The background was a flurry of activity. People hurrying around, foreign voices surrounded the room. Still, Ellie and Clayton sat silently in the hospital waiting room, at peace with the lives they had led, and in silent prayer for the woman alone in Dallas. "Clayton, lets go home, now."

"Ellie, we have not even seen the doctor yet."

"I know Clayton, but why do we need to get these damned blood tests anyway, what will it accomplish? Clayton whether or not you were infected will not change a thing. We are flying home next week, flying to home to Southfork to be with our family for Christmas. I want to focus in on that, getting these tests will not help us, will not prolong our lives. I want to ready myself to see the family."

Clayton simply nodded and took his wife's hand. Ellie and Clayton rose and left the flurry of activity as quietly and gracefully as they had entered it.

Bobby Ewing pushed open the door to the room he and Pam had shared for many years and flipped the light switch on. Dazzling light illuminated the room and he was temporarily blinded after being accustomed to the darkness outside. He entered the room followed by Pam and collapsed onto the bed. They had just come from the reading of Jenna's will and it had been hard on both of them, but it was harder on Ray than either of them could have imagined. Bobby didn't know what to do. He had to tell Ray about Jenna's mental illness and let him know that the will wasn't valid due to her mental state. Bobby had legal right to Lucas since he was his biological son and Ray had never formally adopted him.

Pam also faced her own dilemmas. She grasped the key in her hand and turned it repeatedly, surveying it from several angles. In the other hand she held the small yellow post-it with the address on it. The house was located in France and must have been one of the houses that belonged to Lucas Wade I. The things that Jenna had said in her will upset Pam, especially the part saying she didn't belong on Southfork. Pam knew she belonged here and if it weren't for Jenna then she would have been living there for the past twelve years and not in a dirty sanitarium. Jenna was the one that belonged in the sanitarium, not her.

"I'm sorry Pam, I know that must have been hard on you," spoke Bobby.

"It's okay Bobby. Jenna hated me. I should have expected something like that from her will. Though I do have to admit, this does have me perplexed."

"Curious about what's in that house?"

"Yes. I don't think I really want to know," said Pam, changing into her night gown, "but I'm very curious."

"Why don't you and I take a little trip to France?" said Bobby suddenly.

"Oh Bobby. It's so close to Christmas. I want to spend Christmas with Christopher. I've missed out on so many with him," said Pam, pulling back the comforter of the bed.

"We can go after Christmas then," said Bobby.

"Why don't we go for our honeymoon?" said Pam, smiling.

Bobby grew silent. "No Pam. I don't think I could bare going on another honeymoon in France, especially not Paris."

"I'm so sorry Bobby, I had forgotten about what happened to April while you were there."

"It's ok. We'll talk about this in the morning." Bobby switched out the lights and the room went dark.

Ray could not even think straight, he was at Southfork he had no real memory of actually getting there though. Lucy was at the Bar, making him a drink, she had driven him home after the reading. Ray glanced up, seeing Lucy, his long time friend, he knew she must have gotten him here.

"Here ya go Ray, maybe this might help."

Ray took the drink and downed within a couple of seconds."

"Ray, take it easy."

"Lucy, that was just the beginning."

"Ray, you have to hold yourself together, I know you must be going through a lot of pain, but there are people around you who need you to be strong, me for one, and Charlie, and….Donna."

Ray got up and walked around the living room, he looked at the picture of he and Jenna on the mantle piece.

"I did love her Lucy."

"I know you did."

"Lately, being with Donna again, I wondered if I ever really did love Jenna, but early on….I did."

"No one doubts that Ray."

"I doubt it Lucy!" Ray's voice began to get louder. "With having Donna back in my life lately, I did not let Jenna's death truly sink in, but today, well today, it sunk."

Ray sat down on the couch and put his hands over his face, Lucy sat beside him and placed his head into her chest. She gently began to rock her friend until he was calm. "It will be ok Ray, she was a very unhappy woman, maybe she is finally at peace."

"I truly hope so Lucy, she deserves it. She deserved better than me."

"Ray, you were the best thing that ever happened to Jenna, don't ever doubt that."

"I can't help it Lucy, I was with Jenna for a long time, how could I not have seen the pain she was in?"

