Previously on DALLAS:
---------------John Ross headed to Denver, where he met Krystina's mother, Krystle Carrington.
--------------Elena confided her real story to Richard Channing, who agreed to help her.
--------------In California, Christopher met Kristin's old friend Sharon, who told him about the months Kristin was in California.
--------------John Ross again threatens Amanda.
-------------Emma overheard Lucas and Christopher discussing John Ross being Alex's father.
-------------Southfork ranch hand Cody was revealed to be working with Judith Ryland to destroy the Ewings.
Southfork.....the bunkhouse...
"You mean he actually threatened to put you away in a sanitarium?" Justin asks.
"Yes. The same thing your father did to Sue Ellen."
"And the same thing that John Ross did to Sue Ellen," Justin says, standing to his feet and walking across the room.
"What?"
"Last year, months before I came to Dallas, Sue Ellen was drinkin'. John Ross wanted control of her votin' shares of Ewing Global, so he had her committed to a damned psych ward for evaluation."
"His own mother?" Amanda asks.
"Justin, what if he tries? What if he tries to have me committed?"
"He won't, Amanda," Justin says, taking her by the hand. "I won't let him. No way in hell is John Ross gonna do anything to you. So......now do you still have any reservations about sendin' my brother to prison?"
Amanda looks at him, then lays her head on Justin's shoulder.
Standing outside of Justin's window looking in, Cody watches the two together and smiles. Taking his cell phone from his pocket, he immediately texts John Ross.
Meanwhile....
"Lucas, what happened to change your mind?" Christopher asks. "You were always so against telling them the truth."
"It may be the only way I can keep him and Ashley apart," Lucas says. "I told Alex that if he didn't stay away from her, I'd tell James and Debra I caught him and Ashley smoking weed in the stables. He flat out refused. So I may not have a choice but to tell him that John Ross is his father, and Ashley's his cousin."
Ann walks into the living room as her daughter sits on the sofa, deep in thought. Ann pauses a moment and watches her. "Emma?" She calls to her. "Emma.....helloooo?"
Emma finally snaps back to reality and looks up at her mother. "What?"
"You were about a million miles away," Ann says, taking a seat across from her on the other sofa. "What's wrong?"
"I.......I was just sitting here thinking, and wondering," Emma says as tears come to her eyes. "What kind of place is this? Where there are so many secrets and lies. What kind of family is this?"
"Emma, sweety, what happened?" Ann asks, moving over to the other sofa to sit next to her daughter.
Emma looks at her. "So are you in on the secret, too? Or were you just as much in the dark as me?"
"Darlin', I have no idea what you're talkin' about."
"You know for the past couple of months, I've known that Lucas was keeping something from me. He kept saying he couldn't talk about it. That it wasn't about him. Now I know what that secret was."
"He finally told you?" Ann asks.
Emma shakes her head. "No," she says, standing and walking to the fireplace. "No, I overheard him and Christopher talking. And I heard Lucas say that.........that Charlie's son Alex is John Ross's son."
Ann is completely stunned by what her daughter has just revealed, and her mouth drops open in shock....
Southfork....
"Lucas and Christopher were talking in Christopher's room. And it was about Alex. And Lucas said that John Ross is Alex's father. Lucas has been trying to find some way to keep Alex and that Beaumont girl from seeing each other because......because they're cousins."
"Yes. I know exactly what I heard. Lucas has been keeping this from me this whole time because he didn't think I could be trusted with a secret like this."
"Sweety, I'm sure that's not why he didn't tell you. Maybe Charlie asked him not to say anything to anyone."
"But he could tell Christopher?" Emma asks.
"Emma, Lucas and Christopher are....."
"They're brothers, I know. But I am his GIRLFRIEND! I'm the one he should be confiding in, not his brother."
"Well, isn't it possible that Christopher has known about this all along?" Asks Ann.
"I don't think so."
"What are you gonna do? Are you gonna tell Lucas that you know the truth?"
Emma looks at her mother through tears. "I honestly don't know. Right now, I really don't wanna talk to him." As Emma turns away from her, Ann reaches out and gently strokes her daughter's blonde hair.
The Omni Hotel....
"Yeah?"
"Do you feel guilty?"
"No, Donna. As wrong as it is for me to not feel any guilt, I don't."
"Well, that makes one of us," Donna says, getting out of bed. She grabs her robe and slips it on.
"Donna, it's not like we planned for this to happen," Ray says. "It just happened."
"Nothing like this ever JUST HAPPENS. We could've stopped it before it got started."
Ray sits up in bed. "Well, it happened. We can't change it now."
Donna looks at him. "You said that you love Jenna."
"That's right."
"But are you IN love with her?" Donna asks.
Ray sighs as he lowers his head. "No. God help me, Donna, I do love the woman. I've spent the last twenty-eight years of my life with her. But I fell out of love with Jenna a long time ago. I never said anything and never let on. I kept hopin' my feelings for her would return. We'd built a life together. Had a family. For years I just went through the motions. But then, last year when we came back here after we thought Christopher had been killed in that explosion, Lucas found out the truth about Bobby bein' his father. I guess that's when I realized I'd never be in love with Jenna again. And we drifted even further apart after we moved back here. Back into my old ranch."
"Well, as Margaret would say, this really sucks."
"You can't tell me you didn't want this to happen just as much as I did."
"How are we gonna deal with this, Ray?" Donna asks. "Our daughter's wedding is coming up in just a couple of weeks. How are all of us.....you, me, Jenna......how are all of us going to attend that wedding, and the reception, and everything else that goes along with a big wedding, with THIS hanging over us?""
"Damn it, Donna, I don't know," Ray says, getting out of bed and walking over to her. "I do know that I love you and I don't regret this. Maybe now it really would be better if I just asked Jenna for a divorce."
"No," Donna says adamantly, looking at him. "No, Ray. I will NOT be the cause of the breakup of your marriage. And I sure as hell won't be the other woman."
"Donna...."
"Don't," she interrupts. "Don't say another word. Please. Please, Ray, just get dressed and......and go."
