“Good morning Mr. Ewing, will you be having breakfast, or just a cup of coffee?”

Theresa had been on her best behavior since Isabel's antics at the barbecue the day before. She hoped it would help mask all that had gone wrong, including Miss Ellie being knocked into the pool.

“I'll just take a cup of coffee. Busy day at the office and I don't have time for breakfast.”

Theresa nodded and disappeared into the kitchen, where Isabel was busy wiping off the countertops. “Isabel, Mr. J.R. wants a cup of coffee…he takes it black, with just a little sugar. Now, if you can handle that, I'll go finish the laundry.”

Isabel nodded without saying a word and went to work pouring. She nearly screamed when she turned around and saw J.R. standing behind her. “I don't know what the hell you were thinking, but if you ever repeat what happened yesterday, I'll personally have you sent right back to Mexico.”

“Mr. Ewing, I am very sorry about what happened with your mother, but it was an accident…even she will tell you that.”

“Maybe… but that doesn't change the fact that it happened. Just remember what I said…” Much to Isabel's relief, he turned to go, but suddenly stopped and spun around, “oh, and make sure you don't put any creamer or milk in my coffee…just sugar. Hopefully you can manage that.” Isabel resisted the urge to make faces at J.R.'s back as he turned, heading back into the dining room. As soon as JR was out of sight, she broke out into a sly grin and walked across the kitchen, where she grabbed a small potted ivy plant off the windowsill.

After she was sure no one was looking, Isabel removed it from the pot and shook dirt from the roots into J.R.'s coffee cup. “You like it black J.R., you get it black.” She grinned to herself as she carefully wiped the dirt off of the rim of the cup. She placed it gently on the saucer and carried it out into the dining room, where she put it in front of J.R., who eyed it carefully, but didn't offer a word of thanks.

Thinking it would be a good idea if she weren't around when J.R. tasted it, Isabel excused herself to go get the morning paper. No sooner had she gotten safely out the front door when, she heard the sound of coffee being spat across the room, followed by several words of profanity coming from J.R.'s “dirty” mouth.

“Theresa!” J.R. only had to shout her name once and she was standing beside him.

“Mr. Ewing, what happened?!” She couldn't figure out why there was potting soil sprayed across the table.

“I want that niece of yours on the next plane back to Mexico! First Momma, now this!” J.R. was furious.

“Oh my God!” Theresa thought. How would she ever talk him out of this? “Please Mr. Ewing… I am so sorry for my niece's mistake and I will make sure she pays for it… I can promise you that nothing like this will ever happen again… if she goes back to Mexico, she will surely be hunted down by those she is in trouble with… and then there is no telling what they may do to her! She is only seventeen… just a child… please Mr. Ewing… give her another chance… I will be personally responsible for her!”

J.R. looked at his watch. He wanted Isabel gone, but Miss Ellie insisted on hiring (and firing) the house staff personally and he knew his Momma would agree to give her another chance. It would be embarrassing to have her reverse his decision. “Just see to it that you keep her out of my way… and don't think this is over.”

Theresa breathed a sigh of relief, but it was soon replaced by a feeling of anger. What on earth was Isabel thinking?

Rex's Office

“What do you have for me?” Rex Wentworth asked his private investigator as he leaned back in his chair. He was impatient. He wanted the nuisance known as J.R. Ewing out of the way as soon as possible.

“Nothing major. Mr. Ewing may be involved in some “unorthodox” business affairs, but he keeps them well hidden.”

Rex was suddenly angry. “Then you didn't look hard enough.”

“I dug as deep as I could, Mr. Wentworth. I have some suspicions, but nothing solid. As for his holdings, all I came up with was his half of Ewing Oil, some various stocks and his West Star holdings.”

“Excuse me? West Star?” Rex was genuinely shocked. He had no idea J.R. had ties to that company.

“Yes. He holds 10% of the stock, which he got from his nephew Christopher earlier this year.”

“Really? I had no idea that J.R. even sat on the board.”

“He doesn't really take an active role in the day to day running of the company. But he has been known to voice his opinion if he thinks the company isn't making a healthy profit.”

“So, tell me, if J.R. has 10%, where does the other 90% lie?”

