Melissa had awakened that morning to cloudy skies, which was just as well, because they mirrored her life at the moment. She was still furious at John Ross—more furious now than she'd been before. He'd threatened to take her son away and Melissa was determined to prevent that from happening—which was exactly why she was at the Alamo Diner now.

The bell above the door dinged and Sly Lovegren walked into the bustling diner. Once she spotted Melissa sitting in the corner, she walked over to her. "Hey Melissa," Sly said as she took her seat. "I stopped by the hospital to see T.J. He's so adorable!"

Melissa smiled. "Thank you. You know…you and I haven't really spent much time together lately. I miss all those chats we used to have when you'd come over for dinner. You were a part of the family…"

"Yeah, I miss those too. How's Uncle Harry? What about Trevor and Angela?"

"I haven't talked to Uncle Harry in a while, but last I heard, he was fine. Mom and Dad are doing great. They're back in Dallas now."

"That's great. Are they staying at your place?"

"Yeah, for the time being."

"I'll have to stop by and see them soon…if J.R. ever gives me a day off."

A waitress stepped up to the table with a pad in hand. "Mornin' ladies, what can I get for ya?"

"Are you eating?" Melissa asked Sly.

"I'm famished. I didn't have a chance to eat anything before I left home." She picked up her menu and quickly scanned it. After a few seconds, she turned back to the waitress. "I'll have a Texas omelet, but without the tomato, please. Orange juice to drink."

The waitress turned to Melissa. "And I'll have pancakes topped with strawberries and whipped cream…strawberry syrup too."

"And to drink?"

"Milk."

"Okay ladies, that'll be right out." The waitress disappeared into the kitchen and Melissa and Sly resumed their conversation.

"So what I wanted to talk to you about…" Melissa propped her elbows on the table and leaned forward. "Do you know anything about my situation with John Ross?"

Sly shook her head. "Nope…"

"Ok. Well, during my pregnancy he refused to speak to me…let alone have anything to do with me. I had to fend for myself and everything. Then, he went and almost married Pamela Rebecca Cooper. I saw that and went into labor. John Ross immediately wanted back into my life…and T.J.'s, but I refused to let that happen…not after he hurt me like he did."

"God, that's awful Melissa…he really sounds like he's become like his father."

Melissa grinned. "That's what I was hoping you'd be able to help me with."

"I don't understand."

"John Ross threatened to take T.J. away from me…with J.R.'s help. You know I can't let that happen."

"But how will you stop it? I've worked for J.R. long enough to learn that he most always gets what he wants."

"Bingo. I'm sure J.R. has done some pretty rotten things to do that, right?"

Sly was momentarily quiet. "Maybe."

"Sly, look…I need your help. I need some dirt on J.R. Anything. I just need something to use as leverage against him to make sure that he doesn't try to pull anything with T.J.—"

"Look Melissa," Sly interrupted. "I can understand your wanting to protect your son, but I can't help you. My loyalties lie with J.R. and I can't betray him like that—not again."

Melissa's face fell. "Oh…"

"I hope you understand and I hope this doesn't affect our friendship. We've grown apart over the years, with us both being so busy, but I'd like for that to change and I don't want this to stand in the way."

Melissa did understand, but that didn't soothe her disappointment. If Sly wasn't going to help her, then she'd have to do the digging herself. After all, she was a detective.

Southfork Ranch

Miss Ellie thanked Theresa as she put her breakfast plate in front of her and she picked up her fork and looked around the table, where most of the family was gathered for breakfast. Even Lucy had stopped by to join them, but Neil was noticeably absent.

"Lucy, where is Neil this morning?"

Lucy had hoped to avoid a question like that, but she decided that she didn't have to tell them anymore than she wanted to. That was one benefit of not living at Southfork—it wasn't hard to keep your problems hidden.

"He went into the office early today." And it was the truth. Neil had gone into the office early, but Lucy didn't tell them why. They didn't need to know.

J.R. sipped from his glass of orange juice and then wiped his mouth. "Don't tell me this marriage is already crumbling…heck, even I gave it longer than this."

Lucy shot J.R. an icy look. Now she would be forced to lie. "No J.R., my marriage is just fine thanks. Which is probably more than I can say for your love life. Old age got you down?"

Jillian, who was sitting next to her father, frowned at Lucy and decided it was time to change the subject. "Did any of you guys hear all the noises last night?"

