Previously on DALLAS:
----------------Sue Ellen's new romance with Catlin Ewing heated up.
----------------Ann's brother Mark Smith arrived in Dallas.
----------------John Ross was miffed that Sue Ellen sided with Bobby against him over the issue with Jeremy Lord.
---------------Donna visited Dylan at the hospital to get to know him before he and Conner move in with her and Ray.
---------------Emma was given the devastating news that she could pass on the dreaded Barnes family disease, Neurofibromatosis, to her baby.
---------------Cliff agreed to Brad's request to take a DNA test.
---------------Emma told Ann that she was pregnant but did not tell her that Lucas, and not Kevin Channing, was the baby's father.
---------------Ann was stunned when her brother showed up at Southfork.
---------------Jeremy Lord told Austin that he was Austin's father.
Southfork....
"Yes, Annie, it's me. Well, aren't you glad to see me after all these years?"
"Mark, of course I am. I'm just surprised. But I'm very happy to see you."
Mark walks over and gives Ann a hug. Then he looks at Emma. "And who might this beautiful young lady be?"
"Mark, this is my daughter, Emma," Ann says. "Emma, this is your uncle.......my brother, Mark Smith."
"Annie, she's lovely. Emma, it's truly a pleasure to meet my only niece."
"It's nice to meet you, too," Emma says, shaking her uncle's hand.
"Annie, I hope I didn't come at a bad time," Mark says. "We have a lot of catchin' up to do."
Ann looks at her brother, not sure of what to even say to him after all this time.
Wentworth Industries....
"You heard me, Austin. I am your father."
"No, that's not possible."
"Oh, I assure you," Jeremy says, looking at Katherine. "Not only is it possible. It's the truth. Tell him, Katherine. Tell our son how you lied to both of us. Tell him how you led me to believe that he died at birth........a lie you continued for 22 years."
Austin looks at his mother as Katherine stands in the doorway of his office, caught completely off guard and not know what to say to her son now that this horrible truth was out.
Wentworth Industries....
"You son of a bitch," an angry Katherine says to Jeremy.
"Mom, this......this can't be true," Austin says. "Can it? Is this man my father?"
"Yes, Austin, I am your father. Your mother and I were married once."
"If you don't mind, I'm asking my MOTHER," says an angry Austin. "Mom?"
Katherine remains silent for a few seconds. "Yes, Austin. This........man...... is your father."
"Darling, I had no choice," Katherine says. "I had to keep this man away from you. Jeremy Lord is a monster."
"YOU have the unmitigated GALL to say that I am a monster, when you were the one who was a fugitive on the run from the police when I met you?"
"Get out of here," Katherine says. "Get the HELL out of this office and stay away from my son."
"No way in hell," Jeremy says. "Not until my son knows the entire truth about his mother."
"Michelle, call security," Katherine tells the secretary, who is still standing in the doorway.
"Right away, Ms. Wentworth."
"No, Michelle," says Austin. "No. Get out and close the door. I wanna hear what my father has to say."
Michelle does as she is told.
"Lies? Well, now, Mom, I've been listening to your lies for 22 years. Now, I'd like to hear what my father has to say."
"Leave us alone, Katherine," Jeremy says.
"Like hell I will! Whatever you have to say to my son, you can damned well say it in front of me. I won't let you poison Austin against me by spewing your lies."
Jeremy looks from Katherine to Austin and smiles.
Northpoint Medical Arts Building......
"I really wanna thank you for agreeing to do this," Brad says as the two men walk out of the building together.
"Good. And, if you do happen to talk to my mother, 'd appreciate it if you wouldn't mention this DNA test to her, or that I even came to you with this."
"No problem. I doubt that I'll be talking to Marilee, but if I do, I won't say a word."
"Thank you," Brad says as Cliff's cell phone rings.
Taking the phone from his pocket, he looks at the screen. "Hey, I'm sorry, but I have to take this."
"Sure. I'll talk to you later," Brad says, then walks away.
Cliff answers his call. "Afton, what's up? What? You're at the police station? What the hell happened?"
Dallas Police Department......a short time later
"Mr. Barnes?" Comes Detective Miller's voice from behind Cliff.
He turns to face Scott, then walks over to him. "Where is she? Where's Afton?"
"Miss Cooper is fine," Scott says. "Follow me."
Scott leads Cliff down a hall and then opens the door to a room with a table, where Afton is seated, drinking a cup of coffee. Detective Steven Jones sits beside her.
"Afton, are you alright?" Cliff asks, walking into the room. "What happened?"
"What?"
"When I woke up this morning, I came downstairs. You were gone, and I found your note," Afton says. "And I also found, sitting in the chair, a gift box with a note."
"In the chair?" Cliff asks. "You mean.......you mean that bastard was in my apartment? While you were asleep?"
"Yes."
"But, how is that possible? I locked the door when I left."
"The lock on that apartment would be nearly impossible to pick," says Cliff.
"Does anyone else have a key to your apartment besides the two of you?" Asks Detective Steven Jones.
"No one except our daughter, Pamela," Afton replies.
"And what about Pamela's husband?" Scott asks. "Tripp.....uh......"
"Tripp McKay?" Cliff asks. "What about him?"
"If your daughter is the only other person with a key to your apartment, then, her husband would likely have access to it," Scott says.
"Wait, what are you saying?" Afton asks. "Tripp? That's ridiculous."
