“Now you know what you've missed. You Ewings may know about oil, but I don't think you guys know the first thing about fine dining.”

“What can I say…I guess my family was stuck in a rut at the Oil Baron's Club.” Lucy folded her hands in her lap and looked around the room again. “So are you still feeling okay?”

“How could I not be? I'm here with you and everything's ok between us.”

Lucy eyed the bottle of Chateau Graville-Lacoste on the table and then leaned forward and took a sip out of her beautifully fluted glass. “This is great.”

“If I'd known you'd love it this much, I would have brought you here before tonight!”

Lucy smiled, enjoying her evening to the fullest extent. Neil seemed to be so healthy—he practically glowed, but she knew that deep inside the cancer was eating him up and there was nothing either one of them could do about it.

Neil scraped up the last bite of his pasta and then pushed his plate back. “I'm stuffed.”

Lucy nodded in agreement while wiping her mouth. “Same here. I don't think I'll be able to eat for weeks.”

“Well, do you think you'd be in the mood for dancing then?” Neil asked with a twinkle in his eye.

“I swear Neil…I don't know how you're keeping your strength up…even I'm pooped after all the shopping this afternoon.”

Neil smiled and stood up. “C'mon, let's go.”

There was one way though… Bobby thought back to all of the time he had spent with his Daddy, 'learning the business'. Jock had taught him what to do when he was in a bind like this, just as he had taught JR. Bobby shook his head at the thought. He had spent half of his life trying to prove to his dead Daddy's memory that he was good enough, strong enough, to do whatever it took to protect his own when his back was up against the wall. He had nothing to prove anymore, he knew he was capable. But that didn't mean he had to like it.

His decision made, Bobby sat down at the desk and took his Palm Pilot out of the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He quickly dialed the number and pulled Ace's file from his briefcase sitting nearby.

It took a moment for Jed to answer the phone. “Hello.”

“Jed, it's Bobby Ewing.”

Jed put down the pictures he had been flipping through and turned all of his attention to the phone call. “Hey, Bobby! How ya doin'? I haven't heard from you since we set that guy up on drug charges, what was his name…?”

“Hicks” Saying the name left a bad taste in Bobby's mouth. It wasn't a memory he was proud of.

“That's right, Hicks. We really got that guy! So whatcha got for me now? A Senator? Member of a state committee? Or just some big shot oil man?”

“None of those. It's a guy named Albert Carl Edmunson, goes by the name Ace.”

“Woo! With a name like that, I'd go by Ace too! Are we doin' the usual, or do you need something special?”

Bobby had used Jed's 'services' to set up plenty of 'good ol' boys back in his early days at Ewing Oil, before he was working in the office, before he'd met Pamela. “I'm looking at his file and he has a drug record.”

“That could be useful.”

“But I know someone else is holding something over his head and I'm guessing it relates to that.”

“Is he a family man?”

Bobby scanned the file in front of him. “Yeah, looks like he has a wife in Fort Worth, but I'd rather not go in that direction if we can help it.”

“Hmmm… Fort Worth's not exactly close enough to be cozy, it's a pretty good guess that they're separated, but you never know. My gut says try that angle too. Never can have too much, uh…Information about a man!” Jed laughed heartily at his own statement as Bobby cringed.

He didn't want to know about the details. “Just get me some information on him and get it quick. When we find out where his weak spot is, we can decide what angle to use.”

“Don't worry, Bobby, we'll either find a weak spot, or we'll make one.” He laughed again, “I'll put my best guys on it. You'll need to fax me the information you have on the guy.”

Bobby closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “I'll fax it to you now. Do a good job and you'll be paid well, as usual.” Bobby hung up the phone before hearing Jed's reply. If Jed moved fast enough, by tomorrow, he might have the leverage he needed to get the upper hand on Ace.

Bobby looked up, startled to find someone standing in the doorway. “What are you doing here?”

Isabel turned on the room light and John Ross buried his head into his pillow to keep the light out of his eyes.

“Please go away.”

Isabel walked over to his bedside table and set a tray of food on it. “You need to eat or else you'll end up looking like that Flockhart chick and I'm sure your parents wouldn't like that.”

John Ross turned around and squinted out the bright light. Eventually his eyes adjusted. “Who the hell do you think you are, coming in here and telling me that I need to eat?”

Isabel held her hands up in defense. “Hey, I'm just telling you what I think you should do. It's totally up to you if you want to do it or not.”

“Well I'm telling you to get the hell out of my room…and that's not what I think you should do. It's what you're going to do.”

“Jeez, somebody's in a pissy mood.” Isabel turned and walked back to the door, almost crashing into Jillian on the way out.

