Night had fallen on Southfork ranch. The sky was clear and black and millions of stars twinkled in the distance. A full moon cast illuminating light across the ranch. The cattle stood still, asleep, and the only sound that could be heard was the chirping of the crickets and the call of the frogs from the pond near the ranch. John Ross swam across the pool, thinking of the day's events. There was nothing like a late night swim to let out tension, and tension was something his life had not been without for the past few weeks. The patio door opened and Sue Ellen stepped out into the night.

"John Ross," she said, shielding her eyes against the blinding porch light, "is that you?"

"Yeah Mom."

"I think you and I need to talk, don't you?"

"What's there to talk about?" called John Ross from the pool.

"Well," said Sue Ellen, walking to him, "what about that fight between Pamela and Karen earlier today, that sounds like a good start to me."

"Oh yeah? Your guess is as good is mine as to why that fight happened."

"Why don't we think for a minute."

"Maybe Karen was mad because I went with Pamela this morning."

"Where did you two go?"

"Pamela had a doctor's appointment. She had a sonogram done, and she wanted me to be there. The appointment took a little longer than I expected and I was late for the barbecue."

"And you think that's why Karen was upset?"

"I don't think that's much of a reason for her to get that upset."

"Well John Ross, you've got to see things from Karen's point of view. Her wedding was stopped when she found out about the baby, and then after you two made up, you were late for the barbecue because you were with Pamela. I'm sure that was pretty frustrating to Karen, even frustrating enough to make her attack Pamela like that."

"Maybe so, but that confuses me even more. I don't know what to do now, I can't be in two places at once."

"I hear they're doing wonders with cloning these days," teased Sue Ellen, smiling at her son.

"Mom, this is no joking matter," said John Ross seriously. He looked at his mother and a smile soon broke out across his face. "You always know just what to say to make me feel better."

"Well, that's what mom's are for," replied Sue Ellen, "now why don't you come inside. It's getting late."

"Alright, I'll be in in a minute."

"Ok," said Sue Ellen. She smiled and walked back into the house. John Ross swam a couple more laps around the pool before going inside.

Karen Beam lay on her bed, flipping through a magazine, only half paying attention to what she was doing, when a knock came at the door.

"Karen, it's Daddy."

"Come in," she replied, wiping a tear from her eye. Alan Beam came into the room and took a seat next to her on the bed. "What do you want?"

"I came to tell you that I'm going to be going back home this week. Laura's not doing as well as the doctor said she would and she needs me right now. Scott isn't taking his mom's illness well either."

"So naturally you choose her over me again?"

"Karen, I know you and Laura had your differences in the past, and I know you and Scott don't get along either, but your mother has been dead for 3 years now and it's time I moved on. If she does recover, Scott could be your new brother very soon. I know Laura could never replace your Momma, but she's a good lady nonetheless."

"Don't you care what I'm going through right now? If you had stayed in Pennsylvania in the first place, then I would be married to John Ross now, I would be Karen Ewing. Now after you've done this to me you're just going to bail out like this?"

"Karen, I'm sorry. I really am, but Laura needs me. I regret stopping your wedding, I wish it had never happened. Right now, I think the best thing for me to do is to go back and get out of your life."

"Maybe that is the best thing right now," replied Karen, "maybe it is."

"I'll call and check on you, I promise. I'm leaving Monday."

"Ok Daddy," said Karen, managing a weak smile.

Alan gave his daughter a hug, said goodnight, and left the room. After a few minutes, Karen drifted off into a dream-filled sleep.

"I still can't believe that Bobby ran off with Jenna. What in the hell would he do that for?" said JR sitting on the sofa.

"I don't know," replied Sue Ellen, "Ray went to the airport and he hasn't been back yet. He must have flown there as well."

"It seems to me that Bobby has forgotten that Jenna is married. Why else would they fly away together like that. Of course, I can't say that Ray doesn't deserve it. He's always neglecting that poor woman, running off around the ranch. If I didn't know better, I'd say he was more interested in the horses than her," said JR as he sipped on a cool glass of tea.

"JR, that's just about enough. I'm sure he had a good reason in doing what he did and I don't want to hear another word out of you about that until we know for sure." Sue Ellen tried to believe that was true, but something in her mind made her doubt it.

"Well Sue Ellen, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to get some sleep."

