JR had thoroughly enjoyed the past two weeks with John Ross. As John Ross splashed in the pool with Christopher, JR couldn't help thinking how wonderful it was having him back at SouthFork...if only for a while. He was the one bright spot of JR's life right now. Losing Ewing Oil... Cally...and then Vanessa... had brought JR to a realization. Family is what really matters, he thought. As he gazed across the ranch, a look came over his face...a look that was hard to define...a mixture of worry and sadness.
"Mama," JR asked. "Can you watch the boys for a while?"
Miss Ellie looked up from her crossword. "Sure, JR..."
"Thanks," he said monotonously as he headed indoors and up to his room.
Upon reaching his bedroom, JR gazed at the bed. His thoughts drifted to Sue Ellen... They had shared that bed off and on for many years... How he had mistreated her! But there were good times too... He walked to the bureau and pulled out the photo...that photo of the two of them...taken at the Oil Baron's Ball... JR couldn't help thinking how beautiful she was...
I wonder if she looks the same, he thought... Taking a seat on the bed, JR placed the photo on the night stand. "I had it all once..." Not wanting to give in to his depression, JR decided to go into town.
DALLAS
Sue Ellen exited her attorney's office. The divorce was final now. At least John Ross will be happy, she thought. After all, he had never truly been happy in London...and he had missed JR terribly, though he wouldn't admit it...
Realizing she hadn't eaten anything today, Sue Ellen decided to head over to the Cattlemen's Club for lunch...
SOUTHFORK
The boys were still playing in the pool when JR came back. "Mama, I need to go into town...I should be back by suppertime...," said JR.
"Don't worry about John Ross, JR...He'll be fine...," replied Miss Ellie.
"Thanks Mama," said JR as he headed for his Mercedes.
CATTLEMEN'S CLUB
Sue Ellen picked at her food...this place brought back so many memories...some happy and some not...Something broke her concentration. Looking up, Sue Ellen saw JR take a seat at the bar.
Why am I nervous, she asked herself.
JR ordered a scotch. "Make that a double," he said to the bartender.
He hadn't seen Sue Ellen. She sat and watched him for a bit...mesmerized...
Stop it, she told herself...it's over...
Sue Ellen sat for a while longer...JR was drunk...she knew him so well...After paying, Sue Ellen headed for the exit.
"I could at least say hello," she said aloud.
JR was startled when a lady took a seat at the bar beside him. "Well," he said loudly. "What brings you to Dallas, stranger?"
"Hello, JR..."
JR ordered up another drink. She's more beautiful than before, he thought. "You're looking good..."
"I take that as a compliment, JR. How are you?'
"How am I?" he asked loudly again. "I'm great."
"That's good to know..."
Leaning towards her, JR asked,"But more importantly...how are you, darlin'?"
"I'm okay..."
"Just okay?" asked JR sarcastically.
"I'll level with you, JR...I'm newly divorced and I'm moving back to Dallas..."
"Moving back to Dallas? Whatever for? I take it Mr. Lockwood wasn't Prince Charming?"
Sue Ellen realized this conversation was pointless. JR was drunk and there was no way to talk to him when he was in this shape. As she stood to leave, JR grasped her forearm. "Not so fast, darlin'."
She couldn't help feeling some sort of electricity. That old feeling came back suddenly. That feeling she'd never felt with any other man...
Looking around at the stares, Sue Ellen said,"Why don't we get out of here, JR?"
She actually felt sorry for him. Never had she imagined that JR's spirit could be broken. JR paid his tab and followed Sue Ellen to the taxi. Once they were in her hotel room, they talked...catching up, so to speak...
They were like old friends...Sue Ellen told JR all about London...and how Don had left her alone much of the time...and how alone she'd felt... And, for once, JR had leveled with Sue Ellen about how he'd lost everything.
"Being alone is scary, isn't it?" asked Sue Ellen.
"I'll tell you, Sue Ellen...it's the only thing in this world that frightens me."
"Did I tell you how wonderful you look, Sue Ellen?" he asked.
"No...but thank you..."
Realizing he needed to get back to the ranch, JR stood up. "I need to go home, darlin."
Sue Ellen didn't want him to go...and he was in no condition to drive himself the 40 miles back to SouthFork. "Stay here, JR..."
"Here? Whatever for?"
The past year had been so lonely...Don was always on a movie set somewhere...Counting up the days, Sue Ellen realized they'd only been together a grand total of 28 days in that time period. And here was JR, of all people... Sue Ellen needed a man...a real man...
Sue Ellen strode to the door, where JR stood. "Stay," she whispered seductively. Touching his neck lightly with her fingertips, she continued. "Just for tonight..."
JR placed his arms round Sue Ellen's waist and pulled her to him...pulling her in to a passionate kiss..."I've missed you, darlin'..."
Sue Ellen let herself go...JR was so strong...and so irresistible... It's just one night, she told herself as they made their way to the bedroom...