Bo's Parents

     Jesse Duke stood near the window, looking out at the farmyard, his eyes held a look of uncertainty. He turned back to face the two people that sat in the front room on the couch. He couldn't believe that they had the nerve to show back up after all these years. It had been thirteen years since they had been in Hazzard. There was a few moments of silence nobody knowing what to say. The woman, who was sitting on the couch, sat sipping at a cup of coffee, as her blonde bangs feel across her pale blue eyes. The man sat staring at Jesse harshly with his deep blue eyes, his short blonde hair was mostly hidden from site under his hat.
     "You should've told him the truth, brother." Ty said harshly.
     "He is too young to really understand." Jesse said.
     "You should've told him." Marie said.
     "Told him what that his parents didn't want him and abandoned him in my care and that someday they might come back." Jesse said.
     "You shouldn't have told him that we had died." Ty said.
     "I thought it was best that Bo thought that. I doubted you'd return. I thought it would be easier for him to deal with. If he knew that you abandoned him how do you think that would make him feel?" Jesse questioned harshly.
     "He will be able to deal with it just fine." Ty said.
Jesse just stared at Ty. He doubted that was true he was fearing how Bo was going to handle the news that his parents were in fact alive.
     Bo and Luke came walking home after having gone fishing, though the hadn't got anything they had done some climbing out around Rainbow Canyon.
     "Hey Luke whose car is that?" Bo asked, gesturing towards the dark blue car that was parked in front of the house.
Luke shrugged. "I don't know."
They put their fishing equipment away in the barn then walked inside the house.
     "Hey Uncle Jesse, we're home." both Bo and Luke said in unison, as the walked inside.
Bo and Luke walked into the doorway between the kitchen and front room, Luke was leaning on Bo, who was about three inches shorter. Uncle Jesse looked towards them a little nervously. Ty and Marie sat looking at Bo. Bo and Luke could sense the tension in he room. Bo and Luke glanced at each other wondering what was going on.
     "What's goin' on?" Bo asked, curiously.
     "Boys this is Ty and Marie Duke . . ." Jesse said his voice trailing off momentarily. "Bo they are your parents."
Bo stood staring at them for a moment with a shocked expression.
     "My . . . parents . . ." Bo said then looked at Jesse. "You told me they were dead."
     "Bo . . . it's a long story why don't you just sit down and we can discuss it." Jesse said.
     "Yes son, come sit down here." Marie said motioning for him to come sit between her and Ty.
Bo made no movement to sit down he just stared blankly at them for a minute, his face had gone quite pale.
     "You said my parents were dead." Bo said looking at Jesse, then turned to his parents. "If you didn't die then why did you send me away? Wasn't I good enough for you?"
     "Bo . . ." Jesse said softly, trying to comfort his youngest nephew.
     "I don't want to hear about it. I don't want to know why y'all lied to me." Bo said then turned and ran out of the house.
     "BO WAIT!" Luke yelled running after him.
Bo didn't listen to Luke and kept running away from the farm, however Luke didn't give up he continued to run after Bo, finally catching up at the road by the farm, out of view of the house.
     "Why didn't you at least wait for me?" Luke questioned putting hand on Bo's shoulder and pulling him to a stop.
Bo didn't respond, or turn to face Luke. He didn't want Luke to see him crying he bit his bottom, tyring to stop the tears hoping Luke couldn't tell. He figured Luke would laugh at him for crying call him a baby saying he was thirteen and too old to be crying.
     "Bo . . ." Luke said unsure of what to really say to ease Bo's pain. He could tell his younger cousin was hurting, and it upset him. He could tell that Bo was crying but didn't say anything. "C'mon Bo, let's just go somewheres and talk."
Bo nodded and then him and Luke started to walk off through the woods.
     The three of them remained in the living, room. Jesse had tried to call for the boys to come back but they hadn't listened.
     "They are sure quite undisciplined." Ty commented.
     "What did you think was going to happen?" Jesse questioned. "I told you that he was not going take this too well."
     "Only because you lied to him, telling him we were dead." Ty said.
     "You may was well have died. You did abandon him." Jesse said.
Ty rolled his eyes. "Stop trying to play the good little saviour. You haven't changed one bit brother."
     "And neither have you Ty. You still are just thinking of yourself and not caring about who you hurt." Jesse said sternly.
 Ty Duke, was the black sheep of the Duke family. He didn't seem to have one drop of Duke blood in him. He most times acted more like a Hogg. He had a hot temper, which he didn't control and at times was know to be quite violent. Marie was just about the same, she was highly self centred, and showed little emotion. They both sat quietly on the couch for a few moments.
     "Perhaps I should go out and find my boy." Ty said, stressing heavily on the last part of the sentence.
     "He'll be back just give him some time. Luke will be able to talk to him into coming home." Jesse said.
     "Well he had better get home soon, all this dust in the dingy farm is ruining my perm." Marie said.
     Jesse said nothing, he just walked over to the window and stared out, waiting for Bo and Luke to get back home. Then he felt a knot in his stomach as he thought about what would happen when they did get home. Ty and Marie would take Bo away, this would no longer be his home. He wondered how Bo would handle moving away. He knew that the boys were very close and they would be separated and never see each other again. He knew that it would not only be hard on Bo but also be hard on Luke. Bo and Luke did everything together and acted more like brothers then cousins. He hated the idea of losing Bo as well, he loved both Bo and Luke as though they were his own children. Jesse started to think back to the day that Ty and Marie had came to leave Bo at the farm.

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     Jesse sat in the living room reading a story to Luke, who was two years old, when he heard a car pull up outside.
     "Just sit here and keeping looking at the book, I'm going to see who is here." Jesse said, and Luke nodded and kept looking at all the pictures in the book.
Jesse opened the door, and Marie came walking in carrying, Bo who was about two months old. Bo was crying loudly, Marie thrust Bo towards Jesse to hold. Jesse took Bo into his arms and gently rocked him while softly hushing him. In moments Bo had stopped crying and smiled up at Jesse who smiled back. Ty then came in carrying bags. Jesse looked at Ty questioningly. Luke had heard a baby crying and went to see who was there. He had never seen his Uncle Ty and Aunt Marie before and wondered who they were. He walked over to Jesse and tugged at the leg of his pants.
     "I wantta see the baby." Luke said, trying to stand on his tippy toes to see the baby his uncle was holding.
     "Just a second Luke." Jesse said, he walked into the front room, He gently lay Bo down on the floor on a soft blanket.
Luke followed him and sat down on the floor next to Bo.
     "Luke this is your little cousin Bo. Be a good boy and watch over him for a minute, and remember he is just a baby." Jesse said.
Luke nodded, and moved to get a better look at his little cousin. He smiled down at Bo who smiled back up at him, his dark eyes sparkling happily. Luke was surprised how small he was, he reached down to tickle Bo, and Bo took Luke's hand, holding his finger in his small hand. Luke smiled, he saw his teddy bear sitting on the couch and got up and gave it to Bo to hold. Luke sat back down by Bo, to watch over him like his Uncle Jesse had told him to. He tried to signing to lullaby that Jesse always sang to him, forgetting most the words, but Bo still seemed to like it and smiled up happily at him.
