Previously on DALLAS:
------------Alex went to stay at Southfork.
------------John Ross brought Amanda back to the ranch after her pregnancy was confirmed.
------------Alex struck up a friendship with Ashley Beaumont.
------------Lucy returned to Southfork.
------------Bobby and Jay began to suspect that John Ross may have blackmailed Todd.
------------At Emma's suggestion, Justin paid Harris a visit and threatened to expose Judith's brothel unless Harris provide him with evidence he could use against John Ross.
The Ryland Mansion....
"Thank ya for comin'," Harris says.
"This has nothing to do with getting back at you. I gave Justin that information because you're about the only person I could think of who can help him. And I wanted to insure that you would."
"Why?"
"Because I think John Ross needs to be brought down a notch. He needs to be humbled. Don't worry. I made a deal with Justin. He promised me he won't use that information I gave him, as long as you help him to bring John Ross down."
Harris looks at Emma angrily for a moment. "You hate me that much?"
"I hated you for a long time for what you did to me and to Ann. But I don't hate you anymore. Right now, I don't really feel anything for you at all." Without another word, Emma turns and walks out.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
"Bobby," Jenna says, walking up behind him.
He turns to face her. "Hello, Jenna. I just came to drop off some flowers for Charlie."
"They're lovely. I'm sure she'll appreciate them. Thank you."
"You're welcome. How's Charlie doing?"
"She's getting weaker from the treatments. She's losing her hair. They keep her sedated a lot on pain and nausea meds."
"I can imagine how hard this must be on you. And Ray," Bobby says.
"It is. I'm so frightened. And then seeing her like that." Jenna starts to cry. Bobby puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," she says.
"It's alright. Jenna, if there's anything I can do. Anything you and Ray need, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you, Bobby. That really means a lot to me," Jenna says, still crying.
"Shhhh, it's okay," Bobby says, putting his arms around her. Bobby holds Jenna as she cries. Down the hall, Ray comes out of Charlie's room. As he looks down the hall to the nurse's station, he sees Bobby and Jenna embracing...
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
"Hello, Ray. How're you holdin' up?"
"Well, it's hard. But, we're holdin' up okay."
"Bobby, how's Alex?" Jenna asks.
"Alex is just fine. Don't worry, he's welcome to stay at Southfork for as long as you need to be here with Charlie."
"Thanks, Bob, we really appreciate that. I'll try to get home sometime tomorrow, and spend some time with the boy."
"We won't," Jenna says. "We know he's in good hands."
Bobby smiles awkwardly, then turns and walks away. After Bobby gets on the elevator, Ray looks at his wife. "Everything okay, Jenna?"
"Everything's fine. How's Charlie?"
"She dozed off right after you left the room. She'll prob'ly be asleep for a while. Why don't we go try and get some rest. You look exhausted."
Jenna sighs. "I am."
"Then come on. We'll get a couple hours sleep and then come back."
Jenna nods, then she and Ray walk over to the elevators.
Southfork....
side - his and Elena's, which they scratched with a nail back when they were teenagers. He touches Elena's name and lets out a deep sigh. "I'm sorry, Elena," he says. "Sorry for the way everything turned out. I haven't stopped loving you, and I probably never will. But I realize that what we had is gone. I guess we just weren't meant to be. I remember the day we scratched our names in this old tree. We were what......maybe seventeen? Back |
Galveston, Texas....
"You having a good time, Sue Ellen?" Dusty asks.
"Oh yes, just wonderful."
"I wasn't sure because you haven't said a word since we left the hotel to walk on the beach."
"I'm sorry," she says. "I was just thinking."
"Care to share your thoughts with me?" Dusty asks.
Sue Ellen sighs. "I was actually thinking what a wonderful few days this has been. And how much I hate to get back to Dallas, and reality."
"Who says we have to hurry back? Why don't we stay for a few more days?"
"Dusty, I can't, as much as I'd like to."
"Why not?"
"Because I have to get back to work," Sue Ellen replies. "It's not fair to let Bobby shoulder all the burden at Ewing Global when we're partners in the company."
"He has Christopher there."
"Christopher is preoccupied."
"Sue Ellen, when you told Bobby you needed time away after what happened in court, he said take all the time you need. Now after only a couple days you're wanting to rush back? I have a feeling Ewing Global isn't the only reason you're in a hurry to get back to Dallas."
"What do you mean?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Maybe you wanna get back to see John Ross?"
"I admit the thought had crossed my mind."
"Sue Ellen...."
"Dusty, I hate the way things ended between us last time we spoke. I know John Ross has done some terrible things, and I was terribly hurt by everything I had to listen to in court. But I still love John Ross, regardless of the things he's done."
"That's perfectly understandable," says Dusty. "John Ross is your son. But Sue Ellen, I don't think there's much you can do for him now. He won his case. He got what he wanted."
"Perhaps," Sue Ellen says. "But I have a feeling it won't make him happy. I hate what my son has become. For years I tried to save John Ross from J.R. To save him from becoming like J.R. And now I see that I've failed miserably."
Dusty stops walking, grabs Sue Ellen by the arm and turns her to face him. "Now stop that. Sue Ellen, I don't think I've ever seen a mother love her son as much as you have loved john Ross. You've done all you can for him. John Ross is a grown man, Sue Ellen. It's time to let him go, and if he needs you, he knows how to find you."
Sue Ellen nods and manages a slight smile. "I know you're right."
"Then let's not rush back to Dallas. Let's take at least two or three more days."
"Alright," she says. "I really would like that."
Dusty smiles. "Good," he says as he gently touches her face.
Southfork....
Amanda hears him coming and turns around.
"Hi," he says.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Amanda asks.
"I was just out riding and I saw you. Everything okay?"
"Amanda, not that I'm taking his side, but can you really blame him? The guy fell in love with you, and you were lying to him the whole time about who you are, and everything else."
"Christopher, I know that. But I've paid for it. John Ross and the rest of your family hate and mistrust me."
"I don't hate you, Amanda," says Christopher.
She looks at him. "You were the only person who tried to help me. I'll always appreciate that, Christopher."
"Amanda, what are you gonna do now? Stay married to John Ross even though you know how he feels about you?"
Amanda sighs. "I really don't know. Right now, I'm just taking things day by day. Not really thinking about tomorrow, or next week, or beyond. Only thing I know is, I'm carrying the child of a man I love. A man who hates me and will probably never trust me again. I'm living in a house full of people who look at me like I'm a murderer or something. And I just wish I could go back. Turn the clock back and do things differently." She starts to cry. "If I could only take back everything, I never would've agreed to work for Cliff Barnes. I trusted him. I liked him, and I felt obligated to him for everything he did for me and my Mom when she was sick. But all he did was mess everything up. Of course, I can't place all the blame on him. I went along and agreed to help him."
"Come on, you were you and trusting," says Christopher. "This is much more his fault than yours. Cliff Barnes would do anything to get back at my family, including using anybody to do it. You know he used his own daughter to pull the same stunt with me as he had you pull on John Ross. Somehow, that man's gotta be stopped. I can't believe I ever loved him as my uncle."
"I remember my Mom talking about him," Amanda says. "She really cared for him."
"You really miss her, don't you?" Christopher asks, taking a seat on the ground beside her.
"More and more every day, it seems. It's been almost six years, and it it feels like it just happened."
"I was almost seven when I lost my Mom. She was in a really bad accident, and she suffered burns. She didn't want anyone to see her like that, so she walked out of our lives. I grew up never knowin' what happened to her, thinking that she just abandoned me because she didn't love me. I didn't find out until just a couple years ago that she had died of cancer in July of 1989."
