Wade sighed and switched off the radio and felt guilty for neglecting his duties back at the ranch for the past few days. He hoped that Manny had things covered like he said he would. Wade switched up the speed on his wipers to clear the rain off the windshield more quickly and he signaled a turn into the parking garage beside the Ewing Oil Building.

He stepped out and looked at his watch. Eleven forty-five. That would give him enough time to take Sly out for a nice lunch and then get her home before the ice storm hit.

Five minutes later, he walked into the Ewing Oil lobby and was greeted by her warm smile. He then gave her his own greeting, in the form of a kiss. J.R. walked out of the office with his head buried in a folder and he started talking to Sly, unaware that Wade was in the room.

“Might as well take off early Sly. The way they're talking, this storm is a sure thing and we're not exactly booming around here today. Heck, the phone hasn't ringed in two hours.” J.R. then looked up and saw Wade. “Well…Wade…what brings you to the office today?”

“Howdy J.R. I'd planned on takin' Sly out to lunch, if that's okay.”

“Course it's okay.” J.R. glanced down at his watch. “Go ahead and take her home after you're done.” J.R. felt like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas Day after being visited by the three spirits. He was on cloud nine after his encounter with Sue Ellen and he was worried that if he weren't careful, he'd soon be running out into the streets throwing money at the first person he saw. “Oh Wade…I need to have a word with you before you go.”

“Sure…” J.R. looked at Sly and then motioned for Wade to follow him into his office. Once inside, J.R. shut the door. Wade stuffed his hands in his pockets and looked at J.R. “I'm guessin' this is about what happened on Christmas?”

“You lost me there Wade…” J.R. said, playing dumb.

“About me being your mother's nephew.”

“Oh, that. Well…what can I say about that, aside from welcome to the family old boy!” J.R. slapped Wade on the back and smiled his shark's grin. To Wade, who didn't really know him, it appeared to be a sincere greeting, but almost anyone else who knew J.R. would have known that it was anything but that. “Say, why don't you take Sly out on me…” J.R. reached into his pocket and took out a wallet, from which he pulled out several bills. “Hell, we'd be kidding ourselves if we thought that your foreman's salary was enough to allow you to treat a girl of Sly's caliber like she ought to be treated.”

“J.R., I can't just take money like that…I'm not one for handouts.”

“Now that's not a handout,” J.R. said with a laugh. “Remember, you work for me and ol' J.R. always compensates his employees…family or not.”

Wade reached out and took the money from J.R.'s hand, but a nagging thought settled over him. Family or not? What had that meant?

“Don't you dare drag Simeon and Josie into this…I won't lie for you.”

“Yes you will.” Rex's tone was confident. It was the first hint of confidence he'd shown during the entire phone call. Iris was scared by it.

“No…” Her voice wasn't as strong as before.

“Need I remind you what you have to lose?

“You wouldn't.” But she knew he would.

“I would and you know I could.”

Iris' doorbell rang and she panicked. Rex heard the bell through the phone. “Goodbye Rex…”

“Don't forget what I said.”

“Goodbye Rex.” Iris slammed down the phone; she was livid that Rex would even ask her to do this. She didn't appreciate being forced to lie for a man that she despised.

Iris swung open the door, hoping that it would be the police…that she would have more than just a few seconds to decide whether or not she was going to cover Rex's ass.

“I'm Detective Hope Miller with the Dallas P.D.,” a brunette woman said while simultaneously flashing a police badge. “I have a few questions to ask you Mrs. Wentworth. Mind if I come in?”

“No, n…not at all,” Iris stuttered. She still hadn't completely made up her mind.

“Can I ask you where you were on the night of December twenty-fourth?”

“December twenty-fourth?” Iris said, trying to buy herself some more time. Damn Rex! she thought.

Hope Miller nodded. “Christmas Eve.”

“Is something wrong? What's happened?” A few more seconds to think, but Iris was finding it hard to do so under the pressure.

“If you could just tell me where you were that night.”

“I…well…that was Christmas Eve and I was spending it with my ex-husband, Rex Wentworth.”

Hope raised an eyebrow. Why the stuttering? Was she hiding something? Or lying? “Anyone else you were with?”

