Dallas, Texas
JR reasoned with himself, his actions were borne out of desperation, a need for physical attention, there was no emotion attached to them. He still loved Sue Ellen and intended to marry her one day, marriage would fix everything, she'd finally be his wife and he wouldn't have to seek affection elsewhere. Besides, what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her; this could actually improve their relationship, he was satisfied and she didn't have to keep telling him no every time he made a slightly suggestive move.
Teresa brought the mail outside to the patio; JR looked through the pile, a few bank statements and a car registration reminder, then a letter that had suspiciously familiar handwriting. Opening the envelope and reading the statement he was slightly confused, he unfolded the paper and laughed, it finally made sense, king and queen suited them, "excuse me mama" he got up from the table and walked to the phone, "I'd like the number for a costume shop in Austin please" he waited as his call was transferred. "Yes, that will be fine, delivery this afternoon would be perfect", he finished the phone call and grinned, he was sure she'd be as confused as he was at the beginning, but then she'd like it.
Austin, Texas
Sue Ellen studied for two hours and then felt burnt out, she needed a break, "I'm going for a walk, would you like to come?" she directed her question at Paula who looked equally as tired, "sure, anything to get away from medieval literature" Paula laughed and the two left the house. They took a leisurely walk to the park near campus and returned an hour later. Paula laughed out loud when she saw the strange man standing outside their sorority house, the man was middle-aged and wore a royal herald costume, "Paula…" she paused as she saw what her friend was giggling about, "why is there a town crier outside our sorority house?" Paula laughed, "it's like my medieval literature paper came to life. I do wonder why he's here though", the two walked toward the house and the man recognized Sue Ellen as the girl he was supposed to announce to, he remembered her face from when she was crowned Miss Texas, in his line of work, anyone with a crown was worth noticing. "Hear ye, hear ye, I cometh bearing a response to an invitation. A Mr JR Ewing graciously accepts the opp'rtunity to be king to thy queen. As a token of his appreciation, he offers this crown and sceptre to you milady" the man handed Sue Ellen the sceptre and placed the crown on her head as she giggled, she hadn't expected JR to go this far. Paula was amused, a small crowd had gathered to watch, this was definitely better than writing an essay. They thanked the man and made their way inside, allowing their giggles to get louder as they entered the house, the other girls looked a little confused but were used to Sue Ellen getting special attention and assumed it was one of those times again. "I'd better call JR, he'll complain to the company that their service wasn't right if I don't" she dialled Southfork, hoping that he would be home.
Dallas, Texas
It had been a week since Sue Ellen had invited him to the Halloween party, at first, he was excited, but then he remembered his own time in college, the way he and his fraternity brothers treated some of the girls was not the way he would want anyone treating Sue Ellen. There was one girl in particular that reminded him of the situation with Sue Ellen, her name was LeAnn Nelson and she was just a naïve young girl when JR had met her. JR had sweet-talked her into bed and it was great, until she came to him and told him that she was pregnant. No way in hell was he going to be a father in college, especially to an illegitimate child with some country girl; he couldn't even guarantee that he was the father. He'd dealt with that problem, but thinking of it now only heightened his fears about Sue Ellen being alone at college. Bobby was also in college now and JR had heard stories, things had not changed much since he was a student. It was something that he'd never even considered before, Sue Ellen lived on campus and attended parties like this all the time, he hated the idea of any other man seeing her the way he did. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea for them to go to this party, maybe it wasn't a good idea for her to go to any parties without him. He'd talk to her at dinner and try to persuade her to see things his way, if she didn't, he'd have to take it into his own hands, he already had her activities being somewhat monitored, but he would have to increase his surveillance if she wasn't going to listen to reason.
Austin, Texas
Sue Ellen prepared for their dinner date, JR tried to make sure they saw each other at least twice a week, usually Wednesday nights for dinner in Austin and he'd fly her to Dallas for the weekend when possible. She was happy with the direction their relationship was going, they had a few social events coming up and he'd started dropping hints about her being his wife in the future. She didn't expect a proposal before graduation, but she had no definite plans after graduation except for competing in the Miss America pageant, she was open to anything he may have planned for the next year and hopefully the rest of their lives.
As they arrived at the Driskill Hotel, she laughed, they'd been there on their first date and she'd been disappointed when she'd realised that she'd been there before, little did she know the date JR had planned was much different to any she had experienced before. Entering the building they walked toward the Driskill Grill, the hotels five star restaurant, "hm, so we're eating with everyone else tonight?" she joked and he laughed, "I like showing you off", the hostess showed them to their table and they looked at the menus. As they ate their food and talked, JR tried to find the right time to make his concerns known, "so, do you have a plan for Halloween night? It's on a Tuesday this year, that doesn't matter to me, no one will be attending classes on Wednesday, but you have to work don't you? Do you think you'll fly back or stay here and fly out the next morning?" she'd mentioned Halloween, there was no way he could answer the question without stating his opinion. "Darlin', I was thinking, how about you and I just celebrate somewhere in private? I can organize a haunted house tour for us if you really want to go to one and we don't have to worry about being crammed in a fraternity house with hundreds of other people", she listened to his words and was overcome by confusion, "uh JR? Why? Isn't the point of a Halloween party to celebrate with everyone else who is also dressed up? I'd feel so silly if it were just the two of us alone in costume somewhere. Besides, the annual Halloween party isn't really something that you say no to, everyone will be there. Hold on, why am I explaining this? You weren't in college that long ago, don't tell me that you never partied?" she was perplexed, he was definitely a partier in college, even now; he didn't shy away from attention, his suggestions made no sense to her.
JR felt backed into a corner, he hadn't expected her to be so against his suggestion, maybe he was going to have to spell out his concerns, he hoped that she understood where he was coming from. "Well, yes, that's actually why I'm suggesting we celebrate alone. I remember how these things are, one minute you're dancing with me, the next you're alone with some other guy and he's taking full advantage of you. I worry about you, do you understand that? Not only on Halloween, but all the time, Sue Ellen, you're absolutely breathtaking and I know how men's minds work, especially young, single men, I was one not that long ago. I don't like the idea of anyone trying to take advantage of you" he finished speaking and looked at her, trying to gauge her reaction. She was surprised, she didn't realise how much thought he'd put into imagining the worst case scenario, she wasn't sure if she should be flattered or offended. "JR, you realise that I had a life before you right? Men have always paid attention to me, but that doesn't mean that I'm not aware of it and can't handle myself. I distinctly remember a few times where you tried to move further than I was comfortable with, did I give in though? No. I think I deserve more credit than you are giving me, I'm not naïve, I know exactly how these things work, I've been in college for four years and I've lived with my mother my whole life, I know exactly what men want, but that doesn't mean that anyone is getting it. JR, not even you are that lucky, how could you think that I'd just allow myself to be taken advantage of by some random man? Do you not trust me at all?" she was upset, this was not how JR had planned the conversation. He sighed, "I'm sorry, I suppose it came out wrong, I just meant that I worry about you, not that I don't trust you. We'll do what we originally planned. But if anyone makes a move toward you I will not be held accountable for my actions, you're all mine and I feel protective of you, other people need to understand that. I didn't mean to upset you" he tried his hardest to smooth things over; he didn't want to ruin their evening. Somewhere in her mind she was a little flattered that he cared so much, though he sometimes came across a little strong, "it's ok, I understand. I wouldn't like it if we were at a party and random girls were throwing themselves at you, I appreciate where you're coming from", that was enough for JR, he wanted to move on and salvage their evening, "good, now let's order dessert".
To be continued…