"My Mom told me about Pam," says Amanda. "Said she was one of the most wonderful people she had ever known. I really wish I'd known her. Pam helped my Mom a lot."
"Yeah they were pretty close from what I remember," Christopher says.
"Funny isn't it? Here we are talking about our moms. And both of them are gone. Cancer took both of them." Amanda starts to cry again. Christopher puts his arm around her and she lays her head on his shoulder.
Later....
Christopher and Amanda are in Christopher's bed, her on top of him....
....she leans over and kisses him passionately, and they start to make love.
Southfork....the next morning
"Morning," he says.
"Good morning," Amanda says with a smile. "Sleep well?"
"Better than I have in months, actually. You?"
"Same. For some reason, I felt happier, and safer in your arms last night than I've felt in a very long time."
Christopher sighs. "I can't believe we let that happen."
"Why? It felt so right."
"Yeah it did. But regardless of how right last night felt, Amanda, that doesn't change the fact that you're married to my cousin, and we shouldn't have let this happen."
Amanda sits up and looks at him. The she places her hand on his bare chest. "Christopher, my marriage to John Ross is in NAME only. It's pretty obvious he can't stand the sight of me. And last night he probably spent the night with some other woman. In fact, I'm sure of it. So what I do doesn't matter. I don't regret that we made love, and neither should you. We both needed someone last night."
Christopher looks at her silently for a moment. "We'd better get dressed," he says. As Amanda watches, he gets out of bed and pulls on his boxers, then his jeans.
A few minutes later....
"Good mornin'," Ann cheerfully greets her daughter as Emma takes her seat at the table. "Sleep well?"
Emma sighs. "I haven't slept well since Lucas hasn't been home. I tossed and turned mostly."
"I wonder where Alex is," Bobby says.
"Prob'ly still sleepin'," says Ann. "Emma, would you mind goin' and knockin' on his door? Tell him breakfast is ready."
"Sure," Emma says. She gets up from the table and leaves the room. As she's about to head down the hall to the guest bedroom where Alex has been sleeping, Alex comes out of the room and meets her. "Hey, I was just coming to get you," she says. "Breakfast is ready."
"Thanks," the boy says. Emma heads back to breakfast, while Alex lags behind. He receives a text on his phone. Taking the phone out of his pocket, he looks at the text from Ashley asking him to meet her later in the morning. He smiles. As he starts to put his phone back into his pocket, he looks back down the hall and sees Amanda come out of Christopher's room. Alex quickly ducks into the dining room as Amanda walks through the living room and into the foyer, so she doesn't see him.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
"Hi, Daddy. How's Charlie?"
"Still pretty sick from her last treatment the other day. Doctor says things are right on schedule for the transplant. They'll be able to do it in about another week."
"That's good. I just came to say goodbye. Matt and I will be heading back to Austin this afternoon."
"Oh, honey, I wish ya didn't have to rush off. I was hopin' you could stay a couple more days."
Ray smiles. "That'd be nice. I'm sure Lucas could use the support."
"And how about you, Daddy?" Margaret asks. "I know how hard this is on you. You've always thought of Charlie as your daughter, too."
"Yeah. Hurts like hell seein' her like this. I just hope this bone marrow transplant works."
"Me too. I've been doing some reading on the internet, and they've advanced greatly in the field of bone marrow and stem cell transplants. They have a higher success rate than they use to."
"I know," Ray says. "We all just have to believe Charlie's gonna be just fine."
"I have to go, Daddy. You look really tired. Please try to get some rest."
"I will, sweetheart. I promise." Ray kisses his daughter.
"I love you," Margaret says.
"I love you, too. Tell Matt bye for me."
"I will. Take care of yourself."
"Yeah. See ya soon," Ray says. He watches his daughter as she walks away.
Southfork....
"I sure do," Ashley says. "It's good news. At least I hope you'll think so."
"So tell me," says Alex.
"Well, I found out last night that we're staying."
"Staying?"
"Yeah. My parents and I. We're gonna be staying here for a while instead of going back east."
"I guess. My Mom is gonna enroll me this week."
"I'm glad. I was really hopin' we could get a chance to know each other better."
Ashley smiles. "How much better?" She asks seductively.
"A LOT better," Alex replies with a smile. "Maybe we could get started right now."
Ashley walks over to Alex and he kisses her. After a moment, she pulls out of the kiss.
"Hey, what's the matter?"
"Nothing," Ashley replies nervously. Alex leans in and kisses her again as he reaches down and starts to pull her shirt up. The two start to kiss more passionately. Alex runs his hand up Ashley's shirt. They sink to the ground, still locked in the kiss. Alex slips off his shirt, the resumes kissing her.
"What's goin' on here?" A voice from the doorway startles the two teens. Alex and Ashley look up to see Christopher standing there, looking down at them. They quickly stand to their feet.
"Christopher," Ashley says.
"What's goin' on?" Christopher asks a second time.
"I think you're old enough to know what we were doing," Alex says.
Ashley adjusts her shirt and composes herself. Then she quickly walks past Christopher and out of the stables.
"What's the big idea?" Alex asks.
"Look, I know you're pissed at me because you blame me for what happened to your mom. But my cousin Ashley......off limits, pal." Christopher turns and starts to walk out.
"Think you're a big man, don't you?" Alex says to him. "But you're not so perfect, either, huh? You're nothing but a hypocrite."
Christopher stops, and turns back to the boy. "Excuse me?"
"What was your cousin John Ross's wife doing coming out of YOUR bedroom early this morning?"
Christopher's mouth drops open as he remains silent.
Alex walks over to him. "What, you've got no answer for that?"
"You don't know what you're talkin' about."
"Oh yeah, I do. You think I'm just some stupid kid who's all messed up in the head? I know what was goin' on with you and your cousin's wife. John Ross didn't come home last night, did he? That was nice for you."
"You need to just shut your mouth," Christopher says angrily.
"Or what, Christopher? You're the one who needs to keep your mouth shut and stay out of my life. Or I might just tell what I saw this morning." Alex brushes past Christopher and starts to leave, then turns back to him with a smile. "Ya know, I really envy you. That Amanda chick, she's pretty freakin' hot, dude. Don't blame you at all. I'd bang her myself." Without another word, the boy walks out of the stables, leaving Christopher fuming with anger.
Meanwhile....
"Yes, I did," John Ross replies. He takes off his coat, then his shirt, and walks over to his dresser. "So what did you do to occupy yourself in my absence?"
"Do you really care?" Amanda asks.
John Ross takes another shirt from his dresser drawer, then turns to her. "Nah, not really," he says cruelly.
"John Ross, if you don't care about me at all, and if you don't care what I do, then why are you still keeping me here? Why not just end this farce?"
"Until it can be determined for sure who's baby that is you're carryin', you're not goin' anywhere."
"I've already told you, this is YOUR baby and no one else's."
"So you said. But do you really expect me to just blindly believe that after all the lies you already told me?"
Amanda looks at him silently for a moment. "You know, John Ross," she finally says. "At this point, I don't really care what you believe anymore." She walks to the bedroom door, then turns back to look at him. "You can believe this or not. But I really did fall in love with you. That's why I couldn't go through with Cliff Barnes's plan to hurt you." Amanda looks at him for a couple seconds, then walks out of the bedroom.
Southfork....that night
Ann walks over to him. "Is everything alright?"
"Yeah. Ray just wanted to know if Alex can stay with us for a couple more days. Charlie's still pretty sick and weak from her last chemo, and he and Jenna hate to leave her. But Lucas is comin' home later to get some rest."
"I guess Ray was gonna call Alex and talk to him about stayin' here a couple more days."
