Okay, my story is nearing an end… I think I have a couple chapters in me still. Then I get started on my next one! As always, please, please review. -Jordy

Luke quietly walked into the room he shared with his cousin. Bo lay on his bed, eyes closed, but Luke knew he was just pretending to sleep so he wouldn't have to talk to anyone.

Pretty sneaky, Bo…

"Bo, c'mon. I know you ain't asleep. Look at me will ya?"

Bo sighed. He didn't want to face Luke. Truth was he was mad at him. Luke had taken all this so hard, which, knowing his cousin like he did, Bo could understand. Luke had always been the quiet one of the family, keeping it all inside. What Bo didn't understand was how Luke could be so wrapped up in his own pity party that he didn't seem to care about anything … or anyone. Bo kept his eyes closed until Luke gave up and left the room… then he let the tears flow.

That night, Luke awoke to the sound of muffled sobs coming from Bo's bed. Turning on the light, he glanced over at his cousin. Bo lay in bed, crying into his pillow for all he was worth.

Friends, don't ya just hate to see ol' Bo cry?

"Hey, Bo," whispered Luke as he crossed the room to Bo's bed. "Bo, you ok?"

"I'm fine, Luke!" snapped Bo, coughing back the tears that continued to fall despite his efforts to control them.

"Yeah, you look it."

Bo stared up at Luke angrily. His eyes were bloodshot, but whether that was from crying so much, lack of sleep or both, Luke didn't know. Bo's breathing was becoming shallow as he fought to catch his breath.

"Bo, c'mon I wanna help ya."

"Do ya? Then stop with the guilt! It ain't your fault!"

"I'm sorry, Bo. I…" Luke didn't know what to say… he knew Bo and Jesse were right. "I don't know what to say, cousin. I'm sorry I didn't even consider you in all this." He turned away from Bo, full of shame. "I'm sorry."

"Luke?"

Luke turned around and faced Bo once more.

"Luke, I can't take it anymore, Luke! I can't!"

"What do ya mean, Bo?" asked Luke worriedly.

"I mean I think they should've just killed me and been done. Least then I wouldn't be a worry to ev'rybody."

"Bo Duke, you stop talkin' like that! Uncle Jesse'd tan your hide if he heard you say that!"

"What next? Huh? I'm scared, Luke! I'm scared to drive! Scared they'll come back. Scared things'll never be the same." Bo began to cry harder. It was like there was a chain around his heart, pulling tighter and tighter.

"Bo, now ya listen to me," began Luke, holding back tears of his own. "If they do come back, we'll be ready. I failed ya once, Bo, but I promise ya. They ain't gonna lay a finger on ya again."

Bo bit his lip. He wanted to believe Luke, but his heart kept tightening.

"Bo, things are gonna be ok," said Luke bravely. It hurt him to see his baby cousin so beaten in every sense of the word.

Bo took a quivering breath. He wanted nothing more than for Luke to be right. He wanted his life back. "Luke, I'm so scared. I feel so… so… lost. Luke, who am I? I don't even know myself anymore."

Luke smiled, and playfully tousled Bo's blond hair. "You're my cousin… and my best friend. You may not think it right now, but ya can handle whatever comes at ya. I know ya can… 'cause you're Bo Duke. An' there's nothin' that can keep him down for long."

Bo smiled a sad, watery smile. "You really think so?"

"No," said Luke confidently. "I know so."

"Thanks, Luke," said Bo hugging his cousin as tight as he could.

"Get some sleep, Bo," said Luke as he crawled into his own bed and turned off the light.

"Love ya, Luke."

Luke smiled in the darkness. "Love ya, too, Bo. Love ya, too."