Clayton sat next to Ellie on the bed. She stroked his cheek, and gave it a kiss.

"Is everything all right Clayton, did you work everything out with Lucy?"

"Not exactly."

"Clayton, can I help, Lucy is more like my daughter than a grand daughter, maybe I could talk to her...you still seem very disturbed about something."

"Lucy knows Ellie."

"Knows what?"

"Lucy found out about...about Gabrielle."

Ellie sat silently staring at her husband, after a few moments she spoke. "What exactly did she find out?"

"I don't exactly know the details Ellie, but she has spoken to her."

"Gabrielle, how is that possible?"

"She was in Dallas, she must have told Lucy."

Ellie got up and stood in front of her husband. "Clayton this is not making any sense, why was Gabrielle in Dallas, and why would she speak with Lucy."

"It appears Gabrielle was a friend of Lucy's, from way back."

"Clayton, Lucy doesn't keep in touch with her old friends, the only one she has even seen recently was...Oh God Clayton, don't tell me Muriel and Gabrielle are one in the same."

"She looked very different, not like the same woman at all, I sat a few seats away from her at Southfork, and had no idea."

"Oh Clayton, Lucy must be going crazy, she needs to know, she must be having all kinds of crazy thoughts."

"She won't talk to me Ellie, she just ran off."

"I think I should explain it to her Clayton, she will listen to me, let me take care of this."

Again Ellie sat on the bed, stroking her husbands cheek. "Clayton, I will make her understand, don't you worry, Lucy loves me, she is just angry, thinking you betrayed me, but I will make her understand, it will be ok."

Lucy lay soaking naked in the tub, her eyes closed, she was starting to relax, it was getting easier to concentrate on tonight's ball letting thoughts of Clayton and Muriel drift away. Lucy did not hear the person enter her room. Cliff peeked through the bathroom door, and after his glimpse of Lucy in the tub, he undressed and tip toed in to join her. Lucy's smile came on at the same moment her eyes opened."

"Come on in!"

"I was hoping that is what you'd say." Cliff slid his way into the tub, and he and Lucy sat facing each other."

"You looking forward to tonight?"

"I am beginning to Cliff, I have to ask you one more time though, are you sure it's such a good idea to be seen together with Afton's trial coming up?"

"Well you just said it, it's Afton's trial, no matter what happens, I did nothing wrong, Nothing is going to stop me from making a grand entrance with you."

"Good."

"Afton is on her own Lucy, you have to trust me, if I had any thoughts of a reconciliation, they are now gone, completely."

"So, does this mean we can start actually...dating, and not just quickies when no one is looking?"

"Well, I hope not completely..."

Lucy and Cliff drew closer and wrapped themselves in each other, neither had a clue of what was in store for them the night of the ball.

The day of the Oil Baron's Ball had arrived. Pam and Bobby were preparing for the main event of the cruise in their stateroom. Pam thought of all the nights and sometimes afternoons she and Bobby had spent together in their stateroom, and before that. The thoughts brought a slight blush to her face, which Bobby noticed. "And what are you thinking about?" he asked her lightheartedly.

"You and I, and all the times we've made love. We may have to be careful, my dear; I haven't gone through the change of life," she said in a light but serious tone. "Not that I mind all this," she said, taking him in her arms. "I think it's been too long since I told you how much I love you," with that she took him in her arms and kissed him. "By the way, I think this would be the perfect time to tell the family about our engagement. I am just afraid of how Jenna will take it. I think she would like to throw me off the bow and let me get run over by the ship!"

Bobby sighed. "I think you have a point there, honey. But she will have to find out sooner or later. I wish she would forget what happened over in Switzerland between us. I hope she doesn't wind up hurting Ray, but I can't worry too much about those two. You and Christopher are the most important people in the world to me." With that he pulled her close, her head against his chest, so she couldn't see the troubled look on his face.

Afton was dressed and ready, her dress was sure to turn a few heads; her cleavage went almost to her belly button, and with just enough support to ensure everything stayed in place. She was putting on her earrings when J.R arrived.

"Afton Cooper, you look good enough to eat."

"Start nibbling baby."

"Well I have been on top 4 times now since we began the cruise, might tonight be the night I get to the bottom?"

"It just might be!"

"So Afton, you know your hubby will be with my niece tonight, you prepared for that?"

"More than prepared JR"

"You sound like you have something up your sleeve."

"Well I am sleeveless tonight, but I have something up somewhere."

"I have something up myself Afton, do you.... think we might get to the bottom of things before we go."

Afton walked over, and locked the door; she turned around and faced JR. She slid the thin straps of her gown down over her shoulders, and her gown fell to the floor.

