Previously on DALLAS:
-------------Justin told Jill about the information Harris Ryland gave him on John Ross.
------------John Ross once again used Judith Ryland's services to gain information on a refinery owner to blackmail him into selling his refinery to Westar instead of Ewing Global.
------------Emma and Amanda clashed at Southfork.
------------Jay Smithfield became increasingly worried about his cousin Todd Baxter.
------------Emma continued to bond with Cliff, unbeknownst to the Ewings.
------------Jack's son Conner showed up at Southfork.
------------Debra Lynn discovered that she's pregnant.
------------Bobby is told that Jack's murder looks like a professional hit.
Tracey McKay's home....late afternoon
"Yes, I'm glad you called me," Carter says to the person he's talking on the phone with. "Just remember, you are my eyes and ears as to what's going on concerning Westar, since I can't be there to keep tabs myself. I want you to let me know everything that you're able to find out, no matter how small or insignificant. And definitely let me know when that board meeting is to be held. That's one meeting I wouldn't miss for anything in the world. Now, you take care. Talk to you soon." Carter hangs the phone up and turns around. He is shocked to find his daughter standing in the doorway. "Tracey," he says. "I didn't hear you come in."
"Now, Tracey....""Don't 'now Tracy' me. Daddy, you are still recovering from a very serious heart attack you had not three months ago. You're supposed to be taking it easy and ridding your life of stress, and here I find you asking someone to keep you informed about events at Westar, AND planning to attend a board meeting."
"He also said that you are to continue to take it easy and rest, and NO stress. Daddy, you're not a young man. You have to take care of yourself because I'm not ready to plan your funeral."
"Sweetheart, I understand how you feel. And as I said, I appreciate it. But nothing on this earth is going to stop me from going to that Westar board meeting in a few weeks so I can personally see J.R.'s kid thrown out of that company on his ass." The old man walks over to his daughter. "Don't worry. That board meeting is still a good while away. I promise, I'll get plenty of rest until then so I can be completely recovered from my attack, and refreshed. You know how important this is to me, Tracey. Westar was a part of my life even before you were born. That company is very special to me, and I don't wanna see it in the hands of a Ewing, especially not J.R.'s son. And I'll do everything in my power to make sure John Ross is ousted. And THAT, my darling daughter, will be the best medicine for me. Now, I think I'll go to my room and rest for a while." Carter kisses his daughter on the forehead, then starts to leave the room.
"Daddy?" Tracey calls.
He stops in the foyer and turns back to her. "Yes?"
"Who was on the phone? Was it Tripp?"
"Tracey, no offense, but that's MY business." Without another word, Carter walks away toward his downstairs bedroom, leaving Tracey alone with her thoughts in the living room.
Southfork.....evening
"Getting all settled?" Alex asks.
"Yeah. Listen, man, thanks for letting me share your room," Conner says.
"No problem. The company will be kinda nice. Besides, it's not my room. I'm a guest here, just like you."
"Well, thanks anyway. And I promise not to crowd you. I probably won't be here long."
"I hope I won't be," says Alex. "Conner, dude, I'm real sorry about your dad. I lost mine just a year ago."
Conner stops unpacking and looks at the boy. "I'm sorry."
"Thanks. Oh, umm, we'd better wash up for dinner."
"Sure. I am kinda hungry." Conner follows Alex out of the room and down the hall into the living room when John Ross walks in. He looks at Conner quizzically.
"Well, who the hell are you?" John Ross asks. "You a friend of Alex's?"
"I'm Conner Ewing."
"John Ross," Bobby says, walking into the room. "Conner is your second cousin. He's Jack's son, and he's gonna be stayin' with us for a few days."
"You gotta be kiddin' me, Uncle Bobby. ANOTHER long lost relative you just take in? You seem to forget that I own half this house and you have never once consulted me when you ask one of these waifs to stay here."
"I don't HAVE to ask you anything, John Ross," says Bobby. "Because half this house is MINE and I can ask anyone I want to stay here. Conner is goin' through a very rough time right now, which you should be able to understand. He just lost his father."
"Yeah, well, I'm sorry about that," John Ross says. "But this itn't a hotel for every stray that comes along, even if he is named Ewing." John Ross looks at Conner, and at Bobby, then leaves the room.
"Yeah, John Ross is a real jackass," says Alex.
"Conner, don't let John Ross get to you," Bobby says. "He's like that with pretty much everybody."
"It's okay. My father told me all about J.R. and what he was like." Conner says. "I guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree there."
A funeral home in Dallas....two days later
Conner manages a slight laugh at the story. "I wish I'd known her. My Dad talked a lot about her. I think he always felt guilty for leaving her in Alaska with their father."
Ray walks over to them. "Bob," Ray says.
"Ray, glad you could make it. I don't think you've met Conner. This is Jack's son. Conner, this is my brother Ray."
Ray shakes hands with the young man. "Sorry about your father. Jack was a good man."
"Thank you. And thanks for being here."
As Ray is about to say something, he looks over Bobby's shoulder and sees a familiar face - that of his ex-wife, Donna Dowling, talking to Lucy across the room. "No problem. Would you two excuse me for a minute?"
"Sure, Ray," Bobby says.
Ray walks across the room to where Lucy and Donna are chatting. Donna has her back to him. "Donna?" He calls.
She turns around and smiles at him. "Hello, Ray."
"Well, I was in Austin on some business, and Margaret told me about Jack. I wanted to be here. I remember Jack very fondly."
"Well, if you two will excuse me," Lucy says. "I think I'm gonna visit the little girl's room before this thing gets started." Lucy walks away.
"Donna you look great," Ray says.
Ray lets out a slight laugh. "Yeah. I guess it does, at that. And Jenna, too."
"Speaking of which, how's Charlie?"
"She's......she's holdin' her own. She goes through the transplant procedure tomorrow. And then all we can do is wait."
Meanwhile, across the room, Jenna stands alone, watching Ray as he and Donna talk. Bobby walks over to her. He looks over and sees that her eyes are fixed on Ray and his ex. "That bother you? Ray talkin' to Donna?" He asks.
