What If

[Karin Schill]

I like that you are including so many characters in your story and while I think it is nice to see Ray and Jenna happily married for a change I just can't picture Donna telling Jenna that she is the love of Ray's life at this point!
If that conversation had taken place 10 years or 20 years later on then yes. But not in 1988 when Jenna and Ray had been married less than a year and Jenna was still unluckily in love with Bobby and Ray had cheated on Jenna with Connie.

The arsenic poisioning is so evil. Poor Sue Ellenthinking JR is back to his cheating ways when Afton's child must be Cliff's. What a weird detective photographing Afton in her underwear.

I love JR looking out for Lucy.
I am confused about if Lucy is still married to Mitch now though. She was on the show when she returned since Mitch came after her a few episodes later and asked when she was coming home. But she wasn't so they divorced. However that happened after your story picks up so I think you might have established that they were divorced again when Lucy first showed up in your story, or?

I love the way you write JR/SE.

Your story does have many plot twists which keeps us at the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next!
I'm looking forward to read more!

 

[Sarah]

JR really needs to kick the living crap clean out of Jeremy Wendell. I know he isn't usually a fist thrower but he needs to make an exception here.

I love JR's relationship with Lucy. I wish we had seen more of this on the show. Hopefully Lucy can talk to Sue Ellen and explain that JR for once isn't at fault here.

I couldn't care less about Afton - horrid hypocrite!!

As long as my baby is ok, and she and JR can find some happiness, that's all good with me.

 

[CeeCee72]

I like that you are including so many characters in your story and while I think it is nice to see Ray and Jenna happily married for a change I just can't picture Donna telling Jenna that she is the love of Ray's life at this point!
If that conversation had taken place 10 years or 20 years later on then yes. But not in 1988 when Jenna and Ray had been married less than a year and Jenna was still unluckily in love with Bobby and Ray had cheated on Jenna with Connie.

The arsenic poisioning is so evil. Poor Sue Ellenthinking JR is back to his cheating ways when Afton's child must be Cliff's. What a weird detective photographing Afton in her underwear.

I love JR looking out for Lucy.
I am confused about if Lucy is still married to Mitch now though. She was on the show when she returned since Mitch came after her a few episodes later and asked when she was coming home. But she wasn't so they divorced. However that happened after your story picks up so I think you might have established that they were divorced again when Lucy first showed up in your story, or?

I love the way you write JR/SE.

Your story does have many plot twists which keeps us at the edge of our seats wondering what will happen next!
I'm looking forward to read more!

Jenna and Ray - those are valid points. Lazy writing from me because I needed to establish there wouldn't be any problems between. Jenna and Donna. Also, I've always kinds felt that Jenna had a deeper affect on Ray than Donna. Ray was so "my way or the highway" with Donna, but with Jenna he took up with her knowing how Bobby would feel about it (and Ray and Bobby were very close) then left his life and up and moved to another country for her and Charlie. Don't think he would have moved to the next state over for Donna. Their scenes leading up to the divorce establish that Donna felt Ray didn't love her enough to change for her, so guess that's why I had her say that.

Yes, in this story Mitch and Lucy are already divorced. I broke that from the original timeline because it becomes an important detail a bit later on. Since their actual divorce happened after this story takes place, I thought it would be fine to move it up and have it happen "off screen."

 

[Karin Schill]

Thank you for explaining about Lucy & Mitch and how you moved up their divorce. It makes sense to me now.

I also found it interesting to see your perspective on Jenna and Ray. Especially since most fans I know prefer Donna & Ray over Jenna & Ray. I actually watched the final four seasons of Dallas first and then went back and watched the show so that has affected my view of it. Therefore I like a lot of the later seasons characters and couples like Jenna & Ray and Bobby & April and also characters like Cally, James and Michelle whereas a lot of my friends who started watching the show earlier on in the original run don't like them at all. So since you share some of my affection for those characters maybe you've also watched the later seasons first and then gone back and seen the first ones?

I think the main reason why Ray and Jenna moved to Europe wasn't because the story made sense, it was because the writers needed to find a way to write Steve and Priscilla's characters out of the show. So they came up with the whole moving to Europe plot.

Then as for how Ray and Jenna got together. I think it definitely started out like a friendship and then evolved from there into a love. It was a very different love than what Jenna shared with Bobby. I think she even said as much when she asked Miss Ellie's advice if she should even marry Ray. So I think she loved both men but not really in the same way.

As for Donna and Ray. You are right that they are different as people and they are definitely an opposite attracts kind of couple. I think once the passion subsided they grew apart. It also seems to me like Donna tried harder to make the relationship work than Ray did since she stood by him when he lost Jock and got all self-destructive. She also stood by him through Mickey's death and the trial. Whereas Ray had a harder time to understand why Donna needed to have a succesful career and wasn't content with just being his wife.
That's my take on them at least. But we all have our different interpretations of the characters and couples.

Anyway since your story is focused on JR/SE I guess it doesn't really matter that much if the Jenna & Donna scene was a bit off. I could see it happening at a later time. Also it's nice that the wife and ex-wife actually get along. I think that's not always the case in real life.

I'm looking forward to read more!

 

[CeeCee72]

Thank you for explaining about Lucy & Mitch and how you moved up their divorce. It makes sense to me now.

I also found it interesting to see your perspective on Jenna and Ray. Especially since most fans I know prefer Donna & Ray over Jenna & Ray. I actually watched the final four seasons of Dallas first and then went back and watched the show so that has affected my view of it. Therefore I like a lot of the later seasons characters and couples like Jenna & Ray and Bobby & April and also characters like Cally, James and Michelle whereas a lot of my friends who started watching the show earlier on in the original run don't like them at all. So since you share some of my affection for those characters maybe you've also watched the later seasons first and then gone back and seen the first ones?

I think the main reason why Ray and Jenna moved to Europe wasn't because the story made sense, it was because the writers needed to find a way to write Steve and Priscilla's characters out of the show. So they came up with the whole moving to Europe plot.

Then as for how Ray and Jenna got together. I think it definitely started out like a friendship and then evolved from there into a love. It was a very different love than what Jenna shared with Bobby. I think she even said as much when she asked Miss Ellie's advice if she should even marry Ray. So I think she loved both men but not really in the same way.

As for Donna and Ray. You are right that they are different as people and they are definitely an opposite attracts kind of couple. I think once the passion subsided they grew apart. It also seems to me like Donna tried harder to make the relationship work than Ray did since she stood by him when he lost Jock and got all self-destructive. She also stood by him through Mickey's death and the trial. Whereas Ray had a harder time to understand why Donna needed to have a succesful career and wasn't content with just being his wife.
That's my take on them at least. But we all have our different interpretations of the characters and couples.