"Dinner'll be really soon," Ann says. "And I've invited James, Debra Lynn, and Ashley over. Hope you don't mind."
"No, of course not. The more, the merrier," Bobby says with a smile.
"You know, Alex has been spendin' an awful lot of time with Ashley since he's been here."
"Really? Well, I think that's good. I'm sure he can really use a friend right now. A friend his own age."
"She came over to see him the other. It was real cute," Ann says as Lucy walks into the room.
"Good evening," Lucy says.
"Well, good evenin' to you," Ann says. "Havin' dinner with us tonight?"
Lucy smiles. "Yes, I am. I'm sorry I haven't been here that much since I've been back. But, I've been trying to reconnect with as many of my old friends as possible. Bobby, you'll never guess who I ran into the other day."
"You're right, I won't. Who was it?"
"Susan Mainwaring," Lucy replies. "Well, She's Susan Torrance now."
"Susan.....you mean.....Kit Mainwaring's sister?" Bobby asks.
"That's the one."
"I haven't thought about them in years. Did she mention Kit?"
"Yes, she says he's doing fine. Living in Colorado now, and he's been happily married to this guy named Ken for the last three years. Funny. Sometimes I wonder what would've happened if I'd married him."
"What on earth are you two talkin' about?" Ann asks.
"Kit Mainwaring was this guy I was engaged to," Lucy says. "In fact he was my first real love. But, just my luck he turned out to be gay, so, of course we broke up."
Alex walks into the room at that moment. "Hey," he says. "My Grandpa just called. He says I have to stay here a couple more days."
"Yes, Alex, Ray and your grandmother wanna stay in town, so they can be near your mother while she has her next couple treatments."
"Because you have school," Ann says.
"Who cares about school when my Mom is in the hospital takin' these stupid chemotherapy treatments. They won't even let me see her."
"Alex, we've explained all that to you, son," Bobby says. "Your mother's body and her immune system is very weak right now because of the treatments. That's why they only let Ray and your grandmother and Lucas in to see her, because they have to keep her isolated so she duttin' catch some infection or somethin'."
"This whole thing sucks!"
"I know it does."
"Why don't you go get washed up? Dinner will be ready soon," Ann tells the boy.
"I'm not hungry," Alex says. "I'm goin' for a walk." The boy walks out of the room.
"Alex," Ann calls after him.
"Honey, let him go," Bobby tells her. "The boy's hurting right now, and he needs time alone."
Lucy sighs deeply, her heart breaking for what Alex is going through.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....the next morning
"Good morning," the doctor greets.
"Morning, Dr. Conrad," says Jenna. "How's Charlie this morning?"
"That soon?" Ray asks.
"Yes. That's provided that there are no complications from the chemo, such as fever or any type of infection or other complication."
"Dr. Conrad, I want you to be honest with me," Jenna says. "After this transplant, what are my daughter's chances of beating this cancer?"
"Mrs. Krebbs, Charlie's chances will be greatly improved. Over the years, a lot of advances have been made in this field."
"But these things don't always work, do they?" Ray asks.
"Not always. Look, I won't lie to you. Charlie is a very sick young woman. But this bone marrow transplant is the best chance we have of saving her life. I've seen patients undergo a transplant procedure, and their body rejects the new bone marrow, and they don't make it. Now I'm not telling you this to frighten you. Only so that you'll be prepared. On the other hand, I've seen patients who were stage four cancer, and the transplant saves their lives. There was one particular patient about twenty-four years ago who was diagnosed with stage four multiple myeloma. A bone marrow transplant was her only hope. She not only survived, but today, she's perfectly healthy and after her experience she decided to become an oncologist to help other cancer victims."
"That's wonderful," says Ray. "So, you keep in touch with her and she's still cancer free?"
Dr. Conrad smiles. "Oh yes. I see her every day. First thing in the morning when I look in the mirror."
"You?" Jenna asks.
"Yes, Mrs. Krebbs. I had my transplant in January of 1991. January the 16th as a matter of fact. I can still remember laying in the hospital that night watching television when a special news report came on announcing that we were at war in the Gulf. Before I was diagnosed, I worked as a real estate agent for three years right here in Dallas. But surviving cancer was the reason I made the decision to change careers and become an oncologist. I know most doctors don't share this much of their personal lives with patients or patients' families, but, I feel that telling my own story, and showing them that people do survive and thrive after cancer, gives them hope. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a couple other patients to check on. Suit up, and go on in and see Charlie before she's taken down for her chemo."
"Thank you," Jenna says as Dr. Conrad walks away. Jenna puts her arms around Ray's waist and he kisses her on the head, finally after talking to the doctor, they have some hope.
Southfork....
"Think you'll be home for dinner?" Ann asks.
"I dunno, but I'll try," he says. "I love you."
"I love you too, Bobby. Have a good day."
"I will. See ya tonight." Bobby kisses his wife again, then walks away toward his car. Ann watches with a smile as he drives away.
As she turns and starts back into the house, she notices Amanda standing by the fence on the other side of the house, looking toward the stables. Ann pauses for a moment and watches the girl, then walks over to her. "Amanda," she says.
"Oh, Mrs. Ewing, I didn't hear you."
"Are you alright? Been cryin'?"
Amanda wipes a tear from her face, then looks at the older woman. "Yeah I guess I have."
"I know this can't be easy for you,bein' back here," Ann says.
"Amanda, I don't know the whole story of what went on, or why you were workin' for Cliff Barnes to hurt this family. I do know you felt you owed Cliff somethin' for helpin' you and your mama when she was sick. Maybe you could enlighten me on the rest?"
Amanda looks at her. "I was all alone after she died. Sixteen and alone. If it hadn't been for Cliff Barnes, I would have ended up in foster care or something. Maybe even on the streets. Yeah, I felt like I owed him big time. But I never realized what it would be like. I never counted on liking the very people I was working to destroy. And I sure never counted on falling in love with John Ross or getting pregnant with his child."
"You know, we all make mistakes, Amanda. I've sure made my share and then some. But we can't let our mistakes define us, or defeat us. Bobby and I have been through some really bad times, and some of those bad times were my fault. Because I wasn't honest with him, or I kept things from him. But we always managed to work it out."
"I doubt that'll happen with John Ross and me."
"You never know," Ann says. "Amanda, all of the Ewing men can be pretty difficult to live with and get along with at times. And John Ross is one of the worst. He's stubborn, he can be hard, even cruel. But deep down, underneath all that, he has a heart. I really do think he loved you when he first brought you home."
"Then he found out I had lied to him," Amanda says sadly. "And whatever love he had for me turned to hate."
"Anger. Hurt. Betrayal. But not hate. Sweety, if John Ross hated you, believe me, you wouldn't be here right now. Just give things time. Like the other men in this family, John Ross has to have a little time to sulk. To be angry. But eventually that anger will start to disappear, especially when that baby in your stomach starts to show."
Amanda turns to her. "Thank you, Mrs. Ewing. I really appreciate what you've said."
"You're welcome, and please.....call me Ann. After all, you're a part of this family now."
Amanda smiles.
The cottage.....later in the morning
Ashley texts back: "I thought u went to school."
A moment later, Alex replies: "Nah, who needs skool. just meet me in 15 mins."
Ashley smiles, then texts back: "I'll be there." She grabs another blouse from her dresser drawer and slips it on, the brushes her hair and heads out.
Downtown Dallas....
"Emma, I'm so glad you called and wanted to meet with me," Cliff says, retaking his seat at the table across from her.
"I've been thinking about it ever since that day I saw you at lunch."
