Interstate 345, Dallas....
Southfork...
"Yes, but it went straight to voicemail," she replies.
"Harris said he'd call when he hears somethin'."
"I know. But Bobby, she said she was gonna meet me here this afternoon so we could talk," Ann says. "Over the last few days, since Christopher's death, I haven't spent any time with her at all. Maybe she's upset about that."
Bobby sighs. "I dunno," he says, his tone sounding like one of defeat.
Ann looks at him. "You're still worried about Lucas, aren't you?"
Before Ann is able to say anything, her cell phone rings. She reaches over to the nightstand and picks it up and looks at it. "It's Harris." She quickly answers. "Harris, has Emma come home?"
"No, Annie," Harris replies on the other end of the line. "I've got some bad news. There's been an accident."
Hearing these words, Ann's heart sinks....
Forest Park Medical Center....later
"How is she?" Asks a frantic Ann. "My God, Harris, is she all right?"
"Ann, just calm down," Harris says. "Doctor's checkin' her out now. It was a pretty bad wreck."
"Her car....we saw it parked at Southfork," Ann says in tears. "Who was she with?"
Harris looks at Bobby, but before he can tell them, they see Ray and Jenna walk in. Surprised, Bobby walks over to them. "What are you two doin' here?"
"It's Lucas," Jenna answers.
"There was an accident, Bob," says Ray.
"A car accident?" Bobby asks. He then looks back at Ann and Harris. "My God, was Emma with Lucas?"
"That's right," Judith Ryland says, rising from her seat on a nearby sofa. Judith walks over to the group. "My granddaughter was nearly killed tonight by yet another Ewing."
"What were they doin' together?" Bobby asks.
"They been seein' each other," Harris replied. "Young Mr. Krebbs came by the house the other night to see Emma. I knew somethin' bad would happen if I didn't put a stop to this."
"God, if only I'd gotten a chance to talk to her about this," says Ann.
Bobby looks at his wife. "You knew Lucas and Emma were seein' each other?"
"Harris told me this afternoon. That's why I asked Emma to come to Southfork. So I could talk to her about it."
"Talk to her?" Jenna asks in an angry tone. "What's the matter, Ann? Didn't think my son was good enough to keep company with your daughter?"
"Mother, just calm down," Harris says, taking his mother by the arm.
"The biggest mistake my son made was bringin' Emma back here to get involved with your poisonous family, Bobby Ewing, and this so-called mother of hers," Judith says, dripping venom with every word.
"How dare you!" Ann yells at her former mother-in-law.
"This isn't helpin' anyone," says Bobby. "Least of all Emma and Lucas."
At that moment, a doctor comes through the double doors leading to the trauma unit. He approaches the group. "Excuse me, I'm looking for the families of Lucas Krebbs and Emma Ryland," he says.
"That's us," Harris says. "I'm Emma's father, and this is her mother."
"And we're Lucas Krebbs's parents," Ray says.
"I'm doctor Reeves."
"How are they?" Bobby asks.
"Both have sustained serious injuries. We've managed to stabilize Lucas for now, and he's heavily sedated. He was in a lot of pain. He has a broken rib, a pretty bad concussion, and some other, less serous injuries."
"And what about Emma?" Judith asks.
"Her condition is a bit more serious," the young doctor replies.
"How serious?" Ann asks, in tears.
"How long is that gonna take?" Ann asks.
"I'm afraid I can't answer that," Dr. Reeves replies. "Right now, it's a wait and see game. It's gonna be a long night. Why don't you folks try to relax, make yourselves come coffee in the waiting room, and we'll let you know as soon as we have Emma stabilized."
"Can we see her?" Judith asks.
"Not yet, I'm afraid."
"What about Lucas?" Asks Jenna. "Can I please see my son?"
"Again, not yet, Mrs. Krebbs. We're still trying to treat Lucas's injuries and make sure he remains stable. Then he'll be moved to a room in Intensive Care. I have to get back. I'll let you folks know as soon as anything changes."
