Ray guided Miss Ellie into his restaurant and along with Donna, they took the best seats in the house. Donna flashed Ray a reassuring smile, reminding him of their motives for bringing Miss Ellie here tonight. They hoped that a night out on the town would cheer her up—they were all so worried about her.

But as she sat down, they both wondered if it was even worth it. Her face was forlorn and she seemed to stare off across the crowd. Finally, Ray spoke up. “Miss Ellie, I want you to try our grilled chicken sandwich. Bart makes one that'll melt in your mouth—you wouldn't believe it.”

Miss Ellie managed a forced smile. “That sounds fine Ray.”

Donna diverted her attention to the laminated menu before her. “Well, since it comes with the recommendation of the owner, I think I'll take the chicken sandwich too.”

Ray nodded and looked around for one of the waitresses, but they all seemed busy. “Tell ya what…I'll just go back to the kitchen and get Bart to cook those up for us and I'll bring them right out.”

Donna smiled and waved him off. “Can't wait to see my cowboy play waiter.”

“Just don't forget to tip me!” Ray said as he walked off toward the kitchen.

The voices of the crowd mingled into one mixed noise and Donna raised her voice. “Miss Ellie, I think you look beautiful tonight. That's a very pretty dress.” Donna was grasping at straws, trying to think of something to say…any topic of conversation other than Clayton and Bobby.

“Why, thank you Donna, but it's just an old dress. I've worn it before.”

A waitress made her way to the table. “Hello ladies, what can I get you to drink?”

“I'll take iced tea,” Donna answered.

Miss Ellie was quiet, so Donna gently tapped her on the arm and Ellie looked up. “Oh, I'm sorry. I'll take a glass of water…with ice.”

The waitress smiled and pulled out a pad to write on. “Are you ready to order your meals now?”

“Actually, my husb…fiancé just went back to the kitchen. He owns the place.”

The woman's face lit up. “Oh! Your Mr. Krebbs' fiancé! It's nice to meet you, I'm Heather.”

Donna extended her hand. “Nice to meet you too. I'm Donna and this is…” Donna paused. What exactly was her relation to Miss Ellie? “my future mother-in-law, Ellie.”

At the sound of her name, Ellie looked up. “Hello.”

A frown crossed Donna's face as she wondered about Miss Ellie's personality changes. What if there was something more seriously wrong with her than just her grieving over Clayton's death?

Dallas Memorial Hospital

Sue Ellen thought that if she never saw Dallas Memorial again, she'd die happy. First Clayton, now Melissa. Would the Ewings ever get a break? And she couldn't believe about John Ross and Pamela Rebecca. She thought it noble of her son to think of Megan so much, but marry her mother because of it? He knew he didn't love her, even if he and Melissa had been having troubles. As much as she loved John Ross, sometimes he could be as irrational as his father.

She sat in the waiting room and sipped her coffee. The stress of the day was wearing her out. She had a stiff pain in her neck. She bent her head down and started to rub the back of her neck. It took her a few seconds to realize that her hand soon wasn't the only one there.

Sue Ellen looked up. “Hey,” Jack said as he sat down next to her. His smile was wide.

She had to admit, his presence was comforting. “Hi,” she said.

“How's Melissa?”

“She's in the operating room now. It's all touch and go.” She took a deep breath. “I'm so scared. That poor baby….”

“He or she is going to be just fine. It's a Ewing after all. Bound to be a fighter.”

Sue Ellen wiped a tear from her eye. “Yes. I suppose you're right.”

Jack started to rub her back. It made Sue Ellen feel much better. “I suppose now isn't a good time to talk,” Jack said almost quietly.

She sat up straight, wiping away another tear. “No. We need to talk.”

Jack had to admit that took him by surprise. He was so prepared for her to avoid that subject that he found he was at a lack of words. It had become habitual to ask her to talk about their relationship. “I love you,” was all he could muster out.

“I know you do,” She supposed it was conceited to say that, but she wasn't sure what she should say.

“Do you think we have a shot?” It was childlike, the way he asked. “Because I think we do. We deserve it.”

“Jack, things are very confusing for me. You slept with that woman.”

“She drugged me,” Jack said, staring straight into her eyes. “I swear to you on my mother's grave. I did not cheat on you. I was trying to get her to confess, and she was hitting on me. I didn't pay her any mind, so I guess she took matters into her own hands. C'mon, this is someone that worked with J.R.”

“I believe you,” Sue Ellen said after a moment. And she did.

“What? Really?” Jack was flabbergasted.

“Yes. I know you wouldn't intentionally hurt me.” She sniffled. “I guess it was just blind rage. I mean, I've been in that position so many times before.”

“I know, and that's why you know I'd never do that to you purposefully.”

“I know you wouldn't. It's just confusing. I'm just having a hard time getting beyond the fact that it still happened.”

“But it didn't mean anything!” Jack was scared her was going to lose her again.

“I'm not saying anything's final here. I don't even know. I want to be with you, I know that now. I guess you could say I've got my head on straight again,” she laughed. “But we need to take things slowly. That I do know for sure. I'm not ready for anything major.”

Jack absorbed what she said. Finally, he gave her a big kiss. “As long as you understand, that's all I care about.”

Sue Ellen shed another tear for her unborn grandchild, and leaned her head against Jack's strong shoulder. Secretly she wished she could shake the hesitation off hers.