“What are you doing in here?” Jillian eyed her coldly.

“Bringing your brother some dinner.”

“I can do that…now get out.”

“Rarrrr,” Isabel growled, imitating a cat. “Which side of the bed did you get off of this morning?”

“Oh cut the shit,” Jillian said in a whisper. She didn't want John Ross hearing what they said. “You know exactly why I'm mad at you. You got me in so much trouble. You lied to me and look at what you did to Manny.”

“He's a big boy…he can take care of himself.”

“Not when he's tied to a tree, half-naked in the dead of winter. He could have died out there and you didn't even care!” Jillian's tone was getting louder and she pulled Isabel out into the hall and shut the door behind them.

“But he didn't die. You came galloping up on your horse and saved the poor guy. The end.” Isabel attempted to turn around, but Jill grabbed her by the arm.

“God, I can't believe I had you so wrong. You have no regard whatsoever for anyone but yourself.”

Isabel pursed her lips. “Yeah…well if you'd lived the kind of life I've had…ran from the people I've ran from…then you'd be the same way.”

Isabel walked off and Jillian watched her until she was out of sight; then she pushed the door open and walked back into the room. “What's that all about?” John Ross asked.

“Nothing for you to worry about…how're you doing?”

John Ross was silent.

“I guess that's a pretty stupid question. Why don't we get out of Southfork for a while? This place is driving me half crazy right now…I can't imagine how you feel.”

“I'm really not in the mood.”

“And you won't get in the mood if you stay shut up in your room all the time. Now come on…we're going to Reunion Arena.”

“For?”

“I've got a pair of tickets to watch the Stars play…from the Stars Club section right by the rink and you have no idea the trouble I went through and the strings I had to pull to get those…it's usually only available for season ticket holders so get your butt out of bed and get ready because we're going whether you like it or not.” Jillian crossed her arms and planted a foot forward in determination.

“Ok…”

“You mean you're going?”

“Anything to get you off my case.”

Jillian hugged her brother. “You won't regret it. Getting out of Southfork for a while will do you a world of good.”

But somehow, John Ross doubted it.

“Well that's nothing new.”

“And just what does that mean?”

“Shhh… Gary, keep your voice down, the children are going to hear you. I don't want them thinkin' that we're having trouble or anything.” Val put down the dish she had been drying.

“Apparently, we are in trouble.”

“Maybe you would have noticed that if you had come home from work from time to time.” Val walked back over to the sink and picked up another dish and began drying it furiously.

A look of comprehension crossed Gary's face. “So that's what this is all about? You're jealous of my work again! And so you thought it would be a good reason to fly down here. Just so you could avoid me?” Gary's self-centeredness shined through, just as Valene knew it would. She took a deep breath.

“I didn't come here to avoid you – I could have done that at home because you're never there. I came here to help Lucy. You do remember your other daughter?”

“What kind of a question is that? You know I love Lucy.”

Val did know that he loved Lucy in his own way. Unfortunately, his way fell just short of making Lucy feel loved. “Then you should understand why I came here. This is one of the hardest times in her life. She needs her mother here with her.”

“Val, Lucy is a grown woman.” He paused; realizing that what he was about to say would sound awful. Instead, he took a calming breath and said, “I guess you're right about her needing some one with her. All right. I understand why you felt you had to come out here… but why the cold shoulder? You haven't returned any of my calls, you're not even staying with me and the kids at Southfork, and that was a hard one to explain to Momma.”

“Miss Ellie loves Lucy like a daughter and I'm sure she's glad I'm here for her I'm sure she understands that a daughter needs her mother at a time like this.” There was a pause. Val wasn't sure if this was the right time, but she needed to tell him soon. “I may as well tell you now, I'm not going back to California with you right now.”

Gary was clearly angry. “I can't believe this! You've been here forever. What about Bobby and Betsy? What about me?”

She suddenly had an idea. Walking toward Gary, she said, “Stay here with me.” She knew in that it was a long shot. To stay, he'd have to let someone else run things at work for a while. But if he did decide to stay, if he put his family before his work…

“What?” A look of shock was on Gary's face. This was the last thing he expected. Val knew how important his job was to him.

“I said you and the kids could stay here with me…” She stepped closer and put her hand on his shoulder. “Come on Gary, show me that I'm more important to you than business.”

He felt like a rabbit trapped in a box. Valene was staring at him, her blue eyes looking so hopeful. But there was so much going on at work right now. No one else could possibly handle it but him. “I can't do that Val, you know I can't.”

Val stepped away from him. “Well, I think that pretty much says it all.”

Gary was beginning to get annoyed again. “Wait a minute, you're sounding like you're never coming home?”

