Well, this here's the last chapter. Thanks to all of you who's stuck with me through this story and a special thanks to those who've reviewed! Cookies for you! I know this chapter is short, but I was ran out of ideas for this lol. If I ever get anymore, who knows? I may do a sequel or even redo this chapter and make the story longer. But who knows?;)
Anywho, enough babbling, onto the story!
Chapter 9: Home Again
When Jesse arrived in Chickasaw, the first place he went was to the sheriff's department. Finding a place to park, Jesse got out of his truck and headed inside. Spotting the sheriff sitting at his desk, Jesse approached him.
"Excuse me sheriff, but I need to know if you've seen a boy with blonde hair and is about this tall." Jesse said, holding his arm up to show Bo's height. Little looked at Jesse for a moment as he racked his brain.
"As a matter of fact, I have. I just arrested someone that fits that description, not to long ago." Little replied.
"May I see him?" Jesse asked the hope clear in his voice.
"I don't see why not, but only for a few minutes." Little said as he stood up. Leading Jesse downstairs to the cells Little stopped in front of the one that held Bo. Stopping in front of the cell, Jesse looked at the figure on the cot.
"Bo?" Jesse called out softly. Hearing his name being called in a familiar voice, Bo looked up. Seeing his uncle standing there, Bo quickly got to his feet and crossed the short distance to the barred door. Reaching through the bars, Bo hugged his uncle the best he could. Putting his arms through the bars as well, Jesse hugged his nephew back.
"I'm so sorry for running away." Bo said after a minute. Not sure what to say, Jesse just nodded his head as he rubbed Bo's back. Looking over at the sheriff, Jesse spoke. "How much is his bail?"
"$100. Are you family?" Little asked.
"I'm his uncle." Jesse replied. Little raised an eyebrow as he watched Jesse and Bo closely. Figuring Jesse was telling the truth, Little nodded his head. "Alright, if you can pay the bail for him, then he's free to go."
"I can." Jesse said. Getting his wallet out, Jesse counted out all the money he had, which luckily for Bo, was exactly $100. Handing the money to the sheriff, Jesse waited for him to unlock the cell door. Once he did, Jesse helped Bo out. Feeling ashamed of himself, Bo kept his gaze fixed on the floor. After thanking the sheriff, Jesse led his nephew outside.
Once in the truck, Jesse headed for Hazzard, not saying a single word to Bo.
After nearly an hour of driving, Jesse finally arrived back at the farm. Hearing a car pull up in the drive, Luke got up as quick as his leg would allow. Hobbling over to the kitchen window, Luke looked outside. Seeing his uncle was back, Luke headed for the door, not noticing Bo was with him. Bo wordlessly got out of the pickup and headed inside, shivering slightly from the sudden change in temperature. Seeing Bo get out of the truck, Luke stopped short of the edge of the porch.
"Bo?" Luke asked hopeful. Hearing Luke's voice, Bo's head snapped up and his eyes got wide. Backing up a couple of steps, Bo turned to run only to run into his uncle.
"Bo, you can't keep running away." Jesse said softly.
"He…he's gonna yell at me again." Bo said nervously.
"No he's not. In fact he's worried about you." Jesse said.
"No, he hates me." Bo replied, shaking his head.
"Bo, listen to me, Luke doesn't hate you. He's been worried sick about you." Jesse said honestly.
"Bo, Uncle Jesse's right. I was worried about you," Luke said as he approached his cousin and uncle. "I felt so bad about yelling at you like I did. I had no right to say what I said. It was just an accident and I had no call to overreact like I did. I hope you can forgive me." Bo looked at Luke as he spoke. Seeing how upset he was getting, Bo knew he had to be telling the truth. Biting his lip, Bo stepped away from Jesse and stepped over to Luke. "I hope we can still be friends." Luke said seeing Bo stop in front of him.
"It…its ok Luke. I'm not mad." Bo said, looking up at the slightly taller Duke. Luke smiled and held his arms out for a hug. Smiling a little, Bo closed the gap between him and his cousin, hugging him.
"I'm truly sorry Bo…for everything I've done to you." Luke said as they hugged.
"I forgive you cousin." Bo replied back. Stepping back, Bo and Luke looked at each other. "Friends?" Bo asked, holding out his hand.
"Friends." Luke said, taking Bo's hand and shaking it. Smiling at his nephews, Jesse headed inside, knowing they'd be fine.
From that day forward, Bo and Luke Duke were the best of friends. It was a rare sight to see one Duke Boy without the other around. Although they fought on occasion, Bo always knew his and Luke's friendship would be as strong as before, if not stronger. And for the first time since his parents' passing, Bo Duke was truly happy, smiling a smile of genuine happiness to those around him. Even though there would always be a hole in his heart where his parents' love had been, Bo knew he'd always have a family that loved him and a friend better then anyone could ask for.
Whenever Bo was feeling down, Luke was and would always there to lift his spirits up again. For that, Bo was thankful. Even though the terrible accident on that fateful night had taken Bo's parents and the first family he'd ever known, a friend was given to him. And to Bo, that friend was more special then anything.
A/N: Sadly, one of the terrible trio passed away last month. Godzilla and Iggy and myself, miss Skippy a lot and in a way we're dedicating this final chapter to our fallen friend.
