Previously on DALLAS:
----------Bum learned that the Channings had tracked down Rhonda Simmons, and he brought her to John Ross, who paid her off to disappear for good.
----------Christopher visited Elena at the Channing home in California to try and convince her to drop the whole Rhonda Simmons thing. Richard arrived and ordered Christopher out of his home.
----------Jimmy confides to Justin that his former girlfriend had gotten pregnant and aborted his baby.
----------Bobby and Sue Ellen paid a visit to Richard Channing, and the Ewings and Channings declared all out war on each other.
----------Margaret discovered that she was pregnant.
----------Bobby told Sue Ellen, John Ross, and Christopher that it was time they put to rest the question of who killed J.R. once and for all.
----------Elena and Michael were married in San Francisco.
And on FALCON CREST:
Southfork......morning
"Good morning," she says cheerfully as she climbs down from the horse.
"Morning," Christopher says. "Enjoy your ride?"
"Oh, yes. I've been going almost every morning. I absolutely love it here. Southfork is such a beautiful place, full of life and nature."
"Well, let me give you a piece of advice, girl. Until you get to know your way around the place, don't wander off too far. Southfork is about 90,000 acres. It's easy to get lost if you don't know the land yet."
Krystina smiles. "Thanks. Actually, that already happened. I went out one day last week, and got lost near a creek bed. I had to call the house for Lucy to send one of the hands out to get me. I just can't get use to this weather, though. Right now, in Denver, it's 25 degrees and snowing. Here in Dallas, it's 9 o'clock in the morning and it's 70 degrees."
"Don't let this fool ya," says Christopher. "Today, it's supposed to hit 75. Tomorrow, our high might be 45. That's Texas weather for ya. So where's John Ross? Sleeping in on a Saturday morning?"
"No, he went over to Charlie's to pick up Alex. He's spending the day here."
"Oh, great."
"You really love working out here, don't you?" Krystina asks.
"Yeah, I do," Christopher replies. "Helps me clear my mind when I have a lot on it."
"Christopher, while I have you alone, can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Ask me anything."
"What's the whole story with Elena Ramos?" Krystina asks. "John Ross doesn't like to talk about her much."
"Well, neither do I," Christopher says.
"I know you two were involved, and I'm sorry if it's a sore subject. I just wanted to try and understand John Ross's relationship with her, and what would make a woman lie and tell a man that his child had died."
Christopher sighs as he wipes sweat from his forehead with the back of his glove. "It's a long and complicated story. And as for what would make Elena lie to John Ross about the baby, I have NO idea."
"You guys grew up with her, didn't you?"
"I know John Ross is worried about this custody battle. I know my cousin probably better than anybody, and I can tell. I can see that you're worried about it, too."
"I am. John Ross loves his son so much, I think it would crush him to lose that child again. And I've come to love him, too."
"Ya know, I can't see any judge giving custody of a baby back to a woman who did what Elena did," Christopher says. "You and John Ross, you've got a good, stable life. And Southfork.....this is a great place for a kid to grow up. I'm sure any judge will see that."
"I hope you're right," Krystina says as she sees John Ross's car pull into the front gate. "John Ross is back with Alex. Thanks for talking to me, cousin-in-law."
"Yeah, no problem. Ya know, since Alex is gonna be here all day, Charlie might be kinda lonely over there by herself."
Krystina smiles as she climbs back onto her horse. "Yeah, she might be. So why don't you go keep her company?"
"I think I just might do that. Think I should go take a shower first. This work can wait."
Krystina smiles at him again, then trots off toward the stables.
Meanwhile....
"Hey, what's up, Alex?" Conner asks.
"Not much dude, just spending the weekend here with John Ross."
"Yeah, sure," Alex says.
"Well, where the hell you goin' so early on a Saturday mornin'?" John Ross asks.
"Well, it's none of your business, John Ross, but I'm going to see my brother," Conner replies.
"Your brother. Dylan. The kid that tried to kill me."
"I have to go," Conner says. "Alex, great seeing you, man. I'll be back this afternoon and we'll go riding."
"Awesome. Later, man," Alex says as Conner walks away. He and John Ross watch Conner as he gets into his truck and drives away. "What have you got against him?" Alex asks. "He's a nice guy."
"What do you mean?"
"Conner. You don't like him. Why?"
John Ross looks at the boy and smiles. "No reason in particular. I just don't much like him bein' here."
"But why? He's your cousin, isn't he?"
"Yeah, but he comes from the wrong branch of the Ewing fam'ly," John Ross says as Krystina walks up to the house.
"Hey," she says.
"Hey, darlin'," John Ross says, kissing her. "Enjoy your ride?"
"Sure did."
Matt and Margaret's home.......Austin, Texas
"Hi, honey," Matt says.
"Hi, sweetheart," Margaret says, greeting him with a kiss. "How was your trip?"
Matt sighs and takes off his tie. "It was........same as always. Exhausting, aggravating. Sometimes I wish I'd never been appointed to that committee. We were up until 3 this morning trying to resolve some issues, and then I had to catch my plane at 7 a.m. I'm dead on my feet."
"Well, honey, we need to talk."
"Margaret, can't it wait? I haven't slept or showered since yesterday morning. All I wanna do is go grab a quick shower and go to bed for a few hours."
"Okay," Margaret says sadly. "You go get your shower first."
"Thanks for understanding, my love," Matt says, kissing his wife.
"I'll take your suitcase up."
"Thanks, babe. I love you. Missed ya, too." Matt winks at her, then quickly heads up the stairs.
Back at Southfork....
"Bum, Sue Ellen, I'm glad you could all come," Bobby says, closing the double doors to his office. "I thought this'd be the best time for us to talk, since most everybody else is out of the house this afternoon."
"I assume this is about that phone call you made to Carlos the other night," Sue Ellen says.
"That's right."
"So what's goin' on, Uncle Bobby?" John Ross asks.
"How so?" Sue Ellen asks.
"By implementing a plan that I've used once before," replies Bobby.
"Bobby, I don't follow you," Bum says.
"Sue Ellen, you remember when Jenna's ex-husband, Naldo Marchetta was murdered."
"Of course I remember. Jenna was tried and convicted."
"That's right. But through some detective work and with the help of a couple of friends of mine, not to mention luck, the real killer was finally caught and arrested. He was a professional hit man named Andre Shuman, who'd been hired to murder Naldo and his girlfriend Veronica Robinson."
"Uncle Bobby, this is a real interestin' story, but what does that have to do with J.R.'s death?" Asks an impatient John Ross.