Anyway since your story is focused on JR/SE I guess it doesn't really matter that much if the Jenna & Donna scene was a bit off. I could see it happening at a later time. Also it's nice that the wife and ex-wife actually get along. I think that's not always the case in real life.

I'm looking forward to read more!

I was very, very young when I watched Dallas the first time. Started at the beginning but had a much clearer memory of the later years. I didn't like Jenna with Bobby...it seemed so forced just to make an obstacle for Bobby and Pam, but I thought her and Ray had a sweet story. And yes, I always loved April.

Cally and Michelle I liked too, although I thought at lot of their storylines were ridiculous. Cally was a sweet character, but she was no match for JR and it seemed like the writers undid years of his character development with both her and Vanessa. James - I had mixed feelings about him. Given JR's habit of sleeping with anything in a skirt, it's totally believable he'd have other kids out there - but his quick acceptance of him as his son (not even a blood test) always felt off to me.

Anyway, glad you like the story! ,

 

[CeeCee72]

I don't own any of the characters in this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


This is a "What if?" fanfic. What if in the season eleven episode "Top Gun" Sue Ellen had changed her mind at the last possible moment and instead of teaming up with Kimberly and Wendell to beat JR she voted her Weststar shares to make him CEO?


***


What If


Part 46


***


"Mr. Ewing?"


JR and Lucy stood up when they saw the doctor approaching them.


"This is the poison control specialist I told you about."


JR nodded at both doctors, as the entire family gathered around him, "Is my wife okay?"


"Yes. We've given her medication to isolate and break up the arsenic in her body. She'll be nauseous for a few days, but there doesn't appear to be any long term damage. Your wife is very lucky. The dosage she was receiving could have done serious damage if it hadn't been caught and stopped. Long term exposure might have been deadly. I've asked Detective McSween to bring all of her medications to the lab for testing so we can be sure of the exact dosages and estimate how long she's been exposed, but I think she's out of the woods and will be fine."


"Doctor, what caused her to pass out?" Bobby asked.


"My best guess is dizziness combined with nausea. Could have been triggered by stress or even her hormonal imbalance."


"Is her low estrogen related to the arsenic poisoning?" Lucy asked.


"We don't think so," the doctor shook his head. "Arsenic has an interesting relationship with hormones, but usually we would expect to see an increase in estrogen. We believe Mrs. Ewing is, in fact, in the early stages of menopause and those symptoms helped mask the symptoms being caused by the poison."


"But she's going to be alright?" Miss Ellie broke in.


"Yes, ma'am. She'll need to stay and be monitored for a night or two, but she'll be fine."


"Oh, thank God," Ellie breathed out.


"We've given her something to help her sleep. She'll be out for several hours at least. I suggest you all go home and get some rest."


"I'm not going anywhere," JR growled.


"No. I didn't think you would be," the doctor grinned. "I'll have a cot brought into her room for you... assuming Mrs. Ewing agrees."


JR dropped his gaze. "If she doesn't, I'll sleep in the waiting room."


The doctor nodded. "I'll have a nurse come get you shortly."


JR turned to his family. "I appreciate you all coming with me, but you should go back to Southfork. Make sure the boys know Sue Ellen and I love them and we'll be home as soon as we can."


"I'll have Jenna pack a bag for Sue Ellen," Ray told him. "I'll bring it and some things for you in the morning."


"Thank you Ray," JR.


"Hey, Ray?" Lucy cut in, "could you ask Jenna to pack a few things for me too? I'm going to stay with JR."


"You are?" JR raised his eyebrows. "That's sweet of you Lucy, but you don't have to."


"I know I don't have to," Lucy winked at him. "I want to. And I'm not taking no for an answer."


"Well, then," JR chuckled, "guess I won't bother to say no."


***


"Well boys, that was your uncle Ray on the phone. Sue Ellen is going to be just fine. She's going to have to stay at the hospital and rest tonight, but she might be able to come home tomorrow or the next day."


"She's okay? Really?" John Ross looked up at her with wide eyes.


"Really. I promise," Jenna smiled at him. "Your daddy and Lucy are spending the night with her, but everyone else is on their way home."


"Including Jack?' April asked.


"Apparently," Jenna shrugged.


"Okay boys, kiss your Aunt Jenna goodnight and April and I will drive you over to Southfork," Cliff told them.


"Actually, I need to go over there too," Jenna sighed. "Ray wants me to pack a few things for Sue Ellen, Lucy, and JR so he can take them to the hospital tomorrow morning."


"That's silly," April told her. "I'll take care of that. There's no reason for you to have to drag Lucas out this late."


"Are you sure?" Jenna asked hopefully, "I don't want to put you through any trouble."


"It's no trouble," April assured her. "Besides, I'm an old hand at this. I packed their bags when they were all in the hospital after the shooting. In fact, Cliff and I have to drive back to Dallas tonight anyway. We can run everything by the hospital. Right Cliff?"


"Absolutely," Cliff agreed. "Come on boys, I'll help you get your things together."


"I guess dress shopping is out for tomorrow," Jenna sighed. "Poor Sue Ellen. I wonder if there are things for the wedding that we can get done for her while she's in the hospital?"


"I'm sure there are," April said. "How about I give you a call in the morning and we can go over everything and do whatever we can do without her?"


"That would be wonderful," Jenna smiled. "Thank you, April."


"No worries," April laughed. "I'm happy to help. My life was really dull and boring before I started hanging out with you Ewings!"


"April, we Ewings are a lot of things," Jenna grinned, "but boring is never one of them!"


***


Kimberly sat back on her couch and closed her eyes. It was time to face facts. She was going to lose everything. There was no way JR would let her keep her shares in Weststar now. She needed to make peace with the cold, hard truth that her father's company was gone, and she was the one who's lost it.


She despised what she was about to do, but she knew she had to do it. She might not be able to save the company, but she still had one chance to stay out of jail. She was going to take that chance, regardless of how humiliated she would be.


She leaned forward, picked up the phone, and dialed the number from the business card on her table quickly - before she had time to talk herself out of it.


"Hello?" she said when the other party picked up the line. "This is Kimberly Cryder. I need to see you. I have everything you need to put Jeremy Wendell away forever. There's one important condition though; I want a deal."


***


"How are the boys?" Ellie asked when Bobby walked into the living room.


"Fine," Bobby told her, moving to the bar to fix a drink. "They made Sue Ellen a card. April and Cliff are going to take it by the hospital when they take Sue Ellen and JR their things."


He finished putting his drink and leveled his dark eyes on Jack. "Why are you still here?" he snarled. "Go pack your stuff and get out."


"No, Bobby!" Miss Ellie said firmly. "We've already discussed it. Jack is staying. At least for now."


"Really?" Bobby said incredulously. "You're going to bring Sue Ellen home from the hospital and expect her to live under the same roof as a man who was working with Wendell to harm her? How exactly do you think JR is going to feel about that?"