Valene turned her back to him so he wouldn't see the hurt in her eyes. She was on the verge of tears. “I'm not saying that. I'm just saying' that for right now, I need to be here for Lucy and I think that being' apart for a while might do us some good.”

“Fine, if that's the way you want it. But don't expect me to come crying to you wanting you to come back! I'll be just fine by myself.” Gary stomped out of the kitchen, grabbed his coat off the back of a chair and left. In the kitchen Val was leaning against the sink for support and tears where streaming down her cheeks. She answered his last statement in a whisper. “I know.”

Pamela walked in and stood with her back to the fireplace. “I've been looking for you everywhere. Theresa said you'd come home and I thought we could spend some time together before dinner.”

He was startled and edgy from being interrupted… how long had she been standing there, how much had she heard? “I just had some work to do, that's all!” He tossed the file back in his briefcase and quickly shut it. “I didn't know I had to report in every time I walked in the door!”

Pam's eyes were wide with indignation that quickly turned into a burning flame. “You know, this has been going on for weeks. One day you're fine and the next I feel like I don't even know you. I might be willing to tolerate this attitude of yours if I knew why you were so tense. But to tell you the truth, Bobby, I'm tired of living with Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde.” She turned and swiftly left the room through the doors leading to the patio. The evening air was cold, almost frigid, but she didn't notice as she walked out the door. Only moments later, Bobby followed her out into the night.

He could feel the tension immediately. She had her back to him and she didn't bother to turn around when she heard him walk up behind her. He started to make a joke about whether the coldness was coming from her or the night air. He wisely chose a softer approach.

“I'm sorry, Pam.” He paused, but the only response was the whistling of the wind. He tried again, “You've got to understand that things are a little tense at work right now. But, I'm hoping that's all going to come to an end very soon.” She turned to him. He looked into her face but he didn't see the soft smile he was used to, instead she was staring at him with a stoic look that said nothing at all – obviously, they'd been down this road one too many times lately.

Bobby placed his hands on her shoulders and though she didn't pull away, she didn't relax either. “I really am sorry Pam. I admit, I've been tense, irritable, edgy, and I've taken it out on you.”

Pam looked up at him, her expression somewhere between grudging forgiveness and anger. “You forgot short tempered, rude and grumpy.”

Bobby felt her shoulders relax a little beneath his hands and added, “You're right, you're right, all true…” And then with a straight face, “and of course, you have been the perfect paragon of virtue.” The tension between them dissolved into light laughter, mostly prompted by the relief of ending the uneasiness between them than anything else.

“All right, I suppose you're forgiven.” Bobby leaned forward to kiss her, but she held up a hand to stop him. “But I do want to know what's going on at Wentworth that's making you so edgy.”

Bobby lifted his hands from her shoulders and put an arm around her. “Why don't we go back inside?” They went back into the den. She sat on the couch and he went to the wet bar to pour himself another drink. He turned to her and raised his glass, “Want one?” Pam shook her head 'no'. Bobby found himself once again in the same quandary. How could he be honest with her without causing her stress and worry? He turned and walked toward the couch. “How long were you standing in the doorway?”

“Long enough to hear you tell the person on the phone that you needed something fast. And that you'd fax them some information and they'd be paid.”

Bobby's shoulders slumped a little in relief. She'd heard none of the incriminating parts of the call. He sat down next to her on the couch and turned toward her. “You remember the new drilling system the Tool and Die was in the process of designing?”

Pam nodded her head. “Yes.”

“Well, it seems that there is another company in the process of developing the same type of system. The competition has been fierce because whoever patents their system first is going to really take the oil industry by storm. It'll mean a lot of profits, not to mention recognition in the industry.”

“I don't see the problem, has there been trouble with the design?”

“No, no, in fact, if things go as planned, we should be able to have it done very soon.”

Pam looked puzzled. “I still don't get it. This all sounds great. So where's the problem that's been making you so edgy?”

He turned toward her and their eyes locked, “Pam, I'm just going to have to ask you to trust me. You've trusted me to run the company this long and you even trusted me enough to put half of it in my name. I need you to trust me again now.” “But Bobby, part of the reason that I gave you part of Wentworth was so we could work together. If you just tell me what the problem is…”

“Honey, I would involve you if these were normal circumstances, but they're not.” He indicated her rounded tummy.

“So now being pregnant means that I can't possibly think clearly enough to help you with a problem at the company - our company!”