"You mean the day your mother practically chased me away with a stick," Cliff says. "Emma, look, I know how the Ewings feel about me and about my family. That's a fight that's been going on since long before I was even born, and I'm sure it'll be going on long after I'm dead and gone."
"That's one reason I came here," Emma says.
"Oh?"
"I want to understand. I feel sort of torn right now. On one hand, the Ewings are my family. I live with them. But you're my biological father, and you saved my life by donating a kidney. All I ever hear from the Ewings is what an evil man you are and that I should stay as far away from you as possible. I've heard part of the Ewings' side of this whole feud thing, and now I wanna the Barnes side. So please, tell me. What would cause two families to be at war with one another for three generations?"
Cliff looks at the girl for a moment. "Why don't we take a walk, and I'll tell you. I'll tell you the whole story of Jock Ewing and my daddy.....your granddaddy.......Digger Barnes."
Southfork....
Ashley laughs. "It's nice a day. Hard to believe it's actually the middle of winter."
"Yeah. Sure wouldn't have nice days like this in New York this time of year."
"So why'd you skip school today?" Ashley asks.
"School is lame as hell. Especially Braddock. The kids are all a bunch of stuck up pricks, and the teachers don't know crap."
"Thanks for telling me. My Mom is enrolling me tomorrow."
"I'm glad," Alex says. "Maybe then I'll actually have a reason to go to school."
"Oh? Why's that?"
Alex stops walking and turns to her. "Because you'll be there. At least I won't feel like I'm totally alone in that place. I'll have a friend."
Ashley looks into Alex's eyes and smiles. "When my parents told me we were staying here for a while, I wasn't disappointed at all. I don't have too many friends back home, and the ones I do have, I can keep in touch with on Facebook, or I can text or call them. I was happy we were staying, because my brother is here, and because....... because you're here."
Alex smiles back at her. "This whole thing I'm going through with my Mom.......you make it a lot easier. Ashley, I really don't know what I'd do if it weren't for you. I know we haven't known each other that long, but, I kinda feel somethin' for you that I've never felt before."
"Me too," Ashley says quietly. "It scares me a little."
"You don't have to scared. Not of anything." Alex leans over and kisses her.
After a moment, the two stop kissing, and Ashley looks at him as he takes her by the hand. "It's weird," she says. "But when I'm with you, I'm not afraid of anything. I only feel good. Do you think we're too young to have these feelings?"
"No," Alex replies. He kisses Ashley again for a few seconds, then they resume their walk, holding hands.
Meanwhile, back in Dallas....
"Then what happened?" Emma asks.
"Long story. The gist of it is, the three couldn't really get along, especially Jason and Digger. Then Jason and Jock had some sort of falling out and Jason left. Problem with my Daddy was his drinkin'. Ol' Digger drank, and he drank A LOT. His drinking drove a wedge between him and Jock, and eventually the partnership fell apart and Jock came out of it as the sole owner of Ewing Oil. Now, truth be known, that part of it was Digger's fault. But he spent his life blaming and hating Jock for it. And, some of it was Jock's fault because of the way Jock treated him and made him feel. Anyway, Digger was in love with Ellie Southworth."
"Bobby's mother," says Emma.
"That's right. Miss Ellie was the one true love of Digger's life, but, she turned away from him and married Jock Ewing because she needed his money to save Southfork. Digger never recovered from that, and he never forgave Jock."
"So this whole feud was because of a love triangle?"
"Partly. But there's much more to it than that. You see, the well that busted up the partnership between Jock and Digger was Ewing 6. Jock and Digger were equal partners on that well, but then Jock decided to record the deed to that land in his name only. When the well came in, it was their biggest strike ever. Digger was furious when he discovered what Jock had done, and he confronted him. Digger accused Jock of being a crook, and the partnership ended."
"Really?"
"Yep."
"No wonder your father felt cheated."
"Well, I now hold the deed to that piece of land."
Emma stops walking and turns to Cliff. "You what? How?"
"When I was in prison, Elena Ramos got Bobby to sign that piece of land over to her in exchange for her silence over the Ewings' framing me for J.R.'s murder. Elena then signed the deed over to Pamela, who gave it to me when she came to see me in prison."
"That's right," Cliff says with a smile. "And the best thing is, I don't even think Bobby knows about it because if he did, you can bet your bottom dollar I would have heard from him about it by now. He probably still thinks Elena owns the land."
"Well why haven't you claimed it yet?"
"I'm just waiting and biding my time for now. I do have plans and I intend to take possession of my rightful property when the time is right."
"Why are you telling me all this? Ann is my mother. She's married to Bobby. What makes you think that I won't run back to Southfork and tell Bobby that you hold the deed to a tract of land on his ranch?"
Cliff smiles. "First of all, you're my daughter, Emma, and I wanted to show you that I trust you. Second, at this point it doesn't much matter to me if Bobby knows or not, because there's NOTHING he can do about it. He signed that deed over to Elena, who gave it to Pamela, who gave it to me. So the land that busted up Jock and Digger's partnership now belongs to me, as it should have all these years. That land is rich in oil, Emma, and one day it will belong to you and to Pamela. It's nothing more than what our family deserves. Jock Ewing treated my father like a second class citizen his whole life, and J.R. tried to ruin me more times than I can count. And then, when I still survived every attack that family could throw at me, they framed me for killing J.R., which I did not do."
"Then who did? They found all this evidence...."
"Evidence that was planted there, Emma," Cliff says. "Ask your sister. Pamela knows the truth. She knows I was framed."
"I can't......I......I don't know if I can believe that," Emma says nervously. "I know Bobby. He would NEVER do something so horrible."
"Emma, those people are not who you think they are. Ask Pamela. And when you find out the truth, I hope that you'll see that what I've been saying all this time is the truth. I did NOT kill J.R. Ewing, and somehow, I'm gonna prove that."
"I have to go," Emma says.
"Emma, please," says Cliff. "Let's get together again. Soon."
Emma looks at him in silence for a moment, then turns and walks away, unsure of what to believe. Could it be that Cliff had been telling the truth all along? Could he have been innocent in J.R.'s murder?
Ryland Transport......late afternoon
The secretary walks into the office carrying some files. "Mr. Ryland, here are those contracts you wanted me to type up."
"Thanks, Kelly."
"And there's a Mr. Niles Jennings here to see you?"
"Send Mr. Jennings in, then you can go on home," Harris says.
"Thank you, sir." Kelly walks out of the office, and a moment later a tall, middle age man walks into the office.
"Mr. Ryland," Niles says.
"Niles I appreciate you comin'," Harris says, standing and shaking the man's hand.
"I was glad to do it."
"Yes. But your mother is not gonna be happy when she finds out."
"You just let me worry about my mother. Now let me take a look at her files."
Niles sighs and hesitates for a moment, then reluctantly, he places the brief case he's carrying on the desk and opens it. He takes out some files and hands them to Harris. "This should be all the relevant stuff. All your mother's meetings with John Ross Ewing, and names of all the clientele from the business going back the last five years."
Harris smiles. "Good. My mother's in Austin this week handlin' business for the railroad commission and attendin' meetin's with the governor. I'll have all this stuff back to you by the time she comes home."
"You think you're gonna find what looking for in these?"
Harris looks at the man and smiles again. "Oh, I'm sure of it," he says confidently.
Southfork....
Alex sighs. "I know. I just don't want this day to end."
"Me either. But, tomorrow, we'll both be at school and maybe with any luck we'll have some classes together."
Alex looks at her and smiles. "I sure hope so."
"Come on. Let's get back." The two stand and Alex picks up his jacket and puts it on. The kiss one more time, then leave the barn holding hands.
