Disclaimer: See Chapter 1
Chapter 8
The drive home to Southfork for Sue Ellen and J.R. differed greatly.
Sue Ellen spent almost the entire drive giggling. She couldn't believe a reporter had caught her and J.R. in bed, enjoying an afternoon tryst. She could just imagine his shock when he developed the pictures. Instead of the scandal involving J.R. Ewing and mysterious woman he had hoped for all he had were mundane images of a husband and wife enjoying an afternoon together. Sue Ellen laughed imagining the reporter's editor and his or her reaction to the supposed scintillating images.
She would love to be a fly on the wall for that meeting.
Laughing lightly, she thought back to J.R.'s reaction and instantly sobered. J.R. had been furious!
Not for being caught in bed with her- he didn't care who knew he enjoyed spending the day in bed with his wife. Instead, he was furious that another man had witnessed their most intimate moments along with her nudity. He was furious that she would be embarrassed by the actions of the reporter and his brother. They both knew the reporter would have never known J.R. was in the hotel if Bobby, in his self-righteous anger had not let the cat out of the bag. If Sue Ellen were honest with herself, for the first few minutes she had been extremely embarrassed at the thought of the intimate pictures of her and J.R. being published. But soon she saw the humour in the situation, laughing heartily. If they were published they were published, all they would illustrate would be the intense love, devotion and sexual attraction she shared with J.R. She remembered J.R.'s response to her laughter.
"What the hell is so funny?" J.R. growled, striding back into the bedroom naked. He was livid! He didn't find having his privacy interrupted with his wife the least bit funny.
"You...me...scandal...," Sue Ellen managed to gasp out between laughs. She was laughing so hard tears streamed down her cheeks. J.R scowled at Sue Ellen as she hit the bed with her fist punctuating her laughter. He couldn't understand how she could find this situation funny. As he watched and heard her laugh he found himself smiling then chuckling then joining her in hearty laughter.
Now though she was worried about how J.R. was going to react when he saw Bobby. She had a feeling his reaction was going to be volcanic.
After their laughter subsided they dressed and during the entire time they were dressing J.R. had been quiet, his jaw tense and Sue Ellen knew his anger had returned. He was no longer simply angry, he was now intensely furious. And that fury was directed at Bobby.
Sue Ellen didn't know what Bobby's problem was- if he was under stress from work or if he and Pam were having problems but one thing she did know was that his actions today were completely uncalled for. She prayed J.R. would keep his temper when he did confront Bobby. Although from the look in J.R.'s eyes and the tenseness in his jaw when they parted to drive their respective cars home she was tempted to call Miss Ellie and tell her to have Clayton, Ray and a few of the hands on standby, just in case. She had a feeling it would take the combined efforts of all of them to keep J.R. from seriously injuring Bobby.
Dinner went surprisingly well. No one was home but she, J.R. and John Ross, everyone else was out. They enjoyed a simple dinner of soup and sandwiches eating in the kitchen while John Ross and J.R. did their best to try to get Teresa to give them some of the wedding cookies she was baking for her nieces wedding.
"Teresa, just think of us as quality control," J.R. said as he watched her transfer the warm cookies to a cooling rack.
"Yea, Teresa...quality control," said John Ross looking at her hopefully.
"You wouldn't want anyone at the wedding to get a less than delicious cookie, would you? This is why you should let us taste test them for you. This way we can make sure they are perfect," said J.R. grinning at Teresa, his blue eyes sparkling.
"Think of the wedding guests Teresa," John Ross added.
Sue Ellen tried to keep from laughing as her two men did their best to negotiate with Teresa. She could see Teresa softening and knew it was just a matter of time before she gave them each a plate of the delectable Mexican confections. Teresa looked over at her and smiled.
"Fine," Teresa relented. "I will let you taste a few...but just a few," she said as she placed half dozen cookies each on two small plates before setting them down on the counter.
"Alright," said John Ross as he grabbed both plates while J.R. poured them both a tall glass of milk. Sue Ellen watched as both her men sat down at the table and proceeded to devour their cookies.
Walking over to Teresa Sue Ellen smiled. "You lasted longer than I thought you would," she said as she picked up one of the cool baking sheets and placed it in the sink.