Miss Ellie stood up and stiffened her spine. "This is MY house, Bobby. I decide who is and is not welcome in it. Jack made a horrible mistake, but he's family. Do you really expect me to throw him out in the cold? After all the times this family accepted the horrible things JR has done over the years? And you? Do you really need me to list all of the mistakes you've made and been forgiven for?"


"Mama…"


"No!" Ellie held up her hand to stop him. "I've made my decision. JR and Sue Ellen can decide for themselves whether or not they can live under the same roof as Jack. But it's MY roof. He stays."


Bobby watched as his mother walked stiffly from the room.


Clayton sighed, put down his drink, and moved to follow his wife. "I sorry, Bobby," he said, "but I agree with Ellie. Mostly because McSween and the Dallas PD are going to have a lot of questions for Jack and I want to be damn sure they know where to find him."


Bobby gulped down his drink and slammed his glass on the bar. "Don't get too comfortable at Southfork, Jack. I'll see you in hell before I let you hurt this family again."


Jack said nothing. He sat on the couch silently as he watched Bobby stalk out of the room. He knew Bobby was right. He should leave before Sue Ellen got home from the hospital. JR was liable to kill him the minute he laid eyes on him.


***


"Oh, thanks you two! You are life savers!" Lucy hugged April and Cliff as she took the bags they'd brought them.


"Any more news about Sue Ellen?" April asked, sitting down beside JR.


"No, she's still sleeping…" JR stopped when he saw a nurse approaching them.


"Mr. Ewing, your wife is awake...but I'm sorry. She doesn't want to see you. She told me to tell you to go home."


JR bowed his head and said nothing.


"Excuse me," Lucy got the nurses attention. "Can I go back with you so you can ask her if she'll see me? I'm her niece. I have a card from her kids. They made it for her. I'm positive she'd want to have it. I promise I won't upset her."


"I suppose…" the nurse said, unsure.


Lucy stood up. "I won't cause one bit of trouble." Lucy promised her sweely.


"Alright," the nurse gave in. "Follow me."


Lucy turned to JR, "Don't worry," she winked at him. "I'll take care of everything."


"What was that all about?" Cliff asked JR as he watched Lucy follow the nurse down the hallway.


"Nothing," JR said quietly. "Sue Ellen and I had a little misunderstanding. Lucy is going to help clear things up. Have you heard anything from the Dallas DA about Katherine?" he asked, abruptly changing the subject.


"Yes," Cliff told him. "They should have a deal on paper in a day or two. Really hoping we can stall long enough for me and Bobby to get to Zurich and find out what we need to know without involving my crazy sister."


"Yes, that would be best," JR said thoughtfully. "Still, send her lawyer the deal as soon as you get it. No need to make them suspicious."


"Agree," Cliff sighed. "Oh, hey listen…. Sue Ellen said she wanted me to sit with the family at the wedding. I appreciate the offer. Really. But we both know it'll cause eyes to pop right out of heads. And I don't want you to be uncomfortable on your wedding day just to make a show for Christopher."


"Barnes, if having you there was a problem for me I'd say so. I don't have to like having you for family, but I have to deal with it. It's reality. And frankly, I've already gotten used to it. Sue Ellen and Christopher want you around and that means you're going to be around. I got over it. You need to get over it too."


"Well, now that you two have that all settled," April stood up and smiled down at them, "who wants coffee?"


**


"She said she'd see you," the nurse nodded at Lucy and stepped aside to allow her entry into Sue Ellen's room. "Just for a few minutes though. And please don't upset her."


"I won't," Lucy promised. She walked into the room and sat in a chair at Sue Ellen's bedside. "Hi," she smiled at her aunt. "John Ross and Christopher sent this for you. They made it themselves."


Sue Ellen took the card and smiled sadly. "It's lovely. Please thank them for me and tell them I love them both very much."


Lucy reached out and gently squeezed Sue Ellen's hand. "I have something I need to tell you. I'm not good at being subtle, so I'm just going to say it straight out." She paused and took a deep breath. "I saw those pictures of Afton."


"Oh, my God," Sue Ellen breathed out, tears forming in her eyes. "Please, Lucy, I can't talk about it right now."


"You don't have to talk, Sue Ellen. Just listen, okay?"


Sue Ellen shook her head and the tears spilled out onto her cheeks, "No…"


"Please?" Lucy begged. "It's very important. It's not what you think it is."


"I know exactly what it is," Sue Ellen said bitterly.


"No, Sue Ellen. You don't. Just listen. JR got a burr under his saddle that Mitch was lying to me. He had a PI in Atlanta camped out at Mitch's apartment."


Sue Ellen turned her head to look at her niece. "Yes… he told me that. But what does that have to do with pictures of Afton half naked?"


"Did JR also tell you that he thought Mitch had a baby with another woman?"


"Well, yes… but I still don't see…"


"That other woman is Afton. That baby belongs to her. JR told the PI to get pictures of the mother. He got them right before all the hell with Wendell broke loose and shoved them in his briefcase without even looking at them. He didn't even know the pictures were of Afton."


"That's a nice little story, Lucy," Sue Ellen said. "And or might make sense if Afton wasn't wearing lingerie."


"Afton has a really bad habit of not closing her blinds when she undresses, Sue Ellen. The neighbors used to complain to me about it all the time...well, the female neighbors anyway - the men all loved it."


"What?" Sue Ellen's eyes grew wide.


"JR asked for pictures. He got pictures. He didn't know it was Afton and he is scared to death you'll never believe him."


"Do...do you believe him?" Sue Ellen asked tearfully.


"Yes. Yes, I do, Sue Ellen. He's broken and scared right now. You're sick. He wants to be with you. He wants to explain and ask for your forgiveness."


"My forgiveness?" Sue Ellen repeated, covering her face with her hands. "I'm the one who should be begging for his! I took one look at those pictures and assumed the worst! Then I refused to see him, knowing how worried he would be...oh, God, what have I done?"


"Nothing that can't be undone," Lucy told her. "He's not mad at you. I promise. He understands why you jumped to the wrong conclusion. His track record isn't exactly the best."


"But, I promised him we would talk through our problems from now on instead of just shutting him out. I broke my promise."


"Nothing is stopping you from talking to him now, Sue Ellen," Lucy said gently. "Shall I have the nurse go get him?"


"Yes! Oh yes, Lucy!" Sue Ellen pulled Lucy close to her and hugged her tightly. "Thank you. Thank you so much for not letting me get in the way of my own happiness."


"You're welcome, Sue Ellen," Lucy hugged her back. "Glad to help. God knows if any woman in this world deserves some happiness, it's you."


***


"You know you two can leave anytime," JR grumbled at April and Cliff. "I don't need a babysitter."


"True," April told him. "Couldn't hurt for you to have a couple of friends with you though, Mr. Grumpy."