"She didn't want you to know."

"But I still should have seen it. And Lucy, oh Lucy, within days of her death I'm with Donna again, I'm a cold heartless bastard!"

A voice was heard from the entry way to the living room.

"You were with Donna after momma died?" Lucy got up and walked towards Charlie. "Charlie, it's not what you think."

"The hell it isn't!!! Didn't anyone in this place care about my Momma? No wonder she did what she did, you were all so cruel to her!" Charlie ran upstairs to her bedroom, leaving Ray and Lucy speechless in the living room.

It was nine o' clock and Kaitlin and Jeremy Wendell talked in Jeremy's office at Westar. It had been an hour since she had first shown up there but they had much to catch up on. The two had talked about all that had gone on for the past eighteen years but Wendell was still perplexed as to why she decided to come back into his life now.

"Daddy," said Kaitlin suddenly, "I know all about Patricia Sheperd as well as Kristin and Sue Ellen."

Wendell turned in his swivel chair, obviously very much surprised. "I don't understand."

"Please, you don't have to hide this dirty little secret anymore. I know about it and I don't love you any less." Kaitlin walked to the window and stared out at the lighted Dallas skyline. Various Christmas lights could be seen lighting up the horizon in shades of white and red.

"I'm sorry Kaitlin. You've lost me," said Wendell.

"Oh cut the crap!" snapped Kaitlin, turning from the window. "I am Kristin Sheperd's twin sister. Patricia sold me to you after I was born because you couldn't have children of your own. A sort of mutual deal. Patricia got money and you got me."

Wendell stood and clasped his hands on the back of his desk chair. "Kaitlin, I'm sorry that I kept that from you all those years."

"Not half as sorry as I am. But like I said, I don't hold a grudge. Is Robert living in Dallas?" asked Kaitlin, changing the subject.

"There's something you should know. Your brother was killed in a fire a few months ago. I had no way of contacting you or I would have."

"Oh my God. Robert."

"I'm sorry Katie."

"He and I were so close. You don't know it, but we kept in touch those years I was away. We talked on the telephone all the time and wrote letters when we weren't talking." Kaitlin again turned towards the skyline, but this time tears blurred the lights into bright glistening blobs. "At least he's with Mama again," she said, turning her gaze upward.

"Come on Katie," said Wendell. "Let's go home." Kaitlin grabbed her jacket from the coat rack and followed Wendell out of the office.

John Ross stood next to Pamela Rebecca bedside. She was holding the most perfect thing John Ross had ever seen. An eight pound, three-ounce baby. A girl—his daughter. Pamela Rebecca smiled weakly and cradled the baby. She looked at John Ross and motioned for him to hold her. John Ross stared at his daughter, afraid to pick her up. She was so small, so fragile, and so beautiful. He held out his arms and took the baby, holding her against him.

"I think she likes you Daddy," said Pamela Rebecca.

"You think so?" said John Ross smiling at the baby.

"How could she not like someone as great as you. You saved my life, and hers."

"What are you going to name her?" asked John Ross, not taking his eyes away from his daughter.

"The question is, what are WE going to name her," Pamela Rebecca said, pulling herself up in bed.

John Ross liked the sound of that and names began to race through his mind. It seemed like he wanted to name her after everyone, but somehow the name Pamela Rebecca Ellie Sue Ellen Cooper Ewing didn't seem fitting. I always wanted to name my first daughter after my Grandma."

"I like Renee myself," said Pamela.

"Megan Eleanor…Ewing or Cooper?" said John Ross in a puzzled tone.

"Ewing has a nice ring to it," said Pamela Rebecca. "You are her father."

"But I want to be more than her father. I want us to be a family living at Southfork all together…happy."

Pamela Rebecca looked surprised and wasn't sure what to say. "Do you mean that John Ross?"

"Yes, but I want it to be more than that. Pam, I want you to marry me."

"I…I don't know what to say. I've been waiting on this moment for what seems like forever."

"Just say yes," said John Ross, smiling. "I don't want you living in that apartment you're in. I want you with me."

"If that's the only reason then…"

"No, it's more than that. It may have taken me almost a year to realize it, but I do love you Pamela Rebecca."

Pamela smiled, "That's all I wanted to hear. Yes, I'll marry you."

