Dallas, Texas

The next few weeks passed quickly with JR flying down to Austin regularly and the two spending whatever time they could find together. It was difficult to arrange their schedules so that they were both free at the same time, but they managed.

Occurring more and more to JR was the question of how Sue Ellen's previous boyfriend had dealt with her schedule, because it was difficult to be completely satisfied with a few hours here and there, and the man had done it for over a year.

He'd subtly brought up Clint in conversation and she'd admitted that she'd broken off their relationship for various reasons although she never went into detail and he hadn't wanted it, nor did he think it was really his business to pry, especially with the newness of their own relationship.

They were still learning a lot about each other.

He'd quickly worked out how manipulative Sue Ellen's mother could be and how well Sue Ellen managed to hide the disagreements they had. Once, he'd arrived early for a date and sat patiently in the living room, overhearing the two discussing Sue Ellen's appearance and behaviour as if she weren't a real person. Sue Ellen had tried to state an objection but her mother always seemed to know best. Later, when she did come downstairs to greet him, Sue Ellen had acted if there had been no argument at all.

They were still getting to know each other in other ways too. They'd moved a little further in their relationship, but not as far as he was used to, a reality that was beginning to frustrate him. He didn't want to push Sue Ellen too far and have it damage their relationship but he also wished she'd realise he was a man and was used to having his needs fulfilled.

In addition to not wanting to push her, he had mental objections of his own to the other solutions to their problem. He didn't want to outright ask her to do things, especially since she was so ladylike and proper, it almost seemed beneath her to say things of that nature in her presence. However, she also didn't quite seem to get the subtle hints when they were alone together so he wasn't sure what to do about the whole situation.

Looking up as her eldest son walked into the Southfork kitchen, Miss Ellie set her recipe book down and greeted him.

"Something special coming up mama? You only keep your best recipes in that book."

"Yes, I was thinking of having a trial run for the upcoming barbecue. I want to test out a few recipes I haven't made in years but the recipes yield quite a few servings, more food than the four of us could eat so I was thinking of having a small barbecue. Bobby's coming home next weekend, Lucy can invite some friends, we haven't had the Andersons here informally for a while, and of course you may bring someone if you wish. I do hope to one day meet the young lady who you seem to be so taken with lately, she seemed very nice when I spoke to her on the phone last week."

Smiling, she prompted him to reveal something to her.

Sue Ellen had called to thank JR for the flowers and gifts he'd been sending her in his absence and she'd answered the phone. The young girl had seemed sweet and unintentionally ended up telling her more than JR'd probably intended his mother to know about their relationship. After that, it hadn't been difficult to figure out that all of the 'business' trips JR was taking to Austin were more pleasure than business.

"Sounds wonderful mama, you know how much I like your home cooking."

Avoiding eye contact and the topic entirely, she knew not to push him any further if she wished to see her suggestion eventuate.

Austin, Texas

JR placed his hand on Sue Ellen's lower back as he guided her into the elevator for their dinner reservation. Always pleased to see her, tonight was special; he was going to ask her out to Southfork for the first time and although he couldn't imagine her saying no, he was still a little on edge about the question. He'd met her family and some of her friends but she hadn't met any of his yet. They were exclusive in his mind, but they'd yet to actually declare that aloud to each other.

Arriving to the top floor restaurant, they stood by the window, enjoying the view of the Texas State Capitol and downtown Austin from above, then sat down to dinner.

Throughout dinner, it appeared to become obvious to Sue Ellen that something was weighing on his mind, because she soon asked, "are you ok?"

Considering it, he knew he was going to have to ask her at some point in the evening, so took the opportunity as she raised it.

"Well, my mama and daddy, they're throwing a mini-barbecue, in preparation for our annual barbecue and…"

Pausing, he was more nervous about the step in their relationship than the actual words he was speaking.

"Well my brother Bobby, he's coming home from college for the weekend so I thought it would be the perfect time."

Looking at him with wide eyes, nodding along with his words, Sue Elle's expression indicated she knew exactly what he was asking, although she played it straight and didn't allow him to skip the question entirely.

"Perfect time for what?"

Sounding just a little too naïve, he knew instantly that she was enjoying witnessing his more vulnerable side and unfortunately for him, he liked her a little too much to do anything but what she was willing him to do with her doe eyes and sweet smile.

"Don't make me say it; you know what I mean..."

Holding eye contact with him, Sue Ellen took his hand and squeezed it encouragingly.

"Perfect time to introduce you…"

"Introduce me as what? Your friend, your business associate, the girl you're keeping in Austin?"

Grinning with a smile that matched his own when he had a plan he knew that now she was just playing a game. She would attend the barbecue with him, that wasn't a question, however she wanted to see how long it would take him to define their relationship, to explain why she was being invited to meet his family. They'd never really discussed it themselves, it was more of an unspoken agreement to be exclusive, but she was pushing the discussion now.

"Introduce you as my girlfriend."

Saying the word aloud, a word he rarely used, he looked down at the table. He wasn't embarrassed, but he was shockingly nervous.

Appearing to sense his feelings, Sue Ellen made an unspoken declaration that she was done teasing him now and standing up she walked over to where he was sitting and crouched down so they were at eye level.

"Yes JR, yes I'll go to the barbecue with you and yes I'd love to meet your family as your girlfriend."

Hearing her, his mood improved instantly and all the confidence that had been missing just moments ago rushed back. Standing, he lifted her off the ground and kissed her, pulling away only because he remembered they weren't entirely alone.

"Wonderful! Mama will be so pleased, daddy too. Did you know my mama already asked to meet you? You must have made a good impression on her during that phone call, the one that you didn't tell me about."

Dropping the news on her as his mama had done to him, he grinned when he noticed her trying to come up with an explanation for what she'd said to his mama. She hadn't done anything wrong however by doing anything at all she'd revealed more than he had.

"Technically you did all the work. I called to thank you but your mama answered instead and I couldn't hang up."

Explaining herself she then leaned up and kissed him again in an effort to distract him from the topic of conversation, an action that was very transparent but he had no objection to.