Previously on DALLAS:
-----------Pamela invited Tripp to be her date for her the barbecue, but he declined. The next day, Pamela was surprised and angry when Tripp shows up at the barbecue with Jillian.
-----------Gary and Valene Ewing arrived for the barbecue, but at the event, Val's jealousy was aroused when Gary spends time with Sue Ellen.
------------At the barbecue, Ray Krebbs had a happy reunion with his ex-wife Donna and daughter Margaret, while Ray's current wife Jenna was unhappy about Lucas's blossoming relationship with Emma.
------------Elena learned that John Ross is the father of her child.
------------John Ross, jealous when Pamela spends all her time at the barbecue dancing with Tripp, had too much to drink, found Pamela's paternity results, and spilled the beans to Christopher, who confronted Elena.
------------Emma and Lucas were finally able to make love.
------------Afton forced a confrontation with the Ewings, and viciously revealed that Cliff is Emma's father!
Southfork....
A stunned Emma looks from Afton to Ann, then back to Afton. "What did you just say?" She asks.
"Harris Ryland ISN'T your father," Afton replies. "Cliff Barnes is."
"That's a lie!" Emma cries.
"Why don't you ask your self-righteous mother here?"
Emma turns to Ann. "is it true? Is what this woman saying true?"
Ann fights back tears. "Emma, we need to go somewhere and talk. Privately."
"Just answer my question, Ann," Emma says angrily. "Is it true?"
Ann just looks at her daughter with tears in her eyes, unable to answer her question. Emma turns and runs away in tears. Lucas looks at the group angrily, then runs after her.
"Truth hurts, doesn't it?" Afton asks, smugly.
Ann turns to her, and in response to Afton's question, Ann draws back and punches her as hard as she can across the face, knocking Afton to the ground. Then she turns and heads off toward the house after Emma. Pamela helps her mother up.
"How dare she?!" Shouts an angry and embarrassed Afton as Bobby walks over.
"Pamela, you and Afton need to get the hell off my ranch. NOW!" Bobby says.
"Mom, let's go," Pamela says, taking her mother by the arm.
"I'll sue your wife for assault, Bobby!" Afton yells as Pamela leads her away.
"Everyone, please just go back to what you were doing," Bobby tells the assembled crowd of onlookers. He motions for the band to start playing again.
John Ross turns to Sue Ellen, who is watching Afton and Pamela walks across the patio by the pool. "Mama....." he says.
Pamela angrily turns to her mother-in-law. "You had NO right to do that!"
"Do you wanna be next?" Sue Ellen asks.
Obviously not wanting to incur Sue Ellen's wrath as her mother had, Pamela immediately starts to help Afton out of the pool, with the assistance of a couple more barbecue guests. "Oh, YOU BITCH! I'LL GET YOU FOR THAT!" Afton yells as Sue Ellen walks away.
Sue Ellen walks over to Gary, who is standing nearby watching the spectacle. "That felt good," Sue Ellen says with a smile. Gary laughs at her comment.
Meanwhile, Emma has locked herself in her bedroom. Lucas stands in the hallways outside knocking loudly. "Emma, please let me in!" He yells through the door. Ann walks up to Lucas, her eyes still full of tears. He turns to her. "How could you?" He asks. "How you could lie to her about this after seeing what this kind of lie did to me?"
"Lucas, you don't understand," Ann cries. "I have to explain this to Emma." Ann knocks on the bedroom door. "Emma? Emma, it's me. Please let me in."
"GO AWAY!" Emma yells from inside.
"Emma, please!" Ann begs.
"Just leave me alone!" Emma yells back. "Leave me alone. I don't wanna see you. Not ever!"
Lucas and Ann exchange worried looks, then Lucas knocks on the door. "Emma, let me in," he says. After a moment, Emma unlocks the door and opens it. Lucas walks in, and Emma closes the door in Ann's face. Lucas gently wipes the tears from Emma's face. Without saying a word, they embrace as Emma cries in his arms.
Meanwhile....Elena's cottage
Christopher sits on Elena's sofa and listens intently as Elena tries to explain to him her reasons for having the paternity test and not wanting to tell him the results.
"The night you seduced him to steal the letter J.R. wrote," says Christopher.
"Yes," Elena cries. "I had to be sure. I had to know who the father was. I was so sure it was Nicolas until that test came back."
Christopher stands to his feet. "Why didn't you tell me any of this?" He angrily asks.
"Because I didn't wanna hurt you, Christopher."
"Were you ever planning on telling me? Or a better question would be, were you ever planning on telling John Ross the baby's his?"
Elena remains silent as she fights back tears.
"Christopher, please," she says. "Don't go. Not until I explain."
He turns back to her, a look of pure hurt on his face. "Explain what, Elena? How you lied to me yet AGAIN? How you were gonna lie to John Ross and go on pretending that baby is Nicolas's? Just save it. Because I've heard all the explanations from you I want to." He looks at her for another moment, then without another word, he turns and walks out. After he's gone, Elena breaks down in tears....
Southfork....
"Jill, look, I......"
"Save it," she says.
"Weren't you told to leave, McKay?" John Ross asks, walking over to them.
"This is a private conversation," Tripp says. "I'll leave when I'm done."
"No, you'll leave right now," John Ross says. "Or else I'll have you thrown off this ranch right on your sorry ass."
Tripp looks angrily at John Ross for a moment, then back at Jillian. He starts to say something. "Just go," Jillian says sternly. After a brief pause, Tripp sighs, shakes his head, then turns and leaves.
