Back to the dream

by JaneB

A different path for JR and SE on the Dream Season

4. Chapter 4

Sue Ellen and JR's room

John Ross opened the door to his parents' room and quietly walked in. Seeing his mom asleep in bed he quietly got up onto the bed beside her and kissed her cheek. Sue Ellen opened her eyes and smiled to see her son staring down at her. She sat up and pulled him closer to her.

"Hey sweetheart, I missed you" she said

"I missed you too momma, I was scared you weren't going to come back" John Ross replied

"Of course I was coming back I love you and your daddy so much" she said

JR opened the door to his bedroom and smiled seeing Sue Ellen and John Ross cuddled up. He walked up and lay on the bed next to them, giving Sue Ellen a kiss on the cheek.

"You didn't wake me JR" Sue Ellen said

"I thought I would let you sleep" JR said

JR looked at Sue Ellen and then said "Hey John Ross, we've got something to tell you"

"What daddy?" his son replied

"Well how would you like a brother or sister?" JR asked

"Really!" John Ross replied "It would be so cool"

"Well you're going to have one" Sue Ellen said

"When" John Ross asked

"Not yet but soon and we need you to be a big brother and help us look after it" she said "Do you think you could do that?"

"Yes, but will you still love me" her son asked

Sue Ellen pulled him closer to her "Of course we will" she said

John Ross looked at JR. JR pulled both of them into a hug "John Ross we will never stop loving you" he said

"Did you have fun with Christopher?" Sue Ellen asked

"Yes momma, we played on the bikes, then we went in the pool. I also took my tapes with me so I could listen to you tell me a story" he replied

Sue Ellen smiled; she was so glad to be back at Southfork; she felt an overpowering sense of love for her husband and son. Lovingly she kissed both of them.

"What was that for?" JR smiled

"I'm just so happy to be here with the two men I love most in this world" she replied

"We're just so glad you're here, aren't we John Ross" JR said

"Yes" his son replied

The family stayed cuddled up for a while; enjoying each others company. JR and Sue Ellen told John Ross how they were going to have a family holiday and that Christopher would hopefully join them.

Later on in the day JR knew he had to meet Harry Mcsween and deal with Angelica. Sue Ellen was outside sat in a sunchair reading a book while John Ross was playing in the pool. JR walked over to her.

"Darlin' I have to go out for a while" he said

"Where?" Sue Ellen asked

"I have to see Harry and then we're going to decide what to do with Angelica" JR said

"Be careful" she said

"I will and I promise I will be back as soon as I can" he said

JR got into the car and took the directions Harry had given him out of his pocket. He took a deep breath and put the car into drive; taking one last look at Sue Ellen as he drove away. He wanted to get this over and done with so that he could get back to her. After reaching his destination he found Harry waiting for him.

"Where are they?" He said

"In there" Harry said pointing to an old garage; "My men have been guarding them all evening"

"You haven't given them any food or water" JR said

"No just as you instructed" Harry said

JR walked into the garage to find Angelica and her men tied up.

"Well, well, well what have we here" JR said

"Let us go" Angelica said

"Give me one good reason why I should" JR said

"I'll make you pay for this" Angelica said

JR went and crouched in front of her "No you wont, in fact take a good look around as this will be the last place you see. Noone touches a member of my family and gets away with it" he said "You're lucky Sue Ellen's okay because if you had laid one finger on her…….."

"You would have done what" Angelica asked

JR turned to Harry "I think it's time you took care of them Harry" he said

"My pleasure Mr Ewing" Harry replied

"Well Angelica, I would say it's been nice knowing you unfortunately it hasn'" JR said "Goodbye"

JR walked out of the garage and turned to Harry "You know what you have to do" he said

Harry indicated for his men to follow him into the garage. JR walked back to his car, he waited a few minutes and heard four shots fired out. The nightmare was over; Harry would take care of everything all he had to do was get back to Sue Ellen.

Southfork

Sue Ellen was sat outside on one of the sunchairs reading a book and keeping an eye on her son when Miss Ellie came out and joined her.

"Sue Ellen how are you?" Miss Ellie asked

"Fine" Sue Ellen replied "It's such a lovely day out here"

"Where's JR?" Miss Ellie asked

Sue Ellen sighed "He's gone to meet Harry McSween; they have a little bit of business to take care of" she said

"Hmm, and I thought once he knew you were pregnant he would want to spend more time with you" Miss Ellie said

"Oh he'll be back shortly" Sue Ellen said "In fact he's planning on taking John Ross and I on holiday"

"You mean he's taking time of from Ewing Oil?" Miss Ellie said

"Yes……we're also going shopping to choose some wallpaper for the nursery" Sue Ellen said

"JR seems to be more enthusiastic about this pregnancy" Miss Ellie said

Sue Ellen looked over at John Ross "Yes……I guess…..well things weren't good between us" she replied "There are so many things which I…we regret about last time…I put John Ross' life in danger"

"It wasn't all your fault" Miss Ellie said

"I look at him now…..and I think for the first time in his life…..he's happy…..he's not caught in the middle of two warring parents" Sue Ellen said "When I look back on his life I feel so guilty….there were times when I wasn't there for him and I should have been. The first few months of his life I couldn't bear to hold him…I was terrified that if I allowed myself to love him that I would be hurt"

"Sue Ellen, he's fine. The one thing he has always know is that he's got two parents who love him very much" Miss Ellie said "So what are you hoping for this time a boy or a girl?"

"Ahh" Sue Ellen replied "I really don't mind but I guess I would love to have a girl just to see JR's reaction"

"He'd spoil her rotten then kill any man who tried to take her away from him" Miss Ellie laughed

"True" Sue Ellen said

"Are you going to give up working?" Miss Ellie asked

"I remember Jock once saying that Ewing Women didn't work and I have a feeling that JR has inherited some of his father's beliefs, however the Graison foundation is important to me and I still want to be involved with it; for a start…it gives me some independence…I'm not just 'Mrs JR Ewing" Sue Ellen said "So yes…I want to continue to work in some form or another; whether it's working at the foundation or possibly working from here when the baby is born….I mean other women have worked and coped with motherhood, why can't I"

"Because you're Mrs JR Ewing" Miss Ellie laughed

"Oh I know this isn't going to be easy" Sue Ellen said "I just need to convince him that even though I want to continue with Graison's that he and my children are my priority; I promised you they will always come first…..I still have nightmares about John Ross' appendicitis….I feel so guilty that I should have been there and I wasn't……I will never ever leave a child of mine when they're ill"

"That wasn't your fault and JR should never have attacked you like he did…I remember the incident after Bobby's death…he was so cruel; I wished I had done something to stop him" Miss Ellie said

"JR was grieving and so were you..there was nothing you could have done at that point. The awful thing was that part of me wanted to hold him and help him through his grief but he wouldn't let me" Sue Ellen said

"I remember when Clayton and I found you after you went missing…it destroyed me seeing you like that and I knew I had to get JR to sign the papers to put you in the sanitarium" Miss Ellie said

"I hated that place…..but it made me face what I really was and I knew I had to change…I had to overcome the alcohol problem for myself and John Ross" Sue Ellen said "At that point I knew I was on my own…..JR…….JR didn't love me anymore….I knew I wouldn't have his support"

"You two have come so far this past year" Miss Ellie said

Sue Ellen laughed "I fought against my feelings for him I really did; the last thing I wanted was to get back with him…partly for my own sanity as I knew it wouldn't last. Then as time went by…I…I found him irresistible; he was trying to change I could see that; I remember the day he took John Ross on the field trip; that evening he walked in carrying his son asleep in his arms and it was then that I realized how much I still loved him. This time things are going to be so different" she said

"I hope so" Miss Ellie said "By the way Clayton and I are just going into town..do you need anything?"

"No thank you" Sue Ellen replied

JR's Car

JR's only thoughts were to get back to Sue Ellen and John Ross as fast as he could. He hadn't gone back inside the warehouse to see what had happened; part of him didn't want to know but he was relieved that Angelica was out of their lives for good. His thoughts returned to Sue Ellen, John Ross and the new baby. He was so happy that he thought his heart was going to burst. He remembered the time Sue Ellen was pregnant with John Ross and how he had treated her; looking back on that period of their life it wasn't surprising that Sue Ellen had sought comfort elsewhere; he had constantly rejected her and quite openly cheated on her without a care for her feelings. However the one thing he couldn't understand was why she chose the man she had to get back at him…Cliff Barnes of all people….what was is about him that appealed to her. A thought crossed his mind when he considered the females that Cliff and he had in common….first Sue Ellen then Afton and Mandy….something was wrong here…they couldn't agree on anything and yet they had the same taste in women. He suddenly thought of Jamie, his cousin and Cliff's wife; another victim of Angelica…she had done nothing wrong and yet she was dead; he felt guilty…..what was happening to him…he never felt guilty about anything; it must be the effect Sue Ellen was having on him. He promised this time that Sue Ellen was going to enjoy her pregnancy…he was going to pander to her every need….he was going to cherish and love her; be there for her every step of the way….hold her tightly in his arms at night and hopefully feel the kicking of the new life inside her; a new life created out of love. His thoughts went to John Ross, his precious son. He loved that child more than anything apart from Sue Ellen and he was gong to make sure John Ross knew that. He remembered the pride he felt when he first held him and the relief he felt at finally knowing that John Ross was his son and noone could ever take him away. He knew he had treated his son appallingly during his early months…but the pain of knowing that Sue Ellen didn't want him and that his son was Cliff Barnes' son was too much for him and he took his anger out on a tiny defenseless baby..he cringed when he thought of some of the names he had called him. He thanked God that John Ross had been too young to understand. He was relieved when he saw the gates of Southfork before him and picked up speed…wanting to get back to his family quickly.

Southfork

Sue Ellen saw JR's car drive up and park; she got out of her chair and went to greet him. Getting out of the car he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Looking around he realized that they were almost on their own apart from John Ross.

"Hey where is everyone?" He asked

"Your mother and Clayton went shopping and I've been resting by the pool watching our son" she replied "How did your meeting go"

JR looked at her and wondered how much he should tell her "Fine" he said "It's over"

"She's in police custody isn't she….I mean….we are safe" she asked

JR tenderly touched her cheek "Trust me" he said "I'm going to get change and join our son in the pool"

Watching him walk away from him; something told her that he wasn't being completely honest with her and he promised he would.

Walking over to the pool she called to her son "John Ross, I'm going to talk to your daddy…just stay in the shallow end" she said

"Okay momma" he replied

She walked into the house and upstairs to their bedroom; JR was changing into his swimming trunks when she walked in.

"Hey" he said on seeing her

"JR….what happened I need to know" she said

"I told you!" he replied

"You told me what you thought I needed to hear…but there's more to this" she said "You promised no more secrets…now tell me the truth"

JR sighed; he wasn't sure what her reaction would be "Okay" he sat sitting down; reaching for her hand he pulled her towards him and she fell into his lap.

"Harry's boys took care of them….I couldn't trust the police to keep them locked up" he said

"What do you mean…took care of them" Sue Ellen said

"Well I went in there had a little chat with Angelica…then went back outside…Harry and his boys went back inside and I heard four gunshots before I left" he said

"They're dead" Sue Ellen said

"Yes" JR replied "Did you honestly expect me to let them live…hell what happens next time they escape from the police…who will they take….you, John Ross, momma, Clayton…I wasn't prepared to take the risk"

"What happens when their bodies are discovered?" Sue Ellen said

"Darlin' I really do trust Harry to take care of things; he's never let me down before" JR said

Sue Ellen sighed, she didn't want to fight with him; all she wanted to do was love him.

"Okay JR…No more crooked deals" she said "Promise me"

"I promise" he said as he gently kissed her neck.

"JR we should get back to our son" she protested but JR's power over her was greater and she found herself succumbing to his seduction.

"In a while" JR said "He's fine"

Sue Ellen got up from his lap and pushed him down onto the bed before climbing on top of him.

"You are incorrigible" she said

"But you wouldn't have me any other way" he laughed

Her hands wandered down to his swimming trunks and she placed one hand inside them; gently stroking him.

"mmmm, I like that" He said "In fact I could stay here all day and let you do that"

"I bet you could" she replied

JR's hands wandered to the back of her bikini top and he undid the straps then his hands went to her bottoms and gently he slid them off her. JR rolled them over so he was on top of her Sue Ellen then helped him out of his trunks. Taking him in her hand again she guided him inside of her and they slowly made love. Finding their rhythm they reached the heights of ecstasy both crying out with pleasure at the feeling they got from each other. Afterwards they lay quietly for a while; not wanting to let go off each other, their bodies still locked together as one. Finally JR spoke.

"I don't know about you but I could do with a swim" he said

"Me too" Sue Ellen replied

JR got off the bed and walked to the door; he was just about to open it when Sue Ellen called him.

"JR! I think you've forgotten something" she said as she waved his swimming trunks at him.

After putting their swimming costumes again they returned to the pool and their son. Sue Ellen watched JR and John Ross playing with the football in the water; her life was just about perfect at this moment.

Later that evening JR and Sue Ellen after they had put John Ross to bed; they strolled hand in hand through the pastures of Southfork. It was a beautiful warm evening.

"John Ross seems happy" JR said "He's so excited about the new baby"

"I know" Sue Ellen said, resting her head on his shoulder; they came upon the treehouse and decided to rest.

