Misunderstanding

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


Warnings: Angst, Slash, Language


Rating: FRM


Misunderstanding
Chapter 9


Luke followed the stretcher carrying his cousin, until it passed through the double doors that led to the exam area. Standing there feeling more lost than he'd ever felt in his life, he was unaware of L.B. coming to stand beside him. The gentle hand on his shoulder made him jump. Turning to the side, he saw his friend, a look of sadness on his face.


"Come on Luke, let's go sit down over here out of the way," L.B. suggested. Taking Luke's arm, he led him to a row of chairs in front of the nurse's station. "I'm gonna get a cup of coffee, you want one?"


"Yeah," Luke absently replied, barely aware of L.B.'s presence.


Walking over to the vending machine in the corner, L.B. dug into his pocket for change. Getting two cups of coffee, he carried them back to the chairs and handed one to Luke. "Bo's gonna be okay," he softly assured his friend, as he sat down beside him.


"Will he? After what that man did to him, how is he supposed to get over that? Could you?"


"I don't know how he'll get over it, but Bo's a strong man."


"I know L.B., but every man has his limits and after what happened today, I just don't know..."


"Luke! How's Bo? What happened?" Jesse asked, hurrying up to where the two younger men sat waiting.


"Uncle Jesse...I," Luke paused. Swallowing hard, he tried to speak past the lump in his throat. Looking away, he took a sip of his coffee, wishing that it was something much stronger. "I failed Uncle Jesse and Bo paid the price."


"Now Luke, I'm sure you did your best to protect your cousin," Jesse kindly said. Sitting down beside his oldest nephew, he laid a supportive hand on the younger man's shoulder. "Why don't you tell me what happened?"


"We were headed to Cedar City when a tire blew out. When we got out of the car, I went to check the tire. That's when I found the bullet hole, we tried to run for the trees, but we didn't make it. Two men wearing ski masks came up from behind us, one of them had a rifle and it was aimed right at us. They took us into the woods and tied me to a tree. Then the bigger one shot the other one, who we know now was Bobby Jensen. Anyway, he killed Bobby and then he...oh God," Luke broke off, unable to go on.


"Luke? What did he do?" Jesse asked, concerned by the way his nephew was behaving.


"He forced Bo to, told him if he didn't do as he was told I would be killed. The bastard raped him, he hurt my baby cousin and there wasn't anything I could do to stop him!" Luke tried to jump to his feet, intent on escaping his uncle's accusing gaze, only to find his arm held in a firm grasp.


"Luke, look at me son," Jesse ordered, never releasing his hold on Luke's arm. "It's not your fault son, they were armed and you were tied to a tree. Nobody here blames you for what happened to Bo," Jesse assured the younger man.


"Uncle Jesse's right Luke," Daisy finally spoke up now that the shock had worn off a bit. "It's not your fault honey, and Bo would tell you the same thing if he was out here."


"Do you really think so Daisy?" Luke looked up at her, his eyes filled with a pain deeper than anything he'd ever felt before.


"No, I know so," Daisy assured him. Instinctively she moved to sit beside him, smiling at L.B. as he quietly moved over. Wrapping her arms around him, she began to gently rock him; and in a reversal of roles, she offered him as much of her strength as he needed.

An hour later, their family doctor came from the back and walked over to them. "Jesse, I'm sorry it took so long," Dr. Appleby apologized. "If y'all will come with me," he suggested, not wanting to discuss Bo's injuries in public.


With a quick nod, Jesse stood up and followed his old friend down the hall. He didn't look to see if Daisy and Luke were with him, Jesse knew they wouldn't be anywhere else. "How bad is he hurt?" Jesse asked the moment the door shut.


"Physically he's not badly injured at all, there is of course some rectal tearing but it's minimal. Other than that, there isn't any new damage."


"Then what took so long Amos?"


"Two things, first they wanted to wait for me. The idea being that Bo would be familiar with me and it would make the necessary exam easier on him. Which brings me to the second reason for the delay, even with Bo knowing me, he still put up a fight, making it necessary to sedate him."



"Can we see him?" Daisy asked.


"Yes, as soon as they have him settled in an outpatient room."


"Outpatient? You mean ya ain't keeping him overnight?" Jesse asked.


"There's no need to keep him overnight, but I do want him to stay until he wakes up," the doctor explained. "If you'd like to wait here, I'll send a nurse in to let you know what room Bo is in."


"Thank you Amos," Jesse said.


A moment later there was a knock on the door, "Come in," Jesse called, expecting the nurse.


"Hey y'all," L.B. greeted, poking his head around the door. "I was just wondering how Bo is and if there's anything I can do for ya?" He asked, stepping the rest of the way into the small room.


