The building stood tall against the night skyline. There was a huge explosion, which lit up the night and rocked the city. The entire building was reduced to nothing but a smoldering pile of shambles.

Officer Martin Danforth barked orders into his radio. “Guys, it's gone down…we weren't able to stop the bomb in time. Have some of the men go in and check for survivors—but I can already say, I don't think there are any survivors.”

Standing nearby, Lt. George O 'Reilly looked at the rubble with a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “Damned terrorists…”

Two other officers began to poke amongst the rubble and one came across a body. “Oh God, this is messy.” He removed a piece of ceiling tile to reveal the face of an older man. Upon feeling for a pulse, the officer immediately knew he was dead. More bodies were strewn around the mess and the case was the same with all of them—they were dead.

O 'Reilly turned to the other officers. “We've gotta find out who did this…before it happens again.”

Two days later…

News anchor Chad McKnight looked into the camera and began to read the news report. “And our main story tonight is the explosion that rocked the city just two days earlier, on New Year's Eve. All but two of the bodies have been recovered and it has been confirmed that there is no chance of finding any survivors now. The city is in a state of complete shock and officials are calling this 'a terrible tragedy.' The mayor is meeting today with the victim's families…”

Security officer Matthew Lopez grumbled as his partner walked in front of the television set and turned it off. “What the hell did you do that for?”

The other security officer frowned. “Lopez, we've got a job to do. It's New Year's Eve…you need to be watching those surveillance monitors instead of some cheesy 80's action flick. Besides, I just got a report that someone was snooping around down on the Oil Baron's Club floor…I'm gonna run down and check it out.”

“Yeah.” Lopez only half paid attention. He had since flipped the television back on—determined to find out who had planted the bomb in the movie.

Several floors down in the Oil Baron's Club, the countdown was winding down…

3…

2…

1…

The noisemakers sounded and streamers and confetti flew throughout the room. Auld Lang Syne played across the speakers. Pam threw her arms around Bobby and they kissed. It was 2000.

A few feet away…

“Whew,” Todd said as the doors shut behind them from the Oil Baron's Club. “Some New Year's Eve party. That Rex is weird.”

Janice just nodded in acknowledgement, then quickly leaped on him. She began to press her lips toward his. Todd smiled. Suddenly, Janice stopped.

“What?” Todd asked, as the elevator began its descent.

“They say that the first person you kiss after New Year's is who you spend your year with.”

“That's dealable,” he replied. The two began to kiss. Before they knew it, they were on the ground floor.

The doors opened, and they walked hand in hand towards the exit. As they walked onto the streets of Dallas, Janice turned her head in all directions. People were running everywhere, screaming “Happy New Year!” and generally acting crazy. Half of them were drunk.

“I think this is my favorite holiday,” she said as they walked towards Commercial Street. “Especially tonight, with the new millennium. It gives people an excuse to be a little bit crazier than they normally would. Do things they don't usually do.” As she said this, her head continued to move in all directions, taking in the night. Todd just looked straight ahead.

“I love you.” He quietly said.

Janice's head immediately did a 180-degree turn towards him. “What?” A look of astonishment crossed her face.

“I love you.” He couldn't believe he just said it.

Janice stopped. She stared at him for what seemed like an eternity to Todd. And then she smiled. “Me too!” she said, almost leaping on him. “I mean, I love you too!” She was screaming, elated. The two ended up tumbling backward into a small clearing between two bushes that marked the border of a small park.

“I hope you know this tux is ruined,” Todd said with good humor.

“Ever done it outdoors?”

“What?”

“You heard me.”

Todd couldn't believe what she had said. A lot of strange places, but outdoors, never. “No.” A pause. “Janice, there's snow on the ground. Are you crazy?”

“It's a new century. There's gotta be a first time for everything,” she said as she began to loosen his tie.

Several blocks away, Rex Wentworth sat behind the wheel of his parked car. According to his watch, the bomb should have already gone off—but he had seen no explosion. What had gone wrong?

He picked up his cell phone and dialed. “What the hell happened? Why didn't the damned bomb go off?”

