Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters.
Two weeks later...
Bo was doing very well. The fever took two days to break but once it did, Bo's recovery was rapid and smooth. Aside from his ribs, his body was back to it's original health. Today, Luke and Bo were heading over to Atlanta with Daisy to pick up Jesse's truck. Bo was just glad to be out of the house. "Be careful." Jesse told them. He didn't like the idea of Bo going to Atlanta so soon after they got him back, but Luke and Daisy would be with him which gave him some comfort and he did want his truck back. "Stay out of trouble."
"He makes it sound as if we have a choice." Bo mumbled as he walked over to the General Lee. "Boy, have I missed you." Bo laid a hand on the roof of the General.
"You okay to get in by yourself?" Luke asked from the driver's side, letting Daisy get in first.
Bo nodded, "I think so." Luke kept a close eye on him as he lowered himself through the window. He did notice a little discomfort on Bo's expression but not enough to make him worry. Satisfied that his cousin was fine, Luke climbed in behind the wheel. He smiled when he saw that Daisy had made herself comfortable against Bo. After Bo was discharged from the hospital, the only time Daisy had left his side was when she went to work. Otherwise, she would fuss over him and check his bandages. She was a natural at taking care of Bo when he was sick. Luke sometimes wondered if they should send her off to college for a nurse's degree. She'll be the first Duke to go to college, that's for sure.
"We'll be back by dinner time, Uncle Jesse." Luke waved and drove away.
"How did you do it, Bo?" Daisy asked, still snuggled against him. It's been two weeks now, but aside from the mumbling he did when he first got back, they didn't really know what Bo went through.
"Do what, Daisy?"
"Get back to us. You were gone for over a week." Daisy clarified.
Luke looked over at Bo. He had been wondering that as well, but unless Bo volunteered the information, Luke wouldn't ask. He wasn't sure if Bo wanted to live through it again. Bo looked out the window, he was hesitating. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to." Luke told him.
Daisy looked up at Bo, "Luke's right, Bo. I was just asking, you don't have to answer."
"It's okay. It's not as if I'm still getting nightmares or anything. I just don't want to ever feel that way again. I was so scared I wouldn't get back to y'all. I almost gave up." Luke could've sworn that Bo sounded ashamed.
"You were walking for days. It's understandable to start thinking you'd never make it." Luke knew how Bo felt. He had felt the same way once, during his days he was MIA.
Bo smiled at him. "I almost gave up, but then I remembered the day you came back from Vietnam. You told me that you got through the days there because of me. Because you had to get home to me. I figured if you could get through a war for me, getting home for you was the least I could do." Luke concentrated on the road as he took in what Bo had just told him. The only thing that told Bo that Luke had heard was the gentle squeeze at the back of Bo's neck where Luke had reached over. "I know it's nothing compared to what you went through, but I think I have an idea of how you felt back then."
Luke smiled, "That's funny, because when you went missing I remembered you telling me that our room was your haven. My bed gave you comfort. That was what it was for me during the week you were missing. I just don't know how you managed to stay positive for four years, when I was close to going crazy after only a week." Luke chuckled, "It doesn't compare to what you went through, but I think I have an idea of how you felt back then.." Bo chuckled at that too. Daisy kept quiet as the boys exchanged their experiences. She always knew the boys had a bond that no one quite understood, she just didn't know it was this strong. It was as if they had felt each other during that week. That was why Luke never gave up, why Luke refused to have a funeral for Bo. It was because he knew, he could feel that Bo was still with them. They spent the rest of the car ride listening to Bo tell them about how he had survived the hurricane and how he got home. It was an amazing story of survival but Bo told it in such a way that it sounded like it was something he did every day. "I wonder what happened to the car." Bo almost completely forgot about the dodgy Sudan Bill had loaned him.
"Who cares? That guy is a real piece of work. He loaned you that car knowing it would never get you to Hazzard."
"He did?" This was news to Bo. "I just thought the guy was a lousy mechanic who didn't know there was a problem with his car."
"Yep, he told me after a little persuasion." Luke smiled. Daisy shook her head. Luke persuasion was very persuasive. "We're here." Luke announced.
"This is the place. Wonder if George is here. He's the only person I want to see." Bo still remembered what Bill and the other two had done to Jesse's truck and he wasn't willing to forgive them for it. He climbed out of the General.
"Bo Duke?" Bo turned his head towards the voice. He smiled, "Hi George." George walked up to him.
"You survived." The words came out in a breath of relief.
Bo nodded and held out his hand. "I did." George took it and then pulled him in for a hug. Luke saw Bo wince as George put pressure on his ribs.