"Hey, isn't that Detective McSween?" Cliff asked, pointing at a man coming towards them.


"Yes," JR sighed. "Better not be more bad news. I've had my fill for one day."


"Sorry to bother you here, JR, but we need to talk."


"So talk," JR barked. "They're fine," he waved towards April and Cliff when he saw McSween look at them doubtfully.


Harry nodded and sat down. "Kimberly Cryder called me. She's offering serious evidence against Wendell. But she wants a deal. No jail time."


"Can you get a conviction against Wendell without her?" JR asked.


"Possibly. We have Jack and Crystal. We have a reasonable explanation about Sue Ellen's meeting with Crystal's brother and how Wendell could have gotten access to her fingerprints. But…"


"But what, Harry?" JR snapped. "Get to the point."


"Wendell won't take a plea and his lawyers will drag this out forever. There won't be any way to keep Sue Ellen's name out of the papers and she'll have to testify at the trial. A lot of unpleasantness will come out, JR."


"And making a deal with Kimberly will make all that go away?" JR prodded.


"Yes," McSween answered.


"She has to sell her stock in Weststar. She has to leave Dallas. You understand me?"


"Yes," McSween stood. "I'll talk to the DA."


"You sure you want to give Kimberly a deal?" Cliff asked once McSween was gone.


"No, I want her to rot," JR growled. "But I don't want my wife to be drug through the mud again because of something I've done. This is what's best for Sue Ellen, so this is how it will be done."


"Excuse me, Mr. Ewing," Sue Ellen's nuse motioned to him from the hallway. "Your wife would like to see you."


"Thank God," JR sighed and stood up. "You two should go home." He started to walk away, but then turned back to them. "Thank you both for being here. It meant a lot."


"Who is that guy?" Cliff asked, shaking his head as he watched JR follow the nurse down the hall. "And what has he done with the real JR Ewing?"


***


"Ray?" Jenna softly called his name. "Why don't you come on to bed? It's been such a long day. You have to be exhausted."


Ray bent down and placed a soft kiss on Lucas's cheek then turned to walk into the hallway. "I just wanted to say goodnight to him," Ray said as he followed Jenna into their bedroom. "Guess you had a hard day too, looking after John Ross and Christopher."


"No, they were wonderful," Jenna told him, taking off her robe and climbing under the covers. "They're so excited about decorating their rooms here. And they played with Lucas too."


"They're good kids," Ray said, undressing. "I'm going to miss them."


"I know you will," Jenna sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if we're doing the right thing. The family really seems to need you here."


"My family will be just fine without me," Ray told her, moving to sit down beside her on the bed. "And I can always come back if I need to. This is what's best for you and Charlie. You guys and Lucas are my family now."


Jenna dropped her gaze to the bedspread. "Donna came by to see me today," she confessed.


"Really?" Ray was surprised. "Why?"


"She wanted to make sure there wouldn't be any awkwardness between us at the wedding."


"I see," Ray said. "Will there be?"


"No," Jenna smiled up at him. "I love you, Ray. And I know you love me too. Very much."


"That," Ray told her, reaching over to turn off the bedside lamp and moving his face close to her, "is a God's honest fact, lady."


***


"Sue Ellen?" JR stood in the doorway of her room, unsure about whether to enter. "Can I come in, honey?"


Sue Ellen turned her head towards him and held out her hand. "Please."


"Where's Lucy?" he asked, taking her hand and bringing it up to his mouth for a quick kiss.


"She said something about catching April and Cliff and begging a ride home," Sue Ellen told him. "She thought we should be alone."


"Are you… do you feel okay?" he asked her, his voice shaking slightly.


"No," Sue Ellen wiped a stray tear from her cheek. "I feel awful."


"Should I get the nurse?" JR tried to let go of her hand but she held on right.


"I don't need a nurse, JR. I need my husband to forgive me."


"Forgive you?" JR was confused. "For what?"


"Jumping to conclusions. Thinking the worst. Shutting you out. Oh, please, JR. I am truly so sorry."


JR took a deep breath and sat down on her bedside. "Sue Ellen… we need to talk about all of that. But not tonight, honey. Tonight I need you to let me be with you and take care of you and know you're going to be okay."


"But do you forgive me, JR?" she asked, her eyes wide and scared.


"I love you, Sue Ellen. Yes, I forgive you. All I want right now is to hold you in my arms and forget it ever happened. There's a damn good reason you reacted the way you did and we both know it. Like I said, we need to talk. But not now. Now just let me love you."


Sue Ellen pulled him close to her held onto him tight. "I love you too, JR."


***

 

[Honkytonkangel]

Yay Lucy saved the day. I'm so happy Sue Ellen listened to her.
Sweet moment at the end with JR and Sue Ellen.
I am scared to see what's in store for them next. I hope things will be ok, at least where their relationship is concerned.
One last thing, is someone drugging JR too?. I know he's loved up with Sue Ellen and FINALLY realising what is important but he is being waaay to nice and tolerant of Cliff.

 

[Karin Schill]

Oh yeah it's strange to see JR and Cliff being so nice to each other. But at the same time it's about time that the silly fued ends so I don't mind!

I'm glad Lucy was able to get through to Sue Ellen so that she could talk to JR and clear out the misunderstanding about Afton.

I wonder how Cliff will react if he finds out about Afton's child?

I always liked Cliff & Afton together and wish she had been made a regular during the final years of the show. It would have been nice to see Cliff as a family man then. But I guess Audrey Landers was too busy with her singing career to want to do anything more than a couple of episodes in the late 1980s.

Thanks for explaining when you started to watch Dallas @CeeCee72
I was 11 years old when my parents first allowed me to watch the show. Before then I had only watched the opening credits and a few scenes here and there. So well at that age I found James to be the most handsome of all the guys on Dallas. Everyone else was pretty much my parents age or older!
I also found John Ross cute. So well since James was my crush/eye candy on the show I guess I was willing to accept him as JR's son without questioning it.
In retrospect I can see why some fans have trouble with JR's behavior though. Actually I think it is a slap in the face to JR/SE fans how JR had to have a blood test taken on John Ross to know he was his son but immediately accepted James with no questions asked. I mean Vanessa was married to someone else so it is plausible to believe he could have been the father!

I agree with you about Cally. She and JR were horribly mismatched. She was way too young and sweet for him. But yes she was a likable character that it was easier for me to relate to than some of the older adults.

Interesting how you saw Jenna as an obstacle to Bobby and Pam's relationship when she was with Bobby. I didn't see her that way since she only started dating Bobby again after Pam and he had divorced and I thought it was sweet how she was his first love. So for me the obstacle was Mark Graison that kept chasing Pam when she was married to Bobby. I never liked Pam and Mark as a couple.

Anyway I am still looking forward to read about the wedding.

