Pamela went to Bobby, heedless of his still soggy appearance. She embraced him with all her strength and saw in his still handsome face the rage for JR temporarily disappearing and, she hoped the love he had felt for her for so many years returning. For his part, Bobby felt the same way he had felt when he saw her at the Southfork Barbecue way back over 20 years previously, ironically, she had been Ray Krebbs' date that night. Still, he felt like he had fallen in love with her that night, and that love had never ceased to exist in him.

"Oh Bobby, how I have longed for this to happen!" Pam exclaimed, embracing him with all her strength, "There were so many times over these years I thought I'd never see you or Christopher again. Then Christopher brings me back here, and we find out you were in a plane crash. I have been so scared these past few days! Thank God you're alive!"

He returned her embrace fully. "Pamela, if only there had been some way for me to have known you were still alive...We have wasted so many years apart," he said, his volatile temper rising again as he thought of what JR had done. "I swear I will make JR pay for what he has done to you if it's the last thing I do. Tonight was only a down payment!"

"Bobby, I really don't want to talk about JR anymore right now. We have so much catching up to do."

"Well, I say we start right now," he said as he gazed down into her face and kissed her passionately. "Pam don't EVER leave me again," he sighed as he broke off the kiss.

"Not even JR could keep me away from you now," she said as she took him by the hand. "Still, I would like to know what your life was like while I was gone. I know about April, and if you would tell me, I would like to know about her. I barely knew her before the accident."

"Honey, they don't really matter now. But if you want to know I will tell you. But for right now I would like to get out of these wet clothes," he said mischievously. "I would like to get a shower and unwind."

"Well, would you like some company?" she asked him devilishly.

"That sounds like an offer I can't possibly refuse," he said, kissing her again and walking arm in arm with her into the big house.

They made their way up the stairs and to his bedroom. Bobby closed the door and locked it behind them. "I really don't want to be disturbed now, do you?" he said as he took her in his arms once again, and kissed her deeply. Their kisses deepened as their passion for each other was rekindled. "Bobby, I don't think we're going to make it to the shower."

"To hell with the shower," Bobby murmured as he began to undress her and drew her down on the bed.

JR collapsed onto the bed. His face and body ached all over. It was clear to him that Bobby had indeed meant to kill him. The thought of that sent chills down his back. Pamela Barnes Ewing was back in his life, and like it or not, there was nothing he could do about it. Bobby would make sure that Pam was never taken from him again; he had grown wary of his tricks.

"Well, JR," said Sue Ellen, "what's the matter? Are we not as young as we used to be?"

"Sue Ellen, you're drunk, leave me alone."

"Awww, poor JR, did baby brother beat him up?"

JR caressed his swollen cheek; that would be one hell of a bruise in the morning. In the morning, he would have to face Bobby. He sure hoped that he had had time to cool off.

An hour later, Pam lay curled contentedly next to Bobby's strong loving body. "Of all the things I missed about you, this has got to be in the top five, or maybe it IS the top five," Pam teased him happily, leaning over to kiss him on the neck.

"Well, I'm glad you missed this, because I hope there will be a lot more," he said, turning on his side in the bed to face her.

"Bobby, seriously, I would like to know about the women who were in your life while I was away."

"Alright, you know I've never kept anything from you," he sighed as he began. There was Kay Lloyd, Tracy Lawton, and of course April. You already know I was married to April."

"So you must have loved April then."

"Yes I did love April but it wasn't the same love that I felt for you all these years," Bobby said honestly. "April was very special to me but I thought you were permanently and willingly out of my life so I tried to move on. You probably know my marriage to her didn't last long," he understated, sadness creeping into his voice.

"I'm sorry to bring up such painful memories for you, Bobby."

"It's alright sweetheart; you have a right to know. Anyway, since April died there have been two other women--Julia Cunningham and then Jennifer Jantzen. I liked those two, but they're both out of my life now." He hesitated, but decided to go ahead with his question. "Now it's your turn--what men have been in your life?"

"You may not believe me, but there has been no one. I cared for Harry Glassman, my plastic surgeon, but I couldn't get you out of my mind. He was definitely interested in me, but it was mostly one-sided. I have found in my life I can only truly love one man at a time," she said affectionately. "I love you Bobby. I always have and always will."

"I love you too; I hope you know that," he said, stroking her face.