“Various stockholders hold 49% of the company. I have a list here, no one of any importance. There is an interesting history, though. The entire 49% used to be in the possession of a Jeremy Wendell, but he sold much of his stock, apparently to recoup from bad investments. He still holds 13%.”

“That's 59%. What about the other 41%?” Rex smelled opportunity.

“It belongs to a Ms. Kaitlin Ryan, of both Dallas and Houston. She's Jeremy Wendell's adopted daughter.”

“How long has she owned the stock?”

“A little under a year. She's actually got quite a story. She's the identical twin of Kristen Shepard—Sue Ellen Ewing's deceased sister and J.R.'s ex sister-in-law. I did a little back research on Kristen. She was JR's secretary at Ewing Oil for a time and then in 1980 she suddenly moved to California. She died a year later after overdosing on drugs and drowning in the Southfork pool.”

“This city is more twisted than even I could fathom. Where was Kaitlin all this time?”

“I couldn't find out much, but apparently she was given up for adoption at birth.”

“Is Ms. Ryan single?”

“Yeah, no marriage license on record.”

An idea began to form in Rex's mind, “Do you know if she is seeing anyone?”

“I don't think she is.”

Rex smiled. Things were falling into place. West Star would be J.R. Ewing's downfall, and Kaitlin Ryan was the key.

Ewing Oil

“Good morning J.R., can I get you a cup of coffee?” Sly said warmly as he walked by her desk.

J.R. quickly shook his head. “Hell no. Might as well put the coffee pot in storage, because I won't be having any for a while.”

Confused, Sly shook her head and resumed working on filing a large stack of papers. Soon, her intercom buzzed and J.R. ordered her into his office.

Seconds later, she was sitting in front of his desk, wondering what he needed.

“Sly…”

“Yes J.R.?”

“I had a little talk with Harry yesterday at the barbecue…you and him still close?”

“Well, you know he's like an uncle to me, but we haven't talked in a while. Why?”

“Well...” J.R. picked up a pencil and began a solitary game of tic-tac-toe while talking to Sly. “I need you to talk to him for me.”

“About?”

“About T.J…and Melissa. See Sly, I need you to convince Harry that John Ross needs to be a part of T.J.'s life, because as it is, Melissa's not letting him have anything to do with him.”

“You're not making any sense J.R…what does Uncle Harry have to do with this?”

J.R. scribbled across the board after “X” won. “Let's just say our conversation yesterday wasn't exactly a friendly one. He threw around a few threats. Can you talk to him for me?”

Sly shook her head. “I'm sorry J.R., but I can't take sides in this. Melissa already asked for my help and I refused.”

J.R. was a bit aggravated by her refusal to help, but he was determined that with or without anyone's help, he would make sure that John Ross was part of T.J.'s life.

Melissa's Apartment

John Ross heard the voice well before rounding the corner to Melissa's door and once he got close enough to recognize who it was, he stopped and put his ear to the door to Melissa's apartment.

It was Angela McSween, Melissa's mother.

“No! You can't cancel Michael…I need you…and you promised to be there. I'm lonely…so very lonely for a man…but why?!…You know Trevor is impotent…because of that damned accident that paralyzed him from the waist down…I've held out for so long but I can't anymore dammit…fine then, but don't call me when you are the one that's lonely!” Angela slammed down the phone and sank down into the couch cushions in frustration.

Perplexed, John Ross knocked on the door and Angela stood up and ran over to the door, hoping that it was somehow Michael and that he'd changed his mind and was ready to give himself to her for just that one day.

Angela's face went solid when she saw John Ross. “What are you doing here? Melissa has made it very clear to you that she doesn't want you anywhere near her son.”

“Our son,” John Ross corrected her. “Is Melissa here?” He wasn't in any mood for exchanging words with Melissa's mother. He'd come here for one thing and one thing alone—to convince Melissa to let him see T.J.

“I'm here now,” came Melissa's voice from behind him. She stepped inside the room and then closed the door behind her, being careful not to wake T.J. “And it looks like my timing was bad. Please John Ross…just give it up and leave us alone.”

“I can't do that.” John Ross looked over at Angela. “Would you mind excusing us? We need to talk.”

“Melissa?” Angela asked to make sure it was okay for her to leave them alone. After Melissa nodded, Angela stepped out into the hallway.