Myrtle Beach

Pam rounded the corner of the hallway and came to a stop outside the door of the room that she believed…and hoped, was Bobby's. Ryanne stopped behind her. “Should I stay outside?”

Pam nodded. “Please.” She clasped her hand around the cold doorknob and prepared to open it. She had been disappointed so many times over the past months. Oh Bobby, please be here.

Inside the room, Gregor squirted a bit of the poison from the needle, testing it, and then moved over toward Bobby Ewing's IV. He immediately froze upon hearing the creaking of the opening door.

Pam stepped into the room and closed the door. A doctor blocked the view of the hospital bed and the person in it. “Excuse me, I'm looking for a patient that's supposed to be here…Doctor?” she said, but the doctor remained still and kept his back to her.

Finally, he spoke up, but didn't turn around. “I was just about to give my patient a dose of pain killer.

Pam walked closer to the bed and then she saw him. “Oh, Bobby…” She quickly ran over to the side of his bed, tears streaming down her cheeks. “I can't believe…. It's really you…”

His eyes fluttered open and then closed again. Pam reached out to touch his cheek but was stopped by the voice of the 'doctor'. Gregor's heart raced. He couldn't let Bobby talk to her—or know she was there. Bobby knew too much about Rex's plans. Pam and Bobby reuniting meant certain death for him…at Rex Wentworth's hands. “Ma'am, I'm going to have to ask you to leave no visitors are allowed in this room. This man is in serious condition and I must give him his pain killer.”

“I'm not a visitor! Don't you know who this man is?” Pam said, wide-eyed. “This man is my husband!” She touched Bobby's arm as she leaned over him and whispered, “Bobby,… Bobby, it's me, it's Pam.”

Gregor clenched the syringe in his hand. A million thoughts raced through his mind, but only one remained—he had to end this. Now was his chance, Pam was oblivious to everything except the man lying before her. Gregor lunged forward with the needle, just missing her. It plunged harmlessly into the mattress, only inches from Bobby. “What is going on?”

Gregor ignored her question and moved closer to her with the needle in hand. Pam stared into his eyes and she could have sworn she'd seen the man somewhere before, but she couldn't quite place him. Pam backed away and he lunged for her again, but she quickly rolled the doctor's stool into his path and he tripped over it, crashing into the corner of the room.

Whoever this man was, he was crazy, they had to get out of there. Gregor didn't get up. He seemed to be unconscious. But Pam realized that she didn't have time to go get help, and she couldn't leave Bobby alone with that mad man. Pam ran over to Bobby and began to shake him. “Bobby! Wake up…please, wake up.” She was just opening her mouth to yell for help when she saw Bobby's eyes slowly open. He saw Pam standing there, but the recognition in his eyes turned to fear as he saw a man approaching behind her, a look of sheer rage in his eyes and a needle in his upraised hand. Pam noticed Bobby's eyes widening in fear and she turned around just as Gregor stabbed the needle into Bobby's IV bag.

Pam went white. “Oh no..my God!”

Before she had time to react, Gregor pulled the needle out of the bag and drove it into Pam's forearm. She felt the burning sting of the needle under her skin and her screams of pain echoed throughout the room.

Rex, you're gonna pay me damned good for this…for killing two innocent people. Gregor looked at them for a second longer and then he ran over to the window and struggled to open it. He'd stepped out onto the fire escape just as two nurses burst into the room.

Pam bit her lip and pulled the needle out of her arm. She wasted no time flinging her arm forward to grab the IV cord and she gritted her teeth when she pulled it out of Bobby's arm.

“Please don't let it be too late…” she mumbled.

One of the nurses grabbed Pam from behind and tried to pull her away. “What do you think you're doing?” the nurse shouted.

“I'll call security,” the other one said.

Pam shook her head. “No! He's my husband. There was a man here…with a syringe. It must have been poisoned and he tried to kill me with it…and he injected it into my husband's IV!” In a burst of strength, Pam freed herself from the nurse's grasp and ran over to Bobby.

A doctor showed up in the room and the nurse saw the opened window—the woman's story must be right. “Dr. Mixter, we have a possible intravenous poisoning...”

Whether it was due to the stress from months of worry, or the poison taking effect, Pam suddenly found the room growing dark and she fell into nothingness.

One of the nurses ran to catch her. “Get a tech in here, we need a blood draw – for both of them.” Pam was quickly laid upon the other bed in the room.

Dallas Memorial Hospital

John Ross felt like he'd been pacing for hours when Dr. Gee walked through the double doors at the end of the hall.

Dr. Gee's smile filled John Ross with reassurance. “John Ross, Melissa and the baby are fine. Melissa's in the recovery room. Would you like to meet your son?”

John Ross nodded, but was unable to speak.

"Now be prepared son. Your baby came out and gave us a nice yell, so his lungs are good, but he has started having some problems breathing. We have already intubated him, but you can hold him for a couple minutes before we move him to the NICU."

John Ross wanted to cry as a nurse brought out the tiny baby, wrapped snugly in a blanket with a tiny hat perched atop his head. “He's so small…”

“Two pounds, eight ounces and fourteen and three-fourths inches,” the nurse confirmed.

