Kira waited patiently for Bo to gather himself enough to talk. She just held onto Bo while he clung to her like she was a life line to a drowning man. After several moments, Bo’s grip loosened slightly, but not by much. Kira looked up at Bo’s face trying to think of something to break the silence. The silence, however, was broken by a not so quiet sound that spoke of Bo’s stomach protesting the lack of attention. Kira smiled at the embarrassed look that crossed Bo’s face.

“Come on. Let’s find some place warm to sit and talk. I’ll buy you something to eat.” Kira disentangled herself from Bo and headed to her truck.

Bo started to get into The General out of habit but stopped himself. After a moment’s hesitation, he instead walked to the truck as well. Kira raised her eyebrow slightly but didn’t say anything. Instead she put the truck in gear. She knew that the only place open at this time of night in Hazzard was the Boar’s Nest. Looking over at Bo, she decided that whatever Bo needed to talk about, he wouldn’t be able to do it there. Instead, she headed for the highway. Bo didn’t say anything as she pointed the truck away from town. Instead he spent the ride staring at his sister trying to make sense of everything.

How is it that he and Kira could be so connected without ever knowing about the other? He knew that he and Luke always seemed to be able to sense when each other was in trouble. A sixth-sense. Uncle Jesse claimed that he could tell when he and Luke were in trouble because his big toe would hurt. But having complete conversations from miles away? Is it because he and Kira are twins? Bo had heard that twins tended to have special connections. Shoot, most would probably think he and Luke must be twins to have such a strong connection, even though they were four years apart in age. If he was so strongly tied to Luke, maybe it only made sense that he’d be even more connected to his twin. Despite the lack of physical contact while growing up.

So lost in his thoughts, it took him a while to realize that Kira had pulled into a diner. He didn’t recognize it. He only knew that he wasn’t in the Tri-county area anymore. Well, at least no one should recognize him then. Getting out of the truck, he followed Kira in. An older woman came over with some menus and led them to a table in the nearly empty restaurant.

“What can I get you to drink?” The waitress handed them their silverware and took out her notepad to take their order.

“Coffee please,” Bo answered. Fatigue still was pulling at him relentlessly.

“Sweet tea, please.” Kira didn’t miss the slight roll of the waitress’s eyes. It would have been easier if she only needed to bring the coffee pot around. Now she’d also have to bring out a pitcher of tea for just one customer.

Bo looked at Kira knowing she was silently waiting for him to tell her what had caused him to call out to her. He just didn’t know where to start. “So, uh, you race?” Bo knew that he was taking the coward’s way for now. He just needed more time.

Kira looked at him for a moment then glance out at her truck and bike. Okay, she could wait a little longer. She could see the silent plea in Bo’s eyes. She’d not push just yet. After all, she wasn’t anything if not patient. A virtue that had been born by necessity over the years.

“Yep, my only real source of cutting loose I guess. I love it. In fact, I was just on my way back from a race tonight. I’m guessin’ that you race too or was that fancy lookin’ paint-job on that car of yours just for show?”

“Race in every race we can, both Luke and I. The General is the fastest car in at least three counties.” Bo smiled with pride. The first smile he’d smiled since opening the brown envelope at lunch. Remembering the envelope, he fingered it on the seat beside him where he sat it when he took his jacket off when they came in. Before he could say anything else, the waitress was back with their drinks.

“Well have you decided what to order yet or do you need a minute?” Bo looked over at the forgotten menus, then to Kira.

“How about you just bring us a couple of specials?” Kira ordered for them both. She wasn’t sure what the special might be but right now, she finally had Bo talking and she didn’t want to have to stop him even to just look at the menus. He didn’t seem to mind, though. Granted, Kira knew that it wasn’t racing that had caused him to be so upset earlier, but it seemed to relax him a bit. So for the next half hour or so, they talked about various races they both had been in; including the Charity event that Kira had just raced in earlier that day for an area women’s shelter. She explained that each driver got together sponsors that agreed to donate according to the driver’s placing at the end of the race. In total, a little over ten thousand dollars had been raised.

“Wow! Now I think Daisy might like to arrange an event like that. And for once I wouldn’t mind it when she’d came around to recruiting me and Luke.” Kira laughed as Bo proceeded to tell her of some of the things that Daisy had conned the two fellas into doing in the name of charity. Then the mood seemed to turn suddenly. Bo let out a deep sigh as he pushed his empty plate aside and put the brown envelope that he’d been fingering since they came in onto the table. “Daisy was working on a new project when Luke and I came in for lunch today. When we came in she was sittin’ at the table with mounds of family albums looking through pictures for some sort of game she and Lulu were going to have for next weekend’s festival. She and I joked around about some of Luke’s pictures that she was going through, just having a good time. You know? Well, I got my baby book out to find a picture for her to use. Considering the pictures she was finding of Luke, it was safer for me to find my own picture.” Bo looked at Kira as she smiled at his attempt to lighten the mood. “Well, anyway. In my book was this brown envelope. I opened it up, figuring it would just be more pictures.” Bo had to stop as he remembered the emotions that unraveled in him in those first few moments upon opening the envelope.