Miss Ellie instantly looked up. She'd talked to Wade earlier and she knew the cowhands had taken turns fending off the coyotes during the night. He'd also called Dr. Holden, the local vet, but he had yet to arrive.

"There was a problem with some of the cows," Ellie answered.

Bobby, who had been silent, looked up. "What? What's wrong Momma?"

"I could have sworn I heard a gunshot too," Jillian interrupted.

Ellie put her fork down. She knew she owed them all an explanation. "I heard the cows and went out to investigate. When I saw coyotes, I woke up Wade and then I fired a shot and killed one."

Austin's eyes grew large. "Wow! Are coyotes like wolves?"

Christopher cracked a smile and it felt good to be able to do that. Austin was settling nicely into Southfork and he hoped that they'd soon know Karen's fate...and that it would be positive. Plus, there was the revelation about Megan...something he needed to tell Karen, once the trial was over. "They're like the little guy on TV, the one that's always trying to catch the roadrunner but never does."

Austin's young face lit up with recognition. "Oh yeah, he's funny…but he's really dumb too."

The entire group burst into laughter and once everyone settled down, Jack spoke up. "Miss Ellie, what was wrong with the cows?"

"Well, we really don't know yet. Wade thinks they got into some poison somewhere, but it could be something else. He called the vet this morning and he should be out here soon."

Jack sipped his drink and nodded. "Well if you need my help with anything, let me know. After all these months of being cooped up in the office, I could stand to help out on the ranch."

"Same here," Bobby chimed in.

"No, there'll be no need for that," Ellie said, "That's what I hired the new foreman for and he and I can handle this just fine."

Bobby grinned and as much as he would have liked to help her, he knew it was best if she dealt with this herself. It gave her something to do—something to take her mind off of Clayton. Right now, that was just what the doctor ordered.

Dallas Jail

Eric Stone picked at his plate of food, but found that most of it was inedible. By now, he should have been used to the food there, but he wasn't sure he'd ever be. He just hoped his lawyer and Adam would be able to get him off the hook. Eric wondered how long he'd stay here before he went absolutely insane. Something told him it wouldn't take long.

Despite the fact that he was in jail, he knew if he had it all over to do again, he'd still do it. He and Karen had grown so close while they were on the run together. If they hadn't turned themselves in…but Eric tried not to think about that. What he did think about was the near-kiss that they'd almost shared…

Eric shifted to one side and looked at Karen. "Remember last Christmas when that Christmas tree and ornaments showed up in the children's ward at the hospital? And the donation? You were wondering who did all of that…"

"Yeah, I was. But I know now."

"You do?"

"You did," Karen said, matter-of-factly.

Eric looked away, almost embarrassed. How long had she known. "You knew all along?"

"Not at first, but I eventually figured it out. Eric, that was the most generous and most sweet thing you've ever done. The day I figured that out, I think I really saw you in a new light."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

"I figured I'd wait until you wanted me to know."

"I have another confession…I hate to say this."

"I know what it is. You only made the donation to get closer to me and to make me like you."

"At first. All I wanted was for you to love me—I would have given away everything I had for that to happen. But now I know you can't make someone love you. I've learned that while being on the run with you. I feel like I've gotten to know you so well. But I still love you."

Karen looked away but he took her chin and turned her face back around until their eyes met. "I…I love Christopher," she said.

"I know you do. I didn't know that at first, but now I do. Christopher's a good man, even though we haven't gotten along in the past. He loves you too." It was the hardest thing Eric had ever tried to say—and the most hurtful to himself.

"I'll always love Chris, but that part of my life is in the past. I…I have to divorce him somehow so he can get on with his life. He deserves better than me. He deserves a woman who can be there for him—be there to love him. I have other obligations now—my son."

"I want to go with you wherever you go…to protect you and Austin."

Karen smiled, but she was crying. Oh Christopher, forgive me. "I need you Eric."

Eric encircled her in his arms and pulled her face closer to his until their lips were almost touching. The knock at the door startled them both and Karen pulled back…

He wasn't expecting an officer to come and unlock his cell and as the door slid open, Eric walked over to him. "What's going on?" he asked.

"You've got a visitor."

Eric followed the officer out into the visitation area and he took a seat and found himself staring through the glass at his mother. Marilee Stone smiled upon seeing her son. "Eric…"

"Mom? I wasn't expecting to see you here…"

"What on earth are you doing here?"

