"Isabel!" Theresa frantically searched the crowd for her missing niece. "Isabel!"

"Whoa, Theresa, what's wrong?" Jillian had been standing nearby, talking to Lucas and Margaret.

"I am looking for my niece, Isabel."

"Niece?" Jillian and Margaret exchanged surprised glances. "I didn't know you had a niece...here at Southfork anyway."

"Yes, she just flew into Dallas this morning, from Mexico. Now she is missing and I'm worried that she will get into trouble if I don't keep an eye on her."

Margaret put a reassuring hand on Theresa's arm. "Don't worry Theresa, we'll help you look for her. What does she look like?"

"She is about your age and height, with long black curly hair and dark eyes. And, if I remember correctly, she is also wearing a bright yellow dress."

Lucas shielded his eyes against the bright afternoon sun and scanned the crowd. "Then I think I've already found her. She's right over there by the punch bowl."

"Thank you!" But before Theresa could walk over, one of the caterers grabbed her by the arm.

"Theresa, would you mind giving me a hand with this? I'm serving drinks to a big group and I can't carry them all."

Theresa bit her lip and looked from the caterer to Isabel. "Yes, I'll help you." She turned back to Jillian. "Would you mind keeping an eye on my niece? Maybe she will stay out of trouble."

"Sure, no problem."

Lucas had already started walking in Isabel's direction and Jill and Margaret followed him. Isabel quickly hid something behind her back when she saw them approaching her. "Hi..." she said quickly.

Jillian smiled. "You must be Isabel. I'm Jillian Ewing."

"And I'm supposed to be impressed, just because you're a Ewing?" Isabel scoffed.

"I don't think I said you should be," Jillian retorted, defending herself.

"Well it was the way you said it then."

"So what are you doing over here?"

"Spiking the punch bowl, what does it look like I'm doing?"

"Cool!" Lucas exclaimed.

Margaret was disgusted by Lucas' excitement at the dirty deed. "Lucas!"

"Maybe that'll liven this place up."

Isabel grinned. "That's exactly what I was thinking! So...Lucas, is it? What else could we find to get into around here?"

Southfork, Across the crowd

"And you say you're not a good dancer!" Sly said loudly and with a slight laugh.

Wade smiled and twirled her around. "Heck no I'm not a good dancer, but from the looks of things, you aren't either, so I guess we kinda fit together, don't you think?"

Sly pretended to be offended. "Me? Not a good dancer? Are you kidding? I won the dance contest at my old high school one year."

Wade began to laugh. "Then you must've been the only two-legger at a school for one-legged people."

"I'll ignore that." Sly couldn't help but be entranced by his innocent cowboy charm. "So, I've never seen you before...not that I get out to Southfork all that often. Are you new here?"

"Yeah. I'm the new foreman."

"Ooh, a man in charge. Where are you from?"

"Up North a ways..."

"Like Amarillo?" Sly asked as the danced.

"Cheyenne."

"Oh, Wyoming. I just assumed you were from Texas." Sly paused again while trying to think of something else to keep the conversation flowing. She wanted to know more about this man. "Any family in Cheyenne?"

"My Daddy died several years ago. Never knew him."

"Was he the only one left?"

"What is this? Wade Sawyer, The True Life Story? If I wanted you to know all this, I'd tell you," Wade snapped. He instantly realized his tone came out sharper than he'd meant for it to. "God, I'm sorry...it never fails that I say somethin' stupid when I'm around a pretty woman like yourself."

"No, I'm sorry...I shouldn't have been so nosy. It seems like everyone in Dallas has some deep dark secret to hide. No one wants to talk about anything...why should you be any different? Excuse me...” Sly broke away from him and disappeared into the crowd. As she walked away, she passed nearby Afton Cooper, who was standing by Iris Wentworth.

“Hello Iris.” Afton was in a mood to gloat. Rex wasn't with her---he hadn't even been invited. She had seen Cliff with that tramp Jamie, and couldn't seem to find Pamela Rebecca anywhere. She didn't like wandering around alone, feeling like an outsider.

Iris turned around and gave a polite acknowledgement. She had no desire to talk to Afton Cooper, especially when she had obviously come to cause trouble.

“I don't think we've ever formally met,” Afton extended her hand. “I'm Afton Cooper.”

“We saw each other at Rex's New Year's party, but you're right, I don't believe we were introduced. I've seen your television show.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes.” Iris hoped her silence would indicate her lackluster opinion of the show.

