A/N - Hello! I think this is the chapter you've all been waiting for so I hope it's not a let down since so many of you have stuck this out. There's cliffhangers for fun, there's ones for suspense, but this was simple procrastination on my part. I simply found it difficult to write the word. I don't know why, it's easier to shoot one of the boys than it is to do this. Perhaps because it is such a real word that affects so many.

Thanks again for all the reviews. I know I've said it before, but they've kept me going through this story.


BLOOD BROTHERS

CHAPTER 3

NEWS AT LAST

Luke stared wide eyed at his uncle, certain that he must have heard him wrong. "Are you sure?" he asked, swallowing convulsively. Seeing the sad nod, Luke felt like his whole world had just crumbled. "Leukemia?" he repeated, half stating, half asking. "How bad is it, Uncle Jesse?" he inquired, hoping that it wasn't as serious as it sounded.

"It's bad, Luke. Real bad."

Luke had a million questions, but he didn't know which one to ask first. Somehow they all seemed important, yet not important at all. The only thing he needed to do was to see Bo with his own eyes. Somehow, he had to make sure that he really was alive and in the next room. "I think I'll go see Bo now," Luke mumbled, trying hard to make sense of a senseless situation.

"Okay Luke, but just be prepared. He had his second chemo treatment today, so he's kind of out of it and he's not feeling well. The next couple days are gonna be real rough."

Luke hadn't yet fought his way off the couch, slowly contemplating everything he'd just been told. When it finally registered that his cousin had just received his second treatment, wheels began turning. "Wait a minute! How long have you known about this?"

"We found out the day before you left."

Luke thought back to that day at the Boar's Nest when he knew that something was wrong. Instead of congratulating his great instincts, he looked at his uncle. "WHAT? Why in the hell didn't you tell me? How could you keep something like this from me?" Luke accused, his anger finding a release.

"Now hold your horses, Luke. Bo begged me not to tell you," he answered, ignoring his nephew's outburst and curse words.

"Why?"

"Because he was worried that it would worry you, and that if you got distracted, you'd get yourself killed. I didn't like not telling ya, Luke, but there was a lot of sense behind Bo's thinking."

"I'm part of this family! I had a right to know. YOU should have told me!" Luke screamed, undeterred by his uncle's explanation.

"I'm sorry, Luke. I really am, but I agreed with Bo, and I still do."

Luke looked at the man sitting in the recliner as if he'd grown two heads. He couldn't ever remember being as angry with the uncle he thought more of as a father in his whole life. His brain might have understood the logic behind what he was being told if his heart wasn't being twisted like a pretzel. He was angry all right, and it wasn't just at his uncle. He was mad about the entire situation, and he was furious with God for doing this to his baby cousin. It was just easier to let Jesse shoulder all the anger.

Remembering that Bo was in the next room and that he hadn't even seen him yet, Luke stuffed his rage deep inside. He wasn't finished with this, but it wasn't the most important thing at the moment. "I'm going to see Bo," he announced in an icy voice that sent shivers up and down the old man's spine.

Taking a deep breath, Luke opened the door to the room that he and Bo shared. When the baby first arrived, he had slept in a crib. As he got older, it had been removed to make space for the twin beds that they still slept in. The room didn't look any different than when they had been children except for a few things now hanging on the wall. Luke looked around, recalling how each of the momentos had come to be. His mind wandered back to all the times they'd shared in that room. Some were bad, but most of them were happy. Luke wondered if they'd ever share any happy moments in there again.

There was a small table lamp turned on low, giving the room just a touch of light. Daisy was sitting next to their cousin, rubbing his shoulder and murmuring something to him. He could see that Bo had been well cared for, but it didn't ease the guilt of not having been there himself. Luke was so overwhelmed that he thought he might pass out or break down right there. He closed his eyes in an attempt to regain control over his extremely strong emotions. Taking a deep breath, he opened them.

Moving closer to the bed, Luke continued to stare. Daisy stood up, walking toward Luke. Remembering his injury, she waited for him to reach out for her, which he did. If his shoulder hurt, he didn't notice. It was nothing compared to the pain the rest of him felt. He crushed her to him, sensing her own pain. It wasn't long before he could feel her crying in his arms, giving in to her own grief. The two oldest cousins looked for comfort from each other as the youngest laid only a few feet away, oblivious to what was taking place.

Getting herself together, Daisy reached up and kissed Luke on the cheek before quietly exiting the room. Luke needed to see Bo, and he needed to see him in private.

