Dallas, Texas

13 May 1972

"I don't know how he knows but he knows."

Spilling the entire story to JR as soon as he arrived home and they were safely behind their bedroom door, Sue Ellen felt better for it although the wait between her explanation and his response made her stomach churn.

"You know how he knows. This has daddy's fingerprints all over it."

"I did ask him about that but the answer wasn't conclusive."

She didn't believe Clayton would tell his son her personal business, Clayton was a gentleman. Jock Ewing on the other hand was anything but, and if there was something Jock Ewing didn't like it was her inability to produce more children, specifically a son. Her personal health wasn't something she appreciated others discussing without her around, but if there was anyone she expected the news to come from it was Jock above Clayton.

"Sue Ellen, you don't need to look any further. I know exactly how you feel. I've had an experience like that myself recently and I'm almost certain it was because of daddy."

"What are you talking about?"

Figuring they'd moved on from what had happened to her, she didn't have the slightest clue what he was referring to however the churning in her stomach told her it wasn't a positive experience.

"Ms Larson has only been at the head of the table since last month and while she sounds like she knows what she's talking about, the way she behaves is the way I'd expect only a man of many years' experience to act."

"In English JR."

"She attempted to seduce me."

"Did she succeed?"

Deflated, she didn't really want to know whether her husband had been unfaithful to her, however she really ought to.

"No. I got wise to her intent before it went anywhere."

Touching the back of his neck uncomfortably, JR's explanation didn't strike her as entirely truthful, which was devastating.

"But you were tempted?"

"By circumstance, yes. I didn't act on it."

His comment was clear, he hadn't gone to bed with Ms Larson, although at what point of in the situation he'd said no to temptation she wasn't sure. Unfortunately, such a question wasn't one she felt up to asking at present.

"Were you going to tell me if I didn't start this conversation?"

"Yes."

"Really?"

"Yes. I didn't have to tell you now and I did, didn't I?"

"Mm."

Walking away from him, not wanting him to see her failing to control her tears, she didn't get very far, his perceptiveness to her emotions putting him at her heels.

"Darlin', this is a setup. Daddy is trying to destroy our marriage. We rarely give him an outlet to say so but he's still fixated on the grandson he doesn't have."

Feeling overwhelmed as he approached her, laid his hands on her shoulders and spoke, no longer could she appear to not be crying.

"When is this going to end?"

"Soon. I promise."

Wrapping his arms around her, he moved so they were facing each other again and comfortable in his embrace, she sobbed into his chest.

17 May 1972

He'd meant what he'd told his wife. Enough was enough.

Opinions were one thing, everyone had and was allowed an opinion however, some opinions were best kept to the individuals who held them.

He didn't want to hear about his father's disappointment that Eloise wasn't John Ross and would remain their one and only child.

He didn't want to hear that his father was unable to let go of his fantasy or that he was roping other people into his attempts to 'rectify' the situation.

He didn't want to hear that other people were happy to go along with ruining his marriage for a price.

He didn't want to hear any of it and he wouldn't stand for any of it going on behind his back either.

He was sick of the entire situation and they were about to find out just how done he was with tolerating their antics.

Nodding when Susan reported his daddy, Clayton, Dusty, and Ms Larson had all arrived and were in the boardroom, he finished his drink before standing and leaving his office.

Walking down the hall he could hear the strength, confidence and irritation in his footsteps, and by the time he opened the door to the boardroom, he was keyed up.

"Afternoon. I won't say good afternoon because I think you all realise now it's probably not."

Greeting his invited guests, he made eye contact with each of them before speaking again.

"This isn't the time for small talk or negotiation. I am going to say what I need to, you're all going to listen, and then we're going to be done once and for all."

Standing at the head of the table, he began to speak, and surprisingly, everyone listened.

"Firstly, I'm sure you all understand why you're here but in case you're not let me be clear. Sue Ellen is my wife, I love her, we have a daughter, Eloise, and we love her. Neither Sue Ellen nor I appreciate or will stand for any negativity about our family, our marriage, or what we choose to do or not do; it's none of your business and we're sick to death of having other people interfering in our lives."

"I cannot believe the way everyone has been acting. I'll be the first to admit I can be sneaky and calculated however the key difference in my behaviour and the behaviour my wife and I have been on the receiving end of is intent. I'll do just about anything for business but this is all too much, this is personal and only personal."

Delivering his message to everyone, he turned his attention specifically to his daddy next.

"Daddy. I don't want to ever hear the name John Ross Ewing III again. Do whatever you want to do with your life but leave me out of it. Stop fantasising about things being different, stop interfering, and most importantly, if you don't want to lose your entire family, start to embrace what you have. If you can't do that then I'm sorry to say but we, Sue Ellen and I, are not interested in maintaining a relationship with you. I can't stop you from coming to Southfork but I can guide my family on how we choose to interact with you when you're there."

Serious, he didn't give his daddy an opportunity to respond before turning towards his next target.

"Dusty. I don't care whether you have a legitimate job on the ranch or not. I don't believe you do but that's neither here nor there. What I do believe is how my wife feels about you. The harassment and she's endured has upset her a great deal, enough that she wishes never to see or hear from you again. From now on, you're never to set foot on the ranch, not to get your things or to visit your daddy. My family and my family's property are off-limits to you and I have a copy of documents submitted to the Braddock County sheriff this morning proving it. I strongly recommend you leave Dallas, for your own good."

Reaching into his pocket, finding the folded paper, he handed it to Dusty and then looked at Clayton.

"Clayton. My wife likes you very much and I appreciate my mama does too. I don't believe you had anything to do with the actions of your son or that you condone his behaviour and based on that I'm happy for you to stay if you wish. I'd like you to assist in making sure Dusty stays away from my wife and family but I have no problem with your presence."

Receiving a nod from Clayton, a man he didn't know well but understood to be of respectable nature, he felt confident that today would be the last time he ever saw Dusty.

Walking around the table, he reached into his pocket again.

"As for you Ms Larson, I don't want or need these. Keep them for your next target."

Dropping three photographs on the table in front of her, he walked back to where he'd been standing a moment ago so he could look her in the eye as he spoke.

"I know what your game was, what I don't understand entirely is why you did it, not with the qualifications you genuinely hold. However, I don't really care for an explanation, I don't care enough for you to want to dig deeper than I already have."

"JRE Industries is as we speak cutting all ties with the company you represent and I've already set off a chain of gossip about why."

"You're probably best to do as Dusty here is going to do and leave town. There's nothing in Dallas for you anymore. Your name is as good as dirt. Mine on the other hand is as it has always been, people know me and they believe that when I say someone is untrustworthy I mean it."

Satisfied that he'd said what he needed to, he began to conclude what he had to say, not interested in taking questions following his speech.

"Now, I'm going to walk out of here in a moment and I expect that it'll be the last time I see two of you, and the last time I have a bad experience of this sort with the other two of you. You can choose not to believe me or do as I say but that would be a mistake. My family is my family, my business is my business, and I'm very protective of both. Threats will be dealt with and next time you won't get a warning. Don't let there be a next time."

Looking at each of them again, he finally turned and left, content with how things were now.