There was a pause. “I'm sure it will…maybe your timing is off.”

“My timing is not off. What aren't you telling me Gregor?”

A longer pause. “There is the slight possibility that the computer within the bomb experienced a slight Y2K glitch…”

Rex grew red with anger. “WHAT? And you didn't tell me about this sooner? My whole plan is ruined because of a damned Y2K glitch?”

Gregor paused again. “I'm sorry Rex. You didn't really give me enough notice. Had I had more time, I could have made sure that the bomb was compliant…”

Rex looked around. “Gregor, this whole damned city still has power. The earth hasn't exploded and I don't see any ATM machines spewing money—they could get all that in line and you can't take care of one simple bomb!”

“I said I was sorry…we'll think of something else.”

“Yes…that we will.” Rex flipped the phone shut and put it back in its holder.

Southfork Ranch

The family was still at the party at the Oil Baron's, and Donna was enjoying the time to herself. Well, Ray was with her. It felt good though. They were talking, but they seemed to be enjoying the silence too.

They had spent the evening drinking wine, and watching the craziness in Times Square. Donna was worried about Margaret, who was with Lucas and Jillian at a friend's party. She was scared that those people who were sending her threatening notes were going to get her, or find where she was. Ray assured her that he knew the parents of the boy throwing the party, and that their house was basically Fort Knox.

Midnight had passed just a short time before, and Donna was staring out the window, looking at the snow-covered ground. They had gotten the brunt of the storm around here, with most of Dallas spared pretty lightly. She looked quickly at Ray. He was looking at her. They had spent the evening talking about everything else BUT what happened between them. Donna was confused.

“Don't do it.” Ray said.

“What?” she looked over at him.

“Don't resign.”

“From the mayor's office? Ray, I have too.”

“You don't have to do anything. Stay. You're a damn good mayor.”

Was he really saying this? “Thank you.”

“I'm not just saying this because it's the right thing to say. I know you're worried about Margaret---and yourself. I'm worried too. But I know that psychos like that get caught. The police are working around the clock. Maybe it was just millennial fever---an excuse to act crazy.”

“I wish it were that simple. You saw what they wrote…what they said on those calls.” Donna had to be careful. She felt tears well up in her eyes. She did not want to be vulnerable again with Ray. Not while they were alone.

Ray put his wineglass down and got up. He walked over towards her, standing right next to her. He looked directly into her eyes. “Do you remember all those years ago, when you were first put on the Texas Energy Commission? J.R. and Bobby were duking it out over Ewing Oil, and you were worried that by being on the commission, you would divide the family into another camp. Do you remember how worried you were about how Miss Ellie would react to the whole thing?”

“Yes.” Donna quietly responded.

“But you told me that you wanted to be on that commission. Remember? You said 'I think I can contribute something to it.' And you know what? You did.”

“This is different. We could be talking about our daughter's life…”

“Our daughter. Do you know how long it's been since you've said that?” Ray quickly responded.

“Ray. Don't.” Donna firmly said.

“My point is you've worked too damn hard to get into that mayor's office to let it all go now because of some kooks that don't even know half of what you told us the other night in the living room.” His gaze never left her.

Donna knew that the sincerity in his voice was not fake. He really meant what he was saying. She wanted to cry---Ray had been so adamant against her being in office, but now HE was the one urging her to get back in there. Did he really still care? She knew in her mind that he did---but did she?

Her train of thought was interrupted by a phone call. She made motions to go and get the phone, but Ray dashed to it first. Theresa had the night off. “Hello?” he asked.

Donna prayed it wasn't the call she was dreading, but as Ray issued some responses to the other line, she saw a smile grow on his face. He thanked the other party and hung up. “You're not going to believe who that was.”

“Who?”

“Sgt. Foley, down at the Police Department. They caught those guys that were sending you the letters.”

“What?” Donna couldn't believe it was true.

“Apparently they were tied to some terrorist organization that was planning on doing something at Dallas's first night. But they busted them earlier today, and found all the evidence—more notes, another baby doll. Everything. Foley thinks that they were the only people that were sending you notes.”

