Austin, Texas

"I am going to miss you so much. I promise, I will come and visit you when I'm in Dallas" Sue Ellen hugged her roommate and best friend, "so am I. I cannot believe four years went by so quickly. Did you ever imagine the first day that we met that we'd become best friends?" Paula spoke and Sue Ellen was reminded of all of their good times together, she really was going to miss her, Richardson wasn't that far away, but it wasn't that near either, they wouldn't be as close as they were before. "No, but I am so glad that we did", the two girls hugged and Patricia approached them, "come along Sue Ellen, I think JR is tired of waiting around for you here", her words moved the feelings of boredom onto JR, but Sue Ellen knew that they were her mother's feelings, not JR's. "Roger is probably a bit tired too. I will see you later Sue Ellen", they hugged again and said their goodbyes before Sue Ellen followed Patricia to where JR and Kristin were waiting. "Congratulations darlin', these are for you" JR handed her a very large bouquet of flowers and two jewellery boxes. "Sapphires, how lovely. Thank you JR" she kissed him before her mother cleared her throat and asked to see the items. She showed her the necklace, earrings and bracelet and Patricia was rapt, JR certainly knew how to make an impression, he was definitely not a poor man. "Very nice. An engagement ring would have been nicer though" she complimented and then criticized his gift and Sue Ellen just sighed, nothing was ever enough for her mother.

The four ate dinner at a five star restaurant and Patricia was once again pleased with the willingness of JR Ewing to spend money on her daughter; he would make an excellent husband, wealthy and powerful. "This is your final gift darlin'" JR presented her with the key to her new apartment as they sat in the living room of her mother's home; they'd agreed to keep it a surprise until graduation day and then hopefully it would just flow with the rest of the gifts and her mother wouldn't mind too much. Patricia looked at the small box, inside was a silver key, "a key?" she questioned, not giving Sue Ellen time to respond in her own voice. "Yes, I have bought Sue Ellen a brand new condo. She deserves something big for this accomplishment don't you agree?" JR tried to make it seem as if it really were just a nice gift and Patricia shouldn't have a problem with it. "Oh how nice of you. Thank you JR" Sue Ellen quickly jumped in to the conversation, it would be easier if the two of them made it into a positive and didn't give her mother time to think of the negative side. "Well yes, but I don't think it's a good idea. No, you should live here with your family, not alone. Kristin has been looking forward to you moving back home. Isn't that right Kristin?" she pushed her youngest daughter into agreeing with her, though Kristin couldn't care less whether Sue Ellen came back home or not, she'd been living alone with their mother for four years, she was used to it now. "Well the condo is close to the modelling agency and that magazine office; I just thought it would be convenient for when Sue Ellen has appointments there. Of course she can still spend time here though" JR spoke and could see Patricia's mind working, trying to think of excuses why she shouldn't move somewhere on her own. "Sue Ellen has a car; I think she can get to her appointments fine. A young lady should not live alone, especially not in a building with men; anything could happen. Thank you for the kind offer JR, but I really think Sue Ellen should live here" she wasn't interested in relinquishing control of her daughter, especially if JR Ewing was involved and it didn't include marriage, who knew what they'd get up to alone in an apartment together. "Mrs Shepard, may I please speak to you alone?" JR changed his method; there was one thing he knew would convince her mother.

"Sue Ellen, you will stay at the apartment when you have early appointments and meetings, but you will still spend a good amount of family time here. Just like when you were in college" Patricia and JR re-entered the room after having come to an agreement and Sue Ellen was amazed, "yes mama, of course", she agreed, though she wasn't sure that her mother's idea was reasonable. "There are also rules around this new arrangement; the same rules that I have in this house and that the housemother at your sorority house had. I expect you to follow these rules or else I will know and you will be punished. Do you understand?" she may have been convinced by JR's generous gestures, but she still held her position, she didn't like the idea of her daughter living alone and would hold onto as much power as she could. "Yes mama" Sue Ellen nodded and agreed, she had gotten what she wanted and that was all that really mattered. "If you don't mind Mrs Shepard, I'd like to bring Sue Ellen to see her new condo" JR didn't let on that they'd already been there, "yes, that would be nice. Now Sue Ellen, remember the rules", she sternly reminded her daughter that she was still in control.

"So, how did you convince her?" Sue Ellen poured JR a drink, she hadn't seen the fully stocked bar the last time, but they were making the most of it now. "Well let's just say, your sister will be getting a world class education and your mama will finally get to have that relaxing vacation she's been wanting", JR sipped his drink and Sue Ellen giggled, "bribery". JR laughed, "I prefer the word incentive. This way, everyone wins" he pulled her into his lap and kissed her.

Dallas, Texas

"Sue Ellen, how nice to see you again" Bobby greeted her as she and JR arrived at Southfork, "you too Bobby" she smiled widely. She liked Bobby and he liked her, he was like the brother she never had, always happy to do things with her that JR didn't want to, especially riding horses, JR's least favourite activity. "Congratulations on your graduation, I heard that my brother went a little overboard on the gifts" he laughed as she nodded, "yes, well don't tell him that it was too much, I happen to like receiving gifts" she giggled and JR returned to her side. "Should my ears be burning?" he knew that his brother and girlfriend were friendly and often wondered exactly what they had in common, "well yes, but it was only good things being said" she kissed him and he took her hand, leading them away from Bobby, he wanted her all to himself today.

To be continued…