"We're sorry, Miss Cooper," Steven says. "We're just trying to cover all our bases here."
"No," says Cliff. "There's no way that Tripp McKay is involved in this."
The two detectives exchange skeptical looks.
Wentworth Industries....
"Pregnant?" Austin asks. "No, wait.........Mom, you were pregnant before you had me?"
Katherine walks over to her son. "Yes, Austin. I was."
"So, what happened? You lost the baby?"
"Oh, no," replies Jeremy. "Your mother gave birth to a son, Jonathon, in February of 1989. Your brother is very much alive and well, and living in San Francisco."
Stunned by this news, Austin stands to his feet. "He's alive? I have a brother?" He asks, looking at Jeremy. After a second, he walks over to Katherine. "Mom, is this true? You have another son?"
"Yes, baby," Katherine says, now in tears. "After your father and I had been married for a while, he became a totally different person. He was not the same man that I had fallen in love with and married."
"And what about you, Katherine?" Jeremy asks. "For years, I lied for you. Kept the secret of your true identity. I protected you."
"And at what cost?!" Katherine yells. "When I fell in love with you.......and when you agreed to keep my identity a secret from everyone, what I was really doing was selling my soul to the devil."
"Oh, my dear, you had already done that years before you ever met me!" Jeremy says.
"And what happened?" Austin asks. "With the two of you? Why did you get divorced? And why did you never tell me that I had a father and an older brother out there somewhere, Mom?"
"I never wanted you exposed to that man and his venom. Jeremy treated me like hell when I was pregnant with you. He even caused me to call down the stairs, which almost led to a miscarriage. I was rushed to the hospital, bleeding internally."
"And do you know what this wonderful, loving mother of yours did?" Jeremy asks. "She gave birth to you. A healthy baby boy and then she LIED and faked your death. All these years I believed that you were dead, Austin."
"I don't believe that," says Austin.
"If you don't believe me, then ask your mother," Jeremy says.
Austin turns back to Katherine. "Is that what happened, Mom? IS THAT WHAT HAPPENED, AND DON'T LIE TO ME AGAIN!!"
"Alright, YES, DAMMIT!" Katherine yells. "Yes, I lied and told him that you were dead because this monster who calls himself a man had already taken Jonathon away from me and he told me he was gonna take you from me the minute you were born! So yes, Austin. I lied. I was not about to lose you to him, too."
"So, what, you just gave up your other son?" Austin asks, tears now streaming down his face.
"I had no choice, baby," Katherine replies, crying. "Jeremy would have turned me in to the authorities if I had gone back to even so much as see Jonathon. I would have gone to prison and lost both of you. Or he could have done something even worse to me. Austin, you don't know this man and what he's capable of."
"I have never gunned down someone in cold blood that I claimed to have loved."
"No....." Katherine says, giving Jeremy a look of pure hate. "But you did tell my son that I was dead, didn't you? You have the nerve to attack me for protecting my son with a lie, but you, you cold, heartless bastard, YOU told a 5-year-old child that his mother was dead! What kind of a sick person does that?"
"As far as I was concerned, you WERE dead to us. And you are STILL dead."
"You......"
"STOP IT!!" Shouts Austin. "Both of you, just STOP!! I've heard enough from both of you."
"Austin, sweetheart," Katherine says, reaching out to her son.
"No....don't touch me. Don't you EVER touch me again."
"Austin, please.......let me explain. If you only knew what kind of man Jeremy Lord is......."
"And what about YOU, Mom?" Austin asks. "What kind of a woman are YOU? You told me that you were never married to my father. And that he had abandoned us when I was a baby. For 22 years that's what you've told me. So you expect me to believe anything else that comes out of your mouth? No. Never again." Austin walks to the door, places his hand on the knob, then turns back to his parents. "As far as I'm concerned, you can both go to hell. Because I never wanna see either one of you again." Without another word, a teary-eyes Austin walks out of the office.
After her son has gone, Katherine turns to Jeremy. "You have made the BIGGEST mistake of your miserable life."
"No," Jeremy says. "The biggest mistake of my life was getting involved with a miserable bitch like you. A mistake that I intend to rectify by removing you from my life.........once and for all."
Southfork....evening
"Oh, Bobby," Ann says, standing from her seat. "You're home a little early."
"Well, I had a meeting downtown this afternoon, and I just came straight home."
Ann smiles. "I'm really glad you're here. Bobby, I'd like for ya to meet someone. This is my brother, Mark Smith. Mark, this is my husband, Bobby Ewing, and my stepson, Lucas. One of my stepsons, anyway."
"Bobby, it's a pleasure to meet the man who married my little sister," Mark says, extending his hand.
"Well, I assure you, Bobby, only half of it's true," Mark says with a smile.
As a smiling Ann puts her arm around her brother, Bobby looks on with concern, wondering why Mark Smith is here after all this time, and wondering if he has some ulterior motive for showing up now/
Ewing Oil....
Courtney is filing some papers at Ewing Oil that evening when the elevator doors open and Krystina steps off. Smiling, she walks up to her.
"Hi, Courtney," she says.
"Well, hi, Krystina, how are you?"
"I am just great. Is my hubby in his office?"
"Yes he is," Courtney replies. "His private investigator friend, Bum Jones, is in with him. I'll see if he can be disturbed."
"Thanks," Krystina says.
Courtney walks over to her desk and buzzes John Ross's office. "John Ross, Krystina is here."
