Warning: Not beta-ed and I'm very sure there will be grammatical and probably spelling errors in this one, so once again I apologise in advance.
Disclaimer: As much as I would love to own Bo and Luke Duke, I don't and neither do I own any of the other characters in the Dukes of Hazzard. The Song in chapter four is Brotherly Love which was written by Jimmy Stewart and Tim Nichols, and performed by Moe Bandy as well as Keith Whitley and Earl Thomas Conley. It was first recorded in 1989 and therefore not in the Dukes' timeline but I love the lyrics and I think it describes the Duke boys beautifully.
Bo was dreaming. He was watching two boys, the blond boy looked much younger, maybe 9 years old. The older boy had brown curls, kind of like Luke's. He looked to be in his teens. Bo frowned as the older boy took out a knife and cut himself across the palm of his right hand, before taking the younger boys hand. The little blonde boy looked scared but Bo could tell that he trusted the brunette unconditionally. Bo winced as the knife cut into his hand, leaving a red line across his palm. The older boy put down the knife and placed his palm in the younger boys hand. "Now my blood runs in you and your blood runs in mine. We're blood brothers for life." The older boy said causing the other boy to throw his arm around his "brother's" neck. "Thank you!" He whispered. Bo smiled and looked down at his own palm. The line there was so faint that nobody would notice it was there unless they were told about it. He realised that the two boys he was watching were him and Luke.
Bo woke up and the first thing he did was bring his right hand up to his eyes. He smiled as he ran his thumb up and down the faint scar. "Blood brothers." Bo felt much better. He wasn't sure if it was because of his dream or not. Looking in the wardrobe, he grabbed a shirt and a pair of jeans. Once he was changed he went out to find Luke.
Luke looked up from his lunch when he heard the bedroom door open. "Hey, Bo. How're ya feelin'?" Luke got up and sat Bo down in the chair opposite him. "You shouldn't be up, you're fever only broke this morning." He poured Bo a cup of apple juice. The sugar should help to raise Bo's energy levels.
"I feel much better." Bo answered. His voice still a little croaky from all the coughing. "Throat's a little sore, but I don't feel as tired."
"Have some soup." Luke put a bowl of pumpkin soup in front of Bo. "It'll be more gentle on your throat than a sandwich." Jesse always thought of everything. He had made a sandwich for Luke but had soup on the stove for Bo, knowing his throat would be sore after three days of coughing. They ate in silence. Luke could tell that Bo had something to say but didn't seem to know how to get it out. "You want to tell me what's up?" Bo looked up at him with wide eyes. Luke chuckled, "Bo, I know you feel like you've only just met me but I've known you since you were six months old, and for now, I know you better than you know yourself." Bo gave an embarrassed smiled, it made sense. He really didn't know anything about himself. "So, what's on your mind?"
Bo scratched his head. He thought it was a strange question to ask, but he figured Luke wouldn't mind. "Can I see your right hand?" Luke frowned but humored his cousin. He held out his hand to Bo. Bo turned it over to look at his palm. Luke realised what Bo was looking for and smiled when Bo found it.
"Do you remember it?" Luke asked hopefully.
Bo shook his head. "I dreamed it. Just now, before I woke up. I saw it in a dream." Bo let Luke's hand go. "We were in the barn. I was only little..."
"You were nine, I was thirteen, almost fourteen." Luke supplied the details he knew Bo wouldn't know.
"I was watching it happen, and I could see that I was scared but I trusted you. You said that my blood ran in you and your blood ran in mine." Bo looked up at Luke.
"Blood brothers." They said together. Bo smiled, "Is that what happened?"
Luke nodded, "That's exactly what happened. You came home from school crying that day because Tim Johnson said that you didn't have a family, not a real one, like his. That you didn't have a father or a brother like he did. Figured, I could at least prove him wrong on one account." He felt hope that Bo's amnesia wouldn't be permanent, not when he was already remembering things from their past. He just wished that Bo would only remember the good times, but then, as his uncle would say, it's all our experiences that make us who we are, not just the good ones, but the bad ones as well. Actually, he would probably say it was the bad experiences and what we learn from them that shapes our lives.
