Title: Remembering – Sequel to Memory

Author: zephiey

Rating: K

Pairing: None

Category: One Shot, AU, Drama

Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Dallas and its characters are the property of CBS, Larry Katzman and Warner Bros Studios. No infringement is intended from this work of fiction.

Summary: A conversation helps with remembering.

Author Notes: This is a sequel to my one shot Memory. It takes place the morning after J.R. returns to Southfork.

Remembering

John limped into the dining room, sitting down at the table and reached for the coffee pot that sat on the table. He poured himself a cup of coffee before taking a sip of the strong black drink. Sighing softly, he sat back in the chair allowing the quiet of the morning to wash over him. He thought back to yesterday, about his arrival and his discovery that this place, this ranch was his home. He had spent a few hours talking to his mother…a smile formed on his face when he thought about the woman who was his mama.

For two years he had thought he was all alone in the world, that he had no one but himself but that all changed yesterday. Yesterday he found out he had a mama, a step-father- his father had died a few years ago- he didn't know how he felt about his daddy being dead. He didn't remember him, but from what Miss Ellie had said, he had loved him. John didn't know if he did or not but at least he knew he had a father. He was thrilled that he had three brothers, three sister-in-laws, a niece and a nephew. But the most amazing news was that he did indeed have a wife and a son, the vague recollections he had of hazel eyes were more than a simple dream. For two years, since his accident he had wondered if he had anyone and now he knew he did.

J.R.'s leg throbbed and he rubbed it trying to ease the discomfort. Twelve hours of sleep had helped ease the pain but it wasn't gone completely. Sitting back, he let his thoughts wonder to his wife and son. He tried to bring up a sharp memory of his wife but he couldn't.

All he could remember were hazel eyes, the feel of soft hair and the scent of perfume but he was unable to develop a complete picture of the woman who was his wife. Every time he tried to bring an image forward, it was hazy, indistinct. The only part of her that was clear was her eyes. He knew he would know her eyes anywhere. His son was just as unclear. He could see a smile, and blue eyes but a clear image just wouldn't come forward.

His neurologist, Doctor Murad Chamdraja, had cautioned him not to try to force the memories forward, instead allow them to appear. However, there were times he felt frustrated at not being able to remember anything. Three weeks ago, he had a flood of disconnected memories, memories that led to him taking time off from his ironworker job to book a flight to Dallas in hopes that this time the memories would lead to more than a dead end. Six months ago, a flood of memories had led him to a small town in Louisiana. Nine months ago, another set of memories had him taking a trip to Oklahoma. No one in either place had known him or of him and he had returned to Virginia angry and depressed. Murad had counselled him not to become dejected at his lack of success but there had been times he had been close to giving up. He had almost not taken this trip but Murad had encouraged him to come. He was glad he had listened, realizing he would need to call Murad and inform him he had found his family and past.

Taking another sip of coffee, John continued to think about his wife and son. He was so deep in thought that the sound of someone else entering the dining room caused him to jump. Looking over, he saw a young boy; about ten year's old standing in the doorway of the dining room.

"Hello," he said, smiling. John didn't know which one of the boys this one was, part of him hoped it was his son. Miss Ellie had told him his name was John Ross and the other part wished just as desperately it was his nephew, the boy called Christopher- he didn't know if he was ready to face his son, a son he couldn't remember apart from a few fleeting pieces of memory.

"Hello Daddy," said John Ross. "Do ya remember me?" he asked, watching the man who was his father close his eyes before opening them again. The look and tears in his daddy's eyes told John Ross his daddy didn't really remember him. John Ross fought back his tears. Grandma then Mama had explained that Daddy might not remember him. Being told he didn't and not seeing his daddy's smile, the one his daddy only gave him was completely different.

John Ross took a deep breath, stood taller and with confidence that once mirrored his daddy's he walked up to the his daddy, held his hand out and said in a strong voice, "I'm John Ross Ewing the third. You can call me John Ross and I'm your son."