Ray pauses for a moment and looks at her. Then he nods. Without saying a word to her, he turns and starts gathering his clothes from the floor.
Smithfield And Bennett....
Sitting at his desk, Todd sighs in frustration upon hearing that John Ross is there. "Tell Mr. Ewing I'm busy," he says.
"He says it's urgent, and you'll want to see him."
Todd hesitates a moment. Then he opens the bottom drawer of his desk and takes out a bottle of vodka. Opening it, he takes a sip.
"Mr. Baxter?" The secretary calls to him over the intercom.
"Yes. Send him in," he says. He takes two more sips from the bottle, then quickly sticks it back into the drawer, closing it just as John Ross walks in.
"Hello, counselor," John Ross says as he walks in and closes the door. "One would almost get the impression you didn't wanna see me. And that would wound me very deeply."
"What do you want, John Ross?" Todd asks, standing to his feet.
"Now is that any way to greet your favorite client after we hadn't seen one another in a few weeks?"
John Ross walks over to him. "Hittin' the bottle kinda hard these days, counselor."
"What the HELL do you want?" Todd angrily asks, taking a sip of his drink.
"Need another favor," replies John Ross.
"What is it this time? Want me to help you steal an orphanage? Or maybe buy up an old folks home and kick the old folks out?"
John Ross laughs. "Funny. That's real funny. I'm glad to see you still have your sense of humor, Mr. Baxter. But no. This favor involves my wife, Amanda. And more importantly, the child she's carryin'."
"What's the favor?"
"What for?" Todd asks.
"I want full custody of my child when it's born. And the only way for me to get that custody is to have Amanda declared mentally unfit. Draw up those papers. If Amanda won't sign the custody agreement, then my only option is to have her declared mentally unfit and put away somewhere that she can't hurt herself or the child."
"You......you'd have your own wife committed in order to take her baby away from her?" Todd asks in disgust.
"The child is mine, too, Todd. A DNA test proved that. I already lost one child. I WON'T lose this one, too. And I'll be damned if I let a scheming, lyin' little bitch like Amanda raise my kid. Especially now that I know she's screwin' around with my kid brother." John Ross turns to Todd and looks at him. "I don't have proof.....yet. But I do have photos of them together. And I will have proof real soon. You think I'm gonna let a woman like that raise my kid?"
"What a hypocritical statement coming from you," says Todd.
"Never mind the insults. Just get those papers drawn up." John Ross turns and starts to leave.
"No," Todd says.
John Ross stops and turns back to him. "Excuse me?"
"I said NO. John Ross I've done some pretty dirty things for you, like dragging my own cousin through the mud in open court, but I draw the line with helping you steal a baby from its mother so it can be raised by the likes of you."
"What the hell did you just say to me?" John Ross asks, walking over to him. "You don't have a choice here, Baxter. Not unless you want that squeaky clean fam'ly of yours to know all your little secrets. Oh, they might not mind you bein' gay so much. But what if they found out about some of your little.....nocturnal visits to gay bars lookin' for sex. Payin' for sex with male prostitutes. I could go on, but I won't. It's your choice here, Todd. Now, I'd like to help you keep your little unconventional lifestyle a secret, for the sake of the long relationship our two families have enjoyed over the past several decades. But if I help you, I expect you to help me in return. Have those papers drawn up for me by the first of next week or your little secret just might........leak out. I'll be checkin' back in a few days." John Ross again turns and heads to the door. As he opens the door to leave, Todd's younger brother Dylan is about to knock on the door. "Well," John Ross says with a smile. "You work here?"
"No, sir," Dylan replies. "Just here to see my brother, Todd."
"Oh, Todd's little brother, huh?" John Ross turns back to Todd. "Well, I'm sure you look up to your big brother a lot," he says to Dylan.
"Yeah, I do."
"That's great. Baxter, keep settin' that good example for your little brother. Maybe one day he can turn out to be just as fine a man as you." Without another word, John Ross walks out.
"Yeah, it was," replies Todd as he fights back tears. "Dylan, what are you doing here?"
"Are you kidding? Todd, you told me to come by this evening and we'd go to dinner together. You know, some bro time that we don't get a lot of these days?"
"Oh, yeah. Sure. Okay. Ummm, let me just pack up here and we'll go."
Dylan watches his older brother with a worried expression as Todd walks over to his desk and nervously starts gathering up some papers from the desk and stuffing them into a file.
Southfork.....that night
After a moment, Emma opens the door. "What do you want?"
"So what the hell is this? You're kicking me out?" He asks.
"What does it look like? You can just go sleep on one of the sofas, or better yet, why don't you just go sleep in your brother's room? You two always seem to have so much to talk about."
"Is this about last night?"
"This is about a lot of things," Emma replies.
"Well how are we supposed to work this out if you won't talk to me?"
Emma's mouth falls open. "Talk to you?" She asks. "I cannot believe you just said that after all the weeks I've been trying to talk to you. Well, Lucas, now you get to know what it feels like. Goodnight!" Emma quickly closes the door in his face.
"Hey! Emma! Damn it, Emma, open this door!" Lucas yells as he pounds his fist on the door.
"Nothing," Lucas snaps.
Conner looks down and sees his cousin's bags in the hall. "She kick you out?"
"Yeah, she kicked me out."
"Listen, man," says Conner. "Why don't you take the bed in this room?"
"No. Thanks, but I'm not gonna kick you out of your own room."
"It's fine. I'll go sleep in the den," Conner says.
"Thanks, Conner. But, there's a roll away bed in the closet. I'll get it and move it into the den."
"Just bring it in my room, man."
"Sure you won't be crowded?" Lucas asks.
"Nah. Alex and I both slept in there. Be nice to have some company again."
"Thanks, Conner."
"No problem, man. I'll help you get that roll away and move your stuff out of the hall."
Meanwhile.....Bobby and Ann's bedroom
"Okay, honey, what's goin' on?" He asks, taking off his glasses and laying them in his lap. "You have been unusually quiet all evening, even through dinner. What's on your mind?"