"You okay?" John Ross asks.
"I'm fine," Jillian snaps.
John Ross looks up and sees Christopher heading back from Elena's cottage. A smile of satisfaction comes over his face as he sees that Christopher is angry, obviously after a fight with Elena. "Excuse me for a minute, Jill," he says, unable to resist the urge to go over to Christopher and rub it in. John Ross meets his cousin as he's walking up to the house. "Well," he says to Christopher. "I see from the look on your face Elena confirmed what I told you. That I'm the father of her baby."
Without saying a word, Christopher shoves John Ross out of his way, walks past him, through the crowd, and into the house. John Ross smiles as he watches him go.
"Honey," he says.
Ann raises up and looks at him, her eyes and face wet with tears. "Bobby, she hates me. Emma hates me again."
Bobby sighs, then takes a seat on the bed beside her. "I'm sure she doesn't hate you. Emma's just confused right now. And angry. Same way Lucas felt when he found out that I'm his father. But he got past that. Emma will, too."
"I'm not so sure about that now, Bobby," Ann says. "Emma's been hurt too many times. I've hurt her too many times. I should've just told her the truth when she recovered from the accident instead of lyin' to her about her kidney transplant."
Bobby puts his arms around his wife and holds her.
"Okay," Lucas says. "We'll go for a drive."
She stands, then turns to look at him. "No, I mean I have to get out of here for good. I can't stay here anymore. They all lied to me."
Lucas gets off the bed and walks over to her. "Emma, I know how you feel. I felt the exact same way when I found out Bobby was my real father. You feel like your whole life has been one big lie, and you don't even know who you are anymore."
"Lucas, I wanna go see my father. I have to. I wanna hear this from him. I need answers, and I don't wanna hear anymore of Ann's lies."
Lucas nods. "Okay. I'll take you. Come on." Lucas takes Emma by the hand and together they leave the bedroom.
Outside, as the barbecue continues and people have resumed dancing as the country band plays, Ray walks over to Margaret and Matt as they stand on the patio, each sipping on a beer. "Well, some party, huh?" Ray asks with a smile.
"Yeah, some party," Matt replies. "Is it always this much fun around here?"
Ray laughs. "Yeah, pretty much. The Ewings have never been known for throwin' a dull party, that's for sure." Ray notices his daughter looks bothered by something. He follows her eyes and sees that she is staring angrily at John Ross across the crowd. "Margaret, sweety, what's wrong?" He asks.
"Nothing, Daddy," she replies.
Matt looks at Margaret. "Maybe we should tell him."
"No."
"Then I will," Donna's voice comes from behind them. They are turn around to her.
"Mom, no," Margaret insists.
"Will somebody please tell me what this is all about?" Ray asks.
Donna sighs. "Somehow, John Ross found out about Margaret's arrest several years ago. And he's using that to try and blackmail Matt."
"He's what?"
"John Ross wants a political puppet down in Austin," Matt says. "Told me that if I didn't do him a favor every now and then, he'd make Margaret's past public."
"That's actually why I'm here," says Donna. "We told Bobby, hoping maybe he could reel John Ross in a little. Bobby was on his way to confront John Ross when that little.....scene.....happened."
Ray's anger rises up inside of him. "Damn John Ross," he says. "J.R. may be gone, but his schemin' double dealin' ways live on in that son of his." Ray walks away from the group and heads straight over to where John Ross is standing, his back to Ray as he approaches. Reaching him, John Ross puts his hand on John Ross's right shoulder and forcefully turns him around to face him. "I wanna talk to you, John Ross."
"I heard you been usin' my daughter to try and blackmail Senator Culver," says Ray.
"Don't know what you're talkin' about, Uncle Ray. Musta got some wrong information there."
"Cut the crap, John Ross. Now I'm warnin' you. You do ANYTHING to hurt Margaret and you're gonna have me to deal with."
"That a threat?" John Ross asks.
"No. No threat. It's a promise," Ray says as Donna walks over. "In fact, I ought to take you apart right here."
"Ray, no," Donna says, grabbing him by the arm.
Ray hesitates for a moment, then gets right in his nephew's face. "John Ross, remember what I said. If I ever hear of you doin' anything to hurt my daughter......I'll make damned sure you regret it." Ray angrily glares at John Ross for a moment, then turns and walks away.
"Well, I see you're following right in your daddy's footsteps," Donna says,
"Nice to see you again, too, Donna," John Ross says sarcastically. Donna then walks away from him as John Ross smiles.
As Ray walks over to the bar and orders a drink, Jenna approaches him.
"Nothin'," Ray replies, taking a sip of his bourbon. "Just John Ross bein' John Ross."
"Ray, have you seen Lucas? I haven't seen him since that spectacle between Ann and Afton Cooper."
"No, I haven't seen him," Ray says grumpily, finishing off his drink.
"Ray, WHAT is going on with you?"
"Look, Jenna, I just don't wanna talk about it right now."
Frustrated by her husband's attitude, Jenna walks away from him.
Meanwhile.....The Ryland Mansion
"Daddy, I need to talk to you. It's important," she says.
"Aight, come in," Harris says. Emma and Lucas walk into the house and Harris closes the door. "So what's up? What's so important?"
"I need to ask you something. And I need you to tell me the truth."
"Of course I will, sweetheart. What's goin' on?"
"Are you my father?" Emma asks. "Or is Cliff Barnes my father?" Emma asks, fighting back tears.
"It doesn't matter," Em,ma replies. "Is it the truth? Is Cliff Barnes my real father?"