"I'm gettin' to that. The man who killed Naldo and Veronice had nothin' to gain by keeping his mouth shut and lettin' Jenna spend the next seven years in prison. Nothin' except ONE thing......he had a wife who wouldn't be able to benefit from one penny of Shuman's blood money. With him in prison, she'd have been destitute. So, in order to get Shuman to confess to the murders, I offered him a deal. I set his wife of with a bank account that would keep her financially secure for the rest of her life, in exchange for his confession. When I thought about that, I realized that it would be the perfect solution to our current problem. I asked Carlos to do some checking, and he managed to find a man who's just been convicted of a federal crime and is sitting in prison in Nuevo Laredo. He'll spend the rest of his life there. Now, luckily, this man has a wife and children. Carlos went to see him, and offered him the same deal I offered Andre Shuman thirty years ago........in exchange for his confession to killing J.R. and robbing him that night, his wife and children will be brought to the U.S. and set up with a bank account that will give them financial security for life."
"And he agreed?" Sue Ellen asks.
"He didn't have much of a choice," Bobby answers. "Even cold-blooded killers can have a soft spot for their own wife and kids. This man is a Mexican vagrant by the name of Juan Pablo Ramirez. He was convicted in October for the murders of two American tourists in a little village not far from Nuevo Laredo, so, it would stand to reason that he could have killed J.R. two and a half years ago. As soon as Carlos calls me and tells me the Mexican authorities have a signed confession, a story will be leaked to the press that the murder of J.R. Ewing has finally been solved, and Bum, and the rest of us, are all off the hook once and for all. The Channings nor Cliff Barnes can ever hold this over our heads again."
Sue Ellen looks at him and nods. "J.R. couldn't have done any better. I can almost hear him say, 'well done, baby brother'."
Bobby looks at her and smiles. "So can I."
Matt and Margaret's home.....Austin
"That shower felt so good," he says.
"I'm glad. I turned the bed down for you."
"Thanks, sweetheart."
"Don't you want something to eat first? You must be starved."
"Honey, we have to talk first," says Margaret.
Matt sighs. "Sweetheart, can't it wait? I really dead on my feet."
"It could wait, but, I don't want it to. I'm so excited, Matt, I've waited a couple days already to tell you."
Matt looks at her for a moment, then nods. "Okay. Okay, I'm listening. What is it you wanna tell me?"
"While you were in Washington, my Mom came to visit."
"Yeah, I know. You told me Donna was here the other night when I called."
"Well, right after you left for Washington, I started feeling sick," Margaret says. "I had a few episodes of feeling sick."
"Sick?" Matt asks, moving closer to her. "You do look a little peaked. Honey, are you alright?"
The news doesn't register with Matt at first. Then, after a couple seconds, an expression of shock comes over his face as his mouth drops open. "You're......... Margaret, you're........pregnant?"
"Yes," she says happily.
"Oh my God. We're gonna have a baby? I'm gonna be a father?"
"Yes, you are, Senator Culver?'
"Oh, honey. I can't tell you how......." Matt stops talking for a moment as the news sinks in. "PREGNANT!!" he suddenly shouts with excitement. He picks Margaret up "PREGNANT..,.......HALLELUJAH!!!" He yells as he spins around with Margaret in his arms. After a few spins he stops and puts her down, but keeps his arms around her. "You know what I wanna do right now?"
"What?"
"Make love to my beautiful, pregnant wife."
"I thought you were exhausted and wanted to sleep."
"Forget sleep.......I'll sleep later. Right now, we've got to celebrate!" Matt smiles at Margaret, then kisses her.
Charlie's home....
"Christopher," she says.
"Yes?"
"That was absolutely........amazing."
Christopher smiles. "Yeah, it was, wasn't it?"
"I haven't been with a man in almost two years. Not since Phillip. It was definitely worth the wait."
Christopher looks at her, smiles, then kisses her. "So, what exactly does this mean?" He asks. "For us? Was this just casual sex? Or, something more?"
Charlie looks at him. "What do you want? Just casual sex with someone you've known practically your whole life? Or do you want something more?'
Christopher sits up in bed and takes Charlie by the hand. "I want something more," he says. "Charlie, I
"Maybe that connection has something to do with the fact that I've known you since you were in diapers," says Charlie.
"Maybe. Whatever it is, it's real. Charlie, I think I'm falling in love with you."
Charlie looks down at hers and Christopher's hands interlocked. Then she looks into his face. "You know, we do have a few things stacked against us here."
"Like what?" Christopher asks.
"For one thing, I'm nine years older than you. Christopher, you're an incredible, handsome, kind, sincere, caring 34-year-old man who's trying to pull your life together. I'm a 43-year-old widow with a troubled 16-year-old son whose biological father is your cousin. I'm also a recent cancer survivor. That's a lot of baggage to take on."
"When I look at you. When I look at what I can share with you, I don't see baggage. I see an incredibly beautiful, loving woman. Sure, we have a few obstacles, one of which, your son hates my guts. But I wanna face those obstacles.........together."
Christopher looks at her and smiles. "Haven't you heard anything I've said? That's what I want. I'm in."
"Christopher, there's one thing you haven't mentioned, and that's children. I know how much you love children and want some of your own."
"You're right, I do. Charlie, you haven't........ you haven't hit menopause yet, have you?"
"No, no. Not yet. But, I'm 43. I don't have a whole lotta time left to have kids. I don't even know if I can even still get pregnant. Alex is 16, after all. And then there's the cancer and all the chemo I had to take when I had the bone marrow transplant."
"Charlie, if you're concerned about not being able to have anymore kids, then there's only one way to find out, and that's to go to the doctor and have some tests done. Look, even if you can't get pregnant again, there are other ways. Adoption."
"But I know how important it is for you to have your OWN child."
"Yeah, that would be nice, but it's not the most important thing to me. Charlie, I could love an adopted child just as much as my own any day. I was adopted myself, remember? And my Dad and Pam never made me feel like I wasn't their own son biologically. Not once. And as for our age difference......it doesn't matter. There are a lot of very happy relationships where the woman is good deal older than the man. It doesn't bother me at all. Does it bother you that I'm younger than you?"
"Not at all. I just wanted you to know what you were getting into," Charlie says.
"I do know," Christopher says. He looks deeply into Charlie's eyes, then gently touches her face and kisses her.
Southfork......night
"Good news, I assume," Ann says.
"The best," Bobby replies, still smiling happily at the news Carlos has given him.
Cliff's apartment.....the next morning
"Good morning," she says.
"Morning. Afton still asleep?"
"Far as I know. She hasn't come down yet. There's some coffee on the counter. You look exhausted."
"I am," Cliff says. "Jet lagged, too. That trip to California really wore me out, flying there and back in one day."
"Why did you go to California, anyway?" Emma asks. "And who did you go to see?"
"A new business associate by the name of Richard Channing," Cliff replies, pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Richard Channing? San Francisco?"
"Yeah. Why? You know him?"