Donna just gave a joyous laugh, and gave Ray a huge hug. The last week had been the most horrible of her life. She felt like she was constantly looking over her shoulder, scared of what would happen the second she turned her back. Was it really over?

Ray loved the feeling of her in his arms again. Donna loved being there. Although neither admitted it. “See?” Ray said. “Everything works out. This means that you've got to stay in office. Don't resign. Remember---you've worked too hard.”

“I have worked hard. But what if they're not the only group?”

“Cross that bridge when you get there.” Ray responded. He smiled. “If anything, you should stay in office just to keep sticking it to J.R.”

Donna laughed. “He wouldn't be too happy about that, would he?”

The two looked at each other for a moment. Donna touched his shoulder. “Thank you,” she said.

She walked over to the bar to refill her champagne. “Donna,” Ray said, causing her to turn around just as she finished pouring her champagne. “To new beginnings,” he said, raising his glass. She did the same.

Southfork Ranch,
the next morning

Pamela Rebecca followed Theresa into the house. John Ross stood up from his position on the couch and walked to her. “Hi Rebecca.”

“John Ross? What's this I heard about you leaving Dallas? Please tell me it's just a rumor.”

“Nope. It's all true.”

“Why? What about our daughter? I'd think leaving would be the last thing you'd want, now that you've found out for sure that she is yours.”

John Ross cast his stare down to the floor. "I love Megan with all my heart, but this is something I have to do. I can't stay here--I feel like I'm being smothered to death."

"Then get out of the house. Get an apartment in Dallas--buy your own house. Who says you have to leave Dallas just because you don't want to live at Southfork?"

John Ross was quiet. "I don't know..."

"Tell you what. I came by to see if you'd like to come spend some time with Megan and me. Maybe it'll help your decision."

"What have you got planned?"

"It's a surprise. Come on...will you come with us? Megan needs both of her parents together--she needs to know that we both love her."

John Ross thought back to all the times he spent with just one of his parents--rarely did they all three get to spend time together. One of his fondest memories was from a day when the three of them took a picnic together.

"Yeah. You're right. Gimme just a sec though? I need to go upstairs and take care of something."

Rebecca smiled. "Sure." John Ross turned to go upstairs, but she stopped him with a touch on the shoulder. "John Ross..."

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for being her for us."

"I'm not doing this for you Pamela Rebecca...I'm doing it for our daughter." He disappeared up the stairs. Upon passing Karen and Christopher's door, he stopped and thought about the previous night and dancing with Karen.

Karen had just awakened and was lying in bed next to Christopher. By the time she had gotten home the night before, he had been asleep. She intended to get the full story as to why he didn't want to go to the party last night.

She sat up in bed and her movement woke him up. “Good morning,” she said.

“Karen? When did you come in?”

“Early this morning. I had fun at the party…did you have fun doing whatever it was you did last night?”

Christopher stared ahead at the window. “Karen, I tried to come. Melissa came by and saved me from a night of drinking. She convinced me to go to the Oil Baron's Club so I could be with you. On the way there, we hit a patch of ice in the road and ended up walking back to Southfork…”

“I see.”

“I wanted to spend New Year's Eve with you…”

“Well, it's a bit late for that now.” Karen got out of bed and pulled on her robe. “I'm going to the hospital today to check on Cole and some of the other kids.”

“On New Year's Day?”

“Today is New Year's Day isn't it?”

“Yes.”

“Then yes. I'm going to the hospital on New Year's Day.” Karen disappeared into their bathroom and shut the door behind her.

Back downstairs, Miss Ellie answered the ringing telephone. "Hello?"

"Hey Grandma."

"Lucy? My goodness. I thought you were upstairs in your bedroom. Where on earth are you calling from?"

A giggle sounded across the phone lines. "You wouldn't believe the Christmas present Neil gave me."

"Christmas present?"

"Yes...he made me wait until last night to find out what it is."

Ellie smiled. "Well, by all means...tell me. The suspense is likely to kill me if you don't."

"We're in Colorado at this huge resort."