“Well yeah…our kids. Simeon and Josette.”

“May I ask when was the last time you spoke with your ex-husband?”

Iris scanned her mind, searching for that time. She knew better than to say just five minutes ago. “I don't really remember…it's been several days.”

Hope jotted something down on her notepad. “I see. Mrs. Wentworth, I may have some more questions for you as this investigation progresses, but for now, that's it. I will, however, be in touch.”

Iris showed Hope to the door and breathed a sigh of relief when she was gone. “Rex, I hope to God you appreciate what I just did for you,” she whispered.

After what seemed like an eternity, the elevator doors parted and Sue Ellen walked into the lobby while shaking water off her umbrella. She looked up and her eyes once again met J.R.'s. “J.R…” she said in passing.

J.R. grinned. Her cold reaction was to be expected. After all, she'd finally succumbed to him and a woman of Sue Ellen's strength would be forced to try and build up another wall after the previous one had crumbled.

J.R. followed her as she swung open the door to her office and then she stopped dead in her tracks. “Oh my God…” she said in disbelief. There were roses and other flowers of all sorts scattered around the room. Every surface was covered with them. Taken aback, Sue Ellen walked into the room and the sweet rose smell permeated her senses. She walked up to one, pulled it out of a vase, and then she lifted it to her nose and took a whiff. After clutching it in her hand for a while, she turned to J.R. “Did you do this?” she whispered.

J.R. nodded and smiled. “Do you like it?”

Sue Ellen turned back around and surveyed the room once again, then she turned back to J.R. and looked down at the red rose she held in her hand. She moved her hand up the stem and then she felt a sharp pain in her finger. When she looked down, she saw a small drop of her own blood and a lone thorn that the florist had forgotten to remove. Sue Ellen put her throbbing finger in her mouth until the pain subsided somewhat and then she looked into J.R.'s eyes. “Now I know exactly what they mean by every rose has its thorn.”

J.R. let out a small chuckle, thinking that she was making a joke. “Sorry bout that.”

Sue Ellen smiled. “And your are no exception…as a matter of fact, you're full of them! Did you honestly think that you could win me over with inflated, paper-thin tricks like this? Is nothing sacred to you J.R.? Or would you just not stop at anything to take this company where you want it?”

“What do you mean Sue Ellen? You're not making much sense.”

“Trying to win me over to your side on this African oil deal! I know how gung-ho you are about that and the fact that you'd use my feelings for you—“ Sue Ellen's voice trailed off and she could have slapped herself at that moment. Did she actually say that? A sick feeling crept through her stomach when she realized she had. She'd just confessed to J.R., of all people, that she still did have some feelings for him.

“You still have feelings for me?” J.R. was shocked. He always suspected she did, but to hear her say it…

“I…I…” DAMN IT! More weakness showing through. That was just a confirmation of what she just said. “Get out of my office J.R.,” she said, growing defensive.

“Not until you answer my question.”

“I'm giving you ten seconds to get out and ten minutes to have your damned flowers out of my office!”

“Sue Ellen…just talk to me…”

“One…two…three…four…five…”

“I'm not leaving until you tell me the truth.”

“…six…seven…eight…nine…”

“Sue Ellen…”

“Ten.”

“I now you have feelings for me Sue Ellen. You just said it yourself, in the heat of the moment. What we had all those years ago can't easily be forgotten. I understand completely.”

“I have forgotten.” Sue Ellen picked up a vase of roses and hurled it at J.R. The vase hit the wall next to him and shattered, spilling water and roses onto the carpet. After seeing that it missed, she picked up a basket of daffodils and threw it. J.R. threw up both his arms in defense, but it struck him across the chest and the daffodils scattered across the room.

J.R. laughed. “Just like the old days! A good ol' lover's spat. Hell…we had some good ones, didn't we Sue Ellen? Remember that wine stain on the wall next to the stairs?”

Sue Ellen grabbed another vase and launched it in his direction. J.R. side-stepped and it went sailing out into the lobby. “Get the hell out J.R.!”

