JR sat behind the desk in his office at Ewing Oil as he read the latest front-page article in the newspaper. It was only the day after the Oil Baron's Ball, but the media hadn't wasted any time in writing a big story about JR and Katherine's first major outing together. The headline on the front page screamed: "JR Ewing's New Love!" Under it was a picture of JR and Katherine dancing together at the ball in what was clearly one of their more intimate moments from that night. The article then went on to describe Katherine and to speculate on the reasons as to why JR had chosen her as a possible future wife. JR hated how the article always pointed out the financial advantages their relationship could have for Wentworth Industries and Ewing Oil. While there were some interviews from people at the ball who genuinely believed that JR and Katherine were in love, a lot of the article just made it sound like Katherine was nothing more than a pretty little business deal for JR.
JR was interrupted from his thoughts when Katherine walked into his office; quietly shutting the door behind her.
"Hi! I hope I didn't catch you at a bad time. Are you busy?" Katherine asked.
"I'm never too busy for you, Katherine. What can I do for you, darlin'?" JR asked with a smile.
"I need to talk to you about something important. And don't worry, it's nothing bad." Katherine said.
"Okay. Why don't we sit over here?" JR suggested as he gestured towards the sofa in the corner.
Once they were both comfortably seated next to each other, JR looked at Katherine expectantly. He wasn't afraid, but at the same time, JR also didn't want to get his hopes up about whatever Katherine had to say.
"I've only been in a serious relationship once in my life. It was a few years ago, before I had even came to Dallas for the first time. We were together for a while, and I really loved him. It was the first time I ever felt that way about someone in my life. But it was never meant to be…" Katherine said. She paused for a moment. JR could tell that whatever she was remembering still upset her to some degree.
"Let's just say that I found out that he was a very…different kind of man than he had made me believe he was during all of the time before that." Katherine said carefully.
"I'm sorry…" JR said helplessly. Even though he could tell that there was more to the story than that, JR knew that just telling him that much had been hard enough for Katherine.
"I was devastated. For a while, I believed that I'd lost my only chance for true love in my life. My parents helped me get through it. Because of them, I was able to get back to my life and finish school. Eventually, I was even able to start dating again, although I was really only doing it because men had asked me first. It never worked out, but I was okay with that. I decided that I was happy enough just to have my family. I wasn't lonely. But then, the nightmare started. Daddy died, and things changed more than I ever thought they could. I followed mama here, met Pam and Cliff, and then went back to New York when I couldn't find work. Then I came back after mama got me in the TV studio here. Just in time for the annual Ewing barbecue, too." Katherine said.
"And that was when you first met me." JR said with a smile.
Katherine laughed. "I remember! But back then, I never would've guessed just how important you would become to me. When I met Bobby that day, I had believed that I found the perfect man for me…" Katherine said thoughtfully.
JR felt a bit uncomfortable. He didn't want to hear about Katherine's past feelings for his brother anymore.
"I've realized something important about that. I thought that I had been in love with Bobby, but I wasn't. It was his honesty and kindness that I valued. Because of what had happened to me before, I was too impressed with the fact that Bobby was a good guy to see that I wasn't in love with him for who he really was as a person. And how could I be when I never even really got to know him at all?" Katherine said.
JR was surprised. Even though he knew that Katherine had moved on from his brother, he hadn't expected to find out that she had never truly been in love with Bobby to begin with.
"But then you were there, and everything changed. When I realized that I was starting to have feelings for you, I was able to start putting things in perspective. But I was still afraid. At first, I tried to convince myself that I was still in love with Bobby. But when that didn't work, I told myself that I should still choose him anyway since he was much less likely to hurt me because of his reputation. I was trying to base it on logic." Katherine explained.
After a brief silence, Katherine took a deep breath and continued again. "But love doesn't work that way. And I know that now more than ever because I know that I love you, JR." Katherine said softly.