     Jesse had stood watching them for a couple moments to be sure things would be okay, he smiled seeing how much Luke seemed to care about his little cousin, even though he didn't know him. He turned and walked back into the kitchen.
     "What is all this about?" Jesse asked.
     "We decided that we don't want a child in our lives. He is always in the way and does nothing but cry." Marie said.
     "So what you are just going to leave him here?" Jesse asked.
     "Well if you don't want him we can go dump him in some orphanage somewhere." Ty said.
     "You are talking like he is a dog or something." Jesse said angrily.
Ty shrugged. "There isn't much difference he is in the way like an unwanted dog."
Jesse glared at his brother. "How can you talk about your own child that way?"
     "It is true, having a child did nothing for my figure. Glad I didn't increase my diet like they try to eat for two, my figure would ruined." Marie said.
 Jesse just stared at her. He couldn't believe the way they were speaking of their own child.
     "All he does is cry and he is always so sick all the time." Ty said. "We don't want him. We thought we could dump here with you, but if you don't want him . . ." Ty started to stay.
     "He is staying here. I will raise him. I am sure it's better for Bo anyway not to be raised by the two of you. He'll be much better off here on the farm." Jesse said.
Ty rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Here is clothes for him and supplies. He said motioning to the bags. Which was only two small bags, they hadn't bothered to buy much for Bo.
     "Fine. Now get off my farm." Jesse said sternly.
Ty and Marie left the house. Jesse went back into to tell Luke that Bo was going to be staying with them from now on. Jesse picked up Bo and sat down on the couch and motioned to Luke to sit down next to him.
     "Luke, Bo is going to be staying with us from now on." Jesse said.
Luke smiled, happy to hear that Bo was staying. "I'm glad."
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    Jesse sighed coming back out of the memory, he stared out across the farmyard. His heart was filled with a heavy sadness at the thought of Bo being taken away.
     Meanwhile, Bo and Luke walked out to the Okamondy Indians caves, were they often played. They had built themselves a small fort in one when they were a few years younger. They didn't go there as often anymore, but now seemed like a good time to go. They sat quietly for a couple minutes.
     "How could Uncle Jesse lie to me like that?" Bo asked.
Luke looked sympathetically at his cousin. "I'm sure he just did what he thought was best. He probably thought it would be easier that way."
     "Yeah but . . ." Bo said, feeling tears threatening.
Luke sat down beside Bo and put his arm around his shoulder. "I know this is hard to deal with Bo, you can talk to me, you know that."
     "What is there to talk about? It is all simple. Uncle Jesse lied to me. Me parents aren't dead they abandoned me." Bo said looking at Luke, biting his bottom lip to keep from crying.
     "It's okay to cry Bo. I know if it was me I would be." Luke said, trying to ease the pain he saw in his cousin's eyes.
Bo smiled, then allowed the tears to streak his cheeks. They remained silent for a couple minutes, Luke kept his arm around Bo's shoulder.
     "What happens now?" Bo asked.
     "What do you mean?" Luke asked.
     "I mean my parents came back for me so . . . am I leaving the farm?" Bo asked.
Luke suddenly realized he had never thought of it, the thought of losing Bo never entered his mind. "I don't know."
     "I don't know if I want to, but . . . they are my parents. If I go then we will be separated. I don't want that." Bo said looking at Luke. "You are more a brother then a cousin to me and I don't want our friendship to end that way."
     "We'd still be friends Bo. Nothing could change that." Luke said. "Perhaps we should go home and just see what happens."
Bo nodded. They got up and started to walk back towards the Duke farm.
     They walked up to the door of the farmhouse. Bo paused with his hand resting on the door handle, a look of uncertainty filled his eyes, as he glanced back at Luke.
     "It'll be fine, go ahead." Luke said, reassuringly, though he was trying hide the worry in his voice. He was afraid if Bo's parents took him away that he'd lose him forever.
Bo gave a small smile then took a deep breath and walked inside. Luke followed him close behind. The two of them walked in the front room. Ty, Marie and Jesse all looked at them as they walked in. Bo walked over to the chair that was next to the fireplace and sat down, Luke stood beside him.
     "So what is the truth?" Bo asked.
Ty and Marie looked at each other, then to Jesse and finally looked at Bo.
     "We were young when you were born, we just didn't feel that we were ready to raise a child." Marie said.
     "We didn't plan on you staying at the farm this long things just got out of control. We had no idea that Jesse told you we had died. We told him that we would return one day." Ty said.
Jesse shook his head. "That sure sounds like a different story then what really happened on the day you brought Bo here for me to raise."
     "You could've said that you didn't want to bother taking him in." Ty said.
     "Unlike you I actually care about Bo." Jesse said.
Bo looked up at Luke, both of them felt as though everyone was talking like they weren't there.
     "That is why you lied to him about us being died." Ty said, a small smirk curled his lips.
     "I did what I thought was be easiest for Bo to deal with." Jesse said.
     "Would y'all just stop arguing and tell me the truth." Bo said.
Everyone looked at Bo. Jesse walked over and knelt down in front of Bo. He could see the confusion that filled Bo's deep blue eyes and sighed softly.
     "I am sorry that I lied to you Bo, I just did what I thought was best." Jesse said.
Bo looked at his uncle and gave a small smile. "I do understand that Uncle Jesse. I am not really mad . . . I just want to know the truth."
Jesse nodded, then told Bo the truth about what happened when his parents left him at the farm. Bo wasn't exactly sure what to think, he thought it was better thinking his parents were dead then knowing they had abandoned him. Bo looked at his parents.
     "Why did you abandon me?" Bo asked.
     "Bo . . . we were young and ready for the responsibility of raising a child." Marie said.
     "So what? Wasn't I good enough for y'all?" Bo asked, his voice sounding quite upset.
Luke placed a hand on Bo's shoulder.
     "That wasn't it Bo. We were young. So we made the wrong choice." Ty said.
     "Yeah and if Uncle Jesse didn't take me in you would've taken me to some orphanage . . ." Bo said his voice trailing off.
     "Bo we know we didn't make the best of choices back then. That is why we are here now. To make up for our mistakes and bring you home with us." Marie said.
     "How is that suppose to make up for everything?" Bo questioned.  "You just show up and now you want to take me away from the only home I have ever known and the only family I have ever known."
     "Just calm down Bo." Ty said sternly.
     "What if I don't want to leave?" Bo asked standing up, then he stormed out of the room and went to the bedroom that he and Luke shared, with Luke following close behind.
     "Why don't you just leave Bo alone, let him stay here." Jesse said.
     "He is our son and he is coming home with us." Ty said.
     "This is the only home he has ever know, him and Luke have grown very close . . ." Jesse said.
     "So what? He is our son." Marie said.