"Care for an appetizer before the main meal."

"I think this appetizer might just fill me up."

Afton and J.R made love and headed towards the Ballroom, but not before she put the manila envelope in her purse.

Val was feeling relaxed. Her day, yesterday, had been filled with rest. She had forgotten what a beautiful city Austin is. The sunset over Lake Travis, combined with Gary's call the night before had cinched a perfect day for her. She was now ready to face the world of movies. The folks over at Abberation Studios had better watch out!

"Wait a minute," she thought. "Abberation? Could Abby be behind this?" She dismissed the thought as careless and ridiculous. What possible motive could Abby Fairgate possibly have for orchestrating some bogus movie deal for her in Austin, Texas, of all places? Val turned her thoughts back to the screenplay. Then, the phone rang.

"Hello?"

Donna Dowling could be heard on the other end. "Valene Ewing? Is that you? This is Donna Krebbs Dowling."

"Donna!" Val exclaimed, excitedly. "I've been trying to reach you for some time now."

"Yes, I know," Donna replied. "I'm sorry it's taken me so long to return your calls."

"Oh, no! It's no problem at all, Donna! It's just that I'd like to interview you for my newest writing endeavor. It's a screenplay based on the lives of the Dallas Ewings during the 1980's."

Donna laughed with relief. Her surprise for the Ewings was still safe. "Well, do I get to give you all the dirt on JR?"

The two women laughed. Donna explained that she was flying to Galveston to meet a helicopter the next day and that she would be happy to make a stopover in Austin to meet with Val for a few hours. The two finished with their arrangements and politely said good-bye to one another.

"Well, gentlemen, I think that wraps everything up here." Abby spoke to a group of lawyers and department heads in the NorthStar Oil conference room. "I'd like to ask, is there anyone here who objects to what we've just done here?"

The men all looked around at one another, nervously.

"I see. Well, let me explain two things to you all. First of all, Mr. Barnes signed an agreement with me when we first went into partnership together. As you can all see, the contract states that if any one partner is absent, and remains absent, from the day-to-day operations of the company for more than 48 hours, that sole ownership automatically goes to the other partner and at no cost to the new owner."

One of the men spoke up. "Ms. Fairgate, you can't really believe that Mr. Barnes knowingly agreed to those terms."

"That really isn't my problem, now is it? And, speaking of problems, that leads me to point number two. Everyone in this room, save me, has a problem now, a very serious problem. You're all unemployed!"

"You can't do this to us!" Another of the men exclaimed.

"Gentlemen, I can and I have. Now, would you please be so kind as to vacate the building before I have security handle it for you?"

A group of uniformed security men entered the conference room and, very forcibly, "helped" the gentlemen out of their seats and to the building's exit.

Abby remained at the head of the conference table, alone in the room. She said out loud to herself, "Well, that settles that. That novice, Mr. Cliff Barnes practically gave me NorthStar Oil. I'll have to find a way to thank him… Now, on to the real conquest. Tomorrow, Ewing Oil is mine!"

Cliff was helping Lucy with her necklace, they were both ready and about to depart to the ballroom. They kissed for luck, and headed out the door, Ellie was standing in the hall when they swung the door open.

"Grandma!"

"Cliff, could you give Lucy and I a moment please."

"Of course Miss Ellie, Lucy I will be back in a few moment, ok?"

"Ok Cliff." Ellie turned as Lucy and Cliff kissed, the two women headed back into Lucy's room.

"Lucy, Clayton told me you know about Gabrielle."

"Gabrielle?"

"Well, Muriel, she called herself Gabrielle, when she was in Europe."

"Grandma, I don't understand any of this."

"I am sure you don't, and to be honest with you, I am going to need a long time to explain the situation to you, I just need you to know, that I am aware of Clayton's relationship with her, and It was ok with me."

"Grandma, I don't see how you could be ok with your husband having sex with a prostitute!"

"Lucy, I am not going to justify my feelings to you right now. When we get back to Dallas, you and I will have a long talk and sort this thing out. It is not exactly what you think. But for now, I am insisting you not let this interfere with the Family being united at the ball tonight. I don't want this to ruin it for you, or Clayton."

"Grandma, I am not sure I can just forget this."

"I am not asking you to forget it, just put it aside until we return to Dallas, and Lucy, one other thing."

"Yes."

"I think this should stay between you, and Clayton and I."

"No problem Grandma."

"You haven't told Cliff have you?"

"No, I haven't told a soul."

Ellie kissed her grand daughter on the cheek, and started to depart. "Lucy I love you very much, I promise you that this will be ok, you will understand." Ellie left to join her husband at the ball.