Teresa laughed. "I'm surprised I lasted as long as I did. Did you want any?" asked Teresa, indicating the cooling cookies.
"Just one," answered Sue Ellen, picking up one of the confections. Popping it into her mouth she closed her eyes as the cookie all but melted in her mouth. "Mmm...Teresa...they are delicious," she said.
"Thank you. You can have another if you like," she said.
"Oh no...I couldn't fit another in me. Between the soup, sandwiches and now the cookies I am stuffed," said Sue Ellen. "Dinner was wonderful Teresa."
"Thank you, Señora," said Teresa. Looking over at the table Teresa asked, "Where do they put it all?"
Sue Ellen laughed lightly. "I wonder that myself at times," she said.
"Teresa the cookies were great," said John Ross, as he placed his plate and glass in the sink.
"Delicious Teresa," added J.R. as he too put his plate and glass in the sink. Leaning his hip against the sink he asked, "I don't suppose there is any chance of a few dozen staying here, is there?"
Teresa laughed softly. "No Señor, I am afraid not but if I promise to make a tres leches cake when I return from my nieces wedding do I have your word that the cookies will be safe?"
J.R. and John Ross looked at each other. "With berries?" they asked in unison.
Teresa smiled. "With berries."
"Then we promise not to touch the cookies," said J.R. John Ross nodded in agreement.
"Um...Teresa?" said John Ross.
"Yes?"
"When will you be back from your nieces wedding?"
"I am leaving on Thursday and will be back on Tuesday," said Teresa.
"Oh man...I don't know if I can wait that long," moaned John Ross, the thought of Teresa's cake making his mouth water.
The three adults laughed at John Ross's statement. J.R. squeezed his son's shoulder. "Don't worry son, there is always ice cream to tide us over until Teresa gets back," he said, silently agreeing with John Ross- he didn't know if he could wait that long.
Wishing Teresa a good night the three left the kitchen. Sue Ellen slipped her arm into J.R.'s as they walked toward the den.
"Son?" asked J.R. as they entered the den.
"Yes?" answered John Ross.
"Do you have all your homework done?"
"Almost. I'm havin' problems with some math problems. Could you help me?" John Ross asked.
"Sure," replied J.R. taking a seat on the couch next to John Ross who sat on the floor. John Ross opened his math book and soon the two were engrossed in his homework.
Switching off John Ross's light, J.R. closed his door and walked down the hall to the bedroom he shared with Sue Ellen. Entering the room he walked up behind Sue Ellen and slipped his arms around her waist. Nuzzling her neck he said, "Hmmm...I'm hungry."
"Hungry? You can't possibly be hungry. Not after everything you ate tonight," replied Sue Ellen in disbelief.
"But I am," said J.R. as he nipped at her neck. "Just not for food," he added, trailing soft kisses across the back of her neck.
"If you're not hungry for food, what else can you possibly be hungry for?" teased Sue Ellen. She turned around in J.R.'s arms, facing him, her hands resting on his shoulders.
"I'll give you...," J.R. began, peppering her lips with soft kisses. "...three guesses," he added as he kissed his way across her cheek to her ear. "And the first two don't count," he whispered in her ear, gently nipping her earlobe before moving back to her mouth and capturing her lips in a sensual kiss.
"Hmm...I think I may know exactly what you're hungry for," Sue Ellen said when their kiss ended.
"I thought you might," replied J.R.
Sue Ellen's hands slid across the front of J.R.'s shirt to trace the skin exposed by his opened collar. She slid one hand down the front of his shirt unbuttoning each button. His shirt now opened to the waist Sue Ellen leaned in and placed feather soft kisses to his exposed chest while her fingers trailed over his skin. She could smell J.R.'s soap, cologne and the indefinable scent that was his alone, smiling at each hitch of his breath as her lips and fingers teased him. Her hands reached his waist and she slipped them inside to travel up the warm skin of his back. She shivered when she felt his hands mimic her movements.
His large hands travelled up her back, their warmth easily felt through the silk of her blouse. His touch was firm but light and goose bumps erupted across her skin as she enjoyed his caresses. She moaned softly when she felt one hand slide up from her back, across her shoulder to her neck and then into her hair. She instinctively turned her head to meet his lips surrendering completely to his kiss and the inevitable passion that J.R. evoked in her.
