Outside, workers were busy removing the Halloween decorations from the ball the night before. Christopher and Karen walked hand in hand out by the Southfork River, soaking in the sights and sounds of the oncoming winter. Beside them, the river gushed and gurgled, breaking into little rivulets as it hit stones and pieces of wood.

The sky was cool and gray, but the temperature was high enough for Christopher and Karen to both wear short-sleeved shirts outside. Christopher suddenly veered off to the left and pulled Karen to a log beside the river where they both sat down.

“I can't believe it's been two years today,” Karen said, her voice sounding distant.

Christopher smiled and pulled her body closer to him. “And if I have my way, we'll have at least fifty more to go.”

“Better be more than that. I'm planning on living forever just so I can spend eternity with you.”

“Remember the day we met for the first time?”

Karen laughed and picked up a stick and began drawing in the sand. “How could I forget? I made a complete fool out of myself…”

"Hi," Christopher said to the woman who had just entered the barn, "If you're here for the wedding, then you're a little early."

Karen laughed. "Yes, I'm here for the wedding…I am the bride. Are you one of the cowhands?"

"Oh no, don't I feel stupid. John Ross should have introduced us! And no…" Christopher said, "I'm Christopher Ewing, Bobby's son."

"Now it's my time to feel stupid. I'm Karen Beam…soon to be Karen Ewing."

"A new Mrs. Ewing, and I'm just meeting her.” Christopher put down the pail he was carrying and shook Karen's hand. "Nice to meet you Karen."

"It's nice to meet you too. You must like horses. I love horses, but I really don't know how to ride."

"It's easy to learn. Maybe I could teach you sometime. I was about to go back inside for breakfast…we're eating early today because of the wedding."

"I would like that. I'm going inside too," Karen said, turning to the barn exit. "Wow, what a sunrise!"

"There's nothing like a Texas sunrise…except maybe a Texas sunset…”

“Hey! Don't get so defensive! I was just joking!”

“Remember that day at Southfork…”

Christopher turned around to see Karen in the doorway. "Karen, come on in."

"I don't know why I'm here, I just needed to be around other people who care about John Ross."

Christopher walked up to Karen and gave her a supportive hug, a hug he needed equally as much as she did. As soon as his arms were around her, Karen started to cry. "Christopher, I don't know what to do, maybe I should just forget about him, he really doesn't deserve my love, he has treated me badly, but...."

"You love him"

"I don't know, sometimes I am sure I do, other times I think I must be a fool."

Though unintentionally, the two remained in a deep embrace. "He can be a jerk." Christopher loved his cousin dearly, but the two had their royal battles, and he had had moments of hating the guy.

Karen looked up into Christopher's eyes, it was like looking in a mirror, she knew, although for different reasons, the two were feeling similar emotions, it felt wonderful to be in the arms of someone who understood, completely. Without thinking, she kissed him gently on the lips; he kissed back.

“I don't regret it at all.”

“Neither do I.”

“But that doesn't mean there are parts I didn't regret…I had my share of those too.” Christopher's smile faded as he thought back to the summer of 1999.

"Christopher, I love you. I still love you. But I was very hurt by what you did."

"Karen, please forgive me…it was a huge mistake, one that I regret every second of every day."

"I know you do. And I've been unfair to you, by not returning your calls and not even talking to you. That was wrong of me, and I'm sorry for that. I guess I just was so angry that I felt like I COULDN'T talk, or I'd blow up."

"No, no I understand. Karen, it was all a mistake. The whole ordeal with Carla was just a huge mistake."

"I know, but it still happened. What really got me, and still gets me about this situation is that you betrayed me. John Ross betrayed me, and now you betray me." Christopher tried to interrupt. "I know you were drunk, but that's an explanation, not an excuse. This woman might be having your baby..." Karen's eyes began to well up with tears.

"Karen…" Christopher hugged her and Karen hugged him tightly back.

"I love you too much to let you go. I want to get back together, but I want to take things slowly. We're still married, and I want to stay married, but I think I'm going to stay in the hotel a little bit longer. It's not because I don't love you, but it's just because part of me is still angry. I feel like I need to flush all that anger out of me before I can really come back to Southfork."

"What does this mean for us then?" Christopher was concerned.