"Thank you, doctor," Bobby says. Dr. Reeves turns and walks away as Ann embraces Bobby, Ray and Jenna embrace, and Harris comforts his mother.
Later...
"Neither did I until Harris told me today," Ann says. "They must've met that day of Christopher's funeral."
A nearby elevator opens and Sue Ellen steps off. She looks around, then spots Bobby and Ann, then walks into the waiting room to them. "Ann, Bobby," she says, taking a seat beside Ann on the sofa.
"Sue Ellen, thank you for coming," Ann says, hugging Sue Ellen.
"I'm glad Bobby called me. How are they? Any word yet?"
"Lucas is still stable," Bobby replies. "Still nothing on Emma yet." Bobby looks up and sees Jenna walk down the hall. "Would you two excuse me?" He asks. He gets up and walks down the hall to catch up to her as she stops at the vending machine. "Jenna," he says to her.
Bobby smiles slightly.
Jenna continues: "I remember this one storm we had, that was particularly bad. Lucas was about seven. Ray and I stayed up all night with him because he refused to go to sleep while it was still thundering and lightening outside. Ray kept telling him, 'everything's going to be all right, son. That noise is just God having a party in Heaven.'"
"Did Lucas believe that?" Bobby asks.
"Sure. He always believed everything Ray ever told him. But now, he'll probably never believe a word either of us says ever again." Jenna starts to cry. "Dear God, I wish we'd never come back here, not even to visit."
"Why, Jenna? Because of the accident? Or because Lucas found out that I'm his father?"
Jenna looks at him her eyes swollen with tears. "Both, I guess. I never wanted him to know the truth."
"Why not?" Bobby asks. "If Lucas had been told the truth years ago, when he was a teenager, do you really think it would've made that big a difference in the person he became? Jenna, you had to know that one day, the truth would come out."
"I prayed it never would!" Jenna says angrily, but as quietly as she can, remember she's in a hospital. She walks a few feet away from Bobby, her back to him. Bobby follows
"Have you been so angry with me all these years? Have you hated me so much for the last twenty-seven years that you couldn't stomach the prospect of Lucas findin' out I'm his father and not Ray?"
Jenna turns back to him. "No, I never hated you! But I was angry. You and I were supposed to be married, Bobby. But then you left me for Pam. And as much as I love Ray, and the life we made together, I never forgave you for that. And I probably never will!" Without another word, Jenna walks away from Bobby, leaving him speechless.
Bobby and Jenna are both unaware that the last part of their conversation was overheard......Ray is standing in one doorway, and just down the hall, Ann and Sue Ellen. Ray looks at the women, then walks past them down the hall. Ann looks down the hall at Bobby, his back to them, still unaware of their presence, and she begins to cry.
The next morning....
"What's up,Mama?" John Ross asks, answering his cell while walking from the front entrance of the Omni Hotel where he's been staying, to his sports car.
"John Ross, I'm at Forest Park Medical Center," Sue Ellen says.
"The Medical Center? Why, what's wrong?"
"Your cousin Lucas, and Emma were in a car accident last night."
"Oh my God. Are they all right?"
Sue Ellen lets out a deep breath. "Lucas is stable. He's in ICU. Emma's injuries are more severe. She has some internal injuries. The doctors were talking about surgery, but they have to stabilize her condition first."
"Thanks for callin'. I'm on my way." John Ross ends the call, a look of worry crossing his face. Despite everything
Meanwhile....
"No, I'm fine. All I want is news that Emma's all right."
"Yeah, me too," Harris says with a sigh as he takes a seat. "Where's Bobby?"
"He went down to ICU to see if he could get in to see Lucas."
"Your husband seems awfully concerned about his nephew. I didn't think they were that close."
Ann stands from her seat on the sofa and walks across the room. "Lucas isn't Bobby's nephew."
"What?"
"I said Lucas isn't Bobby's nephew."
"What're you talkin' about?" Harris asks.
