Austin, Texas

Soon, Friday afternoon came and Sue Ellen and Paula packed their things to head up north for the long weekend.

Ordinarily, Paula would have driven back to Richardson, but since she only lived about twenty-five minutes from Braddock and Sue Ellen was flying, JR had offered her a seat on the Ewing jet.

As they boarded the plane, Paula was in awe.

"Marry him."

She was only half-serious, but her comment made Sue Ellen laugh.

"My mother would be proud don't you think? Kristin is just itching to fly on a private jet too. Actually, I have to admit, it is pretty nice to be accommodated like this. Even as Miss Texas I have to fly coach with everyone else when I travel to different cities."

Paula could tell that Sue Ellen was falling not only for the man JR Ewing was but for the lifestyle he would provide her with. She'd loved Clint, but this was different. Sue Ellen would have been happy as a computer engineer's wife, making enough income to live on and have a reasonable middle class life, however, marrying JR Ewing would mean a more pleasant and quiet life for all. She'd finally have everything her mother wanted for her, and for the first time, Paula could tell that Sue Ellen didn't mind living the way her mother wished.

Dallas, Texas

Sue Ellen had become a semi-regular guest at Southfork dinners and everyone enjoyed her company. Jock was especially happy to have another chair filled at the dinner table and knew that if his plans went smoothly then soon they would have a new Mrs Ewing and John Ross Ewing III as permanent dinner guests. He expected that by the time the future Ewing heir was old enough to sit at the table Bobby would also be focusing on finding a wife and expanding the Ewing family himself. Soon, Southfork would once again be the lively, people filled home it had the potential to be.

After dinner, the family retired to the living room. Bobby, JR and Jock talked business while Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie discussed what they were wearing to the barbecue the following day. Lucy especially liked having Sue Ellen around. The idea of having a Miss Texas for her aunt and a younger woman to talk to appealed a lot to her. The only female influences she had in her life were her grandmother and the society ladies that she was friends with and while nice, they weren't exactly knowledgeable about the things that concerned her most.

The following day, JR picked Sue Ellen up at her hotel where they enjoyed breakfast alone together. They hadn't had much time to themselves the previous night and it was nice to spend some time together just the two of them before the hectic event began.

Arriving back at Southfork, Sue Ellen was once again surprised at how big and extravagant the barbecue setup was, which JR noticed immediately.

"I told you the first time you were here, the Ewings go all out when we entertain, it's tradition."

When the first of the guests began to arrive, she wasn't sure whether she should stand in the receiving line to welcome the guests or not. She wasn't actually a Ewing and no one really knew who she was, she stood off to the side and watched, although apparently JR hadn't intended for her to do that.

"Darlin', come stand here with me, I want everyone to meet you and know that you're mine."

Joining him, cautious, she watched as more cars began to pull in and more people began to fill the ranch.

"Sue Ellen, so nice to see you again."

Punk and Mavis Anderson greeted her and it was nice to see a couple of friendly faces amongst the many people she'd met and already feared she'd forgotten the names of.

While most people arriving fit into the relationship category of business associates and society friends, there was something different about the way JR introduced the men JR called 'the cartel'. While they were business associates, they also seemed to be old friends, going back decades.

With the group followed an older man and his younger companion.

"Sue Ellen, darlin', this is Marilee Hurst and her father Martin Hurst. Say Marilee, where is Seth Stone, I thought you two were going together?"

JR had a joking manner with the woman, which made her uneasy, raising suspicion that they'd had some involvement in the past.

"Well thank you for your concern JR, Seth had to go out of town on business, nothing bad. I see you have a date, not your usual type, I'm sure your parents are pleased."

Marilee spoke in a way that felt aggressive, although the words she said were gracious. It appeared that she knew the social manipulation game well and Sue Ellen's immediate reaction wasn't positive.

"You're right about that, Marilee, Martin; this is Sue Ellen, my girlfriend."

Hearing JR's explanation and seeing his actions, his arm around her waist, Marilee laughed cruelly.

"JR Ewing? Girlfriend?"

Derisive, her attitude switched within seconds and suddenly she calmed and smiled at Sue Ellen.

"Nice to meet you Sue Ellen, I hope we'll get to know each other."

"Thank you, it's nice to finally meet some of JR's friends."

Surprised, but aware of their surroundings, she smiled falsely, said something she didn't mean and then waited patiently for JR to take the hint and move on to the next person in line, which thankfully, he did.

A couple of hours later the barbecue was in full swing. The food was fantastic, the atmosphere was energetic and Sue Ellen was grateful that everyone she'd met since Marilee had been nice.

Seated with Miss Ellie and some of her DOA friends, she listened as the women discussed the upcoming charity fundraiser, the fact not lost on her that the ladies were pleased Miss Texas could soon be one of them.

As they sat and talked, Marilee watched from afar. If all went as expected, she'd marry Seth and join the DOA herself, and competing with Miss Texas for attention was a smudge on her mental image of her bright future.