The dark haired boy knelt next to the bed, his eyes roaming over the younger one. He was laying on his side facing him, slightly curled up in a ball. His face looked thin and drawn, not at all the round baby-face he always associated with his cousin. A ball cap was resting a little ways away from Bo's head, and Luke guessed that he had went to bed with it on. One of the negative side-effects of chemo-therapy was very visible, and Luke figured that it was the one that bothered Bo the most. The fact that he would try to wear a hat to bed, in his own house, in his own room, spoke volumes about the way he felt about the subject.

Luke reached out and with his thumb caressed the side of his cousin's face.

"Daisy?" Bo whimpered, but didn't open his eyes.

Forcing a smile, Luke prayed that he could maintain control of his voice. "If you think I look like Daisy, you need your eyesight checked, Bo."

Luke watched the confusion cross Bo's features as he watched his cousin's eyes slowly open. Though slightly sunken, they were still the same midnight blue that Luke remembered. He watched as recognition set in.

Bo blinked, trying to ascertain whether he was dreaming or not. With every last bit of strength he had, he lifted himself off the bed. Flinging himself in the direction of his cousin or the abortion, he knew that if Luke was really there, he'd catch him. "Luke?"

Luke did exactly what Bo expected him to; he caught him. Ignoring the pain in his upper left side, he pulled Bo close to him, supporting his back with one hand and cradling his head with the other. "Hey little cousin," he whispered, unable to say anymore. They stayed that way for a long time, forgetting about words. Eventually, Luke could feel Bo getting weaker in his arms, but kept him close with his own strength.

"Am I dead, Luke?" Bo finally asked.

Luke shuddered at the thought. "No Bo, you're not dead," Luke told him, thinking about adding something witty to his reply, but unable to think of anything suitable to say about the possibility of Bo's dying.

"I knew you weren't dead, Luke," Bo informed him. "You promised you'd come back, and I told everyone you would."

"Good boy, Bo! We Dukes always keep our word."

"Yep, that's what I told Uncle Jesse and Daisy, but they didn't believe me. I told you I'd never doubt you again."

"I believed you, Bo."

Bo was silent for a minute, tiring himself out more than he already was. "Luke, did you get hurt? What are you doing here?"

"I got shot, Bo, but it's healed. It wasn't that bad."

"Are you sure?" Bo asked, starting to sound out of breath.

"Yeah, I'm sure, cuz. Bo, I'm gonna lay you down now, okay?"

"Kay."

Lowering him back to the pillow, Luke was surprised when Bo suddenly became momentarily alert. Reaching behind him, he quickly grabbed the baseball cap and put it on his head.

Luke was puzzled by the action. "Bo, what are you doing?"

"Just feel funny without it, Luke," Bo replied with a slurred tongue.

Bo was fighting to remain conscious, and Luke knew it. "It's ok, buddy. You get some sleep now. We'll have plenty of time. I'm home for good." Bending over, he gave Bo a quick peck on the forehead. "I love you, Bo."

"Love ya, too, Lucas," he said, inching closer to slumber.

Luke saw a grin spread over his cousin's lips. "Whatchya thinking, cuz?"

Bo gave a little snort. "I got...my wish."

"What wish was that?" Luke asked softly.

"To see...you...again...before I die," Bo mumbled, the smile starting to fade.

Luke wanted to give Bo a good, long speech about the fact that no one was going to be dying. He couldn't though, as he saw Bo finally fall asleep. Luke felt something thump lightly on the bed and looked down to see what it was. When Bo had succumbed to the sandman, his left palm had relaxed and the object he'd been holding fell out of his grasp. Luke recognized it immediately. It was the gold key chain that he had given him; the one that Bo wanted back so desperately that he'd dangled himself off of the highest cliff in Hazzard.

Luke continued to kneel next to Bo's bed. This homecoming had been worse than the last, and he'd thought that one was bad enough. Taking in the sight before him, he couldn't squelch the sob. Grabbing Bo's hand, the one that had been clutching the key ring just a moment ago, Luke laid his head down on the bed and cried like he hadn't cried since he'd lost his parents.


Daisy fixed Luke a couple of sandwiches, bringing them to the boys' room. She doubted that they'd get Luke to leave Bo's side, and it was easy to see that he'd lost quite a bit of weight himself. Both of her cousins needed to put some pounds back on, but Luke would be the only one eating for a little while.