"Somethin' Emma told me this afternoon."
"About her and Lucas? I know those two are havin' problems."
"Do you know what the problems are about?" Ann asks.
"Not exactly," Bobby replies. "Do you?"
"Yes. Bobby, did you know about Alex?"
"Alex?" Bobby asks.
Ann looks at him. "Yes."
Bobby sighs, and doesn't answer her question.
"You do know, don't you?" Ann asks.
"Well, then, Bobby, why didn't you say anything?"
"Honey, I just found out myself a few nights ago. Lucas told me."
"And why didn't you say anything to me about it?"
"Because it wasn't my place, and Lucas asked me not to," Bobby says. "How did you find out?"
"Emma told me. She overheard a conversation between Lucas and Christopher."
"Emma is eavesdropping on private conversations around here now?" Bobby asks.
"That's not exactly how it happened. But that doesn't matter. She was real upset, and I'm afraid this is gonna pull her and Lucas even further apart."
"I don't think Lucas felt he had a choice but to keep it from her. My big concern now is that John Ross will find out. And that's the last thing Lucas wants. And I don't think Charlie would want that, either."
Ann sighs. "Bobby do you think we'll ever be drama free here at Southfork?"
Bobby looks at her and smiles. "No, honey, I really don't think a drama free, peaceful Southfork is anywhere in our future," he says, putting his paper work on the table beside the bed. "But, at least we have our upcoming cruise to look forward to, and gettin' away from all this for a while."
Ann lays her head over on Bobby's shoulder as he turns off the light.
Reverchon Park in Dallas.....the next morning
"Hey, Jilian?" He calls to her. "Jillian Cryder?"
She finally stops and turns back to him. "Oh my God, Jay Smithfield," she says with a smile.
"Yeah, I thought that was you," Jay says, out of breath from his morning run.
"Well, fancy meeting you here," Jillian, also slightly out of breath, says with a smile. "Come here often?"
"I got a bit of an EARLIER start than I usually do this morning," Jillian says.
Jay smiles. "Well, I'm very glad that you did. Otherwise, I wouldn't have ran into you."
"Very true," Jillian says, smiling.
"Hey, as long as we're here at the same time, you wanna run together?" Jay asks.
"I'd love to. My nephew Jimmy Beaumont is my normal running buddy, but he had class this morning, so, I'm here by myself."
"Well not anymore," says Jay. "Come on. Let's see whatcha got."
"Let's do it," Jillian says, and she and Jay set off on their run.
Baylor Cancer Hospital....
"Charlie," he says.
"Bobby, hello," says a smiling Charlie, happy to see him.
"How're you feeling?"
"Much better. Dr. Conrad even says that if I continue to do as well as I have, I can go home in a couple of days."
Bobby smiles. "Honey, that's wonderful," he says, taking a seat at the table. "I've wanted to see you, but they'd only let Ray, Jenna, and Lucas in for a while."
"I'm just glad to see you doin' so well. Charlie, there's somethin' I need to tell you."
"It's okay, you don't have to. Lucas already told me that he told you about Alex. I would be angry, but, I trust you. Probably more than just about anyone."
"Thank you," Bobby says. "Charlie, I can't tell ya what to do. That's somethin' you're gonna have to decide on your own."
"You think Alex and John Ross should be told the truth?" Charlie asks.
"Yes, Charlie, I do. I know from first hand experience the damage secrets like this can cause if they come out in the wrong way. And believe me, honey, these type of secrets ALWAYS come out, one way or another."
Charlie nods. "Lucas?"
"Yes. Your mother, Ray, and I always thought it would be best for Lucas to believe that Ray was his father. That's a decision I've regretted ever since. And when Lucas found out the truth, it was ugly. I'd really hate to see the same thing happen to Alex."
A tear falls down Charlie's cheek. "You're right," she says. "But Bobby, the big difference is, Lucas has a wonderful man as his biological father. You and he eventually formed a close relationship. I don't know if that could ever happen between Alex and John Ross. My son can't stand John Ross. He worshiped the ground Phillip walked on. How can I take the memory of the father he loved away from him?"
"You wouldn't be takin' anything away from him," Bobby says. "Alex will still have those wonderful memories of the man who raised him. But what'll happen if Alex finds out by accident, the way Lucas did? He'll be even more hurt than if you tell him the truth yourself."
Charlie sighs. "Amazing, isn't it? How one decision. One choice you make in one moment can affect the rest of your life, and other peoples' lives. Sixteen years ago, after Clayton Farlow had a heart attack, Mom and Ray and Lucas came to visit him after Miss Ellie brought him back to Southfork. Phillip and I were dating then and were having some problems. So I came to Texas with them. One night, John Ross and I had too much to drink. And that night..... Alex was conceived. The next morning, John Ross and I felt very weird about what had happened. I mean, we'd known each other since we were children. We were kinda like cousins. So, we agreed never to talk about it again. I went back to New York, reconciled with Phillip, and then, I found out I was pregnant."
"Did Phillip know?" Bobby asks.
"Yes. But he loved me, and he loved Alex so much, that he overlooked it and raised my son as his own. Just like Ray did Lucas. Maybe you're right. Maybe it is time my son knew the truth. And maybe it's time John Ross knew he has a son."
Bobby reaches out and gently touches Charlie's hand.
Southfork....later
"Emma," he says.
"Lucas," Emma replies coldly.
"Don't you think we should talk?" Lucas asks.
"It did," Lucas says. "Look, Emma, I'm sorry. I know I've been impossible to live with lately. I've just had a lot on my mind."
"Oh, I know," Emma says as she stands to face him. "I know exactly what's been on your mind."
"What are you talkin' about?" Lucas nervously asks.
"I know all about your little family secret. That John Ross is Alex's father."
"How the hell did you find out?"
"I overheard you talking to Christopher about it yesterday," Emma says.
"You were eavesdropping on a private conversation?" Lucas asks angrily.
"How long were you gonna keep me in the dark about this? Did you honestly not trust me enough to tell me what was going on?"