"We have given him a dose of Serfactin to help with his lung development and we'll be starting him on a IV to give him the nutrients he needs to keep growing. The nurses will let you in to the NICU 24 hours a day to be with him or see him, but with the exception of Melissa seeing him the first time, he can't leave the NICU.”

John Ross wasn't really sure what they were telling him, he was so amazed and touched by his son. “He's tiny…” John Ross mumbled again.

Dr. Gee smiled. “You will have to fill out a form stating who has access to the baby. You can have anyone come in with you, but you will have to give them permission to come in alone.”

“Is that all?” John Ross asked, holding the baby.

“One more thing…probably the most important thing. You can't rub or stimulate the baby too much. It will make the heart beat too fast and that isn't good.”

John Ross couldn't believe this. How could he have denied this baby's existence before? Melissa had needed him and he'd almost married Pamela Rebecca.

Lucy and Neil's House

Lucy poured herself a cup of coffee and sighed. She secretly offered a silent prayer for Melissa. She had gotten off the phone with J.R. a little while ago about Melissa's condition. It was probably the only civil conversation the two had had in years. Melissa's fate was still undetermined, and Lucy just hoped that everything would be okay.

She wondered if there was a Ewing curse. Clayton was dead, Bobby was missing. Karen was on trial and now John Ross's baby could die. It just wasn't fair.

The shrill ring of the phone interrupted her thoughts. “Hello?”

She could hear the sounds of traffic in the background. It was noisy. There was breathing on the phone. “How much do you really know about your husband?”

The voice was deep and unnatural. Someone was obviously disguising it. “Hello? Who is this?” Lucy screamed into the phone, but the other end had already hung up.

Was something wrong with Neil? She immediately dialed his cell phone, but she got his machine. She left a message demanding that he call her back right away, but she needed to know. What was that call all about---was Neil keeping something from her? It was too personal to be a prank, and too vicious. But maybe that's all it was, Lucy thought to herself as she walked over to the Rolodex. She looked up Kimberly's number and dialed it. She got the machine, and once again left a message for Neil. Same thing at Kimberly's parents.

Lucy hugged her arms to her chest and paced back and forth. She was scared, but she was also angry. What the hell was going on here? There must be a connection between the call and Neil's strange behavior of late.

It was scaring her. Freaking her out was the more appropriate term. All she knew, Lucy Ewing thought to herself as she grabbed her purse, was that she didn't want to be alone.

So she headed over to Todd's.

Rex Wentworth's Penthouse

From his penthouse balcony, Rex watched over the city below. He sipped his martini and thought back to the events from the night before. Rage welled up inside him as he thought about what Cliff had done. Rex's swollen black eye was a constant reminder of the night. Cliff Barnes would pay—and he would pay dearly.

His cell phone rang and he reached over to the table next to him and picked it up. “What?” he answered sharply.

“Rex, it's Gregor.”

“Well?”

“I found Bobby.”

“And?”

“Pam got there at the same time…”

“What happened?”

“I had to take care of her too. Pam and Bobby Ewing are dead.”

“DAMN IT GREGOR! I didn't want Pam dead! I wanted you to kill Bobby and make him disappear. They will trace this to me! Please tell me you took care of the bodies…”

Gregor was silent for a few seconds, but then he answered. “No. I had to get out. The doctors were about to come in.”

“You are a fool Gregor. DO YOU NOT THINK?”

Gregor was growing angry. Rex had been bossing him around for years. “Look, just what the hell was I supposed to do? Pam came in as I was about to finish off Bobby. She would have brought him back to Dallas and he would have told everything he knew about you, then you would have been thrown in jail! I did you a favor Rex!”

A laugh sounded over the phone…a laugh that frightened Gregor. “Yes, I suppose you're right. We'll handle this problem later. I want you back in Dallas, immediately.”

“Oh sheesh, another job?”

“Yes.”

“I was hoping for a vacation,” Gregor sighed. “You pay me all this money and I never have a chance to spend it.”

“You'll get your chance. In the meantime, I want you to find out everything you possibly can on Cliff Barnes and the Clifford Group. I know we've searched through Cliff's past before, but this time we must go deeper. Dig up any and all old skeletons you can find in his closet. Check every record of every transaction the Clifford Group has ever made. If there's anything there, I want it found.”

Across the country, Gregor rolled his eyes. “Yeah, okay. I'll see what I can do.”

“Don't see what you can do. See that you do it.”

“Sure Rex.” The phone clicked and Rex put it back on the table.

“Now that Pam and Bobby have been eliminated, you'll be next Cliff. But you won't go as easily as they did…”

Myrtle Beach

Outside Bobby's room Ryanne was talking with Dr. Mixter and she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

”Apparently a man was in Mr. Ewing's room with a syringe filled with some type of poison. We don't know all of the details yet, but we found traces of poisonous substance in Mr. Ewing's IV bag and a puncture wound in Mrs. Ewing's forearm.”

Ryanne looked worried, being a doctor, she knew what this could mean. “Have you done blood tests?”

“We've done the tests…”

“What's the verdict?” Ryanne asked impatiently

“I've found no traces of poison in Mr. Ewing's bloodstream. It looks like Mrs. Ewing got the IV out of her husband just in time, because there were traces of the poison in it.

“What about Pam?”

