Previously on DALLAS:
----------John Ross began a plan to set Cliff up to take a fall in business.
----------Sue Ellen continued to pine for Dusty.
----------At the annual Ewing Barbecue, John Ross proposed to Krystina and she said yes.
----------Lucy invited Mitch and his teenage son Daniel to the barbecue.
----------Lucas and Emma began to grow closer.
----------During an argument between himself, Emma, and Jenna, Lucas announced to the family that he and Emma are getting married!
----------Sue Ellen continued to pine for Dusty.
----------At the annual Ewing Barbecue, John Ross proposed to Krystina and she said yes.
----------Lucy invited Mitch and his teenage son Daniel to the barbecue.
----------Lucas and Emma began to grow closer.
----------During an argument between himself, Emma, and Jenna, Lucas announced to the family that he and Emma are getting married!
Southfork....
Bobby, Ann, Christopher, Jenna, Harris, Ray, and Donna are all completely stunned by Lucas's announcement at the Ewing Barbecue that he and Emma are getting married. Emma stares at Lucas in disbelief that he made such an announcement.
"What did you just say?" Jenna asks.
"You're getting married?" Ann asks.
"That's right," replies Lucas. "So Mom, that's something you're just gonna have to get use to."
"Never. Lucas, I WON'T let that happen."
"You don't have a choice. As Emma pointed out to you, I'm a grown man, capable of making my own decisions."
Emma looks from Lucas to Ann and Bobby, then she turns and runs into the house.
"Emma!" Lucas calls after her, but she keeps going. Lucas turns to his mother. "Now she what you did? Get use to it, Mom." After giving Jenna an angry look, Lucas runs after Emma.
Meanwhile, John Ross and Krystina return from the stables and walk up to Sue Ellen, who is standing near the crowd.
"Hey, what the hell's goin' on?" John Ross asks.
"Lucas just stunned the family by announcing that he and Emma are engaged," Sue Ellen replies.
"Really, now?" John Ross asks with a smile. "Wish I coulda been here for that one."
"What did you just say?" Jenna asks.
"You're getting married?" Ann asks.
"That's right," replies Lucas. "So Mom, that's something you're just gonna have to get use to."
"Never. Lucas, I WON'T let that happen."
"You don't have a choice. As Emma pointed out to you, I'm a grown man, capable of making my own decisions."
Emma looks from Lucas to Ann and Bobby, then she turns and runs into the house.
"Emma!" Lucas calls after her, but she keeps going. Lucas turns to his mother. "Now she what you did? Get use to it, Mom." After giving Jenna an angry look, Lucas runs after Emma.
Meanwhile, John Ross and Krystina return from the stables and walk up to Sue Ellen, who is standing near the crowd.
"Hey, what the hell's goin' on?" John Ross asks.
"Lucas just stunned the family by announcing that he and Emma are engaged," Sue Ellen replies.
"Really, now?" John Ross asks with a smile. "Wish I coulda been here for that one."
Meanwhile....
Emma storms into her former bedroom, Lucas following behind her. "Emma, I'm sorry," he says as they enter the bedroom.
She turns to him. "Lucas, I can't believe you just did that! What the hell was that? Why did you tell everyone that you had asked me to marry you and I said yes?"
"Emma, I'm sorry. I just wanted to......I wasn't thinking, okay? My Mom was really getting under my skin, so I said it to piss her off."
"Well, I think you succeeded in pissing everyone off, including me."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? It just came out before I knew what I was saying. Besides, maybe I didn't lie. At least not totally."
"What?" Emma asks, confused.
"Well, who's to say we won't get married one day? If we do, then I didn't lie."
"That logic is TOTALLY ridiculous."
"Maybe so. But did you see the looks on everyone's faces? Especially my Mom's?"
As she thinks about everyone's reaction to Lucas's announcement, Emma's anger begins to fade away, and unable to control herself, she bursts out laughing. Lucas also starts to laugh. "I thought for a second your mother was gonna keel over."
Lucas laughs. "Will you go along with me on this? For a while, anyway?"
"You mean let them all go on believing we really ARE engaged?" Emma asks.
She turns to him. "Lucas, I can't believe you just did that! What the hell was that? Why did you tell everyone that you had asked me to marry you and I said yes?"
"Emma, I'm sorry. I just wanted to......I wasn't thinking, okay? My Mom was really getting under my skin, so I said it to piss her off."
"Well, I think you succeeded in pissing everyone off, including me."
"Look, I'm sorry, okay? It just came out before I knew what I was saying. Besides, maybe I didn't lie. At least not totally."
"What?" Emma asks, confused.
"Well, who's to say we won't get married one day? If we do, then I didn't lie."
"That logic is TOTALLY ridiculous."
"Maybe so. But did you see the looks on everyone's faces? Especially my Mom's?"
As she thinks about everyone's reaction to Lucas's announcement, Emma's anger begins to fade away, and unable to control herself, she bursts out laughing. Lucas also starts to laugh. "I thought for a second your mother was gonna keel over."
Lucas laughs. "Will you go along with me on this? For a while, anyway?"
"You mean let them all go on believing we really ARE engaged?" Emma asks.
"Sure, why not?" Lucas asks. "It'll really annoy our families, and piss my mother off. Besides, I think it'll be fun messin' with them."
Emma looks at him for a moment, then shakes her head and smiles. "You're crazy, Lucas Krebbs. Absolutely crazy."
"Lucas......Ewing. I've already talked to Jay Smithfield about legally changing my last name to Ewing."
"But, you've been Lucas Krebbs your whole life," Emma says.
"And I don't wanna BE Lucas Krebbs anymore. I'm not a Krebbs. It's time for me to take my rightful place in this family, in the business, and take my rightful name. All rights that were stolen from me when I was born."
"Rightful place in the business, meaning.......Ewing Oil?"
"Yeah. Bobby said he could find a place for me in the company any time I wanted, and I'm already about to start that subsidiary company with Christopher and our cousin Bobby. And having worked at Ewing Global last year when Chris was taking time off after that ordeal in Mexico, I learned a lot about the oil business."
Emma looks at him for a moment, then shakes her head and smiles. "You're crazy, Lucas Krebbs. Absolutely crazy."
"Lucas......Ewing. I've already talked to Jay Smithfield about legally changing my last name to Ewing."
"But, you've been Lucas Krebbs your whole life," Emma says.
"And I don't wanna BE Lucas Krebbs anymore. I'm not a Krebbs. It's time for me to take my rightful place in this family, in the business, and take my rightful name. All rights that were stolen from me when I was born."
"Rightful place in the business, meaning.......Ewing Oil?"
"Yeah. Bobby said he could find a place for me in the company any time I wanted, and I'm already about to start that subsidiary company with Christopher and our cousin Bobby. And having worked at Ewing Global last year when Chris was taking time off after that ordeal in Mexico, I learned a lot about the oil business."
Emma smiles seductively. "Young, successful businessman, huh? I find that incredibly.......hot."
Lucas moves closer to her and smiles. "You remember last year at the Barbecue? You and I, we slipped off in this very room, and..........right in that very bed?"
"How could I ever forget that day? It was the first time that we......"
"Uh-huh. You wanna repeat some history?" Lucas asks.
"Sure you're up to it after that performance in the stables?"
"Oh yeah, I'm up for it," Lucas says. He leans in and begins kissing her passionately.
Lucas moves closer to her and smiles. "You remember last year at the Barbecue? You and I, we slipped off in this very room, and..........right in that very bed?"
"How could I ever forget that day? It was the first time that we......"
"Uh-huh. You wanna repeat some history?" Lucas asks.
"Sure you're up to it after that performance in the stables?"
"Oh yeah, I'm up for it," Lucas says. He leans in and begins kissing her passionately.
Outside, at the Barbecue....
Back at the Barbecue outside, Jenna is still fuming over Lucas's announcement.
"I don't believe this. I just don't BELIEVE this!" She complains.
"Jenna, honey, look, now just calm down," Harris tells her. "Why don't we just get outta here and go home?"
"I'm not going anywhere until I talk to my son."
"Jenna, I think Harris is right for once," says Bobby. "You're not gonna get anywhere with Lucas when you're so angry, so why don't you just go home for now?"
"She would LOVE that, wouldn't she?" Jenna asks, looking angrily at Ann.
"If you want the truth, YES," replies Ann. "I would like it if you left. In fact, I'd like it if I never had to lay eyes on you again."
"That would suit me just fine!"
"Mom, what's going on?" Charlie asks, walking over to Jenna. "What are you arguing about?"
"Your brother has just announced to the world that he's going to marry to that slut Emma Ryland."
"You callin' someone a slut makes about as much sense as a dog givin' milk," Ann says.
"I've had just about enough of you."
"And I've had MORE than enough of you! Bobby, I want this woman out of here!"
"Jenna....."
"Mom, let's go," Charlie says, grabbing Jenna by the arm and forcing her away, much against her will.
Ann shakes her head in anger, then looks at her husband. "Bobby, I hate that woman."
"Hate's such a strong word, there, Ann," says John Ross as he, Krystina, and Sue Ellen walk over. "Especially on such a lovely occasion as this."
"I don't believe this. I just don't BELIEVE this!" She complains.
"Jenna, honey, look, now just calm down," Harris tells her. "Why don't we just get outta here and go home?"
"I'm not going anywhere until I talk to my son."
"Jenna, I think Harris is right for once," says Bobby. "You're not gonna get anywhere with Lucas when you're so angry, so why don't you just go home for now?"
"She would LOVE that, wouldn't she?" Jenna asks, looking angrily at Ann.
"If you want the truth, YES," replies Ann. "I would like it if you left. In fact, I'd like it if I never had to lay eyes on you again."
"That would suit me just fine!"
"Mom, what's going on?" Charlie asks, walking over to Jenna. "What are you arguing about?"
"Your brother has just announced to the world that he's going to marry to that slut Emma Ryland."
"You callin' someone a slut makes about as much sense as a dog givin' milk," Ann says.
"I've had just about enough of you."
"And I've had MORE than enough of you! Bobby, I want this woman out of here!"
"Jenna....."
"Mom, let's go," Charlie says, grabbing Jenna by the arm and forcing her away, much against her will.
Ann shakes her head in anger, then looks at her husband. "Bobby, I hate that woman."
"Hate's such a strong word, there, Ann," says John Ross as he, Krystina, and Sue Ellen walk over. "Especially on such a lovely occasion as this."
"John Ross, we're really not in the mood for your sarcasm right now," says an angry Bobby.
"Whoa, now, Uncle Bobby," John Ross says. "Just tryin' to lighten the mood here with some good news of my own. This gorgeous young lady beside me has graciously consented to be my wife."
Bobby and Ann exchange looks, then look at the young couple. "You're engaged?"
"John Ross just asked me," Krystina says, holding out her hand to show off her engagement ring.'
Ann smiles. "Oh, I'm so happy for you. For both of you," she says, hugging Krystina.
"Thank you, Ann."
"John Ross, I'm sorry for snappin' at you," says Bobby. "Congratulations."
"I appreciate that, Uncle Bobby."
As Ann and Sue Ellen admire Krystina's ring, John Ross walks over to Christopher, who is standing with Charlie in the parking area as Harris and Jenna drive away.
"Well, I'm surprised to see you two here together," John Ross says.
"Christopher and I are friends," says Charlie. "Any reason we shouldn't be here together?"
John Ross smiles. "None I can think of. I guess y'all hadn't heard my good news. Krystina and I are gettin' married."
Christopher and Charlie exchange surprised looks. "Really?" Christopher asks. "Well, congratulations, cousin." He shakes John Ross's hand.
"Thank ya."
"I just hope you don't make the same mistakes this time as you did with Amanda and Pamela. Make this one last. Krystina's a real gem. Hold on to this one."
"I plan to."
As Christopher and Charlie walk away from him, John Ross turns back toward the house and looks at Krystina, standing with his mother and Ann near the pool. He walks over to them.
Meanwhile, Ray, Donna, Matt, and Margaret are standing a few feet away from them. "Well, that was some announcement Lucas made, wasn't it?" Donna asks.
"Whoa, now, Uncle Bobby," John Ross says. "Just tryin' to lighten the mood here with some good news of my own. This gorgeous young lady beside me has graciously consented to be my wife."
Bobby and Ann exchange looks, then look at the young couple. "You're engaged?"
"John Ross just asked me," Krystina says, holding out her hand to show off her engagement ring.'
Ann smiles. "Oh, I'm so happy for you. For both of you," she says, hugging Krystina.
"Thank you, Ann."
"John Ross, I'm sorry for snappin' at you," says Bobby. "Congratulations."
"I appreciate that, Uncle Bobby."
As Ann and Sue Ellen admire Krystina's ring, John Ross walks over to Christopher, who is standing with Charlie in the parking area as Harris and Jenna drive away.
"Well, I'm surprised to see you two here together," John Ross says.
"Christopher and I are friends," says Charlie. "Any reason we shouldn't be here together?"
John Ross smiles. "None I can think of. I guess y'all hadn't heard my good news. Krystina and I are gettin' married."
Christopher and Charlie exchange surprised looks. "Really?" Christopher asks. "Well, congratulations, cousin." He shakes John Ross's hand.
"Thank ya."
"I just hope you don't make the same mistakes this time as you did with Amanda and Pamela. Make this one last. Krystina's a real gem. Hold on to this one."
"I plan to."
As Christopher and Charlie walk away from him, John Ross turns back toward the house and looks at Krystina, standing with his mother and Ann near the pool. He walks over to them.
Meanwhile, Ray, Donna, Matt, and Margaret are standing a few feet away from them. "Well, that was some announcement Lucas made, wasn't it?" Donna asks.
"Yeah, it sure was," Ray says. "I don't know whether to be happy for him or scared for him."
"Do you think Lucas is still in love with her, even after she cheated on him with John Ross?" Margaret asks.
"I dunno, honey," Ray replies. "Love is a hard thing to understand sometimes. It can transcend a lot of things." Ray looks at Donna and smiles. "Even the passage of time."
Margaret looks at both her parents. "Excuse me," she says. "I think I'm gonna find Lucas." She quickly turns and walks away from them, leaving Ray and Donna exchanging looks of concern.
"Matt, is everything alright with her?" Donna asks. "She seems......distant. And I get the feeling it has something to do with Ray and I."
"Almost seems like Margaret's not happy about her mother and I bein' back together," says Ray.
"I dunno, honey," Ray replies. "Love is a hard thing to understand sometimes. It can transcend a lot of things." Ray looks at Donna and smiles. "Even the passage of time."
Margaret looks at both her parents. "Excuse me," she says. "I think I'm gonna find Lucas." She quickly turns and walks away from them, leaving Ray and Donna exchanging looks of concern.
"Matt, is everything alright with her?" Donna asks. "She seems......distant. And I get the feeling it has something to do with Ray and I."
"Almost seems like Margaret's not happy about her mother and I bein' back together," says Ray.
"I don't think she is happy about it," Matt says. "And for the life of me, I don't know why. She won't even talk to me about it. I ask, and she changes the subject of just walks away."
Donna sighs as she and Ray again exchange worried looks, both concerned and puzzled about their daughter's lack of happiness over their reconciliation.
Donna sighs as she and Ray again exchange worried looks, both concerned and puzzled about their daughter's lack of happiness over their reconciliation.
Southfork.......that night
After the last of the Barbecue guests have left that evening, Maria is helping some of the temporary servants hired for the day's event to clean up, while Bobby and Ann walk onto the patio with Ray and Donna as they are about to leave.
"Sure was a good Barbecue," Ray says.
"Yes it was, Ray," agrees Bobby.
"Donna, thank you so much for all your help in planning and putting this together," says Ann.
"Sure was a good Barbecue," Ray says.
"Yes it was, Ray," agrees Bobby.
"Donna, thank you so much for all your help in planning and putting this together," says Ann.
"Oh, it was my pleasure, Ann," Donna says. "Thank you for including me. I'm really glad I could help."
"I'll call ya tomorrow, Bob," says Ray.
"Alright, Ray. You two have a good night," Bobby says, kissing Donna on the cheek.
"We will. Love you," Donna says.
"Love you, too. Goodnight."
As Ray and Donna head to Donna's car to leave, Emma and Lucas come out of the house. Bobby and Ann turn and watch as Lucas gives Emma a goodnight kiss on the patio, then heads back into the house. Emma looks at them for a moment, then walks past them.