"Damn it, Emma, it wasn't a matter of me trusting you or not. This was NOT my secret to tell."
"But you could tell Christopher and not me? You have NO idea how that makes me feel, Lucas. And what about Alex and John Ross, the two people this secret is actually about. Do they ever get to know the truth?"
"Not if I can help it," Lucas says.
"Are you serious? John Ross is that boy's father. Don't you think he has a right to know."
"To be honest, Emma, NO. I don't think John Ross has any right to know anything. Alex HAD a father. A father that he adored, Emma. He loved Phillip Walton and Phillip loved him. What good would it do to have Alex find out that a guy he can't stand the sight of is really his father?"
"And what about John Ross? You know how much he's hurting right now because of losing Elena's baby. Doesn't he have a right to know that he has a son?"
"Emma, I don't give a DAMN about John Ross!" Lucas says, his voice rising. "The guy is a total ass and he's a user, so no, I don't think he has a right to anything, much less to be a father. I really pity that child Amanda's carrying!"
Emma looks at him for a moment. "You know something, Lucas? You said John Ross is a total ass. Well right now, you're being every bit as much of an ass as John Ross."
"Are you defending the guy because you think I'm wrong......or because maybe you're still in love with him?" Lucas asks.
Angered by Lucas's accusation, Emma quickly places both hands on his chest and pushes him backwards into the pool. Then without another word, she grabs her towel and storms off to the house, going in through one of the French doors leading into the living room. From the pool, a furious Lucas watches her go.
Smithfield And Bennett...
As Todd takes a sip of his drink, a knock comes at his door, then Jay walks in. "Hey," he says.
"Jay, what can I do for you?" Todd asks, making his way back over to his desk.
Jay stops and looks at his cousin for a moment. "You can start by telling me if you're okay or not."
"Of course, I'm okay. Why wouldn't I be?"
Todd takes a seat at his desk, and almost falls into his chair.
Jay rushes over to him. "Todd, what's going on with you, man? Look at you. It's obvious you've had too much to drink. Why are you drinking this time of day, anyway?"
"Guess I just needed to take my mind off a few things," Todd says.
"What things, Todd? Come on. This has been goin' on long enough."
Jay smiles. "Yeah, how could I forget? Those were some great times."
"What was the name of that place?" Todd asks.
"Lake Wildwood," Jay replies.
"Yeah, that's it. Lake Wildwood. I must've been about eight when I first went with y'all."
"And that first trip you caught a seven pound bass," says Jay. "I was so pissed because you caught a bigger fish than me your first time."
"That place was so beautiful and peaceful," Todd says. "I sure would love to go back up there."
"Yeah, so would I. But the place was sold, about nine years ago."
"Damn shame."
"Look, Todd, why don't you go home. Get some rest. I'll take my lunch hour and drive you home myself."
"No. I wanna stay here, Jay. I'm fine. Really. I have my sofa over there, I'll just lay down and rest for a couple hours."
"Alright," Jay says. "But no more alcohol. Just get some rest and I'll order you in some lunch. You need to eat. Now go lay down."
Todd stands to his feet and begins walking to the sofa on the other side of his office. He staggers. Jay grabs his cousin by the arm and helps him. Once Todd had laid down on the sofa, Jay walks to the door. He stops, turns back, and looks at his cousin for a moment as Todd closes his eyes. Jay is deeply worried about Todd. He quietly leaves the office.
Outside in the secretaries office, he stops by his secretary's desk. "Janet, would you call The Jade Garden and order some Sesame Chicken with fried rice, broccoli, and a couple egg rolls for Todd?"
"Sure, Mr. Smithfield."
"Thanks. And, order whatever you'd like as well, on me. I'd appreciate it if you'd stay here during lunch. My cousin isn't feeling well, so he's resting. And if anyone calls, tell them I'll be back after lunch."
"Yes, sir," Janet says.
Jay walks into his office, grabs his jacket, and leaves.
The Smithfield Home....a short time later
"And he won't confide in you at all, Jay?" Linda asks.
"No. I've asked him over and over what's bothering him, but he keeps saying it's nothing."
"I tried talking to him myself," John says. "And he told me the same thing. It's nothing. I can handle it on my own. I was sure he could."
"John, we have to do something," Linda says. "I'm really worried about him now."
"Linda, if Todd has a problem, he knows he can come to us."
"Does he?" Linda asks.
"Does he REALLY know he can come to us, John?" Linda continues as she stands and walks over to her husband.
"We've always told both our boys they could come to us with anything," says John. "Damn it. Todd's change in behavior started when he took that damned Ewing case. John Ross Ewing."
"Todd was pretty rough on Anita when she was on the stand," says Linda. "Could the guilt be bothering him?"
"I really think it's more than that," Jay says. "Look, guys, I'm sorry if I worried you. But, I really thought you should know, Aunt Linda. And I agree with Uncle John. I think this has something to do with John Ross Ewing."
"Jay, thank you so much. Somehow, John and I have got to try to talk to Todd and get him to tell us what's been bothering him so intensely the last couple of months."
Standing just outside the study, having overheard some of what his parents and cousin were saying about his brother, Dylan grows worried about Todd. He also wonders about John Ross Ewing as he remembers seeing John Ross in Todd's office the other day.
Ewing Global.....late afternoon
"Eric that is NOT an answer and you damned well know it!" Bobby angrily says to the person he's talking to. "Well do me a favor and find out. And get back to me as soon as possible. Goodbye!" Bobby quickly hangs up.
"Dad, what's goin' on?" Christopher asks.
"What is it, Bobby?" Asks Sue Ellen.
"What?" Asks a stunned Christopher.
"But why?" Sue Ellen asks.
"I have no idea."
"Could John Ross be behind this?" Asks Christopher.
"For the same reason he was behind Judith Ryland putting a stop to us drilling before," says Christopher. "Maybe John Ross has his eye on stealing this Stan-Hope deal for Westar."
"I think I need to call Matt Culver," says Bobby. "Get him to follow through on pullin' some strings to put a stop to Judith Ryland using her office for a personal vendetta against us."