“What about that kiss earlier today? Tell me you didn't feel something there…you sure didn't try to pull away.” J.R. dodged a bouquet of gladiolus and it too went sailing into the lobby.

“That kiss didn't mean anything…I was vulnerable and you took advantage of me!” Sue Ellen picked up a porcelain pot that was planted with an African violet. She heaved it at J.R. and it broke at his feet, sending potting soil flying all over his shoes. “And you can forget ever getting in on that African deal! Especially after this stunt! Because anything that Ewing Oil gets into requires both of our signatures on paper and the only way that's going to happen is if you take my dead, lifeless hand in yours and make me sign it!”

J.R. grinned. “I just love a challenge Sue Ellen. You ought to know that.”

“Who would have known you liked a challenge? With all of the 'easy' women you'd had over the years. Let's see…Afton…Holly…Mandy…Kristin…”

“And none were easier than you Sue Ellen.”

Sue Ellen glared at him. “I was young and I was a fool. But there will be ice in hell before I ever make that mistake again.” Sue Ellen set down a vase that she was about to throw. “You know…tonight after the so-called 'kiss', I had seriously considered quitting…maybe selling my half of the company to some old rival of yours. Like maybe Jeremy Wendell…or McKay…maybe even Cliff. But then I realized that life is so much more enjoyable when I can be a permanent thorn in your side. And then…I will always be here to keep you in check, a lot like Bobby used to be, but I think the best part of all is the fact that with me around, you will constantly be reminded of what you will never have again.”

“I'm so jealous of you Manny.”

“Why's that?”

“You've got the cozy little house and I'm stuck living in Southfork with my Dad and the rest of the family.”

“I'd say you were the lucky one,” Manny said while lacing up his boots in preparation to go back outside.

“I don't have a lucky bone in my body, otherwise I'd be somewhere other than Southfork.” Jillian stared back out the window at the nearby stable and watched the ranch hands round up a few remaining horses.

“My father always taught me to be thankful for what I had…and not to long for what I didn't. Maybe you should take that advice. Just look at what you've got…”

“Name one thing,” Jillian challenged him.

“A family. There's always someone at Southfork to talk to…someone to love you. You're guaranteed a roof over your head, no matter what happens. I don't have those same luxuries.”

Jillian walked over to the couch and took a seat next to Manny. “You never really talk about your family, aside from your dad. What about your mom? Do you have any brothers and sisters? I mean…I've known you for a while now, but I don't think I really know you.”

“I guess I talk about him more because he was more influential on my life. He started out on the wrong track…he was a heavy drinker, but over the years, he made a complete turn-around. It didn't come in time to save his marriage though…my mother left him when I was just five and she moved in with relatives and took my older brother and one of my sisters with her. The other sister and I went to live with my father…she just didn't have enough room at the house she was staying at. Around that time my father joined the priesthood, but he didn't make any money from that, even though it was offered. He took a job building houses during the week and that was where all of our income came from.”

“He sounds like a good man.”

Manny nodded. “He was. He raised me to be one as well.”

“But you never had any interest in going into the priesthood?”

Manny shook his head. “No. I respected what he did…tremendously, but I knew it wasn't for me.”

“What did you want to do then?”

Manny leaned back on the couch and stared ahead at the wall as a nostalgic smile spread across his face. “I wanted to be a professional baseball player…like my father was earlier in his life. He played in the Mexican league…had a career average of .395. That's what got him into the alcohol, but I was determined I wouldn't let that happen to me.”

“Wow…so did you ever play?”

Manny nodded. “When I was young, he was constantly out in the backyard, playing catch with me. Sometimes he'd get up a game with some of the kids and I had a blast playing. Years later when I got to high school, I tried out for the team…and made it on.”

“What position?”

“Starting pitcher. That was my one dream all through my junior high years on through my freshman year…to make that team. I practiced and lived to play baseball and when I finally made the team, I was so excited. I knew my father would be too, so I went home one afternoon and told him the good news…”

“You're gonna wear a path in the carpet if you don't stop walking over to that window.”

Donna looked over her shoulder and gave Ray a weary smile. “I'm worried Ray. It's not like Margaret to be late and not call. She always keeps me posted.”