"Oh?" said Sue Ellen, "it's not like you to go to bed this early, getting old are we?"

"Oh no, just a little tired is all," said JR, getting up. "Goodnight Sue Ellen."

"Goodnight JR."

JR went upstairs and dialed a number on his phone. "Hello, Jacobs, this is JR. Has Cliff gotten home yet?"

"No, but he's on his way. Burns said he hitched a ride near Southfork. He must have walked a pretty good distance to get that far."

"Well," laughed JR, "I wonder how he's going to explain that to that wife of his."

Afton sat in the dimly lit living room of the Barnes' modestly styled house, reading a romance novel. Pamela was asleep and the house was unnervingly quiet. A key clanging at the door startled Afton and her book fell to the floor. She knew it must be Cliff, but she was still nervous. After a few minutes of fumbling and clanging, Cliff finally managed to unlock the door. He stumbled into the room and collapsed into a chair. Afton watched him for a few minutes before she spoke.

"Cliff, where have you been?"

"Wha'?" mumbled Cliff.

"Where have you been?"

"Oh, I was at a bar with a few business friends. The time just slipped away from me."

"Oh really. Well, I'm going to bed, you can take the couch tonight." Afton put her book aside and went into the bedroom, locking the door behind her. A few minutes later, Cliff dozed off.

The sun rose over Southfork sending light over the ranch and pushing the last bits of darkness away. In the kitchen, Jane was busy cooking eggs and bacon. JR sat hungrily at the table with Sue Ellen, Gary, Valene, and Patricia. "Still no word from Bobby I assume?" said JR.

"No word from Bobby," affirmed Sue Ellen.

"Did Bobby not come in last night?" asked Patricia.

"No he didn't," said JR.

"I called the airport this morning. Bobby and Jenna were both on a flight to Switzerland. Ray went on a later flight," said Sue Ellen.

"Is that a fact? Now what is he up to."

Lucy awoke with a terrible hangover. She stumbled into the shower and was out a few minutes later. Her memories from the night before were foggy and she couldn't recall much. After a moment or two, she vaguely remembered being served with the divorce papers and most of the memories from the night before came back to her-except for one. She walked downstairs, holding onto the railing, and joined the others for breakfast.

Afton left the house early. She had decided to go into Dallas for a little shopping, hoping to keep her mind off of last night. As she was walking, a voice called out to her. A voice that she recognized as JR's.

"Well, hello Afton. What brings you out so early in the morning?"

"I thought I'd get a little shopping done before the crowds got here," she said, forcing a smile.

"Oh, is that a fact. They always say the early bird gets the worm. That's why I'm out so early."

Suddenly, an idea hit Afton and she smiled. "JR, are you doing anything for lunch today?"

"No, just the usual. Why?"

"Have lunch with me, I want to talk to you about something. Something you might find interesting."

"Well, of course. Where should I meet you?"

"How about the café in Dallas plaza at 11:30?"

"Sounds fine to me. I'll see you then."

"Ok JR," she said as the two went their separate ways. "Cliff, you're going to get just what's coming to you, and I'm not going to regret it one bit."

Moments later, she ran into her brother. "Mitch! I didn't get a chance to talk to you at the barbecue yesterday. I just don't get to see you anymore since you got your own apartment."

"Hi Afton," said Mitch, "kissing his sister's cheek. There's something I've got to tell you. I've filed for a divorce, and as soon as the divorce is finalized, I'm going back to Atlanta. There's no use in me hanging around here."

"A divorce? Oh my God, you know?"

"Know what?"

"Uh, oh, I mean...do you know for sure?"

"For sure what?"

"I mean, have you and Lucy discussed this? Are you sure that you're going to Atlanta."

"Yes, there's nothing that can be done to save our marriage."

"I'm sorry Mitch. I'm going to miss you so much," said Afton, hugging her brother.

"I'm going to miss you too. But I've got to get back to work. My patients need me."

"I understand."

"Well Afton, I've got to be going. I've got an appointment with my lawyer to set a court date, the sooner I get this done, the better." Mitch's expression changed, "But hey, I'll be back to finalize the divorce in a few months," Mitch smiled.

The two parted and Afton continued on her way.

Ray pulled out his set of keys and found the one to unlock his house in Switzerland. He unlocked the door and pushed it open. The house was empty. He took off his hat and took a seat on the sofa, turning on the television. He flipped through several channels until he came across a news cast.

