Okay, I know it has been a while between updates, but I had an idea for a Christmas story and I had to work on that a bit. 'Sides like I said, we have over a foot of snow on the ground, so writing about some place warm and rainy requires a lot more thought, but I digress… back to the story. Here is an extra long chapter for ya… consider it an early Christmas present! -Jordyn

Luke woke to the sound of Bo crying softly into his pillow.

He leaned over and gently rubbed Bo's back, just as he used to do when Bo was six years old and tormented with nightmares.

"Shhh… you're ok, Bo."

Bo turned around and looked at Luke, quite as if he saw him. "No, I ain't, Luke! How we gonna get out o' here? I can't see… you can't walk. We have no General… Luke, what're we gonna do?"

"I've got a plan, Bo. But it's gotta keep 'til we're both up to it…. Say, another week or so."

"I can't Luke… I can't stay here another week. I wanna go home…"

Tears began to fill Bo's eyes once more and Luke realized just how homesick Bo was. He had never been away from the farm so long before. It was easier for Luke, having been in the Marines for four years; he was used to being on his own.

"Luke?"

"Yeah, Bo?"

"It's all so dark…"

Luke sighed. He hated feeling so useless.

Six days later, Bo woke to the sound of cans rolling onto the floor.

Bo yawned lazily. "Luke?"

"Right here, Bo," began Luke picking up the can's he'd dropped from the floor. "Sorry I woke ya but s'bout time ya woke up anyway."

Bo sat up and stretched, slowly getting up out of bed. He felt his way over to the table and sat down. Luke set a cup of coffee in front of him.

Bo smelled the strong aroma and his sightless eyes lit up. "Sure smells good. Ya didn't spit in it did ya?"

Luke laughed. Bo seemed to be back to his normal sassy self this morning. Luke wondered if it was due to the fact they were leaving for home today. Not that it mattered why… he was just happy to see Bo smile.

"Why on earth would I waste perfectly good spit on you?" teased Luke. "Well, I think we are all set."

"Okay… so… tell me your plan."

"Okay, ya 'member that three-legged race we was in at the church picnic?"

Bo closed his eyes and smiled. "I sure do… we fell right onto Betty Ann and Mary Lou Thorsby… Boy, howdy, they sure are cute when they're mad."

Luke shook his head at his cousin. "No, Bo. You 'member how we tied our legs together?"

"Yeah… wait you ain't thinkin'… Luke, I can't see… how….?"

"Hear me out… we go slow and kinda support each other. You be my leg an' I'll be your eyes. We follow the water 'til we find some help."

Bo looked skeptical, but he only said, "Whatever you say."

"Well, I think we ought t' go as soon as we can."

"Yeah," agreed Bo slowly sipping the hot coffee. "Let's get a move on."

Two hours later they were making slow progress.

"You comin' alright, Bo?" asked Luke, noting that his cousin was unusually quiet.

"Yeah… just getting' a headache again is all."

"Well, why don't we stop for a bit an' rest."

Bo nodded. It was too much trouble to speak. Luke led Bo to a nearby tree. Bo's hand glided down it as he sat on the cold, ground.

"Y'okay, Bo?" asked Luke, as he sat next to him, re-wrapping his ankle.

"I'm really cold…."

"Cold? With all the walkin' ya been doin'?"

Bo nodded, drawing his knees up to his chest. Luke finished with his ankle and unpacked a blanket from the bag of supplies he carried with them. He draped it across Bo's shoulders.

"Ya can't be cold… your forehead's hot as Hades," answered Luke, placing his hand on Bo's forehead. He looked worriedly at his cousin. They should've waited longer. Bo was still sick and Luke wasn't feelin' all that great himself. Now they were worse off than before. And the sky was turning gray.

"Looks like rain, Bo. Should we find some shelter or keep goin'?"

Bo turned to the direction of Luke's voice. "I just wanna go home, Luke."

Luke looked into Bo's sightless blue eyes. "Can ya make it okay?"

Bo nodded and slowly got to his feet. A wave of dizziness overtook him and he grabbed Luke's shoulder for support.

"Bo, maybe we best not…"

"I'll be fine, Luke. Let's go."

The two cousins were plodding along an hour later, when Luke heard a familiar sound.

"Hear that, Bo?"

"Sounds like a car."

"Right. C'mon."

The two quickened their pace what they could. Luke grimaced with each step and he was thankful that Bo couldn't see the tears forming in his eyes. He prayed they'd reach help soon… he didn't know if his ankle would hold out much longer. Besides, he wasn't feeling so hot himself. He glanced at Bo through the corner of his eye. His cousin was pale and Luke could feel the heat penetrate from his cousin's body. They had to reach help… and soon.

Suddenly, Luke stopped in his tracks. Bo stopped too because he didn't dare stir a step without Luke guiding him.

There was the road, forming a bridge over the water and continuing on to the other side.

"Well, here is the road, Bo. Now what? Keep going or wait?"

He braced himself for the answer. He knew that Bo wanted to go home more than anything. He also knew that if Bo realized what havoc he was wreaking on Luke with each step, he never would have suggested quickening their pace. Luke kept quiet about his ankle, though the pain was excruciating. "Oh, well… least I can see."

"Wait," began Bo softly. "We need t' wait."

"You okay?"

Bo didn't answer. Luke felt Bo's forehead again. It had grown hotter since last time… or was it Luke that was hot? Luke didn't know anymore.

"Well, let's sit up by the road… that way if someone comes, they'll see us."

Bo nodded and the two were soon seated side by side next to the bridge. Luke stretched his leg out in front of him. His ankle was many shades of purple and swollen. He could go no further. It hurt too much. He felt his cousin's curly head on his shoulder.

"He's exhausted," thought Luke as Bo's quite breathing turned into muffles snores. "Maybe he's got the right idea…" Leaning against the support of the bridge, Luke closed his eyes and was soon fast asleep.

Rain had begun to fall but both boys were so tired that neither noticed that they were getting wet. As a matter of fact, Luke didn't wake up until he felt a hand on his shoulder and a friendly voice call out, "Ya boys need a lift?"

Ya know, I always did depend on the kindness of strangers. Don't go to the 'fridge now...