 

[Sarah]

I was very, very young when I watched Dallas the first time. Started at the beginning but had a much clearer memory of the later years. I didn't like Jenna with Bobby...it seemed so forced just to make an obstacle for Bobby and Pam, but I thought her and Ray had a sweet story. And yes, I always loved April.

Cally and Michelle I liked too, although I thought at lot of their storylines were ridiculous. Cally was a sweet character, but she was no match for JR and it seemed like the writers undid years of his character development with both her and Vanessa. James - I had mixed feelings about him. Given JR's habit of sleeping with anything in a skirt, it's totally believable he'd have other kids out there - but his quick acceptance of him as his son (not even a blood test) always felt off to me.

Anyway, glad you like the story! ,

I feel we were separated at birth......

 

[CeeCee72]

Yay Lucy saved the day. I'm so happy Sue Ellen listened to her.
Sweet moment at the end with JR and Sue Ellen.
I am scared to see what's in store for them next. I hope things will be ok, at least where their relationship is concerned.
One last thing, is someone drugging JR too?. I know he's loved up with Sue Ellen and FINALLY realising what is important but he is being waaay to nice and tolerant of Cliff.

JR and Cliff had such a complicated relationship. The hatred was real, but they also had some moments of tolerating one another due to mutual interests. I always saw Cliff more of an instigator of the hostility than JR. Cliff would stir something up, then JR would react. If you think about it, Cliff was hanging around Southfork some in the later seasons because of Christopher and he was invited to JR and Cally's wedding. By that time, I think both men had grown tired of tormenting one another. I never liked what the new TNT show did to Cliff. He was insecure, but not evil.

I guess I always sort of felt like JR's REAL problem with Cliff wasn't even that he was a Barnes - it was Sue Ellen. For all the affairs JR had, he was shown time after time to be jealous of her other relationships - especially of the affair with Cliff. Yes, their feud started as Barnes/Ewing but it was the Sue Ellen affair that made it so nasty. So, in this story, I guess I just decided that if I was going to write JR has having matured enough to have an honest and loving relationship with Sue Ellen (and with both boys), I had to have him mature enough to let his hatred of Barnes go.

 

[CeeCee72]

I don't own any of the characters in this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


This is a "What if?" fanfic. What if in the season eleven episode "Top Gun" Sue Ellen had changed her mind at the last possible moment and instead of teaming up with Kimberly and Wendell to beat JR she voted her Weststar shares to make him CEO?


***


What If


Part 47


***


"Good morning, Mrs. Ewing," the doctor smiled as he entered her room. "How are you feeling?"


"Tired," Sue Ellen told him, "otherwise I feel okay."


"How's the nausea?"


"Mild. Much better than it was. And I haven't had any more stomach cramps."


"The arsenic was causing those," he said, flipping through her chart, "so you shouldn't have to deal with that anymore. Your vitals were good all night. I think if we can get you to eat and keep down both your breakfast and your lunch we can consider sending you home. You need to rest, but you can do that just as well at home as you can here."


"I'll see to that," JR said, walking from the bathroom. "Did McSween bring her medication to you?"


"Yes. I should have the lab reports soon. I'll have all her prescriptions refilled at the hospital pharmacy so we can be sure nothing has been tampered with."


"Thank you, doctor," JR nodded at him.


"I'll be by to check on you again after you've had breakfast. Get some rest."


JR moved to the bed and bent to kiss Sue Ellen on the forehead. "It'll be nice to take you home today."


"Yes," she smiled at him. "Our wedding is less than a week away and there's still so much that has to be done."


"And you're going to let Lucy and April and Jenna do it all," he ordered her. "You need to rest."


"JR, it's my wedding. I want it to be what I want…"


"And you can sit back and give orders to those ladies and they will take care of everything," he insisted.


Sue Ellen knew better than to argue so she simply shrugged and changed the subject. "You said we needed to talk about what happened."


JR shook his head. "Not now, Sue Ellen. Let's just concentrate on getting you out of here and back at Southfork. We'll have plenty of time to talk at home."


"If I didn't know better, I'd think you were avoiding the issue, JR," she challenged him.


"Sue Ellen…"


"Morning," Bobby interrupted him, coming into the room. "How are you today?" he asked Sue Ellen, bending down to kiss her on the cheek.


"Just fine," Sue Ellen told him. "I may get to go home this afternoon."


"That's good. But I think you need to know something before you go back to Southfork."


"What's that?" Sue Ellen asked.


Bobby looked over and leveled his eyes on JR's face. "Jack is still there. Mama decided to let him stay."


***


"I'm just telling you, Mitch," Lucy said into the phone, exasperated, "JR is distracted right now, but eventually he'll figure out the truth."


She rolled her eyes as she listened to his response. "Because he's not stupid and he can count! If he spends even five minutes wondering about paternity, it'll be obvious."


She listened to his reply and stiffened her body. "I know it wasn't any of his business!" she snapped. "I know he was a jerk for hiring that PI. But what's done is done. And really, you have a lot of nerve running down JR's character when Afton is the one who has been living a total lie for the past four years. I don't care what she does, Mitch, but the cat is getting ready to crawl right out of the bag and I am just doing you the courtesy of letting you know!"


She slammed down the phone in frustration and absently rubbed her temples. She had no idea what JR would do when he figured out who the father of Afton's child was, but she knew the jig was up. She just prayed nothing happened before the wedding. Sue Ellen didn't need Afton's drama ruining her wedding day.


***


"Where are you meeting?" McSween asked Jack.


They were sitting at the kitchen table at Southfork with Clayton, Ellie, and Ray.


"Park across from the Bank of Dallas building," Jack told him.


"Will he check you for a wire?" McSween asked.


"Never has before," Jack shrugged.


"And you're clear about what to say?"


"Yes," Jack told the detective. "Don't worry. I know what to do."


"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Ray asked. "The PI probably knows Sue Ellen is in the hospital. What if he has someone there giving him Information?"


"I agree with Ray," Clayton cut in. "If Wendell catches Jack in a lie, things could go very badly for him."


"And how is JR going to feel about this little operation?" Ray demanded. "He deserves to at least know what you're planning."


"I talked to JR this morning," McSween informed him. "He signed off on everything."


"I'll be fine," Jack finally said. "Wendell might know Sue Ellen is in the hospital; he might even know why. But he doesn't know how much I know about it."


"Well, I don't like it either," Ellie finally broke her silence. "But if JR says it's okay and Jack is willing, this may be the quickest way to end Wendell's reign of terror once and for all." She reached across the table and covered Jack's hands with hers. "Just promise me you'll be careful."


"Yes, ma'am," Jack smiled at her. "I promise."


***


"JR!" Sue Ellen protested. "That's insane!"