Cliff smiles. "Small world. As a matter of fact, yes, it's the same Richard Channing that Harris Ryland knows. I didn't know Channing and Ryland even knew each other until Channing told me the other day when I was at his house."
Emma stands from her seat and walks over to Cliff. "Why on earth did you fly all the way to San Francisco to see Richard Channing? And how do you even know him?"
"I know him through Elena Ramos."
"Elena?"
"That's right. Elena just married Channing's older son, Michael. And she's suing John Ross for custody of that baby she and John Ross have together. I thought I might could help Elena win her custody case by testifying to what rattlesnakes the Ewings are, and how they framed me for J.R.'s murder."
"Why would you wanna help Elena?"
"I'd help anyone if they were out to hurt or destroy the Ewings. Even the devil himself," Cliff says as his apartment phone rings. He picks the phone up from the counter and answers it. "Hello? Yes, this is Cliff Barnes. What? Make a statement about what? No, I haven't heard any news, and I haven't seen this morning's paper yet. Hold on." Cliff puts the phone down, walks over to the sofa and picks up the morning edition of the Dallas Morning News.
"What is it?" Emma asks.
"I don't know yet," Cliff says as he unfolds the newspaper and looks at it. His mouth falls open in shock as he sees the front page headline and article underneath:
"What's wrong?" Emma asks, picking up the paper. She begins reading. "Someone confessed to J.R.'s murder? Well, why are you so upset? This should make you happy? This finally PROVES that you didn't kill J.R. Ewing. Isn't this what you wanted?"
"The Ewings did it again," Cliff says. "They slithered out from under trouble AGAIN! What this means is, I may never be able to prove that the Ewings framed me."
The Channing mansion, Tuscany Valley, California....
"Have you seen the morning paper?" Elena asks Richard.
"Yes, I have. About the guy confessing to the murder of John Ross's father? I find the timing of that confession awfully convenient."
"So do I," Michael says. "Elena, could this really be the guy who killed John Ross's father?"
"I honestly don't know. I suppose it's possible, but, if it is, why did he wait until NOW, this long after J.R.'s death, to confess."
"The paper says this guy was given life without parole on two other murder charges," says Kevin. "Maybe he had nothing to lose by confessing."
"Anyway we can prove that?" Michael asks.
"No, except by going to Mexico and talking to this......Juan Ramirez ourselves. And then there's no guarantee the Mexican authorities would even let us talk to him. Our best bet is to try and keep searching for Rhonda Simmons. Ramirez is pretty irrelevant anyway."
"The Ewings had to have known Ramirez killed J.R.," says Elena. "Otherwise, why would they set Cliff Barnes up to take the fall?"
"IF Ramirez even did it," Richard says.
"You think he was lying?" Kevin asks.
"Why would he?" Asks Michael.
"Why WOULDN'T he? The man already has a life sentence in front of him with no chance of ever seeing the light of day again. Perhaps he has someone on the outside he cares about and the Ewings paid Ramirez off by agreeing to set his family up financially. People with the kinda money the Ewings have can bargain in all sorts of interesting ways. I should know."
"But how do we prove that?" Michael asks.
"That's just it.......we probably can't," Richard replies. "If what I suspect is true, Ramirez won't recant his story. And if he actually did kill John Ross's father, the Ewings still could have paid him off to keep quiet about Cliff Barnes's frame up. So now, all we can do is wait for the fall-out of that scandalous expose my friend on the Dallas Tribune writes on the Ewings, and how that's going to affect them in court."
Southfork.....night
Christopher and Charlie walk in, and pause in the doorway when they see all the family and see Alex across the room playing with his baby half-brother.
"You okay?" Christopher asks.
"I'm fine. I wanna tell Alex myself. Alone."
"Okay. Sure."
"Christopher, hey son, come on in," Bobby says, noticing the two in the doorway.
"Dad, what's goin' on? Looks like some sort of a celebration."
"Well, if you'd been here all day you would know, so I guess you haven't heard the news? Oh, hello, Charlie."
"Hi, Bobby," Charlie says as Bobby kisses her on the cheek.
"What news?" Christopher asks.
"Someone confessed to J.R.'s murder. It was in the morning paper. I'll fill you in. We're also celebrating Ray and Donna's good news."
"Good news?" Charlie asks. "They're getting married?"
"No. Not that kinda news. Margaret and Matt are expectin' a baby. Ray and Donna are gonna be grandparents."
Christopher smiles. "That's great," he says as Alex walks over.
"Mom, what are you doing here?" The boy asks. "John Ross is gonna drive me home after dinner."
"I need to talk to you, sweetheart. Outside."
"Okay."
"Excuse us," Charlie says. She turns and walks out with her son.
"Christopher, is there somethin' I need to know about you and Charlie?" Bobby asks after they're gone. "You two have been spendin' a lot of time together lately, and........were you together all weekend?"
"Close?" Bobby asks.
"Yeah. Real close."
Bobby manages a very weak smile, but the expression on his face is not one of happiness for his son and Charlie, but rather one of uncertainty.
Meanwhile....
"So, did you have a nice weekend?" Charlie asks him.
"Yeah, I did. It was pretty cool. I played with the baby, played some pool with John Ross. He and Krystina took me out to dinner last night. I went riding with Conner yesterday afternoon."
"That's good. I had my doubts and reservations at first about you spending time with John Ross, but now, I see it's been good for you."
"You know, it's weird. At first, I couldn't stand John Ross. Even after I found out he was my real father. But, once I actually got to know him, I like him. I like him a lot."
"Good, I'm glad. You know, Alex, Christopher is a very good man, too," Charlie says. "And if you'd give him a chance to get to know him, you'd like him, too."
"I guess he's okay," Alex says. "I got nothing against him really, just when he was hanging around you so much."
Charlie stops walking and turns to him. "Alex, that's what I wanted to talk to you about. Christopher and I have..........we've gotten close. And, I want him to be a part of our lives."
"You......sound like you're planning on dating the guy."
"Alex........I care for Christopher. Very deeply, and he cares for me, and we........"
"Alex, you knew that Christopher and I have been close, and we've been spending time together for a while."
"As FRIENDS, Mom. I mean, I knew Christopher had the hots for you, and that's why I didn't want him around, but I thought you just saw him as a friend."
"I do, Alex, he's my best friend."
"I don't believe this. I don't freakin' BELIEVE THIS! Dad hasn't even been gone for two years yet, and you....."
"Alex, that's just it," Charlie interrupts. "Your Dad is gone. I loved him with all of my heart, and no one could ever replace him in my life or in my heart, just as no one can replace him in yours. But Alex, I can't sit around for the rest of my life alone and never be with anyone else. Honey, I may be your mother, but I'm also human. I'm falling in love with Christopher, and I want you to give him a chance."
"No way."