"The plane departed from Dallas, Texas, U.S.A. yesterday afternoon, headed for Switzerland. However the plane never reached its destination, it crashed somewhere in the Alps. The names of the passengers are being withheld until their families have been notified. It seems that the plane took a sever beating before finally stopping somewhere in a valley in the Alps. The plane was torn apart and skidded across the mountains several times before coming to a stop. It exploded moments later. There are several missing people, but search teams are looking. On to other news..."

"Oh my God," Ray stared at the screen in horror, "That was Bobby and Jenna's flight. No, this can't be happening."

John Ross stood outside of Karen's apartment door. He had seen Alan leave earlier, so he knew she was alone. After a few seconds of hesitation, he knocked. The door opened and there stood Karen.

"Hi Karen, can I come in?"

"John Ross look, I don't care what happened between you and Pamela yesterday, I'm sure it wasn't your fault...Pamela just has a certain way about her. Let's just forget all of that happened and try to focus on us from now on."

"Karen, what do you mean?"

"Trust me John Ross, this is the best way, let's start over right now."

"Ok, but it would help if I knew what I had done to make you so mad at me."

"That's not important right now. Let's spend some time together tonight."

"Ok, that sounds great," said John Ross in a puzzled tone, "where do you want to go?"

"I thought maybe we could go eat at the usual place and then go see a movie. How's that sound?"

"Fine with me. How about I pick you up at about 7?"

"Great! That's wonderful. I'll see you then."

Outside the apartment door, Pamela listened to their plans, making a few of her own. "Well, it looks like my lipstick trick didn't do the damage I thought it would. But I have just the thing, Karen's going to be in for a little surprise tonight, and something tells me she's not going to like it one bit." Pamela leaned against the wall, smiling to herself. "Oh, what a night," she said laughing.

Ray, wiping a tear from his eye, picked up and dialed the phone. After a few moments, a familiar voice came on.

"Yes?"

"Charlie, it's Ray."

"Hi Ray, where's mom?"

"That's what I'm calling you for. There's been an accident."

"Ray, what do you mean? Is she ok?"

"There was a plane crash; she and Bobby were aboard. The plane went down in the Alps and they say that there were a lot of fatalities, but there are some people missing."

"Oh my God," said Charlie, on the verge of tears.

"Charlie, I need for you to be strong. I want you to come back to Southfork with me tonight, your brother needs you. I don't want to tell him just yet, not while there's still hope that they could be alive."

"Ok, ok, whatever you need me to do. I was just about to come home for the weekend. I'll be there as soon as possible."

"I'll meet you at the airport."

"Ray, they're not dead, I just know it," said Charlie, trying to convince herself.

"There's always hope Charlie, always hope."

Afton sat at a table in the outdoor café, waiting for JR. After a few minutes, he walked up to the table, removed his hat, and sat down.

"JR, I want to get right to the point."

"Well, I won't argue with you darlin', I've got a lot of work to do today."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll forget all about that when you here this. But first you have to promise me, you have to include me in the deal we're going to make."

"Oh? You've got my attention."

"Yesterday afternoon, at the barbecue, I saw your little niece and Cliff in bed at Southfork."

"Well," laughed JR, "that's old news!"

"You already knew?"

"Yes, of course I did. There's not much that goes on in this city that I don't know about."

"JR, I want to get back at Cliff. Whatever I have to do, I will. Just name it."

"So, you want revenge do you?"

"Yes I do, more than anything."

"Well, I'm sure I can use you for something, after all, revenge is the single most satisfying feeling in the world."

Afton smiled at JR as she sipped on her iced tea. What a wonderful day it was turning out to be after all.

JR walked down the busy sidewalks of Dallas, grumbling to himself.

"Hrmf, doctor says I need to get more exercise. He's got some nerve."

"Well, hi Mr. Ewing!"

"Why, hello Pamela. What are you doing out on a hot day like this?"

"Oh, just a little shopping, I was about to go home."

"Why don't you come sit down on this bench with me, I've been meaning to have a talk with you."

"Oh?" said Pamela nervously, "about what?"

"About John Ross....and Karen," said JR, taking a seat.

"Well, you know, it IS hot out here, and I need to be going."

"Oh no, nonsense," JR smiled at Pamela, almost laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"Pamela, you're a girl after my own heart," he replied, laughing now.