"It means we're married, that I love you, but for right now we aren't going to live together. But we can still go out, talk, do whatever other benefits may come along…" Karen smiled. "What I'm trying to say is that I just need a little bit more time to live away from Southfork. For some reason, everything that happened with Carla comes running right into my face when I'm here. I don't know why. Just give me a little bit more time..."

“Thank God that baby turned out to be Eric's…every time I think about what that bastard tried to pull with Carla and the baby…”

Karen put a comforting hand on his arm. “Let it go…it's over.”

Christopher visibly nodded, but inside his mind, the memories continued.

Christopher looked up to see Theresa entering the living room. "Mr. Ewing, there is a Carla Thornton here to see you."

Christopher was not happy to hear this, but he figured he should see Carla. He needed to set things straight with her, if Karen was ever to move back to Southfork again. "Send her in Theresa."

Carla entered the Southfork living room, and looked to be in real awe. "Nice place she said. Can't wait till Junior is born so he can play with his daddy in here."

"That baby is not mine Carla. You and I both know it."

"Oh really? Then whose is it? I'm no slut Christopher. You and I did the nasty that night, and now there's a bun in the oven because of it. You better deal with it."

"Carla, I'm married."

"I don't give a flying crap. I'm not asking you to marry me. Please, I could do better."

"Then why are you here."

"Cuz I need to get some checkups from the doctor, and I'm no moneybags. But the Ewings are…"

Christopher found himself getting angrier by the second. "Carla, that baby is not mine. I am not going to pay for your medical bills."

"Listen, I'm getting really sick of you calling me a liar. You don't think the baby is mine? Then why don't we just take a test eh? Let's go to the hospital right now, and take a frickin' paternity test! Then maybe it'll finally get through that thick skull of yours that this kid is yours!"

Eric got up and screamed, "You move and I'll kill you."

Todd was making his way over to the stereo when he turned around. "Oh, sit down and shut up … Show's not over yet." Todd turned on the stereo and pressed play on the tape deck. Todd's whole conversation with Carla, as well as Eric's answering message was played. Eric's eyes did not leave the floor, while Christopher and Karen listened on in shock. Todd just smiled and smoked.

"Oh … my … God," Christopher muttered when it was over.

Karen was shaking with anger, but managed to look directly into Eric's eyes. "Is this true?" she screamed.

Eric couldn't answer her. Todd piped in, "Oh believe it, honey, the tapes don't lie."

Karen got up, stormed right over to Eric and slapped him across the face. "Get out! I never want to see you again."

Eric grabbed his stinging cheek and looked at Karen, his eyes filled with a mixture of hurt and rage. He looked at Todd, who replied, "You're so screwed," with a little laugh. He also ordered Eric to leave.

Eric looked directly at Todd and screamed, "You are going to pay for this. I'll get you when you least expect it, and that is a promise. Watch your back, all of you." He stared directly at all of them before storming out. Christopher was still in shock. He felt as if an enormous weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

“Huh?” Karen hoped he wasn't still dwelling on the lowpoints of their relationship. “Hey…remember that day last Christmas when you almost broke your neck?”

Christopher turned crimson and rolled his eyes. “How could I forget?”

Christopher took Karen's hand in his. “Now explain to me why we're walking in the snow in twenty degree weather?”

“You are about to discover my secret passion.”

“Passion?”

“Ice skating.” Karen dropped the backpack that she was wearing and took a seat on a fallen tree trunk. She handed Christopher a pair of skates. “Try those on for size.”

“Oh no. If you think you're getting me out on the ice, then you've lost your mind. A skating rink is one thing, but we're talking about a pond here. Ever heard of thin ice?”

“And thin ice is exactly what you're gonna be treading if you don't come and skate with me.”

Christopher smiled at his wife. “Karen, do we really have to do this?” He didn't need an answer. He could tell she meant business by the way she was strapping on her ice skates. Sighing, Christopher did the same.

“You can hold my hand,” Karen said teasingly.

“Are you kidding? It's been a while, but I do know how to skate.”

“Then prove it.” Karen began to move away, trying her best to run, but she ended up collapsing into the newly fallen snow. Christopher fell on top of her and rolled her over on top of him.

“There's even something else I'm better at—ice skating never was my thing.”

