"Great. Ten times better than I have felt lately. I think I might even feel up to doing a little shopping today," smiled Pamela Rebecca.

"I'm glad to hear it. We have to find you a ring to make this official. I want to do a little Christmas shopping as well for Megan. She needs a bicycle or…maybe a pony," he said, looking at his daughter.

"Well I think she may have a few years to go before she can use a bicycle or pony," laughed Pamela.

"I know," said John Ross smiling. For once in his life, he was where he truly wanted to be. He had a career in Ewing Oil and he had a beautiful daughter and someone to share his life with. "I have a little surprise for you before we go shopping, if you're feeling up to it." John Ross returned Megan to Ana and told Pamela Rebecca to bundle up in something warm and to meet him out front in twenty minutes. Pamela agreed and John Ross left the room.

Ray had not been able to see Charlie before she headed off on her trip. He wandered around the barn, wondering what he should do. His life was a mess. Charlie was obviously very hurt and upset, and did not need to hear about him and Donna. And…Donna, still standing by her man in Washington. But top on his mind this morning was Lucas. The boy he loved and raised as his own son, was now legally Bobby Ewing's. He could not imagine why she had done what she had done in her will. His only explanation was one hard to swallow. She really had not thought about his feelings when she wrote her will, she was filled with her obsession with Bobby. Despite his love for his brother, it was hard not to hate the man at the moment.

Bobby Ewing sat on the couch in the living room at Southfork, reading the morning news. He had read the article about Kaitlin Ryan acquiring 51% of Wendell's Westar stock and it was the first he had heard of Kaitlin. Bobby was dumbfounded at her remarkable resemblance to Kristin Sheperd and intended to ask J.R. if he knew anything of Kaitlin. His train of thought was broken when Pam pushed open the door, shopping bags in hand.

"Well, I knew you left early this morning. Tell me, do we have any money left now?" laughed Bobby, helping Pam with the bags.

"I wanted to do a little shopping. I think you're going to like what I've bought."

"What's that?" said Bobby, kissing her.

"Well Southfork has been without something for many years now, as long as I can remember anyway."

"But you're back now," teased Bobby.

"Not me silly," said Pam, "Southfork has never had any Christmas decorations."

"Oh no, don't tell me you've bought lights to put up outside," said Bobby, looking into a bag.

"No." Pam pulled out a box filled with tissue paper and Bobby looked inside.

"Wow. But there's only one problem."

"What's that?" asked Pam.

"We don't have a Christmas tree."

Mrs. Cooper, Mrs. Arliss Cooper parked in front of her motel room, she cautiously put the key in the keyhole, and turned the knob. She let out a loud sigh when saw that her capture was still asleep on the bed. She knew the drugs would not last much longer, and wondered where in the hell she would get more. She looked long at the man who had destroyed her daughters life. She came to Dallas when Mitch had called. Mitch had told her all about Afton's trial, the abuse Cliff had inflicted on her daughter, and his affair with Mitch's wife Lucy Ewing. This man had ruined the lives of both of her children. She flew into Dallas on Halloween night, in order to support her children and give Cliff a piece of her mind. Arliss remembered back to that night.

Arliss arrived at her daughter's home to find it empty. She took the key from the plant where her daughter left it, and let herself in. She waited for Afton to arrive home, but she never did. The following morning while in bed, she listened to the news report about her daughter's fall down the stairs, and the loss of her grandson. Arliss heard noises from downstairs, she went to the top of the stairs to see Cliff wandering around downstairs. Arliss lost it, her anger and hatred for this man took over. She picked up a stone vase and slammed it against the back of his head as he walked by her hiding place. Arliss could not believe what she had done, but it was too late. She used some of her own medications to keep him out of it until she could figure out what to do next. She wanted to keep him quiet until she could speak with Afton. But panic took over and she continued to drug him hoping for a miracle.