Bobby stood and began to pace the floor in frustration. “No, of course not, honey. But Dr. Bader gave you strict orders, which included no stress!.” He sighed and sat on the arm of the chair next to her. “Pam, you know, I've tried really hard not to suffocate you during this pregnancy. I haven't said a word when you've picked up Gracie, who weighs way more than five pounds, or when you've gone shopping half the day…” She looked away. He moved from the chair and knelt in front of her, commanding her attention. “It hasn't been easy not to do that, because for some reason, I feel responsible for you and I want to keep you safe.” He rested his hand on her tummy.

She looked down into his eyes and all she could feel was a tremendous love for him. Moments like this always took her by surprise. She loved him so much; of course she would trust him.

Bobby's eyes caught hers and he returned her stare as the same feelings flowed through him. They both leaned forward into a gentle kiss.

When it ended, Pam said, “I trust you, Bobby. But you have to tell me eventually.”

Bobby smiled and then noticed the tears in her eyes. “You're crying, are you all right?”

Pam smiled. Another attack of the hormones! She wiped at her eyes. “I'm fine, it's a girl thing.”

They both chuckled as he helped her up and they went to join the others for dinner.

“Hello, Lancaster Residence.”

“Val! I'm glad I caught you. Hope you weren't sitting by the phone too long waiting for my call…” Cliff laughed lightly, but Val didn't join in. “Okay, look, I just wanted to call and say I'm sorry for whatever I said the other day to make you mad.”

Val closed her eyes, she was tired and grumpy and this was the last man on earth she wanted to talk to… excluding JR, of course. “Cliff, I don't accept apologies from people who don't even know what they've done wrong… it makes it highly likely that they will do it again.”

“Come on Val… I really am sorry, and if you give me another chance and I do whatever I did again, tell me and I'll apologize then, okay?”

Val smiled despite herself. She had never met a man who could be obnoxious and intriguing at the same time. “What do you want?”

“I have a new proposition for you.”

Now Val was getting annoyed again. “The answer is still 'no', Cliff.” “Just a minute, you've got to hear me out. What I'm thinking is that instead of just putting the whole biography in one book, we write a two-volume set. That way we make even more money. We can call the first one 'Cliff Barnes: The Early Years', or better yet, 'Millionaire in the Making'.”

Valene couldn't help herself; she burst out laughing. “I can only imagine the kind of childhood that would produce someone like you.”

On the other end of the phone, Cliff smiled. “Write the book and you'll be the first to know.”

Val thought for a moment. Writing a book in Dallas might be just what she needed. It would keep her from having to go back to California any time soon, and she did need a diversion. The loneliness and sadness that pervaded the house was driving her insane. “You know Cliff, you might be just enough of an ass to make an interesting subject.”

“Are you serious?” Cliff couldn't believe it, he'd finally worn her down.

“About you being an ass? Or about writing the book?”

“This is great! When can we get started? I can come over tonight.” Cliff was happy and relieved; he still didn't have the oil he needed to meet the installment on the Petrol deal. He was depressed and this was just the thing to divert his attention from his impending business failure.

“No, it can't be tonight, or anytime soon. Gary and the kids are in town and I want to spend as much time with my kids as I can while they're here. I'll let you know when I'm really to start.”

There was a slight pause. “Val, are you all right?”

The question caught her off guard, she'd never heard Cliff be interested in anyone but himself. “Yeah, I'm fine Cliff, just a little tired. Thanks for asking, though.”

“Good. Get some rest then, I just don't want you getting sick or anything so we have to put off starting the book.”

A slight smile appeared on Val's lips. Now that was the Cliff she knew.

“You have five minutes Iris…this had better be good because I've got other things to do.”

“Glad to see you haven't changed since we divorced.”

“Get on with it.”

“I need your help.”

Rex laughed. “Glad to see you haven't changed either.”

Ignoring his comment, Iris continued. “I want J.R., Sue Ellen, and all of Ewing Oil taken completely out of commission.”

Rex bit his tongue, trying desperately to stifle a laugh. “You don't want much do you Iris? Should've asked Santa for it before Christmas.”

“Dammit! I'm serious!”

“And just why should I help you? I don't owe you a thing.”

“Need I remind you that I know you were behind Bobby's kidnapping last year? I don't think Bobby Ewing or any of the Ewings for that matter, would be happy to know that.”

“You need proof to blackmail, Iris. Show me some and I might help you.”

Iris was quiet. He had a point. “Please…”

Rex leaned forward on his desk. “What's in it for me?”

“I'll do whatever you want. Name your price.”

“I'm not sure that you'd be able to pay my price.”

“Rex! You hate J.R…I know you do. He hurt me and I want to make the bastard pay.”

Rex bit his lip, pondering what she'd said. J.R. had been a thorn in his side since coming to Dallas and getting rid of him might solve a few problems. “Do you want J.R. and Sue Ellen dead?”

