Hello! Okay – you don't need to say it! "Bad writer!" I know that it's been over a week – and I am sorry. I just don't know where the days are going. I'll try to be better in the future:) Okay - so, I finally go to post - and ff doesn't seem to be working:) Just my luck!

Thanks to all who are still with me, and for the reviews.

Disclaimer: I don't own the Dukes, and no infringements intended.

UNCLE, UNCLE

CHAPTER 36

THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE

Bo returned from his cold dousing outside, and sat down next to his niece as they waited for permission to see Luke. Both known as talkers, the silence that followed was something that neither had any experience in, and neither of them were comfortable with. Bo had never felt so conflicted in his life, and that confusion dried up his vocal chords. To come right out and blame his niece for what happened wasn't the right thing to do; deep down, he knew that, but he'd already come about as close as a person could, and that, he regretted.

Bo understood that she was a kid, and kids did things without thinking. To prove that theory, all anyone had to do was to look at his own childhood as an example. Some of the things that he and his cousins had done weren't really all that different. They'd just been lucky that nothing quite so serious had ever transpired.

Out of the two uncles, Bo had always been the more understanding, and the more lenient. Since the day he'd laid eyes on the little girl, she'd wrapped his heart around her finger, and a pout, a hug, or an apology was usually all it took to melt any reserves or anger Bo might have been harboring. Ashley had never been more remorseful in her life, and Bo knew that, too. Yet, as hard as he tried, he just couldn't simply erase what he was feeling, no matter how much he wanted to. It wasn't about a whooping; she was going to get that in due time, and he was going to be the one to give it to her. It wasn't any deep plan he had concocted in an attempt to keep her in misery or to make her think about her actions any harder. Bo wished it was; at least, that he could explain. This was more complicated.

He wanted nothing more than to put his arms around her and assure her that things would be alright, like he always did, but wasn't ready to go quite that far. So, he settled for a compromise. Placing his hand on her shoulder, but not looking at her or speaking, Bo tried to convey what he could not yet say.

It was all the invitation Ashley needed. She buried herself as close as she could, her crying starting anew. Reacting instinctively, Bo slid his arms around her, but still couldn't find a way to form the words his niece wanted to hear. Yet, he couldn't ignore her sobs, and found himself telling her not to cry; that things would be all right. Discovering that his voice did still work, he wondered why he couldn't simply say the rest: that it wasn't her fault and he didn't blame her. Rationalizing that it was just because he was so worried about Luke, and that once his cousin really was better the words would come, niece and uncle had no choice but to accept what the other had to offer, at the moment.

When the nurse finally made her appearance, Bo stood up, announcing that he would go first, and alone. Cooter took that as his cue to resume the surrogate father role he sometimes played, and quickly replaced the uncle in the chair he'd been occupying. Bo followed the RN down the hall, pausing before he stepped inside his cousin's room. Trying to calm his own breathing, he pushed open the door, taking in the sight before him. Luke was hooked up to all types of monitors, and the fact that he'd been in an accident was evident by the bruises and marks all over him. Bo winced as he saw the blacks and blues over his face and arms, which stood out in contrast to the pale white of his cousin's skin. Walking over slowly, he gently slipped his hand under Luke's.

"Hey cuz. Doc says you're gonna be ok. Guess that Duke luck was with us this time. Rosco found Ashley, and she's okay. Don't you worry about us. You just get better. I love ya, Luke," Bo said, unable to say anymore.

Releasing all the pent up fears and frustrations of the long hours leading to that point, Bo wasn't sure how long had passed before he could once again form a coherent thought. Running his hand through his own tousled hair, Bo rubbed at his eyes. Part of him wanted to believe that this had all been a terrible dream, one he would wake from any moment. Opening his eyes to discover that he had not woken up in his own bed, Bo got up from the chair. Leaving Luke's side momentarily, he returned a few minutes later with his niece. Bo wondered if he should give them some time alone, but decided against it. Ashley had never seen anyone in a hospital before, especially like this, and he didn't think that leaving her alone with Luke was a good idea. Upset with her, he loved her with all his heart and would still do anything to keep her safe. He was just having a hard time telling her that.