"Physically he's gonna be fine L.B., thanks to you," Jesse replied.


"I didn't do nothing, just good timing is all," L.B. said, ducking his head in embarassment.


"Maybe so, but it don't change the fact that if you hadn't showed up when you did it would've been a lot worse," Luke insisted, surprising them all with his vehemence.


Before anything else could be said a nurse came into the room. "Mr. Duke? My name's Patty, if you'll come with me I'll show you where your nephew is."


"Yes ma'am," Jesse answered. Holding the door open, he was nearly the last one out of the room. "Well what are ya waiting for L.B.?" Jesse asked, turning back to the younger man and motioning him forward.


"You sure? I mean, Bo might not want me in there."


"Yes I am and I think Bo will want to thank you for what you did. Unless you don't want to see him," Jesse said.


"Nah, nothing like that. If you think it'd be okay, I'd like to see for myself that he's okay," L.B. admitted.


"Then come on," Jesse said, again motioning him forward. Stepping into the hall, they saw that the others were waiting for them. Solemnly they followed Patty to the room where Bo lay sleeping.


"He's been sedated and probably won't wake up for a while yet," Patty told them. "If you need anything, just push the call button," she instructed.


"Thank ya Patty," Jesse replied.


Walking into the room, Jesse couldn't help thinking how a hospital bed always made a person look small. Stepping closer to the bed, he instinctively reached out to brush the hair away from Bo's face. "I wish I could've spared you this sprout," he whispered. "Shh, it's okay, you're safe now," Jesse soothed as Bo began to struggle, becoming visibly upset. He smiled sadly as Bo quickly calmed under his gentle touch; Jesse was glad he could calm the boy, but he did wish it hadn't been needed.


"Bo, I'm sorry cousin, I should've done something..." Luke broke off, swallowing the tears that threatened to fall. "I will though, I promise ya that Bo! I'm gonna find the bastard that hurt you and I'll make sure he pays!" Leaning forward, he placed a gentle kiss on Bo's forehead and carefully laid his cousin's hand back on the bed. Without a word, he turned and fled the room!


"Daisy you stay here with Bo, I'm gonna make sure Luke don't do something stupid," Jesse ordered, hurrying after his nephew.


"Don't you worry none Daisy, Jesse will find Luke," L.B. assured her when she turned tear filled eyes his way.


"I hope so L.B., I think," she said, turning back to her cousin and absently taking his hand in hers.


"What do ya mean, ya think?"


"I don't know what to feel right now. I don't want Luke to get hurt or get himself into trouble, but I want the man who hurt Bo to pay. So I don't know if I want Uncle Jesse to find Luke or not," Daisy explained.


"Oh, well guess I can see that," L.B. agreed. Looking up as the door opened, he was surprised to see Rosco at the door. "Rosco, Bo ain't in no shape to be answering questions right now," he told the sheriff before the other man could say anything.


"I figured that L.B., I was hoping I could talk to Luke," Rosco explained, his voice lacking it's usual bluster.


"Luke ain't here Rosco," Daisy told him. "Um, could I talk to ya though?"


"Sure, what do you need?"


"Not in here, um L.B. could you..."


"I'll stay with Bo," L.B. replied, interrupting her.


"Thanks L.B., I'll be back soon," Daisy said.



"Rosco, do you have any idea who hurt Bo?" Daisy asked, as soon as they were outside of the room.


"No, but I've got Enos looking through Bobby's place to see if there might be something helpful. Is he...uh, that is, was Bo raped?" Rosco asked, looking decidedly uncomfortable.


"Yeah, doc said he isn't hurt too bad though," Daisy replied.



A couple of minutes after Daisy and Rosco left the room, Bo began to stir. Slowly he opened his eyes; the first thing he saw was the door leading to the hall. He looked around the room, his heart breaking when he didn't see his family. L.B's voice calling his name startled him. Turning to his friend, he looked at him with tear filled eyes.


"You okay Bo? Do you need anything?" L.B. asked. Leaning forward and laying a hand on Bo's arm, he was startled when the other man jerked away.


"No, nothing," Bo sadly replied. "You don't have to stay L.B.," Bo said, turning his head away from his friend.


"What if I want to stay?"


"Why would you want to be near me? I ain't even a man anymore," Bo spoke bitterly, his voice thick with pain.


"What the heck are you talking about Bo? Of course you're still a man, you think what that man did changes who you are?"


"Didn't Luke tell you how I got on my hand and knees like a whore?"


"No Bo, what Luke told me is that you sacrificed yourself to save his life. I tell ya what buddy, I can't think of anything finer and I'm proud to call you my friend."


"Well if it's such a fine thing, where are they?"