“Apparently the syringe must have been almost completely empty before she was stabbed with it. Luckily, nothing got into her bloodstream. She'll be fine too, but there may be one tiny little problem…”

Bobby's head injury had put him in a semi-comatose state for a while now. The doctor's prognosis was good; CAT-scans and MRIs showed no obvious brain damage. Over the last few days he had been floating in and out of consciousness.

As Bobby struggled again to regain consciousness, he wasn't sure what was going on. All he knew was that he'd seen Pam in his room…or had he? He'd dreamed of her so many times, but this time seemed so real.

Bobby winced, more from the stiffness than pain, as he sat up and then stepped out of bed. He was still feeling shaky but he was determined to search the entire hospital if he had to! By the time he made it to the curtain that separated his bed from the rest of the room, including the door, he realized he wasn't going anywhere. He almost fell and he grabbed the nightstand for support. As he did, his other arm hit the curtain, pulling it back slightly. Some one was there. Not knowing quite what to expect, he reached out and yanked the curtain back the rest of the way. Then, he realized it was her… she was there, in the room with him. “Pammy?” he said in disbelief.

She was lying on a hospital bed near him and her eyes were closed. Bobby slowly made his way over to her and sat down on the bed beside her. He leaned over her, still in disbelief; it had been so long. “Pam? Honey? Can you hear me?”

To Pam, the words seemed far off and tinny, but she recognized Bobby's voice and forced herself to open her eyes. She immediately saw his face. “Bobby…”

He took her in his arms and held her tight. “I didn't think I'd ever see you again, God, I didn't…”

Pam smiled and tears ran down both her cheeks. “I didn't either. I thought I'd lost you. We all thought we'd lost you…oh, so much has happened since you've been gone.”

Bobby kissed her gently. Then he kissed the tears from her face and said, “Hey now, that's a nice welcome – I don't see you for months and here you are crying.” He smiled the boyish grin that Pam knew so well. She sat up and pulled him close again.

“I don't care what's happened Pam…all I care about is that you're here with me.”

Over Bobby's shoulder, Pam saw Dr. Mixter and Nurse Alves walk into the room. “Mrs. Ewing, mind if we talk to you alone?”

Pam shook her head forcefully. “NO. I've spent over two months away from my husband and I do not intend to spend another day without him. Whatever you have to tell me, you can tell me in front of him.”

Bobby turned and put his arm around Pam. “Very well. Mrs. Ewing, I wanted to talk to you about the poison and your condition,” Dr. Mixter said while quietly closing the door.

“What?” Pam was worried.

“Luckily, none of the poison entered your bloodstream, so I'm happy to report that you and your baby are going to be just fine.”

A feeling of shock crept over Pam's body. “Baby?”

Bobby looked from the doctor to Pam, and his look of shock quickly turned to a huge grin.

“Yes. You mean you weren't aware that you're pregnant?”

Pam's own look of shock didn't fade.

Laurel's Hotel Room

Laurel Ellis was surprised at the knock on her hotel door. She wasn't expecting anyone. Her breath caught in her throat for a second: had they found her?

She looked through the peephole, relieved and scared of the visitor that awaited her. “Ellie,” Laurel said as she opened the door and motioned for her visitor to come in.

Ellie didn't really smile as she entered. “Hello Laurel,” was all she said. They hadn't seen each other in ten years, ever since she left town after Ellie suspected her of having an affair with Clayton. Even though Laurel had told her the truth, there was still resentment there at the closeness that was once between Laurel and Clayton.

“Please, sit down,” Laurel signaled for Ellie to sit on the couch, while she took a seat in a nearby chair. Ellie kept her purse on her lap. “I'm so terribly sorry about Clayton,” Laurel said. “I just can't believe he's gone.”

“Thank you,” Ellie said. “We all miss him very much.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

“No. Thank you.”

There was a moment of brief and awkward silence. Laurel finally spoke. “I'm assuming you're nephew told you I stopped by.”

“Yes, Jack mentioned it when I got back from dinner tonight.”

“Thanks for coming over, but I could have come to Southfork. It's no trouble.”

“I enjoy the drive,” Ellie replied. “The air is nice outside. I needed a little break from Southfork for the night.” She couldn't stand to be there, not with Bobby's memory, and Clayton's. And now all this with John Ross's baby….

“Well, I'm glad that you're here.” Laurel didn't know how to broach this subject. “I see that you received my painting.”

“Yes. Clayton was very happy to receive it, and was hoping for a visit from you. I'm just very sorry he is not here to see you.” Ellie paused. “Are you in town for very long?”

“Hopefully not too long,” Laurel replied. Where should she begin? She didn't want to be insensitive, but she was scared for Ellie and the others if she didn't. “Has anyone come asking about my painting?”

Ellie looked confused. “No. Why, were you expecting a dealer? I just assumed it was a gift.”

“I actually should have been more clear in my note. I was hoping for Clayton to store it for me temporarily. Until I got back to the country. I was scared if I said that it would be too revealing.” She realized she was making no sense.

“I'm sorry, but I'm not sure I follow you,” Ellie said.

“Ellie, I don't know how to explain this. There is such a story.”

“I can listen. I'm good at that,” she said calmly.