Bo tried to read Luke's expression. He had gone quiet and Bo wanted to see if he could tell how Luke was feeling about all this. "Did I know you as well as you know me?"
Luke gave him an amused look. "You probably think you do. Why?"
Bo shrugged, "Think it's only fair that I should know you so well. You seem to be able to read me so easily."
Luke gave a small chuckle, "The whole county can read you, Bo. You're like an open book, you never hide how you feel."
"You do, don't you?" Bo asked, again, trying to read his cousin's expression to see if he was crossing a line or not.
Luke nodded slowly, "That's right, but that doesn't mean you don't know me as well, it just means I make it harder for you."
Bo turned his head to cough, before asking, "Did the doctor tell you why I don't remember anything?"
Luke looked down at his empty plate, playing with the crumbs with his fingers. He knew he was going to have to tell Bo about everything eventually, but he had hoped he could protect Bo from that memory for a little longer. Luke was thinking about evading the question, but he couldn't do that to Bo. He had the right to know what caused his amnesia.
Bo frowned. Luke looked very uncomfortable and unsure. He may not know Luke that well, but he was pretty sure that "unsure" was not a word that went well with Luke. "You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
Luke gave a sad smile, "No, Bo, I do have to tell you. I can't keep it from you just because it easier for me. It's not fair on you."
Bo wasn't sure he wanted to know now. He was quite happy right now. Sure he couldn't remember anything, but he felt happy here. Safe. He didn't want to find out anything that might change that. "Did I do something bad?" Bo feared that he had hurt his family somehow or did something to disappoint them. He didn't want to know the truth if that was the case. It was the cowards way out, but he really didn't want anything to change right now.
"You didn't do anything wrong, Bo." Bo sighed in relief, "It was me." Bo raised his eyebrows. What could Luke have done to cause his amnesia? Luke proceeded to tell Bo what had happened in the past couple of weeks. From when Bo told them about the Mekeroys to when he got arrested to Luke and Jesse doubting him and then finally causing Bo to run away. "I found you at our fishing hole we like to go to. It's a place that only we know about. Not even Daisy or Jesse know where it is. You were so sick and it's all because I believed everyone but you." Luke finished with the story and sat there waiting for Bo's reaction. He wouldn't rush him, because he wanted keep Bo here for as long as he could and right now, he didn't think that would be long at all.
Bo didn't know how to feel. He knew he should be angry and he did feel angry, but only for the guy in the story. Which sounded silly even to Bo, but right now, that's how it felt. Like Luke just told him a story. It was different to the dream. In the dream, he felt it all, but right now, he couldn't feel the anger of that day which caused him to run away from his family. He could understand why he did it, but he couldn't make himself be mad at Luke or Uncle Jesse. It didn't seem right to be angry at someone just because you're supposed to be. "It wasn't very nice of you."
Luke looked at Bo as if he had literally lost his head. A short laugh burst out of him. This wasn't supposed to be funny, but after everything Luke had told Bo, all Bo could say was it wasn't very nice of you? "Bo, aren't you angry?"
Bo shrugged, "I know I should be, but I don't remember it. It seems stupid to get angry at you for something I don't remember. Guess I can deal with it when my memory comes back."
"I'm so glad that part of you hasn't changed one bit."
"What part of me?" Bo wasn't sure if it was a compliment or an insult.
"You always manage to simplify everything. If it was me, I probably would have run off by now. I would be so confused that I wouldn't know what to feel."
"Good thing it happened to me and not you then." Bo said casually.
Luke laughed and nodded his head. "Yeah, guess it is a good thing."
"I still don't get it though. What does that have to do with me losing my memory. Doesn't seem like there's any relation."
"Doc said it's a psychological thing. You were hurting so badly that your mind did the only thing it thought it could to protect you. It blocked out the memories." Luke explained.
Bo tried to let that all sink in. This was too complicated for him and he didn't like talking about it any more. He knew Luke was feeling guilty about it and he didn't want him to dwell on it any longer. "Can we work on the General now?"