He thanked her, choking down what she had brought. Only leaving the room to use the bathroom, Luke returned and stripped out of his clothes. Military issues were a thing of the past, and he was glad to be able to slip into his trademark plaid shirt and jeans. He knelt next to the bed for a long time, stroking his cousin's face and rubbing his shoulders and arms. Bo remained asleep, unaware of anything that was going on around him. Luke's sobs had since been replaced by a steady stream of tears, but at least they were silent. Getting up from his knees, he settled himself into the chair preparing for his vigil. He didn't plan on falling asleep, but he was tired and his body was healing. He just prayed that Bo's would heal, too, rather than to continue to deteriorate.

Around four in the morning, Luke was jolted out of the sleep that he hadn't meant to fall into. Suddenly, he understood why there was a lined trash can next to the bed.

Bolting forward, Bo reached for the container out of instinct. He was hanging half way off the bed trying to hold on to it, but failing. Luke rushed to his cousin's side, supporting the can with one hand while placing his other on Bo's back. He shuddered himself as spasm after spasm racked Bo's body. The boy hadn't had anything to eat or drink, but someone must have forgot to tell his body that as it continued to rid itself of something that didn't exist. Luke thought to himself that this had to be worse than being sick for the traditional reasons; at least, there was a purpose behind that. This was just someone's idea of a cruel joke.

The door opened, admitting Jesse and Daisy. Crowding around their youngest the best they could, each of them tried their best to offer any type of comfort. After several minutes had passed without any relief, Luke looked at his uncle, temporarily forgetting his anger about not being told of Bo's condition earlier.

"Can't they give him something for this, Uncle Jesse?" Luke asked, raising eyes that showed fear.

"They say no. It just has to run its course. It's all them drugs they're giving him."

"Well I can't believe they can't do something about this!" Luke said, his fear once again being displayed in the form of anger.

"Don't you think I asked?" Jesse asked, raising his own voice.

"I don't know, Uncle Jesse. Did you? You weren't exactly honest with me about all of this!" Luke accused. "What am I supposed to think?"

"Lucas!" Jesse cautioned.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Daisy interrupted. "This ain't doing anyone any good right now, and you're just gonna upset Bo."

"Don't," Bo whispered, trying to sit up, but sinking limply to the bed in an awkward angle.

Jesse and Luke both made a move to attend to him, but Daisy waved them away. "C'mon on, honey, rinse," she instructed, and he obeyed. Setting the glass of water back down, she wiped off his face and scooted him back to the pillow. Daisy Duke had turned into a pretty good nurse in the last few weeks, and she made it very clear that at that moment, she was in charge. Luke and Jesse's argument was inappropriate under the circumstances. They were going to have to work out their bickering because it would only get Bo down, and he was what was important. Besides, she knew where everything was; she had been the one who got it ready.

Surprised by Daisy's aggressiveness, the men only stood and watched. Daisy sat herself down in the chair Luke had been occupying.

"I'll stay with him," Luke said.

"Luke, you get some rest. Last time this went on for two days. I'll stay with him," Jesse countered.

"You both get to bed," Daisy said. "Luke, you've been hurt recently, too, and Uncle Jesse is right about this. You will wear yourself out. Uncle Jesse, we'll need you tomorrow, so you go on, too. I'm quite capable of watching over Bo." She didn't add the last part that said, 'and that's final.'

Nodding, they both did as they were told. Jesse went to his own room, making them promise to call if they needed him. Luke laid down on the bed, not bothering with his clothes. With Daisy sitting there, he wasn't comfortable stripping down to his boxers. He tried to sleep, but he couldn't. Every few minutes, Bo was rousted from his own rest, while Daisy provided care. He wanted to help; he tried to, but she just kept telling him to get back to bed. At one point, she told him that he could use her room if he was being kept up. Luke snorted at the notion, like he would leave Bo anyway. He tried to pretend that he was asleep, finally turning toward the wall so that neither of them could see him cry. Nothing could have prepared him for this.

He'd seen atrocities in the war. He'd seen bodies ripped apart by bullets and other types of weapons. He'd seen more blood than he thought a human body even possessed as buddies died in his arms. On the outside, Bo didn't have any physical wounds that would cause a person to flinch. His body was being ravaged from the inside, a sneaky killer that was just as deadly as any machine gun could be. Though affected and changed, Luke had endured everything he'd had to in the jungles of a foreign land, but he didn't think this he would be able to stand.


Luke Duke had never seen any one so ill for so long. By the end of the second day, Bo wasn't much better than he had been that first night. Daisy and Jesse told him that after his first treatment, this had only lasted two days. They were going on three with no end in sight. Luke understood why they had insisted on taking shifts. After forty-eight hours, and without knowing how much longer this would continue, he was exhausted. They all were, but he assumed he was even more tired because he shared a room with Bo so no matter what he did, he couldn't really get away from it, not that he wanted to.

