Dallas, Texas

"This will be your office, it's small, but bear in mind you really won't be using it very much. You don't get a secretary of your own either; if you need something typed, filed or pulled from storage, ask Julie or Diane or send it downstairs to the typing pool and one of the office girls will get to it". Showing Jack around the small room Bobby had turned into an office and then proceeded to barely use, JR paused for a second to allow his cousin to take everything in, before he continued, ushering them out of the room and down the hall to his own office as he spoke. "Ideally we'll meet at least once a week to discuss what has been gained from recent business meetings as well as what to expect and ensure happens on future trips; plus current events and climates in the industry, and anything else generally related to your job. I say ideally once a week, because that's ideal for communication between an employer and employee, but with the job schedule you have as well as the schedules daddy and I have, sometimes you'll be lucky if it's twice a month. If it can't be done, it's not the end of the world; on the other hand too, if it's urgent and you can't find me, speak to Diane she'll communicate the message to me, Julie for daddy. We'll check in with you in our meetings and as I'm sure you've noticed, business talk doesn't exactly stop at Southfork's front door, or my own front door for that matter, even if mama and Sue Ellen would like it to; what I mean by that is, you're family, and if you need to say something, we're not far away".

Opening the door to his office, he waited for Jack to enter in front of him before following behind, closing the door, and walking straight over to the bar, "buy you a drink?" Acting so automatically, because he and practically every man that entered his office said yes to a drink, he almost missed the frown on his cousin's face, however, being observant, he didn't. "Uh, no, it's a little early for me", hearing Jack's response, he was unconvinced, because it really wasn't that early, and his cousin looked as if he'd rather drink anything but the bourbon offered, so it didn't seem to him to be a simple no, the way it had been worded to sound. "Not a bourbon man? Should I get Diane to bring you a club soda? I have them keep it stocked in case Sue Ellen or mama drop by", making a quick comment in response, without really thinking about anything, he likened Jack's taste to the women of the family, making Jack's face drop even more than it already had. In most parts of his life, except perhaps in conversations with his parents, he said what he meant and he said it without reservation, even in situations where hesitation and silence were more appropriate. His social skills when it came to friendships were rather limited and since a bit of light-hearted ribbing had always been accepted by Bobby and his father, he didn't see the problem with what he said, that was, until he noted his cousin's facial expression.

He wasn't blind, he could see Jack wasn't amused by his comments like he'd meant them, well, partially meant them anyway, he had after all been commenting his genuine, judgemental thoughts aloud. Somehow, luckily for him though, his cousin was more accepting and less sulky than he was, and while he initially appeared surprised and displeased with his comments, he quickly changed, returning to his earlier casual, engaged mood, though not before drawing a line in their conversation. "No JR, not a bourbon man, that's a rich man's drink and as you're always reminding me, I'm not a rich man, not yet anyway. I'm not a club soda kind of guy either though, not because you've decided it's a women's drink, but because I'm just not, it's not to my taste. Now, a beer on the other hand, I wouldn't say no to one of those, not here and now obviously, but later, tonight perhaps? Bobby tells me he has a date, and I've met a couple of people during my time here, but I can't exactly say I have many people I'd call friends here, so from what I can tell, you and I are in the same boat".

"Ah yes, Bob and the young Barnes girl…" Muttering a short, vague comment in response to Jack's comments, he tapered off before saying much more, partly because he actually didn't have much more to say that he hadn't already said, and partly because Jack was right, they were in the same boat with needing a friend and constant negativity was probably not the best approach to new friendship. He wasn't completely socially isolated, he'd had a few friends in school and college and he'd always been reasonably popular, even if at times that probably had more to do with his surname and money than his personality, he was just a bit out of practice with friendships in recent years. Jack was making an effort with him though, defending himself against negative comments, but not picking fights based on those comments, and actually inviting him to do things together, like friends would; he really couldn't afford to continue to needle him just because, because at some point, Jack could just give up trying, and he didn't actually want that.

"Tonight you say?" wanting to say yes, because he was growing used to the idea of having Jack around for friendship time, even if he initially couldn't stand him, he was also aware that Sue Ellen and John Ross had grown used to having him return home at the same time every night, as had he. He didn't want to appear as if he was under Sue Ellen's thumb though, she was his wife and if anything he was in charge, however, the reality of their marriage now was that he wasn't actually in charge, they were surprisingly equal in comparison to other couples and social norms, after a long, tough road, their marriage was good. "I'll have to check with Sue Ellen, you know women, always organising little surprises at the end of the day", hoping he sounded sincere about considering his wife's feelings rather than as if he were going to call her to ask for permission, he then walked over to his desk and picked up the phone, dialling home. Waiting for Sue Ellen to pick up, he glanced at Jack and wished he'd asked his cousin to go and occupy himself elsewhere for a moment while he made his call, because he suddenly felt as if his every move were being scrutinised and he didn't like it, no one did that to him, he did it to other people.

"Good afternoon, Ewing residence", hearing Sue Ellen on the other end of the line, he decided to approach the situation as if exactly what he'd described to Jack was the reason why he was so hesitant, because it could be true, she could have something planned for him when he returned home, it wouldn't be the first time. "Hello darlin'", automatically switching into a tone he found really only came out when he was speaking to her, he quickly felt more at ease with the conversation, because as soon as he mentioned that Jack had suggested they go for a drink after work, Sue Ellen's natural response was to encourage him, because she wanted him to make friends. "Go ahead JR, I'm not going anywhere and John Ross will survive one night without daddy's bedtime story. I'm collecting Lucy after school as well, so perhaps I'll ask her to stay for dinner and keep us company until you get home". Listening to his wife, he couldn't believe how easily she'd accepted what he was saying, and how few reminders about fidelity she'd slipped into the conversation, perhaps they were finally over her jealousy issues in relation to him socialising in places with women when she wasn't present. If they were over her trust issues, he really needed to work on trusting her in similar situations; they would have to cross that bridge when they came to it though, at present the thought of her spending the evening with their son and his little niece was more comforting than it probably should have been.

"Wonderful darlin', I shouldn't be home too late, I'll see you then", directly but also indirectly letting her know she should definitely wait up for him, because he did actually want to still spend some time with her at the end of the evening, they then said their goodbyes and hung up. "All sorted. What are your plans for the rest of the afternoon?" Looking up at his cousin briefly, he then turned his attention to the agenda on his desk, scanning his to-do list for the day. "Nothing set in stone, why?" Smiling as he heard Jack's words, he nodded, looked at his watch and responded, "well I've got a few things to finish up, they shouldn't take too long though, so why don't you go and get acquainted with your new office and when I'm finished here we can go for that drink a bit early". He was the vice president, he often went out for business lunches, and Jack was a new employee, so they were in a sense doing business together, more than that though, he was the vice president, he worked hard and he was in a way his own boss, if he wanted to leave the office a little early, he could. "Sounds good to me", seeing Jack's pleased facial expression, he felt secure in his decision to make an effort and listen to Sue Ellen's encouragement in doing so. Having someone he was slowly warming up to considering a friend was similar to discovering the world of steady relationships, he didn't really know what he was doing, but it was constantly surprising him how nice it felt to make that effort and step into new territory. To him now, even if Jack had come to Dallas with selfish intentions, which he absolutely had, he was beginning to see how he could live with that knowledge while also accepting and even enjoying his presence.

To be continued…