Detective Alex Horton questioned J.R. early the next morning about potential suspects in his shooting. Thus for Alan Beam, Vaughn Leeland, and Cliff Barnes were no longer considered suspects in the case. Alan Beam was checking into a hotel in Missouri at the time of the shooting, and had alibis to prove his story, it had been confirmed that Vaughn Leeland was filing for bankruptcy when J.R. was shot, and Cliff Barnes' bullets didn't match the gun. Detective Horton was feverishly looking for answers, now that J.R. had survived the shooting and the surgery, he could be a target again if the person was not caught.
"Tell me more about your relationship with your wife," Alex prodded, going from the information that he had obtained from Kristin Shepard.
"What are you getting at Horton?" J.R. questioned frustratedly.
"Mr. Ewing, you know that your wife has to be considered a suspect in your shooting."
J.R. closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. The thought that his wife being considered a suspect in his shooting irked him to no end. He didn't want to think about the possibility of Sue Ellen pulling the trigger on him, and though he had tried to escape it, the thought lingered in his mind.
"Mr. Ewing?" Detective Horton interrupted, "We're still looking to confirm your wife's exact location the night you were shot."
"You're wasting your time," J.R. said in a low voice. "She couldn't have done it."
Detective Horton shook his head. "I know you're trying to protect your wife, but we'll need a bit more evidence than that before we take her off the suspect list." Detective Horton rose to leave, "I'll be back to see you soon, Mr. Ewing. Good luck with your rehabilitation."
J.R. nodded at the man and lowered himself onto the bed. Did Sue Ellen try to kill me that night? It wouldn't have been the first time that she had attacked him; she had gone after him in the family room after he had tampered with her detective reports on him. Did I drive her to pull the trigger, he wondered. He had caused her grief over the last year, he had plotted against her and was prepared to make her appear insane to get what he wanted, but he wondered if he had gone too far, if his actions had caused her to go over the edge. If she pulled the trigger – I don't know if there'd be a law in the world that would protect her.
Sue Ellen Ewing walked into the hospital room, offering J.R. a small smile.
J.R. looked up at his wife; her usual sparkle was missing. Her eyes were red, her skin was pale, and she looked worn.
"Good morning," Sue Ellen said gently, placing a kiss on J.R.'s cheek.
"Mornin' Honey," J.R. drawled, grasping her hand. "You look like you haven't slept a wink," he observed.
"I'm fine," Sue Ellen said softly, taking a seat next to the bed.
J.R. shook his head. "Have you eaten anything?"
Sue Ellen blushed and gave J.R. a small smile. "I don't need you worrying about me in your condition."
"Well then don't give me a reason to worry," J.R. said, taking her hand. "How's little John?"
"He misses you," Sue Ellen said softly. "But I tell him that you think about him every day, and that you'll be home soon."
"Yes I will," J.R. assured her. "They can't keep me in this hospital bed forever."
Sue Ellen smirked and shook her head. "Regardless, you are supposed to take it easy J.R. Rehabilitation doesn't happen overnight."
J.R. frowned, "I've got a lot to catch up on while I've been here – people will start to think that I'm losing my touch."
Sue Ellen massaged J.R.'s hand. "Everyone is hoping for a speedy recovery."
J.R. chuckled and shook his head. "Now I know the cartel doesn't share your sentiments my dear. They haven't returned one phone call that I've made to them in the past week."
"They're still hurting over the oil leases," Sue Ellen said gently.
"Well Ewing Oil was hurt too, everyone was affected."
"You can't change the past," Sue Ellen reminded him. "What's done is done, why don't you move on?"
J.R. shook his head. "There is one major cartel in Dallas and my daddy has been a member of that group for decades and I will not have one slip up keep Ewing Oil out."
Sue Ellen shrugged her shoulders. "That's Bobby's problem now – he's the President."
"Don't remind me," J.R. muttered. "Bobby isn't equipped to handle the cartel, Darlin', it takes skill and experience – and Bobby doesn't seem to have either."
"I think Pamela seems to share your sentiments."
"Is that a fact?" J.R. drawled. "Tell me, does Pamela know about Bobby's newfound power?"