Arliss walked to the bed and watched Cliff sleeping. With one swift movement Cliff rose grabbing her and tossing her onto the bed. Cliff had been lying in waiting for her return. He muffled her screams with a pillow, and tied her hands with the ropes previously used on his own limbs. Arliss lay still under the pillow. Cliff began to ask her why the hell she had done what she had when he noticed she was not moving. He put his ear to her chest and realized the woman was not breathing. Cliff did not know it, but Arliss was dead. Giving her medications to Cliff the last two weeks had took it's toll on her. The shock of Cliff grabbing her and wrestling her to the bed was too much for the old woman, her heart attack was quick and painless.

John Ross led Pamela Rebecca to the stables and took the blindfold off that he had insisted she wear. Before Pamela stood a wagon, painted white and decorated with garland and scarlet red bows. Bells adorned the garland and the reins that led to two beautiful white horses that were equally as decorated.

"Oh my," said Pamela Rebecca, almost speechless.

"My surprise for you," said John Ross, helping Pamela into the wagon. "We're going to cut a real Christmas tree. Not those artificial ones that you see everywhere these days."

"This is wonderful," smiled Pamela, sitting on the fuzzy blanket that padded the seat. John Ross took a seat next to her and took the reins in his hands. With one shake, the horses were off and the bells jingled as the wagon began to move. John Ross steered the wagon towards the woods that blanketed each side of the Southfork River.

"John Ross," said Pamela laughing, "one question…"

"What's that?"

"Do you know how to drive this thing?"

"It's easy. One of the cowhands showed me. The horses know what to do." The wagon continued to make a jingling sound as it entered the woods. "This is our stop." Pamela Rebecca began to stand but John Ross motioned her to sit down. "First I have something for you." He took a small white box wrapped in a red velvet bow from his pocket and handed it to Pamela. She removed the bow and ribbon and opened the box, making a small creaking sound. "Pamela, I want you to marry me."

Pamela Rebecca pulled the diamond ring from the box and smiled as John Ross put it on her finger. "Yes, yes I'll marry you John Ross." The two kissed…the first passionate kiss they had ever shared. A few moments later, John Ross broke the silence.

"If we're going to get this tree back before dark, then we'd better get busy." John Ross helped her out of the wagon and the two went to find a Christmas tree.

Ray watched as John Ross and Pamela left the stables for home. "This was certainly going to be one hell of a Christmas!" He had phoned up to the main house an hour ago and still no sign of Lucas. He had hoped the boy might join him for a ride. Ray really had no one in his life. The Ewing's, even the ones he loved were usually caught up in their own lives, and Charlie was off God knows where. Donna of course was otherwise occupied. Ray again found himself on the brink of tears, a place he rarely went to.

"Dad?"

Ray looked up to see Lucas standing in the door of the barn.

"I thought we were going for a ride?"

"Yes son, we are." Ray and Lucas, without words, since none were needed, saddled up their horses and headed out into the open fields.

Lucy had not slept since her call from Cliff yesterday. She stayed up all night hoping he would call again. Her telephone call to the police had been an exercise in frustration, they were useless. Being that J.R had the sheriff in his back pocket they did not jump to look for a missing Cliff Barnes. Lucy was about to call again when the phone rang.

"Lucy!"

"Cliff where are you? Are you ok, what the hell is going on?"

"Lucy, I want you to be quiet and listen, listen carefully…"

Ten minutes later Cliff had finished his story, Lucy headed down the stairs with the items Cliff had requested and was about to do something she could never in her wildest dreams have ever imagined. As she bolted down the stairs she ran smack into her aunt.

"Lucy, you joining us on our Christmas tree hunt?"

"I can't Pam, sorry, I have to go out."

"Haven't heard from my brother yet have you, I am starting to worry, Cliff is not consistent in his communication with me, but this is getting ridiculous.

"No Pam, sorry." Lucy brushed passed Pam, leaving her aunt standing bewildered at the bottom of the staircase.

Jeremy Wendell had just left a board meeting and returned to his office. What Kaitlin had done weighed heavily on his mind and he intended to get to the bottom of why she had done it. As if she had been reading his mind, Kaitlin suddenly entered his office.