“Were there pictures in it?” Kira asked trying to prod him into continuing his story.

“Just one.” Bo took out the only picture that showed their family whole and complete. He handed it to Kira before continuing. “And with that picture, were a dozen or so newspaper clippings.” Bo pulled these out as well. He placed each one on the table in front of his sister. Kira looked over the pieces of paper, scanning the headlines.

One headline in particular caught her eye, Where is baby Kira? Duke family still holds out hope for finding missing infant.

Kira? She looked up at Bo to confirm what he was implying. He wouldn’t look at her. Not directly anyway. Then she took a closer look at the picture. Could these really be her parents? Kira began to systematically read through the articles by date. They told the story of how Kira Duke had been kidnapped when she was only two days old. Of how all searches had come up empty. The family had even pitched in together in an effort to offer a reward for any information leading to the missing child. The last article was from when she was four. Explaining how the nurse had finally been found, though without the missing Duke, and her claims of getting rid of the child.

Wait a minute. That would have been the same time that I was sent into foster care... Kira looked at the photograph again; looking harder at the woman in the picture. Okay, her own hair was a deeper red but other than that the woman in the picture looked almost exactly like her.

“You look like Mom. I noticed that when you woke me up. Of course, I thought you were dead, so I thought I was seeing a ghost.” Bo reached out to place a hand on hers. Kira looked up with tears in her eyes. Yes, now she fully understood Bo’s reaction to her earlier. Bo had gone from being her childhood imaginary friend, to flesh and blood, to now being her brother. Not just her brother, her TWIN! She opened her mouth to try to find something to say, but was interrupted (or saved, since she didn’t really know what to say) by the waitress walking up and briskly leaving the bill on the table.

“I think that’s our cue to leave.” Kira tried to sound amused. “I’d better go pay. I’ll be right back.”

Kira went up to the register as Bo started to put the papers back into the envelope. Once that was done, the two headed back to the truck. Once again, with an unspoken agreement, the two headed out. This time, the truck was pointed toward Atlanta as the twins filled each other in on various parts of life that they had missed over the years. A couple hours later, they had pulled into the parking deck of Kira’s apartment building. Once inside her apartment, Kira checked her machine for any messages. There was one so she played it.

“Kira, Michelle. Listen. Something’s come up so Tom and I have to head out to Carolina early. Tom had tickets to the game Sunday and hates to see them go to waste. I’m leaving them on the desk. You can come by and get them if you want to go. I’m sure it won’t be hard to get someone, even at the last minute, to go with you. Hope you enjoy them. See you in a week.”

Ordinarily she would take her long-time boyfriend but she knew that after the wreck that he was involved in, in today’s race, he was likely going to just spend the day fixing his racing bike anyway. Kira smiled as she turned to Bo. “Want to go to the Falcons’ game?”

“Who they playing?”

“Does it matter?”

“Nope.”

Kira was grabbing some spare blankets from the closet and went and sat on the couch. “Didn’t think so. Go on and take the bed, I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Wait a minute. You don’t have to give up your room. I’m more than willin’ to sleep on the couch.” Bo walked over to the small loveseat couch. “Wouldn’t be the first time I slept on a couch, you know.”

“Yes, but there’s just a little too much you and not enough couch. I’m a little shorter than you. So go on and get. Besides, my home, my rules.” Kira was already starting to straighten the blankets out as Bo realized that there was no arguing with her.

“Alright, see you in the morning.”

“Night Bo-bear.” Kira giggled as she used her childhood nickname for Bo for the first time out loud. Bo made a face then laughed too.

“Just do me a favor, don’t ever call me that in front of Luke, or Cooter.” Both were still smiling as they both drifted off into sleep in their respective beds for the night.




Well, Luke figured that he’d might as well get on up and get a start on the morning chores. He got up and got dressed to head on out. Looking over at the empty bed in the room, Luke wavered between saying a silent prayer for his cousin, hoping he was safe, and swearing that when he found him HE’D tan his hide for making everyone worry so much about him. Despite doing the chores alone, he got done in record time. Heading inside, Luke found Jesse busy making breakfast.

“Mornin’. I figured you’d be up already. Sit on down. Breakfast is almost ready.”

Luke walked over to the sink to wash up before sitting down. “Mornin’.”

“Any idea where you’ll look today?”

