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