In the meantime, as Christopher and Lucas chat with their new found cousin Conner, Christopher looks up and sees Cliff walk in. "Excuse me, guys," he says. He walks away from his brother and cousin, and meets Cliff as he enters the chapel. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"You're not welcome here. This is a EWING memorial service."
"What's going on?" Conner asks, walking over to them with Lucas.
"Hi," Cliff greets. "I read in Jack's obituary in the paper that he had a son. You must be him."
"That's right," says Conner.
"I'm Cliff Barnes. I use to be married to your father's sister Jamie."
"Cliff was JUST leaving," Christopher says.
"No, I wasn't," Cliff says. He looks at Conner. "I liked your father very much, and he use to be part of my family. I'd really like to stay and pay my respects if it's okay with you."
"Yeah, I've got no problem with that," Conner says as the funeral director walks over to him.
"Excuse me, Mr. Ewing," the funeral director says to Conner. "It's time we begin. I'll get everyone seated."
"Thank you," Conner says.
Cliff gives Christopher a smile, as he turns and walks toward a seat near the back of the chapel.
"Yeah, you're right," Christopher says. He and Lucas move toward the front of the chapel and take their seats with Bobby, Ann, and the rest of the family as Conner steps to the front of the chapel and stands before his father's casket.
"Thank you all for coming today," Conner begins. "It means a lot to me, and I know it would to my Dad to see so many members of his family here, even though all of you didn't know him personally. My Dad, Jack Ewing, was a simple man. He loved hunting and he loved fishing......"
Meanwhile.....at Southfork
As she starts back to the house, Justin approaches. "Hey," Justin calls out to her.
Amanda turns to face him. "Hi."
"How come you're not at the funeral with the rest of the clan?" Justin asks.
"I didn't know Jack Ewing. How come you didn't go?"
"I didn't know him, either," Justin says. "So, tell me, how do ya like bein' married to my brother?"
Amanda lowers her head and remains silent.
"That bad, huh?" Justin asks.
"John Ross is a real piece of work, itn't he? If you don't mind me askin', why do you stay here with him if you're so miserable? And I can tell you're miserable."
"The answer's simple. I don't have anywhere else to go. No family. No friends. John Ross is all I have."
"I'm sorry," Justin says. "Look, this may not be worth anything, but, if ya ever need a friend, you can always call on me."
"Thank you, Justin. That means a lot."
Justin smiles. "Hey, what's a brother-in-law for?"
"Are you busy right now?" Amanda asks.
"Nope."
"I could make some coffee and we could talk. With everybody gone, it's kinda lonesome roaming around this big old house by myself."
"Sure, I'd love some coffee," Justin says with a smile. He follows Amanda into the house.
Tripp's apartment....
"Tripp," she says.
"Aunt Tracey, what are you doin' here?"
"We need to talk," Tracey says, walking past him and into the apartment.
"Okay, so I told him I'd keep him up to date," Tripp says.
"I can't believe you would do that," says Tracey. "Tripp, you know how fragile your grandfather's health is right now. Honey, he just had a heart attack not even three months ago. He doesn't need the stress of worrying about that damned oil company."
"Have you really paid attention to him lately, Aunt Tracey? Granddad is more alive than I've seen him since before Hunter died. He's thriving on this. And he knows his limits and so do I. Believe me, I'm not gonna do anything that will jeopardize his health. I'm only gonna tell him the little stuff."
"And what about that upcoming board meeting?"
"That's not for a few weeks yet. By then, I'll try to come up with some way to keep him from attending."
"You'd better," says Tracey. "I don't want him getting so worked up again that he has another heart attack."
"Neither do I, but when he asked me to keep him updated on what's happening with Westar, what was I supposed to say?"
"How about....no?"
"Come on, Aunt Tracey, you know how Granddad is. He doesn't take no for an answer. But look, I'll take care of Westar, you take care of Granddad."
"That's what I'm trying to do," Tracey says. "But that old man sure doesn't make it easy."
Southfork .....that night
"Hey, man," Lucas says.
"Hey," Conner says, out of breath from his vigorous workout. "I got bored. Everybody was either out or busy, so, I found this room here. I thought from the outside it was a garage."
"It use to be, I think," says Lucas. "But when they remodeled the house, they closed in the garage and turned it into a spare room. Christopher and I moved this equipment in here and we're gonna turn it into a real mini-gym."
"Cool. I kinda needed to work off some steam."
"Even distant family you hardly know?" Conner asks.
"Well, you're my second cousin, and John Ross is my first cousin. But even though I only met you a couple days ago, I already like you a hell of a lot more than I like him, so yeah."
Conner manages a slight laugh at the comment. "Yeah, what's with that guy, anyway? I mean, I never did anything to him and he treats me like I'm his enemy or something. Does he just not like anyone?"
"Conner, let me tell you somethin' about John Ross. He's a jerk. And that's the nicest thing I can say about the guy. He's treated me like that ever since I've been here."
"Lucas can I ask you a question?"
"Sure, man."
"Bobby's your Dad, right?" Conner asks.
"That's right."
"But, I thought you said your last name was Krebbs? And Alex is your nephew, but he's not Bobby's grandson?"
Lucas laughs. "Yeah, well, the Ewings have a pretty complicated family tree, dude. Umm, my Mom was involved with Bobby before she married his half-brother, Ray Krebbs. But Bobby broke up with her and remarried his first wife, Pam, Christopher's mother. Ray helped my Mom through that and they fell in love and eventually got married. Ray raised me as his son. In fact, I didn't even know that Bobby was my biological Dad until a few months ago. And as for Alex, his Mom is my half-sister, Charlie."
"Charlie? A girl named Charlie?"
"Yeah, it's a nickname for Charlotte," Lucas says. "So how about you? You wanna talk about your Dad, or your family?"
"Where is she now?" Lucas asks.
"I'm not real sure. I couldn't get in touch with her to even let her know about Dad. I haven't even talked to her in a couple of years."
"I'm sorry, man. Musta been rough."
"Nah, not really. She didn't want me, so, who cares? I had my Dad and he was a great parent. I just don't know what I'm gonna do now. My Dad was all I had. Only family I had."
"That's not exactly true, Conner. You have a family right here. I know it's not the same, but, I really hope you do consider us to be your family. And, if you have no where else to be, I kinda hope you stick around for a while."