Sue Ellen sighs, hoping against hope that John Ross isn't behind Ewing Global's latest stumbling block.
Westar.....a short time later
"Hmmm, thank ya, Melissa," John Ross says. "Tell her she can come in." John Ross stands to his feet and walks to the door as Sue Ellen enters the office. "Mama," he says.
"Hello, John Ross."
"What brings you over to the competition?"
"I need to talk to you," Sue Ellen says.
"Okay, I'm listn'in'."
"John Ross, I'm going to ask you a question, and I want the truth. Did you get Judith Ryland to put the screws to Ewing Global again?"
"Judith Ryland has once again used her position as Railroad Commissioner to put a stop to Ewing Global drilling," says Sue Ellen. "I just want to know if you put her up to it like you did before."
"Mama, I swear to you, I had nothin' to do with this. I hadn't even talked to Judith in quite a while."
"Then why would she do this on her own?" Sue Ellen asks.
"No idea. But if you'd like, I'll be glad to talk to her and find out."
"Thank you, John Ross. We would appreciate that."
"No problem. Now you can tell Christopher and Uncle Bobby that I am NOT the bad guy this time."
Sue Ellen looks at her son and manages a slight smile. She wants to believe him, but, given John Ross's track record, she has her doubts.
Southfork.....late afternoon
"Want me to take care of your horse for ya, Miss Emma?" Cody asks, once again using his fake Texas drawl.
Emma smiles at the young man. "Thank you, Cody, that would be nice."
"No problem, ma'am," Cody says. He takes the reigns of the horse and watches Emma with a smile as she walks away from the barn.
A restaurant in Dallas.....that night
"I wouldn't say that. I have noticed you seem to have something weighing very heavily on your mind, though."
"You're right," says Jay. "I do."
"Care to talk about it?" Jillian asks.
"I'm worried about my cousin, Todd," replies Jay.
"Why?"
"Because of your brother."
"John Ross?" Jillian asks.
"Yeah. Jillian, I think John Ross may be holding something over Todd's head. Something he's blackmailing him with."
"Like what?"
Jay sighs. "I don't know. But whatever it is, his behavior has been totally different since the court case. His parents are really worried about him."
"Have you asked Todd about it?" Jillian asks.
"Of course. He just says it's nothing. But I'm really afraid that he's getting ready to crack. Something's definitely going on with him, and it started when he took John Ross's case. I really think John Ross is blackmailing him."
"I definitely wouldn't put it past my brother," Jillian says. "When he wants something, John Ross can be ruthless. He'll do anything to get what he wants, and he'll use anyone."
"You're right," Jay says. "Somehow I have to find out what Todd's hiding before John Ross destroys him."
Tripp's condo.....
"Thanks," Pamela says with a smile. "I just wish I had more time to cook because I really enjoy it. But, unfortunately after that board meeting, if things go our way and I become Westar's new CEO, I'm afraid I'll have even LESS time for cooking for anything else."
A look of concern crosses Tripp's face upon hearing Pamela's words, which offer support to Cliff's warning to him several weeks earlier about Pamela becoming so wrapped up in her work at Westar that everything else, including him, taking a back seat.
"Tripp, is anything wrong?" She asks, noticing the look on his face.
"No. No, everything's fine. You know, I've been thinking. Maybe it's time we set a date for the wedding."
"Good idea. Do you have a specific date in mind?"
"Well, the board meeting is coming up in a few weeks. Maybe before then?"
Pamela smiles. "You wanna get married before the board meeting?"
"Sure, why not?" Tripp asks. "That way, you and I can REALLY present a united front."
"Is that the ONLY reason?" Pamela asks.
"Well, I think that's a wonderful idea."
"Great. So, any ideas on a date?"
Pamela takes her phone out of her pocket, then stands and walks over to Tripp. Opening the calendar app on her phone, she looks at a date. "Saturday, April 25," she says.
"April 25? That's just a few weeks away," Tripp says.
"Yes. And a little more than a week before the board meeting, so we'll have time for a nice, romantic honeymoon before then."
Tripp looks at her and smiles. "I love it. Saturday, April 25, it is, then. But will you and your mom be able to plan it by then?"
"Don't worry about that. My Mom can put ANYTHING together on a moment's notice."
Tripp takes her by the hand, pulls her toward him, and kisses her.
Southfork....
"Even'nin, Emma," he says.
"John Ross."
"You wanted to see me?"
"Yes," Emma replies. "There's something I think you should know."
"Okay, I'm listn'in," John Ross says.
"Emma, I have no idea what you're talkin' about," says John Ross. "Would you get to the point, please? What's this all about?"
Emma sighs. "It's about Alex."
"Alex? You mean, Charlie's son, Alex?"
"Yes."
"What about the kid?"
"John Ross, the truth is......Alex Walton is your son."
John Ross is stunned by what he's just heard. "What the hell did you just say?"
"Alex is your son, John Ross," Emma repeats.
"How the hell can that....." John Ross stops short as he thinks back in time. "Oh my God," he says, remembering the one night sixteen years ago when he and Charlie made love. "My God. That night. Charlie was here at Southfork with Uncle Ray and Jenna and Lucas. It was right after Clayton's heart attack. But, Charlie never said anything to me about the boy. Next thing I heard she'd married that guy she'd been datin'."
"John Ross, I'm sorry," says Emma. "I know this comes as a shock to you."
"Just how the hell did you know about this? Lucas?"
"Yes. I overheard him and Christopher talking, and......"
"CHRISTOPHER knows, too?" Asks an angry John Ross. "Was the whole damned fam'ly keepin' this from me?"
"I don't know," Emma replies.
"Emma, why'd you tell me this?" John Ross asks.
"Because I felt you had a right to know. John Ross, I know firsthand how it is living a lie and having everyone keep the truth from you."
"I can't believe this," John Ross says, running his hand through his hair. "I got a 15-year-old son."
"John Ross, that's not all. Alex is getting really close to James and Debra Lynn's daughter, Ashley. I saw them kissing yesterday. And neither of them have any idea that they're first cousins."