"Mama, may I steal Sue Ellen, we haven't danced nearly enough today."

Hearing JR's voice behind her, Sue Ellen turned around, pleased that JR had come to find her. She understood that he was busy with hosting obligations but she self-consciously had begun to wonder how important she was to him after he'd spent all day talking business with the other men and having vaguely flirtatious conversations with some of the women.

As they danced, he held her close and his body language made her feel that she really was the most important woman in his life, aside from his mama of course.

Dancing for a long period, they only left the dancefloor when they needed a drink to quench their thirst and a meal to give them energy to continue into the night.

"Are you sure that you don't have any more business to do today?"

Happy to be with him, she didn't want him to miss out on networking opportunities because he was trying to make her feel better.

"Yes, I promise, I'm sorry that I wasn't around much this morning. All business is done now and we are free to enjoy ourselves, so I'm all yours."

She smiled and then led him back to the dancefloor. She was in a dancing mood and wasn't going to miss out now that he was committed to spending time with her.

"How about we go for a walk?"

Later, as another song ended, JR made a suggestion.

"I'd like that."

Taking his outstretched hand, she let him lead her wherever he wanted to take her, which turned out to be down toward the stables.

"JR?"

She wanted to ask him about Marilee, it had been bothering her all day.

"Mmhm?" He encouraged her to continue what she wanted to say.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but what exactly is the relationship you have with Marilee? She didn't react very well to the news of our togetherness."

Sighing, his reaction concerned her, although his words offered some comfort.

"Sue Ellen, Marilee is a jealous woman and that's it. She and I have a difficult relationship because she's too much like me for her own good. Neither of us like to lose. I won't lie and say that there was never anything between us, but it definitely wasn't serious and it was a long time ago. She's practically engaged to Seth Stone, her father is grooming him to become a partner in Hurst Oil. She doesn't like to see other people happy, especially the way you and I are happy. Please don't let her snippy remarks and attitude hurt you, it's just who she is, but it's a lot of talk and no action."

Sue Ellen was pleased that he'd told her what sounded to be the truth, although she still wasn't sure about their previous relationship, she had a feeling it was a lot more than he'd let on.

"Ok, I don't like her, but I suppose I don't have to like her. I'll be cordial if we speak again, I'm a master at pretending to like rude people, it comes with the Miss Texas title."

She tried to lighten the mood; she hadn't wanted to ruin their time together with negative talk.

"Come on, if I remember correctly, the view from the hayloft is pretty nice."

Grinning and nodding in agreement with her suggestion it appeared he was excited she had suggested re-visiting the hayloft.

As they entered the stables and walked toward the ladder he froze and so did she, looking around and then realising why they had stopped moving.

If the sounds coming from above were an indication, another couple had beaten them to claiming the private space for themselves, the thought of which made her blush. She'd not intended to go quite that far with JR and standing next to him in the presence of such an obvious reminder was embarrassing.

The two quietly exited the stables and JR laughed loudly, breaking the tension and making her laugh too.

"The view's not that great anyway. Come on, let's go back to the barbecue."

Waving a hand, JR brushed off the idea and she was happy that he didn't address the awkward situation directly, she was after all a lady.

As the barbecue began to wind down and the guests began to leave, JR and Sue Ellen sat close together and reflected on the day. No one else mattered in that moment and it was obvious how much the two cared for each other.

Saying goodbye to a few guests, Bobby noticed his brother and Sue Ellen but didn't pay much attention, not until he caught sight of Marilee standing near the pool staring at the couple, staring daggers at them.

"They're really in love don't you think Marilee?"

He was well aware of the history between JR and Marilee and could see she was jealous, but he didn't care. Marilee couldn't do anything to him, nor did he believe she'd do anything to JR.

Glaring at him, she didn't say a word but walked away with a scowl on her face.

He didn't know what she was thinking but knowing a number of similar people he guessed that it was something similar to a selfish child. Marilee likely didn't actually want to be JR's girlfriend, but she wasn't fond of the fact that he had a girlfriend. Her own relationship with Seth Stone didn't factor in at all, she simply didn't like the option of choosing JR being taken from her.

"He's not worth it you know."

Approaching JR and Sue Ellen as they left to head inside, Marilee slurred her words, making it obvious she'd had a little too much to drink.

"Go home Marilee, you're making a fool of yourself."

JR took Sue Ellen's hand and they began to walk away again.

Seemingly angry that JR had just brushed her off and Sue Ellen hadn't taken any notice of her, she grabbed an abandoned glass of red wine and threw it at Sue Ellen, shocking everyone, including herself it appeared, her facial expression not one of glee but surprise too.

"Marilee! What the hell is wrong with you?!"

JR was angry and now had the attention of every leftover guest.

"Get off this ranch now, before I throw you off myself!"

Waving to Bobby, he left his brother to deal with Marilee and guided Sue Ellen into the house.