“Well, I thought he would have gone to one of the still sites. But I’m guessin’ not since Rosco saw ‘em up on Junction Road. Ain’t no tellin’ where he’s at now. I suppose I’ll start at still site three since the old shack would have at least given him a roof overnight. I’ll get Cooter to check the Indian caves again for me.”

“Rosco CB’d and said he’s on his way to check the old mills and factories.” He saw Luke’s look of surprise at hearing Rosco was already up and on the move. “Looks like we weren’t the only ones losin’ sleep over Bo last night. He said he’ll send Enos to check out the swamp.”

“Well, I guess that should be a good start then. One of us is bound to spot him.” Luke hoped that Bo was alright. All he could think about all night was that look that had been on his face when he had stormed out of here. In that one look he looked hurt, frustrated, angry, sad, and betrayed all at once. One thing in their favor today at least. Bo most likely won’t be on the move as he had been yesterday. The anger should have cooled a few notches overnight. Of course anger wouldn’t have been the only thing to have cooled overnight. There was a freeze warning last night which worried Luke. What if his fool of a cousin didn’t find shelter last night? No, Bo was smarter than that. He’s alright, at least until Luke found him that is.




As Bo woke up, he looked around in confusion as he took in the unfamiliar room. He knew that he wasn’t in his own bed nor was Luke in the same room with him. Sitting up, Bo remembered everything that had happened the day before. KIRA! Please don’t let that part be a dream.

‘Kira!’

‘What?’

Okay, that’s a first. For once he is the first to wake up in the morning. Luke would be so proud. On second thought, looking at the clock, at six-thirty maybe proud wouldn’t exactly be the right word. ‘Just checking.’

Bo could hear Kira mutter in the next room about getting so abruptly woken up after having gone to bed so late last night. Bo chuckled to himself and went ahead and made himself presentable before heading out to poke around in the kitchen. Looking through the cabinets, Bo saw that he had the choice of instant oatmeal or Cheerios. He grabbed the oatmeal and made enough for Kira too. He put the bowls on the table as Kira walked in looking a little worse for wear after their late night talk. Of course after a life-time of living with Daisy, he knew better than tell a woman that.

“Mornin’ Darlin’, rise and shine.”

Kira made a look as she answered Bo, “I’ll shine when the sun does.” She threw herself in a chair and smiled a weak smile of thanks for the breakfast.

Bo grinned at her. Looks like his sister is less of a morning person than even he is. “Just be glad I ain’t Luke. He would’ve woke you up an hour ago.” Oh now that made Kira look up fast. Remembering that those two were used to having to get up to do farm chores before breakfast, Kira just groaned at the thought of the possibility of having lost more sleep. “What time’s the game?”

“Kick offs at one. Traffic’s gonna suck though so we’ll need to leave early to get the tickets and get our seats.” Kira looks at Bo for a second before adding, “You wanna call home? Tell ‘em all your alright?” Bo knew he should. He could do it right now. Everyone would be up by now. But just what would he say?

“In a few hours. Before we leave, I’ll do it then.” Bo stared out the window over the sink watching the beginnings of the sunrise. He’ll call home soon.




“Alright, the bike’s unloaded. You about ready?” Bo turned to seen Kira walking her motorcycle into the living room. Bo looked on with amusement. Now that had to of been a sight, Kira on the elevator with her bike. “What? I always park my bike up here. Better than paying for a second parking space.” Bo laughed and so did Kira. “Well, you make that call yet? I can take you home after the game if you want. If not then you’ll have to wait. I’ve got to go into the office Monday and Tuesday. You can stay if you don’t mind waiting a couple of days before heading back.”

“I’m making the call now.” Bo walked over to the phone and picked up the receiver. He dialed all but the last number before hanging up. Glancing over at Kira as she set her bike up in what appeared to be its usual spot, Bo picked up the phone again, this time dialing a different set of numbers. Silently he prayed that he’d get an answer despite the fact it was Sunday. On the third ring, he got an answer.

“Cooter’s Garage, Cooter speakin’.” Bo paused, still not sure what to say to anyone in Hazzard. “Hello, anyone there?”

“Cooter. It’s Bo.”

“BO! We’ve been lookin’ all over for you. Where you at Buddy Roe?”

“Yea, I know y’all been lookin’. That’s why I’m callin’. So y’all can stop. I’m alright. I just need a couple of days is all. Call Uncle Jesse for me. Tell ‘em I’m fine and I’ll be home in a few days okay? And tell him that I’m bringing home a surprise.”

“Sure Buddy Roe but where you at? Don’t ‘cha want to call home yourself?”

“No, Coot. Just do me that favor, please. Call off the search party, okay? And tell everyone to not worry about me. Gotta go. Later.” Bo hung up before Cooter could say anything else. Turning, he grabbed his coat and went to the door to wait for Kira. Together they headed out for their first Real outing of brother/sister bonding.




