Justin Harper Dominique Barbara & Bryan Safi Jillian Renfro Melissa McSween Eric Stone Gregor Dervish Rex Wentworth Gary and Valene Ewing Jackie Dugar and Janice Kelly
Chad Cox Jesse Murray and Justin Stiles
Kristin Cashmere Chad Cox Karin Schill and Andy Smithers
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 Downtown Dallas
J.R. too was confused, but finding out about an unknown child wasn't exactly something he wasn't used to. There had been James and Justin. History had repeated itself again…and it probably wouldn't be the last time. J.R. thought back to all the women he had carelessly slept with and for the first time, he actually wondered if there were any others like Jillian. “You doin' okay?” he asked her. Jillian's breath fogged up the window that she gazed through. She turned to J.R. “As well as can be expected.” “Honey, you haven't said two words to me since your mother died. It's time we got to know each other…you're the only part of Mandy I have left.” A daughter! J.R. honestly couldn't believe that he had a daughter. It had always been sons before. Did he even know how to raise a daughter? “I don't need to get to know you. Mom didn't see fit to introduce us before last weekend, so obviously it doesn't matter now.” “Your momma was worried about you, that's all. She wanted to make sure I still loved her before she told me about you.” “Did you still love her?” “Of course I did.” “I wonder how things might have turned out if she'd gotten better.” J.R. didn't answer that question. He signaled and turned into the parking lot outside Mandy's apartment building. Jillian had admitted to him that she wasn't ready to move into Southfork yet...she needed time. J.R. was willing to give her that.
The two of them had been in heaven since their kiss in the elevator a few days before. It was another half-hour before they got out, but it flew by, mostly because they were making out the whole time. They didn't go any farther than that, though. Neither party initiated anything else. For his part, Todd didn't want to screw something up by moving too fast. He was really crazy about Janice. “You really haven't talked much about Thanksgiving,” Janice asked. One of the things he liked best about her was that they could be silent for as much as they talked, and it was comfortable. “Whatever, nothing great.” “Why do you dodge questions about your past?” “I don't.” “Todd, don't pull that with me. You know you do. I've spilled my guts to you and blabbed my butt off about my mother, but you so much as don't talk about your family.” “You know about my mother. She was Bobby's ex-wife.” Todd really didn't want to get into a discussion about his family. “I know that. I mean your other mother.” “She's died when I was seven.” “Stop rehashing! Fine. How was your father.” “Demanding money,” Todd replied. He didn't know why he had gone back to Boston. It was only his father, who was only too eager to pump his now rich son for everything he was worth. Todd felt so honored; his father was even sober for the occasion. “Did you give him any?” “Yes,” Todd said quietly. “I had too.” “Why? From what you've told me---and that's not a lot by the way---he sounds like a real louse.” “To get him off my back,” Todd said, avoiding Janice's eyes. She reached over and gently put his chin in her hands, moving his eyes so they were directly in line with hers. “You don't owe him anything.” They stared at each other for a second. She continued to reiterate herself. “You don't owe him anything. Everything you have---YOU got.” “I suppose you're right,” Todd said, more because he wanted to get on a more comfortable subject as opposed to really meaning it. “Todd, will you stop putting up this wall? What are you thinking? I wouldn't ask if I didn't care. I do care.” She looked him right in the eyes, as if to let him know that she meant every word. “I don't know why I did it. Honestly, I don't.” “Well, here's some advice,” Janice said. “Stop.” She smiled warmly, and leaned over to give him a kiss. Todd felt better already.