“I'm assuming you're aware of where I'm living.”

“If you're advertising as much as I've heard, then I'm surprised the whole town doesn't know.”

“I'm sorry if it upsets you.” In reality, Afton wasn't that upset.

“And why would it?”

“Rex used to be your husband. I know what it feels like when a marriage breaks up and your husband moves right on to another woman. It hurts.” Afton said this without any particular conviction.

“So you're saying that you and Rex… you're 'involved.'?” Iris matched Afton's condescension.

“Well… yes. Yes.”

Iris looked her up and down, then casting Afton a doubting look, she said, “Don't count on it,” Iris looked around. Where was J.R.?

“Excuse me?”

“I was married to Rex for years. I know him. He's using you Afton. I hate to break it to you.”

“Oh really? Rex's attitude towards me seems to indicate something to the contrary.”

Since Afton appeared to be ignoring the obvious, Iris stated it again, “He's using you. You're not his type.” Iris wanted to add that he didn't go for imbeciles, but decided against it.

Afton was ticked. She was fully aware of Rex's ulterior motives for their 'relationship.' She had her own. But she was not about to let this bimbo have the satisfaction of knowing she was right. “We live together, honey. He's a man. Think about it.”

Iris continued to scan the crowd for J.R. “Look, I could really care less. Just be warned. You're living with a psychopath.”

“And owner of a multi-billion dollar conglomerate at the same time? I'm sure.”

“I am. Just watch yourself Afton.” Iris said and walked away.

Afton told herself not to believe her.

Southfork Ranch, the basement

“This is not my idea of a picnic either.” Sue Ellen finally snapped after J.R.'s umpteenth complaint.

“Course not. No booze.”

“Why do you constantly do that?” She turned to him. They had been locked in the cellar for an hour. Tension was running high. Her voice indicated pain, though. This was not the same tone she in which she normally addressed her ex-husband.

J.R., for once, didn't know how to respond.

“I am not going to drink again! Why do you always have to insist that I will, or that I want a drink? Everyone in this family has accepted the past. They know I'm not going to drink. I know I'm not going to drink. Why do you consistently insist on doubting me?”

J.R. broke the silence after a moment. Sue Ellen had turned away. “I never doubted you.”

“I find that very hard to believe,” she said as she turned back to J.R. There was another silence, but Sue Ellen was fired up. He opened the door and she wasn't about to let it close. “What about all those insults? Constantly taunting me, asking me if I want a drink…”

“I like to keep you on your toes,” he smirked.

“Cut the crap! You do it because you're mean, and you're resentful and you're threatened by me---and don't you even deny it, because I know you are.” She was speaking in rapid fire, the thoughts just rolling off her tongue.

“Honey, the last thing I am is threatened.”

“Is that a fact?” Sue Ellen said, mocking J.R.'s oft-used response. “Seems like you are. I would be. Your ex-wife, formerly a severe alcoholic and complete wreck, surreptitiously steals 50% of your company from you.”

“You've got a high opinion of yourself,” he said sarcastically.

“I'm honest. I'm not the person I was.”

J.R. looked down briefly, and then looked at his ex-wife. “No Sue Ellen. You certainly are not.”

It wasn't much, but it made Sue Ellen smile. She knew J.R. well. He was complimenting her. “You haven't. You're dodging the question.”

“What question?” He gave his charming smile. Was she blushing?

“Are you threatened by me?”

“I'm Jock Ewing's boy. Day a woman threatens me is the day a Ewing doesn't own Southfork.”

“Stranger things have happened, J.R.”

J.R. didn't respond. He wasn't going to give Sue Ellen the satisfaction of knowing that she just might be right.

Back Outside

"Aunt Theresa! I can't believe I have to serve these people! I thought I was coming to Southfork to...well, to have fun! Not to serve a bunch of rich people!" Isabel's tone was angry.

"I am sorry Isabel. I don't know what your mother told you about Southfork, but it will not be fun and games. You are here to work and you will do exactly what the Ewings tell you to do."

"But today is the barbecue, or whatever they call it! It's supposed to be fun."

"Yes, today is the barbecue and we have a lot of work to do. Now, take this tray of drinks and offer them to the guests. If they have an empty glass, take it from them."

Isabel quietly took the oversized tray from Theresa and disappeared into the thick crowd. "Would you care for something to drink?"

Carter McKay turned around and looked down at her. "No, but I am looking for Mrs. Farlow. Can you tell me where she is?"