"No way, Mom! And if you bring him to our house, just let me know so I'll know NOT to be there." Angrily, the boy turns and walks away from his mother and heads toward the bunk house.
Watching from the patio, Christopher walks out to Charlie, who is now crying. "Didn't take it well?" Christopher asks.
"No."
"He'll come around, Charlie. I'll go talk to him."
"No, I don't think that's a good idea. He's angry right now. I know my son. When he gets this way, the best thing is to just let him cool off for a while."
Christopher puts his arms around her as they watch the boy's faint figure walking away from the house in the moonlight.
Ewing Oil....the next day
Janice walks into the office. "Mr. Ewing, here are the copies of those files you wanted."
"Thank you, Janice," Bobby says.
"Of course, take as much time as you need," Bobby says.
Janice smiles. "Thanks, Mr. Ewing." The pretty young secretary turns and walks out of the office, passing Christopher on his way in to see his father.
"Hey, Janice," Christopher says as they meet in the doorway. He walks in and closes the door. "Hey, Dad, you wanna have lunch at The Cattlemen's?"
"Sure, just give me a minute, I wanna look somethin' over," Bobby says, intently staring at the papers Janice just brought him.
"What's wrong?" Christopher asks.
"$200 million."
"What?"
"Hold on a minute." Bobby picks up another piece of paper from the file and looks at it. After a few seconds of reading, an angry look comes over his face. "Damn it!" He says, getting up from his seat and heading for the door.
"Dad, what is it?" Christopher asks, following his father out of the office.
"John Ross. He's up to his old tricks of keeping secrets." Bobby walks over to John Ross's office and knocks on the door.
"Come in," John Ross says.
Bobby and Christopher walk in. "John Ross, what the HELL are you up?" Bobby demands.
"Nice to see you too, Uncle Bobby. Now would ya mind tellin' me what you're talkin' about?"
"You took $200 million of company funds and invested in some offshore wells in the Gulf," Bobby angrily says.
"You did what?" Christopher asks.
"Yes, I did," says John Ross. "It's a damned good investment that's gonna turn a hefty profit for Ewing Oil, if you'll just look at the figures."
"You don't know that."
"The hell I don't. When have you or Christopher ever had enough faith in me to trust my decisions in business?"
"What's going on in here?" Sue Ellen asks, walking into the office.
"Just John Ross reverting back to his old ways," replies Christopher.
"What do you mean?"
Bobby sighs. "John Ross took $200 million of Ewing Oil money and invested in some contracts for some offshore tracts in the Gulf, WITHOUT our knowledge or consent, going against the agreement we made when we took him back into the company."
"Is this true, John Ross?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Yes, it's true. Alright, you wanna know why I did it and what this was all about? I'll tell you. It was part of my plan to get Cliff Barnes outta Westar and make a huge profit for Ewing Oil, all at the same time."
"What does one thing have to do with the other?" Christopher asks.
"Last winter, I bought half of those offshore wells when I was CEO of Westar. Krystina's comp'ny, Denver-Carrington, bought the other half. We were partners in the wells. That's how Krystina and I first met. We had a stipulation in the contract that either partner could pull out of the contract at any time, no questions asked. I got Krystina to use that stipulation and pull Denver-Carrington out of the deal with Westar, buyin' out Westar's share of the wells for less than half their worth, leavin' Cliff Barnes high and dry. And in order to take up the financial burden from Denver-Carrington, I bought the half of those wells for Ewing Oil that Westar was forced to sell to Krystina."
"I don't believe this," Bobby says.
"You used this company and Ewing Oil funds for your personal vendetta against Cliff Barnes?" Christopher asks.
"After everything that man has done to this fam'ly, did you honestly wanna see him continue on as CEO of Westar?"
"John Ross, I am REALLY angry and REALLY disappointed in you right now," says Bobby. "All this time you've been on your best behavior. I should've known that wouldn't last."
"Now wait a minute, Bobby," says Sue Ellen. "John Ross, have those wells turned a profit since last winter?"
John Ross walks over to his desk, picks up a piece of paper from under a stack and hands it to his mother.
Sue Ellen looks over the paper, and a look of shock comes over her face. "Bobby, take a look at this," she says, handing the paper to him.
"Wow," Bobby says. "This is incredible."
"That's one of the richest tracts in the Gulf," John Ross says. "Westar made a hell of a lot of money on those wells. Ewing Oil will, too."
"Well, Bobby?" Sue Ellen asks.
"Alright. Granted, this is a very good deal and Ewing Oil does stand to make a lot of money here, but John Ross the point is, you are supposed to run EVERY deal by one of us first. Consider this a warning, son. But the next time you go behind my back and do somethin' like this.........you're out of this company." Without another word, Bobby walks out of the office, followed by Christopher.
An angry John Ross walks over and punches the back of his chair. "I am SICK and tired of always bein' the blacksheep of this fam'ly in their eyes," he says angrily. "I could make Ewing Oil the biggest independent oil comp'ny in the whole country and it still wouldn't be good enough for them."
Southfork......that night
"You wanna talk about it?" She asks.
"I'm just fed up, darlin'. For a long time now, I've been the outsider around here. In this fam'ly, in the comp'ny. The blacksheep. Everything I do, they question. And now, I have to ask Uncle Bobby's or Christopher's permission before I can do anything at Ewing Oil. I'm surprised they don't have me askin' permission before I even go to the bathroom."
"I can't believe that Bobby and Christopher can't see what a smart, savvy businessman you are."
"They don't trust me. That's the whole issue. Sure, I've made some mistakes in the past, but now they won't even let me prove to them that I've changed. That I'm not gonna make the same dumb ass moves I made before. They never trusted me because they always compared me to my Daddy." John Ross stands to his feet and walks across the room. "This whole thing sucks, Krystina. You and I just got married. We should be enjoyin' our lives right now, not worryin' about a custody battle. Westar was taken away from me when I was in the hospital and laid up, unable to even see my hand in front of my face. And not only did they take my job away thanks to those damned bylaws Jeremy Wendell wrote 50 years ago, but they gave it to Cliff Barnes. CLIFF BARNES! And now, I'm at Ewing Oil, which is my heritage, but I'm nothin' more than a glorified errand boy there. It's not fair, darlin'. I worked my ass off to get where I am today. To get Westar, and now my little sister is sittin' back in that CEO's chair. And I'll never be anything at Ewing Oil but third fiddle to Uncle Bobby and Cousin Christopher."
"John Ross, things will turn around. They will. You have so much going for you. I know you're impatient, but stick it out at Ewing Oil. Show Bobby and Christopher AND your mother just what a valuable asset you are to that company, and they'll start trusting you again, and relying on you. And as for the custody case, you're not going to lose custody of Little John. Elena Ramos lied to you, telling you that your son had been stillborn. That's really sick. No judge would give custody back to a woman who would do such a thing. And I'm going to be there by your side every step of the way."
