Dallas, Texas

"He didn't tell you?" stopping mid-conversation as he noticed JR's facial expression changing from agreement and understanding to confusion and surprise, Jack questioned his uncle's communication with his own son. To him, it seemed that JR didn't look angry like he had assumed perhaps he would after Jock told him the news, because JR had previously overreacted to news about him in the past; in this situation, he definitely looked as if he had no idea what he was talking about when he mentioned his weekend move. "No, he didn't. It sounds like it's a plan rather than an idea though, so how about you tell me", responding, JR used a tone that he hadn't heard from his cousin before, he sounded as if he were trying to appear as snappy and direct as he could be in other conversations, but ultimately he was just lonely and disappointed. For JR to sound so down about something that really didn't affect him, because he had his own home, confused him a bit, however, he was new in town and there were a lot of things he didn't truly understand or have the means to understand just yet. Just seconds ago, he had had thoughts about Jock's communication with JR, so it wasn't outside the realm of possibility that he had no idea of just what was going on with his cousin and uncle, especially considering how much he hadn't told his extended family about his relationship with his immediate family.

"I didn't realise he hadn't told you, I don't know why he'd do that, I didn't get the impression it was supposed to be a secret or anything. He said it only made sense that I stay at the condo, temporarily, until things get settled here and I find somewhere more permanent. I have the time to look for a place of my own at the moment seeing as I'm not working just yet, but money is a different issue, I came here with a decent stash of savings, but I still have expenses and they're eating through those savings pretty quickly". Being honest in his explanation about Jock's offer of the Ewing condo and reasons behind why he'd accepted the offer, Jack paused for a moment to see if JR had anything to say, and when he didn't, he continued. "Anyway, I'm moving in on Friday morning and I'll be staying until I can find a place of my own. Somewhere small should be fine, I'm just one person and from everything you, Jock, and Bobby have told me about the job, I won't be in Dallas all the time anyway. You don't have a problem with me staying there do you? I know it's Ewing Oil property and all but the way Jock sold it to me was as if it sits empty most of the time; it's for guest use and occasionally Bobby will use it after a night out? Do I have that right?" Still surprised his uncle had said nothing to JR about his plans, Jack continued to speak, hoping JR would remember that they had moved into having a nice, friendly relationship with each other and act accordingly rather than of reverting to the unfriendly, suspicious attitude he'd had when they'd first met.

"Technically, yes. I don't need the condo anymore and Bob's always been the accommodating type, he'd never make a fuss about someone else using it. I just… it's bad form for daddy not to say anything to me; I could have told some of our associates they could stay there during their time in Dallas not knowing you'd already be there and I'd be the one that looked like a fool when the double-booking was realised. That's my daddy though, he's a brilliant man and I wouldn't be where I am today without his guidance and influence in my life, but just because he's successful, wealthy, and he claims to control a wonderful family, doesn't mean he always communicates things as they should be or respects the relationships he has. He should have told me if he'd made plans for the condo, I'm the vice president and his son, it's my business to know even if it's not something that actually impacts on me personally. I can't say this surprises me though, daddy can be difficult to communicate with sometimes, on all levels…"

"I don't mean to sound down on him, but you should take this and learn; you're his favourite at the moment, because you're doing what he wants, but the moment he tells you to do something and you object or even merely query him, you'll be left wondering whether you still have a job or a place in his life. You'll still want that place, but you'll also have moments where you think back and ask yourself why, why is it so important to be in with daddy? Is the outside that bad? At the time it is…" Observing JR as he responded, Jack could tell his cousin was talking about something deeper than just the lack of communication between him and his father regarding the condo, and when he paused and then looked directly at him, warning him of his own fate, he knew that was true. He didn't doubt that a relationship between Jock Ewing and his sons could be strained, because after all, he and his own father hardly had the world's best communication, their inability to communicate without conversations turning into arguments had been part of the reason why he'd left Alaska and his family in the end.

What exactly JR was talking about was a mystery to him though, he had no idea what arguments JR and Jock had had with each other, apart from regarding him of course. It did strike him as a warning he should listen to though when he talked about being Jock's favourite at the moment. He was lucky, he had apparently come to Dallas at just the right time for a job at Ewing Oil and a place in the Ewing family, with Bobby leaving the company and JR having moved out of Southfork just months before, there was a spot open in Jock's life for another 'son'. He'd arrived in Dallas genuinely interested in finding out about the other side of his family and their history, so it wasn't difficult for him to slot into Jock's life, but listening to JR's words did make him wonder whether things would be the same in a few months or whether they would've been the same had he arrived later. Wondering got him nowhere though, he was here now and he was about to have everything he had wanted when he'd left Alaska, so there was little to complain about.

"JR, I come from the outside and I don't want to go back there. Backbreaking work in the fields is not something I'm interested in returning to and I'm not ashamed to say that, it's ok for my daddy and my sister, they thrive on that kind of thing, not me though. I'm here in Dallas looking for a family and a new life and I've found it, Jock has been extremely friendly to me, and the rest of the family have followed. I feel welcome here now that you have decided to give me a chance as well. For the first time in a long time I don't feel like I'm on the outside of the circle, but if I ever was, I'd survive, and so would you. We're not the same, we come from two different places, but you're hardly a dependent man, I think you'd be just fine if Jock decided to be rotten toward you and you gave up on having anything to do with him". Unsure of whether he was helping JR at all, whatever he said did seem to have some effect on JR's mood, because the distant look on his face seemed to disappear as he spoke, and by the end, when he mentioned that he wasn't dependent, he seemed to be back in the present with him.

"Mhm, I suppose I am already in the circle here, doesn't feel like it sometimes, but by birth I am… Daddy still should have told me about you moving into the condo though, I'll have to discuss that with him, or better yet, force him into a corner to tell me…" Seeing his cousin grinning, he had no idea what he was planning, but he was glad to see he was back to close to the personality he knew, and he was even more pleased that it sounded as if he was more upset about not being told about the move than the move itself. He hadn't anticipated issues with JR seeing as he'd been told it really didn't concern JR personally because he had a home of his own, but now that he'd actually discussed it with him, he was relieved that that seemed to be true. If all went well, he would be moved into his new condo, be starting his new job, and really starting to settle in to his new life in Dallas next week. He could watch out for Jock's changing personality as he went, but he didn't intend on doing anything to rock the boat, so he didn't anticipate issues there either. In short, although there were things on his mind, things he couldn't run from forever, he felt pretty good about his life in Dallas, certainly better than about his life in Alaska.

To be continued…