Harris tilts his head. "Bobby's son?"
Ann nods. "It's a long and complicated story. But yes, Bobby is Lucas's biological father. Lucas just found out."
"That's prob'ly what he was doin' with Emma," Harris says, his anger starting to rise. "She was no doubt layin' out a little comfort for him. Damn. We almost lost Emma in Mexico and now we may lose her because of Bobby Ewin's punk-ass kid?"
Ann is silent for a moment. Before she has a chance to say anything, Bobby walks in. He pauses in the doorway. Harris glares angrily at Bobby as he walks past him and out of the room. "How's Lucas?" Ann asks after Harris leaves.
"Still unconscious, but stable," Bobby replies. "Any news on Emma?"
"No. And the more time passes that we don't hear anything....." Ann breaks down in tears.
Bobby walks over and puts his arms around her. "Hey now, you know what they always say. No news is good news."
At that moment, Harris sticks his head back into the waiting room. "Ann, the doctor wants to see us," he says.
Ann and Bobby quickly follow Harris into the hallway, where Dr. Reeves stands with Judith. "How is she, doctor?" Ann asks.
"Mrs. Ewing I wish I had better news. Emma has lost a lot of blood," the doctor begins as Sue Ellen and John Ross join the others. "And she also has suffered severe damage to both kidneys. Right now, I can't give you much hope."
"What exactly are you saying?" Judith asks.
"If Emma suffers renal failure in one kidney, she could still recover. But with both kidneys damaged, if both fail...."
"You're saying my daughter could die?" Asks a tearful Ann.
"Yes, Mrs. Ewing," Dr. Reeves replies. "There's more. In addition to the kidney damage, Emma has the bad luck to have the rarest blood type, AB negative. We don't have any on supply here right now. We've checked with some of the other hospitals in the area."
"Well, what about us, Emma's family?" Ann asks. "We can donate, her father and I."
"Do either of you know your blood type?" Asks Dr. Reeves.
"I'm B positive," replies Ann.
"We can test to see if you're a suitable donor, Mrs. Ewing, but unfortunately, Emma has a very rare RH factor in her blood. And in tests, we discovered she has very early signs of a rare genetic disorder called Neurofibromatosis. And this complicates things even more."
"Neuro....what?" Ann asks. "What is that?"
"A genetic disorder passed from one generation to the next. This disorder can show signs and symptoms anytime between childhood and young adulthood. I take it this comes a surprise to all of you?"
"Yes," says Ann. "I've never even heard of this." She looks at Harris, who remains silent. "I would know if anyone in my family had some sort of inherited disease."
"I suggest both of Emma's parents get tested. We need to do that ASAP, not only to determine if either of you are suitable blood donors for Emma, but also to find out which of you passed this on to Emma. Although rare, Neurofibromatosis can sometimes manifest itself later in life. It's also possible that one of you is simply a carrier of the disease and may never develop it yourselves. Come with me. I'll get things set up."
Ann embraces Bobby, who kisses her for luck, then she and a nervous Harris follow Dr. Reeves down the hall to an elevator as the others watch.
Pamela's new apartment, Dallas
Forest Park Medical Center, Intensive Care, later...
Harris turns and looks at her. "No. I didn't get tested," he says.
"But why? Harris, our little girls needs....."
"My blood type is O negative."
"What? That's impossible," Ann says. "Mine is B positive. Harris, if Emma has type AB negative, then she would have to have gotten that blood type from one of us."
Harris rubs his forehead. "God, Annie," he says. "I dunno how I'm gonna tell you this."
"Tell me what? Harris, what is it?"
He looks at her. "Emma's not my daughter."
Ann's mouth drops open in shock. "What did you just say?"
"Emma's not my daughter. At least not my biological daughter."
"That's impossible. You're talkin' crazy!" Ann insists, crying.
"Because you hardly ever touched me," Ann says in tears.