The question hit Iris like a brick and caught her completely off guard. Did she want them dead or just miserable?

“I…I don't know.”

“Look Iris, if you want me to help you then I suggest you come up with a plan.”

Iris stood up. “Do whatever you want to do Rex…I'm beyond the point of caring what happens to J.R. Ewing.”

Darryl sat and played with some paper clips as the minutes ticked by. Finally, it was time to go. He put on his suit jacket and grabbed an empty briefcase as he headed for the basement.

As he walked down the basement corridor he saw that there was a security guard at the door to the lab. That was really no surprise, he had expected something like this and had a plan mapped out. As he neared the guard, he slowed his pace.

“Hello, they've got you working the late shift, huh?”

The guard looked up with sleepy eyes. “Yeah, but it's easy work.”

“Still, I'll bet it gets lonely. Not much traffic through these halls at night.”

“That's true, the hardest part is staying alert through the night. But with a spy around, you need to stay extra vigilant. I hear this one is real sneaky.”

“Why don't you go get a cup of coffee? There's a machine just down the hallway and around a couple of corners.”

The security guard looked wearily at the door he was guarding. “No, can't do that. I've got to stay at my post.”

Darryl frowned in fake concern. “Hey, I have an idea, if it's okay with you, why don't I stay here and look after your post and you can go and get yourself a cup of coffee.” The guard looked Darryl up and down. He looked like your run of the mill executive type and he seemed like a nice guy – certainly not the kind that would be a spy. “Go on, I promise I'll sit right here until you get back. Scouts honor.” When the guard heard that he was a scout too, that convinced him.

“Okay, thanks. I could use a little walk anyway.”

Darryl quickly gave him directions to the coffee machine that would get even the best navigator lost and off he went.

Darryl waited until the man was out of sight to put on his gloves and try the door. He slipped his high security card into the slot next to the door and it opened easily. He'd done his homework, and it only took him a minute to find what he was looking for. He silently slipped it into his pocket and left the lab.

The guard came back a few minutes later to find Darryl exactly where he had left him… guarding the door. “I tried to find that machine, but there's so many hallways down here. I got lost.”

Darryl smiled. “Why didn't I think of it before? You stay here and I'll go and bring you back a coffee.”

“Really? Sure you wouldn't mind?”

“Not at all. I'm glad to help out. After all, you are guarding Wentworth Tool and Die's most valued information. It will be my pleasure.”

The guard watched Darryl walk off down the dimly lit corridor and thought, what a nice guy.

Jillian picked her way through a huge stone planter full of palms and followed the sound of Ellie's humming. Finally, she came upon her at the end of the greenhouse, where Ellie sat on her knees at the edge of a massive goldfish pond, adjusting a pot of tropical water lilies at the water's edge.

Ellie turned around, startled when she heard Jillian's voice. “Oh Jillian! Do you realize how close you made me come to taking a dip in this pool?”

“Sorry,” Jill said, smiling. “You've really made this place beautiful…it's like a rainforest or something.”

Ellie buried a fertilizer tablet in the lily pot and then rinsed her dirty hands in the warm pond water. “Thank you…there's nothing like being able to garden every month of the year.” Ellie grabbed the edge of the cascading waterfall that fed into the pond and pulled herself to a standing position. “So what brings you here today? Did you come to help me out in here?”

“Well…not really. I'm afraid I'm not much of a plant person…I killed my corn plants in botany class last semester.” Jillian followed Miss Ellie over to a potting bench on the other wall. “I actually came by to talk to you…or ask you a favor I guess.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah. I guess you heard about Manny already…”

Ellie looked perplexed. “Manny? No…I haven't heard anything about him. Has something happened to him?”

“My Dad didn't tell you? They got in a fight…Dad accused Manny of things I know he didn't do and then Dad fired him.”

“What 'things'?”

Jillian blushed, not sure how to bring up this subject with her grandmother. “Well…Manny was sick and I'd spent most of the day cheering him up and cooking lunch for him and all. We ended up decorating a Christmas tree together and then we fell asleep on the couch, but I swear Grandma…nothing happened between us. The next morning Dad came in and of course he immediately jumped to the wrong conclusions.”

“Your father knows he doesn't own this ranch…he can't fire anyone here without my permission…least of all not Manny who has a spotless work record here. He's always been the most polite and well-mannered…not to mention most hard-working ranch hand we've had, aside from Wade.”

“And he's a friend to me…and that's all. My Dad was totally irrational when he came in there like that. But what I'm asking you is to not fire Manny…”

Miss Ellie smiled and took a stack of clay pots off the shelf. “Well you didn't have to ask me. His past record speaks for itself. I'll talk to J.R.”