"What!?" Ellie was shocked, but she couldn't help but smile at the spontaneity that she had grown to expect from Lucy.

"We left late last night after the New Year's Eve party. Grandma...it's great. They have this huge spa that I spent most of the night in. The snow and mountains are so beautiful."

"Well, it sure seems as if Neil is full of surprises."

Lucy winked at Neil, who was relaxing on the rustic bed in their cabin. "Yes, he's full of surprises alright."

Neil looked on...worrying as Lucy continued to talk. Yes, he was definitely full of surprises. What would Lucy ever do if she found out? Would she be able to forgive him?

A few minutes later, Lucy hung up the phone and joined him on the bed. She immediately noticed the worried look on his face. "Neil? Is everything okay?"

"What? Oh! Yeah, everything's fine." He leaned forward and kissed her, hoping she never found out his ulterior motive for planning this sudden trip...

Ewing Oil

Sue Ellen had been right. Jack had taken the day off of work and staked out the elevators that went to the Ewing Oil floors of J.R.'s office building. He had been waiting there for hours, but finally she came. A beautiful blonde, just like Sue Ellen said. She got off on J.R.'s floor, as the elevator display indicated. When he called J.R.'s office a few moments later, Sly announced that he “just went into a meeting.” When Jack pressed her a little more, he learned it was with a woman.

Jack waited for an hour downstairs, thinking about Sue Ellen. She was as concerned over Cally as she was infuriated with J.R. She was convinced that he was responsible for Cally's odd behavior, and his recent announcement that he'd been suing for custody of Justin just made her more determined to nail him. She seemed to have hit a roadblock with her plot to get Ewing Oil away from him---having encountered extreme difficulties with Lucy—so it was as if she was attacking J.R. over this angle even more. Jack didn't like it at first---why couldn't she just get over him? It was bad enough that she was living in the same house with the ex-husband that she complained about and plotted against. God, what was worse was HE lived there. But he understood because Miss Ellie, Pam and John Ross were there---the Ewings were Sue Ellen's family, for better or worse. Still, though, he had been having the feeling in recent weeks that Sue Ellen was not taking their relationship as seriously as he was. It was business, John Ross or J.R.---they were always on her mind. What about him?

When she called him, though, from the hospital and told him about her further suspicions on J.R.---and had used “we”, then he knew he had to help her. “We have to do something Jack,” she had said, the words vividly bouncing around in Jack's mind.

It was a sign that she looked at him as a partner. He saw this as the opening to kill two birds with one stone. If he could prove J.R.'s association with this woman to somehow manipulate Cally—which Sue Ellen was alleging—than not only would he nail J.R. and eliminate him as a force in their lives, but prove himself to Sue Ellen too. He just hoped it worked.

When the woman came out an hour later, Jack followed her, all the way to the hotel that was conveniently right near Cally's house. So this was where she was staying. Jack noted that he'd have to make a return visit. Without Sue Ellen's knowledge of course—she couldn't know about his plan. It might compromise it. But he was determined, for not only Sue Ellen's sake, but his as well.

Stefan's Cabin

Angel had been staring out at the gently falling snow for hours. She was growing more and more frustrated by the moment. Did this Stefan know more than he was letting on? She wondered if she could trust him.

He had gone out for more firewood about an hour before. What if he never came back? Would she be able to survive on her own?

Angel walked over to a cabinet that was nailed onto the wall. She opened it and began to search for a radio of some sort—it was where Stefan kept everything. Maybe if she could call for help…she just knew that she didn't plan on spending the rest of her life here.

The door suddenly slammed open and Stefan walked in. “Angel? What are you doing?”

She shut the cabinet door and turned around. “I…I was just bored and was trying to find a book or something.”

Stefan cast a suspicious glance at her and then the cabinet. “I was just at the ranger's station. They're saying a bad storm is probably going to hit the area tonight. I normally wouldn't run from something like that, but I'm not well stocked up for a long snow.”

“What are we going to do?”

“We will travel down to the town and get a room at a hotel.”

“Why haven't we been staying there? This place is so…so desolate.”

“It's better here. Pack up your things. We leave in twenty minutes.”