"This is one of my favourite places" JR said "Daddy built this for Bobby but I'm sure I had more fun in it then him"

"Yes…I remember the long hot summer of '68; I came to Southfork most weekends and you used to leave me a note with some flowers on the patio table telling me to meet you here" Sue Ellen said "I used to ride up on the horse and you'd be waiting at the entrance to the house calling out my special name"

"Yellow Rose of Texas" JR laughed

"Then once I climbed up into the house; you immediately took me in your arms and kissed me" she said

"You would never let me go any further" He laughed

"Didn't stop you from trying did it" Sue Ellen replied "God, you will never know how hard it was for me to resist you; I wanted you so badly but I promised myself that I wouldn't sleep with you unless we were married"

"I think the treehouse is the only place we never made love" JR said

"Possibly" Sue Ellen laughed "I remember when you were recovering after Kristin shot you, I don't think that there's an area of Southfork that we didn't make love in, including the pool"

"I used to pray that momma and daddy would go out so we could be alone" JR said

"The pool, the barn, the den, the kitchen, on top of the piano…God JR we couldn't get enough of each other" Sue Ellen said "We were on fire"

"Making up for lost time….in fact I'm planning on revisiting those times" He said

Sue Ellen laughed "I had a chat with Miss Ellie today" she said

"Oh" JR said

"Yes….she was wondering whether I was going to continue to work" she replied

"Let me guess your answer" JR said "You told her you had no intentions of giving up"

"JR; Graison's Foundation is good for me; I finally have my own independence and I'm enjoying it…however I will slow down and maybe see if I can work from home after the baby is born" she said

"You don't need to work though" JR said

"I know…but this is worthwhile…I'm making a difference…if I can help Graison's save lives by fundraising then I'm happy but I promise you I will never forsake you or our children; you're my priority" she said

"Okay….but I don't want to see you overdo things" JR said "I want to be there to look after you….I want to make up for what happened with your last pregnancy"

Sue Ellen kissed him "I'm planning on letting you look after me" she said "I want you with me every step of the way"

"Tomorrow we're going shopping for wallpaper" JR said

"You're in a hurry" Sue Ellen replied

"Well once we have that room decorated you won't be able to move back there" JR laughed

"That's not going to happen" Sue Ellen said "You're stuck with me Ewing"

JR took her in his arms and held her tightly; he loved her so much and realized that he always had, he had been too stupid to see what was before him….a beautiful, loyal wife who adored him. Suddenly something caught his attention. He looked over to Bobby's grave.

"What's wrong" Sue Ellen said

JR stood up and walked over; crouching down he picked up a box which had been placed there. Walking back to Sue Ellen he sat back down.

"Where did that come from, I wonder" he said

"Open it!" Sue Ellen said

JR opened the box and gasped in surprise.

"What is it" Sue Ellen asked

JR handed her the box without saying anything.

Sue Ellen opened the box "It's a watch" she said

JR took it from her and turned the watch over so she could read the inscription. Sue Ellen looked confused

"Jock – 30 years of marriage – love always Ellie" she said reading what was written "I don't understand where has this come from"

"Sue Ellen, I remember momma giving that to daddy for their 30th wedding anniversary" he said "He never took it off…in fact we were sure he had it with him when he died"

"Maybe he didn't" Sue Ellen said "Maybe Miss Ellie found it and……." She stopped not wanting to say the next part of her sentence.

JR looked at her and gently stroked her face "It's okay, I know what you were say" he said "You think she put it on the grave because Bobby was daddy's favourite" he said

Sue Ellen cuddled into him "I'm sorry"

"Sue Ellen it doesn't make sense, if momma wanted the watch to be with Bobby she would have put it in the coffin with him; not leave it on the grave twelve months later" he said "Someone put it here for it to be found"

"Who would do something like that?" Sue Ellen asked

"Look at it this way….momma knows that the treehouse is one of our favourite spots where we can be alone….do you honestly think she would leave the watch there knowing that I may find it….leave it on Bobby's grave…daddy's favorite" JR said "She knew what he meant to me wouldn't she have given it to me?"

Knowing how much that would have hurt JR, she couldn't believe Miss Ellie would have done something like that "No sweetheart I don't believe she put it there but someone did within the last week" Sue Ellen said

JR stared into space; deep in thought. Sue Ellen watched his mind working, she didn't have to ask what he was thinking about she already knew.

"Talk to me" she said

JR smiled "I was just thinking" he replied

"About what?" Sue Ellen asked

"Daddy" JR replied "I was thinking back to the barbeque when we found out that he was missing; I remember going upstairs and finding you and John Ross curled up on the bed; At that point all I wanted to do was hold you both in my arms…I needed my family. Then I asked to stay at Southfork for the night, I told you I'd stay in the guest room"

"That night I woke up…first I checked John Ross in the nursery; then I wandered to the room you were in and almost knocked on the door" Sue Ellen said "I knew what Jock's disappearance would do to you and I just wanted to hold you in my arms..but something stopped me…I so desperately wanted to comfort you….but I knew …….."

"Sue Ellen I wanted you in my arms that night…just to hold you and have you tell me that everything would be okay. I felt so alone…Bobby had Pam and I couldn't talk to momma…I wanted you" JR said "I remember the morning that we left I asked you to stay but when we returned you had gone"

"I had to go sweetheart…I knew that if you came back without Jock you would be vulnerable and I couldn't walk away from you like that…so I decided it was best that I left" Sue Ellen said "I remember you turning up drunk one day at my house and warning me that I wouldn't have a minute's rest until you had John Ross back at southfork…..part of me was scared but another part of me wanted to reach out to you"

JR pulled her closer to him and kissed her "You're the only woman I want; noone understands me the way you do" he said "Whenever I was down I wanted you; whenever the rest of the world hated me I knew I could count on you to be there"

"Always" she said smiling

"Hmmmm, we still haven't solved the mystery though" JR said

"What's that?" Sue Ellen asked

"Who put that damn watch on Bobby's grave and why" JR replied

"Are you going to ask Miss Ellie?" Sue Ellen said

JR looked at the watch "No not at the moment, I don't think she did this and I don't want to cause her any pain by showing her the watch" he said

"Hey it's getting late why don't we go back inside?" Sue Ellen said

JR stood up and stretched out his arms for her; Sue Ellen took hold of his hands and he pulled her up. JR then wrapped his arm around her waist, seeing that the watch box was still on the ground he picked it up. Sue Ellen looked at him wondering what he was going to do. Letting go off Sue Ellen he placed the watch in his pocket then walked over to Bobby's grave and placed the box down.

"Can't walk into the house with the box but I'll put the watch in my pocket" he said "At least it will be safe there"

Arm in arm they walked back to the house.

Ben Stivers stood by the barn watching the couple approach the house. He knew where they had been and presumed that they had found the watch. He glanced around Southfork; the ranch had always been peaceful at night; this was the best time to be outside; all that could be heard was the sound of the wind gently swaying the trees. He thought about a Southfork of long ago; things had changed but this place still held a sense of peace for him. Ben took a picture out of his pocket and stared down at the face of his family; lost to him forever it seemed but maybe there was something he could do to put right the past. He watched the couple closely and saw how happy they were; holding each other close; laughing and joking. As they walked into the house he turned and went back to his lodgings; sitting on the bed he reached below it and pulled out some belongings. He picked up a penknife; touching the blade he was careful not to cut himself. Soon it would be time he thought.

Sue Ellen and JR walked into the den. Miss Ellie looked up at them.

"Where have you two been?" She asked

"We went for a walk by the treehouse" Sue Ellen said "It really is a beautiful night out there"

"Yeah" JR said

"Would you like a coffee" Miss Ellie asked

"No thanks Momma, we're going to check on John Ross then we're going to bed..Goodnight" JR replied

"Goodnight" Miss Ellie and Clayton replied

JR and Sue Ellen walked hand in hand upstairs; Miss Ellie and Clayton watched them go.

"They look so happy" Clayton said "I don't know if I've ever seen Sue Ellen looking so radiant"

"I just hope it lasts" Miss Ellie said "Especially with the new baby"

"So do I" Clayton said "Sue Ellen's come so far I would hate to see her suffer a setback because of JR"

"I think JR is finally ready to settle down; I think he's finally realized what he has in Sue Ellen"

JR and Sue Ellen gently opened the door of John Ross' room. They smiled to see that their son had thrown of his comforter and had managed to turn himself around so that his head was at the foot of the bed. He also had his headphones on.

"What am I going to do with that child" Sue Ellen laughed

JR quietly tiptoed to the bed and trying not to wake his son he lifted him and put him back into the bed; pulling the comforter up around him. Gently he removed the headphones and kissed his head. Sue Ellen watched; wishing that others could see this side of JR; the loving father who would do anything for his son. She walked up to him and gently kissed his cheek before turning to her son and kissing him. They watched their son for a minute then turned and quietly walked out.

When they entered their room JR took Sue Ellen in his arms.

"Hey we did something right" JR said

Sue Ellen laughed "Make that two things" she smiled as she took JR's hand and placed it on her stomach.

"I can't wait for this baby" JR said

"You're going to have to" Sue Ellen said "At least for another seven months"

JR was quiet; Sue Ellen looked at him.

"You are a brilliant father JR; John Ross worships you and I know how much you love him" she said

JR took the watch out of his pocket and looked at it.

"I worshipped my daddy, but I don't think he knew that; I can't ever remember him telling me he loved me or momma for that matter. Was I that unlovable" JR said

Sue Ellen hugged him "They loved you JR but some people can't express their feelings very well" She said

"John Ross knows that I love him, doesn't he" JR asked

"You tell him often enough" Sue Ellen said she watched him playing with the watch "What are you going to do with that"

"I don't know" JR said "Maybe just hide it away in a drawer"

Ben Stivers room

Ben lay on the bed staring at the celling. He was alone in the world; everything he had once held dear in the world was gone forever; all he had left was memories, some good, and some bad. Tomorrow was another day which he would spend working on the ranch; he felt too old for this but there were things he needed to do.

Sue Ellen and JR's room

Sue Ellen woke up early and lay watching a sleeping JR; he looked so peaceful, she smiled as she noticed that his top teeth were biting down on his bottom lips as though he was deep in thought, just the way John Ross did when he slept. Gently she stroked his cheek. Finally she felt that her dreams were coming true; everything she ever wanted was now hers and hers alone. She loved JR more than anyone could ever imagine; even when things had been really bad between them she still loved him and knew that she always would. After a while JR opened his eyes and smiled at her.

"Hey….watching me sleep?" He asked

"You just looked so peaceful…..so perfect lying there" she said

"How are you feeling?" He asked

"I'm fine" she smiled

"What no morning sickness?" he said

"No but I'm hungry" she said

JR looked at her

"For you!" she said

Sue Ellen cuddled up closer and kissed him, JR wrapped his arms tightly around her.

"mmmm." He said "We should get up!"

Sue Ellen threw the comforter of them and began kissing her way down JR's body; reaching JR's chest she took one of his nipples in her mouth and began sucking on it; JR closed his eyes.

"You sure you want to get up, JR?" she asked

"Keep going and I'll let you know in a minute" he replied

Sue Ellen laughed; then moved her attention to his other nipple, meanwhile her hand traced its way to JR's manhood, she then began to stroke it. JR sighed delighting in the sensation he was getting. God, he loved this woman and life was just getting better and better. JR closed his eyes as Sue Ellen worked her magic on him; suddenly he pulled her closer to him, kissing her passionately; Sue Ellen wrapped her legs around him as he entered her; finding their rhythm they began to make love; first tenderly then more urgently as both of them reached the point of no return; finally they lay wrapped in each others arms.

"You are incredible" JR said

Sue Ellen laughed "I love you, God, I love you so much" she said

JR looked at her "Do you know I think you're the only person who has ever said that to me and meant it" he said "I don't think I've ever heard momma or daddy say that to me"

Sue Ellen held him tightly "JR; like I told you last night some people just don't feel comfortable with expressing their feelings; I supposed Jock and Miss Ellie should thought that you knew that they loved you" she said

"But Sue Ellen..they didn't not the way they loved Bobby and Gary" JR said "After Bobby was born I realized that all I was to daddy was his business partner; he never played with me the way he played with Bobby or I play with John Ross. Daddy would never have played in the pool with me like I did with John Ross yesterday; he was my hero, I worshipped him but I was never good enough and I just don't know why"

Sue Ellen remained silent letting JR talk.

"I guess the reason daddy's death hit me more than Bobby was that Bobby always knew that daddy loved him; he didn't have to prove himself whereas I did, I will never know if he was proud of me or not; I will never know if he ever truly loved me" JR said "Bobby was upset by daddy's death but it didn't destroy him like it nearly destroyed me; I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't of had John Ross"

Sue Ellen kissed him; she realized that finding the watch last night had awakened feelings inside him which he'd kept hidden for years. She made a silent vow to herself that never again would JR ever feel unloved; if she had to tell him a million times a day that she loved him she would.

"Sue Ellen I look at John Ross now and I know what daddy would be thinking; he would expect me to train him up to be the next generation in Ewing Oil; but he's six years old and I don't want him growing up thinking he's my business partner; first and most importantly he's my son and I love him" JR said "Maybe in ten, twelve years I will take him into Ewing Oil but not yet"

Sue Ellen looked at him. JR had always kept his feelings in control; always given the impression that he was a hard man in total control of himself; but she knew he wasn't; there was a side to JR that was desperately in need of being loved; she could see it in his eyes.

"Sweetheart I can't tell you what Jock and Miss Ellie felt but it's in the past, try and let go off it. You have a family who loved you so much" she said; she looked deep into his eyes "JR you have a wife that will do anything for you"

"I think I've finally realized that" JR said "For so many years I convinced myself that I didn't need anyone; that the most important thing to me was power; if I had power I had everything…..love was alien to me,I didn't understand it; how could anyone leave themselves vulnerable to another person"

"Loving someone doesn't mean you have to be vulnerable to them; if someone loves you then there is nothing they wouldn't do for you….open your heart and let me in JR and I'll show you the difference between love and power" she said

JR smiled and kissed her "Is that a promise?"

"Definitely Mr Ewing" she replied "Finding that watch has brought out some difficult memories for you hasn't it"

"It's just daddy died without me knowing whether he truly loved me or not; I never told him I loved him; not the way John Ross tells me. I don't remember him reading me bedtime stories or anything like that but I know he did with Bobby" he said "There were times when I wanted to tell him I loved him but I was scared….scared that he would just laugh it off"

Sue Ellen held him tighter and kissed him "Listen, this is in the past and unfortunately the past is something that we can't change; but we can learn from it and move on. The one thing you should never doubt is that I love you; John Ross loves you and this baby is going to love you, that is all that matters." she said "And now I think it's time we got up"

After taking a shower the couple walked hand in hand downstairs and out onto the patio where there son was having breakfast with Clayton and Miss Ellie. Sue Ellen walked over and kissed John Ross.