"Don't you know how to knock?" he asked.

"When you're majority stockholder, you don't have to knock," said Kaitlin in a terse tone.

"I want to know exactly what you're up to and I want to know now," argued Wendell. "Why did you want 51% of my shares and not the position of CEO. What could you possibly hope to gain from that?"

"I want the clout Daddy. Just in case you haven't seen the news this morning, I'm on the front page. I've made quite a stir."

"But you said you had a greater plan. What's that?"

"You're a powerful man, right?" asked Kaitlin, "perhaps the only man in Dallas more powerful that J.R. Ewing himself."

"Yes, I guess that's true. What else do you want?"

"You are going to help me impersonate my twin sister and it's going to be our little secret," said Kaitlin, looking Wendell in the eye.

"What in the hell could you possibly have to gain from that?"

"Daddy dearest. That's for me to know and for you to find out later. For now, I want you to start the process, have my identity changed and I don't want any trace of this left around. Understand? Furthermore, I want a position on the board of Westar."

"I see, but isn't there one small detail you're forgetting?"

"What's that?"

"Kristin Sheperd drowned almost twenty years ago. How are you going to get past that little detail?"

"You didn't think I'd forget that did you? It's so easy, let me explain it to you. Kristin and I exchanged places back in the late 70s before Kristin got pregnant and went to California. It was I, Kaitlin Ryan, who drowned in the pool. Years later "Kristin" returns at a masquerade ball at Southfork. See? There's no way anyone wouldn't believe me. Kristin may be dead but we're going to resurrect her, at least for a while and make it look as if Kaitlin died in the pool."

"If you pull this off, there could be far reaching consequences on everyone involved, including yourself."

"Just start the ball rolling and I'll handle the rest." Kaitlin pulled on her coat and left the office.

Throughout the entire lunch the two women never stopped laughing.

"I am sure, you slept with him at one point."

She smiled slyly at Afton. "I think I am going to keep that one to myself…at least for now."

"Come on Sly, you could not have worked for J.R for all those years without him trying to get you into bed?"

"I thought we were here to discuss the show."

"Yes of course Sly, but believe me, this subject will come up again."

"Why do you want to know so badly?"

"Well, can you keep a secret?"

"Of course…."

"Well, I doubt that, but I am going to tell you anyway. J.R Ewing doesn't know it yet, but I am planning on being his wife before the year 2000."

Sly was a bit surprised by Afton's revelation. "Well, I would say you have your work cut out."

"Well, I have already gotten him into bed."

"Not such a difficult task Afton."

"True….but it was special, J.R knows it too."

"What about your husband?"

Afton did not answer right away, despite her recent hatred for the man, upon hearing he was not with Lucy the past couple of weeks had made her think. She did love him at one point, and despite how hard she tried, he always kept popping up in her head. She found it hard to believe, but she was beginning to think she still might love the jerk.

"My husband seems to have found another to keep his bed warm at night."

"I heard about him and Lucy, but Afton, ever since I have known Lucy Ewing, she has had one man after another. It won't last…trust me."

"How well do you know Lucy?"

"Well, not that well really, but we have always gotten along, she has always been nice to me, we have shared a few laughs on occasion, usually at J.R's expense."

"Hmmmm…Sly, think you might be able to find out some information for me?"

"Afton, I am not sure I want to get involved."

"Of course you do, I am now your boss, consider it your first assignment."

Bobby held open the door as John Ross came in, Christmas tree on his shoulder, followed by Pamela Rebecca. The sweet smell of the fir tree mingled with the warmth from the fireplace and created a nice Christmas smell throughout the living room. Bobby held the tree upright as John Ross screwed it into the stand, Pam, and Pamela Rebecca watched from a distance to make sure it was straight. After years of no tree, they wanted to do it right.

Pam walked into the kitchen to poor herself a glass of eggnog and Bobby followed her, sensing sadness about her. "What's wrong Pam?" he asked.