"Bobby, I have one more thing to ask you about. Did anything happen between you and Jenna while you were over in Switzerland? She gave me an odd look earlier."

Bobby realized this was going to be hard to explain to Pam, but he went on anyway. He tried to collect his thoughts before he went on. "Pam, I thought I was going to die on that plane when we realized we were crashing. Jenna told me she loved me, and I told her I loved her too. Then after we crashed and got away from the wreckage, we told each other that again. I had no idea Christopher had found you, nor that you had been kidnapped for all those years. We were in a horrible position; we didn't know if we would be found, or if we would die out there from exposure or in an avalanche. In fact, Jenna was in one; Ray and I were lucky enough to get there in time to dig her out. Please try to understand." Bobby could see by the look on her face in the dimly lit room that she was hurt by his declaration of love for Jenna, whatever the pretense it was given in.

"I know she has always been special to you; and you had no way of knowing Christopher had found me; still, this is hard to accept, given what just happened between us. I have to know Bobby--what are your feelings for Jenna now?"

"Pam, you're right-- I do care for Jenna; but that doesn't compare to my feelings for you. I think you know, or should know, that I have always loved you. Jenna was the first love in my life, that's true, but you are the love that has endured all the family pressure we've endured, all the manipulations from Katherine and JR. No one could take your place with me, as long as you are here," he said sincerely.

Pam could tell that he meant every word he had said; he had successfully defused the hurt that had been building in her. "Honey, I have no plans on leaving you again, as long as you want me here."

"Pam, I think you should already know the answer to that. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you more than anyone I have ever known. I just wish we hadn't wasted all these years; and to think at the time of your accident you had found out you could carry a baby to term. We could have had a child of our own," he said sadly, "though I love Christopher just like he is ours."

"Bobby, I hate that JR took that chance away from us; you know nothing would have made me happier than to have your child," she said wistfully.

"Well, you're back here now and nothing else matters to me."

"I feel like I should apologize to you, though."

"Pam, you have nothing to apologize for," he said, taking her in his arms. "Let's just end this discussion and get some sleep. Good night," he said, kissing her once again.

"Good night."

The next morning came rather quickly for the reunited couple. They got ready to face the family at breakfast. Bobby instantly thought of the horrendous fight he'd had with JR. While he wasn't sorry for what he had done, he was sorry the family had witnessed it. Pam thought again of the look that Jenna had given her. She knew she had a rival for Bobby's affections by the look she had seen on Jenna's face.

"Well, sweetheart, are you ready to face everyone?" Bobby asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be," she responded, taking him by the hand and going out the bedroom door with him and down the stairs.

They came upon the family seated to the customary morning gathering. Jenna and Pam's gazes locked on each other once again. Pam could sense she needed to have a discussion with Jenna; she felt that Jenna had some things to say to her too.

"Good morning everyone," Pam said. She got various greetings back.

"Well, I was just leaving with Ray," Jenna said. "Some of us get up earlier than others," she said cattily, directing that comment at Pam.

"Jenna, I would like to talk to you for a few moments," Pam said as Jenna got up from the table. "Okay, we can talk outside." The two women warily walked together to the scene of last night's occurrences.

"I'll start this conversation," Pam began. "Bobby already told me what happened between you two while you were missing over in Switzerland. He told me how he was scared of the situation you were in, and that was why he told you he loved you."

"Oh, is that what he told you? He seemed pretty sincere about it then," Jenna replied, trying to cut Pam down. "I hadn't been kissed like that in years, not even from Ray."

"So you do remember Ray! I am so proud of you," Pam said sarcastically. "You are married to him."

"Well Pam, there was a time you dated Ray yourself, and you threw him over for Bobby, so get off your high horse before I knock you off it!" Before the scene could get any uglier, Bobby came out looking for two of the women he had loved in his life. "Pam, I was just wondering where you two went to."

"It's okay Bobby; Jenna and I were about done with our discussion anyway, weren't we Jenna?" With that Pam took Bobby's arm and walked back into the house.