"What do you mean?"

"I know all about your schemes to get John Ross away from Karen."

"What are you talking about? I have no 'schemes'."

JR laughed, "of course you do darlin', and I want you to keep them up. I don't want John Ross with Karen any more than you do. We have a mutual interest at heart, and that's John Ross' happiness. You can make him happy, not Karen."

"How did you know this?"

"Old JR knows everything," he smiled evily, "I'm even willing to help you in anyway I can. Whatever you need, just ask."

"Well, John Ross and Karen are having dinner tonight, I have a few tricks up my sleeve, but I could use your help."

"I'm glad we have this understanding then...what do you need?"

"I've got one question though."

"Oh? What's that?"

"I'm not dumb, I know how much you hate my father. If you don't want John Ross with Karen because of HER father, why would you want ME to be with John Ross?"

"This baby you're carrying is my grandson. I want him to be raised by two happily married parents, something I wasn't always able to give John Ross-even if his mother is a Barnes."

"Ok, I guess that's good enough. Now, let's discuss my plan."

John Ross sat in his room, thinking about his date with Karen, and the fact that he was going to have to cancel. Ray had called and said that he would be there with an important announcement and Sue Ellen had demanded that John Ross stay and cancel the date. He picked up the phone and dialed Karen's hotel room, but there was no answer. After a moment of thought, he dialed the lobby of the Doubletree Hotel.

"Good afternoon, Doubletree Hotel, Front Desk, my name is Todd, how may I help you?"

"This is John Ross Ewing, I'd like to leave a message for Karen Beam in room 306 if I could?"

"Of course, what's your message?"

"It should read: Meet me at the Courtyard at 10, I'll be in room #221. Sorry, something came up and I had to postpone our date until then. Hope you don't mind."

"Will that be all?"

"Yes thanks."

Pamela stood next to the desk, watching as the man named Todd took down a message. A few minutes later, he put down the phone.

"Look, my name is Karen Beam, and I've lost my room key. I need another one," said Pamela.

"Yes, of course," said Todd, "I have a message right here for you as well. It's from a John Ross Ewing." He handed her the piece of paper. A smile spread across Pamela's face as she read the note.

"Well, thank you Todd," she said, fishing a five dollar tip from her purse. "This has wonderful possibilities, I think I'll just forget my other 'plan' and work from this," said Pamela to herself, walking away. She took the elevator up to the third floor and slipped the note under the door of room 306. Karen is going to be in for quite a surprise, even better than the one I had in mind."

Sue Ellen paced across the living room of Southfork. Gary and Val sat on the couch, and the twins were upstairs. John Ross sat in a wing-backed chair, tapping his foot, wishing he were with Karen.

"Ray sounded so tense on the phone," said Sue Ellen, pacing, "I wish he would hurry up."

"I'm sure he'll be here soon," said Lucy, filing her nails.

"Lucy honey, I can tell you're a little nervous too, by the way you're filing your nails," replied Val smiling.

"I just wish he'd hurry up and get here too."

"I'm sure he'll be here anytime now," reasoned Gary.

"I hope so," broke in Patricia, "or else Sue Ellen is going to wear a hole in the floor pacing like that."

"Well, I don't expect him for quite a while."

"Then sit down!" said Lucy.

Pamela dialed the number that JR had given her on her cell phone. A few rings later, a gruff sounding voice came on.

"Hello?"

"I was told by JR Ewing to call you."

"Yes, what do you want?"

"I need a favor."

"Of course, any friend of JR's is a friend of mine...."

Bradbery watched Ratigan get into his car. Ratigan pulled away from the curb and Bradbery followed. Stockton had ordered him to do whatever necessary to silence Ratigan, and Bradbery always preferred doing things the interesting way....and that meant killing. He lay the revolver, equipped with a silencer, on the seat next to him. The job would have to be done soon, before Ratigan could relay his information to JR. The corvette shifted into another lane of traffic and Bradbery stuck close behind.

Cliff Barnes woke up and was blinded by the sunlight streaming through the living room window. His mind was fuzzy, and he couldn't quite remember why he was on the couch, but then it hit him.

"Oh my God, what have I done. Lucy Ewing of all people. JR's niece."