"Good night," Emma says.
"Emma, wait just a minute," Ann says, walking after her.
Emma stops and turns to her mother. "It's getting late and I'm tired."
"Don't you think we ought to talk about this?" Ann asks.
"Talk about what?"
"About you and Lucas. Emma, honey, this is completely insane."
"Insane?" Emma asks. "Why is it insane? Because our parents say so? It's not insane to us. After all, Lucas and I did live together for several months."
"Yes, and you nearly destroyed each other, too," Ann says. "Emma, I don't wanna see either one of you hurt anymore, especially not by each other."
"Lucas and I are not going to hurt each other this time."
"I'll call ya tomorrow, Bob," says Ray.
"Alright, Ray. You two have a good night," Bobby says, kissing Donna on the cheek.
"We will. Love you," Donna says.
"Love you, too. Goodnight."
As Ray and Donna head to Donna's car to leave, Emma and Lucas come out of the house. Bobby and Ann turn and watch as Lucas gives Emma a goodnight kiss on the patio, then heads back into the house. Emma looks at them for a moment, then walks past them.
"Good night," Emma says.
"Emma, wait just a minute," Ann says, walking after her.
Emma stops and turns to her mother. "It's getting late and I'm tired."
"Don't you think we ought to talk about this?" Ann asks.
"Talk about what?"
"About you and Lucas. Emma, honey, this is completely insane."
"Insane?" Emma asks. "Why is it insane? Because our parents say so? It's not insane to us. After all, Lucas and I did live together for several months."
"Yes, and you nearly destroyed each other, too," Ann says. "Emma, I don't wanna see either one of you hurt anymore, especially not by each other."
"Lucas and I are not going to hurt each other this time."
"Can you guarantee that?"
"Of course not. I can't guarantee the sun's gonna rise tomorrow, either. Can you guarantee that you and Bobby aren't going to hurt each other again?"
Ann remains silent as she looks at her daughter.
"I didn't think so," Emma says. "Lucas and I are adults. We're capable of making our own decisions about OUR lives. Goodnight." Emma turns and walks to her car, Ann watching her.
As she watches Emma drive off, Bobby walks over. "Honey, are you okay?"
"I'm worried, Bobby. Lucas and Emma are making a HUGE mistake."
"I couldn't agree with you more. But there's nothing we can do."
Ann turns to him. "Bobby, how can you say that? You know how much they hurt each other the last time they were together. How can we just sit back and watch our children make that same mistake again?"
"Because we have no choice," Bobby replies. "Honey, they're adults, not children. We can't stop them from making mistakes, and we sure can't forbid them to be together."
Ann looks at him for a moment, tears in her eyes. "I know. You're right. I had just hoped that, by NOW, Emma would have stopped makin' the same mistakes after all the trouble it's caused in the past."
"Of course not. I can't guarantee the sun's gonna rise tomorrow, either. Can you guarantee that you and Bobby aren't going to hurt each other again?"
Ann remains silent as she looks at her daughter.
"I didn't think so," Emma says. "Lucas and I are adults. We're capable of making our own decisions about OUR lives. Goodnight." Emma turns and walks to her car, Ann watching her.
As she watches Emma drive off, Bobby walks over. "Honey, are you okay?"
"I'm worried, Bobby. Lucas and Emma are making a HUGE mistake."
"I couldn't agree with you more. But there's nothing we can do."
Ann turns to him. "Bobby, how can you say that? You know how much they hurt each other the last time they were together. How can we just sit back and watch our children make that same mistake again?"
"Because we have no choice," Bobby replies. "Honey, they're adults, not children. We can't stop them from making mistakes, and we sure can't forbid them to be together."
Ann looks at him for a moment, tears in her eyes. "I know. You're right. I had just hoped that, by NOW, Emma would have stopped makin' the same mistakes after all the trouble it's caused in the past."
Meanwhile....John Ross and Krystina's bedroom
Upstairs, John Ross and Krystina come out of the bathroom after taking a shower.
"That shower felt so good," John Ross says.
"Yes, it did."
"Everything alright, darlin'? You seem awful quiet tonight."
Krystina turns and looks at him. "I just can't get over how happy I am. And how drastically my life is about to change."
"Yeah.....for the better," John Ross says, walking over and kissing her.
"DEFINITELY for the better. Will you go to Denver with me tomorrow? I wanna tell my Mom about our engagement, and I wanna do it in person."
"You bet. If you'll do somethin' for me."
"That shower felt so good," John Ross says.
"Yes, it did."
"Everything alright, darlin'? You seem awful quiet tonight."
Krystina turns and looks at him. "I just can't get over how happy I am. And how drastically my life is about to change."
"Yeah.....for the better," John Ross says, walking over and kissing her.
"DEFINITELY for the better. Will you go to Denver with me tomorrow? I wanna tell my Mom about our engagement, and I wanna do it in person."
"You bet. If you'll do somethin' for me."
"Anything," Krystina says with a smile.
"I don't wanna wait to make you my wife. So let's get married soon."
"How......soon?"
"Well, I know that you want a big weddin'," John Ross says. "And Thanksgivin' is comin' up in a couple weeks. So let's get married the week of Thanksgiving."
"The week of Thanksgiving? John Ross that's so soon. Can we even plan a wedding and get invitations out in that short amount of time?"
"I don't wanna wait to make you my wife. So let's get married soon."
"How......soon?"
"Well, I know that you want a big weddin'," John Ross says. "And Thanksgivin' is comin' up in a couple weeks. So let's get married the week of Thanksgiving."
"The week of Thanksgiving? John Ross that's so soon. Can we even plan a wedding and get invitations out in that short amount of time?"
"Darlin', you should know by now that the right amount of money and creativity can get ANYTHING done," John Ross says. "Besides, it's 2015. The old fashioned way of sendin' weddin' invites in the mail is way outdated. We just use Facebook and Twitter to invite our fam'ly and friends. And those who still don't use social media, then we send 'em invites in the mail."
"You are really something else, Mr. Ewing," Krystina says.
"So is that a yes?"
"Yes. I'll marry you the week of Thanksgiving," she says as they embrace.
"You are really something else, Mr. Ewing," Krystina says.
"So is that a yes?"
"Yes. I'll marry you the week of Thanksgiving," she says as they embrace.
Southfork....the next morning
Christopher walks onto the patio the next morning and sees Lucas heading toward the stables. He decides to follow his brother and have a chat.
A few minutes later, Christopher finds Lucas heading to saddle his horse. "Good morning," Christopher says.
"What's up, bro?"
"Not much. That was quite an announcement you made at the Barbecue yesterday. Pretty much shocked everybody."
A few minutes later, Christopher finds Lucas heading to saddle his horse. "Good morning," Christopher says.
"What's up, bro?"
"Not much. That was quite an announcement you made at the Barbecue yesterday. Pretty much shocked everybody."
"Yeah, I did, didn't I?" Lucas asks with a mischievous smile.
"Why do I get the feeling that was your intention?" Christopher asks.
"Maybe it was."
Christopher looks away and smiles, then looks back at his brother. "Are you really gonna marry Emma?"
"Mmmm.......maybe, one day," Lucas says, smiling.
"And what the hell was that little engagement announcement all about yesterday?"
Lucas looks at his brother and sighs. "My Mom was all on my case about Emma. I just wanted to piss her off and next thing I knew, the words just slipped out of my mouth before I even knew it."
Christopher laughs. "So, you said you were gonna marry Emma just to piss off Jenna?"
"Yeah. And it worked. Did you see the look on her face?"
"And what about Dad and Ann?"
"Look, I'll tell them the truth. Emma was pretty ticked off at me at first. But then, she agreed to play along with me for a while. Everyone is so against me and Emma that, I figured this would teach everyone a lesson."
"Lucas, I'm not trying to tell you what to do," says Christopher. "But you're my little brother, and I care what happens to you. After everything that went down between you and Emma before, do you really think it's a good idea to get involved with her again? I mean, she's trouble, man. She cheated on you with John Ross, almost caused you to kill him. Lucas, since Emma's been out of your life, you've been doing a lot better. You're not as angry as you were before, and......"
"Chris, I know you're trying to help. But please just get off my back about Emma. I love her, man. I still love her after everything that happened. And we've both changed a lot. Ryan has helped both of us. I'm not the same person I was a few months ago, and neither is Emma. Besides, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself. Now, if you'll excuse me, big brother, I'm gonna go for my morning ride."
Christopher watches his brother with worry as Lucas turns and walks toward the stall where his horse is kept.
"Maybe it was."
Christopher looks away and smiles, then looks back at his brother. "Are you really gonna marry Emma?"
"Mmmm.......maybe, one day," Lucas says, smiling.
"And what the hell was that little engagement announcement all about yesterday?"
Lucas looks at his brother and sighs. "My Mom was all on my case about Emma. I just wanted to piss her off and next thing I knew, the words just slipped out of my mouth before I even knew it."
Christopher laughs. "So, you said you were gonna marry Emma just to piss off Jenna?"
"Yeah. And it worked. Did you see the look on her face?"
"And what about Dad and Ann?"
"Look, I'll tell them the truth. Emma was pretty ticked off at me at first. But then, she agreed to play along with me for a while. Everyone is so against me and Emma that, I figured this would teach everyone a lesson."
"Lucas, I'm not trying to tell you what to do," says Christopher. "But you're my little brother, and I care what happens to you. After everything that went down between you and Emma before, do you really think it's a good idea to get involved with her again? I mean, she's trouble, man. She cheated on you with John Ross, almost caused you to kill him. Lucas, since Emma's been out of your life, you've been doing a lot better. You're not as angry as you were before, and......"
"Chris, I know you're trying to help. But please just get off my back about Emma. I love her, man. I still love her after everything that happened. And we've both changed a lot. Ryan has helped both of us. I'm not the same person I was a few months ago, and neither is Emma. Besides, I'm a big boy, I can take care of myself. Now, if you'll excuse me, big brother, I'm gonna go for my morning ride."
Christopher watches his brother with worry as Lucas turns and walks toward the stall where his horse is kept.
The Carrington mansion, Denver.....
John Ross and Krystina walk into the grand Carrington mansion early in the afternoon. John Ross looks around and the beautiful staircase leading to the second floor of the palace like home.
"Every time I'm here, I think I'm more impressed than the last time," John Ross says. "This place makes Southfork look so small."
"Come on, now. Southfork is GORGEOUS," says Krystina. "And I can't wait to make it my home."
"Sure you're up to roughin' it on a ranch after livin' in this place your whole life?"
"I'm sure," she says, kissing him as her mother, Krystle Carrington, comes down the stairs.
"Krystina, John Ross," Krystle says, smiling as she reaches the bottom of the stairs.
"Hi, Mom," Krystina says, hugging her mother.
"How are you?"
"We're fine."
"Every time I'm here, I think I'm more impressed than the last time," John Ross says. "This place makes Southfork look so small."
"Come on, now. Southfork is GORGEOUS," says Krystina. "And I can't wait to make it my home."
"Sure you're up to roughin' it on a ranch after livin' in this place your whole life?"
"I'm sure," she says, kissing him as her mother, Krystle Carrington, comes down the stairs.
"Krystina, John Ross," Krystle says, smiling as she reaches the bottom of the stairs.
"Hi, Mom," Krystina says, hugging her mother.
"How are you?"
"We're fine."
"Well, I'm very happy to see you both, but a little surprised," Krystle says.
"Mom, we have something to tell you. I didn't wanna tell you on the phone, so, that's why we're here."
"This sounds serious. Is everything alright?"
"Everything is just fine. Perfect, in fact. Mom, John Ross has asked me to marry him.........and I said yes."
Krystle looks at her daughter and John Ross in shock for a moment. "You're......engaged?"
"Yes, ma'am, we are," replies John Ross.
"Well, that's wonderful!" Krystle says with a smile. "I'm so happy for you both." Krystle hugs her daughter.
"Thanks, Mom. I'm really gonna need your help. Fallon's too."
"Of course, sweetheart. We'll do anything we can."
"We've already set a date. And it's soon. John Ross and I are getting married the week of Thanksgiving. We were even thinking probably......Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving."
"But, Krytina, that's so soon. Why the urgency? Are you......."
"No, Mom," says Krystina. "I'm NOT pregnant. We just don't wanna wait."
Krystle looks at the couple for a moment, then smiles. "Well, then, we have got a lot of work to do. How long are you staying?"
"I have to get back to Dallas tomorrow mornin', but Krystina's gonna stay for a couple days," John Ross says.
"Yes, and we can talk about plans for the wedding," says Krystina.
"Mom, we have something to tell you. I didn't wanna tell you on the phone, so, that's why we're here."
"This sounds serious. Is everything alright?"
"Everything is just fine. Perfect, in fact. Mom, John Ross has asked me to marry him.........and I said yes."
Krystle looks at her daughter and John Ross in shock for a moment. "You're......engaged?"
"Yes, ma'am, we are," replies John Ross.
"Well, that's wonderful!" Krystle says with a smile. "I'm so happy for you both." Krystle hugs her daughter.
"Thanks, Mom. I'm really gonna need your help. Fallon's too."
"Of course, sweetheart. We'll do anything we can."
"We've already set a date. And it's soon. John Ross and I are getting married the week of Thanksgiving. We were even thinking probably......Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving."
"But, Krytina, that's so soon. Why the urgency? Are you......."
"No, Mom," says Krystina. "I'm NOT pregnant. We just don't wanna wait."
Krystle looks at the couple for a moment, then smiles. "Well, then, we have got a lot of work to do. How long are you staying?"
"I have to get back to Dallas tomorrow mornin', but Krystina's gonna stay for a couple days," John Ross says.
"Yes, and we can talk about plans for the wedding," says Krystina.
Cliff's apartment.....afternoon
Cliff comes down the stairs of his apartment to answer his ringing doorbell. "I'm coming, hold your horses!" He yells as he makes his way to the door. He opens the door and is unhappy to see Ann. "What are you doing here?"
"I need to see Emma."
"Why?"
"That's none of your business. Now let me in, I need to see my daughter."
Reluctantly, Cliff steps aside to allow Ann to enter the apartment. She walks in and looks around. "You know," he says. "I remember a time not too long ago when you wanted to keep me as far away from my daughter as you could. And now here we are. The shoe's on the other foot. Emma is living here in MY home and here you are, begging to see her."
"I need to see Emma."
"Why?"
"That's none of your business. Now let me in, I need to see my daughter."
Reluctantly, Cliff steps aside to allow Ann to enter the apartment. She walks in and looks around. "You know," he says. "I remember a time not too long ago when you wanted to keep me as far away from my daughter as you could. And now here we are. The shoe's on the other foot. Emma is living here in MY home and here you are, begging to see her."
"Cliff, I really don't have time, nor am I in the mood for any of your bullcrap," says an angry Ann. "Is Emma here or not?"
"I'm here," Emma says, coming down the stairs.
"I need to talk to you."
"Ya know, you really don't have to talk to her if you don't want," Cliff says.
"No, it's fine," says Emma.
Ann looks at Cliff. "Would you mind leavin' us alone?"
"I'm here," Emma says, coming down the stairs.
"I need to talk to you."
"Ya know, you really don't have to talk to her if you don't want," Cliff says.
"No, it's fine," says Emma.
Ann looks at Cliff. "Would you mind leavin' us alone?"
"As a matter of fact, I DO mind, because this is MY apartment, and no Ewings are welcome here," Cliff says.
"Cliff, please," Emma says.
Cliff hesitates a moment as he looks from Ann to Emma, then back to Ann. "I'll be upstairs," he says.
After Cliff leaves, Ann walks over to her daughter. "Emma, I think we need to talk about what happened at the Barbecue yesterday."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Well I think there is."
"Look, just relax, would you? Lucas and I are not getting married."
"What?" Ann asks.
"He said that just to upset that witch of a mother of his, so you can just relax."
"Well, I have to say I am relieved. So where do things stand with the two of you?"
"Cliff, please," Emma says.
Cliff hesitates a moment as he looks from Ann to Emma, then back to Ann. "I'll be upstairs," he says.
After Cliff leaves, Ann walks over to her daughter. "Emma, I think we need to talk about what happened at the Barbecue yesterday."
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Well I think there is."