"Thank ya, darlin'," John Ross says. "Tell my lovely wife she can come on in."
"I heard," Krystina says as Christopher comes out of his office.
"Krystina, hello," he says.
"Hi, Christopher."
"What brings you by?"
"John Ross and I have dinner plans," replies Krystina.
"Well, enjoy."
"We will. Thanks Christopher," she says as she walks over to John Ross's door.
Christopher turns to Courtney and smiles. "Well, you ready to get out of here and go to dinner?"
Courtney sighs. "I'm all set, but very nervous at the same time."
"Nervous? Why would you be nervous?" Christopher asks.
Christopher laughs. "Come on, you see my Dad every day, and you've met most of the rest of my family."
"Yes, as your secretary. But this will be the first time I've been to a social occasion with them as your girlfriend."
Christopher puts his arms around her. "Yeah, well, I like you a whole lot better as my girlfriend," he says, then kisses her. "Come on. Let's get outta here and get to Southfork."
"Same here, Bum," she says, shaking the man's hand. "And please, call me Krystina."
"I will.....Krystina. John Ross, I'll get right on this."
"I'd appreciate that, Bum. Soon as you can."
"Sure thing. You both have a nice evening."
"We will. Bye, Bum," Krystina says as Bum leaves the office, closing the door behind him. Krystina walks over to her husband. "So, mind if I ask what you've got Bum working on? Is it business, or personal?"
"Catlin Ewing? Why?"
"Why do you think, darlin'? Mama seems to be quite taken with my second cousin once removed. And I'd like to know a little bit about the man, especially if there are any skeletons in his closet that could come back and bite my Mama."
"I have no intention of interferin'," says John Ross. "At least, not unless Bum find somethin' that throws up a red flag. I'm only doin' this to protect my Mama."
"I know. And, hopefully Catlin has nothing to hide."
"If he does, Bum'll sure find it. Anyway, enough about Catlin Ewing. How about we get the hell outta here and go to dinner?"
Krystina smiles. "Ready when you are. Where do you wanna eat?"
"Anywhere you wanna go is fine with me," Krystina says as they leave the office together.
Dallas Police Department...
"Well, the results of the tests forensics did on the herbal tea Jan Pierce gave Afton Cooper have come back," Scott says.
"And? What'd the results say?"
"Seems so."
Steven sighs. "Damn. Well, I guess one of us should contact Afton Cooper and let her know that her assistant is no longer a good suspect."
"Well, Ms. Cooper should be happy to hear that," Scott says. "She never really believed Jan Pierce was capable of being her stalker in the first place."
"True, but just because this tea was clean, doesn't let Jan Pierce completely off the hook."
"Yeah, I know. Look, Steve, you worked a double shift yesterday and today. Why don't you head on home and get some sleep? I'll stop by Miss Cooper's apartment and let her know what we found with the tea."
"Yeah, thanks man," Steven says. "I am pretty beat. I haven't been sleeping well."
"Is it because of seeing your old man?" Scott asks.
Steven remains silent and lowers his head.
"You wanna talk about it?" Scott asks. "Might help."
"No, actually, Scott, I'd rather not. At least not right now. I'm gonna head on home and get some sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." Steven picks up his jacket and starts to leave.
"Hey, Steve?" Scott says to him.
Steven stops in the doorway and turns back to him.
"Hey, man, if you do wanna talk about this issue with your father, I'd be happy to listen."
Steven nods. "Thanks, partner. Means a lot. Night."
"Night, man," Scott says as Steven leaves. After his partner is gone, Scott takes a seat at his desk and picks up the results of the tests on Jan's tea. He sighs deeply as he looks at it.
Southfork....
"Hey, now, THAT is no fair," Courtney says after losing the race.
"Too slow, my Aunt Fannie. You cheated."
"Well, you're bigger, and stronger than I am, so we were unevenly matched."
"Nah, you're just a sore loser, that's all," Christopher says, moving through the water closer to her.
"And what would you like as a prize for winning, Mr. Ewing?" Courtney asks seductively.
Courtney smiles, then kisses him. After a moment, she pulls out of the kiss. "It's late, and I really should be getting home."
"Why? It's Friday night, and we don't have to be at work tomorrow. Stay here tonight."
"Christopher, I don't know if I should. Your family......"
"What about them?" Christopher asks. "Courtney, come on. We're adults, not teenagers who have to be afraid my parents won't approve of my girlfriend staying over. Besides, they all love you. I could tell at dinner tonight."
"I really like them, too."
"Then stay," Christopher says, kissing her. "I'm not gonna take no for an answer. And ya do owe me for winning that race."
"You are soooo persuasive, Christopher Ewing," Courtney says.
Christopher looks at her and smiles, then the two kiss again.
The Wentworth mansion.....the next morning
"Miss Wentworth?" Helen says. "Are you ready for your breakfast now?'
"No, Helen. I'm not hungry this morning."
"Still no word from Mr. Austin?"
"No. None. And I'm terribly worried."
"I'm sure Mr. Austin is fine, Miss Wentworth. And you need to keep your strength up. Let me bring you some breakfast."
"No, Helen, I said I'm not hungry," Katherine says, losing patience with her maid.
"Yes, ma'am," Helen says, then turns and walks back into the house.
After Helen is gone, Katherine picks up her phone and again dials her son's number. "Come on, Austin," Katherine says, almost in a whisper. "Pick up, damn it!"