Luke felt a weight lift off his shoulder. He had been dreading telling Bo about all this and now, just like that, it was over. He knew he would have to deal with it when Bo gets his memory back but for now, Bo was happy and they had one good memory from yesterday. Bo and Luke, both got what they wanted. Luke got the carburettor Bo had bought him and Bo got to watch Luke install it. It was a day that was so close to being ruined, but somehow managed to be saved in the last few hours, making it a great day for Bo and Luke. Luke didn't know why he was given the second chance but he would always be thankful for it. "Yeah, let's go work on the General. Just take it easy. I don't want you having a relapse. Your fever may be gone but you're still far from well."
Jesse watch his boys from the barn. They were both working on the General Lee. He could hear the occasional coughing from Bo, but it didn't sound as bad as it was. He jumped a little when Bo hit his head under the hood of the General, but it was just the shock of the sound it caused. He knew nothing was wrong because Luke stood up laughing at his cousin who was rubbing his head. "Did you say jump the creek?" Jesse laughed. That would cause anyone to knock their head. "No jumping the creek until Bo's congestion is completely gone!" Jesse called out to them. Luke gave him a thumbs up before returning to the car.
"So, the General can jump?" Bo asked confused.
Luke couldn't believe he was explaining this to Bo considering he was the one who made the first jump in the General Lee. "We jump it off a ramp in the road. We did it more times than I can count. The General spends so much time in the air, you can almost consider him half a glider." Bo was loving the General more and more.
"When..."
"You heard Uncle Jesse." Luke interrupted him, "No jumping until you stop coughing. The landing itself could set off a coughing fit."
"Alright, fine, but the second Uncle Jesse says I can..."
"We'll be flying in the General." Luke finished for him, smiling at his cousin's excitement. He tightened the last of the fuel lines before wiping his hands on a rag. "All done!"
"Can we go..." One look at Luke and Bo already knew the answer. "Why do I even bother?"
"I don't know, Bo. Why do you?" Luke grinned at Bo's glare, "Watch your hands." He warned as he dropped the hood.
Bo ran his hand over the General. "I can't wait to drive you." In a way, Luke envied Bo. He still remembered the feeling of their first drive in the General and now, Bo could have that feeling again.
"He's gonna run better than ever." Luke said proudly. "We probably should get Cooter to look him over before we do though."
"Who?"
Luke kept forgetting that Bo had amnesia and didn't know anyone outside the family. "Cooter Davenport. He's an honorary Duke and our best friend. He's also the best mechanic in the Tri-County area." Luke and Bo turned when they heard a car coming down the road. Luke smiled, "Speak of the devil." He said as Cooter's truck pulled up to the farm. "Come on, Bo. I'll introduce you." Bo followed Luke. He had a feeling he was going to like this Cooter fella.
"Cooter, what are you doing here? Still a little early to close up, ain't it." Luke shook his hand.
"Nah, slow day today. Thought I'd come over and check out the General Lee." Cooter turned his gaze onto Bo. "Howdy, Bo. How're you feeling?"
"Better, thanks." Bo answered as he tried to remember the man in front of him.
"Still don't know me, huh?"
Bo scratched his head, a little embarrassed, "Sorry."
Cooter waved the apology away. "Bo, the day you need to apologise to me is the day we ain't friends no more and I can guarantee you, that will never happen." Bo grinned, yep, Bo liked this guy. "So how's the General doing with the new carburettor?"
"Just waiting on you to look it over. Luke say you're the best mechanic there is." Bo answered as they walked over to the General.
"Dang straight I am!" Cooter howled.
"Real modest too." Luke rolled his eyes at Bo, who chuckled.
"Bo, why don't you give it a go and I'll take a look?" Cooter already had the hood up. Bo wasted no time in doing as he was asked. He may not be able to drive him but at least he could hear the engine go. Luke was enjoying just watching Bo turn the key in the ignition. Bo was experiencing everything again for the first time and the look on his face was pure joy. "Whooooie, he's sounds better than ever. You boys did a great job." Jimmy was right, Bo was like a little boy on Christmas morning. "You know, I think I've rubbed off on you boys. I don't need to do anything." Cooter closed the hood and Bo turned off the engine.
"You stayin' for dinner, Cooter?" Jesse called out from the kitchen window.
"You know me, Uncle Jesse. I ain't never turned down food cooked by you." Cooter grinned at Jesse.