Conner looks up at him, tears streaming down his face. "I really appreciate that, Lucas. You know, my Dad only had one sister, and she died without having kids. My Mom was an only child, so I never had any cousins at all."
"Well, now you've got some. A whole bunch of 'em, in fact," says Lucas.
John Ross and Amanda's room....
"John Ross," she says back to him. "I thought you'd be home hours ago."
"Yes, well, I had a......business meetin'......that ran late."
"Business meeting?"
"That's right."
John Ross turns and looks at her. "You jealous, darlin'?" "You don't even bother to deny you were with another woman," Amanda says. "Why should I deny it? After all, our marriage is in name only." "You've made that very clear, John Ross." "Then why the hell do you care what I do or who I do it with?" John Ross asks. "Do I even matter to you at all, John Ross? Does this baby matter to you at all?" |
"And if it is?" Amanda asks. "Do you accept me as your wife? Or do you go on treating me like trash?"
John Ross walks over to the bed and leans down to her. "Darlin', you've got NO ONE but yourself to blame for how I feel about you. I loved you. I truly loved you. But you lied to me about who you were. You were workin' for Cliff Barnes behind my back to ruin me and my fam'ly. And you drugged me to get me to marry you. Oh, and let's not forget, before you found out you were really pregnant, you lied to me about bein' pregnant. Now after all that, do you honestly expect me to ever accept you as a real wife?"
Amanda puts her book down on the nightstand and gets out of bed. "I guess not. So, I also guess that what I do doesn't matter to you, either."
"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" John Ross asks.
"What do you care? You've made it perfectly plain that you don't give a damn about me or about what I do. So I take it you'd also have no problem with me sleeping with another man."
"That aint gonna happen, darlin'."
"Oh? And who's gonna stop me?"
John Ross walks over to her. "Let me remind you, MRS. Ewing, that I hold all the cards in our sick little relationship. Without me, you got nothin'. Nobody to turn to. No place to go. You think Cliff Barnes is gonna help you after you betrayed him? Maybe you could track down that bum of a daddy of yours wherever he is. But what'll you do in the meantime? So, if you wanna remain here in this warm and cozy house, you'll do as I say and remain the perfect little trophy wife."
"Where you goin'?" John Ross asks.
"I'm gonna sleep on the sofa in the den, because right now, you make me sick." Amanda gives him a harsh look, then storms out of the room, slamming the door on her way out.
John Ross smiles. "Well she's got some spunk after all," he says to himself.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....the next morning
"Alex, honey, please calm down," Jenna tells her grandson.
"I wish that doctor would hurry up and let us know what's going on."
"All they're doing now is getting your Mom prepped for the procedure," Lucas tells him. "When they're done, her doctor will let us know."
"I just wish I could've seen Mom before she had to go through this," says Alex. "It's so unfair they wouldn't let me see her!"
"Alex, we explained all that," Ray says. "For Charlie's own protection, they had to keep her isolated while she was taking the chemo."
At that moment, Dr. Conrad walks into the room. "Good morning," she says.
"How is my daughter?" Jenna asks.
"What does that mean?" Alex asks. "English, please?"
"It simply means that Charlie is being infused intravenously with the healthy stem cells harvested from Lucas. It's just like having an I.V. for any other procedure. As I said, it will take several hours, so, my suggestion is that you all go home or go about your daily routines."
"Would I be able to sit with her?" Jenna asks.
"If you would like, but Mrs. Krebbs, you look exhausted. You've been here day after day with Charlie. Why don't you go get some rest while she's undergoing the process?"
"She's right, Mom," says Lucas.
"I'm fine," Jenna insists.
"Jenna, the doctor is right," says Ray. "I'll sit with Charlie for a while. You go get some sleep for a couple hours, then come back and spell me."
"Or you could BOTH go and get some rest and I'll sit with Charlie," Lucas says.
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Ray says.
"Alright," Jenna finally agrees.
"Lucas, come with me and you can get scrubbed up and changed," Dr. Conrad says.
"Okay," Lucas says. "Emma, you go on back home. I'll call you to come pick me up this evening."
"Okay."
"Alex, I really think that, since it's still early, you should go to school," Jenna tells her grandson.
"Yes, I'm very serious. It's only 8:45, you can get there by 9:30 and you won't miss much of the day at all."
"Well who's gonna drive me?"
"I'll drive ya, don't worry," Ray says.
"That's okay, Ray, I'll take Alex to school," Emma volunteers. "There's no sense in you driving all the way to Braddock and then all the way back to Dallas."
Lucas looks at her and smiles. "That's my girl," he says, kissing her on the cheek.
"Thank you, Emma," Ray says.
"Lucas, this way," Dr. Conrad says.
"I'll call you," Lucas tells Emma, kissing her again. Then he follows Dr. Conrad down the hall.
"Emma, thanks for takin' the boy to school," Ray says.
"It's no problem," Emma says. "Come on Alex, let's go."
"You have a good day, sweety," Jenna says, kissing her grandson on the cheek. Then she and Ray watch as Emma and Alex walk down the hall toward the elevator.
Westar....
"Thank you, Melissa," John Ross says. He picks up his phone in his office. "Hello, John Ross Ewing here. Yes, as a
Ewing Global....
"I am VERY impressed," Donna says.
"Well thank you. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to give you a tour the last time you were in town."
"It's okay."
"You want some coffee?" Bobby asks.
"I would love some coffee," replies Donna.
Bobby walks over to the counter and pours two cups of coffee, one of which he hands to Donna.
"Thank you," she says.
"You're welcome."
"Well, it looks as if you and Sue Ellen have done very well for yourselves with this company."
"I think we have," Bobby says with a smile. "I never thought I'd get back in the oil business after I sold Ewing Oil a few years ago, but I have to admit, I'm lovin' it. So, what about you?"
Donna takes a sip of her coffee. "What about me?" She asks.
"How are things with you in Washington?" Bobby asks.
The smile disappears from Donna's face and she lowers her head, then looks back at Bobby. "Things sometimes get a little lonely since Andrew died, and especially with Margaret living in Austin with Matt now. But I keep myself busy with political functions, charity work, and social events."
"I'm kinda surprised there's no special man in your life," Bobby says.