Cliff got up from the couch and almost fell down. After regaining his balance, he went into the bathroom and took a long shower. When he got out, Afton was sitting in the living room, watching television. "Well, decided to wake up did we?"

"I don't know what came over me."

"You were drunk, that's not too hard to see. One of these days you're going to get drunk and do something very stupid."

Cliff thought for a second that she might know what had happened, but he decided that she couldn't. He went into the kitchen and started another beer. Afton watched as Cliff downed the first and started on another.

Karen fumbled for her keys, dropping a shopping bag in the process. The contents, two pairs of shoes, scattered onto the floor. She held the keys in her mouth and picked up the shoes, finally managing to unlock the door. Karen walked into the hotel room, stepping over the note, not noticing it. She dropped her bags on the bed and removed the shoes from her tired feet. Looking around the room, she caught sight of a piece of paper lying near the door. She walked over and picked it up, reading it.

"Well, at least he let me know. I better get freshened up. Wonder what he's got planned," she said, grinning. Pamela suddenly turned into a distant memory.

John Ross got up from his position in the wing-backed chair and announced that he was leaving. Sue Ellen tried to get him to wait a few minutes longer, but he insisted that he go. He sped out of Southfork in his car, Sue Ellen heard wheels screeching in the night.

Patricia spoke up, "Sue Ellen, I've been meaning to tell you. I'm going to be going back home. I've been a burden on you long enough and it's time I went home. I've hired someone that can help me with everything until I get out of this wheelchair."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes I'm sure."

"Well I know how independant you are, so I'm not going to stand in your way, but I have to insist that you let me help you get moved back in."

"Then it's a deal," smiled Patricia, "it'll be good to get back home and back into my normal routine."

"If it makes you happy, then I'm happy."

Gary broke in, "Val and I are also going to be returning to California next week. Betsy and Bobby are enrolled in this summer camp and it starts next Monday. They're looking forward to it."

"Yes they are," said Val smiling.

"Well, Southfork's going to be emptier than ever!" said Sue Ellen, "I hope Jenna, Bobby, and Ray get back soon, Christopher too."

"That's true, or else you'll be rattling around this house with just JR and John Ross!" replied Val.

Afton watched as Cliff continued to drink, she had lost count on exactly which drink he was on long ago. "Cliff, don't you think you've had enough?"

"I'll tell you when I've had enough," said Cliff, in a slurred voice.

Pamela walked out into the room, frowning at her dad and his drinking. "Mom, I'm going out tonight, I've got some things to do. Is that ok?"

After taking another glance at Cliff, she agreed. It definitely wasn't good for Pamela to see her father like that.

"Ok, thanks Mom, I'll see you later." Pamela ran out of the house before Afton could say goodbye.

Cliff turned to Afton and glared at her. "What the hell are you staring at?"

"I'm not sure WHAT it is I'm looking at. At one time, I would have said it was my loving husband, Cliff, but now, I'm not exactly sure what you are."

"What's that s'pposed to mean?" said Cliff drunkenly.

"Nothing Cliff....just nothing."

Afton turned from Cliff and went down into her basement/recording studio. She had a big opening next weekend so she decided to rehearse a bit. "It looks like I'll be depending on my music career a lot more now. Especially after what's going to unfold soon."

Karen stepped out of the shower, her hair up in a towel. She glanced at a picture of her and John Ross from several months ago and anxiously awaited their date. She got out her hairdryer and within an hour, she was ready to go. Alan Beam opened the door and walked in. "Where are you going?"

"I've got a date tonight," smiled Karen.

"Oh?" questioned Alan, "anybody I know?"

"Yes, I would say so. It's John Ross."

Alan's smile turned into a frown. "Karen, you know how I feel about him...and the Ewings; but I've mellowed out some...especially after what happened at the wedding and with Laura. I'll be leaving tomorrow and you do need someone to take care of you...I suppose John Ross fits the bill. But I'll be keeping tabs on him and if I hear that he's mistreated you, he'll have hell to pay."

"Daddy, he is a good person and I love him with all of my heart. Someday you'll grow to trust him."

"I'd like to think that could happen, but I don't think it ever will. He's the son of JR Ewing-one of my most bitter enemies. But enough about this, I've got a lot of packing to do, my plane leaves tonight. Laura's taken a turn for the worse so I decided on an earlier flight."

"Ok Daddy. Send Laura my best. Tell her I'm praying for her recovery."

