The pneumonia-inducing temperatures Sue Ellen had endured in Alaska's winter months were nothing compared to the icy glare her father-in-law delivered when unmistakably livid. She was shaken by his unexpected entrance. No more than four feet from her, his mood was softened by the attention John Ross lathered him in. Sue Ellen privately prayed for her husband's return home but equally panicked as to his reaction to his father's ambush.

The President of Ewing Energies soon burst through the front door with his usual elation but J.R.'s devilish grin cracked when the snow-white of his father's hair commanded attention and his wife forced a pleasant smile. "Welcome home, J.R., look who flew in."

She calmly pleaded for him not to react poorly. "Dad," J.R. abruptly acknowledged his father. "Kind of surprised to see you here without a call first." He removed John Ross from his father's knees and returned the bemused toddler to Sue Ellen. "Let us have a moment alone, won't you, honey?" J.R. tenderly kissed his cheek and Sue Ellen silently carried their son upstairs, out of earshot. The distance between father and son had been immense - physical, emotional, mental - but not quite as monumental as the tension in the atmosphere between the two, and Sue Ellen didn't relish being present during their showdown. It was a long-time coming.

"You're looking good, J.R.," Jock praised, his head bobbing in approval. "Sue Ellen, too."

"Thank you, sir. She's coming on six months now," J.R. informatively replied. "We're both very excited. How's mama?"

"Your mama's fine. She misses you all, though." Jock's eyes narrowed, in a meek attempt to soften any disdain he held toward his eldest son. The sudden upheaval to Alaska had brought unlimited concern to Miss Ellie and J.R. was seemingly unbothered. Jock had been more than happy to let J.R. stew in Alaska, until Jordan Lee faithfully reported back to the cartel about the new Ewing branch. His cheeks had reddened in embarrassment, clueless to his son's gameplay.

"Did she receive Sue Ellen's letter?"

Jock nodded, "She sure did." An inevitable silence occupied the room, until Jock looked J.R. square in the eye. "You know why I'm here, junior." He didn't intend to skirt around the issue when his every bone rattled with rage at J.R.'s betrayal. He plucked the business card Jordan had retrieved and slammed it on the coffee table. Bold, black letters EE screamed outward and J.R. played an expression of self-condemnation. "I don't know whether to be mad at you for the company, or for the fact that I heard it from the cartel, not you! What's the matter, J.R., didn't you have the guts to tell me man-to-man?"

"I had every intention to tell you, sir," J.R. stifled his annoyance at his father's blow beneath the belt. "But, well, word of the company spread like wildfire before I had any real concrete plans myself. Good news travels fast, huh?" He taunted, a proud smirk spread across his lips.

"Cut the crap, J.R.!" His father barked, infuriated. "I created Ewing Oil as a family business, for my sons and theirs after them!" He had reluctantly accepted Gary's blatant rejection of the oil business but J.R.'s obsessive thirst to prove himself had made him reliable. Bobby had followed in his footsteps, too, but he didn't have the same resilience. "Your mama seems to think this new company is a cry for my attention."

"Well, you know women, dad -"

"You've made your point, J.R.," Jock wasn't far from begging for a resolution to the family divide. "Your mama wants you, Sue Ellen and the baby back on Southfork. It's where you all belong, especially with the new baby due. Sue Ellen will need help, and who better to help than family? Forget this company. You, Bobby and I can work out our differences."

It was a loose promise. One foot out of line and his father would favour Bobby once more. "Daddy, Bobby's made his stance clear on the matter. I don't want to cause any more tension in the family. I'm sure he's done you proud in my absence; it wouldn't be fair to him if I came back and pushed him out."

"Don't you worry about your brother. I've already talked to him," he lied, as always, but Jock Ewing had long mastered the art of sweet-talk.

"I'm sorry, daddy, I've come too far to turn back now," J.R. maintained refusal, his head wearily shaking. "I understand your hesitation, I do, but don't think of this company as competition for Ewing Oil. Think of it as another business venture to add to the family name. We'll all profit."

Jock appeared uncertain, "So that's it, you won't come home?"

His eyes mischievously brightened, "I didn't say that, daddy. Suffice to say, the past few months in Alaska have been very successful. I've already put the wheels in motion to have the Ewing Energies headquarters relocated to Dallas." His father's ambush had been predictable and the final step in his scheme. "By my estimation, we'll be back home well before the baby's born!"

"Well, that's about the best news I've had all week!" Jock patted his son's back, enthused.

After eavesdropping the conversation, Sue Ellen snatched the opportunity to re-enter the room with a sleepy John Ross in her arms. The toddler lazily rested his head on her chest and she smiled, "Someone's about ready for his nap, I think. Everything okay here?"

"Just fine, darlin'," J.R. provided reassurance, "Just fine."

"I think I'll call Miss Ellie and let her know the good news," Jock paced toward the phone and dialled Southfork.

"Good news?" Sue Ellen repeated, her forehead lined with confusion.

J.R. provided John Ross with his pacifier and stood tall, his shoulders widened and grin enigmatic. "Honey, we're going home!"