"You're up late" John Ross said "We started breakfast ages ago"

JR laughed "Yes well you momma and I had things we needed to discuss" he said

"So what are your plans for today?" Miss Ellie asked

"Well first we've got to get our son to school, then we're going shopping…I'm taking a few days off work just to recover" Sue Ellen said

"And you think going shopping is aiding your recovery" Miss Ellie laughed

"Of course, but JR wants to go into the office this afternoon so I'm going to spend some time relaxing here" she replied

"I was thinking of going up to the grave this afternoon, would you like to join me" Miss Ellie said "Clayton going to be working with Ben and I wouldn't mind the company"

"Of course" Sue Ellen said

The family chatted over breakfast then Sue Ellen and JR got ready to take John Ross to school and go shopping. After dropping John Ross at school they made their way to the shopping mall. Sue Ellen enjoyed herself; she even smiled at the thought that JR was enjoying himself too. Hand in hand they walked through baby shops discussing color schemes for the nursery and picking out new furniture. At one o'clock they decided to get some lunch. Sitting in the restaurant JR looked at the bags that Sue Ellen had accumulated during the shopping trip and smiled.

"I thought we were looking for things for the nursery" JR laughed "Not clothes"

"Hey what am I supposed to do in a few months time when none of my clothes fit me" she replied "Walk around with nothing on!"

"Mmmm" JR said thinking "Interesting thought"

"JR!" she said "Are you serious about decorating the nursery ourselves; I mean neither of us have had much practice"

"I know but think of all the fun we can have and all the hot showers we can take together when we get covered in paint" he smiled

"There had to be an ulterior motive didn't there?" she laughed

"You sure the wallpaper is okay?" JR asked "We can change it if you want"

"No, I told you I wanted Winnie the Pooh and the picture is just perfect. Winnie the Pooh; Tigger and Eyeore sitting near the treehouse with a rainbow overhead" Sue Ellen said

"Always the romantic" JR said

"There's always a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow; and I remember when I was little the first thing I did when I saw a rainbow was make a wish" she replied

JR laughed "Maybe we can find one of those baby mobiles that play 'somewhere over the rainbow'" he said

"No, however a 'Winnie the pooh' mobile would be perfect playing a nice soothing lullaby" she said

"You've got it all planned haven't you" He said

"This time is going to be so different; through our own stupidity we missed out on the excitement of planning for a new baby last time but this time we can make up for that and John Ross can be involved too" she said

"I would love to turn the clock back and correct those times; I'm so scared of John Ross feeling the way I did when I was growing up" JR said

Sue Ellen reached for his hand and squeezed it "Don't worry; have a little faith in yourself I know you won't let him feel like he's second best" she said "We both love him too much for that"

"Hey did you see those baby clothes; they're so tiny" he said

Sue Ellen laughed enjoying how much interest JR was taking "Well babies are tiny" she said

"I remember seeing John Ross after he was born; now that was tiny" JR said

"He was two months premature" Sue Ellen said "But he soon gained weight; just like you he was greedy"

"So when do we need to start buying baby clothes" JR said

"Not for a while yet" Sue Ellen replied

They continued enjoying their lunch and each other's company.

Southfork

Ben Stivers walked alone through the pastures of Southfork. Clayton had gone back to the house for lunch with Miss Ellie and although he had invited Ben to join him, Ben had declined the offer. Finding his favorite spot he sat down for a moment and relaxed; he reached into his pocket and took out a photograph…it was an old black and white photograph of a time long ago…a time when he had been happy. Closing his eyes he sat thinking about his life; his thoughts turned to the time he had spent in South America and what had happened down there. Reluctantly he looked at his watch realizing that it was time for him to go back to work.

JR drove Sue Ellen back to Southfork after their lunch, there were a few things he wanted to do in the office and he told her that he'd pick up John Ross on his way home. Sue Ellen kissed him reminding him that she loved him before getting out of the car. She then turned and met Clayton and Miss Ellie on the patio.

"Hey" she said "How are you two"

"Fine" Miss Ellie said

"How did the shopping go?" Clayton asked

"Well between you and me, I think JR enjoyed himself" she replied "I'm just going to take these things upstairs and get changed"

Twenty minutes later Sue Ellen walked outside to find Miss Ellie sitting in one of the sunchairs.

"All alone" she said

"Clayton and Ben have gone back to work" Miss Ellie replied "I just hope Clayton's not overdoing things"

"Are you ready to go up to the grave?" Sue Ellen asked

"Yes, just let me get the flowers I've picked" she said

The two women walked through the pastures; talking about Sue Ellen's shopping trip and their hopes for the new baby. On reaching the grave Miss Ellie knelt down at the grave and began placing the flowers into the vase which was on the grave when something caught her eye. She picked the object up.

"What is it Miss Ellie" Sue Ellen asked

"It's an old black and white photograph" Miss Ellie said handing it to Sue Ellen while she continued with the flowers. Finally when she had finished she went and sat with Sue Ellen beneath the treehouse.

"It's an old picture of Southfork" Sue Ellen said "With you and Jock"

"Yes a very old picture" Miss Ellie replied "It was possibly taken sometime during the late 30's or early 40's when my daddy was alive"

"Tell me about the old Southfork" Sue Ellen said

"You don't want to hear about that" Miss Ellie laughed

"I do" Sue Ellen said

"Well I think this must have been taken in the late 30's" Miss Ellie began "And you're wrong, that's not Jock that's Digger"

"Cliff's father" Sue Ellen asked

"Yes; we were involved back then, Digger was partner with Jock in a quest to build the greatest oil company in the world" Miss Ellie said

"What was Digger like?" Sue Ellen asked

"The opposite of Jock; Jock was a hard man but Digger wasn't; he was a warm gentle man" Miss Ellie said "But he had his faults"

"Like what" Sue Ellen said

"Digger was brilliant at finding oil whereas Jock knew how to build the business up; the trouble was once Digger had seen the oil strike he would get over excited and want to celebrate which meant going around every bar in Dallas drinking himself into oblivion; but he called it celebrating" Miss Ellie said

"What happened between you two?" Sue Ellen asked "If you don't mind me asking"

"No" Miss Ellie replied "It was a long time ago but I remember quite clearly the day I broke up with him. He had called at Southfork early in the morning and told me that he and Jock were going down to see an oil strike. I had something I needed to discuss with him and he promised he would be back by 7pm at the latest. I wanted it to be a special night so I spent ages cooking his favorite meal and making the table look nice; then I sat and waited for him to arrive. Needless to say 7pm came and went, so did 9pm and finally at 10pm I gave up hoping that he would show. He knew that I wanted to talk to him about something but once they got that oil strike I was the last thing on his mind so at that moment I knew we were doomed; I couldn't rely on him and I knew that if I stayed with him…..we would have lost Southfork…any money that he and Jock made, Digger would have wasted it on drink. That night I cried myself to sleep. Digger turned up at noon that day and I told him it was over between us"

"Where does Jock fit in" Sue Ellen asked

"Well Jock was interested in me, he had called round a few times bringing a drunk Digger home; a number of times he told me I could do better. Anyway after telling Digger that things were over I went to the old offices of Ewing Oil; knowing that Jock would be alone; Digger would be busy at one of the bars. I remember thinking that what I was doing was the right thing for my……………for my family for Southfork; that night I asked Jock to dinner and he accepted…he stayed the night and a month later we were married" Miss Ellie replied

"Did you love him?" Sue Ellen asked

"No; at the time I loved Digger but I knew he was no good for me" Miss Ellie said "But I grew to love Jock; not in the way that I loved Digger but Jock was strong and fiercely protective of his family" she said "And I knew that with him, the future would be secure"

"The Barnes-Ewing isn't just about oil is it" Sue Ellen said

Miss Ellie looked at her and smiled "No, Digger always felt that Jock stole everything that was his including his girl" she replied "This feud has gone on for too long and destroyed so many people including Digger…I wish it could stop…but with JR and Cliff I don't think it ever will"

"Maybe in the next generation it will" Sue Ellen said

"Perhaps with the new baby and JR having total control of Ewing Oil things will be different" Miss Ellie said

"JR is changing" Sue Ellen said "I know I've said it hundreds of times but this time is different; he's starting to open up to me in a way he's never done before. These past few months' things have been so good between us"

"I noticed how much time you spend out here" Miss Ellie said

"This has always been our favourite spot" Sue Ellen said "The treehouse holds special memories for us; we were talking last night and JR said that although Jock built the treehoouse for Bobby, JR had better memories of the place"

"Do you ever regret remarrying him" Miss Ellie asked

Sue Ellen sighed "There has been occasions when I wished I hadn't" she said "However I love your son with all of my heart and I know that there is noone I'd rather be with. I fell in love with him from the moment I saw him and even through the bad times I never stopped loving him. Momma didn't want me to marry him the first time; she had someone else in mind for me"

"Who?" Miss Ellie asked

"Billy Frampton…his daddy was richer than Jock so despite what everyone thought I married JR because I loved him not his money" Sue Ellen said

"I know you did!" Miss Ellie said "But money was important to you"

"I was brought up by a mother who put money above everything else; she didn't have much so she wanted her daughters to have what she didn't; she tried to brainwash us into thinking that money was everything that love didn't matter as long as we had rich husbands…..but I didn't want that" Sue Ellen said "I remember the early years of our first marriage I desperately wanted him to love me but for some reason he couldn't"

"I remember one night shortly before he put you in the sanitarium before John Ross was born; Bobby and Pam brought you home after you passed out on the roadside, Jock was furious but I told him to let me speak to JR. I remember asking JR who did he loved and he told me he loved you" Miss Ellie said "Maybe I let go of him too soon; maybe if I hadn't allowed Jock to take him into Ewing Oil at such a young age he would have been different"

Sue Ellen was silent; thinking about her earlier conversation with JR and his feelings at never knowing whether either of his parents loved him.

"Miss Ellie I told JR last night we can't change the past but we can move on into the future; and I'm planning on building a warm, loving secure future for JR, our children and me" Sue Ellen said

"So is JR still taking you on holiday" Miss Ellie asked

"Yes" Sue Ellen said "But it will be in a couple of weeks when John Ross is on holiday"

"And you're still planning on renewing your wedding vows" Miss Ellie said

"Absolutely" Sue Ellen smiled "This time JR is mine and only mine; I'm going to give him so much love that he wont need to look elsewhere"

Miss Ellie smiled "We should get back, JR and John Ross should be back soon"

"Okay" Sue Ellen said "What are you going to do with the picture"

"Don't know" Miss Ellie replied "I wonder who put it there"

Sue Ellen wondered the same; first the watch now the photograph. Who was doing this and why? She decided to talk to JR later.

Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie walked back towards the house, on reaching the patio they saw JR and John Ross sitting at the patio table. Sue Ellen walked up to her son and kissed him.

"Hi sweetheart; how was school?" she said

"Okay….but I still want to finish school and work with daddy" he replied

"John Ross…we've talked about that…you're still too young to work with me" JR said

"But daddy……grandpa let you work with him when you were my age" John Ross said

JR looked at Sue Ellen "Daddy's right" Sue Ellen said "But that doesn't mean you can't go on field trips with him, during the holidays"

"So what are you two up to?" Miss Ellie asked

"Homework" John Ross said "Daddy's helping me with a project then we're going for a swim before dinner"

"Okay, we're leave you too it" Sue Ellen said, as she walked past JR's chairs she wrapped her arms around him and kissed his cheek. "See you later" she whispered in his ear.

An hour later JR walked upstairs to find her lying on their bed.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked

Sue Ellen stretched out her arms for him and he went over and sat down beside her. "I am now" she said

"John Ross is getting changed into his swimming trunks and I'm supposed to be doing the same; however just at this moment there's something else I'd rather do!" he said

Sue Ellen laughed "I wonder what that could be" she said

JR got up from the bed and went to find his trunks; Sue Ellen went towards him.

"Need any help" she asked as she put her arms around his waist.

"I would love some; however our son is waiting for me and I know if I let you anywhere near my body at this moment I want be able to leave this room for at least the next hour" JR said

"Spoilsport" Sue Ellen said

"However I'll take a raincheck" JR said

Just at that moment there was a knock on the door.

"Daddy are you ready" John Ross asked

Sue Ellen smiled "Your son wants you" she said

JR opened the door "Okay son; let's go" he said

Sue Ellen went out and sat on the balcony; watching her two favorite men in the pool. She loved watching them play. John Ross brought out the best in JR; she knew how much he loved his son. She thought back to their conversation earlier that morning and how he had felt about his own parents; not knowing if either of them truly loved him. He desperately needed his father's approval but he never got it. She wondered whether Jock ever realized just how his son felt about him and whether JR would have been any different if he had been shown affection as a child. The one thing she was sure of was that JR would never let John Ross feel second best; she knew this baby wouldn't change anything between JR and his son. An hour later JR returned to their room.

"Hey darlin'" he said "It's time to get ready for dinner"

On hearing his voice Sue Ellen came inside, smiling she walked up to him and kissed him.

"What was that for?" He asked

"For being the best husband and best father" she replied "I was watching you playing with our son"

"He's still not happy with me because I wont let him leave school" JR said

"He'll get over that" Sue Ellen said "Beside you're not the only one who wont let him leave"

"I promised him I would take him on a field trip when he's on holiday; maybe you could join us and we can take Christopher" JR said

"That reminds me I'm having lunch with Pam tomorrow" she said "I haven't seen her much lately"

JR groaned "You're leaving me on my own for her" he said

"You said you were going into the office, how about I meet you there later" Sue Ellen said

"Okay…by the way how was your afternoon" JR said

"It was fine….Miss Ellie and I had a long chat" Sue Ellen said

"What about?" JR asked

"JR something strange is going on" Sue Ellen started "There was an old picture placed on Bobby's grave this afternoon"

"An old picture……" JR said

"Yes…it was of Southfork and Miss Ellie with Digger Barnes" Sue Ellen replied

"Hell…that is an old picture….I mean momma and Digger that was years ago" JR said "Thank God she married daddy and not him…can't imagine what life would have been like growing up as a Barnes"

Sue Ellen laughed "You'd have been fighting with the Ewings" she said "Mind you I don't think there would have been a Barnes-Ewing feud"

"Digger couldn't take the fact that my daddy was the better oilman" JR said

"He also didn't like the fact that your daddy stole Miss Ellie from him" Sue Ellen said

JR stayed silent "History nearly repeated itself; Cliff almost managed to take you from me" he said

"JR…..I only went to Cliff because you were always too busy with your girlfriends" she said "I don't think anyone could steal me away from you….I love you too much"

"I remember the day I found out about your affair with Cliff; I'd been having you followed and when the detective came back with the name of the man you were seeing I was horrified; of all the men you could of gone to, why him?" JR said

Sue Ellen looked at him "Partly to get back at you but after a while….he was just so nice….so gentle and I needed that" she said "JR, you and I were so distant back then"

"Was he better in bed than me?" JR asked

Sue Ellen blushed "JR!" she said "That doesn't even warrant a reply"

JR laughed "Hey I was thinking a while back; Barnes and I seem to have the same taste in women; you; Afton and Mandy….not to mention Julie" he said "Bit worrying that…I mean we can't agree on anything except for women"

"Yes well…just make sure there's only one woman in your life from now on" Sue Ellen said "I don't want to share you with anyone"

JR kissed her "I guarantee that there will never be anyone else in my life" he said

"Do you think we should tell Miss Ellie about the watch?" Sue Ellen asked "I mean something very strange is happening"

"Maybe it's just a coincidence" JR said

"Well someone's put them there, they didn't get there by themselves" Sue Ellen said.

