A/N - Hey ya'll! It's me again. Thanks for the reviews. I just realized that I've been posting now for about a month, and I'm flabbergasted that I haven't been asked not to, yet! I may have started on a whim, as something I wanted to try, but your kind words have certainly made me want to strive for a higher level. Thank you so much!

HORRENDOUS MIX-UP

CHAPTER 6

BUGS AND HUGS

Luke assumed that Bo's late arrival to the breakfast table the next morning was his way of avoiding him. However, all they had to do was take one look to see that he was under the weather.

"Bo, are you all right, boy?" Uncle Jesse asked while Daisy put her hand on his forehead.

"You're warm, Bo," she informed him.

"I'm fine," he said, though he refused the food he was being offered.

"Maybe you better stay in bed today, Bo," Uncle Jesse told him.

"I'm ok, sir. Me and Luke are supposed to be working on the back 40 today," he replied, not looking up at his cousin.

"Bo, I can handle that myself. You do look sick, cuz. Maybe you should stay in bed."

"Nah, I'm ok," he repeated, getting up from the table. Looking at Luke with fevered eyes, he moved toward the door. "Ya ready to hit it?"

"Yeah," Luke replied, getting to his feet. As he looked back at his uncle, he could make out his lips mouthing instructions to keep an eye on him. Luke nodded in response, but not before Bo caught the exchange.

It was incredibly warm for the time of day, already in the 90s by early morning. Combined with Bo's fever, it was making him twice as hot. He hadn't been working long when he peeled his shirt off. Luke noticed that the bruise on his chest was all but gone as he watched the sweat roll off him. It was hot, but not that hot. Luke sighed. His cousin was sick and needed to be in bed, but he was still the stubbornest person around. He knew that whatever he told him right then, Bo would only argue the opposite. He was worried that on top of whatever else was ailing him, Bo would give himself a heat stroke. He hoped that when they went back for lunch, between the three Dukes, they could keep him home. He never assumed they wouldn't make it until noon.

Luke had just walked over to the truck to get out extra tools when he heard the unmistakable sound of retching. He turned around to see Bo on his knees, his arm leaning against a fence post for support, ridding himself of whatever he had in him. Luke knew it couldn't be much since he hadn't eaten any breakfast. Forgetting about the tools, he ran to his cousin. Placing his hand on Bo's back, he flinched. "My Go, Bo, you're burning up." Tugging Bo in his direction, he offered his blonde friend support in lieu of the post. Bo sagged against him, too ill to protest, and Luke was happy to be needed, even if he wished it was under different circumstances. When he was sure that Bo was finished, he helped him to his feet. "C'mon on Bo, let's get you home."

The older Duke boy helped his cousin to the truck and loaded him up. They hadn't made it too far when Bo called to his cousin. "Stop Luke, I'm going to be sick," he said, opening the door and falling out as it slowed. Again, all Luke could do was to offer a hand and some words of comfort.

By the time they got home, Bo was too weak to walk and almost incoherent. Luke picked him up, shushing him when he mumbled to put him down. Jesse and Daisy met them on the porch.

"He's really sick and he's burning up," Luke said.

Jesse put his hand on Bo's forehead. "Luke, we need to get him in a cold shower."

The dark haired Duke boy nodded, understanding that his uncle was really telling him that he was going to have to take a shower, too; Bo couldn't be left alone right then. It wasn't that Luke minded the thought of cold water running over him, he was hot and sweaty, too, and it sounded refreshing. He was concerned, however, because he knew that his uncle only did this when he thought that a fever was high enough to be dangerous and needed to be brought down quickly. Uncle Jesse got the water ready while Luke stripped Bo, trying to support him at the same time as he sat on the closed lid of the toilet. Jesse helped him, then let Luke pull off his own clothes. Hoisting the boy up, Luke stepped in the shower first and was then handed Bo. The blonde was so out of it he wasn't even phased by the cold water, remaining limp in Luke's arms. Letting the water thoroughly soak them, they didn't worry about washing or shampooing; cleanliness wasn't the purpose of this endeavor.

The men dried Bo off as best they could, then dressed him in clean underwear as Luke put on the same thing plus his jeans. He carried him back to their room, seeing that Daisy had already turned the sheet down and moved the blankets to the foot of the bed. Between Jesse and Luke, they got him settled as Jesse took over, taking Bo's temperature. Luke was so troubled by Bo's condition that he didn't notice the new thermometer. While he'd been gone, his uncle had replaced the old fashioned mercury one with a new fangled digital instrument. If he'd been paying attention, he might have wondered why.

"103.6," he announced in a concerned voice, wondering what it was prior to the frigid dousing.. "This goes up anymore, we'll have to take him to the hospital."

"What do you think is wrong with Bo, Uncle Jesse?" Daisy asked.

"Probably just the flu," he answered.

"In the summertime?" she questioned, not used to hearing people suffering from influenza near the 4th of July, nor had she heard of any outbreaks.

"The flu can go around any time of year," Jesse snapped, knowing exactly what his niece was thinking.