Two Weeks Later……

Ellie had her answer! She had spent much of the morning walking the paths around her families' home. She had decided shortly after returning to Dallas that her family needed her. She saw what was happening with each and every member of her family. She was overwhelmed with the degree of work needed to regroup the Ewing's. She could not remember a time when the family was in such crisis. As she entered the house, the large white envelope sitting on the desk at the bottom of the Southfork staircase contained her answer. It was from Punk Anderson. It included information and invitations to this years' Oil Barons Ball. The ball had always been a time, come hell or high water, that the Ewings banned together as a family. This year's event seemed the perfect opportunity to reunite her family. This year's ball was a 4-day cruise. This year would be one to remember. She spent the next hour speaking individually with all the family. The only hold out seemed to be Gary. He felt he and Valene should stay close to Ewing Oil. J.R was reluctant to leave John Ross, but would attend. Bobby and Pam wanted to chance to show the world they were back together. Lucy was thrilled, though secretive about who she would take. Sue Ellen surprisingly said yes with out any question or comment. Ray and Jenna, well, they would let her know. The family was going on a cruise. Four days where no one could run away from the other. Four days for Ellie to do what she had to do.

It was a warm, sunny morning at Southfork. The brutal heat of summer was beginning to give way to a cool breeze, indicating that autumn was well on its way. At this time of year, breakfast on the ranch house patio was a pure delight to the inhabitants of the house, and currently there were plenty.

As Pam, soon followed by Jenna, took her seat at the table, Bobby was complementing Gary on a job well done at Ewing Oil. "I was hoping you might stay just a little longer, Gary. I think I need a little more time with Pam and Christopher before I go back to work."

Sue Ellen jumped in. "Yes, and I'd like to be free to spend as much time as I can with John Ross while he recovers."

Gary nodded. "No problem, you two. I've been waiting a long time to pay my dues back to this family. I consider it a privilege."

JR thought to himself, "well Daddy, it's finally happened. All of your worst nightmares are coming true."

Just then Miss Ellie rose from her seat and began to speak. "JR, I can see what you're thinking and I want to be the first to tell you that you're wrong. I also want to say that I will no longer tolerate any animosity between any members of this family. From now on, we're going to learn to love one another and I mean business about it."

Lucy giggled under her breath, enjoying JR's poor standing.

"That's enough, young lady," snapped Miss Ellie. "This cruise, it's going to be good for us. Ray, Jenna, whatever reservations you have about this, then I want you to drop them. You're both going on this cruise with us."

No one said a word. Instead, the two just stared at Miss Ellie and realized that any argument would be futile.

Clayton spoke up. "That settles it then. Here come the Ewings to take on the world as one big, happy family again."

Donna Dowling sat in her den worried about the call from Valene Ewing a few weeks prior. She wondered what the Ewings must know about her recent activities in Dallas. It wasn't time, she thought, for them to uncover her. She just needed a little longer and then she would go to them and tell them, for herself, what she had been up to. She couldn't wait to see the look on Ray's face.

"Why the hell are they all there, gathered at Southfork like that?" she thought. "I wonder if it's possible they've caught on to me?"

Christopher waited in Dallas Square for Pamela Rebecca. He didn't want to be there; he didn't want to even see Pamela Rebecca, but it was what Karen had wanted…for him to play "nice-nice" as she had called it.

Pamela walked around the corner and took a seat at the table with Christopher.

"Well, hello Christopher. I have to admit, this all sort of surprised me."

"Yeah, I'm sure it did. So, when is the baby due?" said Christopher, trying to make idle chat, not yet ready for the biggie.

"He's due in December."

"He?"

"Well, you know, it sounds a little better than saying 'it'," smiled Pamela.

"Yes," smiled Christopher back, only it was a fake smile. "Anyway, what I wanted to ask you. The Oil Baron's Cruise/Ball is coming up next week and I'm taking a little time off of school to go, Gramma wants all of the family to be there, well, John Ross can't go of course…but you know…."

"Yes? What are you getting at?"

"I'd like for you to be my date," said Christopher, finally spitting it out. He hoped Karen had a really good reason for asking him to do this.

"Chris, I…I'm kind of shocked, I'd love to." Pamela didn't care one way or the other about Christopher, but he was a Ewing.

"Well, cool. We leave this Friday. Is your dad not going?"

"I don't know, he hasn't said anything to me about it; but I'm happy you asked me. Who's staying with John Ross?"

"Gramma Patricia, she's flying back for a few days to watch over him."

"Ok, at least he'll be in good hands."