Sue Ellen nodded her head, "They were having quite the discussion about it last night," she smirked.
"And?" J.R. prodded.
"She wants them to go to California," Sue Ellen said finally.
"Personally, I don't think that's a bad idea," J.R. countered. "Best thing that Barnes woman ever said."
Sue Ellen let out a sigh. "Your parents disagree Darlin'." Sue Ellen narrowed her eyes at J.R., relishing in the intimate details she shared with him. "A few days ago I heard Miss Ellie tell Jock that she wanted Bobby and Pam on the ranch no matter what the cost."
J.R. shook his head, hating the fact that even though he was in a hospital bed, he was still second-favorite compared to brother Bobby. "I'm sure it's only temporary," he said out loud, more for his own benefit.
Sue Ellen kissed J.R.'s hand. "Right now, why don't we focus on you getting well again and letting Bobby handle the business?"
"If there's a Ewing Oil to get back to when I heal," J.R. said bitterly.
Sue Ellen took in a deep breath, changing the subject. "What was Detective Horton doing in here?"
J.R. squeezed Sue Ellen's hand. "He was just asking around for suspects. Seems Barnes is off the list."
Sue Ellen lowered her head, feeling a slight red touch her cheeks.
"I'm sure there are plenty of other leads."
J.R. looked straight ahead. "They'll find the person that shot me, and when they do, God help them." J.R. looked at Sue Ellen, and raised his hand to her cheek, feeling the heat from her cheeks. "Are you alright, Darlin'? You're feeling a little warm."
Sue Ellen placed her hand on J.R.'s and raised her head to meet his stare. "I suppose it's just the stress of everything that's getting to me."
"You should be taking it easy," J.R. reminded her. "It won't do any good to have you worrying about me."
"I can't help it," Sue Ellen countered, "I love you."
J.R. pulled her into a soft kiss. "Then do a favor for the man that you love and stop worrying about him," J.R. joked.
Sue Ellen scowled and frowned. J.R. gently placed his index finger under her chin. "The worst part's over Darlin', the operation was a success."
"But you may never walk again," Sue Ellen whispered.
J.R. shook his head. "I am going to walk again, I am going to take back my company, and I am going to be the greatest oilman in Dallas."
Sue Ellen touched the tip of J.R.'s nose. "Just don't go too fast – you need rest."
J.R. frowned at his wife. "I am getting tired of people telling me that I need rest." J.R. raised his body off the bed but Sue Ellen gently pushed him down.
"You are going to do exactly what the doctor's said and take things slow."
J.R. gave Sue Ellen a sly smile and entwined his fingers with hers. "You know I never take things slow."
Sue Ellen leaned into J.R.'s body, "There's a first time for everything," she purred, "And I promise to make it interesting." Sue Ellen leisurely kissed J.R., enjoying the intimacy that they had missed out on.
The hospital door opened, cutting their reunion short. Ellie and Jock came into the room, and he sent a curious glare to Sue Ellen.
"How are you feeling?" Ellie asked, giving her son a hug.
"I'm fine Mamma," J.R. promised with a smile.
"Doctor's treating you well?" Jock asked.
"Sure are. I'll be able to start rehabilitation in a few days."
"Good, good."
Ellie looked at Sue Ellen, at J.R.'s side. "Do you want to ride back with us to the ranch?"
Sue Ellen nodded at Miss Ellie and gave her husband a kiss on the cheek.
"You two go on down, I'll meet you at the door," Jock said, turning to J.R. as the ladies left.
"Is something wrong sir?" J.R. asked.
Jock shook his head. "I was talking with Detective Horton about the suspects. They still don't have enough evidence to convict a person. I think they're just wasting their time." Jock studied his son, and scratched his chin. "Sue Ellen's been spending a lot of time here with you."
"She's worried about me," J.R. said evenly.
"I didn't realize you two were on such good terms," Jock noted. "But accidents have a way of bringing people together." Jock studied his son. "I was talking to Detective Horton and he mentioned that she was still a potential suspect in the shooting."
"She couldn't have done it," J.R. said, more for his own benefit.
"Don't be so hasty," Jock countered, "She was crazy drunk when she left the house the night you were shot. She could have been capable of anything."