"Look, just relax, would you? Lucas and I are not getting married."
"What?" Ann asks.
"He said that just to upset that witch of a mother of his, so you can just relax."
"Well, I have to say I am relieved. So where do things stand with the two of you?"
"Lucas and I have started...... talking again," Emma explains. "We talked about all the stuff that happened between us before, and we both realize that we still care a lot for one another. So, we're gonna give things another try....."
Ann starts to say something.
"BUT," Emma interrupts. "We're going to take things slow so we don't make the same mistakes we did before."
Ann looks at the young woman for a moment. "Well, I suppose I should be thankful for that, at least. Emma, you're my daughter, and I just don't want you to get hurt. Lucas is Bobby's son, and I don't wanna see him hurt anymore, either."
"Look, Mom, I can't promise that neither one of us will get hurt. Sometimes people who love each other hurt each other without meaning to. That's just life. But Lucas and I are both adults, and our parents can't protect us from getting hurt for the rest of our lives. I know I've made some really bad mistakes, and I've done some pretty horrible things. But I'm different now. Going to therapy with Dr. Benson has helped me realize my mistakes, and my flaws, and to try and be a better person. Lucas has learned the same thing. He's working really hard to get his anger and resentment and his feelings of insecurity under control. I love him. Lucas is the best man that I know. Can't you just be happy for us?"
Ann starts to say something.
"BUT," Emma interrupts. "We're going to take things slow so we don't make the same mistakes we did before."
Ann looks at the young woman for a moment. "Well, I suppose I should be thankful for that, at least. Emma, you're my daughter, and I just don't want you to get hurt. Lucas is Bobby's son, and I don't wanna see him hurt anymore, either."
"Look, Mom, I can't promise that neither one of us will get hurt. Sometimes people who love each other hurt each other without meaning to. That's just life. But Lucas and I are both adults, and our parents can't protect us from getting hurt for the rest of our lives. I know I've made some really bad mistakes, and I've done some pretty horrible things. But I'm different now. Going to therapy with Dr. Benson has helped me realize my mistakes, and my flaws, and to try and be a better person. Lucas has learned the same thing. He's working really hard to get his anger and resentment and his feelings of insecurity under control. I love him. Lucas is the best man that I know. Can't you just be happy for us?"
"If this is what you want," Ann says.
"It is."
Ann sighs. "Then I wish you the best."
"It is."
Ann sighs. "Then I wish you the best."
"Thank you," Emma says, embracing her mother. But privately, Ann is worried that Emma and Lucas are making a big mistake.
The Carrington mansion, Denver..... late afternoon
John Ross finds Krystina walking alone in the beautiful garden of the Carrington estate late that afternoon. He pauses for a moment and watches her as she stands in the midst of the garden. He smiles, then walks over to her.
"I wondered where you got off to," he says.
"When I was a kid, this was one of my favorite places to play. Me and my niece Lauren, and my nephews L.B. and Danny used to play out here for hours. Usually hide and go seek."
"I wondered where you got off to," he says.
"When I was a kid, this was one of my favorite places to play. Me and my niece Lauren, and my nephews L.B. and Danny used to play out here for hours. Usually hide and go seek."
"From the looks of it, there's a lot of good places to hide around here," John Ross says.
"Oh, there are."
"Gonna be hard for you to leave here, itn't it?"
Krystina turns to him. "No. And do you know why? Because I'm leaving this place to begin a new life with the man of my dreams. A man I love more than anything else in the world."
John Ross smiles, then kisses her.
"John Ross, could I aks a huge favor?"
"Darlin', if there is ANYTHING in this world that I can give you or get for you, all you gotta do is say the word. Hell, I'll throw a lasso around the moon and pull it down to give to you."
"I won't ask for the moon. Only that.......could we be married here? My whole life, I dreamed of getting married right here in this garden, with my father walking me down the isle. My father's gone now, so, that part of my dream won't come true, but......."
John Ross takes her by the hand. "Krystina, I can't think of a more beautiful and perfect place for us to say our vows than right here. In fact, I was gonna suggest it myself."
"Oh, there are."
"Gonna be hard for you to leave here, itn't it?"
Krystina turns to him. "No. And do you know why? Because I'm leaving this place to begin a new life with the man of my dreams. A man I love more than anything else in the world."
John Ross smiles, then kisses her.
"John Ross, could I aks a huge favor?"
"Darlin', if there is ANYTHING in this world that I can give you or get for you, all you gotta do is say the word. Hell, I'll throw a lasso around the moon and pull it down to give to you."
"I won't ask for the moon. Only that.......could we be married here? My whole life, I dreamed of getting married right here in this garden, with my father walking me down the isle. My father's gone now, so, that part of my dream won't come true, but......."
John Ross takes her by the hand. "Krystina, I can't think of a more beautiful and perfect place for us to say our vows than right here. In fact, I was gonna suggest it myself."
"Are you sure?" Krystina asks, smiling. "I'd assumed that you'd wanna be married at Southfork."
John Ross shakes his head. "Nope. Ya see, couples that get married at Southfork don't live happily ever after. In fact, for the last four or five decades, marriages that start out there either end badly, or in tragedy. My Mama and Daddy, TWICE. My Daddy and Justin's mother Cally. Uncle Bobby and Christopher's mother Pam. Uncle Bobby and April Stevens. My cousin Lucy and Mitch Cooper, TWICE. Christopher and Pamela. Me and Pamela. I'd just as soon AVOID a Southfork weddin'. Uncle Bobby and Ann didn't get married at Southfork, and this one has been his longest marriage. Besides, we're gonna be spendin' the rest of our lives there. Maybe gettin' married here will ensure that that life is a long and happy one."
"I do love you, John Ross Ewing."
"I love you, too. There's one other thing."
"What's that?" John Ross asks.
"If we're gonna be married the day before Thanksgiving, and I officially step down as President of Denver-Carrington before then, I should go ahead and perform my last act as President and pull out of that offshore deal with Westar......soon."
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but, whatever it was, I'm glad I did it." He leans in and begins kissing her.
John Ross shakes his head. "Nope. Ya see, couples that get married at Southfork don't live happily ever after. In fact, for the last four or five decades, marriages that start out there either end badly, or in tragedy. My Mama and Daddy, TWICE. My Daddy and Justin's mother Cally. Uncle Bobby and Christopher's mother Pam. Uncle Bobby and April Stevens. My cousin Lucy and Mitch Cooper, TWICE. Christopher and Pamela. Me and Pamela. I'd just as soon AVOID a Southfork weddin'. Uncle Bobby and Ann didn't get married at Southfork, and this one has been his longest marriage. Besides, we're gonna be spendin' the rest of our lives there. Maybe gettin' married here will ensure that that life is a long and happy one."
"I do love you, John Ross Ewing."
"I love you, too. There's one other thing."
"What's that?" John Ross asks.
"If we're gonna be married the day before Thanksgiving, and I officially step down as President of Denver-Carrington before then, I should go ahead and perform my last act as President and pull out of that offshore deal with Westar......soon."
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "I don't know what I did to deserve you, but, whatever it was, I'm glad I did it." He leans in and begins kissing her.
Ewing Oil....the next day
Sue Ellen steps off the elevator in the Ewing Oil offices the next day and walks up to Janice's desk.
"Hello, Mrs. Ewing," Janice says happily.
"Hello, Janice, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Are you coming back to work?"
"Soon. Is Bobby in his office?"
"Yes he is," Janice replies. "Just knock."
Sue Ellen smiles at the young woman. "Thank you," she says as she walks over to Bobby's office. She knocks lightly on the door.
"Come in," she hears him say.
Sue Ellen walks into the office and finds Bobby working at his desk. "Hi. Bobby, am I interrupting?"
"Sue Ellen," he says, happy to see her. He stands from his seat at his desk and walks over to her. "Of course you're not interrupting anything, I'm happy to see you. So, does this mean that you're ready to come back to work?"
"Not just yet, Bobby, but soon. I need some more time."
"I barely got to talk to you at the Barbecue the other day. How ya doin'?"
"Hello, Mrs. Ewing," Janice says happily.
"Hello, Janice, how are you?"
"I'm fine. Are you coming back to work?"
"Soon. Is Bobby in his office?"
"Yes he is," Janice replies. "Just knock."
Sue Ellen smiles at the young woman. "Thank you," she says as she walks over to Bobby's office. She knocks lightly on the door.
"Come in," she hears him say.
Sue Ellen walks into the office and finds Bobby working at his desk. "Hi. Bobby, am I interrupting?"
"Sue Ellen," he says, happy to see her. He stands from his seat at his desk and walks over to her. "Of course you're not interrupting anything, I'm happy to see you. So, does this mean that you're ready to come back to work?"
"Not just yet, Bobby, but soon. I need some more time."
"I barely got to talk to you at the Barbecue the other day. How ya doin'?"
"I'm.......coping," Sue Ellen says. "I thought it would get easier over time, but, I miss Dusty as much now as I did the night he left. And I am still so angry with him for leaving, especially in his condition."
"Still no luck in finding him?" Bobby asks.
"No. None at all. Bum has been working on this for two months now, and, honestly, Bobby, I'm about ready to just give up. Dusty knows where I am if he wants to come back. I just pray to God that he found a doctor somewhere and got the help he needed for his heart condition."
"I sure hope so."
"Bobby, I came down here to see how things have been going with John Ross working here."
"Still no luck in finding him?" Bobby asks.
"No. None at all. Bum has been working on this for two months now, and, honestly, Bobby, I'm about ready to just give up. Dusty knows where I am if he wants to come back. I just pray to God that he found a doctor somewhere and got the help he needed for his heart condition."
"I sure hope so."
"Bobby, I came down here to see how things have been going with John Ross working here."
"Sue Ellen, to tell ya the truth, John Ross has really been behavin' himself since he's been here," Bobby says. "So far he hasn't done anything sneaky and underhanded."
"Well, I certainly am relieved to hear that. I have to admit I was a bit worried. But I also wanted to show John Ross that I have faith in him."
"Well, ya know, that hit and run, and the blindness......I really think it's changed him, Sue Ellen," Bobby says.
"I sure hope so. I also think part of that change has something to do with Krystina Carrington. I really like her."
"So do I. She's a really nice young woman and good for John Ross. I also think she'll make a very welcome addition to Southfork once she and John Ross get married. Ann is very fond of her. The whole family is."
Sue Ellen smiles. "I'm very glad. Bobby, there actually IS something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Okay, I'm all ears."
"When I do decide to come back to work at Ewing Oil, I'd like for John Ross to stay on here."
The smile disappears from Bobby's face. "Stay on here? But, I was under the impression that John Ross was gonna do everything in his power to get Cliff out of his position at Westar and return as CEO there."
"That's just it, Bobby. I don't want John Ross to try and unseat Cliff."
"Sue Ellen, you've lost me."
"If John Ross goes up against Cliff, it'll mean the old feud will start up again, maybe even worse than last time. I don't want any of us to have to go through that again, especially now that things have been calm for a while. Ewing Oil is John Ross's birthright. He still has those shares in Westar, but, I'm hoping if he sees that there's a place for him here, he'll drop his fight against Cliff to get Westar back."
"Do you really think he'll drop that fight, Sue Ellen?" Bobby asks. "Especially after the underhanded way Cliff stepped in and basically stole Westar out from under John Ross?"
"As much as I love my son........I don't want him to return as CEO of Westar."
"Why, Sue Ellen?"
She sighs deeply, and walks across the room. Then she turns and looks at him before answering. "Westar is Ewing Oil's chief rival. Eventually, Westar and Ewing are going to be competing again for deals. Remember the trouble that caused last year when John Ross managed to steal a couple deals from Ewing Global? Things are......calm now. John Ross seems to have changed since his sight returned and he's been out of Westar. And now he's marrying Krystina Carrington. I feel like I have my son back. I don't want John Ross at Westar competing with us in business. And if he feels his place is here at Ewing Oil, with his family, then hopefully he'll drop his fight against Cliff to regain the company."
Bobby hesitates a moment as he thinks about Sue Ellen's words. "What you're sayin' makes a lot of sense. John Ross is part of this family, and Ewing Oil is part of his birthright."
Sue Ellen smiles. "Thank you, Bobby. Well, I'm gonna get going. I think I'll phone Ann and see if she wants to drive into town and join me for lunch."
"I'm sure she'd love it."
"Bobby, how are things going on that new field in Cherokee County? The one you partnered with your cousin Catlin Ewing on?"
"Things are going wonderfully, Sue Ellen. "In the first few days, that field is producing around 1800 barrels a day."
"Well, that's wonderful, Bobby. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. Glad ya stopped by," Bobby says, kissing her on the cheek.
"Well, I certainly am relieved to hear that. I have to admit I was a bit worried. But I also wanted to show John Ross that I have faith in him."
"Well, ya know, that hit and run, and the blindness......I really think it's changed him, Sue Ellen," Bobby says.
"I sure hope so. I also think part of that change has something to do with Krystina Carrington. I really like her."
"So do I. She's a really nice young woman and good for John Ross. I also think she'll make a very welcome addition to Southfork once she and John Ross get married. Ann is very fond of her. The whole family is."
Sue Ellen smiles. "I'm very glad. Bobby, there actually IS something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Okay, I'm all ears."
"When I do decide to come back to work at Ewing Oil, I'd like for John Ross to stay on here."
The smile disappears from Bobby's face. "Stay on here? But, I was under the impression that John Ross was gonna do everything in his power to get Cliff out of his position at Westar and return as CEO there."
"That's just it, Bobby. I don't want John Ross to try and unseat Cliff."
"Sue Ellen, you've lost me."
"If John Ross goes up against Cliff, it'll mean the old feud will start up again, maybe even worse than last time. I don't want any of us to have to go through that again, especially now that things have been calm for a while. Ewing Oil is John Ross's birthright. He still has those shares in Westar, but, I'm hoping if he sees that there's a place for him here, he'll drop his fight against Cliff to get Westar back."
"Do you really think he'll drop that fight, Sue Ellen?" Bobby asks. "Especially after the underhanded way Cliff stepped in and basically stole Westar out from under John Ross?"
"As much as I love my son........I don't want him to return as CEO of Westar."
"Why, Sue Ellen?"
She sighs deeply, and walks across the room. Then she turns and looks at him before answering. "Westar is Ewing Oil's chief rival. Eventually, Westar and Ewing are going to be competing again for deals. Remember the trouble that caused last year when John Ross managed to steal a couple deals from Ewing Global? Things are......calm now. John Ross seems to have changed since his sight returned and he's been out of Westar. And now he's marrying Krystina Carrington. I feel like I have my son back. I don't want John Ross at Westar competing with us in business. And if he feels his place is here at Ewing Oil, with his family, then hopefully he'll drop his fight against Cliff to regain the company."
Bobby hesitates a moment as he thinks about Sue Ellen's words. "What you're sayin' makes a lot of sense. John Ross is part of this family, and Ewing Oil is part of his birthright."
Sue Ellen smiles. "Thank you, Bobby. Well, I'm gonna get going. I think I'll phone Ann and see if she wants to drive into town and join me for lunch."
"I'm sure she'd love it."
"Bobby, how are things going on that new field in Cherokee County? The one you partnered with your cousin Catlin Ewing on?"
"Things are going wonderfully, Sue Ellen. "In the first few days, that field is producing around 1800 barrels a day."
"Well, that's wonderful, Bobby. I'll talk to you later."
"Okay. Glad ya stopped by," Bobby says, kissing her on the cheek.
The Krebbs Ranch.....
Donna stands in the Krebbs kitchen later after making a pot of coffee. She seems distracted about something and deep in thought as Ray and Conner come into the house talking.
"Hopefully, we won't get anymore rain for a while," Ray says as he and Conner walk into the kitchen from outside. "That south pasture is so soggy now there's no tellin' when we'll be able to move the herd back over there."
"Well, I heard on the news last night we may get a couple more inches this week," Conner says.
"I sure hope not."
"What's the problem?" Donna asks.
"Just all the rain we've had lately. It's caused a few problems with saturation. One of our south pastures is gonna take at least a week to dry out."
"Well, I made some coffee."
"Thanks, Donna, but I need to be getting home to Southfork. I promised Lucas I'd help him with some stuff."
"Alright," Donna says with a smile.
