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


If I Had Only Known
Chapter 8


"Hey Luke, how's Bo doing?"


"Hey Cooter, he's gonna be okay," Luke replied, leaning on the fender of the car Cooter was working on.


"What happened anyway, all I heard was that he was in a fight."


"Ernie Ledbetter happened," Luke snapped.


"Ledbetter?" Cooter asked, giving Luke a surprised look. "What'd he do to him?"


"Him and a couple of his buddies forced him off the road and beat him bad enough to put him in the hospital."


"I don't get it Luke, why would Ledbetter do that?"


Luke glanced down at the floor, trying to figure out how to explain the situation to Cooter. "Actually Cooter I asked Brody to meet me here and I'd rather tell the story only once, could ya wait?" he stalled.


"Sure Luke, I can wait," Cooter replied. "Ya want some coffee while we're waiting?"


"Yeah, thanks."


Luke had just taken a sip of his coffee when Brody walked into the garage, "Hey Luke, what's shakin?"


"You hear about Bo?"


"Nah, what's up with Bo?"


"He's in the hospital..."


"The hospital? What happened to him?"


"Ernie Ledbetter and a couple of his friends beat him up," Cooter answered, sparing Luke the necessity.


"Why would he do that?" Brody asked.


Luke swallowed hard, knowing the time had come, there would be no more delay. "Ernie found out something about Bo that he didn't like," he began his explanation.


"That don't tell us much Luke," Cooter pointed out.


"I know that Cooter!" he snapped. Sighing tiredly, he scrubbed a hand over his face and took a deep breath. "Somehow Ernie found out that Bo's been seeing somebody...a man," there, he'd said it.


Cooter and Brody stared at each other in shock for several minutes, suddenly both men were doubled over with laughter.


"What the hell are y'all laughing at? Ya think it's funny that Bo got beaten?" Luke demanded.


Sobering instantly, they glanced at each other one more time. "You ain't kidding, are ya?" Cooter finally asked.


"No Cooter I ain't kidding," Luke confirmed. "I only wish I was."


"Yer telling us that Bo's gay?" Brody asked.


"No!" Luke nearly yelled. "Sorry, been a long day and it just got started," he quickly apologized. "What I know is this, Bo thinks he's in love with this man, but I don't think he really is. I mean he ain't never been attracted to men before this. Shoot y'all know what a ladies man he's always been, so why would he suddenly be in love with a man? He wouldn't, which means that somehow this guy is manipulating Bo into thinking he is, it's the only explanation."


"Manipulating him how? Like hypnosis or something?" Cooter asked.


"I don't know Cooter, maybe hypnosis, or maybe he's drugging him somehow. There ain't nothing I can do about that right now, I've got somebody checking into the guy to see if he has a history of anything like that. In the meantime I figure I can at least teach Ledbetter a lesson, y'all willing to help?"


"I am," Cooter quickly agreed.


"Count me in," Brody added. "What've ya got in mind?"


"Nothing fancy, just give him a taste of his own medicine."


"What do ya want us to do?"


"Just keep his buddies from helping him, I'll take care of Ledbetter myself."


"You got it Luke," Cooter said, while Brody nodded his agreement.


"Thanks y'all," Luke said sincerely. He'd told himself all the way here that these men wouldn't let the idea of Bo being in love with a man stop them from doing the right thing. However, he couldn't help letting out a sigh of relief, as until this very moment he hadn't really been sure of what they would do.


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Daisy took a deep breath and plastering a smile on her face, she pushed open the door to Bo's hospital room. "Hey honey, how you feeling?" she smiled down at him.


"Okay," came the soft reply.


Daisy glanced at David, sharing a concerned look with him. "Have ya seen the doctor yet today?"


"Not yet, but the nurse said he'd probably let me go ho...home tomorrow."


"Well that's good news ain't it?" Daisy brightly asked.


"Is it?"


"Why wouldn't it be?"


"Do I have a home to go to?" he asked, refusing to look at her.


"Bo, I know it ain't the same, but as long as I have a say in the matter, you'll have a home," David assured him, squeezing his hand comfortingly.


"I love you for that David, but you know that ain't all I meant. Daisy?"


"I don't know Bo," she reluctantly replied.


"I appreciate you not wanting to tell me, and ya shouldn't have to be the one to do it, but I already know the answer."


"You do?"


"They ain't here to see me are they? Kind of says it all, don't it?" he sadly asked.


"Luke said he just didn't want to chance running into David, besides he had an errand to run."


"An errand? Something more important than visiting me? What could be...Ledbetter? He's going after Ernie, ain't he?"


"Yeah."


"Damn it," Bo snapped, trying to sit up but between the pain, the i.v. and David holding him back, he couldn't. "Please David ya got to let me up, I can't let him face Ernie on his own," he plead with his lover.


"Bo what are you going to do? You aren't in any shape to fight this Ernie guy," David calmly pointed out.


"He ain't alone Bo, he's asking Cooter and Brody to back him up," Daisy quickly explained.


"He is?" Bo asked, relaxing back against the pillow.


"Yeah he is," she confirmed.