“He's our son Melissa…OUR son. I was wrong to shut you out like I did while you were pregnant, but dammit, I was so surprised to find out about it! I didn't know what to do…I had Megan and I just didn't know what to do. You have to understand!”

“The only thing I understand is that you put Pamela Rebecca and Megan before T.J. and me…hell, you were going to marry her!”

John Ross laughed dryly to himself. “Yeah, well, that's over.”

“I heard about what you said to Pamela Rebecca at the barbecue, but you know she won't give up on you…she never will.”

“She doesn't have a choice. I never want to see her again—ever. But I do want to see my son. I need to see him Melissa…please.”

Melissa was visibly wavering, but she was determined to make him hurt—at least for a while longer. He'd hurt her so bad before…

“No.”

John Ross nodded. “Ok…then consider this your last chance. I tried to play fair and do things nicely, but now I don't have any other choice…I'll get T.J., one way or the other.”

Rex's Penthouse

Rex loosened his tie as he swept into the bedroom of his penthouse. Reminders of Afton were everywhere, and it made him want to vomit. The woman was grating on his nerves even when she wasn't around. She was going to be taken care of though, Rex assured himself. He felt a twinge of pride as he thought about the imminent ruin of both J.R. Ewing and his rival, Cliff Barnes.

Even though Cliff and Afton were divorced, he knew that the two had shared a long history, not to mention, a child. Besides, Cliff's jealousy over Rex and Afton was nauseatingly apparent whenever he saw them together. It was clear he still cared for her. If he couldn't ruin Cliff in business, why not in the home? Afton Cooper would die, shortly.

He thought back to the fight that he had witnessed between Afton and Neil Lancaster from a few days earlier. He smiled again. Afton would die, and poor, poor Neil would take the fall.

Ewing Oil

“Sly, get me Duncan Marshall on the phone. I should have his card in my card file,” J.R. impatiently said into his intercom.

It frustrated him that it had never really occurred to him until the barbecue, but he supposed with the investigation of Clayton's death wrapping up there was too much going on. But now everything was placed clearly in front of him. Someone had been at Southfork that night to kill him, but they had missed, hitting Clayton. Someone had been there to kill Clayton, too, and in the process they had killed J.R.'s assailant.

That still didn't make J.R. feel any better. He racked his brain thinking of his enemies, the people that were angry with him right before the shooting occurred. Only one name kept popping up: Rex Wentworth.

Sly buzzed in with Duncan on the phone. “J.R. Ewing here,” J.R. said as he picked it up.

“Mr. Ewing. It's good to hear from you. How are you?”

“Bad, that's why I'm talking to you.” He really wasn't in the mood for formalities. “I need to hire you.”

Duncan was a little taken aback, but by no means protesting. “Well, sure. What can I help you with?”

“Someone tried to kill me a few months ago. They came to Southfork with a gun. I want to know who it was.”

Duncan paused. “Can I come into your office? It would be more helpful if I could ask you some questions in person. Maybe try to get an idea who this person may have been.”

“Oh I can tell you right now who it was,” J.R. said. “Rex Wentworth. I want you to prove it so I can nail that son-of-a-bitch to the wall.”

Melissa's Apartment, the lobby

“I take it that didn't go well?”

The voice caught John Ross off-guard and he stopped and spun around before stepping back out into the late-morning heat. Angela was sitting on a sofa in the lobby of the large apartment building. “No, it didn't, for what it's worth to you…”

Angela smiled at him for the first time. “That's too bad.”

“What? Whose side are you on anyway?” John Ross was confused.

“Well…” Angela paused, “I believe a child should have both of its parents, but then I respect my daughter's wishes.” Angela brushed a stray blonde hair out of her face.

“You have to help me…” John Ross had no qualms about resorting to pleading.

“I can't do that. I'm completely loyal to my daughter.”

“But not your husband.”

“What?” Angela was taken aback.

“Come on Angela, you were talking loud enough for half the building to hear you. I heard about Trevor's little problem…and your problem too, of course…”

“Yeah? So you're saying you'll blackmail me with that statement, if I don't help you get T.J.?” Angela's words were direct and sharp.

John Ross nodded. “Smart lady.”

