Disclaimer: I don't own the Dukes of Hazzard, not making any money, just cheap thrills
Warnings: Violence, angst
Rating: FRT
Summary: Bo's journey as he recovers from Kathy Sue's actions. Sequel to If You Love Something Set It Free
Learning To Love:
Chapter 1
"How could you betray me like this Bo? I understood that you let your family keep us apart...it's hard to go against your family. I understand that, but...this? I come home thinking, surely he'll be happy to see me. I thought we'd go away somewhere together. Some place your family would never find us, some place they couldn't interfere. Imagine my surprise then, coming home and finding you're with... My God Bo, of all the people you could've betrayed me with...why did it have to be...why?" Kathy Sue screamed as she paced the room, waving a gun.
From his position on the floor, Bo could do nothing except lay there listening to his former girlfriend screaming at him. Moaning in pain when Kathy Sue puncuated a statement with a kick to his side, Bo prayed that he would find a way out of this nightmare. He couldn't believe this was happening. It had taken him three years to finally move past what she had done to him. Three years of pain and fear before finding that one person he could love. This couldn't be how it all ended, he wouldn't let Kathy Sue destroy his life just as he had gotten it back. He would find a way to get them both out of this, would do whatever it took for them to escape. On the other side of the room, he saw the fear he felt reflected in the eyes of the one he loved.
TWO AND A HALF YEARS EARLIER:
Bo lay on the exam table in the doctor's office, praying that the skin grafts had worked. "Please God, let the scars be gone. Please don't make me live the rest of my life with that constant reminder of what she did to me." Bo whispered his plea, startling slightly when the door opened.
"How are you feeling today Bo?" Dr. Jameson greeted, stepping into the room and approaching the table. "I imagine you're anxious to get those bandages off, aren't you?"
"Yes sir I sure am. Doc, my cousin Luke's in the waiting room. Do ya think it'd be okay if he was here when...?"
"Of course Bo, that's no problem. I'll just go get him, be right back." The doctor kindly responded, understanding that his patient was nervous and scared.
A couple of minutes later the doctor returned, leading Luke into the room. As the doctor began to cut away the bandages covering Bo's chest, Luke held his cousin's hand giving what comfort he could. Seeing the fear in Bo's eyes, Luke began to speak of the upcoming Choctaw Road Race, relieved when the distraction worked.
Dr. Jameson was pleased to see the older boy succeeding with his distraction. As he came to the final layer of bandages, he sent up his own small prayer for a successful outcome. "Well Bo, are you ready for your first look?" He asked, handing Bo a hand mirror and stepping back.
Bo accepted the mirror with trembling hands, so afraid that he failed to notice the grin on the doctor's face. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, "please God," his whispered plea. Opening his eyes, he found the courage to look into the mirror he held over his chest. "Yeehaw! Thank you God," he yelled in relief. " And thank you Dr. Jameson. ...I can't believe it...ya can't even see a trace of her initials." Bo whispered, awed that the doctor had repaired the damage inflicted by Kathy Sue. "Can ya believe it Luke? Ain't it great?"
"Yeah Bo, it's great," Luke answered, grinning at his cousin happier for him than he could say. Noticing the redness of Bo's chest, Luke asked the doctor about it.
"That's nothing to worry about son, Bo still has some healing to do that's all. As he heals completely from the surgery the redness will fade, leaving behind only faint scars from the surgery. Even those will become fainter as time goes on, until they'll be barely noticeable," Dr. Jameson assured them. "Now Bo you won't need to continue wearing the bandages, however I do want you to apply an antibiotic ointment twice daily until I see you again. Which will be in ten days, barring any complications. You should be able to discontinue the ointment at that time, depending on how well you heal. Now why don't you go ahead and get your shirt on and make an appointment at the desk. I'll leave your prescription with the nurse, you can pick it up then. Any questions?"
"No doc I ain't go no questions, Luke?" Bo asked.
"Me neither, thanks doc for everything you've done for Bo." Luke told him with heartfelt honesty.
"No need to thank me boys, I'm just doing my job," Dr. Jameson responded, his green eyes sparkling.
"You're wrong doc, you did more than just your job. You gave me back...I can't even say what all you gave me back. There was a time I thought I'd have to look at those marks for the rest of my life and the thought of it sickened me. I know to you it's just your job, but to me doc...well what you've done is worth more than you'll ever know. Thank you, doesn't seem like nearly enough, but it's all I can offer." Bo told him, voice thick with emotion, as he held out a hand to the man who had helped him regain a piece of his old life.
"You're welcome Bo, now if you'll excuse me..." The doctor trailed off, uncomfortable as always in the face of his patient's gratitude. Quickly leaving the room, Dr. Jameson left Bo's prescription at the front desk before going into his office. Having previously received permission from Bo, his next move was to call Lawerence Shelton and inform him of the surgery's outcome.
A short time later Bo and Luke were climbing into the General and heading back to Hazzard, anxious to share the good news with Daisy and Uncle Jesse. Watching his younger cousin from the corner of his eye Luke couldn't help hoping that soon they would have the Bo they all knew and loved back. When Bo saw his chest for the first time, Luke had been thrilled to see a glimpse of the Bo Duke he'd left behind. He knew it was wrong, but he hated Kathy Sue Shelton for what she had done to his cousin. Bo should've been safe at home while he was away, not mixed up with that manipulative witch. Luke was just glad he'd come back when he did, he hated to think what she might have done to Bo if he had stayed with her. Not that breaking up with her had done him a lot of good when it came to being safe. Well at least now with her in prison he should be safe from her. Heaving a sigh he just hoped that with the removal of the physical reminders Bo would finally be able to heal completely. Coming to a stop behind the farmhouse he had called home most of his life, Luke watched as his cousin ran inside to share the good news. Listening to the voices of his family, Luke vowed that he would do everything possible to help his little cousin heal.
TBC
Okay, well there's the first chapter. Please let me know what you think. Reviews keep me writing.
A cookie to those who spot the Tom Wopat reference somewhere in the story.(hint you'll see it in every chapter)