John Ross looks at her and smiles. "Ya know, in all of this, YOU are the one bright spot in my life," he says walking over to her.
"You know, we're coming up on our first Christmas together," says Krystina. "And this is going to be the best Christmas ever."
"You can count on that, Mrs. Ewing," John Ross says, kissing her.
Southfork.....the next morning
"Morning," he says.
"Morning. Missed you at breakfast."
"Yeah, I just grabbed some juice and a bagel. I went out riding early. Now I'm just goin' over these feed bills."
"How come you didn't go to the office today?" Krystina asks.
"I wanted to do some work around the ranch today, so I asked Lucas to fill in for me at the office. He's done it before, so he knows his way around. Sometimes I just like to get outta the office and spend some time here on the ranch."
"I can certainly understand that. Christopher, I'm glad you're here. I'd like to talk to you."
"Okay. Shoot," he says.
"It's about John Ross."
"What about John Ross?"
"I don't think that you and your father are being very fair to him. He was very upset last night about the way you guys jumped all over him about those offshore wells."
"He didn't SINK that money, Christopher. He INVESTED it. Denver-Carrington and Westar made a lot of money on those wells, and Ewing Oil will, too."
"I'm not saying that it's not a good deal. It is," says Christopher. "But the point is, John Ross should've let us know what he was up to. And he used not only Ewing Oil, but he also used you in his personal vendetta against Cliff Barnes."
"John Ross did what he thought was right."
"Krystina, that's part of the problem. Half the time, what John Ross thinks is right is totally different from what most other people think is right. The other half of the time......he just doesn't think before he acts."
"If you would just give him a chance," Krystina says. "He's really trying, Christopher."
"Maybe he is."
"He IS. All he needs is for his family to believe in him. He really needs that now especially with this custody case going to court in a couple of days. Please, just give him a chance."
"He's had a lot of chances before, Krystina, and he's always blown them." Christopher stands to his feet and faces her. "Look, Krystina, I like you. I like you a lot. I think you're good for my cousin, and you're a very welcome addition to this family. I want us to be friends, but, from now on, I think it's best if we don't discuss my problems with John Ross. If he wants this family's trust again, then he's gonna have to earn it. And goin' behind our backs making deals isn't the way to do that." Christopher picks up the feed bills from the table, and walks past Krystina into the house.
Ewing Oil....
"Yes, may I help you?" Courtney asks.
"Umm, I need to see one of the Ewings. I have a delivery for them."
"Which one of the Ewings?"
"Doesn't really matter. John Ross Ewing, Bobby Ewing, Christopher Ewing, or Sue Ellen Ewing."
At that moment, Lucas comes out of Christopher's office. He sees the boy and walks over to Courtney's desk. "Can I help you?"
"Christopher Ewing?" The boy asks.
"No. Christopher's my brother."
"I have a delivery here for the Ewing family," the boy says, handing Lucas the box.
"What's this?"
"I have no idea, dude. Some old guy paid me to deliver this box to Ewing Oil, and to one of the Ewings, so that's what I did."
Puzzled, Lucas takes the box, and the boy turns and leaves. "What could this be?" Lucas asks.
"Open it and find out," says Courtney.
Lucas takes the top off the box and sees a stack of newspapers. "What the hell? Just some papers." He picks one of the papers up and unfolds it. A look of shock comes over his face as he sees that front page headline on the Dallas Tribune. A headline reading INSIDE THE EWING FAMILY: SECRETS, SCANDALS, AND TRAGEDIES OF A TEXAS FAMILY. Lucas begins reading the article underneath. "Oh my God," he says. He takes the box and walks over to Bobby's office, knocks on the door, then walks in.
"Lucas, what's up?" Bobby asks.
"These were just delivered here by some kid," Lucas replies, handing Bobby one of the papers.
Bobby opens the paper and sees the same headline and article Lucas had. "What the hell is this? You said these were just delivered?"
Bobby looks inside the box. "There's a note in here," he says, taking out a folded piece of paper. He opens the note and begins reading aloud: "Hope you all enjoy seeing all the Ewing family's misdeeds exposed to the world, thanks to my good friend Richard Channing. Best wishes, Cliff Barnes." Bobby angrily balls the note up and tosses it to the floor.
Lucas shakes his head in disgust.
Sue Ellen's office.....later
"Well, they didn't spare any of us, did they?" Sue Ellen asks. "It's all here. Every scandal, every mistake, all the misdeeds ever committed by anyone named Ewing is all here in print for the whole world to see. Every affair of J.R.'s. Every affair of mine. Every affair of John Ross's. There's even a paragraph about Ann and Cliff."
"Damn it," Bobby says. "I should've killed Cliff Barnes on one of the many chances I had."
"I'm gonna call Jay Smithfield," says John Ross. "We'll sue that rag for liable."
"We can't," says Bobby.
"Well I'd like to know why the hell not!"
"Because technically, everything in that article is the truth. There isn't anything there that can be considered liable."
"Well, what about suing them for invasion of privacy?" Lucas asks.
"Channing," John Ross says. "This is all his doin'. Barnes wouldn't have had the brains to think of writin' this kinda expose to embarrass us or he'd have done it a long time ago."
"And the timing couldn't be worse with the custody hearing in just two days," says Sue Ellen.
"I think that was the whole point," Bobby says. "But two can play at this game. If Richard Channing wants to expose all the dirty secrets of the Ewing family, then we can play the game, too."
"Yes, we can," John Ross agrees. "And I know just where to start. With Channing's own fam'ly." John Ross takes his cell phone from his pocket and dials a number. On the second ring, someone answers. "Jay Smithfield, please," John Ross says. "It's urgent." John Ross paces around for a moment until Jay comes
Cliff's apartment....afternoon
"Hi, sweetheart," he says cheerfully. "Oh, I see you have a copy of the story on the Ewings."
"I can't believe you did this," Emma says, standing to face him.
"What do you mean?"
"How could you have had this story printed to embarrass all the Ewings like this? I know it had to be you, because who else hates the Ewings enough to do something so hateful?"
"Yeah, I gave Richard Channing the information, he contacted a friend of his who knew the publisher of the Dallas Tribune, and they wrote the story."
"Look, I know you have a problem with John Ross and with Bobby, but why did you have to bring my mother into this?" Emma asks. "Writing about the night she shot Harris Ryland? About her past drug use and her one night stand with you?"
"Honey, I did what I did because I wanted to get back at that family for all the pain they've caused our family over the years. You don't know a whole lot of the history of the Barnes-Ewing feud, but......"
"I know all I need to know," Emma says angrily. "You're the one who's keeping this damned feud alive and well, and now you've brought the Channings in to help you fight your battles with the Ewings. Do you realize how many people are gonna be hurt by this? Or do you even care?"
