Dallas, Texas

"He did exactly what you said he would do. They leave on Saturday", answering his wife as he selected a clean shirt from his closet, JR glanced over his shoulder to meet Sue Ellen's eye as they freshened up before family dinner at Southfork.

"You're not upset that Bobby's leaving town before his last day of work?" sceptical, Sue Ellen questioned his feelings, likely because in most of their previous conversations his contempt for Bobby's lack of commitment to Ewing Oil had been obvious and his comments now were tame in comparison.

"Not anymore. Bobby is a liability, he doesn't take his job seriously and I'm sick of taking over his responsibilities. Good riddance", buttoning his shirt, he gave her the quick version of his thoughts. Jack was no son of Jock's, but he wasn't stupid either and with the lack of guidance or at the very least presence from Bobby he was as equipped to do his new job as he was probably ever going to be, further knowledge and skills would just have to be developed on the road. Then, with Jack gone and there being no expectation that Bobby would show up at the office looking for prioritisation of his concerns anymore, they'd all have more time to get on with their own, more important, jobs.

"Good riddance? JR, he's not leaving our lives", approaching him, Sue Ellen's facial expression indicated she was amused at his exaggeration, though she ought not to be considering she had completely misinterpreted his comments.

"I know, I was talking about at Ewing Oil, though your statement makes me think. Nobody wants to hear what I have to say about him running off with that Barnes woman and with them both gone nobody will. One can only hope they find they like Hawaii and want to stay", chuckling to himself, he rather enjoyed the thought of being the sole Ewing brother in Dallas.

It wasn't that he disliked Bobby, he had actually come to find spending time with him outside of work quite enjoyable, it was just that his life would run so much smoother without his little brother around. His daddy would have to listen to him, personally and professionally, and he wouldn't have to hear constant reminders that soon the Ewing family tree could be poisoned by Barnes blood. Pamela was pretty and would surely reproduce successfully one day, it was a shame about everything else though, from her personality to her family to the fact that when it happened it would be with his brother. Lucy was lucky she had his parents to raise her, her future could have been quite different if Gary and Valene had been around and he thought much the same of Pamela, she was fine to look at but she wasn't the type to marry and start a family with, Bobby simply didn't seem to understand that though.

"I don't think you'll be getting exactly what you want, from what I gather Pam isn't a fan of the idea of leaving Dallas permanently", adjusting his tie, Sue Ellen reminded him of her earlier conversation with Bobby's difficult new wife.

"Pam isn't a fan of much", considering his sister-in-law's opinions, he shook his head in disapproval. From what brief titbits Sue Ellen reported back, it sounded like even if Bobby could ignore his wife's petulance for now by letting her do as she wished without question, he was in for a shock when the fall rolled around and he expected to wake up with his wife next to him for his first day of grad school.

"She has a life here", impassive in her tone, Sue Ellen still pushed to defend Pam, though he knew her thoughts on the subject. Sue Ellen was the perfect wife, she was strong when she needed and wanted to be, but rarely did that come at his expense, Pam on the other hand didn't seem to understand when it was appropriate to have her own interests and when it was more appropriate to look to her husband for guidance.

"If she could go back to it we'd all be happier", not interested in playing defence to Pam's behaviour, he said what everyone had to be thinking but no one else was brave enough to say. Pam's entanglement with Bobby caused nothing but problems and it surely would be better if she just left and didn't return. It was bad enough having to invite Patricia to holiday celebrations without having to think about the drunken, complaining Barnes family turning up too. On top of that, it seemed that everything the Ewing family could offer Pam, she didn't want, and everything she wanted conflicted with what was expected of her. It was Bobby's problem to deal with, but until he did something about it the rest of the family had to put up with having Pamela around.

"You know the sad thing is, I think Pam would agree with you", confirming what he already knew, that Pam wasn't the right lady for the family and she knew it, Sue Ellen seemed a little upset by the news, though he wasn't sad in the least and he was sure slight smile said as much.

"Well, I do know what I'm talking about", he'd said it all along and he would say it again, Pamela Barnes was wrong for Bobby, wrong for Sue Ellen and wrong for anyone named Ewing. She would probably make some other man a fine wife, one distant day in the future when she realised she'd have to give up some of her need for control and independence, until then though he wouldn't pretend she fit where she was, in his family home, simultaneously taking advantage of and rejecting his family's lifestyle.

"The question is, do you know what you're doing?" vaguely referring to a plan he had, one she didn't know about and he had reassured her didn't exist, her concern showed more than anything. She liked Pam and she wanted things to work between them and between Bobby and Pam, he knew that much, but he was starting to get the feeling she was realising her loyalty had to be to him and their family, because Pam would dump her the moment they were no longer compatible and she knew it.

"Always darlin', always. Trust me", slipping his jacket on, he grinned, giving her few details to back up his comments. To be quite honest, there wasn't a whole lot to give anyway, his long-term plan was one that relied on the personalities of everyone involved being as he predicted and the rest playing out as he imagined it, with a little nudge here or there but generally requiring him to do little but stand by and watch. In the end, he'd get what he wanted but nobody would be able to blame him, though he was sure that wouldn't stop them.

"I do. I also know your mouth tends to get you in trouble, especially where Pamela is concerned", looking up at him with wide eyes, it was Sue Ellen's slight smile that told him she wasn't scolding him, rather that she was fascinated by the delight he took in being involved in something. Not long ago she had asked him to be more transparent with her and be less scheming when it came to Bobby, Pamela and Jenna, now it seemed she was happy to watch as he did whatever he did. For all her criticism of how confusing he was, she was just as confusing in her motivations. Luckily for her, she wouldn't bear witness to the breaking of any relationships due to his direct actions, and that was probably exactly how she liked it.

"I'm a nice brother-in-law really", playing innocent, he knew she'd never believe him, she knew him too well. When it came to Pamela, he didn't try particularly hard to be a good brother-in-law, that didn't mean he didn't have it in him though, Jenna would be a very appropriate lady to call family.

"Mm", shaking her head, Sue Ellen accepted his comments for now, closing that part of their conversation with a soft kiss.

Coming apart, he reached over and picked up the coat she'd draped over the back of the armchair, assisting her with it the way she had him with his tie, out of affection rather than practicality.

"Thank you", lingering for a few seconds, she looked at him with an expression he knew well, they would go to dinner with the family but it wouldn't be a late night at Southfork if she could help it.

Taking her hand, he escorted her out of their bedroom, down the hall towards John Ross' nursery, moving forward with an easy, open question, "so, how was your day?"

"Interesting", turning her head to meet his eye, his curiosity was piqued. "I had lunch with Jenna again. Did you know her and Jack run in the same circles now?"

"Funnily enough, Jack mentioned no such thing, go on", catching him by surprise with her announcement, after considering it he wasn't actually all that surprised, he was more intrigued by exactly what she meant by circles.

"I'm not surprised, I doubt anyone gets a full story with Jenna", smirking, Sue Ellen appeared more aware than he had previously given her credit for and that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"That sounds about right", muttering his response, he realised they'd have to shelve their conversation for a little while when they reached John Ross' bedroom, because from the moment they caught his attention, he had theirs.

To be continued…