"Thank you, Emma. Thank you for bein' the ONLY one in this damned house with guts enough to tell me the truth." Without another word, John Ross turns and walks away.
Emma watches as he goes into the house and hopes she made the right decision.
A few moments later, John Ross walks into the dining room, where Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Lucas, and Conner are having dinner. "Well," John Ross says as he walks into the room. "Looks like the gang's all here. The whole fam'ly of liars and conspirators."
"John Ross, what the hell are you talkin' about?" Bobby asks.
"Just when the hell was my own fam'ly gonna tell me about my son? And don't act like you all don't know what I'm talkin' about." John Ross walks around the table. "Everyone in this room, with the possible exception of cousin Conner here, KNEW that Charlie's son Alex is also MY son."
"Just who the hell told you that, John Ross?" Justin asks, standing to his feet.
"The only person in this whole house who had the guts to tell me the truth."
"Emma told you?" Asks Ann.
"Wait a second," Christopher says. "Hod did Emma even know?"
"She overheard us talking the other day," replies Lucas. "Is that who told you?" He asks John Ross.
"Yes, Emma told me. I bet if it was up to you I'd never find out the truth."
"You're damned right, because I don't think you deserved to know the truth about my nephew!"
"And just who the hell are you to be makin' decisions like that about MY life?" John Ross yells at Lucas.
"Someone who cares about Alex and thinks that you're the last thing in the world that kid needs in his life as a father!"
Christopher quickly springs to his feet and grabs Lucas as Bobby jumps up from his seat and forces John Ross back with a hand to John Ross's chest.
"ALRIGHT, THAT'S ENOUGH!!" Bobby yells. "Now stop it, the both of you, or get the HELL out of this house!" Bobby then turns to his nephew. "John Ross, we all struggled with the issue of telling you the truth, and whether or not Alex should be told."
"John Ross you know my father better than that," says Christopher.
"Do I, cousin?" John Ross asks. "You're all nothin' but a bunch of hypocrites. You judge me for the wrongs that I do, but none of you in this room are any better than I am." After looking angrily at everyone, John Ross starts to walk out of the room.
"John Ross!" Lucas calls to him. John Ross stops and turns back to him. "If you do anything to hurt Alex, I swear......I'll make you regret it."
"Anytime you wanna tangle, I'll be ready," Lucas says.
Without another word, John Ross turns and storms out of the room.
"Yeah, and this is all Emma's fault," an angry Lucas says.
"What? How can you say this is Emma's fault?" Ann asks. "If the truth about this had been told in the first place, none of this would've happened."
"Annie, he's right," Bobby says. "If Emma had kept her mouth shut and minded her own business, this whole scene could've been avoided!"
Ann looks past Bobby and over his shoulder and sees a teary-eyes Emma standing in the door. As Ann starts to walk toward her, Emma turns and flees, running through the living room and down the hall to her bedroom, slamming the bedroom door as she goes in.
Meanwhile, Amanda is standing in the foyer with a stunned look on her face, having overheard the entire conversation.
Justin's room at the bunkhouse....later
"I don't believe it," Justin says to Amanda a short time later in his bunkhouse room. "I just don't believe it. Alex is John Ross's kid? Amanda, are you sure? I mean, maybe you heard wrong."
"Wow," Justin says. "This just blows my mind."
"That makes two of us. And John Ross was pretty blown away to find out he has a teenage son, too."
"Oh my God," Justin says.
"What?" Amanda asks.
"That means that Alex and Ashley are.........oh good Lord."
"Justin, what is it?"
Justin looks at her and hesitates a moment. "Alex and Ashley have been gettin' pretty close. And I mean REAL close."
"You mean, you think they've......?"
"Maybe," Justin says. "Lucas and me caught 'em in one of the stalls at the stables the other day. Those two kids were smokin' weed and their clothes looked like that wuttin' all they were about to do."
"Oh, wow," says Amanda. "If that's the case, Justin, then, they have to be told. They have to be told before they have sex, if they haven't already."
Justin sighs. "I know. But it's not our place to tell those two kids somethin' like that."
"Yeah, I guess it's not. And from the way John Ross was talking, we may not have to, because I think he was planning on telling Alex himself."
"I hate to say it, but this here little situation might just work to our advantage," says Justin.
"How so?" Amanda asks.
Justin looks at her and smiles. "If big brother is so distracted by this situation involvin' his new teenage son, then maybe now's the time for you to move out of the big house. With everything else goin' on his life, I doubt he'd even notice you're gone."
Meanwhile......an apartment in Dallas....
Melissa nods, and without saying a word, takes John Ross by the hand and pulls him into the apartment. John Ross begins kissing her as Melissa closes the door....
Southfork....the next morning
"Last night was the first night in a long while that we've gone to bed angry with one another," Ann finally says. , but
"Yes, it was," Bobby agrees sadly.
"Bobby, I know you blame Emma for what happened last night, but....."
"Yes, Annie, I do blame her," Bobby says, putting his paper down on the table. "I honestly thought Emma had changed over the past several months, but now I see she's still the same troublemaker she's always been. She was angry with Lucas, so she told John Ross just to spite my son."
"I don't believe that for one minute."
"Then why?" Bobby asks. "What other reason would Emma possibly have for spouting her mouth off to John Ross about Alex?"
"Bobby, I don't know. Look, maybe there's some minor truth to what you're sayin'. But I can't blame Emma for bein' upset. After all, Lucas lied to her months about this."
"Oh, he didn't lie!" Bobby says angrily as he stands.
"He kept the truth from her, Bobby," Ann says, standing to face him. "If Lucas had just confided in Emma......"
"Then that little scene last night might've happened weeks ago instead of now. You said Lucas should've confided in Emma? The way you confided in me?"
A surprised look crosses Ann's face. "What?" She asks.
"We were married for nine years, Annie, and in all that time did you ever ONCE mention that you'd ever met Cliff Barnes, let alone that you'd slept with him? And all the while knowing the enmity between our two families."