As the two teens walk out of the barn, Christopher happens to be standing a distance away talking to a ranch hand about a piece of broken equipment that needs to be replaced. He looks over the ranch hand's shoulder and sees Alex and Ashley leaving the barn. An angry look crosses his face as he knows what's going on between them, and as he remembers the threat Alex made to him about seeing Amanda coming out of his room the other day.
Southfork....that night
Bobby, Ann, Christopher, John Ross, Amanda, Lucy, Emma, Lucas, and Alex are seated around the dinner table that evening. Bobby and Ann look out at the assembled group of family members, all of whom are eating in total silence, and each one looking sad, stressed, or angry. After looking at the others, Bobby and Ann exchange looks and wonder what's going on with the family. "Well, this group is about as lively as a bunch of prisoners about to take that walk to the electric chair," Bobby says. "What's goin' on with |
No one says a word. Emma looks at Bobby, Christopher and Alex exchange angry looks across the table; Christopher and Amanda exchange nervous, guilty looks; Lucas looks down, sad and worried about Charlie.
"Come on," Bobby says. "It's not like this family to be so quiet over dinner."
"I think it's a refreshing change," says Lucy. "I'm surprised you're not enjoying this peaceful dinner, Bobby, after all the years of bickering that went on during meals."
"I'm not sayin' it's not a welcome change, it's just that, everybody looks so down. Now, Alex and Lucas, I understand you're both worried about Charlie, and that's perfectly normal. But what's everybody else's excuse?"
Christopher puts his fork down and his napkin. "If everyone will excuse me, I'm really not hungry tonight," he says, getting up from the table. As Bobby watches his son with worry, Christopher walks out of the room.
"What's up with him?" John Ross asks. "He's been actin' strange all evenin'."
"Probably just got somethin' on his mind," Alex says with a smile. "Like.....a woman."
"What would a young squirt like you know about that?" John Ross asks.
"More than you think," Alex replies, looking over at Amanda.
Lucas looks at Alex, then across the table at John Ross, his heart heavy with the burden of knowing the secret Charlie had shared with him - that John Ross is Alex's biological father.
Lucas and Emma's bedroom....later
She turns to face him. "I could say the same about you."
Lucas sighs. "Well, you know I have Charlie and the transplant on my mind. But what's bothering you?"
"Lucas, how much do you know about the Barnes/Ewing feud? And about Cliff Barnes?"
"About as much as you do," he replies. "Being new here, all I know is what I've heard from Bobby and some of the others in the family."
"When you were growing up, Ray didn't ever talk about it?"
"No, he didn't. Ray was never really a part of the feud. Emma, why are you asking me all this?"
Lucas's face displays his shock. "You did what?" He asks, walking over to her. "Cliff Barnes? For God's sake, Emma, why?"
"Because he's my father, Lucas. You more than anyone should know what it's like to find out you have a father that you never knew. All these months, everyone has been telling me what a horrible man Cliff Barnes is. I've been hearing about all the terrible things he's done. But I had never actually talked to the man. Never got to hear his side of this feud. After some of the stuff I heard, I can understand why the Barnes family has been so bitter all these years."
"Emma, that doesn't matter," Lucas says. "This feud has nothing to do with us. Nothing at all. I understand your curiosity and wanting to know your father personally, and wanting to know more about your roots, but Emma, from everything I've heard about Cliff Barnes, he really IS horrible man. Emma, he had a rig blown up with my family on it, not to mention his own pregnant daughter! What the hell kind of man does that?"
"And yet Pamela has him living in her apartment, so there must be more to the story than what we know."
"Emma, honey, I can't tell you what to do," Lucas says. "I know you wouldn't listen to me, anyway. But I really hope that you don't get involved with Cliff Barnes. And I especially hope you don't get mixed up in any feud between the Ewings and the Barnes."
Emma looks at him, then takes his hand. "I love you, Lucas Krebbs."
"I love you too, Emma Ryland, and that's why I don't wanna see you hurt. Not by Cliff Barnes or anyone."
"I won't be," Emma says.
"Good," says Lucas. "Because if anyone ever hurts you, they're gonna be dealin' with me." He kisses her, then looks deeply into her eyes. "Let's go to bed."
"Yeah, you must be tired and wanna get some sleep."
Lucas shakes his head slowly and smiles. "I'm not tired. And right now, sleep is the last thing on my mind," he says, kissing her again.
Southfork.....the next morning
"Come in," he says. He is surprised when Amanda walks in the room.
"Morning," she says.
"I was kinda hoping we could talk before you went to work."
"I really don't think that's a good idea."
"Christopher, when you left the table last night.....it was because of me, wasn't it?"
Christopher sighs. "That was partly it. Look, it was just uncomfortable sitting there, with you, me, and John Ross all at the same table."
"John Ross probably wouldn't even care if he knew we slept together," Amanda says.
"I care, Amanda. John Ross is a major jerk, I know that. But he's still my cousin, and you're his wife.
Amanda fights back tears. "His wife? He doesn't even treat me as well as he would treat some stranger on the street. I know John Ross has every reason and every right to be angry with me. But if he set out to really pay me back for
"I'm sorry, Amanda," Christopher says sympathetically. "You deserve so much better than that. Why do you stay here? Why not just leave?"
"And go where? Christopher, I have nowhere else to go. I don't have any family. The lease on the apartment Cliff Barnes rented for me is up, and I have no job and no money. I have no choice but to stay here, at least until John Ross decides to toss me out."
"I'll give you some money. I'll pay for you to stay at a hotel, or even an apartment until you can get back on your feet."
"Christopher, you've done enough for me. I can't take anymore money from you."
"I wanna help," Christopher says.
"If you really mean that, then you can."
"Just tell me how."
"By giving me the only thing I really want from you," says Amanda.
"And what's that?"
"Your friendship."
Christopher gently touches her face and wipes her tears with his thumbs. "You already have that."
Amanda reaches up and touches his hands. "Why couldn't I have met you before John Ross? You know, when we were making love, you were so much more gentle and loving than John Ross ever was in bed."
"I'm sorry. It's getting late, and I, umm, I have to get to the office. I have a meeting first thing this morning."
Amanda nods. "Okay. I'll talk to you later." Without another word, Amanda turns and walks out of the room. As she enters the hallway, Emma is coming out of her and Lucas's room across the hall. The two young women stop in the hallway as they face each other.
"Christopher and I are friends," says Amanda.
"Yeah? Since when?"
"You know, Emma, you really should learn to mind your own business." Amanda turns and walks away, leaving Emma smiling.
Westar....
"Good morning, Mr. Ewing," says Melissa.
"Let me know when Frank Brunson gets here, darlin'."
"Ummm, Mr. Ewing.....Frank Brunson is already here."
"He is?" John Ross asks.
"Yes. He's with Ms. Barnes in her office."
John Ross sighs in anger. Biting his lip, John Ross marches over to Pamela's office and walks in, without knocking, and finds Pamela and Tripp talking to a well-dressed man in his mid-30s. "Well, well," John Ross says. "Am I interruptin' anything?"
"Not at all," Pamela says. "Tripp and I were just discussing the refinery deal with Mr. Brunson here."
"Mr. Brunson's meetin' was supposed to be with me, at 9 a.m."
"John Ross I'm sorry," says Brunson. "I arrived a little early for our meeting, and Ms. Barnes and Mr. McKay informed me that they are partners of yours in Westar, so I thought it would be okay to go ahead and explain this deal to them."
"Yes, something John Ross forgot to do," Tripp says.
"Sorry, it musta slipped my mind," John Ross says. "Well, Frank, now that you have spoken to......Ms. Barnes and Mr. McKay.......we can go into my office and negotiate that deal."