Luke and Daisy looked at each other, knowing that their uncle's short temper was due to his concern over his youngest. What Luke didn't know that this was the third such case of influenza Bo'd been struck with since Christmas, and the third extremely high temperature.

Luke refused to leave Bo's side, sitting next to him, applying cold compresses to his head and sponging him off. His fever hadn't gone up any more, but it wouldn't go down, either. Since it was so borderline, someone had to sit with the patient at all times. Jesse and Daisy offered to relieve Luke, but he wouldn't budge an inch. From time to time, Bo's eyes would flutter open, and the person he always wanted to see and called to was Luke. He'd left Bo alone for two years. He wasn't about to do it again until it was absolutely necessary.

By late evening, Bo became delirious. His fever had not risen, but he started rambling, crying, and thrashing. Luke listened, getting bits and pieces of the puzzle he'd been trying to assemble.

First of all, Bo did believe that Luke had abandonded him. Then his suspicions were confirmed that Bo also believed that Luke only befriended him because their uncle had made him. That's why he believed Luke voluntarily went into the military, to get away from him. If that wasn't enough to tear his heart out, the rest of Bo's incoherent mumblings were.

"I'm sorry...Didn't know...sorry made you...miserable...I'll leave...Widow's Peak..."

Bo not only believed that their uncle had forced Bo on Luke, but he was sorry for it, believing that he had made Luke's life unbearable. He felt so bad about it, that he was planning on leaving the farm, even if it was a one way ticket off the top of Widow's Peak. When Luke heard that part, he felt a vice go around his heart. It confirmed that Bo had contemplated hurting himself, and he shuddered to think that had he not followed him that night, Bo might not be there with them at all

He wasn't positive he had all the parts or that they were in any kind of order, but he thought that he was beginning to solve the mystery. Some of it he suspected, some of it shocked him. It took most of the night before Luke could translate and put into chronoligical order the parts to Bo's story. Just when Luke believed it couldn't get any worse, Bo proved him wrong. Whizzing bullets and exploding bombs had impacted Luke less than a few simple words uttered in fevered despair by his best friend. The last part of the story was the worst.

Just come back...Don't die...still love ya, Luke...I'll go."

Despite everything, Bo still loved him and wanted him to come back safely, and that was the cousin Luke knew and loved.

"Oh Bo, you silly kid. None of it's true," Luke told him, running his hands through his blonde hair, hoping that on some level Bo could hear and understand him. "Now that I know, I'm going to make you see that none of it's true. You're my best friend. I love you like a brother, and you'll never know how much I missed you. You're the only reason I survived. I was trying so hard to get back home to you! And I promise you this, cousin, when I find out who did this to you, they'll have a new understanding of the word pain."

As the roosters began crowing, Bo quieted and his fever went down a little. He was sleeping peacefully, and Luke went to his own bed to get some much needed rest. He refused to let himself lapse into a deep slumber, though, just in case his cousin needed him.

By mid day, Bo was waking for short intervals. He was more lucid and spoke to his family, telling them that he felt better, though they could see that he was a long way from being well. He claimed to have no recollection from the time he was hugging the post in the back forty until that morning, and they believed him.

One time when he woke, Uncle Jesse was sitting next to him, sponging his face. Bo glanced over and saw Luke sleeping in his own bed. "Did Luke catch it, too?" he asked in a concerned but faint voice, looking at his uncle with eyes that were still glazed.

"Nah, he's fine. He's just getting some sleep. Your cousin stayed up all night with ya," Uncle Jesse told him, hoping that the information would make Bo happy.

"Uncle Jesse," Bo said, drifting back under, "don't make him do this anymore, ok?"

"Make him do what? I didn't make him do that. He did it because he wanted to, cause he's worried about ya and he loves ya, Bo," the old man told him as he changed the compress on his head. Sadly, Bo was already asleep and didn't hear him.

Luke, however, was awake and heard the entire conversation. He squeezed his eyes shut and balled his hand into a fist, wanting to hit someone so badly, but not knowing who the deserving party was.

As the second night fell, Luke resumed the responsibility of watching over Bo. He had improved enough that no one felt a bedside vigil was necessary, but Luke alternated between sitting with him and lying on his own bed. Uncle Jesse was convinced that by the next day, Bo would be much better. He'd made some soup that could heated up later if Bo woke up and thought he could keep anything down. About eleven that night Luke was resting his eyes, listening for any sign that would indicate Bo was awake. He heard the change in his pattern of breathing, and turned his head, shocked to see his cousin trying to get out of bed.

"Whoa! Where's the fire?" he asked, rushing to Bo's side.

"I've got to go to the bathroom."

"Ok, let me help you. You're still pretty weak, cuz, but it feels like your fever's down a little. How do you feel?" Luke asked, touching his forehead.

"Okay," Bo replied as Luke helped him down the hall. He was embarassed that Luke had to stay with him, but he didn't know if he could have remained upright without his support, so he had no choice. When he was finished, Luke helped him back to their room, and got him back into bed.

"Uncle Jesse made some soup. You think you could eat some?" Luke asked, kneeling beside Bo's bed, and running his hands through his hair. Bo shook his head no. "How bout some water? That'd be good for you. You're probably dehydrated."