A few seconds later, Afton and J.R. walked into the room. John Ross had called them both when he'd arrived at the hospital but was unable to reach Cliff. John Ross assumed his mother had safely reached Venice, although she hadn't called.

"John Ross," said J.R., "where's my grandson?"

"Grandson?" said John Ross, "Dad, you're too presumptuous. You've got a granddaughter."

J.R. turned to Pamela Rebecca and saw the baby she was holding. "Well I'll be damned. My first granddaughter…"

"And my first great-granddaughter," said Patricia, entering the room.

John Ross took Megan Eleanor from Pamela Rebecca and gave her to J.R. J.R. smiled. It had been so long since he had held a baby. Patricia, John Ross, and J.R. all stood in a cluster around her while Afton stood beside Pamela Rebecca's bed.

"Pamela," said Afton, "I'm sorry I haven't been a mother to you these past few months."

"It's okay Mom. You've had so much going on and it's not your fault. I'm just sorry you lost my little brother or sister."

"Yeah, me too honey. We have a lot to talk about and a lot of catching up to do. There's some stuff about your dad that you need to know as well," said Afton.

"Oh? Like what?"

"We'll talk about that later, right now I want to see my granddaughter." Afton walked over to where the others stood and held Megan Eleanor. Soon after, a nurse came in to examine Pamela and everyone gathered in the lobby.

John Ross stood at the water cooler, filling a funnel-shaped cup. Afton walked up to him.

"Congratulations John Ross. You must be so proud," she said.

"Oh I am, and for more reasons that one."

"And what are those reasons?"

"Mind if I call you Mom?" said John Ross, smiling.

"Mom!? Oh my God, you and Pamela are getting married?" exclaimed Afton.

"Yep. It's taken me this long to realize that I love her. She and Megan Eleanor are coming to live at Southfork with me."

"That's great…fantastic. Pamela must be so happy!"

"We both are."

Lucy walked up to the two while they were in conversation. "Hey John Ross, I'm so happy for you. Didn't think ya'd ever have a child before I did, but at this rate, I guess you did."

"Right Lucy," broke in Afton, "if you keep slee.."

"Thanks Lucy," said John Ross, stopping Afton. He had noticed more than a little hostility between the two of them lately and thought it best to stop any outbreaks before they began. "Pamela Rebecca and I are getting married Lucy, isn't that great?"

"Wow, that's a shock. Aww, Afton and I will be relatives then. Wait…she'll be…Auntie Afton!" laughed Lucy.

"Excuse me John Ross," said Afton, "but I think I need to find a bathroom."

She walked away and left Lucy and John Ross. "Lucy, you and I haven't really gotten a chance to talk, which is strange considering we live in the same house."

"Well yeah, but Southfork is a big place."

"I was a little surprised to see you at the Halloween party with Cliff. What's going on?"

"Remind me to explain that to you later, when I know what's going on myself. So, where are Christopher and Karen? Why aren't they here?"

John Ross laughed, "Christopher and Karen are married and they're in Pennsylvania right now."

"Woah, do we have a communication problem or what. No one bothered to tell me!" said Lucy.

"I overheard Aunt Pam and Uncle Bobby talking about it. I think they're the only ones who know," replied John Ross.

"Where is your mom?" asked Lucy.

"In Venice."

"Venice!" said Lucy, "remind me to start paying attention more closely. Well, I'm going to run over to the nursery and see the baby."

"Ok. I'll take you over there and show you which one she is…she's so beautiful…"

The morning sun shone in on Pam, waking her from her sleep. She looked at the clock and saw that it was nine in the morning and Bobby was no longer in bed beside her. Pam got out of bed, startled and heard the shower running. She pulled open the shower door.

"Good morning!" said Bobby. Pam had a sudden feeling of dejavu as she remembered the terrible nightmare in which Bobby had died. It had been so many years ago, but still seemed so fresh in her mind.

"Mind if I join you?" she smiled.

"No, not at all, come on in."

Pam took off her gown and joined Bobby in the shower.