     "Don't try to argue on this brother, Bo is coming home with us." Ty said.
     "Even though he don't want to?" Jesse asked.
     "He'll adjust to his new life in Atlanta in no time." Maire said.
     "Yeah but . . ." Jesse started to argue, but was cut short by Ty.
     "He is our son, don't try to keep him from us. I would so hate to sue you for it. I think then to the courts might just take Luke away as well." Ty said nastily. "Bo is coming home with us, and is never going to be in contacted with you or his cousin again."
     "You can't cut all his connections to Luke." Jesse argued.
     "Yes we can. He is our son. I don't think that Luke is a very good influence for our son to be around." Marie said.
     "We want to leave in an hour. I'll go tell Bo to pack his stuff." Ty said.
Jesse shook his head. "No. I will go tell him."
    Jesse held back the tears that burned his eyes and went to the boy's room. He opened the bedroom door and went inside the room. Bo was sitting on his bed, and Luke was sitting on his bed across from Bo. Jesse went and sat down beside Bo, and gently put his arm around Bo.
     "Bo I am sorry that I lied to you." Jesse said.
     "That's okay Uncle Jesse. I do understand why you lied." Bo said. "Do I have to leave the farm, can't I just stay here with you and Luke?"
     "I'm sorry Bo that is not my choice. They are your parents, and they want to take you home." Jesse said, tears burned his eyes but he held them back he didn't want to cry in front of Bo and Luke.
     "That's not fair. I don't want to leave." Bo said.
     "Yeah it is not fair." Luke said in agreement. "Bo can still come an visit though, right?"
Jesse took a deep breath and held it for a moment before slowly realising it. "I am afraid not. His parents want to cut all his ties to us."
     "They can't do that. They can't just come into my life one day and take everything away from me and destroy my world." Bo said.
     "I am sorry Bo. I wish I could stop them but they are your parents, I can't go against what they say." Jesse said. "They want to leave in one hour, so you'd better pack."
     "I don't want to go." Bo said, tears had started to streak his cheeks.
Luke got up and sat down beside Bo, and hugged his cousin. He could feel tears burning his eyes, he tried to hold them back, but couldn't they started to streak his cheeks. He felt as though his heart had just snapped in two he couldn't believe that Bo was being taken away, he couldn't remember Bo not being around. Jesse got up and left the room. He thought that Bo and Luke wold want to be alone in the finally time that they had together. Bo started to pack his stuff up.
     "I don't care what they say I can call here without them knowing and maybe write and that." Bo said.
     "Yeah. They can't destroy our friendship." Luke said.
     "Even if I can't do that I'll be eighteen in five years, so I can come back here to the farm and they can't stop me." Bo said.
Bo packed a picture of him, Luke and Jesse into the bottom of his suitcase, he figured he cold just keep it out of site from his parents.
     The hour passed in what felt like minutes. Ty and Marie were ready to leave. Bo put his suitcase into the trunk of the car and went to say his finally goodbyes. He hugged Jesse.
     "Bye Uncle Jesse." Bo said.
Jesse could no longer stop his tears and had started to cry, he hugged Bo. "Remember Bo when you are older you can always come back here."
Bo nodded then went to say goodbye to Luke. They hugged.
     "Remember we will always be brothers." Luke said.
     "Yeah best friends forever." Bo said.
Bo climbed sadly into the car. He turned around and faced out the back window waving goodby until he could no longer see the farm. He felt as though part of him died the moment the farm was out of site. He turned and faced out the side window, tears brimming in his eyes, watching as the car sped out of Hazzard.
     Luke stood watching the car leave he remained standing watching the direction the car had went even long after it disappeared. He also left as though a part of him died the moment the car drove out of site. He didn't know what he was going to do without Bo around. He knew nothing would be the same. Jesse stood beside Luke, with his arm gently around Luke's shoulders.
     "We'll get by Luke." Jesse said, trying to comfort his nephew.
Luke turned and look at him. "How? What am I suppose to do without Bo around Uncle Jesse?  "He is my best friend and I loved him as though he was my brother. What I am suppose to do now that he is gone?" Luke questioned, then started to cry more, he turned and buried his head against Jesse's shoulder and allowed himself to cry.
Luke was not usually one to show his emotions but now he couldn't hold them back, and he didn't feel like trying either. Jesse softly tried to comfort Luke, not really knowing what to say. He couldn't answer Luke's question he had no idea what to tell him.
     Bo felt a heavy pain in his heart as the car past the sign the read: Now leaving Hazzard County. In unison, as though there was no miles in between them both Bo and Luke whispered. "Good bye cousin."
     The car pulled to a stop in a small suburb in Atlanta. Bo slowly got out of the car and glanced around. The house was a lot large then the farmhouse, put the yard was a lot smaller. The other houses were closer, Bo already didn't like it, he was used to living out on the farm in the wide open spaces not in town. He got his suitcase out of the trunk and followed his parents into the house. Inside everything looked eloquently decorated.
     "I'll show you to your room. Then I'll tell you the rules of this house." Ty said.
Bo said nothing and just followed Ty down the corridor to his new bedroom. The room was considerably smaller then all the other rooms that Bo had seen in the house, in fact it was even smaller then the bedroom that he and Luke shared. The walls were painted a light sky blue, barren on any pictures. There wasn't very much in the room. The bed was against the far wall, next to it was a small nightstand, upon which sat a lamp. In one corner there was a small dresser. Bo looked around the room, wishing more then ever he was back at the farm.
     "Just put your suitcase on the bed you can unpack later." Ty said.
     "Yes sir." Bo said, setting his suitcase on the bed.
Bo followed Ty into his den. Ty motioned for him to have a seat. Bo sat down.
     "The only time you are to ever enter this room is with my permission." Ty said.
Bo just nodded saying nothing.
     "I expect for you to follow my rules. Discipline is strict here not like back at the farm. I am not like Jesse. If you pull some stunt like you did today taking off, you will be strongly disciplined." Ty said sternly. "Do you understand?"
     "Yes sir." Bo responded.
Ty looked at Bo with narrowed eyes. Bo glanced away from the stare. There was something he didn't like about it, it felt so cold and uncaring. He wondered why his parents had came back into his life after so many years, he felt the last thing they wanted was a son.
     "Tomorrow afternoon, we are meeting for lunch with my boss, Mr. Milchem. I except you at least know how behave in a civilized manner." Ty said.
Bo nodded. "Yes sir."
     "See he likes for all his employees to have families. I am sure you see now why, Marie and I came to the farm to get you. I need a son for a promotion." Ty said.
Bo just stared blankly at him. He couldn't really believe what he was hearing. His parents didn't really want him, they had just turned his life upside for their own benefit. They took him away from he family he knew and loved for no reason.
     "I told him you have been in a boarding school in California for a few years which is why you have not been around." Ty said. "If you do anything to keep me from getting a promotion you'll regret it." he added menacingly.
Bo just stared at him not knowing what to say. He thought his father didn't even sound like a Duke, at least not the way he had been brought up thinking Dukes were like. He hoped that his mother was at least kinder then his father.