The Treehouse

Ben Stivers sat on the grass beneath the treehouse. He looked at Bobby's grave; knowing that the watch and photograph had been discovered. He wondered how the family would react; eventually he knew he would have to make a move. His thoughts returned to South America and the plane crash. Four years had passed but still his memory of that day was as clear as anything. Looking around Southfork he felt like he had come home; this place held good memories for him however he had work to do.

Southfork

Sue Ellen and JR sat alone in the living room, they had just put John Ross to bed and Miss Ellie and Clayton had gone out for the evening. They lay cuddled up on the sofa.

"We should do this more often" JR said

Sue Ellen looked at him and kissed him "I love being alone with you"

"We should get momma and Clayton to go out more often; that way when John Ross is in bed we've got the whole house to ourselves; to do whatever we want" JR said

Sue Ellen laughed "And I know what you want to do" she said

JR smiled "I was thinking about that photograph you found" he said "It seems strange that someone would put a photograph of momma and that Barnes on the grave, then there's the watch. I was going to ask momma about it but I figure that whoever put the photo there also put the watch there. Someone wants us to find them"

"That's what I figure too" Sue Ellen said "I mean they were put there to be found"

"I was thinking about daddy this afternoon…how he trained me up to run Ewing Oil" JR said "Oh hell, I'm boring you with this subject"

Sue Ellen shook her head "No talk to me I'm listening" she said looking into his eyes

"Well, I was five years old when daddy first took me to Ewing Oil; I felt like his business partner…he showed me all the things he did" JR said

"You did the same with John Ross" Sue Ellen said

"No; it's not the same as John Ross. I remember taking him into Ewing Oil when he was tiny just to show him around; we sat and spun around in my chair about 100 times" JR said "He loved being spun around like that; then I got some paper out of my drawer and we drew pictures for a while..correction... he scribbled"

Sue Ellen looked deeply into his eyes wondering what was going on behind them.

"From the moment daddy took me to Ewing oil; things changed. Everyday after I finished school I would go to Ewing Oil and daddy would teach me more about building an empire" JR said "I look at John Ross and realize how different our relationship is; for a start when I picked John Ross up from school today we both got changed and then I helped him with his homework; something my father never did for me; then later we played in the pool. Sue Ellen I can't ever remember doing any of that with my father or momma for that matter. I remember…being eight years old…Garry was four; it was his birthday and he was having a party with some of his friends. They were going to the movies and I wanted to join them; but daddy said I couldn't, there was work to do..so I missed out on the party. Another time I remember I was out riding with daddy and one of the ranch hands; for some reason the horse I was riding got scared..I don't know what happened but I was thrown from it. I was ten years old and I hurt myself pretty bad. Daddy just told me to grow up and then went after the horse"

Sue Ellen kissed him and held him tighter.

"Momma just let him do what he wanted" JR said "She never once told him he was being too hard on me and yet if it was her precious Garry he was telling off; she immediately go to protect him" JR said "All my life it seems I've had to fight for my parent's affections with my brothers but I never got it"

"JR do you know how much your son adores you" Sue Ellen said "He always has….he wanted to stay with you after the last custody hearing; he only wants to go into Ewing Oil so he can be near you; I guarantee he doesn't want to do any work"

JR laughed "I know; today he asked if I would help him with his homework however I think I did more than him"

"And you know something else?" Sue Ellen asked

"What" he replied

"I love you more than you will ever know; and if I have to tell you that a million times a day I will. The more we talk about your relationship with your parents the more I understand you. You are and have always been my number one; from the moment I first set eyes on you I fell in love with you; and no matter what you did to me I still loved you. I know in the beginning your family always believed I married you because of the money; and I admit that I've been brought up by a mother who put money before everything else; but I swear that is not the reason I married you. From this moment on I want us to share everything and that means everything; if you want to talk about your feeling about your parents, I'm here to listen; if you want to talk about Ewing Oil, I'm here or if you just want to sit in silence then I will do that. You are not alone" Sue Ellen said

JR smiled "By the way have you been in touch with your mother lately" he asked

"No; she's off on one of her cruises, I don't really think she's happy with me for leaving her to come back here" Sue Ellen replied "She doesn't even know she's going to be a grandmother again"

"I guess your childhood wasn't exactly perfect either" JR said

"No" Sue Ellen replied "It got worse after daddy died; I hated the beauty contests but momma insisted I did them; her quest was to marry me off to a rich man"

"Billy Frampton" JR laughed

"Exactly; she was horrified when I said I wanted to marry you" Sue Ellen replied "She didn't speak to me for about a week"

"That must have been peaceful" JR said

Sue Ellen laughed "I remember when I left you while I was pregnant with John Ross. I had enough of you cheating on me and not being discreet about it. I went to momma's with my suitcase. I asked her what she thought about me turning up there with two suitcases and she told me that they were two suitcases that someone married to a rich man would have. I told her why I was leaving you but she couldn't understand; she just told me some men were like that and I'd should just put up with it. She couldn't bear the thought of me giving up being Mrs JR Ewing. The worse thing was that Kristin agreed with her. I think at that point I realized she'd done a good job on my baby sister"

"I know which sister I prefer" JR said

"I never tried to shoot you" Sue Ellen said

"True" JR said

Sue Ellen looked at JR "Okay let's make a pact; from this moment on we look after each other; if either of us have a problem we share it; everyday we show our son how much we love him and then when this baby comes we spoil both of them. The only thing I want from you JR is your love and that is the one thing I will give you…..unconditional love. By being honest and open with each other we can create a bond between us and noone will ever be able to hurt us again" she said "The only thing that truly matters is us and our children"

"Okay" JR said "I wished I realized sooner how easy you are to talk to; you just listen….you don't interrupt or judge me"

"I'll tell you something else you could do for me" Sue Ellen said

"What's that?" JR asked

Sue Ellen looked at him "Try and end this feud with Cliff" she replied

JR looked at her "You're joking" he said

"Sweetheart….do we really have to have this feud going into the next generation" Sue Ellen said "This argument was between Jock and Digger; neither of them should have brought their children into it. I really would love my children to grow up not knowing about this feud"

"I don't know…it takes two darlin'" JR said

"I'll speak to Pam tomorrow" she said "But will you try"

"Okay" JR sighed

"Thankyou" she said "That's all I ask"

JR held her tightly "You never did answer my question about Cliff" he said

"What was that?" she asked

"Is he better in bed than me" he whispered in her ear.

"Mmmmm" Sue Ellen said "That's a tough one…….however"

She kissed him passionately on the lips "I think the answer to that is" she said

"What" JR asked

"The only man who ever really turned me on was you" she laughed

"I think it's time we went to bed" JR said "Come on"

Hand in hand they walked upstairs to their room. Sue Ellen loved the way JR was finally opening up to her. She wanted him to tell her about his childhood, she knew that he had bottled up his feelings for most of his life but she wanted him to tell her everything. She wanted to be there for him and give him the love that he had been denied.

Southfork the following morning

Miss Ellie sat alone on the patio; Sue Ellen and JR had left a few hours ago. She knew that JR was going into work and Sue Ellen had a doctor's appointment followed by lunch with Pam. She hated the ranch being this quiet so she decided to take a stroll and try to find Clayton. Not quite knowing why she walked over to Ben's lodgings. Something troubled her about him but she didn't know what. He was always pleasant to her but there was something familiar about him. She saw the door to Ben's room opened; first she knocked then walked in. Looking around she saw that the place was reasonably tidy; she noticed what looked like letters on the bed, seeing that noone was around she wandered over to the bed and picked up the paper. Reading the letter she turned cold as she recognized the writing and the words.

A Restaurant in Dallas

Sue Ellen and Pam sat in the restaurant waiting for their meal to arrive.

"So how are you?" Pam asked

"I'm fine….a bit tired but I guess that's only to be expected" Sue Ellen replied

"I can't believe what happened……Angelica Nero…you must have been so scared" Pam said

"I was…..she told me that JR had a choice….either me or Ewing Oil" Sue Ellen said "If JR had chosen Ewing Oil I have no doubt she would have killed me"

"I'm surprised JR didn't choose Ewing Oil….but then again he'd never really let anyone have his precious company" Pam said

"Pam……JR and I are trying for a new start. We have John Ross and the new baby to look forward to and I know he's trying to change. He's starting to open up to me in a way that he never has before and I'm beginning to understand him more." Sue Ellen said

"Mmmm" Pam said

Sue Ellen smiled at her "I know, how many times in my life have I put my faith in JR only to be proved wrong. But this time things are really different….I'm not the same person I was back then………I've changed and JR knew if he wanted me back he would have to change too" she said "This time our relationship is going to last…I'm going to prove to him that the only woman he will ever need is me"

"Are you still going to work after you've had the baby?" Pam asked

The waiter arrived with their meal which he set down on the table before them. Asking if they required anything else he told them to enjoy their meal and left.

Sue Ellen looked at Pam "I am so hungry….I don't remember being this hungry when I was pregnant with John Ross" she said "To answer your question…yes I still want to be involved in Graison's research; maybe work part time or even work from Southfork…if Mark still wants me"

"He can't wait to have you back at work" Pam said "You're the best PR he's ever had; noone seems to be able to make people part with their money like you"

"Yes and to think I used to have the reputation of being able to spend money like it was going out of fashion" Sue Ellen laughed.

"So how does it feel to be pregnant again" Pam asked

Sue Ellen laughed "To be honest it feels great; John Ross is looking forward to having a new baby brother or sister…and JR……I've never seen him so excited" she said "We went shopping yesterday for wallpaper and paint and ended up also looking for baby clothes. This time things are going to be so different; I know he'll be with me every step of the way; we're even going to decorate the nursery together"

"So how are things at Southfork?" Pam asked

"You should come by more often" Sue Ellen said "Miss Ellie and Clayton are fine however there's something strange going on"

"What do you mean?" Pam asked

"Well the other night JR and I were talking by the treehouse when we noticed a strange box of Bobby's grave; he opened it up and inside was Jock's watch. JR's convinced that he had it with him when he died" she said "Not only that I went with Miss Ellie up to the grave yesterday afternoon to put some flowers there and on it was an old picture of Southfork"

"That is strange…what does Miss Ellie think?" Pam asked

"We haven't told her about the watch; JR doesn't want to upset her but I think she found the picture a bit strange" Sue Ellen replied "Not only that the picture was of Miss Ellie and your daddy with Southfork in the background"

"Miss Ellie and Digger…God…that has to be an old picture" Pam said

"She told me a bit about her and Digger" Sue Ellen said "I got the impression that she loved him very much….even after she went to Jock"

"Daddy never got over her" Pam said

"I can understand your daddy's viewpoint…it must have seemed like Jock took away everything from him…Miss Ellie...Ewing Oil" Sue Ellen said

"I remember when Cliff told Digger about him being the father of John Ross; daddy was so happy….I think he finally felt that he could take something away from Jock" Pam said

"Cliff shouldn't have told him that" Sue Ellen said

"I know but after I lost my second baby; I think Cliff just felt sorry for daddy and wanted him to know that he had a grandchild" Pam said

"Pam…..I'm going to be really honest with you. From the moment I saw John Ross I knew who his father was and I knew it wasn't Cliff" Sue Ellen said "John Ross has JR's eyes…I mean at the time I didn't care who his father was but deep down I knew he was a Ewing"

"I hated the way Jock called Cliff a liar" Pam said "It seemed once again that the Barnes had lost to the mighty Ewings"

Sue Ellen was silent lost in her own thoughts; to be truthful there were things she didn't like about Jock; mainly his treatment of JR over the years. No wonder why JR behaved the way he did; all he ever wanted was his father's love but he had been denied that.

"I was talking to JR last night…..what do you think about trying to bury the Barnes-Ewing feud" Sue Ellen said

"I wish it could have ended the day I married Bobby; maybe then we would have had a chance." Pam said

"If I can get JR to agree to it….can you talk to Cliff." Sue Ellen asked "I really don't want this going into the next generation. This was Digger's and Jock's feud not Cliff and JR's"

"Okay, I'll try and talk to my brother but you know what he's like" Pam replied

"I think I can persuade JR that he has more important things to worry about!" Sue Ellen said.

"Are you still planning on going on holiday?" Pam asked

"Yes and we would love Christopher to come; John Ross would like that too" Sue Ellen said "We're not going until school is finished. It would just be nice to spend some quality time together away from Southfork"

"You sure you wouldn't like Mark and me to look after John Ross for you, then you can have some time alone" Pam asked

"No, we want a family holiday and that includes our son" Sue Ellen said "Beside I love watching JR and John Ross together"

"Okay I'm sure Christopher would love to go" Pam said

"I've got to go and meet JR and then we have to pick up John Ross, how about we pick up Christopher and take them to the park for a while" Sue Ellen said "Then we can bring Christopher home after dinner"

Pam smiled "Sure" she said "It will give Mark and me time to ourselves"

"By the way I'm paying" Sue Ellen said as the bill came.

Sue Ellen and Pam walked to their cars and said their goodbyes.

Sue Ellen drove to the Ewing Building and parked outside. She then walked into the building and took the elevator up to JR's office. His secretary informed her that he was on the phone so she knocked on his door and gently opened it. Seeing her JR's face lit up and he motioned for her to go in and take a chair. JR finished his phone call then went around his desk to her. Taking her hand he pulled her up and kissed her.