The morning sun did not impress Ray Krebbs. He was hung over. Being hung over was not a new experience for Ray, but it had been awhile since he had drank so much, and was feeling the effects of the alcohol, and his age. He rose and walked to the window, closing the curtains to block the sun. His memory floated back to last night, the will reading, and his conversation with Lucy. "Charlie, you poor thing, as if you did not have enough on your mind." Ray headed towards the shower, his goal for the day was to ensure Charlie was ok. He stopped mid step to answer the ringing telephone, the phone, which sounded like a huge church bell inside his head.

"Hello."

"Ray, it's me Donna, just checking in, I know the will was read yesterday, are you ok."

"I'm fine Donna." Ray said curtly.

"Hmmm, ok, Ray, any chance you might change your mind, and fly up to Washington for a few days, I am dying to see you."

"Donna weren't you listening, I have obligations here! Charlie needs me, my wife just died for God's sake. How can you be so cold!"

Donna Dowling was stunned. She too wondered how they could have been together so quickly after Jenna's death, but they needed each other, they helped each other over the pain they were both feeling, it was wrong she knew, but necessary, and…wonderful.

"Ray, I am sorry, please forgive me." Donna hung up the phone quickly.

J.R. sat outside on the patio, drinking orange juice rather than his usual morning coffee. He heard the squeaking of the sliding door as Pam and Bobby walked out into the morning sun. "Good morning Pam, Bobby," said J.R.

The two returned J.R.'s greeting and joined him at the table. Both noticed J.R.'s smile and it was Pam that spoke up.

"What are you so happy for this morning J.R.?" she asked.

"Oh, not much. While you two love birds were doing who knows what last night, the next Ewing heir was born."

Both looked as perplexed as they did when they had first seen how happy J.R. was.

"John Ross and Pamela Rebecca. Pamela had the baby last night. Little girl. They named her Megan Eleanor Ewing."

"Oh J.R., that's wonderful!" said Pam.

"That is great," said Bobby, "we'll go see her after breakfast."

"Speaking of breakfast, this table is empty. Where is everybody?" asked J.R.

"Well, I'm sure John Ross is at the hospital. Christopher and Karen went on a little trip and I haven't the foggiest where Sue Ellen is."

"Sue Ellen went on a little trip herself," said J.R. frowning.

"Have you seen Ray or Lucas?" asked Bobby.

"No, not this morning. Why?" replied J.R.

"Just wondering," said Bobby distantly as he scanned the ranch. "Hey, I think I'll go for a ride. Want to come Pam?"

"Oh no, not this time. I'm going to run into Dallas and buy something for little Ellie and then I'm going to stop by the women's hospital and see her."

"Tell you what, I'll meet you at the hospital around lunchtime," said Bobby.

"Ok, but don't be late. Then we'll go see the baby together."

"I won't." Bobby kissed Pam and walked toward the stables.

"So Pam," spoke J.R., "have you and Bobby set a date for your wedding?"

"New Year's Day."

"Well isn't that nice…and fitting too. You and Bobby can start anew with the New Year."

"I'm surprised to see that you're still happy for us J.R., I didn't think it would last."

"It will. I'm still planning to throw you and Bobby that big party at the Oil Baron's Club that I promised you."

"We'll take you up on that then."

"Ok, how does New Year's Eve sound for the party?"

"I'll reserve the club just for us and we'll ring in the New Year in style."

Pam laughed, "that sounds good J.R. I can't wait. I'm sure Bobby will be thrilled as well."

Charlie arrived in Malibu around nine that morning and went straight to Jory Taylor's beach house. She arrived at the beach house a short time later and found herself knocking on the weathered door. As she waited for Jory to answer, she thought about what she had heard the night before. Ray and Donna had been together, not even a month after her mother's death. Maybe she had had Ray wrong all that time, maybe he was really a selfish, callous, man. Jory answered, wearing only her bikini, of course for Malibu, that was normal this time of year. Jory and Charlie hugged and then they walked inside the house.

"So what brings you all the way out here?" Jory began as she poured Charlie a drink. "I didn't expect many visitors after that earthquake on Thanksgiving Day.

"I know. Your house looks okay, was there any bad damage around Malibu?" "Yes, I was lucky," said Jory, shielding her eyes from the sun. "A house a few miles down fell right off into the ocean. Now what did you want to see me for?"

"Well, I'm not sure if you knew this or not, but..." Charlie hesitated, "Mama is dead."

