LONDON RAIN, Conclusion

Come back to me darlin'
I will make it worth your while
Come on back to your baby
I miss your kiss I miss your smile
Seems to me the peace I search to find
It ain't gonna be mine until you say you will
Don't you keep me waiting for that day

London City Airport was much smaller than Heathrow but just as busy, serving international business travelers with condensed flight schedules on lighter planes while sparing them the time-consuming hassles of the bigger airport. The private jet centre, separate from the commercial airliners, served a more exclusive clientele. In the midst of airport's chaos, the luxurious passengers lounge it offered was an oasis. With the morning commuters already on their way, it was also quiet. Too quiet, J.R. thought.

He impatiently looked down at his watch. What the hell was taking so long? Then he sighed, realizing it wasn't the flight crew's fault. They were doing him a favor by flying him across the English Channel on such short notice. No, it was the quiet that was getting to him ... and the lady across the room.

Sue Ellen was standing by the window, only twenty feet away yet the distance seemed like miles. She hadn't said much since they left the hotel. Neither had he. He wanted desperately to talk to her but didn't know what to say. More importantly, he didn't know how to say it.

They tried to part at the hotel suite as planned but when it came time, Sue Ellen offered to drive him to the airport instead and J.R. gladly accepted, thinking it would give him a little more time to be with her. Yet as soon as they left the hotel, just as he feared, the passionate bond that had sustained them through the night and enchanted them during the morning evaporated.

It wasn't a surprise. Once they were out of the Lanesborough, Sue Ellen was Mrs. Lockwood again. Another man's wife. Her loyalty belonged to him.

J.R. gritted his teeth as an intense pang of jealousy clawed at him. Lockwood wasn't even worthy of her but what really stung was he hadn't been, either. Damn. All those years she was his wife he never even fully appreciated her.

At least this trip to London had given him another opportunity. Just being able to talk to her had been a pleasure let alone the time they spent together last night. Being with her had been a revelation, nothing like he had ever experienced before. Not since the last time she had been in his bed, anyway.

He had always wondered if Sue Ellen knew she had that affect on him, that their encounters always left him shaken, unable to think of anything but her, just like now. Probably not. He didn't dare tell her. In a twisted way, it was the reason he had drifted away from her so many times. Needing someone so much ... it frightened him, mostly because he feared rejection. Not that Sue Ellen had ever rejected him. He had never given her the chance.

J.R. shook his head, disgusted at the thought. "Jackass," he silently muttered to himself.

Why couldn't he tell her? Would it make a difference if he did? What he wouldn't give for the opportunity to trust her to love him now, allow her to remove the doubt she wouldn't turn away from him or be disappointed in him like Jock had done so many times. He had spent his whole life trying to please his father. Had it cost him the one woman he ever truly loved?

As if sensing his thoughts, Sue Ellen turned to find him watching her. His thoughtful expression shadowed under the brim of his hat became alert and he gave her a wicked grin as he surveyed her from head to toe, leaving little doubt about what he was thinking. There was a time that look would have made her blush. Now she found it was both flattering and amusing even though it still made her somewhat self-conscious.

"Leave a little something on me, darlin'," she playfully scolded.

"Just takin' a few mental notes about you, honey … to keep me occupied on my trip to Saudi Arabia."

"Do try to behave yourself over there, J.R.," she said as she walked over to him. "Their women are wrapped up for a reason."

J.R. couldn't help but laugh at her warning. "I know. I'm not even gonna look, I promise. Besides, I doubt I'll be able to get you off my mind."

"The feeling is mutual," Sue Ellen replied even as a faint blush tinted her cheeks. They fell into a comfortable silence as they looked at each other, both smiling at the hidden meaning of their exchange. When she finally spoke, she deliberately changed the subject. "That is quite a plane out there."

"Yes, it is," J.R. replied. "Marian did another outstanding job." He thought back on the Lanesborough staff and the warm farewell they had given him. Marian most of all. He was truly going to miss her. She had become indispensable. "It was tough, leavin' Sly back home in Dallas, but Marian surely did some fine work for me here. Bookin' me on that plane was an inspiration, especially since it gave us five extra hours together."

"Which you certainly took advantage of it," she shyly grinned.

"Mmmm, yes I did."

Their continued teasing banter made J.R. smile even as it began to sooth the doubts that had been nagging at him. Sue Ellen didn't seem to be to distancing herself after all. He reached over and carefully took her hand. When she didn't pull away, he laced her fingers through his.

"The past few days have been wonderful, Sue Ellen," he added. "It was one hell of a ride, with Lockwood and that business with St. James, but I love where we ended up."