"You sure about that?"
Donna looks at him and hesitates a moment. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean I saw the way you and Ray were lookin' at one other at the funeral home yesterday. I sensed even at the Ewing barbecue that you still feel somethin' for Ray."
"Ray was my first real love. He's the father of my child, so of course I still feel somethin' for him, and I always will."
"You sure it duttin' go further than that?" Bobby asks. "I'm sorry, Donna. I don't mean to pry."
"Bobby after all the years we've known one another, I don't think of you as ever PRYING."
"So am I right?"
"I suppose," Donna replies, taking another sip of her coffee. "Do you ever truly get over your first real love?"
"No, I suppose not."
"Bobby, I realize that Ray and Jenna are very much in love and very happily married. And I would never do anything to come between them."
"I know that, Donna," Bobby says as Sue Ellen walks into the room.
"Am I interrupting?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Of course not," Bobby says.
Smiling, Sue Ellen walks over to Donna and hugs her. "Donna, it's so wonderful to see you. I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to talk yesterday."
"So was I, Sue Ellen. We must catch up. Ummm, was that Dusty Farlow I saw you with yesterday?"
"As a matter of fact, it was," replies Sue Ellen.
"When did that happen?"
"Why don't I take you ladies to lunch and we can all do a little catchin' up?" Bobby asks.
"Lunch sounds lovely," says Donna.
"Yes it does," Sue Ellen agrees.
"Great," Bobby says. "Let's go, then."
The Omni Hotel....later
"Well, Miss Carrington, I never turn down the opportunity to have lunch with a beautiful woman," John Ross says, taking a seat across from her. "Although I never expected you to be quite SO beautiful."
Krystina smiles. "Why, thank you. Handsome, a smart business man, and a flatterer, too."
John Ross smiles back at her.
"So, you said on the phone earlier that you have heard of my company, Denver-Carrington?"
"Of course. In fact, as I recall, my father did some business with your father way back when he was runnin' Westar in the late 90s."
"That's right," Krystina says. "Denver-Carrington and Westar were discussing the possibility of a joint offshore drilling venture in the Gulf, and perhaps building an oil and gas pipeline. But, for whatever reason, nothing came of the talks after J.R. Ewing lost control of Westar."
"Yes, I would. It was something my father had wanted for years, and now that I'm running the company, I intend to carry out my father's wishes, and his legacy."
"I was very sorry to hear about your father's passing. I never met Blake Carrington personally, but he was legend in the oil business."
"Thank you," Krystina says. "And I feel the same about your father. I was sorry to hear of his death as well."
"Strange, itn't it?" John Ross asks. "Both our daddies, legends in their own time. Both died the same year, and now here we are discussin' some deals they talked about fifteen, sixteen years ago. Although I am a bit confused. If I remember right, your daddy has two sons. So how did you end up with his comp'ny?"
"Are you asking that because I'm a woman? Or because I'm Blake Carrington's youngest child?"
"Because you're his youngest, of course," replies John Ross.
Krystina laughs. "Nice save, Mr. Ewing."
"Please, call me John Ross."
"Fine....John Ross. I'm Krystina. Now, shall we get down to discussing some business?"
John Ross looks across the table at the lovely young woman and smiles.
Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, Fort Worth
"Glad you called to meet with me today," says Cliff.
Cliff laughs. "I'm guessing your daughter is keeping a pretty tight leash on you since your heart attack at the Oil Baron's Ball."
"That's putting it mildly. But, she means well. So, you wanted to talk about Westar?"
"Yes," Cliff says. "I've been talking to that grandson of yours. Smart kid. I like him, and he's made my Pamela very happy. Anyway, Tripp has talked to you about what we discussed, I assume?"
"You mean about my voting with Kimberly Cryder and some other shareholders to make you the new CEO at the upcoming board meeting when John Ross Ewing is booted out?"
"Yep."
"Cliff, isn't that going to cause problems between you and Pamela?" Carter asks. "According to my grandson, Pamela expects to be named Westar's new CEO when that happens."
"I know. But, I promised Tripp that there will be positions in the company for both he and Pamela when I become CEO. They'll both be my second and third in command, so to speak. And, if Pamela plays her cards right, when I retire or pass on.....whichever comes first, many years down the road, of course......Pamela will be my successor. And by then, she and Tripp will probably be happily married and raising my grandchildren and your great-grandchildren."
"Now hold on, Cliff. You already have those two kids married and raising a brood of children?"
"Thank you, Cliff, I take that as a compliment," Carter says.
"It was meant as one. I'd like nothing better for Tripp to become my son-in-law. Think about it......a Barnes/McKay empire would be unbeatable and we could take the Ewings down for good."
"I'll drink to that," Carter says, raising his glass. "Apple juice, anyway, since I'm no longer allowed the good stuff."
Cliff also raises his glass and the two men toast their future plans.
Braddock High School....
"Hey," she says. "You sure were quiet all day. Worried about your Mom?"
Alex sighs. "Yeah. I guess she's still doing that infusion thing. Doctor said it would take several hours. God I wish my Grandma hadn't made me come to school today. This was a total waste of time."
Alex closes his locker, looks at the girl, and smiles. "You are? Why?"
"Because I wanted to see you," Ashley replies.
"Your Mom pickin' you up today?"
"Nah, I'm riding the bus."
"Good. Hey, after we get back to Southfork, you wanna go out for a ride?"
"Definitely," says Ashley.
"Awesome. Come. Let's catch the bus," Alex says. He and Ashley make their way down the crowded hallway toward the front entrance of the school.
Southfork....
Ann and Debra Lynn walk into the kitchen at Southfork that afternoon, Ann carrying two bags of groceries. "Thanks for going with me to the grocery store," Ann says. "I was happy for the distraction," says Debra Lynn. "Distraction? Everything okay? I thought you said James was happy about the baby news." "He was thrilled," Debra Lynn says with a smile. "But, right now, it's the |
"You mean you and James still haven't told the kids about the baby?" Ann asks.
"No. Jimmy's been real busy studying for a test that he had today, so we haven't seen him for the last few days. We just wanted to wait until the right time when we could tell both Jimmy and Ashley together. So Jimmy's coming over for dinner tonight."