"I just wish Christopher and Karen were here…Sue Ellen, Miss Ellie, and Clayton too."

"I know, but they'll all be back before Christmas and we'll all celebrate Christmas together."

"I hope so. I tried to call Christopher today but he and Karen had left Karen's father's house earlier. I don't even know where they are right now."

"Try not to worry honey, enjoy yourself."

"Ok." Bobby and Pam joined John Ross, Pamela Rebecca, and Megan in the living room. A few minutes later, the doorbell sounded and Judy showed the visitor into the living room. It was Phyllis, Bobby's former secretary.

"Phyllis!" smiled Bobby, hugging her. "What brings you back to town?"

"I heard about Pam returning and I had to come back to see you two together," said Phyllis smiling. "How are you Pam?"

"I'm wonderful now that I'm back with Bobby," said Pam. "Would you like a glass of eggnog?"

"No thanks, I don't want to intrude," said Phyllis politely.

"Don't be silly Phyllis," said Bobby. "Stay and help us trim the tree. You've met John Ross before. This is his…"

"Fiancé," said John Ross, helping Bobby out.

"His fiancé Pamela Rebecca and their daughter Megan."

"John Ross, it's been a while. The last time I saw you, you were sitting on J.R.'s desk talking about how you wanted to run the company someday. Let me guess, you're now owner of Ewing Oil?"

"Co-Owner," smiled John Ross.

"That's great. It's nice to meet you Pamela Rebecca. Megan is just beautiful," said Phyllis, looking at the baby.

"So Phyllis," said John Ross. "I hope you have some good tree trimming tips because I don't know the first thing about it."

"I'm sure I have a few up my sleeve."

Pam took the box that she had brought in earlier and put it safely away in the hall closet. She would save them for Christmas Day, when everyone was here. She rejoined the rest in the living room and they were already at work adding the lights she had bought to the tree. "I'll Be Home For Christmas" played from the stereo in the entertainment center and she thought of all the years that she had missed spending Christmas with those she loved. The phone rang, breaking her train of thought and she hesitated for a moment before answering.

"Hello?"

"Pam, is that you?" It was Val Ewing.

"Yes it is, well hi Val! I've been meaning to call you but I haven't gotten around to it yet. How is everyone?"

"We're doing as well as can be expected after the earthquake," said Val.

"Well we're all keeping you in our thoughts and prayers."

"Thank you Pam. Miss Ellie's contribution to the rebuilding project is working wonders. Gary couldn't have done it without her."

"Yes, Miss Ellie is a great woman. She's flying to Dallas for a while to spend Christmas with us. Why don't you, Gary, and the kids come?"

"Oh Pam, that sounds so nice, but we're desperately needed out here with the rebuilding and all, I just don't think we should leave our friends now."

"I understand. Maybe when things calm down you can come visit for a while."

"We'd like that," said Val, "How is Christopher?"

"Well, what can I say, Christopher is married."

"Really? Since when?" laughed Val.

"He and Karen eloped and now they're traveling."

"I'm glad to hear that. I hope she'll make him happy."

The two friends talked for a while before saying goodbye. Pam rejoined the others in the living room.

Lucy and Cliff went over all the options.

"Cliff, why do we have to do this, why can't you just call the police, she kidnapped you, they will understand."

"Lucy no! With all the involvement I have had lately with the police I am not risking spending time in jail. If Afton finds out what happened she will fry me. It is just to much of a gamble."

"Cliff I am not sure that I can go through with this."

"Lucy I need you with me on this. I have been through hell, I just want to get on with my life. I did not set out to hurt this woman, but she drugged and kidnapped me, she is not an innocent victim. "

Lucy still looked worried. "Lucy listen, she was very old, it is not like she was a kid. I need your help!"

"Ok Cliff, but on one condition, after we leave here, I don't want to ever talk about this again. I am sick, my stomach is in knots, I can't believe we are actually going to do this. But I will trust you, I think your wrong, but I will trust you."

