Dallas, Texas

Turning his head at the sound of his father laughing and the mention of his name, JR looked on in shock and confusion at the picture before him; his father had his hand on Sue Ellen's shoulder and he appeared to be amused, not angry like a firm touch would indicate if it were on his shoulder. Leaning ever so slightly toward them, he frowned to himself as his efforts proved futile, his father's loud volume a moment earlier didn't appear to be him setting the tone for the rest of the conversation, and with everyone else at the table speaking, including his own mother trying to get his attention, he couldn't decipher much of their conversation.

Studying Sue Ellen's facial expression and body language for a few seconds, it didn't appear to him that she was upset or angry either, so although it bothered him that he wasn't able to eavesdrop, mostly because he was nosy, he didn't feel uncomfortable leaving her to deal with his father and returning to his own conversation. "I'm sorry mama, I missed that", somewhat reluctantly turning around to face his mother again, he made sure to try hard to actually listen to what she was saying and respond with real answers, not just polite, impersonal ones, because she was trying hard to interact with him, even if it was a bit awkward and borderline boring at times.

"I was saying I've been thinking about what Doctor Williams said about facilitating relationships… I think that can wait though, I notice your attention isn't completely with me right now and I see why", nodding her head in Jock and Sue Ellen's direction, Miss Ellie made eye contact with JR and the look that passed between them confirmed to him that he wasn't the only one surprised by the sudden chumminess between the two. His father and Sue Ellen had never hated each other, but they had certainly never been close, and over the past year or so, his father had definitely expressed his dislike for Sue Ellen's increased influence in his life. In his father's eyes, it was one thing to be a faithful, loving husband, but something completely different to regard his wife as an equal in their marriage, listening to her opinion and actually acting on her suggestions when it came to how they arranged their lives; the latter was just too far in his opinion. JR didn't know whether or not his father ever expressed his opinion to his own wife, however, if is mother's reaction meant anything, he imagined his attitude toward wives and their place in a marriage was very clear, even if he didn't say anything aloud. With that in mind, it was clearly just as surprising for his mother to see his father talking so quietly and friendlily with Sue Ellen as it was to him, it was just so unexpected, Jock and Sue Ellen Ewing weren't two people that ever really interacted beyond polite, generic exchanges.

Before JR and Miss Ellie had a chance to exchange more than a look between them that confirmed the strange situation, their attention was drawn to the other guests at the table, as was Sue Ellen and Jock's, breaking their strange bond. "Daddy, sorry to interrupt, Lucy and I need you to settle something. Jack's going to come riding tomorrow, he's ridden a before, not recently though and not at any great speed. I suggested Midnight because she's friendly, Lucy suggested Onyx because he's gentle". Frowning at the mention of Onyx and Jack in the same breath, JR glared at his niece when she interrupted Bobby's unimportant interruption with her own comment, "what Bobby said, but also because he's technically JR's horse, he's used to not going too fast or doing anything too challenging. He's also probably longing for someone other than the ranch hands to pay attention to him; he's probably already forgotten JR, but I still feel bad for him because we all have our own horses, so unless we have visitors the ranch hands are the only ones that do ride him".

Hearing Lucy's laugh at the end of her sentence, JR's glare intensified. His niece seemed to have matured a bit over the past few years, and he couldn't deny she was fantastic with John Ross, but at times like these all of the positives about her went out the window and he couldn't help but detest her. It was one thing for everyone to acknowledge that he wasn't a rancher, he had no desire to change that situation, but for Lucy to take it a step further, intentionally bringing attention to his 'failures' pissed him off. He didn't like being made fun of, but more than that he didn't like the idea that his lack of horsemanship was being used to provide an entry point for Jack into the family. With his luck, Jack's inexperience with horses would turn out to be an understatement and soon enough he'd be leading the pack around the ranch, on Onyx, his horse, no less; that possibility was not appealing at all.