"That is exactly why I DIDN'T tell you. Bobby it was long before I ever met you, so what good would it have done?"
"If I had known then I wouldn't have been so totally blown away when the truth came out Emma bein' Cliff's daughter. You kept somethin' as important as that night you spent with Barnes from me, yet you're condemning my son for not tellin' Emma a secret that wasn't his to tell in the first place."
"It has NOTHING to do with that."
"Doesn't it, Bobby? And while we're on the subject of secrets bein' kept, nothin' can compare to the one you kept about framin' Cliff for J.R.'s murder." Without another word, Ann storms past Bobby and into the house, leaving Bobby alone on the patio, angry and frustrated.
Meanwhile....Emma's room
"What are you doing in here?" She asks, taking a seat on the bed.
"I came to find out why. Why'd you do it, Emma?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't play dumb with me!" Lucas says. "Why did you go to John Ross and tell him he's Alex's father?"
"Don't you think I know that?" Emma asks, standing to face Lucas. "Alright, so John Ross is all of those things, but he's also a human being, Lucas. A human being with feelings, and flaws, just like the rest of us. How would you feel if your own family had kept from you the fact that you had a son? How would you feel if everyone was always against you? Ganging up on you? Even your own family!"
"John Ross has brought everything on himself, Emma," Lucas says. "If everyone is against him, it's because he TURNED everyone against him."
"You and John Ross have that same Ewing blood flowing through your veins, don't forget that. I look at you right now, and I don't see the kind, gentle man I fell in love with. What I see at this moment is almost a carbon copy of John Ross because this is EXACTLY the kinda thing he would do." Without another word to him, Emma turns and walks into the bathroom, slamming the door behind her.
Melissa's apartment....
"I wish you could stay for a while," she says. "Couple hours, at least? It is Saturday, after all, so we don't have to be at the office today."
Melissa sighs. "John Ross, I really hate this. It's not fair."
"What the hell are you talkin' about?"
"THIS. Whenever you get to feeling low, or you need a good roll in the hay, you come to me, but only if your first choice isn't available. The rest of the time, you act as if I don't even exist. I'm just your secretary."
John Ross walks over to her. "Because that's what you are, Melissa. My SECRETARY, and nothin' more."
"Sleeping with the boss wasn't one of the requirements of this job when I got hired at Westar," Melissa says.
"Only because you had a female boss then, darlin'," John Ross says as he walks to the mirror and buttons his shirt. Then he turns back to her. "Besides, you shouldn't complain. You're very well paid for your secretarial skills, and your.....non-secretarial skills."
"So what does that make me? Your own personal whore?"
"I choose to think of you as my own personal......friend with benefits. With more benefits than friendship." He walks over to her again. "Let's face it, Melissa. You enjoy our little arrangement every bit as much as I do. You never complain when we're makin' love. In fact, you really seem to enjoy it. And the little extra cash you're paid for your services provides you a real nice livin', includin' this very expensive high-rise apartment." John Ross picks up his jacket and walks to the bedroom door, then turns back to her. "I'd sure hate to see our arrangement come to an end, for whatever reason, and I'd hate to see you go back to livin' in that tiny little two room apartment you lived in before you came to work for my sister at Westar."
"You have a nice Saturday now," John Ross says. "I may need your services again later, but if not, have a nice weekend and I'll see you at the office on Monday." He flashes her a brief smile, then walks out.
After he's gone, Melissa starts to cry. "Damn you, John Ross. Damn you to hell."
Downstairs.....a few minutes later
Todd Baxter's apartment....
"What the hell do you want, John Ross?" Todd asks.
"Business?" Todd asks, groggily.
"No," Todd says.
"Baxter, i don't believe you realize just how important this is, to both of us. But mostly to you."
"Look, John Ross," Todd says. "I've done some dirty things for you. I even went up against my own family for you and helped you steal your brothers' inheritance. But this......helping you steal a baby away from its mother......I can't. I just can't do that."
"You are helpin' a father take custody of a child from a mentally and emotionally unbalanced mother," says John Ross. "Now, I'm givin' you until noon Monday to have those papers drawn up for me......one declarin' my wife mentally unfit, and the other grantin' me sole custody of the child when it's born. I expect you in my office day after tomorrow with those papers, or.......your little secret lifestyle could just find its way on to the front page of the Dallas Morning News. And that, my friend, would put an end to your aspirations of ever havin' a political career in Texas."
"You......you really would do that, wouldn't you?" Todd asks, crying. "You'd completely destroy another person's life just to get what you want."
"I wouldn't want to, Todd. Believe me, I don't like this any more'n you do. But my Daddy always taught me to do what you need to do in order to survive in this world. Just do what I say, and you won't have a problem. Monday, Todd. At noon. And don't be late." Without another word to the young lawyer, John Ross hangs up.
Jay Smithfield's apartment....
"No answer from your cousin?" Jillian asks.
"No," Jay says with a sigh. "It's Saturday, he could still be sleeping, or maybe he went to the park for a run or something."
After a silence of several moments, Jillian looks up at him. Jay returns her gaze and they smile at each other.
"I'm so glad you invited me back here last night after dinner," Jillian says.
"And I'm so glad you accepted," Jay says.
"For months, I've been sitting around feeling sorry for myself," says Jillian. "I lost Westar to John Ross, and I lost Tripp to Pamela. I never thought anything good would ever happen in my life again. Until now. Until I met you."
"I feel the same way, Jill."
"What's amazing is that we haven't even known each other that long."
Jay sighs. Then reaches over to the bedside table and picks up his phone to look at the time. "I really should get up and take a shower. And then, how 'bout I take you out to a very delicious, and very expensive Saturday lunch?"
Jillian smiles. "I like the sound of that."
"You know what sounds even better?" Jay asks.
"What's that?"
"How about you join me in that shower?"
"Another invitation I can't turn down."
Jay kisses her, then gets out of bed as Jillian sits up.
"Yeah, I am," Jay replies with a sigh. "He's supposed to be having dinner with his parents tonight. Hopefully they can find out what's wrong with him."