John took his son's hand in his and said, "Hello, John Ross. I'm pleased to meet you. My name is John Ross too but most call me John."

"No, most call you J.R. or Mr. Ewing," said John Ross, the certainty in his voice unmistakable. "We're both named after Granddaddy Jock. He was John Ross Ewing, but everyone called him Jock. You're named John Ross Ewing, Jr. but everyone calls ya J.R. and like I said I'm John Ross Ewing III and people call me John Ross." John Ross finished. He tilted his head to the side, looked at his daddy with small grin on his face and added, "But I'll just call ya Daddy, since that's who ya are and it'd be less confusing for everyone."

John, now known as J.R. looked at the boy in front of him. He could feel the tears fill his eyes and blinked them away rapidly. "Okay," he answered gruffly. He didn't trust himself to say anything more his control was too tenuous. He watched as John Ross took a seat next to him, before pouring himself some juice. After taking a large drink of juice, John Ross sat his glass back down on the table.

"Grandma said she told you who was who in the family," said John Ross, looking at his father.

"Yes, she did," replied J.R.

"Well tellin' and knowin' are two different things. How about when everyone comes in I tell ya who is who, this way you can match a name with a face," offered John Ross.

"Oh thank god," said J.R. "I was worried about knowin' who was who. I didn't want to call someone by the wrong name," he whispered to John Ross.

John Ross laughed. "Don't worry Daddy, I've got ya covered," said John Ross smiling and taking his father's hand in his. J.R. looked down at the small hand in his large one and felt his chest explode with the warmth of a thousand suns. 'I've got a son,' he thought returning John Ross's smile with one of his own.

John Ross's smile became wider when he saw the smile on his daddy's face. It was his special smile. The smile that was his all alone and John Ross knew even if his daddy's head didn't remember him his heart did. Laughing, John Ross reached for the dish of pancakes.

He was starving!

"That's Uncle Bobby and Aunt Pam. Uncle Bobby is your youngest brother. It's you, Uncle Gary, Uncle Ray then Uncle Bobby," explained John Ross as they watched the two walk into the dining room. The males in the room stood as Pam walked in. John Ross had been explaining who was who as each person came down for breakfast.

First, it had been Christopher, then Grandpa Clayton, then Grandma. When Grandma had come into the room, John Ross had noticed his daddy stood up and didn't sit down until Grandma did.

"Daddy, why did you stand up when Grandma came in?" asked John Ross. He couldn't remember his daddy every doing that before.

"It's just something I do. Its good manners to always stand up when a lady enters a room," said J.R.

"But I don't remember you ever…," began John Ross.

"John Ross, years ago your daddy, Granddaddy Jock and all your uncles would always stand when a woman came into the room," explained Grandma. "Your Granddaddy Jock taught all the boys their manners. But as time went on, they stopped doing it. I'm not sure exactly why. But I must admit it is nice to see your daddy do it once more," said Miss Ellie.

"Would it be okay if I did it?" John Ross asked his father. "Me too?" asked Christopher.

"I don't see why not," answered J.R., who then explained when it was appropriate to stand and when you could remain seated. Both boys listened intently. Miss Ellie shared a smile with Clayton.

"Aunt Pam is a Barnes. I'm not sure what that means," said John Ross. "But I've heard you say it often so it must mean something," explained John Ross.

"I don't know what it means either, son," shrugged J.R. "Maybe we ought to ask your Aunt Pam," said J.R. as he took his seat again.

"Okay," said John Ross as he sat down again. "Aunt Pam?"

"Yes, John Ross?" answered Pam.

"What does you being a Barnes mean? I was telling Daddy who was who and that you are a Barnes but I don't know what that means," explained John Ross.

"Dammit John Ross…," began Bobby.

"Don't curse at my son," warned J.R., his voice soft but firm.

"J.R. you're not back one day, and you are already…," yelled Bobby, rising to his feet.

Miss Ellie and Clayton were both ready to tell Bobby to calm down when J.R.'s firm voice said, "Sit down boy!"