Lucy was more confused than ever, her grandmother knew about Muriel, that was tough enough to digest, but did either Clayton or Ellie have a clue of what Muriel may have brought to their lives.

Cutter entered Gary's office at Ewing Oil and presented him with a stack of papers to sign that was several inches thick.

"What's all this, Cutter?"

"Oh, just various necessary papers pertaining to the several project we have going at the current time, Mr. Ewing. There are expense reports from the crew at Barnes-Ewing One, final interest rate contracts on the loan to the Taiwan company's projects and various other things that need approval."

"It would take me days to read through all this."

"Mr. Ewing, if I may be so bold. That is the reason you have such a large staff. We've already done all that for you. Your signature is all that's needed at this point. If you like, I can prepare a summarized report of all this before you sign them."

"Well, I would like to see the report, but I don't think it's necessary to do so before signing. You've proven your worth and competence ten-fold, Cutter. I trust you."

"I'll leave you to your work, then. Please expect that report on your desk by the close of the business day."

"Thanks, Cutter."

Cutter left Gary's office feeling very satisfied. Everything that Abby had given him for Gary's signature was now being signed. Soon, very soon, everything would be in place for Abby and he to assume control over Ewing Oil.

The Ewing, Farlow, and Krebbs families entered the ballroom together. Miss Ellie and Clayton led, followed by Ray and Jenna, Christopher and Karen and JR and Afton, with Sue Ellen walking behind. The room was decorated exquisitely, sparing no expense. It was more glamorous than any of the previous events had ever been. A few moments later, the Barnes representatives walked in—Cliff and Lucy.

"Well, this is quite nice, isn't it?" commented Sue Ellen. She turned around and bumped into Robert Stockton, who had been standing beside her.

"Why, hello Sue Ellen. It's been some time," smiled Stockton.

"Well, if it isn't the oil trader…Robert, hi. I didn't expect to find you here."

"I had to be here. I've got a few interests on board. Would you care to dance?"

"I'd love to," smiled Sue Ellen. JR watched as Stockton wheeled his ex-wife out onto the dance floor.

"I don't trust that man," grumbled JR to Afton.

"Well, JR, it really isn't your position to trust him. You and Sue Ellen are divorced and have been for quite some time."

"I know Afton, but I still worry about her. We've had our differences and we still do, but I don't want her to be hurt."

"I wonder if JR has seen us yet…and what he'll do when he does see us," said Cliff, glancing across the room.

"Well, if he starts, I am not backing down, my uncle is not ruining tonight for me."

"I knew there was a reason I loved you."

"Cliff..."

"Yeah."

"Did you just say you loved me?"

"Yeah.... I guess I did" Cliff began to laugh. "I guess I did"

Cliff picked up Lucy and twirled her around.

Afton watched the twirl from about 10 feet away.

"Bitch."

"Who mother?"

"Lucy Ewing, do you see the way she and your father are making a spectacle out of themselves. I am sorry Pamela Rebecca; you must be as upset about this as I am; your father did not even think to tell you he was coming with that Nom.

"I'm ok Mother." Pamela Rebecca thought it was cool her father was with Lucy Ewing, Her mother with J.R Ewing, her whole family was after the Ewings...she came by it honestly.

Cliff left Lucy at the table, and headed to talk to his sister. Clayton sat down beside her.

"Lucy.... are we ok?"

"Clayton, we are not even close to being ok."

"Didn't your grandmother talk to you."

"Oh Yeah she did, and I have no idea how you brainwashed her into being ok with you bonking a whore, but I intend to set her straight when we get back to Dallas."

"Lucy, you're making a mistake, your grandmother makes her own decisions, she was not brainwashed into thinking anything, you know her better than that."

"I thought I did."

Ellie walked up to Clayton and Lucy and put a hand on each of their shoulders. "I am glad to see the two of you talking."

Lucy smiled at her grandmother; she did not want to ruin her night. "Everything's fine Grandma."

Pam and Bobby finished dressing for the main event of the cruise, the famous Oil Baron's Ball. This had been an "enchanting" evening in the past, Pam thought; she could hardly forget the 1984 Ball where JR had taken to the microphone and announced Jenna and Bobby's wedding date. How devastated she had been then, to think of the love of her life marrying some gutter trash like Jenna. She thanked her lucky stars things didn't turn out that way! She thought things would be totally different this time around.

They walked into the ballroom arm in arm. Both privately worried if some bad thing was going to happen to spoil the evening, though neither one expressed it to the other. Before they could get too far into the crowd, Jenna appeared.

"Hello Bobby... Pam," she said.

"Good evening Jenna," Bobby responded. You look nice tonight," he said politely.