Karen smiled. “Maybe you can demonstrate when we get back to Southfork.” She pushed him off and stood up. The small pond near Southfork was totally frozen over—perfect for skating.

Determined not to be outdone, Christopher followed Karen out onto the ice and chased after her.

“Yeah? Well see if I ever let you talk me into anything crazy like that again. From now on, instead of Christopher the bold adventurer, I'll be Christopher the dull and boring.”

Karen smiled. “Good, maybe you'll live longer.”

“Hey…” Christopher said, disapprovingly, but he quickly broke out into laughter.

“Remember that thought we had last year during the ornament hanging ceremony?”

At first, Christopher didn't remember, but then it came to him…

Pam turned to Christopher and Karen, who were sitting near the crackling fireplace. “Christopher…I wish I could hang this one up for you, but you have your own family now.” Pam smiled and handed the two ornaments to Christopher and Karen as they walked to the tree.

Karen spoke up. “Not to make a moving speech here, but I'm really proud to be able to hang my ornament with the rest of the Ewings…and my husband.” She put her arm around his waist and they each hung their ornaments on the tree.

“Yeah…and who knows. Maybe next year we'll have a new addition to hang with ours.” Christopher grinned and he and Karen returned to their chair by the fireplace…

“Knew what?” Christopher asked.

“Knew that by the next year, we'd have two more ornaments to hang…Megan and Austin.”

“We may just have to start our own tree this year…in our own house.”

“What?” Karen wondered if this meant Christopher had made a decision. “Did I hear what I think I heard?”

“If you heard me say our own house, then I think you did…”

Karen threw herself over on him, knocking him off the log onto the sandbar next to the river. “We're buying the house!”

“Cliff, Roger Wilkins from research is here.”

Cliff put down his calculator and used the end of the pencil he was holding to press the intercom button. “Well, send the man in, Jackie, send him in!” Cliff was always happy to hear from anyone in the research department since the invention of the new drill.

Moments later Roger walked in. “Good morning Mr. Barnes!”

Cliff got up and walked over to shake hands. “Roger! Welcome back. I heard you were on vacation when your department had the big breakthrough. That drill's going to make The Clifford Group lots of money. Here, have a seat.”

Roger looked nervous. “Actually Mr. Barnes,”

“Stop with the 'Mr. Barnes', just call me Cliff.”

Roger doubted that Mr. Barnes would want him calling him 'Cliff' after he heard what he had to say. “Cliff… There is something that we need to talk about concerning the new drill.”

Cliff folded his arms across his chest and nodded his head impatiently, “yeah, okay, go on.”

“Well… When I got back this morning I was surprised to hear that you ordered the prototype drilling system out to one of the off shore drilling sites.” Roger swallowed and licked his lip. “We can't do that.”

Cliff looked dumbfounded. “Why not? It's my drill and those are my wells…”

“Yes, but it's the drill. You see there are certain safety tests that have to be performed before you put something like this to work out in the field. We haven't had time to perform many of those tests yet, and some of the preliminary results of the ones that we did perform were a little… well, worrisome.”

“Why? You don't think the drill will work? Because if that's it, don't tell me. It has to work. When research called, they told me it would! Now you can't just change your mind.” Cliff anxiously went behind his desk and sat in his chair.

“Mr. Barnes… Cliff, it's not that it won't work, it's that it may have some bugs that still need to be worked out. The preliminary tests I was telling you about, they show signs that if it's used, it might leak oil into the ocean.”

Cliff's face turned pale and he suddenly felt sick. “Leaking? How much oil are we talking about? Because I can't afford to have the thing leaking, I need all of that oil! I have a contract for it.”

“Probably not much, but I'm not sure. We need to do more testing.”

Cliff felt the color return to his face as relief flooded through him. “Good. I can stand to lose a little…”

“But the problem isn't you losing oil, it's the oil polluting the ocean. The government is sure to shut it down if there are leaks.”

Cliff grinned, “Well, I'm not gonna tell 'em.” He got up and walked around his desk. “You worry too much Roger. Maybe you should think about another vacation.” He put his arm around Roger's shoulder and began walking him to the door.

“Cliff, if the drill leaks and they find out, there will be fines and you'll have to clean up any spillage. It could cost the company a lot of money.”