Later, before she surrendered to sleep, Sue Ellen sent up a silent prayer that the entire situation with Bobby would be forgotten. Or at the very least, a new memo released advocating peace and calm. Unfortunately, the lines of communication were down, the memo was lost and the little devils awoke fully prepared to wreak havoc the next morning.
"Morning Mama. Clayton," said J.R. as he escorted Sue Ellen to the breakfast table. "Morning son. Hi Christopher" said J.R.
"Morning Daddy, Mama," greeted John Ross between bites of scrambled eggs and pancakes.
"Morning Uncle J.R. Aunt Sue Ellen," said Christopher before he went back to eating his breakfast.
"Morning John Ross. Christopher," said Sue Ellen placing a soft kiss to John Ross's hair as she walked by his chair. "Miss Ellie. Clayton," greeted Sue Ellen, thanking J.R. as he held her chair out for her. Sitting down she reached for the pot of coffee, pouring herself and J.R. each a cup. She quickly fixed herself a plate of food smiling as she watched J.R. pile his plate high with food.
"Hungry J.R.?" Miss Ellie teased as she watched her oldest son pile his plate full.
"Starvin'," he answered. Miss Ellie laughed at his standard reply.
"Mama, may I have some more pancakes?" asked John Ross, his plate, which just moments ago was full, now empty.
"My goodness you must be hungry," said Sue Ellen, amazed at her son's appetite.
"Starvin'," replied John Ross. Both Sue Ellen and Miss Ellie laughed at his answer; he sounded just like his father.
"Okay, but just two more. You don't want to eat too much and get a stomach-ache," said Sue Ellen as she placed two more pancakes on his plate.
"And some more eggs?" asked John Ross. Sue Ellen placed another spoonful of scrambled eggs onto his plate. John Ross poured syrup over everything devouring his breakfast. "Mmm...that was great," said John Ross draining the last of his milk from his glass before setting it back on the table and patting his stomach.
"I agree son," said J.R. sitting back and drinking the rest of his coffee, his plate also now empty.
Sue Ellen looked at both her men, Teresa's words from last night echoed in her head. She still didn't know where they put all the food they ate. Looking over at the clock Sue Ellen said, "John Ross... Christopher it's time for you two to go, you don't want to miss your bus."
"Okay," answered the boys, standing and giving goodbye kisses before heading out the door, coats and book bags in hand.
"Good morning Bobby. Pam," greeted Miss Ellie when they walked into the dining room.
"Morning Mama. Miss Ellie," they greeted.
Sue Ellen, J.R. and Clayton added their 'good mornings'. Bobby replies were stiff as he glared at J.R. Sue Ellen had hoped that they would be able to make their escape without a confrontation with Bobby but from the look in Bobby's eyes she knew any hope she may have had was now dashed.
Deciding to make a last ditch attempt at escaping before Bobby said something Sue Ellen turned to J.R. "Darlin' how about we ride into town together. This way you can pick me up for lunch and we can have an early day."
As soon as the words left her mouth she knew she should have phrased her request differently.
"Another early day J.R.?" Bobby sneered.
"You have something to say about how I spend my days Bobby?" asked J.R. his tone soft.
"J.R...," began Sue Ellen. She was hoping to still get them out of here before Bobby said anything more. She knew it would take just one wrong word for J.R. to completely lose his temper.
"No Sue Ellen, it seems my baby brother has a problem with how I spend my afternoons," he replied his tone firmer.
"You dammed right I do," said Bobby, tossing his napkin down on the table and standing up. He was still angry at J.R.'s actions yesterday.
"Bobby that is enough," said Miss Ellie.
"No, it is not," Bobby answered back.
"No Mama," said J.R. "Bobby obviously has a problem with how I spend my afternoons. So little brother, what is your problem with how I spend my afternoons?" asked J.R. as he stood.
"I'll tell you what my problem is," said Bobby as he stalked around the table. J.R. moved to meet him at the head of the table, near the entry way.
Sue Ellen's soft "Oh no," was heard by Clayton. The look on Sue Ellen's face clued Clayton in and he stood, ready for whatever was going to happen.
"My problem is," Bobby began his finger poking at J.R.'s chest. "...is that you think you can just duck out of meetings to go meet your newest whore anytime you want?"