"Me, too." Sue Ellen was amazed that even after so much time, the intensity of his eyes when he looked at her could still make her heart beat so fast. She looked down and stroked his hand with her thumb. "I just wish I could make some sense out of what I feel about you."

"It's simple, honey … just admit you love me."

She softly laughed. "Nothing is that simple."

"Then let's make it simple. Marry me again."

Love and marriage … two words Sue Ellen had avoided the past few days. They were no longer as foreign as she once thought, though. Was it possible she was falling in love with J.R. again? No, she knew better than that. She couldn't even allow herself to consider it although she was willing to admit her feelings for him had changed for the better.

So many of the things she adored about him had resurfaced the past few days. She had never felt so close to him. Plus the unconditional love he had shown for both her and John Ross had astonished her, once again giving her hope that he wasn't the completely ruthless bastard she thought he was. She was also beginning to realize that it might be possible to move past the terrible things he had done back in Dallas and the things he had pushed her to do. It was obvious they both needed some kind of redemption that would give them a much-needed peaceful coexistence along with their son. Maybe they had finally found it.

"J.R., we've already been through this," she gently reminded him. "I'm married to Don." She slowly smiled, needing to keep the mood of their conversation positive. "Besides, if I had the chance, I would never marry anyone again, especially not you."

"Well, I never wanted a divorce in the first place. Just think … if you hadn't divorced me, we'd be home at Southfork right now."

"No, you would be in the Braddock County Cemetery and I'd be serving a life sentence for killing you."

"Sue Ellen ... come on," he slowly grinned. "You can't deny there is somethin' special between us." He leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to almost a whisper. "You need me just as much as I need you, honey."

She shook her head and softly laughed. "Save your charm, J.R. I'm immune. Besides, it was a hell of a battle to gain my freedom from you. I won't ever give it up again."

He took her hand and kissed it, smiling at the boldness of her statement. "I sure hope not. I'm findin' this self-assured, independent Sue Ellen irresistible."

The look he gave her was purely sexual, electric, making her resolve crumble.

"Thank God you are going back Paris today," she sighed. "Although I wish it was Dallas. The farther away the better."

He gave her another of his most deliciously sinful grins. "Does that mean you're tempted?"

"Yes, damn you!"

"Good!" J.R. laughed, enjoying the excited nervousness his comment had triggered in her.

"Now listen to me," she said, pulling her hand away then pointing her finger at him, placing it against his chest. "You know I'm going to need time to sort all this out. With Don … with you … with everything."

"I know, I know … I promised to behave myself and I will." J.R. was enticed by the knowledge that a future seduction might not be as difficult as he had thought only a few minutes ago. "Besides, you're gonna make the next move."

"Oh, really? And what makes you think I will?"

"Just guessin'. Can't wait to find out if I'm right."

"You are the most irritating, egotistical ..."

"The word is incorrigible," he lightly interjected before she could add to the list. "That's what Mamma always called me."

"She was right!"

J.R. laughed again. How he loved matching wits with this lady. It reminded him of breakfasts at Southfork when the whole family would chime in on discussions and Miss Ellie would referee, always having the last word. Funny how his mother's wisdom had become so important to him lately.

"Say, speakin' of Mamma," he said, "you remember her always telling me home is where your heart lives?"

Sue Ellen nodded. "You always told her it was the dumbest thing you had ever heard."

"Well, come to find out she was right. The past few days with you and John Ross ... you two are home for me." The simple statement visually affected Sue Ellen, just as he hoped it would, especially because it was the truth. "Stayin' in Paris will at least let me be as close to you two as I possibly can without bein' a pain in the ass." She gave him a skeptical look and he continued with a smile. "Don't worry, I'll be avoidin' London. Not sure I can tolerate bein' in the same city as Lockwood, anyhow."

"Well, that's a relief." She tried to sound flip but his comments had honestly touched her while quelling some of her fears about having him so close.

A neat young man in an impeccable flight attendant uniform entered the room and smiled at the couple. "Mr. Ewing, we are ready to board, sir."

J.R. looked at the young man and nodded. "Thank you, I'll be right there." He turned back to Sue Ellen, studying her for a moment, the intensity and earnestness of his expression taking her breath away. "Whatever you do, don't say goodbye to me or I won't be able to get on that plane. This isn't the end of us, Sue Ellen. I'm not gonna let it be."

Her expression fell to sadness. "J.R., I can't be what you want me to be."

"You just keep bein' the one lady who stands out from the rest. The one I never quite got over and who broke my heart in a million pieces. I'd gladly give to you all over again." They both smiled at the silly over-simplicity of the statement even though torn by the emotions of their pending separation. J.R. reached over and lightly put his finger under her chin, turning her face towards him. "Vanessa was my first love, Sue Ellen. Not the love of my life. You're the one I love, honey … and always will be."