"Long story. To sum it up, I helped Karen Ewing kidnap the son she gave up for adoption.

Marilee was shocked. "I had no idea…I've been away for too long."

"Obviously. I tried to call you, but I got the machine."

"I've been in Europe for several months, but as soon as I got your message, I came to Dallas. We have to get you out of here! What can I do?"

"The lawyers are doing everything they can…and Dad is helping too."

The idea of Cliff Barnes being Eric's father was still a sore subject to Marilee. She and Eric had argued extensively about whether or not to tell him. Finally, Eric had gone behind her back to do it. "I was actually thinking of something more direct. I don't trust lawyers. I don't suppose there's a better way to spring you out of this filthy joint though. Unless…"

"Forget it. They're delivering a verdict probably tomorrow and then if everything goes my way, I'll be out of here. Then I hope to God that I never see the inside of this place, or any like it, again."

Southfork Ranch

Wade kneeled onto the dusty ground beside Dr. Holden as the doctor prepared to give a diagnosis. "Well Wade, I'd say they've definitely been poisoned, but I can't say by what. Might want to take some samples from their water supply and send them down to the lab for analysis."

Wade nodded and turned to Manny and Jess. "Ok fellows, you heard the man. We need to get a water sample from the lake down there and then another one from the watering trough. Then when you get that, I reckon we should round up what's left of the cattle and pen them up in the east pasture. Drain that water trough and then fill her back up, just in case there's somethin' in it."

"Yeah, we'll get right on that."

After Manny and Jess had gone, Dr. Holden stood up. "Wade, I'm thinking that maybe somebody did this. I think maybe they intentionally poisoned the water supply…and the Ewings have plenty of enemies. Might be worth investigating."

"I'll talk to Mrs. Farlow…see if she has any ideas about who might do some crazy somethin' like this."

"Sounds like a plan. And once those boys round up those water samples, make sure somebody gets them to me at my office."

"Yeah, will do. Thanks Doc."

Dallas Courthouse

"Well Mr. Marshall lets get this thing over with." Judge Moore lost his patience with this case a long time ago and it was showing. Marshall Clark was seated at the prosecutor's table checking over his notes for the closing argument. He was slow to rise and so Judge Moore thought he would hurry him along. "Can we do this today Mr. Marshall?"

Clark looked up; he could do without the sarcasm. "Pardon me, Your Honor." He rose and addressed the jury. "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury. When we began this trial a few weeks ago, we promised to show you that Karen Ewing and Eric Stone were guilty of the charges brought against them. I believe we have done that."

As Clark painstakingly recounted the evidence the state had presented, Karen sat at the defense table emotionless. Not because she was detached from it all, but because she had cried until she had no more tears to cry.

As for Christopher, he was nervous enough for both of them. This was it, a speech by both attorneys and then, finally, a verdict. It couldn't come too soon. He wasn't sure how much longer Karen could last. As Mr. Marshall continued to tell the members of the jury why they should convict his wife, Christopher leaned forward and patted her on the shoulder. Karen instinctively grabbed his hand and held it for a minute before letting go. There was still hope.

Eric looked over at Karen and thought she looked amazingly calm, too calm. As for him, he was actually feeling a little scared for the first time. It was as though the reality of the situation had not hit him until the closing arguments started and he heard the prosecutor telling the jury how guilty he was. He was innocent! Karen had dragged him into this! Could it really be possible that he would spend many of his young years in prison? For the first time, he found himself wondering if she was really worth it.

"… and so, that is why the state is asking you to return a verdict of guilty on all charges. Thank you." Clark sat down. He felt the evidence was convincing and he just realized the notoriety that would be his when he put a Ewing and a Stone/Barnes behind bars. He smiled to himself; maybe it was going to be a good day after all.

Scalini Restaurant

Lucy had to admit curiosity had gotten the best of her in the end. She had not taken anything Afton said on the phone to heart, being that it was Afton. But the fact that she brought up Neil struck a chord with Lucy. She had received that phone call about Neil, and then Afton calling her. She was sure it was a coincidence---just Afton trying to cause trouble. Yet a part of her remained uneasy.

"Lucy," Afton smiled as Lucy sat down, thanking the hostess. "I'm so glad that you came."

"This had better be good," Lucy demanded, putting her napkin on her lap.

"I thought that we made peace."

"Had we? I can never really tell with you."

Afton sighed. "This is not about me, this is about you. Or rather, your husband."