Muriel had left to visit her cousin for the afternoon; Lucy was alone in her room. Her friend had been acting a little strange since her return. She was always tired, and hadn't yet told Lucy why she needed to see her so badly. As usual however, Lucy was too preoccupied with her own life, to give too much thought to Muriel. Her mind had been racing ever since her grandmother had mentioned the Oil Baron's Ball. She wanted to call Cliff and ask him to go with her, but she was not quite sure how the family would react. She paced the room, flipped through a magazine, then finally decided to make the call.

"Hello?"

Lucy did not connect at first the voice on the other end was her sister-in-law. "Is Cliff at home please."

"Lucy, is that you!"

"Afton, what the hell are you doing there?"

"This is my home," Afton grinned.

"Well, is Cliff there?"

"No, is there anything I can help you with?"

"I don't think so Afton."

"Lucy, maybe you and I should meet."

"What on earth for? I think we said all we have to say in the barn."

"Well, things have changed between Cliff and I since you and I had our...encounter, I thought you might like to be filled in....so you can get on with your pitiful life."

"Just tell me where and when."

Gary looked out the window at Ewing Oil and mused over the idea of what he was accomplishing. The Barnes-Ewing feud was to finally come to an end, after all these years, due to actions of his own. Over the last two weeks, he and Cliff Barnes had met secretly almost everyday to discuss a joint venture between NorthStar and Ewing. This deal was to serve as a symbolic gesture of final peace between the two families, once and for all. Gary had opted not to disclose this information to his family until the "deed was done," as Valene had put it.

Cutter buzzed Gary from reception. "Mr. Ewing, NorthStar Oil on the line. Will you take the call?"

"Yes, Cutter, thank you. Oh and when I finish this call, would you come in here please? I need your opinion on a few things."

"Yes, sir."

"This is Gary Ewing."

"Gary, Cliff Barnes here. It looks like we'll be ready to close on Barnes-Ewing One before the end of the week, which is a good thing, I'll tell you, because I'm leaving town by then."

Cliff's partner sat in his office listening intently to the conversation.

"Fine, fine, Cliff. Ewing Oil is very excited about this deal."

"And so are we, Gary. So are we. The lawyers say that we should meet at their office tomorrow to sign the paperwork."

"Good enough for me. What time?"

"I'll come by Ewing Oil and pick you up at 10."

"Good, see you then, Cliff."

Both men hung up.

"So, he's actually taking the bait on this, is he? I knew he would." Cliff's partner stood smiling her incredible smile at him. They both were certain now that their plan was standing at the next level.

Cliff came down the stairs, having picked up a few more of his things. He and Afton had not really talked, but the tension seemed to be decreasing. "Well, I should be going."

"Cliff, can we talk for a few minutes?"

"Afton, I would like to talk, maybe even work things out, but with your case still hanging over our heads, I am not exactly sure what to say."

"Your right, but...I just wanted to thank you again for moving out so that I could live here with Pamela."

"You should be with your daughter."

"Well, you know you are welcome here anytime."

Cliff stared at his wife, and after a few moments spoke again, "Afton, what happened that night?"

"I...I am not sure Cliff, you were so drunk, I was upset, I don't really know what to say, except I wish I could do that night again."

"Why were you so angry?"

"I think you know why, Cliff maybe we should not continue with this," Afton occasionally got a glimmer of the old Cliff, but just as quickly the image of him with Lucy would rise again in her head, and the anger resurfaced.

"Afton....is there anyway we can get pass this?"

"I don't know, it is too soon."

"I got my invitation to the Oil Baron's Ball, do you think maybe we could go together, try to start fresh."

"Cliff, please understand, I am still confused, angry, furious, I shot you, I don't think I am ready to go to a Ball with you."

"Ok, Afton, I just needed to ask."

With that Cliff walked out the door. Afton was truly confused now. Not about the shooting, despite what she said to Cliff, she really did not regret shooting him. But...she did put herself in difficult situation. The man who just walked out the door was pathetic, stupid sometimes, but he was the man she loved, maybe still loved. She now had to convince the world he was also the man who wanted to kill her. For the first time, Afton did not know if she could pull this one off.

JR Ewing was lying low since the evening he once again ended up in the Ewing Pool. He was spending most of his time with John Ross at the hospital. He had no interest in Ewing Oil, for the time being anyway. He usually left Southfork early in the morning, and did not return until late in the night. Besides his mother, there was no one there he wanted to see, especially Bobby and Pam. Today however he had slept late, all the worrying of the past few weeks had caught up with him, and his body insisted on more than the four or five hours he had been getting most nights. The house was quiet and he headed for the kitchen, hoping not to run into any of his loving family. He almost got away with it, as he was leaving the kitchen with his cup of coffee, he ran smack into Pam.