"You look handsome as ever," Jenna replied, giving Pam a sideways glance to see how far she could go. Pam could hardly contain her intense dislike of Jenna; it rose in her so badly she began to feel like she might explode if the woman didn't get out of their faces.

"So where is Ray, Jenna? You do remember him, don't you?" Pam inquired.

"Oh, he's coming Pam. I appreciate your concern," she said sarcastically.

Just then Miss Ellie appeared. "Bobby, Pam, the ball is going to start soon. Why don't we all go to our tables."

"Bobby, why don't you go on. I would like to speak to Jenna a little more." With that she kissed him, then looked over at her rival to gauge her reaction.

"Okay, but don't be too long." The two women both watched him walk off. Pam started right in.

"Jenna, this has gone on long enough."

"Whatever do you mean?" she asked in a mock innocent way.

"All this attention you've been paying to me and especially Bobby. He told you it is over between you two, why the hell can't you accept that?! He and I are going to be married, so you're going to have to get out of our lives and stay out!" Pam exclaimed, her anger rising.

"And if I don't? What are you going to do-- have me held hostage for 11 years somewhere?" she taunted Pam.

Pam could take no more from this trashy woman. She grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter's tray and threw it on Jenna's face and hair. Jenna screamed at the shock of the cold bubbly drink on her makeup and hair job. Pam burst out laughing at the shocked look on Jenna's face. She turned and walked to find Bobby.

"Honey, is everything okay with Jenna?" Bobby asked.

"I think everything is fine...now," Pam responded. " I think she will have to go fix her hair and makeup before she comes back, though," she said, still grinning. "I am sorry Bobby, but she made me so mad I lost control for a moment there. I wish I could have taken a picture of her face though!"

"What happened then?"

"She got a bit of a champagne shower... again, I am sorry this had to happen."

"Well, I'm sure Jenna will be fine. A little champagne never hurt anyone."

Pam watched JR, paying no attention to what Bobby had just said. It was just a matter of time before she would strike. JR was going to pay and it was going to happen tonight. "Go ahead and enjoy yourself JR, this may be the last time," she thought to herself.

"Who are you looking at, honey?"

"Oh," smiled Pam, "I was just watching JR and Afton."

"I know, it strikes me as a bit strange, too. But there's one thing I've learned from living with JR all these years and that's to never try and predict JR's next move."

"Speaking of moves, look at our son and Karen out on the dance floor," smiled Pam.

"Well, he's definitely got the Ewing touch and his daddy's good looks," laughed Bobby as Pam punched him in the arm.

"I really don't know Karen that well. I guess if they're that close, then I'll have to get to know her better."

"She's a nice girl. Look at Sue Ellen. She's not doing such a bad job herself."

"Who is that she's with?"

"Someone who Ewing Oil had a few dealings with back in June. They seem to be enjoying each other's company, don't they?"

"Yes, they do," replied Pam, her attention soon shifting back to JR.

"Oh my God! Is that Lucy over there with Cliff?"

"Oh dear, it is Lucy. Excuse me for a moment." Pam walked over to where Lucy and Cliff danced. "Lucy, do you mind if I cut in? I need to talk to my brother."

"Of course not. Go right ahead." Lucy walked over to the bar for a drink.

"Cliff Barnes. What are you doing here with Lucy Ewing? This is going to cause all sorts of problems."

"Let it cause problems. If JR interferes, he'll be sorry."

"Cliff, why? Why are you here with Lucy? I'm sorry, but I don't understand."

"Lucy and I are in love and there's nothing anybody can do about it. Not you, not Miss Ellie, not even JR."

"I'm sorry Cliff, but I don't approve of this relationship. I have to admit this is very shocking to me. I would never have thought, even in my wildest dreams, that you would be with Lucy!"

"Oh yeah? Well get used to it, because that's the way it's going to be from now on. And if I remember correctly, didn't you once marry Bobby Ewing? I don't think there were too many people who were happy with that, especially not me."

"That was different. You're twenty years older than Lucy is! Old enough to be her father—and to top that off, you are BOTH married!"

"Lucy's divorce from Mitch is almost finalized."

"Yes, but you and Afton are still married!"

"That's something that is going to involve a lot of time, not to mention a court case, to work out."

"I won't discuss this anymore with you. I'm going back to Bobby. Goodnight, Cliff."

Pam strode across the dance floor, leaving Cliff alone. Lucy rejoined him a few minutes later.

J.R finally saw his chance, Pam Ewing was standing alone, it was the first time so far this evening Bobby left her side.

"Pam, you look lovely this evening."

"J.R, don't even bother."