Cliff opened the door. “Well, thanks to this new deal with Petrol, we've got plenty to spare. Don't worry about it Rog, that's what lawyers are for.” Roger walked off and Cliff shut his office door. This was the biggest deal of his life, and with Rex involved, he had to come through. He was going to get that oil, and no one, not even the government was going to stop him!

“Hey Jill, what's up?”

“Just thinking about last night…and a certain stolen teddy bear.”

Manny turned his head away and laughed. “I doubt the police will show up at Southfork and arrest either one of us.”

“That's not what I'm worried about,” Jillian confessed. “I had fun last night…more fun than I've had in a long time.”

Manny was confused. “And that's bad?”

“No…I mean…yeah?”

“Jill, you're really confusing me now. What's wrong?”

“Can you do me a favor?” Jillian broke eye contact with him, ashamed.

“Sure, what is it?”

“Promise me that you won't tell anybody about us going to the carnival together last night…especially my dad. He'd freak if he knew I spent most of the night at a fair with one of the Southfork cowhands.”

Manny's feelings were instantly hurt and he began to rake leaves again, turning away from her in the process. “So that's all I am? Just a cowhand? I don't even count as a friend?”

“Manny…it's just that my Dad has the certain plan already laid out for me. I'm supposed to do this and act like that, etcetera etcetera. He gets really pissed about stuff like this. Thankfully he didn't find out I sneaked out last night, so I don't want to screw it up.”

“I guess I understand…you wouldn't want to disappoint your dad by associating with somebody like me…just a Latino cowhand, right?”

“That's not what I mean Manny!”

“I know what you mean…but don't worry about it. You don't have to worry 'bout me screwing up your Dad's plan, or whatever you called it.” Manny shoved all of the fallen leaves into a bag and began to walk off.

“Manny…”

Manny stopped, but didn't turn around. He didn't want her to see the hurt that was visible on his face.

“I really enjoyed last night…” Jillian felt like she needed to say something else, but what she said came out sounding totally stupid and inappropriate.

“Yeah…me too.”

Jillian folded her arms in protection from the cool wind that started to blow and watched Manny disappear around the corner of the house.

“Good morning Wade…I've been anxious to talk to you.”

“I reckon so.”

“How did the 'spying' go last night? Did you find anything to connect the Hammonds to our ranch problems?”

Wade nodded grimly. “Yep, we did.”

“So we have proof?”

“Yep…we did.”

“Did?”

Wade wrung his hat in his hands. “Me and Sly about got caught last night. We'd found some barrels out by the barn--barrels of the same stuff we found in the water here at Southfork. Somebody turned on the light and asked if anybody was out there. We just barely got away.”

“But the barrels are still there…we can get Sheriff Washburn.”

Wade shook his head. “No ma'am. See, we waited a while after getting back to the bunkhouse. Sly got her camera and then we went back over there to get some pictures of the stuff, but it was all gone.”

Miss Ellie rested her chin on her folded hands and sighed. “How strange. Well, that just further proves my point. They're definitely hiding something now.”

“Yes ma'am, I reckon so. We couldn't have been gone for more than a half-hour. They'd have had to have worked fast.”

“We'll just have to get more proof and once we do, we'll call the Sheriff and the Hammonds will get what they deserve.”

He was starting to feel like nothing mattered anymore. He had no love life. It wasn't easy to get a date when all of Dallas knew he had just been on trial for a kidnapping (especially if the woman had kids). And he was worried about his sister. Pamela Rebecca had left town a while back and hadn't bothered to contact him. On second thought, he wasn't all that worried about Pamela Rebecca, if anyone could take care of herself, she could. The preeminent things on his mind were his Dad and his own job at The Clifford Group.

“Hi there. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long.”

Eric looked up to see Karen. She looked beautiful. Her eyes were sparkling and her cheeks were rosy from the cold. “Hey, It's about time…” He nodded at a couple of girls who were standing nearby staring and pointing. “I've had to sit here and hand out autographs for the last 20 minutes.”

Karen frowned, “I really am sorry.”

Eric smiled at her and stood up, putting his hands in his coat pockets. “I was just joking. I don't even notice when people stare anymore. I'm so used to it.”

“I don't think I'll ever get used to it. Chris says he thinks interest in our case will die down as soon as the next big case comes along. I hope he's right, and I hope it's soon.”