"Careful, George. Bo didn't come out of that hurricane without any scratches." Luke told him. George pulled back.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" He asked worriedly.
"Luke worries too much. I'm fine." Bo waved off the apology. "So, is my uncle's truck fixed?"
"Yep, did it myself." George pulled the tarp of the truck. "Check it out and see if I left anything out."
Bo shook his head. "I trust you." He walked around the truck. "You gave it a new paint job, it looks as good as new."
"Yep, put in the new radiator, as well as a new carburettor. Should run real smooth now." George said proudly.
"You didn't have to do that." Luke said from the other side of the pick-up.
"Yes I did." George turned to Bo. "Listen, Bo. I'm sorry. If I knew...I wouldn't have given you Bill's car." George was still feeling guilty about getting Bo stranded.
Bo waved him off again, "It weren't your fault. So how much do we owe you for Jesse's pick-up."
"Are you kidding me? I ain't charging ya. This mess was my fault. I may not have done the damage myself, but Bill was my employee, so it's my responsibility. I ain't taking your money."
Bo smiled, he figured as much, but it wouldn't feel right if he didn't offer to pay something and Uncle Jesse wouldn't be happy with them if they didn't offer.. "It's water under the bridge, George. We have to head back. My uncle is waiting for us and after all that's happened I don't want him to worry." George nodded, he understood. He would go crazy if something like that happened to his kid. "Take care, George."
Daisy got in the pick-up. This was why she had come along. Someone had to drive the pick-up home and Bo wasn't allowed to drive just yet. Half way back to Hazzard, Bo sat up in his seat. Looking into the trees on the side of the road. "Bo, you okay?" Luke asked.
"Turn off."
"What? Bo..."
"Just turn off." Bo said again. Luke did and as he would've expected, Daisy's voice came through the CB.
"Luke, Bo, what's going on?"
Luke picked up the transmitter. "I don't exactly know, Daisy. Hey, why don't you head on back home? Uncle Jesse is going to tan all our hides if we don't get back on time."
"Nuh-ah. I ain't going back there until I know what's going on and it better be a good reason because I ain't facing Uncle Jesse without one."
Luke chuckled at her response. He looked over at Bo, who was still looking around like he was trying to spot something. "Bo, you want to tell me what's going on?" He kept his finger on the transmit button so that Daisy could hear the explanation as well.
"I was blown off the road around here." Bo revealed, "I want to see if I can remember my way back to Jared's cabin. It's around here somewhere. Just keep going, Luke. It'll come to me."
Luke nodded, he knew how much this meant to Bo. "You hear that, Daisy?"
"Yeah, I hear ya. I'll head back to Hazzard and let Uncle Jesse know what you boys are doing. When should we expect you home?"
"I can't say. It depends if we find the cabin or not. Don't wait up for us." Luke told her.
"Take care of Bo."
"I will. I'm gone." Luke put the transmitter back. "See anything familiar yet?" Bo shook his head. "The road is getting rougher. I'm not sure the General Lee can take much more of this."
"Just a little bit more. Please." Bo begged, he really wanted to find Jared again. He needed to thank him for saving his life and he wanted him to meet Luke. Bo didn't understand why, but he had a feeling Jared and Luke would get along real well. "His cabin is far from the main road, so this road will probably end soon."
"Bo, why don't we try another day? It'll be too hard to find him like this." Luke reasoned.
"Do we have a map?" Bo asked, as if Luke didn't say anything. He rummaged through the glove compartment and found a map. Opening it up, he ran his finger over the map. "I walked for about five days and I came to Hazzard Creek about here." Retracing his steps, Bo ran his finger across the page. "Hazzard is east of Jared's cabin. We're here." Luke stopped the General and looked over at his cousin, waiting patiently. "We might have to walk a little. That way." Finally, he looked up at Luke. He knew he wouldn't be going anywhere if Luke didn't agree to it and after everything his family has been through, he didn't want to do anything that would make them worry.
"We look for half an hour. We don't find anything, we're heading back to Hazzard." Luke gave him the conditions. Half an hour wasn't a long time, but Bo knew that Luke was already being very generous. He nodded in agreement and they headed off in the direction Bo believed the cabin would be. Luke kept one eye on Bo, making sure the hike wasn't taxing on his ribs. Half an hour passed and they didn't find anything. Bo was disappointed, but he wasn't going to go back on their agreement. Luke put a hand on his shoulder, "We'll find him. Once your ribs are completely healed. We'll get out a map and plan it out. I'm sure if we sit down and map it out, we'll find it."