"You are talking about my wife," J.R. argued tiredly.
"I'm just looking out for you boy," Jock insisted, "I'll be damned if that gunman gets another shot at you."
J.R. nodded his head in the affirmative. "I don't think you have to worry Daddy."
"We'll see," Jock said, placing his hat on his head. "I'll see you in the morning boy." Jock waved goodbye and closed the door, leaving J.R. alone in the hospital room. Sinking into his hospital bed, he jolted up when a flicker of light from the outside peeked in, and a female figure walked into the room.
"Well….even a hospital bed doesn't stop you, does it J.R.?" Kristin smirked as she touched the railing of the bed, eying the set of books by the corner of the table. "A sane person would slow down, but you were never the type to sit around and do nothing," she cooed.
"Now Sugar, you know nothing ever keeps J.R. Ewing down for long." J.R. eyed his enemy quickly. "I thought you'd be ridden out of town on a rail by now."
Kristin flashed J.R. a devilish smile. "You were hoping for that weren't you; that I would just fade away in the darkness."
"You overstayed your welcome and you know it," J.R. pointed out.
Kristin pressed her index finger to her lower lip. "Maybe your goons ignored your orders," she mused with a laugh. "I guess that's what happens when a man gets confined to a hospital bed. His power just slips away." Kristin snapped her fingers in glee. "Wait much longer, and you'll just be a memory."
"I'm not gonna be in a hospital bed forever you know," J.R. said snidely, warning her of things to come.
Kristin nodded her head. "But then you'll never be the man you once were, will you, J.R.?" she teased in a low voice referring to all of their afternoons spent together.
"Don't you worry Kristin. When I get out of here, you'll get yours," he assured her. "J.R. Ewing never forgets his debts."
"I know I will. But not from you. That's for sure. Because you're just not man enough anymore," Kristin finished as she slid the door closed.
J.R. frowned, hurling a pillow at the door. He loathed the day Sue Ellen brought Kristin and her meddling mother to stay at the ranch with them after John Ross was born. Kristin was quick to con her way into an extended stay at the condo, staying in close contact with her sister and brother-in-law. J.R. wondered what he had ever seen in the scheming brunette. She was undeniably beautiful, and it was fair to say that her ambition for power and money rivaled his own, but she was too devious to trust or rely on, there was always a fear that she would turn to the other side under the right conditions. Kristin proved to be a useful tool, but unlike J.R.'s other workers, she was harder to dispose of. J.R. promised himself that one of the first things that he was going to do when he got out of the hospital was to have Kristin exiled from the state; he still had his power, and that would never change, regardless of how long he stayed in the hospital.
-----
The Ewing family sat around the table for another Ewing dinner. "You should have Valene come down to the ranch," Ellie suggested over her glass of wine.
Gary coughed and blotted his mouth with his napkin. "Actually mamma, seeing how well J.R. is doing and everything, I thought I'd be heading back to California."
The room was silent as Gary further justified his position. "I'll be needing to go back to work soon."
"Daddy," Lucy questioned, glaring at her father.
"There's no reason why you can't stay here at Southfork a little while longer," Jock argued, sending a disapproving glance at his son.
Pam sat puzzled in the conflict as Bobby spoke up for his older brother. "We'll miss you around here Gary."
"Can't you stay until J.R. comes home?" Ellie asked. "Feels like you've only been here for a few short days."
Gary shook his head. "Valene misses me and I miss here."
"Then tell mamma that she can come here," Lucy said bitterly. The family looked at Lucy, remembering Valene's painful past with J.R., the bitter war over Lucy when Valene had refused to give her up.
"When will you be leaving?" Ellie asked in a soft whisper.
"Few days," Gary replied.
Lucy pushed herself out of her seat and ran out of the room. Pamela swiftly got up from her chair and followed her niece.
"You have to leave?" Jock asked. "There's no reason why we all can't let bygones be bygones and…."
"Too much has happened," Gary cut in. "I may have forgiven J.R. and accepted the past, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to live in the same house with him, and I am not about to force Valene to come here so we can all pretend to be a happy family."
"Gary," Ellie inserted.