"So, what is it?" Lucy crossed her arms.

Afton sat up a bit straighter. The moment that she had been relishing for months was about to arrive. "Neil isn't who you think he is."

"Oh really? And you're an expert on Neil?"

"Actually, yes. I am." Lucy just stared. Afton continued. "We knew each other a long time ago."

Lucy gave no indication that she was going to speak. Afton took a sip of water and continued. She had a captive audience: this was when she shone. "As I said, Neil and I met years ago, after I left Dallas for the second time. Pamela Rebecca was small. My singing jobs were sparse."

"Get to the point."

"I had to take a job singing in a lot of dives. I met Neil in one outside Chicago. He was bartending, trying to put himself through school I guess."

"So?"

"So, we became friends. Flirted a little---he is a catch. I found out that school wasn't the only reason he was working so many hours."

Lucy shifted uncomfortably. Afton suppressed her smile. "He had gambling debts. Did you know that he was a gambling addict? Is a gambling addict, since there's not a cure or anything."

"You're lying."

"Oh, it gets better," Afton chided back. "Neil had debts that were mounting up and up. People were getting on his back to pay them back, real shady types. He even asked me for money, but I didn't have anything at the time. Enter sweet old Mrs. Jones."

"You're wasting your time."

"You've wasted yours if you don't hear this story through until the end. Mrs. Jones was this old lady that used to come into the bar a lot. I think she was very lonely. What Neil, and I, later found out was that the woman had more money than God. What Neil apparently found out was that she was willing to spend it in exchange for the kindness and company of a virile young man."

"This is unbelievable."

"But completely true. Neil married her to pay off his debts. She was so old and lonely that he had her wrapped around his finger. He was manipulating her from the get-go. Too bad she died."

"What happened?" Lucy wanted to hit herself for actually responding to Afton's story. A part of her, deep down inside, was scared it was true.

"Well, they say she died of a heart attack, but I suppose anyone would have one when they learned that their new husband stole all their money."

"Neil would never do that."

"But he did, and he got his gambling debts paid for, and school on top of that. I really don't think he expected her to die though."

"And how do you know all of this? I'm so sure that Neil just decided to tell you."

"When he was drunk, which was a lot back then, yeah. He was proud of his little scheme for a while. We were friends. He'd get drunk and spill his guts. He didn't want her to die, though. He wasn't a murderer."

"I don't believe it."

"It's all true. You can do the research if you want. Anyway, it caused such a scandal that Neil took his degree and got his pretty butt out of Chicago. I lost contact with him. I guess that's when he moved away and met his wife or whatever. Anyway, when he moved to Dallas, it was the first time I had seen him in years."

"What? Did he just call you up?"

"I don't think he knew I was in town. I was in the hospital in Boston, so Dallas Dish was not on the air. Imagine his surprise when we ran into each other at the mall. He almost had a heart attack himself."

Lucy was beginning to get more and more uncomfortable, the possibility of truth seeping more into her mind. Afton knew her audience, and she loved it. "I was shocked to learn that he'd become so successful, being a businessman and everything. Such a different Neil. He really got his act together."

"What does this have to do with me?"

"Oh, I guess you haven't figured it out yet," Afton said condescendingly. "I blackmailed him into marrying you." She smiled.

Lucy sat there, frozen for a minute. Shock and appall mixed together throughout her entire body. "What?"

"He was such a successful guy. He couldn't have his whole shady past getting out, could he? It would ruin his reputation as a businessman. The whole thing with the marriage, I mean, it was a story tabloids would eat up. Plus, even though he paid them back, he didn't leave on the best terms with his…gambling associates."

"This is crazy."

"But completely true. You were single, so I decided to have a little fun. He became your business advisor and romanced you. The deal was that I kept my mouth shut if he swept you off your feet, put a ring on your finger and then dumped your ass the next day."

Lucy's eyes were bulging. "You're lying. You've gone too far, this time. I don't know what this vendetta is that you have against me, but this is pathetic. Making up these lies…"

"They're not lies. Now that you've settled in marital bliss, I wanted him to spill it. He bought some more time though, claiming that you'd be more hurt if you two were together for a while. Then Clayton was shot, so I laid off him, out of respect to Clayton."

"I'm so touched."

"Neil been acting moody lately? A little weird?"