"Thanks for all your help today, Conner," Ray says. "We'll have to have you over for dinner one night real soon."
"I'd like that. See you tomorrow, Ray. Donna."
"Bye," Donna says as Conner leaves.
Ray smiles. "That's quite a young man. Jack had every reason to be proud of him."
"Sounds like you're pretty proud of Conner yourself," Donna says, pouring Ray a cup of coffee.
Ray looks at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ever since I've been staying here these last few weeks, I've noticed how you look at Conner. You spend a lot of time with him out on the ranch, working side by side."
"Hopefully, we won't get anymore rain for a while," Ray says as he and Conner walk into the kitchen from outside. "That south pasture is so soggy now there's no tellin' when we'll be able to move the herd back over there."
"Well, I heard on the news last night we may get a couple more inches this week," Conner says.
"I sure hope not."
"What's the problem?" Donna asks.
"Just all the rain we've had lately. It's caused a few problems with saturation. One of our south pastures is gonna take at least a week to dry out."
"Well, I made some coffee."
"Thanks, Donna, but I need to be getting home to Southfork. I promised Lucas I'd help him with some stuff."
"Alright," Donna says with a smile.
"Thanks for all your help today, Conner," Ray says. "We'll have to have you over for dinner one night real soon."
"I'd like that. See you tomorrow, Ray. Donna."
"Bye," Donna says as Conner leaves.
Ray smiles. "That's quite a young man. Jack had every reason to be proud of him."
"Sounds like you're pretty proud of Conner yourself," Donna says, pouring Ray a cup of coffee.
Ray looks at her. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ever since I've been staying here these last few weeks, I've noticed how you look at Conner. You spend a lot of time with him out on the ranch, working side by side."
"Yeah, anything wrong with that?" Ray asks. "Use to do the same with Lucas."
"That's just it, Ray. You can't replace Lucas with Conner."
"That's not what I'm tryin' to do, Donna."
"Isn't it?" Donna asks.
"The boy has been through hell this year. He lost his Daddy, and then he was shot by that maniac John Baxter. Found out he had a half-brother he never knew about, and then his mother shows back up in his life only to leave him again. I'm just tryin' to be there for him, is all. He lost his father, and I lost......." Ray stops talking abruptly and takes a sip of his coffee.
"Why don't you finish that sentence, Ray? Conner lost his father this year, and you lost your son."
"Alright, damn it," Ray says, impatiently. "You want the truth, Donna? Okay, here goes.......I like havin' Conner around. He reminds a lot of Lucas before we moved back here. He's been through a lot and yes, he lost his father, so if I can kinda fill that role for him, then what's wrong with that? I raised Lucas as my own son and loved him as my son. I still do. But Lucas doesn't wanna have anything more to do with me. He's accepted Bobby as his father and he's even plannin' on changin' his name to Ewing. Yes, I lost a son. And if Conner can fill that role for me, then what's the harm in that, huh?"
Donna hesitates a moment before answering. "Nothing," she says.
"I'm gonna go get washed up," Ray says. Without another word to her, he walks out of the room, leaving Donna worried.
"That's just it, Ray. You can't replace Lucas with Conner."
"That's not what I'm tryin' to do, Donna."
"Isn't it?" Donna asks.
"The boy has been through hell this year. He lost his Daddy, and then he was shot by that maniac John Baxter. Found out he had a half-brother he never knew about, and then his mother shows back up in his life only to leave him again. I'm just tryin' to be there for him, is all. He lost his father, and I lost......." Ray stops talking abruptly and takes a sip of his coffee.
"Why don't you finish that sentence, Ray? Conner lost his father this year, and you lost your son."
"Alright, damn it," Ray says, impatiently. "You want the truth, Donna? Okay, here goes.......I like havin' Conner around. He reminds a lot of Lucas before we moved back here. He's been through a lot and yes, he lost his father, so if I can kinda fill that role for him, then what's wrong with that? I raised Lucas as my own son and loved him as my son. I still do. But Lucas doesn't wanna have anything more to do with me. He's accepted Bobby as his father and he's even plannin' on changin' his name to Ewing. Yes, I lost a son. And if Conner can fill that role for me, then what's the harm in that, huh?"
Donna hesitates a moment before answering. "Nothing," she says.
"I'm gonna go get washed up," Ray says. Without another word to her, he walks out of the room, leaving Donna worried.
A restaurant in Dallas....that night
Lucas walks into one of Dallas's more elegant restaurants that evening, where he is greeted by the beautiful hostess, who leads him across the crowded dining area to a table where Jenna is seated and waiting.
"Stephanie will be your server, and she'll be with you shortly," the lovely young hostess says as she hands Lucas a menu.
"Thank you," he replies, taking a seat across the table from his mother. He smiles at the hostess as she walks away.
"I'm glad you decided to join me," Jenna says.
"Sure. So what was so important you had to talk to me about?"
"That ridiculous announcement you made at the Barbecue. That you're going to marry that little......."
"DON'T even say it, Mom. Remember, you're talking about the woman I love."
"Lucas, how can you possibly love that girl after all the trouble she caused this family and after the way she betrayed you?" Jenna asks. "She eavesdropped on a private conversation between you and Christopher, and then went to John Ross and told him that Alex was his son. And even after all the trouble she caused with that, she turned around and slept with John Ross."
"Emma and I have both changed a lot since then," says Lucas. "She was confused, and hurt and angry. So was I."
"Stop making excuses for that bitch."
"Stephanie will be your server, and she'll be with you shortly," the lovely young hostess says as she hands Lucas a menu.
"Thank you," he replies, taking a seat across the table from his mother. He smiles at the hostess as she walks away.
"I'm glad you decided to join me," Jenna says.
"Sure. So what was so important you had to talk to me about?"
"That ridiculous announcement you made at the Barbecue. That you're going to marry that little......."
"DON'T even say it, Mom. Remember, you're talking about the woman I love."
"Lucas, how can you possibly love that girl after all the trouble she caused this family and after the way she betrayed you?" Jenna asks. "She eavesdropped on a private conversation between you and Christopher, and then went to John Ross and told him that Alex was his son. And even after all the trouble she caused with that, she turned around and slept with John Ross."
"Emma and I have both changed a lot since then," says Lucas. "She was confused, and hurt and angry. So was I."
"Stop making excuses for that bitch."
"Mom, I'm gonna say this just one more time, and you'd BETTER listen to me. I love Emma Ryland. I intend to marry her, and there's not a damned thing you can do about it, so you're just gonna have to accept it."
"Like hell, I will," says Jenna.
"Either accept me and Emma, Mom, or......." Lucas pauses a moment.
"Like hell, I will," says Jenna.
"Either accept me and Emma, Mom, or......." Lucas pauses a moment.
"Or what, Lucas?" Jenna asks.
"Or you'll lose me."
"You have GOT to be kidding me. You would choose a girl like that over your own mother? Your own family? A girl who very nearly destroyed you AND your family not so long ago?"
"You'd be the one making that choice for me, Mom," Lucas says, standing to his feet. "I am a grown man, and all I ask is that you stop trying to run my life for me. I'm sorry, I'm really not very hungry. Enjoy your dinner." Without another word to his mother, Lucas turns and walks away, passing a young blonde girl as he leaves.
The blonde girl walks over to Jenna's table. "Good evening," she says. "My name is Stephanie, and I'll be your server this evening. Are you ready to order, or would you like to start off with one of our delicious appetizers first?"
"No. I don't want anything to eat."
"Excuse me?" Stephanie asks.
"Just bring me a glass of scotch. On the rocks."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm VERY sure," Jenna says.
"Or you'll lose me."
"You have GOT to be kidding me. You would choose a girl like that over your own mother? Your own family? A girl who very nearly destroyed you AND your family not so long ago?"
"You'd be the one making that choice for me, Mom," Lucas says, standing to his feet. "I am a grown man, and all I ask is that you stop trying to run my life for me. I'm sorry, I'm really not very hungry. Enjoy your dinner." Without another word to his mother, Lucas turns and walks away, passing a young blonde girl as he leaves.
The blonde girl walks over to Jenna's table. "Good evening," she says. "My name is Stephanie, and I'll be your server this evening. Are you ready to order, or would you like to start off with one of our delicious appetizers first?"
"No. I don't want anything to eat."
"Excuse me?" Stephanie asks.
"Just bring me a glass of scotch. On the rocks."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm VERY sure," Jenna says.
Southfork....the next morning
Lucas walks into the kitchen from the patio the next morning at Southfork as Ann pours herself a cup of coffee and the maid, Maria, prepares breakfast.
"Morning," Lucas says.
"Good mornin'," Ann greets.
"Breakfast sure smells good."
"You're up and out awful early."
"Yeah, I woke up early, so I went for a run. I love the ranch early in the morning. Has such a......I dunno, sweet smell."
Ann looks at him and smiles. "You sound just like Bobby. He loves the ranch early in the mornin', too. He said Jock and Miss Ellie did, too, so I guess you inherited that trait from all of them. You want some coffee before breakfast?"
"Sure."
Ann pours him a cup of coffee and they both take seats at the kitchen table. After a moment's silence, Ann looks at him. "Emma told me the truth about why you said what you did at the Barbecue."
"Morning," Lucas says.
"Good mornin'," Ann greets.
"Breakfast sure smells good."
"You're up and out awful early."
"Yeah, I woke up early, so I went for a run. I love the ranch early in the morning. Has such a......I dunno, sweet smell."
Ann looks at him and smiles. "You sound just like Bobby. He loves the ranch early in the mornin', too. He said Jock and Miss Ellie did, too, so I guess you inherited that trait from all of them. You want some coffee before breakfast?"
"Sure."
Ann pours him a cup of coffee and they both take seats at the kitchen table. After a moment's silence, Ann looks at him. "Emma told me the truth about why you said what you did at the Barbecue."
"Yeah, I'm.......sorry about that," Lucas says. "But my mother......"
"Yeah, I know. Your mother could get under anybody's skin. But honey, tellin' everybody that you and Emma are engaged, Lucas, that was really irresponsible."
"I know. I realize that, but, my Mom got me so flustered that it just slipped out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying. Did you tell Bobby?"
"No, I think you should tell him," Ann says.
"Tell me what?" Bobby asks as he walks into the kitchen.
Lucas and Ann exchange looks. Then Lucas looks at Bobby, who pours himself a cup of coffee.
"The truth," Lucas says. "The other day at the Barbecue, when I told everyone that Emma and I are getting married, it wasn't true."
"What?" Bobby asks, confused.
"I said it to annoy my mother. And that's why Emma ran into the house. She didn't know I was gonna make that announcement. Hell, I didn't even know until the words were out of my mouth."
"Yeah, I know. Your mother could get under anybody's skin. But honey, tellin' everybody that you and Emma are engaged, Lucas, that was really irresponsible."
"I know. I realize that, but, my Mom got me so flustered that it just slipped out of my mouth before I even knew what I was saying. Did you tell Bobby?"
"No, I think you should tell him," Ann says.
"Tell me what?" Bobby asks as he walks into the kitchen.
Lucas and Ann exchange looks. Then Lucas looks at Bobby, who pours himself a cup of coffee.
"The truth," Lucas says. "The other day at the Barbecue, when I told everyone that Emma and I are getting married, it wasn't true."
"What?" Bobby asks, confused.
"I said it to annoy my mother. And that's why Emma ran into the house. She didn't know I was gonna make that announcement. Hell, I didn't even know until the words were out of my mouth."
"Well, I'd be lyin' if I said I wasn't relieved to hear that. And your mother still thinks you and Emma are engaged?"
"Yeah, she does," Lucas says.
Bobby sighs. "Lucas, you're gonna have to tell her the truth."
"I know. But not right away."
"Lucas....."
"Okay, she invited me out to dinner last night and I was gonna tell her then. But as soon as I sat down at the table, she started in on Emma, so I left. I know I have to tell her eventually, but, for now, just let her........ suffer a little." Lucas smiles deviously as he takes a sip of his coffee.
Bobby and Ann exchange looks and smiles between them, both privately enjoying the fact that Lucas was making Jenna suffer by having her believe he was going to marry Emma.
"Yeah, she does," Lucas says.
Bobby sighs. "Lucas, you're gonna have to tell her the truth."
"I know. But not right away."
"Lucas....."
"Okay, she invited me out to dinner last night and I was gonna tell her then. But as soon as I sat down at the table, she started in on Emma, so I left. I know I have to tell her eventually, but, for now, just let her........ suffer a little." Lucas smiles deviously as he takes a sip of his coffee.
Bobby and Ann exchange looks and smiles between them, both privately enjoying the fact that Lucas was making Jenna suffer by having her believe he was going to marry Emma.
Denver-Carrington Oil, Denver....
Later in the morning, Krystina walks into her former office at Denver-Carrington, now occupied by her nephew, Blake Carrington "L.B." Colby. When she enters the office, she finds L.B. at his desk working.
"Hi," she says happily.
"Hey. You get your fiance to the airport okay?" L.B. asks.
"Yeah, I did. I can't wait to join him back in Dallas."
L.B. stands and walks over to her. "I really like John Ross. Seems like a great guy."
"He is. I can't wait for the rest of the family to meet him."
"Hi," she says happily.
"Hey. You get your fiance to the airport okay?" L.B. asks.
"Yeah, I did. I can't wait to join him back in Dallas."
L.B. stands and walks over to her. "I really like John Ross. Seems like a great guy."
"He is. I can't wait for the rest of the family to meet him."
"So what brings you by? On your way home from the airport?" L.B. asks.
"Yeah, and I wanted to talk to you about something. Something business related."
"I'm all ears."
"Well, you know that, technically, I'm still President of Denver-Carrington and I have final say on all decisions."
"Ummm, yeah, so? Krystina, have I done something or made some decision here at the company that you don't agree with?"
"No, of course not, nothing like that. L.B., John Ross and I are going to be married soon. And, at the point, I'm stepping down officially as President and leaving it to you. But before I do that, there is a decision regarding the company that I am going to make. And I hope you'll back me up and respect that decision."
"Okay, now you have me a little worried," L.B. says. "Krystina, what's this about?"
"You know that offshore operation in the Gulf we're partnered with Westar Oil in?"
"Yeah, John Ross brought you into that one when he was running Westar."
"That's right," Krystina says. "I wanna pull out of that deal."
"Pull out?" L.B. asks. "But why? That offshore tract has brought us a huge revenue."
"I know. But once we back out of the deal with Westar, Ewing Oil will take over the other half, so we'll still be making money. That's the way the contract was drawn up.......if one of the companies decided it wanted out, they could do so, with the option of dropping the contract with the other company and buying out their share of the tract."
"John Ross ask you to do that? He's no longer CEO of Westar, is he?"
"Yeah, and I wanted to talk to you about something. Something business related."
"I'm all ears."
"Well, you know that, technically, I'm still President of Denver-Carrington and I have final say on all decisions."
"Ummm, yeah, so? Krystina, have I done something or made some decision here at the company that you don't agree with?"
"No, of course not, nothing like that. L.B., John Ross and I are going to be married soon. And, at the point, I'm stepping down officially as President and leaving it to you. But before I do that, there is a decision regarding the company that I am going to make. And I hope you'll back me up and respect that decision."
"Okay, now you have me a little worried," L.B. says. "Krystina, what's this about?"
"You know that offshore operation in the Gulf we're partnered with Westar Oil in?"
"Yeah, John Ross brought you into that one when he was running Westar."
"That's right," Krystina says. "I wanna pull out of that deal."
"Pull out?" L.B. asks. "But why? That offshore tract has brought us a huge revenue."
"I know. But once we back out of the deal with Westar, Ewing Oil will take over the other half, so we'll still be making money. That's the way the contract was drawn up.......if one of the companies decided it wanted out, they could do so, with the option of dropping the contract with the other company and buying out their share of the tract."
"John Ross ask you to do that? He's no longer CEO of Westar, is he?"
"No, he's not, and I wanna help him get Westar back," Krystina says.
"How would pulling out of the offshore deal help John Ross get his company back?"
"Because it show a lack of confidence in the moron who's running the company now. If this and other deals fall through and costs Westar hundreds of millions of dollars, then the board of directors will see that he isn't a fit candidate to run Westar, and re-instate John Ross."
"Krystina, this sounds like a pretty huge risk to Denver-Carrington. We stand to lose a lot of money here, too."