     "The rules of the house are simple, just do everything I say. You are not to have any contact at all with your uncle Jesse or cousin Luke. Is that clear?" Ty asked.
     "Yes sir." Bo responded.
Bo left the room, his mother approached him.
     "Since Ty has told you his rules I will now tell you my rules. I suggested we didn't even bother to bring you into this home, last thing I want is to have to drag some kid around everywhere with me, and for people to think that I am old." Marie said staring at Bo with cold eyes. "I want you to only call me my name, not ma'am not mother, just Marie."
Bo just nodded.
     "Good, now go unpack." Marie said walking away leaving Bo standing there.
Bo walked quietly into his room and started to unpack, he put the picture into the drawer of the dresser underneath his clothes. He went and sat down on the bed. He could never remember feeling so alone in his whole life. He knew his parents didn't love him at all, they had abandoned him when he was a baby and didn't really want him now. He understood why Jesse had told him his parents were dead, he wished that he still thought that was the truth. He would rather think his parents were dead then to know they were alive and so cold and heartless and didn't love him at all. He wanted to run away, but he thought of one thing that Jesse had always told him and Luke: "Dukes never run away from heir problems." then he thought that wasn't true. His parents saw him as a problem and ran away from him, by abandoning him at the farm. Bo sat thinking about running away for a couple minutes, then realized he had nowhere to go. He couldn't run back to the farm. They would find him there and he would only be sent back, and he feared what his father meant by discipline. He wished that Luke was really his brother for then he would be here with him, and it wouldn't be so hard being here. He knew things wouldn't be so bad, because Luke always bad things better. Bo sighed and leaned against the wall.
     Luke sat quietly in his bedroom, he looked around the room it looked so empty without Bo's things. It also seemed so quiet, the room that he and Bo had shared for the past thirteen, had never been quiet, they always stayed awake at night talking until they either fell asleep or Jesse came in and told them to go to bed. Luke sighed as he thought about the fact that would never happen again. Luke felt tears start to fill his eyes but he bit his bottom lip and held them back. He stared over at the empty bed, two tears softly slipped down his cheeks. Luke wiped them away, he took a deep breath and released it slowly. He heard the bedroom door creak open and turned and looked. Jesse came in and sat down beside him. Luke looked over at his uncle. There was a couple moments silence neither of them knowing what to say. Jesse wasn't sure what to tell Luke to ease his sadness any.
     "It is not fair." Luke said, in an almost angry tone.
     "What is not fair?" Jesse questioned.
     "It's not fair that Bo's parents just come back here after thirteen years and take Bo away." Luke said, his voice was angry but his eyes reflected his sadness.
     "I know it is not fair Luke. Life is not always fair. They are his parents though . . . there was nothing I could do to stop them from taking Bo home with them." Jesse said, placing a hand on Luke's shoulder.
     "I know . . .  it's just . . . I already miss Bo, Uncle Jesse." Luke said sadly, leaning over against Jesse.
Jesse put his arm around Luke. "Things will work out Luke. I know that you and Bo are the best of friends. Time apart will not be able to destroy a friendship like that."
     "Bo is more then just my best friend in the world . . . he is like a brother. I just don't know what to do without him around and . . ." Luke's voice trailed off.
     "What is it?" Jesse asked.
     "I just got this real bad feeling that it is not the best place for Bo to be. It's kinda this bad feeling that his parents are just . . .  just . . . I don't know. I just have a bad feeling." Luke said.
Jesse looked at Luke for a moment a slightly worried expression crossed his face, Bo and Luke could always sense when the other one was in any kind of danger. Jesse sighed.
     "I am sure it is nothing Luke. It's probably just that you are concerned about Bo and miss him. You just want him to come back to the farm so bad that your mind is trying to make up an excuse for him to come back." Jesse said.
     "Yeah maybe." Luke said pulling away from Jesse and laid down on the bed.
It was already late the sun was setting slowly over the distant horizon, the sky was painted with many colours of red. Jesse stood up quietly and left the closing the door behind him. Luke sighed and stared back over at the bed, that just last night Bo had been in. He knew his feeling wasn't wrong it was more then just wanting Bo back, he could sense that in some way Bo was in danger. He hated being so many miles away, he wished they were closer so he could protect Bo. The last light of the day slowly slipped from the room, Luke watched the shadow's that danced on the wall. The shadows seemed to taunt him, reminding him that he was alone. Luke closed his eyes and drifted into a light sleep.
     Bo lay awake, unable to fall asleep. He tossed and turned for several hours and now lay awake staring at the wall. He wasn't use to being in this strange house. Pale moonlight shone through the window casting strange shadows on the wall. Bo wasn't really alone, the dark just increased his feelings of loneliness and reminded him that he wasn't in the only home he knew. The bed wasn't very comfortable either. It reminded him of the time he was in the hospital getting his tonsils out, but Luke had stayed the night in the room with him. He rolled over and faced the window. A light rain started to fall, beating steadily against the window pane. Bo closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the rain. He just to drift into a light sleep thinking of times in Hazzard County, when his life was simple and he thought his parents were dead. The rain started to grow strong and thunder started to rumble across the sky, each crack of thunder felt like it shook the whole house. Bo laughed and thought to himself it seemed so fitting the light rain turned into a storm, it seemed to reflect his life, gone from peaceful to a disaster.
     Bo sat in the back seat staring out the side window at the passing buildings, and fiddling with the tie, that his father said he had to wear to lunch. He hated having to wear it.
     "Stop fiddling with your tie Beauregard, you'll make it crooked." Marie complained.
Bo didn't reply, he stopped fiddling with the tie, and just continued to stare out the window. He hated being called by his full name, but decided not to argue that point at this time. Ty parked the car in the parking garage by the restaurant they were going to for lunch. Bo got out of the car. Ty walked over and held him firmly by the shoulder. Bo tried to pull away from his tight grip, which caused Ty to hold him tighter. Bo gave up trying to get out of his grasp and look at his father.
     "You had better behave properly boy. No acting like the stupid hick you are. You keep your mouth shut unless you are spoken to directly." Ty said firmly. "Do you understand?"
     "Yes sir. Bo replied.
     "You'd better." Ty said, then mumbled something under his breath that Bo couldn't quite hear.
 They went into the restaurant and walked over to the table were Ty's boss. Mr. Milchem was waiting.  He stood up and greeted them. Mr. Milchem looked to be in his late fifties, his dark brown hair was highlighted by streaks of grey, he had soft hazel eyes that looked kind.
     "Mr. Milchem this is my son, Beauregard." Ty said.
     "It just Bo." Bo said, and Ty glared at him coldly, unseen by anyone but Bo.
Mr. Milchem smiled at Bo kindly. "It's good meet you son." he said extending his hand Bo.
Bo shook his hand. "Good to meet you to sir."
They sat down at the table.
     "How was boarding school?" Mr. Milchem asked.
     "It was great. I hope to be able to go back there." Bo answered.