"They? Oh lordy, Bo you think your family ain't here cause they're ashamed or something?"


"Of course they're ashamed!"


"That ain't it at all, oh no you don't," L.B. said, grabbing Bo's chin when he tried to turn away. Forcing the other man to look at him, he ordered him to open his eyes. Waiting until Bo finally opened his eyes and looked up at him, he used the time to calm himself. "Luke took off because he wants to find the man who hurt you, that's why he's not here right now. Jesse ain't here, cause he's out looking for Luke to make sure he don't do anything stupid. As for Daisy, she's just outside talking to Rosco and if you'll give me a second I'll go get her."


"You ain't lying to me?" Bo asked, desperately wanting to believe his friend.


"No I ain't, just hold on and I'll get Daisy," L.B. replied. Hurrying to the door, L.B. peeked his head outside and quietly called to Daisy. "Bo's awake and he's pretty upset," L.B. told her. "He needs to see you," he continued, moving into the hall and holding the door open for her.


"Everything okay L.B.?" Rosco asked.


"It will be Rosco, Bo just needs his family right now that's all. Oh hey, did you call the Cedar City police to let them know that Bo ain't gonna be there?"


"Yeah I did, they want to bring the sketch artist over here as soon as Bo's up to it. You've talked to him, what do ya think?"


"I don't know Rosco, I think maybe after he talks to Daisy, but you probably ought to ask him first."


"Guess you're right about that, I don't suppose he needs to feel like we're ambushing him," Rosco agreed.

"Bo?" Daisy called as she stepped into the room. She couldn't contain the gasp when she saw the look of despair and fear on her younger cousin's face. "Oh honey, what is it?" Daisy asked, coming to sit on the edge of the bed and picking up Bo's hand.


"Where were you Daisy?"


"I was talking to Rosco, why?"


"That's why you weren't here when I woke up?" Bo asked, not answering her question.


"Yeah, Bo what's going on?"


"What about Luke and Uncle Jesse?"


"Luke stormed out of here a little bit ago, he's determined to find the man who hurt you. Uncle Jesse went after him," Daisy replied, confirming what L.B. had already told him. "Now you gonna answer my question?"


"I...when I woke up and none of ya was here I thought, well it don't matter now."


"You thought we didn't want to be here, didn't you?" Daisy asked, understanding now why Bo had been upset.


"I'm sorry Daisy, I just..."


"Don't you dare apologize for the way you feel! I'm the one that's sorry Bo, I should've thought about what you'd think if you woke up and none of your family was here with you. I should've talked to Rosco in here, or just waited to talk to him."


"Not your fault that I jumped to the wrong conclusion," Bo insisted, refusing to let Daisy blame herself for his failings.


"How about we agree that neither of us did anything wrong," Daisy suggested.


"Okay...do you know what happened?"


"Yeah and I'm so proud of you Bo. I'm sorry you went through what you did, but I can't help being proud too."


"Proud?"


"You saved Luke's life, I'm not sure I could've done what you did. I just wish you hadn't been hurt," Daisy explained.



"That's what L.B. said," Bo whispered, a small, sad smile playing at his lips.

"Bo? Is there anything I can do for you?"


Shaking his head, Bo laid his hand over Daisy's, enjoying the love he could feel from his cousin. For several minutes they simply sat together, neither speaking, both unsure of what to say next. A knock at the door interrupted the awkward silence. Getting up from the bed, Daisy went to the door and opened it slightly.


"Daisy, would it be okay if I talk to Bo for a minute?" Rosco asked.


"Yeah I guess, but Rosco if he isn't up to it you better not push him, you hear?"


"Don't worry Daisy, I'll try not to upset him," Rosco assured her.


Opening the door wider, Daisy let Rosco into the room. She was relieved when L.B. followed the older man into the room, now she'd have back-up if Rosco upset Bo.


"Bo? Could I ask you a few questions?" Rosco stepped up to the bed and quietly asked.


"No, I can't talk to you!" Bo practically yelled, remembering his attacker's threat.


"I know this is hard on ya Bo, but you're gonna have to talk to me sooner or later. Detective Richardson wants to talk to ya too, maybe bring that sketch artist over here."


"No! I ain't gonna talk to you or him. You just tell him I changed my mind, I ain't pressing no charges..."


"Bo, you can't mean that!" Daisy cried out.


"I can and do mean it Daisy. So you can go on and leave Rosco cause I ain't got nothing to say."


"I'll leave for now Bo, but a man is dead so you're gonna have to tell me what you know," Rosco insisted.


"No I don't, I won't!" Bo insisted.


"We'll talk about it later, Daisy, L.B.," Rosco nodded good-bye and left the room.