Downtown Dallas

Rex listened intently to the person he was speaking to through the phone. “No…I've changed my mind about Cliff's first wife, Jamie. It's not crucial that she return to Dallas anymore…oh really…that's too bad. Everyone knows that Jamie Ewing Barnes was killed years ago.”

Rex put down the phone. He would deal with Cliff Barnes in another way—and he had just the idea he needed.

The Barnes Residence
The Guesthouse

The doorbell rang, and Cally put away her brush to go get it. Justin had come home from the hospital yesterday, and the few post-New Year's days had been relatively quiet. Not a peep out of J.R., or any of the Ewings. Cally was praying it was all a bad dream, and that everything would be OK when she woke up the next morning. Justin was feeling better than new, and was back in the routine of going to school everyday. Could things be getting normal again? Cally wished.

She opened the door to find a rather officious looking man in a suit staring quizzically at her. “Calpurnia Harper?” he asked.

No one ever called her by her full name. “Yes?” she asked, a little confused. She looked over her shoulder. Justin was in his room. His drums were blaring.

“You've been served,” the man said a little louder. He handed her an envelope and quickly walked away.

Cally's breath grew short as she tore open the envelope. It was a court order, announcing that J.R. Ewing, father of Justin Randall Harper, was suing Calpurnia Harper for custody of their son on the grounds of negligence by Justin's mother.

Feeling a mixture of rage and panic, Cally threw the envelope in her purse and went to the phone to call Afton or Cliff, to see if they'd watch Justin while she paid her ex-husband a visit.

Ewing Oil

“Sue Ellen, get the hell out of my office,” J.R. demanded, sitting down at his desk.

“Not until you start to send me some information about what's going on in this company!”

“What's the matter? Not in with little Lucy anymore to be your spy?”

Sue Ellen's silence registered that J.R. was right. “I'm part of this company, I have a legal right to know the activities that are going on here.”

“We just got a new water cooler, and Sly's taking the day off tomorrow. That good enough?”

“Should I call my lawyer?” Sue Ellen threatened.

“And use what? The 15.5% of this company that you got? You want him to laugh in your face honey?”

Sue Ellen was SO tempted to tell him that she actually had 25% of the company, but she held herself back. J.R. could know about Jack and Christopher's shares being hers later. She needed to remain calm. “You know I'm not bluffing.”

“Neither am I,” he responded back, steely eyed.

“Great. Then we agree. I'll be calling my lawyers in the morning,” she said as she turned around to walk out.

“Sue Ellen,” J.R. called out. His ex-wife turned around. “You know I own every court in this town. Don't waste your time.”

Sue Ellen crossed her arms. “Didn't you say something like that to me when we first divorced? When I was trying to get custody of John Ross? But then again, I did get custody of him, even though you 'own these courts.' Good night, J.R.”

Sue Ellen went to open the door, but jumped back in alarm as Cally burst in, followed closely by Sly. “You son of a bitch!” she screamed and made a line for J.R.'s desk.

Sly stood at the door. “J.R., I'm sorry….” Her voice was overpowered by Cally's.

“What the hell is this?” Cally screamed, waving an envelope in front of J.R.'s face. Sue Ellen walked closer towards them.

“Looks like an envelope to me darlin',” J.R. snidely retorted.

“I'm a negligent mother, huh? You did this! I know you did!” Cally was nearly hysterical.

“Sly, call security,” J.R. said calmly.

“Cally, calm down,” Sue Ellen was trying to calm her. If that was a court order against Cally, then J.R. was not lying about his threats of seeking custody. It wouldn't help for Cally to look like a lunatic.

“I will not calm down!” Cally jerked her head towards Sue Ellen. “Why are you doing this to me? What did I do to you?” She was pleading with J.R.

“Well, leave my boy at the hospital while he could have died, not picking him up from school when he was sick…should I go on?”

“I didn't know! J.R., I swear. Please,” she was near tears. “I love Justin. Please don't do this to me, J.R.”

“You should have been thinking about how much you loved him when you near killed him and my mama in that car.” J.R. retorted.