"Okay."

"Be right back," Luke said, returning moments later with a full glass of cold water. Helping Bo sit up, he kept a hold on the glass while Bo took a few sips. When he indicated that he was finished, Luke set the glass down on the table between their beds. "Can I get you anything else?"

"No, I'm ok. Thanks."

"No problem, cuz. Why don't you try getting some more sleep?"

"Kay," Bo agreed.

"Night Bo. You holler if you need anything. Don't go trying to get up by yourself, okay?"

"Kay. Goodnight Luke."

It didn't seem to matter that Bo had slept for almost two entire days. He fell back asleep almost instantly as Luke continued rubbing his shoulder.

Luke hadn't meant to fall asleep, but his body had different ideas. Something woke him, but not immediately. Unable to place where he was or what the noise was that had roused him, he listened more carefully. Becoming alert, Luke recognized the sounds of one of Bo's infamous nightmares. Pushing himself up to tend to Bo, he was taken aback by the blood curdling scream.

"Luke!" Bo yelled, loud enough for the people in the next county to hear, as he bolted upright. Shaking violently and disoriented, it took him a minute to comprehend that he was safe in his cousin's arms.

"Ssh, it's ok Bo. I'm here. It's ok."

"Luke?"

"Yeah, it's ok. It was just a dream," Luke told him, wondering what exactly he'd been dreaming about to cause this strong of a reaction.

Still trembling, Bo nodded. "Yeah. Sorry I woke you," he apologized, trying to get out of Luke's grasp, though he neither wanted to nor had the strength to.

Luke rubbed his back, refusing to let go. He could still feel the shaking, and he also felt the goosebumps on his cousin's bare skin. "Cold?" he asked him, thinking that it was a stupid question after the fact. He could feel that he was, and understood that it meant that Bo's fever was going down. He knew that it wasn't pleasant, but it was a good sign.

"Yeah," Bo said through teeth that chattered from fear and a change of body temperature.

"Scoot over," Luke instructed him.

"Huh?" Bo asked, not sure what was going on.

"I said scoot over."

"I'm ok, Luke. You don't have to do this."

"I know I don't have to. I want to."

Bo hadn't budged, yet, so Luke started sliding him over himself. Once he was settled, he reached out for his cousin and pulled him back into his arms, then reached for the blankets and pulled them up around both of them. At first, Bo was tense in his embrace, but finally gave in and started to relax, too weak to fight.

"Are you comfortable enough?" Luke asked him.

"Yeah," Bo replied, and Luke noticed that his shivering had already started to subside a little.

"You want to talk about it?" Luke asked, referring to the nightmare that had shaken him so badly.

"Don't remember it," Bo answered, not wanting to tell his cousin that it was the same dream he had almost everynight. Luke was dressed in his military issues, telling Bo that he left because he couldn't stand to be around him anymore. He would then turn and walk away from Bo, only to be gunned down by a bullet before he got very far. Bo would rush to his side, where Luke would die in his arms. It was terrible, and it only compounded Bo's guilt.

Luke didn't believe that his cousin had no recollection of a nightmare that powerful, but he decided not to push it. They had several issues to resolve, but that wasn't the time or place. Feeling Bo relaxing, he didn't want to upset him. Even though the bug seemed to be running its course, it had left Bo sluggish. He was going to need time to recover. He also didn't want his cousin getting mad and kicking him out. He and Bo had always shared an affectionate and physical relationship, though Bo was the most demonstrative. Since Luke had been home and all the other garbage had surfaced, that side to their friendship had vanished. While he didn't like the circumstances, it felt good to be that close to Bo again

Bo stopped shaking and started getting sleepy, finding it hard not to nod off. In a tired voice, he asked, "Luke, why are you doing this?" He was confused by the mixed signals. He had done everything he could to cut his cousin lose and let him go, but the more he did, the closer Luke stuck to him, despite what he knew he felt about him. It just didn't make any sense, and some of the things he had done, Uncle Jesse couldn't have even known about, like this.

"Because I love you, little cuz," Luke replied, and as he said it, his voice cracked. He felt Bo stiffen, but remained silent, waiting to see what Bo would say. When he didn't say anything, Luke decided to approach the subject. "Bo, I don't know everything that happened while I was gone, but something did that made you question the way I feel about you. When you're better, we're going talk about this, cause whatever you've been told or you're thinking, we'll it just ain't true."

"I saw the letter, Luke," Bo mumbled, his words slurred with sleep.

"What letter?" Luke asked, hating to keep Bo from the rest he needed, but glad that his cousin had finally told him something.

"The letter...the letter...to Uncle Jesse," Bo said, as he was pulled under.

Luke squeezed him harder. "Bo, I don't know what letter you're talking about, but I'm going to find out. You just go to sleep now, and get well. We'll talk later."

Bo didn't even have the strength to nod, but he was aware enough to think he felt Luke kiss the top of his head. Wrapped in his cousin's strong arms, he felt safer and happier than he had in a long time.

Under the blankets, Luke was sweltering, but also content. Both Duke boys slept better that night than they had in two years.