Ann opens her eyes to Friday morning but rolls over in bed, pulling the covers up higher. She's tired of feeling this dread and worry with JR rattling the family dynamics like a caged bull. And old, stubborn bull, that's what he is.

You need to be put out to pasture.

Why couldn't he have just settled in without any trouble? Bobby's the head of this family now and has been all these years JR was away in dreamland.

You can't wind back time, JR. No do overs.

And now he's threatening to stir up her past with stunts like the dollar bills last night. What a crass old man. Honestly. He doesn't care what it would do to his brother to expose her secret. It would ruin their trust, end their marriage. JR just wants to win, at all costs. He's a selfish cheat who crosses the line, a horrible person.

What does the world miss if JR Ewing is no longer in it? Ann can't come up with anything. She buries her head in the pillow and groans, sick of having these conversations with herself.

I'm protecting my husband and my home. I didn't tell Harris to hurt JR. I'm not responsible for what he does tonight.

She sits up in bed, her guilt freshly laundered and nicely sorted.

"You okay, Annie?" Bobby says in a sleepy voice, eyes still closed.

"Hmm?"

"Are you alright?" Bobby says. "You seem….I don't know…..anxious?"

"Anxious! No! What should I be anxious about?" Ann says, laughing.

Bobby's eyes open up now.

"Annie? You are nervous. I know that laugh. Come on, tell me. What's wrong?"

She looks at him, forcing the smile to stay on her face but quickly bursts into tears, still smiling.

"Oh honey," Bobby says, pulling her to him. "What is it?"

She lays her head on his warm bare chest, his gold heart beating beneath her ear.

"No. It's nothing. It's stupid. I'll be fine. Just let me lay here with you a little longer," she says.

He strokes her hair.

"Nothing that makes you cry is stupid, honey. Tell me. Please."

She sighs deeply. "You'll be disappointed in me."

"I doubt it," he says. "You hold yourself to a much higher standard than most folks, Annie. Just because you're disappointed in yourself doesn't mean I will be. And I'll still love you no matter what's happened. You're my wife, I've got your back. Never forget that."

Ann melts into a weeping mess in Bobby's arms for several minutes more.

"Do you ever feel like you need to take a stand for what's right, no matter what the cost?" she asks, settling down beside him now.

"Of course I do. Welcome to the life of Bobby Ewing."

She laughs softly.

"Bobby, that's one of the things I really admire about you, your strong convictions. I want to be more like that," she says snuggling closer. "I feel like I back down too often. And then I hate myself when things go wrong, things that never should have been in the first place."

Bobby sits up against the headboard. "Honey, tell me exactly what's bothering you. No more innuendos. Please, what is it?"

Ann looks up at him, her big green eyes searching his face, weighing risk and benefit.

"I don't want these Sunday dinners to continue," she says.

Bobby tightens his jaw, then laughs. "That's all it is? God, you had me worried something really horrible had happened, or was about to."

Ann moves away from him, pulling the sheet around her nude body.

"So, will you tell JR the dinner's off?" she says.

Bobby's smile fades. "You're serious?"

"Yes. Yes very," she says. "Sue Ellen came over here screeching and wailing to JR like a crazed woman last night, mad about something at work."

"What?"

"That's right. She barged right in here, let herself inside. Bobby, she can't do that. She doesn't live here anymore. I tried to tell her and she started screaming for JR from outside, yelling like she was being attacked or something. It was a complete scene."

Bobby looks surprised. "Well honey, she must have been really upset. I'm sure she didn't mean to be rude or - "

"Really? On her way out she told me to make sure her chair was freshly dusted for dinner. Your mother's chair."

Bobby raises his eyebrows and sighs.

"It's because of JR and the changes he's making around here, Bobby. The ridiculous changes you're allowing," Ann says. "They're going to take over our home, he and Sue Ellen. They're becoming the center of our family more and more each week," she says, her face pleading with him to agree.

"And again tonight, it's all about Sue Ellen," she says. "I don't want to go to this fundraising dinner and act like she's the holy Savior, but I will, for you and out of respect for your brother, but I don't want that charade brought into my home. No more Sunday dinners, Bobby. I mean it."

Bobby looks at her sympathetically and brushes the hair out of her face.

Yes. Defend me. You owe me this. I'm your wife.

"Please," Ann pushes on. "We don't owe her anything. She's not a Ewing anymore. Cut the tie and start with canceling Sunday dinner."

Ann feels Bobby tense up. Bad choice of words.

"Now hold on," he says. "Sue Ellen may not be married to JR but she's still John Ross' mother and always will be. We need to respect that, for his sake more than hers or JR's."

"John Ross is a spoiled asshole," Ann says, watching her chance slipping away.

"It's complicated, Annie, Sue Ellen and JR didn't give him the best parenting."

"No, it's simple. He's not your son. He's not our son. Stop trying to make up for all the wrongs in his life. Why are you defending him?" she says, her voice getting louder.

"Annie! He's still my flesh and blood. He's family, just like JR and honestly, Sue Ellen too for all she's been through with us."