“Too smart for small-fry like you, kiddo. I don't care what you do. For one, you have no evidence. Two, everyone knows you're desperate to get to your son. And three, if you do, I'll make damned sure you never see your son again.”

John Ross knew she was right. No one would ever believe him. There had to be some other way…or maybe there was still a way to convince Angela to help him…

Ewing Oil, Noon

Sly was deep in thought, about her conversation with J.R. earlier that morning. Had she done the right thing to turn him down? Surely he wouldn't fire her for not wanting to betray the McSweens like he'd asked her to, but with J.R., you never knew.

She wasn't aware that someone had walked up to her desk until a shadow was cast over the paper she was peering at. She looked up and was surprised to see Wade Sawyer standing there.

“Howdy Sly…I hope you didn't mind me comin' to Ewing Oil like this…”

Sly's worried expression quickly drained away and was replaced by a smile. “Wade, what a surprise. No…not at all.”

“I was in the neighborhood, gettin' some things for the ranch and thought I'd stop by to see if you might wanna go to lunch with me…or somethin'.”

“As a matter of fact, I was just about to go to lunch as soon as Phyllis gets back. We can't both leave at the same time…someone has to be here to answer the phone. She should be back soon though.”

Wade smiled and nodded. “Sounds good. So where do you think you'd like to go?”

“Well that depends…are you buying?” Sly was flirting overtly, but Wade didn't seem to pick up on it.

“Sure thing.”

“We'll see then…oh, there's Phyllis.”

Phyllis shut the glass doors behind her and walked over to her desk before noticing that Wade was in the office. “Wade, hi!” Her voice was full of enthusiasm, but lacked the flirty tone that Sly had been using.

“Howdy Phyllis. How're you?”

“I'm just fine, thanks.”

Sly stacked up some papers and stuffed them into a folder before grabbing her purse out of the bottom drawer of her desk. “Phyllis, Wade and I are going out to lunch, so hold down the fort for me.”

“Oh…” Phyllis' voice had lost its enthusiasm. “Enjoy yourselves then.”

The Oil Baron's Club

“I tell you what Sly, I'm sure not used to fancy dining places like this one…” Wade seemed uncomfortable just being in the Oil Baron's Club.

Sly placed a reassuring hand on his, which was resting on the tabletop. “Hey, relax. I've been here a time or two with J.R…not bad once you get used to it. Oh yeah…your napkin goes in your lap and keep those elbows off the table.”

Wade's face turned a bright shade of red. “Oh damn…I mean, darn…I told you I wasn't used to places like this. The food's pretty good though.”

Sly smiled. “Yes it is…some of the best in Dallas.”

As Wade was retracting his hand from hers, he accidentally knocked over his glass and his tea spilled onto the fancy white tablecloth. He quickly reached for a napkin, but in the process, he bumped a small vase of flowers and they spilled out too, mixing with the tea. “Crap…”

“Hey, it's okay. Happens to me all the time… just not here.” Sly tried to keep a straight face, but she succumbed to the laughter.

Wade stopped blotting at the soaked tablecloth and looked up at her. “What? It's not funny.”

“I know…but…I mean, yes it is!”

At first, Wade was offended, but soon he was laughing along with her. “I guess I made a mess of our table now…I reckon I'm better off hanging around in bars and burger joints, like I'm used to.”

Sly was quick to nod. “Yeah…me too. I've still got a half-hour left. Why don't we see if we can find one of those burger joints? You know…one with the little checkered tablecloths and toothpicks on all the tables?”

“Yeah, but what about this?” Wade gestured toward the table and the mostly uneaten food.

“We'll charge it to J.R.,” Sly grinned.

The Central Expressway

John Ross couldn't believe his luck when Angela answered the phone. He had wondered how he would explain to Melissa why he needed to speak with her mother, but now he didn't have to worry about that. “Angela, it's John Ross…”

“I'm surprised to hear from you. I thought our conversation this morning would be our last, considering how it ended.”

“I'm hoping that won't be the case.” John Ross signaled and changed lanes. “Are you busy tonight?”

“Maybe…maybe not. Why?”

“I don't have time for games. I'll be at the Single Tree Hotel in Dallas at 8:30, tonight…you can find out what room I'm in by checking at the front desk.”