“No, because I have stupid homework.” Justin said. “What do you have to do?” “Math! YUCK!” Justin made a gagging motion with his finger. “Well, I can help if you want. Math was my best subject.” “Let's go take a horse ride.” Justin said, quickly changing the subject. Twenty minutes later, the two were riding around the ranch. “So, how was your Thanksgiving?” John Ross asked. “It was pretty fun,” Justin replied. “I wish you could have stayed here longer.” “I'm sorry that I couldn't be here longer. My little girl was having Thanksgiving with her mom, and I wanted to be there for part of it.” John Ross paused more a minute, steering his horse. “Your mom was there. How come you didn't spend Thanksgiving with her.” “I'm mad at her. Plus I wanted to spend it with my dad.” “Mad? Why?” This was a little disconcerting to John Ross. “Because she's stupid and she broke up with my dad for a dumb reason! It's not fair, because I never had a dad and it's all her fault.” “Whoa, wait a minute Justin. What exactly did you hear that's causing you to say this?” John Ross couldn't help but suspect that his father had something to do with this. “Dad told me. He told me how my mom didn't want to be married anymore just because he worked too much.” “That's just not true,” John Ross quickly jumped in. “Huh?” “I was about your age when Cally and dad got divorced. It wasn't all that simple.” “Well what happened?” “A lot of different things. I was young, so I don't know everything. But I know that it was a mutual decision---both your mom and dad decided that they shouldn't be married to each other. It wasn't anyone's 'fault.' I know that.” “But dad told me…” “Justin, I'm not going to lie to you. You've got to know that sometimes our father has a tendency to exaggerate the truth on certain subjects.” “I don't get it.” “He was probably fibbing a little bit.” “Are you serious?” Justin looked shocked at such a notion as J.R. not being truthful. John Ross figured he was probably the only person in Dallas that could claim that. “Yes.” “Well he wouldn't lie.” “I should say this again. I doubt he lied, but I bet he wasn't telling you the full story. But trust me, nothing was your mother's 'fault.' I can tell you that….and I was there.” Justin seemed to ponder this for a second. “Maybe you're right,” he said finally. “Just don't hold it against your mom, OK?” John Ross asked. “She's one of the best ladies I know.” “OK. I'll say I'm sorry tonight,” Justin said innocently, as if he had not a care in the world.
“Melissa, thanks for being here. Sorry I haven't gotten a chance to get in touch since Thanksgiving. Things have been hectic at Southfork, with J.R.'s little revelation and long lost child and everything else. Plus, Karen and I had a little disagreement.” “Nothing bad I hope…” “No, Karen and I will get over it. Well, what's the diagnosis from the Thanksgiving dinner? Do you still think Pamela Rebecca is behind the screwed up blood tests?” “Now more than ever. She definitely seemed uncomfortable talking about it…like she had something to hide.” Christopher clenched his fists and hit the table. “Damn, if I find out she is behind this, I'll do everything in my power to make sure she pays for it. She's screwing with our daughter's mind…Megan is innocent in all of this and it's doing nothing but confusing her.” “Pamela Rebecca never struck me as being the selfless and giving type. Face it; all she wants out of life is her way. But, your next option is to have a paternity test. That should close the book on this once and for all.” Christopher took his cappuccino from the waitress and took a sip. “It'll be nice to know all of this is behind me. Then, if I can prove that Pamela Rebecca deceived me, I'll have a clear shot at getting sole custody of Megan.” “And that alone would hurt Pamela Rebecca more than anything else.” “Okay. I need to talk to John Ross about this. I'm sure he'll want to know the truth as much as I do.” Melissa frowned. “I just hate that he's going to be hurt by all of this…and when he finds out about my part in all of this, he's going to be upset…and hurt.”
