Sue Ellen quickened her pace as she bypassed the exuberant choir who were mid-chorus of Hark, the Herald Angels Sing. Oxford Street was at its most hectic, as it always was in late December. She attempted to pave her way between commuters and tourists alike with an array of purchases adorned on both arms. There was a distinctive chill in the air as she hailed a black taxi cab for the twenty minute drive to her Chelsea townhouse. Winter in London was in stark contrast to the mild weather of her home state and it was the season she pined for Texas most of all.

"Merry Christmas, love," the driver indicated the arrival to her destination. She climbed out the vehicle and replied to his South London accent with a polite smile before he sped off in search of his next trade.

"Hi, Cleo." She practically stumbled over the all-black cat who relentlessly brushed her head into Sue Ellen's ankles and purred to welcome her home. Sue Ellen carefully discarded her purchases by the front door and crouched down to gather the small animal into her arms. "Did you miss me?" She and Don had purchased Cleo in the hopes that the distraction would cure her eternal homesickness and soften the blow of John Ross' absence from her life.

"Hi, love, it's me." Her husband's voice was unusually soft as she listened to the answerphone machine which flashed red and Sue Ellen experienced that old familiar feeling of disappointment. "We're another day behind on production. It looks like we'll be here beyond Christmas." There was a brief pause filled by his exhale, as if he had no choice in the matter. "I'm sorry. I'll call you soon."

Her attempts to return his call were in vain, so Sue Ellen hunkered down on the sofa with a cup of hot tea and her favourite festive movie: It's A Wonderful Life. As always, she succumbed to happy tears by the time the Bailey family were reunited and the credits rolled. Cleo curled up contently on her lap as the fireplace crackled and Sue Ellen closed her eyes for the first time that day. The holiday season always seemed to drain her soul. Even as a small child, Christmas had not delivered the joy and heartfelt cheer that everybody else appeared to spread with a mere smile or nod of their head. She simply felt the losses all the more; her father's absence became more prominent on Christmas Day than ever before, the lack of children to spoil rotten and minimal attention from J.R. in the early years of their marriage dampened her spirit too. These days, the festive period failed to offer any holiday cheer on account of John Ross' decision to live with J.R. and the family.

After a moment's debate, Sue Ellen reached for the nearby telephone and dialled the number to Southfork from memory. Ordinarily Teresa would politely answer the call within the first few rings and Sue Ellen would warmly exchange pleasantries before John Ross was beckoned to the phone. This time, however, her call almost went unanswered. "Y'ah, hello. J.R. Ewing here," he answered abruptly in the final second, as if he were inconvenienced by the interruption.

"Hello, J.R.," Sue Ellen nervously twisted the telephone cord.

The pause seemed almost eternal before he replied; "Oh, hi, Sue Ellen." The merriment in his voice quickly dissipated as if he fretted it would be misconstrued. Their relationship as divorcees and co-parents teetered on the brink of just fine thanks to the divide of an ocean between them, but one word delivered in a certain tone could precipitate world war. "I suppose you're lookin' for John Ross."

"Yes," she matched his level of formality. It was an odd dynamic to share with the man she had known and loved for years. "Is he available?"

"No, I'm afraid not."

Sue Ellen internally lamented her decision to contact John Ross via the landline rather than attempt his cell phone. "I see. Well, would you have him call me whenever he comes home?"

"Sure, honey, but you'll be waitin' by the phone a while." J.R. chirped with audible humour in his voice. "The boys left yesterday for Aspen. I doubt they'll be back until the new year."

"Aspen," she repeated in mild disbelief.

J.R. perceived her sense of surprise and obvious hurt. "He didn't tell you. He and Christopher hired out a chalet with their friends for the holidays." The promise of a Christmas without either of their sons rendered both J.R. and Bobby understandably miserable, but John Ross deserved the rest after his remarkable success within the company. "What with mama and Clayton away too, it'll be pretty quiet 'round here." His curiosity lacked boundary, "I assume you'll be with Lockwood in London."

"Actually," Sue Ellen instinctively replied but paused, surprised at how easily she volunteered the truth. "Don's filming in Europe. He won't be home in time for Christmas, but I'm sure we'll have a late celebration in January."

"So, you'll be alone," J.R. clarified and Sue Ellen fixated on the word alone. Her partnership with Don was supposed to be different but he matched J.R.'s workaholic tendencies all the same, and somehow she felt even lonelier than she ever had before. "Say, you know you're always welcome here, Sue Ellen." The vision of her alone on such an important day didn't sit well with him.

"At Southfork?"

"No need to sound so surprised, honey. It was your home once upon a time." He battled hard not to sound too pained by her apparent rejection. Neither one of them could comprehend the quickened heartbeat of anticipation as to where the conversation would end up. "I'm sure Bob would be happy to see you. You could be here for when John Ross comes home." In spite of the bitter way their last face to face conversation ended, J.R. readily welcomed an opportunity to be in her presence.

"Thank you for the invitation, J.R., but I don't think so," she cautiously declined. While she didn't relish a Christmas alone, it was far preferable to a Christmas with her former husband and in-laws.

"Well… you know the address, should you change your mind."

Sue Ellen exhaled with relief that J.R. didn't react poorly and allowed her an easy out. "Merry Christmas, J.R.," she whispered.

"Merry Christmas, darlin'," J.R. softly answered.