“I HATE YOU!” Cally screamed and made a lunge for J.R. as Sly and a security guard entered his office and restrained her. “YOU DID THIS TO ME!! I KNOW YOU DID!” Cally kept screaming as she was dragged out of the office.

Sue Ellen shot J.R. a look of contempt before following Cally and the security officer downstairs. He was responsible for what was happening to Cally. She knew it, and she would prove it.

A Bar in Downtown Dallas

Jack struck gold. She was sitting at the bar, alone and looking like she wanted company. Before entering the bar, he checked the tape recorder in his pocket. It was voice activated---he picked it up earlier today at some fancy spy shop that just opened in downtown Dallas. He took a deep breath, and stepped into the bar. Tonight was his big chance: Sue Ellen had flown to Houston for the night on some Clifford Group business.

“Anyone sitting here?” Jack asked the blonde, trying to be suave, charming and at the same time, not obvious.

“No.” Dominique smiled. This man was very attractive. Was he meeting someone? It couldn't hurt to ask. “Are you meeting someone?”

Jack turned toward her after signaling the bartender. “No.” He flashed her one of his killer smiles---they'd always made ladies swoon in the past. “Why, are you?”

“No. I am not.” Dominique smiled at the man. Such charisma!

“Good. Then that deserves a drink. What'll be?”

“Vodka Tonic. Thank you.” She felt her head rush a little bit. A very handsome man was buying her a drink. Could this really be happening?

Jack gave the bartender the drink order and prayed that his skills with women hadn't decreased over the years. He needed to keep Dominique happy, and hopefully get her talking, even if it did require a little liquor and flirtation.

The Barnes Residence

“Mr. Nestor?” Eric asked when Josh Nestor picked up the other end in Boston, sounding groggy and a bit confused. “Did I wake you?”

“Who the hell's this?” Josh asked, defensively.

Eric really wasn't up to dealing with this lush. “This is Eric Stone. We met last week.” Silence. “I was the one that gave you that nice fat check.”

“Oh yeah, the Texas dude. Hey, what's up? You tell Foster I said hi?”

“Actually, that's what I'm calling about. I really appreciate all your help Mr. Nestor, but I think that when Todd learns that his past isn't exactly a secret anymore I think he'll be a little….well, upset. He actually might come looking for you, to see whom you've told. About his past, that is.”

“Yeah. So? You think I can't take him?”

Eric rolled his eyes. “No, I'm sure you can. I just don't want him to know that I had anything to do with you.” Eric realized he worded that wrong. “What I mean is, when he comes asking, you've never seen or heard of me.”

“Really. OK, so what if I have? Something in it for me?”

“Once he starts asking---and he will---if he comes running to me with the blame, then I know who told him. If not, then I know who to send a check too.”

“Now you're talking.”

Suddenly, Eric had another idea. It was perfect. This was all going to work out perfectly. “Better yet, I'll send an even bigger check if you stretch the truth a little for Todd.”

“How big?”

“Double you're last one.”

“Damn!” Josh Nestor nearly screamed through the phone. “What you want me to tell him?”

A grin formed across Eric's face. “When he asks who was looking into his past, just tell him that an older Southern gentleman from Dallas was, someone with a cowboy hat. That's all you need to say.”

“Got it. Old Dallas dude with a cowboy hat.”

“Right. Thank you Mr. Nestor.” He hung up the phone.

Eric sat back in his chair and thought for a moment. Sometimes life worked in the most beneficial ways. He felt himself getting closer to Karen with each day that passed. Christopher seemed to be favoring the bottle lately, and he had nothing to do with that---imagine how fate works out to help you! And now Todd would be going down, and he'd be in the clear. After all, it was no secret that J.R. and Todd despised each other---Lucy was always mentioning it in passing. So when Todd came asking who was digging into his past, Josh Nestor would provide him with all the signs that pointed to J.R. Ewing as the culprit. Eric would be free and clear.

Eric leaned forward and licked the envelope as he continued to think how well life was working out. He stuffed the large manila envelope with the pictures of Todd, in all his male gigolo glory, which Josh Nestor had given to him. He sealed it, turning the envelope around so that 'JANICE KELLY, c/o EWING OIL” was upright. He smiled again.