Pamela smiles. "You're a little late again, John Ross. Mr. Brunson and I were just about to sign the contract for Westar to buy his refinery."
"You don't have any right to do that, since I am the CEO of this comp'ny."
"You and I both own an equal share of this company, John Ross, and since I am an executive here now, I have every right to negotiate a deal."
"Not without my authority."
"Look, if this is gonna cause a problem, maybe we'd better rethink this deal," says Brunson.
"No, there's no problem at all," Pamela says. "Mr. Ewing and I are always kidding around like this."
"But the simple fact is, Ms. Barnes did not consult with me on this. Frank, if you would like to step into my office so we can discuss the deal WE were making, that would be just great. If not, then maybe we really should rethink this deal."
"Fine," Brunson says. "I met with Bobby Ewing at Ewing Global yesterday, and I have a meeting scheduled with them again later this morning. Perhaps they will have their stuff together a little more than you people over here. Excuse me." Brunson picks up his brief case, and without another word, leaves the office.
"A deal he woulda signed if you hadn't gotten involved," John Ross says.
"You jeopardized this because Pamela was the one who was about to finalize this deal," Tripp says.
"McKay, why don't you just stay the hell out of this?"
"John Ross, you just blew a really HUGE deal that Ewing Global is now probably gonna make with Brunson. What difference does it make which one of us made the deal as long as Brunson signed?"
"You son of a bitch," Pamela says. "You're not gonna get away with this."
"I already have, darlin'. You and I may own the same amount of shares in Westar, but folks are funny. They'd rather deal with the official head of a comp'ny than with some lamebrained shareholder who jumps the gun and tries to make deals herself. And that, my dear, gives ME the upper hand around here."
"You won't be CEO for long," Pamela says.
"Maybe, maybe not. We'll just see." John Ross walks to the door, then turns back to them and smiles. "Hope y'all have a real nice day," he says, then walks out.
After he's gone, Pamela walks over to her desk and picks up a paper weight and hurls it against the wall. "Damn him! I hate him, Tripp. And somehow, I'm gonna get him."
"We will get him, Pam," Tripp says. "Just as soon as Westar holds their next board meeting. There's no way in hell they're gonna vote to keep him on as CEO."
"Maybe not. But he could seriously hurt this company in the meantime if he keeps deliberately sabotaging deals like that."
Tripp puts his arms around her.
Southern Methodist University.....later
"Sup, bro?" Greets Justin as the two shake hands. "I'm glad you finally started answerin' my texts. Still pissed at me?"
"No," replies Jimmy. "I was never pissed at you, bro. It was the whole situation. Having to sit there in that courtroom and listen to all that stuff about my Dad. Stuff that he did back in the day. But that wasn't your fault. I was angry, and when I couldn't get any angrier with my Dad, you were the easiest person to blame. And I'm sorry."
"We didn't get dragged into this," says Jimmy. "My Dad was fighting for what was rightfully his, for what Grandpa J.R. left to him. If anybody's to blame for what happened in court, it's John Ross."
Justin sighs. "Yeah. Damn John Ross."
"What are you gonna do now?"
"Well, I've got a plan in motion right now that, if it works, it's gonna knock John Ross down off that high horse. And, I also made a decision. John Ross may have, for right now, kept me from gettin' what my Daddy left me in his will, but there's one thing he can't stop me from bein' able to get of J.R.'s."
"And what's that?" Jimmy asks.
"His name," Justin replies. "I just came from seein' my lawyer, Jay Smithfield. I'm legally changin' my name to Ewing."
Jimmy smiles slightly, then lowers his head. "That's cool. Justin Randall Ewing. I like that."
"Yeah, me too. Has a nice ring, dontcha think?"
"Sometimes I wonder why my Dad never changed his name to Ewing. But, Jimmy Ewing.......that just doesn't have the same pizzaz that Jimmy Beaumont has."
Justin laughs at the comment. "When's your next class?"
"In an hour. You wanna grab some lunch over at Chick-Fil-A on campus?"
"Yeah, I'd like that," Justin says. "We can catch up on what's been goin' on since you aint spoke to me since court."
Southfork....
Ann comes down the stairs at Southfork that afternoon. As she passes by the den, she sees Lucy sitting alone on the sofa.
"Lucy? Is everything alright?" Ann asks, walking over to her.
"Sorry. Just having a female moment," Lucy says, wiping her tears with a hankerchief.
Ann takes a seat across from her on the other sofa. "What's wrong?"
"Just sitting here doing some thinking about......well, about my life," Lucy says.
"What about it?"
"Nothing has turned out the way I hoped it would, or planned it."
"I think that's true of just about everybody," Ann says.
Lucy looks at her and smiles. "Not you. Just look at you. You're married to a wonderful man who loves you with all his heart. You have a beautiful daughter. You're the matriarch of Southfork."
"Perfect life, huh? Honey, it may look that way from the outside, but my life has been anything but perfect. There've been a lot of bumps in the road. Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime, but right now, I wanna hear about what's botherin' YOU."
"You know I was married to Afton's brother, Mitch Cooper, right?" Lucy asks.
"Yeah. Bobby told you married him twice. Both times right here at Southfork."
"Oh yeah. First time was out by the pool. Second time, was right here in this very room. I just thought about somethin'. If Mitch and I had stayed married that second time, we'd be coming up on our 30th anniversary this spring. It's amazing how one little decision you make can change your whole life, and affect it from that point on."
"Partly, I guess. When Mitch's mother died right before Christmas, and I went to Biloxi for her funeral, I met his wife, Sharon. And their two kids. Two beautiful teenage kids. Seeing Mitch's kids with his second wife made me think about what we might've had. Then I come back to Southfork, and Charlie's son is here." Lucy stands and walks to the mantle. After a moment of silence, she turns back to Ann. "And again, I'm reminded of everything I missed out on."
"You mean.......bein' a mother?" Ann asks, standing to walk over to her.
"Yeah. It's funny. All these years and it never really bothered me that much. I buried myself in my work and pushed it out of my head. But then, I see Mitch's kids, and I think, 'why did he get to be so blessed, and I wasn't?' And then I remember why. I remember the decision I made so long ago that robbed me of what I wanted so much."
"Lucy, what decision?"
"When I was twenty, I worked as a model. And I did some modeling for this photographer named Roger Larson. God, I haven't said that name in so long. Anyway, Roger seemed like such a nice guy. So kind. This was during the time that my first marriage to Mitch was breaking up, and I needed a friend. Roger was someone to confide in."
"So what happened?"
Lucy sighs. "He turned out to be a real psychopath. Roger developed this obsession with me. He kidnapped me and held me hostage in his studio. And he........he raped me," Lucy breaks down in tears as she finishes her sentence.
"Oh my God," Ann says.
"I got pregnant from the rape, and I couldn't handle it. So I had an abortion. I didn't know until a few years later, after Mitch and I had married for the second time, that the abortion had left me unable to ever have children. I never told anyone in the family. Except for Ray, right after Christmas."
"Lucy, you've been carryin' this burden alone all these years?"
"My Grandma never even knew about the rape, or the pregnancy, or the abortion. I didn't want her to ever know the ugly side of my life. So I kept it quiet. Then as the years passed, and I moved away from Southfork for good, it wasn't relevant. But now, I guess I'm at an age where I can't help but think 'what if?' If I'd been able to give Mitch the children he so desperately wanted, maybe we'd still be married."
"You don't know that," Ann says. "Lucy, it never helps to dwell on the 'what ifs' in life. That's somethin' I've learned first hand."
"Ann, thank you," Lucy says. "Thank you for listening to me. For being a friend."
Ann smiles. "You're very welcome."