"So have you missed me?" she asked

"Like crazy" JR said "God…I don't know what's wrong with me….I've been sitting here trying to work and all the time I was wishing that I was with you"

Sue Ellen laughed "Looks like the great JR Ewing has fallen in love" she said

JR held her tightly breathing in the smell of her perfume "You could be right" He said "You wouldn't like to come and be my PR, just think of all the fun we could have; meetings in the boardroom; I could dictate letters to you while you sit on my lap"

"Tempting offer Mr Ewing" she laughed "But you forget I already have a job"

JR was silent for a moment "I…..I had a visitor this morning" He began

"Who" Sue Ellen asked

"Mandy…apparently she's out of hospital and informed me that I'm welcome at her apartment any time I want." JR said

"I thought we'd got rid of her" Sue Ellen said "Is she that desperate that she has to take another woman's man"

"Hey I informed her that I was committed to you and our children; that I love you and only you" he said "Also I've just been on to Estate office and her apartment is about to be sold….she wont have anywhere to live in Dallas then" JR said

"You are sure this is what you want" Sue Ellen said

"Hell yes" JR said "Noone has ever loved me the way you do or taken the time to listen to me. You understand me and I know I can talk to you about anything"

Sue Ellen kissed him; just at this moment she wanted him so badly.

"I love you so much" she said "Hey do you think you could tell your secretary to go home for the day"

"Why" JR said

"You're not busy are you" she started "And we have an hour before we have to collect John Ross from school and just at this moment I want you"

JR looked at her "Just at this moment?" He said "Mmmm; only this moment"

"JR stop it….okay I want you every second of the day" she said

JR let go of her "Okay I'll be right back"

He walked out of his office and informed his secretary that he was letting her have the rest of the afternoon off. Once she had gone he walked back to Sue Ellen.

"Okay where do you want to go?" He asked

"Nowhere" she said "I want you now"

JR smiled "Then you my darlin' can have what you want"

Gently he lowered her to the floor. Sue Ellen began to remove his jacket while JR attended to the buttons on her blouse. Lovingly they removed each others clothes; JR kissing every inch of Sue Ellen's body as it was exposed to him. Finally they began to make love; slowly enjoying the closeness of each other, the feel of each other. JR rolled them over so he was on top and gently stroked Sue Ellen's face.

"I love you" he said "And I never want you to forget that"

"Do you know how many years I've waited for you to say that to me and mean it" she said "You are the most important person in my life apart from my son; you're my husband, my lover, my best friend and the father of my children"

JR kissed her; Sue Ellen pulled him tighter towards her wanting to feel the closeness; once again their bodies became one. Slowly they began to relax in each others arms.

Sue Ellen kissed him "Hey what do you say we go and pick up our son and Christopher and take them to the park?" she said "Maybe we can then take them for a hamburger"

"Sue Ellen I don't think I can move" JR laughed "You've worn me out"

They lay quietly for a while' locked in an embrace. Words couldn't describe how Sue Ellen felt; her love for JR had always been strong but now she felt an overpowering sense of love for him and the need to protect him from ever being hurt by anyone ever again. She knew he had been hurt by his parent's actions. She could see it in his eyes. She was so deep in thought she didn't hear JR's question.

"Hey where are you?" He said

"What?" Sue Ellen replied

"I just asked you how your doctor's appointment went" JR said

"Oh, fine everything's okay" she said

"What about you….I mean you're in good health" JR said

"Yes, I couldn't be better" she said "Maybe next time you can come with me to the doctors"

"Sure" He said "I want to be with you every step of the way just like I promised….by the way how was lunch"

"Okay….I talked to Pam about ending the Barnes-Ewing Feud" Sue Ellen said "And she's going to talk to Cliff"

"You really are determined to end it aren't you" He said

"JR……….I don't want this affecting my children" she said "It should have died years ago…maybe when Pam married Bobby then maybe their marriage would have stood a chance"

"For you I will try but he has to meet me half way….if he insist on carrying on with it there's nothing I can do" JR said

"That's all I want you to do" she said

"Okay; let's get dressed and pick up our son" JR said

After getting dressed they walked hand in hand out of the office and down to the car. Sue Ellen let JR drive her car.

A Dallas Park

JR and Sue Ellen sat on a bench watching Christopher and John Ross playing.

"Those two really do enjoy each others company" JR said

"I know…Pam said that Christopher can join us on holiday" Sue Ellen said

"Okay I'm going to book a week at Disneyworld and then maybe another couple of weeks somewhere nice and hot where we can relax" JR said "Watch the children play on the beach…what do you think"

"Sounds wonderful" Sue Ellen replied "There's nothing I would sooner do than watch the children playing while laying in your arms"

JR kissed her "Well that's sorted" he said "I'll book it tomorrow"

"We could have our own beach cabin" Sue Ellen said "That way we can be a family"

"Perfect" JR replied

Sue Ellen and JR continued to watch the children play; JR snuggled up to Sue Ellen…..he now understood what it felt to be truly loved. He felt safe with her, he could tell her things that he had never told anyone and all she did was listen to him and soothe him. He had another chance with her and he wasn't going to do anything to risk this relationship. Suddenly he remembered something. Reaching into his jacket pocket he pulled out a box. Turning to Sue Ellen he said

"Hey I found this the other night"

Sue Ellen looked at him as he handed her the box "Open it" he said

She did what she was told. "I don't believe you kept this" she said

"It's the maternity ring you threw back in my face" He said "I thought that you would wear it now"

Sue Ellen smiled "Of course I will" she said

"Just for the record darlin'; the only reason I brought that ring was to try and make up for everything that happened. I was really terrified that I would lose you the night John Ross was born; I think it was the only time Bobby has ever seen me cry. I promised myself that if you survived then I would do everything I could to make you feel special even accept John Ross" he said

Sue Ellen stroked his face "I believe you…it's just that was a painful time for me…I didn't know what I was feeling….I couldn't even hold John Ross" she said "I felt unlovable"

"At that point I would have done anything for you" he said

"I'm sorry….there is so much that has happened in our lives that I regret" she said

JR pulled her closer to him "From now on no more regrets" he said "The only memories we will have are happy ones with"

"All I want is you" she said "And our children….I want our children to grow up feeling loved and knowing that they are so special"

"Hey come on let's go and join the boys on the merry go round" JR said taking her hand

Hand in hand they ran across the park to the boys. John Ross and Christopher wiggled and laughed as JR and Sue Ellen hugged and kissed them,

Southfork

After finding the letters Miss Ellie left Ben's room and returned back to Southfork. Over and over she had read the letters even though she knew what had been written in them. Now she didn't know what to do. Finally she decided to go back to Ben's room and put them back. She walked back to the room, noticing that the door was still how she left it; Ben hadn't returned. She walked in and placed the letters back on the bed; seeing a box nearby she curiously looked inside. She found a knife with the letter 'J' on the handle. She was so deep in thought she didn't hear Ben come in.

"Mrs Farlow what are you doing in my room" He said

Ellie dropped the knife, she picked up one of the letters which were on the bed

"Where did you get this?" she said "Also my husband's knife"

"They're mine" he said

"You're lying" she replied

"No Ellie; you wrote those letters to me in South America"

Ben Stivers walked closer towards her; Miss Ellie stepped back

"You're lying" Ellie said "Now tell me where did you get those letters"

"I told you, they're mine" He replied "You sent them to me when I was in South America"

Miss Ellie closed her eyes; she didn't want to hear this; she didn't even want to think that the man standing before her could be her husband.

"You don't think that I would know my own husband" she said "I know you can't be Jock"

"How do you know that?" Ben asked "All you know was that I went missing in South America; no body was ever found"

"Jock would never have allowed his family to think he was dead…knowing the pain that would cause" Miss Ellie said

"I had no choice" Ben replied "I couldn't let my family see me the way I was"

Miss Ellie sat down in the chair "Okay I'm listening, what happened after the plane crash"

Ben walked over to the bed and sat down "It's a long story…..I remember the plane crashing…suddenly there were flames all around me, I manage to crawl out but the flames attacked my face and body. I knew I had to get some distance from the plane so I ran into the forest. You could hear the explosion for miles around. I was out cold for a few hours then I managed to get to my feet and try to find my way out of the forest. When I reached the road I flagged down a car that was passing by. He took me to the nearest hospital. I was badly burned and bruised….I didn't want my family seeing me this way so I begged the hospital staff not to tell you that I was there" Ben said

"But JR and Bobby searched the hospitals…..there was no sign of Jock" Ellie said

"Yes…well patient confidentiality…also money helps" Ben said

Miss Ellie shook her head. She didn't believe a word Ben was saying. She knew Jock; he wouldn't have let his family worry about him, believing he was dead when he was very much alive.

"So why the sudden appearance now?" Ellie asked

"I heard about Bobby's death…….I felt it was time to come home" Ben replied "I missed my family"

"So now tell me the truth" Miss Ellie said "Who are you?"

"I know this is real hard for you to understand…but I am telling you the truth" Ben answered

"So where have you been for the last four years" Miss Ellie said

"Recovering from my injuries" Ben said "But it doesn't mean that I forgot about my family…I read the newspapers to see what was happening"

"Well you know that I'm happily married" Miss Ellie said "If you are who you say you are…you have no right to come back here, as far as I'm concerned Jock is dead"

Miss Ellie made a move towards the door. Ben called her back

"Do you love him?" Ben asked

"What!" she replied

"I said do you love him" Ben said

"That is none of your business" Miss Ellie replied and walked out of the room.

Ben Stivers sat on the bed alone; cursing himself for leaving the letters lying on the bed. He had never intended for them to be found; now what was he going to do? He picked up one of the letter and began to read. He closed his eyes and thought back to a different time; a Southfork of a different era when both he and Miss Ellie had been so much younger. He remembered how they would spend time talking as he worked on the ranch; they could talk for hours on end; back then he knew what she was feeling, what her dreams were; he also knew her secrets.

Miss Ellie walked back towards the house. This was not happening; who was Ben Stivers? He couldn't be Jock; her Jock would never have deserted her for four years and let her believe he was dead. He would have done everything in his power to get back to his family. Her thoughts turned to Clayton; she did love him not in the way she loved Jock or Digger for that matter; but he made her feel safe, he was strong like Jock but warm and caring like Digger. She suddenly thought of the photograph that had been placed on Bobby's grave; had Ben placed it there and if he really was Jock why had he placed a picture of her and Digger there. She remembered that photograph, it had been taken about a week before she had split up with Digger and gone to Jock. They had been happy; she'd always imagined growing old with him by her side but it wasn't to be; she didn't regret marrying Jock, she had done what was best. Miss Ellie walked into the house. It was empty….she remembered a few years ago when it would have been buzzing with people, Lucy, Bobby, Pam, Sue Ellen, JR and her and Jock; these days it was her, Clayton, JR and Sue Ellen however strangely enough these days things seem to be settled; life was okay; there was hope for the future with a new baby. What was she going to do about Ben Stivers?

A MacDonald's Restaurant

Sue Ellen and JR watched John Ross and Christopher eat their second cheeseburger.

"Guess you guys were really hungry" JR said

"Daddy….playing in the park is hungry work" John Ross said

Sue Ellen laughed "Well that is your last cheeseburger tonight" she said "I don't want either of you two being sick during the night" she said

"Oh momma!" John Ross said

"Can we have donuts?" Christopher asked

"Just one" Sue Ellen replied

"Who wants to see a movie" JR asked

"ME" John Ross said "Can I choose"

"Okay" JR said "Which one"

John Ross looked at Christopher and smiled "Ghosbusters" they shouted in unison.

"Boring" Sue Ellen said

JR looked at her and kissed her cheek "Guess you're outnumbered my darlin'….three against one says we're going to see Ghostbusters" he said

"But we saw it the other week" Sue Ellen complained

"Momma it's a good film" John Ross said

Sue Ellen laughed "Okay you win" she said

"Yeah" the boys shouted "Ghostbusters"

After finishing their meal; JR and Sue Ellen took the boys to the movies. John Ross and Christopher sat between JR and Sue Ellen. JR looked at Sue Ellen, he knew she hated this film, it wasn't a romantic love story for a start. Maybe he'd make it up to her later. Halfway through the film John Ross climbed onto his father's lap.

"What's wrong with you seat?" JR asked

"Nothing, but I can see better here" John Ross replied

Sue Ellen looked at Christopher; wondering what was going on inside his head. His eyes were glued to the film but she knew he must miss Bobby. She also knew that Mark would make a good substitute. Seeing him sitting in his seat, he looked so small, she stroked his head and reaching for him pulled him onto her lap. Christopher cuddled into her. Seeing the empty spaces between them, JR moved himself and John Ross to bridge the gap. Sue Ellen smiled and rested her head on his shoulder. JR gently kissed her and reached for her hand.

"Are you okay?" He asked

"Mmm" Sue Ellen replied "Actually this isn't a bad film"

JR laughed "Not exactly 'Love story' though" he said

Sue Ellen looked at him and smiled "Can't see your son sitting through that one I'm afraid"

JR kissed her forehead "I'll tell you what, how about one night we let John Ross sleepover at Pam and Mark's; then we get Momma and Clayton to spend the night in town; then we get the most romantic video you want to watch and curl up together on the sofa eating popcorn" he said

"Hmmm; or maybe we could forget the popcorn and the video and just curl up and eat each other" Sue Ellen smirked "After all I've always found you more tasty then popcorn"

"You have some good ideas Mrs Ewing" JR whispered "But I'm serious, you can find your favourite weepy and we'll cuddle up and watch it together"

"You've got a deal" Sue Ellen replied

JR reached for Sue Ellen's hand and squeezed it "I love you" He whispered in her ear

"I love you too" she said "Now be quiet; we're trying to watch this film"

They continued to watch the film in silence; JR still holding Sue Ellen's hand. When the film was over they walked back to where their car was parked.

"JR as much as I love our son; this child has to be a girl" Sue Ellen said as she kept her eye on the two boys running towards the car.

