Dallas, Texas

"This is nice, I missed our dinners together", Sue Ellen made casual conversation as their drinks were delivered, she was surprised when JR had suggested they have dinner in town together, just the two of them, because lately they hadn't really spent a whole lot of personal time together. It wasn't that they didn't see each other or spend time together at all, but it had become quite routine and almost a little boring, they were a married couple, but sometimes it was if that was all they were, performing the duties they were assigned in the marriage and not much else. It was family time at Southfork for breakfast, cocktails and dinner, and everything going on at Ewing Oil had been heavily weighing on JR's mind lately, he hadn't been much good for conversation when they were together in their brief moments of aloneness. Sue Ellen didn't know what changed in him recently, but she wasn't complaining. In the past week he seemed to have been putting in much more of an effort to be a good husband, taking more of an interest in her life and activities and acting more like the man she'd first fallen in love with, he seemed to be trying to find a balance between his work life and his home life. She wasn't going to question his behaviour, there was one thing she knew about JR Ewing, he was unpredictable and it was best not to question his motives or plans, it wouldn't get you anywhere. "So have I, but we're here now and that's all that matters", he looked at her nodding and felt like he needed to explain a little further why he'd been so distant, it wasn't anything she had done, or anything that she could control, and he wanted her to know that. "I'm sorry we haven't done this in a while, I've been busy at the office lately and I have to do everything I possibly can for Ewing Oil and for my position. I can't have anything go wrong, not now", he didn't elaborate any further, but Sue Ellen knew exactly what he meant. Things were a little chaotic right now, in the oil business and within Ewing Oil, especially with the way Jock treated Bobby; now was not the time for JR to start taking it easy, not if he wanted to remain on top. "It's ok, you don't need to apologise for your job, I understand that Ewing Oil is important and I'll support you in any way you need me to", she reached across the table and touched his hand lovingly. She really did understand and she wanted to be the wife he needed, it wasn't fair for her to make him feel guilty when he was just doing what was expected of him, he was a powerful man, and with that power came responsibility and accountability, things that took time and attention. She had known those things before she married him and it wouldn't have been fair for her to get upset about them now, he was just doing his job, he didn't need anything more to worry about. She tried to make sure that he didn't have to worry about anything else so she mostly kept her thoughts to herself, only telling him things when he expressed an interest in knowing about them and generally keeping their conversations light and casual. She had worries and stresses of her own, but they were nothing in comparison to his, she wouldn't weigh him down with her insignificant problems, even if they didn't feel so insignificant sometimes. "Thank you darlin'", he smiled at her, she tried so hard to please him and he appreciated her efforts, "now we've spent enough time talking about business tonight, so let's shelve that subject. Tell me about your week"; they spent the rest of the night talking, dancing and enjoying being together, their evening reminding them of the little reasons why they'd fallen in love, it wasn't a marriage of convenience, there were real feelings there; even if the emotional side wasn't always the centre of attention, deep down it was always there.

Sue Ellen returned to the ranch a little before five, she had been out riding for hours, but she had made sure to keep an eye on the time so that she would have enough time to shower and make herself look nice again for JR when he returned from work. Their date night had renewed their romantic relationship and she almost felt like she had back when they were first married, all it took was a little love and attention and she was happy; she wanted to hold on to that feeling for as long as possible. She showered and was just blow-drying her hair in the bathroom when JR slammed the bedroom door, she heard at the sound but she didn't investigate any further; Southfork housed five other people, random loud noises were not uncommon occurrences. "Sue Ellen!?" she jumped as he appeared in the doorway, she hadn't expected him home just yet, and she definitely hadn't expected him to be in such a bad mood. Quickly switching off her hairdryer, she held her hand on her chest and calmed her breathing, "JR, you scared me. What are you doing home so early? Is everything all right?" she studied his demeanour, something was wrong; it had to be business related, because he would have acted differently if he had just come home to see her. JR softened his expression as he noticed her obvious shock at his arrival, he'd let his annoyance influence his actions and hadn't thought about how it would come across, "sorry, I came into the bedroom and you weren't there. I didn't mean to scare you", he avoided answering her questions, now realising that she probably wasn't going to be too pleased with him when he did tell her. They walked into the bedroom and Sue Ellen asked him again why he was home early; it wasn't that she was upset about it, but it was unusual, and that meant that something was wrong; she would prefer that he just tell her instead of making her try to guess. "…three or four days at the most", he finished explaining the situation and Sue Ellen composed herself, she wouldn't let him know how disappointed she was that he had to go to Washington for a few days, it wasn't his fault that there were bigger things happening in the world than their renewed relationship. "I understand; Ewing Oil has to come first", she gave him a small smile and looked at him, "besides, no one negotiates a deal like you do", she grinned, she wanted him to know that she was all right and that she supported him. "Ain't that the truth", he laughed, "Bobby was there a few months ago, but politics and especially politicians are fickle. Constant reminders are required if we want real allies, and there is no one better at giving reminders than JR Ewing", his mood changed as he spoke, manipulation and negation were two of his strengths and he was looking forward to using his skills again. He hadn't had much of a chance do anything like that lately, not with Bobby in the company; but this was his time to shine, he would get them what they wanted, at any cost. Sue Ellen watched her husband as he spoke, his whole demeanour changed when he spoke about 'reminders', he had a plan and something told her that it was delightfully evil; there was something so attractive about him when he was like this, it was the complete opposite of romantic, but it wasn't any less appealing. Sue Ellen zoned out for a moment, catching herself staring at his lips as he spoke, "are you all right sugar?" his words brought her back into reality and she blushed at the direction of her thoughts, they weren't at all ladylike, but something in his tone of voice had an effect on her, it was involuntary. JR wondered why she was so quiet, but he quietly realised what it was when she blushed, he broke into a smug grin, it was a boost to his ego to know that she was having impure thoughts about him, even if he didn't usually like to think of his wife in that way. "I… I'm fine. What time do you have to leave?" she turned toward their closet with the intention of helping him pack for his trip, she needed to distract herself from her thoughts. He was quicker than she was though, taking her hand and pulling her back to him, "later…" he whispered, his face inches from hers before he closed the gap, kissing her roughly and passionately. He was leaving for three days and he decided that he may as well leave as a satisfied man, with a satisfied wife; it was a one off thing, he could resume the romance when he returned, but for now, there were more important things on his mind.

To be continued…