His words and his tone was so reminiscent of Jock Ewing that everyone at the table was stunned. Bobby stared.

"I said sit down boy. You don't raise your voice at the table or to my son. Now John Ross asked a question that neither one of us knows the answer to. If Pam doesn't mind I would appreciate her explaining it," said J.R., his tone firm.

Pam reached out and placed a hand on Bobby's arm. "Sit down Bobby," she said. Turning to J.R. and John Ross, she began to explain about the Barnes and the Ewing's. Throughout her explanation both John Ross and J.R. were silent. Finished she sat back and waited. She knew J.R. would have something scathing to say and prepared herself for it.

J.R. rubbed his bottom lip, an action that was familiar to everyone at the table. He did it often when he was deep in thought. Dropping his hand to the table, he leaned forward in his chair, his hands clasped loosely around his coffee cup.

"Now let me get this straight. Our fathers began feuding over a company they both started. They were partners until they had a falling out after my daddy placed some contracts in his name to keep your daddy, Digger from drinking away the profits," asked J.R.

Pamela nodded.

"And when your daddy found out about it he lost his temper, attacked my daddy, accusing him of not only stealing his company but his woman, that woman being Miss Ellie, my mama, correct?"

Pamela nodded.

"And this feud has lasted to this day, correct?"

Pamela nodded again.

"Idiots!" said J.R. Everyone at the table stared at J.R.

"Daddy are you calling Granddaddy Jock and Digger idiots?" asked John Ross.

"Yes, I am," said J.R.

"Why?"

"Yes, why?" asked Pamela.

"Because those two men let a situation that could have easily been resolved get out of hand. They let their egos get in the way of their common sense," said J.R. "And I find it difficult to believe that Digger didn't know his drinking was causing him to lose Miss Ellie. Jock didn't have to steal Miss Ellie, Digger pushed her away."

"How do you figure that?" asked Bobby.

"I may have just discovered her as my mama again but you can't tell me that she…, " said J.R. gesturing to their mother, " …would put up being second fiddle to anything, either alcohol or oil."

Before anyone could say another word, John Ross noticed his mother at the doorway of the dining room. He stood up and shouted, "Mama!" before running over to her.

Surprised but secretly pleased at his enthusiastic greeting Sue Ellen hugged him to her. "Good morning," she said laughing. John Ross grabbed her hand and pulled her over to where his Daddy stood, talking the entire time.

"Mama, I've been helping Daddy put faces to names so he would know who is who. He yelled at Uncle Bobby for cursing at me when I asked Aunt Pam what being a Barnes meant. She explained it and Daddy called Granddaddy Jock and Digger idiots and told Uncle Bobby that Grandma wouldn't play second fiddle to anything not even oil. And he has been teaching Christopher and me all about manners and stuff," said John Ross. Turning to look at his mother John Ross asked, "Mama, did you know men are supposed to stand every time a lady enters a room?"

"Yes," answered Sue Ellen. "Your daddy used to do that all the time when we were dating."

John Ross smiled. He loved to hear about when his mama and daddy dated. "But we don't have to do it at school…which is good because the girls there are always walking into rooms," added John Ross.

John Ross stopped in front of his daddy, who was staring at his mama. John Ross wasn't sure what his daddy was thinking but from the look on his face, he was sure his daddy was stunned at how pretty his mama was. John Ross thought his mama was the prettiest lady in all of Texas. She was even prettier than Aunt Pam, something he didn't tell Christopher or Uncle Bobby. Now standing between the two, he made introductions.

"Daddy this is my mama, your wife, Sue Ellen Ewing," said John Ross. John Ross nudged his father. "Say something," he whispered loudly, causing everyone around the table to chuckle.

J.R. looked down at John Ross, who smiled up at him encouragingly and then back up into the hazel eyes of his wife. Taking a deep breath J.R. said the first thing that came to mind.

"Hello Miss Texas."

The End