Laurel placed her temples in her hands for a moment and rubbed them, lifting her head back up in a regal motion. “When I left Dallas, I went back to England but about a year later I came back to the States to accept a job in Chicago. I loved it there. I made some great friends and loved my job. One day I met this great guy named James. Jimmy he liked to be called.” Laurel laughed. “He was a sweet man. He was tough—Italian. But he had such a heart.”

“That's wonderful,” Ellie said, although she secretly questioned what the point of the story was.

“Jimmy and I dated for many years. I thought his family owned a sanitation type business—you know, disposal. But then one day he told me the truth. He was in the mafia.” Laurel shifted in her chair, positive that Ellie had no idea what was going on. She tried to speed up the story. “I was shocked, of course, and very scared, but he told me that his family was one of the top families and that they did not harm anyone and it was all very safe. I still had my doubts but I loved Jimmy so, so I didn't question anything. I just asked to be kept out of that realm of his life and he respected that.”

“Laurel, are you in trouble? Is that what this is about?” Ellie was curious.

“In a sorts, yes. You see, a few years ago Jimmy started to act very odd. His father died and he was placed in charge of, well, the Mafia. He started to be very controlling, and even abusive. I know that he had so many pressures being placed on him. I was starting to become more aware of the 'business' end of his life so to speak, and I realized that he did many, many horrible things. He wanted to marry me and he became more and more possessive. It was like he was a whole new person, not the man I fell in love with. He eventually became abusive, but I couldn't escape. It was like I was trapped.”

“That's horrible,” Ellie said. She was sorry to hear that this had happened to Laurel, but she was curious: what did this have to do with that painting?

“One of the people in the 'family' I guess you could call it, was named Paolo. He was Jimmy's friend and eventually my friend too. Oh he was so handsome. Still is. Paolo was one of the top ones in Jimmy's stable, but when Jimmy took over his family, things started to change. Jimmy's tactics got more violent, and Paolo didn't like it. He tried to break out, but it's so hard. Jimmy wouldn't let him leave.”

Laurel took a deep breath. “It was around that time that Paolo and I started to fall in love. I had fallen out of love with Jimmy long before this. He had turned into a completely different person. And I was glad, because Paolo was everything I could have ever imagined and even more. I loved him so much. I love him so much.”

“So you two are still together?”

“Yes. He's in Paris right now,” Laurel said, realizing that she should get to the point. “And I'm here. And that's where the painting comes in.” She took another deep breath. “Paolo and I decided that we needed to get out, but Jimmy would never let us. At least not alive. So Paolo started to skim money so we could escape. Only a little at first, so we could test the limits. We didn't want to alert Jimmy to anything. And he didn't find out. It went on for months and months. We had finally placed almost all the money in hiding, and were just waiting for the transfer over into our foreign account when Jimmy found out. We had to leave the country or he'd get us. So I hid the money in Chicago, and we were going to have one of Paolo's friends get it and complete the transaction, but they needed to know where the money was and we couldn't risk contacting them. So, I painted the location. That's what the brownstone in the painting is. It's where our money is.”

“But I thought you were planning on coming to Dallas to get it,” Ellie said, unbelieving as to all this.

“I was going to contact Clayton and tell him to expect a visit from Paolo's friend, but, well……” Laurel didn't know how to say it, but the two women acknowledged the unspoken fact. “I wanted to know if anyone has shown up looking for the painting.”

“Not to my knowledge,” Ellie replied quickly. Laurel's words sunk in. “Are you saying that you believe we're in danger?”

“The reason I sent it to Clayton is because I figured it would be safe,” Laurel hastily explained.

“You sent my husband something that the Mafia would kill for?” Ellie's voice grew harsh and significantly louder. “I can't believe this!”

“It was last minute thinking. I needed some clue to where the money was, and I couldn't leave it in Chicago with Paolo's friend. They would have got to him. It was a painting, sent to an old friend. It was innocent, Jimmy never would have suspected---“

Ellie put her hand out as if to stop Laurel and she got up. “I don't want to hear anymore of this. Come over to Southfork tomorrow and pick that painting up. I don't want it. My family will not be put in anymore danger, danger that I was not even aware of until now.”

“If you haven't been visited and nothing has happened, then I'm sure there's no problem….”

“There is a problem. Clayton was your friend, and you got him involved with something that was dangerous and didn't even tell him. That is the problem.” Ellie said no more and left.

Laurel sat back in her chair, feeling ashamed. This had not gone the way she had planned it. She had alienated Ellie, but did she really expect not too? She had put Clayton's life---all of their lives---in danger by sending him that painting. And what must Ellie think? Now she is here to reclaim it, so she can finally get the money and live happily ever after with her lover while Clayton lies in the ground?

Laurel rested her head in shame on her hands.

Todd's Apartment

The bar where Lucy had asked him to meet her was just around the corner from his apartment, but Todd was curious as to why Lucy wanted to meet with him anyway. When she left his apartment earlier that day she was in good spirits.

She was sitting at the bar by herself, a screwdriver in front of her. Todd silently walked up to her. “So what's wrong?” he asked as he took the seat next to her.

Lucy was a little bit tipsy, he could tell. He wondered how long she had been here or if she just had a low tolerance. “Neil is a bastard. He's keeping something from me.”

“Didn't we have this conversation earlier?”

“I got a call this afternoon. I don't know who it was, but they said 'how well do you know you're husband?'”