"Bo, why don't you want to press charges? Don't you want him to pay?" Daisy asked.


"I can't Daisy, I want him to pay but I can't do it," Bo repeated, unable to tell her the truth.


"He threatened you didn't he?" L.B. asked, realizing that would be the only thing that could make Bo refuse to help bring a murdering rapist to justice.


"He...no, I just can't talk to the police," Bo said, offering no further explanation.


"What did he say Bo? He tell you he'd kill you if you talk to the police?" Daisy asked.


"That it Bo? You gonna let a murdering rapist go free cause you're too scared to do the right thing?" L.B. asked.


"No! It ain't me he..." Bo broke off with a sob and turned to bury his face in the pillow.


Sharing a concerned look with Daisy, "Who did he threaten?" L.B. asked.


"He said he'd kill everybody I love if I talk," Bo reluctantly admitted.


"Well Bo I can't speak for Luke or Uncle Jesse, but I'm pretty sure they'd agree with me," Daisy began. "I'm willing to take my chances though, I want that man to pay for what he's done and I want the others who helped him to pay too."


"So do we," Luke spoke up from the door. Smiling at the surprised looks on their faces, confirming his suspicion that they hadn't heard him and Uncle Jesse come into the room.


"Luke! Uncle Jesse, how long have y'all been here?" Daisy asked.


"Long enough to hear what that bastard threatened Bo with," Luke replied.


"Luke," Jesse quietly admonished.


"I ain't gonna apologize Uncle Jesse. I know you don't like that kind of language but in this case it's the only thing that fits."


"Bo, Daisy and Luke are right, it's worth the risk if it means getting these men put away where they belong," Jesse said, choosing to ignore Luke's reply.


"I can't do it Uncle Jesse, please don't ask me to talk to the police," Bo begged.


"I can't make you help the police Bo," Jesse told him.


"But you'll be ashamed of me if I don't," Bo whispered.


"Beauregard James Duke! There ain't nothing that could ever make me ashamed of you, I will be disappointed though," Jesse admitted.


"I'm sorry Uncle Jesse, I don't want to disappoint you, but I don't want any of you to get hurt."


"What about..." Luke began to ask, only to be cut off by Jesse.


"No, that's enough now. Bo, we ain't none of us gonna try to make you do something you don't feel like you can. You know how we feel about it, but you're the only one who can decide. Just know that we'll be here for you, no matter what you do," Jesse assured him.


"Thank you Uncle Jesse," Bo quietly said. "And yeah I know how y'all feel, but I need some time to think about it."

"You take all the time you need sprout. Now I think I'm gonna go talk to Amos about getting you out of here," Jesse said. Giving Bo's hand a gentle squeeze, he walked to the door and went in search of his old friend.


After Jesse left the room, Bo closed his eyes, unable to stand the look of disappointment in Luke's eyes. The feel of his cousin's hand on his shoulder had him opening his eyes in surprise a few seconds later. "Luke?"


"I'm sorry Bo, I ain't got any right to make you feel bad. Especially after what you did for me," Luke replied.


"It's okay Luke, I know you just want to see that he's punished," Bo said, reaching up and placing his hand over Luke's.


"Yeah I do, but not at your expense."


Daisy looked at L.B. while the boys talked and motioned him towards the door. Quietly they left the room, giving Bo and Luke some privacy.

"Bo, I'm sorry you went through that. I wish I could've saved you the pain," Luke said after several minutes.


"Ain't your fault."


"But if I hadn't been there..."


"I still would've gotten...he still would've raped me and maybe the other one would've too and then he'd a killed me."


"Bobby," Luke said.


"What?"


"The other one was Bobby Jensen, that's who he killed," Luke explained.


"So he really did know the men who attacked me?"


"Looks that way," Luke confirmed.


"Luke, I know Uncle Jesse said he wouldn't be ashamed if I don't help the police, but what about you?"


"I won't be ashamed either Bo, I couldn't be, not of you. I'm so proud to have a cousin as brave as you," Luke sincerely told him.


"Brave? I ain't brave Luke, I was terrified and you know it," Bo argued.


"And yet you allowed yourself to be raped so you could save my life. Bo, you know I fought in a war and I saw a lot of terrible things, saw a lot of brave acts too. So I'm telling you now and don't you ever forget either; real bravery is doing what you have to even when you're afraid."

"Thanks Luke, I'll try to remember," Bo told him as he pulled Luke down for a hug.


"You do that cousin. Now, what do you say we get you dressed so we can get you home," Luke suggested. Stepping away from the bed, he quickly found Bo's clothes and helped his cousin to get them on. By the time Jesse and Daisy returned, the two young men were ready to head home.


TBC


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