Okay, I know this is shorter than normal, but a short update is better than no update… you know what to do!

"Bo!" cried Luke, racing to him and dropping to his knees in the cool mud. "Bo?" He rolled him over gently, carefully supporting his neck and lightly touching his forehead. "Bo, you're burnin' up, kiddo."

Bo didn't open his eyes. He lay shivering in Luke's arms, murmuring, "got…t' get…gen…ral…got…t'…"

"Shhh, Bo. Easy now. We gotta get ya home…" Luke quickly removed his jean jacket and laid it on Bo like a blanket. Carefully, he cradled Bo in his arms and began the task of carrying him to the farmhouse.

Bo snuggled closer to Luke, in an effort to warm himself. "Lu-uke…s-so c-c-cold…hurts…"

Luke's eyes filled with worry. Quickening his pace, he made his way back to the farm, calling as he went. "Found! Found! Uncle Jesse? Daisy? Found him!"

"Lu-uke…"

Luke looked down at him. "Yeah Bo?" he asked not stopping,

"Hurts… it… it…"

"Shhh, s'alright, Bo. Ya gonna be alright," answered Luke, his voice faltering.

The farmhouse finally came into sight as Jesse and Daisy ran towards him.

"Git him inside Luke an' git him in bed!" barked Jesse. "Daisy, get some blankets and some 'shine. And call Doc Applebee. Be quick!"


In a matter of minutes, they had Bo in bed, covered with blankets that shook as he shivered.

"Here's the shine, Uncle Jesse," said Daisy, handing him a jug and a glass.

Jesse nodded thanks to her and poured a half-glass full of shine.

"Bo? C'mon now drink this… it'll warm ya…" Jesse nodded at Luke who slipped his hand under Bo and lifted him slightly as Jesse put the cup to his mouth.

"Drink, Bo."

Bo's parched dry lips parted, but he cried out at the first swallow. "Hurts…"

Jesse set the shine down and looked at Bo. "What hurts?"

Bo tried to answer, but no words came. He gave Jesse one last pleading look before a wave of darkness overtook him and he fainted.

"Bo! Bo, Ya ok?

There was no answer.

"Oh, Uncle Jesse! What's wrong with him?"

"I dunno, Daisy. I just dunno. I wish that doc'd get here! He ain't ever 'round when ya need him!"

Jesse cradled his youngest in his arms as Daisy cried into Luke's strong embrace. Luke stood holding her protectively, his eyes full of worry for his cousin, guilt weighing heavily in his heart.

Shortly after, a knock sounded at the door and Daisy quickly went to show the doc in.

"He's caught pneumonia," answered the doctor after he had examined Bo. "That along with the fact that he is utterly exhausted, well… it don't help none."

Ya know that boy finds more trouble than a long-tailed cat in a room full o' rockin' chairs.

Daisy looked up through her tears. "Will he be alright, Doc?"

"He needs rest more than anything. Given that he just got home, I don't think I wanna put him in the hospital again… he obviously didn't rest well there. We'll give him a strong dose of antibiotics… if he don't start mendin' in a few days though, we'll have t' take him in….he's sleepin' now. Just make sure ya get this filled," he said handing Jesse a prescription, "and make sure he drinks lots of fluids and rests."

Daisy nodded sadly.

"Thank ya, Doc," said Jesse as he led Doc Applebee to the door.

"Oh, Uncle Jesse," began Daisy burying her face against her uncle's overalls.

"S'alright Daisy. He'll be alright. Luke?"

Luke looked up. "Yes, sir?"

"I'm gonna run up to town an' get this here prescription filled. Daisy's gonna come with me… can ya watch after Bo?"

"Sure thing."

Jesse nodded. "Alright then. C'mon, Daisy." Jesse put an arm around her shoulders and led her out the door and into the pick-up, before taking off towards town.

Luke quietly crossed over to Bo's bed, brushing the hair back from his cousin's hot forehead. "It'll be ok," he whispered, more to himself than anyone.

Moaning slightly, Bo began to shiver uncontrollably. "C-c-cold…. S-so c-c-cold…" he mumbeled.

Luke sighed and went to the kitchen, returning with a large bowl full of water and an old washcloth. Dipping the cloth in the cold water, Luke wrung it out and began the task of sponging Bo's forehead in an attempt to reduce his fever.

"Lu-uke.. Gen-ral… got-ta get Gen-ral…"

"Shhh… hush now, Bo."

"Lu-uke… hurts… s-s-so c-c-cold…. Lu-uke…"

Frowning, Luke continued to blot his face with the cold cloth.

It was gonna be a long day.