"Well good luck. But I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. I'll just bet Jimmy and Ashley are gonna be thrilled to death at the news."
"I sure hope you're right, Ann," Debra Lynn says as Lucy walks into the kitchen.
"Hey, ladies," Lucy says. "What's goin' on? What news?"
Ann and Debra Lynn exchange looks and smiles. "I guess I might as well tell you, Lucy," Debra Lynn says. "But you gotta promise you won't say anything to anybody else. At least not til James and I have a chance to tell our kids first."
"I promise. What's goin' on?"
"James and I are gonna have another baby," says Debra Lynn. "I went to the doctor on Saturday, and he confirmed it."
Ann looks at Lucy with concern as the smile disappears from Lucy's face upon hearing the news. "A.....a baby?" Lucy asks, her voice shaky. "Well, congratulations, Debra Lynn. That's wonderful," she says, holding back tears. "Really.....wonderful." Visibly shaken by the news, Lucy turns and leaves the kitchen.
"Ann, what was that all about?" Debra Lynn asks. "Is she alright?"
"She'll be fine," Ann replies, unconvinced.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
He wakes up and looks at her. "Huh? Charlie, you need somethin'?"
"Yes, as a matter of fact, I do."
"What? What can I get you?" Lucas asks.
"You can get out of here."
"What?"
"Go home, Lucas," Charlie says, her voice soft and weak. "You've been here all day. You're exhausted. Go home and get some rest."
"Not on your life. Mom and Ray will be here soon, then I'll go home. Mom would kill me if I left you alone before she gets here. So how do you feel?"
"Kinda sick. The meds are helping some. But I feel so weak I don't think I can hold my head up by myself."
"Is there anything I can get you?" Lucas asks.
Charlie manages a weak smile. "Yeah. You can make this all go away. And while you're at it, I'd like my hair back."
"That's a tall order, sis. But if I could, believe me, I would. Don't worry about your hair. You're beautiful even bald. And it'll grow back soon enough."
"If there's time," Charlie says.
"Charlie, don't start that again. You're GOING to get better. Come on, you're gonna have my stem cells inside of you now. If that doesn't make you better, me and my stem cells gotta have a talk."
Charlie laughs slightly. "Lucas, before Mom and Ray get here, I need to talk to you."
"Okay, I'm listening," Lucas says, leaning over to her.
"You're the only person who knows my secret about Alex. Lucas, if something happens to me....."
"Charlie....."
"Just listen, little brother. IF something happens, I want you to promise me that you will take care of what we talked about. I want John Ross to know that Alex is his son. My boy will need taking care of...."
"But Charlie.....John Ross? Alex deserves so much better. My God, I'd rather Alex go on thinking Phillip was his father."
"That wouldn't be fair to my son. He and John Ross both deserve to know."
"John Ross doesn't deserve ANYTHING, Charlie. And Alex deserves a hell of a lot better father than John Ross. Sis, think about it. Alex loved Phillip. Phillip was a good man and a good father to your son. Alex was devastated when he lost Phillip. Charlie, is it really fair to that kid to take the memory of a good father he loved away from him? He can't stand John Ross. I sure as hell don't wanna have to be the one to tell him that a guy he can't stand is his father and a guy he idolized wasn't. If you really wanna do something for you son, if WE wanna do something for your son, then we'll both just forget what you told me. Let Alex go on believing that Phillip was his father."
Charlie looks at him, tears in her eyes. "Maybe you're right. I guess, sometimes, what you think is the right thing, really isn't."
Lucas reaches over and takes his sister's hand in his gloved hand.
Southfork....the cottage, that night
"Well, honey, you only live about thirty minutes away," says Debra Lynn. "You know you could come for dinner every night."
"I don't have the time. Classes are REALLY tough this semester, and, I've been out of school a few years now, so it's kinda hard for me to just get right back into it. I have to do a LOT of studying."
"Debra Lynn, the roast chicken was great," James says.
"Thank you. Ann gave me the recipe."
"I think she's a little upset with me," Debra Lynn says.
"How come?" Jimmy asks.
"She wanted to invite Alex over for dinner tonight, but I told her no."
"And you never even gave me a reason," says an angry Ashley.
"Your mother doesn't have to give you a reason, Ashley," says James. "Neither do I. When we say 'no' to somethin', it means NO."
"I just wanted tonight to be us......the FAMILY," Debra Lynn says. "Because your father and I have something we'd like to share with the two of you."
"Good news?" Jimmy asks.
"We sure hope you'll both think so," replies James.
"No, that's not what it's about," Debra Lynn says.
James sighs. "We wanted to talk to you both at the same time. How would the two of you feel if your mother and I had another baby?"
Ashley gives her father a bewildered look. "Are you kidding me? Another baby? At your age? Come on, you have a grown son, and I'm fifteen. What do you need another kid for?"
"To be honest, guys, I'm not sure how I'd feel about it," Jimmy says. "I mean, I'm twenty-five years old, and for me to suddenly have a little brother or sister, I think that would feel kinda......I dunno......weird, maybe?"
"Well, I'm sorry you both feel that way," says Debra Lynn. "But, I'm afraid at this point, it's a little late to do anything about it."
"Wait, what are you saying?" Jimmy asks. "Mom are you......are you pregnant?"
"Yep. I am."
"What?" Asks an astonished Ashley. "Oh....my......God, are you serious? You're really pregnant at your age?"
"At my age? Ashley you make it sound as if I'm ready for the nursing home or something."
"Mom, you're like......forty-something. Women your age have GRANDCHILDREN, not children. I can't believe you did this to me! I mean, first you ask how we'd feel if you had another baby and then you just spring it on us that you're GOING to have another kid."
"Ashley this isn't exactly something we planned," says Debra Lynn. "It just happened."
"I don't believe this," Ashley says, getting up from the table. "By the time this kid is my age, I'll be thirty. And Jimmy will be what? Almost YOUR age?" Ashley walks toward the front door and grabs her coat from the wrack.
"Ashley where are you going?" James asks.
"Out for a walk," the girl says angrily, then storms out of the house.
"I'll go talk to her," Jimmy says, starting to get up from the table.
"No, let her go," says James. "I realize this was a shock to you both. Your sister just needs time to cool off."