Meanwhile, a restaurant in the Omni Hotel....
"Well, you are about the last person I expected to see here this morning," Jeremy says.
Austin looks up at him. "And you're about the last person I WANTED to see. This or any other morning."
"You're still angry with me. And I have no idea why. You're my SON, Austin. And because of your mother, I believed you to be dead since the day you were born."
"Is it really true, what she said? Were you really that awful to her when you were married? Did you push her down the stairs when she was pregnant with me?"
"Look, you claim you're my father," Austin says. "But I don't know you. I don't know anything about you."
"Yes, that's very true," says Jeremy. "You don't know me, and I don't know you. I don't know what your life has been like. What kind of child you were growing up. What your favorite color is, or your favorite foods. But that is a situation I would very much like to rectify."
"Just........just leave me alone, would you?"
"Alright. I'm staying here at the Omni. Room 517." Jeremy takes out a business card and a pen and writes his number down, then places it on the table in front of Austin. "I'll only be in Dallas for another couple of days. I hope to hear from you." Without another word, Jeremy turns and walks away.
After his father is gone, Austin picks up the business card and looks at it. Watching him from a nearby table is a beautiful girl of about 20, with dark hair. After watching him for a few seconds, she walks over.
"Hi," the girl says.
"Hello."
"I know this is gonna sound really cheesy and corny, but, don't I know you from somewhere?"
The girl laughs. "I knew it would sound corny."
"You're right. It did."
"I'm Sabrina. What's your name?"
"Austin. Austin Wentworth."
"You're not Austin Wentworth, the CEO of Wentworth Industries, are you?"
Austin sighs. "Yeah. Unfortunately, I am. So you've heard of my family's company?"
"Well, who hasn't?" Sabrina asks.
"You staying here at the hotel?" Austin asks.
"No, actually, I live down the street, but I come in here for breakfast sometimes. This restaurant has some great food. Some of the best in Dallas. So, Austin Wentworth, would you mind a little company this morning?"
Austin looks at the girl and smiles. "Actually, I could use some company. ESPECIALLY a beautiful girl."
Sabrina returns Austin's smile.
A short time later....
Southfork....
"Morning, Mrs. Ewing, and yes, when we finally did go to sleep, I slept like a baby."
"Christopher still asleep?"
"Yeah he is and I didn't wanna wake him."
"You want some breakfast?" Ann asks. "I've got some blueberry waffles here."
"They smell delicious. Yes, thank you, Mrs. Ewing."
"Oh, won't you call me Ann?"
Ann returns the younger woman's smile. "Y'know, I have to say that, I haven't seen Christopher this happy in a very long time. It's pretty obvious he cares a great deal about you."
"And I care a lot about him, too."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. Christopher was already a young adult when I married his father, but, I've come to consider him my son. He's been hurt an awful lot in the past. It's nice to finally see him with someone who doesn't have all that baggage and secrets."
The smile disappears from Courtney's face after hearing Ann's words, as if what Ann said bothers her somehow. But before she can say anymore, Christopher walks into the kitchen.
"Good morning, you two," he says.
"Good mornin'," says Ann.
Christopher walks over and kisses Courtney. "So, what were you two talkin' about?"
"About YOU, of course," Ann replies.
"Hey, where's Dad?"
"He had to drive into Braddock this mornin' to take care of some problem concernin' this month's feed bill. He'll be back soon.
"Good," Christopher says, then he looks at Courtney. "You wanna go riding?"
"I'd love that."
"Great, let's go get changed and saddle up."
"Changed?" Courtney asks. "But I don't have clothes to ride in."
"I'm sure we can find ya somethin' around here," Ann says. "Maybe Lucy has an outfit close to your size."
"Okay."
As Christopher and Courtney start to leave the kitchen, Lucas, Heather, and little Michael walk in, Lucas and Heather carrying two bags. "Christopher!" Michael yells, his eyes lighting up as he runs to him.
"Hey, buddy, what's up?" Christopher says, hugging the little boy. "What are you doing here?"
"Umm, Heather and Michael are gonna stay here over the weekend," replies Lucas. "A pipe burst in her apartment and it kinda got flooded."
"Yeah, the landlord said he'd take care of it in the next couple days," says Heather.
"Oh, well, cool. Umm, Lucas, you already know Courtney. Heather, this is Courtney Wapner. Courtney, this is Heather McCabe and her son Michael. Michael is Lucas's son."
"Hi, nice to meet you," Courtney says.
"Yeah, same to you," says Heather.
Courtney kneels down to Lucas's son. "Hey, Michael. You sure are a handsome little boy."
"Thank you," the child says. "Are you Christopher's girlfriend?"
All the adults laugh at the child's question.
"Good. She's pretty," Michael says.
Courtney smiles at him. "Well, thank you, Michael."
"Hey, buddy, if it's okay with your Mom and Lucas, how'd you like to go riding with me and Courtney?" Christopher asks.
"Sure! Can I Mama?"
Heather looks at Lucas, then at Michael. "Well, I don't see why not. Sure."
"AWESOME!" Michael says with excitement.
"And don't worry, we'll take real good care of him," Christopher says.
"I know you will. You always have," says Heather.
A house in Dallas....
"You don't have to leave so soon, you know," she says. "My folks are gonna be gone all day."
Austin looks at her. "Yeah, well, I have things to do."