“And why should I meet you there? What else is there to talk about?”

“Not too much to talk about, but there's plenty to do. Trust me, showing up at the Single Tree tonight will be well worth your time.” John Ross shut off the cell phone and put it back in its holder, hoping Angela would show. His and his son's future depended on it.

Oil Baron's Club

Iris had been talking, but J.R. wasn't listening. His time with Iris of late had been completely lackluster. Sure, the sex was great, but there wasn't anything else there. J.R. mentally sighed. There was too much going on in other areas of his life to even begin to deal with Iris.

“J.R. are you listening to me?” Iris asked, frustrated.

“I'm listening, I'm listening,” He said as he chewed his steak.

Iris attempted to bring up what had been on her mind for a while. “I know that Southfork is really important to you, but I was thinking about something.”

“That's nice, honey. I was thinking about going to a Cowboys game.”

Iris gave him a contemptuous look. “My divorce has been finalized for a while. Why don't we think about getting a place together?”

“Excuse me?” J.R. nearly choked on his steak.

“We could get an apartment---or you could move your things into mine.” Iris was nervous and was talking quickly now. “I know that Southfork will always be your home, and I'm not saying you should move out. But maybe you could have dual residences. Live at Southfork on the weekends, that way we could spend more time together.”

“I'm never leaving Southfork, honey. That's for damn sure.”

“So what about me moving in with you?”

“Southfork's crowded enough as is.”

“Oh please.” Iris tossed her napkin on the table in disgust. “There were over ten people living there when Rex and I came to stay for a while, and we moved out. That's bull.”

“Don't test me Iris. This hasn't been the day.”

“Why not? It doesn't seem to be like you're taking our relationship or me seriously. Why is that? Why don't you want me to move to Southfork?”

The truth was that Iris' constantly trying to push him deeper into a relationship with her was getting down right annoying. “It's just not right. Momma's not totally back to her old self yet. A lot has happened with Bobby coming back and Megan turning out to be Christopher's, Karen back from prison…”

“So… all the better, you need me. I can be your support!” Iris was getting really frustrated now. “Or is it something else? Your ex-wife perhaps?”

“Sue Ellen?”

“No, Madonna. Yes. Concerned what she would think?”

“If there is one thing not stopping me from moving you in with me it's Sue Ellen.” J.R. grinned, “I'd love to see the look on her face.”

“Is that what I'm good for? Spite?”

“Iris, I don't want to get into this. This has been a horrible day.”

“Well when do you want to get into it? We don't seem to talk seriously anymore, let alone talk.”

“Later,” J.R. continued eating.

“I don't know what to do anymore!” Iris got up and stormed off. J.R. didn't run after her.

Southfork Ranch

“Ugh,” Pam struggled with another zipper, finally gave up and taking the skirt off, she threw it in an ever-growing pile on the bed. She was in the closet searching for a dress that still fit when she heard Bobby come into the bedroom.

“Pammy?”

“I'm in here.”

“Honey, it's nearly time for dinner. Everyone's waiting.”

Pam marched out of the closet and faced him with her arms folded just under her breasts. She was wearing only a full slip, and it was stretched tightly across her bust and hips. “Fine, let's go! I'm ready.”

Bobby could hear the irritation in her voice and had to work hard to suppress a chuckle. “Ahem. Well sweetheart, I think you look great, but you know, JR might show up, and I'm not sure his heart could take it.”

Pamela was not amused. “Nothing fits! I've been looking, but…” Her voice trailed off as she disappeared into the closet once again.

Bobby folded his arms and leaned back against the dresser to wait. He spoke loudly so she could hear him. “I don't know why you're surprised, Pammy. That's what happens when you continually eat cheesecake in the middle of the night.” Her answer was muffled.

He absently picked up some mail that was lying on the dresser. “Why don't you just go out and buy some new maternity clothes?”

Pam emerged from the closet, having finally found something that fit. “I shouldn't need maternity clothes yet!” She turned her back to Bobby and lifted her hair so he could finish zipping the dress. He had to put down the letter he had been reading to do it.

He zipped the dress and planted a kiss on the back of her neck. Pam turned and nodded towards the letter, now lying on the dresser again. “What was so interesting?”