Outside, Ashley takes her cell phone from her pocket and sends a text to Alex.
Meanwhile....
A few minutes later.....
"You won't believe the news my parents sprung on me and my brother at dinner tonight."
"Must've been pretty bad."
"It was. My Mom is pregnant, Alex," Ashley says. "Can you believe that? She's pregnant!"
"Congratulations," Alex says sarcastically with a smile.
"Alex this isn't funny! This is gonna turn my whole life upside down. I can't believe my Mom got pregnant again at her age."
"There's worse news they coulda gave you, Ash," says Alex.
"Yeah, like what?"
"Like one of them has cancer," Alex replies sadly.
Upon hearing Alex's words, Ashley suddenly feels incredibly ashamed in light of what Alex is dealing with. She lowers her head for a moment, then looks back up at him. "Alex I'm so sorry," she says. "Just listen to me, complaining like this about my Mom being pregnant, when what you're going through is so much worse. You must think I'm pretty selfish, huh?"
"No, I don't." Alex reaches out and gently touches her face. "Hey, let's go down to the barn. Light one up."
Ashley smiles. "Sounds good to me. I think we both need it."
Southfork....the next morning
"Mornin', every-
body," Bobby says.
"Morning, Uncle Bobby," greets Lucy as Bobby takes his usual seat at the table.
"Where's everyone else?" Bobby asks.
"Haven't seen Emma and Lucas this mornin'," replies Ann. "Christopher either, for that matter."
"Here I am," Christopher says, walking into the room as if on cue. "Morning."
"Mornin' son," Bobby says.
Christopher takes his seat at the table. "I only have time for some orange juice and maybe a quick bite."
"Alex, where's Conner?" Ann asks.
"He said he wasn't hungry."
"Uncle Bobby, just how long is our newfound cousin gonna be gracin' us with his presence here?" John Ross asks.
"I really don't know, John Ross, but I've already told Conner he's welcome as long as he wants to stay."
John Ross lets out a deep breath of frustration, then looks at his watch. "Well, I do hate to leave this pleasant comp'ny, but I have an early meetin' this mornin' about a new business deal I'm puttin' together."
"Yeah, who'd ya steal this one from?" Christopher asks.
John Ross looks at his cousin and smiles, then without another word, he stands to his feet and starts to leave.
"I'll walk you out," Amanda says.
"No need to," John Ross tells her.
"I want to." She stands and follows John Ross out of the house as Emma walks in. Emma gives the couple a look as they walk past her and exit the house through the sliding glass doors to the patio. Emma takes her seat at the table.
"Mornin', Emma," says Ann. "Lucas comin'?"
"No, he's still asleep. He was so exhausted after spending all day at the hospital with Charlie yesterday that I didn't wanna bother him."
Meanwhile, Amanda follows John Ross to his car in the parking area. He puts hi brief case in the car, then turns back
"Isn't that what a dutiful wife is supposed to do? See her lovin' husband off to work in the morning?"
"Dutiful wife? Comin' from you, that's kinda funny."
"No funnier than you being a 'lovin' husband.'"
"I hadn't planned to," says Amanda. "In fact, I may step out myself."
John Ross looks at his wife and hesitates for a moment. "You just make sure you take real good care of that baby inside you. At least until we can have that paternity test to find out whether or not it's mine. Anything happens to that kid, you'll wish you'd never heard my name."
"I already wish that," Amanda says.
John Ross gets into his car without another word, and as Amanda watches, he speeds off. As she tuns and starts back toward the house, she sees Christopher walk out. He pauses a moment on the patio, then starts toward his car. Amanda meets him.
"Leaving so early, too?" She asks.
"Yeah. I have a couple errands to run before going to the office."
"Christopher, I only walked John Ross to his car as an excuse to wait for you. John Ross may not be home tonight. Can I....."
"Look, Amanda, if you're gonna ask me if you can come to my room then the answer is no. I'm sorry, but what
"Why?"
"Why?" Christopher repeats her question. "Because you're married to my cousin. Your marriage may be in name only, but you're still John Ross's wife and you're carrying his baby. It was wrong to let this happen in the first place. I'm sorry." Christopher walks past Amanda, gets into his car, and as she watches in tears, he drives off.
Westar....a short time later
"No messages, but Krystina Carrington is waiting for you in your office."
"Is she, now? Hmmmm. Well, thank ya, darlin'." John Ross smiles, then walks into his office as Melissa watches him, her jealousy aroused over John Ross's beautiful new business associate. John Ross walks into his office to find a smiling Krystina Carrington waiting.
"I thought we went over this at lunch yesterday. It's Krystina."
"Oh, yes. Krystina," says John Ross.
"Have you had a chance to look over the proposal I gave you yesterday for our partnership in those offshore wells?" Krystina asks.
"Yes I have, and I do like what I see."
"So, you think we can do business?"
"I think we can DEFINITELY do business together."
"Good."
"You free this afternoon?" John Ross asks.
"As a matter of fact, I am."
"Why don't we fly down to the Gulf and take a look at those offshore wells?"
Krystina smiles. "I'd love to. Right after lunch?"
"How about DURING lunch? I can arrange to have a gourmet feast served for our pleasure on board the Westar jet."
"Sounds wonderful. Okay, I'll go back to my hotel, make a few phone calls I need to make, and then I'll come back around one?"
"One o'clock, it is," John Ross says.
After she's gone, John Ross walks over to the bar and pours himself a glass of bourbon. He smiles, then takes a sip.
Southfork....
"Sorry, I didn't mean to disturb ya," Justin says.
"How long have you been there?" Amanda asks.
Justin walks over to her. "Long enough. What were you thinkin' about while you were pettin' that horse?"
"How could you?" Amanda asks.
"My life hadn't exactly turned out like I thought it would, either."
"Of course not. Yours probably turned out better," she snaps, then feels bad about what she said. "I'm sorry, Justin. I didn't mean it like that."
"It's okay. Amanda, regardless of what you think, there are people that care about you and care what happens to you."
"Really? I'd sure like to know who."
"You're talkin' to one of 'em."
Amanda looks at him. "Why? You don't even know me."
"So? We got some things in common, you and me."
"What could we possibly have in common?" Amanda asks.