Lucy's silence indicated to Afton that she had hit a nerve. "Probably because I've really put the heat on him. I mean, I understand that his daughter had that operation, but really. He was delaying. Did you like the little phone call the other day?"

"How did you…"

"That was me. Anyway, Neil was stalling, so I decided to just do the job myself. So, there you go. Your husband's secret past. He never loved you Lucy. He married you to protect himself."

"You're lying."

"Ask him. Go ahead," Afton snidely remarked. "He can't deny it."

"You are disgusting. You're just looking to cause problems."

"I'm looking to even the score."

"You are despicable."

"Don't let your anger with Neil speak. You really should talk to him." Afton played mock concern.

Lucy stood up and threw her napkin down on the table. She was still in shock. It was hard for her to formulate thoughts, let alone words. All she could think of, all she could feel was the fear that Afton was right. "Ask him. He won't lie," Afton said again.

Lucy stormed out of the restaurant, tears streaming down her face. She'd prove Afton wrong. She'd talk to Neil.

Oil Baron's Club

"Is there ANY other restaurant in Dallas?" Sue Ellen mumbled to herself. Jack looked across at her and knew what that meant. He turned around. J.R. and Iris Wentworth walked from an elevator to the hostess's station.

"Just ignore them," Jack said.

"That's like ignoring an elephant sitting on your face," Sue Ellen bounced back. She knew they should have gone to Scalini.

"We can leave," Jack said.

"No. We've already started our meal. It would just satisfy him if we left."

Dora Mae began to lead J.R. and Iris to their table. He caught sight of Sue Ellen. "Well, Sue Ellen. Nice to see you."

Sue Ellen gave a fake and condescending smile.

"Jack? That you?" J.R. looked at his cousin in mock surprise.

"Sit down, J.R. Please. But at your own table." Sue Ellen hated her ex-husband when he was like this.

"I'm sorry. I just thought you would have broken up by now. Really, Sue Ellen. I've always taken you for a smarter woman."

"J.R., let's get our table." Iris didn't want this scene to continue. "You better sit before I knock you on your butt," Jack said.

"Is that a fact? Wouldn't put it towards you to have the coordination to form a fist."

Jack moved his seat back, but before he could get up, Iris was pulling J.R. away. Dora Mae showed them to their table.

Once they had settled in and ordered their drinks, Iris addressed J.R. "Why do you always harass her?"

"Who?"

"Sue Ellen."

"What are you, honey? Her personal defender?"

"I'm curious."

"I was telling her what I thought of her current relationship."

"Why do you care?" There was jealousy in her voice.

"I don't."

"Obviously you do. Every time I turn around, we're running into her, and you're always making some comment to her. The two of you are like a verbal tennis match. Back and forth with insults."

J.R. laughed. "I suppose it is a sight."

Iris did not think it was funny, and her face showed it. "I don't like to see it."

"Are you getting jealous?" There was a hint of flirtation in J.R.'s voice.

"She seems to be on your mind a lot."

"She's the cause of a lot of headaches."

"That are seemingly ever present, then. You live together, work together. What next? Investing in stock together?"

"Green isn't your color, Iris."

She leaned back in her seat and crossed her arms. J.R. was playing it cool, but she was sick of Sue Ellen Ewing. She was always around. At work, at Southfork. Every single time they went out, J.R. would bring her up. He would hide behind his criticisms and bashing, but she was still the topic of conversation. Why was she always on his mind? Iris tried to ignore it; even while they were eating and the conversation changed to everything in the world but Sue Ellen. She wanted to believe he wasn't thinking of her. But the fact that he intermittently kept looking over at Jack and Sue Ellen's table told her he was.

Dallas Courthouse

If Adam Demerest looked cool and confident, that's because he was. Throughout the trial he was generally reading over some notes, or scribbling on a legal pad while Clark was talking, but not today. Adam never used notes for a closing argument. He figured if he didn't know the case well enough by then to close it down, then he hadn't done his job. And that hadn't happened to him yet. Closing arguments were his favorite part of the case, second only to cross-examinations.

"Mr. Demerest, is the defense ready?" He didn't have to ask twice, Adam was on his feet.

"Thank you, Your Honor." Adam turned toward the jury box, "Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, first of all, I want to thank you for your patience with us over the course of this trial. Over the next few minutes, we are going to take a little journey. We are going to travel back over the roads that we have taken in presenting this case. The trick to our journey is that only one of those roads is the right one and you, as the jury, have to decide which one leads to the truth. Be assured that there is only one truth."