“Hi John. Can I have a moment with you alone please?” John Ross nodded. “Justin, I'll be right back. Try to work out that problem right there and I'll check out the answer in a second.” “Okay.” “What's up?” John Ross asked with concern. Anytime someone needed to talk to him alone, it usually turned out to be a conversation he'd rather not have. “I've got something to ask you and I know it's not going to be easy for you.” Christopher saw the puzzled look on John Ross' face and continued. “I think Pamela Rebecca is somehow deceiving both of us.” “Wouldn't be the first time. What is it this time?” “I think she somehow got the blood results changed and altered Megan's blood type to make it look like you were here father.” “That's ridiculous. Christopher, I never would have imagined you would have stooped this low…” “No one is stooping here but Pamela Rebecca.” “Look, I don't want to hear this crap anymore. Megan is my daughter. I know you're upset about that, but you're just going to have to learn to live with it.” Christopher was determined to get what he came for. “Then prove it. If you're so confident that Pamela Rebecca is telling the truth, then submit to a paternity test. This has gone on long enough. If you really love Megan, then do it. We'll know once and for all who her father is.” John Ross hesitated. “Fine. I just want you to have peace of mind. Megan is my daughter and I'm willing to prove that.” “Okay. I'll make an appointment and we'll get this over with. There is no use in dragging it out any longer.” Christopher left John Ross and went upstairs. John Ross returned to the living room where Justin was still diligently working on the math problem. He couldn't help but wonder if maybe Pamela Rebecca did have something to do with Megan's mysteriously changing blood type. He hoped not.
“You never really realize what you have until it's gone,” Karen thought to herself as she stopped at a room where parent and child were reading together. Maybe it was a book describing the next phase of treatment for the child. Or maybe it was a fantasy, an attempt to take their minds away from what was going on in real life, in the real world. Karen kept walking. The floors were shiny; the walls were bright, clean -- unlike her life. After the drugs, the manipulation, and the turmoil – both emotional and physical – she was ready to move on and put the past behind her. She wanted to put everything she could into making these lives brighter while they were sick, it was the least she could do for them--and for her mother. She walked back to the room where the mother and son were reading. She smiled as she watched them interact, the mother pointing to something in the book, the child looked up to ask a question. She didn't want to intrude so she just watched silently from the window, smiling.
“I didn't have to talk you into it. Karen and Lilimae did that for me.” Val glanced back at Betsy and Bobby, who were sitting in the seat behind them. “But, there was something I wanted to talk to you about.” “What?” “As much as I love Dallas and Southfork, I do miss all of our friends back in California. Now, I know you're tied up in a business deal right now, but after you sell off the houses, I'd really like to go back home to Knots Landing. You could give John Ross control of your half…he's a smart guy and I know he'd do a great job of running the company. Plus, once you do that, then you've accomplished your mission.” “What mission is that?” “Proving to J.R. that you can be successful. But, as far as I'm concerned, you're already the biggest success I know. You'll pull in a huge profit from the deal and then we can go back.” “You're that homesick huh?” “I don't think I realized it until I had to leave Knots Landing again. I mean, sure, Texas would be easier…simpler. They only have tornadoes and rattlesnakes. In Knots Landing, we have Abby. But, Karen and Mack are there. The children grew up there…it's where we belong.” “Honey, you know I'd do anything to make you happy. Plus, I kind of miss it too.” Val hugged her husband. “Great! We can spend Christmas in Dallas with the family, then we can start the New Year off back home. How long do you think it'll be before you can start selling off the houses?” “There's no time like the present. We have more than enough to start with and the rest are coming along better than I hoped. I'll just talk to John Ross about it and make sure it's okay with him, then we'll start.” “Wonderful.” Gary, Val, and the kids braced themselves as the plane started its descent into Dallas.
She was already on her fourth painting and it was only four in the afternoon. She had been working straight since seven in the morning, and had no plans to stop soon. It made her feel alive to be painting again. Meanwhile, in her hotel room, Dominique called some local art galleries. This was such a perfect opportunity. She would be a fool not to take advantage of it.
