah yelled, wishing he had Luke there in front of him.


"No it wasn't my fault either, but sometimes I think I should've known something was wrong. ...Josiah I'm gonna tell you something you may not believe, but I swear it's true. Ya see it wasn't Luke that hurt me, it was a...ghost. I swear I ain't making it up, it was a year ago Halloween, we were coming home from Atlanta and we had to stop cause of a bad storm. Only place we could find shelter was an old abandoned motel, what we didn't know was it was haunted. One of the ghosts, when he was alive was a killer and rapist, he possessed Luke and knocked me out. When I woke up I was tied up and naked, he hurt me a lot and yeah that includes rape. The ghost had complete control of Luke until midnight, when Halloween ended. When it did, he couldn't stay in Luke's body anymore. I would've thought it was Luke hurting me, like I did at first, except one of the other ghosts told me what was really going on. That's why I can't tell Luke, cause sometimes I get mad at him for not fighting the ghost harder and mad at myself for not knowing something was wrong. Then I start feeling guilty for thinking that way and I can't let Luke know that, he already feels bad enough about what happened." Bo stopped, looking at Josiah, surprised to see belief in the older man's eyes.


"Anybody else would probably think you were lying to yourself, but I've seen some strange things. I traveled a lot in my youth and I learned there are many things in the world we can't explain." Josiah was hesitant to ask the next question, hoping Bo wouldn't take it the wrong way. "Bo, after that experience, did you have any trouble with intimacy?"


"Ya know that's weird, cause I never did and I thought I would. I guess I just needed to prove to myself that it was really over. That the only one in Luke's body was Luke, and he would never hurt me. Wasn't even angry most of the time, just after a nightmare, mine or Luke's, then the guilt would start when the anger wore off. So see, I can't talk to Luke about this, cause I don't want him to feel guilty for something that wasn't his fault," Bo explained.


Amazed at the strength of this young man, Josiah did his best to convince Bo to talk to Luke. "Bo, I won't force you to talk to Luke, but I really think you need to. I think you both need the chance to tell each other how you feel. Please think about that and if after thinking it over, if you feel like you can handle it, bring Luke with you next time."


Josiah was please to see Luke walking beside Bo, as they came towards the creek two days later. At first the atmosphere was awkward, almost as bad as the first time he'd met with Bo. Deciding that if he didn't start the ball rolling nobody would, he began, "Luke, I'm glad you could join us. Did Bo tell you anything we've talked about?"


"Yeah he told me yesterday, finally. Told me more about what Jeff did to him. He also told me that you know about the ghost and what happened in that motel. Is that why you wanted me to come with Bo today?" Luke asked, still not entirely sure why he was there, but willing to do anything to help Bo.


"Actually I probably would have suggested it anyway, but once I knew about that, well I knew then that you had to be involved in this. Let's start with you Bo; you said before that you were angry, but not only at Jeff. Would you tell Luke who else you've been angry with?" Josiah asked this question, hoping that once Bo started he'd continue on his own.


Swallowing hard and taking a deep breath, Bo tried twice to speak, before finally managing it. "Luke I was angry with Jeff for what he did to me, that much you already knew. What you didn't know is I was angry with myself too, cause I didn't do more to stop him. He convinced me that since I let him hurt me, that it was cause I wanted it. I know that ain't the truth, but at the time I believed it, believed him. And that made me mad at myself, heck I hated myself so much and.... Luke I never told you this before, cause I didn't want to hurt you or upset you, but there were times I thought about ending it." Seeing the shock on Luke's face, Bo rushed on before Luke could interrupt, afraid if he didn't he'd never get it out. "It just hurt so much, the way I felt inside I mean, but you have to know I never tried. No matter how bad I felt, I couldn't hurt any of you like that. Mostly I didn't want to hurt you, or disappoint you, but all of those feelings, thinking like that... I ended up feeling guilty and worthless. I thought I was past all of this, but I guess I ain't really, Josiah says I need to tell you how I feel before I can move on. I didn't want to tell you, didn't want to hurt you but I know he's right. I know it's not my fault what happened with Jeff. I know I didn't deserve it, and I know it's not my fault what happened in that motel room. Most of the time I know all of that and believe it, except when I have a nightmare or when something like Michael's kidnapping happens , then all of those feelings come back. Just like when it first happened, that's when I start thinking it was my fault, it's then I feel guilty and worthless. I'm sorry I never told you any of this, but I guess I was afraid that you'd.... That if you knew what all happened with Jeff, if you knew how I felt, you'd agree. I was scared you'd think it was my fault, that I deserved it, all of it," Bo finished as the tears fell.


Taking Bo in his arms, Luke did his best to reassure Bo of his love. "Bo I could never think that you deserved what Jeff did to you. No matter what he made you do, I know you didn't have a choice. I'm sorry that I made it worse for you, I should've fought harder to stop that animal."


"No Luke, please, that's the other reason I didnt' tell you before. I knew you'd start feeling guilty again, and it wasnt' your fault, none of it. I know that you couldn't stop that ghost, anymore than I could stop Jeff. I'll admit there were times I blamed you, heck there were times I blamed myself too. That's why I'm glad I decided to talk to Josiah, he's helped me see it wasn't my fault or yours. I knew that before, but there was a part of me that never believed it. Thanks to Josiah that part of me is starting to believe, finally that I really was an innocent victim, we both were. Please love, what can I do to help you see that too?" Bo asked, pulling back to look Luke in the eye.