"Look, Emma....."
"Why can't you just tell her the truth?" Lucas asks.
"You need to just stay the hell out of this, it's between me and my daughter."
"That's just it, Daddy," says Emma. "AM I your daughter? Or am I Cliff Barnes's daughter?"
Harris hesitates for a moment, then looks at the young woman. "It's true. I'm not your father, Emma."
Emma's mouth drops open in shock. "Oh my God," she cries. "How long have you known?"
"I've always known. Since the day your mother told me she was pregnant. See, I had mumps when I was a kid. It left me sterile. I could never have kids. When Annie came up pregnant I went back and had some more tests done, and the tests confirmed it."
Emma starts to cry. "You knew? All those years you knew I was another man's child?"
"Emma I loved you. Darlin', I STILL love you. The fact that you weren't my biological child never affected how I felt about you." Harris reaches out to touch Emma but she pulls away. "Emma, did Ann tell you this?"
"No. No, she didn't. I had to find out in the worst way possible."
"Look, sweetheart," Harris says. "For what it's worth, your mother didn't know. She had no idea I wasn't your father."
"How could she not have known?"
"Because I never told her I couldn't have children. She didn't find out until the accident. When you needed that kidney transplant."
"My......my transplant?" Emma asks. "Oh my God. Cliff Barnes."
"Is that how he got out of prison?" Lucas asks. "Did he donate a kidney to Emma?"
"Not that this is any of your damned business, but yes," replies Harris. "Barnes donated his kidney in exchange for his pardon."
Emma turns away from Harris. "I can't......I can't believe any of this. This is like a nightmare, and I just wanna wake up."
Harris walks over to her. "Sweetheart....."
"No," Emma says, turning back to face him. "No. Don't you EVER call me that again. All those years. You took me away from Ann, and pretended I was your daughter, when all that time you knew I wasn't. You and Grandmother, you kept me a virtual prisoner. Kept me pumped full of drugs."
"Emma, I always loved you and did what I thought was best for you," Harris says. "I always gave you everything you ever wanted."
"Everything?" Emma asks. "Everything except freedom. And the truth. I never wanna see you again. Not ever." In tears, Emma runs from the room and out of the house.
"EMMA!" Harris yells as he starts to go after her.
"NO," Lucas says, putting his hand on Harris's chest to stop him. "You just stay the hell away from her. Come anywhere near Emma again, and I'll kill you!" Lucas glares angrily at Harris for a moment, then runs out after Emma, leaving Harris standing alone in the middle of his living room.
Southfork.....later
Bobby sighs. "Sue Ellen, I honestly don't know. Right now she's just layin' on our bed, starin' at the wall. I'm really worried about her. And Emma and Lucas are gone. I've been callin' both their cells and get no answer. I'm startin' to worry about them, too."
"Well I've BEEN worried," Jenna says as she walks over to them. "Bobby, Lucas has been gone for hours. Where could he be?"
"Jenna, I have no idea. He and Emma prob'ly just went out for a drive."
"Emma," Jenna says angrily. "That girl has caused my son nothing but trouble ever since he came here."
"Jenna, how do ya figure that?" Bobby asks.
"Ummm, excuse me," says Sue Ellen. "I'll go up and check on Ann."
"Thank you, Sue Ellen," says Bobby.
"Bobby, the best thing for my son is for him to come home with Ray and I," Jenna says.
"Lucas is a grown man, Jenna. I think where he chooses to live is entirely up to him. Look, it's been a long and stressful day, and I'm in no mood to argue." At that moment, Christopher comes out of the house. Leaving Jenna, Bobby walks over to his son. "Christopher, are you alright, son?"
"No, Dad, I'm not. Not at all."
"What's wrong? I missed you earlier at the barbecue, but we had so much goin' on here that I didn't get a chance to look for you."
"Bob," Ray interrupts, walking over to them. "Jenna, and I are gonna head on over to the hotel."
"Okay, Ray, that's fine," Bobby says.
"I'll call you in the morning," says Ray.
Bobby nods, then Ray walks off to join his family. Bobby then turns back to his son. "So what's wrong? And where's Elena?"
"I don't know, Dad," Christopher replies. "Maybe she's with John Ross."
"John Ross?" Asks a confused Bobby.
"Yeah. The father of her child," Christopher says. Without another word, he walks away, leaving Bobby shocked.
Dallas.....Pamela's apartment
"Can you BELIEVE those bitches?" Afton rants. "How dare they treat me that way? So holier than thou. Just wait. I am NOT going to let them get away with this, especially Sue Ellen."
"Mom, will you PLEASE sit down and be quiet," Pamela says. "Ever since we got home all I've been hearing is how badly you were treated at Southfork today. What about how John Ross and that little twit Jillian Cryder treated ME?"
Before Afton is able to answer her daughter's question, Cliff walks into the apartment. He pauses and looks at them for a moment, then closes the door. "What's going on?" He asks. "You two got awful quiet when I walked in. Did I interrupt something?"
"As a matter of fact, you did," Afton says just before she sneezes twice in a row. "OH, you hear that? I'm gonna have pneumonia from what Sue Ellen did to me!"
"Sue Ellen?" Cliff asks. "What'd Sue Ellen do to you?"
"That bitch pushed me in the pool at Southfork!"
Cliff laughs. "Oh my," he says. "I'd love to have seen that."
"It's not funny, Daddy," Pamela says as she stands from her seat.
"Well I told you two not to go out there today, didn't I?" Cliff says as he continues to snicker, arousing Afton's anger even further.