He picked it up again, “This letter to you from the attorney representing Wentworth Industries. Did you read it?”

“I just glanced at it.”

“According to this, you are still the majority shareholder in Wentworth Industries, and the sole owner of Wentworth Tool and Dye. This says that Katherine made herself your legal guardian. While she was alive, you never took control of the shares back from her. But now that she's dead, they automatically reverted back to you.” Bobby was still examining the letter.

“If that's true, then why wasn't I told before now?”

“Well, this letter is really just to inform you of the annual board meeting. It looks like you really don't even need to be present for that.”

Pam nodded her head and smiled. “Good. Now lets go to dinner, I'm hungry.”

The Barnes Residence

The pinkish light from the quickly sinking sun shone into the house as Cliff flipped through the channels on the television. He leaned back in the recliner, found a baseball game to watch and then dropped the remote to his side.

Cliff found himself annoyed when Jamie stepped in front of the television.

“What?” Cliff said curtly.

“Cliff!”

“What, I said.” Cliff craned his head to one side in an attempt to see the television.

“You promised to take me out tonight. For the last week, you've done nothing but sit here in the living room and work on your business crap…when you're not doing that, you're in front of the TV watching baseball. You always have an excuse as to why you can't spend time with me and I'm tired of it!”

A tiny feeling of guilt crept through Cliff's mind, but it wasn't as bad as before. As a matter of fact, his guilt over their failed previous marriage was fading more and more by the day. “Come on Jamie, I'm tired. The office was hell today. Do you have any idea how much work goes into running a company the size of the Clifford Group?”

Jamie was silent.

“I didn't think so. Now would ya mind moving out of my way? I just want a little R&R before I go to bed.”

Jamie bit her lip as she stepped out of the way. “Fine then Cliff…I'll just go to dinner with Jack or something.” When he looked away from the TV and met her eyes, Jamie shot him a look to kill. “Enjoy your game,” she said coldly.

Southfork Ranch

After dinner, everyone had gone his or her separate way. Bobby and Pam sat together on a couch in the living room.

Pam nudged him. “You're awfully quiet.”

Bobby sat his drink down on the table next to the couch and turned to her. “I've been thinking about that letter about the Wentworth Board Meeting. Why don't we go?”

“What? Why?”

“Pam, it's still your company, aren't you at least interested in what's happening there?”

“Well…”

“Besides, I'm tired of sitting around Southfork. Let's go if for no other reason than to get away for a few days.”

Pam looked skeptical. “A few days in Houston? If you want to go away, why don't we take that honeymoon you promised me ages ago? Hmmm?”

“Okay, maybe I'm just a little interested in how the company is running. Tell you what, we only have to go to the general meeting, we can spend the rest of the time buying you some new clothes.” Bobby grinned his most winning boyish grin.

Pam sighed, Houston was better than Dallas, and maybe she could find the right time to talk to him about the results of the tests that Dr. Bader had done on the baby. “All right, I'll call Ryanne and see if she can keep Gracie for us.”

Just then the doorbell rang.

Bobby answered it and was surprised to find Jamie standing there.

“Hey Bobby, is Pam here? Can I come in?”

“Sure Jamie.” Bobby stepped back to let her in and shut the door.

Jamie's eyes were red and she looked as though she had been crying. Pam walked over and Jamie looked around uncomfortably. Bobby understood that Jamie wanted to talk to Pam alone. “I was just on my way to go do some computer research on a company… If you ladies will excuse me, night Jamie.”

Jamie looked down at the floor and mumbled. “Night Bobby.”

Pam took Jamie's arm and led her over to the couch where they both sat. “Jamie, what's wrong?”

“Oh Pam. I wish I knew! Cliff is acting so strange.”

Pam thought that strange for Cliff could mean almost anything. She waited for Jamie to continue.

“He never talks to me. He acts like I'm not even there most of the time… He's changed so much. I hardly know him anymore.”

Pam started to make excuses for Cliff. But the words stuck in her throat. Jamie deserved to know the truth. She chose her words carefully, she didn't want to hurt Jamie, but it looked like she was already hurting.

“Jamie, how much of your early marriage to Cliff do you remember?”