JR looked at her "I don't care what it is" he said

Sue Ellen laughed "Neither do I really, but a girl would be nice…I'd have someone to go shopping with and dress up" she said

"Hmmm a girl would be nice" JR said "I'm just worried about John Ross; I don't want to turn into my father"

"Stop worrying JR; I have faith in you to know that that is not going to happen. You are not Jock; I can't believe that you would favour one child over another. You know how that feels" Sue Ellen replied

"I'm going to bore you, I keep going over the same things over and over again" JR said

Sue Ellen stopped and turned to face him "JR you could never bore me; for so many years you've bottled up your feelings about Jock, Miss Ellie and your childhood, finally I've managed to unlock the barriers that you've built over the years. I want you to talk to me" she said

"I just keep remembering all the times he called me a 'jackass'; all the times he chose Bobby over me and it hurts Sue Ellen; all I ever wanted was for him to love me or at least show me in some way that he loved me but he never did. Everything I did was to get his approval; his love" he said

"JR you have always had my unconditional love; noone has ever been able to take that away from you, not Cliff or Dusty. As for John Ross, he knows you love him and he loves you; he also knows he can twist you around his little finger; that you will do anything for him." She said "I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure you never feel rejected again; and we will both make sure that John Ross never feels that way"

JR kissed her "Let's go home" he said

They drove to Pam's house to drop of Christopher then began the journey back to Southfork.

Southfork

Miss Ellie sat alone in the living room. Clayton was still working on the ranch while JR and Sue Ellen had taken John Ross out. She didn't know what to do or what to think. If Ben Stivers was telling the truth'; what would it mean for the family. This would destroy her and Clayton; just when everything was almost perfect. Her thoughts were interrupted by Clayton returning, he walked into the living room.

"Hi Ellie; where is everyone" he asked

"JR and Sue Ellen have taken John Ross and Christopher out for a burger and a movie" she replied "They won't be back for a while"

"I never thought I would say this but I'm glad things seem to be working out for those two; I have never seen Sue Ellen look so radiant" Clayton said

Miss Ellie smiled and looked at Clayton. He noticed her tear stained cheeks

"Ellie what's wrong" he asked

"Clayton, I went looking for you this morning and ended up at Ben's place thinking you might be there. There was some papers on his bed and curiosity got the better of me and I looked at them" she started

"What happened" Clayton asked

"Those papers were letters that I had written to Jock when he was in South America" Ellie replied "Ben had them, he also had a knife with Jock's initial carved on it. When I confronted him he claimed that he was Jock"

"What?" Clayton said

"He said…………he said he was Jock" Ellie replied

Clayton looked stunned "You can't be serious" He said

"Clayton he has letters that I wrote to Jock when he was in South America; someone placed an old picture of Southfork on Bobby's grave….I'm not sure what I believe anymore" she replied

"I'm going to talk to him now" Clayton said

"Please don't…leave it until the morning" she said

"Ellie…how can I leave it….if he is who he says he is…what does he want after all this time?" Clayton asked "It's been four years"

"I don't know" Ellie said "All he told me was that for the past four years he has been receiving treatment for the burns he suffered during the plane crash….finally he decided to come home"

"You sound as though you believe him" Clayton said "Or that you want to believe him…if he is telling the truth who would you choose him or me"

Ellie closed her eyes "Clayton if he is Jock, our marriage isn't legal" she said "If it is him…he's still my husband"

"Yes….but for the past four years he's let you think he was dead…what sort of husband does that to his wife" Clayton replied

"He didn't want to us to have to go through the pain of watching him suffer during his treatment" Miss Ellie said

"But it was okay for you to think he was dead" Clayton said "He didn't think about the pain that would cause you"

Miss Ellie was about to speak but stopped as she heard the sound of a car engine.

"JR and Sue Ellen are back" she said "Let's leave this conversation until later"

"Why I'm sure JR will be delighted to know that his father is alive and that I'm no longer part of this family" Clayton said

"Clayton you are part of this family….I don't think I could have survived Bobby's death without you" Ellie said

"But I'm not Jock" Clayton replied "And if it's a choice between him or me, he wins…I'm going to get some fresh air"

Miss Ellie watched Clayton leave; part of her wanted to go after him but she couldn't. She felt confused. She didn't want to believe Ben's story but if he was telling the truth…then her marriage to Clayton was a lie.

Clayton watched JR and Sue Ellen get out of the car; seeing them with John Ross they looked really happy; the perfect family but he secretly worried about Sue Ellen and hated the thought of her being hurt again by JR.

"Hey Clayton" Sue Ellen said as she approached him "It's a beautiful night out here isn't it"

"Yes" Clayton said, looking at John Ross he said "Have you had fun tonight"

"Yes" John Ross said "We played in the park, had hamburgers and then went to see 'Ghostbusters"

"And now it's time for bed" Sue Ellen said "Go and get ready we'll come and say goodnight shortly"

"Okay" John Ross replied

"Is momma inside?" JR asked

"Yes, I just felt like getting some fresh air" Clayton replied

"Okay, we're going to check on our son" Sue Ellen said "See you shortly"

"Sure" Clayton said

JR and Sue Ellen walked into the house; they checked to see if Miss Ellie was in the living room but couldn't find her.

"She must be upstairs or in the kitchen" JR said

"Hmmm, something's wrong" Sue Ellen said "Clayton didn't look very happy"

"Wonder what he's done to upset her" JR said

Sue Ellen looked at him and shook her head "Come on let's go and get our son in bed" she said

John Ross was getting ready for bed when JR and Sue Ellen walked into his room.

"Momma can I listen to the story tapes?" He asked

"Not tonight sweetheart it's late" she said

"Come on buddy, it's time to go to sleep" JR said as he walked to the bed. They both tucked him in and kissed him goodnight. Switching off the light they closed his door. Hand in hand they walked downstairs and into the living room; finding Miss Ellie on her own"

"Hi Momma" JR said

Miss Ellie looked at the couple and smiled "Did you two have a nice evening?" she asked

"Yes" they replied

"Momma what's going on; we just saw Clayton sitting alone outside" JR asked

"Everything's fine" Miss Ellie said

Just at that moment Clayton walked back into the house "Fine, is that what you call it" he said "How can everything be fine"

"Clayton…please just leave it" Miss Ellie pleaded

"Momma, what's going on?" JR asked

"Ben Stivers" Clayton replied "He claims he's Jock Ewing"

JR and Sue Ellen looked at each other "He's lying!" JR said "What does he want"

"I don't know…..he had some letters that I wrote to your father before he died; he also had one of your father's knives" Miss Ellie said "Then there was the photograph that was left on the grave"

JR thought for a moment "Also the watch" he said

"What watch?" Clayton asked

JR sighed "Sue Ellen and I were out by the treehouse last week and I noticed a box on Bobby's grave…I opened it up and inside was the watch momma gave daddy for their 30th wedding anniversary" he said

"JR why didn't you tell me about the watch" Miss Ellie asked

"Because we didn't want to upset you" Sue Ellen said

"Also I wasn't sure that you hadn't put it there" JR said

"Why would you think that?" Miss Ellie asked

"I thought that maybe daddy hadn't taken it to South America and you had found it and put it on Bobby's grave because he was daddy's favorite" JR replied

"JR I would never have done that…beside I know for a fact that your daddy took the watch with him" Miss Ellie said "He never went anywhere without it from the moment I gave it him"

"Something doesn't make sense" Sue Ellen said "If Ben Stivers is Jock; then why did he place an old picture of Southfork with you and Digger on the grave; surely he would put one of you and him"

Clayton looked at Sue Ellen "Yes that does seem odd; I mean they were enemies" he said

"I don't know" Miss Ellie said "But it's too late to do anything tonight"

"First thing in the morning I'm going to see him" Clayton said "I want him off this ranch"

"Clayton this isn't your ranch" Miss Ellie said "It's mine and I'll decide who leaves and who stays"

Clayton turned to leave. He had heard enough….he couldn't believe Miss Ellie would actually consider that this man was who he claimed to be.

"Where are you going?" Miss Ellie said

"As far away from here as possible" Clayton replied "After all how many times does a person need to be told that they're not really part of this family?"

"Clayton…wait" Sue Ellen said

"Darlin' let him go" JR said "He needs to cool off"

"It's late…I'm going to bed" Miss Ellie said "Goodnight"

"Goodnight" JR and Sue Ellen replied

After watching Miss Ellie go upstairs Sue Ellen turned to JR and said "Do you fancy a nightcap"

"Yes" JR said "How about a coffee"

Sue Ellen smiled "Come into the kitchen and I'll make you one"

JR sat at the kitchen table watching Sue Ellen making the coffee. He was deep in thought when Sue Ellen placed the coffee mugs on the table. Sitting down she reached across and took his hand.

"What are you thinking?" she asked

"I don't know" JR said "I don't believe a word this man is saying…okay he may have some of daddy's things but there's no way he's daddy. I mean daddy wouldn't have disappeared for four years and leave us to think he was dead…he loved his family"

"I know…but maybe there was a reason that he didn't want you to know he was still alive" Sue Ellen said.

JR thought for a moment "What do you think?" he asked

Sue Ellen walked to him "I don't know….perhaps he's someone who was there when your daddy died…but I can't believe Jock would leave it so long to contact his family" she said "But I'm more concerned about how you're feeling at the moment"

JR put his arms out for her and she fell into his lap "Sue Ellen, if he's telling the truth and he is daddy…then coming back here must be one hell of a disappointment. His favorite son is lying cold in a grave while I'm still alive" he said

"Sweetheart don't say that" Sue Ellen replied

"Why not…it's the truth" JR said "But if I'm completely honest…and I'm only ever gong to say this to you…I hope it's not him. I don't want to have to go back to proving myself and having him look at me as though I'm a failure and wishing that he was looking at Bobby and not me. You know I can remember being John Ross' age and being absolutely terrified of my daddy…he was so strong and powerful and even as I got older I still had to do everything he told me too….he still had the ability to scare me"

"I didn't think the great JR Ewing was scared of anything" Sue Ellen smiled

"Only of him, Sue Ellen…he was the only person who could put the fear of god into me" JR said

Sue Ellen kissed him "We don't know if it is him." She said

"This past year this family has been through hell with Bobby's death but we've come through the bad times…everything was perfect and I don't want that to change" JR said

"Hey nothing is going to change" Sue Ellen said

"I don't want to have to put long hours into Ewing Oil because that it's what daddy expects me to do; I don't want to force John Ross into working with me at his age because that's what daddy expects me to do. I want to spend time with my family" JR said "Ewing Oil takes second place with me now, you are my priority"

Sue Ellen hugged him I love you…so very much" she said "Let's see what happens in the morning"

JR smiled "Come on let's go to bed…I'm tired our son seems to have worn me out" he said "Do you think John Ross was ever scared of me"

Sue Ellen laughed "No" she said "He knows he can twist you around his finger and make you do anything he wants. I swear if he wanted the moon you'd get it for him and he knows it"

"I don't ever want him to feel the way I do; not really knowing if my father ever loved me" JR said

"JR your family loves you…never forget that" Sue Ellen said

JR put his arm around her and they walked back towards the stairs. They heard the sound of a car engine move up the drive.

"I think Clayton's back, I'm going to talk to him" Sue Ellen said "I'll see you upstairs"

JR kissed her "Don't be long" He said

Sue Ellen walked outside to the patio; Clayton was just getting out of his car. She walked towards him and kissed his cheek.

"Hey" she said

"I was going to stay in a hotel" Clayton said

"There's no need for that" Sue Ellen said "You're still a part of this family"

"I don't feel it" Clayton said "If Ben Stivers is telling the truth; where does that leave me"

"I don't believe he is telling the truth" Sue Ellen said

"Ellie told me that if he is Jock then our marriage isn't legal" Clayton said "She made it sound as though she would choose him over me"

Sue Ellen sighed "I hope he's not Jock…there are things about Jock that make me so angry; most of them concerning his treatment of JR" she said

"I bet JR would love to have me off this ranch and his precious father back" Clayton said

"Don't be too sure of that" Sue Ellen said "Things aren't always what they seem. There's a side to JR that only I've seen; there are things he's told me that he wouldn't tell anyone else. I don't think JR wants to see you thrown off this ranch. Beside you're the closet thing I have to a father so I never want to lose you"

"I don't want to lose this family" Clayton said "They've all I've got"

Sue Ellen kissed him "You wont" she said "You need to get some rest"

"Okay, I'm going to sleep in one of the guest rooms tonight; I can't face Ellie" he said

"Goodnight" Sue Ellen said

"Goodnight" Clayton replied

Sue Ellen walked upstairs and into her bedroom; JR was already in bed.

"How's Clayton" He asked

"Upset" Sue Ellen replied "Worried that he's going to lose this family; he thinks you'd be pleased to have him thrown off this ranch and your daddy back"

JR laughed "That may have been true at one time but not now…Clayton is good for this family. I don't think momma would have coped with Bobby's death without him. John Ross and Christopher love him like a grandfather and to be honest he's probably better at being a grandfather than my daddy would have been. At least Dusty always knew that his father loved him no matter what he did" JR said "And I also know what he means to you…so no I don't want him off this ranch"

Sue Ellen got changed and climbed into bed. She snuggled up to JR and kissed him. "Let's get some sleep." She said

JR put his arms around her and pulled her closer to him; holding each other tightly they drifted off to sleep.

Ben Stivers Room

Ben lay on his bed staring at the ceiling. He was unsure of what his next move should be or what he actually hoped to achieve. He thought about the picture he left on the grave wondering if it evoked any memories for Miss Ellie. He knew when that picture had been taken…a few weeks before she had broken up with Digger. Did she wonder why that picture had been placed there? That picture was taken a lifetime ago but did Miss Ellie remember those days.

Sue Ellen and JR's Room

JR woke up early the following morning. He hadn't really slept all night...his mind was working overtime thinking about his father. He looked over towards Sue Ellen who was sleeping peacefully. Not wanting to wake her up he quietly got out off bed and pulled on his robe. Gently he opened the balcony window and stepped outside to watch the sunrise on the start of a new day. His thoughts wandered to Ben Stivers and what would happen if he was telling the truth. Not that he thought he was. He hated to admit it but he didn't want it to be true; his conversations with Sue Ellen over the past few weeks made him realize how much pain he had bottled up inside him over the way his father treated him. He couldn't bear the thought of having Jock back and trying to prove he was good enough to be his father's son. He looked back to the bedroom where Sue Ellen was sound asleep. He hated the way he had treated her over the years….never realizing that in her he had an ally, someone who would forever support him and never let him feel rejected or second best. He was determined that from this moment on his priority was Sue Ellen and his children; Ewing Oil would take second place.