Suddenly, Cliff's smile disappears. "She.....she did WHAT?"
"I told Emma the truth, Cliff," Afton says. "I told her and everyone at the barbecue that you're her father."
"Oh, I see," Cliff says calmly.
"That's all you have to say?" Pamela asks.
Cliff again smiles. "No, that's not all I have to say." He walks over to Afton. "Thank you," he says, kissing her on the cheek. "Afton, I thank you for that."
"You're happy about this?" Pamela asks.
"Of course I'm happy," Cliff says. "Emma finally knows that I'm her father. Bobby and that wife of his were so adamant about not wanting that girl to know the truth. Well now it's out, she knows, and I can finally get to know my other daughter."
"Do you honestly think that's going to happen?" Pamela asks.
"Why not? Only think standing in the way of that before was Bobby and Ann. Now that Emma knows I'm her father, she's gonna wanna see me. Pammy, you once told me that you'd always wished you had a sister or a brother. Well now, sweetheart, your wish has come true." Smiling ear to ear, Cliff happily dashes up the stairs and to his room as Afton and Pamela exchange looks.
The next morning....
"Hey," he says. "What are you doing?"
"I woke up. I didn't wanna wake you so I came in here," she replies. "I was hoping that everything that happened yesterday was just a bad dream, and I'd wake up and everything would be the way it was. But it wasn't a dream."
Lucas walks over and puts his arms around her, holding her tightly. "No, Emma," he says. "It wasn't a dream."
"Cliff Barnes is my father," she says. "As if my life wasn't already screwed up enough."
"Amazing how much we have in common, isn't it?" Lucas asks.
"Yeah, it is," Emma says. "We're just two screwed up people. No wonder we're so drawn to each other."
"Is that a bad thing?"
"No. Because I honestly don't know what I'd do without you right now."
At that moment, Lucas's phone, which is laying on a table next to the bedroom door, starts vibrating. He leaves Emma and walks over to the phone. He picks it up and sees it's Bobby calling. "It's Bobby again," he tells Emma. "You know, we're gonna have to talk to them, sooner or later," he says as he walks back over to her.
"I know. I'm just not ready yet," she says.
"What's weird?"
"Us. You and me," Lucas says, taking Emma by the hand. "The Ewings and the Barnes have hated each other for generations, and now here we are. I'm Bobby Ewing's son and I'm hopelessly in love with Cliff Barnes's daughter."
Emma again puts her arms around Lucas and lays her head against Lucas's bare shoulder. Cliff Barnes's daughter? Lucas's words echo through Emma's mind. How can she ever think of herself as Cliff Barnes's daughter? Or Harris Ryland's daughter ever again, for that matter?
Southfork....
Meanwhile....
"I know, Bobby, but I just need to talk to her. I need to explain everything."
"Annie, ya know, Emma's real angry right now. She may not be too receptive at first."
"I know," Ann says. "I've been through this with her before. I'm just afraid Bobby that, I've really ruined things with her this time."
"I wish I was as sure," Ann says.
"I'm sure enough for both of us," he says, gently kissing her on the forehead. At that moment, Christopher appears in the open doorway and lightly knocks.
"Dad, Ann," he says. "Am I interruptin'?"
"No, son, you're not," Bobby replies. "What can I do for you?"
"Bobby, I think I'm gonna go for a walk," says Ann. "I need to clear my head."
"Okay," he says. He kisses Ann as she walks out of the bedroom. Then he turns to Christopher. "Are you okay? We never did finish our conversation yesterday. You said that John Ross is the father of Elena's baby?"
"Of course."
"Elena slept with John Ross the night before. That's how she got the letter. She seduced him and stole it while he was asleep."
"Oh, Christopher," Bobby says with a sigh. "I'm so sorry. I can imagine how much this must hurt."
"It does, Dad. It really does. I loved her, and I trusted her. Now I feel like this is just one more betrayal. And you know what's worse? Elena wasn't even gonna tell John Ross. She was just gonna go on letting me, him, and everyone else think Nicolas was the father."
"Son, I wish I knew what to say."
"So do I, Dad," says Christopher. "But I have no idea what to say to her anymore."
"Well apparently you've already said enough," says John Ross, who is standing in the bedroom doorway.
"John Ross, this is a private conversation between me and my son," Bobby says.
"Not anymore, Uncle Bobby," John Ross says, walking into the room carrying Elena's note. "Christopher, Elena's gone."
"Gone? What do you mean gone?" Asks Christopher.
"I mean, cousin, that she left last night. Here, read this." John Ross hands the note to him.
"What does it say, son?" Bobby asks.
"She.....she says she's sorry for hurting me again. Sorry for lying to me. And that she's going away to have her baby in peace. Damn." Christopher crumples up the note in his hand. "I have to go find her."
Dallas.....Omni Hotel Lobby
"Donna," he says.
"Oh, Ray," she says, taking off her reading glasses and looking up at him.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not. Please, have a seat."
Ray sits down in a chair across from her.
"I got tired of working in that stuffy room," she says. "So I came down here since it was quiet."
"Yeah," says Ray. "Boy that was some barbecue yesterday, huh?"
Donna laughs. "Yes, it certainly was. It's nice to see that things at Southfork never really change."
"It was nice to be at Southfork again after all these years. Lot of memories."
"Yeah. Lot of good memories," says Ray.
"Well, you know, cowboy, there were a few bad ones, too."