"Pam you need to hear me out, I know you think I had something to do with you being locked in that hospital, but I had nothing to do with it, you have to believe me."

"J.R, that is laughable, there has not been a word out of your mouth that has been believable since you left the crib."

"I would never be that cruel."

"Are you saying you have never been responsible for someone being in the hospital?"

"What!"

"Never mind..." Pam brushed passed J.R in search of Bobby.

Abby was now in receipt of copies of the paperwork, which would finalize her plans to take over The Ewing Oil Company. Cutter had eagerly delivered them to her, as he was ever vigilante in the pursuit of making her happy. She had informed Cutter that she would unavailable to spend this evening with him because she would have to leave town for an overnight trip to Montana.

He had questioned her about what was in Montana that demanded her attention and she had assured him that the trip involved a completely unrelated business matter.

"What a young fool he is," she thought as she prepared for the overnight trip to meet with the man who would be the final key to her acquisition of the company she had long desired.

Abby hoped that Cutter wouldn't offer too much resistance when he learned that his role in the scheme had outlived its usefulness. She knew, though, that she had the proper information to insure Cutter's quiet exit from her life, and from Dallas, for good.

"Tomorrow," she thought. Tomorrow was the day to make her move. The trip to Montana would be a short, but necessary one. By the time she returned to Dallas, she would have everything she needed.

Christopher and Karen held each other closely as they danced with the rest of the couples.

"There's your favorite uncle over there, Chris," said Karen.

"Oh please, don't remind me," laughed Christopher. "He's only an uncle by name, that's all."

"I think that my time for revenge will come soon. Maybe sooner than I thought. It would be a great feeling to expose his little scheme in front of all of his family and fellow oil men."

"Karen, please don't do anything during the ball. It's a perfect night. Please, let's not spoil it."

"Ok, you're right. I'll get him later," smiled Karen.

"Now, you were just discussing the fact that he was my uncle…well, he just might be your uncle soon."

"Wait a minute, what do you mean?"

Christopher smiled, pulling out a ring. "Karen Nicole Beam, will you marry me?"

"Oh…I wasn't expecting that!"

"Well?" smiled Christopher.

"Yes, yes, I would love to marry you, Christopher Ewing!"

Ray and Jenna sat alone at the table reserved for the Ewings. Ray sipped a drink as Jenna watched intently while Bobby and Pam danced together. Jealousy built up inside of her and her hatred for Pam reached new heights, especially since Pam had doused her with the champagne.

"Jenna, what is the problem?"

"Problem?"

"You've been staring at Bobby and Pam ever since we've been on this cruise. I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle with this marriage. I'm trying my best but all you're doing is watching those two."

"I'm sorry Ray, let's dance."

"Now that's a good idea," said Ray, taking Jenna's hand. The two joined the rest of the Ewings on the dance floor. Jenna continued to stare at Bobby and Pam over Ray's shoulder.

"Bobby, don't look now, but Jenna seems to be interested in what we're doing," said Pam.

"Well, let her watch. If she sees how much we're in love, then maybe she'll drop her obsession with me…"

An hour after the ball started, JR finally spotted Lucy and Cliff dancing together. "My God…" said JR, in his Texas drawl.

"What?" asked Afton, inquisitively.

"Barnes—and my niece."

"What are you going to do about it, JR?"

"I'm going to put a stop to it, what else?" JR walked over to where Lucy and Cliff danced. "Hello Barnes," said JR, grabbing his shoulder.

"JR."

"What the hell are you doing here with a Ewing?"

"I'm dancing with her. What does it look like?"

"JR," said Lucy, "go away, this doesn't concern you."

"The hell is doesn't. Barnes, you've got ten seconds to leave Lucy with me and walk out that door."

"Or what?"

"Or you'll regret it."

"Oh, I'm scared." Cliff turned away from JR and back to Lucy.

JR tapped on Cliff's shoulder again. Cliff turned around. JR punched Cliff in the jaw, sending him reeling into a palm tree.

"JR!" screamed Lucy, "stop it!"

"Oh, shut up, Lucy," said Afton, "before I shut you up."

Cliff got up. "JR, I'm not going through this with you again. We all know it's happened before at the Ball and I'm not going to ruin this perfect evening due to your stupidity. But, I will promise you one thing. You are going to pay for that. It might not be tonight, or next week, or even next month—but you will pay. The only way my family is ever going to have any peace is if JR Ewing is dead. I swear, you are going to die Ewing."

JR smiled, feeling almost invincible. "Well Barnes, you can try if you want, but like any other Barnes, you'll still fail and end up making a big fool of yourself."

"Yeah, well we'll see…and who knows, it just MIGHT be tonight."

Credits Roll

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