After letting Ashley see Luke, the blonde escorted her back to the waiting room, where he asked the mechanic to take her home and to stay with her. Bo needed to be there with Luke, but knew that Ashley would be better off at home. The young girl who normally would have argued agreed without a fight.
Twelve hours later, Luke still hadn't regained consciousness. Until he did, he had to remain in ICU, and where Luke was, Bo was. Cooter and Ashley had come and gone, again, but Luke hadn't moved a muscle. With the staff unable to explain it, Bo made his own diagnosis; it was a bad sign. Pulling up a chair, Bo nervously started talking to his cousin. The youngest Duke's constant chatter normally drove his reserved cousin crazy, but if that's what it took to get him to wake up, Bo would oblige. The blonde was out of patience, and he wanted Luke to wake up, immediately. Whether Bo's plan worked, or Luke was just ready to open his eyes, no one could be sure, but it wasn't long before Bo felt the fingers under his starting to move. Slightly grinning, the blonde picked up the pace of his one-sided conversation. Relief poured through him, when Luke's eyes opened slightly.

"Stop!" Luke said in a groggy voice.

Bo grinned, never being happier to be insulted in his life. "Welcome back, cuz," he greeted him, leaning over and kissing Luke's forehead.

The gesture brought Luke to full attention, and his eyes opened all the way. "What was that for?"

"I missed ya," Bo told him.

Luke nodded, trying to remember what had happened, and exactly why it was that his baby cousin had missed him. He didn't remember going anywhere, but then he couldn't place where he was, either. A sudden pain jogged his memory, and after it subsided, the first word out of his mouth was his niece's name. "Ashley?"

"Rosco found her," Bo replied, seeing Luke relax visibly at the revelation.

"She ok?"

"Yeah," Bo sighed. Luke wanted to ask what had happened, where she had gone, but Bo stopped him. "Luke, we'll deal with her later. You just worry about getting better, okay?"

"Kay," the dark haired cousin muttered, drifting back to sleep.

Cooter and Ashley returned later, this time to discover that both of the uncles were missing. Finding Luke's room empty terrified the young girl, but Cooter explained that it was probably a good sign. Being told that Luke had been moved and what the room number was, Ashley wasn't convinced. Needing to see with her own eyes, Cooter had to hurry to keep up with her. Without hesitation, Ashley threw open the door and bolted into the room. Her entrance startled Bo, who was dozing in the chair, but Luke continued to sleep through her grand entrance.

"Is Uncle Luke ok?" she asked, wide eyed.

Bo gave her a small smile. "Yeah," he said, not having the energy to go into the details.

"I take it he woke up?" Cooter asked, arriving a few seconds after Ashley. Seeing Bo's nod, he patted Ashley's shoulder. "See, told ya it was a good sign. You could have waited for me."

"Sorry," she offered. Walking up to the bed, Ashley bent over and kissed Luke's cheek. Then, turning to her other uncle, she wrapped her arms around his neck. "Are you ok, Uncle Bo?" she asked after she let go and stood back up. Luke may have been the uncle in the bed, but her blonde guardian wasn't looking all that well, either.

"Yeah princess, I'm fine," he replied. "Just tired."

"You need to go home, Bo. You look terrible," the voice said from the bed.

"Look who's talking," Bo smirked.

"Yeah, but I'm being taken care of," Luke reminded his cousin. "Cooter, take him home, please."

"Well now, I can't very well drag him out of here, he bites ya know, but if he agrees, I certainly will."

"He'll agree," Luke mumbled. Bo began to protest, but Luke raised his hand, stopping him. "Before Cooter takes you home," Luke reiterated, "I want to see Ashley for a minute."