Mr. Milchem laughed. "I never thought I'd hear someone your age so anxious to go back to school."
     "Well sir it is where all my friends are." Bo said.
Mr. Milchem smiled. "But it is probably good to be back home isn't it?"
Bo shrugged. Mr. Milchem found Bo's lack of enthusiasm about being home odd but dismissed he figured it was as the boy said, he missed his friends. Him and Ty began to discuss business.
     Everything was going smoothly, it was about twenty minutes later. Bo reached to get his glass of soda when he accidentally knocked it over. Ty glared angrily at him. He grabbed Bo by the wrist and took him to the washrooms, to clean the soda from his jacket. He held a firm grip on Bo's wrist as he led him to the washrooms. He was squeezing so tight that Bo thought he was going to break his wrist. They went into the washroom, and Ty slammed Bo against the wall. Bo struck his head quite hard against the wall. Tears of pain filled his eyes, he bit his bottom lip to keep them from flowing.
     "You little brat. You had to go and mess things up." Ty said angrily.
     "Sorry." Bo said.
Ty just glared angrily at Bo. "Once we get home you really will be sorry."
Bo felt a pang of fear clench his heart , as he thought about what his father meant by that.
     "We are going back out there, and you will sit there and don't move, don't touch anything at all." Ty said.
     "Yes sir." Bo replied.
They went back out and sat out the table. Bo sat with his head hung down.
     "Sorry." Bo said softly not looking up to make eye contact with anyone, he didn't want them to see how close to crying he was.
Bo sat unmoving as everyone else continued to eat their lunch. His head was throbbing where he had struck the wall. He rubbed his head, he bit his lip to stop the tears of pain that swelled in his eyes.  After what felt like forever to Bo the lunch was finally over. They left the restaurant. Ty held Bo by the wrist and practically drug him back to the car.
     Ty dragged Bo into his den. Bo almost fell over when Ty forcibly shoved him into the room, but managed to remain standing. He tried to hide his fear, but couldn't hid the fear that shone in his deep blue eyes. Ty walked over to his desk he leaned on his desk staring coldly at Bo for a moment.
     "I know that I'd regret this." Ty said then took a short metal bar out of the drawer of his desk.
Bo took a deep breath and watched fearfully as his father approached him.
     "Should've never brought you back to this house. Should've left you back at Jesse's farm." Ty said. The grabbed Bo by the neck and pushed him against the desk. "Actually everyone would be a lot better off if you had never been born."
Ty pushed Bo over on the desk, he pushed Bo's shirt up and held him down by the deck, and struck Bo across the back with the metal bar. Bo's eyes watered with tears of pain, he bit his lip to keep from crying out in pain.
     "I told you if you messed up my chances at the promotion that you'd pay for it." Ty said harshly, then struck Bo again with the metal bar.
This time Bo couldn't help but cry out from the pain that shot through his back. Ty smiled a dark evil smile.
     "You were warned, you little brat." Ty said, then struck Bo three more times with the bar.
Ty then shoved Bo away from the desk, Bo stumbled and lost his balance and fell to the floor. Bo looked up at his father, trying to stop the tears that streaked his cheeks, his father sneered down at him. Bo went to get to his feet but Ty kicked him in the ribs. Bo doubled over in pain and clenched his ribs. Ty dropped down beside Bo and punched him hard several times, in his lower back. Ty then stood up and pulled Bo to his feet by his neck. Bo was trembling slightly from pain.
     "Get to your room and stay there until I say that you can come out." Ty said.
Bo didn't reply he just turned and left the room. He went into his bedroom, and laid down on his bed. He buried his head into his pillow, and let the tears of pain flow freely, his whole body trembled as he cried.
     Before Ty left for work the next morning he let Bo come out of his room. Bo sat quietly in front of the television not really watching anything, just thinking back to life on the farm.  Marie walked into the room. She frowned at Bo.
     "I have friends coming over, so I want you out of the house." Marie said flatly.
     "Where am I suppose to go?" Bo asked.
     "I don't really care, I just don't want my friends to see some grubby little hick like you in this house. I don't want everyone knowing that you are my son." Marie said coldly.
Bo just looked at her not really knowing what to say, he turned and walked towards the door.
     "Be back here in one hour." Marie said. "That is if you can at least tell time."
     "Yes I can." Bo replied expressionlessly and walked outside.
     Bo walked along the busy streets of the large suburb. The traffic rushed past him on the roads and people hurried past him on the streets. Everyone appeared to be in a big hurry, not like in Hazzard were everyone was laid back and took their time. After an hour Bo returned back home. Marie was waiting impatiently by the door, as Bo walked inside.
     "About time you got back." Marie said.
Bo just shrugged and sat down on the couch.
     "I am leaving for a few hours." Marie said. "So just don't touch anything while I am gone."
Bo didn't reply, and Marie left the house in a hurry.
     Bo got up off the couch and walked over to the phone. He placed his hand on the receiver, then thought about what his father said about having no contact with Jesse or Luke. Bo just shrugged, deciding that he didn't care because he doubted his father would know if he called the farm. He picked up the phone and dialled the number for the Duke farm.
     The phone rang at the Duke farm, Luke answered it.
     "Hello. Duke residence, Luke speaking."
     "Hey Luke."  Bo said.
     "Hey Bo. I am so glad that you called." Luke said happily. "How are things there in the big city."
Bo was silent for a moment.
     "Bo are you okay?" Luke asked his voice filled with concern.
     "Yeah I'm fine Luke." Bo said.
Luke didn't really believe Bo when he said he was fine. He could hear something in Bo's voice that said differently.
     "Are you sure?" Luke asked.
     "I'm fine. I just wanted to call to . . ."Bo's voice trailed off, he wanted to tell Luke what was wrong but also didn't want to get Luke involved figuring there was nothing he could do any ways.
     "To what?" Luke asked.
Bo heard the sound of a car door shutting. "I gotta go." Bo said quickly and hung up.
     "Who was that?" Jesse asked.
     "It was Bo." Luke said. "Uncle Jesse I really think something is wrong. I could hear it in his voice."
     "He is probably just homesick is all." Jesse said, trying to reassure Luke.
     "I don't think so. I think it is something more." Luke said.
     "Luke just forget about it. I'm sure it is nothing." Jesse said.
     "I don't think so. I think we should go there . . ." Luke started to say but Jesse cut his sentence off.
     "We are not gonna go there and cause any problems. Bo lives with his parents now.  It is not for us to interfere." Jesse said.
Luke went to argue further, but a look in Jesse's eyes made him stop. He that arguing would do no good. Though he still couldn't shake the feeling that there was something really wrong. He thought that Bo's voice sounded so lost, scared and most of all hurt. He feared that Bo's parents had done something to hurt Bo. Luke turned and walked out of the house. The flimsy screen door banged loudly behind him.
     Ty walked into the house and saw Bo standing near the phone. He narrowed his eyes at him and walked over to Bo.
     "Who did you call?" Ty asked.