"That baby you're carryin', for one. That's gonna be my little niece or nephew. And second, we both been treated like crap by John Ross, when all either of us wanted was his love and acceptance."
Amanda's bottom lip starts to tremble as she fights back tears. "You're right."
"Look, it's gettin' colder, and it's prob'ly not good for you to be out here. Why don't you come over to the bunkhouse with me. I'll make some coffee, make ya a sandwich, and we can talk."
"Make that hot chocolate instead of coffee, and you've got a deal," Amanda says.
Justin laughs. "Okay. Hot chocolate, then," he says.
Somewhere above South East Texas....
"J.R. Ewing?" She asks.
"What?"
"I just noticed your father's name on the bottle."
"Yep," John Ross says. "Bourbon and branch was my Daddy's drink of choice."
"My father loved bourbon, too. I have a feeling Blake Carrington and J.R. Ewing would've been great friends."
"Or bitter rivals," John Ross says with a smile.
"Eh, not much to tell."
"Come on. I know better than that. Even in Denver we heard about your amazing coup a few months ago when you took over Westar from Jillian Cryder. So there must be something pretty interesting there."
"I'd rather hear about you," says John Ross. "What makes the lovely Krystina Carrington tick?"
"I asked you first."
Krystina smiles. "Condensed is right. I have a feeling you left out quite a bit."
"Only the real bad stuff," says John Ross.
"Well, let's see. I was born in Denver, in 1984. My father was Blake Carrington, and my mother, Krystle Grant Jennings. Both were older when I was born, so I always envied a lot of my friends growing up who had younger parents. In fact, I have two nephews older than me."
"Really?"
"Yeah. My father had been married before."
"I know. To Alexis Colby, right?" John Ross asks.
Krystina looks at him and smiles. "You've done your homework."
"I have. But, as I said the other day, your Daddy was a legend in the oil industry, and his life story is pretty common knowledge. So.....please continue."
"Honestly, there's not much to tell. I grew up surrounded by a dysfunctional family in the oil business, same as you."
"You never married?" John Ross asks.
The smile disappears from Krystina's face as she lowers her head. "Could I have another drink?"
"Hmmmm.....touchy subject?" John Ross asks, pouring her another glass of bourbon.
"Sort of. Let's just say I came close once, a few years ago. It didn't work out."
"Sorry to hear that. Beautiful lady like you, and rich as the Queen of England? I'm surprised some dude hadn't swept you off to the altar."
Krystina looks at him and smiles, then takes a sip of her drink.
Southfork....the bunkhouse
"Thanks," she says.
"You're welcome. I'm glad for the comp'ny. I don't have anybody to talk to that much. James is busy doin' whatever he's doin'. Jimmy's in school most of the day. And everybody up at Southfork's all busy with their own lives."
"What about all the other ranch hands?"
"Must get pretty lonely out here by yourself sometimes."
"Yeah, sometimes," Justin replies. "Uncle Bobby and Ann keep tellin' me I'm more'n welcome to come up to the house anytime I want, but, well...."
"John Ross?" Amanda asks.
"Yeah. Makes me sick every time I see that jerk after what he did to me. My Daddy left me an inheritance in his will, and John Ross stole that inheritance right out from under me."
"Justin, I'm so sorry. I know how you feel. I loved your brother. But John Ross has made my life miserable. Believe me, if I had somewhere else to go, I wouldn't stay here."
"Do you still love him, even after the way he's treated you?" Justin asks.
"I don't think it's crazy. Love is a mystery nobody can explain."
"I know that John Ross and I will never have a real marriage. I've resigned myself to that fact. And I can't put all the blame on him. After all, I did lie to him, and trick him into marriage."
"But you told him the truth, Amanda," says Justin. "That should count for somethin'."
"NOT with your brother," Amanda says.
"He's a jerk, Amanda. You deserve so much better than John Ross."
Amanda looks at him and smiles. "You and John Ross are as different as night and day. Hard to believe the two of you even have the same blood flowing through your veins."
"Thank you. That's the nicest thing anybody's said to me in a long time."
The smile fades from Amanda's face and she fights back tears. "I don't know what I'm gonna do. John Ross doesn't even come home a lot of nights. And when he does, he either acts like I'm not even there, or we argue and hurl insults at each other. A couple nights I even spent the night sleeping on the sofa in the den."
"Listen, I don't have anything to do for the rest of the day. It's a cold winter day, so, why don't you hang out here with me for the rest of the afternoon? We can drink some more hot chocolate and watch a couple movies? Ya game?"
"I would love that. I really would."
Justin smiles. "Great. My movie collection is in the cabinet over there. Why don't you go find one you might like, and I'll go in the kitchen and make us a quick desert, and some more hot chocolate."
"Okay," Amanda says with a smile.
Justin smiles back at her. He leans over and kisses her on the cheek, then stands to his feet.
Offshore oil rig in the Gulf....
"Well, now that you've seen our entire operation, are there any questions either of you have?" Asks the foreman, an athletic man of about late thirties, as the tour draws to a close.
"I think we've covered pretty much everything, Mr. Marsten," Krystina says. "We really want to thank you for taking the time to give us the tour."
"You're very welcome, Miss Carrington."
"I'm real impressed, Marsten," John Ross says. "Keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir. I plan to. See you both later." Marsten shakes hands with John Ross.
At that moment, a young man walks over to them. "Mr. Ewing, Miss Carrington? Are you ready to fly back to the mainland?" He asks.
"Yes, we are," John Ross replies.
"You know, I'm getting hungry," Krystina says.
"Me too. I just happen to know this nice little restaurant over in Corpus Christi that has some of the best seafood you'll find anywhere. That is, if you like seafood."
"Oh, I love it."
"Good, so why don't we have dinner there?" John Ross asks. "And, since it's gettin' kinda late and I don't have anything pressin' tomorrow mornin', why don't we just spend the night in Corpus Christi?"
"That does sound nice. I'm kinda tired and wasn't looking forward to flying back to Dallas tonight."
"Wonderful," John Ross says with a smile as he and Krystina head to the helicopter waiting to fly them back to the Texas mainland.
Dallas.....late evening
"Ev'nin, Donna," Ray says. "Sorry I'm a few minutes late."