"I'm sorry mamma," Gary said. "I just feel that the sooner I leave, the better off I'll be."
"And what about Lucy?" Bobby asked. "How do you think she'll be when you leave?"
Gary looked at his brother. "Lucy knows that she can visit any time – she could even come and stay with us in California." Gary stood up to leave the table and head to his room.
"He's running away again," Jock muttered as Ellie braced her hands on the table. Bobby helplessly looked to each of his parents before heading to Pamela and Lucy.
"I hate him," Lucy hissed to Pam, her voice muffled under the pillow.
"You don't mean that," Bobby interjected, standing in the doorway.
Pam shot Bobby a helpless look as he came in and rested a hand on Lucy's back.
"I – I wish he never came," Lucy said softly.
"I know baby," Pam soothed. "But your daddy isn't leaving you – he's leaving the ranch."
"Sure feels like it," Lucy muttered, lifting her head. "He left mamma when she was carrying me, he left me two years ago, and he's doing it again."
"He has another life in California," Bobby reasoned, "You know your mamma wouldn't be happy in Dallas."
"She doesn't have anything to be afraid of," Lucy replied, staring at Bobby. "You think J.R. can have his way again – he can't even walk. Mamma and Daddy will be untouchable."
"It's more than just J.R., Lucy," Gary said, coming into the room. Gary looked at Pam and Bobby, and the two slowly left the room.
Gary pulled his daughter in for a hug. "Your mamma and I are happy in California. There are opportunities that we have there that we could never have here."
Lucy was silent as she buried her face in her father's chest. "It seems like you only just got here."
"I was never planning on staying forever Lucy," Gary reminded her. "Your mamma misses me – and I miss her, and I have a job to get back to."
"Is there any room for me?" Lucy asked. "You have this wonderful new life on the other side of the country, and I'm still here in Dallas – where I've always been."
Gary lifted Lucy's chin. "You know that your mamma and I would love it if you would come out and visit. "Maybe even live with us for a while."
"Really?" Lucy asked wide-eyed.
"Absolutely," Gary said. "You could transfer to any of the universities in California."
"Maybe I'll take a break from school," Lucy laughed. "It's not really doing much for me."
Gary narrowed his eyes at his daughter. "We can discuss the school situation later," he warned her. "Right now I think your grandma and granddaddy are waiting for us to go down for dessert." Lucy followed her father downstairs, filled with thoughts about an extended visit to California.
-----
J.R. struggled to pull himself onto the parallel bars in the rehabilitation room of Dallas Memorial Hospital. He had expected to recover from his injury sooner, and was frustrated to see that progress was slow moving.
"You're doing great Mr. Ewing," one of the rehab workers encouraged him as he braced the bars and started to move.
Sue Ellen Ewing came in through the back door, and watched her husband with intense eyes. She had been praying for a healthy recovery, and the doctors were telling her that everything was going according to schedule.
An exhausted J.R. collapsed in his wheelchair, sending his wife an exasperated look. "Come to see me fall over?" he joked.
Sue Ellen shook her head and knelt down to J.R.'s level. "I have a surprise for you," she whispered. J.R. looked intently at her. "I convinced one of the nurses to let me bring little John with me to see you," she said, beckoning for the nurse to bring in John Ross.
J.R.'s lit up as Sue Ellen handed him his son, who he hadn't seen since the accident. "I don't know how you did this, but it's wonderful," he said, hugging his boy.
"It's a special circumstance," Sue Ellen reasoned. "I thought his being here might give you a little encouragement," she said, squeezing his shoulder.
J.R. held his son in the air. "Certainly brightens my day." He turned to Sue Ellen. "Thank-you for bringing him in." He handed her John Ross and she cradled him in her arms. "You know a lot of wives would have left by now," he said, referring to his helpless state.
"I am not like most wives," Sue Ellen pointed out with a smile, "And I know you aren't going to be like that forever."
"Aren't I?" J.R. muttered as he braced himself again.
"Don't push too hard," Sue Ellen advised nervously.
"I know what I can do," J.R. replied as he steadied himself. The rehab worker spotted him as J.R. struggled to move forward.