"I guess so. But more good memories. For me, anyway. We didn't really have much chance to talk and catch up at the barbecue yesterday. How've you been, Donna?"
She looks at him for a moment in silence. "I've been okay," she finally says. "It was very hard for me after Andrew died. And Margaret went through a really bad time. But I keep myself busy. I have my committees and charity work, social functions. But I really do miss him."
"I know I never said this enough while he was alive, but Andrew was a really good man, Donna. I'm real glad you found him after we separated."
Donna smiles. "He was a wonderful stepfather to Margaret. And a wonderful husband. We had twenty-two very happy years together. Hey, how about you and Jenna? Things okay with you two?"
"Things are fine," Ray replies. "Things got a little rough a while back. Lucas found out Bobby's his real father. It caused some tension between all of us. But things are better now."
"I'm glad. Secrets like that always have a way of coming out and hurting people, no matter how much time has past"
Ray nods his head in agreement. "You're right. Donna, you ever think about the old days?"
"You mean when we were married?" Donna asks. "Sure. I think about those days a lot. I've really thought of nothing else since I've been back in Dallas the last couple days. And being at Southfork yesterday. I could just see us all sitting around that pool on a hot summer day. You and I were married, Bobby was engaged to Jenna. Things sure changed, didn't they?"
"Yeah, they sure did. You ever think about what would've happened if things had been different?" Ray asks. "If I hadn't gotten involved in that damned fight for Ewing Oil, we might never have separated."
"Ray, there's no use in playing 'what if.' It's not gonna change anything. I have no regrets. I had a very happy life in Washington with Andrew. And you made a good life with Jenna. There's no point in rehashing ancient history from thirty years ago."
As Ray and Donna talk, Jenna walks into the lobby. She stops short when she sees her husband sitting with his ex-wife. She watches for a moment, then finally walks over to them.
"Well, hello, Donna," Jenna says.
"Hi, Jenna," replies Donna.
"Jenna, I thought you were takin' a nap," Ray says.
"I had the same idea. I was goin' out for a walk, then I saw Donna sittin' here."
"How've you been, Jenna?" Donna asks.
"I've been very well. And you?"
"Just fine," replies Donna, the tension between the two woman very evident.
"Ray, why don't we take that walk together?" Jenna asks.
"Sure," he says, standing. "Donna, how long are you gonna be in town?"
"A couple more days," Donna says. "I'm having lunch with Bobby tomorrow, and I also wanna stop by and see Mavis Anderson while I'm in town. How about you two?"
"A few more days at least," says Ray. "Jenna wants to spend some time with Lucas. Well, maybe we'll see you again. Take care, Donna."
"You take care too," Donna says as Ray and Jenna walk away. She watches them, her mind thinking back to what Ray said before Jenna came by. What if things had been different?
Meanwhile....
Lucas opens the door of his hotel suite and finds Ann standing there. "Ann," he says, surprised.
"Lucas, I need to see Emma," Ann says.
Lucas sighs. "Ann, I don't think...."
"Lucas please, just let me in."
After a brief pause, Lucas steps aside. Ann walks into the suite and he closes the door. "She's in the bedroom," he says. "I'll get her."
"Thank you," Ann says.
Lucas walks into the bedroom as Emma is finishing getting dressed. "What is it?" She asks.
"Ann's here," he replies. "She wants to see you."
"No. Lucas, tell her to go away. I don't wanna see her or hear anything she has to say."
"Sweetheart, you're gonna have to talk to her sooner or later."
"I can't," Emma says. "Not now. Please."
Lucas looks at her for a moment. "Okay, I'll tell her." Lucas walks back into the living room where Ann is waiting. "I'm sorry, Ann," he says. "She doesn't wanna see you."
"I have to see her," says Ann. "I have to try to explain."
"Look, I understand how you feel. I also know how Emma feels. I felt the same way when I found out the truth about my life. She's angry right now. But more importantly, she's in pain. A deep pain that comes from being lied to your whole life."
"I never meant to lie to her. But after everything she'd been through - the kidnapping, then the accident and her surgery. And then she confided in me about the rape. I didn't wanna put her through anymore."
"Ann, secrets like that always find a way to come out. You had to know that somebody would tell Emma, or she'd overhear a conversation about it like how I found out about Bobby being my father. It would've been better for you to tell Emma the truth than to have her find out the way she did at the barbecue."
Ann nods. "I know. You're right."
"Just give her some time," Lucas says.
Ann sighs. "Would you please talk to her for me?"
"I'll try."
Ann starts to leave, then she turns back to Lucas. "Please take care of my little girl," she says.
"You know I will," Lucas replies, and Ann leaves.
Later....that night....
"Sorry it took me a while to get back to you, John Ross," Bum says. "I was visiting my daughter over in Tyler."
"It's okay, Bum. Hell, it's Sunday. Glad you had some time with your family. Anyway, the reason I asked you to meet me tonight is because I need you to find Elena Ramos for me."
"Yeah. She left last night after the barbecue. Left a note but there was no indication where she might be headed."
"You have any ideas about where she might've gone?"
"Maybe Mexico City," John Ross replies. "Her mama's there, and some other relatives."
"I'll get started first thing in the morning."
"Good. And Bum, this is top priority. Elena's pregnant.......with my baby. I want 'em found as soon as possible."
"I see," Bum says. "Don't worry, John Ross. I'll do what I can."
"I appreciate that, Bum. Keep me posted," John Ross says, then gets out of Bum's truck.
Southfork....
"Missed you at dinner," Bobby says.
