Dallas, Texas

"…so I said, 'good then let's get married right here, right now', and do you know what she said to that? She said, 'Bobby Ewing, that's about the dumbest idea I've ever heard', but you know what, twenty minutes later, there we were reciting vows and that was that". Sitting, holding Pam's hand loosely in his as he explained how their marital status had come to be, Bobby naively delivered the news with pep, despite nobody else's facial expressions quite matching his own, not even his new wife's.

Watching with interest, Jack could almost hear Pam's own thoughts. He'd met her previously and he'd known Bobby was getting serious with her, but he'd had no idea how serious he actually was, and with that in mind he had a better idea of what Pam was going through. Not long ago he'd been in a similar position to her, turning up at Southfork hoping to be welcomed and accepted by a family who were his, but were also in some ways strangers. He'd at least had some time to prepare himself for the situation though and in a sense he'd just come to fill a place he'd always held, Pam on the other hand had been dropped into a situation without much preparation and with the added challenge of a complicated family history attached to her, unable to be shaken off.

Now that Pam had her first taste of what life at Southfork looked like, he was sure she was finding it harder and harder to believe the things Bobby had likely told her before they'd arrived, that his family were nice and would welcome them with open arms once they got used to the idea. He knew it would take time for the news to sink in, he was sure she knew it too, but he also felt she was the type of woman who had no desire to deal with the coldness coming her way in the meantime. The Pam Bobby described to him wasn't the type of woman who was happy to sit silently and be spoken down to.

"I'm sorry we missed it", hearing Miss Ellie responding sadly to her youngest son's recount of how things had come to be, he felt sorry for the woman, she wasn't angry like Jock was, just disappointed. "So are we mama", not sure whether Bobby's comments were an apology or simply a statement, he didn't have much time to wonder before Jock took control of the conversation again.

"I don't know why you'd say that, it was completely in your control to have us there but the fact is you didn't. You didn't do a lot of things a normal man would do. I don't know how you can sit there so proud and happy that you spent months sneaking around, lying and living a double life. All for what too? To come back home and drop the news on us, to make sure we knew that whatever we think doesn't matter, that there's nothing we can do about it? I think you'll find yourself in the wrong there, there's plenty I can do that affects you if I want to".

Listening to Jock's threats, he stayed silent. Personally, he saw both sides of the situation, he knew Jock well enough to understand why Bobby and Pam had wanted to keep their relationship a secret for as long as possible, but he also didn't really understand why Jock had such strong negative feelings toward Digger Barnes and his family. His own father had mentioned Digger Barnes a few times so he knew the tales Jock told weren't complete fabrications, he just didn't think they were particularly dramatic either. Digger Barnes had accused Jock of doing something he had either done or not done, but that was ancient history now, decades later, that it made little sense to him that it even mattered so much to Jock. What did it matter that Digger's daughter had married Jock's son? It was a marriage, not a business deal, he was sure both Bobby and Pam felt that way.

"It's not like that daddy", saying a few words in preparation for defending himself against Jock's criticism, Bobby was cut off by his wife as she finally found her voice in the conversation. "Mr Ewing, if I may. Bobby's right, it wasn't like that. The engagement and marriage came as a complete surprise to me, but everything before that Bobby did with both our lives in mind. We didn't know who the other was when we met and to be quite honest, when we did find out I broke it off for a little while, obviously that didn't last, do you know why though? Because we're in love and that should be what matters, not who our families are".

Listening to Pam, he sympathised with both her and Bobby, it had to be difficult to have to defend something they both felt was so right and that wouldn't be considered wrong if either of them had a different surname. He sympathised too because from what Pam had just said it sounded as though they had already faced their familial issues and moved on from them, so to have them brought up again now was probably unpleasant.

Unfortunately, although he sympathised with the couple, it appeared Jock was determined not to. "That's very nice young lady, but love is not the only thing that matters here. Have you told your daddy this news? We don't agree on much but I think I can safely say he'll look on this union no more fondly than I do".

Shaking her head at the mention of her daddy, Pam sat silently for a moment before answering him. "I think that's a mistake, and I think it's ridiculous that Bobby and I should have to change our lives because of an argument that happened decades ago".

"Maybe, but that's just the way it is", staring at her stonily, Jock seemed unimpressed at the fact that they were even still having this conversation, though Pamela seemed unwilling to back down. "I don't think so and I don't think you really think that way either. If I remember the story correctly, Jason was involved in all that wildcatting business decades ago too, but you don't seem to be holding Jack responsible for his daddy's actions".

Suddenly feeling quite exposed as all eyes turned to him, Jack willed someone to remember that his daddy had left town long before Jock and Digger struck oil at Ewing 6 and their relationship deteriorated. "Jack's family", answering gruffly, Jock brushed off her comments as if they meant nothing, which in this case, he was happy to go along with.