"Hello JR." Pam's anger was as real as ever, but she also felt she had the upper hand these days. The tapes her niece had left with her, ensured J.R would not try anything. He may have done a lot of evil things over the years, but she knew if the family found out he was responsible for his own sons accident, he would be gone from Southfork, Ewing Oil, maybe even Dallas."

"Pamela…"

"J.R, why don't we sit down and have coffee together." Pam smiled at her ability to remain sweet and calm.

"What are you up to Pamela, you have no interest in spending one minute with me, and I, as you are aware feel exactly the same way."

"Well, we do have things to talk about."

"We have nothing to talk about, you may have convinced the family I had you locked up, but for all I know, you have been ranting around the world with some stud. Maybe you're only home because you spent all of your mother's money."

Pamela resisted the urge to poor the boiling coffee on his crotch. JR you can't run away from everything you have done, I am here, your deeds always follow you home."

"If you are stupid enough to listen to the ravings of that sister of yours, then you truly should be put away. Mental illness must run in your family, Katherine, Cliff and you, Digger as a dad. You guys have kept the drug business alive with all your medications. Now, which one of you is the bi-polar and who is the schizophrenic?"

"JR, at least in my family we only kill Ewings, not each other."

"What the hell does is that supposed to mean?"

"All in good time J.R, All in good time…."

Lucy arrived at the restaurant first. She had only agreed to meet with Afton to find out if she and Cliff were really back together and only if it were a public place. Lucy knew Afton would not pull anything in public, not with her court case coming up. Afton walked up to the table and sat down across from her sister-in-law. For the first few moments, the two only stared at each other; no words were spoken.

"Ok, Afton," Lucy finally said, "I hate you, you hate me, just tell me why I am here, I don't have all day to waste."

"Lucy, if I were you, I would not be in such a hurry, I think you will be interested in what I have to say."

"Unless you came to tell me you have had enough of life, and need my help to end it all, I can't think of what you could say that could possibly be of interest!"

"What about Cliff?"

"What about him?"

"Well, I was just curious as to whether your having little dreams about you and Cliff and a white picket fence."

"Oh, you mean as opposed to dreams of being Big Bertha's bitch in cell block 9?"

"Lucy, Cliff and I are back together" Afton was lying through her teeth, but it seemed to be having the desired effect.

"Afton, why on earth would Cliff take you back after what you did?"

"Well, maybe he saw what else was out there, and decided he had it better at home."

"So, if that's true, what are you worried about?"

"I am not worried."

"If you were not worried, you would not have wanted to meet with me, what's next Afton, a warning to stay away from your husband."

"My husband has no interest in you."

"Really, every time I have seen him recently, he seemed quite up for it."

"Lucy, you don't stand a chance."

"A chance, We went to bed together Afton, we have already have been together, Cliff and I are long past a chance."

"Well, Cliff wants me, he asked me today to go to The Oil Baron's Ball, if he wanted you, why would he ask me?"

"Well," Lucy grinned at her rival, this was all bull, Afton was worried, Lucy could feel it, "My guess is he's playing nice-nice with you, to ensure you don't go hunting again."

"The next time I go hunting Lucy, I am going after a pig."

"Afton the Miss Piggy thing was cute, but old, unless you have anything new to say, I am out of here."

"Here's something new for you, JR knows all about you and Cliff, and believe me he will never let it continue."

"My Uncle does not have a damned thing to say about who I see, sorry to inform you Afton, but JR Ewing is no longer the man people fear he once was."

"Well Lucy, I guess we will see, won't we?"

Lucy got up, and began to head out of the restaurant, "Afton you really should have another shower, I think you still have some shit under your fingernails."

"Lucy, this is not over…"

"I hope not Afton, so far it has been quite enjoyable, but I fear your next wrestling match will be with a much larger woman in need of electrolysis.