"I will honey. I guess this is goodbye, you won't be back until after I've gone. I'm going to miss you. I'm just sorry that it took the wedding to bring me back and I sincerely regret what I did." Alan leaned forward and kissed his only daughter.

"Bye Daddy, I'm going to miss you too. I'll try to visit soon. I'm sure Scott could probably use my support as well, so maybe I will stop by."

"You do that, soon you hear?" smiled Alan.

Karen gave him a hug and left the hotel room with John Ross' note in her hand. Darkness had already fallen outside.

It was 9:30 and John Ross waited in room #221 of the Courtyard for Karen. He lit two candles that sat on a table next to a bottle of champagne. He looked at his watch, nervously thinking that maybe Karen wouldn't show. A knock at the door startled him and he realized that she was early. John Ross opened the door and was shocked by who he saw. "Pamela, what...what are you doing here?"

"Did I surprise you?"

"Yes you did, why are you here? How did you find me?"

"That's not important. Oh, I see you've got a big night planned here. I won't stay long." Pamela paused, "John Ross, you look a little pale, are you ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine, I'm just a little nervous."

"Oh, well you don't look so good. Let me get you a cool glass of water."

"Yeah, that would be great."

Pamela walked out of the main room and spotted a sink in the dressing area. She got a plastic cup and filled it with water. After a careful glance over her shoulder, she pulled a small bottle of pills out of her purse and took on out, dropping it in the drink. She swished the cup around until the pill was completely dissolved and walked back into the room where John Ross was waiting. "Here you go, that should make you feel better."

"Thanks Pamela," said John Ross, drinking the water, "I feel better already."

"Oh," laughed Pamela, "you'll feel just fine soon."

John Ross smiled and continued to drink from the cup.

Karen sat in her car in the Doubletree Hotel's parking garage. She turned the key and the engine only sputtered. "I'll never get there in time." She tried the key once more but no luck. After a few seconds of though, she walked out to the street and looked for a taxi. None was in sight. After about ten minutes, Karen went back to her car, and to her luck, it started right up. She pulled out of the large garage and sped to her destination.

Pamela pulled the covers over John Ross, satisfied that the scene looked like what it was supposed to look like. The pill had done the trick, John Ross was out cold and had no clue what the night held in store for him. Pamela slipped out of her clothes and laid down next to John Ross. "Karen is going to be in for one hell of a shock," she said aloud. John Ross didn't move beside her. "I'm sorry I had to do this to you John Ross, but it's the best thing for our baby, even your dad says so." Pamela put her head down on the pillow and did the only thing that she could do...wait. She must have dozed off, because she felt groggy when she heard the door open. John Ross had almost awakened.

"Damn," said Pamela, "maybe I didn't put enough in his drink."

Pamela watched as the door swung open and Karen walked into the main room. It was just a matter of time before she stepped into the bedroom.

Karen smiled when she saw the table and candles. "How sweet. John Ross! Are you hiding from me?"

Beside Pamela, John Ross was beginning to move around. Karen looked and saw the door to the bedroom was cracked, so she pushed it open and turned on the light. Pamela almost smiled upon seeing the look of pure horror on Karen's face.

"Oh my God...no" stuttered Karen.

John Ross rubbed his eyes and opened them. "Pamela? Karen? What..what...are you doing here? What's wrong?"

Karen continued to stare, unblinking at Pamela and John Ross.

Pamela remained silent. John Ross spoke, "Oh no, what have I done? This can't be happening...not now." He got up, pulling on his clothes and ran past Karen.

"John Ross! Where are you going?!" yelled Pamela.

Karen stood, staring at Pamela. John Ross ran downstairs, into the lobby, and into the garage where his car had been blocked in. "Damnit." he said. He spotted Karen's a few rows down and ran to it. He pulled out his set of keys to her car that she had given him in case she ever got locked out of her car. He cranked the car and slammed on the accelerator, speeding out of the garage, leaving behind exhaust fumes and the faint smell of burnt rubber. Pamela and Karen came out, seconds later, in time to see him driving away. "Oh my God. Please don't let it be too late," said Pamela in a terrified voice. She looked over to see a man standing in the shadows, and she ran to him.

"You must be Pamela," the man said, "the job's already been done. Those brake lines should wear apart any second now, I pity whoever is in THAT car."