"No, we don't. We buy Westar's half of the offshore tract using some of the revenue we've already earned from those wells, and then turn around and sell that half to Ewing Oil."
L.B. sighs. "I don't know. The whole thing still sounds risky to me."
"It's not. Just trust me on this."
"Alright. You've always had good judgement, Krystina. But I want one thing understood. If this scheme of yours backfires and costs Denver-Carrington a fortune, then it's all on YOU. You'll be the one to explain it to the family, and you and John Ross will have to make up the financial loss somehow."
"Deal," Krystina says with a smile.
"How would pulling out of the offshore deal help John Ross get his company back?"
"Because it show a lack of confidence in the moron who's running the company now. If this and other deals fall through and costs Westar hundreds of millions of dollars, then the board of directors will see that he isn't a fit candidate to run Westar, and re-instate John Ross."
"Krystina, this sounds like a pretty huge risk to Denver-Carrington. We stand to lose a lot of money here, too."
"No, we don't. We buy Westar's half of the offshore tract using some of the revenue we've already earned from those wells, and then turn around and sell that half to Ewing Oil."
L.B. sighs. "I don't know. The whole thing still sounds risky to me."
"It's not. Just trust me on this."
"Alright. You've always had good judgement, Krystina. But I want one thing understood. If this scheme of yours backfires and costs Denver-Carrington a fortune, then it's all on YOU. You'll be the one to explain it to the family, and you and John Ross will have to make up the financial loss somehow."
"Deal," Krystina says with a smile.
Ewing Oil....late afternoon
John Ross steps off the elevator at Ewing Oil later in the afternoon and as he makes his way to his office, Bobby is in the break room pouring himself a cup of coffee. Seeing his uncle as he passes by the break room, John Ross stops and walks in.
"Hey, Uncle Bobby. Aren't you gonna welcome me back from Denver?"
"Welcome back, John Ross," Bobby says with a slight smile. "How was your trip?"
"It was fine. Just fine."
"You want some coffee?"
"Yeah, I'll take a cup," John Ross says.
"Help yourself," Bobby says cheerfully.
John Ross gives his uncle a look of displeasure, then walks over and pours himself a cup of coffee.
"Ya know, John Ross," Bobby says. "I'm not sure if the rest of the family even knows about your engagement. So, I was thinkin', maybe we should have a little dinner party at Southfork. A little get together with just the family, and you and Krystina can announce your engagement then. What do you think?"
"Hey, Uncle Bobby. Aren't you gonna welcome me back from Denver?"
"Welcome back, John Ross," Bobby says with a slight smile. "How was your trip?"
"It was fine. Just fine."
"You want some coffee?"
"Yeah, I'll take a cup," John Ross says.
"Help yourself," Bobby says cheerfully.
John Ross gives his uncle a look of displeasure, then walks over and pours himself a cup of coffee.
"Ya know, John Ross," Bobby says. "I'm not sure if the rest of the family even knows about your engagement. So, I was thinkin', maybe we should have a little dinner party at Southfork. A little get together with just the family, and you and Krystina can announce your engagement then. What do you think?"
"I like that idea, Uncle Bobby, and thank ya. But, it's gonna need to be right away."
"Why, what's the hurry?"
"Krystina and I have already set a weddin' date. We're gonna be married the day before Thanksgiving."
"The day before Thanks- giving?" Bobby asks. "Why so soon?"
"Because I don't wanna wait to make Krystina my wife," replies John Ross.
"Why, what's the hurry?"
"Krystina and I have already set a weddin' date. We're gonna be married the day before Thanksgiving."
"The day before Thanks- giving?" Bobby asks. "Why so soon?"
"Because I don't wanna wait to make Krystina my wife," replies John Ross.
"You really do love this girl, don't you?" Bobby asks.
"More'n I ever thought it possible."
Bobby smiles. "Good. I'm real glad to hear you say that, John Ross. I hope that the third time will be the lucky one for you, and that you've learned from your past mistakes with Pamela and Amanda. I truly believe Krystina loves you, John Ross. I've seen it. At the hospital after your hit and run, she refused to leave your side, even when she was about to collapse from exhaustion. Don't make the same mistakes you did before, son. Make this one last."
"That's somethin' you don't have to worry about, Uncle Bobby. Now that I've finally found the real woman of my dreams, my cheatin' days are OVER."
"I also wanna say I'm very pleased with how you've been behaving yourself here at Ewing Oil since you've been filling in for your mother. I'm impressed. You've shown me you really are trying to turn over a new leaf."
"I appreciate that, Uncle Bobby. But that's enough of this mushy stuff. I got work to do." John Ross winks at his uncle, then turns and walks out of the room. A moment later, he walks into his office and closes the door. He takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. He waits patiently for an answer. Finally, on the fourth ring, someone answers. "Ed, John Ross here," he says. "It's almost time to lower the boom on ol' Cliff Barnes. Denver-Carrington is about to pull out of that offshore deal with Westar, and once you pull the rug out from under Barnes with that deal you gave him.......I'll have that little rat exactly where I want him. There's no way in hell the Westar board is gonna keep a CEO that cost them a couple hundred million dollars." John Ross smiles as he thinks about his ultimate revenge on Cliff.
"More'n I ever thought it possible."
Bobby smiles. "Good. I'm real glad to hear you say that, John Ross. I hope that the third time will be the lucky one for you, and that you've learned from your past mistakes with Pamela and Amanda. I truly believe Krystina loves you, John Ross. I've seen it. At the hospital after your hit and run, she refused to leave your side, even when she was about to collapse from exhaustion. Don't make the same mistakes you did before, son. Make this one last."
"That's somethin' you don't have to worry about, Uncle Bobby. Now that I've finally found the real woman of my dreams, my cheatin' days are OVER."
"I also wanna say I'm very pleased with how you've been behaving yourself here at Ewing Oil since you've been filling in for your mother. I'm impressed. You've shown me you really are trying to turn over a new leaf."
"I appreciate that, Uncle Bobby. But that's enough of this mushy stuff. I got work to do." John Ross winks at his uncle, then turns and walks out of the room. A moment later, he walks into his office and closes the door. He takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. He waits patiently for an answer. Finally, on the fourth ring, someone answers. "Ed, John Ross here," he says. "It's almost time to lower the boom on ol' Cliff Barnes. Denver-Carrington is about to pull out of that offshore deal with Westar, and once you pull the rug out from under Barnes with that deal you gave him.......I'll have that little rat exactly where I want him. There's no way in hell the Westar board is gonna keep a CEO that cost them a couple hundred million dollars." John Ross smiles as he thinks about his ultimate revenge on Cliff.
Southfork.....that night
Lucas walks out of the front door at Southfork that night and finds Conner standing alone by the fence, staring out into the night toward the road. He walks over to him.
"Chilly night," Lucas says.
"Yeah. I love the nights in the fall and winter, when it's cold," says Conner.
"Me too. Hey, you've been pretty quiet lately. And you didn't come to dinner tonight."
Conner sighs, his breath visible in a smoky mist in the cold November night air. "Just have a lot on my mind."
"Dylan?" Lucas asks.
"Chilly night," Lucas says.
"Yeah. I love the nights in the fall and winter, when it's cold," says Conner.
"Me too. Hey, you've been pretty quiet lately. And you didn't come to dinner tonight."
Conner sighs, his breath visible in a smoky mist in the cold November night air. "Just have a lot on my mind."
"Dylan?" Lucas asks.
"How'd you know?" Asks Conner.
Lucas looks at him and smiles. "We're Ewings. We read each other pretty well. You wanna talk about it?"
"Dylan is still so depressed, man. Even though the DA dropped the charges against him, thanks to John Ross, and he won't have a felony on his record, he's still convinced that his life is over. That he's tainted from now on. Every time I go visit him I try to cheer him up, but, it doesn't seem to work."
"That kid's been through pure hell this last year, man. It's gonna take more than a couple months in a hospital talking to a therapist every day for him to begin to heal. It's gonna take a lot of time. And the patience of a loving family."
"That's just it, Lucas," Conner says, turning to him. "Dylan doesn't have a loving family. His own mother hasn't even been to visit him in two months."
"What? Are you serious?" Asks a stunned Lucas.
"Todd, myself, and Jay. We're the only visitors he ever gets. The doctor says he can even go home for the day on Thanksgiving."
"Well that's great."
"No, it's not," Conner says. "Because Dylan doesn't wanna go home. I'd love to spend Thanksgiving with him, but, I can't bring him here to Southfork, not after what he did to John Ross. I think I should get my own apartment."
"And move out of Southfork?" Lucas asks.
"Yeah, I mean, that way, Dylan would have a place to go. And when he gets out of that hospital in a few months, he'll have a home."
"That what you want, Conner?"
"I think it's what I need to do. Dylan's my brother. My FAMILY. Lucas, I grew up as an only child, and that was lonely. Especially the way we moved around so much. I never had a chance to make any real friends. And then I found you guys. My cousins. Then, I found a brother I never knew existed. Dylan is so lost and alone, Lucas. I'm his big brother. I've gotta take care of him. I know my Dad would want that."
Lucas looks at Conner and smiles. "Dylan's real lucky to have you for a brother. And I'm real lucky to have you as my cousin."
"Goes both ways, ya know," Conner says.
"Well, I'm gonna turn in. It's cold out here, and I'm pretty tired. You comin' in?"
"I'll be in soon. I wanna stay out here and enjoy this crisp air for a while."
"Okay. See you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Lucas. And thanks."
Lucas looks at him, smiles, and nods. Then turns and walks back to the house as Conner returns to his own thoughts.
Lucas looks at him and smiles. "We're Ewings. We read each other pretty well. You wanna talk about it?"
"Dylan is still so depressed, man. Even though the DA dropped the charges against him, thanks to John Ross, and he won't have a felony on his record, he's still convinced that his life is over. That he's tainted from now on. Every time I go visit him I try to cheer him up, but, it doesn't seem to work."
"That kid's been through pure hell this last year, man. It's gonna take more than a couple months in a hospital talking to a therapist every day for him to begin to heal. It's gonna take a lot of time. And the patience of a loving family."
"That's just it, Lucas," Conner says, turning to him. "Dylan doesn't have a loving family. His own mother hasn't even been to visit him in two months."
"What? Are you serious?" Asks a stunned Lucas.
"Todd, myself, and Jay. We're the only visitors he ever gets. The doctor says he can even go home for the day on Thanksgiving."
"Well that's great."
"No, it's not," Conner says. "Because Dylan doesn't wanna go home. I'd love to spend Thanksgiving with him, but, I can't bring him here to Southfork, not after what he did to John Ross. I think I should get my own apartment."
"And move out of Southfork?" Lucas asks.
"Yeah, I mean, that way, Dylan would have a place to go. And when he gets out of that hospital in a few months, he'll have a home."
"That what you want, Conner?"
"I think it's what I need to do. Dylan's my brother. My FAMILY. Lucas, I grew up as an only child, and that was lonely. Especially the way we moved around so much. I never had a chance to make any real friends. And then I found you guys. My cousins. Then, I found a brother I never knew existed. Dylan is so lost and alone, Lucas. I'm his big brother. I've gotta take care of him. I know my Dad would want that."
Lucas looks at Conner and smiles. "Dylan's real lucky to have you for a brother. And I'm real lucky to have you as my cousin."
"Goes both ways, ya know," Conner says.
"Well, I'm gonna turn in. It's cold out here, and I'm pretty tired. You comin' in?"
"I'll be in soon. I wanna stay out here and enjoy this crisp air for a while."
"Okay. See you in the morning."
"Goodnight, Lucas. And thanks."
Lucas looks at him, smiles, and nods. Then turns and walks back to the house as Conner returns to his own thoughts.
Charlie's home....the next morning
Charlie and Alex are sitting down to a breakfast of pancakes, blueberry muffins, and orange juice the next morning when the doorbell rings.
"You finish your breakfast," Charlie tells her son. "I'll see who that is." Charlie gets up from the table and walks into the living room. She sees through the window on the front door that it's Christopher paying an early morning visit. She smiles, then opens the door.
"Good morning," Christopher says with a smile.
"Good morning. Come in."
"Thanks," he says, walking into the house.
"What brings you by so early?" Charlie asks.
"You finish your breakfast," Charlie tells her son. "I'll see who that is." Charlie gets up from the table and walks into the living room. She sees through the window on the front door that it's Christopher paying an early morning visit. She smiles, then opens the door.
"Good morning," Christopher says with a smile.
"Good morning. Come in."
"Thanks," he says, walking into the house.
"What brings you by so early?" Charlie asks.
"Well, I'm flying down to Cherokee County with Catlin Ewing, and I thought I'd stop by here on my way to the airport. See how you were doing."
Charlie smiles. "I'm glad you did. Alex and I are just having breakfast. Have you eaten?"
"I just grabbed a donut before I left Southfork."
"That's no breakfast. Come on, we have plenty."
Smiling, Christopher follows Charlie into the kitchen, where Alex is seated at the table, eating. A look of anger comes over Alex's face upon seeing Christopher walk in.
"Morning, Alex," Christopher says.
The boy gives Christopher an angry look, then gets up from the table. "I'll wait outside for the bus," he says, grabbing his back pack.
"You haven't finished your breakfast," Charlie says.
Alex looks at Christopher. "I lost my appetite." The boy turns and walks out.
"He really hates my guts, doesn't he?" Christopher asks after Alex leaves.
Charlie smiles. "I'm glad you did. Alex and I are just having breakfast. Have you eaten?"
"I just grabbed a donut before I left Southfork."
"That's no breakfast. Come on, we have plenty."
Smiling, Christopher follows Charlie into the kitchen, where Alex is seated at the table, eating. A look of anger comes over Alex's face upon seeing Christopher walk in.
"Morning, Alex," Christopher says.
The boy gives Christopher an angry look, then gets up from the table. "I'll wait outside for the bus," he says, grabbing his back pack.
"You haven't finished your breakfast," Charlie says.
Alex looks at Christopher. "I lost my appetite." The boy turns and walks out.
"He really hates my guts, doesn't he?" Christopher asks after Alex leaves.
"He doesn't hate you," says Charlie. "He just sees us getting closer, and he feels........"
"Jealous? Threatened?"
"Not so much that. I think as he sees us getting close and spending time together, he doesn't wanna think about anyone taking his father's......... Phillip's.........place in my life, or his."
"I can understand that," Christopher says. "So is that what we're doin'? Getting closer?"
"I hope so," Charlie says softly.
Smiling, Christopher reaches across the table and takes Charlie by the hand. "So do I," he says. For a moment, the two look into each others' eyes.
"Jealous? Threatened?"
"Not so much that. I think as he sees us getting close and spending time together, he doesn't wanna think about anyone taking his father's......... Phillip's.........place in my life, or his."
"I can understand that," Christopher says. "So is that what we're doin'? Getting closer?"
"I hope so," Charlie says softly.
Smiling, Christopher reaches across the table and takes Charlie by the hand. "So do I," he says. For a moment, the two look into each others' eyes.
Westar......later
Cliff steps off the elevator and walks into the Westar offices a short time later. "Good morning," he greets the receptionist cheerfully.
"Morning, Mr. Barnes," she says.
"Good morning, Gail," Cliff says to his secretary.
"Good morning, Cliff. How'd it go at the dentist?"
"Oh, same as always," Cliff replies. "Glad to have gotten this cavity filled, but now half my mouth still feels dead. Any calls or messages for me?"
"Yes. Ed Hollister came by earlier."
"Ed Hollister?" Cliff asks, surprised. "What'd he want?"
I don't know. He spoke with And Mr. and Mrs. McKay. They told me to tell you they wanna see you as soon as you come in."
"Thank you, Gail," says Cliff. "I wonder what's up." He walks over to Pamela's office and knocks.
"Come in," he hears her say.
Cliff walks into the office and finds Pamela and Tripp at her desk. "Hi, honey," he says, walking over and kissing Pamela on the cheek. "So what's up? Gail said you wanted to see me."
"Yeah, Daddy," Pamela says, a worried tone in her voice. "We need to talk."
"This sounds serious. What's up?"
Pamela and Tripp exchange worried looks.
"Morning, Mr. Barnes," she says.
"Good morning, Gail," Cliff says to his secretary.
"Good morning, Cliff. How'd it go at the dentist?"