"Or else you can just follow me!" Bo's head shot up, while Luke immediately stepped in front of Bo, shielding him from whoever it was. "You must be the very smart and protective cousin, Luke." Jared gave a two finger salute. Luke frowned, turning to his cousin and raising an eyebrow. Bo was grinning and Luke knew this was the man they were looking for.
"Jared!" Bo ran over to the man. Jared pulled him into a hug, laughing. Luke shook his head. Somehow, Bo had managed to meet two people who treated him like someone they had known for years. Bo had that affect on people. It didn't take people long to learn that Bo is a 'what you see is what you get' kind of guy and most people usually liked what they saw. "Watch the ribs!" He called out, making Bo laugh.
"Sorry, forgot about them. You made it!" Jared cheered.
"Thanks to you." Bo smiled.
Jared nodded, "You boys have some time to spare. I want to show you something." Bo looked at Luke, who nodded. This man saved Bo's life, the least he could do was spare some time. Jared lead the way and Luke and Bo followed. Luke leaned over to Bo and whispered, "Smart?" Bo laughed and shoved him away.
"I had a really high fever." Bo wasn't about to let Luke's head get too big.
They walked for about 15 minutes before they came to the place Jared wanted them to see. Bo froze at the sight in front of him. Luke's eyes widened. Jared just stood there silently, letting them take it all in. "Bo, is that...?"
"Yeah." Bo answered. "That's the car I was driving."
"I found it when I came out hunting a couple of days after you left." Jared told them.
"Bo, how did you survive this?" Luke circled the wreckage. It didn't even resemble a car. It was wedged between trees with no doors and the trunk was pushed so far in that you couldn't even slip in a piece of paper. The engine was torn apart.
"I found Bo about twenty feet that way." Jared pointed to the north of where the car landed. "If he were in the car..." Jared didn't need to finish the sentence. If Bo was in the car, he would've been crushed. Luke looked over at Bo, who hadn't said much.
"Bo, are you okay?" Luke walked over to him. Bo looked as though he was going to pass out. Luke turned Bo by the shoulders so that his back was to the wreckage. "Bo, look at me." Bo did. "You need to breathe." Bo choked out a breath. He didn't even know he was holding it.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't've brought you here. I thought you would want to know what happened to your car." Jared should've guessed seeing the wreckage would be hard for Bo.
"It ain't his car and frankly, this wreck and it's owner are a perfect match now." Luke seethed, he still wanted to pound Bill into a pulp. Jared raised his eyebrows. "Okay." He mouthed silently before turning away and giving the boys some privacy.
Bo was shaking. He wasn't focused on Luke, but somewhere else, far away. "I was in there. I remember the door coming off and the car getting lifted off the ground. I held onto that steering wheel like it was my lifeline and then I felt the twister spit us out and that was it. If I didn't get knocked unconscious, I would've held on. All Jared would've found was my..."
"Don't." Luke shook Bo hard, bringing him out of his state. "Don't think about it. You got thrown free and Jared found you. That's what happened. You're alive and you came back to us. That's all that matters. Whatever you're thinking right now, didn't happen." Bo gave Luke an uncertain look. "It didn't happen, Bo." Finally, Bo took a deep breath and nodded. Luke smiled. "That's better. Now, I want to meet the man who saved your life."
Bo smiled and nodded, "Jared!" Jared turned around when his name was called and walked over to them. "This is my cousin, Luke. Luke, this is Jared." Bo gave the formal introductions. Jared held his hand out. Luke took it and to Bo's surprised, he pulled Jared into a hug. It wasn't something Luke did with people who he had only just met.
"You saved my cousin's life. There is nothing I can do or say to repay you." Luke said as he pulled back. "I will always be in your debt." Jared nodded. He's met people like Luke in the marines. They were honourable men and there was no point in being modest. It would be an insult.
"Bo tells me you were in the marines." Jared said, "So was I." Luke raised an eyebrow. Suddenly this man seemed familiar to Luke. He was not someone he knew but someone he knew of. Jared smiled as he saw the penny drop for Luke. Luke's eyes widened when he realised whose company he was in.
"Lt Colonel Jared M. Knight." Jared nodded. Bo looked between these two men. He didn't know what was going on.
"Luke, do you know Jared?" Bo asked.
Luke shook his head, "Lt Colonel Jared M. Knight lead his team into enemy territory to save two soldiers who fell behind enemy lines after their plane was shot down. Everyone thought those men were as good as dead, but you didn't give up on them. You disobeyed orders and took your team in to save those men."