"NO!" whispered Pamela, "you don't understand! The wrong person got in the car! I never wanted John Ross to be hurt by any of this." Pamela began to cry. "I want you to go...never show your face in this town again. And I have JR Ewing backing me so don't give me any trouble. No one can find out about this. No one."

Afton came out of her studio and was startled as to how drunk Cliff actually was. "Cliff, I forbid you to take another drink."

Cliff took the beer can he was holding and hurled it at Afton, missing her by several yards in his drunken state. He came after her, wielding his fist and Afton ran into the bedroom. She slammed the door shut behind her and locked it. Cliff began to ram the flimsy door and Afton ran to the dresser,opened the top drawer, and pulled out a small handgun. "Oh God, please don't make me have to use this."

The door suddenly burst forth with Cliff and he fell onto the carpeted floor. For a while Afton thought that he had passed out and she was flooded with an incredible sense of relief. Seconds later, Cliff got up. "You're gonna regret this Afton."

Cliff rushed her and before she knew what was happening, he was upon her. The two struggled and Afton was hit by Cliff. She managed to pull herself free of his grasp. Tears falling from her eyes, she aimed the gun at Cliff. The whole room seemed to spin around her and suddenly she could no longer hear Cliff's voice. Afton pulled the trigger three times and the whole room disappeared as she fell into a world of blackness.

The car swerved on the road, safely outside the Dallas city limits. John Ross was still groggy from the drug and the brakes weren't working all that well. The radio blared loudly, breaking the silence of the quiet Texas night. Up ahead, John Ross could make out a pair of headlights.

Ratigan began to get nervous. The car behind had been following him for quite a while. He had got out of Dallas, thinking that he wouldn't follow him out into the country, but he was wrong. Ratigan hit the accelerator and noticed headlights coming closer to him. He looked behind and saw that the other car was still following him, but had fallen farther behind. The car ahead of him drew nearer, and appeared to be swerving across the road. Ratigan watched wide-eyed and frozen as the car suddenly veered into his lane.

John Ross lost control of the car at the last moment. The car ahead of him swerved to miss him and John Ross slammed on the brakes-nothing happened. He realized with horror that the brakes didn't work and that he probably would never see Karen or Pamela again. The two cars collided sending a loud metallic crash echoing through the night. After the crash, the only sounds were a horn continuosly sounding and the sound of John Ross' radio blaring loudly. The man in the car behind Ratigan drove off, satisfied that Ratigan had finally been silenced.

Ray and Charlie stood on the porch of Southfork, talking silently.

"Ray, are you sure you're up to this?" asked Charlie.

"Yeah, I'll be ok."

Ray opened the door and he and Charlie walked into the room.

"Ray!" exclaimed Sue Ellen, "you're here!"

"Yes and I've brought Charlie with me."

"Hi Charlie!" said Sue Ellen, "this is my mother Patricia and my brother-in-law Gary and his wife Valene. I believe you've met Lucy."

"Yes, hi everybody," said Charlie, forcing a smile.

"There's something I've got to tell you. I think we should all sit down first. It's not good..." Ray said, a sad expression coming over his face.

JR walked into the living room. "Well, Ray! Glad you came back. Didn't find Bobby and Jenna? I don't know about you, but I think I have a pretty good idea what they left for..."

"JR, this is not the time," said Charlie angrily.

"Charlie! What brings you here?"

"There's been an accident. It's Bobby and Jenna," said Ray.

"Oh my God, are they ok?" asked Sue Ellen.

"The plane they were on crashed in the Swiss Alps. There's a strong chance that they might not have survived. There are still several people that haven't been found, but everyone that was found have been found dead."

JR stared at Ray. "That's not true, Bobby's just fine. I know it."

"JR," said Ray, "I'm sorry. It doesn't look good."

"Oh no, not Bobby," said Gary, getting up. Val sat silently on the couch. She reached out and took Lucy's hand. Sue Ellen stood and embraced JR, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Oh my God," she said, staring at something behind JR. Everyone turned and looked behind them. In the entry hall, Christopher stood next to a woman with reddish-brown hair-- Pamela Barnes Ewing.

"NOOOO!" screamed Pam, "Oh God NO! Not Bobby!" Pam fell to floor, crying uncontrollably, as everyone stared in shock at the woman everyone believed was dead.



Credits Roll, End Season One

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