“Enough reminiscing, come on, let's get in out of the cold.” They both walked into the coffee shop. They got their coffees at the counter and found an empty table.

Once they were seated, Karen asked, “So what were you thinking about so intently when I walked up out there?”

Eric had been taking a sip of his coffee. He sat it back on the table. “Everything and nothing.”

Karen opened a packet of sugar substitute and poured it into her cup, tossing the little wrapper on the table. “That's a cryptic answer.”

“Didn't mean for it to be… It's mostly my job.”

Karen was surprised, “Wait a minute, I thought you were happy working at The Clifford Group. Easy work, short hours, long lunches….” Karen smiled with amusement as she spoke. “…A rich boy's dream!”

“I know, I know and in the beginning that was enough. But now that Dad's immediate crisis at the Clifford Group is over, it's like I don't even exist.”

“Eric, I'm sure that's not true.”

“Oh, really? I don't get any phone calls, no one asks for my opinion on deals. Dad barely even says 'hi' to me while we're there!” Eric took a sip of his coffee. “Look Karen, I'm not stupid, I know the only reason my Dad asked me to come to work with him was to get Stonehurst to help him out of a bind. I guess I hoped that after that was over he'd let me earn the right to be there. But he's not even giving me a chance.”

Karen reached over and put her hand on top of his for a moment. “Oh Eric, I'm sorry.” She didn't know what else to say.

“Someone told me the other day that I don't deserve that job, that I wouldn't have even been considered for it if my Dad wasn't the owner… Maybe she was right…” Eric dropped his head and stared into his coffee cup.

“Eric,” he continued to hang his head. “Eric!” He finally looked up. “That's not true, I know it's not! You're a smart guy and you can handle that job. You just need a little time… you need to prove yourself.”

“Ha! And how do you propose I do that?”

“I don't know… Do something on your own… a big business deal or something. Something that would impress your Dad and show him that you're up to the job.”

Eric looked doubtful. “Maybe… Anyway, enough about me, why don't you tell me why you're looking so sparkly?”

Karen laughed, “Sparkly?”

“Yeah, you're practically glowing.”

Karen felt just a little embarrassed and her cheeks flushed. “Wellllll… actually, it's mine and Christopher's anniversary.”

Eric smiled at her. “That's great Karen. What is it, two years now?”

“Uh huh. I can hardly believe it.”

“I'm really happy for you two. If anyone deserves to be happy, it's you, Karen.” Eric turned back to his coffee. He really was happy for Chris and Karen, he just hoped he would someday find someone who could make him that happy.

"Good mornin' Sly," J.R. said. "How was your Halloween?"

Sly decided it was better not to mention anything about her adventure with Wade to J.R. "It was fine, J.R. Yours?"

“Fine, just fine.” JR wasn't about to go into his problems with Sue Ellen. He walked past her and headed for his office, but Sly stopped him.

“Oh, JR, Doug Avant is here to see you. He's waiting in your office.”

JR groaned; he'd been looking forward to a quiet morning catching up on all the work he missed while he and Sue Ellen were in Alaska. “Sly, you know how I feel about seeing people without an appointment!”

“I'm sorry, JR, but he said he had an urgent piece of news to share with you."

“In that case, I forgive you. Hold all my calls.” JR walked into his office and shut the door.

Just as JR was walking into his office, Iris was walking into Ewing Oil's outer offices. “Hello Sly. Is JR in?”

“I'm sorry, Iris, you just missed him, he's in a meeting right now. You can wait for him if you want to, but I have no idea how long he'll be.”

“Thanks, Sly.” Iris sat down to wait.

“So, how was the Ewing Halloween Ball this year? Did you have a great time?”

Iris looked uncomfortable. “Well, no, not really. Actually, that's why I'm here. JR and I had some words there and I want to give him a chance to apologize before I jilt him.”