"Concentrate on your goal," he said as Sue Ellen and John Ross watched.
J.R. took a deep breath and slowly started to move one foot. Feeling unsteady, he gripped the bars harder and moved the other foot.
"You're starting to walk," Sue Ellen exclaimed.
J.R. inched forward slowly, finally reaching the end of the bar.
"You'll be out of your wheel-chair in no time Mr. Ewing," the worker promised.
J.R. grinned at Sue Ellen. "You know what that means, Darlin'? That means I am coming home soon."
-----
Sue Ellen pushed John Ross' stroller outside the hospital perimeter. J.R. was improving in his exercises and the doctors were assuring her that he could come home in a few weeks. Sue Ellen stepped outside and felt a smile form on her mouth as the cool afternoon breeze hit her body, sending her curls sailing into the air. Things were beginning to look brighter, and Sue Ellen had a feeling that the momentum would continue.
"Sue Ellen!" Kristin Shepard caught up with her sister in the garden of Dallas Memorial Hospital.
"Hello Kristin," Sue Ellen smiled warmly, she couldn't help but be in a good mood.
"Were you just seeing J.R.?" Kristin queried, keeping her tone light and innocent.
"I was and he's doing wonderfully. The doctors think he'll be able to leave sooner than they expected."
"Fantastic," Kristin exclaimed, her pearly white teeth flashing. "I was so worried about him. Some people don't recover from shootings."
Sue Ellen shook her head. "J.R. will recover just fine." Sue Ellen eyed the watch on her wrist. "I was just going to get some lunch at one of the restaurants nearby, why don't you join me?"
Kristin looked toward the hospital and back to Sue Ellen. "I was going to go in and see him, but since you say he's doing so well," Kristin said following Sue Ellen across the street. "What are you in the mood for?"
Sue Ellen scoured the restaurants, finally choosing a small Italian place directly across the street from the hospital.
"You know I never thanked you for being so supportive of me these past few weeks," Sue Ellen said as they sat at their table. "Sometimes I feel like you were the only person on my side."
Kristin flashed Sue Ellen her signature grin and took her sister's hand. "What are sisters for Sue Ellen?" she said innocently. "I couldn't stand to see the way the family was treating you with J.R. in the hospital." Kristin sipped her martini. "If he had died, they would have thrown you off the ranch and never let you see little John ever again."
Sue Ellen shuddered as she sipped her ice tea. "That won't happen. J.R. will come home and the past can just stay in the past."
"I don't know how you can do it," Kristin said, "Forget everything that he did to you. The late nights, the lying, the affairs."
Sue Ellen glared at Kristin, knowing full well that one of her husband's former mistresses was sitting with her. "I can forgive him in the same way that I can forgive you," she said calmly.
"Forgive me," Kristin repeated.
Sue Ellen smirked at her little sister. "You know full well what you were doing with my husband," Sue Ellen pointed out. "But that's in the past."
"Yes it is," Kristin said, fidgeting.
"And it won't happen again," Sue Ellen said firmly, giving her sister an authoritative look.
Kristin scanned the lunch menu. "If you say so," she said with a smile. "I'm all for leaving all of the unpleasantness behind us."
Sue Ellen raised her glass. "I'll drink to that." Sue Ellen studied her sister. "Do you have any idea what your plans are?" she asked. "Now that Louella's back at Ewing Oil, you'll be needing to find work."
Kristin raised a finger in the air. "Now that you mention it, I've been meaning to tell you that I've had more than a few secretarial job offers."
"Really?" Sue Ellen asked intrigued. She had heard that Kristin had left the offices on bad terms with J.R. through Bobby's secretary Connie and couldn't imagine her husband writing her a letter of recommendation for anything.
Kristin nodded her head, knowing that Sue Ellen would believe the lie. "J.R. wrote an excellent letter of recommendation for me, and there are plenty of takers, in and out of state that would love to have me work for them."
"You're leaving Texas?"
"Possibly," Kristin laughed, throwing her head back. "I like to keep my options open."
"Don't I know it," Sue Ellen mused quietly as she paid the check. Though she was relieved to have Kristin on her side, she knew better than to trust her little sister, whose alliances were known to be fickle and brief.