“Lucas on the other hand,” Ray muttered.

“He's getting better…mellowing out some, don't you think?”

“He was until this morning at breakfast. Well…come to think of it, he's been this way since he went shoppin' on Christmas Eve. The boy's been so cold to me since then.”

Donna nodded and sighed. Ray put his arm around her and guided her away from the window and back to the couch. “The scene at breakfast was hauntingly familiar. I saw more than a hint of that rebellious streak he showed me when I moved back to Dallas.”

Ray chuckled. “Least you're not tryin' to get elected to public office this time around.”

Donna heard the sound of someone entering the house and she stood up and dashed into the entry hall to find Margaret standing there, removing her raincoat. “Margaret Krebbs, where have you been?”

Once she managed to extricate her arm from the coat, Margaret looked at her watch. “I'm sorry! I didn't realize it was this late…”

“I was worried to death. It's turning into one big mess out there and I was afraid you were going to get stuck out there somewhere and freeze to death…” As if to prove Donna's point, outside a tree limb snapped under the weight of the ice and crashed to the ground.

“Well I'm okay. That's all that matters, right?”

Donna pulled her only child into a hug. “Just don't do it again without calling, okay?”

“Sure mom…”

Manny shook his head. “I thought he would be…I really did. Do you know what he did?”

“What?”

“He asked me to quit the team. The same day I made the team after all those years of hard work. I asked him why and he said that his baseball career was what started his life down the wrong path. So I told him that I wouldn't make the same mistakes he did, but that wasn't enough for him. We had a huge argument that day and finally he convinced me to quit the team.”

“No Manny…you didn't quit, did you?”

Manny continued his story. “I went up to my room that night and cried myself to sleep, thinking about how unfair it was for him to ask me to do something like that…knowing how important it was to me. The next day I went to school and talked to my best friend, Miguel, who was also on the team. He told me that I should stay on and prove to my father that I wouldn't allow it to consume me like it did him…and that high school baseball was nothing like the Mexican league and that chances were I would never make it that far. So, I didn't resign.”

“What did your father say?”

Manny's expression changed into one of deep regret. “I lied to him…told him I had quit the time like he wanted. He then apologized for asking me to do that, but told me he only wanted me to quit because he loved me and knew what was best. I felt terrible. When I had to sneak out for games, I couldn't concentrate. I was throwing wild pitches, beaning batters, and walking one after another. The coach eventually took me out of the rotation and put me in the bullpen, but I never saw any action there. It was always someone else they called up to save the game. It took some time, but I overcame my guilt and proved myself in an eleventh-inning pinch when I struck out three.”

“Good for you…and all that time, your father never knew you were playing?”

Manny shook his head. “Not for a while. He was a very busy man, working two jobs and all. But one day someone mentioned to him that I was really throwing some good stuff and then he realized that I'd been playing all along. He didn't say anything when I saw him, but I could tell something was wrong. I was the starting pitcher in the next game and you can imagine my surprise…and fear…when I look over and see him sitting in the bleachers. I freaked out and walked the first two batters, but then I settled down and struck out three.”

Jillian glanced out the window and noticed that there was now ice forming on the roof overhang. “What happened after the game?”

“He said my fastball needed a little more movement, but aside from that, I was good.”

“Seriously?”

Manny nodded. “Seriously. Then he said that he could see that playing baseball made me happy, but that I would have to ask God for forgiveness for lying to him. I did and my father was happy…”

“So what happened then? Why are you working at Southfork now instead of playing in the majors?”

“I'm getting there. I went on to play for two more years and then I was drafted straight out of high school by the Mexican league. After making it that far, I knew my next step was the majors. That's how confident I was. I wanted to play for Atlanta…with my hero, Dave Justice. Anyway…I got all set to play the first game and I started it…and went for a complete game. We kept them down to just one run. Several of my friends and I went out to celebrate. Miguel was there with me…”

“The same Miguel that talked you out of quitting the team?”