"That's me. Got discharged from the marines once I returned to U.S soil, but I never regretted what I did." Jared said as if what he did was nothing.
"Wow, I didn't know I was in the company of a national hero." Bo was amazed.
"I wouldn't call me a hero." Jared shrugged, "I came to live here once I got discharged." Sensing that Jared didn't want to talk about it any more, Luke changed the subject.
"So where's your cabin? I think we have about an hour or two or daylight left. I want to hear about how you found Bo." Jared nodded and lead the way.
In the cabin...
"I found Bo when the winds died down. I wanted to check on some of the traps I had set up. He was a mess. I thought he was dead, so you can imagine how shocked I was when I found a pulse. Bo was very sick. I wasn't sure he was going to make it and I have no form of communication here. His fever was so high, I was pretty sure I could fry an egg on his skin." Luke and Bo listened in silence as Jared told his side of the story. "I cleaned his wounds as best I could. He was delirious. Kept calling out for you," He looked at Luke, "every now and then I would hear him call out Daisy and Uncle Jesse but most of the time he was calling out for you. I'm glad he got back home."
"So are we." Luke slapped Bo on the back. "I don't know what we'd do if we lost him." Bo gave him a small smile.
"Bo told me you joined the marines so that he wouldn't be drafted. That's a brave thing to do." Jared respected this man, both as a Marine and a man. "I don't know many people who would do that for someone else, even their own family members."
Luke smiled, "In the short time you've known Bo. Would you let him join the marines?" Bo frowned, he wasn't sure if he was being insulted or not. He decided to keep quiet to see where this was leading before he protested.
"No way." Bo's eyes narrowed at him, making Jared laughed, "And it's not because we don't believe you can't hack it. You made it home, we know you can. It's because it doesn't take a genius to work out that you see the better side of everything. You're carefree. It's why Luke is so protective of you. War changes people and when you come back from the army, you don't see the world the way you use to. The army changed the way Luke sees things but as long as he can protect you from that, he will always be able to see the brighter side through you, the side all the soldiers in the U.S Marine Corp fight for." Bo didn't know what to say. Of all the places he thought this conversation was heading, this was not one of them. He looked at Luke who smiled at him, telling him that what Jared had just said was exactly how he felt. Bo swallowed the lump in his throat.
"You never told me." Bo knew almost everything Luke did was for him, to protect him, but he didn't know that was the reason behind it.
"Well, it ain't the only reason. It's been the main reason since I got back from Vietnam but I've been looking after you and Daisy since y'all arrived on the farm." Luke smiled at the first memory he had of Bo. "The first day you arrived on the farm. Aunt Lavinia was making dinner and you needed a nappy change. I watched Uncle Jesse fumble with the pins and trying to get the new cloth nappy to wrap you in. I'm telling you, you were a great shot even when you were six months old. Straight into Uncle Jesse's face. I was laughing so hard that I almost wet my own pants." Bo and Jared were laughing and Luke could barely get the words out as he remembered that day. He sobered up and continued. "Ever since that day, there was never a dull day on the farm. I may have been only four years old, but I knew I never wanted to live on that farm without you." Luke shrugged, "I guess I kind of appointed myself, your protector."
Bo looked down at the cup he was holding. "Thanks, Luke." Luke nodded. "We should get going. Uncle Jesse's gonna start worrying."
"Yeah, it's getting late." Luke got up. Standing straight, he gave Jared the full military salute he deserved, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Sir."
Jared returned the salute. "The pleasure was mine." He pulled Bo into a hug. "Come by some day and I'll take you hunting. This area's full of wild boars." Bo promised he would be back.
Jared led them back to their car, not wanting them to get lost. By the time they got to the county line, it was dark. Luke picked up the CB. "This is Lost sheep calling Shepherd. You got your ears on. Come back."
"Of course I've got my ears on. Where have you boys been? Do you know what time it is?" Bo grinned at the gruff voice of his uncle.
"Yeah, we know. We found Jared and stayed to talk a little. He did save Bo's life. It would've been rude to just say hi and run off."
"Alright, I guess I raised you boys to show your appreciation. Just get back here. Your dinner's getting cold."
"Ten-Four!" Luke put the CB down. Looking over at Bo, Luke put a hand on his shoulder. "I think we can finally put all this behind us now."
Bo nodded, "Yeah, I think we can."
"But if you don't mind, you're not leaving my sight for a couple of months, at least."
Bo laughed, "If you don't mind, I don't plan on going anywhere without you...ever!"
"Good. Then it's a deal!"