Luke had just finished searching still site three when Enos came over the CB saying that he found The General out at the swamp. All the searchers immediately met over at Old Crowler’s Turn off where Enos had found the only sign of Bo. When they all got to the swamp, Enos told everyone that he hadn’t found any tracks leading inward to the swamp. Only those around where The General was parked and some leading to where a vehicle had been parked behind it. Immediately, Luke didn’t like the looks of any of it. Would Bo leave with a stranger? Not willingly, surely. And anyone they knew would’ve called the farm to let us know where Bo was at. But here sat The General, but no Bo. Now what? Bo could literally be ANYWHERE! Of course, Bo was experienced enough to not leave obvious signs if he had wanted to go into the swamp without being followed. He sent Cooter back to the garage with Jesse’s truck. He’d keep the stock car with him while he looked around a little bit more.

Cooter had just gotten back to the garage when he heard the phone ring. Tempted to let it ring in his worry for Bo, he answers it anyway. “Cooter’s Garage, Cooter speakin’.” There was a pause on the other end of the line. Maybe it was some kids prank-callin’. “Hello, anyone there?”

“Cooter. It’s Bo.”

“BO! We’ve been lookin’ all over for you. Where you at Buddy Roe?”

“Yea, I know y’all been lookin’. That’s why I’m callin’. So y’all can stop. I’m alright. I just need a couple of days is all. Call Uncle Jesse for me. Tell ‘em I’m fine and I’ll be home in a few days okay? And tell him that I’m bringing home a surprise.”

“Sure Buddy Roe but where you at? Don’t ‘cha want to call home yourself?”

“No, Coot. Just do me that favor, please. Call off the search party, okay? And tell everyone to not worry about me. Gotta go. Later.” Well, Dang! He just talked to Bo and still didn’t have a clue about where he was at. Walking over to the CB, Cooter prepared himself to pass on Bo’s message. Jesse and Luke weren’t going to like this any better than if they hadn’t heard from Bo at all. But, he’d told Bo he would tell them.




“OH COME ON! THAT WAS OFF SIDES YOU MORON!” Bo watch in amazement as Kira hollered out at the referee that obviously couldn’t hear her. As he did so, he tried to imagine Daisy at the game instead. She would have never of even known what was going on down on the field, much less of joined in on the screaming match the fans had started after an oh so wrong call. The score was tied so that amped up the reaction to the bad call even more so considering it could make or break the game. “What are you smiling at? Didn’t think I actually knew the game did ya?”

“Nope. That and I was tryin’ to picture Daisy at a game. I always have to explain everything to her whenever I watch one on TV. Luke knows the game, he just lost interest in it though. Guess I have a new game day partner, huh?” Bo reached over and gave Kira a squeeze around her shoulders. Looking around, the thought of wondering why they even bothered putting seats in these huge stadiums considering that no one was sitting anyway passed through his mind. A game where the crowd was sitting down was a game that was a bore. Well, they’ll sit during the half-time show at least. But for right now, the crowd once again was going wild as the Falcons caught an interception.




Finally they had cleared the stadium traffic. Kira headed to the backstreets knowing that unless she wanted to make her trip home more than doubled in time, it was best to stay off the main streets. The Falcons won in overtime with a Hail Mary play. Kira bought a couple souvenir shirts before they left. She knew that the game was even better because it was something that both she and Bo could enjoy together. They were so different yet so alike in other ways that it could be scary. Though she fully intended on making him pay for how she woke up this morning. If her boyfriend had made her wake up so early she would have DEFINITELY made him pay for it. He’s grown up on farm hours too but he knew danged well that if he woke her up before the sun rose the blasted apartment had better be on fire.

Getting back to her apartment, they ordered a pizza and Bo told her more of life in Hazzard. Of his and Luke’s habit of getting caught up in Boss Hogg’s schemes. That was when Kira learned that Bo was on probation. He said it was no big deal; he should be fine since no one actually SAW him leave and no one knew what vehicle to watch for to catch him coming back across the line. As long as he wasn’t caught in the process of going home he’d have nothing to worry about. Despite Bo’s assurances, Kira started thinking of a way to keep Bo from getting arrested the moment he got back home. She’d wait to tell him about it later.

He finally confessed to calling Cooter instead of calling home, too. She just listened as he tried to convince himself that it was just as good as calling Jesse, Daisy, or Luke. She knew he felt bad about making them worry. Kira had to admit, a part of her was jealous of the obvious closeness that Bo had to his Uncle and cousins. No, not his, OURS. Kira also had shared her fears that she wouldn’t be able to adjust to life with a family after such a long time where that word had held no meaning for her. She and Bo sat up on the couch again talking half the night away before falling asleep where they were. Bo’s arm protectively around Kira.

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