A Bar in Downtown Dallas

Jack had been talking to the blonde, whose name he learned was Dominique, for two and a half-hours. He was surprised how easy he found conversation with her; it wasn't a strain at all, and she actually had a pretty interesting viewpoint on a lot of subjects. He had done his part to flirt and be attentive, but was growing impatient. It was time to strike.

“So, why are you in Dallas?”

“You are a very curious man, Jake.” Jack had not used his real name---no harm in covering all bases.

“You're a woman that provokes me to BE curious,” Jack said with a smile.

“For that smile, I will tell you.” Jack's heart beat faster. “I am here on business.”

“Really. What kind---tell me you're not in the oil business like everyone else in this town.”

“Ha. Why, you are in this famous oil business?” Dominique said. She liked this man. He was quite attractive.

“No, I'm more of a….financial consultant,” Jack said, pulling the first thing that came to his mind. “But I deal with oil men a lot. Some of them in this town are ruthless.”

“Ruthless?” Dominique said, pretending not to understand the word. She really just wanted to hear him talk more.

“Like as in, they will cut out your throat to get a deal. There's a whole slew of them---they have they're own Cartel. Cliff Barnes, J.R. Ewing…they're all snakes.” He said J.R.'s name. There was a reaction in Dominique---minute, but there. “Do you know him?” Jack asked.

“Why do you say this?” Dominique asked defensively. Did he know something?

“You seemed to flinch,” Jack said, trying to shrug it off as if he had no interest in the subject. “Well, I've never met him either,” he continued, lying. “But I hear he's a louse. He's one guy I WON'T be doing business with.” He took a sip of his drink. “So anyway, what do you do?”

“I am a business woman. I am here in Dallas…on business.”

“Well, I guessed that. What kind of business?” C'mon, c'mon, Jack silently prayed.

“I have an associate. We are working together on a project. A demolition project, I guess is an American word that is good.”

Demolition? What did Cally have to do with that? “Demolition. So you're in construction.”

Dominique laughed. She seemed to be getting a little tipsy. “More like de-construction, is that how you say?” She laughed again.

Jack checked his pocket again. His tape was still playing, but was going to run out any moment. He felt like he was on the verge of getting something, but both sides had already been used up---he made a trip to the bathroom earlier to change cassette sides. Perhaps it was time to cut out---maybe he'd need to see Dominique again, make her warm up to him more.

Jack looked at his watch. “Oh God. It's late. I've got to get up for an earlier meeting tomorrow.”

Dominique was quiet for a few seconds. “Will you come back here? I mean, well, how do I say this…will I see you again?”

“Someone told me that European women are forward. I guess they're right---but I'm glad. I'd love to see you again. Dinner? Maybe tomorrow or the next day?”

Dominique smiled. “Yes. That would be nice. Please call me. This is the number of my mobile phone.” She took out a pen from her purse and wrote the number on a napkin. “Call me. Please.”

“Oh trust me,” Jack said with a smile. “I will.”

Southfork Ranch

Donna breathed a huge sigh of relief as she plopped down onto the couch in Southfork's living room. Ray was sitting right next to her. He had accompanied her to the press conference that she held today, in which she quelched the rumors that she was going to resign from the mayor's office. Ray had convinced her---she had worked too hard to get to that office to quit. The threats against her had indeed stopped, and she was feeling safe again.

She was also feeling close to Ray, and she wasn't sure if she liked it or not. Ever since the news about the abortion came out, he had been her constant companion and supporter, and Donna was grateful to him. He kept her sane, holding her hand when it needed to be held. She was so grateful. But she felt more.

She had been wrestling with it for a few days, but she realized now that she loved him. She still loved him, despite his dalliance with that waitress months ago. Over the last few days there were times when she wanted to tell him, or to hold him, but she knew that it wasn't the right thing to do. She needed to be logical about this, because she was determined to not get hurt again.