“You're kidding me,” Todd said, having just ordered a drink himself.

“No. It was the scariest thing. I had no idea who this person was and they just hung up.”

“Did you call Neil?”

“Yes, and he didn't answer, and neither did Kimberly or Tiffany's grandparents or anyone else. I don't know if he's lying to me about something. This is just so scary….I feel like everything is falling apart.”

Todd lit up his cigarette—his calming method. “First of all, nothing has fallen apart. This could be a prank call, a business associate of Neil's an old friend, or someone trying to hurt you. Don't jump to any conclusions until you talk to Neil. You'll know whether he's lying, or whether there's more to this story. But you can't deal with it until you talk to him. There's absolutely nothing you can do. It wasn't threatening was it? Like you were in danger?”

“No. It was like a warning.”

“There you go. It's out of your hands until Neil gets back. So give your mind a rest.”

“It's hard to,” Lucy said.

“Well, when in a bar do as the alcoholics do,” Todd tipped his glass in cheers. “Let's get drunk.”

The Airport

He was expecting more cowboy hats, from everything he had heard about the city. Everyone seemed normal. There weren't even a lot of Southern accents. He told himself to stop looking around and just focus on what's ahead. He had a job to do. Or more appropriately, someone to pay a visit too. Laurel was back in the country. She thought she could escape, but he had people everywhere. He was too big to not know when she came back. She thought she fooled him with that little painting, but there was no fooling Jimmy.

He got in his limo and headed to the hotel. Now it was time for sleep. Laurel could wait until tomorrow.

The Clifford Group

After stopping by the hospital to check on Pamela Rebecca, Cliff had dropped Jamie off back at his house and then he'd driven over to the Clifford Group to catch up on some work that needed to be finished.

He was annoyed when the intercom crackled to life and Jackie's voice came across it. “Cliff, there's someone here to see you.”

“This late? Don't they know we're closed?” he answered, without looking up from what he was writing.

“She insists that she see you.”

“If it's Afton, you can just show her right back out the door. Better yet, just show her out the window…”

“It's Iris Wentworth.”

Cliff was surprised. Why on earth would Iris Wentworth be here to see him? “Hmm, okay, send her in.”

Cliff put up the legal pad he was writing on as Jackie showed Iris into the office. Iris walked to Cliff's desk and Jackie shut the door. “Cliff, we need to talk.”

“Iris, I don't think we've ever been formally introduced, though I think my ex-wife and your husband know each other fairly well.”

“Ex-husband,” Iris enunciated. “Rex and I just divorced a while back.”

“Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't know that. Now what's up?”

“I heard about your fight with Rex at the Oil Baron's Club. There were some pictures on the news.”

“Word travels fast in this town. But I find it hard to believe that a food fight would bring you here.”

“I came to warn you…”

“About?” Cliff leaned forward in his chair and propped his chin on his fists.

“Rex Wentworth is a dangerous…an evil man. He won't forget what you did to him at the club.”

“I've handled J.R., you think I'm afraid of Wentworth?”

“Believe me, J.R. is nothing compared to Rex. J.R. has a heart…a human side. J.R. would never do some of the things that Rex has done. Rex…well, he's a cold, unfeeling man.”

“What things do you mean? Are they incriminating? Wait a minute…I've always suspected that Rex was behind Bobby's disappearance. Is he?”

“I can't talk about anything Rex has done. If he ever found out I did, he'd kill me too.”

“Come on Iris. I'll make sure you're safe. Why did Rex come to Dallas?”

Iris was quiet for a moment. “I'm sorry, but I can't tell you that. Just watch out Cliff. You seem like a nice man and now you've crossed Rex. I'm afraid you're on his 'to-get' list now.”

Iris turned around and began to walk away. Cliff quickly jumped out of his chair and ran around the desk after her; then he grabbed her arm. “We can put him away forever if you'll tell me what you know!”

Iris shook her head, but said nothing else. Cliff watched helplessly as she left the office and ran toward the elevator.

Dallas Memorial Hospital

Melissa was groggy when John Ross entered the room. “Melissa, thank God you're okay.”

She was silent.

“I'm sorry Melissa, I don't know what came over me this afternoon. I feel awful for ignoring you these past few weeks…I shouldn't have done that.”

“You're not half as sorry as I am. I'm sorry that you had to be such a fool and go off to marry Pamela Rebecca like that. You gave the Megan excuse and I could buy that, but there was one little fact that you kept denying. I was pregnant too!”

“I said I was sorry. I…I don't know what else to say.”

“How about you start by saying goodbye…to me AND to my baby, because it'll be the last time you'll ever see him again. You denied his very existence, leaving me to fend for myself during the pregnancy. I'm sorry John Ross, but you're not going to waltz in here and pretend to be the happy father. It doesn't work that way.”

There was a knock at the door and John Ross turned around. “Come in.”

The door was pushed open and the baby was rolled in in an incubator until it rested beside Melissa's bed. Tears rolled from her eyes when she saw the baby. “Oh my God, he's so precious.” She reached her hand in through the arm opening and took the baby's hand.

“Is there anything I can get for you Miss McSween?” the nurse asked.

Melissa nodded. “Please have security take Mr. Ewing out of the room. He's distressing me.”

The nurse looked confused. “But…”

“I mean it.”