"That was amazing. You're an INCREDIBLE lover, Austin."
"Thanks. You weren't so bad yourself, Sabrina."
"Hey, why don't we have dinner tonight? My treat."
"Thanks, but, I can't," Austin replies.
"Okay, then, how about tomorrow?"
"I don't think so."
A look of frustration comes over Sabrina's face. "Lunch one day?"
Austin sighs. "Look, Sabrina, you're a really nice girl. But, I'm not looking for a relationship or anything like that right now. We just had sex. That's IT. It was really great sex, but, that's as far as this goes. My life is too complicated already to get involved with anyone."
"What you really mean is you don't wanna get involved with someone like me, a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks."
"That's not what I said."
"No, but it's what you meant," Sabrina says.
"Have it your way, then," Austin says. "But, you're partly right. If I wanted a girlfriend, I can do better."
Sabrina fights back tears at Austin's stinging put down, stunned by the coldness of his words.
"I'll give you a call sometime. We can, uh, do this again."
"I don't think so," Sabrina says. "Next time you want a piece of ass, find some spoiled rich bitch. One better suited to your social status."
Austin takes his wallet from his back pocket, opens it, and pulls out a one hundred dollar bill. "I have a feeling you'll change your mind." He tosses the bill onto the bed next to her.
Sabrina picks the bill up and throws it back at him. "Keep your damned money. I am NOT a whore."
Austin looks at her and smiles. "Well, ya could've fooled me. Not many girls pick up a guy in a restaurant, take them home, and have sex with them not twenty minutes after they've met. But, to each his own. Or HER own." Without another word, Austin walks out, leaving Sabrina in tears.
Woodglen Apartments.....later
"And how many games was that I beat you in, Dad?" Shawn asks.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Mark says as Sharon walks into the living room. "No need to rub it in. Your father is an old man, y'know, so show some mercy."
Sharon smiles. "Looks like you two had a lot of fun."
"I'm gettin' too old for this," Mark says. "I couldn't keep up with this kid."
"Well, I'm gonna go watch some TV in my room," Shawn says.
"If your clothes are all sweaty, take them off and change into somethin' dry before you sit or lay on your bed," Sharon tells her son.
"Yes, Mother," the boy says sarcastically as he heads down the hall to his bedroom.
Sharon walks over to Mark. "He sure loves havin' you around."
"I love bein' around for him. Somethin' I haven't done enough of."
"Well, I hope that's gonna change, Mark. Because I like havin' my husband around, too."
As Mark kisses his wife, the doorbell rings.
Sharon sighs. "Wonder who that can be." She walks over to the door and opens it to find Ann. "Well, Mrs. Ewing. This is a surprise. Can't say a nice one."
"Is my brother here?"
"Annie," Mark says, walking over to the door. "Please, come in."
"Thank you, Mark," Ann says, walking into the apartment.
"What can we do for you?" Mark asks.
"You want US to come to dinner at YOUR house?" Sharon asks.
"That's right. I'd like for Mark and Shawn to get to know the rest of the family, and especially my daughter, Emma. After all, she and Shawn are first cousins and they've never even met."
Mark smiles. "Thank you, Annie. We would love to. What time?"
"Well, dinner's at 7, so, you can come any time before that. You can bring swim suits and play in the pool before dinner. And Bobby's nephew John Ross's son will be there. He's just a few months younger than Shawn, so I think the boys would hit it off real well."
"Sounds great," says Mark.
"Good. We'll see you this evenin'. Bye," Ann says with a smile, then abruptly leaves.
Sharon closes the door behind her. "I don't think your sister likes me very much. And, I'm not real crazy about her, either."
"Honey, just grin and bear it. My sister's husband is worth a LOT of money, and I do mean A LOT. So, those are family members we definitely need to get in good with."
"If you say so."
A McDonald's in downtown Dallas.....afternoon
Inside the restaurant, Krystina has already ordered lunch for herself and Little John. In a moment, an employee hands Krystina a tray with her food. "I'll carry this for you, ma'am, you have the baby," the young woman says.
"Well, thank you very much," says Krystina. She follows the woman over to a booth, where the woman places her food on the table. Krystina thanks her again, and the woman walks away. Krystina places the baby in a high chair, then takes a seat. McQueen continues to watch from a distance. As Krystina is about to start eating, Brad Stone approaches her.
"Brad Stone. I could say the same about you."
"Well, sometimes I get a little tired of the expensive restaurants and more fine dining that Dallas has to offer, and I prefer just a good ol' hamburger and fries."
Krystina laughs. "Same here. And, plus, this little guy LOVES his McDonald's."
"This must be John Ross's son."
"Sure is. John Ross Ewing IV."
"He's adorable," Brad says.
"Yes he is. And such a good baby."
"I can see you're definitely a good mother to him."
"Thank you, Brad. I sure try to be."
As Brad and Krystina continue to chat, Josh McQueen steps outside and takes his cell phone from his pocket. He dials Michael Channing's number. On the third ring, Michael answers. "Hey, Michael, it's me, Josh. I'm in Dallas, and I've got my eye on Krystina Ewing. She's having lunch at a McDonald's and she's talking to some guy. The two look pretty chummy."
San Francisco, California....
"That's great, thanks Josh," Michael says. "Try to find out who the guy is she's talking to, and get back to me ASAP."
"Will do, Michael," Josh says.