Sly smiled, she knew better. Iris was deeply in love with JR. Anyone with two eyes in their head could see it. “Now that you mention it, he was a little bit grumpy this morning.” Sly picked up a stack of files. “I'm going to run these reports down to Accounting, I'll be back in a few minutes,"

Sly left and Iris found herself alone. She sat there for a few minutes, but soon found herself bored. She got up to take a closer look at the paintings on the walls. As she was walking by Sly's desk, her purse accidentally brushed against Sly's pencil holder, spilling the contents over the desk. But more importantly, as it fell, the holder itself hit Sly's intercom and Iris was surprised to hear JR's voice. Not wanting to eavesdrop, she reached out to turn off the intercom, but her hand stopped in mid air when she heard one word –“

“- Rex Wentworth was behind the Southfork attack. And we're only a step or two from proving it. Looks like you were right all along, JR "

"What makes the case so compelling all of a sudden?" J.R. asked, intrigued.

"Well, fingerprinting was done on the weapon that was found."

"And?" J.R. asked, arching his eyebrows.

"We found the guy's name easily enough and then we seemed to come to a dead end, when one of my best investigators got a break. After a lot of digging, he finally traced the guy to another man who works for none other than Mr. Rex Wentworth."

"So does that mean we finally have the evidence to nail him?”

"We're not there yet J.R.”

"But you're real close. You and your men finish the job, and I'll make sure that you are handsomely rewarded."

"You know we always finish the job, J.R.”

"I'm counting on you, Doug. I had to bury my Momma's husband because of Wentworth, it's about time I bury him."

"Hopefully, it won't be long now. We'll keep working on it.”

As Doug stood to leave, JR rose to shake his hand. "Keep me posted."

When Doug was out the door, a sly smile broke out on JR's face. He was finally going to be able to put an end to Rex's reign of terror. A moment later, he heard a knock on his door.

He knew it couldn't be Sly; she hardly ever came in when the door was shut without buzzing him on the intercom first. “Yeah, who is it? Come on it.”

The door opened and he was surprised to see Iris standing there. “JR, what do you think you're doing?”

“Hello to you too, Iris. What brought you all the way over to Ewing Oil?”

She walked in and shut the door. “I came to let you know that you can't treat me the way you did at the ball and get away with it. But right now, we've got something more important to talk about. Why are you investigating Rex?”

The slight smile quickly left JR's face. “Now how did you know about that? What were you doing? Listening at the door?”

“No, I wasn't listening at the door. I have more class than that.”

“I'm glad to hear it. So do you want to tell me how you happened to learn that little bit of information, then?”

“JR! I doesn't matter how I found out. This is important! You don't know who you're dealing with. Rex is a dangerous man.”

JR's eyes flashed. “I happen to think that I'm more than a match for him. I don't need to remind you that there are plenty of people out there who consider me dangerous! I can take care of Wentworth.”

Iris closed her eyes and shook her head. “JR, you just don't understand what he's capable of.”

JR suddenly realized how upset she truly was. He stood and walked over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “Iris, don't worry about it. Leave Rex to me. I can handle myself.”

She looked at him, her eyes pleading with his. “JR, I really care for you. Please tell me you'll quit investigating Rex. He's not worth it.”

“That's sweet, honey, but you're worrying over nothing.”

Iris' heart fell. JR wasn't going to give up, no matter what. She had to find a way to stop the investigation, because she knew that if she didn't stop it, Rex would.

Without a doubt, the main problem at The Clifford Group right now was trying to find the oil to meet the demands of the next installment on the Petrol deal. Unfortunately, Eric couldn't think of a thing he could do about it. He'd already spoken to his mother again. She couldn't help. Stonehurst had given almost all of the oil they had in storage. But he was beginning to think that it wouldn't matter soon anyway. The way people were talking about the Clifford Group's new drilling system, their off shore wells should be coming in in record time. Of course, there also was that awful rumor about the leakage problem. If that were true, they'd be in real trouble.

Eric suddenly sat up… There was something he'd been reading in one of those boring oil trade journals… He opened a desk drawer and rifled through the journals. Where was that article? He finally found it, a small article in the back of a magazine. “Wentworth Tool and Die Breaks Ground on New Drilling Technology”. He quickly scanned the article. It seemed that Wentworth was in the process of developing its own new technology for off shore drilling. Eric sat back in his chair again… if that little piece of information was true, it just might come in handy if the Clifford Group drill ran into problems.

A smile crossed Eric's face as he considered the possibilities…

“Willard, I'm so sorry…”

“Sorry?” Digger took a swallow from his bottle and let it fall to his side. “Sorry's somethin' you say when you accidentally bump into somebody in town…or somethin' you say when you break your momma's favorite vase.”