Looking at Bo with love and amazement, Luke felt the burden of guilt he had carried beginning to lift. "Bo you are the most amazing man I've ever known. Even with all of your own pain, some of it caused by me, okay I know it wasn't really me. I just don't know how you can be thinking of me, but I'm grateful, so grateful for your love and concern. I know it won't always be easy but I'll try to let go of my guilt, if you'll do the same."


"I think I can manage that, especially with you by my side," Bo replied, brushing a soft kiss across Luke's lips.


They met with Josiah several more times over the next week, spending the time in between visiting with their new friends. While they waited to hear from the federal prosecutor about a trial date, they got to know each other, or in Ezra's case got reacquainted. Even enjoying a couple of visits with Maude when she came out to spend time with her son and grandson, pleased to see that she really had changed in her behavior towards Ezra. During the days spent waiting, they talked about Chris' ranch, about his love for horses and his plans to start a breeding program. They laughed along with everybody else at Buck's wild tales about his many ladies and groaned at JD's jokes. They found out that while JD might be young, he knew what he wanted out of life, and that there was more to Buck than being a ladies man. Bo, along with everybody else, sympathized with Luke when Nathan started fussing at him, or as Vin called it mother-henning him. It was obvious Nathan knew his stuff when it came to medicine, of course as he said, with this group he got plenty of practice.


They learned about Vin's childhood in the foster care system, about his time as a runaway on the streets of Denver. Smiled at the way Vin blushed when Ezra bragged about his prowess as a sharpshooter or about his work with the children in the rougher areas of Denver. Laughed when Vin turned the tables, telling them how Ezra helped right alongside him, causing Ezra to blush also.


Along with Jesse and Daisy, they rejoiced at the turn-around in Maude. Sorry she had gone through a cancer scare, but glad it had made her realize just how lucky she was to have a son like Ezra. They had always known Ezra was a special person, he was a good son who only wanted his mother's love. It had hurt them all to know that Ezra was always being hurt by Maude. That she didn't seem capable of giving him the love he deserved and so desperately needed. They were happy to see she had finally come to her senses.


Finally they heard from the federal prosecutor, who told them Harvey Ledbetter had agreed to plead guilty to kidnapping with a sentence recommendation of 20-40 years in prison, if they dropped the molestation charges. When Vin hung up the phone and gave them the news, the room erupted in protest.
"What the hell are they thinking? They can't just let him get away with what he did to them kids, what he was gonna do to Michael. No, they have to make sure he pays for all of his crimes," they all spoke at once, making it impossible to tell who was saying what.


A piercing whistle brought instant silence to the room. Looking over in surprise at Ezra they waited, too surprised to say anything. "Perhaps you might all allow Vin to tell us why the prosecutor's office would consider such a deal, or if they are considering it. Vin?"


"Thanks Ez, they're doing more than thinking about it. They want to take him up on it, but first they wanted to talk to us about it, since it was our son he kidnapped. The thing is, he didn't get the chance to do anything to Michael, thank God, and those pictures don't show his face. That means the most they could probably charge him with is possession of child pornography, along with the kidnapping, and they know they've got him cold on the kidnapping."


"I don't understand this, if they know they can prove kidnapping, why would they even think about making a deal? Don't they want him to be punished for what he's done to them kids? Or is it cause of you and Ezra being a couple, they figure Michael don't deserve the same protection as somebody else's son?" Bo spoke with such heat it caught them all by surprise.


"It's nothing like that Bo. From what I was told, Michael is the reason they're thinking about the deal. If they go to trial, Michael will have to testify, he'll have to talk about what Ledbetter tried to do to him. He'll be forced to relive the fear he felt, I don't know about you Bo, but I don't want him to be put through that," Vin explained.


Bo sat down, stunned by Vin's words, "I hadn't thought of that, you're right, you don't want Michael to go through that," Bo agreed, remembering Jeff Miller's trial. " He's just a little kid, it'd be too hard for him to testify, to have to be reminded of what happened. I just hate to think of Ledbetter not getting all of the punishment he deserves."


"I know how you feel Bo, I don't like it either, but at least this way he'll be in prison. As far as I'm concerned that's enough, and I'm sure word will get out about what he did. Men like Ledbetter don't fare well in prison, the other cons have a real problem with those kind of men," Chris told him, giving a wolf-like smile at the thought of what awaited Ledbetter.


Thinking about what had happened to Jeff, Bo knew Chris was right. "You're right, I wasn't thinking about that either, sorry I got so mad," Bo apologized to Vin and Ezra.


"Ain't nothing to apologize for Bo, hell we're real glad to know there's one more person looking out for Michael, isn't that right Ez?"


"Indeed it is Vin, I am touched that you feel so strongly protective of our son Bo. It is a comfort to know you would protect him if need be." Ezra assured him. "I believe Vin that you should contact the prosecutor's office and inform them that we are amenable to the agreement they have arrived at with Mr. Ledbetter."





A couple of days after the sentencing, Ezra, Vin and their friends headed back to Denver, with a promise from Ezra and Vin to bring Michael for a visit at Thanksgiving. Stepping away from the others, Josiah got a promise from Bo and Luke to call him anytime they needed to talk. Knowing that they were finally healing from the events of the past, and feeling good about his part in that healing, Josiah joined his friends in the car. As they drove away from the Duke farm, Josiah turned to look back. Smiling at the sight of Bo and Luke, arms around each other as they headed inside, confident that they were well on the road of recovery. Turning back to the front, he joined his friends in groaning at JD's words, "Hey Buck, what did one casket say to the other..."


The End