"I'd watch your mouth boy," warned J.R.
Bobby ignored his warning and continued yelling, "Well I am tired of it! If you want to get laid, do it on your own time not on company time."
"Bobby that's enough!" commanded Miss Ellie. Something wasn't right. Miss Ellie could see from J.R.'s posture that he was furious. Something that rarely happened as J.R. usually had tight rein on his temper. But not this morning.
"No, it's not enough Mama!" shouted Bobby. Turning to Sue Ellen Bobby said, "I would think you would want to know which whore he was meetin'..."
J.R. grabbed Bobby by the suit jacket. "I said that was enough boy!" growled J.R. his hands tightening on the lapels of his jacket.
"Not that it is any of your business but the lady... and that is just what she is...that I met yesterday was none other than my wife," snarled J.R.
"Yea right," said Bobby.
J.R. continued as if he hadn't heard him. "And thanks to your holier than thou attitude a reporter managed to sneak into our suite, took photos of us enjoying an afternoon together," growled J.R. "The photos will probably be in this morning's Dallas Times! Now you owe Sue Ellen an apology for not only embarrassing her but of calling her a...whore. Otherwise I'll..." J.R. trailed off.
"Otherwise you'll what J.R.?" sneered Bobby. He knew J.R. wouldn't hit him because he knew he was younger than J.R. and could easily kick his ass.
"Or this...," said J.R. punching Bobby in the mouth. The force of his punch knocked Bobby off his feet.
"Bobby!" shouted Pam, standing her hands over her mouth.
J.R. stalked over to Bobby and pulled him to his feet. Once he was standing, J.R. hit him again, this time sending him sprawling against the front door. J.R. moved to grab Bobby again only to be stopped. Clayton held a struggling J.R. by the arms. "Enough J.R.," ordered Clayton.
Bobby took advantage of J.R.'s position and hit him across the jaw. The blow barely staggered J.R., who shrugged off Clayton's hold and lunged for Bobby, an almost inhuman growl erupting from him. Clayton grabbed at J.R. again but J.R threw him off causing Clayton to stumble to his knees. Bobby made his escape out the front door, J.R. following.
Miss Ellie and Sue Ellen rushed over to Clayton. "Are you alright Clayton?" Miss Ellie asked concerned.
"Yea...get Ray Ellie or some of the hands...I have a feelin' we're gonna need 'em," said Clayton. Ellie immediately grabbed the ranch phone to order Ray and some hands to the house.
The sounds of fighting came through the opened front door. Everyone ran to the front door. J.R. and Bobby were exchanging blows as Ray and the some of the hands scrambled to separate them. A punch to the jaw from J.R. sent Ray sprawling as J.R. fought to get at Bobby.
Miss Ellie's hands flew to her mouth as she saw the damage her oldest son inflicted on her youngest son. Bobby's jaw was swollen, his lip and nose bleeding and his eye blackened. She flinched when she heard the splat of J.R.'s meaty fist meeting with Bobby's side. Pam was yelling for the men to stop J.R.
Sue Ellen stood there watching her husband fight. She had rarely seen him physically fight. She knew he preferred to use his head rather than his fists to settle an argument. She knew Bobby looked down on J.R. because he didn't get physical. Bobby thought just because J.R. didn't fight meant he couldn't but Sue Ellen knew different. J.R. could cause real damage when he became physical. When he fought, he fought to win and that often meant leaving his opponent bleeding and unconscious. Sue Ellen remembered the only two times he had become physical in her presence. One was when they were dating and J.R. got in a fight with a group of rude cowboys. The cowboys had thought it would be easy to beat J.R.; after all there had been four against one. He had left all four bleeding and unconscious.
The second time was the fight he had with Dusty. Even Clayton didn't know about that fight. It happened after she and J.R. reconciled and they had run into Dusty along with a few of his rodeo friends. Words were exchanged between the two men soon followed by blows. Dusty's friends had prevented anyone from interfering; sure that Dusty would win the fight easily. What they hadn't counted on was J.R.'s reaction to seeing her manhandled. J.R. had beat Dusty until he was unable to stand and when he was done he turned and asked, his breathing laboured, "Anyone else?" The others had backed away. No one prevented them from leaving. A few weeks later Dusty had attended the Ewing Rodeo and when Clayton asked about his bruises Dusty said they were from a raging bull he had met. Sue Ellen knew just which 'raging bull' Dusty meant.