“Yeah, the same. I got caught up in the celebration so much that I did exactly what I promised my father I wouldn't…I got drunk. It was the first time and the last time for me. Everyone was so wasted and we had to get home…we didn't have a designated driver. Miguel was the least drunk so he volunteered to drive. On the way home, he went a little too fast and lost control of the car. It slammed into a concrete bridge support and the car was totaled…”

“Oh my God…were you hurt?”

“Yes, but I was lucky. Miguel was killed and so was everyone else but me and one other. That one particular person was paralyzed and stayed in a coma for almost a year and he's now in a wheelchair…” Manny's voice broke, recounting the emotional even from years ago.

Jillian moved closer to him and put her arm around his shoulder. “You don't have to go on if you don't want to.”

“I need to. I haven't told anyone about this in a long time. I was pretty beaten up in the wreck…lots of broken bones. But the worst injury was in my left shoulder…my pitching arm. The doctor told me I would never play baseball again…and I haven't played since then.”

“Manny, I'm so sorry. I had no idea.”

“I guess that was what I deserved after lying to my father about playing. But as much as it hurt me to realize I'd never play again, I was still thankful to be alive. Not that I realized that until later. Several months after that, my arm healed well enough to go to work and I moved to Dallas and got a job here at Southfork. I think that brings things up to date.”

“That's so sad. Did you never get a second opinion?”

Manny shook his head. “No. I knew it was no use.”

“Oh c'mon Maggie…you're not that naïve. I know you've seen a tattoo before.” Lucas looked down proudly at the armband tattoo that encircled his left bicep.

Margaret nodded. “Yes I have…just not on you. Pardon the expression, but what the hell were you thinking? Dad is going to freak!”

“Great,” Lucas said nonchalantly.

“What do you mean, 'great'?” Margaret's curiosity got the best of her and she reached out to touch it, but Lucas pulled his arm away.

“Careful…it's sore. And Ray's not gonna know for a while. At least not until I have an earring to go with it.”

“What's gotten into you!?” Margaret asked in horror. “A tattoo, an earring, Ray?”

“You'll find out why soon enough.” Lucas didn't want to tell her that he was Bobby's son and that now he was doing anything he could to distance himself from Ray and his 'cowboy' way of life—at least not yet.

“You're scaring me Lucas Krebbs…”

Lucas let his sleeve fall back over the tattoo. “So, you like it?”

“NO, I don't like it! It's horrible and it's going to be there forever and when you grow out of this phase you're in, you're going to regret getting it!”

“Good grief Maggie…it's not like I went and had my whole body covered. This is…” Lucas paused, “you know, conservative.”

“A conservative tattoo. Now there's an oxymoron if I ever heard one. They say tattoos are like potato chips…you can't stop at just one. And for your sake I sure hope the parlor you went to was approved by the local health department…did you even ask? And you're not even eighteen yet!”

“It was a reputable place. I asked around.”

“A reputable place that would give a minor a tattoo without parental permission? Yeah, that's reputable alright.” Margaret lifted up his sleeve and looked at the tattoo again. “Dad is going to freak!” she whispered again.

“Good,” Lucas thought. That was exactly the reaction he was hoping for.

Pamela slowly opened her eyes and squinted at the small amount of light streaming through the open window shades. For a moment, she felt disoriented; then, as she stared around the hospital room, small things began to come back to her. She didn't know how long she'd been floating in and out of awareness, but her mind was full of glimpses of Bobby leaning over her, caressing her cheek gently or kissing her on the forehead. Fleeting memories of him begging her to come back to him – and their children. And then… there had been April. She turned her head and stared up at the ceiling. Had it all been a dream? It seemed so real. She could still vaguely feel the warm glow of the light she had seen and the peace it had brought her.

It was all beginning to come back now. She'd been on her way to see Cliff and suddenly from out of nowhere, she could see the car racing toward her; the driver's face was etched in her mind. He saw her in the road, she knew because their eyes had locked for just a fraction of a second and she had seen the hate and determination burning in them. Her heart began to beat faster as she remembered the panic that had overtaken her in those last seconds. There was no time to think and she had followed her instincts as she used those last precious moments to grab Gracie by the arm and with all of her might, fling her out of harm's way. Everything went black after that.

Her head began to hurt and she let her eyes close.