JR looked at Katherine in amazement. He could hardly believe that he was actually hearing this. JR had dreamed of this moment for so long, and now it was finally here…
"From the moment we met again in the living room at Southfork after mama died, you have never stopped giving all of your heart to me. You were there whenever I needed you, and the more we got to know each other, the more I realized that I wanted to be there for you just the same. When I'm with you, I feel like we are almost one person. You're the first person who always comes into my mind whenever I think of anything. No one has ever made me feel the way you do, JR. I love you more than anything JR, and I want to start showing you that. I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't still a little afraid, but the fact is that you make me happy, and I want to be with you forever." Katherine said with tears in her eyes.
"This is really real, isn't it!? You're sure!?" JR asked excitedly.
Katherine smiled and nodded gently; tears streaming down her face.
"I never stopped hoping that this day would come. Katherine…" JR said quietly.
JR leaned in closer towards Katherine and took her in his arms.
"I love you more than anything, and I promise that I will never hurt you Katherine. I'm going to make you happier than you have ever been before. Everything will be fine now…" JR promised.
"JR..." Katherine whispered softly as she put her arms around JR.
JR and Katherine started kissing. It was the same kind of slow, gentle kiss as their first one under the willow tree at Southfork had been, except that this time it was filled with absolute joy and certainty.
After the kiss had finally ended, JR and Katherine still remained in their embrace; smiling serenely at each other.
"That just gets better every time!" JR said.
Katherine laughed. "I agree!" She said.
"So, now that we're finally together, I think it's high time we started planning for our first date! What do you say!?" JR asked happily.
"That sounds wonderful! I think we should plan it for a weekend day, though. Work is crazy right now, and I want us to be able to have as much time as we can for it. Is that okay with you?" Katherine asked.
"I couldn't agree with you more! I think Saturday would be good. Where would you like to go?" JR asked.
"Surprise me!" Katherine said with a grin.
JR laughed. "In that case, I'm glad I have some time to plan this!" He said.
"I know that I'll like anything you decide, JR!" Katherine said.
JR was just about to lean in for another kiss when he noticed the clock on the wall.
"I hate to say it, but it looks like our break is over. Do you want me to come over after work?" JR asked.
Katherine looked a bit apprehensive. "Normally, I'd say yes, but... How should I put this?" Katherine said almost to herself.
"Katherine, what's wrong?" JR asked in concern.
"Nothing's wrong. But I should explain this before I forget. JR, I love you, and I do want everything for us eventually, but I want us to take things slowly. I know that's your intention since you've planned for our first date and not something as big as an um, marriage. But what I'm trying to say is that we should just be mindful of the fact that we are starting out small, especially in certain, um, situations." Katherine said somewhat nervously. She was blushing bright red.
JR laughed to himself silently when he realized just what Katherine was implying. He had every intention of taking things slowly and enjoying the dating period of their new relationship. But Katherine wanted to be sure that the obvious physical chemistry between them didn't have a chance to get too out of hand before the time was right for them. Clearly, she hadn't missed the fact that being alone in her house together while their euphoria from her love confession was still so strong just might be too much temptation for them.
"Don't worry, Katherine. I understand what you mean, and you are right. Believe me, I want us to do things right just as much as you do. We can take our time and relax. That's part of the fun. And when you are ready for other steps, just let me know. It's okay. Especially now that the hard part is over!" JR said.
Katherine looked relieved. "Thanks, JR. I was sure that we already were on the same page there, but I just wanted to make sure." She said.
"I'm glad you did. I have to get to work now, though. I'll call you later, okay?" JR said.
"Okay. I love you, JR…" Katherine said softly.
"I love you too, Katherine…" JR said in a tone that mirrored Katherine's. He then pulled her close to him for another long kiss.
"Okay, now I really need to get back to work!" JR joked after he finally pulled away from Katherine.
A few minutes later after Katherine had left; JR still couldn't stop smiling to himself. He could finally start a new life with the woman he loved, and nothing could make him happier. As JR's eyes wandered across his desk, he realized that he would soon be able to add the one thing that was missing in his office: A framed picture of Katherine.
