Austin, Texas

Sue Ellen woke up on Saturday morning with a pounding headache and weak stomach, signs that her group of friends had celebrated well into the night. She was thankful that her hangover was the only negative consequence she had to deal with this morning, she was alone in her bed and that was the best thing she could have hoped for, she and JR were in relationship limbo right now, but she didn't want anyone else, especially not in an intimate sense. Getting out of bed and ready for the day, she looked at the necklace JR had sent her, it was small and meaningful, not big and expensive; he was being reserved in his efforts, but she didn't mind. She was ready to swallow her pride and just admit that they had two different ways of handling things and his methods obviously worked for him, just as hers worked for her. She had a great need to save face and act graciously all the time, never making a problem out of something that she could just let slide. JR was not the same, he was more confrontational, his reputation preceded him, he operated both secretly and openly, people knew not to mess with him because his methods were unorthodox, they could never predict the exact way he would retaliate. She loved that he was so powerful, it was such an attractive quality, but when he tried to use that power to change something in her life, in a way that she didn't agree with, she realised that she didn't like when he held power over her. She was ready to concede though, she missed him and an apology was more than worth it, even if she didn't necessarily agree that she was wrong in this situation.

Sue Ellen ate breakfast with a few of her friends, some who had been with her the previous night and others who hadn't, "you and Billy would make a cute couple, he's obviously holding out hope that you and JR will call it quits". Sue Ellen blushed as Charlotte mentioned Billy, she was well aware that although he'd given up any pursuit of her when she'd met JR, his feelings for her hadn't gone away, if she and JR were broken up then he would be free to resume his romantic intent. She enjoyed his company as a friend, but as a date, she felt no chemistry between them, she had explained it to him before and they'd agreed to just be friends, but his feelings were obviously still there. "We're just friends, he's a nice man" she wasn't sure how much detail she really wanted to explain so left her comments vague, "mmhm, friends. Don't tell me you two don't have a history", Sue Ellen laughed, they definitely had a history, it just wasn't the exciting, romantic history that the other girls wanted to hear. "We do; we went on three dates and decided that we worked better as friends. He's very busy with his work, but occasionally we'll see each other, he was my escort in the Miss Texas pageant and my mother adores him, but we really are just friends. JR and I are still together and I don't plan on being single any time soon", she spoke with authority, but secretly she wasn't so confident about her relationship, she and JR still had to talk out their problems, that would either make or break them. The other girls looked at her sceptically, but said nothing. After breakfast, Sue Ellen drove to her mother's house and spent the day with her family, something Patricia liked to insist they do, despite their lack of common interests.

Dallas, Texas

JR ate breakfast with the family before driving into Dallas, there were a few things he had to do for Ewing Oil and he always focused better at the office. The problem at the Ewing Four field the previous day had delayed his paperwork and he really needed to complete it before Monday. On his drive into Dallas, he thought about Sue Ellen, he hoped that she liked the necklace and flowers he sent her and he was actually a little bit surprised that she hadn't called to thank him. He was ready for her apology and to get things back to the way they were before. A couple of hours later, the phone in his office rang, startling him, he hadn't expected anyone to call, especially not at the weekend. "Hello?" JR wasn't sure he should even bother answering, but he didn't like the idea of missing something important, "Mr Ewing, it's Jerry Macon, you asked me to call if there was any change in Miss Shepard's routine" JR sat up straight, this was either very good or very bad, he wasn't sure which. "Go on" he indicated that he was listening, "well last night, Miss Shepard and a few girls went out to dinner and then to a dance club where they didn't leave until closing, quite some time after midnight" JR wasn't too surprised, it was her birthday after all, "is that all?" JR questioned, it sounded like there was something the man wasn't telling him. "Well, no. You said to report any contact she had with other men, there was a man in the group, none of the other girls brought dates. Miss Shepard looked quite comfortable with this man. I was unable to identify him, but in my opinion, he did not look interested in being just friends with her" he finished speaking and JR sighed, it sounded like she'd moved on from their relationship. "How did they act together?" he wasn't sure he really wanted to know, but something inside him asked anyway. "Well, actually sir, I was unable to get into the club, you see, it's a place where college students and younger people go and the bouncer at the door didn't see why a man in his mid-forties would want to get in; I couldn't actually get past security. However, at the restaurant they went to for dinner, they seemed very friendly, sitting close together and occasionally touching each other, I can only imagine that it was the same in the club. At the end of the night, they exited the club, she was leaning on him for support, and they either hugged or kissed when they returned to her sorority house. I was quite far away as to not draw attention to myself, I'm sorry I can't give you a more detailed explanation" JR was hurt, something he would never admit to though; they hadn't even officially broken up and she was already dating other men. "That gives me a pretty good idea of what happened. Keep on it, I want to know who the man was and if you have to work overtime to find out then so be it", they ended their call and JR tried to get back to work, it was more difficult now that he his mind was working to formulate a plan. Sue Ellen had two things to apologise for now and JR would not be making any further effort to fix their relationship; she hadn't called to thank him for the necklace and now he was sure why, she had moved on, though she'd forgotten to inform him that they weren't together anymore. Exiting the Ewing building, JR walked to the nearest bar, if Sue Ellen could have another man, then he could certainly have another woman.

To be continued…