"I think I'm gonna walk down to the stables, saddle up one of the horses, and go for a ride. I could use some time alone out on the ranch, just......reminiscing about the past." Lucy smiles, then walks past Ann and out of the room.
As Ann watches her husband's niece walk out, she fights back tears thinking about Lucy's heartbreaking story of her rape and abortion. Ann is thankful something like that didn't happen to Emma after her rape in Mexico.
Ewing Global.....afternoon
"Well, look who's back," Bobby says, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"Hello, Bobby," she says.
"Welcome back," Christopher says, kissing his aunt on the cheek.
"Thank you, Christopher."
"Did you enjoy your vacation with Dusty?" Bobby asks.
"I did very much. I really needed the time away after John Ross's little courtroom drama. I feel much better."
Bobby smiles. "I'm glad, but you didn't have to come back to the office this afternoon."
"I wanted to. Dusty and I got back home a couple of hours ago, and I just wanted to check in, see if I missed anything."
"As a matter of fact, you came back at exactly the right time," says Bobby. "Christopher and I met this morning with Frank Brunson, the owner of Brunson Refineries, and we signed a deal to buy two of his refineries at a good price."
"Bobby that's wonderful."
"I thought you'd be pleased. Come on in my office and I'll fill you in."
"You two go on ahead," says Christopher. "I have some paper work I need to catch up on in my office."
Bobby and Sue Ellen smile at him, then head into his office. As Christopher is about to walk into his own office, he receives a text message. Taking his phone from his pocket, he looks at it and sees it's Amanda texting. He sighs deeply, then puts the phone back into his pocket.
Meanwhile, in Bobby's office, Sue Ellen takes a seat across from his desk. Bobby pours himself a drink and pours her a glass of soda water and hands it to her. "Thank you, Bobby," she says. "So, how are things outside of the office? With John Ross?"
"Not at all," Sue Ellen says. "Why, is there something I should know?"
"Yes, Sue Ellen, there is. Amanda's back at Southfork."
"What? Amanda? How on earth did that happen?"
"He just brought her home one night. He took her to the doctor after he found her and the doctor confirmed that Amanda is indeed pregnant."
"But whether or not it's John Ross's child remains to be seen."
"Yes," Bobby says. "But I think as long as there's even the slightest possibility that baby she's carryin' is his, John Ross wants her livin' at Southfork, especially after Elena left pregnant with his child. And I can certainly understand how he feels."
"Neither does John Ross. Things have been decidedly frosty between them, to say the least."
"Well, I suppose John Ross knows what he's doing. So fill me in on this refinery deal."
Braddock High School....
"Hey," she says with a smile.
"So how was your first day?"
"Stressful. Third block I went to the wrong class and didn't realize it until I was there for about ten minutes."
Alex laughs. "Sounds like somethin' you'd do."
Ashley puts some books in the locker, then closes it. "I'm really disappointed we only have one class together."
"Me too. And that stupid Mr. Whitaker makes us sit on opposite sides of the room."
"Yeah."
"You riding the bus home?" Alex asks.
"Hey you think she'll give me a ride home?" Alex asks.
"I don't see why not. Come on. She's probably waiting out front, and we'll ask."
The two head down the hallway crowded with students and make their way out of the front entrance of the school.
"Hi, Mom," Ashley says leaning in the passenger side window of the Toyota Camry.
"Hi. Did you have a good day?"
"It was alright. Mom, would it be okay if Alex rode with us? I mean, since he's staying at Southfork, too?"
Debra Lynn looks at the boy and manages a smile. "Sure. Hop in."
"Thanks, Mrs. Beaumont," Alex says with a smile as he gets into the backseat of the car while Ashley gets in front.
"Mom I love your hair," Ashley says, referencing her mother's new haircut.
"Thank you. I just got it done a little while ago." Debra Lynn says. She starts her car, and watches with concern as her daughter and Alex smile at each other.
Southfork....the cottage, later
"You're welcome. Ashley, you like that boy a lot, don't you?"
Ashley pauses and looks at her mother for a moment. "Yeah, I do. He's really cute, and really nice. And he's the only friend I have here my age."
"But now that you're going to school, you'll make other friends," says Debra Lynn.
"Mom, what's wrong? You never said a word the whole way home. You don't like Alex, do you?"
"I don't really know him."
"No, you don't," says Ashley. "But if you got to know him, I'm sure you'd like him."
"Sweetheart, it's just that Alex seems a little......troubled."
"Troubled?"
"I saw how he acted at Christmas, and at dinner at Southfork the other night," Debra Lynn says. "He has an attitude problem, Ashley."
"Mom, his father was killed in an accident a year ago. Alex really misses him, and now his mom has cancer. He's been forced to move from his home to a strange place. Think how you'd feel. Alex may seem a little rough on the outside, but he's a really good person. Just give him a chance." Without another word, Ashley walks into her bedroom and closes the door. Debra Lynn sighs.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
"Hello, Bobby," she says. "When they told me there was a visitor out here I didn't expect you."
"I just came by to see how Charlie's doin' today. I kinda thought maybe Ray would've come out."
"He drove out to the ranch to get some more clothes and things for us. And to check on Alex. How is my grandson?"
"Alex is fine," Bobby says. "In fact, he's even found a friend."
"Oh? You mean Randall, or Justin? Whatever he prefers to be called."
"No, I mean a friend closer to his own age. My nephew James Beaumont's daughter, Ashley. She's the same age as Alex, and just started school at Braddock High today."
Jenna manages a smile. "That's wonderful. I'm sure it'll do him a world of good."
"Yeah. So how's Charlie doin'?" Bobby asks.
Jenna sighs. "She's having a very rough day. The chemo has made her so sick, and so weak. Bobby, she's already lost over five pounds since she's been here because she can't eat. Her transplant is tentatively scheduled for next week, unless she develops an infection or something." She starts to cry. "Bobby, I'm just so afraid for her."
"I know, Jenna. But you have to keep faith that Charlie is gonna beat this thing."
"I really wish they would let you in to see her. But right now it's just Ray, and Lucas, and me. And we have to wash and disinfect our hands and faces, and wear these gowns, masks, and gloves just to be in the same room with her."
"That's for her protection," Bobby says.
"I know. It's just so hard."
"Alex did get a little upset the other night. He wanted to come and stay with you and Ray at the hotel so he could be near his mother."
"I can't even imagine how difficult this has to be for him," says Jenna.
"Neither can I."
"How does a 15-year-old boy process the fact that his mother is in the hospital, and he isn't even allowed in to see her?"
"That's why havin' Ashley around is good for him. You know.....pretty girl kinda keepin' him distracted for now."
Bobby smiles. "Oh, yes, I sure do. Don't worry."
"I've been thinking a lot about when we were kids. All the hours of sitting in Charlie's room in silence while she sleeps. I do a lot of thinking about those days."
"Jenna, that was a long, long time ago. Why do you keep rehashing that ancient history?"
"Because those were the happiest days of my life, Bobby. Growing up on my father's ranch just down the road from Southfork. The two of us roaming so freely. Skipping school just so we could sneak off and be together."
Bobby lets out a slight laugh. "Do you remember the time your daddy found out we had skipped school?"
"How could I forget?" Jenna asks. "Daddy was so angry. And then he called Jock."
"Yes, and Daddy left Ewing Oil early that day to come home and tan my hide good. Then after that we weren't allowed to see each other for a while."
"It makes me feel good to think about those days. Sometimes it doesn't feel like it was so long. Forty-nine, fifty years."
"When we were kids, did you ever think that we'd still know each other this many years later?"
Jenna turns and looks at him. "Of course I did. I planned on being married to you. But here I am, married to your brother instead. Funny how life turns out, isn't it?"