“Why? It's a good thing, isn't it?” Karen asked. “No, no. I mean, doesn't it get hard? You're in the cancer ward…..no one's going to get better.” “Well, Todd, that's not necessarily true….” “You know what I mean,” he quickly interjected. Karen smiled. It was good to have lunch with Todd again. She missed doing that. She had been in rehabilitation so long. Now she was back, but so much had seemed to change. Todd seemed so much happier, and Christopher seemed more distant. Then there was the whole issue of Megan being John Ross's. Did that explain Christopher's distance? Or was it her? “Let's not talk about sad stuff.” “Fair enough,” Todd replied. “Let's instead talk more about your new girl!” Karen giggled. “Oh God, you make us sound like we're in a bad Sweet Valley High novel,” Todd sardonically said. “You are, aren't you? Seriously though, I'm so happy for you. I can't wait to meet her.” “The day will come my dear.” They stepped into the elevator hall just as the doors were opening for an available car. “Want to come up?” Karen asked. “Actually, I should probably get going. But I'll give you a call. I had fun today.” “Me too. Don't be too crazy.” Karen reached over and gave her friend a peck on the cheek. “I'll talk to you soon,” she said as the elevator doors closed on her. Todd crossed his arms and turned around, heading towards the exit. The next person he saw caused him to stop dead in his tracks. “Hey Foster, long time no see.” It was Eric Stone. “Oh God, I really have died and gone to Hell,” Todd quickly snapped. “Why the long face? Not happy to see me?” Eric was saying all this with a mixture of mock shock and condescension. “First of all, come up with a better comeback. Second of all, you're a bastard and I'd rather drop dead than be in the same room with you. Goodbye.” “That can be arranged,” Eric was quick to say as Todd walked past him. Todd turned around. “What exactly are you referring to?” “You said it, not me.” “I hope that's not a veiled threat,” Todd mandated. “Threat, promise. Look at it how you want, Foster. We have unfinished business to settle.” “Oh, its all been settled. As I recall, I basically nailed your ass to the wall after you slept with that stripper, got her pregnant, blamed it on Christopher, used it to break he and Karen up, slept with Karen, and then tried to move in on her. Shall I continue?” “You don't need too. I'll be ending things real soon.” “Please. I've sliced bread tougher than you.” “Watch your back, that's all I'm going to say.” The elevator doors opened, and Eric stepped in. “I'll say hi to Karen for you.” The doors quickly shut. Todd was left standing alone, wondering what the hell Eric was up to and praying that Karen didn't fall for any of his crap again. Upstairs, Karen knocked on the door of room number 412 and a little boy called out and answered. “Come in.” Karen walked in the room and pulled a chair next to his bed. “How are ya?” “Not good,” said the boy. Karen knew this was going to be a tough case. “What's your name?” “Cole.” “Hi Cole.” Karen noticed what was playing on the television. “I used to love that show when I was a little girl. My Mom used to make us a double batch of hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and we would sit on the couch with the lights off and the fireplace roaring and watch Rudolph together.” “It's just a dumb kid's show.” Karen frowned. “Cole, what do you want to be when you grow up?” “I'm not going to grow up…the doctor told me I didn't have long to live.” “Doctors have been wrong before. But it's never a good idea to abandon your dreams.” Karen laughed quietly. “Just look at Herbie the Elf. He didn't give up on his dream of being a dentist did he?” “No.” “And if they're still showing the same ending that I've seen a million times, then he does end up being a dentist.” The nine-year old laughed. “The abominable snowman wasn't scary…I laughed at him.” Karen leaned forward and pushed her blonde hair back out of her face. “Just think of your cancer as the abominable snowman. Herbie, being the little dentist that he is, pulled out the snowman's teeth and saved Rudolph and his friends. Your dreams are like Herbie's dreams. If you follow them, you'll have a lot to fight for and you can beat your disease.” “That sounds kind of dumb,” Cole said matter-of-factly. “But, I do have a dream.” “Want to share it with me?” “Not really.” “Tell you what. I'll tell you my dreams if you'll tell me yours…but you have to go first.” Cole smiled. “Okay. My dream is to have a family…” “You mean like have kids?” “No. If I get well, I don't want to go back to the foster home…I want to go live in a big house somewhere with a Mom and Dad who love me.” Karen remembered checking Cole's history. His parents had been killed when he was five. “Well, you're a special little boy and I'm sure some Mom and Dad would love to make that dream come true for you.” “Now I told you my dream, so you have to tell me yours.” Karen smiled. “My dream is a lot like yours, but it's completely opposite. I also want to have a family. But I want to have kids…a little boy and a little girl.” “Aren't you married?” “Yeah, but my husband is kind of busy right now. We haven't had time to talk about it.” There was a knock at the door and a nurse walked in. “Karen, there's somebody here to see you.” “Ok, thanks Delia. I'll be right out.” Cole looked worried. “Are you going to come back and see me again?” “You bet. I'll be back soon.” Cole smiled and Karen waved at him when she left the room. Karen was surprised to see Eric Stone standing to himself. She put two and two together and figured he was her visitor. Christopher had told her about his return to Dallas and his revelation that he was Cliff's son. Karen walked to him. “Hi Eric. What are you doing here?” Eric frowned. “Karen, you don't seem happy to see me. Remember…you forgave me right before I left Dallas.” “Forgiveness and friendship are two different things. True, I did forgive you, but I don't think we can ever be friends again. You hurt Christopher so bad with your tricks. I forgave you for that…but please…don't ask for anything more.” “Karen…please. You don't know how much your friendship means to me.” “I need to go. I've got more patients to see before I leave.” Karen walked away and left Eric standing in the corner alone. He made a vow to himself that he would have her back before the New Year.
