Dallas, Texas

With only the sound of John Ross's crinkly book filling the car, Sue Ellen watched her husband as he concentrated hard on driving, gripping the steering wheel, checking his mirrors every few seconds, and staring intently out at the long, straight road ahead of them. In other circumstances, focusing on driving would be a positive thing, however, from the pouty expression on his face, it was far from positive, in fact, it was clear to her that he was using driving as a distraction, though it wasn't working all that well. As was becoming the norm in his personal life, he was all wound-up, likely ready to explode at any moment, and that was not good, for anyone. Unfortunately, although Sue Ellen felt for him, because he had been hurt by his mother in the past, his father was currently ignoring his feelings, Bobby hadn't been as compliant or empathetic as he had hoped, and Jack had appeared in his life at an inopportune time, she did think he was overreacting just a tiny bit. Nothing had actually happened yet, but he was already acting like it had and like he had to be on the defensive, and if she knew Jock, that attitude would only escalate whatever problems were waiting for them at Southfork.

Noticing JR begin to drum his fingers against the steering wheel, Sue Ellen felt compelled to say something. To be completely stress-free was almost impossible when he was JR Ewing, he had a very important, stressful job, but that didn't mean he had to accept stress as part of his personal life, he could choose to make issues out of things that hadn't happened yet, or he could choose not to, she wanted to remind him of that. "JR, will you please try to relax, you're so tense I think I'm developing a stomach ulcer just sitting here watching you. Everything's going to be fine, it's family dinner, not war; we'll go, mingle, eat dinner, stay for a polite amount of time afterwards, then make some excuse about it being John Ross' bedtime and leave". Not wanting to startle him, she spoke in a soft tone, downplayed the significance of the family dinner, and made sure not to try too hard to get him to look at her, she'd been in a car accident while emotional once and knew better than to pull the driver's eyes from the road. "Mm", hearing his murmured response and seeing his grip on the steering wheel loosen just a little, she knew she was having some effect on him and decided to keep talking.

"You've done this a million times before, remember, we lived at Southfork during a lot of very hard periods in our lives, this isn't new, in fact, it's probably not even half as bad as some of the other things we've experienced together. Your mama and daddy are thrilled we're coming and I know they're excited to see John Ross at Southfork again; Bobby knows better than to make a scene in front of the whole family; and Jack, well I don't know him very well, but he didn't strike me as the type to cause a scene for no reason. I think you're right to be suspicious and protective, but I also think perhaps you need to loosen up just a little bit when it comes to Jack, give him a chance, or at least tolerate him, but don't intentionally needle him just to get a reaction, that won't do anyone any good. I imagine Jack is nervous enough as it is anyway, or he will be once he arrives and the whole family is seated for dinner, formal Ewing style. I remember the first time I visited Southfork, I was excited and terrified at the same time; you don't see it, but the Ewing family and everything you have can be imposing and a little bit daunting for an outsider to be introduced to. You're all human, and material possessions don't make a person, but to begin with it can be hard to see past that. Your parents were so kind and friendly when I first arrived though and that instantly made me feel welcome; I think, for the sake of politeness and family values, we should try to offer Jack the same welcome. Please believe me, I'm not trying to side with him or anything like that, I just, I can see things from his perspective; he probably did do everything you're accusing him of, and I totally understand why you don't want him anywhere near Ewing Oil, or even your father for that matter, but the fact is, he's a Ewing. In the weird world we live in, the name Ewing means something and until further notice, you have to live with that, or I suppose you don't have to, but it'll make everything easier if you do".

Unintentionally explaining some of her thoughts about his vendetta against Jack, Sue Ellen waited for JR to turn and glare at her and when he didn't, instead murmuring a single "hm", she wondered what was going on in his head. "Continue", not taking his eyes off the road as he spoke, her interest and uncertainty grew, she never knew what to make of him when he simply listened and kept a poker face. As he had requested her to explain her thoughts though and as he didn't seem to be angry, she did as he said and continued to speak, "I've listened to you enough to know that it's always best to drip-feed information to let your enemies think they have the upper hand, all while you are scheming in the background. I don't propose you go quite that far, not until Jock actually makes moves to have Jack encroach on your space at Ewing Oil, or he really begins to treat you badly; what I mean is I think family relations will be better if you are seen to be cooperating, not acting in a hostile manner without provocation. You can't expect to be seen as the calm, rational, correct man in the situation if you're the one poking and prodding at things, just waiting for a reaction. It's not fair, but it makes sense, your mama and daddy should trust you and love you more than Jack, but you have to meet them half way, you have to show them that you're not totally vindictive".

"The other part of what I meant is that there's a tiny chance your research is correct, but the conclusion you're drawing is incorrect, and in that case the outcome is positive too. Jack could have genuinely come to Dallas looking for his family and with an interest in Ewing Oil, the company he probably grew up hearing about just like you did. If that's the case and he's not here to try to scam you and your daddy out of what is rightfully yours, but instead he's interested in Ewing Oil because he wants to make a connection but doesn't want to be seen as a freeloader, so he's planning on working here in Dallas, then that's actually quite honourable. Think about it, he isn't staying here at the ranch, he hasn't asked for any money or other compensation, and he has a steady work history. He might be a bad guy, but he could also easily be an ordinary, good guy, I think it's too soon to tell, even with your research. Please, don't hate me for saying that, I'm really just thinking aloud".

Watching him as he slowed and turned smoothly down the long Southfork driveway, she was hugely surprised to find him expressionless again, his silence told her he was thinking, but his facial expression gave her no indication of what he was thinking and that was a bit unnerving. They were at Southfork now, about to walk into a family dinner, now was not the time for them to be fighting and it was not the time for him to decide to spend the evening silently sulking. "I don't trust him, I don't like him, and I don't expect to either, but I'll stay silent for now. The minute he provokes me though, I can't make any promises…" hearing him break the silence, she was both surprised and not surprised when a few seconds later he was out of the car and outside her door, like a gentleman; that was JR, he could be one way one second and totally different another. "Thank you", taking his hand as she got out of the car, she leaned in and kissed him softly before turning around and attending to John Ross and as she did so, she felt more positive than she had when they'd left their house. There was no guarantee anyone else would behave, despite what she had said while reassuring her husband, however, they couldn't control anyone but themselves, so it wasn't worth worrying about.

To be continued…