I don't own any of the characters in this story and no copyright infringement is intended.
This fic takes place approximately two years after "Conundrum" and the end of the original "Dallas" series. It completely disregards both the movie specials and the TNT revival.
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The Ewing Legacy
Part Fifteen:
***
"John Ross? Are you alright?"
John Ross's shoulders slumped slightly and he shook his head. "I don't know. I guess so."
"What did he say?"
"That he was sorry and he wanted to make it all up to me."
Christopher walked over to the bed and sat down beside his cousin. "Are you going to let him?"
"I… I don't know. I want to. But my daddy is a liar and I don't trust him "
"You don't have to trust him just to talk to him."
"He wants to come visit me."
"Have you told Aunt Sue Ellen?"
"He said he talked to her about it last night."
"You gonna see him?"
"I don't know. Do you think I should?"
Christopher shrugged and turned his head away. "My mama is a liar. And she left me just like your daddy left you. I wish she wanted to come see me though."
John Ross reached over and touched his cousin's shoulder. "Sorry, Christopher."
"Don't be. But yeah. I think you should see Uncle JR. I think you should let him try."
"Alright, Christopher. I'll let him try."
***
"I wish you would stay, Lucy. You know you're always welcome here."
"I know, Sue Ellen. But, well, with JR popping back into your life, I don't want to be around to watch the hurricane."
"You hate him, don't you?"
"Yes," Lucy didn't even bother to deny it. "And you should too."
"Oh. I did. For a very long time. But…"
"But he's the father of your child and the only man you've ever loved. Save it. I've heard it all before."
"Where will you go?" Sue Ellen asked, abruptly changing the subject. "To California?"
"No way," Lucy shook her head. "Maybe back to Atlanta. Or maybe I'll travel around Europe for a while. I love Ireland. Might visit some friends over there for a while."
"Well, if you get lonely, you always have a place here with us."
"I know, Sue Ellen. You take care. And be careful. JR can't change - no matter how hard he tries."
"I know that, Lucy," Sue Ellen said sadly. "I know that better than anyone in the world."
***
JR couldn't believe what he was reading. Sly had really come through for him. He had all of Barnes' secrets right here in front of him.
Methane and natural gas. Windmills too.
That was Cliff's game. He was slowly moving Ewing Oil away from crude and toward other forms of energy.
It was really quite brilliant. Keep oil prices low, explore alternatives, and watch while the competition all went under.
"No way Barnes came up with this on his own," JR muttered. "Who is pulling his strings?"
JR closed the folder and frowned when it crossed his mind that his co-conspirator might be working with Barnes.
But no.
That didn't make any sense.
Then who?
And why?
"A tangled web," he sighed to himself. "And I gotta figure out a way to untangle it."
***
"When will you be back?"
"A couple of days. I just need to get away for a while."
"Away from me? Away from our children?"
Gary growled under his breath and shook his head. "Away from life. It's not about you and the kids, Val. It's about finding some peace and quiet. Seeing my family was harder on me than I thought it would be. I need to get away and think."
"Alright, Gary. Please just promise me…"
"I won't drink, Val. I swear it."
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled him close. "I love you, Gary. Come back to me soon."
***
"You sure you don't want me to go with you?"
"No," James shook his head. "We just got back from Switzerland. I don't want to drag Jimmy halfway across the world again."
"What do you think your mother wants?"
"No idea. But if she's asking me to come see her, it must be important."
"Well, be careful. Call me when you land."
"I will," James kissed his wife goodbye, "I promise."
***
"Why do you have to go? This isn't your problem!'
Ray gritted his teeth and forced himself to remain calm. "We've been over and over it, Jenna. Bobby needs my help."
"Bobby is a grown man and he can take care of himself!"
"What are you afraid of, Jenna?" Ray finally snapped, "that Bobby will find Pam and bring her home?"
"What? No, Ray! I don't care about Bobby and Pam!"
"Then what's your problem?"
"My problem is OUR SON. What if Bobby decides…" he voice broke off into a deep sob.
"Bobby loves Lucas. He won't do anything to upset his happy life."
"You have always had too much faith in that man, Ray. You all have. Bobby isn't some sort of good hearted saint. When he decides he wants something, he can be every bit as ruthless as JR."
"Jenna…"
"Go, Ray. I know he's your brother and your sense of family honor demands you help him. But swear to me that if he makes any move towards Lucas you'll cut him off at the knees. Swear it, Ray!"
"I swear it honey," Ray pulled her into his arms. "I won't let him near our family. I swear it on Jock Ewing's grave."
***
Sue Ellen looked up when she heard John Ross come into the room.
"Here," he handed her the cordless phone, "he wants to talk to you."
Sue Ellen took a deep breath and put the phone up to her ear. "JR?"
"Yes," his deep voice floated across the telephone line, "John Ross has agreed to see me."
"I know," she sighed. "He told me earlier today. When will you come?"
"Tomorrow," came the immediate answer. "Don't want to waste any more time."
"Alright, JR. He explained my terms?"
"Yes. I can't be alone with him."
"That's right, JR. I have to be present the whole time."
"That means you'll have to see me. You up for that?"
"It's for our son, so I will have to just find a way to get through it, won't I?"
"I'll behave, honey. I promise."
"JR, your promises don't mean a damn thing to me or to him. Just call me when you land."
"I will, Miss Texas. See you tomorrow."
Sue Ellen hung up the phone and tossed it onto the couch beside her.
She prayed she was doing the right thing. She desperately wanted to believe JR was being honest with her.
But with JR Ewing, she could never, ever be sure of his true intentions. And if he was lying, if he hurt her son again, she would see him burn in hell for all eternity.
***