Emma looks at Cliff and shakes her had. "You know, I thought Harris Ryland was bad, but you? You're even worse. The Ewings have done some pretty bad things, but that is NOTHING compared to what you're doing now."
"What the hell are you talking about? The Ewings set me up. They framed me for the murder of J.R., knowing damned well I was innocent, and then left me to rot in that dark, stinking Mexican dungeon for the rest of my life. What am I supposed to do, just forgive and forget?"
"You're OUT of prison now. You were pardoned. The real killer confessed and now your name is cleared. Why can't you just leave it at that?" Emma walks past Cliff and starts upstairs.
"Hey, Emma! Where you going?"
She stops and the top of the stairs and looks down at him. "To pack. I may not be welcome at Southfork, but I sure can't stay here any longer."
"Why not?" Cliff asks.
"Because I'm not going to be caught in the middle of this stupid feud you and Pamela are hell bent on fighting with the Ewings."
"But we just started to get close as father and daughter, don't throw that away now because of the Ewings."
"Oh my God, how clueless are you? I'm not leaving because of the Ewings. I'm leaving because of YOU." Emma storms into her bedroom and slams the door.
Southfork....
"Oh, hello, Miss Emma," Maria says.
"Hello, Maria, is my mother at home?"
Before Maria can answer the question, Ann walks into the foyer from the living room. "Emma, is anything wrong?"
Emma walks over to her. "I was just wondering, since the Beaumonts are back east, would it be possible for me to stay in the cottage?" She asks near tears.
Ann looks at her daughter and smiles, then puts her hands on Emma's arms. "Of course."
Dallas County Courthouse......two days later
"Miss Ramos, can we ask you a few questions?" One reporter asks.
"It's MRS. Channing," Michael says. "And we have no comment." The group pushes past the reporters and goes into the courtroom.
A moment later, John Ross, Krystina, Sue Ellen, Bobby, Ann, Lucy, and Christopher arrive together with Jay and Jill. They, too evade questions from reporters ("Mr. Ewing, do you think this custody case will go your way?" "Mr. Ewing, can you give us a reaction to the expose printed in this week's Dallas Tribune?" "Mrs. Ewing, how do you feel about raising your husband's child by another woman?"). Finally, they make their way into the courtroom.
"This whole thing has turned into a circus," Ann says.
John Ross looks across the courtroom and sees Elena sitting with Michael. John Ross and Krystina exchange angry looks of pure contempt with Elena and Michael.
"Excuse me for a minute," John Ross says.
"John Ross, don't do anything stupid," Jay warns.
"I'm not. Just gonna say hello. Itn't that the polite thing to do, even if they are our enemies?" He walks over to where the Channings are seated. "You're not gonna win this, Elena," he says.
"I wouldn't be too sure, John Ross," Elena replies.
"Oh, I AM sure."
"The only thing I'm sure about is that you'd better get the hell out of our face," Michael says.
"What are you gonna do, Channing? Start a brawl right here in this courtroom? Punch me? That's sure to win this case for your new wife."
"Mr. Ewing, my client has nothing to say to you," Tim Ackerman says. "I would suggest you take your seat."
"Kiss my ass, counselor," John Ross says. He turns and walks back over to Krystina and the others.
Cliff walks into the courtroom with Pamela and Tripp at that point. He looks at the Ewings and smiles, then they take their seats. Fuming with anger toward his enemy, Bobby starts toward Cliff, but Ann grabs his arm and holds him back.
"I just wanna knock that smug grin off that jerk's face," Bobby says, watching Cliff, Tripp, and Pamela take seats with the Channings.
"I know. But not here. That won't help John Ross win this case, and things are bad enough," Ann says.
Krystina is surprised when she looks up and sees her mother, Krystle Carrington, walk into the courtroom. She goes over to her. "Mom, what are you doing here?"
"I came to support you and John Ross. His attorney phoned me yesterday. I might be called as a character witness."
"I knew Jay was putting you on the list, but, I didn't think he'd actually need you to testify."
"Well, darling, even if I don't have to take the stand, I still wanted to be here for you and John Ross."
"Hello, Sue Ellen, it's good to see you again."
"You look wonderful."
"Thank you, and so do you."
"Krystina," John Ross says, walking over to them. "Hello, Krystle."
"John Ross."
"We better take our seats. Jay says we're about ready to start."
Krystina nods, then follows her husband to their seats in front of the courtroom, on the opposite side of Elena and Michael.
"Court will come to order," says a bailiff who steps to the front. "All rise. Family Court of Dallas County, Texas. The Honorable Judge Carter Thompson presiding."
Judge Thompson, a man of about 50 with brown hair, walks in and takes his seat on the bench. "Be seated, please." As the principals and spectators take their seats, Judge Thompson looks through some papers.
"Your Honor," says the bailiff. "This is case number 254498742, case of Elena Ramos Channing vs. John Ross Ewing III, the issue in question is custody of a minor child, John Ross Ewing IV, also known as Drew Ramos."
"Thank you," Thompson says. "All parties are present and represented by counsel. Mr. Timothy Ackerman, you are here representing the plaintiff, Mrs. Elena Channing?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Ackerman replies, standing.
"Yes, Your Honor," Jay says, also standing.
"Thank you. This is a custody hearing. Custody suit has been filed in this court by the plaintiff, Elena Ramos, now Elena Ramos Channing, against the father of the minor child, John Ross Ewing IV, formerly known as Drew Ramos II, age 10 months. Since May of this year, the infant child has been in custodial care of the father, John Ross Ewing, III, residing at the Southfork Ranch, Braddock, Texas. The mother of the infant child, Elena Ramos Channing, to my understanding, resides in Tuscany Valley, California, is that correct?"
"Yes, Your Honor," Tim Ackerman replies.
"Thank you, Mr. Ackerman. The purpose for these proceedings is to show cause as to why the infant child should be removed from the custody of his father, and returned to the custody of his mother. Mr. Ackerman, you may call your first witness for the plaintiff."
"Your Honor, I call Mr. Michael Channing to the stand."
Michael stands and walks to the front of the courtroom. He place his hand on a Bible.
"Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you, God?"
"I do," Michael says.
"Take your seat."
As Michael takes his seat on the witness stand, Tim Ackerman approaches him. "Good morning, Mr. Channing."
"Good morning."
"Would you please state your relationship to Mrs. Elena Ramos Channing?"
"Elena is my wife."
"How long have you known Mrs. Channing?"
"And how did you meet?"
"Elena came to my father's newspaper, The San Francisco Globe, around the first of this year, looking for a job. We liked her, she was pregnant and needed the job, and she was hired."
"How long after Elena Ramos went to work for your family's newspaper did she give birth?"
"A couple of months."