"Now Lucy that's not fair, we all have our own interests and talents and horses just don't happen to be one of mine, like I'm sure oil isn't one of yours, you don't see me emphasising your inability to financially support this family though". Addressing her attitude to begin with, he paused for a moment before taking a breath and opening his mouth to speak again, though annoyingly his little niece beat him to it, rolling her eyes before meeting his glare and speaking herself. "Gosh, Sue Ellen's right, you are more sensitive than you pretend to be, it's not in a good way though. You're being a baby, I wasn't even speaking to you and you act like I was attacking you; I didn't lie and I didn't pretend to be capable of more than I am either, so I don't know why you're being so irritating". Watching her then turn her attention back to his father, he suddenly became aware of how public their conversation was and how bad he would likely look to the family if he continued the conversation he was having, because he knew that it was one thing to defend himself, but another to look like he was attacking a child.

Seeing Lucy open her mouth to address his father again, JR was surprised but pleased when Sue Ellen managed to get in first, taking his side in the argument rather than Lucy's. "Lucy, that's enough. Whether you like it or not, JR is your uncle and he deserves some respect and I don't think he's receiving that right now. You're right, you didn't lie, but you weren't very nice either; it's not polite, kind, or proper to use someone's limitations to prove a point that could've been made without doing so, it's not nice either to twist information to suit your agenda. I'm not going to force you to apologise, I think that needs to come from inside you, but I want you to think about that and we'll talk later". Squeezing Sue Ellen's hand under the table, JR couldn't help but grin at the latest turn of events. It was pretty pathetic that his wife was able to more effectively defend him and reprimand Lucy than he could, however, he was also proud and happy that she had done so, and in a sick way it gave him great joy to see Lucy's face drop.

"All of you, that's enough. Lucy, Sue Ellen's right, you could've made your point without mentioning JR; and JR, for goodness sake, don't be so quick to react to little comments, you're a grown man, one who prides himself on his business achievements, this is tiny in comparison, treat it as such". Jumping into the conversation after watching the situation unfold, Miss Ellie had everyone's attention when she spoke. "Now, I propose we table this discussion until tomorrow, there's no sense in getting in an argument about something that can be decided in the morning when you're all down at the stables with the horses".

Watching his mother as she made eye contact with each person at the table, JR's grin grew as he thought about what she had said, how she had said it, and how he could use what she had said to facilitate his return to where he liked being in life, at the top. "You know mama, I think you have a very good point there, you too Lucy, so good in fact that it's settled, for me at least. I'll be there tomorrow, it sounds like Onyx needs some attention and some people need reminding that just because I don't ride and I don't like riding, doesn't mean I can't ride and I don't do it well". Looking at his mother then at Lucy as he spoke, he then turned his attention to Jack, not softening his grin at all, "sorry Jack, looks like you'll have to wait a little longer before you can start working on the full takeover plan". Chuckling to himself, he took a drink and looked at his family sitting in silence as they probably wondered what on earth was wrong with him; riding wasn't something he ever volunteered to do, but this time it was, it appeared it was going to be a necessary step in maintaining control of what was his.

"Sue Ellen, I take it back, you've taught him some things, but he's still JR", glancing over at his wife and father as his father spoke, JR chuckled and nodded at his father, acknowledging his comment as a compliment, even if it was said in a somewhat snide manner. His father wasn't really speaking to him, but he was speaking loud enough that it was clear he wasn't hiding what he was saying, and since he didn't seem to be angry, JR didn't feel the need to control his reaction to his comment too much. "That he is daddy", turning at the sound of Bobby's voice, JR grinned again and raised his glass to his youngest brother, "I'm glad to know my reputation precedes me". Sliding his hand from holding Sue Ellen's hand to running along her thigh, he looked around the table and relaxed; those he wanted to feel uncomfortable looked it, and those he wanted to please or maintain power over seemed to be happy to let him speak. Things were beginning to return to the state where he felt like he could maintain control and that pleased him.

To be continued…