Bo remained silent, not answering his father's question. Ty grabbed him roughly by the shoulder, and shook him hard.
     "I asked you a questioned." Ty said. "You called your cousin didn't you?"
Bo couldn't find his voice so he only nodded. Ty's eyes filled with a dark rage, his grip on Bo's shoulder tightened. Bo flinched slightly at the pain.
     "I told you that you were not to have any contact with him or Jesse. You disobeyed me." Ty said and started to drag him to his den. "I warned you."
     Ty shoved Bo into his den, Bo stumbled and fell, hitting his head on the edge of the desk. There was a small cut on Bo's left temple, blood flowed freely down the side of his face. Bo sat on the floor looking up at his father, while holding his hand to the cut. He felt like he was going to pass out, his head was throbbing.
     "Why did you even have to be born. Everyone would've been better off if you hadn't." Ty said. "You think anyone even wanted you?"
Bo just looked at him not responding.
     "Well nobody did. Jesse took you in half out of pity and half because he felt he had to. It was not because he wanted or loved you at all. He didn't really want to take you in and have another mouth to feed. Me and your mother sure didn't want you." Ty said harshly.
Bo looked at Ty, with tear filled eyes. We wondered if what he said about why Jesse took him in was true. He wondered if Jesse really did care. Bo wasn't sure of what to say, so he just said the first thing that he thought of.
     "Luke cares." Bo said softly.
Ty laughed. "I doubt that. He was forced to be your friend I imagine."Ty said. "Was there a choice or did Jesse make your two be friends?"
Bo found he didn't know the answer to the question. Ty grabbed Bo by the hair and pulled him to his feet, he flung Bo against the desk and struck him across the back five times  with the metal bar. Bo tried to fight back the tears of pain that burned his eyes.
     "This is just a warning this time. Next time you disobey me, you'll end up in the hospital." Ty said. "Do you understand?"
Bo tried but before he could darkness finally consumed his mind and he drifted in unconsciousness.
     Bo woke up about an hour later, and sat on his bed for a minute, holding his aching head in his hands. He got up from the bed and walked over to the dresser. He quietly opened the drawer and took out the picture of himself, Luke and Jesse. He sat down cross legged on the bed and stared at the photo. He was so intently looking at the photo he never heard his father come into his room. Ty stormed over and grabbed the picture out of Bo's hands.
     "Give it back." Bo said getting up off the bed.
     "No." Ty said and walked out of the room Bo followed.
Ty walked out to the fireplace in the front room, and started a small fire.
     "Give that back to me. It's mine." Bo said.
Ty shook his head. "No. I told you that you are to have nothing to do with them anymore."
Ty then tossed the picture into the fire. Tears formed in Bo's eyes and started to streak his cheeks as he watched the picture burn. He watched until only ashes remained. He looked at his father with hatred in his eyes. Ty only smiled at Bo cruelly.
     "You have to learn to obey me boy. Once you learn some discipline your life will be easier." Ty said. "Now get to your room."
Bo turned and walked back to his room saying nothing. He laid on the bed and stared blankly at the ceiling, he tried to stop the tears that course his cheeks but couldn't, so instead he closed his eyes and let the tears flow, wishing he was back at the farm, with the family he knew and loved.
     The next day, Mr. Milchem came to the house with some papers and too discuss business with Ty. Bo was walking out the front room to watch television when he came inside. Mr. Milchem noticed the scar on Bo's forehead. Bo had tried to brush his bangs to cover the cut but couldn't.
     "What happened to you?" Mr. Milchem asked, his voice kind and genuinely concerned sounding.
     "I fell." Bo said.
Mr. Milchem smiled, and patted Bo on the back. Bo tensed up in pain, the cuts on his back burned when they were touched Mr. Milchem frowned and looked puzzled. He wondered how Bo had really cut his head. He had a gut feeling there was something more going on then what met the eye. Mr. Milchem, then turned and walked over to Ty's den, the two of them went into the room and shut the door. Bo sat down on the couch and watched an old black and white cowboy movie.
     About an hour later Ty and Mr. Milchem walked out into the room. Bo turned slightly to look at them. Mr. Milchem smiled kindly at Bo, who returned the smile. He could help shake the feeling that Ty possible is the one who gave Bo the cut on his head. He knew that Ty tend to have a bad temper. He also wondered about the way Bo tensed up when he touched his back.
     After Mr. Milchem left, Ty walked over and stood between Bo and the television. Bo didn't really care as he had seen the movie a few times before.
     "Well even though you messed up at lunch. I still managed to be able to get the promotion." Ty said.
Bo didn't say anything, he felt like saying that he didn't care, but didn't.
     "Next month we are moving to Denver Colorado. Once we get there I'm putting you into a military school until you are eighteen then I never have to see you again." Ty said.
     "Good." Bo said standing up to face his father, who stood about six inches then taller then Bo, who was 5'6 and still growing.
Ty looked at him questioningly.
     "Cause if you never see me, I never have to see you so at least one good thing will come out of having to be so many miles from my real home." Bo said.
Ty's filled with anger at what he felt was Bo's disrespect for authorities. He slammed BO hard across the face, knocking him to the floor.
     "You have no respect boy." Ty said angrily, then kicked Bo in the ribs.
Bo held his ribs and doubled over in pain and laid curled up in a ball on the floor.
     "Perhaps a good strict military school can beat some respect into you." Ty said then turned and left Bo laying on the floor.
 Bo sat up, and wiped away the tears that streaked his cheeks. He went over and picked up the phone to call Luke. He decided that he really needed Luke's help, and thought Luke might be able to get him out of this. He didn't want to move all the way to Colorado, he figured if he moved that far away, he would never be able to get back to the farm and never see Luke again. He decided to just tell the truth to Luke and pray he could help. He dialled the phone number for the Duke farm. The phone rang several times, and Bo was just about to hang up when Luke answered.
     "Hey Duke farm, this is Luke."
     "Hey Luke." Bo said, tyring to think of just how to word what he wanted to say.
     "Hey Bo." Luke said.
     "Luke I need you help." Bo said.
     "What's wrong Bo?" Luke asked, there was a hint of concern in his voice.
     "My parents are going to be moving to Denver . . ." Bo said his voice trailing off.
     "Lordy that is far away." Luke commented. "So why is it you need my help?"
     "Cause my father wants to put him in a military school so that they . . ." Bo said his voice trailing off.
     "They can what?" Luke asked although he feared he knew the answer.
     "So they can beat some respect into me." Bo said, he felt tears start to burn his eyes, he bit his lip to hold them back. "Since my dad hasn't been able to according to him, even though he has been trying."
     "Oh lordy." Luke said, not really knowing what to say. "I'll be there as quick as I can."
     "Ok." Bo said. "Luke . . ."
     "Yeah?" Luke asked.
     "Thanks cousin." Bo said.
     "No problem buddy. I'll be there as quick as I can. I promise I will get you out of this." Luke said.
