I don't own any of the characters in this story and no copyright infringement is intended.
This fic is an alternate timeline where the dream season wasn't a dream. It picks up after the last episode of season 9.
***
Life Is But a Dream
Part 34:
***
"JR, we just don't have any idea where he is. The airlines, trains, and bus stations are all on alert. We canceled his passport and are tracking his credit cards and bank accounts. That's all we can do right now."
"What about Graison? He have any idea where Kenderson might be hiding."
McSween cast a nervous glance in Pam's direction and shrugged, "he claims that he doesn't have a clue."
"Alright. Keep looking. Now, about Richard Rice…"
"The FBI is bringing him to the hospital."
"And he claims he's Bobby?"
"Apparently so."
"How long until they get here?"
"A few hours."
"Alright. Thanks, Harry."
"How long do you think she'll sleep?" Pam asked about Sue Ellen once McSween left the room.
"A while. She's exhausted. At least she got to speak to John Ross."
"Do the doctors know why she suddenly recovered her memories?"
"Not really," JR shrugged, "could have been the bump on the head. Or maybe the shock of being shot. I'm just thankful she's back to her old self."
"JR, I know you want to go see Ray. I'll stay with Sue Ellen until you get back."
"You sure?'
"Yes," Pam sighed softly. "Watching over her will at least make me feel useful until I know…"
"It won't be long Pam."
"JR, I'm so sorry. I blamed you for everything. And the whole time it was my own husband…"
"You couldn't have known."
"Don't patronize me, JR. It just makes me feel worse."
"I'm not trying to patronize you. Look, Pam, I don't care for you. And you don't care for me. We're never going to be friendly and it would have suited me just fine if Bobby had never laid eyes on you. But the one thing I never doubted about you is that you loved my brother. You asked me why you couldn't feel him. I don't have an answer for that. Maybe...just maybe somehow Sue Ellen and I share such a deep connection it can't be broken. Or maybe I just wasn't able to even consider the possibility she was dead. Or hell, maybe it was just dumb luck. But yeah. I knew. But I didn't see her die. I didn't put her in the ground. You had real, tangible reasons to think Bobby was dead. Just because you believed it doesn't mean you don't love him just as much as I love my wife. You hear me?"
Pam smiled a small smile and wiped a tear from her eye. "Thank you, JR."
"I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Do you think I should call Gary?"
"What?" JR turned to face her.
"Gary. I mean, he is bound to have seen something in the news. Ray is his brother. And Bobby…"
"I'll take care of it."
"You sure?"
"I'm sure. You just look after my wife."
"I will, JR. Promise."
"Thank you. Oh, and Pam?"
"Yes?"
"Stop beating yourself up. I love Bobby too. I never felt him. I never believed he was alive. Not even after Sue Ellen told me she thought she saw him."
Pam didn't reply. She watched him leave the room then turned her attention back to Sue Ellen, who was sleeping soundly. "Well my friend, seems like you were right and I was wrong about JR all along, huh?"
***
"Jack?"
"Huh?"
"Wake up. We'll be landing in a few minutes."
Jack sat up straight, wiped the sleep from his eyes, and tried to get his bearings. "Hope we can get some information when we get on the ground."
"The news said Ray and Sue Ellen were taken to the hospital. We'll go straight there."
"We'll need to get you a hotel room."
"No we don't."
"What?"
"I can stay at your place."
"What?" He asked again.
"I just thought…"
"Look, April, I know you probably feel like you owe me because of your mom, but you don't have to sleep with me, okay? I mean, you dropped everything to fly back to Dallas with me. Consider us even."
"Jack, I came to Dallas with you for the same reason I planned to stay at your apartment with you."
"And what would that reason be?"
"Remember what you told me at the playground?"
"Yes. I told you I love you."
"Yes. You did. And you know what?"
"What?"
"I love you too. I never stopped. Not even when you left me."
"April…"
"I know there's a ton of stuff we have to talk about and work through, but for now, can't we just be with one another and support one another?"
"Of course we can. But you still don't have to sleep with me."
"I know I don't have to. I WANT to. Remember the way it always was between us Jack? I miss that. And I want it again. I mean...unless…"
"Unless what?"
"I guess if you don't want me…"
Jack silenced her with a long, hot kiss. "I want you," he whispered huskily when he lifted his head. "Never stopped wanting you "
"Good," April grinned widely. "Then it's settled."
***
Kenderson glanced at his watch and grimaced.
Time was running out.
He had to make it to the meeting point in less than three hours. If he wasn't there, his CIA contact would leave without him and he'd be on his own. He was going to have to make his move soon, whether the nurse could get Sue Ellen alone or not. She was doing the best she could, but JR hadn't left his wife's side and there was the matter of the Sheriff deputy outside her door.