Bo looked from his cousin to his niece, wondering what it was that Luke wanted to see her about right that minute. There was an appropriate punishment that would be handed down, but now wasn't the time. He didn't want Luke getting himself upset, and Bo was reluctant to agree. Ashley was also fearful, not knowing what to expect, but Luke was persistent, and Cooter pulled Bo to the door so uncle and niece could have a few minutes together.

After they were alone, Ashley stood in place, frozen in fear. She knew that she wouldn't be getting whooped right then, but it wasn't physical pain she was fearful of. She was terrified that Luke, like Bo, blamed her, and rightfully so.

"Come here," Luke called, holding out his hand. He had to repeat it, but on the second request, Ashley rushed to his side.

Burying her head close to Luke's, once again, all she could manage to do was cry. "I'm sorry, Uncle Luke. I really am." All of her confessions and acceptances of blame came rushing out in unintelligible statements.

Unlike Bo had been able to do, Luke was able to form the words. "Ashley, the accident was an accident. It wasn't your fault."

"Yes it was. You wouldn't have even been out if it hadn't been for me."

"That may be true, and believe me, we will deal with you being out later, but the accident wasn't your fault. I don't want you blaming yourself for that, honey."

"I do blame myself. It is my fault."

Those sentiments were exactly what Luke was afraid she was thinking. He understood that guilt was a normal reaction, but he didn't blame her and he didn't want her going through life blaming herself, either. She would live with the results forever; nothing would stop that, but she had to learn how to without being consumed by it. That kind of guilt could tear a person up, especially a vulnerable teenager. He wanted her to learn a lesson, not spiral down a path of self-destruction. He'd done that once, turning to a bottle. He could tell her from personal experience that it didn't work, but it was a story that would have to wait. He was finding it hard to stay awake.

"I love ya, pumpkin, and I'm glad that you're alright. I don't blame you, Ashley. There's some other things I want to tell you, but they're gonna have to wait, since I can't keep my eyes open. Okay?"

"Okay," she agreed.

"Send Uncle Bo back in, but tell Cooter to wait. He's going home with ya'll."

"He won't leave," Ashley stated.

"He will when I get done with him," Luke chuckled, regretting it immediately.

Though both of her uncles were competent and capable, her uncle Luke did have his ways with her uncle Bo that no one else did. Bo, however, could be stubborn, and this was likely to be a battle of the wills, one she wasn't sure who would win. Kissing him on the cheek, she promised to see him the next day, and to send Bo back in. "I love you, Uncle Luke."

"I know that," he said, giving her a thumbs up. "I love ya, too."

"I am sorry," she whispered.

"I believe you, but not half as sorry as you're gonna be when I get out of here."

She smiled, even though she knew that she wouldn't be when he made good on his promise. Duke's always kept their promises, and she had a date with the woodshed.

"I ain't leaving, Luke," Bo stammered.

"Yeah, you are Bo. You look like crap, and I ain't gonna be able to rest knowing that you're sitting in that chair or out in the other room."

"Why?" Bo asked. "I promise, I won't keep talking all night."

"You're right, you won't. Cause you're going home, and going to bed."

"Luke!"

"No buts! Git! Or I'll crawl out of this bed and carry you out."

Bo rolled his eyes, knowing that this was one threat Luke couldn't make good on even if he wanted to. However, seeing his cousin actually moving around in the bed made him think twice. Luke could be stubborn, too, when he wanted to be, and if he wanted to prove a point, he just might throw common sense out the door.

"Okay!" Bo said. "Stay still before you hurt yourself."

Walking over to the bed, Bo leaned over and gave his cousin a hug, which Luke returned as best he could. He was shocked to realize that within seconds, Bo was still clinging to him, the same way Ashley had been only a few minutes before. "It's ok, Bo. I know you was scared, but it's okay," Luke told him. He could feel Bo's head nodding in agreement, but the blonde wasn't moving. "I ain't going anywhere, I promise," Luke added.

Having heard what he needed to, Bo stood up. "Night Luke. See ya tomorrow," Bo said in a tired voice.

"Kay. Night Bo."

Watching the blonde slip out of his room, Luke hoped that a good night's rest would do wonders for all of them.