"You still think it has to do with John Ross?" Jillian asks.
"Yeah, Jill, I do. I just hope I'm wrong."
The Krebbs Ranch....
"I just kinda needed someone to talk to," replies Lucas. "You want some help with that?"
Conner smiles. "Sure, if you don't mind gettin' all sweaty and dirty."
"I've lived and worked on ranches my whole life," says Lucas, taking off his leather jacket. "Besides, I could stand to work off some frustration right now."
"So what's up?" Conner asks. "This about Emma? Or what happened last night? Or both?"
"Both," replies Lucas as he and Conner continue unloading bales of hay. "Look, man, I know what you heard last night at dinner must've come as a shock to you."
"You're right, it did. But, it's none of my business."
Lucas sighs. "That's not exactly true, since John Ross made it the business of everybody at Southfork last night. The last thing I wanted was for John Ross to find out that Alex is his son. You know what kinda person John Ross is. But Emma, she went behind my back and told John Ross. She betrayed me. And the worst part about it is, she thinks she was right in doing it."
"Do you think you and Emma will be able to patch things up?" Conner asks.
"I honestly don't know, Conner," says Lucas. "Emma's so damned headstrong and stubborn. And when she thinks she's right, she's impossible to reason with."
"Sounds a lot like us Ewings, doesn't it?" Conner asks with a slight laugh.
"Yeah, I guess it does," Lucas agrees. "Ya know, Emma said somethin' to me that really hurt. But at the same time, it made me really wonder how much of what she said is true."
"What'd she say?"
"Come on, dude," says Conner. "You don't really believe that. You're NOTHING like John Ross. He's a complete jerk. You're a caring human being. Lucas, why don't you go on back to Southfork and try to talk to Emma? Try to work things out. She may be strong willed and stubborn, but then so are you. One of you has to make the first move."
"I think I will try and talk to her. But first, I'll help you finish with this."
"You don't have to. Why don't you go on?"
"It's fine, man. I wanna help. Besides, I said I would, now let's get movin' so we can get it done."
Conner smiles, then he and Lucas continue with the job at hand.
Jay's apartment....
"Hmmm.....I don't care. But, I'm kind of in the mood for seafood."
Jay looks at her and smiles. "Another thing we have in common. I LOVE seafood. And I just happen to know this really great seafood restaurant over on Cedar Springs Road. Best lobster and shrimp in Dallas."
"That sounds wonderful."
"Great. I wanna try to call my cousin Todd again."
"Okay, I'll get dressed," Jillian says.
Meanwhile....
Back at Jay's apartment....
"Still no answer?" Jillian asks.
"No. And I'm really getting worried now. He doesn't answer his phone at the apartment, or his cell phone. I think I'm gonna call the house and see if Todd's parents have heard from him." Jay again scrolls through the contacts on his cell phone and speed dials the number of the Smithfield home.
Meanwhile....
"Dylan, hey, buddy, it's Jay."
"Hey, Jay, what's up?"
"Listen, I was wondering.....have you heard from Todd at all today by any chance?"
"No, I haven't," Dylan replies. "He's supposed to come over for dinner tonight. Mom and Dad aren't here, so I don't know if they've talked to him or not. Why, Jay? Is somethin' wrong?"
"I hope not. I've just been calling him and I haven't been able to reach him."
"Well, I have to go downtown anyway, so I'll just swing by his apartment. I have a key, so I'll check. In the meantime I'll keep trying to call him."
"Thanks, Dylan, I really appreciate it. And don't worry. I'm sure he's fine. You know how your brother is. He's probably down at the pool or maybe at the park running. Anyway, I'll talk to you later. If you reach Todd, tell him to call me."
Southfork....
"Bobby and Christopher are out moving some cattle with the hands or something. Ann went shopping with Debra Lynn and Amanda. I think they were going to buy maternity clothes. Conner is at work at Ray's ranch and I really have no idea where Lucas is."
"Here all by yourself, huh?" John Ross asks.
"Until now I was. Are you alright, John Ross? You don't look so good."
"Thanks, Emma, but you got nothin' to be sorry about. You're the only one around here who told me the truth. And I'm grateful for that. Second time you've done that for me."
"Least I could do for the man who saved my life."
"Things not good between you and that cousin of mine?" John Ross asks.
Emma sighs. "No. Lucas was really angry that I told you about Alex. We both said some things."
"You did the right thing, Emma," John Ross says, moving closer to her. He reaches out and gently touches her face. "I'd forgotten how soft your skin is."
"And I'd almost forgotten how your touch makes me feel," Emma says.
John Ross and Emma look deeply into each others' eyes for a moment, then he leans in and kisses her passionately.
"John Ross, I don't think we should....."
"You know you want to, Emma," he says. "We were good together. Damn good. It can be again."
Emma nods. "What if someone comes home? Like your wife?"
"Then maybe we should go to your room and lock the door."
Emma looks at him for a moment, then, giving in to her overwhelming desire, she takes him by the hand, and the two head into the house.
A moment later, they walk into Emma's bedroom. John Ross takes off his jacket and tosses it to the floor. Then he kisses her again. After a few seconds, Emma pulls out of the kiss. "Just give me a minute to freshen up?"
John Ross nods his head. Then Emma turns and walks into her bathroom, closing the door behind her. As John Ross kicks off his shoes and takes a seat on Emma's bed with a smile, he notices her cell phone on the small nightstand beside the bed. Laying down, he reaches over and picks the phone up. Hesitating a moment to make sure Emma wasn't about to come in, he unlocks the phone, then opens her contacts. He scrolls down to Lucas's name and clicks on it, then opens the messenger app. With a sly smile on his face, he begins typing a text message....
Meanwhile....the Krebbs Ranch....
"Anything wrong?" Conner asks.
"No. No, I hope everything's right," Lucas replies.
"What do you mean?"
Conner smiles. "Hey, that's great, cuz. You go on. I'll finish up here."
"Thanks, man. I'll talk to you later." A smiling Lucas quickly runs to his car, gets in, and drives off as Conner continues his work.