On the other end of the line, Sue Ellen rubbed her eyes. She was tired as well. She and Jack had taken the day off from the Clifford Group and went shopping. Jack hated it, so Sue Ellen made it up to him by taking a ride around Southfork on a horse. It wasn't one of her favorite things. “OK, I think I'm going to head to bed too. Are we still on for Breakfast tomorrow?” “Yep. Justin is sleeping at a new friend's house tonight so I don't have to take him to school.” “Oh God, don't let J.R. know that.” “I reckon he'd have steam coming out of his ears!” Cally laughed. “I'm so excited for you to see my paintings. I'm really proud of them.” “I can't wait either. Maybe we can talk about some plans for them over breakfast.” “Sounds like fun. I'll see ya tomorrow. Bye,” Cally said, her southern drawl thick. Before going to bed, she looked again at the five wonderful landscapes that she had painted, all proudly displayed on easels. She wished Justin could see them, but she knew he would tomorrow. She shut off the lights in the living room and went to bed.
“Well, how did things go with Karen?” Pamela Rebecca asked as Eric walked in the room. He dropped his coat on the chair by the door and collapsed into it. “Not well. Karen brushed me off, told me she didn't want to be my friend. Plus, I had a run in with that bastard, Todd Foster.” “Oh, I'm sorry. I have some bad news of my own.” “What is it?” “Christopher called. He's demanding a paternity test to prove that he is Megan's father. Apparently, John Ross is going along with this willingly. I tried to change his mind, but he wouldn't budge.” Eric was quiet, deep in thought. “Don't worry Becky. I have a friend in a high place who will be more than happy to doctor those paternity results for us.” “How do you know this guy?” “He was the same doctor who doctored the paternity tests for Carla's baby a few months ago.” Rebecca smiled. “Eric, you are the best. I was getting worried. Now, I don't have a thing to worry about.”