She thought she had drifted back into a dream when she heard the small voice, “Mama”. Bobby reached out and lightly touched her shoulder.

“Mama?” Pam opened her eyes and found a pair of bright, sparkly eyes staring back at her.

“Gracie!” Pam held out her arms and Gracie lunged for her.

“Whoa! Not so fast Gracie, remember what I told you, Mama still has to rest; just like you did when you hurt your arm.” Grace leaned back against him with a distinct pout on her face.

Pamela looked at the cast on Grace's arm and was immediately filled with guilt. She knew that she'd done what she'd had to do to protect her daughter, but still, it was difficult knowing that she was the one that caused the break.

“Bobby, it's okay. I'm really feeling much better.” She scooted over a little in the bed. “Put her here.”

Bobby smiled and sat her down next to Pam. Pam immediately engulfed her in a bear hug. Gracie squealed in delight. “I'm so glad you're here, Gracie. I've missed you so much.” She looked up at Bobby. “Thank you for bringing her.”

“I thought she might cheer this place up a bit. And from the smile on your face, I think I was right.”

Pam smiled at him and pushed a small lock of hair out of Gracie's face. “This is perfect, now I Gracie and I can both get a look at the twins.”

Bobby's brow furrowed. “Pammy, I know you're anxious to see the babies, but I really don't think you're up to it.”

“Hello.” Dr. Valita entered the room. “How's the patient doing today?”

“I feel a lot better, in fact, I think I feel well enough for a little walk.”

Dr. Valita smiled. “Now that's the spirit! But I don't think you can do that just yet.” Pamela frowned.

Bobby breathed a sigh of relief.

The Doctor performed a cursory exam. “You really are improving quickly. I think that later today, we can have you up out of that bed and you can go visit your babies – as long as you don't mind going in a wheel chair.

Pam looked at him excitedly. “That would be wonderful!” She hugged Gracie tightly.

When the Doctor left, Bobby followed him out into the hall.

“Doctor, how could you tell her that!?!”

Dr. Valita stopped and turned toward him. “Tell her what? That she's getting better?”

Bobby shook his head. “No, I mean telling her that she can see the twins.”

“Why? Do you plan on keeping their condition a secret from her forever?”

Bobby looked down at the floor. “No, I just want to be sure that she can handle it what she finds out how poorly they're doing.”

The doctor softened his tone. “I understand how you feel, but you need to understand that even when she was in a comatose state, her body was working to heal itself. She is getting better.”

“… And another thing, you shouldn't try to hide the truth from her. No matter what happens, she's going to find out soon anyway… don't you think the news should come from you?”

Bobby stared after him as the doctor walked away. He knew Dr. Valita was right. He had to let her see them soon.

As they spoke, Bobby hadn't seen the man enter Pamela's room.

Pam was completely absorbed in playing with her daughter and didn't hear him or look up.

“Mrs. Ewing?” He walked further into the room.

Pamela looked at him, expecting him to introduce himself. “Yes, I'm Pamela Ewing. Who are you?”

The man smiled and came closer. “Oh, come now Pam, surely you recognize an old friend.”

Pam stared at him hard for a moment. Still, he looked completely unfamiliar to her. “I'm sorry. I don't remember.”

The man shrugged. “Never mind. It doesn't matter. I remember you and this has to be your little girl.” The man leaned near Gracie. “Hello there little lady.”

Grace whimpered slightly and pushed herself back against Pam, who instinctively hugged her daughter tightly. “It matters to me. I'm sorry, but I think you should leave.”

The man stood upright and stared at her for a long moment. “Very well, if that's what you really want. But I'll be back to check on your progress. You're very important to me, you know.”

Pam found herself unable to pull her eyes away from his. She finally said in a soft voice, “Please leave.”

“As you wish.” The man looked at Gracie. “Bye, bye, Gracie.”

Pam didn't loosen her hold on her daughter until he was out of the room. There was something about that man that gave her chills. His eyes were so intense. “Mama, let's play.”

Pamela pushed those thoughts out of her mind and began a game of pat a cake with her daughter. By the time Bobby came back into the room, she'd forgotten all about the intruder.

CREDITS ROLL