Ann kicks her feet under the sheet. "God Bobby! Again with Sue Ellen? Do you have some kind of sick attraction to her needy - "

"ANN!" Bobby shouts. "Watch yourself! You better think before you say what's about to come out of your mouth before you can't take it back. I really can't believe you'd think…."

He looks at her in disbelief heading fast for disgust.

I'm the unreasonable, jealous nag. Again. JR is dividing us. No, I won't let him.

With that, Ann rejects the notion of calling Harris off whatever he intends to do tonight. JR Ewing won't quit until he gets what he wants and he wants her and Bobby out of here, together or separately. Bobby doesn't see it; he won't see it. It's just going to go on and on and on.

"I'm sorry," Ann says softly. "I didn't mean that. I'm sorry. I'm just…..insecure…..afraid…..to lose what we have here, you and I….Afraid to lose you."

"Ann, Annie," Bobby says, taking her in his arms. "I'm yours and I always will be, so please, stop this. Stop torturing yourself and enjoy our life. Please."

She smiles lovingly at him and moves in for a deep kiss. "You're right. Erase that conversation. It never happened," she says.

Bobby already feels exhausted and the day's only just begun. Why does he feel like it's going to be a very long one?

Ann pours JR some coffee in the kitchen, trying to steady her hand before bringing it to the breakfast table. Will this be his last cup?

Stop it. He brought this on himself.

"Well thank you darlin'," JR says without any trace of the shrewd man who shoved dollar bills down her blouse yesterday, threatening to tell her secret.

How did he find out?

"You ready for Sue Ellen's big deal tonight?" Ann asks with as much enthusiasm as she can fake.

"You bet, honey," JR says, sipping coffee. "It's gonna be a real big night for her. A lot of important people coming to show support for her campaign. Yes sir, Sue Ellen's gonna be the belle of the ball," JR says to sting Ann.

"Oh I'm sure she will be," she says. "Isn't she always?"

JR smiles. "Say, I think I'll give her the cottage keys tonight. That's a good idea, don't you think?"

He doesn't wait for an answer.

"So don't be surprised if you see her moving some things in soon. I know how you dislike surprises," he says and taps his boot on the hardwood floor.

"Great!" Ann says, looking at her plate. "It's nice to see you and Sue Ellen spending more time together. After all, you never know what tomorrow brings."

JR's cell rings.

"JR! I lost my damn job!" Russell shouts. "Resigned in lieu of termination. TERMINATION!"

"Well, good morning," JR says walking out to the patio and closing the sliding door behind him.

"Oh hell no it is not," Russell says. "I'm accused of extortion! I'll never get another job - "

"Now wait just a minute," JR says. "Accused?"

"Yeah, flat out accused me of extorting Ryland Transportation with violation fees from Dallas PD."

"Accused or proved?"

"Well, accused, I guess, but - "

"No. No buts. Aw hell Russell," JR says, "you laid your hand down without seeing any of their cards?"

"Well shit, JR, they're right."

JR shakes his head. "They don't know that. Someone's got a hunch is all. They tapped your boss on the shoulder and demanded action or else, that's all this was. They only had one play and you fell for it."

"Well - "

"If you'da said kiss my ass, they'd have had nothing more to go on. Nothing."

"How are you so sure?"

JR looks over his shoulder. "You tell me, Russell."

"Huh?"

"Did you tell anyone about our deal?"

"No. Hell no! I didn't say nothin' to nobody."

"Well there you have it, then. The most important rule of blackmail is knowing when to call a bluff. Miss it and your opponent will turn around and bite you in the ass."

"Hey thanks for the business lesson, JR, but I'm out of a job all the same. My wife's gonna crack. We were spread thin enough as it was."

Russell's voice shakes. JR looks skyward for patience.

"Look Russell, I'm sorry about this. Sometimes things don't go as planned. Occupational hazard. You sit tight. I'll see what I can do. Bye bye now."

JR hangs up.

Bum's phone buzzes.

"Mornin', JR."

"Bum, I'm gonna need a new contact in the trucker's union. Russell got himself burned. Fun's over with Ryland's trucks, for now."

"What are you doing out here, Uncle JR, wheeling and dealing?" Christopher jokes, setting his orange juice and newspaper on the patio table.

JR chuckles. "Those days are long gone, son. I'm just an old man trying to enjoy my golden years without much commotion or carrying on."

"Uncle, I cannot believe you said that with a straight face."

JR shrugs his shoulders.

"Believe it. It's true!"

"Right," Christopher says, smiling. "What's true is you were born with a silver spoon in your mouth….a big one to stir up trouble!"

JR points to himself with an innocent expression.

"Christopher?" JR says after a short while. "Let me ask you something. You're a young man, part of this electronic generation. So why do you still read the real paper? Why not get it on your notepad or E-pod or whatever the hell it's called?"

Christopher laughs, "iPad."

"Whatever."

"Well, I don't know if you remember, but Dad used to set me on his lap when he read the morning paper before work. He'd read some aloud and tell me I was his assistant."

JR smiles softly, thinking of young John Ross too.