"Good," Bo said, obviously relieved. The good feeling he got from knowing that Luke was still willing to defend him, faded rapidly as he remembered who else was missing. "What about Uncle Jesse? Where's he at?"


"He couldn't come, he had chores to take care of," she lamely excused the older man.


"Daisy, what time is it?"


"It's about ten o'clock, why?"


"Because even if he did the chores by himself, he'd be done by now. He's not here, because he doesn't want to see me, isn't that the truth?"


"I don't know Bo, I'm not lying to ya sugar, I really don't know. I'm not sure that he knows what he's feeling right now to be honest."


"Really? Cause he sure seemed to know what he was feeling yesterday."


"Bo, Daisy's just trying to help," David softly pointed out as he brushed the hair from Bo's face.


"It's okay David, I understand why Bo's upset."


"No Daisy it ain't okay," Bo said. "David's right, you're just trying to help, I got no call to be snapping at you. I just wish Luke and Uncle Jesse could accept that I love David," he softly added.


"I know honey, I do too," she quietly said. "I really do think they'll come around with time, they just need to see that what you feel for David is real."


"How come you can accept it so easily?" Bo asked, genuinely curious.


"I don't know Bo, maybe it's cause I'm a romantic," she quietly teased. "It really just never occured to me not to. I'll admit I was shocked, but you're a grown man and ya got the right to love whoever ya choose."


"Thanks Daisy, ya don't know how much it means to have at least one family member that doesn't hate me."


"Beauregard James Duke, I don't want to hear you talking like that," she quickly admonished him. "I'm sorry," she started over, her tone softer now, "but they don't hate you Bo. You got to get that idea out of your head right now."


"Then why did they walk away and not come back?"


"Because they're stubborn and they don't want to accept what's right in front of their eyes, but that doesn't mean they hate you."


"Are you sure they don't hate me Daisy?"


"It's the one thing I am sure of when it comes to the two of them," Daisy assured him. "I hate to say it Bo, but I really do have to go, Boss has me doing inventory today."


"Well I hate to keep you from inventory, I know how much you like that," Bo teased.


"Oh yes, you know I just can't wait for inventory day," she teased in return. "Why you know it's just the highlight of my month sugar."


"I know it is, probably rates right up there with serving Boss his breakfast."


"Ewww, thanks cousin for the reminder. You're just lucky you're injured, or I'd have to find the starch," she teasingly threatened.


"But you wouldn't do that to an injured man..would you?"


"It is tempting...but I guess not," she said with a smile. "I really do have to go now though." Leaning down, she kissed him lightly on the cheek, "Anything I can bring you this evening?"


"Luke and Uncle Jesse?"


"I'll try honey, but I can't promise anything."


"Okay."


"Bye, you make sure and rest, I'll be back later," she said.


"So what's so bad about Boss' breakfast?" David asked after she left.


"He has the same thing for breakfast every morning, black coffee and a pound of raw liver," Bo told him with a shudder.


"That's sick, no wonder she didn't want to be reminded," David said, looking vaguely ill. "What was that about starch?"


"Oh...well a few times when we've made her mad she's put starch in our undershorts."


"Ouch," David said, giving him a sympathetic smile.


"Ya got that right," Bo grinned.


"Hello," Dr. Branson greeted them as he stepped into the room. "How are you feeling today Bo?"


"Sore, and ready to go home," came the honest answer.


"Well if your friend will step outside so I can examine you, we'll see what we can do about that."


"I'll be right outside," David told Bo. Giving his hand a gentle squeeze, he reluctantly walked out to the hallway.


After a quick exam, Dr. Branson sat down in a chair next to the bed and fixed Bo with a serious look.


"What is it Doc? I ain't dying am I?"


"No son, nothing like that," the doctor assured him. "I do need to discuss something serious with you though."


"Okay," Bo said, uncertainly.


"There has been some concern expressed about your situation," Dr. Branson cautiously began.


"My situation?"


"Yes, there's concern that perhaps you're not with your friend entirely by choice."


"What?" Bo cried out, shocked by what the doctor was implying.


"Calm down son," Dr. Branson soothed.


"Calm down! How the heck do ya expect me to calm down?"


"I need to know, as your doctor, are you with this man because you want to be?"


"Of course I am," Bo indignantly answered.


"You're sure he isn't forcing you into anything? If he is you can tell me, there are programs I can refer you to, places that can keep you safe."


"He ain't forcing me into nothing," Bo insisted. "My uncle's the one that put you up to this isn't he? Him or my cousin Luke?"


"Your uncle did call with some concerns, but he's only looking out for your well-being Bo."


"No he's not, he just can't accept that I love David and he's trying to come up with some reason for it."


"You're sure you're safe?"


"Yes sir." With a small smile, Bo looked at the older man, "As a matter of fact we haven't even done anything but kiss cause he wants me to be completely sure of what I want before we go further." Normally he wouldn't have shared something so intimate with a stranger, but he was hoping that it would ease the doctor's concerns.


"Well I'd say your uncle doesn't have anything to worry about then," Dr. Branson said with a smile. "I'm sorry I upset you Bo, but I owed it to you as your doctor to be sure you're safe," he explained.


"I understand, could David come back in now?"


