Warnings: Violence
Rating: T
Love Hurts
Homecoming
He couldn't wait to see his family again, it had been too long. Unconsciously he leaned forward in his seat as though doing so would make the bus move faster. Four years he'd been gone, when he'd left his younger cousins were still in school, still kids, heck so was he when ya thought about it. Now here he was coming home a man, to cousins who would've grown and changed in his absence, to the only home he'd ever known. Luke just hoped that with all he'd experienced he'd be able to fit back into his family's life. Looking out the window he was surprised to see the bus was pulling into Hazzard, he wondered if anybody would be there to meet him. As he stepped off the bus he saw his Uncle Jesse waiting with a beautiful young lady who must be his cousin Daisy. Standing next to Daisy was a tall young man with blond hair, he had been afraid he might not recognize him, but he'd know Bo anywhere. Taller now than Luke's own six foot height and slender as a reed, Luke quickly realized that Bo was still his little cousin, with one look he knew they were still as connected as ever.
"Uncle Jesse it's good to see you."
"What kind of a hello is that?" Uncle Jesse said as he grabbed Luke in a tight hug.
Luke laid his head on Jesse's shoulder as he returned the embrace,
swallowing back the tears that threatened to fall. Until Uncle Jesse
hugged him he hadn't realized just how much he had missed them all.
Lord it was good to be home and as Bo and Daisy joined the hug the tears
began to fall.
"There now, it's alright boy, you're home now." Jesse soothed, his voice gruff with emotion. Drawing back after a few minutes Jesse got everybody moving. "Bo you go collect Luke's bags, I'll go get the truck and bring it around."
"Yes sir."
When they returned to the farm Luke headed off to his room to put his things away. While he did that, Uncle Jesse was putting the finishing touches on lunch and Daisy was setting the table. Luke came out of the room he shared with Bo surprised to see that while Uncle Jesse and Daisy were in the kitchen Bo was nowhere to be seen. Heading outside he went in search of Bo, it didn't take him long to find Bo in the barn cleaning the stalls.
"What ya doing cuz?" Luke asked, surprised when Bo jumped.
"Dang Luke ya like to give me heart failure."
"Sorry Bo I didn't mean to scare ya. So how come you're out here?
Never known you to prefer working to talking, figured you'd follow me
to our room."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore ya Luke, just thought you might want to get settled on your own."
Luke was surprised to see a hint of fear in Bo's eyes. "It's alright Bo, actually that was thoughtful of you."
"Thanks Luke." Bo replied the relief evident in his voice.
Just then Uncle Jesse called them in for lunch, which was a lively affair as they caught up with each other's lives and got to know each other all over again. Over the next few days Luke eased back into the routines of farm and family, relieved at how easy it was to fit back into life in Hazzard.
The only problem was Bo, Luke knew people changed and of course
Bo had just been a kid when he left, but he was worried. At first it
wasn't that noticable, when he did notice Luke chalked it up to adjusting
to his return. But as he watched he realized it was more than that,
Bo was timid and shy, almost fearful. Not just with Luke either, he
seemed to be the same with Jesse and Daisy, and Luke was getting
worried. He wondered what could've happened to change Bo from an
outgoing, talkative kid to this timid, fearful young man.
"Uncle Jesse can I talk to you?"
"Of course Luke, what's wrong?" Jesse asked, laying aside the knife he had been cutting vegetables with and sitting down at the table.
Taking a seat himself, Luke hesitated not sure where to start. "Uncle Jesse I'm worried about Bo. I know it's been four years and people change but..."
When Luke stopped Jesse asked, "But what Luke? Whatever it is just spit it out."
"When I left he was outgoing and confident but now, I don't know,
he seems timid and quiet,and sometimes he almost seems afraid. I'm
just trying to figure out what happened to change him so much."
"Nothing happened Luke, he's just growing up, figuring out who he is. He's matured a lot while you were gone, especially in the last year, heck he even has a steady girlfriend. They've been dating for almost a year now, you remember the Shelton's don't ya? Well Bo's dating their youngest Kathy Sue, she's growed into a real pretty little thing. I wouldn't worry if I was you Luke, Bo's just fine." Jesse reassured him.
"If you're sure Uncle Jesse, guess I'll just have to get used to the
new Bo." Luke said, though he wasn't convinced his uncle was right.
Deciding there was no point in worrying Jesse, Luke figured he'd just
keep a watch on Bo. Watch and hope Uncle Jesse was right and Bo was
just growing up.
TBC