Chapter XII

The three watched as Luke turned toward them.

"You don't th-" Daisy whispered when Bo put a hand over her mouth.

"Don't even think it." he sighed as part of the reason being she made him more nervous than he already was.

"Hey Doc says we can come on back." Luke called to the others who looked at eachother before following him to the room where Jesse and Dawn were.

When they reached the room Daisy silently gasped seeing two of the people she loved lying on the beds, still except for their slow breathing. She turned to Doc "You're sure they're fine right?"

He nodded "They should be. You can go over, just be careful."

She nodded and sat down in the chair between the two beds. She looked first to her Uncle who, like they'd been told was fine even if the only obvious sigh was his breathing. She then turned to Dawn who seemed slightly troubled as she laid there asleep.

Daisy, honey?" Enos whispered laying a hand on her shoulder.

Taking a shudderd breath she put her hands to her head ans shook it slowly back and forth.

"Honey, please. Why don't you take a nap?" That's got to make you feel somewhat better." Enos, despite the fact that he wanted Daisy's emotional pains to go away, he had no clue what he could say.

Daisy stood up slowly "You're right. I need to lay down. I know it shouldn't bother me, but I'm exhausted."

"Come on." Enos led her toward the door "I'll go with you."

Luke frowned slightly "Don't worry buddy. We'll let you know if anything changes."

"Thanks Luke." and the two watched as he walked off with Daisy.

"Bo, we've got to do something to make things easier for her."

The younger cousin sighed "Yeah, but what Luke?"

"I wouldn't- Well I do but there's nothing we can do."

They both sighed and sunk to the floor in order to rest their elbows on their knees.

Luke, despite his own effort, drifted off himself. Bo stared into space thinking about the situation they were in as well as his life in general.

He sat silently for fifteen minutes or so when he heard a sound from one of the two beds. He got up and slowly walked over seeing Dawn, her face pinched in obvious pain.

"Dawn?" he whisperd gently laying a hand on her thin arm just as Luke looked up.

"Hang on Bo and I'll get Daisy." he said while rushing to where his cousin and her husband were.

Enos looked up, startled when Luke came in "What's the matter?" he asked.

"We need Daisy. Dawn just woke up and the poor thing is both terrified and in some awful pain."

Enos nodded just as he noticed Daisy having woken up, looked around also.

"What did you say?" she asked.

Enos gave her hand a squeeze "Luke said he needs you because Dawn's awake and you can calm her down."

She nodded "Ok."

Enos stood up pulling her up also. The two of them followed Luke to the room where Bo stood trying to calm the young girl.

"Oh honey." Daisy sighed seeing both Dawn and her younger cousin.

Bo looked up at her, the look on his face saying he was desperate.

"Daisy. . ." he started, but instead only stood so she could reach the bed.

"You tried." Luke whisperd.

Enos could only sigh. He felt like a failure, not being able to keep the two girls he loved happy. Despite this fact he moved toward the bed in order to be beside Daisy. He watched as she gently took the girl into her arms and slowly began to rock her. He watched as she slowly began to calm so that the only bother was the few pain-inflicted tears that trickled slowly down her face.

Daisy looked up at Enos who nodded rushing off to find a nurse who gave Dawn some pain medicine, which of course put her to sleep. Daisy however, was glad about the fact since she still had no idea to give her the heartbreaking news.

After awhile Bo and Luke headed back to the farm since there were a few things that needed their attention.

Enos sighed, staring at Daisy, who had slipped into a light sleep herself. He smiled to himself seeing her this way. suddenly he gasped hearing his stomach rumble before looking at the clock that read 7:00. He then realized he hadn't had lunch nor supper.

"Hey there Enos."

He turned around surpprised to see not only Lulu Hogg, but also his good friend Cooter.

"Hey y'all."

Lulu smiled, handing him a basket "Here honey, I made some food for you and Daisy."

Enos grinned "That Miss Lulu. You won't believe this, but I just realized I ain't had supper."

Lulu could only smile "Well this'll fill you up."

"Yeah buddy, Lulu also packed y'all suitcases." Cooter added.

Enos nodded noticing that Daisy had woken up "Hey honey."

"Oh Daisy! I hope you're handling things alright." the symphathetic tone in her voice obvious.

Daisy's smile was half hidden behind a yawn "Well it's trying, but Enos helps. I can't explain it, but he makes me strong" she tilted her head slightly to the side "And the shepherd in the sky."

Lulu chuckled then noticed that Dawn had woken up and now stared at her.

Daisy smiled realizing this herself and gave Dawn a small squeeze "This is Miss Lulu honey. She's coming to check on you." then her expression darkend a bit "Though we still have no clue about Uncle Jesse."

Lulu gasped "Um Daisy, I think you better turn around."

Daisy gave her a shocked look "What are you ta-?" she asked but then was startled to see her Uncle's twinkling eyes.

"Who says this old goat can't handle things?" he grinned.

Daisy smiled, handing dawn to Enos "Oh Uncle Jesse!" she cried, rushing to his side, tears of joy leaking from her eyes.

"Don't worry 'bout me baby." he whisperd.

"I can't. I love you so much." she answerd wrapping an arm around him.

Then Cooter, who had left unnoticed, came in with Bo and Luke, their faces lighting seeing their cousin and Uncle.

The group talked until finally Daisy and Enos were alone with only Jesse and Dawn until finally Enos went home and the others went to sleep.

The next morning Daisy was woken up by some screams. She gasped, suddenly alert as her eyes opend and she turned to see Dawn, her face holding a terrefied expression as well as she glanced down at her legs.

"What's wrong with me?" she asked tears streaming down her flushed cheeks.

Daisy looked Jesse's way, then looked back to the small girl "Well. . ." she hessitated.