"Ok, lets get to work."

"Dad, you don't have worry you know."

Ray had just finished brushing off the two horses they had been riding. He was heading Lucas's horse back into his stable. It was the first words spoken between the two since they began their ride.

"Don't have to worry about what?"

"About me, and Bobby. You're my father, you raised me, no matter what Mom's will said, I want to live with you, You have been the one there for me, not Bobby."

For the second time that day, a tear rolled down the cheek of Ray Krebbs, this time, a tear of joy. "Christmas might be ok this year after all."

"Lucas, I do love you son." Lucas headed into the arms of the man known as father.

"Ok ok, enough of this stuff. Shall we head up to the house and help those Ewing's put up their tree. God knows what they have done with it."

"Sure Dad, lets go."

Patricia Sheperd again found herself sitting outside Kaitlin's house. She would go inside in a few minutes, but first she had to think of her exact plan of attack. Patricia had to get Kaitlin out of town. Wendell had called her earlier and informed her of Kaitlin's plan to assume Kristin's identity. Patricia was just as baffled as Wendell was as to what she would have to gain from that. She opened the door and stepped out into the cold December wind, wincing against the way it felt against her face. Patricia stood on the front steps and rang the doorbell. Kaitlin answered a few seconds later, though it felt like an eternity while waiting outside in the cold.

"Patricia, why are you here? I thought we had discussed all we had to talk about the last time you came barging in."

"I'm here to make an offer and that's all," said Patricia, removing her gloves.

"An offer?"

"Yes. I'll give you $500,000 if you'll drop this whole insidious plot of yours and leave town. That's all I can manage."

"Sorry. That's not good enough. I have so much more to gain by staying. I figured that Daddy would tell you what I was up to, so I'll tell you the same thing I told him. If anyone else finds out about this, then you'll both be spending a long time in jail."

"Damn you. You're going to regret this. Jeremy Wendell is a very powerful man. You think he can help you but there may be more than what meets the eye with him. He can doublecross you in an instant and you'll never know what hit you."

"I'll take my chances," said Kaitlin. "Now, please leave my house before I have you thrown out."

"You haven't seen the last of me," said Patricia, pulling back on her coat and gloves.

"No, I'm sure I haven't. Have a nice day." Kaitlin slammed the door in Patricia's face and went back to what she was doing.

Lucy and Cliff each had an end of the large long package. The bag was tied with rope, and despite her small stature, Arliss Cooper was not that easy to lift. They rounded the corner of the hotel room, and headed towards Lucy's car. A couple was coming out of their room as Lucy was unlocking her drunk. The couple was obviously drunk, getting into the Christmas merriment a little early. "What you to up to dumping a body?" The couple woman giggled at her boyfriend's joke. "Just taking our Christmas tree home." Cliff smiled and continued with the deed as if in the bag was indeed a Christmas tree. Lucy got behind the wheel and they and began to start the car. "Lucy, I am going to do this myself, I have another job for you." "What now Cliff!" While I get rid of the body, I want you to take Arliss's car back to the rental place. It is late, and it should be closed by now. Just use the gloves you brought, and don't leave any trace of yourself in the car." "Cliff, I am frightened." "Me too, but if they don't get their car back they might cause some problems. I am going to ensure Arliss is secure at the bottom of the lake, and I will meet you at the rental place in an hour." "Ok Cliff, don't be late, where are you taking her anyway." "I think it might be better if you don't know."

Andrew Dowling slipped into the afterworld at 3:47 am. Donna had been sleeping by his side and had awoken the moment it had happened. She gently kissed his cheek and straightened the covers around her husband.