"I found out, before we ever got married, that I'd never be able to have kids because of havin' the mumps when I was a boy. I wanted a child so bad. An heir to carry on after I was gone. Then I married you. I thought you'd never marry me if I told you I couldn't give you a child, so I never told you. Never told a single soul. My mother doesn't even know. If she had known, she'd have used it against me somehow. When you came up pregnant...." Harris pauses a moment as he gathers his thoughts and fights the emotions he feels thinking back to that time so long ago. "When I found out you were pregnant, I was pissed. Real pissed. As much as I wanted an heir, it tore me up inside knowin' you'd been out foolin' around on me. So I decided to punish you."
"Punish me??!!" Ann yells.
"That's right," Harris replies. "That was why I made you to look like an unfit mother, and why I stole Emma. I waited til Emma was two years old, then the perfect opportunity came when you turned your back on her at that fair. So I grabbed her. And you know the rest."
Ann starts to cry uncontrollably. "Dear God," she cries. "How could you? I thought you were a different man from that monster I always thought you were! But you're not. You're even worse than I thought. I spent all those years not knowin' if Emma was alive or dead, thinkin' it was MY fault she was kidnapped. And it was all because you wanted to punish me for cheatin' on you, when you only made love to me once in a blue moon?!"
"Annie, I'm sorry," Harris says. "His voice cracking. "If I could change any of our past, I would. But I can't."
"No, you can't. All you can do is constantly make things worse. And now I may have to watch my little girl die because of this lie you've kept from me all these years!" Ann looks at him, blood in her eye. "Harris, get out of my sight," she says.
He looks at her, his face full of both worry and pity, then quietly walks away.
"Dear God in Heaven," she cries. "It can't be. It just can't be." The man Ann was with that fateful night so long ago - Emma's real father - was Cliff Barnes!!!
Outside the hospital....later
"Good afternoon, John Ross," Jillian says on the other end of the line.
"Miss Cryder. I just got your voicemail," he says.
"Good. My lawyer has our contract all drawn up and ready to sign,if you'd like to drop by my office and take a look at it."
"When?" John Ross asks.
"Now," replies Jillian.
"Look, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid now isn't a good time."
Jillian's tone of voice is one of irritation at the delay. "Mr. Ewing, you the one who came to me, anxious to get started working here."
"I know, and I'm sorry. I have a little bit of a family emergency goin' on today. My cousin and a friend were in a real bad car accident last night. I'm at Forest Park."
"Oh, I see. I'm very sorry to hear that. Fine, umm, there's no hurry to sign these contracts. Just take as much time as you need, and I hope they're both gonna be okay."
"Thank you. I'll be in touch real soon." John Ross ends the call, then looks up to see Pamela walking toward him. "Well, I must say I'm real surprised to see you here., given the way you feel about Emma."
"Well I didn't exactly marry a saint, did I, Miss Barnes?" John Ross asks. "I made a mistake by havin' an affair with Emma. But you sure as hell can't justify screwin' around with Nasir by callin' it a 'mistake.' You did it out of spite for me."
"Don't flatter yourself," says Pamela. "The last thing on my mind when I was making love to Nasir....was you." Pamela brushes past John Ross and walks into the hospital.
A few minutes later...
"Pamela, hello. I'm surprised to see you here."
"How's Emma?" Pamela coldly asks.
Bobby sighs. "Not good. Her injuries are quite extensive, and complications have developed."
"I'm so sorry," Pamela says. "Despite everything, I wouldn't wish this on anyone."
"Thank you," Bobby says as Ann steps off the elevator just in front of them. Obviously she's been crying heavily.
"Ann, how are you holding up?" Pamela asks her.
Ann shakes her head. "I.....not very well," she says, her voice extremely shaky.
"Listen, I just wanted to come by and show my support," Pamela says. "If you need anything....anything at all, I'm just a phone call away."
"Thank you," Ann says. Pamela gives her a hug, then turns and leaves.
"How'd it go?" Bobby asks his wife.