Afton remained in her chair, long after Lucy had left. What the hell was she going to do, Lucy wasn't going anywhere…that was obvious. She needed a way out of this. She either had to take the risk and convince the world Cliff was going to kill her, or admit the truth. Maybe Lucy Ewing was right, maybe Big Bertha was in her future. Unless...unless there was another way out of this. Afton had a thought, it was a long shot, but one she needed to try, she would get in touch with her lawyer as soon as she got back, she had a cruise to prepare for.

Anita awakened to the dark room once again. She had lost all track of time or anything else; she feared she was almost on the verge of insanity. For a whole month, she had been imprisoned in the cage and had lost all hope of getting out. However, that morning, something gave her new hope.

The outer door opened and Belinda walked in, holding a beautiful dress out in front of her. She didn't say a word and ignored Anita's questions. As quickly as she had come, she was gone. Belinda had left the dress hanging in the room. Anita wasn't even sure if what she had just seen was really happening, for all she knew, it could have been a dream…the whole past month could have been a dream.

A few moments later, the door pushed open again; this time, Robert Stockton himself walked in. "Well, hello Miss Smithfield. How are we today?"

"I was doing a hell of a lot better until you showed up."

"I don't think you mean that…but anyway…I came to tell you we're taking a little trip."

"A trip?"

"Yes, we're going to the Oil Baron's Ball, it's taking place on a cruise ship this year. I've taken the liberty of having a few of your things packed."

Anita had perked up for the first time in weeks. This was her golden opportunity. She could escape.

"Yes, but what is this dress for?"

"For you to wear of course. Now, I want you to shower and put it on. You can be my date."

"Well, sure…"

Stockton turned to leave the room, but stopped for a moment, "Oh, and Miss Smithfield, please don't try anything foolish."

JR lay at the bedside of his son once again, this time he did not want to fall asleep. John Ross was as still as ever. JR felt hopeless for the first time in his life, he longed for the days when his biggest worry was whether or not he would make 10 or 20 million this week. He barely noticed that a woman was standing behind him.

"Afton, what the hell are you doing here?"

"Not happy to see me?"

"I really don't give a damn about anything these days, sorry to disappoint you Afton."

"Well, JR, maybe I can help you out."

"Afton, if you are here to talk about the Cliff, Lucy thing, it will have to wait."

"JR, I am truly sorry about your son."

"I'm sure you are."

"But, I have been trying to get in touch with you for a long time, I really needed your help."

"My God, that's right, you were in jail, congratulations! You shot that dimwit husband of yours, I should have made time for you after that."

"Well, I am doing ok, now, I will need your help, but right now I think you need mine."

"With what?"

"You going to the Ball?"

"Yes, Mama is insisting the whole family attend."

"Well, I want to go to, JR be my date."

"I don't think I will be taking a date Afton," said JR looking back at his son.

"Well, as I hear it, you're pretty much on the outs with your entire family, and you could use a friendly face on the boat, if nothing else to ensure one of the Ewings doesn't try to push you overboard."

J.R smiled, he did not relish the thought of being on that damned cruise alone, if he had to go, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to have Afton along. "You know Afton, maybe we should go together."

"I knew you would see it my way."

JR began to actually look forward to this cruise. He loved his son, but he did need a break from what was going on, maybe a cruise, with Afton too, would be just what he needed. He remembered the first time he had met Afton, the day of Lucy's first wedding to Mitch, she was so lovely, maybe they could replay that moment on the open seas. JR stood looking out of John Ross' hospital window, this time day dreaming about something positive.

"Cliff you have to go with me" Lucy was on the phone in her room, she was sure Afton was lying, but was still nervous about making the call.

Cliff did not have to think long, he had thought about making a call to Lucy himself.

"Lucy, I will go with you, but I think it best we not look like were going on the cruise together, with Afton going to court, I want to keep a low profile for awhile."

"So we'll do the grand entrance at the ball?"

"Yeah, we'll turn a few heads."

"Cliff, I can hardly wait," Muriel entered the room, looking quite upset, Lucy said goodbye to Cliff and asked her friend what was going on.

"Muriel you have been here for awhile now, something is obviously wrong, why don't you just tell me."

"Lucy that is not as easy as it sounds. I came back to tell you something, but I am not sure how you will handle it."

"Just try me," smiled Lucy.

Muriel sat down on Lucy's bed; she turned away from her friend, not wanting to see her friend's reaction to her story. She began her story.

"After you moved away from Dallas, I was really alone, my parents had died, I don't speak with my brother, I was broke."