Jillian hugged her grandmother. “Thank you! I knew you'd understand.”

“So, have you changed your mind about helping me repot these seedlings?”

Jillian looked at the tiny pile of seedlings and then at the stack of pots. “Well…I guess maybe I could give this gardening stuff another try…”

“What took you so long?” It was Rex's voice.

“Personal hygiene. Haven't heard from you in a while…what's up?”

“I've got a new project for you…”

“Yeah?” Gregor was immediately interested. He needed more money. “Well don't keep me hanging, tell me more.”

“It's risky…and it'll be the toughest thing you've done for me yet, but the financial pay-off for you will be well worth it…I'm sure you'll agree.”

“Now you're speaking to my heart Rex…keep talkin'.”

“Not over the phone…meet me at my office in a half-hour.”

Across town, Rex dropped the phone back into the receiver and leaned back in his chair. He was anxious to put this plan into action and once it went into effect, one more thorn would be removed from Rex's side.

“Why don't you take the issue up with your sister-in-law, the mayor?”

“I think Donna has a lot more on her mind right now than parking meters. But I want to know about you, you look awful.”

“Thanks. As down as I am, I at least thought that I could depend on my looks.” Pam smiled, assuming it was a joke, but Cliff didn't laugh, he just grabbed another handful of the noodles that the waitress him just set on the table. They both placed their orders. Once the waitress was gone, Pam took a hard look at her brother. He really did look awful; there were bags under his eyes and his hair looked unkempt.

“I take it things still aren't going well at the Clifford Group?”

Cliff snorted. “Not going well? That's the understatement of the year. I just don't see any way out of this jam. But I suppose the good news is that in a few days, I won't have all of the burdens of running a big company anymore. Then I can just concentrate on writing a biography of my life, 'The Rise and Fall of a Great Man'.” He didn't tell her about his deal with Val to really write a book, they were keeping that a secret for now.

“Cliff, maybe I can help.”

He shook his head. “No, I asked you to help before and you gave me some good advice. No, I have to sink or swim on my own this time.”

“I know I said that, but that was before I knew how bad the situation really was. I… um… I heard you went to Ewing Oil asking for oil.”

Cliff looked down into his drink. “I'm not surprised. I'm sure JR couldn't wait to tell everyone about that.”

Their food arrived and the waitress set it on the table before them. After she had left, Pam reached over and put a reassuring hand on Cliff's arm; “Cliff, I think I can help you.”

“Don't tell me Bobby's given in?”

“No… but I do have an idea. It may be a long shot, but I think I know a way to help get you the oil you need.”

Cliff sat up in his chair and put down the egg roll he was eating. “How?!”

“I don't want to tell you just yet… I want to be sure it works first.”

Cliff smiled at her like a little boy on Christmas morning. “Pam, if you can pull this off, I'll… I'll…”

“Yes?”

“I'll try to like Bobby.”

“I thought you and Bobby buried the hatchet years ago?”

“Yeah, well, he's the only Ewing I could think about liking while I'm eating.”

As Pamela approached the door, she heard laughter from inside. Obviously, Todd wasn't alone and though she didn't want to disturb him, she needed to see him now, before it was too late. Pam quickly rang the bell and a moment later Todd opened the door looking a little disheveled.

“Pam?” Todd stuck his head out the door and looked around expecting to see Bobby.

“Todd,” Pam's voice broke through Todd's confusion, “may I come in?”

“Sure” Todd opened the door wider and stepped back to let her in. he was still baffled as to why she was here and quickly popped his head back out into the hallway, half expecting to see Bobby.

“Mrs. Ewing, how nice to see you.” Elayne, who was seated comfortably on the couch, stood up. “Please come in and sit down. Can I get you anything?”

Pam turned to look at Todd, who had closed the door, but was still standing behind her. “Of course, have a seat.”

The three of them sat down in the living room, Pam on one couch and Todd and Elayne on the one across from her. There was an uncomfortable silence. Pamela decided to just plunge right in. “Todd, I know it's a little odd for me to come here… by myself. But I have a favor to ask you.”

Todd was curious and a little anxious. Whatever Pam had to ask him, Bobby was obviously not in on it. He leaned forward to grab his cigarette lighter. Had just wrapped his hand around it when he felt a slightly painful poke in the ribs. He dropped the lighter and looked next to him. Elayne was moving her eyes in Pam's direction. Todd got the message; apparently you don't smoke in front of pregnant ladies. He smiled what he hoped was a charming smile. “Ok, Pam, what do you want me to do?”