He knew every law enforcement officer in Texas was looking for him. He needed to get out of the country. NOW.
But he wasn't leaving without Sue Ellen.
If that meant he had to make another mess on his way out, then so be it.
***
"He's heavily sedated," Donna said, her voice thin and lifeless. "For the pain."
"But the doctors were able to repair the damage to his stomach?"
"Mostly. Still, he has a long recovery ahead of him."
"I'm so sorry, Donna," JR sighed. "This is all my fault."
*How do you figure that?"
"I dragged him into all this."
"You didn't drag him into anything. You're his brother and you needed his help."
"It's all my fault. Sue Ellen. Jaimie. Now Ray."
"JR, this is all Jerry Kenderson's fault. Kenderson and Mark Graison. Not yours."
"But if I hadn't gotten involved with Angelica…"
"Stop it," Donna sat up straight and squared her shoulders. "My husband is lying here fighting for his life. He needs your help now JR. Are you going to help him or are you going to wallow around in your guilt?"
"Of course I'll help him," JR snapped. "I just don't know what I can do for him!"
"You get the man who did this to him, JR. You get the man who kidnapped Bobby and set all these events in motion. Do you hear me? You get Kenderson. And you kill him. Promise me, JR!"
JR squatted down in front of his sister-in-law so that his eyes were even with hers. "I promise, Donna. On Daddy's grave. Jerry Kenderson is a dead man. He just doesn't know it yet."
***
"Ellie? Do you understand what I've told you?"
"Yes, Clayton. But whoever this man is, he can't be my Bobby."
"The medical records match."
"Medical records can be manipulated and you know it!"
"Maybe," Clayton muttered doubtfully. "But he'll be here soon and you need to prepare yourself…"
"The only thing I need to prepare myself to do is expose and imposter. Bobby is dead."
"But Ellie…"
"He's dead, Clayton! I buried my son. I mourned my son. And I won't hear one more word from anyone who says otherwise."
"Alright, Ellie. Whatever you say."
***
JR took a deep breath and down the phone.
He'd told Gary about Ray.
And about Richard Rice.
It had been a tense conversation, but Gary had thanked him for calling and asked to be informed right away once Rice got to the hospital.
JR shook his head and wondered to himself if he should maybe make some sort of effort to patch up his relationship with his brother out in California. After all, Gary had no interest in Ewing Oil. Plus, he was Lucy's father and it would make things easier for her if JR was at least on speaking terms with him.
And...well,it had crossed JR's mind more than once in the last several hours that Richard Rice could be an imposter and Bobby was still dead. And now Ray…
Fact was, Gary might end up being the only brother JR had left. Might be time to start treating the prodigal brother like family again.
***
"I have an order for a Cat scan. That should get her out of the room. There'll be an orderly with her, but I'll distract him."
"You have my key card for the service entrance?"
"Here," the nurse nodded and handed him the card. "This will get you out of the hospital. And out of my life."
"That's right. After today, you'll never hear from me again."
"And the money?"
"Already in your account."
"Good. But I swear, Jerry, this is the last time I will ever help you kidnap a patient from the hospital."
Jerry flashed an evil grin at her and shrugged. "My dear, after I get out of here with Sue Ellen, I promise you, all I will ever be to you again is an unpleasant memory."
***
"Need anything else?"
"No," Sue Ellen passed the water back to him and gave him a weak smile, "thank you."
"You feeling any better?"
"I still have an awful headache, but other than that I'm fine."
"Can't they give you something for the pain?"
"No...the baby…"
JR sighed and nodded. "I can't stand to see you suffer."
"I'll be fine JR."
She laid back against the pillow and decided to change the subject. "Was I dreaming or was Pam here with me a while ago?"
"She was here. She stayed with you while I went to see Ray. When I got back she went down to wait with Mama and Clayton for…"
"For Bobby," Sue Ellen finished for him. "You should have believed me, JR."
"Yes," he said softly. "I'm sorry."
"It seems like you spend most of our lives telling me that."
"Yes," he repeated. "It does."
"I love you anyway."
JR smiled and shook his head. "I don't know why you do, but I'm damn glad for it."
They were quiet for a few minutes, then JR reached out to take her hand. "I talked to Gary."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Had to tell him about Ray and this thing with Bobby."
"How did he take it?"
"Not bad, all things considered. Sue Ellen?"
"Yes?"
"I'm going to try to be a better man. To everyone. But mostly to you."
"I believe you, JR."
"You and John Ross and that baby you're carrying. We are going to be a happy, strong family. I promise."
"I believe you, JR," she said again. "We won't ever be apart again, will we?"
"No we won't," he promised. "No matter what."
***