"Yeah, sorry, Dad. I went for a drive. Had a lot of thinkin' to do."
"I understand, son."
"Is that what you're doing sitting out here in the cold alone?" Christopher asks, taking a seat beside his father.
Bobby nods.
"Dad, with everything that's been goin' on with Elena, I haven't had a chance to ask you what's goin' on with you guys. I may have been distracted, but I could still tell somethin's wrong."
"Yeah, there is," Bobby replies with a sigh. "I didn't wanna tell you because of everything else you were dealin' with."
"This sounds serious."
"It is. Christopher, you know about Lucas and Emma's accident while you were away."
"Sure," Christopher replies.
"Emma was very seriously injured, and she needed a kidney transplant. But there were complications because of her rare blood type. The kidney had to come from a close blood relative. So her father donated the kidney,"
"So? I don't understand what the big issue is."
"Son, Harris Ryland is not Emma's biological father. Ryland told us that at the hospital, after we found out Emma needed the transplant. He was never able to father children."
"Oh, wow, " says Christopher. "So, you guys tracked down Emma's real father?"
"We didn't have to track him down," Bobby says. "He was in prison. Christopher, there's no easy way to say this. Emma's biological father is Cliff Barnes."
"Yeah. It came as a shock to everyone, including Ann. Ryland never told her that he couldn't have kids, so she spent all these years thinkin' he was Emma's father."
"Dad, I'm sorry, but I'm just a little lost here. Where does Cliff come in?"
"When Ann was married to Harris, she was very unhappy," Bobby says. "He would leave her alone for days at a time. She was lonely. So one night she went out to a bar. That's where she met Cliff. Emma was conceived that one night they spent together."
"Oh, wow," Christopher says.
"That's how Cliff got out of prison," Bobby continues. "I told Pamela about Emma, and I asked her to use Cliff's pardon to get him out. In exchange for the pardon, Barnes agreed to donate his kidney to Emma."
"So that's what Cliff meant that day about what Ann has done to him," Christopher says.
"Yep. Ever since Barnes found out Emma's his daughter he's been more of an ass than ever. Ann warned him to stay away from Emma."
"Does Emma know?"
Bobby sighs. "She knows, thanks to Afton. She blabbed it during an argument with Ann and Sue Ellen at the barbecue yesterday, Emma was so upset she left Southfork. Ann went by Lucas's suite today to try and talk to her but Emma wouldn't even see her."
"I'm sorry, Dad."
"So am I. I'm afraid that, if Emma doesn't forgive her, Ann may never get over this."
Christopher reaches out and places a comforting hand on his father's shoulder.
Ewing Global....the next morning
John Ross steps off the elevator at Ewing Global the next morning and struts over to Sue Ellen's office, passing her secretary Amanda's desk.
"Good mornin'," he says.
"Good morning," Amanda says.
"You must be Amanda, my mama's new secretary."
Amanda smiles. "That's right. And you must be John Ross."
"Yes I am. Is my mother in her office this early?" John Ross asks.
"She is. I'll let her know you're here." Amanda picks up her phone and buzzes Sue Ellen's office.
"Yes, Amanda?" Sue Ellen says.
"Mrs. Ewing, your son is here to see you."
"Oh, thank you. Send him in, please."
"Yes ma'am," Amanda says. She looks at John Ross. "You may go right in."
"Thank ya, darlin'," John Ross says with a smile. He winks at her, then walks over to his mother's office and goes in.
"John Ross, this is a surprise," Sue Ellen says, walking over to him. "I thought you'd be at Westar by now."
"Good news? What good news?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Mama, brace yourself. YOU are gonna be a grandmother."
"Your son is finally gonna become a daddy."
"John Ross, I.....I don't know what to say. Who....."
"Who's the mother? None other than Elena Ramos."
"Elena Ramos," Sue Ellen says, a hint of disappointment in her tone.
"That's right," says John Ross. "Elena is carryin' my baby, your grandchild."
"Well, I'm......congratulations, John Ross. I'm very happy for you."
"Then how come you don't sound happy?" John Ross asks.
"John Ross, I am happy about the baby. My first grandchild. It's just that, I'm not particularly happy with your choice of mothers for your child."
"Mama, I know this family has had problems with Elena in the past. But now's a good time to put all that behind us. Start fresh. As soon as I locate Elena."
"As soon as you locate her?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Yes. Elena had a fight with Christopher on Saturday, and she left. I've got Bum workin' on findin' her."
Sue Ellen walks over to her son. She puts her hands on his arms and smiles. "John Ross, this is wonderful news. It just caught me off guard. Congratulations." She hugs her son.
"Thank ya, Mama," he says. "I'm gonna be a damned good father. I promise I'm not gonna make the same mistakes with my child that my daddy made with me."
"I hope that's true, John Ross."
"You'll see, Mama. Now I hate to run, but I've gotta be gettin' to the office myself."
"Alright," Sue Ellen says. "Call me later, and maybe we can have lunch one day this week."
John Ross smiles. "I'd like that. I'll see you later." He kisses his mother on the cheek, then leaves, still smiling.
Sue Ellen smiles. A grandchild, she thinks to herself.
Meanwhile, as John Ross passes by Amanda's desk, the two exchange flirtatious smiles. Amanda watches John Ross as he walks toward the elevator and gets on it.
Southfork....
Ann is watering her plants in the sitting room at Southfork later that morning when Christopher walks in.
"Hi," he says.
"Hi, yourself," says Ann. "Did you go out ridin'?"
"Yeah, I did. Ya know, it's funny. Goin' out for a ride on Southfork use to clear my head."
