Denison, Texas

Standing in the living room, trying to decipher what was going on as she listened to JR's side of the phone call, Sue Ellen immediately lost the refreshed, relaxed feeling she'd felt as they arrived back at the lake house after their long stroll along the lakefront, into the wooded park area and up to the cliff lookout earlier. "What is it JR? Is it John Ross?" questioning her husband as soon as the call ended, she visibly relaxed as he replied, "no, no, our boy's just fine", though she tensed as he continued, finishing his sentence with, "it's Bobby".

"What about Bobby? Is he hurt?" asking worriedly as they took a seat on the couch, she hoped her brother-in-law was ok, she couldn't tell what was going on from JR's demeanour, he seemed equally tense and that could mean anything. "No, nothing like that, he's not hurt. He's back from his own weekend away and he's not alone", listening as he spoke, Sue Ellen bit her tongue at mentioning he was being cryptic, the very thing he disliked her doing, instead simply asking him to clarify, "not alone, what does that mean?"

"It means, he's gone and married Pamela Barnes and my guess is nobody except those two are happy about the news", replying, everything from the one-sided conversation she'd heard began to fall into place, though that didn't stop her from restating his comment as a question. "They're married?" seeking clarification that she'd heard him correctly, she met his eye as he answered her with the obvious, "mhm, married and awaiting an audience at Southfork".

Sitting silently for a moment, she thought about what would make a couple suddenly marry, especially in secret, and in her mind, only one thing really made sense. "It seems very quick. You don't think she's…. do you?" thinking back on the weddings she'd attended in the past, the reasons behind Paula's quickie marriage weighed on her mind. It wasn't improbable that in the heat of the moment, something had happened between Bobby and Pam, and the news of that something had spurred them into action now. She'd been taught to avoid such a situation at all costs, but she wasn't so sheltered that she believed every woman shared that upbringing, or if they did, actually followed the lessons.

"I wouldn't put it past her; the Barnes family would do anything to get a slice of the Ewing pie", taking her comment as more of an attack than she'd meant it, she felt the need to clarify, despite knowing JR was probably firmly set in his beliefs, "I wasn't insinuating it was intentional, if that's even the case". It was possible that Bobby and Pam were just like her and JR, and every other newlywed couple, young, in love, and ready to make their relationship official, though now that she'd sowed the seed of doubt in JR's mind, it seemed he was prepared to believe there had to be more to it than just love.

"You're too nice. Not all women are as pure and well-intentioned as you", it wasn't untrue, she had been particularly pure when she'd married him, her mother had made sure of that, but she didn't necessarily believe that it really mattered in the grand scheme of relationships. Most women were exactly like her, they loved their spouse and wanted to receive equal love in return, and there was nothing wrong with that.

"I don't think our relationship is the standard to judge everyone else against. Bobby isn't you, and Pamela isn't me, they're quite different to us and so are their circumstances, whatever those circumstances are", responding, she almost regretted even mentioning that perhaps it wasn't simply love that spurred their marriage. Neither of them knew the details of Bobby and Pam's relationship, so really, neither of them could make a sound judgement, not that that stopped JR.

"Isn't that the truth. Not much has ever been expected of my little brother, so it's no wonder he didn't think this was a bad idea. I'm sure glad we had John Ross before all of this happened though. Imagine the shame of Pamela Barnes providing the Ewing heir". Taking her point and completely skewing it again, she shook her head and sighed in response, she loved JR, but he made it hard to sympathise with him sometimes. "I hope you love John Ross for more than just being the Ewing heir and I hope you love me for more than just providing that heir". She didn't believe he thought of her simply as a suitable lady to provide him and his family with their next generation, but his comments did evoke such thoughts and she hoped he would eventually understand why that didn't sit well with her.

"Don't be silly, of course I do darlin'", tugging her hand gently as he spoke, she pulled back, frowning as she replied, "good", not immediately accepting his attempts to brush over her issue with his comments. "Now sugar, don't get upset. We were having such a nice weekend before that damn phone call", trying again to pull her toward him, she resisted once more, though less so this time as she felt he wasn't deliberately trying to upset her, he was just not particularly good at being empathetic or understanding. "I won't get upset if you stop saying such insensitive things", reminding him that she hadn't just decided to pout for no reason, she was satisfied that he understood her when he replied, "I'll try", and this time moved forward himself to give her a soft kiss. He wasn't perfect, not by any means, but holding his comments against him forever wasn't going to do anyone any good.

"Say, do you think we really need to rush home a day early for this? We could always stay and enjoy our time here before we return to the iciness at Southfork", making a suggestion as he pulled away from their short kiss, she smiled, shook her head and patted his hand as she responded. "No, unfortunately, as much as I'd love that, I feel responsible, I introduced them, the least I could do is be there so they know someone is on their side". She knew not to feel responsible for what Bobby and Pam did together, that wasn't her business, however, she did feel like it would be a bit off to abandon them at a time where a friendly face was probably needed. Therefore, as she had said, although she'd love to stay and enjoy the extra day of their weekend at the lake house, it didn't seem right to.

"Oh hell, I didn't even think about that", groaning as he answered her, it was clear that JR's mood had turned again, though she didn't really understand why considering they weren't discussing anything particularly new. "Think about what?" confused, she asked for clarification and was pleased when he answered her to give her that clarification, though the comments themselves didn't exactly please her.

"From the tone of mama's voice I suspect daddy has already reacted badly, the last thing we need is him finding out we knew about this and did nothing to stop it", listening as he explained his thoughts, she found it hard to take him seriously after they'd just talked about him trying harder to not say such insensitive things. "JR, that's horrible", answering him honestly as she thought it was particularly mean to act as if a happy relationship was something that should be stopped, she met his eye and surprisingly empathised a little when he responded, "maybe so, but it's the truth. We're all in for it now".

Sighing as she realised why she empathised, because he was right, Jock could be a real jerk at times and she had no desire to see that side of him directed at them again, she found herself responding uncharacteristically, "maybe we should stay here and hide out". It was cowardly to stay away from the tension at Southfork but she was truly torn now; Pamela needed an ally in the family, but she had no particular desire to run back to a situation where she was about to be scolded by Jock Ewing, especially for something she didn't think was really a problem.

Smiling, JR seemed to perk up considerably at her comments, and muttering a comment of his own, "I'll call mama", he stood and walked over to the phone, picking it up and beginning to dial before she stood and stopped him. "No, wait. Look, I wish we could stay, but it's not right, we should be there. Your mama wants us there, Bobby and Pam need allies, and I don't really want John Ross in the middle of things if Southfork becomes a hostile environment", throwing a few reasons at him, it appeared John Ross was what swayed his decision, pushing him to place the phone down again.

"I don't want to agree, but you're right, though I'm not sure Pamela would consider me an ally or a friendly face. In any case, we'll go back to Dallas. You go and start packing and I'll lock up", sighing, he appeared to be resigned to the fact that their weekend couldn't simply go on as if nothing had happened. Fortunately for him, although she had no idea what to expect when they returned, she knew where they would be spending the night, and it wasn't Southfork, so whatever the situation they left later that evening, one thing was for sure, he would at least have her, their son and their own peaceful home to escape to.

To be continued…

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