“Please don't make this any harder than it already is.” There were tears visible in Ellie's eyes. “You have to understand…”

“I understand. I understand just perfect. You're marryin' Jock Ewing and leavin' me out in the cold…yeah, I understand.”

“I have my reasons…”

Digger flashed her a drunken smile and then staggered over to his car.

“Willard, you can't drive like this…let me have one of the hands take you home.”

She was answered by the roaring of the car's engine and the screeching of its tires. “Willard!”

Ellie ran to the end of the drive and watched the car swerve down the road, but a cloud of dust concealed most of it from her view. And then she heard it…an awful crashing sound.

When the dust settled, Ellie could make out the twisted form of two cars and she began to run toward the mess, crying as she went. “Willard! WILLARD!”

“Miss Ellie…wake up…it's just a dream. Wake up…”

Miss Ellie's eyes fluttered open and she sat bolt upright, staring around the room. “Willard?”

Pam shook her head. “Miss Ellie, it's me…Pam.”

“Pamela…”

Pam nodded and her face was full of concern. “Are you alright?”

“I…suppose I am. It was just a bad dream.”

“You mentioned Digger's name…”

“Yes, he was in my dream…he's been in several of them lately.” Ellie stepped out of bed and walked over to the mirror where she stared at her reflection.

“Why? What's brought this on?” Pam asked.

“I haven't a clue.”

Pam worried that this might be just another after-effect of Clayton's death. “Maybe you should go visit with a doctor…”

Miss Ellie turned back around and faced Pam. “I don't need to see a psychiatrist, if that's what you mean. These are perfectly normal dreams, nothing out of the ordinary…just reliving some old moments that I'd long since forgotten about…until now.”

Pam gave her a worried smile. “You know what's best for you Miss Ellie, but if you need anyone to talk to, just remember that I'm here.”

Ellie patted her on the arm. “Thank you Pam, but I'll be just fine.”

“I'm sorry Cliff, really. But I had to let them in. They demanded to inspect the place… they had some papers that they said gave them the right to do it.”

“I don't care if then had an edict from the Pope! I have to have those wells pumping!” Panic was beginning to seep into Cliff's voice as an image of Rex Wentworth's laughing face swam before him.

“Well, I'll send these papers on up to you. Maybe your attorneys can do something with them, but I'm closing shop. The guy that was here said that if I didn't have this thing shut down in 24 hours, he'd send in security to be sure it was done.”

“No, wait, wait…. Don't leave. We can fight this! I've got to have that oil.” Cliff pounded his fist on his desk as he spoke.

“Cliff, those government security guys give me the creeps.”

“Okay… then do this… how about if we change the drill back to the old drill, huh? That one doesn't leak, right? That should make 'em happy. Then we can at least keep the wells pumping.”

“I asked them that and they said that we need to have the spill cleaned up and then they have to come back and inspect it before we can start production again.”

Cliff slumped over and let his forehead rest on his desk, the phone still at his ear. When he spoke, his voice was muffled. “Don't give up down there, Charlie, stand firm.”

“I'm sorry, Cliff.”

Charlie hung up, but Cliff was still talking into the phone. “How could this happen? I don't get it. We just started using the thing…” But he knew the answer to that question, someone had to report it – and he could just imagine who that someone was…

“Here you are Ms. Ryan.”

Rex looked up to see the maitre de pulling out a chair for Kaitlin to sit across from him. He tried to smile charmingly, hiding the annoyance he felt. “Ms. Ryan, I'm glad you made it.”

Kaitlin sighed and sat her purse on the table next to her. “I'm sorry, am I late? I was so busy I didn't even have time to check the clock. The campaign headquarters was a madhouse today.” The waiter appeared and Kaitlin ordered a drink.

“Yes you are. Did you say campaign headquarters?”

“Yeah” Kaitlin brushed her hair back out of her face. “I've been working for the Bush campaign. It's actually been a lot of fun making calls and talking to people. I'm going to miss it after Tuesday.”

“I have to admit, I'm surprised. You didn't strike me as the political type. I pegged you to be more of a 'business woman'.”

Kaitlin sat back as the waiter returned and sat her drink on the table. “I'm a woman with many different interests, Mr. Wentworth.”

“Please, call me Rex.”