Isabel was quickly annoyed. Didn't he realize how big this crowd was? She was only serving drinks...not giving directions. "No, I cannot tell you where Mrs. Farlow is, but I can tell you that the buffet table is right over there...looks like you might have already found it though."

Isabel turned and walked away, leaving McKay speechless.

"Carter, I'm glad you could make it!"

McKay turned around and found himself looking at Miss Ellie. "Miss Ellie, it's always a pleasure. How are you doing?"

There was a somber undertone in Ellie's eyes, but her face was smiling. "I'm fine...doing better everyday. Thanks for asking."

"Mrs. Farlow!" Wade walked up to them and then apologized when he realized she had been talking to someone.

"Wade, this is Carter McKay...I've told you a bit about him."

"And I'm sure all of it wasn't good," McKay chuckled.

Wade's face was serious as he spoke. "Nope, most of it wasn't."

“Lucy!” She had just finished a conversation with Bobby's secretary Phyllis when she heard his voice. She briskly walked toward him, trying to keep the anger and pain off her face.

Neil followed her lead when she grabbed his elbow and directed him toward the corner of the driveway.

“What are you doing here?”

“We need to talk,” he was pleading, filled with desperation.

“We don't have anything to talk about,” she made motions to walk away.

Neil grabbed her. “Lucy, I love you. How many times do I have to say this?”

“Pretty damn much, because I don't believe you. My money, yes. Your career, yes. Me, no.”

“It was the biggest mistake of my life, but it was also the best because I fell in love with you. All right, I admit it I had ulterior motives. But I fell in love with you! That's the point!”

“Save it!”

“I'm not leaving until we talk.”

“You're leaving right now, out of respect to my grandmother and the respect you owe me.”

“Lucy…”

“If you supposedly love me, then leave. Please.” Her voice was firm.

“We need to talk.” There was resignation in his voice.

“I agree,” she said as she began to walk away. “Because I want a divorce.”

Lucy's startling request was unheard by Miss Ellie, who was standing several feet away.

Southfork, On the Patio…

Bobby and Pamela came walking out of the house just as Chris and Karen were heading back in. Both couples were deep in conversation and weren't looking where they were walking. Ironically, they were discussing the same thing, Megan.

“Whoa! Hey! Oh, I'm sorry Mom, I didn't' see you.” Christopher had literally run into his mother and he quickly reached out and caught her as she started to fall. As he helped steady her, he said, “Careful Mom! You know, I hope you intend on taking better care of my little brother when he gets here.”

Bobby couldn't help smiling. “Well, he's going to have lots of company, that's for sure!

“ Pam rolled her eyes. “Why is it that you two are convinced that this baby is a boy?”

Karen jabbed Christopher playfully in the side. “Oh, you know men, they think they know everything!”

Bobby scowled, “No, not everything. I think we're only right about 99.9 % of the time.” He winked at his son, “After all, we have to let them think they're right occasionally, just to keep them happy.”

Christopher laughed and shook his head in hearty agreement.

“Karen, you'll find that it's hard to tell when the Ewing men are hardest to deal with; when they're extremely sad, or very happy, both seem to have the same effect, they become insufferable!”

Karen joined the laughter. She had been thinking the very same thing.

As the laughter died away, Karen said, “Oh, by the way, I wanted to thank both of you for being so wonderful and helping Christopher look after Austin. I know he can be a handful.”

“You don't have to thank us for that, Karen. He's a great little boy. He reminds me a lot of Christopher…”

At that moment, Austin and Justin ran by chasing each other with squirt guns. “Hey, watch it you two! Slow down!” Karen pushed a stray hair out of her eyes, sighed and said with a smile, “Yeah, I can see the resemblance!”

Bobby put his arm around Pam's waist. “Speaking of kids, we were just up looking in on Megan.”

Karen smiled as she took Christopher's hand, “Isn't she adorable! We were just headed up to check on her ourselves.”

“We were wondering if you had spoken with the attorney yet?”

“Yeah briefly, he thinks I—“

Karen interrupted, “We.”

Chris smiled at her, “Okay, we have a good chance of getting sole custody. After all of Pamela Rebecca's lying and scheming, Megan is better off without her.” Christopher could feel the rage growing in him again just thinking of Pamela Rebecca.

Bobby saw his son's face reddening in anger, though he couldn't blame him, he tried to calm him down. “Come on, don't let it ruin your day. You have Megan now and that's what matters.”

Christopher nodded. He'd have his day in court and Pamela Rebecca would pay for everything she had put Megan through!

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