Jamie swallowed in efforts to quell her tears. She sniffled. “Not much. I just knew that he was my husband. When he found me in Mexico, I needed so badly to belong somewhere, to someone…”

“Jamie, Cliff's my brother and I love him, though he doesn't always make that easy, but I know his faults.” Pam paused; she had Jamie's full attention. “Cliff can be, well, self-absorbed.”

Jamie nodded. “Selfish.”

“Right. He means well, but unfortunately, sometimes he can't see beyond his own ego. Cliff rarely does anything for someone unless it benefits him too. I was hoping that I was wrong about him this time…”

Jamie was looking at Pam searchingly. “Pam, when Cliff told me that our marriage was 'less than perfect', I just thought he meant it wasn't perfect just like no marriage is ever perfect. But he didn't mean that, did he?”

Not wanting to meet Jamie's eyes, Pam looked down for a moment.

There was urgency in Jamie's voice, “Pam, I need to know. I've tried talking to Cliff, but it's just impossible.” Pam wasn't sure what to say. Jamie was pleading with her now, “Why was my marriage so bad?”

Pam looked at Jamie and felt angry at Cliff, why was he making this poor girl suffer again! “You know about Cliff's vendetta against the Ewings?”

“Yeah, but… what does that have to do with…?”

“Jamie, your father and Jock were once partners and when your father died, he left you part of Ewing Oil.” Jamie looked confused, but she was listening. “What better way for Cliff to get back at JR, than to become his partner?”

Jamie's eyes widened as the reality of what Pam was saying sunk in; Cliff had married her to get at J.R. There were a few moments of silence. Pamela was hoping she wouldn't have to say anymore.

Jamie said quietly, almost inaudibly, “He doesn't love me, because he never loved me.”

The Singletree

Darkness had settled over the city by the time Angela reached the fourth floor, where John Ross was waiting. Curiosity had gotten the best of her and despite her best intentions, she couldn't keep from going. What exactly did he want?

She mentally double-checked the number on the door before knocking several times. After what seemed like an eternity, John Ross answered.

“You're late,” he said, but there was no hostility or irritation in his voice. Rather, it was more flirtatious.

“Fashionably late,” Angela answered, mocking his tone. “Can I come in?”

“I didn't invite you over here just for you to stand out in the hall.” John Ross stepped back and shut the door after Angela walked inside.

“Nice hotel,” she commented, not sure what else to say.

“It serves the purpose.”

“And that would be?”

“If you found out right now, there'd be no suspense.” John Ross motioned toward the couch and they both sat down. “I can definitely see where Melissa gets her beauty.”

Angela blushed and looked away. No man had flirted with her this much in a long time. “What did you want to talk about?”

“Not yet…” John Ross stood up and walked over to a table, where he poured two glasses of red wine. “I'm assuming you'll have a drink with me…”

Angela nodded and reached for the glass, but John Ross pulled it away before she could grasp it. She looked up to see him smiling.

Angela smiled slightly, feeling suddenly nervous. John Ross was obviously coming on to her… but why? He had never acted this way before. There were many unanswered questions racing through her mind.

“Why don't you let me…” He took the glass and moved it to her lips, where she took a sip and then he pulled it back, trailing it down her cheek first. “Like that?” he asked.

"It's delicious."

Angela felt a chill run down her spine at his touch. In that instant she decided that she didn't care why he was doing this. She was going to enjoy it.

John Ross was startled when she reached over and touched his shoulder, running her hand down his arm and to his leg. This was going to be easier than he thought. “You're a lonely woman…”

Angela shook her head. “Not after tonight. I need you.”

John Ross closed his eyes and tried to remember why he was doing this. It was to ensure that T.J. would live at Southfork…with him. He moved close to her and their lips met—then they kissed.

Angela found his shirt buttons and began to undo them and he didn't stop her—not yet. “And you can have me…”

“Thank you,” Angela said, almost breathless.

John Ross's skin crawled when she touched him and he wanted so badly to pull away, but he couldn't—not yet anyway.

After several more minutes of kissing and touching, he finally did pull away. Confused and upset, Angela drew back. “Why are we stopping?”

“Because nothing in this world comes for free and this is no different.”