“Rex… Anyway, the way I see it, in this race politics and business aren't too far apart. I'm afraid that if the opposition wins, there won't be a Westar to run. Before you know it, we'll have to shut down our U.S. wells and the Federal government will be running the oil companies.”

Rex smiled despite himself; his respect for Kaitlin had just gone up. He'd expected her to be a spoiled brat whose father had given her stock in his company, probably so she would be financially secure. He wasn't expecting a woman with a good head for business and politics. He had to admit the combination was intriguing.

Kaitlin noticed his look of amusement. “What? Don't tell me you're not supporting the Governor?”

Rex chuckled, this woman as serious about her politics! “No, on the contrary. I agree with you. I was just remembering the old rule about not discussing politics over dinner.”

Kaitlin smiled. “I'm sorry. I guess I'm just all fired up. You'll find that when I believe in something I throw myself into it completely! But if you like we could talk about something less controversial… like… religion?” They both laughed.

They ordered dinner and by the time they were finished with their entrée's both were surprised at the good time they were having. Not wanting to leave just yet, they ordered coffee and cheesecake for desert.

Kaitlin looked at the bite of cheesecake on her fork. “I really shouldn't eat this, you know. It'll go straight to my hips!”

“I don't think you have anything to worry about Kaitlin.” Across the table, their eyes met and Kaitlin shyly looked down. Although they had an enjoyable time and were feeling very comfortable talking with each other, it was the first time all evening that Rex had admitted any attraction to Kaitlin.

She didn't move her head, but looked up at him through long, thick eyelashes and said softly, “Thank you.”

Rex was surprised that this smart, confident woman was embarrassed by his compliment. He stared into her eyes and for a moment, he forgot about oil. For a moment, he forgot about stock. For a moment, he forgot why he was there. For that moment, all that mattered was the shy vulnerable look on Kaitlin's face. And for that moment, all he wanted to do was protect her, but from what, he had no idea.

Helen pulled out an old yellowed wedding dress and stared at it momentarily. “Oh Momma, you wanted to marry Daddy so badly…”

Helen then picked up a tattered envelope and several black and white photographs fell through a slit in the bottom. She picked up one and looked at it longingly, but stuffed it all back into the chest when she heard a knock at the door.

“Mom? Are you in there?”

Helen quietly closed the chest's top and then locked it back up before dropping the key into her pocket. “Yes, come in.”

Helen had just stood up and turned around to face the door when her daughter, Wade's sister, Amelia, walked in.

The blonde immediately noticed that something was amiss with her mother. “Mom? Are you okay? You look stressed out…”

Helen smiled. “Oh, I'm fine.”

Amelia didn't buy the lie, but decided not to press her mother for any more answers. “Ok…”

Helen walked over to Amelia and pressed her hand against Amelia's rounded stomach. “I swear I think that baby doubles in size every day…”

Amelia smiled as she looked down. “I can attest to that…I can't see my feet anymore.” Amelia was still smiling, but there was a somber undertone to it.

“Oh Honey, you're not still worried about the baby, are you?”

Amelia shrugged. “Kind of…I'm just afraid we haven't gotten him the best of medical care until just lately.”

“How many times does Dr. Benson have to tell you? Your baby is just fine…and in a little over three months, he'll be able to say 'I told you so', and so will I.”

“I know, but a mom-to-be can worry can't she?”

Helen hugged her daughter, forgetting about the chest engraved with the letter S. “I suppose you can…”

“Hey, how ya doin'? It's Eric Stone…. Yeah, I know it's been a while. Listen, you know that favor you owe me? Well, it's time to repay…. I've got a little job for you, it's right up your alley…. Like I said, it's nothing you're not good at. I want you to infiltrate a company and steal some trade secrets for me….”

After hanging up the phone, he sat back in his chair. Now all he needed was someone to work with him on the inside at The Clifford Group. Someone who was an expert and could tell them if they'd stolen the right plans and if they'd work… He thought for a minute and then snapped his fingers. He quickly placed one more call.

When he got off the phone for the second time, he sat back and thought about how proud his Dad would be when he was able to give him the new technology that he needed to get to that oil. Only this time the drill would work. He stood and walked over to the window and peered out into the night. Eric Stone had taken the first steps toward corporate espionage.