Chapter Twenty five – Found
She was floating around aimlessly and it was surprisingly pleasant. There were voices but they were indistinct and she couldn't make out what they were saying, yet somehow one of them sounded familiar.
"As I said, Mr. Ewing, your wife has been through quite an ordeal. She has been beaten, several of her ribs have been cracked and she has a severe bruising on her left lung, she is also very dehydrated and I bet that her whole body is aching right now. It's very fortunate that you found her when you did," Dr. Henderson explained seriously.
J.R nodded seemingly deep in thought. "Thank you Doctor," he mumbled, subdued, as he took in his wife's appearance.
"I can imagine it's hard seeing her like this, but she will make a full recovery provided that she takes time to recuperate properly," the doctor added further.
"I…have to go, please notify me if there is any change, preferably for the better," J.R said before turning around to exit the room.
"J.R?" Sue Ellen croaked, but he had already left.
The doctor placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Mrs. Ewing, do you know where you are?" he asked.
She slowly blinked her eyes open, taking in her surroundings. "Hospital, "she concluded tiredly.
"Yes, Mrs. Ewing, you have been brought to Dallas Memorial hospital, I'm Dr. Henderson, your physician," he said by way of introduction.
"What happened?" she whispered.
"Well, I was hoping you could tell me," the doctor admitted. He took a quick look at her chart and adjusted her drip. "Are you in any pain?" he asked gently.
"No, not so much," she said closing her eyes, feeling herself drift away. She fought to stay awake just for a little while. "Was my husband here?" She managed.
"Yes and I'm sure he will be back later, you need a lot of rest now, Mrs. Ewing," her physician said kindly.
He saw the hurt feelings and disappointment in her face.
"Is Bobby here? I need to tell him something, it's important," she said softly.
Since the newspapers were rallying over one another about the accidents and incidents concerning the Ewing family and competed with each other in wild speculations, he had no trouble knowing whom she wanted to see. "I'll see if I can find him for you," he promised.
OOOOO
When Donna stepped into the Ewing mansion she was surprised to find it empty. Southfork was never empty, there were always somebody around. Walking out in the kitchen she found who she was looking for. Miss Ellie was sitting alone at the table with her head in her hands and her shoulders slumped.
"Miss Ellie?" Donna called softly as she walked up to her and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
The older woman glanced up at Donna as she sat down beside her and wiped the tears off her cheeks.
"Oh, Miss Ellie," Donna whispered softly.
"I wish it would end, Donna, all of it," she said sniffling.
Donna hugged her gently, feeling the strong woman quiver in her arms.
"Pam, Bobby and now Sue Ellen; that crazy man could have gotten to Lucy and Ray too," she whispered. "Donna what kind of man does such as things to others? Isn't it enough that I've lost Jock recently and that Bobby and J.R are fighting over a company that only brings lies, deception and sorrow to the family," she added somberly.
Donna sighed, not knowing what to say.
"My family is being torn apart from the inside, and I can't do anything about it. All of it because of a little oil," Miss Ellie whispered.
OOOOO
Cliff Barnes looked up as Jackie handed him the latest news with a sour look on her face.
He looked up at her. "What's the matter with you?" he asked uncomprehending.
Receiving no reply he picked up the paper and stared at the headline. "Sue Ellen Ewing found after the kidnapping in an old brewery in the outskirts of Dallas," he read. "Mrs. J.R Ewing is the third Ewing family member to fall victim for the unknown man threatening the Ewing family. It is unknown why only the Ewing family and its company is being targeted. Mrs. Sue Ellen Ewing is said to be well under the circumstances but her condition requires several weeks of recuperation. New evidence in the Ravensmith incident suggests that the accident, in which several oil workers were killed, was no accident at all," Cliff felt the hair at the back of his neck rise as he put down the paper. It was true that he didn't like the Ewing family in general and especially not J.R but he didn't wish for his sister or Bobby or Sue Ellen to get hurt.
Suddenly his vendetta against J.R didn't seem so important anymore. He had other priorities he could attend to. For Pam's sake he would get off J.R and Bobby's backs for a while. Besides Afton was beginning to come quite close to him and she didn't approve of his methods.
He felt a sudden urge to go and visit his sister and see for himself that she was all right. If that maniac had tried to kill her once, or give the family a warning, he could do it again. Also he needed to see Sue Ellen because even if it had been a long time ago since they had been together; he still had a thing for her.
OOOOO
Bobby nodded at the guard stationed at Pam's room as he neared.
"Mr. Ewing," he acknowledged. "I believe your wife is arguing with the doctor about letting her out of here," he said with a half-smile.
Bobby chuckled. "I bet she is," he replied.
Pamela looked about ready to explode and Dr. Prescott looked exasperated as he walked into the room. Frowning Bobby stopped just inside the door.
Pam's expression changed from frustration to happiness as she saw her husband. "Bobby, I'm so glad you are here, can you take me home?" she asked.
"From the look of things it doesn't look like you agree with one another," Bobby said hesitantly.
"As I was saying, Mrs. Ewing, you should consider staying for a little while longer. You aren't supposed to walk around in your condition," he tried politely.
She glared at him. "I can lie in bed at home, there is no difference. I'm going crazy lying cooped up in here, she replied in a short tone.
Bobby sighed. "Look Pam, it's for your own good," he said softly.
"I miss you and I don't want to stay here any longer. Besides I miss Christopher terribly," she added.
"Doctor, are you sure she can't be released?" Bobby asked.
He gave them a half-smile. "I'm undermining my own authority, but if you take care of yourself and have someone at home with you…" he trailed off as she gave him a bright smile.
"Thank you Doctor Prescott," she said softly as he walked away to fill in the release forms.
Pam studied her husband worriedly. "How is everybody? Did you find Sue Ellen? She asked.
Bobby nodded and ran a hand over his face. "Yes, we found Sue Ellen, she is in pretty bad shape, she's here at the hospital," he replied carefully.
"Will she be all right?" Pam wondered.
"Yes, I think so. I would have liked to stay but I had to go and take care of certain things," he said, avoiding her eyes.
"What is it you're not telling me?" she prompted.
"The FBI caught up with us. J.R has really done it this time, Pam, and I didn't see it coming," he replied.
"Bobby, you can't keep tabs on everything J.R does," she replied heatedly. "You are opposites; sometimes I find it hard to believe you two are even brothers. J.R would do everything if it gives him power," she added.
"I guess you are right but I knew he had something big coming his way, I had private detectives looking up the guy…"
"And what could you have done? Bobby, you can't involve yourself in all of J.R's shady schemes. If he wants to do something he'll do it and he doesn't care about the people around him. To him it doesn't matter who pays the price for it," she finished bitterly.
"I'm not so sure this time, Pam, I think he'll think twice next time; if there even is a next time," Bobby said thoughtfully.
Pam turned to her husband with a disbelieving look on her face but let the matter drop, instead she reached out to squeeze his shoulder in a comforting manner.
"Bobby, before we leave, can you take me to Sue Ellen?" she wondered softly.
OOOOO
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