Dallas, Texas

"How was your game?" meeting JR at the front door, Sue Ellen assisted him with his attaché case as she always did when he returned home at the end of the day. "Good, I won", removing his hat and loosening his tie, he turned his full attention to his wife's pleasant, supportive smile and the gentle touch her hands on his forearms; with John Ross absent, her subtle flirty behaviour could mean anything. They'd had their disagreements recently, but he couldn't say their alone time was any less intimate or satisfying than usual, in fact, the past weekend had been a turning point in their relationship and despite their trying therapy session earlier in the week, he didn't think they'd have any trouble replicating the heat they'd found together come next weekend.

"Congratulations", planting a soft kiss on his lips, Sue Ellen pulled back as she felt him smiling, likely revelling in his success. "You sound surprised darlin'", gently ribbing her, he chuckled and nimbly moved his right wrist to loosen her touch on him, soon taking her by the hand and leading her into the living room to continue their conversation somewhere more comfortable. "Not anymore. I wouldn't expect you'd willingly initiate a sports game you didn't think you could win", smirking at him, she followed his lead and took a seat, tracking his movements with her eyes as he set about preparing their drinks.

"Ah, unlike my dear cousin you know me", turning briefly to look at her as he mixed the various liquids, JR thought back to the conversation he'd had with Jack after their game ended, his cousin was a gracious loser, but still naïve in the ways of the world he now lived in.

"You know JR, I didn't take you for the athletic type", shaking his hand as their match ended, Jack made casual conversation as they walked out of the enclosed court and toward the locker room. "You, like most people, don't know me very well", responding dryly, he slapped his cousin on the back and continued walking; they'd had a conversation about his abilities prior to making plans, so Jack's comments struck him as lacking depth, talking for the sake of filling space.

"I'll bet", replying, Jack seemed intent on continuing to talk and if that was the case, the least he could do was correct him. "I did tell you, squash is about it for me, horses and football aren't my thing and if you're looking for the athletic Ewing Bob's your man. With that being said, everything else is my game", complimenting Bobby for a brief second, he brought the conversation back to himself, earning a simple, "mm", from his cousin.

"Business, money, women, indebting men, I have a lot of talents", enjoying thinking about his own skills, he proceeded to list a few things he was good at, causing Jack to smirk himself and nod as he responded. "I can tell, you've got the company, the house, the car, the wife and half the men in the state shiver at the sound of your name; a lot of talents", agreeing with his assessment, Jack confirmed what he already knew, pleasing him with the turn of atmosphere. "Recognise it and remember it. Nobody gave me anything, especially not daddy", slapping his cousin on the back again, he laughed as he responded before finally tossing his racket into his locker, grabbing his towel and shower bag and heading off to wash up.

"Give him a chance and he'll get to know you", bringing him back to the present, Sue Ellen's comments amused him. "Yes I imagine he will", responding as he returned to her with their drinks, he was pleased when she seemed to accept his answer, he had more on his mind than talking about his cousin, as she would soon find out.

Taking a seat next to her, he savoured the taste of his drink before speaking again, "so, how was your day?" He'd left his wife with Jenna earlier and heard nothing since and although he wasn't one to care too much for ladies gossip, he was mighty interested to hear how Sue Ellen had reacted to this particular selection he'd made for a potential friend for her. "It was… fascinating" considering her answer before saying it aloud, Sue Ellen's statement was fascinating in itself; Jenna was a multifaceted person, so his wife's comments could mean anything, good or bad.

"Oh?" questioning her interestedly, he sat patiently while she again considered her words before speaking. "Mm, you never really described her personality to me, just her circumstances. I like her and I can see why you like her; I don't think we like her for the same reason though". Commenting her thoughts, he nodded in response, she had a point, his descriptions of Jenna had started with her general history with his family and ended with a vague commentary on her lifestyle rather than anything particularly detailed regarding why he thought they would make such good friends.

"I feel like there was a criticism in that statement but I'm going to ignore it and choose instead to focus on what you liked about her, after all, it's no secret what I want", taking the opportunity to gently tease her again, he turned the conversation back over to her, interested in hearing exactly what she had to say. "Not a criticism JR, it's just easier for me to understand you now that I've met Jenna. You two are alike", listening to her comment, he nodded again, that wasn't what he'd expected her to say, though he couldn't say he didn't find it an interesting observation. "Mm, she sees things my way, I won't disagree with that", taking another sip of his drink, he continued to watch his wife with interest; there was a possibility she was onto something, perhaps he did like Jenna because they were alike, unlike him and Bobby, or even him and Pamela.

"It's not just that, she thinks like you do. She told me about her daddy and how close he and Jock were and I can only guess that if she were a man instead of a woman, she'd be much more like you than Bobby, which does beg the question why she and Bobby fit so well together. I can't judge that relationship though, I never saw it and attraction often doesn't make sense", making comments that reflected his own thoughts, he had to laugh, he didn't know if Sue Ellen had asked or if Jenna had offered the information but it seemed that she was quick to detail how her upbringing had shaped her.

