Austin, Texas

Returning from cheerleading practice to the sorority house on Tuesday afternoon, Sue Ellen had only just started on her weekly assignments when word came through that someone was on the phone for her.

"Hello?"

Answering, she hoped it was JR however knew it could be any number of people.

"Hello darlin'. You're not easy to contact you know."

She laughed at his remark.

"Well, I've got to keep you interested somehow; this way gives me a mysterious advantage."

Laughing, JR played along with her joke.

"Mhm, I don't know, a lady who sits by the phone all day waiting for my call does have a certain appeal. But I would rather a lady who is a little mysterious sometimes, gives me something to think about."

She smiled at his indication that he'd been thinking about her, especially wondering what she was doing.

"Well I'll keep that in mind. So, now that we've talked about my day, how was yours?"

She wanted to stay talking to him, she loved conversation with him, especially conversation that was casual and friendly, linking them as more than potential romantic partners.

Detailing his day, he pointed out that she hadn't actually told him about hers, so she did, explaining just how many things she had going on in her life, from college to family to Miss Texas duties, she had a lot on her plate.

"My my, Miss Texas is a busy girl. I'd better not keep you then. My reason for calling was to let you know how much I enjoyed our first date and I'd like the opportunity for a second. When is best for you?"

Excited, she had to check her calendar first before answering, running through her commitments in her head.

"Well, I'm busy all week and but Friday is just class and I'm cheering at the home game in the evening. I'd say you could meet me afterwards, but we probably wouldn't get much time alone, so it might be better to arrange to meet on Saturday if you're free? I have no plans all day or night."

"Oh I don't know, seeing you in a cheerleading uniform does sound pretty appealing," he laughed, "Saturday sounds good, how about we take advantage of your availability and make it a morning date, we'll see where the day takes us."

Suggesting something that sounded wonderful to her, they agreed on their plans and said their goodbyes, the anticipation for the coming weekend heightened.

Dallas, Texas

The week had gone by slowly, but Friday afternoon had finally arrived and JR's mind was on only one thing.

Sue Ellen had mentioned the football game that was set for later on but he wasn't sure it would be appropriate for him to surprise her by showing up. They were friendly but had only been on one date and hadn't met each other's friends or even discussed becoming exclusive.

Sue Ellen was a busy girl and he was anxious to see her. It briefly occurred to him that he wasn't the first man to schedule himself around her, a boyfriend had been mentioned in the file he'd had put together, but she hadn't mentioned him at all and as far as he could tell was not scheduling their rendezvous around her present relationship. He'd need to find out where he stood before he moved forward with her, but he absolutely intended to move forward.

Going over it in his head, he decided to go discreetly, watch her and then if the opportunity presented itself, surprise her. If it didn't feel right he'd see her in the morning as they had planned.

"Julie, call the airfield and have the Ewing jet ready for an hour from now. Book my regular suite at the Driskill Hotel in Austin too, I'll be there tonight."

Austin, Texas

Arriving in Austin, JR checked into his hotel, changed clothes and made his way to the University of Texas football stadium. The atmosphere reminded him of when he was in college, he'd had a lot of fun and had continued his way of life after graduation, not that it quite fit with his parents expectations. It was a little strange to him that he was thinking so far ahead, but he couldn't help it, he liked her, a lot.

The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric. Home games were always more energetic and helped the cheer squad as well as the football team perform their best.

As the cheerleaders ran out onto the field, the sea of orange Longhorns fans was enough to get anyone's energy up but that wasn't the only thing making Sue Ellen happy. She was excited about the upcoming weekend too and her cheerful, energetic mood reflected that.

JR spotted Sue Ellen as the cheerleaders ran out onto the field, admiring how pretty his girl looked in her uniform. He might have preferred a shorter skirt for his own private viewing but in public, the knee-length skirt suited him just fine.

Surprised, he realised he was already thinking about her as 'his girl' and that meant he felt protective of her; he didn't like the idea of other men ogling her.

The Texas Longhorns won the game and the collective energy of the fans was thrilling.

JR made his way through the hallways inside to find the entrance to the women's locker room. He'd had to pay off a few security guards to get into the non-public area of the building but money wasn't a barrier for him.

Quietly, he waited outside for her to exit.

Sue Ellen was on a high from the home game win, the best kind of win. The party would start immediately and carry-on into the night, her only disappointment was that she hadn't been more insistent that JR join her, so she had someone special to share the night with.

Waiting behind for a few of her friends to finish changing, they all exited the locker room at once, giggling and talking amongst themselves.

As she walked out the door, she was shocked; JR was standing there, in person, waiting for her.

Embracing, they were completely oblivious to the audience they had in the other cheerleaders until they heard the locker room door open again as another group of girls exited.

Turning to her friends, Sue Ellen made her position clear.

"You go on ahead, I'll catch up later."

Leaving, the giggled, excitable conversation centred on not just two topics, football and the after party, but a third, the handsome stranger, Sue Ellen's handsome stranger.

Walking out of the stadium hand in hand it occurred to JR he might be taking Sue Ellen away from something.

"Did you want to go to that party? I don't want to interrupt your night."

Stopping and standing still, Sue Ellen shook her head.

"No. There will be other parties. Tonight I want to spend time with you. Unless you feel like partying with cheerleaders, football players and other students? Although, I'm not sure I want the other girls dancing with you."

Chuckling, he wondered whether she felt as possessive of him as he did her.

"No, I already have the most beautiful lady in Texas right here. Why would I need to go to a party? Come on."

Guiding her into a taxi, he made the choice for them.

Arriving in Austin's entertainment district, Sixth Street, they walked together amongst other students and Austin residents.

"I didn't really have a plan, so it's your choice what we do next. We could get coffee, or a late dinner, or we could go to a bar and have drinks and listen to the musicians. It's up to you. Do you have a favourite? You're the native here."

Considering it, Sue Ellen didn't take long to answer.

"Well I ate before the game and I'm a little tired from cheering, so how about we get coffee and talk and then maybe we can go dancing or go for a walk and see where the night takes us."

Her mind made up, she guided them toward the Hideout Coffee House, Austin's oldest independent coffee house.

Talking, they spent their time catching up on the week between their last date and the present and to both it felt wonderful. Spending time together was an event in itself.

Later, they walked down Sixth Street again, enjoying the sights of activity around them.

Noticing the time for the first time all evening, Sue Ellen suddenly realised she had to get going. She needed to be back on campus by 1.00am or else she wouldn't be able to get into the sorority house.

Exiting the taxi, JR walked her back to the sorority house, stopping just yards from the door.

"I had a wonderful time tonight. I'll see you again in the morning."

Whispering, JR moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her waist. Knowing exactly what was coming she moved one hand to his shoulder in anticipation and when he leaned down and his lips met hers, she was ecstatic.

Kissing her more confidently than their first kiss, he started slow and increased the intensity before slowly stopping and pulling away.

Disappointed when their kiss ended she was aware they were standing in a public area and she really did have to go inside so she didn't dwell on it too long.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

Kissing him softly once more, she smiled to herself as she entered the house.