"Of course," the doctor agreed, stepping towards the door. "Oh, by the way I plan to send you home tomorrow morning," he said, just before opening the door.


David hurried to Bo's bedside and sat down, "Everything okay beautiful?"


"Is now," came the soft reply.


"Something's bothering you though?"


"Uncle Jesse," he all but spat the name.


"What happened?" he quietly asked.


"He suggested to the doctor that you were forcing me to be with you."


"Oh lord, no wonder you're upset," David commiserated. "I'm guessing you set him straight?"


"Ya dang right I did," Bo was quick to answer. "I just can't believe Uncle Jesse would go that far, I thought he trusted me."


"I'm pretty sure trusting you isn't the issue," David pointed out.


"But if he thinks I'd let you force me into something I didn't want, then he doesn't trust my judgement."


"What are you going to do about it?"


"I don't know, but I do know I don't want to go home tomorrow."


"Ya don't have to go to your uncle's house Bo, as far as I'm concerned, my home is your home."


"Thanks slick," Bo smiled up at his lover. Reaching up, he wrapped his hand around the back of David's neck and pulled him down for a soft kiss, "I love you."


"I love you too beautiful," David whispered. "I am one lucky man," he softly said, caressing his lover's cheek.


"I'm the lucky one," Bo denied, pressing his cheek into the gentle caress.


"We can argure about that later, right now you need to rest."


"Yes sir," Bo said, his lips curving up into a soft smile as he closed his eyes.


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They had spent the morning searching Hazzard for Ernie and his friends, finally catching up with them at Hazzard pond. Climbing out of the General, Luke stormed towards where the three men sat fishing, Cooter and Brody right behind him. "Ledbetter I want to talk to you!" Luke snapped, as the other man climbed to his feet.


"Well I ain't got nothing to say to you Duke," Ernie snarled, moving to shoulder his way past Luke.


Luke grabbed his arm, shoving him back towards the pond. "You had no right to attack my cousin like you did!"


"Awww, is the poor little thing hurt?"


"I'm warning you Ernie, you better shut your mouth right now," Luke growled.


"Oh I'm really afraid," Ernie scoffed. "Hell you're probably the man Mabel told me about, that what's got ya upset Luke? Bo ain't gonna be able to suck your dick for a few days," he taunted.


"You son of a bitch," Luke snarled, throwing a fist at Ernie's smirking face. The satisifying crunch as Ernie's nose was broken, brought a smile to Luke's face.


"Y'all just let Luke and Ernie handle this," Cooter told Ernie's friends as he and Brody kept them back.


Though nobody would ever accuse these two of being blessed with an abundance of intelligence, for once in their lives they showed wisdom. Holding their hands down at their sides, palms facing out, they each took a couple of steps back. Satisfied that Ernie's pals weren't going to be a problem, Cooter and Brody, still kept one eye on the two, as they watched the fight between Luke and Ernie.


Luke had gotten in a couple of good punches before Ernie was able to get off even one. That one when it came though, was enough to knock Luke onto the ground, dazed. A bully and coward he might be, but Ernie was no fool. Taking advantage of his opponent's dazed state, he launched himself at him. Straddling his waist, he began to pummel at Luke's face and upper body, grinning like a madman as he beat the Duke boy mercilessly. Worried that Cooter and Brody would interfere, he glanced over his shoulder at the other two men.


It was a move that would cost him the fight, while he was distracted, Luke used the opportunity to free his arms. Wrapping one arm around the back of Ledbetter's neck, and grabbing his shirt with the other hand, he pulled Ernie forward and at the same moment he bucked upward, flipping Ernie onto the ground, reversing their roles. With a snarl of pure rage, Luke began to pummel Ledbetter with his fists, showing the other man the same mercy that had been given to Bo. Finally, when Ernie lay on the ground nearly unconscious, Luke stood up and headed towards the General. "Tell him if he ever bothers my cousin again, this is gonna look like a church picnic compared to what I'll do to him," he told Ernie's friends. Not waiting to hear their response, if any, Luke climbed into the General and drove away.


"You think we should let him go off on his own?" Brody asked Cooter as they stood watching Luke drive away.


"Yeah, I think he needs some time alone," Cooter answered. Looking over at Ernie laying on the ground, he hoped the man had learned his lesson and would leave the Duke family alone from now on. "I think I'm gonna go get a beer, want to join me?" he asked Brody.


"Yeah," Brody absently replied. "Yeah a beer sounds real good, let's go," he agreed.


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Luke drove aimlessly around the backroads of Hazzard county, the words Ernie had taunted him with ringing in his ears. "I'm sorry Bo," he mumbled. It hadn't been until after the fight that he'd registered just what Ledbetter had said. That had been the moment he'd realized that he was paritally to blame for Bo being in the hospital. He'd set the wheels in motion when he sent Mabel after him that day. The thought that his so-called joke had resulted in his cousin nearly being killed was enough to send him to the side of the road. Bringing the powerful stockcar to a skidding halt, he heaved himself out of the General and fell to his knees in the dirt. As he knelt there, retching into the dirt, he swore that he would make it up to Bo somehow.


TBC


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