John Ross' eyes were filled with hurt. “Melissa, you don't mean it. Please, say that you don't…”

Melissa's vision was blurry from the tears. A part of her hated doing this to him, but he'd hurt her—deeply. “Go find Pamela Rebecca.”

“I'll be back. I'm not giving this baby up that easily; or you.” John Ross' voice was bitter.

Melissa watched him as he left the room and then she turned her attention back to the baby. “Have you decided on a name yet?” the nurse asked.

“Well, I had something in mind…I wanted to name him after my brother. He was killed a few years back.”

“I'm sorry to hear that. What was his name?”

“Jake.” Melissa's voice was distant. “And my father's name is Trevor.”

“Has he passed away too?” the nurse asked compassionately.

Melissa smiled. “No, he's still alive. I had someone call him and leave a message about the baby. Hopefully he'll return the call later. I think…” She felt a small twinge of guilt and thought that John Ross should be here for this—but he hadn't been there for her before. He'd shown his allegiance to Pamela Rebecca. “I think I'd like to name him Trevor Jake…maybe call him T.J. for short…or maybe even Jake.”

The nurse smiled. “I like that. What about the last name?”

Melissa bit her lip. “McSween. Trevor Jake McSween.”

The door opened quietly and J.R. and Sue Ellen walked in. “Well, where's this baby we've heard so much about?”

Melissa wasn't exactly thrilled to see them.

Sue Ellen's eyes found the baby and she walked over to him. “Oh, he's so beautiful…”

J.R. looked down at the baby. “Well, what do you know…another grandson. Decide on a name yet? And where's his daddy?”

Melissa nodded. “I've decided on a name. He'll be Trevor Jake McSween.”

“What?” J.R. was dumbfounded. “McSween? I'm sorry honey, but this baby's a Ewing. He's got Ewing blood in him.”

“J.R., there's a lot that's gone on that you don't know about and I'm sorry, but John Ross is not going to be a part of my son's life—and neither are you.”

J.R. frowned. “If you're talking about that mistake he almost made with Pamela Rebecca, you might as well get over it. He wasn't in his right mind when he tried to do that.”

Melissa nodded. “I'll say. He ignored me through my pregnancy and wouldn't even speak to me. John Ross Ewing is out of my life forever. He hurt me so bad…and I don't think I can ever forgive him for that.”

Todd's Apartment

Todd dropped his keys as he entered his apartment, laughing the whole time. Lucy stumbled in after time, laughing equally as much. They had been at the bar for hours, drinking and laughing and drinking some more. Lucy had seemed to forget her problems with Neil and Todd forgot his problems and they just had fun. And they flirted. Lucy was the one that really initiated it, but Todd took the hint and did his part too. They were drunk, so he assumed it was in fun. It was in fun, wasn't it?

Lucy picked up Todd's keys for him, and dangled them sloppily. “What is this thing?” she asked, referring to a shiny triangular shape that Todd had on his keychain.

“I got it in the mail with some magazine subscription to a magazine,” he replied in his own drunken state. He realized how ridiculous that last statement was.

“Well I think it's fancy,” Lucy emphasized the last word dramatically. Todd burst out laughing. “What is so funny?” Lucy asked, laughing a little herself.

“That word.”

“What word?”

“Fancy,” Todd said, imitating as she said it. He was laughing the whole time.

Lucy couldn't stop thinking how cute he was as his infectious laughter spread to her. “Well what's wrong with it?”

“It's such a lame word. It's not fancy even though it's supposed to be,” Todd was almost crying he was laughing so hard. “It's like putting jelly beans in cool whip and calling it 'Rhinestones in the Snow.'” He was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe.

Lucy was too. “What the hell are you talking about?” She was as drunk as he was. Neither of them made any sense. They both collapsed onto the couch and laughed.

In the movement of laughing, Lucy leaned against Todd. Their faces came inches apart. “You're fancy,” she said to him. She wasn't thinking. She had wanted to say something for so long. He was so attractive.

“You're pretty fancy yourself,” Todd said, suddenly not laughing. They were staring at each other.

And then they kissed. Long and hard. Lucy forgot she had a husband, and Todd did too. The alcohol had taken control. Or more appropriately, their passion had.

Rex Wentworth's Penthouse

Night had descended over the town of Dallas, but the city hadn't ceased to be full of life. Rex had spent most of the evening out on his balcony, thinking about the next phase of his plan. An idea had come to him during all the thinking and he marveled at his own genius.

No matter how much or how deep Gregor was to dig into Cliff's past, there would be things he'd never know. But on the other hand, there was one person who was bound to know almost everything—Afton Cooper Barnes.

Without even realizing it until now, Rex had already set the first phase of his new plan into motion by having dinner with Afton. He knew he'd managed to charm her and if he played his cards just right, he just might be able to win her over to his side. From the looks of things last night, it appeared that she was already halfway there. And then…just maybe, Afton would help him bring Cliff Barnes down.

Southfork Ranch

It was late when Christopher finally returned home to Southfork. He was exhausted, physically and emotionally. And although, he hadn't had a free moment to think about it, he was sober, and had been since Karen's return.