Bo wasn't the only cousin that Luke quietly observed. He had never been more impressed with Daisy in his life than he was in those last two days. She was wonderful with their baby, and he was thankful that she had been there for him when he couldn't. Bo could almost sense her presence, responding to her voice or touch. Though not lucid or able to talk, he would turn his head or move his hand in response to things she did. He did that with Luke, too, more so than their uncle. The few times that he did call out for someone, it was always one of his cousins, but it wasn't always Luke anymore the way it had been when they were kids.

Yet, their uncle was as gentle with him as if he were a delicate piece of china. The older that the kids got, the easier the old man found it to maintain a gruff exterior. The boys had been handfuls, and it was easier to assert authority that way. However, there was another side to him, a soft one, that all three of the kids knew. They'd seen it many times when they'd been little, under appropriate circumstances. Yet, Bo had always brought it out in him a little more than the others, which they understood. His health issues as a child brought that side out in everyone that knew him. The current circumstances couldn't have warranted it more. Though Jesse Duke had lost many people in his life, he'd never had to watch those closest to him die slowly. The Good Lord had always snatched them away when least expected. This was new to all of them, only believing that Bo would die young being comparable. They didn't have any real experience so they were learning and dealing with it as they went. It was hard to watch Bo like this, but unlike losing someone suddenly, this situation had some amount of hope; the other way was final.

Jesse may have allowed Luke and Daisy to care for his baby, but there was no doubt that he was still his guardian. Despite the wear and tear, he made sure that he knew exactly what was going on with his nephew at all times, ready to take action if need be. He'd always loved each of them, but Bo was his baby. Luke regretted accusing his uncle of being negligent about Bo's care. That had been uncalled for and untrue. However, he was still extremely angry that his uncle had kept the truth from him, and their own relationship showed the strain. It was taking its toll on all of them.

Twenty four hours later, Bo had finally stopped retching and looked like he was resting more comfortably. It was late at night, and it was Luke's turn to stay with him. He noticed the boy moving around and saw his eyelids flutter. For the first time since he'd been home, when he saw Bo's blue eyes, they were clear.

"It wasn't a dream? You really are here?" Bo whispered.

"I'm really here, cuz."

Bo smiled, his eyes glued to Luke afraid that if he moved the vision would disappear. Suddenly, he turned his attention elsewhere, looking to the bed post. Reaching out, he grabbed his hat and slipped it on top of his head.

"Bo, what's with the cap?"

In a voice that Luke barely could hear, Bo turned away. "Don't want ya to see me like this, Luke."

Luke's breath caught as he felt instant tears stinging his eyes. "Bo," he called, transferring himself to the bed. Reaching out his arms, he lifted up his baby cousin. "Tell me you're not serious. It's me, Luke. I love you, Bo. You don't need a cap with me."

Bo breathed deeply, feeling safer than he had in a long time. "It's not just the hat. It's all of it."

"What? You think that bad of me? You're sick, Bo. You think I only care about you when you're well? Good or bad, Bo, I'm here and I love ya. Nothing gonna change that."

"I love ya, too, Luke."

Luke could feel his cousin starting to go lax in his arms and laid him back down, thinking he would fall asleep.

"Luke?"

"Yeah Bo?"

"Don't be mad at Uncle Jesse. I made him promise not to tell."

"Bo, I'm sorry, but I am mad at him for not telling me the truth. He's the one that's always said Dukes don't lie."

"Didn't lie to ya, Luke. He just didn't tell ya something cause I asked him not to."

"Same thing," Luke sneered.

"No, it ain't, and you know it. We've said it ourselves many times."

Luke couldn't argue with that. They had, indeed, used that reasoning on several occasions.

"C'mon Luke, please. I don't want you guys fighting. This has all been hard on him, having to take care of me and worrying about you. It ain't right. Jesse's just doing what I asked him to, so if ya want to be mad be mad at me."

Luke sighed. Sometimes his cousin knew just exactly what to say to get what he wanted, especially from him. He understood what Bo was telling him, but Bo knew that he couldn't be mad at him if he wanted to so that left him no choice. When he looked down and saw his cousin grinning at him, he knew that Bo knew his plan had worked. "Okay," he replied, just nodding.

"Thanks," Bo told him as his eyelids drifted shut.

"Go to sleep, cuz," Luke coaxed.

"You too," he whispered back, already out.