"Bobby's never been good at seeing different sides of things, or people, Jenna included. She's smart, she knows that different people want and expect different things from her and she knows how to act accordingly. Like you, she has all the skills of a perfect lady when she needs them, but that's not all she is, not like those boring DOA ladies. I don't think it's any secret that she knows and understands men either, it's not her daddy's money funding those pretty dresses and expensive jewellery she wears". Passing comment on Jenna's life as what he suspected was a kept woman, he couldn't say he felt negatively toward her, he just didn't see them as the male and female versions of each other. As little as he'd trust Bobby to run Ewing Oil successfully, he'd trust his brother more than Jenna, unless of course Jenna was simply a pawn to draw businessmen to their side, in which case he'd certainly believe she could do that. Jenna's talents lay elsewhere and it would be a shame to see a pretty woman like her cooped up in an office all day, much like a true office job would be a real waste of his own wife's talents.

"She certainly understands you", responding with a raised eyebrow, Sue Ellen appeared to disregard all he'd said about Bobby and other men and instead turn the conversation back to his own relationship with Jenna, a relationship he would hardly describe as close. "Now darlin', is that a hint of jealousy I hear?" asking her a question in a tone of disbelief, he placed his drink down and ran his hand along her forearm as she had done to him earlier, aiming to reassure her that if she was jealous, it was needless. "No, unless I have something to be jealous of?" asking the question slowly, she seemed almost vulnerable, which was surprising considering how much progress they'd made in their relationship with each other and the tone of their conversation up until this point.

"I don't see why you would. Bobby's reaction will tell you that if he ever meets Jenna again, he's not much into sharing my women", making a joke, though one that was based in fact, he attempted to bring her back to a happier frame of mind, though he could tell from her displeased facial expression that he hadn't succeeded. "That's not what I was insinuating", replying sharply, acting as if he'd totally jumped ahead of where her mind was when in his mind he hadn't, he didn't know what to think, she really was confusing sometimes. "Well, whatever is was you were, I've cleared up another point of interest for you now I'm sure", accepting her comments, he tried joking again. Jenna was a beautiful woman and he had a fairly high opinion of his own attractiveness, it wasn't that crazy to think that if they were so alike, perhaps they'd connected as more than friends once upon a time. "Shall we move on?" pursing her lips, Sue Ellen didn't seem to appreciate his take on the situation though and instead of pushing it further and ruining their good time, he decided to do as she asked. "Very well. How was the rest of your afternoon tea party?" retrieving his drink, he returned to their previous conversation, hoping this time to get a little more information out of his wife.

"It was nice, you were right about her understanding me without explanation. You were also right about her confidence, that much is obvious about her and I like it. We talked, a lot actually, we could have kept talking too if she hadn't had to leave to collect her daughter. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that we've made plans to see each other again soon, we're going shopping on Friday and who knows what else will happen after that". Instantly cheering up as she described her afternoon in a clearer manner, shifting away from her previous vague, teasing explanations, Sue Ellen's news did please him, as she said it would. He wasn't stupid, occasionally he made a wrong move when attempting to create a reality he was happy with, but in general he knew what he was doing and he did it well.

"Shopping, very good darlin', you make sure you buy yourself something real nice and don't be afraid to ask Jenna's opinion on things. I don't want you to think I'm trying to turn you into her, because I'm not, I just think having someone like her around might do you some good, a confident friend might help you remember what it was that made you the happy, confident girl you were when we first met, the one you keep hoping to find again". Hoping he was encouraging her rather than discouraging her or causing her to second-guess herself, he genuinely meant what he said; Jenna was someone he could and would absolutely continue to push on her as long as she continued to be receptive to his efforts, he liked Jenna and he wouldn't apologise for trying to make other people understand that.

"I will, and I'll try; I understand your insistence better now", appearing quite receptive to his intentions, Sue Ellen seemed relaxed again in their conversation and that meant only good things in his mind. "I'm pleased to hear that, I knew once you gave this a chance you'd see things from my perspective", running his hand over hers again, he thought he had her firmly back on his team when she turned her hand and took hold of his, however, surprising him again, she was quick to respond, bumping his confidence down a notch. "I can see your perspective but that doesn't mean I've changed my mind about how I live my life. My aim hasn't changed, I want all of those things you mentioned and I'm going to work for them, however and with whomever I see fit", smiling as she delivered her slight blow to his confidence in his plan, she didn't stay down for too long, adding a compliment to the end as to not hurt his feelings too greatly. "I do appreciate your help though, like I said, it seems you were right about Jenna", lingering on her final words, she held eye contact with him and this time he felt she really had finished saying what she had to say. She probably made a good point, he couldn't push her into dropping Pamela for Jenna, it had to come naturally. Hopefully it did come naturally, it was what was best in his eyes, not just because Pamela was a Barnes, but because Jenna was just so much more suited to sharing in Sue Ellen's lifestyle, it was part of who she was and that was a fact.

To be continued…