She saw Sue Ellen's car pull in the driveway from her bedroom window. She got out of the car and shut the door. Cally made a quick jog into the living room to meet her at the door. “Hey,” she greeted. “Hi,” Sue Ellen warmly replied. Cally looked a little bit frayed. Was anything wrong? “C'mon in. I'm a little out of sorts this morning, I'm sorry.” Sue Ellen walked in and Cally shut the door behind her, then began to make her way over to the kitchen. “I hope it's not going to be one of….” She gasped. Her paintings. “Cally? Is everything OK?” Sue Ellen was getting worried. Cally wasn't moving. Her breathing was rapid. Was she going into some sort of shock? Cally had to concentrate to even get a breath out. There were five paintings there----of various sites in Dallas. Urban landscapes, not the country ones she had painted all day. Yet, there they were, in the same places that she left HER paintings the night before. What happened? What was going on? “Cally, stop it. What's wrong….you're scaring me.” “It's…uh….nothing.” Cally didn't know what to make of this. She didn't want to alarm Sue Ellen. “Cally, what's wrong! You just looked like you were going to have a heart attack!” “My paintings….they're different…..” It was hard for Cally to even speak. What was wrong with her? At first she thought she was just forgetting small things, like her purse. But now, after the incident at Thanksgiving…..was she losing her mind? “What do you mean they're different? You painted them last night. You told me on the phone.” Sue Ellen was confused. “These are the paintings I did,” Cally quickly stated. Maybe Sue Ellen could help her make sense of this. “What?” Now she really didn't understand what was going on. “I painted landscapes.” “Those are landscapes.” “No,” Cally said, still out of breath, “I mean I did different ones….trees and water…” “There are trees and water in there,” Sue Ellen motioned to one of the paintings. “That's Lincoln Park, right?” Sue Ellen was getting a little bit scared. Cally seemed so disheveled. Now this talk of different paintings. “No!” Cally was getting angry now. “I didn't paint these last night! I did scenes from the country and the woods. This is downtown Dallas!” “Cally, are you OK? Is something going on?” “I'm not crazy!” Her vehemence made her seem more unbalanced to Sue Ellen. “No, I know you're not. You're probably just tired. I always get a little forgetful in the morning.” She was trying to remain calm and rectify this situation. “I'm not tired! Sue Ellen, those aren't the pictures I painted. I swear.” She turned and faced her friend, her eyes bulging. “Please, you've got to believe me.” All of Cally's fears had piled up and were exploding. The strange events of the past few weeks culminating in this. Was she going insane? She kept asking herself over and over. “I know you're not crazy, Cally. Now c'mon, I think you should go and lie down for a while.” Sue Ellen led her friend to the bedroom. Cally followed. She couldn't resist. She was too shaken up. Sue Ellen led her over to the bed, where Cally got under the covers. Sue Ellen placed them over her, and sat next to the bed. She spoke in a reassuring, slow tone. “I'm going to go over and say hello to Afton. I'll have her stop by in a few hours to see that you're OK. Is there anything you want?” “I'm not sick! Those aren't my paintings. Please, you've got to believe me.” “I believe you, Cally.” Sue Ellen said this calmly, but she was lying. The most important thing was to keep Cally calm and placated. How could she not think something was wrong with Cally? How could five paintings change overnight? Sue Ellen waited for a few more minutes, talking softly to Cally and then excused herself to go tell Afton to check on Cally later. She would lie and say Cally wasn't feeling well. Sue Ellen figured it best to keep Cally's little incident very hush-hush for now. God knows what J.R. would do with it if he found out.
J.R. shivered a little on the bench next to her. “I gotta give you credit, honey. That was a smart move.” “You liked it? I was very proud myself.” “She's gonna have to think she's going nuts. She paints five pretty pictures, goes to sleep and wakes up and they're different pictures! I'd think I was going crazy, and I'm a helluva lot smarter than she is.” “I had to work fast. It was not easy finding five other pictures that were the same size. They were also very heavy.” “What time did you get there?” J.R. asked. “I waited until two hours after she went to sleep. Then I broke in, and switched the paintings. I have the others in my hotel, if you would like them.” “Her art? No way. She's horrible.” Dominique laughed. “Would you like to have dinner tonight?” She couldn't help it. She loved to play. And she was lonely. “Stick to business, honey,” J.R. replied without missing a beat. “What if I promise you something. Something wonderful?” Dominique asked, flirtatiously. She moved a little closer to J.R. on the bench. “And what's that?” Dominique started to laugh, and reached into her pocket. She withdrew a plastic bag filled with tiny pills. “What the hell are those?” J.R. asked. “These are what is going to----how do you Americans say it?----Oh, yes. Drive your ex-wife over the edge.” J.R. smiled in anticipation.