"So this paper has good memories for me. I guess the feel of it in my hands brings those far away times closer. Does that make any sense?" Christopher says, a bit embarrassed.

"Perfect sense," JR says. "It's about tradition, son, it's important. Families ought to respect their traditions, no matter how things change on the outside."

JR's eyes are far away now and Christopher wonders where he's gone. He lays a hand on JR's shoulder.

"Uncle JR, you want to drive out to Sue Ellen's fundraiser with me, Dad and Ann tonight? Why don't you come with us instead of making that long drive on the back roads to the farm?"

JR returns from memory lane with a quick smile.

"Thank you son, but no. I may not be coming straight home, if things go well," he says, winking.

Christopher shakes his head. "Alright then. Go get her, cowboy. Just make sure you take your cell phone. You know, in case you get stuck or something."

"Stuck?" JR says with amusement. "Hell, boy, I'm not that old yet. And I sure ain't gonna call you if it happens."

"Uncle! That's not what I meant."

John Ross drives up to Sue Ellen's house just as Maxine walks out the side gate with both dogs in tow on the pink rhinestone tandem leash.

"Mornin'" he says, smile spreading across his face.

"What?" Maxine says. "You ain't gonna watch me from your spy car?"

"Nope," John Ross says, falling instep beside her.

"Oh, you're not askin' this time? You're just gonna go ahead and walk with me, huh?"

"Yup."

Maxine turns her head to hide the unexpected smile.

"You like that leash? Nice how it tethers both dogs together," he says, proud of his purchase.

"Yeah, gives me a free hand to shoo annoying boys away," Maxine says trying to sound insulting but missing the mark, even to her own ears.

"What free hand?" John Ross says, taking hers in his.

"I'll shoo the annoying boys away," he says.

Neither can deny the electric zap when their skin touches. It's like hand in glove, more so for John Ross but Maxine feels it too.

"Come to my Mama's fundraiser with me tonight?" he says, riding the wave.

For once, Maxine is at a loss for words but a squeeze from John Ross' hand prompts an answer without any sass.

"Yes," she simply says.

"Yes? That's it? Is this you talking or have you been hacked by a nicer version of yourself?"

"I just like your Mama, that's all," she says, still holding his hand.

"Oh I see. Well good. She'll be happy you're coming. I'll pick you up at 4, and I might have my Daddy in the car so consider yourself warned."

"Of?"

"My Daddy. He's a pistol and there's no telling what he'll say. Though I could say the same about you, couldn't I?"

Ruby paces in the parlor, her head tight with worry. Stopping in front of the big window, she looks out at the afternoon sun fading behind billowy gray clouds. She folds her arms across her chest and shakes her aching head.

"Somethin' ain't right here. No. No, somethin' has gone awry," she says, her deep blue eyes searching the front yard.

Maxine's yellow VW Bug is parked in front of Sue Ellen's house. Ruby doesn't get any vibe when she stares at the car.

"Oooh, Lord!" she shouts at the sharp pain in her forehead. "Leave me be if you ain't gonna show me nothin!"

"Miss Ruby?" Paul says in the parlor doorway. "You alright?"

"No. No I am not. Something is wrong…..somewhere. And I can't get a read on it. I just can't," she says squeezing her temples between her hands.

"Something, somewhere? That don't say a whole lot, Miss Ruby."

She glares at Paul, hands on hips.

"Don't you rile me up, Paul! Why don't you do something besides suck air into that big nose and talk foolishness?"

Paul takes a step back, wounded but annoyed.

"That's unkind, Miss Ruby. I'll blame it on your headache, this time."

Ruby waves him off, muttering something.

"Is there a storm comin?" she calls after him.

"No," Paul yells back from the kitchen where he removes the whistling kettle from the stove.

"Why you ask?" he says bringing her a hot pot of bergamot tea.

"There's interference, that's for certain. But I don't think it's on the weather's account," Ruby says, still looking out the window. "Somebody's gone and tipped the scales with what they done. It's like cuttin' in line, best way I can explain it. Throws everything off."

Paul pours her a cup and a fragrant tendril of steam curls up towards the ceiling.

"And I can't get no handle on it but for this old woman's voice in my head saying 'Help is just a phone call away' over and over and over again," Ruby says. "I wish she would shut the hell up about it, I really do."

"Well what can you learn from her voice?" Paul says, sitting across from her.

Ruby sighs. "Pour yourself some tea," she says. "You know, you remind me of your granddaddy right now, honey. The way he used to help me untangle my mind." She smiles at the memories.

"Sorry, about before," she says, tapping her nose.

Paul laughs and takes an exaggerated breath through his nose.

"So, where were we?" he says. "The voice. What does the sound tell you?"

Ruby leans forward. "She's southern, alright. Soft twang, though. Got the yeehaw schooled out of her, or….."

"She was an elegant lady?" Paul offers.

"Yeah, yeah could be. But she wasn't no porcelain doll. This woman had grit and she means business right now. This ain't no broken record. This is urgent. This is a warning. I just don't know who the hell for."