Dallas, Texas

"Doctor Williams said I should speak to my mother alone before I involve you. I don't know if that's the best thing, but he seemed to believe that it was necessary for my future growth into a stronger, more assertive and less submissive woman, so I'd like to at least try". Looking at JR as she explained the situation and informed him that she would like to try to resolve the issue by herself instead of involving Harve Smithfield and his legal contract, she hoped that he understood, however, from the look on his face, he didn't and he wasn't happy. "I'd like to speak to this Doctor Williams, give him a piece of my mind", huffing in annoyance at the idea that his mentally and emotionally delicate wife purposely start a divisive conversation with her mother, the woman that was the cause of so many of her issues, JR paused and collected himself. He couldn't really verbalise his thoughts, she wasn't so weak that she would really accept him using her former emotional instability as an excuse as to why she shouldn't move forward, and starting a discussion that would inevitably turn into an argument would be counterproductive right now, so instead, against his instinct to make himself heard, he held back. After a few moments of consideration, thinking about what would work for them as a couple in the long run, he spoke again, "ok, do what you have to do. I'm coming with you though, that is non-negotiable. I'll stay quiet, but I need to be there to make sure she plays fair", not mentioning that he wouldn't be telling Harve to cancel his contract writing any time soon, he played agreeable and was relieved when she appeared to accept his answer. "Fine", knowing that JR wouldn't take no for an answer and that she was lucky he was even allowing her to deal with the situation on her own at all, despite being a grown woman, she agreed and secretly, she was actually a little pleased that he was so set on coming with her. She acted as if she were entirely sure of her decision, but deep down, she wasn't, and she liked when JR was there to support her, even if it were to raise her mood after a confrontation that she willingly and foolishly put herself into. "Good", giving her a soft kiss, JR ended their discussion and motioned for her to finish getting ready for dinner and he was pleased when she did exactly as he instructed; he didn't mind her being her own person, but he did get a certain satisfaction out of having the last word.

Austin, Texas

"Mama?" setting the table for dinner, Kristin thought about the cryptic things her mother had said over the past few weeks and the conversation that had occurred the previous evening at Southfork, and sensing that now wasn't the worst time to ask, she decided to broach the subject. "Yes dear?" looking up from the kitchen counter, Patricia noticed her youngest daughter had a quizzical expression on her face, as if she were really trying to understand something. "JR pays for my school and gives us a little money each month, but I don't get the feeling that he does that because he likes us, he does it because he's Sue Ellen's husband and he should help to support her family…" pausing as her mother nodded subconsciously, she then continued. "The thing I guess I don't quite understand is why you're so sure moving to Dallas will upgrade our lives in some way. If JR doesn't like us, surely he doesn't want us living closer to he and Sue Ellen, and if we do move, what's to say that he won't get annoyed and stop supporting us? Aren't you afraid that he'll use the power he has over us if he's angry?" Speaking rationally for a moment, she then slipped into a more emotional state of mind, "I like my school and my friends and unless you're sure that our lives will be better in the future, I would really prefer to not have to move". Trying to remain as respectful as she possibly could, as to not anger her mother, she hoped that she had a good answer, one that would make everything seem better, because honestly, Dallas, while nice enough to visit, wasn't her home and she really didn't want to move, especially if there was no guarantee of a better life.

Pursing her lips as she tried to decide whether she was annoyed with her youngest daughter for questioning her or proud of how intuitive she was, Patricia took a deep breath and then spoke. "What JR Ewing thinks of us is irrelevant now; he must support us in one way or another, it's a social expectation, I made sure of it. Now my dear, as well as being a good negotiator, I am your mother and if I tell you to do something, then you do it, no questions asked", she didn't appreciate being questioned, but she tried to remain level-headed simply because she needed Kristin on her side; an upset Kristin could ruin her plan if she wasn't careful. Neither of her daughters were stupid, however, although Sue Ellen had fought a lot of the decisions she'd made for her, she was still the more submissive of the two, she often did what her mother told her to do because she respected authority, as she had been taught to. Kristin had a different personality to her older sister, she followed Patricia's instructions because she wanted the end result, she wanted a life of luxury and wealth and she believed that her mother knew how to get her that life, however, as well as trusting her mother, she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and question the decisions she made. Her mother was the authoritarian in the family and she trusted her, but she wasn't stupid herself, she had learned a lot from both her mother and JR Ewing and she could tell that whatever her mother's plan was, it didn't necessarily guarantee them a better life. It seemed obvious to her that her mother was taking a risk in assuming that JR would offer them more than what he was currently giving and honestly, she wasn't sure that she was prepared to take that risk, even if her mother was.

"You're sure?" not wanting to get into an argument with her mother or look like she was being too disrespectful, she simply waited for her to nod and assure her that she was sure, even if Kristin didn't believe it. "I'm sure", nodding, slightly annoyed with her youngest daughter for questioning her, Patricia remained calm, she needed Kristin on her side when it came to her future negotiations with JR and having her upset because she got angry at her wouldn't help her case. As well as being calm for reasons of future manipulation, she was also calm because she was confident. The way she saw it, JR had one of two options to choose from and either way, she and Kristin were better off. He would either give in and provide them with a nice life in Dallas to make sure his image was not damaged with his family. Or he would do the more likely thing and try to bribe her into not moving, thus opening their prior agreement up to negotiations again. She knew what she wanted out of life and JR Ewing was the man who could facilitate that, even if it were because he was trying to get rid of her rather than because he liked her. One way or another though, she would get her wish.

To be continued…