“Sure,” Jackie smiled. “Hold on.” She buzzed Cliff and told him that Donna Dowling was waiting for him. A moment later, Donna walked into Cliff's office, holding her briefcase taut in her hand. “What can I do for you, Donna?” Cliff asked. His voice registered their past, tense encounter. He was trying to be welcoming, though. “I'm sorry to do this to you, Cliff. It's nothing against you personally.” She put the briefcase on the table and began to open it. She produced a few documents that were in a manilla folder. “What are these?” he asked. “Injunctions to get the drilling halted.” She handed them to Cliff. “I'm sorry, Cliff, but I told you that you couldn't do this.” Cliff glanced over the papers. They were marked with the seal of both the ORC and the OLM. They were legit. “Why did you do this?” “Don't get into this,” Donna said back. “You know why. That land is right across from Southfork---where my family lives! Where your family lives!” “The Ewings are not my family.” “What's Pam? Christopher? Megan?” Cliff was silent. “I can't believe you'd do this to me. I helped you get where you are.” He knew Donna had made the threat, but he never actually believed she'd follow through with it. After all he'd done for her. “I'm grateful to you Cliff, and that's why this is hard for me. But I can't let this happen to Miss Ellie, or the family. It would destroy them.” “It would destroy J.R.!” Cliff screamed, slamming his hand against the table. “Then that's what its about, isn't it? He's not the only casualty. You know how Miss Ellie loves that land."” Cliff just stared at her, unresponsive. Donna knew that this argument was futile. They had been over it again and again. “Forget it. Cliff, I'm sorry. This doesn't mean I think any less of you. You made a mistake, that's it.” “Don't condescend to me. I knew exactly what I did, and what I'm going to do. I will drill on that land.” “What about those papers doesn't register with you? It's illegal!” “Get out.” Cliff said sternly. “Hopefully you'll cool down,” Donna said tersely. “And come to your senses.” She grabbed her briefcase and stormed out. By the elevators, Barbara and Bryan Safi stepped out. They were on their way to dinner, but Bryan had some last minute business to discuss with Cliff. Both were startled by the woman that came trooping by the elevators. The door had closed, so she had to wait a minute for an elevator to come. As Barbara followed Bryan into the main office, she caught a glimpse of the woman. She looked so familiar. Barbara couldn't place her, but she had this eerie feeling that she knew her from somewhere. It was like she had something to say, and it was on the tip of her tongue. She knew that woman from somewhere. A second later, Barbara and her husband entered the main office, as Donna stepped into the elevator. Sixty seconds later, Barbara and Bryan were in Cliff's office. He was stern and silent. “I'm sorry, Bryan.” “What?” “We're going to have to stop this project,” he said quietly. “What?” This time it was Barbara that spoke up. Cliff handed Bryan the papers that Donna gave him. “They're from the Office of Land Management, and the Oil Regulatory Commission. The drilling requests have been rejected.” “So submit them again!” Barbara screamed. She was furious. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not after she uprooted her life. “It doesn't work that way, Barbara. Once you're rejected, it's over.” “I don't give a crap. Figure out a way to make it work!” “Barbara, calm down,” her husband said. She shook her head and looked at Bryan. “How can you be so calm? We up and move---leave behind everything---just for him—“ she pointed to Cliff, “—only to have him screw it up!” “This was Donna Dowling, the mayor. She did this.” Cliff said quietly and filled with anger. “Well get her to say she made a mistake. You're friends with her!” Barbara was nearly hysterical. It was disturbing: she seemed to be more upset than Bryan was. “It doesn't work that way,” Cliff said. Bryan stepped in and took control. “Barbara, come on. Let's go and get some rest.” He went over and put his arms around his wife. Barbara's breaths were short and broken up. Damn that mayor! As she and Bryan walked back towards the elevator, he muttered under his breath. “That was her that got into the elevators. Donna Dowling. I would have loved to give her a piece of my mind.” “Donna…” Barbara said quietly to herself. The woman that Cliff had called Donna Dowling was so familiar to Barbara. Damn her. But it gave Barbara a shimmer of hope. It made her determined to find out where she knew her from. Then hurt her.