Sue Ellen was speechless. J.R. rarely verbalized his feelings but when he did, just like now, they were so simple and succinctly worded it made them mean so much more.

The door from the concourse suddenly flew open and John Ross burst in. "Mom! Dad! I'm so glad you're still here!"

"John Ross, what on earth are you doing here?" Sue Ellen asked, both anxious and grateful for the distraction. "How did you get here?"

He smiled sheepishly. "I took a cab. I told the driver to wait so you could pay him."

"That's my boy!" J.R. said with a laugh.

John Ross gave his father a grin then looked over at his mother. "Hope it's okay, Mom. I know I said goodbye to Dad over the phone but I just wanted to see him again before he left."

"Of course it's okay," Sue Ellen said, smiling, unable to argue with his reason. "You made it just in time … your daddy's plane is about to leave."

"Yes, and I better be gettin' on board," J.R. reluctantly added, knowing the longer he stayed the more difficult it would be to leave them. He placed his arms around their shoulders, drawing them closer. "I hope you two have a very Merry Christmas 'cause this trip to London and bein' with you both … it's been the best present I've ever had."

"Me too, Dad," John Ross said. "So glad you came to London."

J.R. looked down at him then put his hand on the boy's neck, stroking the side of his face with his thumb. "Nothin' is ever gonna keep us apart again, John Ross … I promise you. You still comin' to seem me in Paris on New Years Eve?"

"Yes, sir!"

"Good! I sure am lookin' forward to it, son." Then he grinned and added, "and feel free to bring your mamma along with you."

Sue Ellen gently nudged J.R. in the side. He turned to her, still grinning, knowing he had challenged her but bent down to wrap John Ross in his arms before she could protest.

"I'm gonna miss you, boy," he softly said. "Take good care of yourself … and your mamma now. You hear?"

"I will, Daddy … I promise. Think you can call me from Saudi Arabia on Christmas day?"

"You can count on that." J.R. quickly planted a kiss on John Ross' cheek then straightened up. "I'll see you both soon."

"Bye, Dad. See you in Paris."

"Have a good trip, J.R." Sue Ellen added.

J.R. looked over at her again. They both knew there was nothing more to say. He gave her a sweet smile then turned and walked to the door.

It was an odd feeling, Sue Ellen thought, watching him get closer and closer to the door that would lead him to the plane and back to Paris. Back out of their lives. It was what she wanted, the way it had to be. But he was taking everything with him they had shared the past few days, everything that they had rebuilt. Before she knew it, she was following after him.

"J.R.," she softly called out just as he reached the door. He stopped and looked back at her. Several more steps and he was close enough to touch. Reason and duty to Don were gone. It no longer mattered about concealing any kind of physical gestures in front of John Ross. She threw her arms around him and J.R. pulled her tightly against his him.

Neither said anything, simply choosing to enjoy the contact and warmth of each other one last time. After a moment, J.R. pulled back a little, enough to look into the dark eyes he had never been able to forget.

Sue Ellen tilted her head up to him even as J.R. bent down to meet her. Briefly sheltered under the brim of his hat, the gentle kiss beckoned to her, tempted her with promises of future meetings and how much more there could be between them. When it ended and he looked down at her once again, his eyes relayed the same message.

"Whenever you're ready to try out that theory you offered," he whispered, his voice at a tempting pitch, "you come and find me."

A shiver ran through her, further clouding her mind to his meaning. "What theory?"

"That we're better suited as lovers."

Sue Ellen smiled and pulled against him for one last embrace, resting her head between his neck and chest. The spot that was hers, where she fit so perfectly. J.R. closed his eyes, taking in the scent of her hair and perfume. No need for tears or goodbyes. Their destiny was once again running parallel after years of clashing. He couldn't ask for anything more. And for the first time in years, he was happy.

Over her shoulder, J.R. winked at John Ross, who was grinning at the sight of his parents so closely connected once again. John Ross raised his thumb, silently showing his approval and J.R. nearly laughed. He kissed Sue Ellen on the forehead before reluctantly releasing her then turned and went through the door, out to the plane, vowing not to look back.

John Ross went to his mother's side and she put her arm around his shoulder. Together, they watched as J.R. climbed the short retractable ladder that led into the jet. At the hatch, J.R. paused, suddenly torn by the need to leave and desire to stay. He could no longer resist and looked back at the terminal. Were they still there? He received smiles and waves from them both and it was all he needed. He grinned as he returned their waves then entered the plane. As he settled down in his seat, J.R. felt as if a new era was beginning. The Ewings were together again and Europe was going to be theirs.

At least until he could figure out how to get them all back to Dallas and Southfork.