"Alright and I ain't your Uncle Jesse!" Jesse gave his customary reply. "And Bo, the sun's goin' down, put on a jacket or come inside!"
"Yes sir!" Bo replied, "I'll be right back." He started for the house when Luke called him back.
"Bo, we're done here. Let's just go inside." Bo's bright mood became sullen. "Come on, Bo. The General's in the best condition it can be. There's no point staying out here."
"Fine!" Cooter grinned and threw his arm around Bo's shoulder.
"You know, this is exactly how you were when you boys first brought the General home. You didn't want to leave his side. You would've slept in him if Uncle Jesse didn't threaten to tan your hide." Cooter laughed, making Bo smile. Bo loved hearing stories about the General Lee. "Did Luke tell you about how y'all beat Boss Hogg in the annual derby?" Up until dinner, their conversations consisted of stories about Bo and Luke's adventures in thwarting Boss Hogg's schemes, but after a couple bouts of coughing fits caused by the laughter, Luke called for a halt to the reminiscing.
After dinner, Cooter stayed a little longer to talk with the Duke boys. "I spoke to Enos today. He's searched over half the county but still no sign of them. I don't know how they're doing it!" Cooter said scratching his head. Bo listened to them talking about these car thieves. He knew they were the one who tried to frame him, that's why Luke looked like he wanted to strangle someone.
"Someone's gotta be helping them. No way two strangers to Hazzard can hide so many cars." Luke growled, "This one's got me stumped."
"If they tried to frame me it must be Boss Hogg." Bo said simply, remembering what Luke had warned him about the county commissioner.
Cooter and Luke looked at each other. "I can't believe we didn't think of that. Such a big scheme, Boss Hogg has to have something to do with it."
"And Boss Hogg owns half the county, he's bound to have a place for the thieves to stash the cars." Cooter agreed.
A smile grew on Luke's face, one that was obviously contagious because Cooter had the same smile. Bo frowned at them. "Why are y'all so happy?"
Cooter pointed at Luke as he spoke to Bo, "That smile means that Luke has a plan."
Bo grinned, "What's the plan?"
Luke took a closer look at Bo. "For now, the plan is for you to go to bed." He laughed when Bo narrowed his eyes are him. "Bo, Uncle Jesse is going to give me a switching if he knew I let you stay up too late."
Bo ignored Luke and turned to Cooter, "Did he always treat me like I'm five?"
Cooter burst out laughing at the look on Bo's face. It was funny because he very much looked like a five year old. "Only when you're hurt, injured or sick, which is quite often."
Luke shook his head. "I'll tell you the plan tomorrow once I've smoothed out the bumps in it. Right now, I only have an idea." Bo didn't like the way Luke looked like he wanted to laugh, "Now, you be a good boy and go to bed and I'll bring in some milk and cookies."
"Cute!" Bo glared before getting up and going to the room.
"Good night, Bo!"
"Good night, Cooter!" Bo grumbled back.
"He looks well considering everything that's happened." Cooter said seriously.
"Yeah, I got lucky." Luke waited for the room door to close before getting up to get the map of Hazzard County. Spreading it out over the dining table, Luke started circling areas on the map. "These are all the areas Boss owns."
Cooter took the pen off Luke. "This is a wheat factory that's still working," He crossed it off, "This is just empty land. No place to hide anything." Crossing it off the map as well. They proceeded that way until they came to about three areas that were suitable for a hideout. "We should check these places out tomorrow."
"Should we call in Enos?" Cooter asked, knowing the deputy was dying to crack this case.
"Not if Boss is involved. Enos couldn't keep it from the Sheriff and Boss if his life depended on it." Luke shook his head, "Nope, this one's up to us."
"You really going to tell Bo about it. You know he'd want to come along." Cooter wasn't sure it was a good idea for Bo to help out this time.
"Probably not, but I can't keep it from him either. We'll see how he feels tomorrow and what Uncle Jesse has to say about it." Luke decided. The doctor had told them not to coddle Bo, but that was easier said than done. Doing the normal thing in this family is not the same as any other family. Normal for the Dukes is racing around the county and catching bad guys. Luke wasn't sure whether Bo should be allowed to go out or stay at home. Whichever way, someone was not going to be happy.