“I need April Oil to sell my brother's company some oil.” She noticed Todd's puzzled look.

“Pam, I don't mean any disrespect, but why should I do that?”

“It's all right, Todd, I wouldn't expect you to just say yes without any questions. The simple truth is, my brother is in a really difficult situation. He has an oil contract that is coming due and he doesn't have the oil on hand to fulfill the contract.”

Todd leaned back in to the couch. “If you don't mind my asking, what's in it for April oil?”

Pam bit her lip she one could never be positive what Cliff would do. “The last time I talked to him, he was willing to pay quite a bit over the going rate in order to get the oil.”

“Ok, one last question, why isn't Bobby doing this? I mean, from what I know of the guy, he wouldn't even let you step in a puddle if it was raining, much less come looking for oil.”

Pam sat up straight and lifted her chin just a touch. “Bobby and I are different people, we don't agree on everything.”

Todd let out a long breath and sighed. He stood up and walked across the room. “So, let's see, I do a nice thing and help you, and royally tee Bobby off. Or I could refuse, making you hate me, and therefore, probably turning Bobby against me anyway.”

A small sympathetic smile crossed Pam's face. “Todd, let's get things straight. I don't try to 'turn Bobby against people' if I did that, we would have moved away from Southfork years ago.” Todd turned and smiled at her, they both knew she was talking about JR. “It's just a business deal, plain and simple; and while Bobby has his reasons for not helping Cliff, he knows that Cliff is my brother and I'm going to do all I can for him. So, he's not going to be angry with you if you help out.”

Todd thought for a minute and ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay, I'll look at the agreement and if it's as good as you say, I'll do it.”

Pam smiled in relief. “Todd, thank you, this really means a lot to me.”

Todd held up a hand, suddenly remembering the strange phone call he had gotten months ago warning him not to do business with Cliff. “But I'm going to have to do it secretively, so no one will know it's April Oil. But that's easy enough to do. I'll talk to my attorney's and I'll let you know when it's a go.”

Pam stood to go; “I'll wait for your call, then.” Todd opened the door for her and when she had gone, Elayne threw her arms around him and kissed him passionately.

They pulled apart for a moment. “Now, what's that for?”

“Just for being you. You have this tough exterior that you like to show the world, but inside you're really a marshmallow.”

Todd wrapped his arms around her. “Oh great, I'm a marshmallow… I think that's my signal that we're getting a little too close.”

Elayne laughed, “I should hope so, since you're going to marry me.”

Todd raised his eyebrows like the thought had never crossed his mind. “You're pretty sure of yourself, aren't you.”

Elayne leaned in closer, “Not at all, but I am sure of you.”

Todd couldn't help but smile as she kissed him again.

“Rex is different from most men…he's very busy.”

“No man would be too busy to spend a little time with the woman he loves…” Mitch's voice trailed off when he realized what he'd just said. He had been too busy for Lucy.

“Rex…Rex doesn't love me Mitch…he despises me.”

“What?”

“It's true. Maybe he cared for me at first…he asked me to move in here anyway…or maybe it was part of some scheme of his.”

“I thought you guys were in love? Why are you living here if you don't love him?”

“Because without Rex all I have is some two-bit talk show that barely makes me enough money to live on.”

“So you're with Rex just for his money…and you were going to marry him just for his money?”

“Were? I still am.”

“Afton, you can't do that…it's crazy.”

“I've done crazy things before…I'm sure this won't be the last.”

“And you'd be stuck living with a man that doesn't love you…that you don't love; just so you can be financially secure?” Mitch shook his head and finished up his croissant.

Afton was quiet. She was miserable living with Rex…even if he was one of the richest men in the world. “No…I mean yes…hell Mitch, I don't know.”

“Yes you do know.”

“That's not an easy question to answer.”

“It should be. Do you enjoy doing your talk show?”

“No. I used to, but not anymore.”

“Well then don't do it. It's time you started taking control of your own life Afton.”

Afton sighed. “I am in control of my life.”

Mitch shook his head. “But the way you're living it is making you miserable. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one thing for another…and this is one of those cases. If you marry Rex Wentworth then you'll be rich, no doubt; but I've learned that money isn't everything. Sometimes I worked twenty-four hour days at the hospital. I was married to my work mostly because I wanted the money that I never had growing up. But I lost Lucy in the process of getting that…and it was my workaholic nature that made Lucy go looking for love again…”

“What? When?”

“Lucy and I didn't just break up back in '98 because we didn't get along. I was working almost constantly at the hospital. I had so many patients…couldn't bear to turn any of them away. Lucy spent days on end alone at our house without seeing me…and I don't blame her a bit for what she did.”