"It doesn't anymore?" Ann asks.
"No. Not like it use to. Ann, Dad told me about Emma and about what happened at the barbecue."
"I don't know what to do, Christopher. I went to see her yesterday, and Lucas said she doesn't wanna see me or talk to me or anything."
"She'll come around," says Christopher.
"Same thing your father keeps sayin'. I just wish I could believe that." Ann looks at her stepson. "What a mess, huh?"
"Oh, yeah. Curse of the Ewings. Well, I think I'm gonna go shower and change and head into town for a while."
"Alright," Ann says.
"You're more than welcome to come along."
"Thanks, but I have a lot of things I have to do around here. Sue Ellen wanted me to come into Dallas and have lunch with her today but I declined. I could use some time to myself. You know, to figure things out."
"Okay. Well, I'll see you later, then," Christopher says.
"Sure," Ann says quietly. Christopher leaves the room. After he's gone, Ann walks to the window and looks out. She sighs deeply as she looks out at the ranch. She prays Emma will forgive her.
Westar Oil....later
"Mr. Ewing, Margaret Krebbs is here to see you," says John Ross's secretary, Melissa, over the intercom.
Sitting at his desk, John Ross is surprised to hear he has a visit from his estranged cousin. "Thank ya, Melissa. Send Miss Krebbs in, please." Standing to his feet, John Ross smiles, then walks over to the bar. He pours himself a drink as Margaret walks in. She slams the door closed. "Well, cousin Margaret," he says. "What a pleasant surprise."
John Ross smiles. "Come on, now. Calm down. You're my own cousin. I never woulda used that information I found about your arrest."
"Then why?"
"Oh, I just needed a little leverage to bargain with," John Ross says. "That's all. Like a drink?"
"No. John Ross, I'm warning you. If you do anything to hurt Matt, I swear I'll make you regret it."
Margaret walks over to his desk. "I don't need my daddy to fight my battles for me. I'm more than capable of taking care of a snake like you."
John Ross smiles. "Well, you definitely got spunk, I'll give ya that much."
"I have more than that," says Margaret, leaning over the desk to face him. "I have an instinct for survival, a determination to protect the people I love, and the willingness to do whatever is necessary to survive and protect them."
"Well, well. You sound more like a Ewing than your daddy ever has."
"Just remember what I said, cousin. Matt Culver is a decent man and an honest man. I'll do anything I have to in order to keep him from getting hurt." Margaret angrily glares at John Ross for a moment, then turns and storms out of the office.
"This might just be fun," John Ross says with a smile after she leaves.
The Omni Hotel....
"Hello, Emma. Can I come in?"
"Sure, come on in." Christopher walks in. Emma closes the door behind him. "If you're here to see Lucas, he's at Ewing Global."
"I came to see you," Christopher says.
"Me?"
Emma sighs. "I guess that makes us not only stepbrother and stepsister, but also....what? First cousins?"
Christopher laughs slightly. "Yeah, somethin' like that. Listen, Emma, the reason I'm here is because of Ann."
"Christopher, I don't wanna talk about her," Emma says.
"Please, just hear me out. I know you're angry, and hurt. But Ann didn't even know Cliff was your father until the accident."
"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but what business is this of yours?" Emma asks as she turns and walks across the room.
"It's my business because people I care about are involved. Emma, I lost my mother when I was very young. I was barely seven. Too young to fully understand that loss. A few years later, my father remarried. Her name was April. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about having another mother, but I came to love April. But she was killed right after they got married. Just like you, Emma, I grew up without a mom. My Dad dated several women after April died, but he never allowed himself to fully fall in love. And I never got too attached to any of them because I'd already lost two mothers and I couldn't stand to go through that again. But then my Dad met Ann and he fell head over heels. With her, he was happier than I'd seen him since I was a kid. Ann came into our lives and she became my friend. Later, after she and Dad got married, she became more than that to me. She became a mom. Sure, I was an adult by time they got married. I was 24. But Ann became the mother that I didn't have all those years growing up. She's been there for me through everything that's happened in my life since then. She's never treated me any different than if I was her own son. You're very lucky to have a mom like her, Emma. Ann is a good woman. She's made some mistakes. She's only human, like the rest of us. You've made a lot of mistakes yourself. How would you feel if everyone judged you for every mistake or bad choice you ever made?"
Emma turns around to him, tears streaming down her face. "She could have told me the truth," she cries.
Christopher walks over to her. "Emma, she didn't wanna hurt you. Your life had already been turned upside down this year. Okay, granted, she should've told you that Cliff was your father after you came home from the hospital. But by not telling you, she thought she was protecting you from any more pain. She loves you more than life itself, and this wedge between the two of you is killing her. Please, just talk to her. Hear what she has to say. And if you still feel like you wanna hate her, then so be it. But at least give her a chance. If you don't, then one day you'll end up regretting it." Christopher pauses a moment as he looks at her, then without another word, he turns and walks out.
Emma starts to cry as she thinks about the words Christopher has just spoken to her. She walks over to the sofa and takes a seat. She looks at her cell phone on the coffee table in front of her. She picks the phone up and speed dials a number. She waits for the person on the other end of the line to answer. After four rings, she is about to hang up, when finally they answer. "Umm, hi," she says. "I really need to see you."
Meanwhile....Ray and Jenna's suite
"1:30," he replies.
"Well it's about that now," he says, taking a seat on the bed. "Jenna, are you okay? You been awful quiet al day."