As he climbed the stairs, he silently cursed himself for not calling Melissa today. After all the months they had leaned on each other for support, their lives were now pulling them in two different directions. Despite all of the stress, Christopher was stronger than he had ever been before. And Melissa, well, Melissa had John Ross. At least Christopher hoped that John Ross had come to his senses and realized that his place was with her, not Pamela Rebecca. He shook his head in wonder that his cousin would even have to think twice about that decision! As he walked down the hallway to his bedroom, he made a mental note to call and check on Melissa first thing in the morning.

As he was walking by, he noticed a light in Austin's room. Christopher decided to peek in.

“Hey Austin, what are you doing still awake? It's late.”

“Oh, hi Christopher, I couldn't sleep.”

Since Karen had come home, his main focus had been on her. He hadn't given it a lot of thought, but he suddenly realized that sitting before him was a little boy who, if all went well, would probably legally be his son someday. He went in the room and sat down on the side of Austin's bed, just like his own dad had done so many times with him.

Austin looked up at Christopher. He knew that he was Karen's husband but that was about all he knew about him. But if Karen loved him, then Austin figured, he must be okay.

“So, how are you doing? I mean, how's school? Do you like it here?” Christopher stammered a little and realized that he was not quite used to dealing with a six year old.

“It's okay. School, I mean.”

“And what about living here at Southfork?”

“That's all right too.”

Christopher could tell that Austin's answer was less than enthusiastic. “What? You mean you don't like to swim, or ride horses?” He said with a grin, trying to cheer the boy up a little.

“It's not that. It's just that I don't have anyone to play with. I can't swim by myself and I've never ridden a horse. There's no one here when I get home from school except that 'Theresa lady' and that old nurse. Grace is here, but you can't really play with a baby. I liked that lady who brought me here, but she's gone now. And most of all I miss my mommy.”

“That lady was my mother Austin, and she'll be back soon.” Christopher decided to sidestep the comment about missing Karen; he just didn't quite know how to deal with that.

“Oh, it's all right, I know all about how people disappear.”

Looking at Austin lying there, he thought that that could have easily been him if his adoptive parents hadn't been so wonderful. People had been coming and going so much in Austin's life lately that he had come to accept it as normal. Christopher was suddenly determined that that was going to change. This little boy needed a stable family and that was just what he and Karen planned to give him someday if everything went well.

“Hey, did you know that this used to be my room when I was a little boy?”

“Really?” Austin giggled, it was funny to think of this grown man as a little boy!

“That's right, in fact, I slept in this very same bed.” Suddenly, Christopher had an idea. “Come on Austin, I have some thing to show you that I think you'll like!” Christopher smiled as he took Austin's hand and led him down the hall and to the door of the attic. Christopher opened the door and started to lead him in…..

Austin paused, “what's up there?”

“Come on, you'll see.”

“No way! Are you crazy? I'm not going up there at night in the dark!”

Christopher smiled and knelt down. “Do you mean you are scared of the dark?”

“No, I'm not scared of the dark.” Austin protested, “Just scared of what's in the dark!”

“Oh, well then that's too bad. I guess you won't get to see your surprise then.”

“Surprise! What is it?”

“I can't tell; I'd have to show you.” Christopher took Austin's hand and began to lead him back to his room.

Austin hung back. “Wait. Maybe it would be okay, you'll be there with me right?”

Christopher smiled, “Of course I will. But if you're too scared….”

Suddenly Austin began pulling Christopher back to the attic door. “Come on, Christopher, that is, unless you're chicken.”

Up in the attic Christopher pulled out a big trunk and began to open it. Austin stared at it, wide-eyed, and said, “Wait, what's in there?”

“Oh, only a few skeletons.” Austin turned and began to run down the steps. Christopher grabbed him, “hold on, I was only joking – look.”

Austin looked into the trunk and what he saw made him smile and squeal with delight. “Wow! I've never seen so many toys! Where did they come from?” Before Austin, in the trunk, sat a train set, all kinds of little racecars and trucks, and tons of different kinds of blocks and erector sets.

“These were mine when I was little; and now they're yours.”

Austin's hug startled Christopher but he happily hugged him back. Together they lugged the trunk down the steps and into Austin's room.

“Now, you have to get to sleep, you have school in the morning.”

Austin looked into the trunk and pulled out a blue and white racecar; Christopher recognized it, it had been his favorite. “Can I bring this to bed with me?”

“Sure, now come on.”

Christopher tucked him in and gave him a tentative kiss on the forehead. Austin was asleep before Chris even got to the door. He stood at the door looking at the sleeping boy for a moment. Ever since he had found out that Megan wasn't his he felt he had been missing something in his life. He looked at Austin again and smiled, being a father was going to be great.

The Woods Near Southfork

“Why are we out here?” she asked.

“There's a clearing over here,” Greg said to his girlfriend Jenny. “It's nice. It will give us some privacy.” He squeezed her hand. “We won't have to worry about anyone bothering us.”

Jenny was a little nervous, but excited. She and Greg's parents were both home, so they couldn't really be alone. Now was their chance. She had been waiting so long for this night.

They finally reached the clearing, but Greg seemed to trip over something. “Watch out, there's a big log there,” he said.

It brushed Jenny's sandaled foot. It didn't feel like a log; it was kind of soft. “Put the flashlight on it, I think it's something else.” Greg turned the flashlight on and aimed it at the ground.

When Jenny saw the man's decomposing body, she screamed.

Credits Roll