Dallas, Texas

Leaving JR and Sue Ellen's home hand in hand, Bobby and Pam appeared united as a couple, however, beneath the photogenic display of solidarity, they were anything but united.

Sitting in silence as they headed back up the driveway toward the main road, Pam spoke up only when they'd driven far enough from the house that their every action couldn't be observed from a window.

"Why didn't you tell me?" angling her body toward him, she asked the obvious question.

"There was nothing to tell", honest in his answer, Bobby wasn't sure what he was supposed to have said to her before now, they had never spoken very seriously about previous relationships and Jenna rarely crossed his mind anymore, so telling Pam all about his life before her wasn't something he'd ever seriously thought about doing.

"A previous engagement? You call that nothing?" speaking as if she found his opinion hard to believe, she continued to look at him, waiting for an answer.

Aware of her gaze, he pulled over to the side of the road so he could look as her as they spoke. "I call that nothing in the context of our lives before today, because before recently I hadn't seen Jenna in years".

"And now that you've seen her?" appearing genuinely concerned, it seemed if she was expecting him to say he was reconsidering their relationship, though surely she wasn't that insecure.

"Now that I've seen her, what?" thinking perhaps he'd misunderstood her, he repeated her question, seeking clarification.

"Well, do you still feel the same way? She certainly seems to enjoy reminiscing about the old days", caustic in her tone, Pam's feelings were clear; she was not a fan of Jenna's reappearance and she hoped he wasn't either.

Luckily for his wife, his feelings weren't too dissimilar to hers; he was curious about the circumstances surrounding Jenna's return, but beyond that he didn't have any great desire to rekindle what they once had. "I'm sure she does, but it's no use, I'm not interested or available. We're married and I intend to keep it that way".

"Good, because I love you and I feel very strongly about the vows we made when we got married, specifically the phrase 'forsaking all others'", not so subtle in her comments, she made it quite clear to him that she wouldn't stand for anything less than total commitment in their marriage. It was a nice thing to hear considering in some of their past conversations she hadn't exactly sounded keen to put their relationship above all else.

"I love you too and you have nothing to worry about", unbuckling his seatbelt, he leaned forward slightly to touch her cheek. He did love her and she didn't have anything to worry about, she should know that, but that didn't mean she didn't need to hear him say it aloud.

"Do you still have any love for her?" touching his hand, her tone was softer than previously, bringing him back to thoughts that perhaps she was insecure about their relationship.

"Pammy…" sighing, he realised he'd been naïve to think his brief reassurance would eliminate her uncertainty.

"No, it's an honest question. From the sound of it, your breakup was all her. I think it's only natural to ask how you feel now that she's back, to see where I stand", explaining herself, Pam went from sounding sympathetic to accusatory in a matter of seconds, or at least that's how he felt listening to her. She had a point, Jenna had left him and he had taken a long time to get over the loss of their potential future, but he had eventually done so and moved on, all before he met and married her.

"Where you stand? Pamela, you're my wife, I love you and only you and nothing and no one is ever going to change that", answering her brusquely, he stopped suddenly as she pulled back from him in response. "I'm sorry. I loved Jenna once, I can't deny that, but that's in the past now and it has been for a long time", apologising, he adjusted his tone of voice and did his best to put her mind at ease.

Frowning at his mention of once loving Jenna, Pam sat quietly for a moment before speaking again, coming across as annoyed by the potential consequences of Jenna's arrival but also interested what he considered the past and a long time. "You say it's the past, but it could easily be the present too, she was all over you, and what's this about a recent meeting?"

Shrugging, he smiled embarrassedly at the mention of Jenna's closeness with him, he'd been aware of it, but having Pam confirm she was too wasn't particularly pleasant. He couldn't change what had happened though, all he could do now was reassure her that Jenna wasn't a threat to their relationship. "Jenna and I have a history but it's not something you need to be concerned about, trust me. As for our recent meeting that's even less of a concern. Remember that day we went to lunch at The Gardens? I was waiting for you to return from the ladies room and Jenna was at the bar. Our conversation lasted all of about thirty seconds and never really went beyond pleasantries. Mostly I was shocked to see her back in town, I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever see her again after she took off. Now that she's back, I do want to know why that is, but I have no plans to establish a relationship with her beyond getting an answer to that question".

"I'm glad to hear it, and I guess it's understandable that you'd want some answers. Do you think you can be in the same room with her without her pawing you? Because I have no desire to see her hands all over you ever again", finally acting a little more rationally, accepting there was a reason why he might want or need to see Jenna again, Pam's jealousy also showed, a fact that pleased him very much, though he knew not to focus on it above everything else. He liked that she felt possessive of him where Jenna was concerned, it showed she wanted him, not that he ever doubted her feelings for him though, but he also knew that to turn the discussion to talk only of possessiveness and jealousy would be to minimise the rest of her feelings.

"If it makes you feel any better, I can't say it was that comfortable for me either, not now, but you have to remember we were high school sweethearts, that level of affectionate behaviour was part of the distinction between having a girl friend and a girlfriend if you know what I mean. We're adults now and such affection is inappropriate whether you're around or not, I know that. Really, there is nothing to dwell on, but I do appreciate your concern". Doing his best to explain his perspective, he thought back on the past and where high school was concerned, he had nothing but good memories; if things were different later on in their relationship he wouldn't have minded Jenna's hands all over him now at all, but the fact was, things were different and Jenna needed to realise that. Pam already knew what was what and so did he; it was up to Jenna to get over whatever feelings she was holding on to.

"Thank you", smiling shyly, Pam unbuckled her seatbelt and leaned forward to kiss him, letting him know things were better between them now, at least as far as Jenna was concerned.

Pulling back, the atmosphere between them changed as she looked down and murmured, "at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I have something I should to tell you".

Feeling his stomach drop as she spoke, he wasn't sure he really wanted to hear what she had to say, but not knowing was worse, and she'd brought it up now, so he couldn't go on without listening to an explanation. Looking at her, he noted that she resisted meeting his eye even when he spoke directly to her, "go ahead".

"Technically you're not my first husband", hesitating as she answered him, drawing out the words, it took him a few seconds to realise what her comments meant, but when he did, he suddenly knew why his stomach was in knots.

To be continued…