But was it worth it? She questioned that in her mind constantly. Life was too short to spend holding a grudge against Ray---after all, he was the reason that she came back to Dallas almost a year ago after Andrew died. He was Margaret's father. She loved him. Why shouldn't they be together? because he hurt you. He cheated on you, a little voice inside Donna told herself.

Another little voice overpowered that one. She loved him, and she wasn't going to have him NOT be a part of her life---but this time things would be different. No secrets. Never again. Donna realized that she was guilty of a few secrets herself, although not necessarily of the same kind as Ray's affair.

“Ray,” Donna said. “Is anyone home?”

“I think that Christopher may be upstairs, and that Rex guy, but everyone else went out to the theater I think. Lucy and Neil got a bunch of tickets for everyone. But there really weren't any cars in the driveway.”

Donna got up and walked over to the doorway. “I'm sorry for what's happened to us.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Ray asked, a glimmer of hope in his eyes that maybe everything would work out.

“Yeah. I do.”

“Donna, I know I've said it so many times, but I'm so, so sorry.”

“I know you are. I know. And you know what? I forgive you. I've done a lot of thinking, and I forgive you. That doesn't mean I forget though. You hurt me. Real bad.”

“I know I did.” What was she getting at? A reconciliation.

“Ray, honesty is something that's very important to me. More than anything else, that's why I was so hurt by what you did—because you lied to me for so long.” Ray didn't challenge what she was saying. “But I know you're sorry. But I want honesty from here on in---complete honesty.” Donna looked stern.

“Does this mean that you want to…”

“I don't know what it means. But if anything, we're friends. You're my best friend, and I love you. I don't know if we can be together….”

“We don't have to solve everything now,” Ray said understandingly. This was definite progress. Donna loved him!

“Thanks,” Donna smiled. He wasn't rushing her and he wasn't pressuring her. “But if we're going to have honesty, than I need to be honest with you. Because I haven't been.” She moved over and sat next to him on the couch.

Ray was a little confused. What had she not been honest about?

“I'm sorry that I never told you about the abortion while we were married.”

“Donna, I told you that it's not important. I'm not angry,” he quickly said.

“Listen to me, please. I know,” she held his hand, “and that's so sweet of you. It was tough---I never told ANYONE. I still don't know how that paper found out. But I still haven't been honest with you about everything.”

She got up, and headed toward the doorway again, to make sure that no one was coming. She hadn't told anyone what she was about to tell Ray. She questioned herself---was she sure of this? The little voice inside Donna's head quickly took over with firm conviction: dishonesty was what broke them up before. She loved Ray, and if they were going to be together again, she would make sure dishonesty wouldn't tear them apart again. But to do that, she knew she had to be honest herself. She looked again through the doorway. The coast was clear.

“What I'm about to tell you, I've never told anyone—anyone. I don't know how you're going to react, but I'm not a hypocrite. I'm not going to chastise you for not telling me the truth, when I'm doing the same thing.”

“Donna, you really don't have to do this if it's going to cause you…” Ray began, but Donna cut him off.

“Ray, just let me finish. Please. I need to say this. It's been over twenty-five years. I can't believe it.” Tears started to get in her eyes. Ray was about to get up, but she motioned for him to sit down, wiping away the tears. “It's about the abortion.”

“Donna, please, don't do this.” Ray didn't want her to get upset again. It was painful enough for her before. Painful for him as well.

“No. I have to.” She took a deep breath. “I never talked about the father when the family was here,” she said, making a sweeping gesture. “It's because you know him.”

Now Ray was confused too. Was it Sam Culver? Donna hadn't met him until after she was out of college, though, and according to Donna's story she got pregnant while in college. He was trying to think of any college buddies that Donna had mentioned during their marriage, but he really couldn't think of any.

Donna just looked at Ray. He had no idea. How could she do this to him? She never should have brought it up. It was going to crush him.

“Donna, who was it?” Ray asked, his curiosity taking over.

A tear fell down Donna's face. “Bobby. Bobby was the father.”

As Ray's jaw dropped and Donna's tears fell, a voice boomed from the doorway. “What?”

It was Bobby.

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