“She had an affair?”

“I haven't told anybody about this…I've kept it to myself for nearly three years now because I just didn't want to talk about it. She met a man and spent lots of time with him…and I knew they were seeing each other but I didn't feel like I had any place to say anything.”

“Mitch, of course you did. She was your wife!”

“But do you blame her?”

Afton stood up and began to clear off the small table. “No,” she said in a whisper. “I don't.”

“Lucy never knew I knew about her affair…but I released her from our marriage for the last time. Three times we were married…and how stupid is that? It didn't work the first time because I was so tied up in my work. But the second time I knew things would be different…and they were…for a while.”

“And that marriage ended,” Afton said, finishing his thought.

“Then we crossed paths again and of course I thought the third time would be the charm, but it turned out to be the worst yet. I served Lucy with the divorce papers at the barbecue…thinking I was doing her a favor, but she was so upset…and I don't know why. She deserved better than me, but she didn't think so.” Mitch went silent, staring into his coffee cup in a daze. Finally, he snapped out of it. “How did I get off on this tangent? We were talking about you…and Rex. Have you decided anything?”

Afton nodded. “You're right Mitch…you're so right. Marrying Rex would be a stupid move.”

Mitch smiled and patted his sister's shoulder. “I knew you'd do the right thing.”

“And you're right about my show too…there's no reason why I should keep doing that if I don't enjoy it anymore. I can find another job doing something else…”

“You know…my house in Atlanta is huge and I'm hardly there…”

“Yeah? What are you saying?”

“I'm saying that you should pack up your bags and come back to Atlanta with me. Start a new life. I could use your help with a project idea I've been kicking around for a few years now.”

Afton smiled. “What project?”

“A charity that helps out some of the inner-city children in Atlanta…mainly giving them the medical care they need…and after seeing what you did for that woman on Christmas Eve, I know that you'd be the perfect person to help me start it.”

“I don't know Mitch…”

“What's keeping you here in Dallas? Let's go…go and get away from all the memories here.”

Afton looked at her brother and then smiled and hugged him. “I'd love to Mitch…you don't know how I'd love to.” And then Afton cried…everything that had happened in Dallas…everything that she'd done was all going to be part of the past and she'd finally have a chance to be the woman that she desperately wanted to be.

His mood quickly changed as he walked to his desk and found two large manila envelopes sitting there with the morning mail. He quickly tore one open. As he scanned the material inside, he grimaced. It was usable, but not exactly what he had been hoping for.

The other envelope was from Ed Pool. He opened it and flipped through the file. Bobby suddenly smiled, laughed out loud and said to himself. “Ed, old buddy, I owe you big for this.” He practically ran out of his office.

Bobby burst into Ace's office like a Texas tornado. Ace immediately knew he was in trouble, possibly life threatening trouble. He stood up to meet Bobby half way across the room and that was his first mistake. Without changing his gait, his grabbed Ace by his collar and literally tossed him 5 feet into the couch. At least it was a soft landing.

“Hey, man, you want to talk, ok. But there's no need in teaching me to fly.”

Bobby ignored the comment. He leaned over and shoved the file in Ace's face. “The time for talking is over Ace.” Bobby rifled through the pages. “You take a good look at this page, I think you'll find it very interesting.”

Ace took the file Bobby handed him and looked at the page, his face grew ashen as he read.

A look of despair came over his face.

Bobby straightened up. “You know, of course, that if that information ever got out, you'd be in prison for the rest of your life.”

“Forget prison, they'd kill me.”

“Well, then, it looks like we have some bargaining to do. Here's your one and only offer. You tell me who the spy is over at Wentworth, and I keep this information quiet. I think ten seconds is a fair amount of time for you to tell me… starting now.”

“Wait a minute man… I mean, if these guys ever found out what I've been doing, they'd kill me. How can I be sure you wouldn't turn me in anyway?”

“Well, I think that's your problem isn't it. You can trust me, or trust them.” He pointed to the file. Then glancing at his watch you now have 7 seconds.'

“Man, you've got to have mercy, we're not just talking about being roughed up a little. I'd be taking a dirt nap.”

“You're breaking my heart. You have five seconds.”

“Mr. Ewing, please…”

“Ace, do you really think that I have any sympathy for a guy who has been laundering money for drug lords? No to mention that little problem you have of keeping just a little bit of it for yourself every time you do it.” Bobby leaned in close to Ace. “I'd bury you in a second and never lose a night's sleep. You have one second.

Ace buried his head in his hands, “Okay, I'll tell you. The spy at Wentworth that has been supplying us with all the information is…”

Credits Roll...