Dallas, Texas

"Would you call Miss Shepard in Austin please", JR returned to the office from a late meeting and gave his secretary the orders to call Sue Ellen, it had been a week and he still didn't like the idea of giving her space, it wasn't like the distance between them was actually helping anything. He wanted her, she wanted him, to him it seemed simple; they should stay in a relationship and when the time was right, he would propose. He was on the verge of asking, but had yet to go through with his decision, and her request for space wasn't helping; he had to get her back before she completely changed her mind. His intercom buzzed and he picked up the phone, "I'm sorry Mr Ewing, Miss Shepard isn't home", JR sighed, she was either spending a lot of time out of the house, or she was avoiding his calls, "thank you", he hung up and went back to work.

"I'm going home, will you be close behind?" Jock stood in the doorway of JR's office and informed him that he was leaving, though he was really just there to check up on him and make sure that he was still working, he couldn't have JR distracted right now. "Yes sir, there are a few things I have to finish here, but I'll be home for dinner"; the two men said their goodbyes and Jock left. "JR?" Julie knocked on the door, knowing that JR was vulnerable right now and it was the perfect opportunity for her to 'comfort' him; JR looked up, Julie had gotten a new haircut or something, he didn't quite know, but whatever it was, she looked fantastic. "We're the only two left here; I was just about to leave, but I can stay if you need me", she entered his office and closed the door behind her, knowing that if she were close enough to him, he wouldn't be able to resist. JR knew it was a bad idea, with Julie, it was both personal and business, it wasn't right; at least with the professionals he paid, it was fairly anonymous and there was no personal connection or expectations. "You look tense, I could give you a massage", she walked closer to his desk and stood behind his chair, whispering in his ear, she spoke again, "I know you like my technique". JR let out a sigh, all the memories of their former relationship coming back to him; she was skilled, in more ways than one. He knew it wasn't right, but he and Sue Ellen weren't really together, and she'd never do what Julie was about to do; besides, she deserved it, she was ignoring his attempts at communication, he couldn't be blamed for turning to other women. "There is something you could do for me", his breathing became heavier as she kissed his neck. She made her way back to his front, kissing him while unbuttoning his shirt and pants; "it would be my pleasure", she kneeled and smirked, JR Ewing was so predictable, and she loved it.

Austin, Texas

Sue Ellen walked through the grounds of the UMLAUF Sculpture Garden, it was a nice, quiet walk, perfect for thinking and reflecting. She and Clint had spent a lot of time together there, but she also had some memories with JR; mostly she just enjoyed the general atmosphere though. It was winter and it was cold, well, cold for Texas anyway; she bought a cup of coffee from a street vendor and walked through the park, thinking, but not thinking. She was relaxed and happy; for the first time in a long time, she wasn't concerned about anything, the break she and JR were taking wasn't permanent, it was temporary, she needed this time to reconfirm her thoughts. She loved JR, and she wanted to be with him, but she really wanted to be his wife, she wanted to spend her life with him, support him, and be the mother of his children. She hoped that their time apart would lead him to the same conclusion, because anything else would be devastating. Across the park, she spotted a couple that reminded her of she and JR; they were so happy and in love, it was obvious to anyone observing them. For a moment she was jealous, remembering all the good times that they had had last year; the holiday season had brought out JR's romantic side and she had fallen more and more deeply in love with him every day. Wiping away a tear that fell from her eye, she reminded herself that their distance was temporary and that she would soon have that kind of love in her own life again.

"Merry Christmas mama", Sue Ellen handed her mother a large wrapped box and Patricia smiled widely, knowing that it would be something expensive and beautiful. Though Sue Ellen hadn't explained exactly why they were spending Christmas in Austin rather than Dallas, she knew not to say anything just yet, at least not until after she reaped the rewards of her daughter's future marriage; "oh, it's lovely. Thank you dear", Patricia examined the details of the ornate silver jewellery box. "I'm glad you like it, it's an antique", Sue Ellen knew that the gift would buy her a few more days of silence before her mother started questioning why she and JR had barely seen each other over the past few weeks. "What about me?" Kristin sulked, she would have preferred all the attention on he, but she knew that wasn't realistic; Sue Ellen refrained from rolling her eyes, but inside, she sighed, her sister was always so impatient and whiny. "I didn't forget about you, don't worry. Here, I hope you like it", she smiled and handed her sister the large box and watched as Kristin's face lit up at the size of the present. "Is this the one from the TV? I love it, thank you Sue Ellen... Wow, combined with my new talking Barbie and Stacey dolls, the new dresses I got and the pretty gold necklace, Lisa and Jennifer are going to be so jealous", Sue Ellen was happy that Kristin seemed to be enjoying her new Easy-Bake Oven, even if it was only because the girls at school would be jealous. "There's one more gift", Kristin excitedly noticed the red and gold wrapped box and hoped that it was for her; "it's for you Sue Ellen", Patricia handed her daughter the box and wondered who it was from, she didn't recognise the gift-wrap. Kristin's face dropped, of course the mystery gift was for Sue Ellen, Sue Ellen always got the good things. Sue Ellen gasped as she opened the box, "oh JR" she whispered to herself as she folded back the tissue paper and revealed the beautiful glass sculpture. She knew that it was expensive, but the cost wasn't what had caused her reaction; the sculpture was one that she had admired months ago in an art gallery in Houston; she was sure that JR had forgotten, but she had been proven wrong. She had thought that the time alone would give her time to think, but all of a sudden her mood changed, she was lonely and she didn't want anything other than to be with JR, as his girlfriend, wife or anything else, she didn't care, she missed him and she didn't want their relationship to be over.

To be continued…