Sue Ellen woke up and reached for JR, finding the empty space she sat up. Seeing the balcony window opened she put on her robe and went outside. Seeing JR sat in the chair with his back towards her she crept up behind him and putting her arms around his neck, kissed him.

"Hey" she said "Why didn't you wake me?

JR got up and turned around smiling at her "You looked so peaceful" he said

"Are you okay?" she asked

"I think so….I was just enjoying the view….this is one of my favourite times of day" JR said "Everything is so peaceful"

Sue Ellen smiled "What's going on in that mind of yours" she said

"Wouldn't you like to know" JR laughed "I was just thinking about daddy"

"What about him?" Sue Ellen asked

"I don't know…I just seem to be playing the same old things over and over in my mind. The fact that he never really showed that he loved me, that he'd think I was a failure and basically I wasn't good enough to be his son" JR replied

"Okay JR listen, you are not a failure…you have a successful oil company; you have a wife and child who love you very much…that is not being a failure. As for your father I think he loved you but couldn't show it" she said

"But he managed to show Bobby" JR said "He built him that treehouse; forgave him for marrying Pam even though she was a Barnes; allowed him into Ewing Oil and gave him equal control with me even though Bobby had never shown any interest in the company before he got married. Most of the time he sided with Bobby against me. Yet I was the one who put all that I had into Ewing Oil"

"JR what am I going to do with you?" Sue Ellen said "I love you….in fact you are the only man I have ever loved, we can't change the past but what's important is the here and now. Do you know how much I enjoy waking up next to you…feeling your strong arms wrapped tightly around me keeping me safe? Do you know how much I love looking into your steel blue eyes and seeing your love for me shine in them? Those same eyes that our son has inherited…all I have to do is look into them and I melt…I can't deny either of you anything. Do you know how much I love spending time with you whether it's making love or just walking and talking together; sitting underneath the treehouse; you laying with you head in my lap? You are the only person I have ever wanted….noone else ever measured up to you…not Cliff, not Dusty or Clint…you are my world and I hate seeing you hurting like this."

JR stood up and wrapped his arms around her; kissing her on the lips. Sue Ellen pulled him closer to her, just at this moment she wanted to give him all the love she had. She wanted him to know that to her he was special.

"Hey it's still early we could go back to bed for a while" Sue Ellen said, she took him by the hand and led him back into the bedroom. After undoing his robe she slowly slid it off him. JR sighed as she began planting small kisses on his body. She then pushed him down onto the bed. Climbing on top of him she kissed him passionately on the lips. As JR kissed her he attempted to get her nightdown off her wanting the feel of her naked skin next to him. Slowly and passionately they began to make love; enjoying the feel of each other until finally they reached the height of their passion and they became one, united in their endless love Afterwards Sue Ellen held JR tightly and kissed him.

"That felt so good" JR said

Sue Ellen smiled "A perfect way to start a morning" she said

"I'm not quite finished yet" JR smirked "I want to kiss you all over"

"Sue Ellen laughed "What are you waiting for then?" she said

Sue Ellen closed her eyes and relaxed as JR worked his way down her body; kissing every inch of it. He stopped for a second at her tummy; thinking about his unborn child laying safely inside, he gently kissed it then moved on going lower and lower until he found what he was looking for. Sue Ellen felt totally relaxed; she loved JR doing this to her. Feeling JR's tongue reach her folds she opened her legs wider allowing him access to her womanhood. JR gently licked her; Sue Ellen moaned with pleasure loving the feeling that he was giving her. JR continued to pleasure her. here" she said

"In a minute" he replied "Let me do this"

"God…JR I can't take anymore" she said; she grabbed hold of the bedspread and bucked as she felt her orgasm wash over her. Every single muscle in her contracted; slowly she began to relax and reached out for JR. He worked his way back towards her and she pulled him into her arms and held him tight.

"I love you" she said

"I love you too" JR replied "In fact I love being here with you; you make me feel wanted"

"That's because you are" Sue Ellen laughed

"I was just thinking about the baby" JR said "How long before I can feel it moving inside you"

"Not for another couple of months and if it's anything like John Ross; once it starts kicking it wont stop" she laughed

"I remember when you were pregnant with John Ross; you were about six months into the pregnancy and passed out drunk in bed….I climbed into bed with you…although I doubt you knew I was there" JR said "Well I remember thinking that for some reason I wanted to be close to you…it was funny part of me hated you for sleeping with Cliff and carrying his child but another part of me still loved you. That night for about half an hour I held you knowing that you were too drunk to feel anything…I felt John Ross kick"

"How did you feel?" Sue Ellen asked

"It was amazing….it was such a powerful kick but I remember feeling sad because I knew he wasn't mine" JR said "But for that half hour while I held you in my arms and felt him kick I pretended he was mine and that we were happy. I wish things had been different"

"This time they will be….every night you can hold me in your arms and feel our baby kicking. I'm going to let you take care of me. I want you to be a part of this pregnancy….I want to share everything with you and that includes doctor's visits. And so that John Ross doesn't feel left out we're going to spoil him too. When the baby's born we'll include him in everything we do….whether it's feeding the baby…bathing it" Sue Ellen said

"Hey we could teach him to change diapers, then we wouldn't have to do that job" JR laughed

"We'll also going to make time for him; do things that he wants to do….he needs to know that nothing is going to change that we still love him" Sue Ellen said

"I agree…in fact I might take him on a fishing trip when he's on holiday" JR said "Have a boy's day out"

"He'd love that" Sue Ellen said

"I can't wait until we get away from this place and have some family time…just you, me and John Ross" JR said

"Don't forget Christopher" Sue Ellen smiled

"He'll keep John Ross company" JR said "And I'm sure I can find ways to entertain you"

"We should get up" Sue Ellen said

"Damn….why can't we just shut the world away and stay here all day" JR said

"Because we have a six year old son who needs looking after also we have the problem of Ben Stivers to deal with" Sue Ellen replied

"I'm going to go with Clayton to have a talk with him; find out what he wants because he's sure as hell not Jock Ewing" JR said "I want to know where he got my daddy's things from."

"I'm just worried about Clayton….I think he's realized that Miss Ellie is still in love with Jock and if it was a choice between Jock and Clayton she would choose Jock" Sue Ellen said

"I never thought I would hear myself say it but Clayton's a good man; I know he loves momma but I guess there's a part of momma that will always love daddy…I mean they share a history…they had three children together so there's a connection there" JR said

"We're the only family he has JR….Dusty is out on the rodeo circuit all the time and very rarely keeps in touch" Sue Ellen said "I just hate the thought of Ben Stivers telling the truth and Clayton moving back to the Southern Cross alone"

"It's not going to happen" JR said "Come on let's get dressed"

Southfork Patio

After getting dressed they went downstairs to have breakfast. Miss Ellie and Clayton were sat in silence neither of them eating. John Ross sat eating his breakfast feeling confused by the lack of conversation from the adults. His face lit up when he saw his mother and father.

"Hey momma, daddy" he said "You're up late again"

JR laughed and went over and kissed his son "We are not, you always get up too early" he said

"That's because you make me go to bed early" John Ross said

"Hey are you ready for school" Sue Ellen said

John Ross looked at his mother and pulled a face "Momma!" he said "I don't want to go to school"

"Sorry son, but you have too" JR said

"Go and get your things" Sue Ellen said

John Ross started to protest but thought better of it. After he had gone JR turned to Clayton.

"Are you still planning on going to see Stivers" He asked

"What do you think?" Clayton replied

"Mind if I join you" He said

"JR I don't want any trouble" Miss Ellie said

"Momma we're just going to talk to him" JR said "See what he wants and what he knows about my daddy's death"

"Miss Ellie why don't you come with me to take John Ross to school, then maybe we could go into town" Sue Ellen said

"Momma that's a good idea" JR said

"Okay" Miss Ellie said

"Alright, I'll just go and make sure John Ross is in fact getting ready for school" Sue Ellen said

Ten minutes later Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie drove out of the gates of Southfork. JR and Clayton were left alone on the patio.

"Well are you ready?" JR asked Clayton

Clayton looked at him "As ready as I'll ever be" he replied

"Okay let's go" JR said

Downtown Dallas

Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie dropped John Ross off at school then decided to go into town. After spending an hour shopping they decided to go for a coffee.

"Did JR say much last night" Miss Ellie asked after their coffee had arrived

Sue Ellen thought carefully about what she should say "He doesn't believe Ben Stivers is Jock" she said

"I honestly don't know what to think; if he isn't Jock then who is he and what is he doing with Jock's possessions" Miss Ellie said

"I don't know" Sue Ellen said

Wanting to change the subject Miss Ellie said "How are you?"

Sue Ellen smiled "I'm fine…it seems the morning sickness has disappeared" she said

"I can't believe how attentive JR is being" Miss Ellie said "Completely different from last time"

Sue Ellen laughed "I think we had …..major problems last time; there were things that the family didn't know. We weren't getting along…my drinking…his affairs…it really was a bad time" she said "However JR surprised me last night. We were talking about the baby and he told me that he remembered climbing into bed with me one night after I was out cold due to drink; he said for half an hour he held me and felt John Ross kick. Just for that moment he pretended we were happy"

"I never thought of JR as ever being paternal" Miss Ellie said "He's always kept his emotions in check; I always thought he was more business orientated"

"You'd be surprised" Sue Ellen said "He has always wanted more children but it was me who didn't. I couldn't bring another child into our volatile relationship; I didn't want to watch another child go through what John Ross has gone through…but now things are different; I really feel that we've reached a new depth in our relationship. He knows that I will always be there for him and he's begun to open up to me"

"Have you told him that you're going to continue to work" Miss Ellie asked

"Yes and he'll support me as long as I don't overdo things" Sue Ellen said "However I'm not going to neglect my children through working. I want to see if Mark will let me work part time or even from home"

"How are Mark and Pam; we haven't seen them in ages or Christopher for that matter" Miss Ellie said

"They're all fine…we took Christopher with us last night and we had a brief conversation with Pam and Mark when we took him home. I think Mark is good for Pam, I know part of her will always love Bobby but she seems happy" Sue Ellen replied

"I miss seeing Christopher" Miss Ellie said "He's growing up so fast"

"Both the boys are" Sue Ellen said "I'll tell Pam to bring him to Southfork soon"

"That would be good" Miss Ellie said "It seems that this family is on the verge of falling apart. We've come so far in a year and I thought things had settled down, we were all happy"

"We still can be Miss Ellie; we just need to find out who Ben Stivers is and what he wants" Sue Ellen said

"Clayton hasn't said a word to me since last night" Miss Ellie said

"He's just worried about losing his family" Sue Ellen said

"He's a good man" Miss Ellie said

"I know" Sue Ellen said

Ben Stivers room

Ben heard the sound of knocking on the door; looking out of the window he saw JR and Clayton standing on the doorstep. Breathing heavily he opened the door.

"What do you want" He asked

"What do you think" Clayton replied "Who are you?"

"I'm Jock Ewing" Ben replied

"Are you hell" JR said "What are you doing with my father's things"

"Is that any way to talk to you daddy" Ben said

JR moved forward but Clayton stopped him.

"I told Ellie why I didn't make contact with you after the plane crash. I suffered burns and had to have surgery. I didn't want you seeing me like that"

"You're lying" JR said "There is no way….I mean no way my daddy would have let his family think that he was dead; Bobby and I searched every single hospital in South America"

"Yes but I pleaded with the medical staff not to let anybody know that I was alive" Ben replied "I didn't want you seeing me that way"

"Why have you come back now" JR asked "After all these years…why make an appearance now"

"Maybe I just got tired of being on my own…perhaps I wanted my family back" Ben replied

"They're not your family anymore" Clayton said "They haven't been since the moment they declared you dead"

"I think you'll find that I'm still legally married to Ellie" Ben said

"Okay what do you want?" JR asked "How much money will it take to get you out of here"

"Typical JR…you think anything can be solved by throwing money at people" Ben said

JR felt his temperature rising "Look old man; I don't know who you are but one thing I do know you are not my father"

"I'm not interested in your money…I came here to be with my family" Ben said

"Okay I want you off this ranch now!" JR said

"You can't do that" Ben argued "I'm not being threatened by you"

"You're leaving one way or another" JR said

"Okay, throw me off this ranch but I guarantee I will go straight to the newpapers. Tell them who I am and how you threw me off my own home and remember this is my home…after all it was Ewing money that saved Southfork" Ben said "Can you imagine what the papers will have to say especially when you consider that your mother is a bigamist"

"I will have you destroyed if you even think of hurting my mother" JR said "You go to the newspaper and there wont be a hiding place big enough for you"

Ben looked at JR…and for a moment he saw Jock Ewing standing there. Jock had always been a bully and JR took after him in that respect. Demanding respect and issuing threats if things didn't go his way.

"JR let's go, there's no point talking to him" Clayton said

JR looked at Ben "I'm warning you; I want you off my land" he said

Ben said nothing; he refused to let JR intimidate him. Ben watched both men walk away before closing the door.

JR and Clayton walked back towards the house.

"Looks like Momma and Sue Ellen are back" JR said

"What are we going to do?" Clayton asked "I mean if we throw him off the ranch he'll go to the papers and we can't let him do that"

"Don't worry, I'll think of something" JR said

They walked into the house and found Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie in the living room.

"So what happened?" Miss Ellie said

"He's still saying he's Jock Ewing" Clayton said "And if we throw him off the ranch he'll go to the papers"

"Clayton we can't let him do that" Miss Ellie said

"There is one way we can prove that he isn't who he says he is" JR said

"What's that" Clayton asked

"By having a blood test…like the paternity test we went through with John Ross..one way or another it would prove that he's either lying or telling the truth" JR said

"What if he wont take one?" Clayton asked

"He'll have to if we get a court order for one" JR said

Miss Ellie looked at JR "No" she said "I wont have it. What if he's telling the truth. Can you imagine the scandal especially the fact that I've got two husbands"

"Momma he's lying" JR said

"No JR, I'll try and talk to him" Miss Ellie said. Her mind working overtime on the fact that Ben might just be her husband. She couldn't allow a blood test.