"Oh, same as always," Cliff replies. "Glad to have gotten this cavity filled, but now half my mouth still feels dead. Any calls or messages for me?"
"Yes. Ed Hollister came by earlier."
"Ed Hollister?" Cliff asks, surprised. "What'd he want?"
I don't know. He spoke with And Mr. and Mrs. McKay. They told me to tell you they wanna see you as soon as you come in."
"Thank you, Gail," says Cliff. "I wonder what's up." He walks over to Pamela's office and knocks.
"Come in," he hears her say.
Cliff walks into the office and finds Pamela and Tripp at her desk. "Hi, honey," he says, walking over and kissing Pamela on the cheek. "So what's up? Gail said you wanted to see me."
"Yeah, Daddy," Pamela says, a worried tone in her voice. "We need to talk."
"This sounds serious. What's up?"
Pamela and Tripp exchange worried looks.
"What's going on, you two? Gail said that Ed Hollister was here and spoke to you."
Pamela and Tripp remain silent as they again exchange looks.
"Well, come on," Cliff says. "Is somebody gonna tell me what's going on?"
Pamela and Tripp remain silent as they again exchange looks.
"Well, come on," Cliff says. "Is somebody gonna tell me what's going on?"
"Daddy, we have a problem," says Pamela. "A serious one."
"What problem?" Cliff asks. "Is there a problem with Ed Hollister?"
"What problem?" Cliff asks. "Is there a problem with Ed Hollister?"
"Hollister pulled out of our deal, Cliff," Tripp says.
"He......Hollister did WHAT?" Asks a stunned Cliff.
"He came by this morning while you were at the dentist, and he said he was sorry, but he has to back out of our land deal."
"What? Why the hell did he do that?" Cliff asks, angrily. "Did he even give a reason?"
"Nope," replies Pamela. "He simply said that for unspecified reasons, he can't continue on as a partner in the deal at this time."
"I don't.........I don't believe this!" Cliff rants. "Ed Hollister has a great reputation. I checked him out and I've heard good things about him and his company over the years. I've never heard of Hollister pulling out of a deal with anyone before!"
"Yeah, well, he pulled outta this one," Tripp says. "And it's gonna cost us. Big time."
"Just hold on," Cliff says as he turns and walks to the door.
"Daddy, where are you going?" Pamela asks.
Cliff turns back and looks at her. "I'm going to see Hollister and get a damned explanation as to why he pulled out of a deal I made with him in good faith." Cliff storms out of the office.
"He......Hollister did WHAT?" Asks a stunned Cliff.
"He came by this morning while you were at the dentist, and he said he was sorry, but he has to back out of our land deal."
"What? Why the hell did he do that?" Cliff asks, angrily. "Did he even give a reason?"
"Nope," replies Pamela. "He simply said that for unspecified reasons, he can't continue on as a partner in the deal at this time."
"I don't.........I don't believe this!" Cliff rants. "Ed Hollister has a great reputation. I checked him out and I've heard good things about him and his company over the years. I've never heard of Hollister pulling out of a deal with anyone before!"
"Yeah, well, he pulled outta this one," Tripp says. "And it's gonna cost us. Big time."
"Just hold on," Cliff says as he turns and walks to the door.
"Daddy, where are you going?" Pamela asks.
Cliff turns back and looks at her. "I'm going to see Hollister and get a damned explanation as to why he pulled out of a deal I made with him in good faith." Cliff storms out of the office.
A short time later....
Ed Hollister is working at his desk a short time later when he hears a commotion in the outer office of his secretary.
"No, you can't go in there!" Ed hears his secretary say.
"Oh, yeah, you wanna watch me?" Cliff yells as he barges into Ed's office, followed by the secretary.
"Mr. Hollister, I'm awful sorry," the woman says. "I tried to stop him."
"It's alright, Marcy," Ed says. "Leave us alone, please."
"Yes, sir," Marcy says as she gives Cliff an angry look, then walks out.
"Mr. Barnes, I'm a real busy man. Just say what you gotta say and leave."
"Hollister, what the HELL do you mean by pulling out of that deal you and I made?"
"No, you can't go in there!" Ed hears his secretary say.
"Oh, yeah, you wanna watch me?" Cliff yells as he barges into Ed's office, followed by the secretary.
"Mr. Hollister, I'm awful sorry," the woman says. "I tried to stop him."
"It's alright, Marcy," Ed says. "Leave us alone, please."
"Yes, sir," Marcy says as she gives Cliff an angry look, then walks out.
"Mr. Barnes, I'm a real busy man. Just say what you gotta say and leave."
"Hollister, what the HELL do you mean by pulling out of that deal you and I made?"
"I'm sorry 'bout that, Mr. Barnes," Ed says in his thick Texas drawl. "But some thangs came up, and I am unable at this time to honor my contract with Westar. And, as stipulated in that contract, either partner was free to pull out at any time."
"Hollister, we had a DEAL!" Cliff yells.
"I know, and I'm sorry."
"You're a low down, dirty rat, Hollister. What the hell kind of a business man makes a deal and then backs out of it?"
"Aight, you wont the truth, Barnes?" Ed asks. "The truth is, you have sort of a reputation in the Dallas business community."
"What?"
"You just got outta prison a year ago, and word has it you're not the most reliable man to do business with."
Cliff moves closer to him. "Hollister, this deal is gonna cost Westar a hell of a lot of money, and your company, too."
"I know, and I'm sorry 'bout that. Just as sorry as I can be, but I can't do business with YOU, Mr. Barnes. And there's not a damned thang you can do about it. Now if you don't mind, I got work to do, so if you would please leave."
"Hollister, we had a DEAL!" Cliff yells.
"I know, and I'm sorry."
"You're a low down, dirty rat, Hollister. What the hell kind of a business man makes a deal and then backs out of it?"
"Aight, you wont the truth, Barnes?" Ed asks. "The truth is, you have sort of a reputation in the Dallas business community."
"What?"
"You just got outta prison a year ago, and word has it you're not the most reliable man to do business with."
Cliff moves closer to him. "Hollister, this deal is gonna cost Westar a hell of a lot of money, and your company, too."
"I know, and I'm sorry 'bout that. Just as sorry as I can be, but I can't do business with YOU, Mr. Barnes. And there's not a damned thang you can do about it. Now if you don't mind, I got work to do, so if you would please leave."
"Hollister, you're an asshole. And you're NOT gonna get away with this," says Cliff.
"Nothin' you can do about it, Barnes. You can't sue me."
"No, but I'll get back at you for this. Somehow," Cliff says.
"Get outta here, Barnes, before I call security and have you tossed out."
"This isn't over, Hollister," Cliff says, then storms out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
After Cliff is gone, Ed laughs. He walks over to his desk and picks up his phone. Dialing John Ross's number, he waits for an answer.
"Nothin' you can do about it, Barnes. You can't sue me."
"No, but I'll get back at you for this. Somehow," Cliff says.
"Get outta here, Barnes, before I call security and have you tossed out."
"This isn't over, Hollister," Cliff says, then storms out of the office, slamming the door behind him.
After Cliff is gone, Ed laughs. He walks over to his desk and picks up his phone. Dialing John Ross's number, he waits for an answer.
Meanwhile......Ewing Oil
John Ross picks up his ringing cell phone and looks at the caller ID. He quickly answers. "Ed, what's the good word?"
"John Ross, it's done," says Ed. "I pulled outta the deal with Westar this mornin' just like you said. Ol' Cliff Barnes just left here madder'n a wet hen bein' chased by a horny rooster."
John Ross smiles. "Ed, that's great news. I really appreciate this, bud. I'll be in touch." John Ross ends the call and puts his phone down. "By the end of this week, Cliff Barnes will be all washed up at Westar." John Ross leans back in his chair and laughs.
"John Ross, it's done," says Ed. "I pulled outta the deal with Westar this mornin' just like you said. Ol' Cliff Barnes just left here madder'n a wet hen bein' chased by a horny rooster."
John Ross smiles. "Ed, that's great news. I really appreciate this, bud. I'll be in touch." John Ross ends the call and puts his phone down. "By the end of this week, Cliff Barnes will be all washed up at Westar." John Ross leans back in his chair and laughs.
Southfork......that night
The Ewings have a table full for dinner that evening, as Bobby, Ann, Christopher, John Ross, Krystina, Sue Ellen, Lucas, Emma, Charlie, Alex, Justin, Amanda, Ray, Donna, Lucy, and Conner engage in various conversations around the large dinner table. As the crew finishes dinner, they adjourn to the living room for after dinner drinks.
"Oh, boy, I'm so stuffed from that dinner I don't think I even got room for a drink," Ray says as he walks into the living room with Bobby, Conner, and Christopher.
"I'm sure you'll change your mind as soon as I pour ya one," Bobby jokes.
Donna hangs back and watches Ray as he walks over to the bar with Bobby and Conner. She intently watches Ray as he chats and laughs with Conner. Lucy walks up to her.
"Hey, is everything alright with you and Ray?" Lucy asks. "I notice you're kind quiet tonight.
"I'm fine," replies Donna.
"You sure? You're starin' at Ray awful hard. You two have a fight or somethin'?"
"I'm just a little worried."
"Worried about what?"
"Ray, and his closeness with Conner."
"Donna, you lost me," says Lucy.
"Lately, Ray has been getting very close to Conner. Treats him almost like a son."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Under any other circumstances, nothing would be. But in this case, it's almost as if Ray is trying to recreate his relationship with Lucas through Conner. Like he's trying to replace a son he's lost with another, and I'm just afraid in a situation like that, Ray might get hurt."
Meanwhile, Alex stands alone as he watches Christopher and Charlie involved in a conversation and laughing together near the fireplace. The boy shakes his head in disgust as John Ross walks over to him.
"Oh, boy, I'm so stuffed from that dinner I don't think I even got room for a drink," Ray says as he walks into the living room with Bobby, Conner, and Christopher.
"I'm sure you'll change your mind as soon as I pour ya one," Bobby jokes.
Donna hangs back and watches Ray as he walks over to the bar with Bobby and Conner. She intently watches Ray as he chats and laughs with Conner. Lucy walks up to her.
"Hey, is everything alright with you and Ray?" Lucy asks. "I notice you're kind quiet tonight.
"I'm fine," replies Donna.
"You sure? You're starin' at Ray awful hard. You two have a fight or somethin'?"
"I'm just a little worried."
"Worried about what?"
"Ray, and his closeness with Conner."
"Donna, you lost me," says Lucy.
"Lately, Ray has been getting very close to Conner. Treats him almost like a son."
"What's wrong with that?"
"Under any other circumstances, nothing would be. But in this case, it's almost as if Ray is trying to recreate his relationship with Lucas through Conner. Like he's trying to replace a son he's lost with another, and I'm just afraid in a situation like that, Ray might get hurt."
Meanwhile, Alex stands alone as he watches Christopher and Charlie involved in a conversation and laughing together near the fireplace. The boy shakes his head in disgust as John Ross walks over to him.
"Hey, what's goin' on with your Mama and Christopher?" John Ross asks.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Alex replies.
"They sure look awful cozy," John Ross says, watching Charlie and Christopher as they appear to be getting very close. "That bother you?"
"What do you think?"
Before John Ross can answer the question, Krystina and Sue Ellen walk over.
"My, I do believe I have the most handsome son and grandson of anyone," Sue Ellen says proudly.
"Thank ya, Mama," John Ross says, kissing his mother on the cheek.
"John Ross, don't you think it's time we make the announcement?" Krystina asks.
"Yes, I do."
"Announcement?" Alex asks. "What announcement?"
"You're about to find out," replies John Ross. "Everyone! Hey, everyone, can I have your attention, please?"
The crowded room of Ewings slowly begin to get quiet as they gather around John Ross, Krystina, Sue Ellen, and Alex, who stand in the middle of the room.
"Thanks, y'all," John Ross continues. "I just have a couple things I need to say. First of all, I wanna thank Uncle Bobby and Ann for havin' this little dinner party here tonight, and all of you for comin'. I'm sorry the rest of the fam'ly itn't here tonight......James and his fam'ly, and my little sister Jill, but, I really appreciate the rest of y'all bein' here for this special occasion."
"Exactly what is this special occasion, John Ross?" Lucy asks.
"I'm gettin' to that. On the day of the Barbecue, I asked this very lovely lady beside me to be my wife, and she said yes."
"Well, congratulations," Ray says.
"I appreciate that, Uncle Ray."
"When's the weddin'?" Justin asks.
"Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, so mark your calendars."
"The day before Thanksgiving?" Christopher asks. "Why so soon?"
"Cousin, if you had this gorgeous woman agreein' to be your wife, you wouldn't wanna wait, either," John Ross says. "The weddin' will be the day before Thanksgivin', at the home of Krystina's fam'ly in Denver. Hope you can all make it."
"Does that mean you're gonna be moving to Denver after the wedding?" Lucas asks, a tone of hopefulness in his voice.
"Sorry to disappoint ya, cousin Lucas. But after our honeymoon, Krystina and me are gonna be livin' right here at Southfork."
"Gee, not a Southfork wedding?" Lucy asks. "Why, John Ross, that's downright un-Ewing of you."
"Well, we discussed it," says Krystina.
"And with the track record of couples who got married here at Southfork, myself included, Krystina and I decided we wanted this marriage to last, so no Southfork weddin'," John Ross says.
"And I think that's a pretty wise decision," says Bobby.
"And there's one other thing I wanna say," John Ross continues. "I'd like to ask Alex here......to be my best man."
Alex turns to him, a stunned look on his face. "You want ME to be your best man?"
"I sure do. So will ya?"
"Yeah, sure, I guess so," the boy replies, shrugging his shoulders as if not terribly interested in the prospect of being John Ross's best man.
"I'd like to propose a toast," says Sue Ellen, raising her glass. "To John Ross and Krystina......to a merging of two hearts, two lives, two spirits. And a merging of the Ewing and Carrington dynasties. May the two of you always be as happy and as much in love as you are at this moment."
"And I second that," Bobby says. "To John Ross and Krystina."
The happy couple look at each other and exchange smiles as the family toasts their happiness.
"Your guess is as good as mine," Alex replies.
"They sure look awful cozy," John Ross says, watching Charlie and Christopher as they appear to be getting very close. "That bother you?"
"What do you think?"
Before John Ross can answer the question, Krystina and Sue Ellen walk over.
"My, I do believe I have the most handsome son and grandson of anyone," Sue Ellen says proudly.
"Thank ya, Mama," John Ross says, kissing his mother on the cheek.
"John Ross, don't you think it's time we make the announcement?" Krystina asks.
"Yes, I do."
"Announcement?" Alex asks. "What announcement?"
"You're about to find out," replies John Ross. "Everyone! Hey, everyone, can I have your attention, please?"
The crowded room of Ewings slowly begin to get quiet as they gather around John Ross, Krystina, Sue Ellen, and Alex, who stand in the middle of the room.
"Thanks, y'all," John Ross continues. "I just have a couple things I need to say. First of all, I wanna thank Uncle Bobby and Ann for havin' this little dinner party here tonight, and all of you for comin'. I'm sorry the rest of the fam'ly itn't here tonight......James and his fam'ly, and my little sister Jill, but, I really appreciate the rest of y'all bein' here for this special occasion."
"Exactly what is this special occasion, John Ross?" Lucy asks.
"I'm gettin' to that. On the day of the Barbecue, I asked this very lovely lady beside me to be my wife, and she said yes."
"Well, congratulations," Ray says.
"I appreciate that, Uncle Ray."
"When's the weddin'?" Justin asks.
"Wednesday, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving, so mark your calendars."
"The day before Thanksgiving?" Christopher asks. "Why so soon?"
"Cousin, if you had this gorgeous woman agreein' to be your wife, you wouldn't wanna wait, either," John Ross says. "The weddin' will be the day before Thanksgivin', at the home of Krystina's fam'ly in Denver. Hope you can all make it."
"Does that mean you're gonna be moving to Denver after the wedding?" Lucas asks, a tone of hopefulness in his voice.
"Sorry to disappoint ya, cousin Lucas. But after our honeymoon, Krystina and me are gonna be livin' right here at Southfork."
"Gee, not a Southfork wedding?" Lucy asks. "Why, John Ross, that's downright un-Ewing of you."
