Dallas, Texas

"I'm sorry your mama and sister couldn't make it" Miss Ellie spoke but Sue Ellen didn't feel quite the same way, she was glad that Kristin was still in school and had social events to attend back in Austin, Southfork was much nicer without her own family there watching over her every move. The semester had ended and Sue Ellen was finally free of academic stress, at least for a few weeks; her Miss Texas duties were not difficult, just time consuming, she didn't mind sitting on a float and waving to the crowds in Christmas parades. She was free to enjoy her time for the next few weeks and JR had been kind enough to arrange a few special events for the two of them, it was rare that they got time alone where they were able to just enjoy their time rather than worry about everyday life. JR still had Ewing Oil on his mind, but they had begun to arrange for their office closure over the holiday period, only the oil fields would be working, not the people in the offices. In the past week, JR had taken her ice-skating, on a carriage ride, to the theatre and to look at the Christmas lights; she'd begun to wonder if he was actually planning to propose sooner than she'd expected, though it hadn't happened yet.

The annual Ewing Christmas party was in full swing, the drinks were free flowing and everyone was having a good time, "Sue Ellen, Bobby" the two were speaking and heard Lucy calling their attention, she often felt left out at parties like this, there weren't many other children invited and sometimes she needed to make her own fun. This year, she'd learnt the meaning of mistletoe, "yes Lucy?" Bobby looked at his young niece, she had a devious look in her eye, this couldn't be good. "Look up" she grinned and Bobby laughed, JR wouldn't be too happy, but it was tradition. Sue Ellen looked up at the same time Bobby did, she was a little more hesitant than Bobby seemed to be, but everyone knew that mistletoe didn't count as cheating, especially a completely platonic, closed mouth kiss, "well…" Lucy was enjoying this more than she should have. Bobby leaned down and gave Sue Ellen a quick, friendly kiss; "so much for loyalty, both of you" JR had walked over at the most unfortunate time, "JR" Sue Ellen was surprised, this wasn't supposed to happen, it didn't even mean anything. "It's not what it looks like" Bobby started to speak in their defence, "mmhm, sure. I can't believe it, out here in the open too. You know, I expected this kind of thing from you Bobby, but not from you Sue Ellen" JR was angry and Sue Ellen was silent, this wasn't at all how the evening was supposed to go, "JR, you're being ridiculous" Bobby was surprised that his brother hadn't noticed the obvious reason for their actions, "I'm being ridiculous? No, you're not going to turn this back on me" JR was still angry; he couldn't believe that they'd do this to him. "Yes, JR, you are. Look up" Bobby pointed at the ceiling and JR followed the direction of his hand, suddenly realising that he had been wrong, though he'd never admit to it. "Yes, well, come on Sue Ellen, I think you and I have a little business of our own to attend to. Bobby, run along and stay away from my girl", in his own way, JR had apologised and Bobby knew there was no hope in getting anything more than that. Lucy had slowly walked away, giggling at the trouble she'd caused, sometimes it was fun to be mischievous.

Sue Ellen followed JR into the downstairs office, away from the party, "I'm sorry JR, it really was just a friendly kiss and nothing more, you know what tradition dictates about mistletoe". JR had already forgiven their actions, but he had Sue Ellen in a wonderful position, begging to get back on his good side, he wasn't going to waste this opportunity like he did the last time. "It didn't look like it. How do I know that you're not interested in him", in hindsight he knew that what he'd witnessed was nothing more than a platonic kiss, but he loved being the one in the position of power. "JR, I promise, I only have eyes for you, I love you, please believe me" she looked like she was about to cry, one stupid action was ruining their relationship. He'd expected her to argue back a little more, but instead she looked about ready to burst into tears, this wasn't how he'd planned it, she was different to his usual sparring partners. His mood softened as he saw her facial expression, the plan to make her beg for his forgiveness would probably send her over the edge, he wanted to enjoy the victory, not feel like a horrible person because he made a woman cry for no good reason. "You'll never do it again?" he met her halfway, still making her work a little for his forgiveness but still being nice enough that he wasn't attacking her, "I promise" she looked into his eyes. "Ok, I forgive you" moving closer to her, he closed the gap between them and kissed her softly, it wasn't really what he'd planned to happen in the office, but it was appropriate for the circumstances surrounding their conversation. As the kiss ended, he whispered that he loved her too and her heart jumped, she enjoyed the small moments where he expressed his feelings for her, it wasn't something he did very often.

"You know, we are all alone in this big office and it would be a waste to let this opportunity be ruined by our previous conversation" she wanted to be close to him in any way she could, but he needed to make the first move, it wouldn't be proper for a lady to propose such a thing. JR was tempted, her outfit alone had made him take notice; though conservative in style, her red dress was tight enough and short enough to leave little to the imagination about the type of body she had. "How about I give you a tour" his voice suggested anything but an innocent walkabout, "lead the way" she took his hand and he walked her around the room, casually using any opportunity to touch her. Both enjoying the intimacy of their actions and there was an underlying sexual tension between the two, as if it were a competition for who could hold out the longest before making a real advance. "You look very handsome in this photograph" she ran her fingers over a framed picture on the bookshelf, JR took hold of her hand as she traced the frame, moving behind her and kissing her neck, "thank you". He'd made the first outward move, anything was fair game now. He continued to place kisses on her neck, increasing the pressure while his hands roamed her body; in the back of his mind he knew that they probably wouldn't get as far as he hoped, but that didn't stop him from trying. He moved from his position behind her, around to face her; changing the focus of his kisses back toward her lips, he began to walk them slowly across the room until she was trapped between his body and the large wooden desk. Sue Ellen saw no harm in their actions; they weren't doing anything immoral or wrong. As JR 's hands felt around her hips, she leaned back, almost sitting atop the desk, her legs snaking around his thighs as they continued their passionate embrace. JR took advantage of her position, moving his hands higher up her skirt than he ever had before, it was a risky move to make, but she didn't seem to be responding badly at all.

"The files should be in here, I remember looking at them a few months ago" Jock, Punk and Jordan were in the middle of a business conversation, everything always came back to the subject of oil with these men. Jock opened the door and the men entered the room, still caught up in their conversation. JR didn't hear the door open, but as soon as the voices entered the room he knew they were no longer alone. Sue Ellen was mortified as the men entered the room, including Jock, the man she would one day call her father-in-law, this was deeply embarrassing for her. JR gave silent thanks that they hadn't entered the room a few minutes later, the way things were going, they would have been caught in an even bigger compromising position. "JR, Sue Ellen" Jock gave a small nod to his son; he could see that Sue Ellen was uncomfortable and the poor girl probably just wanted them to leave and forget the whole thing. JR was a lucky man, Sue Ellen was a very attractive young lady and the position his son had her in was not one that any sane man would turn down the opportunity to swap places with. "Daddy" JR acknowledged his father, but really just wanted them to leave, Sue Ellen smiled weakly, she needed to get out of this room, they couldn't stay here any longer. JR excused them and they walked into the hall, making sure they looked presentable before joining the party again. "Think of it this way darlin', you'll never forget your first Southfork Christmas party", she laughed, somehow he was able to brush off embarrassment and humiliation, as if they didn't bother him, she wished she was more like that sometimes. "On the positive side, better your father than my mother", JR let out a loud laugh as she made a joke that reflected reality just a little too well. This was the Sue Ellen he wished she could channel more often, the girl who didn't take things too seriously and could actually enjoy an unfortunate situation rather than let it ruin her whole evening.

To be continued…