"Muriel, you know you could have asked me for money!"

"This is not about the money, Lucy, please don't interrupt, just listen, ok?"

"Ok."

"I got a job offer in Europe, You know I was always into art, I found my dream job, doing reproductions, of famous paintings for a museum, they sold them cheaply to tourists. Shortly after I arrived, I was fired, I had tried to seduce a customer, it was a long story, but they fired me."

"You tried to seduce someone?!" Lucy began to chuckle.

"Lucy Shut Up!!! I asked you not to interrupt, this was one of the problems, here in Dallas with you, Miss Lucy freakin' Young Dallas, as a best friend, I was always mousy Muriel, but in Europe, I reinvented myself. I never had love, never a boyfriend, but when I left Dallas, I found ways to be with men."

Muriel paused for a moment to allow Lucy to digest this first part of the story.

"Anyway....I needed money, I needed love, attention. Lucy, I found a way to get all three, I found away to survive." Muriel got up and walked around the room. "I prostituted Lucy, I had a client base of mostly rich men, mostly business men. For awhile everything was great, until the bubble burst."

"Did someone hurt you Muriel?"

"You might say that...Lucy I...I have AIDS."

"Oh my God," Lucy sat in shock for a moment then rose and embraced her friend.

"Lucy, that is not while I am here, I have dealt with the fact I am going to die, I have come to terms with that. I have no children, no ties, no friends really, except yourself, it was disturbingly easy to face my end."

"Muriel, maybe I can help, what about treatments?"

"Lucy I am going to die, I am not interested in prolonging living with this fact. I do have one mission before I go though."

"What is it, what can I do to help?"

"I need to tell all my john's about my disease, I need to give them the opportunity to have a test, to see if they are infected. I also hope to find the ass who infected me in the first place. That is why I need your help."

"How can I help you with that, do you need money to track them down?"

"Lucy!" Muriel began to yell, "This is not about your damned Ewing money, money has nothing to do with this! I am here because one of my john's lives in this house, he is here! That is why I am at Southfork Lucy, to tell him about the Aids!"

Lucy stood silently in shock, not only was her best friend dying, but one of her relatives could be too. Lucy thought for a moment, all of her family had been to Europe recently, JR, Bobby, Ray, It must be JR, poor JR, as if he didn't have enough on his plate right now.

"Lucy I don't want you to freak out, the man was wonderful, he was just lonely, just looking for a little companionship from a younger woman."

"JR always went for the young women.."

"It wasn't JR."

"Oh my God, not Ray, Please tell me it is not Ray."

"Lucy it was not Ray, it was Clayton."

Lucy stood looking at her friend. She flashed to her grandmother as she fainted to the floor.

Gary and Val were left alone at Southfork. All of their family had departed for Galveston to board the ship.

"I'm glad we've got this opportunity to be here alone, Val," Gary said to her.

Giggling, she replied, "I bet I know why, too, you devil…"

Just then the phone rang and Valene walked over to answer it.

"Hello?"

"This is she."

There was a long silence and then Val said, "well, it is short notice, but, ok, I'll fly over tomorrow."

With that she hung up.

"Who was that? Where are you flying tomorrow?" queried Gary.

Val burst into a joyous rage and ran to hug her husband. "That was a studio in Austin. They got wind of my new book and they want me to come meet them about the possibility of doing a movie instead on the same material! They're flying me down tomorrow morning."

"Honey! That's wonderful." His expression changed from joy to deep thought.

"What is it, Gary?"

He smiled again. "Well, that means that I'm going to have to devour you all over this empty house tonight, then, while we have the opportunity."

They smiled at one another and embraced passionately…

The Ewing party boarded the ship in one large group, extending the appearance of a well-united family. She watched from the distance until she was sure they were all aboard and unable to see her. She stepped out of her car and watched as the boat sailed away. She smiled an evil grin, knowing that the trip down here to Galveston had been worth the effort.

"Go on now. Cruise out to sea and leave poor little Gary all alone in Dallas to contend with me."

Her driver emerged from the limousine. "Ms. Fairgate, are you ready to go back to the jet now?"

"In just a minute," she waved him away. "I want to feel the full pleasure of watching those suckers float away on that ridiculous cruise." Abby Fairgate Cunningham Ewing Sumner was very pleased with herself. Everything she had dreamed of for so long was about to finally come true!

Credits Roll

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