"Yes, it is," Bobby says quietly. "Well, I'd better get home. Jenna, if you or Ray need anything, don't hesitate to call. If you need clothes, or anything brought to you from home. And don't worry about Alex. Your grandson is being well taken care of."
"Thank you, Bobby. That means so much. You know, when Ray and I first decided to move back here and he bought his old ranch back, I wasn't so sure. But now, I'm happy we made that decision because of having all the support from the family since Charlie's been sick."
"I'll talk to you later," Bobby says. He flashes her a smile, then turns and walks away. A tear falls from Jenna's eye as she watches him go.
Westar....
His secretary, Melissa, walks in. "Mr. Ewing, if there's nothing else, I'll be leaving now."
"That's fine," John Ross says, continuing to stare out the window.
Melissa walks over to him. "Are you alright, Mr. Ewing?"
"I'm fine. Just doin' some thinkin'."
"You know, I could stay if you need someone to talk to."
"Thank ya, Melissa, but you don't have to do that," John Ross says. "I'm sure you're anxious to get home."
"Not really. There's nothing for me to get home to, but an empty apartment."
John Ross turns to her. "Oh? No boyfriend?"
"Alright, then," says John Ross. "If you're sure you have no other plans, I wouldn't mind some comp'ny myself tonight."
Melissa looks at him and smiles.
Southfork....
"Amanda," he says.
"Christopher."
"What are you doin' out here all alone? It's kinda cold."
"I needed some air. Besides, no one but you really in this house really talks to me, and I didn't wanna stay up in my bedroom alone. I'd rather be out here."
"Is anything wrong?" Christopher asks.
"Only the usual. I called John Ross to see what time he'd be home tonight, and, of course, he's staying in town again. Not alone, I'm sure."
"I'm really sorry. He's a jerk and he doesn't deserve you."
Amanda turns to him, tears falling down her face. "Christopher, can I ask a favor?"
"Sure."
"I don't wanna be alone tonight. Could I please stay with you?"
"Amanda, look....."
"PLEASE, Christopher. We don't have to do anything but talk. Or not even that. I just want some company. Someone to hold me."
Christopher is silent for a moment as he thinks about it. "Alright. When everyone else goes to bed, come to my room."
Amanda smiles at him. "You're such a good man, Christopher Ewing. It's hard to believe you and John Ross even belong to the same gene pool."
Christopher reaches out and gently touches her face. What they don't know is that they are being watched from the living room through one of the glass French doors.......by a very curious Emma!
The Ryland Mansion....
Southfork.....Justin's room at the bunkhouse
"Mr. Harper," says the voice of Harris Ryland on the other end of the land. "Harris Ryland here. I think I've found exactly what you're lookin' for. Somethin' that's gonna take down John Ross. Come to my office at 9 a.m tomorrow mornin'."
"Can't we take care of this tonight, Mr. Ryland?" Justin asks.
"Tomorrow mornin'," Harris says. "And believe me, this'll be worth waitin' for."
Justin ends the call and smiles, anxious to find out what information Ryland has on John Ross.
Meanwhile...
"Now aren't you glad you took me up on my offer for some company tonight?" Melissa asks.
"How am I ever gonna be able to face you at the office after tonight?"
John Ross grabs her by the hand and pulls her into his lap. "Oh, I'm sure you'll find a way," he says, then kisses her.
After a moment, Melissa pulls out of the kiss. "I swore I wouldn't let this happen, but here we are."
"Swore you wouldn't let this happen? Darlin', you're the one who invited ME into your bed."
"I know. I couldn't help myself."
John Ross laughs slightly. "And to think, when I first took over Westar, you couldn't stand the sight of me and wanted to turn in your resignation."
"Because of Miss Cryder, and the whole way you came about taking over Westar," Melissa says. "I thought it was incredibly sneaky, devious, and underhanded."
"So what changed?" John Ross asks.
Melissa looks at him and smiles. "After I got to know you, I found your sneakiness, deviousness, and underhandedness to be incredibly sexy and a major turn-on."
"And you know what I find to be a major turn-on?"
"No, what?" Melissa asks.
"Women who find my deviousness, sneakiness, and underhandedness to be sexy," John Ross replies, pulling her back into a kiss. He then rolls over on top of her and they continue to kiss passionately....
Dallas.....the next morning
"I know it's very early, but thank you for agreeing to meet me," Emma says, taking a seat across the table.
"What was so important that you wanted meet so early in the morning?" Pamela asks.
Emma sighs. "Pamela, there's something I have to know. And I want you to be honest with me."
"Look, can we please just put aside our past differences for now?" Emma asks.
"Fine. What is it you want me to be honest about?"
"I saw Cliff the other day. He told me that.... that the Ewings framed him for J.R.'s murder, and that he holds the deed to a piece of property that Elena managed to get from Bobby. Is this true?"
Pamela is silent for a moment. "Yes," she says. "Every word of it."
"Oh.....my.....God," Emma says. "I thought he was just making it up because he hates the Ewings so much."
"Emma, the Ewings are not what you think they are," says Pamela. "Yes, they framed my.........OUR father......for the murder of J.R. Ewing. Bobby was the one behind it. He was carrying out J.R.'s final plan to destroy my father and get rid of him once and for all."
"I don't understand. What do you mean by that?"
"J.R. was dying of cancer. He only had a short time left to live, so he devised this plot to stage his own murder, and frame our father for it. J.R. wrote a letter to Bobby detailing the whole thing. I"m ashamed to say that I helped the Ewings with the frame up."
"What?" Asks a shocked Emma. "You helped them?"
"This was right after the rig explosion. When my babies died. When I found out that Daddy was behind that I hated him."
"I didn't know. At the time, I honestly thought he was guilty of J.R.'s murder. I didn't find out until much later. The day of Drew Ramos's funeral. Elena had visited Daddy in prison and he told her. Elena managed to get the letter J.R. wrote from John Ross, and she confronted the Ewings with it the day of Drew's funeral. She made a bargain with Bobby. Her silence, in exchange for Daddy's pardon and the deed to the old Ewing 6, which contains the oil well that started this whole feud between the Ewings and the Barnes back in the early 30s. Then Elena turned around and gave both the pardon and the deed to me, in hopes it would right some of the wrongs the Ewings did to the Barnes."
"You had Cliff's pardon since around the time Drew died? Then why didn't you use it to get Cliff out?"
"When I went to see him, Emma, I was still so angry and hurt over what he did to me. I gave him the deed to Ewing 6, and left him there."
"And you didn't use it to get him released until I needed the kidney transplant," Emma says quietly.
"That's right. Daddy's freedom, in exchange for his kidney to save your life."
"Pamela......if Cliff didn't do it, then who really killed J.R.?" Emma asks.
Emma is unsure what to think after talking to Pamela. And unsure of who to trust at Southfork.
Ryland Transport....later
"Oh, trust me, son, it IS worth the wait," Harris says. "Have a seat."
"Just tell me what it is, Mr. Harris."
Harris turns and looks at the young man and smiles. "Awful anxious, aren't you?"
"Damn right I am. The sooner I have somethin' I can use against my brother, the sooner I can get what's comin' to me. I don't have all day, so could we please just get on with it?"
Harris takes a seat behind his desk. "Sit down. Go on, sit."
Justin pauses a second, then reluctantly sits down across from Harris.
Harris opens a drawer to his desk and pulls out a folder. He lays the folder on the desk and slides it over to Justin. "Take a look in there. And I think you'll find that it was well worth the wait."
Justin picks up the folder and opens it. As he reads through the information Harris has given him, a smile comes over Justin's face.