"It's alright," she says with a smile. "Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. Jenna's at the hospital with Charlie, and she told me to go on back to the hotel for a while. So, I figured I'd call and ask you to have dinner on your last night in town. Thought maybe we could talk a little about Margaret's weddin'."
"I'm glad you called. I wanted to see you before I head back to Austin. Then I'll be going back to Washington in a couple more days."
"We didn't get much chance to talk the other day at Jack's memorial service," Ray says. "So how ya been?"
"Just great. How about you? I can imagine this whole situation with Charlie has been pretty stressful for you and especially for Jenna."
"I'm so sorry," Donna says. "I can't imagine what Jenna's going through. If that were Margaret....."
"God forbid," says Ray.
"Yeah. God forbid we ever have to go through anything like that with her."
"Donna, how are things for you in Washington? Really? I mean, must get pretty lonely for ya up there since Margaret moved to Austin."
"It does. Especially since Andrew died. I miss him every day. I do keep busy, but I have to admit that lately, I have been toying with the idea of moving to Austin."
"Really?" Ray asks.
"I'd like to be near Margaret. With her in Austin and Andrew gone, there really isn't much left for me in Washington. And politics sure isn't what it use to be."
Ray smiles. "Donna that would be great, you movin' to Austin. I'm sure that'd make Margaret real happy."
"She's been after me to move for a while now."
"I think it'd be great for her, havin' her mother close by," Ray says as he reaches across the tale and touches Donna's hand.
Meanwhile, as Ray and Donna continue their dinner conversation, Lucas and Emma walk into the restaurant. The hostess, a young black woman of about twenty-five, approaches them. "Good evening, do you have a reservation?"
"No, we don't," Emma says.
"How many in your party?" The hostess asks.
"Just two," Lucas replies.
"This way, please," the hostess says. She grabs two menus and leads Lucas and Emma to a table.
As they follow the hostess, Lucas happens to look across the room and sees Ray having dinner with Donna, and he appears to be holding her hand. Lucas stops for a moment as they reach their table and watches them. "Lucas?" Emma calls to him. "Lucas, what's wrong?" She looks over in the direction he's looking and sees Ray and Donna. "That lady with Ray. Isn't that......
"Wow. Wonder what he's doing here with her. I thought your Mom said he was going back to the hotel to get some rest."
"She did," Lucas says. "Emma, let's go."
"What?"
"Let's get out of here."
"What about dinner?" Emma asks.
"We'll eat someplace else. Let's go." Lucas takes her by the hand, and to the hostess's surprise, the couple quickly leaves.
Corpus Christi, Texas....
"Good even'nin," he says.
"Good evening to you. I was just talking to my nephew on the phone. He's in charge of Denver-Carrington while I'm away. I was telling him about the offshore wells, and he thinks it sounds like a very profitable venture."
"It will be," John Ross says. "I'm real excited to get back to Dallas and sign those contracts."
"So am I. By the way, I ordered some room service. You're welcome to stay if you want and have some."
"Well, I was too full at the restaurant for desert. But now, I'm ready. So I just ordered some desert," Krystina says as a knock comes at the door. "Must be it now." She smiles and walks over to the door and opens it.
"Room service," says a young bell boy as he walks in carrying a tray.
"Thank you very much," Krystina says.
"You're welcome," the young man says. "Hope you enjoy, Miss Carrington." He smiles at her, then leaves.
Krystina takes the covers off of two desert dishes.
"Hmmmm," John Ross says. "Were you gonna eat both of those by yourself, or were you expectin' comp'ny?"
"Well, I was gonna invite you over for desert."
John Ross looks at her and flashes his most smug smile.
Southfork.....the bunkhouse
"Oh, I love that old movie," Amanda says. "I don't think I could ever get tired of Casablanca."
"A true classic, that's for sure."
Amanda looks at him. "I can't believe you're as into these old movies as I am."
"Oh, definitely. I love the old classics."
"It's not often I find someone my age who loves old movies the way I do," Amanda says.
"Well, you're welcome to come over here any night and watch a couple with me."
"Thanks," Amanda says, the smile disappearing from her face. "It's after eleven. I didn't realize it was so late. I've been here for HOURS."
"Time flies when you're havin' fun," Justin says.
"I'd better be getting back up to the house."
"I'll walk ya up there."
Amanda grabs her coat from the chair, and Justin takes his coat down from the coat rack near the door. He puts his coat on and picks up a flashlight from a table near the door. As he opens the door of his bunkhouse, a bitterly frigid wind blows.
"Damn it's cold out there," Justin says.
"Yeah, it is. Weather is forecasting snow for morning."
"What?" Amanda asks.
"What is there to go back up there for? You said John Ross prob'ly didn't even come home. You really wanna go back up there and spend the night in that lonely room again?"
Amanda sighs. "No."
"You can stay here if you want."
"That might not be such a good idea," says Amanda.
"Why not?" Justin asks, moving closer to her.
She looks up at him, and looks deeply into his eyes. "I think you know why not. I spent all afternoon here, and we did a pretty good job of.....you know, just keeping things......of just watching movies and talking and nothing else. But if I spent the night...."
"If you spent the night, you think somethin' else might happen?" Justin asks.
"And.....would that be a bad thing?" Justin asks, moving still closer to her.
"Only that, I'm married to your brother."
"Amanda, I don't feel any loyalty to John Ross. And I don't see any reason why you should, either. He's treated both of us like a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of his shoe. If he's not home, then he's prob'ly with some other woman right now. Just cause you're a couple months pregnant duttin' mean you don't have needs. So why should John Ross get his needs met and you don't?"
"You're right," Amanda says quietly, barely above a whisper. "John Ross doesn't give a damn about what I do, anyway. And I do need someone, Justin. So bad."
Without saying a word, Justin leans in and begins kissing her. After a few seconds, Amanda pulls out of the kiss. Then, she and Justin slip off their coats, which fall to the floor in a pile. Then Amanda grabs Justin's shirt and slips it up over his head, tossing the shirt to the floor as well. Then he begins kissing her again. Locked in the kiss, Justin and Amanda move over to the sofa as he quickly unbottons her blouse. The two sink to the floor, still kissing each other extremely passionately....