The facts of this case are basically not in dispute. Eric and Karen did fly to Philadelphia, Karen did take Austin with her back to the hotel, they did elude the police and Karen regretfully admits to hitting the officer. But there is a fork in the road here, because ladies and gentlemen, if that was all this case were about, then we could all go home right now." Adam leaned forward and emphasized each word, "But it is not."

"You must look to the motive behind the actions. You have to look into the hearts and minds of those involved."

"Now, lets start down the first leg of that journey. Mr. Marshall wants you to believe that there was a conspiracy between Karen and Eric to kidnap Austin Anders. Is it true? Ask yourself, if they planned the trip, then why did they buy return plane tickets that they never intended to use? And if they were going to fly back to Dallas with Austin, why wasn't there a ticket for him? Do you remember Pearl, that sweet elderly lady from the car rental? She talked to Karen. She said that Karen wasn't acting nervous or anxious like someone who was planning to commit a crime. They even talked about Philadelphia and Karen mentioned to her that she was going to go and visit her family. If she were planning to go and kidnap a little boy that day, would she plan to take him to visit her family? None of that makes sense. These are all dead ends."

"And what about the hotel manager? Do you remember his testimony? He had a registry that Karen and Eric signed when they arrived there that day. If you will remember, he testified that their check out date must have changed, because it was 'whited out' on the original register. Does that make sense? Not if you believe what Mr. Marshall tells you, that they planned to kidnap Austin and leave that night. But that's not the road to the truth, that's a wrong turn… What really happened there is exactly what Karen testified to, they originally intended to stay not just for one night, but for a few days. Is there conspiracy here? Was there a plan? I think the evidence is clear that there was not."

Adam stopped to take a sip of his water. "But let's move on to the main road. Did a kidnapping occur here? If there was no kidnapping, then all of the other charges must fall. Without kidnapping, there can be no aiding and abetting, no accessory after the fact, no obstruction of justice. All of those charges depend on whether a kidnapping took place. Because you can't aid and abet a non criminal act nor are you wrong in fleeing if you are not guilty of a crime. And of course, if no crime was committed, you cannot be an accessory 'after the fact'."

"Mr. Marshall would have you believe that what occurred here was a cold premeditated act of the kidnapping of a child. But I believe that when you look at all of the evidence, what you see is the desperate act of a mother seeking to protect her child. The key to this question lies in Austin's own testimony. He told you that Jan Anders abused him; I believe his words were that she 'hit me… a lot'. Karen's testimony backs this up. If you believe Austin, you have to believe Karen because they said essentially the same things. She saw the bruises on him. He told her what happened to him. What did she do? Here was a five-year-old child, her child, left alone in a house at night. He's being abused and he's scared. What did Karen do? Ask yourself, what would you do? Her instincts were to get that child out of danger as quickly as possible. Her motivation was not to kidnap him; it was to protect him. That is the right road, the only road; it's the road to the truth."

"There is a very old Book that says; 'You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free'. In this case, ladies and gentlemen, you have listened to the evidence and I am confident that you know the truth. That truth will set Karen free."

Neil and Lucy's

Neil was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea and looking over some files. He hadn't seen Lucy all day. He wasn't surprised. They had barely uttered five words to each other since their fight the day before, when he got home from Pennsylvania. When he heard her car pull in the driveway, he was glad. They had to talk, this silence was ridiculous.

She walked in through the kitchen, and their eyes locked for a moment. He knew immediately that something was wrong. He feared the worst.

"I want you to answer me, and I want you to be totally honest. No lies. Not anymore." Lucy looked like she was on the verge of tears. She was clutching her purse like it was her lifeblood.

Did she know? "What's wrong?"

"Did you know Afton, years ago?"

Neil's heart sank. "No."

"Don't you lie to me. Not this time." Her eyes were tearing.

"I did."

"It's true then?" Neil was silent. "Answer me!" She screamed.

"Yes."

Lucy walked over to the table and slapped Neil across the face. "You son of a bitch!" She screamed. Her tears were flowing freely now, and she was making no attempt to stop them. "I loved you!"

"I love you. It was a stupid mistake I made, but I love you Lucy!"

"Get out! Get out of this house!"

"I was scared. Afton was threatening me, and I worked so hard to get where I was. I was scared she was going to take it all away."

"So you decided to ruin my life!"