Michael ends the call and smiles deviously, hoping that he's found a way to put a crack in John Ross and Krystina's seemingly solid marriage.
Justin and Amanda's home....late afternoon
"Thanks," Jimmy says.
"You're welcome, sweety," says a smiling Katelyn, then she turns and walks away, rejoining Jill in the kitchen.
Justin smiles at Jimmy. "So, I take it things are going well between you two?"
"Oh? The way you said that it sounds like there's a problem," Justin says.
Jimmy sighs. "No problem, exactly. It's just that, Katie wants to move a little faster than I'm ready to. I wanna take things slow, get to know one another and make sure we're right for each other, ya know? I don't want either of us getting hurt."
"Taking things slow is a good idea. But bro, don't take things TOO slow. I'd hate to see you lose a girl like Katie because you dragged your feet too much."
"Point taken," says Jimmy. "I also have a lot on my mind these days, mainly that fundraiser for the J.R. Ewing Foundation."
"Well, you'd better warn Amanda that I'm gonna be asking her for help this coming week. Probably a LOT of help."
"Help with what?" Comes Amanda's voice from behind them. "Here are the rest of the pork chops," she says, placing a plate of pork chops down on a table beside the grill.
"Thanks, darlin'," Justin says, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
"So, help with what?" Amanda asks.
"I was tellin' Jimmy that you said you'd be happy to help with the fundraiser for the Foundation."
"Oh, of course. Jimmy, just let me know when."
"Okay, how about Monday?"
"Monday sounds great. Just come over anytime, I'll be here."
Jimmy smiles. "Thanks, I really appreciate it."
"No problem at all. Well, Katie is making the potato salad so, I'd better get back inside to see if she's doing it right. The girl can't even boil water, so she needs constant supervision when cooking."
The men laugh as Amanda heads back to the house.
Meanwhile, Katelyn is struggling with making Amanda's potato salad when Amanda returns to the kitchen. "OH, I give up!" She says in frustration. "How long do you have to stir this stuff before it's done?"
Amanda walks to one of her cupboards and opens it, taking out a mixter and placing it on the counter in front of her friend. "It goes a lot faster.......and easier.....if you use this."
"Great. I feel a complete moron in the kitchen," Katelyn says.
"Well, girl, you had better overcome that and learn how to cook," Amanda says. "Especially if your relationship with Jimmy is going as well as I hope it is. These Ewing men have VERY healthy appetites, in more ways than one."
"Yeah, well, I guess Jimmy must be the exception."
"Why, what do you mean?"
"Katie, why would you say that?" Amanda asks. "The two of you seem to be the perfect couple. You've been going out together for a few weeks now."
"That's just it. It doesn't feel like we're dating at all. I mean, Jimmy is really sweet and everything, but, even after all these weeks, we still haven't.......well, you know."
"You and Jimmy still haven't been to bed together?"
"No, and it's BEYOND frustrating."
Amanda smiles. "Katie, Jimmy is a real sweetheart. And a real gentleman. He probably doesn't wanna rush things for one, because he was hurt really bad in the past. And second, he probably feels that sleeping together this early on would be a mistake. He's kind of old fashioned, which, I think is very refreshing in a day and age where most guys only want one thing from a girl."
"I think it's refreshing, too," says Katelyn. "At least it was in the beginning, but now, I really wish Jimmy would move into the 21st century."
Amanda laughs at her friend's comment, then puts her arm around Katelyn.
Southfork....
"Why aren't you out there with 'em, Mark?" Bobby asks.
"You've gotta be kidding. I enjoy a game with my son every now and then, but I'm too damned old to keep up with all those young guys."
Bobby laughs. "I know what ya mean. So, Mark, what line of work are you in?"
"Well, Bobby, I've done a lot of different things in my life. Factory work, mill work. Even worked in a Coca Cola bottling plant once. Right now, I'm lookin' for somethin'."
"Yeah, at least for a while, anyway," Mark replies. "I wanna get to know my sister again. Annie and I were real close when we were kids, and even into our late teen years. But as adults, well, we drifted really far apart. I can't believe we actually reconnected after all these years."
"Well, I'm glad ya did, Mark. Listen, just do me a favor, huh?"
"Sure, if I can."
"Ann has been through hell these last couple of years, dealin' first with her ex-husband Harris Ryland, and there've been some issues with her daughter Emma. I don't wanna see my wife hurt again, Mark."
"Are you sayin' you think I'm gonna hurt my sister?" Mark asks.
"No, that's not what I'm sayin'. I'm just sayin' I hope you won't hurt my wife. Because if you do, you'll answer to me."
Annoyed and angered by Bobby's words, Mark says nothing in reply as Bobby walks away from him.
Meanwhile, as Heather, Courtney, and Krystina play with Michael and Little John in the pool, Sharon helps Ann and Lucy set up the patio tables for everyone to eat.
"It's such a beautiful evenin' I thought we'd eat out here," Ann says.
"Great idea," Lucy says as she and Ann put a table cloth on one of the tables.
"This sure is a gorgeous place y'all have here," Sharon says. "Musta been real nice growin' up in a place like this."
"Life at Southfork had its ups," Lucy says. "But it also had a lot of downs, too. Y'know, Sharon, I remember Tommy McKay pretty well. As I recall, he was a little crazy."