JR has just confessed to her and Bobby about his and McSween's plan to use Jack to gather ironclad evidence against Wendell. "It's the only way," JR said evenly. "Between Jack and Kimberly, we're going to have enough to make sure Wende stays locked in a cell for the rest of his life."


"It's too dangerous, JR!" Sue Ellen protested. "If Wendell finds out Jack lied before you're ready for him to know, Jack could end up hurt. Or worse."


"He knows that," JR told her. "And he agreed to do it anyway. Jack knows what he's getting himself into, Sue Ellen."


"Making amends you think?" Bobby asked.


"Trying," JR shrugged. "And listen, I'm inclined to let him. What he did was wrong, but he stopped and blew the whistle. He saved Sue Ellen's life. That's gotta count for something."


"You sure are quick to pass out forgiveness these days, JR," Bobby sighed.


JR turned his head to study Sue Ellen's face. "Maybe I'm just so grateful for all the forgiveness that's been given to me that I think I ought to spread it around a little."


Sue Ellen's eyes grew wide and she blushed slightly. "I'm with JR on this, Bobby," she whispered.


Bobby ran his hand through his hair and growled. "Well then," he finally said, "I guess I am too."


***


"The band, the florist, the caterer, the bartenders and waiters, the set up and breakdown crew… did we forget to pay anyone?" Jenna asked, looking over her notes.


"The hairdresser and make-up girl," April said. "But I think that's it."


"Nope," Lucy reminded them. "Cake maker needs to be paid too."


"Right," Jenna sighed. "My God, I never knew how much work went into planning one of these weddings! Miss Ellie is a saint for having done so many!"


Lucy laughed, "True. But Grandma actually seems to enjoy planning these big events."


"God, not me," Jenna moaned. "I'm so scared I'll forget something important and ruin the whole wedding!"


"You worry too much," April laughed. "Trust me, as long as the groom shows up, Sue Ellen will think the day is perfect, no matter what happens."


"I suppose that's true," Jenna laughed along. "Oh, hey Lucy, did you get Gary's measurements for his tux? The men are keeping that appointment this afternoon."


"Yes. I gave them to Clayton this morning," Lucy told her. "He'll go in for a fitting and adjustment on Friday when he gets here. Mama sent me a picture of the dress she picked out. I'm going to show Sue Ellen and get her approval when I get to the hospital."


"The rest of us are supposed to go on Wednesday to get our dresses. It'll be cutting it close, but that should give us plenty of time to have alterations done by Sunday."


"I have to get a dress for the Oil Baron's Ball too," April sighed. "So much to do, so little time."


"You going with Cliff?" Jenna asked.


"Yes," April sighed. "My constant companion and steady date."


"Maybe you'll meet a dashing stranger at the ball and get swept off your feet!" Lucy teased her.


"As wonderful as that sounds, it'll never happen," April said sadly. "I'm not Cinderella and Prince Charming doesn't exist. At least not for me."


***


Cliff reached over and pressed the button on his intercom to silence the buzzing. "What is it, Jackie?"


"Mr. Jordan Lee is here to see you," Jackie's voice came through the machine.


"Show him in," Cliff told her and stood up. "Jordan!" he smiled at the other man, walking over to shake his hand and show him a seat," can we get you anything?"


"No, thank you, Cliff," Jordan said, sitting down.


"That'll be all, Jackie," Cliff told her, walking back to sit behind his desk. "What can I do for you, Jordan?"


"I guess you heard JR Ewing is thinking of getting out of Weststar."


"I've heard rumors," Cliff shrugged, "but I don't have any inside information, if that's why you're here."


"Really?" Jordan said doubtfully. "It's all over Dallas how close you and the Ewings have gotten. You're sitting at the Ewing table at the Oil Baron's Ball. You're going to be in JR's wedding for God's sake. You expect me to believe you know nothing?"


"Bobby Ewing is my brother-in-law and JR and I share a nephew. JR and I called a cease fire for the good of the family, but don't make the mistake of thinking we're friends and confidants. We're not."


"Why do you think he's even considering getting out of Weststar? I mean as hard as he fought for it and as many enemies as he made getting into power, I can't believe he all of the sudden doesn't want it anymore."


"JR and his family have been through a lot over the last several weeks," Cliff responded. "Personally I think JR finally was faced with his own mortality and the very real possibility that he could lose his family. JR is a bastard, but he's human, same as the rest of us. Guess he finally realized all the power in the world doesn't matter if you don't have the people you love to share it with."


"And you, Cliff?" Jordan pressed him. "You willing to give up power for the people you love?"


"I'm not giving anything up," Cliff reminded him. "But since Pam's been gone I guess I came to the conclusion that Christopher is my only family and so yes, I'll do whatever I have to in order to make him happy. And if I had a family like JR, I'd do the same thing he is doing."


"I talked to JR about not selling his stocks," Jordan told him. "I advised that if he doesn't want to be CEO anymore he can hand pick his successor and still control the company's future. I don't want an unknown running the biggest oil company in Texas and neither does anyone else in the cartel."


"And what did JR say?" Cliff asked.


"He told me to send him a list of names for him to consider. That's why I'm here, Cliff. I want to put your name on the list. Right at the very top."


***


"Oh, it's lovely, Lucy!" Sue Ellen gushed at the picture of the dress Valene had picked out for the wedding. "It's perfect!"


"She'll be so happy you approved," Lucy said. "I'll call her tonight and let her know."


"Thank you. And thank you and the other ladies for all you've done. It looks as if you three took care of everything for me."


"We did our best. All you have to worry about now is finding the perfect dress."


"Yes," Sue Ellen sighed. "I wish that really was all I had to worry about."


"What do you mean?" Lucy asked.


"JR has been acting strangely since last night. He said he's forgiven me for our misunderstanding about Afton, but I don't think that's true."


"Why do you say that?" Lucy prodded.


"He told me we needed to talk about it, but he keeps putting it off. Every time I try to bring it up he changes the subject."


"Maybe he just wants to make sure you're well enough to handle what he has to say?" Lucy wondered.


"Maybe," Sue Ellen said doubtfully. "But…"


"But what?" Lucy pushed her.


"It's just that JR made me promise I would never shut him out or put up walls between us again. I know my reaction to those pictures of Afton hurt him. And I went right back to my old habits. Punishing him by refusing to let him see me. I'm really worried," Sue Ellen told her niece. "What if he decides that I can't change? Or that he can't either? And what if he's right, Lucy? I am so afraid this wedding will end up just like the other two - in misery and pain. Oh, Lucy, I'm suddenly so very afraid that JR and I are making another huge mistake."


***

 

[Sarah]

I really hope JR isn’t the father of Tart’s baby

 

[CeeCee72]

I really hope JR isn’t the father of Tart’s baby

Don't worry. I wouldn't do that!