"Well so am I now", making a fair point, Jock still didn't seem convinced, simply muttering, "mm", in response. Whether he liked it or not, Pam was a Ewing now, the same way Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen were, and that was something he couldn't argue without invalidating the status of other members of the family.

"Jock, Pamela's right, they're married now, what's done is done and I don't think it's such a bad thing", taking advantage of the brief break in the conversation, Miss Ellie's comments were refreshing, despite being fairly limited in friendliness.

"I'm not convinced", muttering again, it was obvious Jock's tolerance for the conversation was really beginning to dwindle. To Jack, it seemed fair enough, Jock had his opinion and nobody wanted to hear it, so to keep discussing it did seem somewhat pointless, however, to give up would send the wrong message and Jock was not one to want to look like he was backing down.

"Let us convince you then daddy. I love Pamela, she's my wife, and we're going to have a long, happy marriage together", trying again to get his daddy to believe him, Bobby's face dropped when Jock continued to shoot down his efforts, "I wouldn't go making statements like that just yet".

Sighing, he then asked an honest question of his father, "what's so wrong with being positive?" It was a fair question, though in this case it was becoming obvious to everyone that there was no good answer because the circumstances surrounding the question were based completely on emotions, not anything rational.

"Nothing, as long as you realise the world is not on your side. You've been sheltered from unfavourable opinions your entire life so I think you might be in for a surprise". Giving an unexpected answer, at least unexpected to Jack, Jock seemed to soften slightly, though Bobby was still on the defensive.

"The only thing I'm surprised about is just how unfavourable you seem to be being", refusing to listen to what seemed a more reasonable comment than previous remarks, Bobby's raised voice suddenly came off as whiny and immature in comparison to his daddy's new calmer demeanour.

"I don't think I'm being unreasonable pointing out that a Ewing marrying a Barnes is a recipe for disaster. I'm not making it that way, it just is. You don't want to hear it though, and you've gone and done it now, so now the repercussions are on you". Maintaining his even tone, Jock made his point, one Jack couldn't necessarily agree with completely considering he was the one making a big deal out of the Barnes/Ewing aspect of the relationship and he had the power to lead the way toward it not being such an issue. The way he said what he said though was what commanded attention; out of nowhere Jock appeared to have realised that raising voices wasn't the way to be heard. If only he could learn to really listen to what his youngest son was saying rather than just hearing it, then perhaps they would get somewhere. As it was though, he and Bobby were of two different minds and neither wanted to adjust their perspective to get on the same page.

"What repercussions? We're married, not going off to war, we have our whole lives ahead of us and I don't see any reason why that future shouldn't look good", questioning his daddy, Bobby did appear a little oblivious. It wasn't really right for Jock to pretend as though he played no part in why a Ewing marrying a Barnes would be a recipe for disaster, but Bobby was naïve to act as if it wouldn't be an issue.

"Don't play dumb with me. You kept this relationship a secret for reasons related to exactly what's happening now. Go and talk to your new bride's father and when you come back we'll see if you understand repercussions better". Calling his son out on his feigned ignorance, Jock stood to fix himself another drink, clearly deciding he needed it to cope with the increasingly trying conversation.

"With all due respect Mr Ewing, I don't think that's a very nice thing to say. My family are good, nice, hardworking people who only want the best for me but you make them sound like troublemakers. It's no secret my daddy doesn't like you very much, but I don't believe his reasons for feeling that way are unjustified, and I sure don't feel like the welcome I've received so far has done anything to dispel any preconceived notions about you". Hitting back at her new father-in-law, Pam made some justified points, though by the time everyone heard her final sentence they'd forgotten what had come before.

Listening to Bobby's new wife's criticism, Jock dropped his glass onto the drinks cart before looking her in the eye and addressing her directly, "now young lady, let's get one thing straight here. If you're going to be a Ewing wife you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut". Apparently, of all the things Pam had said, it was the personal comment that got to him, though she didn't seem to care very much anymore.

"I'll do no such thing", standing, Pam appeared ready to leave the room, and when Bobby tugged at her hand and urged her to sit down, it seemed to only push her away further. "No Bobby, I'm sorry but I can't sit here and nod along silently. I love you, but I won't be disrespected by anyone", letting go of Bobby's hand, she turned and walked away, deliberately staring ahead toward the staircase as to not catch anyone else's eye as she left the room.

"Excuse us", standing quickly, Bobby muttered a couple of words before hurrying out of the room and upstairs to see his wife, leaving the rest of the family sitting silently in disbelief.

To be continued…