“Hello J.R.,” said Ellie. J.R. kissed her on the check. “Hey Momma.” Clayton spoke up. “You're late J.R., we were about to have dinner without you.” J.R. shot Clayton a look, as if to say that the only person who would chastise him for being late was his mother. “Everybody, I have an announcement.” Sue Ellen smirked. Anytime J.R. had an announcement, it was always interesting. “Well, go ahead J.R.” Everyone stared at J.R. Hadn't he just done this sort of thing only a few weeks before? “Fine then…I'll just come out with this. We've got a new member of the family—a new Ewing.” Sue Ellen didn't even blink. “Another one?” J.R. was peeved. “Yes, another one.” Miss Ellie and Clayton exchanged glances. “J.R., who is he?” “No Momma, it's a she.” Sue Ellen laughed. “Oh my…a little female J.R.?” John Ross frowned at his mother. “A she? I have a sister?” “Yes John Ross. I think some of you have met her.” “Well, who is the lucky mother?” Sue Ellen said sarcastically. “Not that I would expect for you to show any sympathy Sue Ellen, but her mother is dead. She died this week.” Bobby broke in. “Oh my God, Mandy Winger?” “Yes.” J.R. turned to the hallway. “Jillian, come on in.” Jillian shyly walked into the living room and stood before the family. Sue Ellen eyed her with suspicion. John Ross was the first to stand up and walk to Jillian. “I…well, this is really weird. I never imagined…” Jillian smiled. “Hi John Ross. I didn't know either, but I guess you're my brother.” Miss Ellie, Donna, and Margaret approached her next. Miss Ellie was the first of the three to speak. “Jillian, welcome to the family…and I'm terribly sorry about your mother. If there's anything at all I can do for you, please let me know. You're a Ewing granddaughter and the Ewings always stick together.” Donna couldn't believe J.R. had another long lost child. She extended her hand. “Welcome to Southfork Jillian.” Margaret was wide-eyed. “Jill…My God, you were just my best friend yesterday and now you're my cousin? That is so weird.” Margaret hugged her. “But Southfork is great…Theresa makes killer blueberry muffins…you'll have to try them. And…I'm sorry about your mother, I know how much she meant to you.” The three women parted as Sue Ellen approached. She dared not say what she was thinking. But any child of Mandy and J.R.'s had to be doomed… “Jillian, welcome to the family…I'm sorry about Mandy…” Sue Ellen's face was suddenly rocked to the side by Jillian's stinging slap. As she touched her reddened jaw, she couldn't believe what had happened. Jillian's eyes were full of tears. “Don't you even talk to me about being sorry. My Momma told me all about what you did to her…you hated her…just leave me alone.” Sue Ellen, in a state of shock, excused herself from the room. J.R.'s mouth was agape as he watched her go. Jack got up from his position on the couch and followed her. J.R. then turned his stare to Jillian and tried to hold back the sly grin that was trying to take over his face. There weren't many people who had ever done that to Sue Ellen, but J.R. had sure felt like it himself, when he originally found out what Sue Ellen did to Mandy. Miss Ellie took Jillian's hand. “Maybe you should get some rest…you've been through a lot. You'll feel better in the morning.” Jill nodded and Miss Ellie led her upstairs.
Pam noticed that the car was coming closer to her and she sped up, hoping to keep some distance between them. As the car got closer, the lights seemed to get brighter. It was only about five more minutes to Southfork and Pam knew she'd be relieved when she got there. The crash caught her totally off guard. Pam slowed down, not believing that the car had just rammed her. She glanced into her rearview and noticed that it was coming closer again. This time, it swerved over into the left lane and she was jolted to the side when the car rammed her again. Pam was frantic and tears blurred her eyes. “Leave me alone!” she screamed into the darkness. The car came in for a third hit and she almost crashed into a lane of oncoming traffic. The traffic passed and once again the road ahead was dark.
Directly ahead, the road turned onto a bridge. Gregor Dervish, the same man who had followed Pam and Bobby back to the U.S., intended to run Pam over the railing. As Pam sped up, Gregor accelerated and kept close behind her. The bridge was only about two-hundred feet ahead and the icy cold water churned angrily down below…
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