Now from the look on J.R.'s face she knew he intended to beat Bobby until he was unconscious. Sue Ellen knew she couldn't let him do that; it would cause too many problems. Stepping down she began to walk forward. A hand to her arm stopped her.
"Sue Ellen...," began Clayton, his tone concerned.
Sue Ellen looked up at Clayton, smiling in reassurance. "Don't worry Clayton," she said, patting his hand, before moving away.
Sue Ellen walked toward the melee. She knew she needed to get J.R.'s attention and soon before he caused real damage to his brothers and the other men. She stopped just out of range of the men. Placing her fingers in her mouth she let loose a shrill whistle that caught all the men's attention. Everyone turned to look at her.
"I think that's quite enough," she said, her hands on her hips.
The men simply stood there as she walked forward coming to a stop in front of J.R. She raised her hand to his face. She softly probed his swollen jaw. "I think he learned his lesson," Sue Ellen said softly. The look that flitted across J.R.'s face had Sue Ellen dropping her hand and crossing her arms. "I mean it, J.R.," she said her tone leaving no doubt to her feelings.
J.R. nodded abruptly and stepped forward. A hand to his arm had him turning. He had only a few seconds to react before Bobby's fist swung for his face. J.R. ducked causing Bobby to miss him. Unfortunately, J.R. and Bobby were rather close to Sue Ellen and the punch meant for J.R. landed a glancing blow to Sue Ellen's cheek.
Sue Ellen's cry of surprise was loud in the relative quiet of the morning. J.R. turned shocked watching Sue Ellen fall to the ground.
"Sugar!" shouted J.R as he reached for his wife.
"Oh God Sue Ellen!" cried Bobby as he stood there in shock. He hadn't meant to hit Sue Ellen.
Clayton and Miss Ellie rushed forward.
"Are you okay?" asked J.R. as he knelt down next to her.
"Oh gawd, that hurts," moaned Sue Ellen as she held her cheek.
"Let me see," said J.R.
Sue Ellen moved her hand from her cheek and J.R. growled at the already blossoming bruise to her cheek. He stamped down his overwhelming rage.
"Can you stand?" he asked concerned.
Sue Ellen nodded yes and J.R. along with Clayton helped Sue Ellen stand, her hand holding her cheek again. Miss Ellie moved forward.
"Let's get some ice on that cheek, then I think a trip to the emergency room may be in order," said Miss Ellie, noticing how quickly her cheek was bruising and swelling. Turning to J.R. she said, "You have two minutes. Then I want you inside."
Ray was close enough to hear Miss Ellie's words and motioned for the other men to move back. J.R. was surprised at his mother's words; he hadn't expected her to give him the chance to retaliate.
"Yes, ma'am," he said and stepped back to allow his mother and Clayton to escort Sue Ellen into the house. When they walked by Pam, Clayton grabbed her arm and despite her protests forced her to accompany him into the house.
As soon as the door closed Ray looked at his watch said 'two minutes' then stepped back to wait. Bobby stood there still in shock. He hadn't meant to hit Sue Ellen. He had intended to hit J.R. He was surprised when J.R. stopped in front of him.
"Here's your chance," snarled J.R. as he tucked his hands into the pockets of his dress pants.
"Huh?' asked Bobby, not understanding what J.R. was talking about.
"Here is your chance to hit me," said J.R., the rage in his voice easily heard.
"Look J.R., I don't want to fight anymore," replied Bobby, his voice tired.
"One minute, thirty seconds," said Ray.
"I don't care. Swing or not but I am gonna beat ya ass," snarled J.R.
"J.R. look...I'm sorry," said Bobby walking by J.R. "I'm not gonna fight you anymore."
J.R. reached out and grabbed Bobby's arm. "You may not want to fight me anymore but I'm gonna beat ya boy," said J.R. as he hit Bobby in the stomach.
Bobby gasped and bent over in pain. J.R. stepped back and waited. He didn't have to wait too long as Bobby came up swinging. Bobby's first punch connected with J.R.'s jaw causing him to stumble back. J.R. returned Bobby's punch with one of his own which was quickly followed by a combination body and face punch.