"Mr. Channing, when you first met Elena Ramos in January of this year, was she using her real name, or an assumed name?" Tim asks.
Michael hesitates for a moment.
"Mr, Channing?"
"She was using an assumed name. Erica Ramirez."
"And why is that?" Tim asks.
"She didn't want her ex-boyfriend, John Ross Ewing, finding her."
"John Ross Ewing, the father of her child," says Tim.
"Yes."
"And did Elena Ramos tell you why she did not want the father of her child to know of her whereabouts?"
"She said that John Ross was a very dangerous man, and she was afraid of him. Afraid that he would take her child away from her."
LATER....
Jay approaches Michael to cross examine him. "Hello, Mr. Channing. How are you today?"
"Just fine."
"Good. Mr. Channing, when Elena Ramos gave birth to her son on February the 14th of 2015, the child was premature, is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And after the birth of her son, did Miss Ramos attempt in any way to contact the child's father, John Ross Ewing?" Jay asks.
Michael hesitates as he looks over at Elena.
"Mr. Channing would you please answer the question?" Jay asks.
"No, she didn't."
"Isn't it true, Mr. Channing, that rather than contacting John Ross Ewing and letting him know that his son had been born, Miss Ramos instead chose to keep the child's birth a secret. And isn't it also true that when Mr. Ewing finally learned of Miss Ramos's whereabouts and visited her in San Francisco, she lied to him, informing him that his son had been stillborn?"
"Yes, but....."
"Just yes or no answers are sufficient, Mr. Channing. Isn't it true that you helped Miss Ramos in carrying out this elaborate scheme, this FRAUD, if you will, perpetrated against Mr. Ewing to make him believe that his son was dead?"
Michael hesitates a moment before answering.
"Mr. Channing....."
"Yes," Michael says.
Jay walks over to the counsel table and picks up a piece of paper. "Your Honor, allow me to introduce into evidence this document. It is a death certificate......a FAKED death certificate.......for one infant Andreas 'Drew' Ramos, who, according to this certificate was born and died in San Francisco on Valentine's Day. A death certificate which Michael Channing has already admitted to helping Elena Ramos fake."
Later....
"Pamela Rebecca Barnes Ewing McKay."
"John Ross is my ex-husband."
"Mrs. McKay, you are also acquainted with Elena Ramos Channing?" Tim asks.
"Yes, I am."
"Would you please tell the court why your marriage to John Ross Ewing ended?"
"Objection, Your Honor," Jay says, standing to his feet. "Mr. Ewing's marriage to Mrs. McKay has no bearing on this case."
"I beg to differ, Your Honor," Tim says. "It's my intention to establish a pattern of a long string of bad behavior and poor choices made by Mr. John Ross Ewing. And the testimony of Mr. Ewing's former wife is very relevant in this case."
"Objection overruled," Judge Thompson says.
"Thank you, Your Honor. Mrs. McKay? What series of events led to the end of your marriage to Mr. Ewing?"
"Emma Ryland, who is your half-sister?"
"Yes. I didn't know at the time that Emma was my sister. I didn't find that out until later, after John Ross and I had separated."
"And when you discovered that your husband and Emma Ryland were having an affair.....in fact, you found them in bed together, correct?"
"Yes, at the Omni Hotel."
"When you learned of your husband's affair with a young woman you had thought of as a friend, you overdosed on pills, correct?"
Pamela hesitates a moment as she looks at the crowd in the courtroom, Afton and Cliff and Tripp especially. "Yes."
Later....
"Mr. Channing, when Miss Ramos's infant son was living with her in your home, could you please describe the kind of mother you witnessed her to be?"
"Thank you, Mr. Channing."
A FEW MOMENTS LATER:
"Mr. Channing, have you ever spent time in prison?" Jay asks, upon cross-examining Richard.
"Yes, counselor, I did spend a little time in prison."
"In 1989, you were convicted of several white-collar crimes, including fraud, stock market manipulations, and tax evasion, is that accurate, Mr. Channing?"
"Yes, I would say that's accurate," Richard replies casually.
"Mr. Channing, you are the biological son of Douglas and Angela Gioberti Channing, but you were not raised by them, correct?"
"Objection, Your Honor," Tim says. "This extensive questioning about Mr. Channing's parents is completely irrelevant."
"Your Honor, I'm trying to establish some background on Mr. Channing so that the court will be able to fully understand the kind of man this infant child will be raised around if allowed to be returned to his mother."
"I'll allow the questioning," says Judge Thompson. "But proceed with extreme care, Mr. Smithfield."
"Thank you, sir. Mr. Channing.........who raised you?"
"A man by the name of Henry Denault," answers Richard.
"Henry Denault," Jay repeats the name. He walks over to the counsel table and again picks up some papers which he hands to the judge. "Henry Denault, the man who raised Mr. Channing, served as a father to him during his life, and taught him basically everything he knows.........was involved with the Third Reich during World War II. Mr. Channing's foster father.........was a Nazi."
The courtroom erupts into audible gasps and whispers. The judge bangs his gavel. "Order," he says.
"Yes," Richard replies, beginning to get irritated over this line of questioning digging so far into his past.
"In 1989, shortly before you went to prison, you were involved in your own custody battle with Maggie Channing over your two sons, Michael and Kevin, correct?"
"Correct."
"Your estranged wife and two sons were at the time living in the home of your mother, Angela Channing. Is it true, Mr. Channing, that you forcibly removed the two boys from their mother's care, even though the younger boy, Kevin, was not even your child biologically?"
"Yes, but now if you'll just let me......"
"No explanations necessary, Mr. Channing, just answer yes or not," Jay says.
"Yes."
"Your wife, Maggie, died in the fall of 1989, while you were still in prison?"
"Yes," Richard replies, trying very hard to control his anger.
"When you were released from prison, you had custody of the boys, Michael and Kevin?"
"I did."
"Is it not true that the state took your children away from you for failing to provide a suitable and stable home environment?"
"You know, this line of questioning is ridiculous," Richard protests. "None of these events that happened so many years ago should have anything to do with my son or Elena and them getting custody of that baby."
"Your son and his wife, Elena Ramos Channing, live in your home," says Jay. "Which means that if Mrs. Elena Channing were to be granted custody, the minor child would ALSO live in your home. I'm simply trying to determine for the court whether or not your home would be a suitable environment."
"By bringing up events that happened 26 years ago?" Richard asks.
"ANY event, past or present, is relevant when we're talking about the welfare of an innocent child, Mr. Chaanning. Please answer the question. Did the state remove Michael and Kevin from your home after the death of your wife?"
"Yes."
"And they were placed in the custody of who, Mr. Channing?" Jay asks.
"A couple named Walker and Lauren Daniels."
"Lauren Daniels......who became your, what? Fourth wife?"