No, the baby is Cliff's. But Lucy knows JR is smart. She knows she told JR that it wasn't a baby, but an almost four year old child and she knows JR knew when Cliff and Afton broke up so it's only a matter of time before he does the math.

 

[CeeCee72]

I don't own any of the characters in this story and no copyright infringement is intended.


This is a "What if?" fanfic. What if in the season eleven episode "Top Gun" Sue Ellen had changed her mind at the last possible moment and instead of teaming up with Kimberly and Wendell to beat JR she voted her Weststar shares to make him CEO?


***


What If


Part 48


***


"Ewing."


Jack stiffened at the sound of his name. He looked up and locked eyes with Wendell's private investigator.


"Well, what do you know?" the PI asked, Sitting down beside him on the park bench.


"Sue Ellen is in the hospital," Jack told him.


"What happened?"


"She passed out," Jack shrugged. "JR said it was exhaustion and hormones."


"Do you think that's the truth?"


"Don't know. There was the suspicion she'd been drinking again. Her and JR had some kind of nasty falling out."


"Over what?"


"I don't know," Jack said again. "The whole house heard the screaming but I couldn't make out many of the words. Kinda sounded like she caught him with another woman again."


"Any idea who that woman might be?"


"Nope. Like I said. Couldn't make out much of what they were saying."


"You know anything about JR''s plans to sell his Weststar stock?"


"Nope. But his lawyer has been hanging around Southfork a lot. Bet he's up to something."


"Find out exactly what's wrong with Sue Ellen. Mr. Wendell needs to know."


"How amI supposed to do that?" Jack asked.


"I don't know and I don't care. Just get it done. Meet you back here tomorrow. Same time. Have answers."


Jack said nothing as he watched the other man get up and walk away. He let out out a deep breath and silently prayed his thanks that he'd made it through the meeting alive. "JR, you'd better make your move fast. We're running out of time."


***


JR looked at his watch and silently cursed. Kimberly was late and he was supposed to meet Bobby at Ewing Oil in a little over an hour and then go to be fitted for his wedding tux.


"She's on her way up," McSween informed him, hanging up the phone. "And Jack made it through his meeting with the PI in one piece."


JR nodded and stood up to walk over to the window. "Let's get this over with as fast as possible."


He didn't turn to acknowledge Kimberly or her lawyer when they came into the room. He didn't say one word as the DA explained the terms of her immunity. He didn't move from his spot by the window as he listened to her spill the whole story.


She claimed she knew about the bomb, but she swore that she believed it would go off early in the morning hours before anyone reported to work on the rig. She said Wendell's obsession with Sue Ellen deeply concerned and confused She said she'd had no idea that he was setting her up over the bombing or poisoning her medication, but confessed that he'd had Kimberly visit Sue Elllen's doctor and make friends with the receptionist there, so that's probably how he knew when she had appointments and where her prescriptions were being filled.


"My client has documents proving Wendell ordered the explosion. She also has taped conversations with Wendell that show clearly that she was opposed to this constant harassment of Mrs. Ewing. She'll turn over everything and testify against Wendell in exchange for the immunity we asked for."


The Assistant DA shuffled the papers in front of him and cast a nervous glance in JR's direction. "Mr. Ewing?"


JR slowly turned to face him. "She leaves Texas for good. She sells all of her stock in my company to the person of my choosing. And she stays away from my family, especially my wife. She breaks any of those terms, deal is off and she goes to jail."


The Assistant DA nodded. "You heard the man," he told Kimberly's lawyer.


"We can work with that," the lawyer said. "Just show us where to sign."


***


"Sue Ellen is feeling sickly and in the hospital," Wendell said thoughtfully. "At least that explains why JR hasn't contacted you about a meeting yet."


"What do you want to do?" his lawyer asked him. "Your bail appeal hearing is on Monday. If we don't hear from JR by then, we'll need to move forward with presenting Mrs. Ewing to the judge as a viable suspect in the crimes you're accused of."


"Agreed," Wendell said. "But I don't think it will be necessary. I have a very strong hunch that within a couple of days, all charges against me will be dropped and I'll be a free man." he pushed an envelope across the table. "Have my investigator give this to Jack Ewing when they meet tomorrow. He'll know what to do from there."


"Do I even want to know what's in there?" the lawyer sighed, placing the envelope inside his briefcase.


"The key to my freedom," Jeremy told him with an evil grin, " and to JR Ewing's total destruction."


***


"So it's over?" Bobby asked his brother.


"Kimberly's involvement is at least," JR said, accepting the drink Bobby was offering him.


"How long until you move on Wendell?"


"A couple more days," JR told him. "Listen, I wanted to meet with you here at the office because I have something very important to talk to you about."


"Go on," Bobby said, gesturing for JR to have a seat.


"I'd like to resign as CEO of Weststar. I only chased after it in the first place to get Ewing Oil's assets back. I accomplished that."


"JR, what are you going to do? You can't leave the oil business. You need it."


"Yes," JR admitted. "But there's something else I need more. Sue Ellen and I had a pretty serious misunderstanding yesterday. We worked it out, but it struck me…"


"What?"


"We have years of damage to undo, Bobby. Years of distrust and bad habits. It's going to take a big chunk of my time and energy to devote to tending my marriage and the boys. I won't have enough left over to devote to running an oil company, especially one as big as Weststar."


"If you get out of the oil business, you'll never be happy," Bobby warned him, "no matter how solid your marriage is."


"I know," JR sighed. "But I have to be honest with myself and with Sue Ellen and with everyone else. I don't need to be chasing power anymore, Bobby. I'm not strong enough to resist all the temptation it brings. Yesterday both Sue Ellen and I fell into our old ways. It scared me. I know if I stay at Weststar… the late nights, the women, the need for power - well it won't be long until…"


"JR, I think it'll be different this time. You are so in love with Sue Ellen and so committed to your marriage…"


"Oh, please,Bobby,"JR laughed bitterly. "I've always been deeply in love with that woman and you know it. And how many times have I committed myself to her, meant it, honestly tried to change and then failed her? I can't let it happen again. This is my last chance. I can't mess it up."


"So what do you want to do?"


"I have a proposition for you," JR said, choosing his words carefully. "I don't need a decision today. Just hear me out and promise to give it serious consideration."


"Go on,JR."


"I'd like to come work for you at Ewing Oil."


"FOR me, JR?" Bobby asked, surprised. "Not with me?"


"Bobby, we both own forty percent," JR reminded him. "Ray has ten and Lucy has ten. We both know who they'd side with if it came down to a fight."


"Yes we do," Bobby agreed.


"All these years I've been so obsessed with running Ewing Oil and passing it down to John Ross. I thought that's what would make Daddy proud of me. But maybe…"


"What, JR?"


"Maybe what would make him proud is if we could run it together, like brothers. Pass it to Christopher and John Ross and Lucas and Lucy's future kids. Maybe what would make Daddy most proud of me would be to see me taking care of my family."