Jenna stops what she's doing and turns to her husband. "Ray, do you ever think about coming back here to Dallas?"
"What kinda question is that? We ARE here."
"No, I mean.....moving back. At least for a while."
Ray stands and walks over to her. "Jenna, where's this comin' from?"
Ray smiles. "Sure, I've thought about movin' back here a lot."
"We could get us a place."
"Are you sure this is what you wanna do?" Ray asks.
"I'm very sure. With Charlie so far away, and unable to visit very often, I really need to be near one of my children."
Later.....
"Hi," Emma says, getting up.
"I was surprised to get your call. Surprised, but very happy."
Emma sighs, then looks away. "I don't even know what to say to you right now."
"Just say what you're feelin'."
Emma turns and looks her in the eye. "Why didn't you tell me the truth? Why did you feel the need to keep from me who my real father is?"
"Because I love, sweetheart, and the last thing I wanted was for you to be hurt again. I tried to protect you, but you ended up gettin' hurt anyway. Would you just hear me out? Let me try to explain everything to you as best I can."
Emma nods. "I'm listening," she says, her voice trembling.
Ann smiles, gently touching her daughter's face.
Pegasus Plaza Dallas....
"Where the hell have you been?" John Ross asks impatiently. "I have been freezin' my ass off waitin' for you out here."
"I do have other things to do besides being at your beck and call," Pamela snaps. "Now what is it you wanted?"
"To bring you some good news," he replies.
"Oh? Are you moving away? Hopefully to Japan or someplace really distant like that?"
John Ross laughs. "Nice to know you still have your sense of humor, darlin'. Sorry to burst your little bubble but nope. I have no intention of relocatin'. My good news is that I have finally decided to give you that divorce you want so much."
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Pamela," John Ross says. "Just accept the fact that I have finally grown tired of bein' married to you, and now you can be free to openly pursue whatever relationship you have goin' on with Tripp McKay."
"There has to be some catch. You never give in this easily without some sort of ulterior motive."
"No ulterior motive. Damn it, girl, I'm offerin' you your freedom. Somethin' you been wantin' for months now."
"I think I just realized why you changed your mind all of a sudden," Pamela says.
"And why's that?"
"Your new sister. You've seen that she and Tripp have become friends. She even brought him to the Ewing Barbecue day before yesterday, and now you figure if you give me my divorce, Tripp and I might get together and he'll leave Jillian alone."
"Damn it, ya got me," John Ross says sarcastically. "Never could keep a secret from your for very long, could I? So what'll it be? Divorce, or no divorce? Ball's in your court."
Pamela looks at him for a moment. "Alright. Divorce."
"Good. I'll have my attorney draw up the papers this afternoon and we can get this charade over with as soon as possible, then you and Young Mr. McKay can ride off into the sunset together."
"Fine," says Pamela. "I'll be expecting those papers." She turns and starts to walk away.
"Hey," John Ross calls to her. She stops and turns back to him. "Not even gonna thank me?"
"For what? Making me wish I'd never met you?" Pamela asks, then turns and walks away from him, leaving John Ross smiling.
Meanwhile....
"So you went home with him?" Emma asks.
"Yes," replies Ann. "At first I thought, 'this guy is too drunk to do anything.' But I was wrong. And we slept together. Next mornin' he didn't even remember anything about it, or even my name for that matter. We talked a little bit and then I left. Harris came home a couple days later and I never thought much about that night I spent with another man. Well, you know what happened next. I found out I was pregnant, and then when you were a baby, Harris and his mother took you. Years went by and I met Bobby Ewing. I fell madly in love with him. It wasn't until right before Bobby and I got married that heard the name Cliff Barnes again. Found out he was Christopher's uncle, the brother of Bobby's first wife. I thought 'what a damned small world.' "
"And you never said anything at all to Bobby?"
"No. Once I heard about that famous feud between the Ewings and Cliff's family, I never said a word. I wasn't even worried that I might see Cliff one day and he'd remember me because he didn't even remember me the mornin' after we slept together. Of course I had no idea whatsoever that he had fathered my child. I didn't find that out until your accident." Ann stops walking and turns to Emma. "I would have told you, Emma, but after everything you'd already been through, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was throw another curve ball to you. I was gonna tell you. But later, when the dust of everything else had settled. I realize now how wrong I was. Darlin' I just want you to understand."
"I do," says Emma. "I do understand. It's just gonna take me a long time to get use to all this. To process it."
"I know," Ann says, nodding her head as she touches Emma's face. "I don't think that I've processed it fully yet myself."
"God. Cliff Barnes," Emma says. "My father."
"Cliff Barnes is about the last man on Earth I'd wish to be your father," says Ann.
"Yeah, me too," Emma agrees.
"Emma I'd like very much for you to come home to Southfork."
Emma sighs. "I'm sorry, Ann. I'm not sure I'm ready to come back to Southfork right now. I need some time. Time to think, and decide who I am. Because right now, I don't have a clue who I am," she says as she starts to cry. "I'm not angry with you anymore. I'm not even that hurt anymore. But I am confused. So I just need to be with Lucas right now."
"I understand," Ann says. "You take as much time as you need. Your room will always be there at Southfork."
"Thanks," Emma says.
Ann hugs her, and then Emma turns and walks away. Ann watches her daughter as she leaves. Tears fill her eyes, but this time, instead of tears of sorrow, they are of joy because Emma has forgiven her. Ann looks upward toward the overcast Texas sky. Without saying the words out loud, she mutters "Thank you" because her prayers had been answered....