Ann looks at him. "Bobby, I......" Ann stops her sentence as she starts to cry again. Bobby puts his arms around her and embraces her. After a few seconds, she pulls out of the embrace. "Bobby, we have to talk," she says, her face wet with tears, her hair a mess.
"All right. Let's go in here," Bobby says, leading his wife into a waiting room. "Honey, what is it? Has the doctor given you anymore news about Emma's condition?"
"Then what is it?"
"I talked to Harris after I came from being tested."
"What did he say that's got you so upset?"
Ann takes a seat on a chair. Bobby walks over and sits down in the chair beside her. "Harris told me that......that he could never father children."
Bobby is stunned by what his wife just told him. "What?"
"Harris can't have children. Bobby, Emma's not his daughter. He just told me."
"That's impossible," Bobby says. "He's lying for some sadistic reason."
Ann shakes her head. "No. There was a time, a year or so after we got married, that, Harris and I rarely ever made love. I was lonely, Bobby. So lonely, and so frustrated. One night, when Harris was gone.....I don't know where he was gone, but sometimes he would just leave for two, three days. I always thought he was with some other woman. Well, this one night, I went out to a bar. I met a man there, and I went home with him."
"Oh, Annie," Bobby says in a disappointed sigh.
"That was the only time I ever cheated on Harris. But I was just so damned lonely. And angry."
"And this man....he's Emma's father?"
"Yes," Ann replies in tears.
"And that's gotta be where this disease comes from. Do you remember this man's name? Maybe we can find him if he's still alive, or still here in Dallas."
Ann stands from her seat and walks across the room to the window. "That won't be necessary," she says.
Bobby stands and walks over to her. "Why?"
"Because I know exactly where he is." Ann pauses a moment as she struggles to fight back more tears. "Bobby, it was Cliff. Emma's father......is Cliff Barnes."
Bobby's mouth drops open in total shock. "What did you just say? Cliff Barnes? You slept with Cliff Barnes??"
"It was only one night, Bobby. And I never thought about it again. Not until now, when Harris told me there's no way he could be Emma's father."
Bobby slowly backs away from her, the look on his face one of a man stricken as he fights back the tears he doesn't want to show.
"Bobby, please. Don't turn away from me now," Ann begs.
Ann cries. "Bobby, this happened so long ago. Long before I ever met you."
"But Cliff Barnes? I could almost accept you bein' with any other man.....but not him. It's not the fact that you slept with Cliff. It's the fact that you felt the need to keep this from me all these years we've been married. THAT is what I don't think I can ever forgive."
"Bobby," Ann cries as he walks out of the room, leaving his wife in tears, a broken woman.
Forest Park Medical Center....later
John Ross sighs, then turns and looks at her. He says nothing, but starts to walk away. Judith grabs him by the arm.
"You really do care about my granddaughter, don't you?" She asks.
"Maybe I do," John Ross says.
"I wouldn't have believed it if I didn't see it myself. John Ross, you saved Emma's life when you rescued her from that trash in Mexico. And for that, I will be eternally grateful to you. But that doesn't mean that I want you to be any part of Emma's life."
"I changed my mind," Judith says. "Your family has been nothin' but toxic to my granddaughter's life. You broke her heart, and that punk cousin of yours nearly killed her. And I do plan to make him pay."
"Why tell me this? Sounds like your quarrel is with my cousin. Not with me. You and I had made peace. I'd like to keep it that way."
"We'll keep it that way. Just stay away from my Emma. I won't have her life turned into a train wreck by a Ewin', ever again." Judith seductively touches John Ross's face, then walks away from him.
Meanwhile....Intensive Care
"That's good news," says Jenna.
"He's gonna be okay, Jenna. And as soon as he's back on his feet, we can get back home. Away from here."
"Yes."
At that moment, a nurse comes out of Lucas's room. "Mr. and Mrs. Krebbs, your son is beginning to wake up."
Ray and Jenna walk into the room. They stand by Lucas's bedside as he slowly opens his eyes. He looks up at them, a confused expression on his face. "Lucas?" Jenna says.