"That sounds good, JR," Bobby said, "but are you sure you can take having me making the decisions as president?"


"Now, Bobby, you know damn well if I disagree with you, I'll say so. You know I'll put up a fight if I think you're leading the company in the wrong direction. But you also know I'm a damn good oilman. The best. This company will be much better with me than without me. And you and I have more similarities when it comes to how we do business than differences. All the fighting and scheming and dirty dealing came because I wanted to push you out and keep power for myself."


"And you're sure that won't happen again?" Bobby pressed.


"I don't want the power anymore," JR said earnestly. "I want to do the job and go home to my wife. I want to spend my weekends hunting and fishing with the boys. I want to go to the boys' baseball and soccer games and eat hotdogs and peanuts and yell at the referees. I want to sit out on the porch in the evenings with Sue Ellen and watch the sunset. I'm getting older, Bobby. I've wasted most of my life on things that mean nothing. I want to spend the time I have left just being happy."


Bobby chuckled. "Just a few short months ago I would have assumed this was all some part of an elaborate scheme and thrown you out of my office on your rear."


"But now?" JR asked.


"Now?" Bobby shrugged. "Now I believe every word."


Bobby stood up, walked around his desk, and extended his hand for a shake. "Welcome back to Ewing Oil, JR."


***


"Can I get you anything, Sue Ellen?"


"No thank you, Miss Ellie," Sue Ellen said. "I'm just going to take a hot bath and relax."


"The men should be back from their fitting soon," Ellie told her. "I know the boys can't wait to see you."


"I'll be happy to see them too," Sue Ellen smiled. "Have you happened to talk to JR today?"


"Not since this morning when he asked if Lucy or I could bring you home from the hospital. Why?"


"No reason," Sue Ellen told her. "Just wondering."


"Alright," Ellie said. "You be sure and call to me or Lucy if you need anything."


"I will, Miss Ellie," Sue Ellen promised. She watched as her mother-in-law walked from the room and shut the door.


Sue Ellen closed her eyes and admitted to herself that JR was avoiding her. He'd left the hospital, telling her he had an important appointment and then sent Lucy to fetch her home because he was running late and had to get to his fitting. It was just like the old JR, leaving her on her own when she needed him. He hadn't even bothered to call and check on her.


Sue Ellen knew that her reaction to those pictures had broken something very fragile between her and JR. She was starting to wonder if it could be fixed - especially in the short amount of time before the wedding.


***


"Are you serious?" JR laughed out loud.


"Totally serious!" Cliff laughed along with him.


"What did you say?* Bobby asked.


"That he could put my name at the top of the list if he wanted but JR would probably have more creative places to tell him to put it!"


The three men laughed together as they waited for Clayton and Ray to finish their fittings.


"What's so funny?" John Ross asked them.


"Just business," Bobby told him. "You and Christopher both look very handsome in your tuxedos."


"Yeah, Mama is going to be so happy.'


"Yes, she is, Ray agreed, coming out of the dressing room. "Hey, I was thinking, since the Oil Baron's Ball is the night before the wedding and we can't give JR a proper bachelor's party, we should all go for a few drinks after we finish our fitting."


"I don't know, Ray," JR hesitated. "I should probably go home and check on Sue Ellen. Plus, the boys need to go back…"


"Sue Ellen's fine," Clayton said, joining them. "I saw her before I left. I can run the boys back to Southfork and meet you after."


"Where are we going?" Bobby asked.


"How about the Lone Steer in Braddock?" Ray suggested.


"Sounds good to me," Clayton nodded. "It'll be good for us men to get out alone for an evening."


"I don't know," JR said again, "Sue Ellen might need me."


"Me and John Ross can take care of Aunt Sue Ellen!" Christopher declared.


"I can go pick up April and take her to Southfork to be with Sue Ellen too if you want," Cliff offered.


"Don't be so stupid, Barnes," JR rolled his eyes. "You're part of the wedding party. That means you're part of the bachelor party."


"I'm invited?" Cliff asked doubtfully.


"Only if you stop acting like a needy little girl about it," JR told him.


"Then it's settled," Clayton laughed. "You all go on. I'll run the boys home and meet you there."


"Come on, Jack," JR noticed his cousin hadn't said anything so he walked over and slapped him on the back. "First round's on you!"


***


Sue Ellen couldn't concentrate. She put aside the papers she'd been reading and glanced at the bedside clock. It was almost midnight and she hadn't heard one word from JR all day.


Clayton has brought the boys home and explained that all the men were going out for a few drinks. Sue Ellen had been disappointed, but she knew it would be good for JR to get out of the house and blow off some steam.


She and the boys and Lucy had spent a pleasant evening together, but she was still very sad about JR. She had just gotten out of the hospital. She was surprised he had agreed to leave her - and even more surprised that he hadn't even phone Southfork to check on how she was feeling or to say goodnight.


She put the papers on the bedside table and turned off the lamp. She was tired, but didn't know if she'd be able to sleep with JR being out. It crossed her mind that tonight felt very much like the old days - her at home alone in bed and JR out and about somewhere. She was relieved to know he was with the men rather that out running around with another woman, but still - it hurt that he hadn't even bothered to call her


They hadn't even had the wedding yet - but they were already drifting apart.


***

 

[Miss Texas 1967]

I love how you're incorporating so many characters and layers into this story

Also, JR and Sue Ellen still suck at communication even after years of trying to work on it and recently coming back together. Sue Ellen needs to tell JR how his behaviour is making her feel and that might just give him the push he needs when he wonders whether or not to do something like contact her.

 

[Sarah]

I think in my excitement I missed something. Where did JR and Sue Ellen have a disagreement and why is JR not calling Sue Ellen?

 

[CeeCee72]

I think in my excitement I missed something. Where did JR and Sue Ellen have a disagreement and why is JR not calling Sue Ellen?

JR's comment to Bobby about both having fallen into old habits - when he got the picture of Sue Ellen with Crystal's brother, his first instinct was to assume she was keeping secrets from him and to ask McSween to investigate rather than to just talk to her. Luckily Ray talked sense into him.

Sue Ellen assumed the worst about those pictures of Afton and fell back into her habit of giving him the cold shoulder and shutting him out.

Old habits are hard to break and JR is aware and worried about that.

The reason for the lack of phone call will be explained in the next chapter.

 

[Sarah]

Ah that’s great thank you @CeeCee72 - got all that was just worried I missed one of their fiery sexy arguments. Looking forward to next chapter very much!

 

[Honkytonkangel]

I'm torn between wanting to hug JR and Sue Ellen and wanting to bang their heads together.
I really wish they had talked when Sue Ellen came home and I hope they will talk soon.

 

[Sarah]

The upside of this @Honkytonkangel is the making up I’m really looking forward to JR coming home....