Sharon laughs. "A LITTLE? Honey, sayin' Tommy was a little crazy is like sayin' someone is a little pregnant. Tommy was REAL crazy. But, he also had a good side to him, too."
"So, Sharon, I take it that you and Tripp aren't close?" Ann asks.
"Nope, not at all. Thanks to that old prune of a grandfather of his."
Sue Ellen's car drives up to the house and comes to a stop. She and Catlin get out of the car along with Catlin's son, Catlin Ewing, Jr. and Bobby walks out to greet them.
"Well, who are they?" Sharon asks Ann.
"That's Sue Ellen, John Ross's mother, and her new beau, Catlin Ewing, who's a second cousin of Bobby's."
"Good Lord, just how many of these Ewings are there?" Sharon asks.
Lucy laughs. "This is only a drop in the bucket. There's quite a few of us scattered here and there."
Meanwhile, John Ross goes out to greet his mother with a kiss. "Mama, glad you came," he says.
Sue Ellen smiles at her son. "Thank you, John Ross. It's wonderful to be here."
"Hello, John Ross," Catlin says, extending his hand to the younger man.
"You know my son, Catlin, Jr.?"
"John Ross," Catlin, Jr. says.
"Yeah, we've met. If y'all will excuse me," John Ross says, then quickly turns and walks away from them.
Catlin sighs. "Your son really hates my guts, doesn't he?"
"Yeah, mine, too," adds Catlin, Jr. "Don't know why. I've never done anything to the guy."
"I'm sorry," Sue Ellen says. "John Ross is just........like that with some people."
"But we're not just ANYONE," Catlin, Jr. says. "We're supposed to be family."
"Don't take it personal," Sue Ellen says. "John Ross is like his father. If J.R. didn't know someone for years, he was suspicious of them."
"Well, that's good to know," Catlin, Jr. says sarcastically.
"Hey, guys," Christopher says, walking over to them. "Sue Ellen, how are you?"
"Just fine, Christopher."
"C.J.," Christopher says to Catlin, Jr., shaking hands with his cousin.
"Chris, how's it goin'?"
"Goin' great, man. You wanna take John Ross's place on our team?"
"Hey, I'd love to."
"Come on," Christopher says. "I want you to meet somebody."
Sue Ellen and Catlin watch the young men as they walk away. Catlin smiles. "Well, at least Christopher and my son seem to hit it off really well."
Meanwhile, Christopher and Catlin, Jr. join the others at the basketball goal. "Catlin Ewing, Jr., I'd like you to meet another one of your cousins, Conner Ewing."
"Not much, man, nice to meet you," Catlin, Jr. says, shaking hands with Conner. "Now, just so I get this straight. Your father was......who?"
"Jack Ewing," Conner replies.
"One of Bobby's brothers?"
"No, my Dad and Bobby were first cousins."
"It's gonna take me a while to learn all these relatives," Catlin, Jr. says.
"C.J., you know my brother Lucas," Christopher says. "And this is John Ross's son Alex, and Shawn Smith. His Dad is my stepmom Ann's brother."
"Hey, guys."
"So you any good at basketball?" Alex asks.
"Yeah, I'm pretty good."
Meanwhile, Emma stands alone by the pool, blankly staring off into the distance. Ann walks up to her daughter. "Emma, are you alright?"
"It bothers you, bein' here with Lucas and Heather, duttin' it?" Ann asks.
Emma sighs. "To be honest, yes it does. Seeing the happy little family they make with their son."
"I'm sorry, sweety."
"I think that, first thing tomorrow, I'm gonna head back to California."
A look of sadness crosses Ann's face. "Have you told Kevin about the baby?"
Emma looks at her mother nervously. "No. I figure that's something I should do in person," she says as she looks over Ann's shoulder at Lucas as he plays basketball with Christopher and the others. Emma fights back tears, knowing that Lucas is the father of her baby, but also knowing that she can never reveal that secret.
Afton's Lounge......later
"Come in," she says.
Pamela walks into the room. "Hi, Mom."
"Well, Tripp and I wanted to get out tonight, and I talked to Daddy, and he said he'd treat us to dinner here."
Afton smiles. "Well I'm very glad you came."
"Mom, are you sure you're okay?" Pamela asks.
"I'm fine, sweetheart. Tonight, I'm trying to put everything out of my mind and just enjoy the evening."
As Pamela is about to say something else, a knock comes at the door. "Come in," Afton says.
Jan walks in. "Afton......oh, hello, Pamela."
"Jan, how are you?" Pamela asks.
"Fine, thank you. Afton, here are the numbers for your second set tonight," Jan says, handing Afton a list of songs on a piece of paper.
"Thank you," Afton says. "Jan, can I talk to you?"
"Of course."
"I'll give you two some privacy," Pamela says.
"No, Pamela, you don't have to go," says Afton. "Jan, I wanted to say that I'm sorry, for everything that happened. For the police hauling you in for questioning."
"I know that, sweety."
Jan nods, then turns and walks out.
"Well, I'd better rejoin Daddy and Tripp," Pamela says, then she is suddenly gripped with a stomach pain.
"Pamela, are you alright?" Afton asks.
"I'm fine. Just a little pain."
"It wasn't a contraction, was it?"
"No," Pamela says. "It's too early for that. It's gone now. I'll see you after your first set."
"Okay," Afton says, kissing her daughter.
Pamela smiles, then as she opens the door to leave, she notices a small, wrapped gift box on the floor. "Mom," she says.