"Well, we discussed it," says Krystina.
"And with the track record of couples who got married here at Southfork, myself included, Krystina and I decided we wanted this marriage to last, so no Southfork weddin'," John Ross says.
"And I think that's a pretty wise decision," says Bobby.
"And there's one other thing I wanna say," John Ross continues. "I'd like to ask Alex here......to be my best man."
Alex turns to him, a stunned look on his face. "You want ME to be your best man?"
"I sure do. So will ya?"
"Yeah, sure, I guess so," the boy replies, shrugging his shoulders as if not terribly interested in the prospect of being John Ross's best man.
"I'd like to propose a toast," says Sue Ellen, raising her glass. "To John Ross and Krystina......to a merging of two hearts, two lives, two spirits. And a merging of the Ewing and Carrington dynasties. May the two of you always be as happy and as much in love as you are at this moment."
"And I second that," Bobby says. "To John Ross and Krystina."
The happy couple look at each other and exchange smiles as the family toasts their happiness.
The Ryland Home....
Harris comes down the stairs later that night and finds Jenna sitting alone in the living room by a fire, sipping on a cup of hot chocolate.
"Jenna," Harris says. "Honey, why don't you come on back to bed? It's late."
"When my kids were little, and one of them couldn't sleep, I'd always get up and make them a cup of hot chocolate. Lucas had a lot of trouble sleeping when he was little. I called him my little insomniac. Many's the night I would get out of bed, fix him some hot chocolate, and sit up with him until he fell asleep."
"Jenna....."
"I've lost him, Harris," she says. "I've lost my son."
"Jenna, you hadn't lost anybody. Your son is still around. He's still in your life."
"Not for long. Not if he marries that.........not if he marries Emma. He made that clear to me. Either I accept Emma in his life, or, he chooses her over me."
Harris walks over and takes a seat on the floor beside her. "Jenna, you know I raised that girl as my own. Loved her like she was my own and I still do. Emma's a little rough around the edges sometimes, and she can be trouble. But deep down inside that girl has got a good heart. Lucas could do a whole lot worse than to end up with Emma."
Jenna looks at him. "That girl nearly destroyed him not so long ago, Harris. She betrayed him by revealing a family secret she had overheard while eavesdropping. Then she slept with Lucas's own cousin in the same bed she shared with my son."
Harris sighs as he looks away, then looks back at Jenna.
"Harris, please," Jenna says. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a while. I need time to think. You go on to bed."
"You sure?" Harris asks.
"Yes."
He stands, then leans down and kisses Jenna on the head. After a brief pause, he walks out of the room and leaves Jenna to her thoughts.
"When my kids were little, and one of them couldn't sleep, I'd always get up and make them a cup of hot chocolate. Lucas had a lot of trouble sleeping when he was little. I called him my little insomniac. Many's the night I would get out of bed, fix him some hot chocolate, and sit up with him until he fell asleep."
"Jenna....."
"I've lost him, Harris," she says. "I've lost my son."
"Jenna, you hadn't lost anybody. Your son is still around. He's still in your life."
"Not for long. Not if he marries that.........not if he marries Emma. He made that clear to me. Either I accept Emma in his life, or, he chooses her over me."
Harris walks over and takes a seat on the floor beside her. "Jenna, you know I raised that girl as my own. Loved her like she was my own and I still do. Emma's a little rough around the edges sometimes, and she can be trouble. But deep down inside that girl has got a good heart. Lucas could do a whole lot worse than to end up with Emma."
Jenna looks at him. "That girl nearly destroyed him not so long ago, Harris. She betrayed him by revealing a family secret she had overheard while eavesdropping. Then she slept with Lucas's own cousin in the same bed she shared with my son."
Harris sighs as he looks away, then looks back at Jenna.
"Harris, please," Jenna says. "If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone for a while. I need time to think. You go on to bed."
"You sure?" Harris asks.
"Yes."
He stands, then leans down and kisses Jenna on the head. After a brief pause, he walks out of the room and leaves Jenna to her thoughts.
Ewing Oil....the next morning
John Ross is doing some work at his computer the next morning when a knock comes at his office door. "Come in," he says.
Sue Ellen walks in. "Good morning, John Ross."
"And a very good morning to the most beautiful mother in the world," John Ross says as he gets up from his seat and walks over to her. He kisses his mother on the cheek. "What brings you by?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something. We didn't get much of a chance to talk last night at Southfork with everyone around."
"Well, nobody around now," John Ross says.
"John Ross, how would you feel about staying on here at Ewing Oil?" Sue Ellen asks.
Sue Ellen walks in. "Good morning, John Ross."
"And a very good morning to the most beautiful mother in the world," John Ross says as he gets up from his seat and walks over to her. He kisses his mother on the cheek. "What brings you by?"
"I wanted to talk to you about something. We didn't get much of a chance to talk last night at Southfork with everyone around."
"Well, nobody around now," John Ross says.
"John Ross, how would you feel about staying on here at Ewing Oil?" Sue Ellen asks.
"You want me to stay on here at Ewing Oil?" John Ross asks. "You mean after you come back? Or are you even plannin' on comin' back?"
"Yes, I'm coming back. But John Ross, there's a place here for all of us. Ewing Oil is a family company. It's part of your heritage, same as it is Christopher's. I've already spoken to Bobby about this, and we both agree that your place is here, with your family, and not at Westar."
"Whoa, wait a second, Mama. So, what you're sayin' is, you want me to give up the fight to get Westar back and join Ewing Oil permanently?"
"Yes," replies Sue Ellen.
John Ross turns and walks to the window and looks out. He is silent for a moment. "Mama, I worked hard to get Westar. It was somethin' my Daddy wanted for a long time. And I got the comp'ny." He turns back to Sue Ellen and looks at her. "Westar was and IS important to me. And the thought of a man like Cliff Barnes sittin' in that CEO's chair in my place just turns my stomach."
"I understand that, John Ross. But THIS company, Ewing Oil, is your birthright. A birthright that was stolen away from you. But now, we have it back. A company that your grandfather started eighty-five years ago. A company that will be half yours one day, and which you will be able to pass on to your own sons. To Alex and Little John. And do you really want to be in competition with your family again over deals?"
"Mama, you're askin' me to give up bein' CEO of my own comp'ny, to be a second or even third fiddle around here, subject to doin' whatever Uncle Bobby and Christopher say. I don't know if I can do that."
Sue Ellen walks over to him. "You won't be playing second fiddle. I promise. Even Bobby is impressed with how you've been conducting yourself here at the company these last couple months. Your father always wanted to pass Ewing Oil down to you. We had always pictured you and Christopher running this company side by side one day, the way J.R. and Bobby use to. If you say yes and stay on, then that can happen. Please, just think about it." She lovingly touches her son's face, smiles at him, then turns and walks out.
John Ross smiles. He walks over to his desk and picks up his cell phone. He dials Krystina's number. On the second ring, she answers. "Darlin', you won't believe what just happened. My Mama was just here in my office, and she asked me to stay on here at Ewing Oil permanently. She wants me to give up my fight to get Westar back from Cliff Barnes. Hello, no, I'm not gonna give up tryin' to get Barnes outta Westar. You just do your part. Pull Denver-Carrington outta that offshore deal with Westar, and then........I have another plan formulatin' in my somewhat brilliant brain."
"Yes, I'm coming back. But John Ross, there's a place here for all of us. Ewing Oil is a family company. It's part of your heritage, same as it is Christopher's. I've already spoken to Bobby about this, and we both agree that your place is here, with your family, and not at Westar."
"Whoa, wait a second, Mama. So, what you're sayin' is, you want me to give up the fight to get Westar back and join Ewing Oil permanently?"
"Yes," replies Sue Ellen.
John Ross turns and walks to the window and looks out. He is silent for a moment. "Mama, I worked hard to get Westar. It was somethin' my Daddy wanted for a long time. And I got the comp'ny." He turns back to Sue Ellen and looks at her. "Westar was and IS important to me. And the thought of a man like Cliff Barnes sittin' in that CEO's chair in my place just turns my stomach."
"I understand that, John Ross. But THIS company, Ewing Oil, is your birthright. A birthright that was stolen away from you. But now, we have it back. A company that your grandfather started eighty-five years ago. A company that will be half yours one day, and which you will be able to pass on to your own sons. To Alex and Little John. And do you really want to be in competition with your family again over deals?"
"Mama, you're askin' me to give up bein' CEO of my own comp'ny, to be a second or even third fiddle around here, subject to doin' whatever Uncle Bobby and Christopher say. I don't know if I can do that."
Sue Ellen walks over to him. "You won't be playing second fiddle. I promise. Even Bobby is impressed with how you've been conducting yourself here at the company these last couple months. Your father always wanted to pass Ewing Oil down to you. We had always pictured you and Christopher running this company side by side one day, the way J.R. and Bobby use to. If you say yes and stay on, then that can happen. Please, just think about it." She lovingly touches her son's face, smiles at him, then turns and walks out.
John Ross smiles. He walks over to his desk and picks up his cell phone. He dials Krystina's number. On the second ring, she answers. "Darlin', you won't believe what just happened. My Mama was just here in my office, and she asked me to stay on here at Ewing Oil permanently. She wants me to give up my fight to get Westar back from Cliff Barnes. Hello, no, I'm not gonna give up tryin' to get Barnes outta Westar. You just do your part. Pull Denver-Carrington outta that offshore deal with Westar, and then........I have another plan formulatin' in my somewhat brilliant brain."
Westar....later
"Come on in, sweetheart," Cliff says as he welcomes Pamela into his office later.
"Well, I've been fending off calls all morning from board members upset about us losing that deal with Hollister Oil & Gas," Pamela says.
"Yeah, well, look, honey, I really appreciate you taking those calls for me while I'm trying to figure out what we can do to recoup our losses."
"Daddy, yes, Hollister was a major loss, but it's not the end of the world. There'll be other deals."
"This really pisses me off, Pamela," says Cliff. "I cannot believe a man like Ed Hollister would just back out of a major deal like that. Not without a damned good reason."
"What did Hollister say when you went to see him?" Pamela asks.
"Just that he couldn't do business with Westar because of MY reputation. This whole thing sounds just too fishy."
At that moment, Cliff's secretary, Gail, buzzes his office. "Excuse me, Cliff, Krystina Carrington is here to see you."
"Krystina Carrington? Denver-Carrington Oil?" Cliff asks.
"Yes."
"What could she want?" Pamela asks her father.
"No idea. Okay, Gail, send her in," says Cliff. "She probably just wants to discuss how things are going on the offshore tract her company is partnered in with Westar," he tells Pamela.
A moment later, Krystina walks into the office. "Mr. Barnes," she says.
"Miss Carrington, hello," says Cliff. "This is my daughter, Pamela McKay."
"Yes, hello. We're.....acquainted."
"Hello," Pamela says.
"So, what can I do for you, Miss Carrington? I take it you're here to discuss our offshore tract?"
"Well, I've been fending off calls all morning from board members upset about us losing that deal with Hollister Oil & Gas," Pamela says.
"Yeah, well, look, honey, I really appreciate you taking those calls for me while I'm trying to figure out what we can do to recoup our losses."
"Daddy, yes, Hollister was a major loss, but it's not the end of the world. There'll be other deals."
"This really pisses me off, Pamela," says Cliff. "I cannot believe a man like Ed Hollister would just back out of a major deal like that. Not without a damned good reason."
"What did Hollister say when you went to see him?" Pamela asks.
"Just that he couldn't do business with Westar because of MY reputation. This whole thing sounds just too fishy."
At that moment, Cliff's secretary, Gail, buzzes his office. "Excuse me, Cliff, Krystina Carrington is here to see you."
"Krystina Carrington? Denver-Carrington Oil?" Cliff asks.
"Yes."
"What could she want?" Pamela asks her father.
"No idea. Okay, Gail, send her in," says Cliff. "She probably just wants to discuss how things are going on the offshore tract her company is partnered in with Westar," he tells Pamela.
A moment later, Krystina walks into the office. "Mr. Barnes," she says.
"Miss Carrington, hello," says Cliff. "This is my daughter, Pamela McKay."
"Yes, hello. We're.....acquainted."
"Hello," Pamela says.
"So, what can I do for you, Miss Carrington? I take it you're here to discuss our offshore tract?"
"Yes, I am," Krystina says.
Cliff smiles. "Well, uh, good. The latest reports I checked indicated that tract is very rich, and will be a huge source of revenue for both Westar and Denver-Carrington for a long time to come."
"Mr. Barnes, I'm really very sorry, but, I'm afraid I'm going to have to exercise my option to dissolve our partnership in the Gulf tract."
Cliff's and Pamela's mouths both drop open in shock upon hearing Krystina's announcement. "What?" Cliff asks. "You can't do that, we have a contract!"
"And if you read the fine print, you'll see that both Denver-Carrington and Westar each have the option to pull out of the agreement at any time and buy the other partner's half of the contract. Denver-Carrington is willing to buy Westar's half of those Gulf wells for $65 million."
"Sixty-fi......are you KIDDING ME?" Cliff angrily asks. "That's less than half of what Westar originally paid for those wells."
Cliff smiles. "Well, uh, good. The latest reports I checked indicated that tract is very rich, and will be a huge source of revenue for both Westar and Denver-Carrington for a long time to come."
"Mr. Barnes, I'm really very sorry, but, I'm afraid I'm going to have to exercise my option to dissolve our partnership in the Gulf tract."
Cliff's and Pamela's mouths both drop open in shock upon hearing Krystina's announcement. "What?" Cliff asks. "You can't do that, we have a contract!"
"And if you read the fine print, you'll see that both Denver-Carrington and Westar each have the option to pull out of the agreement at any time and buy the other partner's half of the contract. Denver-Carrington is willing to buy Westar's half of those Gulf wells for $65 million."
"Sixty-fi......are you KIDDING ME?" Cliff angrily asks. "That's less than half of what Westar originally paid for those wells."
"Why the hell are you doing this?" Pamela asks. "Why NOW?"
"When Denver-Carrington originally made this deal several months ago, it was with John Ross Ewing, who was CEO of Westar at the time."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Asks Cliff. "You made the deal with this company, NOT with John Ross Ewing."
"It was made in good faith, and with the understanding that John Ross Ewing would continue on as CEO of Westar and we'd be doing business with him. But those circumstances have change."
Pamela stands from her seat to face Krystina. "I'm beginning to understand what this is all about now," she says. "You're involved with John Ross, aren't you?"
"I'm not here to discuss my personal life, Mrs. McKay."
"This all makes sense now," Cliff says. "This all makes perfect sense. First Ed Hollister, and now Denver-Carrington? John Ross was behind this whole thing."
Krystina smiles, then turns and walks to the door. She opens the door to Cliff's office, and John Ross walks in.
"Well, howdy, Cliff. Pamela," John Ross says smugly.
"You?" Pamela asks. "YOU were behind that bogus deal with Hollister?"
"When Denver-Carrington originally made this deal several months ago, it was with John Ross Ewing, who was CEO of Westar at the time."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Asks Cliff. "You made the deal with this company, NOT with John Ross Ewing."
"It was made in good faith, and with the understanding that John Ross Ewing would continue on as CEO of Westar and we'd be doing business with him. But those circumstances have change."
Pamela stands from her seat to face Krystina. "I'm beginning to understand what this is all about now," she says. "You're involved with John Ross, aren't you?"
"I'm not here to discuss my personal life, Mrs. McKay."
"This all makes sense now," Cliff says. "This all makes perfect sense. First Ed Hollister, and now Denver-Carrington? John Ross was behind this whole thing."
Krystina smiles, then turns and walks to the door. She opens the door to Cliff's office, and John Ross walks in.
"Well, howdy, Cliff. Pamela," John Ross says smugly.
"You?" Pamela asks. "YOU were behind that bogus deal with Hollister?"
"Guilty as charged," says John Ross.
"What's going on in here?" Tripp asks as he walks into the office.
"I'll tell you what's going on," says an angry Pamela. "This asshole of an ex-husband of mine set up my father."
"What?"
"John Ross was behind Ed Hollister offering Westar that deal, which he never intended to honor in the first place."
Tripp turns and looks at John Ross. "You set Cliff up by getting Hollister to offer him that deal and then pull it out from under him?"