Luke hung up and sat looking at the phone for a minute. "I promised you a long time ago that I would protect you Bo, I will keep that promise no matter what it takes."
     Luke thought about telling Jesse but figured that he might not listen, he thought the best way to get him to listen would be to bring Bo back to the farm. Luke packed up stuff into his duffel bag, and started to walk towards Atlanta, figuring he could hitch a ride. Bo had told him how to get to the house. He walked along the highway. A truck stopped and pulled over to the side. Luke went and got in.
     "What is someone as young as you doing hitch-hiking?" the trucker asked.
     "I'm going to see my cousin in Atlanta. But I missed my bus there." Luke said.
     "Why did you call for a ride?" he asked, as he pulled his truck back on to the highway.
     "Well you see sir this is the first time they let me travel on my own. If I were to call that I messed up, they'd never let me go on my own again, and I'd never see my cousin." Luke said, he didn't want to tell him the truth.
     "Oh." the trucker said and smiled.
They drove the rest of the way to Atlanta in silence. Luke thanked the trucker then followed the rest of the directions that Bo had given him.
     Luke walked up to the house, he was glad to see there was no car in the driveway. He knocked on the door. Bo opened the door, he smiled when he saw Luke, but the smile wasn't reflected in his eyes. Luke forced himself to smile. He was shocked to see how bad Bo looked. His face had started to bruise where Ty had hit him, and the cut and his forehead was bruised around the edge of the cut. Bo's eyes were red and puffy from crying. Luke gave Bo a brotherly hug, Bo flinched and tensed up when Luke touched his back. Luke stepped back and looked at Bo. Bo said nothing and just motioned him to come inside. BO showed Luke his, back, and way he flinched when he had touched it. Luke flinched when he saw Bo's back, covered in small lacerations, it hurt to even look at.
     "He had hit you the first time you had called, hadn't he?" Luke asked.
Bo looked away from Luke and nodded.
     "Why didn't you tell me then?" Luke said.
     "Because . . . I was scared." Bo said.
Luke put his arm around Bo's shoulders. "Don't worry about it Bo. I'm taking you out of here. Everything is going to be okay."
Bo didn't say anything, Luke could see the worry in Bo's eyes.
     "What's wrong?" Luke asked, his voice filled with concern.
     "Where are we going to go?" Bo asked.
     "Back to the farm." Luke said, looking puzzled by Bo's question.
     "But what if . . .if Uncle Jesse don't want me there? What if he was glad to get rid of me and don't want me back there?" Bo questioned.
     "Don't be silly Bo. You know Uncle Jesse cares. He'll be glad that you are back at the farm. He'll help make sure your parents can't get you back." Luke said.
Bo didn't say anything, Luke could still see the worry in Bo's eyes.
He gently held Bo, in a short of half hug, being careful not to touch Bo's sore back. "Don't worry about it, everything is gonna be okay. Trust me."
Bo looked at Luke for a moment and then nodded. It had been three hours since Ty had left and Bo was starting to worry that he might come home at any time.
     "Do you have your stuff packed?" Luke asked.
Bo shook his head. "I didn't want to pack before you got here in case my father got home first, and found out. He said if I disobeyed him again that he'd put me in the hospital."
The two of them went to Bo's bedroom. Luke could tell that Bo was still quite worried, and that Bo was slightly shaking.
     "Just sit down on the bed, Bo. I'll pack for ya, and you can tell me about what has been going on." Luke said.
Bo nodded and sat down on the bed, he started to to tell Luke about what had happened over the past days. Bo sat telling Luke, his body slightly trembling, tears brimmed his eyes, threatening to flow, but Bo held them back. Luke could feel anger towards Ty fill his body, he wanted to hurt him for the things he had done and said to Bo. Luke finished packing and sat the suitcase on the floor next to the bed. Bo sat looking at the floor trying hard not to cry, he didn't want to cry in front of Luke. Luke put his hands on to Bo's shoulders.
     "Bo look at me." Luke said.
Bo raised his head and looked at Luke.
     "None of what your father said is true. Both me and Uncle Jesse care a lot about you. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't around Bo. You are my best friend in the world and more like a brother then a cousin. And I know that Uncle Jesse loves you to." Luke said. "Now c'mon let's go home."
Bo gave a small smile and nodded. They walked out of the bedroom.
     Bo and Luke were in the front room, when the door burst open and Ty stormed into the room. He saw Luke and his eyes lit up in rage. Bo stood staring at his father paralyzed in fear. Luke stepped in front of bo, to try to protect him from his father.
     "Out of my way." Ty said as he shoved Luke to one side, then grabbed Bo tightly by the shoulders. "I told you what I was going to do if you disobeyed me again."
     "LET HIM GO!" Luke yelled at Ty, and got to his feet and hit Ty.
Ty turned and looked at him as though he was just some kind of pesky insect. He hit Luke, knocking him to the ground. "This don't concern you, so just get back to Hazzard."
Bo struggled to try to get out of Ty's grasp, which caused Ty to tighten his hold then smack Bo across the face. Ty then grabbed Bo by the wrist and started to drag him to his den to carry out his threat. Luke got up to his feet and charged at Ty. "I said LET HIM GO!"
Luke then punched Ty in the back, which caused Ty to lose his hold on Bo. Bo lost his balance and fell to the floor. Ty glared at Luke.
     "Stay out of this or you'll get the same thing as him." Ty warned, then kicked Bo.
Luke glared angrily at Ty, and went to rush him again. This time Ty saw him coming and punched Luke in the ribs as he came at him. Luke flinched and held his ribs as he dropped to the ground. Ty grabbed Bo by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Bo tried to struggle to get away.
     Mr. Milchem had brought some papers that Ty need to sign to the house. He had the feeling that he should check on Bo as well. He was about to knock on the door when he heard shouting from inside.
     "Stop struggling." Ty said, and smacked Bo.
Unheard by anyone in the room Mr. Milchem opened the door and walked inside just in time to see Ty, toss Bo across the room.  Bo tried to remain standing but lost his balance and fell down, striking his head against the fireplace, darkness instantly consumed his mind and he went unconscious.
     "If it wasn't for my stupid boss wanting employees to have a family, I would've left you back at the farm. I didn't want you when you were born and sure as hell don't now. I just wanted the promotion." Ty said, not knowing that Bo was unconscious or that Mr. Milchem was standing in the doorway behind him.
Luke rushed for to where Bo lay unmoving on the floor. He saw blood flowing down the side of Bo's face and pooling on the floor.
     "Bo . . ." Luke said his voice filled with worry as he tried to think of what to do to help Bo.
 Mr. Milchem stepped further into the room. "Ty."
Ty turned to face him. "Oh . . . Mr. Milchem what are you doing here?"
     "I brought these papers for you to sign. Looks like it's a good thing I came here." Mr. Milchem said. "Oh and to you are fired Ty."
Mr. Milchem walked over and knelt down by where Bo and Luke where. Luke was gently holding Bo's head in his lap, he looked up at Mr. Milchem.