Jory looked at Charlie is disbelief.

"What?!"

"She committed suicide on Halloween night." Charlie replied.

"Why? I mean, she was so happy." Jory had tears in her eyes. Jory and Charlie were neighbors back when they were around the ages of five or so, and Jory would always go over to Charlie's house. Jenna was always happy and always did things for the both of them.

"Well, I guess she did some things on a cruise ship that she was on and she blamed someone else for it, and when the truth was found out, she couldn't handle it." Charlie stood up and walked towards the window. "She had always loved Bobby."

"Bobby?" Jory was confused, the last she ever heard of Jenna, she was married and lived in Switzerland.

"Bobby, he was her high school sweetheart, as a matter of fact, you probably know him. His name is Bobby Ewing."

Jory flashed back to 1990 when her mother was shot at Southfork. "You mean, I never knew that."

"That's why I'm here, I need to find out some information on your mother." Charlie said.

"Ok, why don't we take a walk on the beach." Jory and Charlie walked out the door and headed for the sandy beach. The salty air felt good to Charlie's face and she was relieved to be out of Texas for a while.

Afton Cooper sashayed into the building feeling great. The studio was a flurry of activity, sets being put together, "Afton Cooper" show signs being raised, Afton smiled as she walked through the people who would be creating 'her' show. She saw Roy Ralston yelling orders to a few of the stage hands, and walked over to him. "Morning Roy!"

"Afton, you look wonderful, you must be dealing with some of the three issues we talked about."

"Well, I am not worrying about Cliff right now, I know he isn't with Lucy, so that is great. But the best news is that I saw my daughter, Roy, I am a grandmother, can you believe it!"

"Afton you are too young to be a Grandmother." "Don't I know it."

"Did you and your daughter work things out?"

"Not exactly, but we are going to, but Roy, she actually seemed happy to see me."

"I am glad Afton, you deserve a little happiness."

"Thanks, now to just get that loser husband out of my life…."

"Afton for someone who claims to hate that man, you certainly spend a lot of time obsessing about him. Are you sure you don't still have feelings for him, there is a fine line between love and hate you know."

Afton paused for a moment and then spoke. "Roy, I no longer want to discuss this…..I came to talk about my show."

"Our show you mean…"

"Well our show, with my name in the lights. How are things coming?"

"Things are coming fine, the sets are almost ready, most of the hiring is complete, we are just nailing down the concept."

"I want to be the next Oprah or Rosie."

"Well, Afton as I told you, we are thinking more Ricki Lake, or Jenny Jones."

"Well, Maybe a cross between Oprah and Ricki?"

"I shudder at what that might look like…..Mike Tyson?"

"Roy, you are horrible…." Afton laughed.

"Afton, I have a small job for you to do while you are here today."

"Name it."

"There are four women in my office waiting to talk to you."

"What on earth about?"

"Well, the lucky applicant will be your assistant, the one you are going to rely on to be your right hand, and to fetch you coffee."

"Or champagne."

"Want to meet them?"

"Lead the way."

The pigeons parted as Dusty and Sue Ellen walked along the pier to their boat. The boat itself was a large commercial carrier that was used to carry several people at one time. Sue Ellen was almost knocked down when two men in business suits pushed past her.

"Hey buddy!" Dusty exclaimed, watching as they kept walking away toward a boat.

"I'm fine Dusty," Sue Ellen smiled.

"Let's get on this boat before it leaves us."

Sue Ellen and Dusty got on the boat, which was already occupied by a few older couples and group of teenagers. They took a seat near the front of the boat away from everyone else.

Venice was as beautiful as they had expected, waiting gondolas sat in the bay as their owners walked around trying to get people to fill the boats. Dusty and Sue Ellen stepped off of the boat and looked around at all the people crowding the streets, looking through all the shops facing the streets, people feeding pigeons with dried corn kernels sold by street vendors. Dusty watched Sue Ellen's eyes light up and a smile come across her face, her happiness made him happy.

"Dusty, this place is beautiful," Sue Ellen said, leaning over to kiss him.

"It's beautiful now that you're here," Dusty smiled back.

Sue Ellen laughed and started walking down the street. "Where is our hotel again? I'm tired of lugging around these bags."