"Momma I'm going to phone Gary tonight and arrange things. It's the only way"

Miss Ellie looked her eldest son….her mind was spinning with thoughts, things she didn't want to think about. The thought of a blood test turned her cold; sometimes the truth was best left undiscovered. It was easier to live a lie…the truth was sometimes painful. She saw the determination in JR's eyes; there was nothing she could say to convince him to change his mind.

"JR please….let's find another way of getting rid of him. A blood test will destroy this family and I don't want that" Miss Ellie said

"So you think it is daddy?" JR said

Miss Ellie thought for a moment "I don't know…he could be and think of the scandal that could cause" she said

"But momma…you had daddy declared dead before you married Clayton. I mean he had been gone for over three years" JR said "Beside we can keep this out of the papers"

"You've got to be joking!" Miss Ellie said "Please JR drop this idea of a blood test"

"Sorry momma, I can't we need to find out the truth one way or another" JR replied "And this is the best way to do it"

"Ellie he's right" Clayton said

Miss Ellie sighed "Okay…if that's what you really want to do then do it….but don't say I didn't warn you" she said

Miss Ellie walked back into the house followed by Clayton. Sue Ellen and JR watched as they disappeared inside.

"What was that about?" Sue Ellen asked

"I have no idea" JR said "I know she's upset that if Stivers is really daddy then her marriage to Clayton is illegal but there's a good chance that he's not and a blood test will prove that"

"Sweetheart is there no other way to solve this?" Sue Ellen asked "I mean it's obviously causing your mother some upset"

"We've offered him money…he's refused it; we've told him that we'll have him thrown of this ranch…he's threatened to go to the media. Besides if we go to him and tell him that we want a blood test as proof of who he is he may just disappear" JR said

"I hope you're right" Sue Ellen said

"I Know I am" JR laughed "You know…I never thought I would ever want to prove that my daddy is dead"

Sue Ellen went to him and hugged him. "Even if it is him…nothing will change. I will not let him make you feel like a failure. I'm not the person I was four years ago if he hurts you I will hurt him ten times worse" she said

JR kissed her "I have to go into the office for a while, then I'll pick John Ross and Christopher up from school and drop them off at Pam and Mark's" he said "Maybe tonight we can go out for dinner….just the two of us" he said

"Okay" she said kissing him back. "I might try and talk to Miss Ellie"

JR walked over to his car and got in. Sue Ellen stood on the driveway watching him drive away. She turned round to see Clayton coming out of the house.

"How's Miss Ellie?" she asked

"I don't know…..she won't talk to me but I know something's bothering her" Clayton replied

"How are you doing?" Sue Ellen asked

"Part of me thinks I should just pack my bags and go back to the Southern Cross…I feel like I've lost already" he said

"Don't do that JR's hoping you'll help him move the furniture out of my old room so that we can start redecorating" Sue Ellen replied

"Is he serious about decorating on his own" Clayton asked

"We both want to do it" Sue Ellen said "I think we both want to spend as much time with each other as we can during this pregnancy and make up for what we've missed with John Ross. However we could do with some help"

"Have you got the crib yet? Clayton asked

"We've got John Ross' old one" Sue Ellen said "We may decorate that"

"Let me make you one" Clayton said "Carpentry was a hobby of mine years ago, I even made Dusty's"

Sue Ellen smiled "That would be wonderful!" she said kissing him "Thank you"

"I'm going to go and do some work on the ranch…I can't sit around here all day waiting for Ellie to talk to me" he said

Sue Ellen watched him go before she turned and walked into the house. Seeing that Miss Ellie was not downstairs she began to walk upstairs to Miss Ellie's room.

Miss Ellie's room

Ellie sat on her bed looking at old photographs of years ago. A time when she was happy and carefree. Her mind for some reason was focused on one man but it wasn't Jock; something else was troubling her something she hadn't thought about in years. Were the ghosts of her past finally catching up with her? She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear Sue Ellen knock on the door. Finally she looked up to see Sue Ellen standing in front of her.

"I'm not disturbing you am I" Sue Ellen asked

Miss Ellie smiled "No" she said "I was just looking at some old photographs"

Sue Ellen went and sat on the bed with Miss Ellie. Looking at the photographs she said

"You haven't got any of JR when he was a baby have you?" she asked

"What do you think?" Miss Ellie asked as she sorted through some of the photographs on her bed and handed Sue Ellen a couple. Sue Ellen looked at them and smiled.

"John Ross looked just like that when he was born didn't he" Sue Ellen said

"Yes I know….I think the only people who couldn't see it were you two" Miss Ellie said

"That was such a painful time for both of us" Sue Ellen said "I hate to think what would have happened if Digger hadn't started the paternity suite"

"I knew there was something in it" Miss Ellie said "But why…of all the men you could have had an affair with did you choose Cliff Barnes?"

"I don't know…to get back at JR….he showed me love and affection which JR hadn't done in a long time. It was a mistake" Sue Ellen said "If JR had treated me like he does now it never would have happened"

"Jock believed that Digger was just causing trouble but I realized there could be some truth in it…especially the way JR was with the baby" Miss Ellie said "He knew about you and Cliff didn't he"

"Yes he found out….once he discovered that Cliff could be the father of the baby things got worse for us….at one point I left JR and would have gone to Cliff but JR made him choose between me and his career and guess what he chose his career" Sue Ellen said

"You mean you would have given up being Mrs JR. Ewing and everything that went with it to go to Cliff?" Miss Ellie asked

Sue Ellen smiled "At the time…yes I would……I was so tired of JR cheating on me and publicly as well. He just didn't care who saw him" she said

Miss Ellie thought back to her own life. She had done the opposite; she had left Digger…the man she loved…the man….and gone to Jock for the security he offered her. Had she been right to do so. She thought about the Ewing/Barnes feud and how she was partly to blame for it.

"Sue Ellen have you ever done anything that you thought at the time was right but ended up regretting doing it" Miss Ellie said

"There's a lot of things I regret" Sue Ellen said "Mainly my drinking; having affairs to get back at JR; neglecting John Ross…things like that. But as for doing something that I thought was right at the time and regretting it…I can't think of anything…..why do you ask?"

"No reason I just wondered" Miss Ellie said

Sue Ellen watched her mother-in-law; there was something bothering her but Sue Ellen had no idea what it was.

"Miss Ellie why are you so against this blood test?" Sue Ellen asked

Miss Ellie remained silent trying desperately hard to collect her thoughts…..there was something she needed to say but couldn't. Noone would understand the real reason she didn't want that blood test.

"I just think it will cause a lot of trouble" Miss Ellie said

"You mean if Ben Stivers is Jock" Sue Ellen said "But it can be sorted out; if he is Jock…would you take him back"

"No!" she said "If he really is who he said he is…he stopped being my husband the day he made me think he was dead… I just want him to leave us alone"

"JR only wants the blood test to prove Ben to be a fake" Sue Ellen said

"Some things are best left alone" Miss Ellie said "I wish JR would just drop it"

"You know he wont do that" Sue Ellen said

"He's so stubborn" Miss Ellie said

"He's only looking out for the family" Sue Ellen said

"I know" Miss Ellie said "By the way have you seen Clayton?"

"Yes…he's out working in the fields" Sue Ellen said

"Avoiding me more like it" Miss Ellie laughed

"I think he doesn't know what to do at the moment…he feels like he's going to lose this family" Sue Ellen replied

"That's not going to happen…if Ben Stivers is Jock I will give him the fastest divorce you've ever seen" Miss Ellie said

Sue Ellen laughed "You know that's exactly what JR told me he'd do if it was proven that Cliff was John Ross' son" she said

"I don't think I could have coped with the last year if it hadn't been for Clayton…he's been a rock for me" Miss Ellie said

"You just need to talk to him…tell him what's bothering you" Sue Ellen said

Miss Ellie knew she couldn't tell anyone what was bothering her. Things that she had kept hidden for so many years were about to come to the surface and the blood test would be the catalyst; she needed to stop it but she didn't know how.

"Miss Ellie you've got all evening to talk to him; John Ross is staying with Christopher and my dearly beloved husband is taking me out to dinner" Sue Ellen said "Trust him…sometimes a problem shared is a problem halved"

Miss Ellie smiled…wishing that things were that simple.

"Hey Clayton's offered to build us a cot for the baby" Sue Ellen said trying to lighten the mood.

"That's good" Miss Ellie said

"I'm also hoping that he'll help JR move the furniture out of my old room, then we can start decorating" Sue Ellen said "It should be fun!"

"I can't wait to see JR hang wallpaper…he's never done anything like that in his life" Miss Ellie said

"He wants to" Sue Ellen said "He wants to share every second of this pregnancy with me"

"What about once the baby's born…the late nights…dirty diapers…how do you think he'll react to that" Miss Ellie laughed

"Hmmm, this time I think we're going to be okay" Sue Ellen replied

Ben Stivers Room

Ben sat alone in his room contemplating his next move or what the next move of the Ewings would be. He hadn't meant things to go this far and cursed himself for leaving the possessions he had on view and not locked away. He closed his eyes and sighed; things were moving too fast for him…all he actually wanted to do was visit the place he once called home; that was until it had been taken away from him. He thought back to that fatal week in South America when the plane had gone down…..the week he realized that the man he hated most in this world was there.

JR's Office

JR had just got off the phone from Harve Smithfield to arrange legal documents that would be required for the blood test as he knew that Stivers would possibly not agree to it. What was his game? What did he want…it obviously wasn't money? JR thought back to his conversation with Miss Ellie; he couldn't understand why she had been so set against the blood test, all he wanted to do was protect his family and prove Ben to be a liar. There was something going on with his mother but he couldn't for the life think was it was. He looked at his watch; realizing it was time for him to pick up John Ross he grabbed his hat and jacket and left the office.

A Dallas Restaurant later that evening

JR and Sue Ellen sat enjoying their meal and each other's company. Both feeling relaxed after the events of the past few days.

"So how was your afternoon?" JR asked

"Fine I had a chat to Clayton and Miss Ellie" she said "By the way Clayton wants to make us a new cot for the baby and he'd also like to help you decorate the nursery"

"Hmmm that would be good" JR said "I need some help moving the furniture as you're in no condition to do it"

"Who said I'm not" she laughed

"Hey I'm taking care of you this time and I say you cannot move furniture…you might do yourself some harm" JR said

"Clayton was also talking about going back to the Southern Cross…he feels he's losing Miss Ellie" Sue Ellen said "She hasn't spoken to him since you mentioned the word blood test"

"I don't know what's happening with her" JR said "I know things will be difficult if Ben is who he says he is but we can get around it"

"JR…there's something else bothering her and it goes deeper than what could happen to her marriage….she's preoccupied….I saw her looking through old photographs today…she even showed me some of you when you were a baby" Sue Ellen said

"She did!" JR said "urg I wish she wouldn't do that"

"Hey you were cute…just like John Ross was" Sue Ellen said "In fact John Ross is the image of you…Miss Ellie told me that she thought that we were the only two who couldn't see it when he was born"

"We both know why that was" JR said

"Also your mother asked me if I had ever done anything that I thought was for the best but later regretted…something is wrong" Sue Ellen said

"Yes but if she wont talk to us there's nothing we can do" JR replied

"I'm hoping she'll open up to Clayton tonight" Sue Ellen said

JR noticed the band start up and smiled

"Dance with me" he said

Sue Ellen smiled "Certainly" she said

Taking her hand JR led her onto the dancefloor. Holding each other close they began to slow dance.

"I love holding you like this" JR said "To have you so close to me"

Sue Ellen held him tighter as they continued to dance….both feeling the warmth of their love for each other. Content to be alone with each other; totally absorbed in each other unaware of their surroundings or other people on the dance floor.

"You know I never thought I could be this happy" Sue Ellen said "I love you so much"

"I love you more" JR said

"Impossible" Sue Ellen laughed "Whatever happens with Ben Stivers we'll see it through together; I will be there to support you…you are not alone. I'm going to be by your side forever."

"I've got so used to dealing with things on my own" JR said "I decided long ago that I didn't need people….that they would only let me down but you've changed me. These past few months you've proved how much you love me and how much I can rely on you"

"Hey what do you say we get out of here and go home" Sue Ellen said "And continue this dance in private?"

"You have some good ideas Mrs Ewing" JR replied

Hand in hand they walked out into the cool summer evening, laughing and joking with each other. Getting into JR's car they started the journey back to Southfork.

Southfork

Miss Ellie and Clayton sat in silence in the living room; the only sound that could be heard came from music playing from the radio. Clayton looked at her….he longed to know what was going on inside her head.

"Miss Ellie what's troubling you?" He asked trying to break the silence.

"Nothing…" she said

"Don't give me that….ever since JR has mentioned that blood test you have been on edge…..what is it?"

Miss Ellie went cold at the mention of JR's plans for the blood test.

"I don't want them to have a blood test….I'm just not sure that this isn't Jock" Miss Ellie replied

"A blood test would prove it" Clayton said

"You don't understand" Miss Ellie replied

"Then tell me" Clayton said

"I….I can't" Miss Ellie said tears beginning to fill her eyes "I can't"

JR and Sue Ellen drove through the gates of Southfork upon seeing the house Sue Ellen remarked that Miss Ellie and Clayton must still be up.

"Wonder what's going on" JR said

After getting out of their car they wandered slowly into the house.

"Please...Ellie I want to help" Clayton asked

Sue Ellen and JR stood back away from the door listening to what Miss Ellie would answer. Both Clayton and Miss Ellie had there backs to the door.

"Clayton…this is really difficult for me….I've been living a lie for so long now and it's about to come back and haunt me" Ellie began

"Go on" Clayton said

"I'm trying to protect JR…I'm not bothered about Gary or Ray having the blood test but I can't let JR take it" Miss Ellie said, tears streaming down her face.

Clayton remained silent waiting for her to tell him more.

"Clayton….Jock isn't JR's father" Miss Ellie cried "For so long I've kept this to myself but if he finds out through the blood test…I don't know what he'll do"

In the hall Sue Ellen looked at JR…seeing the look of shock on his face she squeezed his hand. Both walked into the living room.

"Momma" JR said

Miss Ellie turned around to see her eldest son standing before her…a look of confusion on his face.