     "You gotta help my cousin. Please. He's hurt really bad." Luke said, softly, his voice pleading.
Mr. Milchem nodded and carefully picked Bo up and walked towards the door. Luke picked up Bo's dropped suitcase and followed him outside. Leaving standing in the middle of the room.  Mr. Milchem careful laid Bo down in the backseat of his car. Luke sat in the back with Bo, carefully holding his head.
     "Please wake Bo." Luke said softly.
    Mr. Milchem drove to the hospital, Bo was taken back into the emergency room. Luke called Jesse and told him to get the hospital as quick as he could, and that he couldn't say why over the phone. Jesse rushed to the hospital and got there an hour later.
     "What happened?' Jesse asked, and wondered who the stranger that was sitting with Luke was.
Luke looked up at his uncle, but found he couldn't find his voice to tell him what had happened. Mr. Milchem looked at Jesse, then told him what he had seen. Jesse sat down in the chair. He knew his brother was never a nice person, but he never thought he'd go as far as to be abusive to Bo. Luke then was able to find his voice and told him about everything Bo had said Ty had done and said to him, and about Bo's back. Mr. Milchem stayed for a while then said he had to go and to call him with any news. Jesse and Luke sat waiting for word on Bo.
     It was about an hour later when the doctor came out. Jesse stood up to greet him.
     "How is he doc?" Jesse asked.
     "He is a very lucky Bo. He need five stiches, and has a mild concussion, but he is starting to wake up now." Dr. Yeats said.
     "Can we go and see him?" Luke asked.
Dr. Yeats nodded and showed them to Bo's room.
     Bo was mostly awake, his head wasn't really hurting from the pain killers they gave him. He was sleepy but wanted to see Luke. Bo smiled when Luke walked into the room, and smiled even bigger when he saw Jesse walk in.
     "How ya feeling?" Jesse asked.
Bo shrugged. "Okay I guess."
Jesse gave him a small hug. "Don't you worry none everything will okay."
Bo smiled, his eyes starting to drift close. "Okay Uncle Jesse. I j just want to go home."
     "Okay. Just get some rest." Jesse said. "I have to go make a few calls."
Bo nodded sleepily. "Luke."
     "Yeah." Luke said.
     "Could you stay here with me?" Bo asked. "I don't want to be alone."
     "Yeah sure cousin." Luke said.
Not even a minute later Bo fell asleep.
     Jesse left the room quietly to make the calls he had o make. He wanted to find a lawyer so he could sue Ty for custody of Bo, based on the grounds that Ty was abusive and that he had raised Bo when Ty abandoned him as a baby. First though he called Mr. Milchem to tell him the news on Bo. Jesse asked him if he knew of any good lawyers. Mr. Milchem said that he did and could help Jesse get custody of Bo.
     The next day a lawyer took papers form the court hearing to Ty. Ty became enraged and went to the hospital.
     "What is the meaning of this?" Ty asked, waving the papers at Jesse.
     "It means I am not letting you hurt Bo ever again." Jesse said calmly.
     "I am that boy's father the court will give custody to me, not you." Ty said.
     "I guess we will have to wait and find out." Jesse said. "Until then I don't want you near Bo."
Ty glared angrily at Jesse. "I will custody." then he stepped forward and whispered into Jesse's ear. "Then that boy will pay for this."
Jesse glared at Ty, but he knew he had to control his temper, it could make it harder to get Bo if he assaulted Ty, he knew that was what his brother wanted. Jesse instead just turned and walked away from Ty.
     The trial was two days later. Bo was out of the hospital. Bo and Luke sat in the back office while the trial went on. Judge Allan read over the hospital reports on Bo's condition. He listened to Mr. Milchem say what he had saw, and why even before that he suspected something was wrong. Jesse told about how Ty left Bo with him when Bo was two months old, and that he loved Bo like he was his own child. Judge Allan could hear the genuine caring in Jesse's voice. Marie didn't testify nor give any indication that she wanted her son, which Judge Allan found to be odd. Ty was the last to testify. Judge Allan could tel that Ty didn't sound like he really cared and he kept contradicting himself.
     Judge Allan went back to talk to Bo. He went into the office and saw Bo and Luke sitting talking quietly on the couch. Bo looked up when the judge walked in.
     "Can I go back to the farm now?"  Bo asked.
     "Not yet son." Judge Allan said. "I need to ask Bo some questions do you mind just stepping outside."
Luke nodded and stood up and left the room.
     "What is your side to all of this?" Judge Allan asked.
Bo told him what his father was like and about stuff he had said and done to him. He told him that he just wanted to back to the home he knew and the family that he loved. After about ten minutes of listening Judge Allan knew there was only choice to be made. He stood up and told Bo to come with him. Luke also came along they stood at the front of the courtroom while Judge Allan gave his verdict.
     "In most case the child in question usually goes to their biological parents." Judge Allan started to say. Ty smirked over at Jesse. "However, this case is not like most. Jesse Duke has raised Bo since he was baby, and is more like his father, then his true father. Therefor I am granting full custody of Beauregard Duke, to Jesse Duke."
Bo smiled happily at hearing the verdict, glad to be able to return to the only home that he knew.
     "You can't do that. The damn little brat is MY kid." Ty argued.
Judge Allan stared at Ty to silence him. "Further more, I am sentencing Ty Duke to seven years in prison for child abuse."
Bo and Luke rushed over to Jesse who gave both of the a great big hug at the same time. Judge Allan had the bailiff take Ty away. Jesse, Bo and Luke started to leave the courthouse. They stopped to talk to Mr. Milchem.
     "Thank you for your help." Jesse sad shaking his hand.
     "I only did the right thing." Mr. Milchem said.
     "Still thank you. Most people tend to turn a blind eye to such things. I don't think I can thank you enough." Jesse said.
     "There is no need. Just take good care of the boy." Mr. Milchem said, then left.
     Later that night, Bo and Luke sat awake in their beds talking quietly. They were trying not to wake Jesse up, not knowing he was awake and was just listening to their talking, happy to hear the chatter of his nephews.
     "Thanks Luke." Bo said.
     "For what?" Luke asked.
     "For coming to Atlanta to help." Bo said.
Luke smiled. "No problem cuz. I know you'd do it to."
Bo smiled. "Yeah for sure. Still . . ." Bo said he found wording tit to be hard, but he wanted Luke know just what it meant to him. "Thank you. It really means everything Luke. I want you to know that."
     "I know Bo. I'd do anything for you, you know that." Luke said.
Bo smiled. "Yeah I know."
They were silent for a couple moments.
     "It's good to have you back home again. It was far too quiet without you around." Luke said.
     "It's good to be back home, with the only family I have ever known and loved." Bo said.
     "Told you everything was gonna be okay." Luke said.
Bo smiled and laughed. "Yeah you did. You were right guess I should listen to you more often."
     "Yeah you should." Luke said jokingly.
The two of them stayed awake until the early hours of the morning talking until exhaustion claimed them both and they fell into a peaceful sleep.