"I think I know where it is. It should be down this street, through the square, and down one of the side streets."

"Uh-oh, another man thinks he knows where he's going, should I stop and ask for directions now?"

Dusty laughed, "No I always know where I'm going."

Sue Ellen rolled her eyes playfully and followed Dusty.

They walked down the street, passing a shop that was selling hand-blown glass figures, another that was selling silk scarves and other hand-made things. Several people stopped to ask them if they wanted to feed the birds, offering a bag of corn kernels for 100 Lire, Dusty politely declined every time.

They found their hotel 10 minutes later, down a side street, sandwiched in between other buildings, a sign hanging from the outside declaring the name. The inside was beautiful, marble floors, chandeliers hung from painted ceilings, and big velvet sofas and chairs stood throughout the room, welcoming someone to fill them.

"I love you so much Dusty, thank you for all of this," Sue Ellen said as she looked around the hotel.

Cliff Barnes did not know what to think, the shock of finding out who was holding him had not worn off. He had not seen her in a few years, and could not think of why she would be putting him through such hell. He had awoken to a quiet hotel room, he was awake, but a far cry from alert. His head was still hazy, the room was spinning, and he felt like he might vomit at any moment. The drugs he was being given did not make him high, that would be a blessing, they just made him sleep and sleep some more. He heard nothing but the faint sound of cars passing near by. He remained quiet for several minutes and then began to yell. He did not know it, but his yell sounded only like a brief muffled whisper, no one was going to hear it. Several more minutes passed and Cliff was convinced that the woman must have gone out. He did his best to move around, but his hands were tied to the bed posts. "Where was the maid service when you need it?" Cliff began the process of getting free. The phone sat on the desk across the room, what was only a few feet might as well have been miles to Cliff Barnes. He began wriggling his fingers and wrists. To his surprise, his left hand came loose without much effort at all. He slowly began to untie the other hand. It took almost 20 minutes to do this one, given his mind was still not clear. When done he began to work on his feet. They were tied together, but not to the posts, so Cliff thought he might get them undone. It was useless, the ropes on his feet were not coming off. In desperation, Cliff flung himself to the floor, and began crawling like a seal towards the telephone. He finally made it, and slowly began to dial Southfork.

Patricia Sheperd stood nervously outside of Jeremy Wendell's office. She had only seen him no more than three times since he had made the "purchase" from her so many years back. Many people didn't intimidate Patricia, but Jeremy Wendell was definitely one that did. She grasped the doorknob with her wrinkled hands and pushed it open. Upon entering, Patricia saw the back of Wendell's padded leather swivel chair and it slowly turned around until she was face to face with him.

"Well Patricia, it's been a while. Have a seat."

"Hello Jeremy," she said, trying to remain brave. She had no idea why she was so scared of the man.

"What brings you here, though I have a pretty good idea."

"Has Kaitlin seen you already?"

"Yes, she has."

"Damnit," said Patricia, clutching her purse, "what did she say?"

"Oh just that she knows about our dealings."

"I was afraid of that. If she tells, then you and I could both be in trouble.

Wendell leaned forward and propped on his desk. "I don't think Kaitlin has any intention of telling what she knows. What could she possibly have to gain?"

"I don't believe that." Wendell's secretary came across the intercom and informed him that Kaitlin Ryan was there to see him.

"I don't want her to know I'm here," said Patricia getting up. She spotted a door across the office, opened it, and went inside. Kaitlin entered the room just moments later.

"Well, how is my daughter this morning?"

"Just fine but I've been thinking…"

"About what?"

"It's illegal to sell children on the black market isn't it?" she said matter-of-factly.

"Katie, you know I don't like to talk about that."

"Then give me 51% of your Westar stock and no one will ever know."

"That's blackmail…"

"But isn't it a small price to pay to avoid going back to jail?"

Wendell thought for a few moments and a smile spread across his face. "Well I definitely know you're my daughter. That sounds like something I would do."

"Then you'll do it?" asked Kaitlin.

"When hell freezes over. You're bluffing and I'm going to call that bluff."

"Then when you're calling your bluff you won't mind if I call the police will you?" Kaitlin produced a small fold up cellular phone from her pocket and proceeded to dial a number.