"What is it?" Afton asks, walking over to the door.
"This wasn't here when I came in."
Afton leans down and picks the box up carefully. A small note is attached. Placing the box on a table in her dressing room beside the door, she takes the gift and looks at it. Opening the note, she reads it, a her face turning pale as an expression of fear crosses it.
"It's from.........from that creep who's been taunting me for weeks."
"You should call the police."
"What good would that do?" Afton asks. "I've called the police after every gift, every note, every phone call, and they're still no closer to finding this stalker than they were in the beginning."
"Mom.........that gift box was NOT sitting in front of your door when I came in. But then.........Jan came in right after me. Do you think.......?"
Afton looks at her daughter, worried as Pamela's words resonate through her mind. Is it possible she was wrong about Jan? Could Jan have left the gift and note? Or, was it someone else at the club?
The Wentworth mansion....
"Yeah, I got your calls."
"But you just didn't answer," Katherine says.
"That's right."
"You lied to me and to my father for 22 years. How can you expect me NOT to be angry?"
"Your father is a monster. The man has no morals, no scruples, and no feeling."
"THIS coming from a woman who broke up her own sister's marriage and then tried to kill the man she supposedly loved?" Austin asks.
"I did what I had to do. Your father took your brother away from me, so....."
"It wasn't like that," says Katherine. "I knew that I had already lost Jonathon to him, and if Jeremy had known that you were alive he would have taken you away from me, too, and I'll be damned if I was going to let that happen. Austin, at that time, I was still a fugitive. Jeremy had all the power then. He could have sent me to prison for a very long time, and then I never would've seen either you nor your brother again."
"You have an answer for everything, don't you, Mom?" Austin asks. "You could have at least told ME the truth. I had a right to know that I had a father out there somewhere, and an older brother." Austin walks past his mother and starts up the stairs.
"Honey, where are you going?" Katherine asks.
The young man turns back to his mother. "To pack my things. I'm gonna go stay at The Omni for a few days, until I do some thinking. And I won't be coming in to work for a few days, either. I'm sure you can handle things at Wentworth for now." Austin turns and heads up the stairs, leaving Katherine deeply hurt.
Southfork....
The Omni Hotel.....Jeremy Lord's suite....
Southfork....
"I'm staying at The Omni," Jeremy replies.
"Okay, then, how about we meet at the restaurant there, tomorrow afternoon? Around 3?"
"Three is fine with me. I look forward to seeing you then. Goodbye, John Ross."
"Later, Jeremy," John Ross says, then puts his phone down.
"Who was that?" Krystina asks, standing in the doorway.
John Ross turns to her and smiles. "Just business, darlin'. A business deal I hope will soon pay off in a big way."
The Omni Hotel....
"Well," Jeremy says. "Austin. This IS a surprise. Please come in."
Austin walks into the room and Jeremy closes the door behind him. "I just checked into the hotel. I'm gonna be staying here for a few days."
Jeremy smiles. "Couldn't stand to be under your mother's overbearing thumb any longer, huh?"
"I just needed to get out of there for a few days, to get my head together."
"Well, I'm very glad you're here? Would you like a drink?"
"Yes, I would," replies Austin. "There's something else I'd like, too."
"Oh? And what might that be?" Jeremy asks, walking over to pour himself and Austin a drink.
"I wanna know about my brother. What's he like?"
Jeremy hands Austin his drink. "Jonathon is a wonderful young man. I think the two of you would get along just fine. And, you also have a younger brother."
"What? A younger brother?" Austin asks.
"Yes. I remarried after your mother and I divorced. My wife's name is Victoria. And we have a son, Alex. He's 17."
"I can't believe it," Austin says with a sigh. "I grew up as an only child. And as a very lonely child. And now, I find out I have two brothers? One older and one younger?"
"Austin, I am extremely sorry that you grew up so alone. I had a very similar childhood. Had I known of your existence, things would have been very different. And for that, we can both blame your mother. The woman DELIBERATELY and maliciously kept us apart all these years."
Austin looks at his father, then takes a sip of his drink.
The Channing mansion, Tuscany Valley, California....
"Hey, Michael, you wanted me to get back to you soon on that guy I saw talking to Krystina Ewing."
"Yeah, do you have anything?" Michael asks.
"I sure do. The guy's name is Bradley Stone, and he's the head of an oil company in Dallas, Texas. His mother is Marilee Stone, the former head of a company called Stone-Hurst, which she sold back in the late 80s. Stone's mother did a lot of business with John Ross Ewing's father back in the 80s. And get this.......Stone's father committed suicide after some oil deal he was tricked into by John Ross's father, J.R. Ewing."
Michael smiles. "So, if Stone's father killed himself because of John Ross's father, that would probably mean that this Bradley Stone has little or no love for the Ewings."
"That'd be my guess, too," Josh says. "And if looks are any indication, this Stone guy seemed pretty interested in John Ross Ewing's wife."
"Wonderful. Thanks again, Josh. I'll call you tomorrow. Bye." Michael puts his phone down, still smiling.
"So who was that?" Elena asks. "And what was that I heard you say about the Ewings?"
"THAT, my darling, was good news," replies Michael.
"Good news?"
"Oh yeah. The best. Soon, Elena, we're gonna get your son back."
Elena looks at Michael with worry, concerned at what he might be up to, and that whatever plans he had against John Ross might just backfire.