“I knew there was a catch…”

“Not much of one. See, all you have to do is convince Melissa that T.J. needs his father in his life. She'll listen to you. That one little thing… for all of this.”

Angela closed her eyes and nodded, feeling like she'd just made a pact with the devil. But it wasn't too hard to justify it to herself; she truly believed that a baby needed both of his parents; T.J. was no exception. She didn't take long to think it over.

“Okay…I'll do it. You have my word.”

John Ross breathed a sigh of relief, but he knew the night was still far from over. He had to hold up his end of the bargain, or all would fail.

John Ross kept thinking over and over about why he was doing this as she fell on top of him and the two began to have sex.

Melissa's Apartment

“Romeo, I wish you could help me figure out men.” Melissa always enjoyed talking to her lovebirds. She couldn't believe that she'd had them since Valentine's Day… John Ross had bought them for her. They were supposed to be a reminder of how much he really loved her. She didn't need the birds to remind her how much she loved him. Looking at her son was enough. Why did he have to look so much like John Ross!

She hated it, but she had to admit that she missed him. And lately, when she thought of him, she found herself making excuses for him. Surely he had just been misled. Pamela Rebecca could probably trick the Pope into marrying her. John Ross was just human. And wasn't it a good sign that he had been so devoted to Megan that he had been willing to make such a sacrifice for her?

Melissa told Romeo and Juliet goodnight before covering up their cage and peering out the peephole of her door. There was still no sign of her parents. Where were they?

She had barely gotten over to the sofa when a knock sounded at the door and she walked over to answer it.

“What the hell are you doing here?” It was Pamela Rebecca.

“Visiting.” Pamela Rebecca barged past Melissa.

“Well…do come in,” Melissa said sarcastically.

“I can do without your sarcasm. I'm here to settle a matter. You've ruined my life…”

Melissa shook her head and laughed. “No Pamela Rebecca, YOU ruined your life. Your tricks caught up to you in the end…with a little help from me.”

Pamela Rebecca turned her back to Melissa. “Yes, with your help…it's your fault.”

“Good. Now that the matter is settled, then you can go home. Bye.” Melissa opened the door and made a motion to it with her hands, but her face went white when Pamela Rebecca turned around—holding a gun.

“You ruined my life alright. I've lost John Ross and now I'm going to lose Megan.” Pamela Rebecca's face was masked in a look of hatred.

“And that's nothing compared to what you'll lose if you shoot me.” Melissa's voice was unwavering, but her hands shook and she tried to hide her fear.

“Oh believe me, I have nothing left.” Pamela Rebecca lifted the gun and aimed it at her while she walked over and shut the door. Melissa stepped back into the room. “Now you're about to lose it all too.”

Even when she was looking death in the face, Melissa couldn't lower herself to beg Pamela Rebecca not to do it. “Kill me then. Spend the rest of your life in jail. Think how much your dear brother would like that…he just got out of the place himself and wouldn't he just love to know that his sister was experiencing the same thing.”

“You bitch.” Pamela Rebecca pressed her finger on the trigger, fully intending to put an end to Melissa's life.

Then suddenly, the man standing behind Pamela Rebecca grabbed her arms and pulled them up while Melissa braced herself for the gunshot, but none came. The gun fell from Pamela Rebecca's hands and the man stuffed an ether-soaked cloth against Pamela Rebecca's face. Within seconds, she was out cold.

Shaken, Melissa propped herself on the table. “Oh God…Robby, you couldn't have come at a better time. How'd you know she was here?”

“I'd been waiting by the stairs all afternoon…we knew she would come.”

Melissa let go of the table and stepped over the unconscious Pamela Rebecca. “Good, then the job's done. I want you to take her away from Dallas…far away. Keep her there and make sure it doesn't look fishy. Send letters, have a sound alike make phone calls, whatever. Just see to it that Pamela Rebecca is kept away from Dallas.”

Melissa looked down at Pamela Rebecca. “Your time has come. You'll never bother anyone again…not Christopher and not John Ross…no one.”

She smiled triumphantly while Robby picked Pamela Rebecca up and put her over his shoulder. After he'd gone, Melissa shut the door and leaned against it, where she sank down to the floor and almost laughed. “It's over…I've won. Goodbye bitch.”

Credits Roll