"Stop…we can work something out. I'll give you 49%."

"No deal. I want 51% and you can remain CEO. I don't want to be CEO, just the majority stockholder. I'm happy with just that…for now."

"Why are you doing this?" asked Wendell.

"It's all part of a great plan Daddy. You'll see."

"Ok. It's a deal," said Wendell, defeated.

"Good. I'll have my lawyer contact yours." Kaitlin left Wendell's office and Patricia once again entered the room.

"Well Patricia, I guess you were right. She does want something and she's blackmailing me for it."

Afton shook the hand of the first woman applicant. The woman was a tall striking blond, whom Afton remembered well. She turned to Roy and smiled. "No need to see the other women, I think this one will be perfect."

"But Afton, you might want to see who else is in there."

"No need, I think this lady will do the job quite nicely." Afton turned to the blond, and shook her hand, "Sly, welcome aboard."

Charlie and Jory had been walking for almost an hour when Charlie stopped and sat down on the beach.

"So that's all you know about the situation?" Charlie asked as Jory sat beside her.

"That's all I know. I remember mother telling me she was going to visit Jenna then go to France for some business."

"Yeah, I remember when she visited, I was in college, but I went to see her a few times."

Charlie and Jory sat on the beach in silence. Then after a few minutes, Charlie spoke out. "Jory, can I stay here for the night?"

"Sure, stay as long as you like." Jory responded.

"Great, and hey, how would you like to take a trip with me?" Charlie asked.

"A trip? Where?"

"To France." Charlie said.

Jory looked at Charlie and then agreed, both of the girls got up and walked back to the beach house for lunch.

Jane thought the faint sound on the other end was saying Lucy, although she could not quiet be sure. She went into the gym, where Lucy was having a hot tub moment and told her she thought the phone was for her.

Lucy dried her right hand and picked up the receiver, still enjoying the bubbles surrounding her body. "Hello."

Cliff could not believe he was actually hearing her voice, he thought at times he might never hear it again.

"Lucy it's me. I need your help."

Lucy heard almost nothing, a faint whisper and the sound of the bubbles jutting out in the whirlpool. "Just a second, let me turn this thing off." Lucy turned off the whirlpool, and again spoke into the receiver, "Hello, can I help you."

"Lucy, it's me Cliff."

"Cliff!!!" Lucy Ewing had heard that much. "Where the hell are you."

"I don't know Lucy, I was kidnapped, and drugged, and I am in some hotel room somewhere, please help me."

Lucy could only pick out every third word or so, but she did get kidnapped. "Cliff, where are you?"

Cliff could not hold his position any longer, his one arm gave out, sending him crashing to the floor, the phone dropping with him. Cliff Barnes again fell into a state of unconsciousness, leaving Lucy Ewing yelling at the other end of the phone.

John Ross came to a halt on the road in front of Southfork. Beside him sat Pamela Rebecca and in the back seat, was Megan Eleanor. A warm breeze blew across the pastures and a few meadowlarks cried from somewhere out in fields. John Ross stepped out of the car and shut the door.

"What are you doing?" asked Pamela Rebecca.

"I just wanted to take a second to look."

Pamela Rebecca opened the car door and took Megan from her safety seat. The three of them stood, looking at Southfork and the land that surrounded it. John Ross put his arm around Pamela Rebecca and the three continued to stand there.

"Megan, that's where you're going to live. That's where WE'RE going to live. You, your mom, and me…one happy family."

The woman had been standing at the drugstore counter for about fifteen minutes. What she thought would be a quick filling of her prescription was becoming an ordeal. The two druggists behind the counter were whispering to one another, and she began to lose patience.

"Hello, can I get my damned pills please."

"Were sorry, but we cannot refill this prescription for another three weeks, the supply you were given should last until then."

"I know, but I spilled some in the sink, I need some more, please fill the damned thing now."

The druggist looked again at the name on the bottle, the date they were prescribed, and the amount given.

"If you want a refill, you will have to go back to your doctor first."

"Damn you people, I need my pills!"

"I am truly sorry Mrs. Cooper, but we cannot help you until you see your doctor."

Mrs. Cooper grabbed the bottle from his hand and huffed out of the drugstore, she had to get back, Cliff had already been alone for far too long.

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