Donna had tried to reach Ray the next day, but was not able to get through. "It is just as well, I need to stay in Washington a little longer, to ensure Andrew is put to rest comfortably." Donna had been wandering around her Washington mansion since the ambulance drivers had left earlier that morning. Despite the fact that it was the afternoon, Donna poured herself a glass of wine. The phone had not stopped ringing since the news of Andrew's death had hit the media. After an hour or so of hoping one of the calls might be from Ray, Donna had unplugged the damned thing. She stared at the tree she had decorated. She had put up the tree, not for herself, but to hopefully add some joy to her husband's final days. Up until this moment she had not appreciated it's beauty. She walked towards the tree, and turned on the lights. Donna Dowling, still in her robe lay down under the tree, staring up at the lights twinkling above her.

Bobby had just put the finishing touch, the angel that Pam had bought, on the top of the tree. He, Pam, John Ross, Phyllis, and Pamela Rebecca stood in awe at its beauty. As they looked, J.R. came inside, rubbing his hands together to warm them.

"Well. Isn't that something? A Christmas tree at Southfork again. Mama would love that," he said, hanging his hat on the hat rack near the door.

"Yes she would J.R.," said Bobby. "She's going to stop by for Christmas so she'll get to see it."

"That's wonderful. She's going to be thrilled that we've ended this feud as well, isn't she Pam?" asked J.R.

"Yes, I believe she will."

"I think I'm going to go call James right now and tell him to bring little Jimmy and Debra Lynn to Southfork for Christmas."

"Goodness J.R., you are in the spirit this year," said Pam.

"Well I've got a lot to be thankful for. I just hope that Sue Ellen gets back to us for Christmas," said J.R. with a slightly sad tone in his voice.

"It looks beautiful!"

The group turned to see Afton in the doorway.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Well, I didn't think I needed an invitation to see my grand daughter"

"Of course you don't, I will take you up to the nursery to see her, but come in first and join us, I will get you some eggnog."

Afton joined the Ewing's, smiling deeply at J.R, soon he would have to know that the baby she lost was his. Given they were both new Grandparents, it might be time to make their relationship a little more formal.

The plane landed safely. Ellie and Clayton headed towards the terminal to wait for their luggage to arrive. "Clayton, it is so wonderful to be back in Dallas."

Clayton Farlow smiled at his wife. "Ellie, you say that every time we return."

"I know, but this time it is special. After we left a few months ago, I wasn't sure I would ever see Southfork again. To be home for Christmas, especially this year is a true miracle to me. I am glad the family is not here to meet us, I want to surprise them."

"They are not expecting us for another week."

"Well, after our day at the hospital, the only thing on my mind was coming home." Ellie turned and held her husbands hand. "Clayton, I want to stay."

"Well, we have a few weeks don't we?"

"No, Clayton, I want that plane we just got off to be the last one I ever travel on. I want to stay in Dallas, at Southfork. Whether or not hiv has entered our lives, time is short for me, for both of us. My dream is to end my life where I began it, at Southfork."

"Well, your life has many years left my dear, but…I understand. I guess we are home, for good. "

Lucy was never so happy to be home. She had wanted to stay with Cliff for the night, but he convinced her she should get home and act as normal as possible. They had arranged their stories, and decided that to everyone else, Cliff had spent the last few weeks held up in his motel room, drunk and miserable over the loss of his son. He certainly looked liked he had been through the ringer. She managed to get past the group in the living room without a fuss and headed down the upstairs hallway to her room, planning on heading straight to the shower. As she passed Pamela Rebecca's room, she was startled by a familiar voice.

"Pamela, you must make sure the Ewing's don't think they are the only family Megan has. I plan on being a big part of her life."

"Don't worry mother, you will be. Everybody has been wonderful, she well never be at a loss love around here. Miss Ellie is even flying home for Christmas to see her."

"Miss Ellie, goody goody." Afton headed towards the telephone. "Pamela, mind if I make a call?"

"Sure mom."

"Well, Miss Ellie is not Megan's only Great Grandmother, I think my mother might want to see the baby as well."

As she picked up the phone, Afton and Pamela Rebecca heard a loud thump in the hallway. They ran out to see Lucy Ewing lying on the floor, the had been listening at the door, she fainted to the floor upon hearing Afton's final words.

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