"Forty-five seconds," announced Ray.
Bobby returned J.R.'s punches with one of his own to J.R. stomach. J.R. grunted before backhanding Bobby and sending him sprawling down onto the driveway. J.R. quickly took advantage of Bobby's position, straddling him and grabbing his shirtfront punching him in the face repeatedly.
"Time," announced Ray as he grabbed J.R. under the arm to prevent him from hitting Bobby again. "I said time," ordered Ray as he pulled J.R. up and off of Bobby.
J.R. struggled against Ray.
"Enough," said Ray as he held J.R. "Miss Ellie said two minutes..."
J.R. stopped struggling and looked at Ray. Shrugging out of Ray's hold J.R. said nothing as he strode back into the house in search of Sue Ellen. Ray watched as J.R. walked away and then went to check on Bobby. Bobby was just rising to his knees when Ray reached him. Ray helped him up, steadying him as he stood.
Looking over Bobby, Ray chuckled. "Ya ought to be thankful Miss Ellie didn't give him three minutes," he said as he tilted Bobby's head to check the cut above his eye.
Bobby grunted in answer and with Ray's help made his way into the house.
J.R. made his way toward the kitchen knowing that would be where Sue Ellen would be. Entering the kitchen he ignored the glare from Pamela as he sat down next to Sue Ellen, who held a bag of ice to her cheek.
"Let me see Sugar," said J.R.
Sue Ellen lifted the bag of ice from her cheek and J.R. winced at the bruise on her cheek.
"This is all your fault," said Pam, her arms crossed over her chest.
J.R. turned his steely blue gaze toward Pam and asked, "And how do ya figure that?"
"If you hadn't been sleeping around...," she began before being interrupted by Sue Ellen.
"I am going to say this once and once only Pamela," warned Sue Ellen. "Mind your own dammed business!" she shouted, immediately regretting her shout as it vibrated through her bruised cheek.
"Pamela not another word," warned Miss Ellie, stopping Pam from launching into a tirade. "As J.R. told Bobby he was with Sue Ellen yesterday and thanks to Bobby's actions a reporter was able to obtain intimate pictures of him and Sue Ellen, pictures that could embarrass Sue Ellen."
"Don't tell me you actually believe he was with Sue Ellen?" scoffed Pamela.
Miss Ellie looked at Pamela then J.R. and Sue Ellen. She smiled at the look she saw on J.R.'s face as he looked at Sue Ellen. It was a look his Daddy often wore when he didn't think she saw him watching her. Clayton often had the same look on his face. "Yes...I do believe he was with Sue Ellen."
Pamela snorted in disbelief.
"Pamela, whether you believe it or not J.R. loves Sue Ellen and if he says he was with her yesterday then he was with her. Now since it isn't your business, as Sue Ellen has pointed out I think you need to go and find Bobby and see if he needs any help. I am sure he could use at least some ice for his jaw," said Miss Ellie, holding out one of the ice packs for Pamela. Pamela grabbed the ice and stomped out of the kitchen.
J.R. looked at his mama surprised at her defence of him. Miss Ellie patted J.R.'s hand. "You look at Sue Ellen just as your daddy used to look at me. Just as Clayton does now," said Miss Ellie. Miss Ellie chuckled when J.R. ducked his head briefly in embarrassment.
Deciding a change in subject was needed she looked at Sue Ellen then J.R. and said, "I really think you need to go to the emergency room and get your cheek x-rayed. Considering how swollen and bruised it is it may be fractured."
Sue Ellen looked at Miss Ellie then at J.R. At the look on J.R's face she stood up.
"Well come on," she said. "I know I won't get any peace from either of you until I get it x-rayed. Umm...J.R.?" she added.
"Yea," he said.
"Do you think you might want to clean up first before we go? I don't want the emergency room staff to think I beat you up," she teased.
J.R laughed as he stood up from the kitchen table. "I'll be right back down," he said heading to the upstairs to change his dirty and bloodied clothes.
"I'll be waiting," replied Sue Ellen as she sat back down. She gingerly placed the ice pack back on her cheek wincing slightly.
Miss Ellie patted her hand in sympathy.
TBC