"I didn't know you. I thought you were just some spoiled little rich girl grown up."

"Did you? I'd love to see what you think about me now. Laugh with Afton a lot?"

"Stop it!" He grabbed her arm. "I love you now. I don't know how else to apologize."

"Save it. Leave."

Neil just stood there. He was determined to stand his ground. He loved her too much to not work it out.

"Better yet, I'll leave," Lucy said, picking up on Neil's determination. She walked past him, towards the door to the garage. Upon opening the door, she turned around. "I'll be at Southfork, but don't even try to contact me. I want a divorce." She turned around and slammed the door.

Southfork Ranch

Sue Ellen and Jack walked into the main hallway. There was a brief moment of awkwardness. Or was there? Sue Ellen wondered if it was her own discomfort with the situation.

She did care about Jack, but she wondered if she really cared about him. She questioned whether she still had an attraction to him. He was a handsome man, without doubt. He was sweet, and kind. Sue Ellen liked him, and enjoyed spending time with him. At first the thoughts had been at the back of her mind, slowly creeping to the surface, but dinner had solidified it. She had realized at dinner that she did not love Jack. She questioned whether she still had even had an attraction to him. He was a handsome man, without doubt. He was sweet, and kind. Sue Ellen liked him and enjoyed spending time with him. But, J.R.'s words had a ring of truth to them. Jack was not a loser, no. But should she be with him?

Jack tried to lean in for a kiss, and Sue Ellen wanted to tell him everything right then and there, but she knew it wouldn't be right. She didn't feel anything when they kissed anymore. Was it her? Maybe she needed to give it a little more time. A part of her was still hurting from Jack sleeping with Dominique….

Before Sue Ellen could register another thought, Lucy came storming into the hallway, tears streaming down her eyes. "Lucy," Sue Ellen said as she pulled away from Jack.

Her ex-niece did not even acknowledge her as she flew past them. "Hey, wait up," Jack said but trying to talk to her was pointless.

Lucy ran upstairs, Sue Ellen and Jack's heads following her. "I should go up there and see what's wrong."

"Do you think she wants to be alone?"

"I don't think she would have let us see her if she wanted to be alone, Jack." Sue Ellen patted him on the arm and headed upstairs.

As she walked up the stairs, Sue Ellen quietly thanked God for an excuse to escape, at least momentarily. She needed to sort out her feelings. She hoped that Lucy was alright, though.

Jack, standing at the bottom of the stairs, tried to ignore the feeling that he had that something was very wrong, and not just with Lucy.

Rex's Penthouse

The incredible banging on the door was enough to wake up an entire neighborhood, let alone wake Rex from his nap. Afton didn't want to disturb him. She was trying to be on her best behavior, so she quickly ran to the door to get it. Neil was standing there, a look of rage on his face.

"Go away," Afton said through the half open door.

Neil pushed the door open with his hand and forced his way in. Afton backed away towards the wall. She looked behind her, into the long hallway towards the living room. Rex seemed to still be asleep. "You bitch," Neil said, and slapped her across the face.

Afton recoiled from the sting with her hands to her face. "Someone had to tell her. How worse that it was me than you."

"You make me sick!"

"I could say the same thing to you. I didn't do this alone, Neil."

"I love her."

"Quit it with the song and dance. I've heard it before."

"She's going to divorce me!" Neil was trying to hold back the tears in his eyes.

"And you're surprised?" Afton turned away to see if Rex was awake.

As she turned around, Neil could feel himself fill with rage. He was shaking. He looked at the small table next to him, and grabbed a bronze statute of a woman with her arms in a concocted position. It was tall and thin, and very, very blunt. He raised it over Afton's head.

He could have killed her. In that moment, he could have killed her. She had told Lucy his secret, and quite possibly ruined his life with her. He almost did it. But he couldn't. The consequences would be too much.

He placed the statue back just as Afton turned around and demanded that he leave. Neil stared coldly at her for another second and then he turned around and stormed out. Afton went into the living room and said a silent prayer of thanks that Rex didn't wake up.

What she didn't realize was that Rex was awake, and that he had seen the whole thing. A man of his caliber kept state of the art security in his home, so when he heard the banging, he immediately turned the monitors in the room to the hall camera. He could hear Afton and Neil's shouting through the audio system that he had patched in. He saw everything; their fight, and Neil holding the statue over Afton's head.

Rex smiled as an idea formulated in his head.

Credits Roll