"Damn right," John Ross answers. "And now, just how long do you think the Westar board is gonna keep you on here as CEO, Cliff? In just a couple of days, your incompetence has cost this comp'ny at least a couple hundred million dollars."
"You son of a bitch!" Yells Cliff. "You're NOT gonna get away with this!"
"I already have, old man. You lost Westar two of its biggest recent deals. You'll be lucky if the board duttin' toss your sorry ass out that window."
"GET OUT!" Cliff yells. "Get the hell OUT of my office and take your tramp here with you!"
John Ross walks over to Cliff. "Old man, you'd best be damned careful who you call a tramp. You happen to be talkin' to the woman I'm gonna marry."
"What's going on in here?" Tripp asks as he walks into the office.
"I'll tell you what's going on," says an angry Pamela. "This asshole of an ex-husband of mine set up my father."
"What?"
"John Ross was behind Ed Hollister offering Westar that deal, which he never intended to honor in the first place."
Tripp turns and looks at John Ross. "You set Cliff up by getting Hollister to offer him that deal and then pull it out from under him?"
"Damn right," John Ross answers. "And now, just how long do you think the Westar board is gonna keep you on here as CEO, Cliff? In just a couple of days, your incompetence has cost this comp'ny at least a couple hundred million dollars."
"You son of a bitch!" Yells Cliff. "You're NOT gonna get away with this!"
"I already have, old man. You lost Westar two of its biggest recent deals. You'll be lucky if the board duttin' toss your sorry ass out that window."
"GET OUT!" Cliff yells. "Get the hell OUT of my office and take your tramp here with you!"
John Ross walks over to Cliff. "Old man, you'd best be damned careful who you call a tramp. You happen to be talkin' to the woman I'm gonna marry."
"Marry?" Pamela asks, looking at Krystina. "You're actually gonna marry this loser? Good luck with that, honey. He'll cheat on you just like he did me."
Krystina smiles. "He won't have any reason to wanna cheat on me."
"Get out of my office. BOTH of you!" Cliff says.
"I told you I'd take you down, Barnes," John Ross says. "Now I understand why J.R. always use to mess with you. It's just so damned much fun."
"You bastard!" Tripp angrily says as he steps forward and punches John Ross hard in the stomach, sending John Ross crumpling to the floor,
Krystina smiles. "He won't have any reason to wanna cheat on me."
"Get out of my office. BOTH of you!" Cliff says.
"I told you I'd take you down, Barnes," John Ross says. "Now I understand why J.R. always use to mess with you. It's just so damned much fun."
"You bastard!" Tripp angrily says as he steps forward and punches John Ross hard in the stomach, sending John Ross crumpling to the floor,
in pain and gasping for breath.
"John Ross!" Krystina yells, rushing to his side.
Cliff looks down at him on the floor. "Pick up this piece of scum, and
"John Ross!" Krystina yells, rushing to his side.
Cliff looks down at him on the floor. "Pick up this piece of scum, and
both of you get the hell out of my office before I call the cops and have you both arrested for trespassing."
"You......can't do that, you.......pathetic old fool," John Ross says, struggling for breath as a result of the punch to his gut from Tripp. Krystina helps him to his feet. "You forget, I'm still majority stockholder in Westar. And before long, all three of you are gonna be outta this comp'ny just like the garbage you are."
"You......can't do that, you.......pathetic old fool," John Ross says, struggling for breath as a result of the punch to his gut from Tripp. Krystina helps him to his feet. "You forget, I'm still majority stockholder in Westar. And before long, all three of you are gonna be outta this comp'ny just like the garbage you are."
"You're about to choke on some teeth, Ewing," Tripp says as he's about to start for John Ross again.
"Tripp, no," Pamela says, putting her hand to Tripp's chest to stop him. She looks angrily at John Ross. "He isn't worth dirtying your hands."
"John Ross, let's go," says Krystina.
John Ross and Krystina walk to the door, then John Ross turns back to them. Through his pain, he manages a slight smile. "I'll let ya have that one, McKay," he says. "For now. But don't think for one minute I'm gonna let that pass. Cliff, you just keep on provin' J.R. right. You really ARE the world's biggest loser." John Ross laughs, then he and Krystina leave.
Tripp walks over and slams the door behind them. Cliff is so angry he can't control his rage. Without warning, he angrily shoves his desktop computer monitor from the desk, sending it crashing against a wall and smashing to the floor.
"Damn it!" Cliff rants. "The Ewings did it to me.....AGAIN!"
"Don't you worry, Cliff," says Tripp. "John Ross is gonna pay for this one. I'll make damned sure of that."
"WE," says Pamela. "WE'LL make sure he pays. He and that little bitch he was with."
"Tripp, no," Pamela says, putting her hand to Tripp's chest to stop him. She looks angrily at John Ross. "He isn't worth dirtying your hands."
"John Ross, let's go," says Krystina.
John Ross and Krystina walk to the door, then John Ross turns back to them. Through his pain, he manages a slight smile. "I'll let ya have that one, McKay," he says. "For now. But don't think for one minute I'm gonna let that pass. Cliff, you just keep on provin' J.R. right. You really ARE the world's biggest loser." John Ross laughs, then he and Krystina leave.
Tripp walks over and slams the door behind them. Cliff is so angry he can't control his rage. Without warning, he angrily shoves his desktop computer monitor from the desk, sending it crashing against a wall and smashing to the floor.
"Damn it!" Cliff rants. "The Ewings did it to me.....AGAIN!"
"Don't you worry, Cliff," says Tripp. "John Ross is gonna pay for this one. I'll make damned sure of that."
"WE," says Pamela. "WE'LL make sure he pays. He and that little bitch he was with."
Southfork.....that night
John Ross pops the cork on a bottle of champagne that night in his and Krystina's bedroom. He pours two glasses and hands one to her.
"Darlin', you did an absolutely fanTASTIC job today of stickin' it to ol' Cliff Barnes," John Ross says.
Krystina smiles. "Thank you, my darling. You were right. He IS a smug little weasel. And that daughter of his. I can't believe you were ever married to her."
"I can't believe it, either."
"I wanted to smack her. I probably would have if she hadn't been pregnant."
"Yeah, I feel sorry for that poor little thing, with parents like Pamela and Tripp McKay, and grandparents the likes of Cliff Barnes and Afton Cooper. Kid's gonna have the cards stacked against him right from the start."
"Now that your Mom wants you to stay on at Ewing Oil, what are you gonna do about Westar, especially since you're so close to getting Cliff Barnes out?"
"Who says I'm gonna do anything?" John Ross asks. "My goal was to get Barnes out of Westar so I could have my job back as CEO."
And what about Ewing Oil? And your Mom?" Krystina asks, turning down the covers and crawling into bed.
John Ross gets into bed next to her. "You think I should stay on at Ewing Oil?"
"It is your family's business. And Westar and Ewing are competitors. Rivals. You told me yourself how strained your relationship was with your family until recently. Do you really wanna be in competition with them again in business?"
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "You been talkin' to my Mama? Or I should ask, has my Mama been talkin' to you?"
"I won't lie. Sue Ellen did mention to me that she would love for you to stay on at Ewing Oil. And to be honest......so would I, now that Ewing Oil is gonna be partners with Denver-Carrington in those offshore wells."
"Say, darlin', you didn't mention anything to my Mama about that when y'all were talkin', did you?" John Ross asks.
Krystina smiles. "Thank you, my darling. You were right. He IS a smug little weasel. And that daughter of his. I can't believe you were ever married to her."
"I can't believe it, either."
"I wanted to smack her. I probably would have if she hadn't been pregnant."
"Yeah, I feel sorry for that poor little thing, with parents like Pamela and Tripp McKay, and grandparents the likes of Cliff Barnes and Afton Cooper. Kid's gonna have the cards stacked against him right from the start."
"Now that your Mom wants you to stay on at Ewing Oil, what are you gonna do about Westar, especially since you're so close to getting Cliff Barnes out?"
"Who says I'm gonna do anything?" John Ross asks. "My goal was to get Barnes out of Westar so I could have my job back as CEO."
And what about Ewing Oil? And your Mom?" Krystina asks, turning down the covers and crawling into bed.
John Ross gets into bed next to her. "You think I should stay on at Ewing Oil?"
"It is your family's business. And Westar and Ewing are competitors. Rivals. You told me yourself how strained your relationship was with your family until recently. Do you really wanna be in competition with them again in business?"
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "You been talkin' to my Mama? Or I should ask, has my Mama been talkin' to you?"
"I won't lie. Sue Ellen did mention to me that she would love for you to stay on at Ewing Oil. And to be honest......so would I, now that Ewing Oil is gonna be partners with Denver-Carrington in those offshore wells."
"Say, darlin', you didn't mention anything to my Mama about that when y'all were talkin', did you?" John Ross asks.
"No, I didn't," replies Krystina. "John Ross, I thought you said your family was behind Ewing Oil going in on this offshore deal with Denver-Carrington."
"They are. I just didn't want Mama bothered with business right now. She's got a lot of other stuff on her mind. Dusty runnin' on, and now, our weddin'. Speakin' of which, I sure am gonna miss you when you head back to Denver tomorrow mornin'."
"I have to go home for a few days so I can help my mother and my sister plan our wedding. And then, in one week, you'll be joining me in Denver, and I can't wait to become Mrs. John Ross Ewing III." Krystina lays her head on John Ross's bare chest. "John Ross, I want you to promise me something," she says with a serious tone.
"Sure. What is it?"
She looks up at him. "What Pamela said today. That you would cheat on me same as you did her. Promise me that will never happen. That you'll never cheat on me or give me one reason to believe you are."
"Krystina......I love you. And that's somethin' you'll never have to worry about. I've sowed all the wild oats I want or need to sow. From now on, til we're old and gray, you're all the woman I'll ever need." John Ross and Krystina smile at each other, then kiss.
"They are. I just didn't want Mama bothered with business right now. She's got a lot of other stuff on her mind. Dusty runnin' on, and now, our weddin'. Speakin' of which, I sure am gonna miss you when you head back to Denver tomorrow mornin'."
"I have to go home for a few days so I can help my mother and my sister plan our wedding. And then, in one week, you'll be joining me in Denver, and I can't wait to become Mrs. John Ross Ewing III." Krystina lays her head on John Ross's bare chest. "John Ross, I want you to promise me something," she says with a serious tone.
"Sure. What is it?"
She looks up at him. "What Pamela said today. That you would cheat on me same as you did her. Promise me that will never happen. That you'll never cheat on me or give me one reason to believe you are."
"Krystina......I love you. And that's somethin' you'll never have to worry about. I've sowed all the wild oats I want or need to sow. From now on, til we're old and gray, you're all the woman I'll ever need." John Ross and Krystina smile at each other, then kiss.
Westar....
Trip steps off the elevator at Westar that night. He looks around, then walks over to Cliff's office and looks in the open door. He sees Cliff standing alone in the darkened office by the window, looking out over the lighted city skyline. Tripp watches his father-in-law for a moment, then walks into the office.
"Cliff?" He says.
"Tripp, what are ya doin' here?" Cliff asks.
"We were worried about you. All of us......me, Pamela, Emma, and even Afton. I figured you'd be here. Pamela wanted to come, but she was still upset, so I told her to go to bed and get some rest. Cliff, why don't you go on home? It's late."
"Cliff?" He says.
"Tripp, what are ya doin' here?" Cliff asks.
"We were worried about you. All of us......me, Pamela, Emma, and even Afton. I figured you'd be here. Pamela wanted to come, but she was still upset, so I told her to go to bed and get some rest. Cliff, why don't you go on home? It's late."
"Bastards did it to me again," Cliff says as he continues staring out the window. "First J.R., and now John Ross. And then what Bobby did to me......framing me for the murder of that snake of a brother of his. It's never gonna end. But ya know, this time......THIS time......I honestly thought I had a chance to finally beat the Ewings. I had Westar. It was MINE. I took it away from John Ross. I should've known this was too good to be true."
"Cliff, you still have Westar," says Tripp. "You're still CEO."
"But for how long?" Cliff asks, turning to face him. "Losing that deal with Hollister and the one with Denver-Carrington.......do you realize how much money that cost this company? How many hundreds of millions of dollars? Yeah, John Ross set me up, but it was all on ME. I should've read the fine print in those damned contracts, especially the one I made with Ed Hollister. I should've had the legal department go over the contract."
"Cliff, you had no way of knowing that a man with the kind of reputation as Hollister was workin' with John Ross."
"I should've known," Cliff says. "I should've known from experience because this is EXACTLY the kind of stunts J.R. use to pull on me. He'd throw me a bone. A deal so good I couldn't pass it up. Then, once he'd hooked me, he'd just snatch it away, leaving me crushed. Did you know that I tried to kill myself once because of J.R. Ewing? He tried to take everything away from me."
"We'll get him back, Cliff," Tripp says. "We're gonna make John Ross pay for what he did."
"It's gonna have to be up to, son. I'm too old. Not sure if I have what it takes to fight the Ewings anymore. And Pamela? She's pregnant. I'd rather not have my daughter involved in this, especially not after what..... not after what happened last time. If this family gets revenge on the Ewings, then it's gonna have to be up to you to do that. And the McKays have almost as much reason to hate those people as the Barnes family does. I could tell you stories about stuff the Ewings did to your family that would make your head spin."
"I know. I've heard. My grandfather use to drill it in our heads, mine and Hunter's, about how bad the Ewings were. What J.R. did to him and what Bobby Ewing did to my father. I came here last year to make them pay for all that, and for Hunter's death. I should've followed through on that."
Cliff walks over to the young man. "I want them to pay. Especially John Ross and Bobby."
"They will," says Tripp.
"I know what I have to do," Cliff says. "There's only one person I know of who can hurt John Ross. I mean REALLY him that little piece of crap. The one person who knows the truth about what the Ewings did to me. And she can use that to hurt them."
"Elena Ramos?" Tripp asks.
"Yeah. Probably the only other person in the world who hates the Ewings as much as we do."
"Do you even know where she is now? And how do we know she'll even help u?"
"I know where she is," replies Cliff. "And she'll help us. John Ross took her son away from her. She'll help us."
Tripp looks at Cliff and smiles.
"But for how long?" Cliff asks, turning to face him. "Losing that deal with Hollister and the one with Denver-Carrington.......do you realize how much money that cost this company? How many hundreds of millions of dollars? Yeah, John Ross set me up, but it was all on ME. I should've read the fine print in those damned contracts, especially the one I made with Ed Hollister. I should've had the legal department go over the contract."
"Cliff, you had no way of knowing that a man with the kind of reputation as Hollister was workin' with John Ross."
"I should've known," Cliff says. "I should've known from experience because this is EXACTLY the kind of stunts J.R. use to pull on me. He'd throw me a bone. A deal so good I couldn't pass it up. Then, once he'd hooked me, he'd just snatch it away, leaving me crushed. Did you know that I tried to kill myself once because of J.R. Ewing? He tried to take everything away from me."
"We'll get him back, Cliff," Tripp says. "We're gonna make John Ross pay for what he did."
"It's gonna have to be up to, son. I'm too old. Not sure if I have what it takes to fight the Ewings anymore. And Pamela? She's pregnant. I'd rather not have my daughter involved in this, especially not after what..... not after what happened last time. If this family gets revenge on the Ewings, then it's gonna have to be up to you to do that. And the McKays have almost as much reason to hate those people as the Barnes family does. I could tell you stories about stuff the Ewings did to your family that would make your head spin."
"I know. I've heard. My grandfather use to drill it in our heads, mine and Hunter's, about how bad the Ewings were. What J.R. did to him and what Bobby Ewing did to my father. I came here last year to make them pay for all that, and for Hunter's death. I should've followed through on that."
Cliff walks over to the young man. "I want them to pay. Especially John Ross and Bobby."
"They will," says Tripp.
"I know what I have to do," Cliff says. "There's only one person I know of who can hurt John Ross. I mean REALLY him that little piece of crap. The one person who knows the truth about what the Ewings did to me. And she can use that to hurt them."
"Elena Ramos?" Tripp asks.
"Yeah. Probably the only other person in the world who hates the Ewings as much as we do."
"Do you even know where she is now? And how do we know she'll even help u?"
"I know where she is," replies Cliff. "And she'll help us. John Ross took her son away from her. She'll help us."
Tripp looks at Cliff and smiles.