"Yes," replies an agitated and visibly angry Richard.
"You married Lauren Daniels, when, Mr. Channing?" Jay asks.
"May 17, 1990."
"May 17, 1990? That was only a few months after you met her and she had been given custody of your sons by the state. What happened to Mrs. Daniel's husband in the meantime? Walker Daniels?"
"He killed himself."
"Killed himself," Jay says. "Because you were having an affair with his wife?"
"I was NOT having an affair with Lauren while she was married to Walker Daniels!" Richard protests.
"Objection, Your Honor," Tim Ackerman says. "Mr. Channing is not on trial here today."
Meanwhile, deeply troubled by the rigorous and embarrassing cross-examination of her father on the stand, Richard's daughter, Angie Channing, gets up and walks out of the courtroom. Her brother Kevin gets up and follows her, catching up to her outside in the hall as she stands by the elevator.
"Angie, are you okay?" Kevin asks his sister.
"Where are you going?"
Angie sighs. "Just out for some air. Don't worry, I'll be okay. I just need some time alone."
As the elevator doors open and Angie steps onto the elevator, Emma steps off and comes face to face with Kevin. The doors close again.
"Hi," says Kevin. "It's been a long time."
"Yes, it has."
"I'm surprised to see you here. Are you here to support John Ross Ewing, or Elena?"
"I guess you could say I'm a neutral observer," replies Emma.
"I need to get out of here for a while. Would you wanna maybe go have a cup of coffee or some lunch? Catch up a little. After all, I haven't seen you since that summer in London four years ago when you were there with your father."
"I'd love to," Emma says. "And, I'm sure you didn't know this, I didn't even know it myself until a little more than a year ago but.......Harris Ryland ISN'T my father. Cliff Barnes is."
"Well, that's interesting. Small world, isn't it? My Dad knows your old father, and your new one."
Emma looks at Kevin and smiles.
The men's room.....later
"Well, well, fancy meeting you in here," Tripp says. "Nervous, John Ross?"
"Me? Why should I be nervous?"
John Ross turns to look at him. "I hear you're still slitherin' around at Westar, workin' for my little sister. But just how long do you think she's gonna keep you on there? Especially when she finds out you're just there to spy for that decrepit old father-in-law of yours."
"Shut the hell up, McKay," John Ross says.
Tripp smiles. "Are you gonna make me, John Ross? Why don't you just do that? I'd love to go back into that courtroom with a busted lip or a bloody nose and tell that judge you just attacked me in the men's room. Went crazy and started hitting me for no reason at all."
"You're tryin' to bait me, McKay, but it aint gonna work. But I WILL attend to you later." John Ross brushes past him and starts to leave.
"John Ross," Tripp says. "Why don't you just go ahead and sell those shares of Westar to Pamela and I? After all, you're no longer a part of Westar. You're at Ewing Oil now. So why hang on to shares of a company you'll never be a part of again as an executive?"
"I'd sell those shares to the devil himself before I'd ever let you or that tramp of a wife of yours get your hands on 'em."
Back in the courtroom.....later
"Mrs. Ewing," Tim Ackerman says. "I'm at a loss to understand how you, a woman who was once embroiled in your own custody battle with your ex-husband over your son, can feel that this child, your own grandchild, doesn't belong with his natural mother."
"Elena Ramos Channing lied to my son. She had that baby and didn't even let John Ross or any of us know that his child had been born. And then she told John Ross that the baby was dead. I don't know of any woman who would do such a cruel thing to her child's father. John Ross's father and I had many problems over the years, but I would never have even considered doing such a thing to J.R. So no.......I do NOT feel that Elena is fit to raise my grandchild. Particularly in the home of a man like Richard Channing."
Later....
"Thank you, Mrs. Carrington," Jay says, finishing his questioning.
Later....
"So, in order to achieve that, you take up with a man whose family is just as wealthy and has a reputation for being equally as ruthless as the Ewings ever were?" Jay asks. "That makes a lot of sense, Mrs. Channing."
"Michael Channing is the kindest, most sincere, and most decent man I have ever known," Elena says as
Later still....
She looks at Jay, then at the crowd in the courtroom watching her, and smiles. "Oh yes. I love that baby very much. He's a really special little guy."
"Do you and your husband plan on having children of your own?"
"Yes. John Ross and I have talked about it a lot, and we definitely want children."
"When that time comes, and you have your own child, do you feel that you would be able to continue to love John Ross IV as you do now?"
"Yes, I do. I know I would. And so would John Ross. You should see him with Little John. There have been times when I've seen John Ross standing over the baby's crib at night, just watching him sleep. He was absolutely devastated when Elena Ramos told him that his son had died. I can't imagine any parent ever doing that to their child's other parent. It was unforgivable, the hell that she put John Ross through."
Dallas County Courthouse.....late afternoon
"Mr. Ewing, how did you learn that your son was alive and living with his mother in San Francisco?" Jay asks.
"Angie Channing, Michael Channing's sister, came to see me here in Dallas, and she told me."
"Angie Channing, the SISTER of Elena Ramos Channing's own husband, boyfriend at the time, came all the way to Dallas to inform Mr. Ewing that he had been lied to about the death of his infant son. I have no further questions, Mr. Ewing."
"You may step down," says Judge Thompson.
John Ross stands and walks back to his seat in the courtroom.
"There you have it, Your Honor," Jay says. "My client, John Ross Ewing, was clearly devastated at the news that his son had died during birth. A lie told to him by the baby's own mother, Elena Ramos, in a spiteful attempt to hurt Mr. Ewing under the ruse of a desperate attempt to 'protect' her son from his father. Elena Ramos inflicted severe emotional and psychological trauma on Mr. Ewing and other members of his family. Mr. Ewing lost another child this year. His former wife, Amanda Ewing, was carrying his baby when she was in an accident a few months ago. She miscarried that child. Imagine the horrible pain this man would be feeling today, had it not been for Michael Channing's own sister, coming forth and telling him the truth about his other child. As witness after witness has testified in this court today, John Ross Ewing is a good father to his infant son, and the child has flourished under the care of the Ewings......."
A short time later....
"Elena, are you okay?" Michael asks.
"I'm fine. Just scared. Jay Smithfield made me sound like the most horrible person in the world. And Richard, I'm sorry for what he put you through on that stand."
"It's alright," Richard says. "We all knew this was gonna get ugly. But at least all the Ewing family's skeletons are out there for the whole world to see, too."
"There comes the bailiff," Tim says. "The judge must have reached a decision."
"Court will come to order," says the bailiff as everyone begins to take their places in the courtroom again.
As the judge is about to announce his decision, the parties involved each hold their breaths, as both John Ross's and Elena's hearts pound in anticipation of what that decision will be, and the rest of the Ewings present look on with anticipation as well.....