"Hey, son," says Ray.
"Mom.....Dad. Where am I?" Lucas asks, very weakly.
"You're in the hospital, sweetheart," replies Jenna as she gently touches his head.
"Don't you remember anything?" Ray asks.
"There.....there was an.....an accident. A car. Oh my God......Emma....."
"Shhhh, don't excite yourself, sweetheart," Jenna tells him.
"How bad was she hurt?"
Ray and Jenna exchange worried looks. "Emma's gonna be fine," Ray lies. "You just concentrate on gettin' well yourself."
"Are you in any pain?" Jenna asks.
"A little."
"I'll give you something for the pain," the nurse says. "Mr. and Mrs. Krebbs, I'll have to ask you to leave for now. Your son needs his rest. When I give him his medication, he'll be out for a while."
"Okay," says Ray. "Son, we'll be back later. Get some rest."
"Please....tell Emma I'm sorry," Lucas says as the nurse injects pain medication into his I.V. Jenna kisses her son on the forehead, then she and Ray leave the room as Lucas drifts off.
Later....
"Lucas is stable, holdin' his own. Emma's.....Emma's not doin' so good."
"Sorry to hear that."
"So am I," John Ross says.
Bum looks at John Ross in surprise. "You really do care about her, don't you?"
John Ross sighs. "You know, you're the second person to ask me that today. I dunno, Bum, maybe I do. But that's beside the point. That's not why I asked you to come by here."
"I figured as much," says Bum. "What can I do for you?"
"I want you to put a tale on me," replies John Ross.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me. I want you to put me under surveillance."
"John Ross, you're gonna have to explain that to me. Why do you wanna have yourself followed?"
"Bum, for the last couple days I've had the strangest feelin' I'm bein' followed. I can't prove it, but I've seen a certain car. 2009, maybe '10 green Malibu. I've seen this car several times. Can't be a coincidence."
"You're right," Bum says. "Does sound like somebody's already havin' you followed."
"That's why I asked you to meet me out here in the open. That way, it just looks like two old friends havin' a conversation about a sick mutual friend. Just stick close to me, everywhere I go. Maybe even check the parkin' lot of this hospital and see if you can spot that Malibu. If it keeps turnin' up where ever I go, confront the driver. Find out who's havin' me tailed. I have a couple ideas of who it might be, but I wanna make sure before I make a move."
"Who do you think it might be?"
"Either my wife....or Judith Ryland. I wanna know which one. Let me know somethin' soon."
"Will do, John Ross," Bum says.
"Thank ya, my friend." John Ross turns and heads back into the hospital.
Upstairs....
"Hi," she says, taking a seat beside Ann. "Where's Bobby?"
"I have no idea," Ann replies. "He left earlier. I don't know where he went."
Sue Ellen is surprised. "He left? Why?"
"Sue Ellen, I don't wanna talk about it right now."
"All right," Sue Ellen agrees, nodding her head.
At that moment, Dr. Reeves walks into the room. The group gets up to meet him. "I'm afraid I have more bad news. Both of Emma's kidneys have started to shut down."
"No!" Judith gasps, her hand to her mouth.
"What's this gonna mean, Doctor?" Harris asks.
"Emma desperately needs another kidney. With her rare blood type and the RH factor, the best donor would be a close relative with the same blood type. Mrs. Ewing, unfortunately you wouldn't be a suitable donor even if you had the same blood type. The blood tests we did show you suffer from a mild form of anemia."
"Then my son, or I can donate. Surely one of us must be a match," Judith says.
"I'm afraid Mr. Ryland is the wrong blood type. The last thing we need is for Emma's body to reject a donor kidney," Dr. Reeves says as Bobby stands behind him listening.
"Dear God," Ann cries. "What are we gonna do? I can't lose my little girl."
Bobby watches as Sue Ellen embraces and comforts Ann. As angry as he is with his wife right now, Bobby's heart goes out to her, and he knows what he has to do....